The Seven Year Itch by SD Skye - Virtual tour and giveaway

Today we're talking to SD Skye on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the FBI Thriller novel, "The Seven Year Itch".

The author will award a kindle fire and $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter (US only), so comment today AND follow this tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Thanks to SD for answering all my prying questions!

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I started this FBI Espionage (really counterespionage) series because I actually worked in the field. For 20 years I served as an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Intelligence Community, the first 12 years as an Intelligence Operations Specialist in the FBI’s Russian Counterintelligence program. I really enjoyed my experience there, and I had the opportunity to do and experience things few could imagine. So, I think once the writing bug finally bit me, it was probably natural that I would incorporate some of those experiences into a book or series.

I began my career writing romantic comedy/chick lit under another name, and comedy and relationships is well within my comfort zone. My so-called love life is God’s running joke and provides me with an ample source of material for such stories. But I had always incorporated a bit of mystery into my plots which helped make them page-turners. In order to build this J.J. McCall series, romantic suspense/mystery/espionage seemed like the most natural progression. However, it was a major challenge for me in that the plots are so much more complex than those in romantic comedies and there are multiple points of view—whereas in chick lit I write in first person. But I’m really enjoying the challenge. And I’ve found that even though I tried to tone down the comedic element, I apparently can’t help myself because readers are always telling me how witty the main character is. But I think humor just adds to the depth of her character as she deals with some very serious cases and sketchy situations.

What research is required?

Because my books draw on my career experience, I haven’t yet had to do a lot of research in terms of the plots. Because I’ve been out of the counterintelligence game for quite a while now, sometimes I do have to go back and research the terminology. Some has stuck with me, but some is long gone. I have also read a few books by the Russian defectors that I’m familiar with. It helps to put me in the right frame of mind when I’m building the Russian characters. Also, I’ve researched some Russian colloquialisms to integrate into the dialogue when I can. I try to keep that to a minimum though.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Hmmm. This is a really good question. I think that the biggest lesson I’ve learned from J.J. McCall is that there are no lies bigger than those that we tell to ourselves—because we may actually begin to believe them. The irony in J.J.’s character is that she’s a born lie detector (as the result of a generational curse), but J.J. can’t detect when she lies to herself. And she’s got a substance abuse problem that she’s in denial about. Because she’s not a fall down lush, she thinks it’s okay to take little sips all day to cope with stress, but that lie ends up putting the life of someone she loves in jeopardy and she may learn her lesson too late.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

Oh, I have a million of them. Every year they seem to change. For example, last year I kept getting writer’s block and could only write if I used a special butterfly notebook (that I bought from Target) and a Sharpie fine-point pen. It had to be THAT kind of notebook and THAT pen or the words would not come. But I wrote three novels in a row using those notebooks, including the bulk of The Seven Year Itch.

Now, neither the pens nor notebooks will work for me. The only way I’m truly productive is if a Harry Potter movie is playing in the background. And no other movies work. Just Harry Potter. Maybe my brain is subconsciously attempting to channel a movie deal. I don’t know. While I love the movies and my 12-year-old son isn’t upset with it, I can’t wait to get out of this stage.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m a pantser turned plotter. When I wrote my romantic comedies I was decidedly a pantser and wouldn’t write an outline if you paid me. I kept spouting the ideals of the pantser society which essentially suggest that you should let your characters drive the story, that you should merely dictate what your characters tell you if you want to write a truly engrossing, authentic story. When you outline or plot in advance, you take control from your characters, thus your story won’t reach its full potential.

Well, whoever said that probably hadn’t tried writing a complex espionage plot with multiple points of view. When I finished my first draft, my plot had more holes than the south side of the moon. I wrote no fewer than 27,000 drafts (only a slight exaggeration) trying to fill them in. At that point, the whole pantser thing went out the window. No, it was hurled out of the window with Hulkian force. I decided to compromise with my characters and I allowed them to drive the outline and the scenes, but we will plot or die.

I can still be a pantser with the romantic comedies though. That probably won’t change.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Hand sanitizer and a box of Puffs plus with Lotion. I’m nursing a cold and trying my best not to re-germinate the house.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Well, I’m working on writing the rest of the books in the series (four more) and a new romantic comedy. I’ve come up with the titles and have a general idea about the next four cases and how each book will play out. Now, it’s just a matter of plotting the twists and turns. In the next book, Son of a Itch, J.J. investigates a bug planted in the White House Situation Room. Meanwhile, the antagonist from the first book—codenamed ICE Phantom—is plotting to kill J.J.

I think while the first book kind of sets the foundation, each book will get better and better. I’m so excited about writing this one. Lots of great twists and one heck of an ending!

Do you have a question for our readers?

If you read serial novels, I would love to know what qualities in the story or character hook you in so that you want to follow a character from book to book.

Her Family Was Vexed With a Generational Curse. Now for Lie Detecting FBI Spy Catcher J.J. McCall, the Truth is in The Seven Year Itch.

FBI Special Agent J.J. McCall is a born lie detector who recruits foreign spies to catch American traitors. She and co-case agent Tony Donato have lost two of their most critical Russian sources in the past two years, and they may lose another in just a few short days if they don’t catch him, The ICE PHANTOM, a rumored insider spy more insidious and elusive than Ames and Hanssen combined. They suspect he might be burrowed deep inside FBI counterintelligence—and his body count is going up.

Drawn into an unsanctioned mole hunt, they have a week to catch him, save a key source’s life—and their own. While J.J.’s lie detecting ability helps them narrow down the list of suspects, the lie she tells to herself may help the ICE PHANTOM defect to Moscow and get away with the murder of the man she loves.

Skye's debut FBI Series, filled with mystery, espionage, romance, and suspense, will keep you burning through the pages until J.J. catches the very last spy.

J.J searched for serenity in bottom of a Belvedere bottle. The wait for his sugar-coated lies had dragged on for too long, and she’d lost patience. After glancing around the small reception area to ensure no one was watching, she removed from her purse a silver flask and smiled. It was filled to the brim with relief. One small gulp and the soothing burn slipped down her throat, calming her prickly nerves. Inside she felt on the brink of dissolution. The 10 am swallow was just a necessary evil. It would get her through the meeting, until time for her next dose of repose.

Another dead source. She couldn’t stomach the thought of his demise. Two had been more than her fair share. The unceasing cycle of loss had worn her resolve thin. She’d refused to let another family suffer that pain if she could in any way prevent it. J.J. wanted to tell the FBI where to stick her badge and gun, but she had promises to keep. Promises to Viktor. Promises to herself. No matter what Cartwright said, she’d see her case through until the end. And the end was as near as nightfall because the op was simple and would go off without a hitch.

