From Goodreads:
Broken Engagement:
Finding her fiancé cheating with her best friend was bad enough, but when Michelle heads up the Rocky Mountains for a little R & R, it goes from bad to worse when her car breaks down during a major snowstorm.
Mountain Hero:
Along a deserted stretch of highway, Jason rescues a beautiful woman who’s being accosted by two men. But can he keep her safe when they’re left stranded during a harsh winter storm?
Love Blossoms:
Sometimes, one finds their Soul Mate in the most unexpected places.
My Thoughts:
This was one of my quick audio books I played while doing house work. As for the story, it was okay. None of the characters really popped for me, and I'm not a fan of that much steam, which is entirely personal preference. It simply wasn't the best book for ME.
Showing posts with label Indie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indie. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Guest Post: The Mythical Encantado
So I had this idea for a new novel and I wanted it to be paranormal. No surprise there, seeing my work. I didn’t want to go down the track of the usual mythical creatures so went searching. Don’t get me wrong, I have used most of them. I have demons, vampires, angels, shapechangers and all sorts of magical creatures.
I decided I would like to write a book with something I had not heard of. I was also fascinated by Brazil, after watching Michael Palin’s series on the country. He had been swimming with the pink dolphins also known as Boto. It became obvious that the locals had built up mythical stories around these dolphins.
I started to do research and found the Encantado. In Brazil the Encantado is known also as the enchanted one.
Maggie
Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of
Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She
recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English and Creative Writing at
Flinders University. She has four books out with Rogue Phoenix Press. Two
erotic novellas called Blood Scent and Blood Oath and paranormal romances
called World Change and World Apart. She also has a supernatural thriller out
with Soul Mate Publishing called Hidden Mortality and paranormal romance called
Unknown Protector. A Death in the Family is her first self published book.
She has
also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote
her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of
characters. She loves writing romance, but thinks falling in love can be scary,
especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.
http://tinyurl.com/lfy3ymr
Amazon Link
BLURB
A
Death in the Family is a 1920’s murder mystery with a
paranormal twist.
Finding out who
killed her aunt means socialite Annabel Larch must delve into the past. A past
filled with ghosts calling to her, and if she answers she may end up dead
herself.
The mysterious
Isaac Pennington may help her find some of the answers, but what will Annabel
have to do to get them. This is a story involving Brazilian artifacts, heroin
dens and cult worship. Isaac and Annabel have to sort through the clues to find
out who killed her Aunt Gwen and try not to get killed themselves.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Teaser Tuesday #12
For my Bearville County series. Papina has been out for a year now, and the first of the following novellas, Loving Avery, for six months!
Monday, July 20, 2015
New Summer Reading List!
So I've totally finished my summer reading list already! Crazy! I guess making goals motivates me pretty well. As a result, I'm making a new reading list. But first, my books I chose earlier. Click on my Reviews tab above to see my thoughts on the books.
They were:
Now onto my new list. These books I've selected because... well, they are pdf's, and I don't like pdfs on my kindle! Ha ha! My logic is strange, I know. I also have one that's part of a series I already started. So with no further ado, my new summer reads.
Evade (The Ever Trilogy) by Jessa Russo
I read book 1, Ever, ages ago, so I need to read this to continue the story.

Link by Summer Wier
Summer is all kinds of awesome, and I read an early version of this. So when the ARC came up, I grabbed to to see what it's improved version.
Five: Out of the Dark by Holli Anderson
Holli sent this to me when I was planning on meeting her at UtopYA, before I found out I was pregnant. I think I still need to read this YA adventure.
Rescued by Larynn Ford
Larynn sent this to me after I helped with some promo on my blog. It's been sitting on my kindle forever!
Dangerous Works by Caroline Warfield
Like Larynn, Caroline sent me a copy after we helped each other with some blog promotion. Needs to be read!
They were:
Souls Entwined
Altar of Reality
Fight For Me
Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend
Broken Forest (coming soon)
Now onto my new list. These books I've selected because... well, they are pdf's, and I don't like pdfs on my kindle! Ha ha! My logic is strange, I know. I also have one that's part of a series I already started. So with no further ado, my new summer reads.
Evade (The Ever Trilogy) by Jessa Russo
I read book 1, Ever, ages ago, so I need to read this to continue the story.

Link by Summer Wier
Summer is all kinds of awesome, and I read an early version of this. So when the ARC came up, I grabbed to to see what it's improved version.
Holli sent this to me when I was planning on meeting her at UtopYA, before I found out I was pregnant. I think I still need to read this YA adventure.
Rescued by Larynn FordLarynn sent this to me after I helped with some promo on my blog. It's been sitting on my kindle forever!
