Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

November 23, 2016

Guest Post & Giveaway: David B. Coe

Outlanders

Bonding To Hawks: The Magic System in my LonTobyn Chronicle 
by David B. Coe

I am in the process of re-releasing my first series, an epic fantasy called the LonTobyn Chronicle. These are the Author’s Edits (like the  Director’s Cut of a movie) of the original novels, which launched my career, won the Crawford Fantasy Award, and established me both critically and commercially. The first novel, Children of Amarid, was re-issued in July. The Outlanders, book II, has just come out, and the third and final volume, Eagle-Sage, will be released in December.

Children of Amarid  (Lon Tobyn Chronicle #1)Not surprisingly, these books are incredibly important to me. I edited them before the re-release because I’ve learned so much about my craft in the nineteen years since the first book came out, and I wanted to apply what I’ve learned to this series. But the things I’ve loved about the books from the start remain the same: the characters, the storyline, and the world building and magic system.

This last, is particularly important because for many people it is the most striking and memorable element of the trilogy. The mages in my LonTobyn books draw their magic from avian familiars -- birds of prey with whom they share a psychic bond. This bond allows them to draw on the power within the birds to heal, to do battle and protect themselves, and to cast a host of other spells. The birds themselves are characters in the stories, and to this day people who can’t remember any of the titles will talk to me about how much they loved the books by saying “You know: the ones with the hawks and owls.”

I have been an avid birdwatcher since I was seven years old, and all my life I’ve been most fascinated by hawks and falcons, owls and eagles. I admire their grace, their strength, their stunning beauty. When I was planning this first series it seemed natural that I should incorporate raptors into the story in some way. And since there was a part of me that had always wanted a hawk of my own, this magic system struck me as the perfect expression of my passion for birds.

I did not actually use any of the hawks, owls, or eagles as point of view The Outlanderscharacters in the books, but many of my narrating characters are mages who share their consciousness with their familiars. So I needed to present the internal lives of their birds in a way that rang true, while also serving my narrative. Now, I know a lot about birds; I’ve spent most of my life watching them and learning about them. But I’m not a professional ornithologist, and even if I was I’m not sure I’d be able to interpret their thoughts, instincts, and emotions. So, being a writer, I tried to imagine what it might be like to try.

This was particularly challenging in the passages I wrote about mages beginning their bindings to their first familiars. The flood of non-human emotion, imagery, and memory overwhelms these characters. They have no experience with it, no way to process what the birds send their way. As I describe it in one character’s point of view,

“Through it all, clinging to the last scrap of his sanity, Jaryd fought to resist the tide, to impose some hint of rational order on the rush of chaotic thought. But there was too much to hold, too much to control. He was becoming more bird than man; he was drowning.”

In the end, he perceives a pattern in the deluge of thought conveyed by his bird, and holding on to that scrap of coherence, he manages to reconcile the Eagle-Sage  (Lon Tobyn Chronicle #3)hawk’s thoughts with his own. Eventually, as with all mages, he grows used to the bond he shares with his familiar. He finds that he is more aware of his surroundings, more attuned to the natural world. And when he wants to, he can instruct his familiar to fly and experience flight as the bird does, which was really cool to write.

Of course, I don’t know if sharing such a bond with a bird of prey would really be like this. As I said before, I’m not an ornithologist. I write novels, and my job is to imagine and create. I love all the books I’ve written, and I have tremendous fun with all my magic systems. But this first one, which drew upon my lifetime passion for birds, might well have been the most fun and the most rewarding. I hope you enjoy reading the books as much as I enjoyed writing them.


Giveaway

There is a tour-wide giveaway for 3 sets of CHILDREN OF THE AMARID and THE OUTLANDERS, and a $10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Giveaway runs Nov. 10 thru Dec. 15th. If you’d like to share, the Rafflecopter code is below. a Rafflecopter giveaway


About The Outlanders

Four years after the insidious, devastating invasion by agents of Lon-Ser, Tobyn-Ser’s Order of Mages and Masters is riven by conflict and paralyzed by The Outlandersinaction. From the outlander, Baram, they have learned much about their neighbor to the west: Unlike Tobyn-Ser, which is served by the Mage-Craft of the Children of Amarid, Lon-Ser is devoid of magic. Instead it possesses a dazzling and deadly technology that shapes every aspect of its people’s daily life.