J.J. stiffened her back and squared her shoulders as the elixir took effect. Her posture mirrored that of the powerful yet graceful eagle perched atop her FBI badge. She’d eyed it, waiting for the carefully choreographed denial and deception ritual to begin.

Author Bio:

S.D. Skye is a former FBI Russian Counterintelligence Program Intelligence Analyst and supported several key cases during her 12-year tenure at the Bureau. She has personally witnessed the blowback the Intelligence Community suffered due to the most significant compromises in U.S. history, including the arrests of former CIA Case Officer Aldrich Ames and two of the Bureau's own--FBI Agents Earl Pitts and Robert Hanssen. She has spent 20 years supporting counterintelligence, intelligence, and military missions in the U.S. Intelligence Community.

An award-winning author of romantic comedies in her other life, Skye is a member of the Maryland Writer's Association, Romance Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She's addicted to writing and chocolate--not necessarily in that order--and currently lives in the Washington D.C. area with her son. Skye is hard at work on the next installment of the series.

www.facebook.com/authorsdskye

www.twitter.com/sdskye1

www.authorsdskye.com

Buy Links

Ebook

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Year-McCall-Novel-ebook/dp/B00AM4HVT2/ref=la_B00AMAUFK8_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355625857&sr=1-1

Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Year-Itch-McCall-Novel/dp/0983920230/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355625984&sr=1-3&keywords=s.d.+skye

Morgan K. Wyatt - Author interview and giveaway!

Today I'd like to welcome author Morgan K. Wyatt here to talk about her historical romance, "Rebel Heartsong".  She's going to give away an eBook copy of the book to one commenter today -- so make sure you leave her a message!

Thanks for stopping by, Morgan, and for being brave enough to share five things about yourself that we might never guess. The floor is yours!

Five Things

When I was small, I was convinced I could fly due to watching too much Superman. I jumped off slides, out of trees, from barn lofts, and finally a second story window. I always flew fast and downward, but never received as much as a scratch. I now leave the flying up to airline pilots.

I was one of the few women trained for combat over thirty years ago. While I excelled with the machine gun, there was an incident at the grenade range. Apparently, you throw the grenade like baseball, not a slow pitch softball. The fact women will soon be in combat means everyone has forgotten about the incident. My two sons and my daughter-in-law are in the service, having different last names has been beneficial.

When I was twenty-four, I decided to backpack across Europe. I worked two jobs to save up the money. I may have told my mother I was traveling with a group. Originally, I was supposed to be traveling with my best friend. When the time came, she couldn’t get off from work, so I traveled alone. Every day I had to decide where I was heading and what I would do. It was both a scary and amazing six weeks.

I answered a submission call from Secret Cravings to write a cougar romance novella about a year and half ago. Since then, I have written four cougar romances, one weekend short, four historical romances, and a contemporary romantic suspense for SCP. I am very thankful for a publisher who took a chance on me. I have extreme appreciation for a great editor, and a talented cover artist.

Finally, my husband and I flew to Vegas to marry. We were married in the Graceland Wedding Chapel with an Elvis impersonator. We danced while Elvis sang Love Me Tender. Our story and photo will be in the April Ladies Home Journal in the Backstory section, or are least that was the agreement I signed. I don’t think I’ll believe until I see it.

Townsend Audley as heir to the biggest planation in Beufort County was also the biggest marital prize. Life was good at least it was before the war. After the Civil War devalued Confederate money, and stripped their plantation, Townsend became a not so great catch. The only person who stands by him is Yvette, a mulatto companion to his sisters. She jokes she stayed only to watch over him, which she does, quite well. He can’t remember a time the beautiful servant hasn’t taken care of him, almost like a wife. He’s lucky to have Yvette, but someday some man would steal her away. The thought enrages him. He’s unwilling to live without her by his side. Does she feel the same way? If she does, how will they manage when the law declares their love taboo?

Morgan as a child had to suffer through movies with clueless heroines rescued by smart men. Her mother dutifully read her stories where princesses waited for princes to jumpstart their lives. There were no proactive female role models in the media at that time, with the exception of Wonder Woman. It is for this reason, and that it is fun, Morgan writes about strong women going after what they want.

She has a blog about dating after forty on www.datingafterfortyeight.blogspot.com

Morgan pinches pennies on her blog; www. http://thefrugaldivatellsall.blogspot.com/

She also reviews book for Novelspot and blogs about writing at: www.novelspot.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/morgankwyatt
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgan-K-Wyatt/160636730670958?ref=hl
Webpage: www.morgankwyatt.com

Laura's Light by Donna Gallagher - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're spotlighting Donna Gallagher on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the contemporary erotic romance, "Laura's Light".

Donna will award a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Forty-two- year- old single mother Laura Harris devoted more than half her life to raising her son. She remembered the concept of having sex but it had been aeons since she’s actually been a participant - especially with a real flesh-and-blood partner. But it’s time to reclaim her life. Her son is a man now. And the rising star of the Jets rugby league team. Their future is brighter than ever and, for the first time, financially secure. But Laura is starting to think agreeing to have dinner with Trevor Hughes could be biting off more than she can chew. Not that she can’t see herself taking a nice big chunk from the absolutely gorgeous thirty-four-year-old sports commentator’s rump, he’s one prime piece of masculinity! She just isn’t sure how or when the whole sex thing will become an issue. She can’t even get past the what-to-wear step. Let alone the when-to-take-it-off stage…

Trevor Hughes usually avoids the woman with substance - he has enough of his own demons to deal without trying to care for anyone else. But there’s something about the upbeat, sexy, one-woman-dynamo Laura Harris. The woman is pure sunshine and happiness. And that’s surprising when you look at what life has handed her. Nothing seemed to dampen Laura’s spirits and she quickly becomes someone Trevor needs in his life…Until misunderstandings come between them. Can Trevor put things right?

Now read an excerpt:

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m sorry… I should have left hours ago. This isn’t what is supposed to happen these days, I suspect.” Laura caught sight of the light shining from the corner of the closed drapes.

“The sun is up! I have no idea what time it is. What on earth is Mitchell going to think?” Laura started to struggle in an attempt to free herself from Trevor’s hold, tried to remove herself from his arms, his bed. Then, realising she was naked, she froze. How the hell was she going to make a gracious exit when she would have to hunt, completely naked in front of him, for her clothing? Any chance of her maturing body’s flaws remaining hidden in the room’s darkness was now fading as the sun rose. Not to mention the walk of shame she was facing, going home in the probably now rumpled clothing that she’d left home in last night. Laura groaned.