Dangerous Works by Caroline Warfield
Like Larynn, Caroline sent me a copy after we helped each other with some blog promotion. Needs to be read!
Friday, June 26, 2015
Review: Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend by Becca Ann
From Goodreads:
It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.
She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.
But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.
Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.
My Thoughts:
Brody's into his brother's ex. The ex his brother cheated on. Hayley is there and willing to help, but the problem is, the more she helps and spends time with him, the more he needs to spend time with her. It's quickly obvious to him where his feelings really lie, the trick is convincing her.
In typical Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) fashion, this book is lighthearted, fun and charming. It's an easy read, not in the sense that it's simple, but that it flows well and has a great voice that grabs you and holds on as you can't help but flick through the pages.
Brody is a sweet guy with his heart in the right place. His biggest problem is that he's terrified of being like his biological dad and brother. Except everyone knows he's not "that guy."
Hayley is a girl everyone considers chubby, and always sticks in the friend zone. I think we all know a girl like that, or have felt that way at some time or another. But she's strong, and despite her family issues, she's still such a bright spark, which is what draws Brody to her.
I'm never disappointed by a Mae/Ann read, and this book is no exception. She is easily one of my favorite YA authors, and if I need something fun and light, I always know exactly where to turn.
It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.
She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.
But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.
Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.
My Thoughts:
Brody's into his brother's ex. The ex his brother cheated on. Hayley is there and willing to help, but the problem is, the more she helps and spends time with him, the more he needs to spend time with her. It's quickly obvious to him where his feelings really lie, the trick is convincing her.
In typical Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) fashion, this book is lighthearted, fun and charming. It's an easy read, not in the sense that it's simple, but that it flows well and has a great voice that grabs you and holds on as you can't help but flick through the pages.
Brody is a sweet guy with his heart in the right place. His biggest problem is that he's terrified of being like his biological dad and brother. Except everyone knows he's not "that guy."
Hayley is a girl everyone considers chubby, and always sticks in the friend zone. I think we all know a girl like that, or have felt that way at some time or another. But she's strong, and despite her family issues, she's still such a bright spark, which is what draws Brody to her.
I'm never disappointed by a Mae/Ann read, and this book is no exception. She is easily one of my favorite YA authors, and if I need something fun and light, I always know exactly where to turn.
Friday, June 19, 2015
My Summer Reads!
I've seen a few of these floating around, so I thought I might pull one together. I've already read a few, like Sachael Dreams and Night of Pan (You can find my reviews by clicking the tab above) but here are the ones at the top of my list to read. Hopefully I'll get time to read them between my three releases and having a baby! I have every intention of cramming while in the hospital.
Here we go!
Souls Entwined
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it keeps getting pushed back. Not any more! Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal.
Anne is a doll, and I'm eager to see where this time travel romance goes.
Altar of Reality
This is written by a good friend of mine, Mara. I helped her prepare the first few chapters for Curiosity Quills, and have been dying to finish it ever since. It's like a dystopian, but not. I'm intrigued to see what this story does.
Fight for Me (The Tate Chronicles #2)
I started this series a few months back with book 1, Fall For Me, then read the two novellas. You can find my reviews for them under my reviews tab above. So, since I have started it, I want to continue the story.
Plus, it's set in Australia. Can't beat that.
Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend
Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) is always a treat to read. Her characters are witty, quirky, and have voices that pop off the pages. I have no doubt this novel will be the same.
And bonus, they're pretty clean too. I feel safe reading and sharing Cassie's books.
Broken Forest
This is another one of those books I've had sitting on my kindle forever that keeps getting pushed back. Again, I'm making this one a priority. Eliza has been a wonderful support and is a great person, so I really need to get on this one. We were actually signed about the same time by the same person! Crazy, huh? I don't read much fantasy, but this doesn't seem too heavy, and has strong family elements that I enjoy.
Here we go!
Souls Entwined
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it keeps getting pushed back. Not any more! Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal.
Anne is a doll, and I'm eager to see where this time travel romance goes.
Altar of Reality
This is written by a good friend of mine, Mara. I helped her prepare the first few chapters for Curiosity Quills, and have been dying to finish it ever since. It's like a dystopian, but not. I'm intrigued to see what this story does.
Fight for Me (The Tate Chronicles #2)
I started this series a few months back with book 1, Fall For Me, then read the two novellas. You can find my reviews for them under my reviews tab above. So, since I have started it, I want to continue the story.
Plus, it's set in Australia. Can't beat that.
Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend
Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) is always a treat to read. Her characters are witty, quirky, and have voices that pop off the pages. I have no doubt this novel will be the same.
And bonus, they're pretty clean too. I feel safe reading and sharing Cassie's books.