Frustrated by the Order’s inability to act, Orris, a young, rebellious mage, takes it upon himself to prevent further attacks on his homeland. Taking Baram from his prison, he embarks upon a perilous journey to Bragor-Nal, an enormous, violent city in Lon-Ser, ruled by a brutal, feudal-like system of Break-Laws, Nal-Lords, and Overlords. As Orris soon learns, however, Baram has been driven insane by his captivity. Upon reaching his strange and fractured homeland, the man abandons Orris.

Armed only with his magic, Orris is thrust into a world whose language he does not comprehend and whose technology he can barely fathom. Together with Gwilym, a man with strange powers, whose vision of Orris has lured him out of the mountains and into the chaos of the Nals, and Melyor, a beautiful Nal-Lord who harbors a secret that could cost her life, Orris must end the threat to Tobyn-Ser without getting himself and his companions killed.

THE OUTLANDERS is the second volume of the LonTobyn Chronicle, David B. Coe’s Crawford Award-winning debut series. This is the Author’s Edit of the original book.

Goodreads link | Amazon |Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million


About the Author:

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the award-winning author of nineteen fantasy David B. Coenovels. As David B. Coe, he writes The Case Files of Justis Fearsson, a contemporary urban fantasy from Baen Books. The first two books, Spell Blind and His Father’s Eyes came out in 2015. The third volume, Shadow’s Blade, has recently been released. Under the name D.B. Jackson, he writes the Thieftaker Chronicles, a historical urban fantasy from Tor Books that includes Thieftaker, Thieves’ Quarry, A Plunder of Souls, and Dead Man’s Reach.

David is also the author of the Crawford Award-winning LonTobyn Chronicle, which he is in the process of reissuing, as well was the critically acclaimed Winds of the Forelands quintet and Blood of the Southlands trilogy. He wrote the novelization of Ridley Scott’s movie, Robin Hood. David’s books have been translated into a dozen languages.

He lives on the Cumberland Plateau with his wife and two daughters. They’re all smarter and prettier than he is, but they keep him around because he makes a mean vegetarian fajita. When he’s not writing he likes to hike, play guitar, and stalk the perfect image with his camera.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

August 26, 2014

Giveaway! The Beautiful Ashes Release date!

Oh, my! It’s finally here Frost fans! What better way to kick off the week, or at least my internet-is-finally-working week!

Sit back and enjoy the awesome! 


The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny, book 1) by Jeaniene Frost

the beautiful ashes

Release Date:  August 26th, 2014

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Grab it:  Amazon | BN | Goodreads


About the Author frost

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the upcoming Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her. For information on Jeaniene's books, reading the first 20% of each book free, book trailers, deleted scenes, creature mythology, and more, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website


Excerpt:

“What is that?” Adrian’s voice startled me. For a second, I was disoriented, the dream clinging to me as it always did. Yes, I was in a car, but I wasn’t the unknown woman driving away from her baby. That wasn’t real. The glare Adrian leveled at my chest was, though. “Is that a mirror?” He sounded horrified. I looked down. My locket was open, the mirrored side facing me. At some point while I was sleeping, I must’ve opened it. Adrian’s hand shot out, but this time, I was too fast for him. “Don’t you dare,” I snapped, holding it out of his reach. “It’s the only picture I have of my sister after you left everything I own back at that hotel in Bennington!” He lunged again, actually letting go of the steering wheel to reach the side of the car where I held it. With a sharp yank, he wrested the locket from my hands. I tried to snatch it back, but he shoved me into my seat with one hand, finally grabbing the steering wheel with the other. “Are you crazy?” I shrieked. “You could’ve gotten us killed!” If this hadn’t been a lonely stretch of desert road, our careening into the next lane might’ve had permanent consequences. “You’re going to get yourself killed,” was his chilling response. Then, still pinning me to my chair with that single hand, he held my locket up. I gasped. Logo2.pngSomething dark poked out of the small mirror, like a snake made of blackest smoke. It disappeared when Adrian smashed the mirror against the steering wheel, but an eerie wind whistled through the car, ruffling my hair and stinging my nostrils with its acrid scent. Adrian muttered a word in that unknown language, and I didn’t need a translator to tell me it was a curse. “What was that?” My voice was hoarse. He threw me a pitying glance, which frightened me even more. If he wasn’t angry, we must really be screwed. His next words proved that. “Brace yourself, Ivy. You’re about to meet a demon.”  


