Monday, April 29, 2013

SOUL TAKER BY KAREN M. NUTT!

Like stories about vampires? Then this is the one for YOU!
Check out SOUL TAKER by Karen Michelle Nutt


No soul is safe…

A vampire from the Grim Sith sept is sucking the souls out of young women from the Boston area, but this sinister crime is far worse than a vampire seeking substance. He’s selling the souls to the highest bidder and it seems business is booming.

A vampire, a werewolf and a Necromancer, are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker’s plans. It’s personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker’s charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.

 

~ * ~
The night awakened everything dark and foreboding, allowing them to walk among the humans. Garran MacLaurin would be considered such a creature, though with practice he learned to control his unusual appetite to destroy everything in his wake.

From the shadows, Garran watched Isabella Lucci lock her car, the beep of the alarm echoing in the hospital's carport. She wore a tan long-sleeve shirt with jeans, which looked tailored to fit her trim figure, and designer boots. She turned to go toward the hospital entrance, but something caught her attention. Her feet stilled. Her gaze turned toward him and apprehension crossed her delicate features. She took a hesitant step in his direction, clutching her purse like a lifeline. She scanned the parking lot, searching… For what? He stood still and waited. Finally, she turned and continued inside the hospital.

He would have to be careful. Isabella hadn't seen him, but he knew without a doubt she sensed him. Rare for a human to sense the preternatural world, but then again, if Harrison was correct in his assumptions, Miss Lucci could raise the dead. Garran waited a respected few minutes so not to run into Miss Lucci. Then he too, entered the hospital.


~ * ~
 

Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

Her Book, Lost in the Mist of Time, was nominated for New Books Review Spotlight Best Fantasy Book of the Year Award 2006. A Twist of Fate was a nominee for Best Time Travel P.E.A.R.L. Award for 2008. Creighton Manor won Honorable Mention P.E.A.R.L. Award 2009.

Her new passion is creating book covers for Western Trail Blazers and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing. In her spare time, she reviews books for PNR-Paranormal Romance Reviews.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.


Soul Taker by Karen Michelle Nutt
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Soul Taker on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
 
THANKS FOR STOPPING AT TATTERED PAGES!
XO AJ XO
 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Yummy Snippet Sunday with Caedmon Austiere

Welcome to another installment of Snippet Sunday, y'all. I'm feeling saucy today so I'm gonna pick up right where I left off last week...Rowena waking near Caedmon at their foggy campsite, after she places her icy palm on his stomach and he flinches. For the added visual, I've included a photo of Caedmon (Theo Theodoridis). I know. You can thank me later. Oh, and don't worry. The post will be up all day. Come back as often as you wish.
~ * ~

A girl had to wonder. Would the rest of his body afford the same enticement she’d found in his arms last night? Would it be as endowed as the blunt-tipped fingers he’d thrust through her hair? The opportunity for discovery was too tempting to resist.
 
The downy hair near his waistband gave way to a smooth expanse of sultry skin as she glided her palm higher, exploring the landscape of deeply grooved muscle in his chest and abs. Over one thickly toned pec and she cupped the curve of his shoulder, trailed her fingertips along his collar bone to the shallow dip in the base of his throat. His pulse vibrated through the thin skin and the hair on her nape tingled in anticipation. A heady pulse of arousal heated and moistened the inner folds between her thighs. A slow journey with her fingertips along his second collar bone and she continued her languid perusal, lightly dragging her nails down to the sweet circle of his left nipple.

It is just me or is in hot in here?
~ * ~
If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites:
Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Embrace the Darkness with Lilly Gayle!

I'm thrilled to have fellow Rose and the uber-talented Lilly Gayle visiting Tattered Pages today! She's here with a sneak peek inside her latest release, Embrace the Darkness. This one sounds DE-LISH! For all vampire fans out there, be sure to check out Lilly's blurb and excerpt after the interview!

Hi Lilly! I'm so glad you're here today. To start out our interview, why don't you tell us how your writing career began.