Broken Forest
This is another one of those books I've had sitting on my kindle forever that keeps getting pushed back. Again, I'm making this one a priority. Eliza has been a wonderful support and is a great person, so I really need to get on this one. We were actually signed about the same time by the same person! Crazy, huh? I don't read much fantasy, but this doesn't seem too heavy, and has strong family elements that I enjoy.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Review: Humanity by J.D. Knutson
From Goodreads:
Five gunshots were all it took to end everything Candace had ever cared about; now, falling in love with her parents’ killer might give her everything she never knew she needed.
Candace has been raped more times than she cares to remember –this is a normal lifestyle for a pretty eighteen-year-old girl surviving the expiration of the United States. When her parents are shot before her eyes, the deer that would have sustained them stolen, she knows their deaths would have come eventually – that’s simply how life is lived. This doesn’t keep her from plotting the murder of the man who shot them. As soon as she gets the chance, she opens fire on him – running out of bullets after only two shots. But Gideon’s not going to make things too easy on himself; he refuses to kill her until she’s a true threat. Paradoxically, she can’t leave his side for fear that he might disappear in her absence; she insists on following him until provided with an occasion to kill him.
Circumstances change when Candace’s opportunity is almost stolen from her; three travelers shoot Gideon. She rescues him out of the supreme aspiration that it be HER who ends his life. However, him being injured and unable to defend himself isn’t exactly what she had in mind. As a result, she finds herself getting to know him better than she had planned. What surfaces is a poignant statement on love, forgiveness, and humanity.
HUMANITY is a romantic survivalist novel for new/young adults. Topics such as rape and sexual abuse are involved, amidst lighter but also serious matters.
My Thoughts:
This book had me hooked from page one. Candace has such an amazing voice, and her struggles feel so alive and real. The anger she feels to act out and take on someone much stronger than her physically is so believable.
As the story progresses, you start to realize this man, Gideon, who killed her parents isn't a murderer. She resists seeing his good nature because she, obviously, harbors a great deal of hate for what he did to her parents.
The story unravels her conflicted feelings in a way that's completely understandable. Without revealing too much and spoiling it, she starts to understand her humanity through him.
As a fair warning, the book does talk about rape and has some violence in it. But there's nothing graphic. All "rape" isn't shown, just mentioned, and is frowned upon, especially when Gideon says he'd never do that to anyone.
I couldn't stop reading as I bonded with these characters and their unique perspectives in such a harsh world. There's so much hope, and deep, real love comes to surface.
Five gunshots were all it took to end everything Candace had ever cared about; now, falling in love with her parents’ killer might give her everything she never knew she needed.
Candace has been raped more times than she cares to remember –this is a normal lifestyle for a pretty eighteen-year-old girl surviving the expiration of the United States. When her parents are shot before her eyes, the deer that would have sustained them stolen, she knows their deaths would have come eventually – that’s simply how life is lived. This doesn’t keep her from plotting the murder of the man who shot them. As soon as she gets the chance, she opens fire on him – running out of bullets after only two shots. But Gideon’s not going to make things too easy on himself; he refuses to kill her until she’s a true threat. Paradoxically, she can’t leave his side for fear that he might disappear in her absence; she insists on following him until provided with an occasion to kill him.
Circumstances change when Candace’s opportunity is almost stolen from her; three travelers shoot Gideon. She rescues him out of the supreme aspiration that it be HER who ends his life. However, him being injured and unable to defend himself isn’t exactly what she had in mind. As a result, she finds herself getting to know him better than she had planned. What surfaces is a poignant statement on love, forgiveness, and humanity.
HUMANITY is a romantic survivalist novel for new/young adults. Topics such as rape and sexual abuse are involved, amidst lighter but also serious matters.
My Thoughts:
This book had me hooked from page one. Candace has such an amazing voice, and her struggles feel so alive and real. The anger she feels to act out and take on someone much stronger than her physically is so believable.
As the story progresses, you start to realize this man, Gideon, who killed her parents isn't a murderer. She resists seeing his good nature because she, obviously, harbors a great deal of hate for what he did to her parents.
The story unravels her conflicted feelings in a way that's completely understandable. Without revealing too much and spoiling it, she starts to understand her humanity through him.
As a fair warning, the book does talk about rape and has some violence in it. But there's nothing graphic. All "rape" isn't shown, just mentioned, and is frowned upon, especially when Gideon says he'd never do that to anyone.
I couldn't stop reading as I bonded with these characters and their unique perspectives in such a harsh world. There's so much hope, and deep, real love comes to surface.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Review: Fool's Ride (The Jenkin's Cycle Book 2) by John L. Monk
From Goodreads:
Dan Jenkins is back, body hopping a scumbag at a time in his quest for the perfect ride. He doesn’t need much. Premium cable TV, good books, a well-stocked pantry, and he's set. But the Great Whomever has other plans.
