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For the best in romance, from sweet to naughty!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 73 (the Tuesday edition)

Good Tuesday Morning!!

I was so busy yesterday with the Christmas clean up... it always looks like a bomb has exploded the day after Christmas... that I forgot to post yesterday. So sorry, and today with all the kids home and the hubs on vacation... I need to do another clean up, before I got started I wanted to post this week's flash, later today I'll post my response to last week's, it's been way hectic here lately, I've written it but never had a chance to post.


This week's image was one I found while surfing, and it felt alive, but anguished.  


Feels like the tree is bent with pain, at least to me, so I'm anxious to see how everyone else interprets it. 

The rules remain the same.... somewhere around 350 words and come back Friday to post your response. Have fun and let you creative juices flow!

Now, back to house cleaning.....  *le sigh*  I need a maid.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Promo ~ Amanda Hocking's Switched, Book 1 of the Trylle Trilogy

As many of you may remember, I discovered Amanda Hocking's books last winter and decided to give them a try. I can't rave enough about her talent! St. Martin's Press is re-releasing her Trylle trilogy with new bonus material, and I can't wait to see the changes! The new cover art is gorgeous!!
 
 (Release Date: January 3, 2012)

From the Cover:

Amanda Hocking is an indie publishing sensation whose self-published novels have sold millions of copies all over the world.  Switched is the book that started the phenomenon.  Prepare to be enchanted….

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.  She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.
Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her.  Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit.  But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth:  Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.   

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening.  And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.


Here's a gander at her new book trailer.....



Can't wait to see Torn and Ascend (Book 2 and 3 in the Trylle Trilogy)!!

(Release Date: February 28, 2011)

(Release Date: April 24, 2012)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 72

Good Monday Morning!

I hope everyone had a splendid weekend! Me, I finally forced myself to start Christmas shopping... while there weren't a lot of crowds, anywhere.... There was also a limited selection. Which brings me to the wonderful world of gift cards. I promise to start earlier next year....

So... since it was an epic fail at shopping, I might as well do the Monday Morning Challenge, right? I hope everyone finds time to participate. It's Christmas this weekend, so I'll understand if some have to take a pass. I'm going to try to find time.




Around Christmas time, I try to find an image that both makes me think of Christmas as well as capture the feeling of mystery that I attached of the holiday. I mean, what's more mysterious than a man in suit who travels all over the world a the stroke of midnight to touch each life residing on Earth? Along with the past and the future?

This year I chose something that gives the lingering feeling of Christmas, but also that desolate feeling of aloneness.... lost in a winter wonderland. It can mean anything to anyone. Maybe it's the long journey home for the holiday, maybe it's a holiday to be celebrated in lonilness, and maybe it's that first snowfall on Christmas, and you're the very first person to leave footprints in it, the very first person to lay in the snow and make a snow angel. Maybe you're a child gazing from a frost window out at the wonder of the new fallen snow. Or maybe it's something sinister....  It can be anything.......




The rules remain the same 350 words (or there about) and come back Friday to post a response.

I'm truly enthrall with the image, but it doesn't mean it will be easy to write for. After all, I have to challenge myself too....

Everyone have a great week, and if I don't heard from you before Christmas... Have A Merry One!!

(((hugs and be blessed)))

Friday, December 16, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 71.... The Friday Post

I haven't had time to do a flash in ages it feels like, but this week is different! Since NaNoWriMo is finished, and editing is all I want to do, I'm making myself leave the story alone. I've read a couple of books and a couple of short stories that I'll be reviewing soon. I've really fallen behind with NaNo eating up so much time!! But, I hope I'm back to my regular blogging schedule.




I loved this image, and immediately knew what I wanted to write. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. Here's another peek at it! (and my flash that goes along with it....)




The Guardian
by Dottie Taylor
word count: 618


Nia balanced on the balls of her feet, it didn't help that two freaking wings had suddenly sprouted from her back. How did that happen? Why did that happen?

Ian turned, his eyes wide. “Do you know....?” He gestured over his shoulder, his eyes taking in the wings as they stretched themselves to their full length.

Nia looked at him like he'd grown a second head. “Of course I know!” She nearly shouted, as she tried not to lose her balance, attempted to fold them away. She just couldn't figured out how the make the stupid things work.

Ian circled her body, reached out a hand to stroke the softness of the long white feathers. “They're beautiful.” He whispered, his hands skimmed over the tops, across the bony structure, to their velvety tips. “Wow.” He circled around to face her. “What are you?”

“Cripes Ian, I'm the same person I was a few minutes ago!” She frowned at him, shooting daggers from her eyes.

“Come on Nia, regular people don't have wings growing out of their backs.” He stepped away. Awe colored his features. “You're like one of those guardian angels....” he said softly.

“I am not!!” She replied crossly. “Do something constructive, help me see if I can make them go away!” She twisted around, trying to find a way to make the blasted things disappear as easily as they appeared.

She turned back to face him. “Well, are you going to help?”

Ian's face held a blank stare, his eyes lost their focus, and he slumped to the ground.

“Ian!” She raced to his side to find a blossoming crimson stain covered the back of his shirt. “Oh Ian!” She cried, his life's blood covered her shaking hands, tears glistened on her cheeks.

She caught a glimpse of a shadow rising behind her, felt incredible pain as one of her beautiful wings floated to the ground. The crippling agony bent her and she screamed.

She lifted her pale face to her attacker, slowly dragged herself back to her feet. The nub of her gorgeous wing leaked blood. She reached up and held it, helpless against the monster before her.

He laughed. “Guardian, not so good at your job. Your charge lays at your feet.”

As she held her throbbing wing, a glowing silver sword appeared in her hand. She swung it around, the tip pressed against his neck, a welt of red blood already covered it. “Who are you?” She demanded.

“Merely one of the fallen, sent to eliminate your kind.” He sneered into her face, his own dagger laid upon the ground next to the fading wing.

Nia had no idea what he was talking about, she attended Franklin High School, she wasn't some supernatural being. Then, Ian groaned at her feet.

She squatted down beside him, covered his body with her own, and glared up at the monster. “Leave if you want to keep breathing.” She waved the sword, and it grew brighter. He vanished as quickly as he appeared.

“Ian?” She asked, and she held her hands against his wound. A shining bright light shimmered from her fingertips. She watched as his wound knitted together, her eyes round with wonder.

“Ian?” She asked again gently, she touched his face and he turned to gaze into her eyes.

“Guardian Nia....” He smiled, his eyes glided over her body, both wings whole again. “You're beautiful.”

She grinned back down at him. Someone had some explaining to do, and she figured she'd start with her Aunt Debbie. What the heck was going on in her life?



Hope everyone loved the image as much as I did! Have a great weekend!!!

((hugs))

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 71 (the Thursday ed.)

OMG!!! I've been so busy with Christmas shopping, final exam schedules (and making sure the kids arrive on time to this weird scheduling thing their college does), and my son's Christmas concert (and ear splitting band practices - they're auditioning a singer tonite - the fun never ends), I completely forgot this weeks prompt!!!! I can't believe it!!!! Thanks B (Linda) for reminding me!!! OMG!!! So Sorry! LOL



Such is the life of someone who has gone full tilt up til today!

Anyway.... here's this week's prompt...


It's another of the images that Blodeuedd sent. Isn't it great!!! (though I'll understand if I didn't give everyone enough time to get the prompt done.... again, so sorry!)

The rules remain the same, 350 words or somewhere around there and come back Friday (I hope) to post your response!

And as always... have fun and let your creative juices flow!!

Ciao!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

December 8th 1980, The Day I Grew Up



The Beatles came onto the world stage at a time when the desire for change had reached a pinnacle with the youth, though many others fought against it. It wasn't so much as a single age, but a generational age that spanned many years and many lives. A generation for hope, a generation with thoughts to end wars, a generation filled with the desire to make the world a better place. And it is my belief that this hope continues today. Then, Kennedy was president, though he would leave us too soon, as would Martin Luther King, Medger Evers, and Robert Kennedy. All voices for change, all taken by an assassin's bullet.

If you are part of "my generation", your life changed December 8, 1980. That's the day John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment building, The Dakota, in New York City by crazed fanatic Mark David Chapman at 11:07 pm. That was the day I realized my own mortality. It was the day that I grew older, the day I grew up. Never again would I dream of The Beatles and a reunion tour, something that everyone thought would happen as the "boys" grew older and more mellow with age. John Lennon lost his chance to age that day. I'm now older than John Lennon will ever be, but my dreams haven't died. John Lennon's words ring as true as today they did then, thirty-one years ago....