My 8th grade teacher, Miss Patricia Black asked the class to write a story using our spelling words. I filled up a spiral notebook. I wrote all that year and into the summer. Then, I entered high school, and writing stories seemed like a childish pursuit. But during my senior year, I fell in love with reading and writing, thanks to two other special teachers, Mrs. Joy B. Averette and Mrs. Marguerite Stem. I started reading and writing again. I joined the high school literary club. I even entered and won a writing competition on citizenship. But life soon got in the way. College. Marriage. Children. I still dreamed of writing, but it seemed like too much trouble. Then in 1995, my husband bought our first computer and told me to stop dreaming and start writing. We still didn't have internet then, but I started writing stories for my two daughters. It wasn't until 1997 that I decided to write romance. My dedication waxed and waned over the years, but thirteen years later, The Wild Rose Press published my first book, Out of the Darkness. My latest release, Embrace the Darkness is the sequel to OTD and the second book in what I hope will be a four or five book series.

Me too! These stories sound outstanding! So while crafting these most excellent romances of yours, do you stick to one sub-genre or write across lines?

I cross the lines. I write paranormal and historical. My historical books are all set in the Victorian Era, but one is a western, one is set in New York, and one is set in England.

I love, love, love Victorian Era romance! So when a reader cracks the spine on one of your babies, what should they expect for heat level? Do you keep that bedroom door open or closed?

In writing, I open the bedroom door all the way, but I've never crossed certain boundaries. There are just certain terms for body parts I don't use. Nothing that starts with a "C." lol! I've read books across the romance genre from inspirational and sweet to books far racier than the ones I write. But I don't read erotica. IMHO, BDSM and/or ménage is not romance. It's sexual fantasy and to each his/her own.

Gotcha! So, talk to me a bit about self-publication. Have you ever considered venturing into this area of publishing?

I have and did. My western historical, Helpless Hearts is self pubbed. My brother did the cover and the book trailer. He also did the book trailers for my paranormal romances. (book trailers available here <--CLICK THIS WORD)

Oh, how cool. I didn't know that! You've been holding out on me! LOL  I'm gonna go check it out! What about your reading preferences? You mentioned no erotica above. What’s on your nightstand (or downloaded onto your Kindle) right now?

Oh, wow! There are so many great books on my eReader right now. I wish I had more time to read. I just finished a book by Dean Koontz that I downloaded over a year ago. I did get a chance to read a good but extremely short story by Donna Steele in the doctor's office waiting room a few weeks back. Now, I understand why such short stories are so popular. It was a lot better than flipping through a year old magazine while I waited. I'm also currently reading two WIP's by two different critique partners. So, I'm always reading something. I just wish I had time to read more.

I hear you there, sistah! Never enough hours in the day.

And NOW FOR THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
Here's a peek inside Embrace the Darkness!

An experimental vaccine gives vampire Gerard Delaroche hope for the first time in two centuries—until two people are brutally murdered, and he suspects a conspiracy between vampires and mortals. To solve the crime, he must put his trust in a beautiful detective. But is former soldier and MP turned detective, Amber Buckley, a threat to his existence? Or the answer to his prayers?
 
Amber Buckley and her partner are assigned to do follow up interviews in the Lifeblood of America slayings. Amber believes she and Reid are just new eyes on a cold case. That is, until she meets Gerard Delaroche. Something about him teases long-buried memories Amber would rather not chase. However, the two join together, falling into more than resoulationg of a murder case. It seems Amber has come dark secrets of her own.
 
To find their way into the light, Amber and Gerard must first EMBRACE THE DARKNESS.
 
~ * ~
He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Stop pretending ignorance. You know what I am.”

“A vampire. Really?” She wanted to scoff, but a chill shivered over her skin. He wasn’t dead. And she’d shot him.

Maybe he was wearing Kevlar. But wouldn’t Kevlar show through that tight-fitting shirt?

Perhaps not. Still, there had to be a logical explanation.

