Friday 28 February 2014

Predator's Claim available for preorder!

I'm pleased to share Liquid Silver Books has made Predator's Claim, Gemini Island Shifters 4, available for preorder nice and early!



Excited to see how the series continues? This is a perfect chance to grab the book at a discounted price. You can find it at http://www.lsbooks.com/pre-order-coming-soon-romance-books-c322.php. This is the only preorder link until it becomes available for regular purchase on March 24.

I hope you'll continue to follow the series that many have grown to love, and join wolf shifters Bart Cairo and Charlotte Moffatt on their romantic journey.

 
Blurb:
 
For years, wolf shifter Bart Cairo has harbored secret feelings for his co-worker, Charlotte Moffatt. Even though he thinks he’s been discreet with his affections, everyone at Gemini Island’s Ursa Fishing Lodge knows he and Charlotte, a fellow wolf shifter, are meant to be mates. Everyone but Charlotte.
Charlotte couldn’t be less interested in mating. A free spirit, she wants nothing more than to succeed at her new career in the big city and leave small-town Gemini Island behind. However, she can’t deny Bart stirs up unwanted emotions inside her. Emotions she swore she’d never feel again.
The occasion of Bart’s family reunion compels him to assume new responsibilities, and to consider a role he never envisioned for himself. Family tensions rise to the surface as a new Alpha is proclaimed in his pack. And when old grudges escalate, Bart must stake his claim.
Charlotte resists as he stakes a claim on her as well. But when he begins to employ sexual tactics of temptation, she wonders if the only solution is submission to the enticing wolf man. Can she trust her heart again? And can they find their happy ending before an enemy cuts their story short?
 

Thursday 20 February 2014

LaVerne Thompson...Children of the Waves Series!

If you know me, you know I love anything to do with mythology. It stands to reason I'd be pretty excited to host LaVerne Thompson today with her new series Children of the Waves. Welcome LaVerne!

*********************************************************************


Thank you Rosanna for having me here today to talk about my latest series Children of the Waves.

 

Did you ever look out at the vast ocean and wonder, not just what’s on the other side of it but, what’s under it? That’s what I did, still do. For a long time I’ve wanted to write a story about the sons of Poseidon. But the concept of half human half fish never felt quite right to me. So I sat on the idea of writing about a race of beings who called the undersea world home. Then one day that changed. All it took was a trip to Virginia Beach and a rather large statue of Poseidon on the boardwalk and the world of Children of the Sea was born.

 

So don’t fear the water, but you must respect it.

 


Available Now

 

Sea Bride- Children of the Sea

By LaVerne Thompson

A fantasy romance

 

Blurb-

 

For 200 some years Xavior, a child of the waves, has searched the seven depths for his bride only to find her on land. How could a landwalker be his Queen, the one destined to stop the wars among the sea tribes? But one touch and he knew he'd defy Poseidon himself to make her his.
 
Cori Daniels hated the water; she'd been on board the luxury ocean liner for 2 days and hadn't left her cabin. But when she finally ventured on deck she met a man who looked like a sea god and tempted her like no other. But he tempted her to follow him into the sea.

 

How could she tell him she feared the water?


 

Excerpt-

 

Xavior left the party and went for a walk around the boat, hoping to clear his head and maybe get a sense of this bride he needed to find. He’d ventured on land often in the last twenty years and met many human women he hadn’t slept with, so he had no idea which one of these his bride could be. If the tales were true, he would just know her, because he would be so drawn to her, the pull would be irresistible. After walking around for an hour, he returned to their cabin, but feeling too restless to sleep, he made his way out to their private balcony.

The evening sky remained clear, the glittering points of light soothing, and the sea appeared calm, but he smelled a storm coming. It would arrive soon from the east. Until it did, he would take advantage of the calm. Sitting back in one of the lounge chairs, he put his feet up on the railing, closed his eyes, and turned his face toward the half moon. A familiar clicking noise made him open them again. The shadows of dark fins in the water caught his attention. He stood up and placed his hands on the railing, watching the dolphins play as they swam alongside the boat.

They spoke to him, wanting to know how his quest went.

Did everyone know he was on a bride hunt? Of course they did. Not so good, he told them.

