Blog Archives
Good characters keep the reader–and the writer–coming back
PLEASEWELCOME LYNDI’S ADVENTUROUS FRIEND MICKEY FLAGG!!
As Thanksgiving approaches, I feel very blessed, very thankful for the wonderful support of family through good times and bad, through a long career in education, through health issues and also through this wild adventure into writing novels.
Eighteen years ago, my son told me to write. Feeling adventurous, I decided to redeem a vampire, something so evil that it would need lots of help, heavenly interventions, and a ton of imagination. So I created a paranormal world where good and evil are intricately intertwined. I’d tip the balance a bit so that good would win. And I let my thoughts run wild in a time when my life seemed nothing but heartache and chaos. I again felt blessed when all three novels were published by TWRP.
Mystical warriors, powerful good witches, a couple of inexplicable happenings and historical vampire lore blended together to create Michael Malone’s journey. I thought that was the end of this adventure into writing fiction. Years later, long after my rights reverted back, I wrote a fourth novel rooted in the same paranormal world. Yet Michael kept reappearing throughout the trope. So I revised the first three novels to connect the fourth, and then felt thankful, blessed again when TWRP contracted all four books.
I’m retired, older and wiser, but oddly, still on this writing adventure. I survived three bouts of COVID and health issues that changed my life once again. My children are now successful adults. Writing paranormal fiction/romance/suspense… my novels have all of that and more… takes me into a world I can control and manipulate… but in a good way. A positive way.
Many adult readers shy away from paranormal novels and prefer cozy mysteries or such. I say give it a try. Go on your own adventure. We all like a satisfying, a happy ending, right? My novels have a cast of characters who rally in support of someone craving change so deeply that nothing else matters. It is love, care, and kindness that buoys Michael’s inner strength. The same things human beings need to face our own demons.
Many parables exist in paranormal fiction that resemble reality—maybe more so than you realize. In a world where evil seems to grab all the headlines, take a pause and enter my paranormal world where evil gets booted in the butt. Michael’s journey with all its twists and turns is an intriguing one. My adventure into writing leaves real-world issues behind… one chapter at a time. I’m thankful I took a chance on this very rewarding adventure into writing.
Author bio:
Always an avid reader, the realm of paranormal fiction is the perfect landing point for Mickey Flagg. After a successful career as a music teacher and an urban school administrator, she continues to spin stories of passion, love and redemption. She’s been a contributor in a book on urban music education and has also authored an article for Still Standing, a web-magazine about loss and healing. Mickey is a life-long New Jersey resident.
Buy links: Amazon.com: The Vampire’s Retribution (The Champion Chronicles Book 1) eBook : Flagg, M.: Books
Barnes & Noble: The Vampire’s Retribution by M. Flagg, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
Website: www.mflagg-author.com
Facebook: (1) M. Flagg | Facebook
X formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/flagg_michele
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickeyflagg
Excerpt from The Vampire’s Retribution
She longed to sit close, but instead, settled into the upholstered Queen Anne chair. Angled next to the bedside table, only a few feet separated them, because touching him would be a temptation. Touching him would be her undoing. She folded the black silk pajamas on her lap as their gaze locked once again.
Was it the history, both bad and good, between them? The temptation to only be a breath away? To reboot a romance, which ended years ago on such a terrifying note? Love for one another was a given. They both knew it to be true. But history is history. It doesn’t change. Michael was vulnerable now. So was she. Maybe more than one type of healing had a second chance. She cleared her throat. “So, it a yes or a no?” He shook his head stiffly, from side to side, but his finger tapped the mattress. “You want me to sit next to you?”
“Yes,” came out of his pale lips, a whispered rasp. Was his rich baritone voice gone forever?
“You know why I can’t do that.”
His brows knit, turning the glare into a glower. “Say it, my Guardian.”
She sighed, long and slow, as her body sank deeper into the chair. “Where do I begin? And why relive what can never be changed?”
“Say it.”
“If this is a test of wills, I win this round.”
“You held me… in your arms last night.”
“You were unconscious, Michael.”
“And now?”
“It’s not right.”
“Why?”
“Because you are awake,” she stated, unwilling to give anymore.
Embracing the shadows
WELCOMING LISABET SARAI and her New Release–Serpent’s Kiss!
What makes paranormal romance so popular? I’ve been pondering this question for a while. Readers, it seems, are happy to consume as many tales about vampires, shape shifters, ghosts and psychics as we authors can produce. You’d think that they’d get bored, but that doesn’t seem to happen. Why not?
I’ve got a theory. We’re all tempted by the dark side.
The realms of paranormal romance are vast, but most books offer characters with dual natures, torn between normal humanity and―otherness. The “other” aspect conveys special powers―unnatural strength, heightened sensation, hidden knowledge―but always at a price. The characters suffer because of their power. Blood-drinkers and half-beasts are ravaged by conscience because they maim or kill. Immortals bear the weight of lonely, isolated centuries and the pain of watching mortal companions wither and die.
In my novella Fin d’Espoir, vampire Etienne de Rémorcy haunts the forest around the ruined plantation of his former mistress, guilty, bitter and alone. He has sworn to never again taste human blood, but when the woman he rescues begs him to take her, he cannot resist. My prescient hero Kyle in At the Margins of Madness can see the future but the fury of his visions drives him insane. In my new release Serpent’s Kiss, Jorge Pélikal is the incarnation of an ancient god but each time he makes love to his human mate he comes close to killing her.
In the paranormal genre, power and darkness go hand in hand. Yet somehow, we are attracted to the darkness. We brush the suffering aside; we want to feel the power. A vampire isn’t sexy when he’s fighting against his blood craving. Only when he sweeps his victim into his arms and buries his fangs in her flesh does he make us breathless and moist.
How many books have you read where the human hero or heroine willingly submits to “the change”, the transformation that will make them “other” as well? How many characters, in contrast, manage to resist the pull of the dark side? Not many. Normal mortal life seems absurd, bland and empty after you’ve tasted power. This is especially true because sex on the dark side in erotic romance is always more intense, more extreme, transcending the limits that bind ordinary humans.
Even a villain with supernatural powers tempts us. A well-written antagonist should invite enough identification that the reader can understand what moves him to do evil. The best bad guys are ambiguous, able to justify their deeds so well that they draw our sympathy. They dazzle us with their logic and their beauty, until we can’t see their wickedness. Lucifer still looks like an angel as he bargains for your soul. Stefan Aries, my villain in At the Margins of Madness, is handsome and brilliant enough to make Kyle want him, despite his being a murderer. Jorge’s evil twin Teodoro Remorros is suave, handsome, and terribly convincing as he tries to persuade Elena to abandon Jorge and the world he’s trying to save.