Ignoring the warning bells clanging inside her skull, she shoved the Glock back in its holster and reached for the beer she’d deposited on the counter. She took another long, hard pull on the bottle, hoping to douse irrational thoughts.

Gerard inhaled sharply. His eyes devoured her.

Despite renewed fear, she managed to set the bottle back on the counter without dropping it.

He’s not a vampire. He’s not a vampire. He’s not a vampire.

“I’d give anything to drink beer again,” he said in a reverent voice.

Amber nearly laughed aloud. Her shoulders sagged. Gerard Delaroche wasn’t a vampire, and he didn’t want to drink her blood. He wanted a beer. Like a normal guy.

Hell, he probably was normal. She was the one off her rocker.

“Want one?” She forced herself to meet his intense stare.

He smiled. “Can’t. Vampire. Remember?”

Like that was something a girl could forget. It wasn’t every day a hot guy claimed to be a vampire.

Hell, maybe he was a vampire. The man could stop bullets with his chest.

He took a hesitant step closer. She stiffened and took another cautious swallow of beer. He stopped three feet away. Good. Sexy and crazy was a dangerous combination.
 
Oooo! This one sounds sooooo good! LOL
 
Looking to find out more about Lilly and her books? Here's where you can find her on the web (just click the links):
 
 
THANKS FOR VISITING TATTERED PAGES!
XO AJ XO

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Welcome to Snippet Sunday!

Super Snippet Sunday everyone and thanks for visiting Tattered Pages! Today's snippet comes from Caedmon's Curse, Golden Key Chroncles, Book II. The scene opens the morning following Caedmon's story of  Helios and the Nine (scroll down if you'd like to read about this lore).
~ * ~

Past the lacy shadows of her lashes, the fire had died to a pile of gray ash. Tendrils of thick fog snaked through the nearby trees, carpeting the small clearing in a clandestine blanket of white silence. High on a nearby branch rested the shadow of a large falcon, his head tucked beneath the feathers of one wing.

She rolled to her other side and the undulating heat of a sun-baked sand dune kissed her cheeks, emanating from a body of lean muscle wrapped in honey-gold skin. Caedmon lay on his back, deep breaths spilling from his slightly parted lips, ebony hair a curtain of night caressing his shoulders.     

Pressing her lips together to contain a smile, she eased closer and gently tugged his shirt tails from the front of his leather pants. She snuck her hand inside and he flinched when she placed her icy palm on his warm stomach. A low chuckle tickled the back of her throat. It was an evil way to wake him, but she wasn’t sorry in the slightest. After the gentle way he'd cared for her, his presence called to her a level much deeper than mere body heat could provide.

~ * ~

If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites:
Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday

Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Anniversary Celebration on Snippet Sunday!

Monday, April 15th marks the two year anniversary of the release of Jezebel's Wish so I chose a snippet from that story to celebrate! Whoot! In addition, Jezebel's Wish is on SALE NOW for $2.99 through The Wild Rose Press! Thanks for visiting today!
 


For the first time since Jeffrey’s death, it was as if there were some other being, some other creature in the world that understood exactly how she felt. It knew what she needed, without her ever having to say a single word. It offered no judgment, no prejudice. The horse didn’t care if her heart was full of shame or anger, if she was filled with guilt and remorse. All it wanted was to stand there beside her in the morning light, watching the stars slowly disappear one by one.
 
Jezzy sighed, tightening her arm as she experienced relief, sweet and utter relief for the first time in months. 
 
She had just met her first true friend since Jeffrey’s death. At long last she had found someone who wasn’t going to try to make her feel better, who wasn’t going to try to talk her to death or ask her a million questions. A friend who would be hers not because it felt sorry for her or had ulterior motives, but one that would just stand with her. To be ready if and when she needed him, a friend that would want absolutely nothing in return. 
 


