Thursday Threads – Son of the Moonless Night

Posted on October 29, 2015 by scmitchell

Today on Thursday Threads we feature a wonderful new novel from C. D. Hersh, Son of the Moonless Night:

GENRE: Urban fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

HEAT LEVEL: Sensual

Currently available in eBook on Amazon at: http://amzn.com/B00XK3E172

Blurb:

Owen Todd Jordan Riley has a secret. He’s a shape shifter who has been hunting and killing his own kind. To him the only good shifter is a dead shifter. Revenge for the death of a friend motivates him, and nothing stands in his way . . . except Katrina Romanovski, the woman he is falling in love with.

Deputy coroner Katrina Romanovski has a secret, too. She hunts and kills paranormal beings like Owen. At least she did. When she rescues Owen from an attack by a werebear she is thrust back into the world she thought she’d left. Determined to find out what Owen knows about the bear, she begins a relationship meant to collect information. What she gets is something quite different-love with a man she suspects of murder. Can she reconcile his deception and murderous revenge spree and find a way to redeem him? Or will she condemn him for the same things she has done and walk away from love?

Excerpt:

A crash in the alley stopped Katrina Romanovski mid-stride. Like the October mist swirling in off the lake, her gypsy blood stirred sending her intuition into high gear. Something unnatural was happening.

Go see what’s wrong. She heard her father’s voice as clearly as if he stood next to her.

On the heels of his words came her mother’s pragmatic warning in clipped British tones. You know what curiosity killed. Katrina pushed the ever-present warning aside. Mom never approved of Dad’s supernatural hunts and even less of his drawing her into them.

Pulling the oversized cross she always wore out from under her shirt, Kat looked around for a weapon. Please, not a vampire. I hate vampires! A piece of wood sticking out of the trashcan at the front of the alley caught her eye.

Grabbing it, she broke the end off into a sharp point. The mist-filled air filtered the light from the single bulb over one of the alley doorways. The wind swirled the loose trash around making a quiet approach difficult. Sidestepping the paper, with the stake in one hand and holding the gun she took from her purse in the other hand, she crept into the alley.

A roar echoed against the buildings, the sound nearly sending her running. That roar wasn’t a vampire. It sounded more like an animal. Kat inched closer. In the yellow pool of light from the back door of the building, a black bear, over seven feet tall, reared on its back legs and swung its paw at the man standing at the edge of the light. He crashed to the ground, shirt torn open from the slashing claws. Blood covered the fabric, and he clasped his left hand over his shoulder to stem the flow. The bear bent toward him, teeth bared in a smile. A wicked smile.

Kat aimed her gun, but before she could pull the trigger, a shot rang out. The flash of gunpowder lit the face of the injured man. The blast reverberated against the buildings. With an enraged bellow, the bear staggered backward against the wall. Shaking his head, the animal dropped to all four paws. Weaving like a drunk, he lumbered toward his attacker. The man took aim again, shooting the animal between the eyes. Animal and human collapsed on the dirty, littered pavement.

As she started to move forward, Kat’s gypsy senses crawled over her skin like angry red ants. As she slipped back into the shadows, the bear shed fur. Changing size. Then, finally, turning into a man.

Shape shifters. Her stake wasn’t any good against them, and her bullets weren’t silver. This one appeared dead anyway. Had the wounded man seen the shift? Tossing the stake aside, she paused by the shifter and quickly moved to the wounded man. Out cold. Still human.

When she touched him, his eyelids fluttered open. “Did I get it?”

“What?”

“The bear.”

***

Where you can find C.D. HERSH:

Thoughts for Thursday… NaNoWriMo the nightmare or the savior???

Posted on October 29, 2015 by scmitchell

THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY- Falling Down the Rabbit Hole of Naughty Words

Posted on October 22, 2015 by scmitchell

Thursday Threads – The Widow’s Walk

Posted on October 22, 2015 by scmitchell

Today on Thursday Threads we feature Carole Ann Moleti and her haunting novel, The Widow’s Walk:

Paranormal Romance

Sexy, Heat Level 3-4

(available in ebook and print)

http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Walk-Carole-Ann-Moleti-ebook/dp/B00PHYCLHY

Blurb:

Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted. By their own ghosts. The Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Mike, Liz, and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were they doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?

