Monday Flash Fiction

Happy Monday everyone! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was....amazing. I can't stop smiling and I'm actually in a great mood for a Monday. I know, I know. An insane notion. Haha. 

Without further ado, here is this week's picture. ^.^ It's in honor of the 'The Hobbit' that was just released and I haven't seen yet. Gah. Oh well.

Can't wait to read all the flash fictions for this one! It's bound to be a fantasy week indeed. 

Guess Who's Crimson Romance's Newest Author? Me!

Hi to all my blogosphere buddies!!

I shared my news on facebook last night after I signed my contract, but I sharing it here too! Crimson Romance accepted one of my submissions and I couldn't be more excited!! Squee!

If you're a reader, looking for your next fantastic read, come on over and take a peek here!
And, if you're an author with a finished manuscript, begging to be loved, they're accepting submissions here. I'd love to welcome you to the Crimson Romance family!

Oh, and they have a great reader's blog right here.

I hope I see you all there soon! You'll be able to find me shortly under my pen name, Lillie J. Roberts.

Talk to you soon!

Carole's Friday Flash Fiction: The Red, Red Rose

Happy Friday everyone! Don't be shocked, but I actually have a FFF this week. Huzzah! I'm so proud of this piece...its a little on the lengthy side, but I adore it! Be warned...there is quite a twist at the end. MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The Red, Red Rose

by: Carole Rae

The years trickled past like rain drops, but it never stopped her from coming. It never stopped her from planting the roses he so loved. Though the blistering, desert sun withered the roses to dust she still squandered her money and time to plant the red, red roses he so loved.

The years trickled past like rain drops, but still she came this year. Her hair was now streaked with gray and it was harder for her to pull herself out of the carriage that took her to this spot. Once upon a time ago she was able to ride her horse to this dusty spot. Like natural, her beloved horse passed and time has withered her bones.

Stepping out of the carriage, she looked up at the dark sky. This was an odd occurrence for it seemed rain was coming. Once she was out of the carriage, she grabbed her lacy and delicate parasol. Though it would barely protect her from becoming wet, it was a comfort for her. Though most of everyone knew of her odd travels to this spot in the desert of the West and of why she came to this spot every year on the day, she was still embarrassed of her obsession of planting the red, red roses. Taking a deep inhale, she began to walk to the spot. She always made sure that she had to walk the last few feet to the spot for it made her guilt ease its pull on her heart for a while.

The moment she reached the spot, she looked down and tears began to form. She hugged the pot of roses to her chest. The little thorns cut right through her skin and little drops of blood fell down into her bodice. Surely her white chemise was now ruined, but that concern was millions of leagues away from her mind. Without aid, she slowly knelt down. Quickly, she removed her white gloves and began scrapping at the arduous and dust-covered ground. With the pain of the digging, her tears evaporated. This was normal...pain always made the heart-ache and guilt disappear as the stars fade when the sun comes across the sky.

Once the hole was dug, she gently placed the red, red roses into the ground. She filled in the remaining of the hole with soil. She rubbed her blood and dirt covered hands onto her dress. Now that the pain of digging had ended, tears welled up in her eyes. A rain drop fell onto her face and mixed with the tear. Quickly, she lifted her parasol for the rain was surely on its way. As if stroking a newborn's head, she smoothed one of the red, red petals out and a sob escaped her lips, “I...am...so....sorry, Miles. I wish...I wish I could take it back. Oh God.”

She allowed herself a few moments of tears and for the guilt to eat at her soul.

A few moments....that was all.

Taking a heavy inhale, she forced the monster to return into its cage. If she allowed the guilt to run free for too long, she would lose her sanity forever. Wiping away the tears, she finally had herself in her infamous composure and self-control. The ever present smile returned to her lips and she slowly, but surely stood. Looking out into the distance she took in the scenery. As was normal. However, a dark figure caught her eye. With widening eyes she froze.

The dark figure knowing that it had been spotted, walked towards her. She could not move. Fear penetrated her heart.

After what seemed an eon, the figure stepped out of the fog and revealed its self to her. Her eyes went wide, “Miles....no....nooooo. It can't be! I....I....killed you twenty years ago! How...how is this possible?”

The man, Miles to be assumed, smirked at her, “Oh dear Cynthia. You really think you killed me? Ha.”

“But...oh dear god.” She covered her mouth and sobbed into her hands when she noticed the scar across his throat. She had done that. She had sliced his throat as if cutting into a piece of bread.

His eyes sparkled, “You did nearly have me, my dear.”

“Miles....I'm so sorry. They...they made me! You know I loved you, but it was either your life or my life and our unborn child's life.” Her control evaporated and tears began rolling down her cheek.

With slow steps, he walked towards her and with his thumb ever so slightly wiped away some of the flowing tears that trailed down her cheeks. Miles replied, “I know you are sweeting, but they lied. It was a test to see how much you loved me. Yes, these roses are lovely and sentimental, but you failed the test those many moons ago.”

“Miles...I--” Before she could stammer out another word, blood oozed from her lips. He removed his hand from her face and pulled out the knife he had stabbed into her gut. The place were his child had once been.

With a dark smile, “We are even my dearest Cynthia....but I doubt you'll survive that. Until our next life together.” Turning on his heels, he disappeared in the fog.

She fell to the ground holding her gut. Her body was so in shock all she could do was look at the red, red roses he so loved and think on how the years had trickled past like rain drops. Her world then went black........