After six months waiting in limbo, Dan catches a ride as a horror novelist whose gruesome stories aren’t just fiction. Later, he hunts a man who’s escaped justice for far too long. Then, in his greatest challenge yet, he strays too deeply into the lives of the people he loves: his most foolish ride of all.
My Thoughts:
So reading this was off my schedule, but I loved book 1 so much I couldn't help myself.
Jut like book 1, Kick, Dan's adventures start from page one as he tries to work out the weird and twisted world of his "rides" This time around he has some doozies, too. It probably doesn't help that I'm pregnant and have small children, and the victims of his rides are those two things. Add in my pregnancy hormones and I was in for an emotional ride!
But this time, Dan's real life past returns, as well as the minister from Kick. It makes me wonder where Dan is headed, and I'm eager for the next installment.
I just don't have words without handing out spoilers. But this book is worth everyone's time. It's something I can't put down, and Dan's conflict while also trying to have some fun makes him the perfect character for his body hopping situation.
Looking forward to the continuation of this series.
Dan Jenkins is back, body hopping a scumbag at a time in his quest for the perfect ride. He doesn’t need much. Premium cable TV, good books, a well-stocked pantry, and he's set. But the Great Whomever has other plans.
After six months waiting in limbo, Dan catches a ride as a horror novelist whose gruesome stories aren’t just fiction. Later, he hunts a man who’s escaped justice for far too long. Then, in his greatest challenge yet, he strays too deeply into the lives of the people he loves: his most foolish ride of all.
My Thoughts:
So reading this was off my schedule, but I loved book 1 so much I couldn't help myself.
Jut like book 1, Kick, Dan's adventures start from page one as he tries to work out the weird and twisted world of his "rides" This time around he has some doozies, too. It probably doesn't help that I'm pregnant and have small children, and the victims of his rides are those two things. Add in my pregnancy hormones and I was in for an emotional ride!
But this time, Dan's real life past returns, as well as the minister from Kick. It makes me wonder where Dan is headed, and I'm eager for the next installment.
I just don't have words without handing out spoilers. But this book is worth everyone's time. It's something I can't put down, and Dan's conflict while also trying to have some fun makes him the perfect character for his body hopping situation.
Looking forward to the continuation of this series.
Labels:
action,
adult,
books,
crime,
Indie,
my thoughts,
Paranormal,
reading,
review,
suspense
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Cover Reveal: Soul Spark by Eliza Tilton
SOULSPARK is YA Contemporary Romance sure to rip open your heart and stitch it back together. Here's the blurb:
Dealing with the loss of her mother, seventeen-year-old Jessica Stone tries to find an escape from the pain by secretly medicating herself with Xanax, but the anxiety increases, crushing her and her grades. Then she meets Caleb Jonas, the pastor’s son at her mother’s church. Between his cute dimples and love of fast cars, Jessica is completely smitten, and the feeling is mutual.
But dating a Christian boy isn’t easy. He doesn’t party, and he never goes past first base. Jessica struggles with his faith, since it makes her question her own, but for the first time since her mother’s death, she can breathe. Life is finally shifting into a state of happiness.
But that happiness shatters when Jessica catches Caleb kissing her ex-best friend—and step-brother’s girlfriend—Rachel, the girl who used to be like her sister, and the same girl who betrayed her once before. While her stepbrother hints at a deeper connection between the two, Caleb insists it was a one-time mistake and begs forgiveness. With contradicting stories coming at her, Jessica isn’t sure who to believe, but sometimes the truth is better left undiscovered and she’s about to find out why.
ADD TO GOODREADS HERE! SOULSPARK is scheduled to release this spring!

Author Bio:
Eliza graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing. Her stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a romance. She resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull. Her YA Fantasy series, The Daath Chronicles, is published by Curiosity Quills Press.
Author links: Twitter / Tumblr / Website / Pinterest / Facebook
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Loving Avery Release!
Today I'm taking a brief interlude from my publisher feature month to announce the release of my novella Loving Avery.
Here are the details:
Loving Avery
New Adult Contemporary Romance
The Clark and Davis kids are grown up!
Follow Rhett, the Clark's second son, who has loved Avery, the Davis' only daughter for as long as he can remember. But after her string of high school boyfriends, and getting beat up at prom, Rhett decides going to college is the best way to start over and forget Avery Davis.
Except Avery finally realizes she can't live without him. But is it too late?
Goodreads Amazon
Make sure you read Papina first to get the back story on these families.
I'm holding a release day party on Facebook where I'll be posting about Loving Avery and giving away copies of all my books, especially Papina and Loving Avery. PARTY!
Here are the details:
Loving Avery
New Adult Contemporary Romance
The Clark and Davis kids are grown up!