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February 12, 2014

Interview & Giveaway: Shona Husk

Shona Husk is one of my fave unique paranormal romance writers and I’m happy to host a tour for her newest book Temptation in a Bottle. Which released January 28th.


Interview:

Shera (Book Whispers): In your own words introduce yourself. Temptation in a Bottle Banner 450 x 169

Shona Husk: I’m Shona Husk. I live in Perth, Western Australia and I write paranormal romance, love dark chocolate and reading. When I’m not doing any of the above I do martial arts, running and I love to cross-stitch while I watch TV.

goblin-kingBW: Were there any particular parts that were hard to write?

SH: With this novella the first half was easy, but getting the second half right was much harder. After the hero lost his memory (as punishment for breaking his bottle) I still had to keep him heroic. It was a tough balance :)

BW:What can readers look forward to from you? What are your plans for the In a Bottle series, or other books?

SH: I plan to write another couple of In a Bottle novellas as they are so much fun to write. It’s always nice to write something short after finishing a novel. Later this month I have another sci-fi romance out, Lunar Reunion. And in the second half of the year I have two more fairy books out with The Changeling Soldier and To Love a King.

BW:You've done goblins and genies, any other unique magical creatures you'd like to writeThe-Outcast-Prince about?

SH: I’m halfway through my fairy series set around the Court of Annwyn. Fairies are a lot of fun because they are so devious and tricky. I’m also writing aliens at the moment for my sci-fi series Decadent Moon. And while I have a couple of other series in the works it’s nothing I can talk about…yet. There are some wonderful myths out there that would be fun to draw on like the draugr and also some of the old gods.

BW: Sounds awesome, and I look forward to these “secret” works!

What books would you recommend for readers of your books?

SH: My reading tastes are very eclectic as I read everything from paranormal romance to non-fiction. I love reading Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. The Kannon Dupree Series by Rhonda Roberts is a great time travelling crime series. And I enjoy Michelle Diener’s historical romantic suspense.

For people wanting to try some of my books I have several free reads on my website and The Summons is the free prequel to the Shadowlands series click here.

dark-vowBW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

SH: No, I just keep going and know that I can always edit it later. I sometimes turn to my critique group to brainstorm if I’m really stuck.

BW: For you personally, not your characters, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

SH: I have only ever written one shapeshifter (Brightwater Blood), and while he was lovely, I do  prefer vampires. There is something about a man with fangs. Plus vampires won’t shed on the furniture ;)

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important about your books.

SH: Readers can keep up with my latest news through my newsletter or through my facebook page where I also post all kinds of random things.

I’m also putting together a street team so if readers are interested in joining they can email me shona(at)shonahusk.com to be added to the group.


TempationInABottle_300dpi

Temptation in a Bottle by Shona Husk
Series: In a Bottle, book 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Grab it: Amazon | Goodreads

His only wish is to be free…
For centuries Gage has existed only to fulfill the most intimate desires of the woman who holds his bottle. Now Gage has a wish of his own—to be a real man and a have a real life even though he knows it’s an impossible dream. This time he plans to take his bottle and break it just to see what will happen.

Paramedic Sasha Watts has seen the damage falling in love does to people and she had no intention of being another of Cupid’s victims. She accidentally frees Gage without knowing what he is. After one kiss he walks away and she never expects to see him again, but the goddess Inanna has other ideas.

As punishment for breaking his bottle she erases Gage’s memory of everything but Sasha. Only Sasha can give him the life he longs for and only Gage can be the man she’s always dreamed of, but first she’ll have to open her heart and he’ll have to finish the job Inanna gave him. If he fails, he’ll cease to exist.

About the author:

Three time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian shona-huskOcean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she writes about heroes who are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold—sometimes literally.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Sourcebooks.

You can find out more at author’s site.

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

What’s up for grabs? A fabulous $20 gift card for Amazon! Just put your info below.

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December 5, 2013

Giveaway & Interview: Mary Abshire


Mary AbshireShera (Book Whispers): In your own words introduce yourself.

Mary Abshire: I'm just a single working woman with a wild imagination. I like to create worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. I enjoy creating stories with action, a dash of mystery, and seductive men who have passionate hearts.

BW: Revenge books are some of my favorite reads out there! How would you describe the type of revenge featured in this book? Dark, scary, funny, maybe even enlightening?