THE END

================================

<3CaroleRae 

A Late Monday Flash Fiction

Hi everyone! I am back officially from the couple weeks of craziness. ^.^ Life is such a pain sometimes, but oh well. Though I'm a day late...here is this week's picture challenge.

There's so much going on in this simple little picture. Do you see the dark figure in the distance? A possible Historical Romance? Or even murder? Interesting to see what you guys come up with!

Page Turner's Book Tour: Shadow Man by Tara Fox Hall (Lash Series, Book 2)

At his request, I allowed Trystan Valeras a.k.a. Lash to be the one to pen this post for Tink’s Place. A heartfelt thank you to him for this, and also a warning: watch the language, and don’t be threatening anyone. :-)  Tara Fox Hall

FAERIES IN THE LASH SERIES 

I’m Lash. Those of you who frequent the Internet might have already heard of me. I’m trying hard to get the word out there about my exploits, promoting my series that bears my name as the title of the first book. If this is your first time seeing my name, don’t worry. I guarantee it won’t be the last.

In a series filled with weresnakes, demons, vampires, witches, and other non-humans, it was a sure thing that some faeries would show up. So far, the only one of my acquaintance was the lovely Bea. I first met her when her vampire lover Victor hired me to find her. Vampire hunters had taken her from him. I had to kick a little as…butt to find her, but it was one of the more pleasant jobs of my life. It made me feel righteous, an emotion I’d never expected to feel.

Beatrice was indeed at the hotel. When I asked to see her, I was surprised I didn’t have to chase her. She just came to me and asked me if Victor had sent me. When I nodded, she said she was ready. I was very relieved to see her collar still fastened around her throat. We began driving back. The trip I’d plotted would likely take a week. I didn’t want to push her. She was only human, or so I thought. 

 ***

The second night in, I thought I heard scuffling in her room. Drawing my knife, I entered, only to find her lying on the floor, desperately trying to conceal her body from me. I saw she was alone, and as much as I wanted to look at her, I turned my back and gave her some privacy. A few seconds later, I felt the warmth of her hand on my arm.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. 

“I’m okay.” I turned to her. 

“What were you doing?” 

“Changing,” she said in longing. “I’m faerie.” 

I felt dumb. “What’s that mean?” 

She smiled. “My mother was faerie, an air sprite. My father was an earth sprite, one of the dreamweavers. Though I look human, I inherited the ability to grow wings. I haven’t been able to change for weeks now. I was afraid to let George see, and other people, well...they might think I was a freak.” 

I felt a little in awe. Before I stopped myself, I blurted out, “Can I see them?” 

Beatrice blushed. “Why?” 

“Because I didn’t think such things were possible,” I said honestly. “Are you sure you are not some type of werebutterfly?” 

She laughed, and then she grew wings before my eyes. They were shimmery, but not like an angel’s feathered wings, or a butterfly’s wings, more like a water nymph’s wings, folded back, long and oval at the tips. Pretty. 

She let them flow back into her, and then looked at me. 

“Thank you,” I said, still awed. 

Bea was a gentle soul, one of the only truly good people I ever met, and certainly the only innocent. I’d like to think I gave her some comfort in the short time we knew one another. I would have liked to get to know her better, to protect her from the fate that awaited her. She deserved more.

I won’t lie; the story of my life is a dark tale. Justice isn’t always served when I’m hired to kill. As a rule, I do my job and don’t judge. But I will say that faeries probably make out the best of the non-human races. They get a pass from me as a rule, because of Bea, and how kind she was to me. They are also likely the only ones to get that perk…ever.

 

 Blurb from Shadow Man: 

A renegade vampire begins amassing a flock of true believers, threatening America’s vampire hierarchy. Weresnake Lash partners with old enemy Danial and new allies Burl and Spiderboy to track down and annihilate them. Betrayed and left for dead, Lash reemerges the victor, edging ever upward in the Assassin’s Ranking, and catching the eye of the sultry nightclub singer Cassandra Nile. Drawn into drugs by Cassie, Lash begins to doubt himself, yearning to leave his life of violence, even as enemies close in from every side.

 Excerpt from Shadow Man:

It was not a surprise to find out Victor had lied to me. “You almost look the same as you did ten years ago. You said you aged slow.”

“Being fey, we do. But Victor likes youth, the younger the better. And we look like women now, not girls. There are already two sisters who are thirteen staying at his estate, twins.”

 I let out a breath. “But you are his Oathed One, Bea. You still wear his collar on your neck. Vampire law says I have to take you back, whether you want to go or not.” I paused. “That man with you, is he the one who took you from Victor?”

 “Yes, but he didn’t do it for love, or lust, Trystan. He—”

“Is he your lover? You looked pretty cozy down in the dining room.”

“No,” she said in annoyance. “He would like to be, no doubt, but he is more of a crusading hero than a Casanova. He would not take payment for bringing me here. He thinks he is saving me.”

“Why are you here? Why did you leave Victor?”

“Because he is going to break the oath,” Bea said simply, “or maybe have me killed.”

“He is paying me a huge sum to bring you back! He wouldn’t kill you.”

“A Ruler cannot have an oathed female running away and leaving him,” she said patiently. “He can’t lose face like that.” She got up, and moved to the decanter, pouring herself a large drink. “But he’s bored of me, and without Eve, I’m a liability. He has other young lovers-to-be waiting in the wings, Trystan, who he would like to oath. But he cannot, not while he is oathed to me.”

