Monthly Archives: June 2020
Intrigue in the Elf world #MFRWHooks
THE ELF CHILD
Clan Elves of the Bitterroot (Book II)
The moment elf warrior Astan Hawk agrees to protect the young elf queen trouble dogs his heels. Jelani’s human upbringing clashes with clan tradition, spurring dangerous intrigues within the Circle of Elders. Soon even the motives of his father Daven come into question. With nowhere else to turn, Astan asks Jelani’s human friends for help. Hiding in shadows, an outcast elf plots revenge by seeking the help of powerful elf mages who live deep within the forest. Can Astan fulfill his promise to keep both Jelani and his child safe when the whole world seems to have turned against them?
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EXCERPT:
This was Grigor’s plan, no one else’s. He’d thought of it all on his own, after the clan had 
discarded him, left him alone here in the pitiless rocks and cold winds and harsh rain. He deserved the right to carry it out.
“If the elders are involved in their politicking and complaining, then now is the time to strike,” Grigor said, looking Vez straight in the eye. “We should move in and take the child now.”
“All the same, if guards are posted, while they may let us in, they will not let you pass,” Vez insisted.
“We need a distraction. Something to send anyone who’s not already involved in this discussion about the false queen out of our way,” Grigor said.
Terzon’s face lit up, an idea practically bursting from his lips. “A groundquake. That would frighten them, show them we are a force to be reckoned with!” He grinned, and Grigor knew that capability existed within his childhood friend. But so did the rest of the clan.
“They would know you had caused it, Terzon. Inherent in this plan is the ability for you and the others to continue to blend into the clan, to appear innocent, until the queen is deposed once and all. The same goes for the rest of you. Your elven powers are obvious to those who know you well.”
Silence settled around them like a heavy smoke. Grigor hadn’t thought through the details, not while trying to coordinate so many of them, and now facing the open hostility in the eyes of Vez, he struggled to be clever.
“Then we should use human powers,” Vez said.
“Humans have no powers!” Hidal cried.
“Exactly. What can we do that will call to the heart of every elf in the forest, that we can blame on humans?”
“Fire,” Fontine whispered.
“Yes,” Grigor said. “Yes, Fontine, that’s just what we need.”
Grigor knew Fontine could start a fire anywhere, just by wishing it into existence. But careless humans had destroyed hundreds of acres of elven territory over the years. The possibility was one the clan feared more than almost anything.
Yadin nodded. “Beckley said a camp of human males had been on the eastern face of the mountain for the last week, hunting for animals.”
“This was known to the clan?” Grigor asked.
“Yes,” Vez said. “I heard them talking. Here’s your chance to be a hero, my friend. And we can hold the humans accountable for all of it. Of course, this would be more believable if you showed the clan you’d put up a fight to protect them.” He eyed Grigor. “I think a blacked eye and a bloody nose ought to do it.”
https://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=297341
Have you heard of the Montana Vortex?
I knew when I got the idea for THE ELF GUARDIAN that It would be set in the Bitterroot Mountains, like the others–but I wanted a unique twist. It came when I read about the Montana Vortex.
When paranormal investigator Chiara de Luna needs a boost to her sagging career, she makes a trip to northwestern Montana for new material. Little does she know that the real story she’ll find is much more outlandish than weirdly tilted trees and brooms standing up on their own.
Clan Elves of the Bitterroot (Book IV): The strong Earth energies that support the Clan Elves of the Bitterroot have gone awry for unknown reasons, and the powerful forces at work have not gone unnoticed by the outside world. When a paranormal investigator looking for a story to save her career is told a fantastic tale by the juvenile and disobedient elf prince Elliun, his young albino elf bodyguard Max must try to fix the mistake. Can Max get humans, mages, and elves working together in time to save the land before the energies spin out of control? Or is this the end of the elven world in the Bitterroot Mountains? [Urban Fantasy series from Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.]
Excerpt:
The phone line went dead before she could even say ‘goodbye.”
Not that she was going to say ‘goodbye.’ Anything but.
“Hunter, wait—”
The once-sweet name turning bitter on her tongue, the whispered words sighed through her lips, becoming sharp, cutting her.
No, that was her teeth, biting down hard enough to make her bleed.
She set the phone into the stand. Gone.
Her knees gave way and she landed, hard, in her office chair, banging her elbow on the edge of the polished black-and-chrome desk. The pain reverberated up and down her arm, but did nothing to cloak the agony raging inside her.