Excerpt:

Look, for now, we’ll just stay where we are–together. If Liz and Mike are united, then Jared and Elisabeth aren’t going to be able to get in between us.” He brushed the tears off her cheeks.

She stared at him intently, fear, maybe desperation in her eyes. “We can only talk to each other about this. Others might use any information against us.”

“Who would do that, Liz?’

Her demeanor hardened. She sat up, raised her chin. “My son. Your daughter. Sandra.”

“You’re paranoid. The kids have no inkling about ghosts. All Sandra has are theories. She doesn’t know about your incident–or my illness. And I’m not going to tell her.” Guilt twanged in his gut. Sandra had come up with all the ghostly interpretations on her own, right?

Liz jumped up. “She knows about my injury. Maybe not how it happened, but when Mae went in there to get my things, she figured out it was for me. She reads minds, or manipulates people into blabbing what they know.”

Mike lowered his voice to a whisper. “It doesn’t take much for Mae to spill information. I think you’re giving Sandra too much credit.” Yet, she did ask him about the ghosts as soon as he sat down.

“You can joke all you want, Mike, but this is serious. We can’t let anyone else in.”

“I won’t say a word about anything ghostly to anyone. As long as things stay under control.”

Liz studied him.

Mike squirmed. “I think I’m going to take a nap.” He settled back on the sofa.

She tucked the blanket around him and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go help Mae with dinner.”

She didn’t believe him. He didn’t trust her. This was never going to work.

Author Bio

Carole Ann Moleti lives and works as a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with all things paranormal, urban fantasy, and space opera. Her nonfiction focuses on health care, politics, and women’s issues. But her first love is writing science fiction and fantasy because walking through walls is less painful than running into them.

Carole’s Cape Cod paranormal romance novel, The Widow’s Walk, was published by Soulmate. Her urban fantasy short stories have appeared in the Toil, Trouble and Temptation Anthology and Haunted, Bites, Beltane, and Seers, all part of the Ten Tales series. Her review and commentary, memoir excerpts and creative non-fiction have been published in a variety of literary venues.

Buy Link

http://amzn.com/B00PHYCLHY

Where to find Carole:

http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti

http://caroleannmoleti.blogspot.com/p/the-widows-walk.html

http://Twitter.com/Cmoleti

https://www.facebook.com/caroleannmoleti

http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti

http://caroleannmoleti.com

plus.google.com/103609323247390103301

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCmoleti

http://www.pinterest.com/caroleannmoleti/

Romance Weekly – Reimagine

Posted on October 20, 2015 by scmitchell

Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.

RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@RWWBlog).

If you’ve wondered in from Gemma Brocato’s blog post or are just starting your hop here with me, get set for some rewrites. And check out her new release, A Spirited Love:

Our challenge comes from Dani Jace – Flash Fiction: Pick a short scene from a book, movie or TV show that didn’t go the way you wanted. Rewrite the scene the way you would have written in 500 word or less.

Okay, maybe it’s just Halloween in the air, but my head went here:

Today I’m doing a rewrite on a classic romantic film. Stop this video at the 1:30 mark, because that’s where I’m giving them a different reason to be Sleepless in Seattle:

Sleepless in Seattle.

(Rewrite)

Dumbstruck in the road, Annie struggled for words. A car horn blared in her ears. Sam’s eyes widened.

She turned to confront an approaching taxi. The driver skidded his breaks while motioning, pointing toward the curb.

She spun and took a step toward her car, ready to escape, as embarrassment washed over her. But the bushes on the hillside were alive, moving and shaking though there was no discernible wind.

Rank purification filled the air as a host of figures shambled out of the foliage. They’d once been people, or at least that’s what it looked like. Now gray skin hung shriveled on loose frames. Tattered clothing barely covered the animated skeletal remains.