We’re rooting for you, Prince Xavior, young lord of the sea. She is right under your nose. Beware, though. There is a storm coming not of nature’s making. Good luck! As one group, all six dolphins leapt into the air in a salute to him, then swam away to most likely spread the news that after over two hundred years their prince remained unsuccessful in finding his mate.

He would be the first heir to lose the throne. Pathetic. What did they mean she was right under his nose? Was the sea witch right? Is his bride truly onboard? He still didn’t fully believe, but perhaps, he just needed to have patience and he’d find her. But their words about the storm made him frown. Someone playing with the elements was never a good thing, and only one would dare. For the moment, he could do nothing about the white witch and her plots to keep him off the throne and continue the wars among the tribes. He had enough to concentrate on…He’d deal with her later.

 

Amazon Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Bride--Children-Waves-LaVerne-Thompson-ebook/dp/B00IGH5LV2/

 

COMING Feb. 27th

Sea Storm- Children of the Sea

By LaVerne Thompson

A fantasy romance

 

Blurb:

 

For so long Des’ life was a lie. She had to hide who she really was from the world. Her survival and that of her family depended on her continuing those lies. But it was never harder than when she had to lie to the man she loved.

 

She was lying to him. Zek knew the woman in his house, in his arms was the bride he’d searched for all of his existence. But as a son of Poseidon nothing and no one would stop him from claiming that which was his.

Bring on the lightning.

 

 

 

Excerpt:

 

The fluttering sensation coursing through his soul had Ezekiel swinging his chair around and standing up. He took two steps and stood in front of the bay windows, covering the entire back wall of his office. His view from his Cayman Island office home looked out over the blue green waters of the Caribbean. He watched several dolphins leap out of the water and he heard their song above the roar of the waves in his head. While he couldn’t exactly talk to the pod or they to him, this message all the Children would understand.

They brought him tidings. His brother Xavior had found his bride.

 

“Lucky bastard,” he mumbled. Then, he chuckled. At least one of them had mated. Zek ran his blunt fingers through dark shoulder-length hair. While he loved his brother, he disagreed with him. He didn’t believe just because Xav now sat as a king on Poseidon’s throne, the unrest in their world would stop. Xav didn’t really understand, or factor in, even the Children needed to evolve and they couldn’t do it while isolated beneath the seas.

 

The world on land had changed and they must, too. They were the children of gods, but not gods themselves.

 

 

BIO & CONTACT INFO

 

LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense and new adult romance under the pen name Ursula Sinclair.

 

She is currently working on several projects. Both of her daughters are now away at college. However, she and her husband don’t like the term empty nester. She’s added a cat to the household to keep the dog of the house company. Hopefully writing will keep her sane.

 

Visit her at http://lavernethompson.com



 

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Sammie J...Rock the Viper!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to writer Sammie J., author of the very sexy Rock the Viper. Hot guys, rocker romance...I'm so there.

Welcome Sammie!



Blurb:

With one touch can three people entwine their lives?
A night out for Peppa turns her world upside down and she finds herself in the middle of a growing attraction between two men. One being the man she has disliked for years and the other being a sexy drummer in an up and coming Rock Band called Viper.
Noah’s the owner of Devil Records and loves his life, he can have any woman he wants, and then with one touch everything changes.
Juan is different, and so are his band-mates. He wanted fame and fortune but what he didn’t expect was to find two people that would come to mean more to him then he could imagine.
With Peppa's ex-boyfriend, who can't let go, and a roommate that is out to cause nothing but trouble. Can the growing love between her, Noah and Juan bring them together or will secrets and lies rip everything apart?

WARNING...Ends with a cliff hanger, Contains M/F/M and M/M loving. The story is told from three different POV's. Written in British English. Graphic descriptions, sexual situations and strong language. 18+ advised.
 


 

Buy Links:




 

 

Author Links:



 


Author’s Bio:

Sammie J loves to read and, through her own dreams, her stories have started to take form. She finally decided to write things down when her dreams kept repeating every night, and she hasn't stopped since. She finds time to write while also being a stay at home mum to four children, who love to help her choose names for her characters. Her biggest supporter is her husband, who will stay up and talk to her into the early morning hours about her stories, and he isn't shy about giving her criticism.
Sammie J likes to think she has a wicked sense of humour and she hopes it comes through in her books to her readers. If she can make you laugh, then her job is done and she feels complete.