We’re drawn to the dark side, I think, because it’s an escape. Sometimes the real world leaves us feeling so powerless―we can’t help wanting the ability to take control, to bend the world to our will the way our paranormal characters do. Who wouldn’t want to leave the dirty dishes and the unpaid bills behind and slip away into the night, to slink through the shadowy streets scenting for blood or to howl, unfettered, at the moon?
The dark side calls to us in paranormal romance. Every time we open a new book, we flirt with the possibility of ecstatic surrender.
THE STORY: When a woman atoning for past sins heals the human avatar of an ancient god, she’s drawn into a perilous dance of destiny and desire.
From the first, Dr. Elena Navarro senses that the wounded man she discovers outside the gate of her rural clinic is not an ordinary mortal. With his chest ripped open, Jorge Pélikal still demonstrates unnatural strength and power. Elena is irresistibly attracted to Jorge, although he warns her their coupling could open the gates of chaos and cost her life. Despite his dire predictions, they fall in love. Gradually Elena comes to understand that Jorge is a supernatural player in a cosmic drama that will determine the fate of the earth and of mankind—and that even if he triumphs in his apocalyptic struggle with his nemesis, she may lose him forever.
Note: Serpent’s Kiss was previously published by Totally Entwined. This new edition has been re-edited, revised and expanded.
Reader Advisory: This book may not be appropriate for individuals with a fear of snakes.
EXCERPT:
The waiting room was dim. An unfamiliar smell lingered in the air, some kind of petroleum smell, like tar or kerosene. She sniffed suspiciously. She kept two Coleman lanterns in the storeroom, in case the generator ran out of diesel. Could some animal have got into the place and knocked them over?
Elena moved cautiously towards the door of the infirmary, not wanting to alarm a possible animal intruder. As she placed her hand on the doorknob, she heard noises behind her—footsteps, and the sound of the front door bolt being thrown.
She whirled around. “Who’s there?” In her sinking heart, though, she already knew.
“You lied to me,” Teodoro Remorros growled at her. He looked as affluent and dapper as ever, but his handsome features were twisted into a grimace of rage. “You told me that you didn’t know Jorge, that you hadn’t seen him.”
Elena tried to swallow her fear. He might be only guessing, threatening her in order to get her to talk.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He’s been here, here inside this pathetic clinic of yours. I can smell him.”
The man’s nostrils flared, exactly like a beast’s.
“How can you smell anything? The place reeks of kerosene. I was just going to check the storeroom…” Elena began inching backwards, toward the infirmary, the rear exit and freedom.
Remorros lunged forward and grabbed her arm. His nails bit into her flesh like talons. “I warned you, woman. You don’t know what you are dealing with. Jorge is not a normal man. He doesn’t have a man’s heart. He’s a power, a force of nature, hard and pitiless, implacable, vicious, evil.”
“No, he’s not! He’s not evil!”
“Fool!” Remorros dragged her into the infirmary and threw her on the cot. “You’ve been meddling in matters far beyond your puny mortal capabilities. And now you will pay the price.”
Buy Links
Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/1317-serpents-kiss/
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL2HPVV4
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CL2HPVV4
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1465062
Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serpents-kiss-lisabet-sarai/1017488008?ean=2940166119209
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/serpent-s-kiss-26
Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6469359665
Add on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199721219-serpent-s-kiss
Add on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/serpent-s-kiss-by-lisabet-sarai-2023-10-15
About Lisabet
Lisabet Sarai became addicted to words at an early age. She began reading when she was four. She wrote her first story at five years old and her first poem at seven. Since then, she has written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – over one hundred titles, and counting, in nearly every sub-genre—paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, LGBTQ, and more. Regardless of the genre, every one of her stories illustrates her motto: Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html), along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com), she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads, BookBub and Twitter. Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh
Visiting one of the spookiest film locations in America
PLEASE WELCOME LYNDI’S ADVENTUROUS FRIEND TERRY SEGAN!!!
Do you recognize the place she got to visit? Maybe not without the scary soundtrack and the twin girls. Let’s hear more about her time in the Stanley Hotel.
Who wants to tour a haunted hotel? You should all have your hand up! After all, it’s Halloween season.
While I write paranormal mysteries that are pure fiction, I love a good ghost story based on reality. My tour of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO, fed those cravings. I’ll tell you upfront that I did not see any spirits with my own eyes (insert disappointed foot stomp here), but the whole time spent had a spooky vibe, which I loved.
The first surprise about the hotel is that it’s a stone’s throw from the town of Estes Park. As hauntingly beautiful the drive to The Overlook Hotel is depicted in Stephen King’s The Shining, it is not off by its lonesome. Rolling up to the actual structure, however, wiped away any disappointment as the hotel is simply majestic.
Of course, there were many touches referring back to the original movie, despite not being filmed there. It surprised me to hear from the tour guide that Stephen King and his family only spent a single night. The author received enough inspiration from the setting and the stories told by the staff that he wrote the novel.
My tour guide not only believed in spirits, but related personal encounters she’d had at The Stanley. She also shared pictures of apparitions that were sent to her from previous guests. Room 217 has been renamed after the famous writer who stayed there, and reservations for the suite are booked out two years. The only paranormal experience I had took place in a large room on the ground floor, which had once been the bar. Immediately upon entering, most guests (myself included) felt a heaviness to the air.
Many of the historical facts about the two Stanley brothers, who built the structure, can be found online. My attraction for the place lies in the paranormal aspects attributed to the hotel. As a writer, much of my own inspiration comes from places I’ve lived or visited. Every trip I take leads me to create plot lines, scenes, and even mishaps which could find their way to the pages of my books.
Today’s release of Manatee Soul, The Marni Legend Series Book 2, came about from a girls’ trip to Crystal River, FL. My two main characters, Marni and her sister, Gloria, participate in some of the tourist activities I enjoyed. While my travel companion and I both willingly ventured into the water, Gloria didn’t have quite the same enthusiasm, as you’ll discover. Add in Phil, a snarky ghost demanding the sisters’ attention, and you’ll embark on quite the aquatic adventure.
Book & Author Details:
Title: Manatee Soul
Author: Terry Segan
Blurb:
Marni Legend has embarked on the most perilous journey of her life—a vacation with her sister. The women are like two peas in a pod, providing each pod came from a different mother ship. One day into their Florida adventure, Marni questions her choice of travel partner. Gloria strives to understand her carefree younger sibling while kayaking and snorkeling without chipping a nail.