MA: The revenge in my book is dark and funny, but not too funny. My protagonist, Katie, wants to hunt down the person who murdered her lover. Her best friend, Jules brings a sense of humor to Katie's dark and serious world.

BW: Did you have a favorite character to write, or do they all get your love equally?

MA: I enjoyed writing about Katie and Jules the most. They are different people yet they have a best friend bond. Ben and Riker are good characters too. Riker is more a pain in the ass, whereas Ben is a civil man. Ben also has a special interest in Katie, but she only sees him as a good friend.

BW: Riker is the bad boy, what was the process when you were coming up with him?immortal_revenge

MA: I wanted him to be a thorn in Katie's side. I thought of Eric Northman from True Blood. He has his loyalties and he's a strong, don't fuck with him character. But he also is unpredictable. He's a bad boy with a good silent heart.

BW: Were there any particular parts that were hard to write?

MA: Actually, the entire story flowed smoothly. I had to do a little research on bullets. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a retired detective to get his opinion. As for the action scenes, I visioned them in my head in slow motion.

BW: What can readers look forward to from you? What are your plans for the Legacy series, or other books?

MA: I'm taking a break at the moment. In 2014 I'll start writing the next installment in the Legacy series. I have plots for two more books. I also plan to write another paranormal romance for the Midnight Gardens series.

BW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

MA: I don't turn to an author for inspiration. I work out problems on my own. Usually I step away from the scene, do some chores or whatever. I try to get it out of my head, but not completely. The distraction often helps me return to the problem with a resolution. I think about things way too much, so I need some kind of small distraction.

BW: For you personally, not your characters, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf  love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

MA: Oh, that is too damn difficult. Vampires are my favorite, but I also like werewolves. That's why I wrote a romance with one of each--Welcome to the Neighborhood, which came out in August. I'm on both teams. LOL

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important about your books.

MA: Immortal Revenge is my first book to be available in print. I'm so excited to be able to hold a copy in my hands. And I have! Woohoo! I hope readers enjoy the story because I loved writing it.


Giveaway:

Looks like 5 E-copies of Immortal Revenge by Mary Abshire, good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 


Excerpt:

“Oh my God!” Jules’s eyes enlarged as they pointed at Katie’s hand. “Is that a knife?”

“Yeah, it’s okay. I know how to use it.”

“There are details about your life I really do not want to know about. You told me he taught you how to fight with weapons, but I guess I never…”

“Put two and two together?” Katie grinned. “That’s not like you, detective Jules.”

“I know. I guess I overlooked the gory details. Blood and guts have never been my forte. I like action. Give me Mission Impossible and CSI, but leave out the gruesome details.”

They stopped upon reaching the entrance to the barn. “Roller skating disco lover turns FBI crime scene investigator. I think there’s a book waiting to be written for you.”

Jules chuckled. “Maybe I should write it. The first crime to solve is the death of her best friend’s lover.”

Katie’s grin slowly flipped upside down.

“Or not.” Jules rubbed her hand along Katie’s arm. “I’m sorry. I really wish this didn’t happen.”

-----------

“I need cigarettes.”

She glanced at Jules. “You quit smoking years ago.”

“I need one. Pull over.”

Katie checked the mirror, braked for the passing car, then swerved into the next lane. She turned into the lot of the gas station and took the empty spot at the end of the building.

“I’ll go in with you,” she said as Jules pushed her door open.

Keys and purse in hand, Katie stepped out of the car. She walked to the sidewalk where Jules stood, but her friend blocked her from going any further.

“Can I see your keys?” Jules held her hand in front of her.

“Why?”

Jules snatched them from her hand, then stepped around her. “I’m driving.”

Shocked by her friend, Katie spun and stared at her. What happen to her craving for cigarettes?

Jules opened the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Katie watched in a frozen state as her friend claimed the driver’s seat and shut the door. When the engine roared, she decided she’d better hurry and find out what the hell Jules was doing.

She flopped into the passenger seat and stared at Jules.

“You were driving like a maniac and I was about to lose my lunch.” Jules backed out of the parking spot and briefly met Katie’s gaze.

“I was not.” Katie half-laughed, half-argued.

“You were doing 55 in a 35 and dodging cars like you were Frogger.”

--------------

“You lied to me.” His unkind tone warned her she stood in dangerous territory with him.

“I’m sorry. Jules is my best friend, a sister to me.”

“I don’t give a fuck who she is. You lied.”