So close…
The news clippings across the surface of the desk seemed to mock her now. Paranormal Investigator Visits Alcatraz. DeLuna Solves Local Murder with Psychic Clues. Ghosts Give Up Secrets to Ohio Paranormal Expert. All her work, fifteen years of building a reputation as an investigator of the weird and unexplained—what would it mean if Hunter Nowles walked away from her?
And why was he leaving? Because that stupid exorcism had turned out to be a fake.
Okay, and the haunting of that old mansion in Pennsylvania had turned out to be a bust.
She chewed her lip. To be honest, she’d failed to either prove or debunk the last seven investigations she’d undertaken. Lucky number seven.
“The great Chiara DeLuna bites the big one,” she muttered, waiting for the rim shot that had to follow. It was a joke, right? She was a joke. The network seemed to think so. Davis had already sent a memo warning her they wouldn’t fund her program any longer if she couldn’t produce results. And now Hunter had decided she wasn’t worth his time, either.
Or maybe he was just afraid that her failures would taint his own growing stature in the paranormal investigation community. Their three years as lovers didn’t mean anything at all?
Her gaze was snagged by one of the news photos on the desk, herself smiling and shaking the beefy hand of some small-town police chief. See, that woman was Chiara DeLuna, “spooky” media star—the woman with the chic platinum blonde hair, the expensive wardrobe, and the ominous black sedan that seemed to part crowds when she arrived on a scene.
Not the woman who looked back at her from the mirror, dreary, bookish Bonny Lang from Euclid, Ohio whose most thrilling accomplishment before she’d hit the big time was surviving a wreck with a drunk driver, as a teenager. Her mother had been killed in the crash; Bonny had sold her first paranormal article based on a post-mortem conversation they had before her mother’s spirit faded.
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PAPERBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-51-7 | ISBN 1-936381-51-6] 5.5 x 8.5 trade trim or 6×9 library trim (184 pages) | Average Price: $12.99
HARDBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-50-0 | ISBN 1-936381-50-8] 6×9 casebound (184 pages) | Average Price: $21.99
EBOOK [EAN 978-1-936381-52-4 | ISBN 1-936381-52-4] EPUB and Kindle MOBI (58,000 words) | Average Price: $3.99
Pirates, thieves and toddlers–what could go wrong? A Stolen Heart
Welcome Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend Kayelle Allen!!
When he rescues a half-human orphan, a glorified space pirate turned entrepreneur sets in motion a chain of events that threatens to topple the powerful Thieves’ Guild he once led.
Multiple layers of conspiracy unfold, reaching all the way to Luc’s immortal ex–the king. Behind each solved mystery looms an unseen foe, undoing the good Luc accomplishes. For the sake of this child, Luc must postpone his own freedom and master his desire for revenge or he will violate an ancient vow. Worse, he’ll put the toddler at risk.
At war with his compassion for the vulnerable child, loyalty to the king, duty to the Guild, and the bright lure of freedom he’s coveted for centuries, Luc seeks the right path. Will he choose liberty and unparalleled success, or restore the Thieves’ Guild to its former glory while overseeing the child’s training?
A hard choice for any man. For an immortal whose inner monster can destroy on sight? Impossible.
A pirate with a monstrous past can never be trusted with an innocent child. Luc must ensure the child is protected, safe, nowhere near danger. Nowhere near him. Even if this little boy has already stolen his heart…
Universal buy link https://books2read.com/u/mZK1zB
Excerpt from A Stolen Heart
After a day full of drama, all Luc wants is a shower and some wine. Not necessarily in that order. Here’s an excerpt from A Stolen Heart. (To portal is to instantly transport; as in “beam me up.”)
Inside his room, Luc shut the door, activated locks and set full privacy settings. It took three seconds to choose a bottle of Skovron Blush ’37. Light, delicate and sweet. He opened the bottle to let the wine breathe while he set about stripping. Everything but the shoes went into the recycler, although he considered ditching those too. If his house-
droids couldn’t whisk them clean, he’d let them get rid of the shoes. Not his problem.
Luc chose a wineglass, poured, then carried it into the bathing area. After a sip, he set the glass on a marble countertop and slid open the smoky-gray glass door of the shower.
Pietas stepped into view, fully clothed. “I do not need a shower, thank you.”
Luc snatched a towel and whipped it around himself. “My lord–” An explosive sigh burst from him. “What are you doing in my shower?”
“I wanted to see you.”
“In the shower?”