With nothing but eternity on his hands, Phil insists the sisters resolve the circumstances of his untimely demise. The wise-cracking spirit leads them on a trail filled with bartenders, bikers, and the promise of a hidden treasure.
Her greatest challenge will either be enduring a week with Gloria or surviving the thugs searching for the stolen booty. Can Marni figure out who to trust, who to avoid, and who she’d most likely want to be trapped alone in an elevator with?
EXCERPT
“What’s wrong? Can’t hold your liquor?” Phil quirked from beside the outer rail.
“You are not allowed to comment,” Gloria rasped.
“Why not? This is terribly amusing.” Phil stood with arms crossed.
“We went to the bar because of you,” Gloria said.
“And did I make you down several beers and shots of tequila?” Phil asked.
Gloria put a palm to her forehead. “Can you talk quieter? I can’t handle shouting right now.”
Phil snickered.
“Phil, give her a break. She’s not used to playing the wild girl.”
“And I’m not used to playing the dead guy. Guess we all have our issues. At least she’ll recover from hers.”
She sucked down more soda. “Why is he still here?”
“Because you haven’t helped me to move on. You really are slacking on your responsibilities.” He shook his head.
Letting out a loud gasp, Gloria said, “I don’t mean here, like still on this planet. I mean why are you still here on our balcony? If you don’t stop prattling, my head will explode.”
Phil rubbed his hands together. “Now that would be fun to watch. And by the way, I do not prattle.”
“Just let me die in peace.” Did she end that comment with a growl?
“If that were to happen, then we’d be together for eternity.” Phil clapped his hands together like an excited toddler. “Marni, quick, more tequila.”
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Manatee-Soul-Marni-Legend-Book-ebook/dp/B0CF6HFHKD
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894199
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/manatee-soul
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195939375-manatee-soul
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/manatee-soul-the-marni-legend-series-book-2-by-terry-segan
Author Website: https://terrysegan.com/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerrySegan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrysegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeganTerry
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorterrysegan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Segan/e/B087YQGXMD
BIO
Terry Segan, originally from Commack, NY, now resides in the desert where she’ll never require an ice scraper or snow shovel again. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries. Growing up immersed in sarcastic humor and science fiction movies, Terry’s goals are to cause her readers to laugh out loud, cry with joy, or cower under the covers wondering if the noise under the bed was real or imagined.
What will a mother do to protect her young?
WELCOME to Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend LORI HANDELAND! Let’s find out some personal deets about her before we hear about her books!
How did you come up with the title of the book?
My husband always told our sons when they asked to stay out later than curfew “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” I kept that in my head as a great title and when I began writing Book #1 in the Midnight Madness trilogy, I knew that was the book the title was perfect for.
Who designed your book covers?
Kim Killion. She does amazing work. Take a look at my May 5th women’s fiction release SUDDENLY THAT SUMMER as well. It’s also stunning.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I learned that I still have books in my brain for the paranormal market. I wasn’t so sure.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Diane Kruger for Sarah. Scott Eastwood for Gideon. Anson Mount for Ash (but all grubby and unshaven like in HELL ON WHEELS). I can’t really find a perfect actor for Zane. Maybe someone will help me.
Hey, maybe Clint Eastwood for Edward!!
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Thank you for hanging in with me for all these years. I think if you like my voice and style in one genre, I’d hope you would give one or more of my books in other genres a try because I think you’d like them too.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
My characters always hijack the story at some point. If they didn’t it wouldn’t be any fun.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
My books are all fast paced, with realistic characters and a combination of angst and humor.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
I have been lucky to publish every full length novel I’ve written.
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Hot cinnamon.
I saved my daughter. But how do I save myself when I have a secret that is going to turn the entire werewolf world upside down?
Blame It
On Midnight
A Midnight Madness Nightcreature Novel
Book 2
by Lori Handeland
Genre: Paranormal Women’s Fiction
I saved my daughter. But how do
I save myself?
I did what I had to. Try and
kill my girl? I will end you faster than you can say have
mercy. Sure I broke a cardinal pack rule, which will get me
executed by my mate. If they find out. If they find me.
Saved from capture by Zane,
the sexiest of sexy werewolves, my rescue comes with a price. Zane wants a favor, one that
could cause an all-out pack war. The last thing I need is to make more enemies, but lives are at
stake if I don’t make a stand.
Not only that, but I have a secret. An impossible secret that is
going to turn the entire werewolf world upside down.
From the voice of
New York Times bestselling author Lori Handeland, a new volume in her Nightcreature world,
complete with the humor, depth of characterization and fast-paced plot lines she is known for
while showcasing the author’s incredible range.
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Nothing Good Happens After
Midnight
A Midnight Madness Nightcreature Novel Book 1
They say a mother will do
anything for her child . . . I’m living proof
This nightmare began when I got the call every parent dreads. My daughter, Jenna, was
missing from her college campus. Of course, my mind went to the worst place. After all, my late
husband was a powerful senator. Was this some political payback?
I call in a favor
and soon I’m partnered with an FBI sex trafficking agent. He tells me local girls have been
disappearing for some time now, and he finally has a lead. But what we find at that abandoned
warehouse is something out of a horror movie.
Werewolves! Two rival packs, their
alphas fighting, winner take all––the pack and the trafficked girls. The werewolves must
replenish their breeders, recently decimated by a virus that killed only the females.
But Jenna’s been keeping a secret, which only makes two of us. Though I should be angry, I
know the lies I’ve told play a huge role in why we’re here. I’ll do anything to make it right. No
way is my girl going to become a sacrificial mate for the greater good––even if she is the
‘chosen one.’ So, I do what any mother would do, I take her place, offering myself to Gideon, the
winning alpha, as his mate.
Gideon’s goal is to live in harmony with the human world,
but there are others who exist for the power, for the violence, and they don’t plan to let peace
prevail.
There’s a civil werewolf war brewing and I am right in the middle of it.
From the voice of New York Times bestselling author Lori Handeland, a new
volume in her Nightcreature world, complete with the humor, depth of characterization and fast-
paced plot lines she is known for while showcasing the author’s incredible range.
Amazon * B&N * Kobo *
Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads
Lori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of
the prestigious RITATM Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times
and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal
romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance, historical fantasy and
women’s fiction. Her novel Just Once received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal
and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori set her sight on being an author at the age of ten. She
remembers sitting at a typewriter before she knew how to type, pecking out a story about a
family who went into space. As an only child her summers were spent with that typewriter,
television, and, above all, books. As a young adult, she got sidetracked by the need to make a
living. She worked as a waitress and later enrolled in college to become a teacher.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-
five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold,
and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable
grandchildren.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour
for special content and a giveaway!