Linkage:
Click any of the links below to see more about Jezebel's Wish!
Amazon Reviews Page
Goodreads Reviews Page
Pinterest Page
~ * ~
If you’re a writer (either published or unpublished) join the fun and share a snippet of your work in progress, a new release, or an oldie but goodie.
Participating Authors can be found at these sites:
Hashtags: #SPeekSunday #8sunday #snippetsunday
http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors for Eight Sentence Sunday
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group
If you leave me a comment, I'll be sure to recriprocate!


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Helios and The Nine

While working on my latest WIP, a fantasy romance entitled Caedmon's Curse, Book Two of the Golden Key Chronicles, I had to come up with the history behind Caedmon's religious beliefs. I knew who the key players were and how I wanted to the story to be relayed, but since this is my first foray into crafting a god and goddesses, I thought I'd share the story and see what you all think. And because, well, this story makes me happy.

The scene begins with Rowena and Caedmon bedding down for the night near the campfire...
~ * ~
 
A glistening panorama of infinite beauty adorned the sky. Wisps of white clouds drifted before a sea of shimmering pinpricks of light. “Look at all those stars,” she whispered.
“Helios’ diamond offerings.”
Frowning, she lifted her head. What was he talking about? “Excuse me?”
He searched her face a moment before a gentle smile tugged at his lips. “When the land was young, long before kings held thrones or beasts foraged the wood…” He slipped the leather tie from the tail of her braid and gently unwound the tight weave. “Helios reigned the heavens, his radiant light all-seeing, his strength far-reaching.”
Thick, blunt-tipped fingers speared through the sensitive hair at her nape. She shuddered and bit her bottom lip, her scalp tingling when he combed his fingers through to the tips of her hair. Her nipples hardened and moisture pooled between her thighs. A spasm quivered low, grasping and aching for a sweet invasion.
“Yet the sun god was lonely. So he called upon his mighty power, and from the air he breathed to life nine goddesses to inhabit his realm.” A second thrust of his hand through her hair and her insides liquefied. He clenched his fingers, massaging her neck. She tightened her jaw as her eyes fluttered closed. A muted buzz throbbed in her ears, a giddy flush swept her skin.
“In their infancy, the goddesses were frivolous, prone to mischief and folly. Helios soon determined none of them posed a good match for an ancient being such as he.”
A slight tug as his splayed fingers raked through to the ends and her hair tumbled and whispered along her back. Her reasons for denying him blurred and weakened. Soon, anything he asked of her she would freely give.
“An unforgiving god, Helios grew frustrated by his daughters’ constant pranks and cast them from his side into darkness, dividing them for all eternity.” Caedmon extended his arm and pointed skyward. “There is Cassiel, goddess of the harvest.”
Rowena twisted her shoulders, a hand pressed to his chest as she squinted at the small cluster of stars in the shape of a sickle. She turned back to him with a smile. Never in her wildest dreams would she have guessed this seasoned warrior could spin such an enchanting bedtime story. “And so?”
He smirked, eyes sparkling with delight. A large hand pressed her back and she returned her cheek to his chest. “Over time, the great sky god regretted his impatience and sought out his daughters in repentance.” His voice softened to a low murmur, vibrating her skin. All the worries she’d carried swirled into nonexistence and she became lost in the gentle cadence of his tale. “Helios chased after the night, growing ever closer, but his bright rays always alerted the nine to his presence, and his daughters fled from their father in fear.”
“Oh, that’s so sad.”
“Yes, but my tale has a happy ending. You must be patient.” A pair of supple lips pressed a kiss to the top of her forehead and she smiled and snuggled deeper against him. “The beautiful moon goddess Selene was aware of the rift between the mighty king and his daughters, for she had welcomed the nine into her realm, vowing to keep them sheltered from harm.”
“Uh huh, that’s because women are smarter than men.”
“Stop interrupting.” He smacked her bottom and she jumped, snapping her head up, her jaw unhinged. One shrewd eyebrow rose and he tsked three times, his palm rubbing the slight sting on her right butt cheek. “Be a good girl or I shall demand recompense for my tale other than a mere cozy by the fire.”