“From what I know of vampires, they can have more than one oathed human at a time.”

She laughed bitterly. “My sister thought to protect me, precluding all others from Victor’s bed save she and I in our oaths to him. He agreed to it, because he loved her. But now she is dead, and her schemes have sealed my fate.”

She drank down her drink, and I went to her and poured one for myself. I slurped it down and faced her. “I gave my word, Bea. I have to take you back, no matter what awaits you.”

“I know.” She shivered a little. “I won’t fight, Tryst. There’s no point anyway. It’s not like I can marry Peter.” She laughed bitterly. “I knew someone would be coming for me.”

“Get some sleep,” I said gruffly. “I will sleep on the floor, and we’ll depart in the morning.” I turned from her, but then I felt her touch me gently on my arm.

“Please, don’t go.” I turned back to her, fixing her with my eyes.

“I’m only going to be here on the floor.”

“Stay here with me, please? Tonight?”

 “I am going to stay with you,” I hissed. “I thought I made that obvious!”

“And apparently I’m not making myself obvious enough!”

It took me a few moments to understand what she was offering. I grew immediately suspicious. “Don’t think to trick me—”

Bea unfastened her dressing gown and let it fall, and I hardened the moment I saw her soft inviting flesh revealed to me. But others had tried this trick before, and I kept my head clear.


Links: Website: www.tarafoxhall.com 
Email: tarafoxhallATgmailDOTcom
Tara's Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog
Tara's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TerrorFoxHall
Amazon Webpage: http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Fox-Hall/e/B005YPAA4W

For info on my recently published series books Lash: Shadow Man click here: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Man-Lash-ebook/dp/B009UHDZHY  

Bio: Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, action-adventure, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.

Thanks Tara for allowing Lash to spend the day here with us on Tink's Place!

Review Coming for Shadow Man!

Shadow Man Giveaway on Page Turner Book Tours:

http://pageturnerbooktours.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/shadow-man-lash-series-book-2-by-tara.html

About Page Turner Book Tours:

Page Turner Book Tours is fronted by the face behind Read2Review Kate. Page Turner Book Tours has been put together to help promote authors and give something back to the writing world. Kate has put together a team of incredibly talented people to help with the project by incorporating their individual skills into making new, fresh and exciting promotional plans that we hope you agree are amazing. If you would like to book a tour with Page Turner Book Tours please check out their tour packages. If you would like to become a tour host with Page Turner Book Tours please check out their Tour Host page. You wont be disappointed! 

Practically Dreaming by Jennifer Wells

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Pages: 280

(Released: August 1, 2012)

From the Cover:

In a Zodiac-based world, finding a mate is easy. Falling in love is the hard part.

Astrology influences almost everything, from career choice to where people live. Even romantic matches are based solely on astrological compatibility and determined by the infallible Council of Venus.

Animal psychic Tierra has every reason to trust the Council save one. Her match with fellow Virgo, Evander, works better on paper than in person. But she stubbornly hangs on, believing their relationship will grow and develop, all the while trying to rationalize her feelings to Lachlan.

Veterinarian and Reiki master, Lachlan, hides a secret, which has kept him single for more than two years. This Pisces dreams of a happily ever after with Tierra, but believes it’s impossible for him.

Tierra and Lachlan must confront their doubts, differences, and society’s belief in the Council. Will they defy the odds and choose each other? Does astrological certainty eclipse the chance to fall in love?

Tierra and Evander have been a promised match, the Council of Venus as determined it is to be so... and yet... 

When Tierra returns to home to care for her ailing mother, she accepts a temporary assignment at local vet clinic. Evander can't come with her, and if she's honest, the break will do them good, maybe the heart will grow fonder?

But, something unexpected happens, and Tierra feels irresistibly drawn to Lachlan, the Reiki master who seems to understand the animals almost as well as she does.

Can Tierra disregard the Council of Venus? Can she forget Evander? Does she want to?

Practically Dreaming  by Jennifer Wells is part of Crescent Moon Press's new line of zodiac influenced stories, and Jennifer writes this story well. She truly understands her subject and she makes it easy to understand and to love the story. In this story, Tierra has always valued the Council of Venus, her adopted mother has sat on the Council for years, and it is seldom wrong. But, Tierra's charts have been written with an inaccuracy, and only her mother knows. Mayber Evander isn't her match, maybe they're not met to be together at all. And maybe, the Reiki master, Lachlan, may be exactly what Tierra needs.

Practically Dreaming is a fun read and I have to admit, Evander never sat right with me, he was too dependent, too needy for my tastes and easily ruled by other things besides his heart. He had a cruel streak that Tierra refuses to see. Lachlan on the other hand, was smooth, fun, caring... the perfect match for Tierra.... if Tierra can forget the Council's prophecy. If you're love zodiac based stories, or if you'd like to give something new a try, pick up Practically Dreaming, it's a quick fun read and I highly recommend it. Jennifer Wells tells an engaging story.

4.5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader

I received a copy of the ebook from the author, Jennifer Wells for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 111

Good Monday Afternoon!

It's time for... Monday Morning Flash Fiction

I know I haven't posted a flash image in a while, but I was wandering around the internet (procrastinating) when I came across this great Luis Royo wallpaper and loved it! It's part of his dead moon/vampire wallpapers. I love the colors, the oriental feel of the image, and of course, we'd all like to know if she is the biter or the bitee! So, if this stirs you're imagination... lets see some flash!!