Zombies? It was the only explanation that fit.

Annie backed away, back into the traffic. Speeding cars held only a fraction of the terror of the things that approached her.

“Come on.” A deep male voice from behind.

A warm hand clasped hers, pulling. Annie turned to stare into the piercing gaze of Sam.

“I don’t know what these things are, but we’ve got to get out of here.” His voice a calm oasis in the storm of terror that whirled through her mind.

He dragged her across the highway. Horns continued to blare around her, but whether they were honking at her or the hoard of zombies that pursued her, she couldn’t say.

Sam reached out and took the hand of the small boy waiting on the other side of the roadway. Is that Jonah?

“Everybody get in my truck . . . now!” Sam’s commanding voice compelled Annie to rush toward the vehicle. The woman . . . the one he’d hugged . . . clambered in to sit beside her in the back as Sam hoisted Jonah into the front seat then climbed behind the wheel.

The woman beside her was shaking, her eyes wide. “Where are we going?”

By the time Sam had backed out of his parking space, the creatures were flooding the street, the foremost already across and coming straight for the vehicle. He floored the accelerator, mowing down three of them before reaching the highway. “There’s a Wal-Mart about a mile from here. It will be our best hope of surviving this. They’ll have food, guns, and thick walls.”

He weaved through the heavy traffic as more and more of the restless undead appeared on the side of the roadway ahead. An invasion. An Apocalypse.

“I’m Sam, by the way.” How the hell could he be in such control?

“Annie.” She replied.

***
So, did they make it? Of course. Did they end up falling in love? Of course. Did anyone else survive? Hmm…

Okay, hop on over to see what Dani Jace rewrote as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues at: http://www.danijace.com

Thursday Threads – FOREST OF THE MIST: Awakening

Posted on October 15, 2015 by scmitchell

Today on Thursday Threads we feature FOREST OF THE MIST: Awakening by Carly Jordynn:

TITLE: FOREST OF THE MIST: Awakening
GENRE: YA Fantasy Romance
HEAT LEVEL: 3

BLURB:

Upon awakening from the coma that put her in the alternate realm known as Paradise Valley, Jennifer Burke Kyle discovered her infant son was half-grown, had some rather unique powers, and was the new leader of Paradise and the adjoining Dark Land. If that wasn’t enough to make her want to go back to sleep, she finds her dead husband, David Kyle, has ordered a complete stranger, Alex McGuire, to marry her and raise her young son as his own. Together, Alex and Jennifer, with the help of Davy, must escape the agents of PRI, a government research group, in order to protect the still comatose, Colin O’Brien.

AMAZON BUY LINK: http://www.amzn.com/B012T8JT5W/

EXCERPT:

“What?” Jennifer said. “I’m not ready to be married to you. I don’t even know you.”

Alex had had just about enough of her routine. “Listen, sweetheart, it’s no picnic being with you either. I’m tired of trying to live up to your lofty expectations. I’m not David Kyle, nor would I want to be. I’m doing this all for you, to protect you and Davy. A little gratitude would be welcome.”

“Excuse me?” Anger flashed in her eyes. “You are darn lucky that I even give you the time of day. You overbearing, egotistical control freak.”

“Control freak!” Alex shouted weakly. “Are we back to that song and dance again? Can’t you come up with some original material? I’ve busted my ass in order to help you, and you have the nerve to say I’m controlling you?”

“Oh, what a load of crap, Alex! You are not doing this for me or Davy. You are doing it for Lily.” Jennifer spun away from him in disgust.

Alex wanted to pound something in frustration, but he could barely move his arms. “For crying out loud, Jennifer, Lily isn’t here. She married Connor. They moved away. Lily has nothing to do with this. If she did, I would already be in Texas. I’m here with you because I want to be with you.”

“You do not know me!” she shouted.

“Because you won’t let me get to know you!” Alex countered.

Alex stopped speaking. His face turned red. Spots appeared before his eyes, and he had a hard time catching his breath. He saw Jennifer back away from him as the machine he was hooked up to began to scream. A team of doctors rushed into the room and began working on him. Alex felt himself begin to fade and then he was gone.