“Oh, this is so embarrassing. I’m not really up on the etiquette this sort of thing involves. You know, the morning after the night before. What the hell was I thinking?” Laura buried her face into the pillow, thinking that hiding from the world might magically make all her uncertainty and embarrassment go away.

She heard Trevor chuckling next to her, and anger was the first emotion to take hold.

“This might seem funny to you, but I’m not some young bunny that hops from bed to bed. This is my first one-night stand and I’m a mother, for goodness’ sake. What will I tell my son? ‘Yes, Mitchell, it’s okay for me to stay out all night without letting you know, but heaven help you if you do the same to me—I’m the only one allowed to worry in this family.’ Not to mention the fact I’ve never stayed away from home before. No, I’m sure Mitchell is feeling just fine that his accusations proved correct, that we did end up in bed together. My God, what must he think of me?” And if the embarrassment of admitting her lack of a sex life hadn’t been enough to completely humiliate her, then bursting into tears left her in no doubt.

Sydney-born Donna Gallagher decided at an early age that life needed be tackled head on. Leaving home at 15 she supported herself through her teen years. In her twenties she married a professional sportsman, her love of sport -- especially rugby league -- probably overriding her good sense.

The seven-year marriage was an adventure. There were the emotional ups and downs of having a husband with a public profile in a sometimes glamorous but always high-pressure field. There were always interesting characters to meet and observe and even the opportunity to live for a time in the UK.

Eventually Donna returned home a single woman, but she never lost her passion for watching sport, as well as the people in and around it.

Now happily re-married and with three sons Donna loves coffee mornings with her female friends, sorting through problems from the personal to the international. But she's on even footing with the keenest man when it comes to watching and talking rugby league.

Donna considers herself something of a black sheep in a family of high achievers. Her brother has a doctorate in mathematics and her sister is a well-known sports journalist.

An avid reader, especially of romance, Donna finally found she couldn't stop the characters residing in her imagination from spilling onto paper. Naturally rugby league is the backdrop to her League of Love Series, published through UK publisher Total-E-Bound, spicy tales of hunky heroes and spunky heroines overcoming adversity to eventually find true love.

http://www.donnagallagherromance.com
http://facebook.com/donnagallagher63
https://twitter.com/donnag63
http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=251
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1866

Conspiracy of Silence by Glede Browne Kabongo - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're spotlighting Glede Browne Kabongo on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the suspense novel, "Conspiracy of Silence".

The author will award an Italian leather journal to one randomly drawn commenter (US only), so comment today AND follow this tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Glede, why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

The funny thing is, I got into the psychological thriller genre by accident. It wasn’t until I became serious about my writing that I realized from a publishing perspective, books needed to fit within certain genres. The stories that intrigue me the most as a reader are the ones that have a bit of everything: secrecy, suspense, high stakes, and strong characters in extraordinary circumstances. It just so happens that those were also the kinds of stories I wanted to tell. I’m one of those readers who always need to understand motive and what drives characters to do what they do. Nothing makes me crazier than investing in a story and there is no payoff as far as motive. The psychological fiction genre allows me the luxury of delving into internal characterization as well as motive.

I have fun writing about female characters who seem to have it together on the surface but once you start digging, there’s that “holy cow” factor. I think any reader who picks up my books will find something they can relate to with the characters but I’m also cognizant of the fact that there aren’t many African-American authors writing in this genre or represented as heroines in psychological thrillers. As an author, I see an opportunity to explore something that hasn’t been tapped to its full potential.

She has the perfect life—and a secret worth killing for.

Nina Kasai is a gorgeous, Ivy League educated executive who would do anything to keep her past a secret, even from her husband. Seventeen years ago, she ran for her life and the truth has been locked away in the pages of her hidden diary, and in the mind of a disturbed woman who will never tell—ever.

When Nina lands the cover of a prestigious business magazine however, she can no longer hide from the powerful enemy she escaped. Phillip Copeland wants to be the next Governor of Massachusetts and he’s not above using his power and influence to silence Nina. He warns her to keep quiet about what happened all those years ago—or else.

As the stakes are raised, both politically and personally, Nina realizes the only way to win this game is to tell the truth. But who will believe her since her diary has been destroyed, and the only other witness isn’t talking?

Nina’s one chance at reclaiming her life hinges on a dramatic courtroom battle where nothing is as it seems. And when the verdict is read, four lives will be forever altered.

Marc paced back and forth on the living room floor, his face laced with anger. It didn’t take long for Nina to discover the source of his wrath. He held up a photograph of Nina and Sonny Alvarez.

“Are you having an affair?” he asked, his jaw twitching.

Nina took two steps backwards, as if the damning photograph would cause her physical harm if she got close. She knew who had sent it and she berated herself for underestimating how low he could sink. By her way of thinking, Phillip figured if her marriage fell apart, she would come running to him and he could get her to do whatever he wanted. It’s the way he manipulated people: get them in a vulnerable state and then swoop in for the kill or make some grand sweeping gesture that would get you all happy, and before you realized what was happening, it was too late.

“That’s a strange question, Marc. When have I ever given you reason to think I was being unfaithful?”

“Never. Until now.”

“Babe, you’re getting worked up over nothing,” Nina said calmly. “Sonny and I are old friends from Stanford. I met him for lunch to discuss business.”

“On a Saturday? You said you were spending the weekend with Charlene. Look at the date on the bottom.” He shoved the photo into her hands.

“It was a quick, unplanned trip. Sonny works for a research company and Jack came to me with the idea of hiring his firm. I told Jack I would take care of it because of my connection to Sonny. I wanted to get it out of the way—one less thing on my plate during the work week.”

“Why haven’t I heard about this Sonny until now? And if there’s nothing going on, why lie to me about going to Charlene’s?”

“I already explained that, Marc. I told Jack I would take care of it because I knew Sonny personally.”

“So your boss called you on a Saturday, mentioned this research firm and you just decided to hop on a plane to Baltimore, just like that?”

Nina wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and took deep calming breaths.

“Marc, I swear I’m not having an affair with Sonny or anyone else.”

“Then can you please explain this? It came with the photographs.” He pulled out a white sheet of paper from his back pocket and handed it to her.

Your wife is a liar. You deserve the truth.

Gledé Browne Kabongo began writing at age 14 when she covered soccer matches for her hometown newspaper. She has also written for the Patriot Ledger and Metrowest Daily News, two Massachusetts based newspapers. She earned a master’s degree in communications from Clark University, and once had dreams of winning a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. These days her dreams have shifted to winning the Pulitzer for fiction, and a Best Screenplay Academy Award. For the past decade, Gledé has worked in senior marketing roles for organizations in the Information Technology, publishing and non-profit sectors. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Author website: http://www.gledebrownekabongo.com
Twitter: @gkabongo

Buy links

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Silence-Gledé-Browne-Kabongo/dp/1475945671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347649769&sr=8-1&keywords=glede+browne+kabongo

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/conspiracy-of-silence-gled-browne-kabongo/1112772082?ean=9781475945690

iUniverse
http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000581049/Conspiracy-of-Silence.aspx

Minotaur Revisited by David Gelber - Review tour and giveaway

Full length historical fantasy

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions.