Stuffed Wolf Plush,
An underwater adventure worthy of Lara Croft or Indiana Jones!
Please welcome Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend D.V. STONE!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your space to talk about Sea Hunter with me. My life tends to be an adventure. In the past I’ve crawled through caves, repelled off of buildings, white-water rafted, and hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail. Down in the Caribbean when I was the oldest in the group of jet skiers, they stuck me at the end of the line. Geez, don’t judge this book by her cover. By the end they’d moved me up and I was side by side with the leader. My adventures these days are a little milder but still fun and exciting. My hubby and I travel in our 5th Wheel Camper. This sucker is 41 feet long and 13 feet high and yes I drive pulling it.
Sea Hunter is my latest book and it’s my first action adventure. This is a romance between Professor Zahra Corbyn, a historical conservator, and an underwater archeologist. Jack Alexander is the captain of Freya, a refitted tender for hire for diving adventures. He also happens to be a treasure hunter and has a piece of the map she needs.
This story was so much fun to write and especially research. I traveled to Freeport, Maine, and then to Cape Cod and tried New England Clam Chowder everywhere we could. Yum. Oh, about the book. Sorry, I lost myself remembering the creamy goodness of the soup.
Sometimes the research was daunting. In so many ways, WWII was horrid. So much loss of life and people, but it also led science forward by giant steps. Colleges and universities worked together with the armed services to develop things like sonar, radar, and radio communications, which opened up a new and exciting area for divers, equipment, and underwater archeology.
During our time in New England, we visited the Bath Iron Works Shipyard and naval museums then a visit to the Whydah Pirate Museum on Cape Cod immersed me in all things pirate. I learned so much about their way of life. One of the most exciting things was consulting with one of the conservators about protecting artifacts. Thankfully, maritime laws have been established to keep treasure hunters from destroying so much of our history from ancient to modern times.
One of my favorite passages is:
“But I’ve had dealings with treasure hunters before. People like you who take what you want without care for preserving our past.” She yanked her hand from his and turned toward the open water. “I spend my life locating pieces of history. Trying to understand them. Things that may help our future.”
The other thing I enjoyed was learning about people in the post-war years. Their vernacular, way of dressing, and spunk—especially for women who’d learned to depend on themselves when men were overseas fighting.
So hoist the sails, Squidies, and join me on a seafaring adventure of love, treachery, fun, and treasure. Oh, did I mention there’s a ghost and a curse? AND that Sea Hunter is only .99 for a few more days! OR, that there is a free series sample for download!
Blurb
Sea Hunter:
Zahra Corbyn
As the professor of antiquities, nothing snaps my cap more than treasure hunters and looters. They smash and grab and then are gone with the wind. And there are two after Sea Wraith. But fate is a funny thing. Thanks to an ancient Mortar and Pestle, not only am I in cahoots with one of them but he’s also fired up my heart, turning me into a khaki-wacky.
Captain Jack Alexander.
I’ve been told women on a ship are unlucky, but this dame has the two pieces of the map I need to finally claim Sea Wraith. Now, I find myself in a lousy deal that makes me one-third partner with her and a known scalawag. It’s either that or bupkis. After all these years of chasing down my dream of finding the shipwreck, my obsession is cooling off and heating up toward a bird who’s way above my pay grade.
Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar and Pestle?
If you like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, you’ll love Zahra Corbyn and Jack Alexander.
Excerpt
“Come on, gorgeous.” Hugh slunk up behind her again, his plummy voice sliding over her like mold on fruit. “You like the attention. Stop playing hard to get.”
Zahra Corbyn flinched. Between the wind blowing and her fascination with the choppy waters off Cape Cod, she’d missed the sound of his approach. This man needed to leave her alone. The jerk saw her USO dancing-and-singing act overseas and decided she was easy. Though World War II was over, this battle raged on. She turned and stiff-armed him to keep him away. “I’ve told you more than once—I’m not interested.”
“Listen, chippies like you are nothing but teases.” He grabbed her wrist. A greasy lock of dark hair fell across his forehead. “I…
“It’s lady, jerk.” She let her arm go soft as she kicked out and broke the hold. “And I said, ‘no’.”
Taking a boxer’s stance, she fisted her hands. This guy picked the wrong woman to mess with. Zahra knew how to take care of herself.
A sneer crossed his face under the bushy eyebrows and wide, flat nose, but he turned away.
Zahra relaxed. After being released with the last USO troop, she was tired and wanted nothing more than to be left alone. Besides, the ocean waves called to her.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw him swing back around with a viper’s speed.
She whirled about.
His shoulder hit her stomach.
“Oomph.”
“You tease. I’ll show you.” He rushed forward. “Filthy Jezebel.”
Zahra flailed when he pitched her over the rail of the steamer.
The sneering smile got smaller, and he saluted before the frigid Atlantic water closed over her.
Splashing into the rough water, she suppressed her initial gasp. As an experienced diver, she understood the peril of aspirating saltwater. However, her heartbeat was out of control. When the disorienting shock of hitting the cold ocean in the darkness dissipated, she kicked toward the surface, following the bubbles up. Gasping and sputtering, she stared at the disappearing ship while treading water in its wake.
Stop and focus, Zahra.
Surfacing once more, she coughed and turned three hundred sixty degrees, looking for anything to help her. A buoy, a plank, floating garbage.
She wasn’t shivering anymore. Uh-oh, this was it. Her body was shutting down. Slowly, she descended below the surface. A flicker of light caught her attention. Was that a ship? Or rather the wreck of one? She must be hallucinating.
The depth of the water here wasn’t bad, considering. Only about twenty to thirty feet. Could it be Sea Wraith? Archeologists and fortune hunters had been searching for her for years. The figurehead poking from the sand and silt resembled a specter with its gaping maw and tendrils like an octopus. Spots developed in her vision. The last thing she saw was the shape of a man standing on the ship’s figurehead.
Sea Hunter
A Mortar & Pestle Story
A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe. Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive. Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters. Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.
Link to Sea Hunter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRYJLLW1
Link to series https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
Link to free sample of serieshttps://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
Social Media links for D.V. Stone:
https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/
https://www.instagram.com/d.v.stone/
https://www.facebook.com/dv.stone.1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16344100.D_V_Stone
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone
https://mailchi.mp/3b289d8d7569/d-v-stones-peek-further-and-campfire-crew
A kiss to remember
PLEASE WELCOME LYNDI’S ADVENTUROUS FRIEND CHERIE COLYER!!
Book Blurb:
Roman Briggs built a life for himself in Siren’s Cove. He restored the Sugar Cones Ice Cream Parlor and turned it into a popular stop along the boardwalk. He has everything he needs until a certain blue-eyed woman wanders back into his life.
