Nightstalker and Nightshades: March 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

Uncharted Storms by Jackie Anton

Blurb:

Weather is our constant companion, and when it behaves like a benevolent parent we pay little attention to it. Angry or out of control it becomes terrifying and can change the landscape as well as lives. So I asked my characters to take a ride on the wild side of weather. “Uncharted Storms” takes readers on a journey from a gentle summer rain to raging storms in the cosmos.

What if you were caught up in Uncharted Storms?

What if? Erica’s world didn’t come to an end in 2012 while she was in middle school? She manages to make it through college before an apocalyptic event changes her life forever. The science fiction story Terra Beyond 2012 shares Erica’s voyage.

What if? You and your best friend were traveling down the highway on the way home from an extended trip when you are caught in a blinding thunderstorm, and then are hit by lightning? To make matters worse you are injured, and wake in a strange world. Find out what happens to Chris in the tale Riding Lightning.

What if? You were on your way to meet a friend for dinner and caught in a flash flood? That is exactly what happens to Alexandra in the story Flashflood Texas Style.

What if? A boy you haven’t seen in two decades winds up sitting on your front porch? Find out what Casey comes up with on A Rainy Night.

What if? You were caught out in a winter storm on icy, drifted, walks and streets when a skidding car comes directly at you? Find out what happened to eighteen-year-old Annie when she is hit from behind in the short story A Tumble in the Snow.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Harvey by Krystal Shannan

Krystal will be awarding a necklace pendant depicting the cover of Harvey to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

BLURB:

It’s just a game…right?

Olivia Hampton never thought she’d run into the guy of her dreams at a Gaming Convention, but when Harvey MacLaughlin introduces himself a woman can’t help but notice. He’s six and a half feet of tall-dark-and-yummy. Plus, he's a gamer too. But, how do you tell the man of your dreams you decimate him at Soldier’s Call, the most popular FPS game of the year, almost every night?

Harvey MacLaughlin was interested in Olivia the second she stepped on the plane. When he sees her again in the convention hotel, introducing himself becomes priority number one. He may have started out just looking for company, but what he finds in the beautiful Olivia Hampton may be more than he ever dreamed.

Will a secret between them ruin their budding relationship? Or will Harvey take another path and turn the game on her?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

“The wheels are turning, Liv. I can see them. What are you thinking?”

“I was trying to decide if I should invite you back to my hotel room.” Whoa! Where did that come from?

His eyebrows raised, registering his surprise, and his pupils dilated, indicating he was very aroused. She licked her lips and swore she heard a low growl come from his chest.

Oh my God. He’s so sexy.

“Here we are, guys,” their waitress appeared with two plates heaped with steaming food. “Waffles and strawberries for both and then an extra plate of eggs and bacon for you.” She set the protein-filled plate in front of Harvey. “Also, a glass of orange juice.”

Liv reached and took the glass from her hand. “Thank you.” She sipped the sweet juice and stole another glance at Harvey. He met her gaze with silence.

What was he thinking now? She’d put it out there. Did he think she was crazy? Who sleeps with someone they’ve just met? Oh, God. He must think I just jump in bed with anybody.

“I’m sorry. That was really forward of me. I don’t...I just...” Now sentences wouldn’t even form. Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment. No doubt her face was redder than a tomato. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Done what? Gone out with a guy for dinner or slept with him?” His mouth didn’t curve into a smile, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. “I wouldn’t have a problem accepting your invitation if you chose to extend it.”

Liv took a bite of waffle, enjoying the crunch with the syrupy sweetness of the strawberry topping. She stared at her food and continued to eat in silence. His fork clinked against his plate too as he ate.

He wasn’t pushing or asking. He’d merely said he would accept if she offered. No pressure. But, what if she was terrible in bed again? What if there was something wrong with her?

Wouldn’t it be better to know right off the bat, instead of completely falling in love with a man and then finding out they didn’t want her because she sucked in bed? Her heart couldn’t take another bashing like Todd had dished out.

But, she didn’t want Harvey to think badly of her for being willing to fall straight into bed with him either.

She kept chewing and staring at her food. A few minutes later her plate was empty. She hadn’t said another word the whole time she’d been eating. Taking a deep breath, she looked up. His plate was clean too.

He was sitting casually in his chair, leaning back a little —watching her. He was gorgeous. She wanted to touch him. To feel him touch her. Damn it. I don’t know what to do.

“Can I walk you back to your room, Liv?”

“Yes.” The answer came before she thought about it.