Imagine


Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one


Just imagine... Join the ranks of the dreamer... It's easy if you try...

And it still rings so true... Imagine.


My children are the new face of Beatles fans, though they never heard John Lennon live, never experienced the mania of the Beatles. But, the hope lives on, as does the music.

Pre-Ringo Starr Photo, Pete Best on drums.

George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney (1957)

Classic Beatles

John Lennon - Happier Times

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player



Monday, December 5, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 70 (the evening ed.)

Good Evening Blogosphere Buds!!

I've been exhausted since finishing NaNoWriMo... I think that illness I had wasn't quite ready to let me go. After sleeping most of the day, I'm feeling better!

So, my kids decorated for Christmas, and I made a wreath after I woke up this afternoon... it's not as fancy as the store bought ones, but it isn't nearly as gaudy either... If I could have found something simple, I would have bought one. I'm not a fan of glue guns, but they do have their uses, lol.

Since it's still Monday... it's time for another edition of....


Bloduedd sent me a parcel of images, and I loved them! Thanks B! So, today's flash is one of her images.


So many possibilities!!! Have fun, be creative! Looks kind of like a young adult image.... maybe start something new for YA readers!

Ciao!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

NaNoWriMo 2011

Good Morning December 1st 2011!!

I'm so happy to see this day arrive! It was a long haul from November 1st until November 30th... I mean it was really long! For some reason this year, it was incredibly hard to concentrate, hard to put into words, it was just damn hard to write. Why? I don't know. Haven't the foggiest! Will I continue to compete in NaNo? Probably... Maybe... Possibly... at this point, all bets are off, lol.

Maybe it was having the flu in the middle of the month, or maybe it was just me and my complete lack of motivation, who knows, but I did manage to complete my 50k, and I have another MS under my belt (with LOTS of editing to follow...). Maybe my dream of publication is getting closer as well.

And to all my writing buddies out there, Congratulations! Whether you finished NaNo or not, whether this is your first time competing or not, you all deserve a big pat on the back. It's extremely hard to dedicate part of every day to writing, I know, I live there too. To those who managed to hit the goal of 50,000 words, woohoo!! Damn, I'm celebrating... doing the happy dance with you! To all my flash fiction buds who participated, I'm so happy you did. You've shown your ability to write quick little pieces, and have succeeded in something much longer, and I have to say much harder! Congrats!! I hope now that NaNo is over, we can all try participating in the flash fiction again... at least after a little recuperation time, lol. Right now, I think my brain is in a temporary no fry zone.

And well, I guess there's always next year!! (I also managed to add words to my YA MS that I'm working on, so November, any way you look at it was a plus for me....) Regardless, I wanted to share my newest certificate....which was much harder to achieve this year than the last two years. I have to say, I'm very excited and happy that I managed to finish on time!!



So, maybe someday, you'll see my name on a book somewhere and think.... I knew her when it was only a dream.... (or maybe I'll see yours....)

Thanks to all my cheerleaders out there, if it hadn't been for you, I might still be sitting in front of a blank computer screen, waiting for something interesting to happen. YOU ROCK!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 69

Good Monday... *yawn* Morning....

By now I'm exhausted, probably 20,000 words short of my goal with two days time left to write for NaNoWriMo, I hope not, but... well... lets just say it wouldn't be the first time, and caffeine is my friend, close and personal, lol.

Since it's Monday...


I hope everyone is rested and ready for the week! This week's image is, well, it's different....


It looks like fun... like maybe I wanna join here... or again, maybe not...I don't see any survivors with her....

The rules remain the same... 350 words more or less, but most important.. Have fun! Let your whimsy flow!!


Ciao!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!!



To all my friends, far and wide!
Have a piece of pumpkin pie!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 68

Good Monday Morning!

This month is flying by!! Here it is, three weeks into the month of November, and by this time, I'm panicking, probably only half done with my MS.... Gawd, I'm scaring myself, lol!!

Since it's Monday....



This week's image is a Louis Royo one, hope everyone enjoys the change up!!


It definitely tells a story....

The rules remain the same 350 or there about, and come back Friday to post your response.