Heat rushed to her head as her temper ignited. “I lied because I can’t trust you. You want to clean up the mess as much as Kyle’s assassin does. Jules didn’t do anything to deserve a memory cleansing.”

“The existence of vampires must remain hidden.”

“Why? Because you’re afraid of an uprising?”

“We don’t need any more trouble. Our own kind is destroying us.” He growled, showing a bit of his fangs.

“I’m well aware there are bloodsuckers killing off the good vampires. My boyfriend was one of the good guys. Remember?”

“He was one of the best. I will never forget him.”

---------

“Your friend would have lived if you had told me about her. But since you didn’t and the vampire can now find her, you may have sealed her fate.”

“Now you’re saying you wouldn’t have erased her memories?”

He stepped toward the door. “I never said that. I said she would have lived.”

“Wait. I’m going with you.” She searched for her shoes near the bed.

“You’ll stay here and wait until we return.”

“But--”

“If the vampire shows up before I do, he won’t waste time with your friend. Trust me, you won’t want to see her when he’s finished.”

An arctic wave brushed over her. The thought of finding Jules tortured, mutilated and left for death terrified her.

“Let me go with you. If the vamp is there, we can end this tonight.”

“No.”

“No? You’re arguing with me?”

“You can’t fight like this. You’re not prepared and you are in no means in control of your emotions.”

Blood rushed to her head. “Fuck you!”

“My point exactly.”

-------

Ravenous flames devoured the headless body pinned to the makeshift cross in the front yard. Katie stared, frozen in shock as she sat in her car. Chills shot down her spine. Her gut instinct told her the body burning was her boyfriend, her lover for the last nine years.

Smoke drifted into the car from the vents. One breath triggered bile to rise in her throat. She shoved the door open and bent. Her dinner came out in a mad gush, flying onto the driveway. Tears streamed down her cheeks while her stomach muscles tightened. More of the disgusting fluid rocketed up to her mouth. Pain and heartache overwhelmed her mind, body and soul. He was gone. Forever. He’d said the word countless times over the years. The meaning of the word never hit home, until now.

Sirens screamed through the night, moving closer by the second. The irritating sound intensified the deep throb in her head. She vomited again, unable to control the spasms. Through the thick smoke, she smelled gasoline. Oh God, they’d poured it on him to make sure he couldn’t survive. As if decapitation wasn’t enough.

Bright lights flashed in the darkness as they headed toward her. She’d stopped in the middle of the long driveway, not far from the burning cross holding her lover. Two police cruisers rushed from the road and came to a stop behind her car. Large fire engines blaring their horns passed them and her vehicle. They drove by so fast her vehicle swayed slightly.

“Katie?” Officer Hildebrand asked. She recognized his voice from having served him drinks at the bar every Friday night when he was off duty. “Katie, are you all right?”

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she watched him jog toward her. He passed her and stopped a few feet in front of her car.

“Holy mother of…” He directed his gaze to the burning cross. “Is that a body?”

Another violent spasm hit her stomach. Teeth clenched and lips tight together, she held the urge to barf again, but she couldn’t stop the flood of tears pouring from her eyes.

“Ben, would you stop looking at it and help her out,” Officer Charles Donahue said, walking toward them. His deep smoker’s voice identified him anywhere.

“Katie!” Officer Hildebrand blurted out as if he’d forgotten about her. He rushed toward her and stopped short where her dinner lay on the ground. “Are you all right? Did someone hurt you?”

Unable to speak, she shook her head. Grief stabbed her in the heart. Why? How? Who? Something such as this shouldn’t have happened.

Officer Donahue stopped a few feet to the side of her door and took off his hat. His white hair gleamed thanks to the bright flames. He stared at the sight on the front yard. “My God.”

Officer Ben reached across the circle of puke and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you injured? Do you need medical attention?”

She shook her head again as more tears ran from her eyes. Gone. Kyle was gone. How could this happen? The question repeated in her mind.

“Ben, why don’t you drive her back to the station?” Officer Charles said. “I’ll take her car and meet you back there in a few minutes.” He placed his hat back on his head and straightened it.

“Katie, would you like to come with me?” Ben asked softly, as if he were a parent speaking to a young child.

Katie straightened her tense body. From the gap between the car door and the front windshield, she stared at Kyle’s farmhouse. Large flames leaped toward the sky and consumed the structure. Firemen carrying long hoses ran toward her home, but kept a distance. Clearly they couldn’t save it. God, so many memories. So much passionate love shared. So much laughter and happiness occurred within the walls.