Follow Rhett, the Clark's second son, who has loved Avery, the Davis' only daughter for as long as he can remember. But after her string of high school boyfriends, and getting beat up at prom, Rhett decides going to college is the best way to start over and forget Avery Davis.
Except Avery finally realizes she can't live without him. But is it too late?
Goodreads Amazon
Make sure you read Papina first to get the back story on these families.
I'm holding a release day party on Facebook where I'll be posting about Loving Avery and giving away copies of all my books, especially Papina and Loving Avery. PARTY!
Papina
Forrest and Braydon Miller moved to the small town of Papina to follow their dreams and start a family. Braydon loves her new life in the quiet town, kept alive by the prestigious boarding school overlooking the valley. She is so proud of her husband's work, helping the teens on the reservation.
Until one day, Forrest doesn't come home.
Scandal spreads when one of the teenagers is found missing, too. But Braydon refuses to believe her husband would leave her. When the teen is found, she isn't talking—literally.
While Braydon's heart is breaking, she needs to hold her crumbling life together, raise her son, and find a way to love the teenager enough to find the truth of what happened to her husband.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
My Favorite Books of 2014
I've read quite a few books this year, so I've picked my top five to share here with you. It wasn't easy, as there's a few I loved that I didn't include on this list. But anyway, these are books I hope you all get a chance to read, especially since most of them have sequels or the first in a series.
There you have it! It's been a fun and eventful year, and I'm looking forward to even more reading and writing opportunities next year.
5.
Destruction by Sharon Bayliss
4.
How to Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae
3.
The Artful by Wilbert Stanton
2.
How to Date Dead Guys by Ann M. Noser
1.
Kick by John L. Monk
There you have it! It's been a fun and eventful year, and I'm looking forward to even more reading and writing opportunities next year.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Cover Reveal: Loving Avery (Bearville County Novella #1) by Me :-)
Title: Loving Avery (Bearville County Novella #1)
Author: Katie Hamstead
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 20, 2015
Artist: Jada D'Lee Designs
Add on Goodreads
The Bearville County Novella series follows on from Papina.
The Clark and Davis kids are grown up!
Follow Rhett, the Clark's second son, who has loved Avery, the Davis' only daughter, for as long as he can remember. But after her string of high school boyfriends, and Rhett getting beat up at prom, Rhett decides going to college is the best way to start over and forget Avery Davis.
Except Avery finally realizes she can't live without him. But is it too late?
Get the novel, Papina, that starts the series: Amazon
About the Author:
Born and raised in Australia, Katie's early years of day dreaming in the "bush", and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.
After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dog.
She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing.
Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports and be a good wife and mother. She now works as an Acquisitions Editor to help support her family. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Fall Into Fantasy Week #16
Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!
Week 16: The Disciple Series by L. Blankenship
War is coming. Kate Carpenter is only a peasant girl, but she’s determined to help defend the kingdom and its bound saints against the invading empire. Her healing magic earned her a coveted apprenticeship with the master healer; now she must prove herself ready to stand in the front lines and save lives.
She’s not ready for the attentions of a ne’er-do-well knight and the kingdom’s only prince, though. This is no time to be distracted by romance — the empire’s monstrous army will tear through anyone standing between them and the kingdom’s magical founts. All disciples must put aside their tangled feelings and stand in the homeland’s defense.
Disciple is a six-part gritty fantasy romance by L. Blankenship. Part I through Part IV are on sale now at all major retailers!
Download PART I for free!
Look for the final volume, Part VI, in 2015!
EXCERPT:
“You couldn’t sleep either?”
At the whisper, I looked up from struggling to lace my boots with trembling hands. My master stepped into my dormitory room, adding his lamp’s light to my candle.
“Why must I dress as a boy?” I whispered back. Perhaps I was not so buxom, but I doubted I’d fool anyone. “This makes little sense.”
“Patience.” Master Parselev placed his lamp on my writing-table and checked my packed bags. “They’re gathering at the chapel already. None of us got much sleep, it seems.”
The straw mattress creaked when I stood, boots laced and the woolen hose sagging between my thighs. I ran my fingers around my waist, under my layered cotes, to check the drawstring. “Are these right, Master?” I’d strung the hose and braies together as best I could guess and as memory was my Blessing I had no excuse for failing. Men’s underthings weren’t much concern to me — if I saw such, or more, it was while the man lay bleeding on the surgery table.
“If they stay up, it’s right. Good. This too.” He slung a heavy felt cloak across my shoulders and pinned it on. The hood buried my face in shadows; my blonde braid, even wrapped around my head, would give me away.