Friday 14 February 2014

Music to inspire romance.

Ah, Valentine’s Day.
 
 
As an author of romance books, I would be remiss to let it pass without commenting on it in some small way. After all, romance and love are my bread and butter. They are the air I breathe and the source of my inspiration.
 
Speaking of inspiration, I can’t help but be reminded of some of the romantic music that has inspired my writing. I’d like to share some of my faves with you today. Some of them may be new to you, some may be old favorites. They have all served as a musical backdrop to my writing process, and I hope they will inspire you as well. May your Valentine’s Day be a happy one, and filled with love.
 
“My Immortal” by Evanescence
I fell in love with this haunting tune the first time I heard it, and dust it off regularly to get myself into a paranormal frame of mind. To me, this song is about loving someone who has passed, someone who is never forgotten but no longer on the same plane of existence. It breaks my heart, but makes me feel there is something else out there. It makes me dream of a man who is something more than human, a perfect score for paranormal romance.
 
“After the Rain” by Blue Rodeo
If you haven’t yet discovered Canadian band Blue Rodeo, you really should give them a listen. They are famous in the Great White North for their country/rock music and lead singer Jim Cuddy’s tenor voice is just heart-wrenching. Their ballads, in particular, never fail to inspire me. “After the Rain” is about a love that has ended, and wishing you could go back and turn back time. My favourite line (one that grips me right in the ticker) is the one where he drinks to the queen of his soul. Sigh.
 
 
“Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum
How can one not fall in love with this song and its tones of desperate longing? I love the imagery of giving into temptation, of trying to lose oneself in a shot of whiskey. You just know by the end of it this couple will no longer be able to avoid each other. They sing of need and desire and inevitable surrender. Just breathtaking.
 
“Broken and Beautiful” by Suzie McNeil
Suzie McNeil is another Canadian artist I just adore. She is a cool rocker chick who can also sing a ballad like it’s nobody’s business. One of my favourite songs is “Broken and Beautiful” a piece that is about loving someone who is broken emotionally. It’s about being attracted to a man who is falling apart, and needing so much to be the woman who patches him back together. Very tortured hero, in my opinion, and very reminiscent of many of today’s damaged leading men.
 
“Feels Like Home” by Chantal Kreviazuk
Don’t know this Canadian songstress? Well, you might be surprised to know she is not only a talented singer, but also the songwriter behind many of today’s hit songs. So many of the songs I’ve highlighted today are about damaged loved or lost love. Well, not this one. “Feels Like Home” is a stirring, lilting tribute to great love. It’s about feeling safe in someone’s arms, about losing yourself in that special person’s eyes. I wish I’d written this song, it’s that beautiful. And if I was ever in a position where I had to sing a song to my beloved, this is the song I’d choose.
 
What are some of your romantic favorites?
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Haley Whitehall...Civil War Valentine!

It is a real treat for me to welcome Haley Whitehall to my Room today. This is Haley's first visit, and after reading about her romantic, new book, I know we'll have to have her revisit soon!




Geoffrey Chaucer and Valentine’s Day

In “Civil War Valentine” Charlie Bristol sets up a display chronicling the history of Valentine’s Day. This display shows many heartfelt works of art as the old valentines were homemade. I love the art in the Victorian era and the valentines were beautiful. I remember making my own valentines for friends and family when I was a child. I’m not sure many people do that much any longer. It is so easy to just drive to the store and buy a box of valentines. In a sense the holiday has lost some of its sentimentality and magic. I wanted to remind people of the magic of the holiday and to remind them of simpler times. I hope I succeeded in my novella.

Valentine’s Day didn’t start as a commercial holiday. February 14th became a day associated with love thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer. The author of Canterbury Tales wrote a poem in 1382 entitled “Parliament of Fowles,” about the day when birds choose their mates.  In the poem, an embodiment of Nature speaks to the birds:

Birds, take heed of what I say; and for your welfare and to further your needs I will hasten as fast as I can speak.  You well know how on Saint Valentine’s Day, by my statute and through my ordinance, you come to choose your mates, as I prick you with sweet pain, and then fly on your way.

Chaucer’s poem references a pre-existing belief, at least in medieval England, that February 14 is the day when birds choose their mates. So the mating day for birds transformed into a celebration of romantic love.