Seer and witch Peyton Woods isn’t sure why her latest visions feature a man and boy she’s never met. Determined to find out, she casts a spell that leads her to a small beach town in Maine and, to her utter surprise, the man who broke her heart eight years earlier.
Peyton’s left with one question. Why didn’t her magic show her him?
Excerpt:
“We’re meeting up with Henry and some friends,” Roman said. “We always watch the fireworks together during the summer festival. You’re welcome to join us.”
Since I was there to see Henry and Travis, I couldn’t say no.
I expected to stop at a picnic table, but Roman strolled past them on his way to the docks.
“We’re going on a boat?” I asked. On land, if the metaphorical shield protecting my heart from breaking cracked, I could leave. But on a boat, I’d be trapped.
“Just a mile out. We can see the fireworks better. Come on.” He jerked his head to the side. When I still hesitated, he added, “I don’t bite.”
I remembered him nibbling all the right places when we dated. The memories sent an elated shiver through me. Sex with Roman had always been amazing. At least, I thought it was. Roman obviously enjoyed love-making with Travis’s mom more. The thought added a new layer of protection around my heart. I reminded myself that I was over him. His endless brown eyes and smoky voice no longer had any sway over me. Now, if I could just convince the fireflies in my stomach to settle down, I’d be okay.
I could do this. I could be held captive on a boat with Roman and not let old emotions ruin the evening. Maybe we were destined to be friends all along.
That thought had me agreeing to go with them to watch the fireworks.
Roman led the way to the pier and a battered blue- and-white fishing boat. I stumbled. The boat looked as if it had made hundreds of exhausting voyages and was ready to sink.
“She isn’t pretty,” Roman said as he lifted Travis onboard. “But she’s safe.”
“Sturdiest fishing boats on these waters,” Henry said from the back of the boat. He sat on a folding chair next to an older Black couple.
“It’s the only fishing boat docked in this harbor,” a white-haired man said, clapping Henry on the back as he walked by.
“Don’t listen to Mattie.” Roman climbed in and then held his hand out to help me.
I glanced over my shoulder, finally second-guessing this whole trip. What had I been thinking, racing off to follow a vision and then sticking around even after I found out Roman was here? I should have fled Siren’s Cove the moment Karly said his name.
But then Henry coughed as if choking, and Travis patted his back, just like I’d seen in a vision.
Jinx jumped on my legs. She wasn’t worried about boarding the vessel. I scooped her up and whispered, “Don’t get attached to these people. Hanging with them is a onetime thing.”
Jinx licked my face. I seriously wondered if I should trust the instincts of such a young familiar. Maybe magical companions grew into their sixth sense instead of being born with it. Past the boat, a spark shimmered above the water. Was the spell that led me here telling me this was the right course to take? Or was the glow of the evening sun reflecting off a buoy? I hoped to soon find out.
Pre-order your copy today:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Salted-Caramel-Bliss-Wedding-Scoop-ebook/dp/B0B1Z5RBBQ/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/salted-caramel-bliss-with-a-wedding-kiss-cherie-colyer/1141502750
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6442847514
Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/38en9w
Add to your wish list:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61209374-salted-caramel-bliss-with-a-wedding-kiss
Embedded:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Universal link
About the author:
Professional network technician by day, novelist by night, Cherie lives a quiet life in the Chicago suburbs with her charming husband. She has four amazing sons who she loves dearly. Cherie magically weaves together stories with a paranormal twist. She’s the author of the Embrace series, Challenging Destiny, Damned When I Didn’t, and Friends to the End. She waltzed into the adult novel world with Merry Little Wishing Spritz. She’s delighted to be back with Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss.
To learn more about Cherie and her novels, visit http://www.cheriecolyer.com.
Keep in Touch:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Bookbub
Adventure is a dog!
PLEASE WELCOME LYNDI’S ADVENTUROUS FRIEND TENA SHETLER–And Dog! 🙂
Hey Lyndi! So glad to be here! Thought we’d chat about the canine companion in An Angel’s Wylder Assignment her name is Adventure. Writing this book was a bit out of my wheelhouse. It’s a paranormal romance/mystery/historical/time travel/western adventure. Challenged me at every turn, but in the end I believe it’s one of my best.
Meet Adventure, canine companion, from An Angel’s Wylder Assignment by Tena Stetler
Full name: Adventure
Nickname: Addy
Gender: Female
Species: Canine
Physical description: very furry buff colored, curly tail, with blue tongue about 65 lbs, friendly but protective.
Relationship to main character: She kinda belongs to the Blacksmith shop. Killian and Chinoah took over the blacksmith shop when they arrived from the future. Chinoah and the dog bonded immediately. She promised to never leave the dog on its own again. She named it Adventure because of events in the dog’s life .
Relationship to the villain/antagonist: None
Where this furbaby came from: The dog was a stray. The old owner took her in during frigid weather and left her at the blacksmith shop when he moved due to health issues.
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Do you have any working or service animals in your stories? Tell us about them.
I have several working or service animals in most of my stories. A Witch’s Journey Series is all about animal rescue. Several animals in these stories have duties. The animals in my other stories are companions, mostly.
What inspired you to create this character?
Well, I try to have companion animals in most of my stories. They add so much to our daily lives and do the same to the characters in my books. Adventure seemed to just come as part of the story when I started writing it. I’m what is known as a panster (write by the seat of my pants) so my stories are character driven. Adventure stole the story in many ways and even saved a life.
What does the main character think about this furbaby? There is a deep bond there because Chinoah is a wolf shifter. Once Adventured learned to trust Chinoah in both forms they were inseparable. Killian enjoys a good bond with Adventure but not like Chinoah. He was a bit worried she Chinoah announced that the pup would be returning to present day with them when the assignment was over.
What does this furbaby add to the story? Humorous events, Heroic event, and heartwarming details.
What about this furbaby will readers like, and why? Adventure is loyal, protective and adds another layer of feel good to the book.
Please share an interesting fact or tidbit about this furbaby.
She knows the town inside and out. Time travel or porting by magic from place to place doesn’t phase her at all.
Describe a humorous incident involving the animal character.
When Chinoah shifts into a wolf, Adventure is a bit taken back. Not quite sure what to do with this wolf in her domain. The dog gets over it rapidly.
Killian indicates Adventure must stay at the blacksmith shop while he and Chinoah port to another place in Wyoming. Chinoah disagrees and the dog jumps into her arms just as they ported. No way Adventure was going to be left behind.
Another reoccurring one is that the pup always pushes her way into the buildings first then runs straight to her rug by the wood burning stoves.