He smiled and stood, extending his hand to help her up from her chair. She took his hand and fought the urge to shiver at his touch. He dropped some cash on the table and led her to the door. It was everything she could do not to plaster herself to his side on their way out of the restaurant.

The light breeze outside pushed the spicy scent of his cologne over to her. She took a deep breath and wanted to run her free hand across his chest. I’m going to maul him on the way across the street if I’m not careful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Paranormal Romance author, Krystal Shannan, lives in Texas and is married to the love-of-her-life. They have a spunky young daughter who believes in fairies. Krystal professes to loving shoes, but avoids wearing them at all costs. She teaches in the public schools and writes as much as she can in her free time. If any more spare time can be squeezed from her day, she enjoys reading romance in all genres, but especially paranormal. If it has a 'Happily Ever After', she's on board!

She is an active member in her local RWA chapter DARA.

Krystal Shannan

Putting Magick in Romance one Soul Mate at a Time.

Contemporary Romance

Indie Published

Available now @

Receive a free book for subscribing to my NEWSLETTER!

www.krystalshannan.com

www.theromancetroupe.com

Facebook Friend & Fan | Newsletter | Blog

Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon

Readers follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/virtual-book-blast-tour-harvey-by.html

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dispatches from Paradise by Shelley Gitlow

Shelley will be awarding an autographed copy of her book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour stops and comment ofter to snag a copy of "Dispatches from Paradise."

Blurb:

Author and screenwriter Shelly Gitlow makes her fiction debut in this colorful, lightning-paced, and often wildly unpredictable modern tale about sex, lies, and love.

From the very first page, DISPATCHES FROM PARADISE takes readers to the family battlefield of three generations of women living together in the sultry city of Miami -- where DD cups abound, octogenarians recite erotic poetry and an S&M Fitness class is not for the fainthearted.

Written in the distinct voices of Liz (39) who pulls the plug on her marriage and quits her job so she can re-boot her life, her over-sexed mother, Claudette (55) who’s searching for her next partner/meal ticket, and Darcy (18) Liz’s beautiful, reckless daughter who’s realizing she might also have a brain and be a lesbian, DISPATCHES FROM PARADISE explores the complex dynamics of the women’s relationships as they tear through Miami’s wild clubs and outrageous art scene, changing, growing and reconnecting on new terms.

Drawing upon her unique insights as a family therapist, author Shelly Gitlow gives readers three characters they will never forget. Her debut novel marks the arrival of a bold brash narrative voice.

Excerpts:

(MOM) LIZ: “I couldn’t stand my cheating husband and that soul-sucking bank job for one more nanosecond, so I declared my life a do-over and took action. Richard was shocked, but (surprise!) he moved in with his bimbo. And my co-workers freaked when I walked out, flinging my pantyhose over my shoulder like a bride’s bouquet. But with my daughter Darcy (a former drug user) away at college, I was about to fulfill my fantasies of opening an art gallery and learning to kayak. Then all hell broke loose. My nymphomaniac mother manipulated me into letting her move in, and Darcy quit school and came back home. How am I going to handle the drugs, the sex, and (worst of all), the telling me how to live my life?”

(GRANDMOTHER) CLAUDETTE: “What a day! First Liz called and interrupted me ….. Then [Alphonse] keeled over and croaked, and his heinous children kicked me out on the street. I practically had to get on my knees and beg my daughter to let me stay with her. She detests me because I have a sex life, but that’s who I am, and I’m not changing. Talk about cramping a gal’s style. How am I going to have any fun with her around?”

(DAUGTHER) DARCY : “OMFG. When I went to class and saw my Hotties Gone Wild video playing, I knew it was time to haul ass out of that stupid college. The only place I could go was home, which seriously sucks. My mom kicked my dad out, not that I blame her, cuz he’s a total dog. But the crappy thing is that she’s positive I’m still using, so she’ll be all up in my business. Grandma’s here, which is way cool cuz she’ll help me get into modeling. And as soon as I have the bucks, I am so out of here.”

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Miami-based author Shelly Gitlow is the co-writer of the feature film Boynton Beach Club and the author of the novel Dispatches From Paradise. In her former life, she was a family therapist and wrote several books on quality management. She divides her time between New York City and Miami.

LINKS: www.shellygitlow.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellygitlow#

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dispatches-From-Paradise-Shelly-Gitlow/dp/0983937877

Books & Books: http://www.booksandbooks.com/book/9780983937876

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dispatches-from-paradise-shelly-gitlow/1116010900?ean=9780983937876

Sunday, March 9, 2014

K.F. BREENE guest blogs - So you want to write a book.......

So you want to write a book…

I should probably start a tally of the amount of times I hear something along the lines of, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

My answer is always—then do it!

Let’s not forget, I’m an accountant. I love my trade. I love working with spreadsheets and moving numbers around. And yes, I realize this makes me a nerd to most people. My answer to that is a nod and a shrug. It is what it is.

I also love the arts. I’ve dabbled in drawing and pastels, I’ve acted, and my first major in college was film. So when I spend all day with my face in a spreadsheet, my creative brain starts to rebel. I then daydream about different worlds and different people. This leads into story ideas. This leads into a concept.

So how did I get started with writing?

I sat down and began typing the daydream. That’s it. It is literally as simple as that.

Get yourself amerced in your own head, and suddenly you’re halfway through a story and can’t wait to finish. It’s like a good book, only it’s your fantasies (this is not limited to sexual stuff y’all—get your head out of the gutter).

My latest work (Into the Darkness) is of a girl that learns she has magic. How cool is that? It’s fun hunkering down into her shoes and living life with her. Realizing with her that she was the one that beat the villain. And that hunk…yeah, you’re meeting and falling in love with him as fast as your fingers can fly across the keyboard. Why wouldn’t you write? It’s a fun way to do and be anything you want.

So if you’ve always been thinking to yourself—I could write a book. Or—I have an awesome idea for a story. Or—that book I started was pretty good; I should keep going with that.

I say this to you—get your butt to that computer and start typing. I’ll quote Finding Forrester, “No thinking - that comes later. You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!”

This is one of my favorite quotes. And so true. There is nothing like getting lost in a world of your own devising. You don’t think you’re creative (or you know that you’re not creative), then don’t tax yourself. Have your story set in your home town.

Don’t have any ideas for characters? Are you a hermit (without friends for inspiration)? Yes? Okay, fine, start writing as yourself.

No idea what would happen in the book? Who cares—walk out your door.

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” –J.R.R. Tolkien

It just occurred to me how many initials that guy had. Large name.

You know what they say about large names… Big…signature.

Anyway…

A character, maybe your mailman, gives you the evil eye. Is that because he killed someone last night and is worried you’re on to him? Or is it because he is the hottest guy you’ve ever seen in your life and wants you to stop being shy and go flirt.

Bottom line, react. Be a character (you count as a character) and react to things that happen. I find that through the reactions, which are split-second decisions on the keyboard, my characters are formed. And don’t worry if you finally “meet” your character halfway through the book. That’s what revisions are for. In film they say, “Fix it in post,” which means, fix it after the fact. To a writer, it simply means: revise. Finish the book, take your solid idea for a character, and then go to the beginning and incorporate those elements.

That sounds easy, so what’s the problem?

I know, Father Time. That guy is a huge jerk. Sometimes he’s around too much, but often he gives you a wave as he steals your stuff.

It then becomes necessary to make some trades. For example, I don’t watch much TV. Sitcoms don’t wow me that much so I’ve decided to write instead. Get lunch breaks? Well, if you’re in front of a computer, there you go. Write a few things down.

Not in front of a computer? Get a keyboard for your ipad.

Still living under a rock? Grab a stick, pull up some dirt, and make some magic happen.

When you can’t do those things, like when you’re driving, use my method of daydreaming: think about the story and what the characters do next. Then, once you start, you won’t be able to wait to get your hands on a keyboard. Or wrapped around a pen. What you first thought was mundane becomes a fantastic hobby.

Wouldn’t it be great if your hobby could also make you money? Well, then. No more excuses. Get to work.

Continue down this page for excerpts, Author information, and links. Be sure to comment and follow the links provided on the second half of this post to enter the Rafflecopter drawing for a $50. Gift Certificate to Amazon or B&N.

INTO THE DARKNESS by K.F. Breene

Rafflecopter giveaway link at the end of this post. Comment for a chance to win a $50. Gift Certificate.

BLURB:

I’d always been different. I saw objects in the night where others saw emptiness. Large, human shaped shadows, fierce yet beautiful, melting into the darkness. I collected secrets like other women collected bells; afraid to fully trust lest my oddities be exposed.

Until I saw him. He’d been gliding down the street, unshakable confidence in every step. It wasn’t just that he was breathtakingly handsome with perfect features. Something about him drew me. Sucked my focus to him and then tugged at my body. As his eyes met mine, I was entrapped.

No one had noticed him. He’d been right there, just beyond the light, but only I had perceived.

I had to know if he was real. Or maybe I really was crazy. And even when my secret box was blasted wide open, dangers hurled at me like throwing knives, I couldn’t stop until I unraveled his true identity.

I just had to know.

“She was fated to live.”

“Then why must you save her?”

“Often Fate is struck down by dumb luck.”

Excerpt:

Stefen approached the wide bed, looking down on the limp human, her angelic face devoid of color. Her arms rested on her chest, her body so still she looked dead.

A shot of fear pierced Stefen’s chest. “Will she make it?”

Luke’s head shook before he sighed. “She shouldn’t have made it last time. Yet she did. Something is holding her to this life.”

“My blood helped last time. Will it help again?”

Luke sighed, raising his eyebrows in a facial shrug. “If you can get her to drink, she might pull out of it. Might. She should be dead already; she’s largely catatonic. But…well, she survived last time, so who’s to say?”

Stefen nodded, allowing himself to bestow his gaze back to this woman that had a firm hold on his vitals for reasons he couldn’t understand or explain. The only thing he knew with certainty was that she could not die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A wine country native, K.F. Breene moved to San Francisco for college just shy of a decade ago to pursue a lifelong interest in film. As she settled into the vibrant city, it quickly became apparent that, while she thought making and editing films was great fun, she lacked cinematic genius. For that reason, her career path quickly changed direction. Her next goal was a strange childhood interest, conjured at the dining room table while filling out a form. For some reason, her young self wanted to be an accountant. Thinking on it now, she often wonders how she had any friends. Regardless, it was the direction she finally took.

While she could wrangle numbers with the best of 'em, and even though she wore the crown as the most outspoken, belligerent accountant in the world, her mind got as stuffy as her daily routine. It was here that she dusted off her creative hat and began writing. Now she makes movies in her head, not worried about lighting, shutter speed or editing equipment. Turns out, a computer is much easier to manage than a crowd of actors. She should know, she was an actor at one time.

Website: KFBreene.com

Twitter: @KFBreene

Facebook for friending:

Facebook author page (for liking): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKF

RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN Gift Card

<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e43465/">Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN Gift Card</a>

Comment often to increase your chances to win! Follow the link below to other blog tour stops.

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/12/virtual-book-tour-into-darkness-by-kf.html

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Make Me: Twelve Tales of Dark Desire

The authors will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

BLURB:

Take a trip to the dark side with 12 books by some of the hottest names in edgy romance, including USA Today Bestselling authors CJ Roberts, Eliza Gayle, and Aleatha Romig!

Pam Godwin - Beneath the Burn

Skye Warren - Wanderlust

Claire Thompson - Enslaved

Cari Silverwood - Take Me Break Me

Annabel Joseph - Comfort Object

Aleatha Romig - Consequences

Shoshanna Evers - The Man Who Holds the Whip

Annika Martin - The Hostage Bargain

Jasmine Haynes - Take Your Pleasure

Eliza Gayle - Play With Me

Pepper Winters - Tears of Tess

CJ Roberts - Captive in the Dark

Excerpt:

Excerpt from Consequences by Aleatha Romig

One evening, Catherine told Claire that Mr. Rawlings wouldn’t be home until late. Claire didn’t like vague terms like late. Normally she would wait in her suite to see if he came to her, but the day was scorching and she knew late could mean not at all. With the sunset, she decided to take a swim.

Walking to the pool, Claire realized she rarely ventured out of her suite at night. The house seemed eerily quiet, like a museum after closing. The staff were mostly retired to their rooms and the lights were low. Her flip-flops echoed as she stepped onto the marble floor at the base of the staircase. After four months, Claire didn’t need lights; she knew her way through the arches and into the sitting room. She paused at the windows and looked out to the pool. The water changed from pink to green to yellow to purple to blue to clear and back to pink. The deck lights were off, creating the illusion of a colorful abyss engulfed in complete darkness. She considered turning on the deck lights and decided against it.

Stepping into the summer night, the air sat heavy and still. The contrast from the air conditioning reminded her why she stayed indoors all day. Looking toward heaven she knew she made the right decision about the lights. The velvety sky glistened with a million stars. The water enveloped her body as she walked down the steps, its temperature barely varied from the air and she quickly submerged herself. After swimming a few laps she floated on her back, watching the sky and thinking about constellations. Suddenly, Claire froze.

Deep in thought and enjoying the stars, she realized Tony was standing at the edge of the pool. He’d been speaking, but her ears were submerged and she couldn’t hear him. Seeing his silhouette from the lights of the fountain startled her. She lifted her head out of the water to clear her ears and began to tread water.

“Tony, you startled me. Catherine said you wouldn’t be home until late.” She couldn’t see his eyes. She waited for him to respond. He stood in silence for a moment; she thought about talking. While she debated, he walked to a chair hidden in darkness. When he returned she could only see his silhouette but knew he was now nude.

Still not speaking, Tony dove into the pool. He swam up to Claire and wrapped his arms around her. Within seconds, Claire’s bathing suit disappeared. His actions were fast and rough. Their mouths united as their tongues wildly searched for one another. He moved from her lips to the nape of her neck and all places in between. The pool depth allowed Tony to touch but not Claire. She wrapped her legs around his torso, allowing him to support her. He continued to nuzzle her neck, lifting her body so her round supple breasts found his lips. His kisses became nips and he gently bit the tips of her hard nipples. Claire groaned with pleasure.

His hurried movements caused his bristled face to scratch her soft skin. However, the pain of his beard was quickly forgotten as the pleasure from his touch filled her consciousness. His mouth tantalized and his hands explored. Claire’s back arched as she pressed her breasts toward his mouth and wrapped her fingers in his wet hair. In the silence of the country night her moans echoed as her body convulsed. Though the night was hot, Claire’s arms and legs cloaked with goose bumps.

Tony eventually led Claire out of the pool, onto a chaise lounge. He resumed his exploration but not with his hands. They still hadn’t spoken. Claire’s mind teetered between the cognizant he doesn’t seem upset and the unconscious ecstasy. His actions slowed, became more deliberate and sensual, causing sensations deep inside of her. She held on to his massive shoulders and accepted everything he had to offer.

The carnal heat intensified by the night’s humidity instigated perspiration. Claire tasted it as her lips and tongue seduced his neck. The salty sweat mixed with chlorine creating an amazing potion. When he finished they were both moist, more from one another than the pool.

Panting, they lay still, listening to the cicadas and crickets. Finally, with a grin, Tony spoke, “Good evening, Claire.” His eyes were soft suede brown. “I wasn’t happy when you weren’t in your suite.” Claire started to speak but stopped as Tony’s finger lightly touched her lips. “But your idea of a swim on this hot evening was much better than what I planned.”

Claire smiled. They moved back into the water to cool off, but found that even in the water they had problems staying cool.

Author's Links:

Thank you for considering MAKE ME: Twelve tales of dark desire. We hope you enjoy your trip! Please check out the contributing authors to find out more about their books and upcoming events.

Aleatha Romig - Consequences

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Skye Warren - Wanderlust

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Eliza Gayle - Play With Me

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cari Silverwood - Take Me, Break Me

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Jasmine Haynes - Take Your Pleasure

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Pam Godwin – Beneath the Burn

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Annabel Joseph – Comfort Object

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Claire Thompson – Enslaved

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Annika Martin – The Hostage Bargain

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Shoshanna Evers – The Man Who Holds the Whip

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Pepper Winters – Tears of Tess

Website | Facebook | Twitter

CJ Roberts – Captive in the Dark

Website | Facebook | Twitter

For release week only, this set will cost $2.99. These full-length e-books would cost over $40 if purchased separately. This set will only be available for a limited time, so order your copy now!

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2UGR4I

(Note to hosts: Unfortunately, the B&N pre-order link is not up at this time. However, it should be up by mid-February, well before the release date of March 3^rd. Hopefully this link will find it easily, once it’s up.)

Readers follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-blast-make-me-twelve-tales-of-dark.html

Nightstalker and Nightshades

Friday, March 28, 2014

Uncharted Storms by Jackie Anton

Other Books by Jackie and Links

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Harvey by Krystal Shannan

Krystal will be awarding a necklace pendant depicting the cover of Harvey to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dispatches from Paradise by Shelley Gitlow

Shelley will be awarding an autographed copy of her book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Follow the tour stops and comment ofter to snag a copy of "Dispatches from Paradise."

Blurb:

Excerpts:

Sunday, March 9, 2014

K.F. BREENE guest blogs - So you want to write a book.......

Continue down this page for excerpts, Author information, and links. Be sure to comment and follow the links provided on the second half of this post to enter the Rafflecopter drawing for a $50. Gift Certificate to Amazon or B&N.

INTO THE DARKNESS by K.F. Breene

Rafflecopter giveaway link at the end of this post. Comment for a chance to win a $50. Gift Certificate.

Excerpt:

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Make Me: Twelve Tales of Dark Desire

The authors will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

About Me