Blurb Love, Valentine Style (Civil War Valentine by Haley Whitehall)
Recently divorced museum curator Charlie Bristol comes to Seattle to set up a display at the Fine Art museum chronicling the history of Valentine’s Day. The director of the museum surprises her with a package of Civil War valentines from an anonymous donor. She reads the heartfelt messages and is touched by his words. Does such powerful love still exist?

During a nap she dreams she’s alive during the Civil War and meets Elliot Lowery, the author of the valentines who mistakes her for his fiancée Charlotte. She and Elliot negotiate the murky waters of wartime romance. When she wakes she’s still under the dream's spell and Valentine’s Day love is in the air, but Charlotte has no reason to celebrate. The man she loves died 150 years ago. Unless love works some miracle even time and death cannot overcome.

Excerpt

Blending patriotism and romance, that didn’t happen in today’s society. It was fitting for the Civil War though, and despite the gory words it touched her. Even the back of the valentine was a piece of art. It was embossed with an eagle on the top, a man dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier at the bottom left hand quarter and a drum surrounded by flowers in the bottom right hand corner.

“That’s funny,” Charlie mused. “This valentine is addressed to a Charlotte Adams. My maiden name is Adams.”

“Oh. What a coincidence. I didn’t look through all the valentines this morning, but it looks like all of them are to this Charlotte Adams from her beau, Elliot Lowery.”
A shiver rippled from her neck to her ankles. “Do you know anything about this Elliot Lowery?”

“No. I haven’t had time; the valentines just came in this morning. Based on one of the old envelopes, Charlotte lived in Illinois, so I’m guessing he was a Union soldier.”

“I see. Well, if I have time after setting up everything I’ll see if I can learn a bit more about the sweethearts. It would be fun to print up information on them to include with the display. People love to make the human connection.”

Maybe she’d even find a picture of this Elliot Lowery. This intriguing mystery would help distract her from her heartache. It was going to be a lonely Valentine’s Day. The first since the divorce became final. Perhaps she could pretend that these one hundred fifty year old valentines had actually been written for her.

Buy Links:
Available exclusively from Amazon

Bio:

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical fiction and historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit Haley’s website at http://haleywhitehall.com.

Haley loves to connect with readers. You can find her here:



Thursday 6 February 2014

Tara Quan...Catching Red!

Today's an exciting day because I get to host pub sister Tara Quan! I'm a big fan of her story Tower in the Woods, and am so glad to see the series is continuing with Catching Red. For more on this hot new book, read on.


Tipping My Hat to Little Red Riding Hood

I’d like to extend a huge thanks to Rosanna for having me over. This is my second visit to her blog, and hopefully she’ll invite me here again sometime soon.

When one’s writing is inspired by a much-loved tale, there’s a certain pressure to stay true to the story. Setting my romance after a zombie apocalypse made this challenging, but below are the key elements of Little Red Riding Hood I managed to preserve. (Spoiler Alert!)

1.      Scarlet “Red” Ryding wears a red hood(ie).

2.      She’s little (i.e., not an inch over five feet)

3.      Her quest is to return to her grandmother (I took liberties on the “why”).

4.      The W.O.L.F. waylays her mid-journey.

5.      (Agent) Woodsman saves her life (on more than one occasion)

Curious about how all this combines into an erotic romance? Read on for the blurb and excerpt.

Catching Red (Undead Fairy Tales Book 2)

Scarlet “Red” Ryding is on a mission. To prevent mass suicide, she must fulfill her grandmother’s evil wishes and return posthaste. With knives in hand, she dives headfirst into an abandoned hospital full of zombies. But after getting trapped within, she is forced to accept help from the world’s most dangerous predator—a man.

Covert Agent Marcus Woodsman received strict instructions against interfering in the affairs of nomads. As a spy for the Federal Military Agency, his mandate is to observe and report. But when he finds a little redhead caught in the center of a brain-eater swarm, conscience compels him to put his ax to good use. By the time he realizes this smart-ass scout comes equipped with a world of trouble, it’s too late—he would do anything to keep her safe.