I asked, “Master, this journey will be long, won’t it?” Parselev had given me more clothes than I’d ever owned to pack in those bags. All heavy winter woolens, too. “Shouldn’t you go, then?”
He looked down at me, mouth quirking to one side. Master was a greybeard, said to be over a hundred years old, but his kir kept his eyes bright and his face lightly creased. I had only been his apprentice two years. Surely I could not be ready for this.
“It must be you, Kate,” was all he said. He carried one of my bags, and I took the other.
Wreathed in breath-clouds, we crossed the Order’s campus. Low on the horizon, the slim, waxing crescent of the Shepherd hung golden, all seven of his Flock scattered in the sky behind him. He gave the only hint that dawn was coming. The cloak kept me marvelously warm, even in the chilly breeze. No frost this morning, not yet, but it was only a few weeks off.
Master un-bolted the side gate and led me to the door of the Grand Chapel. Horses waited on the grass, many horses chewing at their bits and shaking their heads, most of them with knights in the saddles. The knights’ black tabards, worn over suits of mail, had a white horse embroidered on the right shoulder and two gold stars on the left, marking them knights and Prince’s Guard as well. Kite shields and bucket helms hung on their saddles, in easy reach.
Several of the horses stood with empty saddles, collectively held by a couple of pageboys, and that gave me pause. I’d never been on a horse; I was only a peasant girl. But it could not be so awful, I told myself, so I gripped my cloak a little tighter and followed Master Parselev inside.
My new boots rang too loudly in the empty chapel, and when I slowed to lighten my step I fell behind. Only one lamp burned on the high table before the icons, and its light was mostly blocked by those gathered below the two steps. Faces were cast in shadow as they turned toward us — all looming in the dim light, some cloaked like me, others not — and I knew none of them. I kept my head down as I joined my master before them, glad the hood hid my face.
“Not ready, Elect?” one asked, his voice low but strong. “Who’s this?”
“My apprentice will safeguard the travelers,” my master answered. “She has —”
“What?” The man stepped closer, his shoulders blocking out the light.
“Majesty, she’s my finest student.” Parselev put up a hand when the stranger reached for my hood.
My knees trembled as the word echoed in my head. Majesty. I stood before the king of Wodenberg. Wobbling a bit, I dropped to one knee in obeisance, fist pressed to my heart. The king yanked off my hood while I stared at the flagstone floor, pulse pounding.
“This girl?” the king demanded. “You trust a mere disciple with this mission?”
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ABOUT L. BLANKENSHIP
L. Blankenship started writing animal stories as a kid and it's just gotten completely out of hand since then. Now she's out publishing her gritty fantasy and hard science fiction adventures. L grew up in New Hampshire but currently lives near Washington, DC.
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Saturday, December 6, 2014
Cover Reveal: Devil in Duke's Clothing by Nina Mason
What's inside is just as wickedly delicious.
Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical romance set in Scotland in 1680, tells the story of an innocent bride's struggles to come to grips with her new husband’s eccentric erotic tastes amidst the instability and hedonism of the reign of Charles II. The book is coming in January from Nina Mason, the author of The Queen of Swords and The Tin Man. Book One in the Royal Pains Trilogy, Devil in Duke's Clothing is highly erotic, features scenes of voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeuristic menage.
Here's the blurb:
Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady's maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights--and she's been hungry for more ever since.Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives--and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn't the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.
Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?
Here's the trailer (18+ only, please):
Here's an excerpt from the Prologue:
Maggie York had not set out to be a spy.
She’d only come into the housekeeper’s closet to look for a bootlace. It had finally stopped raining and she was eager to escape the musty, smoke-choked prison the castle had become over the past se’nnight. Sick to death of books and needlework, she yearned to be out of doors picking flowers or stalking rabbits, but could do neither of those things until she’d replaced the broken lace on her boots.
Her abigail, as usual, was nowhere to be found, so Maggie had ventured below stairs to apply to the housekeeper for aid. To Maggie’s vexation, Mrs. McQueen was nowhere to be found, either, and, too impatient to await her return, the young ducal ward elected to hunt for the needed item herself.
Now, she was where she should not be and someone was coming. Two someones, actually. If they caught her here, she’d be punished the way she’d been several years past when she’d broken the vase belonging to the duke’s mother. The old duke, the young duke’s late father, had tanned her hide so severely she hadn’t been able to sit down for a full week without wincing.
Fear pumped through Maggie’s veins as the larksome duet drew nearer. The lady was her absent abigail. The gentleman’s laughter she could not place. The duchy employed several male servants—footmen, a valet, a coachman, a gardener, and a handful of strapping young grooms--but the baritone tenor was unlike any of theirs. Neither was it the laugh of the duke’s younger brother, who’d been blessed with a cheerful disposition. The sounds of Hugh’s gaiety echoed so often through the castle’s corridors, she would have known it anywhere.