She narrowed her eyes at him even as excitement spiked in her stomach. A clear visual screamed into focus—all the titillating ways he might exact such a reward—the eagerness with which she would strive to fulfill his desires. “Finish the story.”
A rebellious smile toyed with her lips as she returned her cheek to his chest. Evidently the man harbored quite the playful side, as well. 
“The heart of the moon goddess grew heavy with sorrow, so she took it upon herself to visit Helios, intent to mend the violent schism between father and nine daughters. The moment she broke the horizon, he became enraptured by her beauty and blazed bright. He raced across the sky, aimed for goddess, for he knew, at last, he had found his true love.”
 An image of Caedmon, chasing after her during his homecoming celebration, swam into focus. How like Helios and Selene they had been that night. A cascade of delight tickled her heart and she sighed. “I love this story.”
Caedmon’s soft chuckle created the perfect bass undertone to the beat of his heart. His hand swept the length of her side and her eyes instinctively closed when he squeezed her shoulder. “Mistaking his passion for rage, Selene grew frightened by his scorching advance, for she had not the occasion to meet so radiant a being, and fled in terror back to her throne.
“The sun god chased after her, but no matter his speed, the moon goddess evaded capture, gathering the night near. In desperate search of refuge, she secreted her face behind the veil of her ebony cloak.”
A new moon. He was describing a new moon, the reason for its disappearance. Another smile blossomed and she drew closer still, twining a leg through his.
“Helios grieved for pale goddess’ return. Forever lost to him was the splendor of his utmost love. In a fit of despair and self-loathing, he rent pieces of his being and flung them from far from view. Yet with this sacrifice, hope sparked anew. For when the glittering flames appeared in Selene’s realm, she risked a peek from behind her dark shroud.”
Rowena rolled her head to the side. She blinked up at the sky and, for the first time, imagined the glowing crescent of the waxing moon as a frightened goddess, peering out from behind an inky curtain, on the lookout for the fiery god who so ardently pursued her. Another roll of her head and she touched her lips to Caedmon’s chest, breathing the scent of him deep into her lungs. Thank the nine, he hadn’t given up. If not for his persistence, she’d be alone now, cold and alone. Fighting the same desolation she’d lived since the day he’d been wrenched from her arms.
“The eldest of the nine recognized Selene’s curiosity. So driven by love and the chance to earn her father’s favor, Fortuna perched on the cusp of both realms, awaiting the moment she could ensnare the god’s attention and convey the rending of his spirit had not been in vain.”
Yes, yes, she’d seen that star. The one hovering on the horizon right before nightfall.
“Helios’ desires flared and seared hot when he learned all was not lost, so he tore out his white heart, split the chambers in his fierce fist and tossed the embers toward his love, night after night, until his diamond offerings lay scattered at her feet, lighting all the dark corners of her realm.”
A tear crept past her lashes and she held a breath against the aching sorrow constricting her throat. How much of this story was legend, and how much embodied the man in her arms? The similarities were too many to count.
“With each evening, as more and more stars appeared, Selene crept farther and farther from her hiding spot, until at last she stood, round and full, in awe of her sun god’s devotion. When next she broke the horizon, Helios remained centered, waiting, having learned patience should his love be quick to flee. As she slowly approached, her white pale to his fiery glow, they were joined as one and a vibrant brilliance bathed the land from sea to sea. Life sprang forth and prospered, abundance was made free. And from this, their eternal love, man was born.”

Rowena hitched a breath and held tight. Caedmon offered her that same patience even now. Even when she didn’t deserve it.
“Witnessing the divine proof of their union, the god and goddess rejoiced. Selene eventually made to depart to her throne, though she vowed to return, as she has throughout the ages, so the two can be reunited and all creatures may bask in their love.”
“Oh, Caedmon.” She sniffed and wiped at another bloated tear. “That’s beautiful.”
“Shhh, my love,” he whispered, squeezing her shoulder. “Sleep, now. You are safe. We have finally come home to one another’s arms.”
~ * ~

Monday, April 1, 2013

Are You Ready for ALL ACCESS?