With a flirty smile, the king leaned one shoulder against the wall. “You must admit, it is a good place to see you.”
A headache shoved its way forward. “Not happening, Pietas.”
“Spoilsport.”
“Again, what are you doing here?”
“I portaled into your room and heard the door open, so I came in here, and–” He lifted his chin. “I am your king. I go where I please.”
“I asked you not to portal here, my lord. My Deshai are home.”
“Which is why–” With a groan, Pietas clenched his fists. “Only you would expect me to explain myself.” He gestured toward Luc. “You explain. Where have you been? Are you showering because you’re going out, or…” He trailed a look down Luc’s length. “…going to bed?” He ended the question with a smile.
“Bed. Alone. I’ve dealt with drama for days.” Luc picked up the wine and drank it in one gulp. “I need a refill.” Without waiting for a response, he marched himself back to his room, retrieved the bottle and poured, then splashed wine into a second glass.
Drinking alcohol had no effect on Sempervians, but the act itself soothed. It offered tradition. Comfort. And when needed, a means of stalling while you decided how much truth you could afford to tell.
He offered the second glass.
His king lifted it, sniffed, sipped. “This is good. From one of your wineries?”
“Yes. One of the Skovron locations.” Luc swirled his wine, waiting until Pietas took another sip. “It’s your sister’s favorite.”
Mouth twisting, Pietas set down his glass with a click.
Kayelle Allen writes space opera with larger than life, unforgettable characters. Come walk in her worlds and meet them.
Join one of her Reader Groups and read her books before they’re released https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups/
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Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kayelle-Allen/e/B003ZRXVN8
The Scoop on the Sweet Thangs Mystery Series by Emma Ames
Welcome to Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend Emma Ames!
The stories take place in the real town of Brownsboro, Texas, where I grew up. Jenkins Cemetery (real name Jennings Mountain Cemetery) has a long history of ghost stories. In high school, it’s where the local boys would take a ‘new kid’ for initiation—and leave him there! Naturally, that occurred late at night. I thought it would be fun to include the local landmark in the series.
That gave me the opportunity to add in some ghos
tly players. Main character, Tizzy, speaks to many of them, and sometimes, they even help solve the mystery.
I also thought…what the heck? I can use my family members in the stories! So…I’ve included my dad, Saint. My brother, Dan. My mother, Nana, and my sister and me, Sugarpie and Pattiecake. I did take liberties with our characters. I made us younger and gave us bigger boobs! And with those names, why not make us owners of Sweet Thangs Bakery? We both love to bake, so it was a natural fit. Plus, it furnishes a local setting where a lot of scenes take place.
The hero, Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper, describes the town as dismal, and that pretty much sums it up. It’s a spot in the road with two traffic lights. However, when I was growing up there, I thought the world stopped at the city limit sign, which read, population, 302. I couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Now I wonder why anyone wants to live there!! But I love it, and the series is my attempt at putting it on the map!
Bio
Emma Ames is an alter-ego of Ann Everett, who is an alter-ego of a real person. All three live in Texas, where they write, bake, and fight an addiction to Diet Dr Pepper.
Follow Emma on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmaAmes11
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/emmaames
Find out more about Emma on Ann’s website:
https://www.anneverett.com/emma-ames-books/
Excerpt:
There was sadness in Boone’s voice. Tears formed behind Tizzy’s eyes. She glanced back toward the road. The security guy had out his binoculars.
“Who is that guy?”
“It’s okay. I know him.”
“Well, he must think you’re nuts, talking to a grave.”
“Speaking of that, you’ve never had this much conversation with me before. In the past, everything came in flashes. Bits and pieces. What’s brought this on?”
“My connection to Gracie. Things are different now. After I’ve been with her, I have a period of emotional energy.”
“I need you to promise me you won’t show yourself to her again.”
“There’s a small window of opportunity, Tizzy, and Gracie isn’t afraid.”
“Why can’t I see you?”
“Do you want to?”
“No. That would be freaky.”
“That’s why you can’t. The adult mind isn’t as receptive as a child’s.”
“What if you’re wrong? What if you cause her psychological damage?” A tear escaped and trickled down Tizzy’s cheek. She’d always felt guilty that Gracie would never know Boone.
“She’s my daughter, but I’ll never be her dad. Ridge has that privilege. You know the worst part of dying? It isn’t what you give up, but what you’ll never have. Don’t ask me to stop, because as long as Gracie wants to see me, she will.”