There was, however, one gentleman residing at Balloch who’d never laughed within range of her hearing. Once or twice, he’d deigned to grace her with a smile—and, Lord bless her—what a thing of beauty ‘twas to behold. Like the sun breaking through the clouds on a gloomy day. The merest glimpse made her bones feel like they were made from tallow. What a pity he was so seldom cheerful.
The laughter grew still louder. As the door opened wider, panic erupted in Maggie’s chest. She could not let them find her snooping like a common thief. Pulse racing, she closed the French doors betwixt closet and room as swiftly and quietly as circumstances permitted.
As luck would have it, the door’s linen curtains were arranged in such a way as to allow her to see into the room without being observed. The man came in first.
Her breath caught when she saw ‘twas none other than the duke himself—in naught but his kilt and shirtsleeves!
Mistress Honeywell, her lady’s maid, soon followed in her usual tartan dress but sans shoes.
Why were they both half undressed? What could they be about?
Maggie bit her lip as she watched in breathless silence.
After locking the door, the duke dropped the key into his sporran and led Mistress Honeywell to a long sofa facing the closet. Maggie’s heart leapt into her throat. She drew back and held her breath. If he saw her, she was doomed.
The maid sat quietly whilst he filled the antimonial cup with Mrs. McQueen’s medicinal whisky. Was the duke ill perchance?
His grace returned to the sofa and handed Mistress Honeywell the whisky. Was it the maid who’d taken ill? If so, why apply to the duke for physick? Maggie could not reason it out.
He stood over the maid as she drank the whisky. Since his back was to the closet, Maggie could not see what passed between them. After a spell, Mistress Honeywell rose and they turned to face one another, providing a perfect view of their full-length profiles.
Maggie expected them to embrace, but they did not.
Instead, Mistress Honeywell set about unlacing her bodice whilst he watched with rapt interest.
The maid wore no stays, but clearly had no need of their support. Her paps, though large, stood as proud and sure as a pair of cockerels.
When Mistress Honeywell was down to her shift, the duke stepped forward, untied the neckline drawstring, and reached inside with both hands.
Maggie swallowed a gasp when he seized both the maid’s breasts and proceeded to knead them like dough. Mistress Honeywell, astonishingly enough, offered no reproach. She only tipped back her head, parted her lips, and emitted a breathy sigh.
How could she abide, let alone enjoy, such exploitation? If a man ever treated Maggie thusly, she’d slap him so hard he’d see stars for a week!
The duke swept the shift off the maid’s shoulders. The thin garment slipped down her body to her ankles. To Maggie’s astonishment, Mistress Honeywell appeared to be unashamed--either by her nudity or his grace’s covetous stares.
By the light of Our Lady’s brow! Such impiety was not to be borne. How could they be so wicked? As Roman Catholics, both had to know what they were doing was sinful.
Here's a wee bit about the author:
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
She has two books out at present: The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller.
Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series': an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. Devil in Duke's Clothing is book one in Royal Pains. Starry Knight, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington>
When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
Here are the author's stalker links:
Nina Mason's website
Amazon Author's Page
Goodreads
YouTube
Nina Mason's Blog
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Review: Kick by John L Monk
From Goodreads:
Dan Jenkins returns from death for a chance to live again. The vacated bodies of killers are his rides.
Before he's kicked out, he'll need to stop his host from hurting anyone else. It's one of the rules if he wants more rides. More rides means more movies and fishing trips, and more of those little apple pies they sell at gas stations and convenience stores, because they're just that good.
For a dead guy, it's a pretty good gig...until someone changes the rules.
My Thoughts:
I picked this up through Bookbub, and immediately became intrigued by it. Most of my Bookbub books end up getting lost in the abyss of books on my kindle, but the first chapter really grabbed my attention. So, I kept reading.
Told through Dan's perspective, we spend a lot of time in his head with just him. He landed in his body-hopping gig after he killed himself in college, as a kind of penance I guess. Although a little lost, he's a genuinely nice guy who enjoys his time living in truly evil people's bodies until he has to kill them or get them arrested before they kick him out.
You watch Dan go through a pretty significant learning experience when he lands in Nate's body. While the people you see him in before are truly big bad guys, Nate's not. This is confusing for Dan, since that's not his usual M.O. But the bad guys are around Dan. I don't want to give out spoilers, but seriously, I got annoyed when he didn't notice right away who the real baddie was.
I seriously loved this book. Well written, great twists and turns and an interesting main character to boot. I loved watching him learn and grow, and seeing how everything fell into place.
I highly recommend this book.
Also, for some reason this reminded me of How To Date Dead Guys. I think people who like either series would like the other too.