David will be awarding a $100 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of his tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win an awesome prize!



Legend states that the Minotaur was confined to the Labyrinth, slain by Theseus and then laid to rest by thousands of years of Greek mythology. But, the truth is far different. Read the Minotaur’s own words as he recounts his full life as god, king, warrior, matchmaker, midwife, monk, sage, father, mother, husband and, most of all, witness. The fierce Minotaur lived to see and be a part of the best and worst of humanity during a life spanning thousands of years. Part bull, part human, the Minotaur struggled to find his place in this world and, in the end, left his unique mark on history.



Minotaur Revisited is a retelling of the Greek myth of the Minotaur--only this time it's told from the Minotaur's POV. His name is actually Quinton Arbus Taurus Aegus Minos, but he prefers Minotaur because that name commands respect--at least more than Quint or even Mini as one of his lady friends likes to call him.

According to the legend, the Minotaur devours seven youth and seven virgins every year and was killed by Theseus. According to Minotaur Revisited, the Minotaur is a vegetarian and made a deal with Theseus--the Minotaur would pretend to be dead and would leave the country and Theseus would have the honor of having slain the Minotaur. Even though Theseus tried to double-cross the Minotaur, Quint had been too clever for him and managed to escape anyway.

Then he began his travels around the world and through the ages, taking part in some of the most important episodes in history: the Israelites escaping Egypt, raising the Queen of Sheba, the crucifiction and resurrection of Jesus-- and meeting people in history and fiction. Each of these vignettes just go to show him, however, that he is still not free even though he is out of the Labyrinth. People still want to use him for their own purposes (if you ever wondered why vampires live so long, this book will let you know).

Parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny, while other parts will make you want to cry. The only drawback I found in the book is that, because of the format (the Minotaur is telling the story of his life to a group of students), there is a lot of "telling." The "show, don't tell" rule is thrown out the window, so the reader might not get as drawn up in the story as they might be. Even with that, however, this is a fun read and would be a fun movie... hmmm.. who could we get to play the Minotaur??

4.5 flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.

David Gelber, a New York native, is the seventh of nine sons and one of three to pursue medicine. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1980 and went on to graduate medical school in 1984 from the University of Rochester. He completed his residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, followed by three years as attending surgeon at Nassau County Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. Gelber has since joined Coastal Surgical Group in Houston, Texas.

Gelber has been a surgeon for more than 20 years, but over the last few years he began to pursue his passion for writing, initially with his debut novel, "Future Hope" (Emerald Book Company, January 2010). The novel speculates about future Earth and what the world might have been like if man had not succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. "Joshua and Aaron" is a sequel to "Future Hope" and follows the battle of wills that transpires between unsung hero Joshua Smith and satanic Aaron Diblonski.

Dr. Gelber has added two books about surgery, "Behind the Mask" and "Under the Drapes", both of which provide the reader with a view of the world of surgery rarely seen by those outside the medical professions. "Last Light" is an apocalyptic short story which starts off asking the question: "What would happen if nobody ever was sick or injured?"

"Minotaur Revisited" is an entertaining romp through history seen through the eyes of Quint, the famed half bull half man monster of Greek Mythology. It was in October 2012. Gelber was raised in reformed Judaism, but joined the Presbyterian Church 15 years ago. He is married with three teenage children, four dogs and 24 birds of various species. His interests include horse racing, mechanical Swiss watches and, of course, writing.

http://www.davidgelber.com/

The Wisteria Series by Bisi Leyton -Virtual tour and giveaway

Today we're featuring author Bisi Leyton on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the dystopian YA Wisteria series, which includes "Wistera" and its sequel, "Myopia".  You can read my review of "Wisteria" here.

Bisi will be awarding a $15 Amazon GC, so comment today AND follow her tour! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning.  Just click on the tour banner for a complete listing of her stops.

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

Sixteen-year-old Wisteria has embraced her deep bond with eighteen-year-old Bach, a member of a supernatural race called the Family, despite the risk of his family finding out. Should Bach’s people discover his bond with a human, Wisteria will be guaranteed a painful and bloody death—but somehow, being together is more important.

Their bond is tested when empirics, an elite group of Family investigators, are sent to the Isle of Smythe under the orders of Bach’s father to find artifacts stolen by the humans. They’re to find the artifacts at any cost. Among the empirics is Bach’s old friend, the stunning Alba, who has learned about Bach and Wisteria’s secret relationship, and surprisingly accepts this. With no one else in the Family to turn to, she becomes Bach’s ally and confidant, but possibly more.

As the empirics start to take over the town, Wisteria is torn between trusting Bach and the safety of the humans on Smythe. She soon realizes that she and Bach are on opposite sides of the war between the Family and Humans, and there is no middle ground. One of them must choose a side.

Enjoy an excerpt from "Myopia":

“I promise when I know for certain what is going on, I will tell you and we will help Coles understand, but right now my father has gotten involved and that makes everything more complicated.”

“Why?”

“For one, if he finds out I am communing with a free human.” He shuddered. “I do not know what he would do.”

“Probably not any worse that my mum, if she finds out you’re here right now,” she joked and stopped playing. “She’ll kill you and your dad will murder me.”

Pulling the guitar out of her arms, he put his arms around her.

They’d spoken about the gravity of their relationship a few times, but they’ d never been able to figure a way out that would result with one of them walking away unharmed. The threat wasn’t her mother. Although she didn’t like Bach, since Major Coles had welcomed him into the island, the worst her mother could do was lock Wisteria away.

His father was a different story. Bach’s father was the Sen of the Third Pillar within the Family. He was a powerful leader who on more than one occasion had killed free humans for communing with members of the Family. There was no vice considered more heinous, disgusting and malicious as willingly loving a human. The price of that was blood—human blood.

Both factors resulted in them meeting in secret for the last four months. They settled on the church clock tower, weeks before he’d left for Jarthan.

“Do you want me to tell Coles you’re back?” She stretched herself across the lush rug. “Did you get him a present too?”

“There is a lorry full of ammunition parked at the end of the bridge, leading to town. I am sure Major Coles knows I have returned. I also brought him some medicine he said the hospital needed.” He pointed at several white boxes which sat in the corner.