As always the rules remain the same, 350 words and post your response on Friday!

Have a fantasy week, my lovelies!

A side note: for all those budding writers out there, I found an excellent article on the differences between urban fantasy and paranormal romance... just thought you'd like to know (or read)....

Monday Flash Challenge #110

Good Monday morning everyone! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was lovely to say the least. ^.^ I had the entire weekend off AND I went to an awesome Halloween party. Instead of going as Marie Antoinette, I went as The Ghost of the Backstabbing Bride's Maid. Hahaha. It was a last minute change, because I wasn't feeling wearing that huge dress. Since I love sharing pictures, here's one of my friend Sarah (she's a saloon girl) and I looking spooky

Anyways, it is Monday and so we shall have another picture!

I found this picture over HERE. The author of this has a lot of lovely paintings. He's good. 

Can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Friday Flash Fiction

I wasn't sure whether or not to post this, but I am even though this FFF isn't my best work due to my brain being a little fried from midterms and lack of sleep. Ha. I hope you enjoy though!

The Goddess of Halloween

by: Carole Rae

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Slamming her foot down, she finally killed the annoying rat that had been scampering along the floor. She lightly smiled and propped her head on her fist and closed her eyes. Her time has ended and now she will be in this prison for 364 days.

“Would you like more tea my dear?” One of the crows asked.

She shrugged, “I'm fine thank you.” Letting a huge yawn shake her whole body, she finished off her tea and set it to the side.

There was a light tap and the old door creaked open. She didn't have to open her eyes to know who it was, “What the Hell do you want, Clause?”

Clause smiled and even though he spoke quietly, his voice still boomed and made the dark room seem alive, “I just brought you some comfy clothes and some food my dear Goddess of Halloween. ”

Opening her eyes, she gazed at Clause and her heart stopped. The rumors of Clause being fat was ludicrously wrong. He was a God. Literally and figuratively. His bright bleach blonde hair made his ice colored eyes sparkle. Clause's body was the opposite of jolly, it was sensational. Pretending to not notice how attractive he was, she hissed, “Why must I be chained in here like some damn animal? Who died and made Him God?”

Clause calmly set her things down and sat across from her. She sucked in her breath when his cool eyes settled on hers, “He created us and that includes you. Besides, you know exactly why you are locked up.”

“Ooooh. But I didn't mean to nearly kill that freakin' rabbit. We had a fight and....GAH! Why am I explaining myself to Santa. Hell.” She looked away and kicked away the crows.

“I know....Rabbit had it coming, but you nearly killed him. Just think though...three more years and then you are free. Also every Halloween He lets you have a day of freedom.”

She heaved a sigh “I suppose, but I'm just sooooo lonely,” She grinned as she noticed Clause's ice eyes glazing over her shapely and sexy figure, “Perhaps we could, well, entertain each other.”

Clause lifted an eyebrow, but said nothing. The tick, tocks of the old clocked seemed to go on for an eternity while they looked at each other. She uncrossed her long legs and stood. As if she had forever, she made her way to Clause's lap. With careful and tender movements, she straddled him and wrapped her pale arms around his neck. He, likewise, slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. Before her lips could scrape his, Clause tried to push her away, but she would not be moved, “Relax and enjoy Halloween my dear Santa Clause.”

The end.  

Many Bloody Returns Anthology Edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 368

From the Cover:

"Clever...entertaining... excellent"(Library Journal) original vampire stories by Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, and more.

From cakes to stakes, a celebration of everyone's favorite bloodsucking subculture by a baker's dozen of favorite authors. Each of these thirteen original stories offers a fresh and unique take on what birthdays mean to the undead. From Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse attending a birthday party for Dracula to Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden battling bloodsucking party crashers, these suspenseful, surprising, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous stories will ensure paranormal fans will never think of vampires or birthdays quite the same again.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Dracula Night by Charlaine Harris

Dracula Night is the vampire's celebration of the Prince of Darkness, Vlad Tepes, Dracula's birthdate, February 8. And no one is a more loyal celebrate than Eric Northman. Many stories surround Dracula's life and death, all are horrific. And every year, Eric looks forward to the celebration.

This year's celebration will put the other's to shame. Eric has worried long and hard about his celebration, and finally, all of his hard work is acknowledged. He has received word that Dracula will put in an appearance right here in Shreveport at Fangtastia.

But the Dracula that appears in not one that is expected. Milo, the star spangled jumpsuit wearing bartender jumps up and claims to be the vampire of old legends, the Dark Prince. He looks like a Dracula wanna be trying to suck up a living by trapping the hosting vampire into providing his living and his humans.

But, Sookie Stackhouse is attending this party, so over she wanders to check out this so called 'Dracula' and asks sweetly how ever did he manage to escape from his tomb in Targoviste and as he begins his story, she promptly stakes him watching him turn into a flaky dust, for the real Vlad Tepes or Dracula was entombed in a monastery at Snagov.

Don't mess with a Googling human.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The Mournful Crys of Owls by Christopher Golden

Donika is drawn to the outdoors. She loves nothing better than to sit on the sagging steps, raise her voice in song, and play her guitar. Unless it's to visit with her handsome bad boy, Josh Orton.

Then she discovers that she loves to races through the woods with Josh hot on her heels, waiting to be in his arm and to taste his kisses. Her mother would never approve, especially when she slips out of her clothes, and races naked through the wilds.