With ALL ACCESS, a contemporary romance series begins
that explores, life, love, and music.
Join the five band members of Chasing Cross
as they find that there's more to life beyond the stage.
 
As a die-hard groupie, I know I'm ready! Welcome Karolyn James to Tattered Pages as she brings us a peek inside the first in her Brothers of Rock Series, All Access! Whoo Hoo!
 
I won’t admit my first concert because I don’t want to date myself, but I remember the feeling.  Standing in a crowd.  People cheering.  The lights going off.  And then these five men take the stage.  The lights come on and they’re playing one of my favorite songs.  It wasn’t on the radio… it was LIVE. 
 
Something about concerts just work… the live music… the atmosphere… and yes, the rockstars!  Who doesn’t love a sexy rockstar?
 
That’s where Brothers of Rock came from.  That question.  On the outside – or on stage – we see rockstars as the amazing creatures of men.  They’re big, powerful, and the command a room of thousands.  Plus, they’re rich and sexy.  I had the idea of a band in my mind for a while.  My travels in and out of the music world let me meet a lot of characters and I knew something had to come of it.  To be honest, when I started writing about a rockstar, it led me to my erotic romance series (Rock Her Curves).  The sexual ooze in the story couldn’t be contained and it couldn’t just be a romance novel.  No way.  That’s when I knew I had to go beyond the stage and the life.  I thought about musicians I knew and still know.  How they function.  And actually, how anyone functions.  All celebrities are people.  Sure, some are wild but some are just people.  That’s where I wanted to tap into it… each band member as a person.  On stage, Chasing Cross is a mega band.  Off stage, they are five people, five men with their own lives.  Their own problems, their own personalities, but yet, they all connect.  They aren’t a band… they’re a group of brothers.  And that’s the fun part of this series.  The band is in the books.  Even though each book follows a band member, the band is present.  With the release of All Access, readers get to meet front man Johnnie.  The second book (due in late April) follows guitarist, Davey. 
 
As of right now, I have five books planned but thanks to the support from readers, sending All Access up the charts on Amazon, I’m actually already coming up with a concept to expand the series more.  I love my readers! 
 
I hope you enjoy Chasing Cross as much as I enjoyed (and still enjoy) creating their stories.

Jess is caught off guard when a sexy stranger buys her a cup of coffee and asks her to sit with him. He's mysterious, nice, and even though he says the right things at the right time, Jess can sense that there's something hidden about him.

As Johnnie sits across from the beautiful woman, he can't believe she doesn't recognize him. Everyone does. It comes with the territory when you're the lead singer of one of the hottest bands in the world, Chasing Cross. With one more show to go before taking a small break in touring, it feels like luck is on Johnnie's side. That is, if he can find a way to tell Jess who he is, without scaring her off.

After her best friend begs her to come to a concert, Jess finds herself standing in the middle of a crowd. The lights are off, music begins, and the crowd erupts in cheers. She doesn't know much about the band, but that's all about to change. When the lights come on, Jess can't believe her eyes. The lead singer of the band is the man from the café.

Plucked from the crowd during the show, Jess makes her way backstage. The encore may have ended on stage, but the real show is just about to begin. Johnnie's passion quickly turns to romance but the more time he and Jess spend together, the more things get complicated. Johnnie has a big decision to make about himself and the band, testing his loyalty and love for the music, and when Jess's dreams start to come true, she starts to realize that true love exists, but it's not always an easy path to take.

You can find All Access and the Brothers of Rock on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. Just click the links!

A bit about Karolyn:
Karolyn James is the pen name for award winning author, Karolyn Patterson. She’s been published over 100 times, reached bestseller lists on Amazon, and writes in both romance and erotic romance. Her two newest series are the romance hits, Brothers of Rock, and the erotic romance series, Rock Her Curves.
 
DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW HER ON:
Twitter: @KarolynWrites

Thanks for visitng Tattered Pages,
and a special thank you to Karolyn for being my honored guest!
XOAJ XO