Dan Jenkins returns from death for a chance to live again. The vacated bodies of killers are his rides.
Before he's kicked out, he'll need to stop his host from hurting anyone else. It's one of the rules if he wants more rides. More rides means more movies and fishing trips, and more of those little apple pies they sell at gas stations and convenience stores, because they're just that good.
For a dead guy, it's a pretty good gig...until someone changes the rules.
My Thoughts:
I picked this up through Bookbub, and immediately became intrigued by it. Most of my Bookbub books end up getting lost in the abyss of books on my kindle, but the first chapter really grabbed my attention. So, I kept reading.
Told through Dan's perspective, we spend a lot of time in his head with just him. He landed in his body-hopping gig after he killed himself in college, as a kind of penance I guess. Although a little lost, he's a genuinely nice guy who enjoys his time living in truly evil people's bodies until he has to kill them or get them arrested before they kick him out.
You watch Dan go through a pretty significant learning experience when he lands in Nate's body. While the people you see him in before are truly big bad guys, Nate's not. This is confusing for Dan, since that's not his usual M.O. But the bad guys are around Dan. I don't want to give out spoilers, but seriously, I got annoyed when he didn't notice right away who the real baddie was.
I seriously loved this book. Well written, great twists and turns and an interesting main character to boot. I loved watching him learn and grow, and seeing how everything fell into place.
I highly recommend this book.
Also, for some reason this reminded me of How To Date Dead Guys. I think people who like either series would like the other too.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Papina Teasers
So along with the Branded Teasers I made over the Retreat weekend, I made some for Papina too! Papina is a standalone novel, but I do have a follow up novella series coming up soon, so get your hands on it now ;)
Forrest and Braydon Miller moved to the small town of Papina to follow their dreams and start a family. Braydon loves her new life in the quiet town, kept alive by the prestigious boarding school overlooking the valley. She is so proud of her husband's work, helping the teens on the reservation.
Until one day, Forrest doesn't come home.
Scandal spreads when one of the teenagers is found missing, too. But Braydon refuses to believe her husband would leave her. When the teen is found, she isn't talking—literally.
While Braydon's heart is breaking, she needs to hold her crumbling life together, raise her son, and find a way to love the teenager enough to find the truth of what happened to her husband.
Amazon
Forrest and Braydon Miller moved to the small town of Papina to follow their dreams and start a family. Braydon loves her new life in the quiet town, kept alive by the prestigious boarding school overlooking the valley. She is so proud of her husband's work, helping the teens on the reservation.
Until one day, Forrest doesn't come home.
Scandal spreads when one of the teenagers is found missing, too. But Braydon refuses to believe her husband would leave her. When the teen is found, she isn't talking—literally.
While Braydon's heart is breaking, she needs to hold her crumbling life together, raise her son, and find a way to love the teenager enough to find the truth of what happened to her husband.
Amazon
Monday, November 10, 2014
Fall Into Fantasy Week #12
Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!
Week 12: The Dark Intent Series
Book One: Between
By Lisa Swallow
What do you do when you are attracted to two men and both have the power to kill you with a touch or a kiss? Can Rose trust either of them - or anyone in her new life?
Ghosts? Demons? Angels? Or something more? The supernatural you find living and working in this English city are a little different to those you usually find in the genre...
Rose survived the accident that killed her friend. The problem is the life she returns to scares her more than the night she almost died.
When Alek and Finn enter her world, Rose discovers the after-effects of the accident are worse than she thought. The slow recovery and fogged nightmares aren't the only changes she needs to cope with.
Rose has an immediate and intense attraction to arrogant housemate Alek. This confuses her as much as the chilling effect of her enigmatic work colleague Finn. As Rose struggles to cope with her new life, she learns that her connection to the two men threatens all their futures
Alek has lived years closed off from people. He didn't expect someone like Rose to come into his life and challenge the reality he grips onto.
If Finn doesn't fix the mistake he made, his life is in danger. His desire to help and protect Rose makes his task difficult, especially when she's the mistake he needs to fix.
When Alek's past catches up, Rose disappears. Trapped between the living and the dead, on the edge of Hell, Rose is unable to find her way back. Alek and Finn could help her - but are they prepared to risk the consequences?
ABOUT LISA SWALLOW
Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, often with a side of snark. In between running a business, looking after her family and writing, Lisa sometimes finds spare time to do other things. This often involves swapping her book worlds for gaming worlds. Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.
Want to get involved with the Fall Into Fantasy promotional tour?
- Don't forget to join us at the Facebook party here!
- If you are interested in joining up as a blogger, you can always sign up here. We are happy to welcome more bloggers into the fold as the promotion continues.
- If you are an author or blogger and want to sign up to help with the party, please fill out this form.
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