“Bullets and pills,” she murmured. “Nice. Anything for my mum?”

He looked at her as if she were insane. “She would shoot me in the face if she ever saw me. The only reason she would not torture me is because I saved her life.”

“So basically, you’re saying my mother isn’t good enough for a present?” She glared at him.

Rubbing his temple with his right hand, he tried to explain. “Listen—”

Laughing, she hugged him from behind and laid her head against his back. “I’m joking.”

“That is not funny.”

She kissed the back of his neck, and then lay back down.

“Your mother is…” He turned to talk to her and saw her adjusting her skirt over her legs.

He was taken aback by how beautiful she was. Many people, human or Family, couldn’t see it for some reason, but she was the most beautiful woman he knew.

She finally noticed his stare and bit her plump bottom lip. “What’s wrong?” Frowning, she sat up.

He shook his head. The thoughts he was having were not something he could share with her.

“Are you all right? You’re completely red and you never turn red.” She touched his face tenderly.

It seemed to burn him and he backed away. “I am fine.” The images in his mind changed to what he’d like to do with her. He wondered how many escorts she’d had and what it would be like for him to really love her.

More pictures flashed through his mind and some didn’t make any sense. The last one was of him and the Seven Elders standing over the cliffs overlooking the Astolat River, as his brothers tried to drown a tanned half-human half Famila baby—Their baby. Did this actually occur and he was just now remembering it, or was it a fear he had harbored, should they ever conceive a child? “I have no intention or interest in a physical relationship with you,” he abruptly blurted out. Nothing good could come of anything like that happening between them.

She gave him a blank stare. “Okay.”

“You mentioned earlier that we had not talked about something. I am guessing that is what you meant.”

“Um, yes,” she said quietly.

“It cannot happen between us,” he replied.

Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Wisteriabooks
Current Blog: http://bisileyton.blogspot.com/
Old Blog: http://bisileyton.wordpress.com/
@bisileyton
http://www.goodreads.com/Bisileyton
BookTrailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_TWuWK_bbY&feature=context-cha and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvC9iJckrs4&feature=context-cha

Free Paranoia short story for anyone who signs up on my mailing list (from Smashwords)

Wind's Aria by Tess Stockton - Virtual Review tour and Giveaway

(Short, fantasy romance)

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions.

Tessa will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win an awesome prize!



Elected as the Songstress, Aria takes her place on the sacred platform to sing before every dawn. As long as she does so, peace and abundant life belong to her people. One morning, amidst a strange wind that brings with it a curse in its eerie howl, Aria loses her ability to make music. But the encroaching death that transpires isn’t her biggest tragedy. It’s that she adores the cause of her blunder, for he’s a magnificent winged creature who’s stolen more than her voice.

With evocative imagery and clear description, author Tessa Stockton takes us to a world where the sun rises in a cloudless sky every day and there is never drought, thanks to the songstress, Aria.  But then, one day she stutters in her song and everything changes.

Aria was a simple, sweet girl who didn't seem strong enough to do the tasks eventually given her.  She was focused and pure, was never to marry and would live her life to sing to the Sacred One.  That she begins to question things makes her an enemy of the state, and that she believes her behavior is the cause of the destruction of her land is a heavy burden of guilt to bear.

The Il Bora is a fallen angel, follower of the serpent and tasked with Aria's destruction.  But he, too, begins to question and he, too, doesn't discharge his duty as charged.  Instead he gets to know Aria, and he falls in love.

The change from idyllic to dark is rapid and frightening for Aria.  Everything she believes and understand changes.  I admired her fortitude for stepping up to do what needs to be done, no matter her fear and worry.  She is stronger than she appears.

The Il Bora never felt evil, despite his origins (and his master).  There was never a question that he'd do what was right which, had he been written differently, might have made the conflict stronger.

Still, Wind's Aria is an eloquently written fantasy that had enough story to have been a much longer work. I think, had there been just a few more pages,  it would have better met its potential, as some parts felt a bit rushed.

I did truly admire the author's writing skills, though, and would be most willing to read work by her again.

4 Flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.



Now enjoy an excerpt:

Fog continued to dance around them covering most of his body, to her dismay. Just curious, she convinced herself. She closed her eyes and squeezed the bridge of her nose to concentrate . . . something that seemed hard to do at that moment.

“Feeling better?” The smooth notes of his words swam through her ears.

“Mmm.” She nodded. “I guess.”

He continued to stare.

Aria cleared her throat. “Um . . . can I ask you a question?”

“You may ask . . .”

“But will you answer?”

“That depends.”

“Oh. Well. How did you get to be so huge when all the Meleyans are rather small? And why haven’t I seen you before?”

“That’s two questions.”

“S-sorry.”

He exhaled a steady stream of air, adding to the mist, as if deliberating.

Aria felt the strength of his breath, blowing strands of her hair across her face.

Slow, yet with precision, he lifted a lock from the curve of her mouth and rubbed the strands between his fingers. He murmured, “Soft and orange, like the petals of prairie-tails.” Then he bent and smelled her hair, closing his eyes. “And sweet like the honey of bees.” Again he held her gaze. The corner of his mouth twitched upward. “Do you have a sting?”

“I asked you a question first—”

“Two,” he corrected. Then he smiled.

A veteran of the performing arts and worldwide missions, Tessa Stockton also contributed as a writer/editor for ministry publications, ghostwriter for political content, and she headed a column on the topic of forgiveness. Today she writes romance and intrigue novels in a variety of genres. In addition to her fantasy romance, WIND’S ARIA, she’s the author of suspense/thriller, THE UNSPEAKABLE, political intrigue/romance, THE UNFORGIVABLE, and a literary short story, LOVE AND LULL, with more in the works.

www.TessaStockton.com
https://twitter.com/TessaStockton
https://www.facebook.com/tessastockton

Publisher's Bookstore: http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/winds-aria/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Aria-ebook/dp/B00B1FEC2A/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358431989&sr=1-4&keywords=tessa+stockton

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winds-aria-tessa-stockton/1114146612?ean=2940016000206

Steel Rose by Barbara Custer - Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Barbara Custer on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the Sci-Fi Horror novel, "Steel Rose".

Barbara will award one randomly drawn commenter at every stop a backlist eBook – it could be City of Brotherly Death, Twilight Healer, or one of her Night to Dawn magazines, and one randomly drawn commenter on the tour will receive a $15.00 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, winner's choice, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Barbara was brave enough to share five things about herself we might not know. Let's get the ball rolling ...

Five Things You’d Never Guess about Barbara

People who’ve read about me know about my balloon hobby, fear of skeletons, and love for horror and science fiction genres. Tonight, I’ve decided to share five things that might surprise you.