The Series
Secrets, Lies, and Homemade Pies
When Tizzy Donovan finds a dead body and becomes the prime suspect in the murder, she uses her ability to communicate with the dead to help clear her name.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VZNH5GS
Audio: https://adbl.co/2Pt6zMK
Gloom, Doom, and Missing Groom
In Sweet Thangs Mystery Book 2, Tizzy and her ragtag team scour two counties, drag a lake, and enlist the help of a fortune teller to find her missing groom.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZTT97XJ
Audio: https://tinyurl.com/sl3uayy
Pretty Bows and Turned Up Toes (Coming June 2020)
In Sweet Thangs Mystery book 3, a talking parrot, 3 ex-wives, and seventeen suspects make solving a murder difficult for Texas Ranger Ridge Cooper.
Series trailer: https://youtu.be/NwL1SSFEMJY
What reviewers are saying about Emma Ames’ Sweet Thangs Mystery Series:
Mystery, romance, comedy, a little paranormal – you get it all here!
If you like sassy Texas romance with a side order of murder, you’ll love this one!
If you love some humor to go with your mystery and have a thing for deep southern drawls, look no further! Emma Ames has a remarkable wit that made this book a humorous and delightful read.
Opinionated women write fine romance: meet Dee S. Knight
Please welcome Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend Dee S. Knight!
Hello!
We write romances. I’m sure in your books, as in mine, I’d love to have these lessons posted in my heroine’s house somewhere.
I received this list in my inbox years ago and just found them again this afternoon. The list is credited to the Anthony Robbins organization. I don’t know if it’s really from Anthony Robbins, but I do know they’re all good lessons to apply to life.
I was exhorted to forward this to five people or I’d be in trouble. I figure by posting it here I’m doing better than that. =)
The lessons are first. My somewhat snarky responses are in brackets. Maybe these will rub off on a future heroine of mine!
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. [This does not apply to kicks in the butt or bubble gum in their hair. Only nice things. Keep that in mind!]
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. [As a veteran of over 47 years of marriage, I can vouch for this one. Love isn’t about that initial flutterby in the tummy, it’s about being happy you’re waking up to the same person for the rest of your life. Think about how long you want that to be…]
THREE. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want. [Maxine has another saying that should be tacked onto this: Don’t believe all you think!]
FOUR. When you say, “I love you,” mean it. [When Jack and I were together awhile, he commented on my facile use of the word love. I used to say, “I love that song…dress…car…class…” You get the drift. He impressed on me then that the word “love” is special and should only be used with care. Say what you mean, mean what you say.]
FIVE. When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye. [My mom taught me this long ago, and God! Is it ever hard.]
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married. [Well, here Tony and I part ways. If Jack and I had been engaged 6 months instead of 9 days, we wouldn’t have gotten married. But generally I’d agree this is good.]
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight. [Yes! But don’t necessarily act on it.]
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone’s dream. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much. [I like this one a lot.]
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely. [I have a friend whose motto is Live! Laugh! Love! And she truly lives those words. How much better can it get?]
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling. [Well, yeah, okay.]
ELEVEN. Don’t judge people by their relatives. {Lord, no!! At least that’s what my relatives say, lol.]
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly. [Hard for a Virginia girl to think fast.]
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?” [As if this would work with any woman I know. Maybe with a man…]
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. [I can’t help it, this sounds like I should be cracking open that fortune cookie.]
FIFTEEN. Say “God bless you” when you hear someone sneeze. [Learned it as a child, and still do it, whether I know the person or not, and whether we’re across a restaurant or not.]
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson. [Wow, sounds like a coach. Oh, wait, Anthony Robbins is a coach. Play ball!]
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions. [Love this. Wish it hung in every classroom, but I’m sure in this day and age it it would offend someone somewhere along the way.]
EIGHTEEN. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship. [It’s sad when this happens. I don’t make a huge number of friends, so I’d like to keep the ones I have.]
NINETEEN. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. [Not before you spend a little time alone with a quart of Haagen Daz, though.]
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice. [Great, just the tone I want to set for that spunky telemarketer.]
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone. [Fortunately, I’m one of those people who enjoys having conversations with that witty and wise person, Dee S. Knight. There are enough times when no one else does…]
Thanks for bearing with me through these rules to live by! I’m sure I’d be nominated for sainthood if I’d managed to do all of these through my life. Needless to say, you won’t be seeing a Saint Dee any time in the future! That’s okay. I’d rather write fun erotic romance than be a saint, anyway. Lately, I’ve updated and republished my paranormal erotic romance, Passionate Destiny!