“Come on,” Ben said, wrapping his fingers around her arm.

She grabbed her purse sitting in the passenger seat. Leaving the keys in the ignition and the car running, she slowly rose and avoided the disgusting mess on the ground.

Ben kept his hand on her arm while he escorted her toward his vehicle. She walked with her head up and as much poise as she could gather, but her heart ached fiercely. More tears escaped her eyes. Everything she owned and ever cared about was gone. She had nowhere to go.

Ben helped her into the passenger side of the police cruiser, opening the door and closing it once she was situated inside. Katie’s lip quivered as she stared ahead at the bright flames devouring the home she’d known for the last eight years and the one man on earth she’d loved. He was invincible, a fighter to the end. He was strong, smart, experienced, a teacher and lover at heart. He was also immortal.

About the author:

Mary lives in Indiana and is a lifetime lover of the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy. When she's not slaving away at her government job, she is a Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author. She creates fantastical worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. Dive into her books and find action, a dash of mystery, and seductive men with passionate hearts.

You can find more information about her books at http://www.mary-abshire.com
on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mary.abshire
on twitter: http://twitter.com/maryabshire

October 21, 2013

Giveaway: Loup-Garou For You!

This is a fun new title for the Paranormal Erotica lover! It's got a little across time romance, a historical, and it's got some spicy scenes! Look out for my review later this week, but for now enjoy the giveaway and some of my favorite quotes below.


loupgarouforyou_msr

Loup-Garou for You by Katalina Leon
Genre: Historical Paranormal Erotic Romance
Grab it: Amazon | Goodreads
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.

Bayou Country, 1834. Aubert Marston awakens on the eve of his twenty-seventh birthday to discover he’s undergone some disturbing physical changes. His body is bigger, stronger and hairier than it’s ever been, and burns with the lust of a beast. To make matters worse, a hundred guests are about to arrive for the plantation’s annual ball.

A mysterious young woman named Corrine appears in his home, tempting Aubert to unleash the inner lycan, and family secrets from a medieval past surface. Corrine lures Aubert to a bayou camp of Cajun Loup-Garous—werewolves. Aubert’s wealth and good looks are no advantage here. He must surrender to his feral nature and fight tooth and claw against another male pack member to claim Corrine as his own.

Inside Scoop:  This story contains mild bondage, southern hospitality, consensual sexual torment, female/female, male/male, anal play, cage fighting and unfettered animal lust. Enjoy!

A Romantica® historical paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

About the Author

Katalina Leon
I’m an artist, an author, mother and wife. I write for Ellora’s Cave, Loose Id Publishing and a couple new publishers to be announced soon. I try to bring a touch of the mystical and a big sense of adventure to everything I write because I believe there’s a bold, kick-ass heroine inside all of us who wants to take a wild ride with a strong worthy hero.

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook


Giveaway:

You can enter below to when a 15 dollar Amazon gift card! How great is that?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Quotes:

Now here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book!

Here’s a taste of what’s to come with the first sentence of the book.

With clockwork precision, in the restless hour before dawn, the oppressive leviathan of a nightmare rose form the depths, grabbed Aubert and yanked him down.

Here’s a little “tame” preview . . .

Heated sexual thoughts whirled through his mind. His jaw tensed and his legs trembled. He was tempted to open the door, grab the woman, toss her onto the bed and take his pleasure with her.

Words no one wants to hear about any kind of mysterious changes happening to them.

“You don’t understand. By sundown you will begin to change into a creature that has the cunning mind of a man and the impulses and desires of a beast. You will become Loup-Garou—a werewolf—and you will not be able to control yourself during the first stages of the transformation.”

Probably one of the single best one liners about being told you’re turning into a werewolf!

“You think I’m going to turn into a hairy wolfman?

Here’s one of my favorite romantic scenes from the book!

“I love you.” Corrine’s hand rested on Aubert’s shoulder. “in my heart and mind, you’ve always been my only choice. You’re my handsome prince.”

Lastly, I’m starting to think cats and werewolves have a lot in common.

“It’s a full moon—who needs sleep?”

All right hope everyone enjoyed! Big thanks to Katalina Leon and Paranormal Cravings!