1. Let’s start with identity – before I married, my last name was Citeroni. I am 100 percent Italian descent, but most people find that hard to believe because of my fair skin. I don’t know any Italian but I can cook and bake some great recipes. I’ve learned them from the best cook—my mother.

2. Before I had the joint reconstruction surgery in my hands, I used to enjoy deep-sea fishing with Mike and my brother. I’d gotten pretty good at baiting my own hook and catching flounder and sea bass. Alas, I did have my bouts with seasickness. All up, I had a great time on the boat.

3.  A confession: When it comes to coffee, I have expensive taste. I buy all my coffee from the Ocean City Coffee Company. Why Ocean City? On our last pleasure trip, Mike and I visited Ocean City, NJ, and we bought coffee at their store. They really know how to package flavored coffee. I’ve tried cheaper brands, but didn’t like the taste. When I go to a restaurant, sometimes I make coffee at home and bring a thermos of it with me.

4. When I was in high school, I thrived on Mad magazine. I continued reading Mad through my twenties, and people around me scolded me for not taking an interest in literary subjects. A fellow I dated tried to get me interested into what he called “good” literature. This didn’t happen, and my “unsophisticated” tastes were part of the reason we broke up. Well…if these people could see me now.

5. A lot of writers have superstitions about their work, and I’m no different. If I start a new project, I won’t discuss it with anyone, lest talking about it too much depletes my motivation to write. For example, I’ve been working on a prequel for Steel Rose, but I don’t feel ready to talk about it yet. If I get a “maybe” letter from a publisher, etc, as in a request to send the manuscript, I’ll keep it under wraps until I know the outcome. Revealing too much too soon might jinx it. My best writing happens when I’ve put laundry into the dryer. Maybe the noise from the dryer soothes my muse. Whatever the reason, it works.

Sometimes they come back. At least the Kryszka aliens do. Their leader injects captured humans with a drug, turning them into zombies. Yeron escapes the Kryszka colony, hoping to practice medicine on the humans that fear him. Alexis, a patient, is afraid, too, until his seductive attentions arouse her. Despite his experimental drug, severe arthritis leaves her too weak to handle most guns. The Kryszka troops and zombies who break into the hospital are hungry. Very hungry. How will she fight them?

Excerpt:

Silence. Her splints flashed white against the gloom. The footsteps started again, outside the window. Kneeling beside her mother’s bed, she shone her light toward the window. A tunic-clad woman stood outside, silhouetted against the moonlit night. The flashlight kicked too much reflection off the windows to see her face, but the intruder was too short and thin to be Laurel.

The footsteps stopped. The glass shivered. Alexis could hear so much now: the quivering window, the house creaking the way her joints did in the early morning, Robin’s soft weeping from the living room.

She gazed into the ominous night and then the window shattered inward, showering the bed and Alexis with glass slivers. A look up close and personal revealed the intruder’s fiery red eyes, needle-sharp teeth, and crooked snarl of hate. No, not hate...hunger.

“Oh, my God!” she hollered, and her cry betrayed her. Her ankle buckled when she tried to stand and run. She dropped her knife. The Kryszka grabbed her arm and flung her onto the bed.

She groped for the screwdriver and cried out at the glass slicing her right hand. Her back and neck hurt worse. The Kryszka withdrew a cylindrical device with her free hand. It looked like a plasma gun, the weapon that Steve had described. Its power would dwarf Alexis’s piece-of-shit weapon.

Hot stabbing ripped through Alexis’s spine. Something–an invisible force perhaps–rubbed her against the broken glass on the bed. This monster was dragging out the torture before killing her. Her right hand closed around her screwdriver. Despite the razor blades of agony slashing through her wrist, she pointed its tapered bit toward the Kryszka’s face. The creature was too busy drooling over her shoulder and neck to notice. Eyes rolled back and teeth gaping, the Kryszka angled for her right shoulder. Alexis sank the screwdriver into the creature’s left eye, slick as goose shit.

Barbara lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she works full time as a respiratory therapist. When she’s not working with her patients, she’s enjoying a fright flick or working on horror and science fiction tales. Her short stories have appeared in numerous small press magazines. She’s published Night to Dawn magazine since 2004.

Other books by Barbara include Twilight Healer and City of Brotherly Death. She’s also coauthored Alien Worlds and Starship Invasions with Tom Johnson. She enjoys bringing her medical background to the printed page, and then blending it with supernatural horror. She maintains a presence on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and The Writers Coffeehouse forum. Look for the photos with the Mylar balloons, and you’ll find her.

To contact her, e-mail her at barbaracuster@hotmail.com.

Visit her at:

www.bloodredshadow.com
www.facebook.com/barbara.custer
www.linkedin.com/pub/barbara-custer/10/aa9/bba
https://twitter.com/NighttoDawn1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Rose-ebook/dp/B00BA4JMJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361148090&sr=8-1&keywords=steel+rose+barbara+custer

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/steel-rose-barbara-custer/1114520237?ean=9781615728534

Lucky Charm by Marie Astor - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're spotlighting author Marie Astor on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the contemporary romance, "Lucky Charm". She's sharing an exclusive excerpt with us.

Marie is giving away custom made jewelry (US only) -- see the pictures over there to the left? Aren't they gorgeous?

So comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner at the top, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a prize!

Twenty-eight-year old Annabel Green is about to tie the knot with her college love, an aspiring author Jeremy Blake, but her plans for an ideal wedding are rudely interrupted when she catches Jeremy kissing his gorgeous book agent.

Shell-shocked by Jeremy’s betrayal, Annabel retreats into the quiet routine of TV dinners and solitary evenings. It is then that Annabel’s best friend, fashion designer Lilly Clayton, sets herself on a mission to draw Annabel out of her shell. In an attempt to persuade Annabel to keep an open mind on dating, Lilly takes Annabel for a stunning makeover, but after Annabel passes on a date with a dashing entrepreneur, Lilly decides that more drastic measures are needed. Lilly invites Annabel to see a palm reader who gives Annabel a lucky charm that is supposed to help her find true love.

A few weeks later, Annabel meets a new love interest, and as the two embark on a whirlwind romance, she starts to believe in the power of the talisman the palm reader has given her. But what Annabel doesn’t know is that Lilly is hiding a secret that could unravel her faith in her newly found luck in love.

Back at the apartment, Annabel unwrapped her purchases, laying them out on the bed. Suddenly, she was overcome with buyer’s remorse. She had spent close to three hundred dollars on lingerie. Big mistake, she thought - a mistake that would cost her. She would have to eat yogurt for lunch for a month in order to balance her checkbook after this splurge. It wasn’t as if she had money to burn. For now she was still the breadwinner, and every penny was accounted for in their tight budget. She could still scrap the whole idea and just return everything. Luckily, Bloomingdale’s had a very forgiving return policy. No, she thought, I want to give this a try. I want to do something special for Jeremy. And despite every practical thought that was thudding through her mind, Annabel had to admit that she felt her pulse kick as she imagined Jeremy’s reaction to the racy lace. She wanted to be irresistible to him.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was five o’clock. Jeremy should be here soon, Annabel thought. He had left her a message on her cell phone when she was at Bloomingdale’s with Lilly, saying that he would be running late, but should be home by six. She had tried to call him back, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

She hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower. After lathering up with passion fruit shower gel and meticulously shaving her legs, she toweled off and critically surveyed her reflection as she combed her long, brown hair. She had worn her hair the same length - slightly below the shoulder blades - for as long as she could remember. Maybe she should try something different – a pixie cut, like Lilly. In all the years that she had known Lilly, Lilly must have tried at least a dozen different hairstyles. Like the men in her life, her best friend’s hair constantly changed. Probably something like a bob would be more realistic or maybe just some layers for starters, Annabel thought, wary of drastic changes. She plugged in the hairdryer and began the familiar ritual of wrapping her hair, strand by strand, on a round brush under the hot stream of air. Afterwards, she applied a bit of mascara to her eyelashes and a light dusting of powder and blush to her face; just the right amount of makeup to make her look like she was not wearing any. She dabbed some perfume behind her ears.

Okay, this is the moment of truth, Annabel thought, as she stared at the lacy garments on her bed. She wriggled her body into each piece of the intricate ensemble, leaving the garter belt for last. Then, she unwrapped a pair of stockings that she had bought to go with the garter and attempted to fasten them to the garter strips – a task that was easier said than done, as she failed at it again and again, cursing the tricky garter clasps that kept slipping through her fingers. After almost ten minutes of struggle, she finally managed to secure the last strap and stepped into her black plumps. Not bad, she thought, straining to see her full reflection in the three quarter mirror that hung in the foyer. Of course, the extravagant attire she had on was not all that comfortable, but she was fairly certain that once Jeremy got home, she would not be wearing it for much longer.

Annabel checked the clock again. It was six o’clock. Any minute now, Jeremy would walk through the front door, and she would surprise him. A smile spread over her lips as she thought about what would happen next. She lit some candles on the magazine table by the couch and put out two cognac glasses along with the bottle of Hine that she had bought on her way home. It was Jeremy’s favorite brand of cognac.

But half an hour later, there was still no sign of Jeremy. Annabel propped herself on the couch, reaching for the TV remote, and immediately she felt the corset pinch her sides. She shifted this way and that, until finally attaining a half-reclined position that was somewhat comfortable. It took me all this time to get into this thing, she thought. I’m not taking it off until Jeremy comes home and sees it.

Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels This Tangled Thing Called Love, Lucky Charm, On the Rim of Love, romantic suspense, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection, A Dress in a Window. Marie is also the author of young adult fantasy adventure novel, Over the Mountain and Back.

If you would like to learn more about Marie’s writing, please stop by her website: www.marieastor.com or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Books by Marie Astor:

This Tangled Thing Called Love – a contemporary romance about overcoming one’s inhibitions, learning to tango, and finding one’s true love match.
http://www.amazon.com/This-Tangled-Thing-Called-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337972977&sr=1-3

Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.
http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Charm-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005BZL3L4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336842915&sr=8-1

Smitten at First Sight – a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Rim-Love-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

A Dress in a Window – a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Dress-Window-ebook/dp/B004E112TO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

Over the Mountain and Back – young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed.
http://www.amazon.com/Over-Mountain-Back-Adventure-ebook/dp/B008WF1Y78/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1350684616&sr=1-6

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.marieastor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_Astor
Twitter: @marieastor

Secret Desire by Susan Taylor - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're spotlighting Susan D. Taylor on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the contemporary erotic romance, "Secret Desire".

Susan will award one Nook Simple Touch to one commenter on this tour, so use the Rafflecopter entry below, and then comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Claire Robertson is a journalist living a vanilla life. Except when she’s alone at night where she wields her writer whip and stilettos inside her erotic fantasies. Tragedy blindly strikes, forcing Claire to return to her hometown and confront her past. And that past includes Dustin Murray, an old flame she ran away from when things became complicated.

Her life comes apart and she sends her editor the “wrong” story by mistake. One of her hot novels.

Amidst chaos, Claire has a choice: to return to her safe life back in Seattle or risk adventure, ensuring her smoxy fantasies come to life. Dustin has his own plans and isn’t about to let Claire go. Not when he proves he can handle her life and ALL her bedroom fantasies.

When things heat up, Claire must decide which road to take in life and love.

“I’m Thornton Maxwell…your attorney.” He turned away, but not before she caught his look of displeasure. “God. Woman, do you even know what a mess you’ve got on your hands? We need to talk. A real pressure cooker is about blow.”

Cynthia froze. This wasn’t part of her erotic fantasy. What was he talking about? Should she just come out and admit she had no idea of what was going on or get him to divulge what demanded damage control?

She pretended unconcerned boredom in an attempt to buy some time to think. “Someone’s got his panties in a real twist.”

This wasn’t the first time she’d needed legal. But if he was her new go-to man, she was tempted to screw more things up.

This was a conundrum. He was too damn good-looking. This type of man didn’t appreciate a dumbbell. Did he know how hard she worked or that sometimes contracts needed to be bent? “Explored” is what she liked to call it. Wasn’t that why McGavock Publishing hired a boatload of first-year attorneys anyway? Shoot, he was probably upset because his weekend golf game was about to be rained out.

He paced in front of her desk while raking fingers through his thick, dark hair. Cynthia noticed the way he flexed and moved his arms, his muscles pumping and expanding. He stopped, spun around, and marched back to her desk.

“Lewis, when you cross out clauses and write your own notes into a publishing contract, we don’t have a legal leg to stand on in court when an issue is disputed. The things you’ve included to get an author to sign without consulting legal is tying us in knots. The next time you promise a writer the moon, you better consult me first and NASA second. Not whatever pops into that pretty little head of yours. You need my help with this lawsuit, and I expect your cooperation. You might as well know now that’s going to mean during office hours as well as evenings and weekends.”

His finger was pointed directly in front of her face. She imagined sucking the tip until her sex-crazed brain finally grasped his message.

What? She was floored. Her stomach felt punched, the fist of surprise still lodged in her ribcage. Her mind reeled. It wasn’t possible. She was being threatened with a lawsuit for a couple of silly additions to a contract, and now this man expected her to drop everything. Was he joking? Slowly she inhaled.

“I’m innocent.” She stared back at him. “Sure, I’m not beyond bending the rules, but a lawsuit? No, that’s not possible; it’s impossible. You’ve got to help me.”

“We definitely need a sit-down. Not your usual brush-off and expectation for legal to jump through a hoop. This one is serious.” His gaze swept over her face and downward. The space between them crackled with static energy. He was more than steamed. But he was ready to step in and help her. A spasm of pleasure trilled in her veins. He was her knight in shining armor. She wasn’t the enemy. Not his at least. With all that pent-up fury of his, it was a shame to let it go to waste. He was handsome beyond belief…another time, over cocktails or at a party, she’d not think twice about what her body wanted. His dark eyes weren’t all anger…passion brewed there, pulling the cords to her attraction, making her skin tingle. Oh, my. He wanted to school her good. But maybe she could teach him a thing.

“Thor…Thornton, sit down.” She recouped her confidence. He was in her dominion. The door was closed. Her assistant always knocked before entering. The glass panels were mirrored. He was so near…all she had to do was reach out to him.

She met his bad-boy stare with excitement screaming in her ears.

“Please.” She was almost purring, beseeching him over the rim of her eyeglasses.

“Fine, I’m all ears.” He pulled up a chair closer to her desk. “Well?”

She studied him. If the man ever smiled, he’d be drop-dead gorgeous. She let the papers slip out of her fingers, and she pushed her glasses up on top of her head. Cynthia rubbed her ankles together, and his eyes fixed onto legs.

Ding, ding. Johnny, she had a winner.

She lifted her legs and stood, acting as if arranging her papers was vital. She felt, rather than saw, that his gaze was upon her.

“Client-attorney privilege?” She rounded the desk, trailing her fingers along the surface.

“Yes, whatever you share. Go on.”

“Where shall I begin?” She stopped and leaned back on her desk, directly in front of him. Eighteen inches of space separated them.

“Haven’t you ever longed for something to the point of breaking a few rules? Just once?”

About the author: Susan D. Taylor lives in Tennessee with her husband, cattle dogs, cats, corn snake, and a gecko. A mother, lover of gardening, and a Registered Yoga Teacher.

Catch me here:

Website: http://taylormadefiction.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/romancebysusan
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SusanTaylorAuthor

or

http://www.facebook.com/susan.taylormadeyoga
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/susanarden/

Booktrailer: http://youtu.be/R7NMU0_qwjc

Playlist on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFWX0hWCbng&feature=share&list=PLYVx7MVN3tep96b26-kmVnv0PXnmlbubP

Upcoming Releases
Secret Desire – February 1, 2013 Contemporary Erotic Romance, Etopia Press E-book (Susan D. Taylor)
Branded By Desire – April 1, 2013 Western Erotic Romance, Crimson Press E-book & Print (Susan Arden)
Collared For A Night – 2013 Paranormal Erotica Romance -Rocky Mountain Shifters – Crimson Press(Susan Arden)
Ocean of Love – 2013 An Adult Fairytale – Amazon.com (Susan D. Taylor)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shameless by Cheryl Douglas - Review tour and Giveaway

(Full length, contemporary romance)

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions.

Cheryl will be awarding: two(2) - $20 Amazon Gift Cards to randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and one(1) - $20 Gift Card to a randomly drawn host. Also, Cheryl will be awarding ten(10) trading card/cover flat packs to randomly drawn commenters during the tour (US/Canada), ten (10)digital books from the Nashville Nights series (winner's choice) to randomly drawn commenters during the tour and two(2) Swarovski crystal necklaces to randomly drawn commenters during the tour (US/Canada), so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win an awesome prize!



Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts, but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He's desperate to make amends for the mistakes he's made and convince Sierra their love deserves a second chance.

Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves, and a man who loves her. Unfortunately, the man she intends to marry isn't the only one professing his love for her. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?



Mix one country singer who drinks too much with one wife suffering from the loss of their child and you get Shameless. This couple, still in love, are each wrapped up in their individual suffering and--like any good country song-- drift apart. But, the flame is still there and when they are thrown back together again the embers ignite. Is that enough to bring them back together again?

It was hard sometimes to like the characters, especially Trey. Even though he tells Sierra he was faithful to her throughout their marriage, he admits that the same night she told him she wanted a divorce, he had sex with another woman. And, in the five years since their divorce, he's publicly declared he's happy to be out of the marriage and has been paired with many other women.

Sierra, on the other hand, has moved on. She has a career she loves and a man she's engaged to. However, once she and Trey get back together--all bets are off. I admired Sierra for putting her life back in order and worried about her getting back together with Trey. But... this is a romance so we know how it will end :-)

The author did draw me in and make me care about the characters--even those who were unlikable. I hope there are more stories in store for the secondary characters. I would love to see them get their own HEA.

Rated: 3.5 Flowers - This was a good book. I liked it.

Cheryl began her professional career as a nutritionist, but her love of books started at an early age. She studied writing for many years before she decided to pursue her passion as a full-time career. After receiving constructive criticism from several well-known authors, Cheryl finally had the confidence to write her first romance novel.

The first book in the Nashville Nights series, Shameless, was a book that had been dwelling in Cheryl’s subconscious for years. For her, the surprise came when the manuscript began taking on a life of it’s own. Characters came to life, secondary characters became more prominent, outlines were forgotten, and a single title evolved into an eight book series, and another eight book spin-off series entitled Nashville Nights, Next Generation.

One word would aptly describe Cheryl: workaholic. She lives and breathes her writing, when she’s sleeping, watching TV, driving, reading… it’s always in the periphery of her mind. Her imagination rarely takes a holiday, even when she escapes to a sandy beach with her husband and son, she’s planning, plotting, outlining, and daydreaming.

Cheryl feels blessed to be able to get up every day and do something she loves. The thousands of fans who have embraced the Nashville Nights have made that possible. She writes for the readers who ask for more, she writes to satisfy the muse residing inside of her, but most of all, she writes because she couldn’t imagine doing anything else with her life. It took her thirty-seven years to decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, but now that she knows, she’s convinced she’s found her purpose.

Buy Links

Amazon Buy Link for Shameless:
http://www.amazon.com/Shameless-Nashville-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B007IO7C6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348953276&sr=8-1&keywords=Cheryl+Douglas

Barnes and Noble Buy Link for Shameless:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shameless-cheryl-douglas/1109801559?ean=2940033098941

All Romance Ebooks Buy Link for Shameless:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shameless-749624-149.html

Other Links

Website:
http://www.cheryldouglasbooks.com

Facebook:
http://www.cheryldouglasbooks.com