Try to reach outside your comfort zone, make this one an epic battle, or maybe it's Knight Arthur, or Charlemagne, or maybe it's a mage, discovery her kingdom for the first time... Whatever you come up with, but have fun!!!

Ciao!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Posting From The Land of NaNoWriMo

Good Tuesday Morning Blog Buds!!



I'm deep into the heart of my NaNo MS, but I'm feeling kind of buzzed, that fried feeling you get from not enough sleep and your brain going a mile a minute, which leads to the dreaded brain fraggle. Too wound up and tired to sleep, lol. Can't hardly keep your eyes open, but you must. You know what I mean?

Today I should easily surpass the mid point of my NaNo MS... But...it's the hard part of writing... that part of the MS where, without continuing action or a new scene the middle drag occurs. Your characters should be well acquainted by now, not that they know all the other's secrets, because it's hard to keep the characters fresh if there's nothing left to discover.

How I avoided the dreaded middle drag... I introduced a new character, someone the main character needs to understand. Someone she hopes holds some of her answers. I guess I could have added a love scene to keep the excitement going, but it didn't feel right.

So, how's everyone else doing?? I haven't been posting a lot, lol, but I hope to have a flash ready for Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed. (I know a lot of our flash writers are NaNo-ing this year, yay!! Go! Go! Go!) Don't feel bad if you decided to sit this one out. Only two weeks left of NaNo... I hope everyone is having fun!!

Well that's it for me. Time to jump back into the Life After Death.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 67

Good Morning to the Blogosphere!!

As you know, I'm still NaNo-ing, lol! So this is going to be short and sweet (well, sort of), for this week's edition of.....



I really love this image, hope I find time for it!!


I really love this image! It's by Betty Jo Curry. Hope everyone else likes it, a little of the three bears for me....

The rules remain the same 350 words (somewhere around there) and come back Friday to post your post.

Have fun and remember to let those creative juices flow!!

Ciao!

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Friday Post Minus The Flash Fiction

Good Friday Night Blog Buddies!

Sorry to say, I've had no time to write the flash for this week. I was sick Tuesday and Wednesday, and when I woke up Wednesday morning, half dead myself and unable to breathe, half of our house didn't have power...  When I passed out Wednesday night, I'd written only a few paragraphs. It's been a really long week!! Repairmen, rewiring, $$$$
But, I've finally caught up the word count of my NaNo MS...and I'm at a fork in the road.


Trying to decide if, after a few kisses, and after the conflict has been established between heroine and hero, is it time for my characters to become...more involved. It feels like the right time to me, but did I wait too long?


You know, it is too soon to do the dirty dance, the horizontal mambo... sex. It's always a quandary for me... when is too soon, and when have you waited too long?? Should they have already progressed to this point. My head says no, it feels right in the storyline.


I'm at about 18,000 words (that would about 72 printed book pages), almost halfway through my MS (before edits), probably will hit 25,000 words this weekend, if I don't get distracted by the YA MS I'm working on, it's about 17,000 words... and it's bugging me, lol.

So, there you have it! I'm asking your opinion! How soon is too soon for the bedroom scene?? When as the conflict continued too long??? What do you think?

Have a great weekend!!!! (I'll be writing... between bouts of doubt and contemplating the entire destruction of my MS...LOL)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

So You Think You Can Write?

Hello to everyone in the blogosphere... (echoes back... crickets fill the backgroud). I'm emerging from the forest long enough to gasp for non-writing filled air.

My NaNoWriMo attempt is... progressing, if not a bit slowly. And I was right, right now, I'm considering deleting the whole thing, it happens every time. But, I'm already committed, so it's onward for the timid soldier. Right now, I'm sitting at a weak 10,000 words. Should be somewhere around 14,000 words. Can I do a 4000 word day? I don't think so... but maybe a couple of 2500-3000 words days, and I'll be mostly caught up!!

I fell on the writing wagon, missed most of the weekend, but I had a great one! Son number 2, some of you may know him as 'the drummer' entered his first contest this weekend at the Battle of the Bands. He's been trying to start a band, it's just him and his bud so far. But, they figured they'd give BoB a shot, it's their Junior year, and they had nothing better to do anyway, just the two of them jamming, hoping someone hearing them will want to join their mini-band, lol. And guess what, THEY WON SECOND PLACE! He couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe it. They had to beat a bunch of bands to grab second place.... and there's only the two of them... no singer, no bassist, just a guitar and a drum set..... Still getting over the shock, LOL!

But, this wasn't even the point of my blog today... I'm getting lost in the details, much like my MS.




Harlequin is holding a "So You Think You Can Write" contest to go along with NaNoWriMo. There are editors on site, assignments everyday to get editor feedback. Information about synopsis, what editors are looking, and at the end, the possibility of having your manuscript published if you're the BIG winner. Not saying I'm entering the contest, but I'm all for the writing tips! My NaNoWriMo attempt will never be ready by their deadline in December, but some of my writing buddies might... Why not give it a try? So You Think You Can Write started yesterday, but you can read the blogs from yesterday, and still participate in today. Go have a peek!

Well, the forest is calling me, the leaves... brown, orange, and red... are wrestling in the breeze. Drifting slowly to the ground, my MS along with them. Chat you up later!!

Battle of the Bands... for your listening enjoyment...LOL Awesomeness!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 66

Good Monday Morning From NaNoWriMo Land!!

Since it's Monday, it must be time for another edition of MMFFC!!


At this moment, I'm deep in NaNoWriMo land. Peering through the overhanging brush, trying to find my way through the forest. I know I'm struggling, my inner editor wants to fix, correct, change. I know, from past experience, that I thinking about deleting the whole damn thing at this point to start over. But, I know I can't, this is just the beginning, and I have almost three long weeks to go. If you hear intense screaming from somewhere from Blogville, you'll know it's me.

This week's image is one I hope I find time to write for, though it is mostly an impossibility. Busy, busy, busy.... (I hope a few of the new writers have decided to NaNo a try and if you do, buddy me!!)


I've decided since I'm knee deep in the forest, maybe our flash should be too, lol.

The rules remain the same, 350 words or somewhere around there, and come back Friday to post your response, and as always.... Have Fun!! Be Creative!!

Ciao!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 65... The Friday Post

Good Friday Morning to my Flash Fiction Buddies!!

As you know, I'm NaNo-ing this November. I'm up to my elbows in Life After Death (my working title of my NaNoWriMo attempt). I'm closing in on 6000 words, and still feel the story coming on strong. I'm a pantser if you didn't know, I've tried, and I simply get lost in the plot if I try to uncover the story. So, I'm letting it lead me, and so far, I think it's pretty interesting. More to come about the story after I get further in, waiting to see where the story goes.... I've also found myself with extra energy and creativity... at least for now, excitement over NaNo starting is the probable culprit, lol. By the end of the month, my fingers won't even want to get close to my laptop. I've been delving back into my YA MS, and I'm loving it all over again, yay! (More to come as I get closer to the finish!) But, back to the flash fiction....


After staring at the image for this week's flash, I felt compelled to write for it, and it's different for me. What I thought was a fluffy picture, turned dark, and I wrote a continuation of Rapunzel's story....twisted with the moral of the story. Here's my attempt to respond to the prompt.

(Beth Fullaway's gorgeous image)


Rapunzel: A Fairy Tale Gone Wrong
By: Dottie Taylor
word count: 460


Rapunzel stood in the growing darkness, her long tresses floated about her, caught in a breeze like gossamer butterfly wings. Since she escaped her tower, she found herself at a loss. Her prince turned out to be a dude. What was true love anyway? A few kisses, a squeeze, two people caught in the dark with heat between them. Certainly not the great love of her life that she'd thought it would be.

The growing gloom surrounded her, physically and mentally, she needed a distraction. She needed to get out of her increasing funk.

She came to a small pool of water, and sank to the forest floor, her tresses puddled around her, and she gazed into her reflection.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your long hair.” She repeated the fabled lines to herself. “So I may climb your golden stair.” She glanced down at her golden locks, made silvery by the moonlight. “I should just cut it off, causes more trouble than it's worth.” She tried to push the heavy hair over her shoulders. She sighed, she missed the safety and comfort of her tower.

Since leaving her prince is his cold castle, she'd made her home here in the forest, as it should be. She found a comfortable place beneath the trees, making a bed of pine needles and fallen leafs. She closed her eyes and fell deep into a dream filled sleep.

In her dream, she found herself running, her long hair flowed out behind her, catching on branches and brambles. She could her the cries of her pursuers.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel!” Their wicked cries came, “let us climb your golden hair!” Magic flowed over  and around her, goose pimples broke through her pale flesh. Their cries coalesced into one hoarse voice, the witch who'd imprisoned her to the gilded tower from which she came.

For all of her angst over leaving her prince, there wasn't any way she really wanted to return to the dark tower. She ran faster, harder, her breathing became harsher. Suddenly she stumbled, feet twisted in her golden tresses. The witch was upon her, trapped within her own desires.

When Rapunzel awoke, it was to find the dream turned nightmare a reality. The witch dragged her back to her dark prison, lost, and not even her prince to save her.

“I'll show you.” The witch muttered, the snippers gleamed in her hand.

With Rapunzel's golden locks shorn, her fate became sealed. Only the witch would be able to climb the enchanted tower, sentenced to do her jailor's bidding for now and forever.


Moral of the Story:

Be careful what you wish for, it may come true.

Be thankful for what you have, it could always be worse.



See, dark, disturbing... lol... glad my NaNo story isn't being effected so far!!

Have a great weekend!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Macmillian (Feiwel and Friends)
Pages: 400


(Release Date: January 3, 2012)

From the Cover:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


Guess what book just made my wishlist?? Gorgeous Cover!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Promo ~ Sherrilyn Kenyon's The Guardian ~ The Dark Hunter Series

Hello to everyone in Blogland! (If you haven't noticed, I'm already procrastinating NaNo, lol.)

Today is the release day for Sherrilyn Kenyon's new addition to her Dark Hunter series, The Guardian.

publisher: St. Martin's Press (Paperback)
pages: 345

From the Cover:

Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian…

Seth’s time is running out. If he can’t hand over the entrance to Olympus, his own life and those of his people will be forfeit. No matter the torture, Seth hasn’t been able to break the god in his custody. Then there’s the beautiful Dream-Hunter Lydia: She isn’t just guarding the gates of Olympus—she’s holding back one of the world’s darkest powers. If she fails, an ancient curse will haunt the earth once more and no one will be safe. But evil is always seductive...

Book Trailer....Hot!



Looks great to me!!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Samhain!!! And....Last Chance for Crescent Moon Press Book Discount on Amazon

Happy Halloween!!

Violets are purple, blood runs red
If you think to not celebrate Halloween
You'll find something to dread!

Ghosts and goblins,
Running amok....
All I have to say is Good Luck!



It's the last day to purchase Crescent Moon Press's library of books at a discounted rate on Amazon!! The sale lasts until Midnight tonight, 10-31-11, Halloween.... grab some great reads!!



Books range from the sweetly romantic to their new genre, New Adult, to the extra steamy!

Here are the link's to some of the book's I've reviewed under their label.


Soul Reborn by Jean Murray...Egpytian Gods and Goddess, huntresses, love...fantastic read!


Wasteland by Lynn Rush...Demons and Angels, romance, New Adult genre, loved it!!

Ruined by Kinley Baker...what happens to the shadow shifters? Love, betrayal, excellent story!


Thief of Hope by Cindy Young-Turner...can love survive in a place where hope is lost? Great!

Magick Charm by Jennifer Wells...sweet romance, witches, magical, Wonderful!

All Hallows Blood by Raven Corinn Carluk...sexy hot German vampire, angsty hunter...Hot!!


Memories of Murder by Lara Nance...old curses, magic, ghosts, revenge...Wow!


Undercover Alien by Barbara Romo...alien visits Earth, discovers love and more...loved it!

Drop by S.J. Edward/Cassandra Cade...most excellent time travel, romance, great read!!


Crescent Moon Press is a small publisher, but their books are anything but small, fantastic stories, well told, great editing, and their cover art is beautiful!! If you a cover art lover, check these out, then read the blurbs, because you're going to love the stories!!  Remember, sale ends at Midnight 10-31-11!




Don't forget to check out this week's flash fiction challenge. And remember to enter contest for a copy of Destined by P.C. + Kristin Cast, ends 11-7--11.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 65

Good Monday Morning!!

After a long weekend running around the state of Kentucky, we're finally home... And as much as I like visiting, I'm very, very glad to be home. Very tired as well, and guess what ladies? NaNoWriMo starts Tuesday!! Okay, so I'm going to post flash fiction images for the rest of November, but I can't guarantee I'll have time to participate. I'll try, but with NaNoWriMo, 1,667 words are the goal for each and every day. I've been doing some research for the topic of this years NaNo MS... I hope I'm able to write about the topic, I'm going a little outside my comfort zone with this one, LOL... hope I'm able to reach the goal this year. It's doubtful at this point though....

Anyway, back to the flash fiction...


At Ana's request.... I've tried to find something a, welll..., a little fluffy. Something not quite so dark, maybe something with a happily ever after? LOL Hard for me to do the fluff, but I have a few images, so today's one of those....


This is a Beth Fullaway image. Hope everyone enjoys it, and I hope it's fluffy enough, lol. It kind of reminds me of Rapunzel.... I wonder what kind of flash it will produce?

The rules remain the same, 350 words or something like that, and come back Friday to post your response!

Have fun!

I'll talk to y'all soon!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 64 (The Saturday Post....again)

Well, we decided Friday to take a mini-vacay....so this morning I'm sitting in a very nice hotel room, and posting on my blog... BUT, what about those Cardindals!!!!! Holy Cow! I couldn't believe Game 6, and Game 7.... They just dominated! It was totally awesome!!!! So, back to my flash for this week...

Here's the image:



Blessed Be
by: Dottie Taylor
word count: 468


“Blessed be, Mother, for I have sinned....” the prayer started the same as it fell from her parched, cracked lips. Morgana laughed at it's meaninglessness, it echoed through the empty church. “Forgive my trespasses, as I forgive those trespass against me.” As she uttered these last words, she lifted her face, eyes closed, and again she laughed, louder, deeper, bolder. She twined her hands, clasped her fingers as if lost in prayer. Her mouth spilled silent words, then she grimaced, grinding out, “As I have forgiven those who have trespassed against me.” Suddenly, the room flooded with power, pews flew back into the wall, scattering into splinters. She lifted her face higher, and opened her black eyes, her soulless windows. Morgana raged, her throat raw, “As. I. Have. Forgiven!” But no more.

She stood as the smoldering burn of power rolled from her body. She flung her head up, threw her shoulders back, and spread her arms wide as if to welcome the world in a strangling embrace. Arcs of electricity erupted from her hands, sparks fell like firecrackers, and a deep rumble of laughter engulfed her small form.

“With this prayer, I offer this humble servant.” She clapped the streams coming from her hands, creating a massive bolt of lightning. Her body shook as the power increased, building for release. “Save me from trial and deliver me unto evil.” She whispered. With the last words, the lightning arced from her clasped hands and into the man outside the small building. She heard his chuckle before the force of her power slammed into his jerking body.

The church could hardly be recognized, it's steeple gone to the surrounding heap of destruction. The neighborhood which at one time housed young families was now rubble. And the battle raged on.

“Come to me, Little One,” Miguel called lovingly to Morgana, “come to meet your true destiny.” His voice stroked her tired nerves.

“Never will yours be mine.” She growled, fought for the control her needed, fought to save herself, even as she felt herself slipping toward the promised salvation of his voice. Lies. What she had supposed to be another nuance worked into much more. Miguel demanded her, body and soul, to use and discard, as he had all those he encroached upon, those who wielded power such as her own.

She started her prayer again. “Forgive my trespasses, as I have forgiven those who trespass against me!” Mother Earth expected the prayer; therefore, she gave it. It meant little, other than to focus the force building within her. “With this prayer, I offer this humble servant!” She shouted to the emptiness. “Save me from trial and deliver me unto evil!”

Never had the words been more true.



Have a great weekend!!!!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Embraced by the Shadows by Mayra Calvani

Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Pages: 242

(Revised Release: October 5, 2011)

From the Cover:

In a bazaar in Istanbul one evening, ten-year-old Alana Piovanetti sees a man standing in the shadows. He smiles, and over time she convinces herself that it was just her imagination that placed sharp fangs amongst those flashing teeth.

Twelve years later, Alana is surprised when she is chosen to manage a new restaurant opening in her home city of San Juan. She has neither training nor experience to justify her success. But La Cueva del Vampiro has the kind of ambience she adores, for Alana has always had a penchant for horror and the dark side of life. Yet she is also plagued with dreams of dark sensuality, dreams that take on shattering reality when she meets the stunningly handsome, charismatic Sadash.

For Sadash is the man she saw in the shadows so many years before… and Sadash isn’t human…

Alana is head strong, morbidly fascinated with death and monsters, a virginal ice princess. It isn't that she doesn't like sex or men, but more like she waiting for a promised lover, and when he arrives, the ice princess will melt. She will either love him or hate him, with her hot spicy flavor. She isn't the storybook Latina, she has hair to match her fiery temper and pale flesh.

Valeria, Alana's best friend and twin soul, is also the opposite of the storybook Latina as well, which is one of the reasons they're twin soul. She has blazing blonde hair, pale skin with dark brown eyes. But, she's secretive, has a tendency towards viciousness (but so does Alana), hiding things from Alana while expecting her to expose all of her secrets, jealous of anything that comes between them. Valeria is an orphan, while Alana loses her father very young and her mother as a teen.

Humberto is best friend to both, the three musketeers. All three are motherless, though Humberto's father remains. Antonio's secrets nearly cost him his life.

Sadash walks into the picture at a time when Alana is most vulnerable. She hasn't been feeling herself, dreams have been plaguing her, and Valeria discovers her sleep walking. She puts it all down as nerves, starting a new job she's barely qualified for as manager of La Cueva del Vampiro. But, no sooner does she start her new job that she meets the sexy, strange, overwhelming Sadash. But, he wants to whisk her away, and keep her all to himself, regardless of her feelings. And he's something more than human.... and maybe he's the beast haunting Alana's dreams.

Embraced by the Shadows by Mayra Calvani is the story of a vampire with a longing for what he can never have. Back before the years of vampirism, he was a Turkish Ottoman prince and soldier, sure to be the next ruler of his people, when he loses his ten year old daughter to a mysterious disease (the plague? is my assumption). A noble woman sees his suffering and wants to alleviate it, leave him at peace, so she takes him, drinks him, leaving him vampire. Some three hundred years later, Sadash find himself in a Turkish market, staring at the image of his long dead daughter in the form of Alana. It begins his quest from a distance until need becomes desire, and he decides to take Alana, much like he was taken. Even though Alana wants Sadash, and might, one day, choose to become like Sadash, he seduces her, drinks her, turns her, without really getting her any choice. Now, she both hates and loves the dark vampire. She has much to learn, and Sadash is a great teacher, but she grows weary and wants the comfort of the only friends she has known, Valeria and Humberto. But, Valeria's jealously comes into play, she can't stand the thought of Alana separating herself or the fact that she'll grow old and die as Alana stays young and beautiful. Valeria is also hiding a secret, one about the day when Alana's mother died, and Alana must know how she died or possibly who killed her.

Embraced by the Shadows is a different kind of vampire world, it is a paranormal romance without sex involved, and honestly, there's the romance of seduction and touching, but it's a love/hate relationship, on both Sadash and Alana's part. Not that the vampiric bite doesn't cause ecstasy. But in Mayra Calvani's world, vampires can't have sex. They are, after all, dead. The young must take their prey completely to feel satisfied, instead of the delicate bites that leave their human prey alive. This is how Valeria discovers the truth of Alana's life. The niggles I had with the book are few. I didn't like the idea of Sadash being draw to the young Alana as he might have been to his daughter. Then fantasizing about about how he'll take her and change her. It seemed a little incestuous, though Sadash denies it repeatedly in the book. Then, after Alana's is changed, her blood lust for Valeria is overpowering, it's almost too much for her to bear, almost costing Valeria her life, who demands Alana to change her. But, it's Valeria's jealousy for what she can't have on display over and over again throughout the story. All in all, I liked and enjoyed the story, and the niggles were probably just my point of view (and besides, I like my vampires hot, which Sadash is, and ready to perform, which Sadash is not....disappointing). Urban fantasy lovers might want to give this one a peek, it's definitely a different world for the vampire genre. 4 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.


If you'd like to try Ms. Calvani writing style, she's giving away her first two books, here's the blurb from her website:

The FREE ebooks I’m giving away are: Dark Lullaby and Cat Cellar and Other Stories and they’re available in various formats on Smashwords:


The Cat Cellar and Other Stories https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95031


Dark Lullaby https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94529

Enjoy! Happy reading and happy Halloween!

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