But Donika's family is steeped in the legends of long ago, and on her sixteenth birthday, her mother tells her another. One of how a young widow could not bear to live without her husband and captures a magical owl, sows it's soul into a child, and creates her own loving child; and that child would be Donika.

As her mother cries, Donika realizes it is the truth. She's fascinated by the owls and their cries. So, on the date of the sixteen years of captivity, she returns to the forest to race naked through the wilds, and as she does so, slipping free of her skin as well. To be free to join her brothers in the sky.

---------------------------------------------------------------

I Was a Teenage Vampire by Bill Crider

This is the story of Carl and how he came to live under a bridge. He used to live in a nice warm house and he had a sister named Kate. But that was long ago.

It all started with Kate wanting to throw a Halloween party and Binky claiming to know a vampire. Kate had to have the vampire attend her party. She begs, pleads, barters, and finally demands that Carl ask his friend, Binky, to bring his vampire to the party.

But when the vampire shows up and is invited in, it's not all it's cracked up to be. And that's how Carl came to live under a bridge. Binky and Carl together, vampires forever.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight by Kelley Armstrong

Vampires live off of blood, everyone knows that, but what not everyone knows is that vampires aren't immortal. They must survive by taking blood, and that's true for 364 days out of the year, but on the 365th day, the re-birth of that person as a vampire, they must take a life, draining their human victim of their last drop of blood. To fail to do some causes great lethargy and the vampire begins to age, and slowly die. Every vampire knows when it time to let go of their immortal existence and do so willing.

Cass has always enjoyed the hunt, willing to take a soul when it means prolonging her own life. It's always like that for Cass, until this year. This year, she's just not hungry. Feeling her reluctance to pursue her prey, Aaron, her creation and one time lover, returns, begging her to extend her life. But she has no desire, so she waits, and waits, until is the last minute, and then past the last minute. Past the last day, and many after.

As she grows more tired and weaker, she realizes her time has come. And just when she ready to give in and accept that her death is near, she decides maybe not this year. Taking her chosen prey and draining them dry. Maybe next year.

---------------------------------------------------------------

It's My Birthday Too by Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden simply wants to drop off a birthday present for his only known living (sort of) relative, his vampire brother of the White Count, Thomas.

But, Thomas is hosting a different kind of party for employee Sarah, an Evernight party after hours at the Mall. So, off to Woodfield Mall in a suburb of Chicago Harry and Molly head. As they arrived, the air doesn't feel quite right, but Harry assumes it's the vampire posers going to the party to role play. Then, a light explodes right on Harry's Blue Beetle.

Harry and Molly head inside and Thomas arranges for the guard to change the light, only the guard never returns. In fact, he's dead, bitten by a Black Court vampire. One with a grudge to settle. Drulinda, she's after the players who've made fun of her now that she's a real vampire. But there's one thing you should know about Black Court vamps. They aren't pretty and don't look so good, they're rotting human corpses that don't know when to lay down and died. They're stinky smelly gross, and hard than hell to kill.

As Harry and Molly go 'Code Carrie', Molly drapes a shield around herself and Sarah. Harry's off to make a deal with the shoe store elves to enlist their help to 'trip up' the vamps. Thomas tries to hold off Drulinda and the security guards who've also vamped out.

Drawing what will Harry can, he stores his power, knowing it will soon be needed. As the weaker security guards are picked off one by one, Harry draws Drulinda outside. There she taunts him that with his death, she'll gain power and standing with Black Court. But she's bitten off more than she can swallow. Drawing on the stored will, Harry releases it in a final burst of flames with the one word 'Fuego' and burns Drulinda to the ground.

Never mess with a wizard bearing birthday gifts for his only brother.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Grave-Robbed by P. N. Elrod

Jack Fleming is a private eye and a vampire. He's filing in for his friend, Mr. Escott, when a new client wanders into his office, dressed in black, Abby Saeger. It would seem that she and her sister, Flora came into a tidy little inheritance with the passing of their parents. Then, Flora married into more money. Her husband, James, was also taken in a boating accident, leaving them wealthier still. But Flora is having trouble letting go of James. And that when the trouble starts.

The Psychical Society of Chicago lead by Alistair Bradford has invaded their home, holding seances and claiming the James is speaking through the medium, Alistair's celestial messenager, Frere Leon who's made contact with James. As proof, Frere Leon gives Alistair James' wedding band, the one he was buried with.

Well, this just pisses Jack off. He knows Bradford's a seducing charlatan and a grave robber, hoping to get his hands of the Saeger family fortune. So, he takes matters in his own hands, showing Flora and The Society just how big a fool they've been made.

It's hard to fool a vampire detective.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life by Rachel Caine

Morganville is a town run by vampires. They own the town. Own the families who live there, and on your eighteenth birthday, you're expected to sign over your life to the vampire sponsoring your family.

Well, it's Eve's eighteenth birthday, and she doesn't want to sign on the dotted line. She hates Brandon, the vamp who's the family patron. It also means she's signing her death warrant. Anyone without a patron is fair game after dark. Easy prey.

Eve, Jane, Trent, and Guy drink to Eve's birthday, they are stone cold drunk. Should you drink and drive? No. But they do anyway, and every one of Eve's friends are killed, only she survives and she would not have if Jane's little weird sister and the only sober occupant in the van, Miranda, hadn't insisted the Jane and Eve change places.

Eve feels horrible, not only was she drunk, but all of her friends are gone in one fatal crash. And Brandon's waiting for her at home to force her signature to a lifetime contract, one she'll never get out of. But with the death of her friends, Eve finds a hard won independence. She refuses to sign and the hunt is on. Her parents throw her out of their house for her lack of responsibility. As she raced from house to house trying to find help, it isn't until she gets to the Glass House that hope raises it's head. Michael Glass lives there all alone since his parents move away on waivers and it's her last chance.

Eve pounds on his door, begging for help as the vamps close in. Slowly he opens the door in just the nick of time to save her. She can't leave until it's broad daylight. She hasn't a job and who will hire a human with a vampire problem? So, she tells her tale to Michael and to her surprise, he says she can stay. She's safe for now, but how will Eve be able to enjoy her new found freedom?

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The Witch and The Wicked by Jeanne C. Stein

Sophie is a witch for hire, her business, Weird and Wonderful Catering, mostly does celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries. She also creates her own line of beauty supplies which are very popular, she's 80 years old and no one would ever guess.

When she hired to cater Jonathon Deveraux's birthday party, it's quite a feather in her cap. Vampires hardly ever make messes and are notoriously big tippers. He also has a newly turned young vamp wife who should be easy to please.

She should have known something was up when the new Mrs. Deveraux wanted 150 candles to alight the massive cake. Fire and vamps just don't get along. And she insists on carrying it into the party herself. When she hears a calamitous commotion, she figures the idiot caught herself afire. When someone burst through the kitchen door, she turns to apologize to the newly single Mr. Deveraux only to find Mrs. Deveraux!

But no worries, Sophie is assured, Mr. Deveraux had a long full life, and now she knows why all the birthday candles. It was all a ploy to destroy Deveraux, so the young beauty could enjoy his riches.

As Sophie cleans up the ashes of the demised Mr. Deveraux, she suddenly has a brilliant idea! Vamps never age, right? So what would happen if you mixed a little vampire ashes in with an already wonderful face cream? Apparently, not what Sophie expected. Instead of just creating a face cream that turns back the clock, she also gains Mr. Deveraux, alive and in person (well, sort of), he's in her reflection. Now, Mrs. Deveraux has a birthday coming up, I wonder how she likes candles?

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Blood Wrapped by Tanya Huff

It's Vicki's birthday and Henry still hasn't come up with a present. What do you get an immortal being? Henry Fitzroy, aka Elizabeth Fitzroy bodice ripping novelist, really doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. But 40 is a big birthday in a woman's life, even an immortal one. But, still time to consider.

When Henry wakes the next evening, there's a message about a missing child and only Henry and Tony can help with this type of kidnapper before the child turns up as one of the dead. As soon as Tony touches the missing child's boot, the images start coming and he directs Henry toward where the child might be.

When they find the kidnappers, they save the child and give the justice that only a vampire can provide. No other child will come to harm. Now, if Henry can just come up with an unique gift for an immortal.

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The Wish by Carolyn Haines

Sandra wants nothing more than to be with her children, twins Kala and Kevin. But when Death comes early for them, she begs and pleads to take their place. But Death is having none of that. She'll be back when it Sandra's time, you can't cheated Death. And you can't hurry it either. Sandra tries suicide, only to be foiled when her husband, her ex-husband now, checks on her.

That's all in the past now, it's Sandra birthday today. She's a 43 year old mother of dead babies with an ex-husband and a suicide attempt under her belt. But today that all going to change. She's seen his boat in the harbor. And she knows where to find him. He's come home to hunt.

As she enters Barnacle Bills and strolls boldly over to his table in the darkness apart of the bar, her will never falters as she leans in to say, I know who you are, what you are, and only you can help me. Take my life and make me immortal. Death has finally come for me, but she can't win, I won't let her. Take my life and help me cheat Death. You are her rival, her biggest obstacle, you win and she looses. Death is getting close, I can see her, help me. Just as Sandra thinks Death will win after all, she's swept away and given her birthday wish.

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Fire and Ice and Linguine for Two by Tate Hallaway

Sebastian and I are stranded, on Christmas and on Sebastian's birthday. He says it's cursed. Now I see why. I'm Garnet Lacey and I share a body with Goddess Lilith. Since Sebastian and I are blood-bonded, he hears her thoughts as well. We're used to midwestern winters, but this storm seems particularly nasty. With the old beater broken down in the middle of the worst snow storm in history, we're going to miss our dinner reservations.

Then, a shiny black Ford with an old woman pulls up. The driver,Fonn, offers a ride. We can't believe our good fortune. Until she starts talking, and the snow starts falling harder, and lightning starts flashing across the sky, in the middle of a snow storm. Just then, Lilith lets out a roar, a warning. Sebastian notices too, and his super natural vampire senses are ringing too. When Sebastian starts feeling the cold, is when he realizes that even his undead life force is being sucked away from his body, by Fonn, an elemental force of nature, a winter element. The only hope now is to heat Fonn, weaken her and force her to leave. And that's what Sebastian does with the antifreeze. Forces of nature can't be beat, just avoided.

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Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets

Katherine will soon be fifty-five and she feels her life is over, she's old and used up. Eric, her husband, tolerates her. For years, he's been after her with his knife, he's plastic surgeon and embarrassed that his wife refuses his services. Menopause has not been kind to Katherine, and he's tired of having an old wife. When she finds out that he's having an affair with his office manager, Dawn, she's not surprised. Dawn has been visited by his knife. Only divorce looms on her horizon.

Then, one evening in her midnight ramblings, she notices an apartment in the building across from theirs. It's glowing with life in the middle of the night, glamorous people who look like her only better. She starts spending her evenings outside, watching the penthouse. She gets closer and closer, taking to become part of what she cannot have.

She is approach by a man, dark and mysterious, who knows her name, who excites her being, who looks irresistible. Michael is his name. And offers to make her one of them. Katherine decides to join Michael. All that is required is for her to embrace the dark side, vampirism, and all the darkness of that goes with it. And her first kill, Dawn her husband's lover. Let Eric explain his missing wife and dead lover.

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How Stella Got Her Grave Back by Toni L. P. Kelner

Mark and Stella are vampires, lovers and together forever. He is her child, her first turn. But Stella has a problem, someone has stolen her grave. You see, once in her hometown, she had a grave sight and it would seem that someone had taken it. Not that she needed it, but damn it, it was hers, and she wanted it.

Mark, having been a vampire for such a short period of time, could use SPF 45 to hide from the sun. Young vampires don't burn as easily in the sun as old vampires do, and Stella was getting older. Mark decided to investigate the grave disturbance and surprise Stella with the gift. The gift of her grave, not that she needed it, on her birthday in her hometown. All he has to do is get rid of the body someone has put in Stella's place. And he suspects foul play.

As the mystery is unraveled and the body of the murdered girl is discovered, Stella makes another discovery for her birthday. Her Mama left her a tombstone for her grave sight, with two words, Beloved Daughter, her best present yet.

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All in all, this book was a fun anthology!

Five out of five fairy kisses for this reader.

I picked up this book at my local library, I <3 my library! All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday Flash Fiction Challenge: Week 109

Happy Monday everyone! I'm really excited, but slightly nervous about my first post on this blog.  

Halloween is right around the corner and I simply LOVE this holiday and this time of year. You can be anyone you want for Halloween. It's a great way to express yourself through the clothes of another character. Plus the candy eating is always grand ^.^.  What are you guys dressing up as? Or, for all you parents, what are you dressing your kids up as? Personally, I'm dressing up as Marie Antoinette's ghost for the Halloween party I'm attending. At work...well....I can't wear my dress because it'll get destroyed. I might just wear my light-up devil horns. We shall see.

Without further ado here is the first picture I'm posting for the Flash Fiction Challenge, so dust off your keyboards and get your creative juices flowing for this Halloween inspired picture (it is Halloween time of course!):

I found this at this wonderful wallpaper website over HERE.

I just now noticed the chain around her ankle....I wonder what she did. Mhmmmmmm.

Go ahead and share your link in the linkie collector below. On Friday (or Saturday), I'll repost the linkie collector! We'll see how well this works. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Welcome Carole Rae!

Hi boys and girls!

There are changes coming to Tink's Place!

Frequent commenter and great flash fiction writer, Carole Rae, is going to be lending a hand!

How exciting is that?? For anyone who's been missing flash fiction, Carole's going to be looking for incredible images (all free stock, of course, don't want angry artists visiting) and we're going to start having more regular flash fiction posts. Here's a peek at Carole Rae's cute avatar!

Fun times are coming, I can't wait to see what she finds!

Have a great weekend!!

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 108

OMG! I haven't posted in FOREVER!! Well, that'll be changing!! I have reviews to post, authors to interview, and o.m. gosh... NaNoWriMo is right around the corner!! It's about to get very busy around here!

Anyway....

(We really need to start doing these again...)

Since, we haven't had a flash fiction image in forever, (or at least it feels like it) and Carole found us one so cool, I have to post!

This image is from Fantasy Art Images & Anime (giving credit where credit is due, I do not own this image).

The colors are fantastic, I love the imagery!

So, brush off those dusty keyboards.... and lets see if anyone can come up with a fantastical tale about these two lovers!

The rules (350 words - somewhere around there, and come back to post on Friday) remain the same!

Have a great week everyone!

Ciao Bella!

Special Guest: Louann Carroll

Today on the blog, I had the opportunity interview Louann Carroll, one of very favorite authors!

So, without further ado... Here's Louann!

Don’t give away any secrets, but what’s A Shadow of Time about?

If you like the paranormal, and creepy haunted houses with a dark romantic twist, venture into the estate called, Shadow Ley. 


Imagine a blip in time, a dimension if you will, that doesn’t make it to fruition. Within this shadow, people sense something isn’t right. They know it because their world isn’t as bright as they would like and their dreams contain other worlds and possibly, other dimensions.


Consumed by a childhood filled with terror and pain, Kellyn O’Brien strives to create the perfect family. Then, disaster strikes. Her husband is dead. Three weeks later, she discovers her son is heir to Shadow Ley, a nineteenth century estate located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. 

Still reeling from Michael's death, Kellyn moves to Shadow Ley. Soon after her arrival, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary: broken drinking glasses repair themselves, stair rails that were once old are now new, and suddenly the estate of Shadow Ley is not what it seems. 

She turns to the local historian and hears the tale of Shenahobet, the portal guardian, and the Hutto-pah, a tribe of Native Americans related to the Maya. She meets John, a doctor, who experiences visions of other times and places. Her dreams turn into nightmares with windows into past lives, hints of multidimensionality, and the promise of life beyond death. 

Legends abound and so Shadow Ley, the home Kellyn had hoped would bring peace to herself and her children, becomes mired first in doubt, then in terror, and finally in love eternal.