Tell us a little about the story:
Warrior Angel Killian Dugan’s annual trip to the family castle in Scotland is shattered by the arrival of Legion Commander North. Killian’s skills are needed for an urgent time travel assignment. A rogue demon has escaped back in time. He must discover the why and where and stop the demon before it can damage the past and change the future.
Killian’s girlfriend Chinoah Grace, a Native American shapeshifter is included in the mission which takes them to the wild west town of Wylder, Wyoming in the year 1878. She will have her hands full fitting in and making friends.
Nothing is as it seems. They encounter visions, spirit quests, and a mysterious shaman. On top of it all, blending in as a blacksmith is more physically difficult than he imagined. But not as challenging as keeping his hands off his undercover wife. Will they complete their assignment or run out of time?
Buy Links:
Amazon, AmazonUK, AmazonCA, AmazonDE (Germany) Barnes&Noble, ibooks Google Play, and KOBO.
A Peek Between the Pages of An Angel’s Wylder Assignment:
Clambering out of the wagon, the knot in Chinoah’s belly tightened. She followed Ray and Lily up the narrow footpath. Killian brought up the rear. The rock walls were multi-colored layers of red, orange, and yellow rock in a deeply eroded river canyon. A filmy form of a Native American dressed in what she considered chieftain ceremonial clothes wavered over the water then at the canyon’s edge against the rock walls. She waved her hand toward the form. “You seeing this?”
“What?” Ray looked in her direction. “Not seeing anything.” He paused at a stone section where bird images and bird/human hybrids were carved into the rock. He nodded to her. She reached out hesitantly and held her hand a few inches off the face of the rock. Nothing. She blew out a breath and relaxed a little. Ray moved on.
It wasn’t until the path ended and they had to pick their way down a steep slope that the Native American spirit made another appearance. Halfway down the path, her feet slipping and sliding over loose rocks and gravel, the toe of her boot caught on an arched root sticking out of the ground. She pitched forward. Her hands came up in front of her in an attempt to avoid face-planting on the rock’s surface. Something cool grabbed her arms and set her on her feet. Looking into the misty, high cheek-boned face of the chieftain, she gawked. When she peered into his eyes, she felt sorrow, disillusion, and pain. She gulped in air.
They must be stopped. You’re destined to make it happen. A male voice echoed through her mind. A picture of a log room formed in her mind then was gone. Before she could respond, the apparition disappeared, and so did the cold that had engulfed her.
Ok, how about a little about the Author?
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. During the winter you can find her curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book, bowl of popcorn and mug of hot chocolate.
Social Media:
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog – https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Tribber – http://triberr.com/TenaStetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/
Where do story ideas come from?
To answer this question, please welcome Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend Terry Segan!!
Terry: That’s the most common question I’m asked when I tell people about my books. My favorite thing to do (besides writing, of course) is travel. It can be a day trip, a weekend away or longer, but I love to explore new places as well as re-visit old ones.
Much of my stories are inspired by locations I’ve visited, though I can’t always tell you where my characters come from. Some scurry out of the dark corners of my mind. Others present themselves in the form of people I know or strangers who have inspired me to adopt their quirks.
Where does the adventure part come in? The travel itself! Many of the trips I go on involve riding backseat on my husband’s motorcycle. While he navigates twisty roads, highways, and traffic, my mind is busy spinning up chapters or working out scenes for my current project. We can ride for hours without saying a word to each other. Our rides have taken us through the deserts of Nevada, along the beaches of the California coast, and through the forests and shorelines of the Pacific Northwest.
My current book, Precious Treasure, releasing March 9, takes place on Long Island, where I grew up. The towns are fictitious, but the landscape is spot on with real places I knew as a child or discovered as an adult. In other projects, I’ve incorporated experiences from trips with friends. No matter where I travel or whom I’m with, there is always a wealth of settings and characters that get melded into my next book.
Where to next?
Blurb:
Janie Holcomb prays for closure once the courts declare her missing husband dead. Instead, she’s sent spiraling down a dangerous path.
When her lawyer delivers a package held in trust, she finds a cryptic warning along with a Civil War journal promising buried treasure. While seeking a connection between her spouse and the decades-old diary, Janie attracts the spirit of a Confederate soldier pleading for help.
Enlisting her brother’s assistance to chase down clues, they discover that not everyone they know should be trusted. Janie overlooks potential threats when the promise of new love stirs her emotions. Will her digging uncover the answers she craves or doom her to a similar fate?
Sneak Peek from Precious Treasure:
Janie dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom. Turning on the tap to fill the sink, she bent over and splashed cold water on her face. The refreshing drops rolled down her forehead, cheeks and chin, pulling her out of her funk. Sightless, Janie reached for the hand towel hanging nearby and dried her face as she stood upright. Opening her eyes, she leaned in to examine the damage of the late night on her complexion. Her reflection looked back, as well as that of a young man standing behind her. Janie’s heart leapt to her throat as she whipped around and found no one there. Looking back in the mirror, she saw only herself.
This is too much, she thought. First nightmares and now hallucinations. Janie shook her head. With the assault of information thrown at her in the last twenty-four hours, her imagination cartwheeled out of control.
Knowing the visions were a result of the wine, newspaper articles and journal, didn’t calm the raised hackles on the back of her neck. The foreboding in Brian’s letter snaked its way up her spine threatening to encircle her throat and squeeze tight. His writing had a tone of uncertainty and fear—uncharacteristic of the man she had married.
Author: Terry Segan
Precious Treasure: A paranormal mystery with a touch of romance
Bio:
Terry Segan resides in Nevada. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries.
First we kill all the lawyers… but what happens if they don’t stay dead?
An Interview with Seelie Kay:
Q. Why do you write romance?
Q. Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?
I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me! However, I they have to be paired with strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even love.
Q. Why did you write “First, We Kill All the Lawyers?”
I have wanted to write a vampire tale for some time, but had difficulty coming up with something consistent with current tropes. Finally, I decided it was time to break all the rules. After all, vampires have been around for centuries. Surely, they have evolved by now. And no doubt, they have many of the same societal problems that humans do. However, I also wanted the vampire to be a lawyer. The title came from my experience as a lawyer. I can’t tell you how many times someone would quote Dick the Butcher, “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” (Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2.) They would laugh heartily, like they had just told a wonderful joke, but for me, it was great inspiration for a story. What if someone was killing lawyers?
Q. Obviously your former profession as a lawyer impacts your writing!
My friends say I am obsessed with justice and I guess that’s true. After 30 years, the law and the legal world are so firmly embedded in my brain that I can’t flush them out. That has become the lens through which I view the world and that naturally guides my characters and plots. Injustice infuriates me, but it also leads me to great stories! Even in this book, I find a way to explore social and criminal justice issues.
Blurb:
Someone is killing lawyers, but a particular vampire lawyer won’t stay dead.
Donovan Trait is a marked man. Flamboyant, stunningly handsome, and notoriously insatiable, his attitude and style belie his skills in the courtroom. No one survives a cross-examination at Donovan’s hands. His knowledge of the law and trial practice has accumulated over the years… and years, of experience. More than three hundred years. You see, when Donovan isn’t seducing judges and juries, he’s a creature of the night. And now that someone has decided that it’s time to kill all lawyers, his lust for attention has set him in the murderer’s sights. The problem is, vampires don’t die. Not easily, anyway. That’s good news for Donovan, not so much for his very human lady love, also a target of the serial killer. Will several unsuccessful attempts on his life expose Donovan’s true nature? Will the killer learn the secret that will guarantee a permanent death? Or will Donovan finally manage to put an end to the killer’s murderous spree and live happily ever after, with his lady love?
Excerpt:
Donovan’s cell phone pinged. He pulled himself into a small alleyway, away from the stampede trudging back to their workplaces after lunch, and leaned back against a building to read a text. His face screwed up in confusion. The text read, The first thing we do, let’s kill all lawyers! Starting with you!
“What the bloody hell?” he muttered. “Is this some kind of joke?” Donovan’s eyes surveyed his surroundings. He gazed right, then left. It did not appear that someone had made him the focus of their attention. Everyone was scurrying about, like mice in pursuit of a big cheese. “Must be Finley,” he said. “Finley is always plying me with lawyer jokes. He thinks he’s funny.”
Donovan shrugged. Not funny at all. He left the alleyway and re-entered the mass migration on the sidewalk. He approached the crosswalk at Michigan and Superior and emitted a snort of frustration as the light changed and the crosswalk filled with cars. He was bumped hard by someone behind him. Donovan was forced to step into the street to regain his balance. A cab rushed by and narrowly missed clipping his side. Donovan jumped back onto the sidewalk.
A woman screamed and Donovan jerked his head around, trying to see what all the fuss was about. The woman was pointing at him. Donovan frowned and turned away. God save me from simpering females who saw the last issue of City Magazine. Donovan had appeared on the cover after being named as one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors. Since then, he had learned that the female population was comprised of women of questionable morals and distressing behavior. He was growing weary of the attention. While his colleagues thought it a wise marketing strategy, it had brought him nothing but unwanted female attention. He had become prey.
Vampires were predators. They stalked their victims. Sometimes, they pursued them with a vengeance. That was why he had joined the legal profession. His predilections were well-suited to that particular world. Now, his role had apparently shifted and he was not pleased.
Someone tapped Donovan on the shoulder. “Sir? Are you alright? You’re bleeding. It appears someone stuck a knife into your side.”
Donovan’s mouth gaped and he turned toward the man who had spoken. Then he looked at where the man pointed. There was indeed a knife sticking out of his left side and a stream of his blood was flowing onto the sidewalk. He had a very high threshold of pain. He hadn’t felt the knife thrust into his side. If it wasn’t so appalling, he would be embarrassed. Donovan opened his mouth to reply. Then the pain in his side exploded and his vision dulled. Slowly he slid onto the sidewalk as if he planned to sit on the curb.
Then everything went black.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/qd90v4Oae1E
Extasy Books: https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-3125-9-first-we-kill-all-the-lawyers/
Amazon: Coming
Barnes & Noble: Coming
Kobo: Coming
About Seelie Kay:
When not spinning her kinky tales, Ms. Kay ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. She resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.
Ms. Kay is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!
Author links:
Website: https://www.seeliekay.com
Blog: https://www.seeliekay.blogspot.com
Twitter: @SeelieKay https://twitter.com/SeelieKay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeliekay51/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ/
Prior Books:
Kinky Briefs, http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs/
Kinky Briefs, Too, http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-too/
Kinky Briefs, Thrice, https://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-thrice/
Kinky Briefs, Quatro, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1734-5-kinky-briefs-quatro/
Kinky Briefs, Cinque, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2023-9-kinky-briefs-cinque/
The Garage Dweller, http://www.extasybooks.com/the-garage-dweller/
A Touchdown to Remember, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1504-4-a-touchdown-to-remember/
The President’s Wife, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1795-6-the-presidents-wife/
Snatching Dianna, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2263-9-snatching-diana/
The President’s Daughter, http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2032-1-the-presidents-daughter
Infamy, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2291-2-infamy/
Seizing Hope, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2349-0-seizing-hope/
Cult, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2538-8-cult/
Hope, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2658-3-hope/
The White House Wedding, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2796-2-the-white-house-wedding/
Martimus, https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2862-4-martimus/
Coming soon:
The Last Christmas, date of release: December 11, 2020.
Writing doesn’t always come naturally–but hard work brings the real payoff
Welcome to Lyndi’s Adventurous Friend McKenna Dean!
Several years ago, I was warming up my horse for a dressage clinic when one of the women in the class asked, “Does he always just go on the bit like that?” Her tone was clearly one of admiring envy.
I had to laugh. ‘Going on the bit’ requires the horse to round his back and be compliant to the rider’s hands, the impulsion of movement coming from the hind end. It is a measure of the communication between horse and rider, and in certain disciplines, it is highly prized. It is impossible to do if the horse has his head flung up high and his back hollowed out.
I’d bought my horse as a young gelding from a slaughterhouse, at the going rate of eighty-nine cents a pound. Most likely he was an accident—a cross between a high-stepping Saddlebred and a “daisy-cutter” Appaloosa. One breed was designed to move with his head up in the air and back so curved riding feels like you’re sitting in a rocking chair. The other was meant to be a flashy-looking cow pony whose economical movement meant you could work the livestock all day. The combination resulted in the world’s ugliest three-year-old. Picture a horse with a cinder block head on a swan neck and a scruffy little bottlebrush tail. Saddlebreds are the fashion models of the competition world, and the nicest thing anyone could say about my horse is that he had “kind eyes.” He was the last horse anyone would expect to become a dressage champion, and when I first began appearing at the local shows, people shook their heads and wondered what I was doing there. Over a period of nearly a decade (and many hours of diligent training), we went from being the horse and rider that made people snicker to the team that came home with the ribbons.
The woman at the riding clinic was stunned when I told her of my horse’s background and how much work it had taken to make coming on the bit look natural for him. In the world of competitive riding, most people buy the right horse for the job. The right horse, the right saddle, the right boots, the best equipment money can buy; these can make a huge difference in where you place in the ribbons. It doesn’t eliminate the need for disciplined training, but your starting point on the podium is higher simply by virtue of having an athletic horse and a saddle that prevents you from making a wrong move. It’s possible for sheer hard work and determination overcome genetics and natural ability, however. I competed with my meat-market nag because he was the only horse I had, and the hours I put in riding him were a labor of love. Winning ribbons wasn’t the goal. The horse shows just gave me a structure for the time we spent together.
So I have to laugh when people ask me if I’ve always been a writer, in that same sort of wondering, envious tone. As though having a natural gift for something is more valuable than working your butt off to achieve the same results. The truth is, I wrote passionately as a child, only to give it up entirely as a teenager because I didn’t think I was good enough to be a ‘real’ writer. I thought it was time to put away childish dreams and get on with the business of making a career for myself. I wasn’t a natural.
It wasn’t until I discovered online fanfiction archives as an adult that I rediscovered my love for writing. My creative self, having been ruthlessly starved and repressed for several decades, woke with a vengeance. I read everything I could lay my hands on regarding my favorite show, and then tentatively, I began writing my own stories. Not because I thought I was any good. Not because I ever thought I’d be any good. Because I loved the characters so much I wanted to spend more time with them. Because I felt compelled to tell stories about them and share them with like-minded souls. Over a three year period of time, I wrote over a million words of fanfic. The enthusiastic support of friends gave me the courage to try my hand at original fiction, and eventually go on to submit my stories for publication. Making the transition to original fiction was tougher than I’d imagined, but in the end it was no different from moving up a level in dressage: everything that was once seemed effortless becomes hard work as you increase the challenge and have to master a whole new set of skills.
Being a natural is over-rated. It tends to teach poor work habits because everything is easy for you at first, and then when it gets harder, as it always does, you get discouraged and frustrated because you’ve never learned how to put in the hours to reach a specific goal. If you want to get better at anything, you have to put your hours in: under saddle, swimming laps, on the dance floor, at the keyboard. You ‘train’ when you don’t feel like it, when it’s raining, when you’ve had a bad day. That’s what it’s like to be a writer, too.
One of my favorite quotes is from Calvin Coolidge:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
They are words to live by—but especially if you’re a writer. You don’t wait until the muse strikes you. You don’t let reviews sink your confidence. You don’t compare yourself to others. You write, pure and simple. Every day, without fail. You hone your skills by practicing. Your creativity is a muscle you exercise. The more you write, the stronger you get. The better your sentences become. Sure, you can sigh and wish you had more talent, but in the end, it is the person who puts the words to paper who is the winner. It is the person who persists who achieves their dream. That person can be you.
Redclaw Origins: The year is 1955. Rebel without a Cause and The Seven Year Itch are playing in the movie theaters. The Chevy Bel Air is the most popular car in America. Gas is 25 cents a gallon and you can get a hotel room for $4 bucks. This flirty, fun series takes us back to the beginning and shows us how Redclaw Security got started.
If you like Gini Koch’s “Kitty” Katt alien series, you’ll love Redclaw Origins! It’s Bringing up Baby meets WH-13! It’s the X-Files meets Leave it to Beaver!
Bishop Takes Knight is a Top Pick at The Romance Reviews and a Crowned Heart of Excellence recipient at InD’Tale Magazine and has been nominated for a RONE Award! Bishop Takes Knight was voted Best Paranormal/SFF Romance in the 2020 New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Best Light Paranormal Romance in the 2020 PRISM awards, and is a Finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards!
They’re back and the fun–and trouble–is just beginning! Join Bishop and Knight as they must pose as a married couple to root out the strange disturbances occurring in an upscale suburban neighborhood!
Bishop’s Gambit (Redclaw Origins Book 2)
Newly-minted secret agent Rhett Bishop would rather face down a horde of angry wolf shifters or her father’s former mob contacts than accept her current assignment: pose undercover as a suburban housewife, complete with a husband, slippers, and pipe.
But after the debacle of her previous mission, Rhett has a lot to prove.
To redeem herself in the eyes of Redclaw Security, and to carry out her mission without distractions, she must table her budding relationship with Peter Knight while the two of them uncover the secrets of Forest Grove.
Armed with her trusty ray gun, her unique little dog, and Knight’s brains, Rhett is confident she can handle whatever the suburbs can throw at her.
Until they lob a curveball.
Available from Amazon and these other retailers.
EXCERPT:
A yellow taxi pulled over to the side of the road. I’d just given my hotel address to the driver through his open window when I heard the sound of running footsteps behind me. My James Cagney follower pounded the concrete in a dead run toward me. Without waiting for the driver to let me in, I dove into the back seat and slammed the car door shut.
“Drive. Now!”
The cab driver let out an oath and gunned the engine, cutting the wheel hard and pulling into traffic as my pursuer wrenched open the rear door. The stranger’s mouth fell open in surprise as I pointed the ray gun at him, but then his expression hardened. Either he didn’t believe the gun was real or he didn’t believe I’d shoot. With a snarl, he reached for my hand as he ran alongside the cab.
A serious mistake on his part. I don’t bluff.
The ray gun let loose a concentrated beam of energy, not enough to kill, but certainly enough to injure. With a yelp, the stranger fell back clutching his hand. The car peeled away from the curb, and I leaned out to grab the door handle and pull the door shut before it banged into a newspaper stand on the corner. Breathless with the near miss, I settled my hat back on my head and replaced the gun in my clutch.
The driver met my eyes in the rearview mirror. “You okay back there? What was that about, lady?”
I looked thoughtfully back at the man on the street whipping off his hat and throwing it to the sidewalk in frustration.
“I wish I knew.”
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McKenna Dean Bio and Social Media Links:
McKenna Dean has been an actress, a vet tech, a singer, a teacher, a biologist, and a dog trainer. She’s worked in a genetics lab, at the stockyard, behind the scenes as a props manager, and at a pizza parlor slinging dough. Finally she realized all these jobs were just a preparation for what she really wanted to be: a writer.
She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her family, as well as the assorted dogs, cats, and various livestock.
She likes putting her characters in hot water to see how strong they are. Like tea bags, only sexier.
Links:
Newsletter: https://motivated-teacher-3619.ck.page/8ce3b5d956
Website: http://mckennadeanromance.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075CRHQ7B/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/McKenna-Dean-Author-262328784224302/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/McKennaDeanFic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckennadeanromance/?hl=en
Tumblr: https://mckennadeanromance.tumblr.com/
Email: mckennadeanromance@gmail.com
Lyndi Alexander's worlds of fancy 