ALSO BY CARLY JORDYNN:

FOREST OF THE MIST: Travelers http://www.amzn.com/B00ND8C3RE/

SASHA BISHOP: Retired Slayer http://www.amzn.com/B00O99U4V8/

CARLY’s SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

http://www.carlyjordynn.com/

www.facebook.com/carlyjordynn777

www.twitter.com/@CarlyJordynn

www.pinterest.com/CarlyJordynn

http://carlyjordynn.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200409.Carly_Jordynn

THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY: Fall Traditions

Posted on October 15, 2015 by scmitchell

A great post from the Romance Writers Weekly blog:

Thursday Threads – My Sexy Valentine

Posted on October 8, 2015 by scmitchell

Today on Thursday Threads we feature the wonderful Tina Susedik and the fun filled Soul Mate Valentines Day anthology, My Sexy Valentine:

(And hey, I have a story in here as well.)

ANTHOLOGY HEAT LEVEL: STEAMY

Blurb for The Valentine’s Proposal:

When a Valentine’s Day proposal doesn’t go the way she expected, librarian Janetta Simonson’s life changes in ways she’s never dreamed.

BUY LINK: My Sexy Valentine: http://amzn.com/B00SSFM1OChttp:/amzn.com/B00SSFM1OC

EXCERPT FROM The Valentine’s Proposal:

Devlin Baran followed the statuesque brunette as she stomped from the woman’s room and headed to the bar. His cock twitched as her hips swayed in tight jeans. Was the guy who dumped her crazy? To trade in this hot piece for the washed-out blonde?

He’d noticed her the moment she’d walked into the building. Full breasts. Tapered waist. Not too thin. Tall. His body had reacted immediately. He liked his women tall. He’d been ready to join her when the jerk arrived. During their argument he’d called her Janetta. The name seemed to suit her.

Pseudo cowboys irritated the hell out of him. New boots, shiny belt buckle, cheesy western shirt were all signs. But even real cowhands dressed up for a Saturday night on the town, so he could be mistaken. When the man tossed his hat brim side down on the table, Devlin knew him to be a fake. Any real westerner knew you put your hat top side down so not to ruin the folds.

Since he was out of luck with the brunette, he’d headed to the men’s room, where he observed the encounter. He nearly applauded when the woman smacked the pretend cowboy across the cheek and threw the ring into the crowd. Hell. Not only did he like them tall, he loved them spirited, like his fillies on his ranch.

As she headed to the bar, he shook his head. He couldn’t let a hot woman interfere with the job he had to do, needing all his focus to find out who was slipping drugs into women’s drinks. As a rancher working undercover as an FBI agent, he always seemed to be one-step behind the assholes who thought it fine to have sex with unconscious women.

The man, or men, moved from bar to bar in the small rural area. This was the only one that hadn’t been hit. He hoped to hit pay dirt tonight.

He tried to ignore Janetta’s shapely ass as she sat on a stool next to another pseudo cowboy. She must have a thing for their type. After taking her time with one drink, the man tipped his overly white Stetson, leaned in and said something, making her laugh. The back of Devlin’s neck prickled. He seemed familiar.

What was she thinking, Devlin wondered as she let the guy put his hand on her thigh. Even though she oozed sex appeal, after her encounter with Fred, he had the feeling she wasn’t a sexually aggressive person. She seemed more like a kindergarten teacher.

Janetta took a sip of her orange-colored drink and spoke to the man—who threw his head back and laughed. The hand went a bit further up her leg. She took another drink and swayed into him. Maybe he was wrong and she was just another floozy looking to pick up an unsuspecting cowboy.

The man swung an arm around her shoulders and lifted the glass to her lips. Her head dropped into his neck. He glanced over his shoulder and snuggled her into his side. After a few minutes he pulled her from the stool, and like a man helping a drunk companion, headed toward the door.

Shit. She’s been drugged.

ALSO BY TINA SUSEDIK: