Guest Post: Moonlight Bleu by Renee Rearden + Ebook Giveaway

Today on Tink's Place, I'm happy to welcome a new author to the published world, Renee Rearden. She's prepared a special post for all my readers as well as offering an ebook copy of her new book, Moonlight Bleu, to one lucky commenter.

Please welcome Ms. Rearden to Tink's Place!

Hi Dottie!  Thanks for having me!  

For the readers today, I hope to start a discussion about love.

What would you endure in the name of love?

Don’t scoff. You know what I’m talking about.

Those moments we tell ourselves, “Relationships are give and take. Right now I’m giving…not giving in.” Some of us excuse that long-distance connection that just isn’t working with, “We’ll get along much better once we spend more time together.” But the coup de grâce is emotional baggage.  

“Why bother putting myself out there? I’ll just get hurt.”


We endure every painful moment because we, the romantic at heart, persevere in our search for everlasting love.


Now imagine you’re like Saari Mitchell, who is truly immortal. She will never die. Change drives the world ever forward, dragging her along for the ride—but she stays the same. Merely following, trying to keep up.


Through this change she has discovered the vast cultural populations and cities that cover the globe as traveling internationally became common place. Injuries and minor illnesses that once decimated the human population are no longer a threat due to amazing medical advancements. And technology? Holy smokes. There’s never a dark room in her house thanks to electricity, and email is so much more efficient than writing with a quill on parchment paper.


But after living for half a century, love has become too painful to contemplate.


Hasn’t it?

Saari’s still dealing with her soul-wrenching sadness at being separated from her chosen mate. Loving someone and losing them hurts…almost as much as being alone. Forever. Doesn’t it? Is being alone better than the fear of sharing your innermost self and being rejected?

Absolutely not.

Just ask every other romantic out there!

Excerpt from "Moonlight Bleu"

CHAPTER ONE

Late Afternoon, Thursday, May 22, 2032–New Angeles

        Everything changes, whether you want it to or not. The world changes. People change. Relationships change. Change lurks below the surface, waiting for you to be at your weakest. And the moment you least expect it, change destroys everything you’ve ever known.
        After five hundred years, Saari Mitchell knew that better than anybody.
        “Okay, boys and girls. Caller nine gets a shot at two back-stage passes to the ‘Rock The Earth’ concert,” the disk jockey chirped.
        Saari snorted and turned off the stereo. “No thanks. Was way too up close and personal during the original one, buddy.”
       All Saari had to do was glance out her window at the ocean lapping at the Nevada coastline to remember the last time the earth was rocked. The massive quake that liquefied most of the United States’ western coastline hit on June 18, 2012—not exactly what the Mayan “end of the world” hoopla had predicted, but catastrophic all the same. With California underwater, Nevada’s population exploded as New Angeles, with its resurrected Hollywood, became the place to live.
       This year marked the twentieth anniversary of The Great Quake.
       Saari propped her elbow on the open window and grabbed a handful of her windswept hair. And she’d be another year older tomorrow. No big deal, really—not when she’d been born May 23, 1499. That she’d been cursed with immortality on her birthday in 1522 was the real kicker.
The lyrics to “Love Potion Number 9” played in her ear. Powering the windows of her Ford Explorer shut, she tapped her ear bud and answered her cell. “You better not be calling to cancel on dinner tonight.”
       Nisa’s laughter bubbled through the phone. “You’re kidding, right? Tonight’s the night of the year. I wouldn’t bail on you.”
       Saari smiled, despite her present mood. Only a handful of close friends knew she was immortal, and none of them were human in the strictest sense of the word. Some were vampires, a few were werewolves, and then there was the odd collection of those in between human and preternatural, like her.
       Nisa fell into the last category. The two women shared a special bond—they were both immortal, though for different reasons and under very different circumstances. Saari had been cursed. Nisa was a cupid.
       By some cosmic quirk, when Nisa died, her soul didn’t move on. Instead, she was drafted. Now she spent her time matchmaking for the preternatural. Who’d have thought the afterlife was a crapshoot for employment recruitment and assignment?
        “You had The Dream again last night, didn’t you?”

Renee Rearden
Paranormal Romance for the Psychic at Heart
MOONLIGHT BLEU-Crescent Moon Press September 2010
www.reneerearden.com
www.facebook.com/ReneeRearden
www.myspace.com/ReneeRearden
www.twitter.com/ReneeRearden



Sounds interesting, doesn't it?  If you'd like to read more of Moonlight Bleu by Renee Rearden, please leave a comment, one lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of her new book!  If you have an email address, you are eligible to win, open worldwide!  No need to be a follower, but followers receive an extra entry, if you spread the word, let me know = extra entry, contest is open until Monday midnight October 11, 2010, announced October 12, 2010.

Corjan De Raaf: Music for "Book of Souls"

I found a new artist on twitter, and his song "Book of Souls" has an unique urban fantasy feel to it. It was originally written for the book of the same name by Glenn Cooper. Glenn had his debut on the world stage of writing with the publishing of his first book Library of the Dead (Secret of the Seventh Son) and Book of Souls is it's sequel, this song will also be featured in the film "The Stone" where Corjan will also appear. If you like urban fantasy pop (mystery pop is the correct genre I believe), then take a listen.

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 8

Wow!  Eight weeks and I'm still having fun!  Though I can't really believe it's Monday morning already, the weekend here was packed full, and incredibly long.  It was our homecoming weekend (pictures to come later, I promise!) and all week was full of activities.  Since it's Kirsten senior year, she was in charge of most of the planning, so my house has been in an uproar with football, cheer leading, tumbling, and of course, it wouldn't be complete without an injury or two.  Kirsten finally discovered she has "Turf Toe" (lol, got love that name....), and injury football players are known for, she cheers, so I guess that's close enough...

Anyway, it's time for another addition of Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!!

This morning, our blogger buddy, good friend, and wonderful flash writer, Blodeuedd, has submitted a gorgeous image with lots going!   When I saw this picture, I thought Wow... are those spaceships, flying gun ship, what the heck are those???  LOL  Take a look and you'll see what I mean!

Now, isn't it gorgeous?  It's a spectacular fantasy image!  I can't wait to see what kind of flash this one generates!

Now, if you'd like to play along, the rules remain the same.  We have a roomy (sort of) 350 word length (it doesn't have to be exact, a little over or under is fine!)...  On Friday, we come back and post our answers to the prompt, and if you leave me a link, I'll add it to my Friday post so everyone can take a peek at what you've written.  Michelle and Blodeuedd have been playing along with Amy and I, so glad they've joined us!!  Ladies, you really have talent and keep those images coming, we're loving them!

See you soon!

Ciao!

Sassy Sunday Story Starter.... from Sassy Brit 'Alternative-Read'

Today's Sunday Story Started was slightly different, here's the scope from Sassy's own blog:

This week is slightly different, and I hope you will enjoy playing along with this. It's a "What if...?" writing prompt. As usual where you go with this is totally up to you. 

For anyone wanting to try their hand at flash fiction - how about a 450 word limit this week? (*Evil laugh*) Or, maybe you'll use this to write a whole novel. The choice, as they (who?) say, is yours.

What if... your young aunt died mysteriously over a cliff and she left you her estate currently occupied with two randy Irish...ghosts?

Klarin's Manor

by Dottie Taylor

word count:  450

Sherri wiped a flood of tears away, Aunt Rachel, gone; her death, a mystery. It sounded like she had just stepped to her death, falling from the cliff face. Why? Rachel had begged her to visit, she would have, should have. Maybe Rachel would still been alive if....  Sherri shook her head, she couldn't go there....

Now, she finds Rachel has left her Klarin's Manor. God, what was she going to do? Ireland...

******

At first, she wondered how Rachel could have left Klarin's Manor, six months later, Sherri was beginning to understand....

*******

Sherri loved the Manor, she was born for it's richness.  Ireland, itself, was a treat for the senses. The crystalline ocean greeted her eyes, rolling green plains, craggy rock outcroppings, a sky that could change from cerulean blue to steely gray as if with emotions. But, her dreams since arriving were beyond anything she'd ever experienced.

For weeks, she didn't understand, then Liam started calling her. She wandered through the mist to find a meadow. Among the scented flowers sat Liam in the first glow of morning sun. It was as if she'd known him her whole life. How this was possible?

She cried out when she saw him, falling into his arms. “Liam?” She grinned, bringing her lips to his. He was tantalizing, broad shouldered, dark wavy hair, rough calloused hands. It was insanity, but she remembered him, knew his body as well as he knew hers.

“Aye, lass, tis me.” He grinned back at her.

She caressed his face as his lips devoured hers. He groaned, his tongue swept aside any lingering doubts. Her own groan fed the flames. His hands roved over her heated flesh to find her nipples, rolling them gently until the hardened rosettes begged for his lips. He laid her back into the grass, pushing her thighs wide, resting between them.

“I've missed you, lass, I've waited so long.” Liam's rough brogue filled her ears, his tongue tickled her pulse, and she knew, Liam was from a past long forgotten..... “Ian, come say hallo to her bonny self.”

“Lass,” Ian whispered close to her ear, “sweet God, you've come.” He watched her with hungry eyes, a blossoming need. She remembered Ian too, copper colored hair, big easy smile, hands that sought her softness. She didn't know how this was possible, but she wanted it, needed it.

Each night was filled with sensual arousal. She was addicted, began living for the nights, the promises held in Liam's and Ian's lips. She no longer recognized herself, her wild abandonment. She awoke to mornings craving what could only be found with night, Liam, Ian, and the past.



Well, not so sure I like the 'what if' story premise.... It was hard to write to, hard to use someone else's foundation, I have to say, it was a struggle for me.  And I'm still not sure if I'm happy with the flash, lol.... but I couldn't let it go!  I was changing it until I hit the button that says "Publish Post"!  I wasn't sure about the 'randy ghosts' either, lol, you all know how well I write naughty, and I do believe Ms. Sassy was challenging me... LOL  But, it's all good fun and great practice for next month when NaNoWriMo gets under way!  I'm thinking about using Vlad Tepes.....  Vampires.....  yum.....

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge, Week 7...... The Friday Post

Okay, I'm soooo behind this morning!!  I didn't have the flash finished, I had to spend all day yesterday with my daughter at the doctors and then catering to her every need, as she laid on the couch, foot propped up, purple and swollen, but at least not broken.... and guess what?  It's homecoming this weekend, and she can barley walk, let alone march and tumble in the homecoming parade, or dance tomorrow night.  Her dress is gorgeous, but the shoes (which are freaking awesome) will be a no-go, her foot won't even fit in them, let alone walk in the heels.  Sigh.... and this is her senior year, her last homecoming.....  And this morning, my son and I had to go get all nineteen homecoming mums and deliver them for her.  This is the first time this morning I've sat down, and my own foot looks like the Stay Puff Marshmallow man's.....   My mouth hurts, I chipped a tooth, and the dentist can't see me for two FREAKING weeks!!  This just isn't my day!!  LOL!!

Oh well, enough of my whining.....

It's time for the Friday Post for Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!  To remind everyone, Michelle supplied this gorgeous image...

It's beautiful, I love this one!!

Unfortunately, I've had almost no time to write to his image, so you're going to get what I've come up with this morning, and it's more than a little dark (probably reflecting my mood....LOL)!  So, here's my take....

The Darkness Within

by Dottie Taylor

word count:  350

The wind howled, the sea roared, reflecting the tumultuous emotions coursing through Mina's thin body. She'd awoken on this night to find Henri at the brink of the true death, silver entwining his body, burns glistened in the candle light. She'd singed her own skin trying to free him.

“Henri,” she'd whispered as she placed her cool lips against his, her tears blending with his blood, “who has brought you so close to death?”

Henri had breathed back, so low she almost missed it. “Twas Michael, with his band of mortals.”

“Sleep, my love, heal.” She'd torn her flesh, pressing it shakily to his pale lips, begging him to feed. Michael had long sought Mina, zealous in his need to possess her. Now his madness had gone too far.

Mina rushed to the balcony, hair whipping in the black of night as she called her creatures. The bats and wolves came willing with the flapping of the leathery wings and the distant cries from one to another of the furry beasts. She smiled, her emissaries would leave little of the mortals, but Michael was hers.

Closing her eyes, she pushed out her thoughts, drawing on Michael's, finding him surprisingly close at hand, no doubt thinking he would sweep in, claim her and her heritage. Damnation would be his prize on such a fitting night, All Hallow's Eve.

She watched the sea quake, the lightning strike, the thunder rumble, and gathered the building strength, holding it tightly within her body. Her eyes glowing with power so great, her tiny form quivered.

“Michael,” she called, an irresistible force he was unable to deny.

“Ah, there you are,” Mina stroked her fingers in a soft caress along his finely boned cheek.

“Mina, we can rule the Earth and the Heavens, no one can stand against us.” His eyes held a feverish light, lunacy and desire mingled within their depths.

“Poor Michael,” she patted his cheek, freeing the power as flames erupted from her fingertips. “May you burn a thousand deaths.” And she forced the Angel into hell.



So, like I said, the teeniest bit dark....  But, the dark is my friend....


If you've chosen to play along, leave me a link, and I'll add to my post!!


I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... and remember to join on Monday for another....

 

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge!!

See you soon!

Ciao!!