As Red and her Woodsman work together to survive undead, brave a snowstorm, and bring down an evil cult, they learn to laugh, love, and fight for happiness. The second book in Tara Quan’s Undead Fairy Tales series, Catching Red is a post-apocalyptic thriller with a happily ever after.

Consolidated Buy Links: http://www.taraquan.com/catchingred

 

Excerpt

Scarlet woke to the delicious smell of charred venison and cooking fruit. The rusty feeling between her joints was gone. She rubbed her crusted eyes as she curled into a sitting position. For the first time in months, she felt energized and rested.

Her bed ended where the kitchen area began. Marcus stood in front of the wood-burning stove, his back facing her. Even with his neck bent and spine curved, his blond head grazed the low ceiling. He wrapped a thick cloth around his hand, lifted the cast-iron skillet, and turned in place. He plunked it down on the circular stone tray at the center of her small rickety table. Her first and only attempt at carpentry creaked but didn’t fall apart.

She lifted an eyebrow as she scrutinized the skillet’s contents—seared smoked venison covered with slices of dried apple. It was an interesting meal choice.

Perhaps in reaction to her quizzical expression, he turned his palms up and defended his creation. “The food store in your basement is a mess. This was all I could scrounge up.”

She frowned. “I packed and stacked everything in alphabetical order.”

His broad shoulders rose and fell. “Your system didn’t make any sense. You’ll have to explain it sometime. Either way, this beats the MREs I fed you during the snowstorm. Come on. Your breakfast is getting cold.”

She grabbed the worn quilt and wrapped it over her shoulders. She was about to lower her feet to the cold floor when she saw him shake his head.

He walked over to the foot of her bed. The length of his torso and arms easily spanned the small area separating the cottage’s sleeping and eating spaces. He leaned forward and grabbed the edge of the table with both hands. When he brought his elbows into his body, the piece of furniture with all its contents slid as if on wheels. It stopped a few inches away from the bottom edge of the mattress. He stepped around it, then pulled up the only chair, and sat.

Scooting over, she sniffed the food. The smell made her mouth water. “Why are you being so nice?”

“I’ve always been nice.” He used his knife to spear a piece of seared meat and raised it to his mouth.

Scooting over, she sniffed the food. “You only did it to get me to have sex with you.”

 

About the Tara Quan

Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, fantasy worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com

Sunday 2 February 2014

Pirates exist, and not just the dishy ones from the romance books.

Some time ago, there was a wonderful ground swell against book pirates. It was gratifying as an author to see so many in our community rally together in support of authors. It was almost easy to think we'd accomplished something and that book pirates somehow drifted into the seas of oblivion.

They haven't. And just when one pirate goes down with his ship, it seems another hoists the flag. The abuse doesn't seem to stop.

We all know stealing is bad. It's one of the first things our parents teach us when we are kids. It ranks right up there with not cussing and respecting your teachers. You just don't do it. And yet somehow it's become acceptable to sit back and download a free book from some shifty site. After all, authors make tons of money, right? Surely, we're all rolling in it. Well, that's not usually the case.

I don't know too many indie or small-press authors who write full-time. The lucky ones have been able to make it a full-time job, but most of us work elsewhere to pay the bills. And frankly, I got into writing for pleasure, not money, anyway.

So why am I ticked off when someone illegally downloads my books? Because they are worth something. Like any work of art, like any craft, they took time (read: months) to create. And not only do they reflect my work, they reflect the labors of others: editors, graphic artists, cover models, photographers, and so many people who work in the publishing field. If one steals from me, one steals from many.

What do you do to combat this evil? Oh, and I'm not being melodramatic. This is evil. Well, firstly, tell the author in question. We can then send take down notices or have our publishers do so. Can you report pirates? Well, it certainly doesn't hurt to try. I know many who've reported them to sites such as Google and Paypal. It always helps to hit them where it hurts: their chest of gold coin. And most importantly, we must resist downloading from pirate sites.

Chances are, your favorite author already has freebie books out there. Most of us take part in regular giveaways and sales. So even if one doesn't want to pay full price, there are often options. I know I have two freebie anthologies on the market, ones I am happy to share without a cost attached.

Thank you to everyone who has made legal purchases of my books. Because of your support, I can continue to write and bring you more stories filled with adventure, action and romance.

Heck, one of these days, I might even write a pirate hero. Just not today.