What inspired you to write A Shadow of Time?


Theoretical physics fascinates me. The possibility of multiple dimensions and the consequence of interaction between varying planes can spur any writer on. I mean you can have one soul that populates various dimensions. Some souls might be mad, others, kind and loving. How they interact makes one heck of a story. 


How did you come up with the title?


When studying theoretical physics I was fascinated with the idea of a dimension being somewhat like a person. Maybe some dimensions come into being too soon and they die early because the souls that populate them aren’t ready to take them farther. I came to call these dimensions, shadows. So there you have it, A Shadow of Time. 


Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?


With so much horror and sorrow in our world today, you might try being more aware of your surroundings. Try to examine the coincidences that come into your life, but more than anything else, remember magic exists. Use it to brighten your life and the lives of others around you. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about A Shadow of Time?


Not a thing. My editor, Lynn, found the gem within the stone. 


Do you have plans for a new book? Is A Shadow of Time part of a series?

Shadow is a stand-alone book. My other novel, Gemini Rising is book one of a three part series.


How long does it take you to write A Shadow of Time?


One year—start to finish.


What do you think makes a good story?


Mystery with a dash of passion, a cup of romance, a hint of horror, and a happy ending. 


What do you do when you are not writing?


I play on Facebook, Twitter, and my website to promote my books. If I’m just kickin’ it, I’m outside swimming, boating, or hiking. Sometimes I clean the house. 


Do you have a day job as well?


I do, but my employer likes me to keep my private and professional life separate. 


What is your work schedule like when you're writing?


Two hours networking, four hours writing, and jamming life in between. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


I write by the seat of my pants. I wish I could do an outline and know exactly where I’m going, but my brain doesn’t work that way. 


What does your family think of your writing?


They don’t. They don’t even ask when my next book is due out. They are more concerned about the frozen chocolate chip cookies I should have available in the freezer. Either that or we’re arguing politics. 


What books have most influenced your life most?


My writing life? 

The Stand, by Stephen King, Earth Abides, by George Stewart, and Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.

I love the mystery of The Stand, the eeriness of Earth Abides, and the romance of Atlas Shrugged. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


Judi McCoy—romance writer. She passed away this year and I will be forever in her debt. 


What book are you reading now? 

I just finished the ARC for Fallen Masters by John Edward. The novel is due out this September. I really enjoyed it. 

We'll all miss Judi, she was a rare gem, willing to do whatever she could to help aspiring authors, old and young alike. 


Do you work with an outline, or just write?


Eh, I just write. Makes for harried nerves, but that’s how my brain works. When I do get the germ of an idea, I write it down on yellow legal paper. 


How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?


Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and I’ve done a ton of blog hops. You have to work hard at getting reviews. People just don’t like to leave them. Being a reviewer myself, I understand why, but writers need reviewers, just like they need readers. It’s a symbiotic relationship. 


Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcover?


Paperbacks. I have a Kindle, but I can’t take it into the bathtub. 


Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?


Maybe the Hunger Games. King definitely doesn’t translate well into movies. 



Fun Questions:


What’s your favorite gadget?


My android phone. Love the thing. I think it’s smoother than the iPhone. 


If you were a Star Trek® [or Star Wars® ] character, which one would it be?


Princess Lea. I always wanted to be a princess. I was accidently born into the wrong family. *grin* 


If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?

Kathryn Kelly. She’s my MC in Gemini Rising. She starts out being almost neurotic, but as she grows, she finds love, strength, and a purpose for living. She’s smart, but doesn’t really understand just how intelligent she is. She, like most people, grows into herself. 


If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?


Linda Hamilton. She starred in the Terminator. She’s tough, strong, and can take on the bad guys like nobody else.


If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?


If I could have just one superpower, it would be to bring love into the hearts of others. Love is the strongest emotion in the universe. If used correctly, that emotion alone will solve humankind’s problems. 


If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?


I would start a charitable trust that will help people with Crohn’s disease and Hepatitis C to get the medicines they need. I have Crohn’s and my medication costs over two grand a month. My brother has Hep C and his medications are well over one thousand. Millions of people need assistance, and while we have insurance, there are many who don’t. 


If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?


Bleu cheese. I haven’t had it in years due to my condition, but if I remember correctly, I loved it. 


If you were a car, what kind would you be?


Candy apple red nineteen sixty-six Corvette. *shudders* 


White wine or red?


White. NEVER red. 


Coffee or tea?


Coffee 


Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?


Always chocolate. 


Dogs or cats?


Dogs. I have two, Chelsea who is seventeen and Gus who is going on fourteen. 


Sleep in or get up early?


Sleep in. Saturday mornings are my favorite. My husband brings me coffee. 


Dark or milk chocolate?


Both 


Rocks or flowers?


Rocks. I collect them. My best find is a forty-five million year-old fossil of brain coral I dug out of a dry Nevada lakebed. Then, there’s my dinosaur egg. That is way cool. 


Night or day?


Twilight. We take the boat out on the lake and swim. There’s nothing better. 


Favorite color?


Blue.


Crayons or markers?


Crayons. I still color with the grandkids. 


Pens or pencils?


Pencils with a sharp point. Just love ‘em. 


Thanks Louann for a fun interview!! Can't wait for you to come back again!

Please visit my website at www.louanncarroll.com and readers can always reach me at carroll.louann@yahoo.com 


Thank you! 

Remember to visit Louann sometime! Friend her on Facebook and Follow her on Twitter!