Blurb:
Dr. Margaret Amis-Hollings, professor of women’s studies at a small New Jersey college, is a woman who confidently knows who she is and what she expects of life. Until she loses her teaching position and her well-ordered life gets turned upside down. Then, in a subtle stroke of whimsy, fate tosses her a gift in an historic home and property in Virginia.
Harboring visions of Gone With the Wind, she determines to use River Peace as a temporary reprieve from her troubles. Images of Tara quickly evaporate when she arrives to discover the reality of her inheritance, however.
River Peace has history, grace and style going for it. After only one night, Margaret discovers that it also has a ghost. She’s visited by a male 
spirit from the time of the War Between the States, who knows how to make a woman feel special. And very loved.
Aaron Belton meets Margaret when she first arrives in Virginia. He’s renowned for historic renovations on a multitude of properties, but he’s got a special place in his heart for River Peace. He and his family believe the property always should have belonged to them. In fact, Aaron will do almost anything to make that happen. When his passion for the house changes to a passion for the house’s owner, Aaron’s as surprised as anyone. Can he gain both, the woman and the house? To do so, he’ll have to face a spectral being.
And his own destiny.
Amazon KU Buy link: https://tinyurl.com/sxy5sfh
Author Dee S. Knight:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.
After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! Once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.
Author links:
Website: https://nomadauthors.com
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749
Excerpt:
She sipped her tea. “Have you ever heard that old poem about the guy in the house who feels something when he goes upstairs? I can’t even remember exactly how it goes.”
He nodded. “I think you mean Antigonish. It’s by Hughes Mearn. ‘As I was going up the stair. I met a man who wasn’t there! He wasn’t there again today! I wish, I wish, he’d stay away.’ Is that the one you mean?” His inflection was perfectly neutral, as was his expression.
Margaret laughed, shaking a little as she laced her fingers around the cup, holding it to warm her hands. “Yes, that’s the one. Is there any topic you don’t know something about?” She sipped, then took a deep breath. “Well, Doctor Belton, you’re going to think I’m over the edge, but that is what’s with the house.” She looked him full in the face.
His expression didn’t change. Not even a hint of smile played across his face. Margaret examined his eyes for…for what? Doubt or belief?
“You mean you’ve seen something.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes, I have.”
“Tell me about it.” Still no hint of humor colored his tone. He was treating her as an adult, which is more than she felt.
“I feel so stupid talking about this.” He reached out to take her cup and put it on the table before folding her hands in his.
“I’m not laughing. Tell me.”
Another deep breath. “The first night I was here I smelled pipe tobacco when I went upstairs. I was on the landing, and it was so strong I went back down and checked all the doors. It was gone by the time I got back, so I brushed it off. Then I saw a man where you were standing this morning. At the foot of the steps. He started up, watching me. And again this evening, it was he walking across the lawn toward me, not you.”
There was no need to tell him about the dreams. No need to admit to having made love to this ghost, or whatever it was. He would think she was crazy enough with what she had told him.
“What did he look like?” He tilted his head, looking at her with eyes that sparked with curiosity.
“You believe me?” Incredulous, she squeaked the question. He believed her! His acceptance of her story amazed her, considering she barely believed herself.
“I don’t disbelieve you. And it’s obvious that you think something is going on here. So, tell me.” His thumbs smoothed across her knuckles, an action she found calming.
Relaxing slightly, she answered him. “He looks old fashioned. Not as tall as you are, light blond hair. A beard that badly needs trimming. On the stairs he had on a gray overcoat, like a uniform and he carried a gun.”
“Gun?” Aaron’s voice was sharp, and his brows furrowed in concentration. “What kind of gun? A rifle or shotgun?”
“How would I know? A gun, that’s all. This evening he had that same coat and a hat. His eyes are exactly like yours.” She stopped to examine Aaron’s eyes. “That same dark, intense blue. It’s the only thing similar between you, except…” She felt herself blush and she looked away from Aaron.
“Except what,” he prodded.
“Except for the way you looked at me tonight on the porch. Before you kissed me. Every time I’ve seen him, he’s looked at me just that way. As though he loved me.” Now she met his steadfast gaze, waiting for his response.
Dee S. Knight
Available now, Book 2 of the Good Man series, One Woman Only
An Awareness of Evil in Mystic Desire
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