October 14, 2013

Interview: Susannah Scott

It’s no secret that I love Valkyries, cat shifters, unicorns, and  . . . . dragons!! So when I first heard of Luck of the Dragon I was all over that! So I’m utterly happy to announce that I’m hosting an interview with the author of Luck of the Dragon, Susannah Scott. I’m part of her tour and hosting a giveaway as well. Which is just below the interview!

So here is Susannah!


luck of the dragonSusannah Scott: Hi Shera,

Thank you so much for having my on your site today to celebrate the release of my Paranormal Romance, Luck of the Dragon!

Shera (Book Whispers): No, thank you! Well let’s get started, in your own words introduce yourself.

SS: Gladly! I am Susannah Scott. I am an author living in the Southern Missouri Ozarks with my three children and husband.

BW: How are the dragons, in Luck of the Dragon, different from other dragon shifter books out there?

SS: Some of the basic dragon shifter elements are the same, but I think the pageantry and opulence of my dragons is a step in a unique direction. Also they really with their dual natures. In their dragon forms, they are too aggressive and are forced to be loners. Alec, my hero, devises a sanctuary at the top of his Vegas casino to provide a hidden-in-plain sight existence for his people. I love the constant conflict of their bestial natures and their human reasoning because they are forced to co exist.

BW: How did you come up with Luciana de Luca, the leading lady of Luck of the Dragon? Most importantly, how did you come up with her name?

SS: I wanted Lucy to be a sassy, conflicted thief trying to save her family. Lucy’s brother’s gambling debts are the catalyst behind her trying to steal from Alec. Their conflicting goals and powerful chemistry create some great banter and a satisfying HEA. I came up with Lucy’s name, because she is Italian, I liked the way it sounded off the tongue. 

BW: Were there any particular parts that were hard to write?

SS: The End! Seriously, no matter how many stories I have written, I always feel like I am trying to land a 727 without a pilot’s license. I usually just give myself permission to write a really bad ending and then spend extra time on it in revisions.

BW: Besides dragon shifters, are there other magical creatures that paranormal fans can look forward to?

SS: I do have a top-secret world in mind, with new set of paranormal creatures, but it is about three books away! I will say this, the creatures are magical and not shape-shifting!

BW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

SS: I actually go for a walk and try NOT to think about my book. The greatest work arounds seem to come to me when I am not pushing my brain for a solution.

BW: For you personally, not your characters, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

SS: Oooh toughie. I was a total Team Werewolf until my husband and I walked the ENTIRE TruBlood series. I heart Eric Northman now. So, I would say Team Werewolf with an Eric Northman cut out!

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important about your books.

SS: I live in a house of men. Three boys and my husband. Even the dog is male. So, I tend to buy a lot of pink and girly stuff for myself. What’s on my mind? We just moved into a new house and we are trying to get our grass in. *Le Sigh* Who new grass was so hard to get started?

BW: Grass can be a toughy too get growing sometimes! Good luck!

Can you give us a short excerpt from Luck of the Dragon with the set-up?

SS: Alec and Lucy have some really great arguments. This one in Alec’s office is one of my favorites:

Alec opened the door to face 130 pounds of fury.

“I am a respected professional and you are manhandling me and treating me like a criminal!” Luciana yelled at him.

Alec handed her the drink and sat in a deep-seated leather chair. The chair sighed with ease when he leaned back. He crossed his ankle at his knee and took a sip. “Luciana—”

“Oh, please, all my captors call me Lucy.” She glared at him. “You sound like a priest hearing confession when you call me Luciana.”

“Well, we can’t have that.” Alec chuckled and sipped his own drink, the taste of mellow corn mash and oak barrels tingling over his tongue. Alcohol did not affect dragons in the way it affected the feeble humans. He drank the bourbon purely because he liked the taste.

“Does this have something in it?” Luciana held the drink to the light.

“I wouldn’t harm you.” Alec took a second sip of his drink, and it fired down his throat to his belly in a pleasing trail.

Lucy set her drink on his desk, untouched. “I’m not the trusting sort.”

Alec gave her what he hoped was a charming look. “You can trust me. I can help you.”

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Lucy said in a voice used to stopping cabs.

“Fine, don’t trust me, but I need you to start your appraisal tomorrow,” Alec said in a voice used to calling stretch limos.

Lucy’s face flushed. Her collarbones rose and fell under her pale skin in elegant lines.

He wanted to kiss her, to see if the zing of electricity was a fluke, or if the fates had gone mad and paired him with a human mate.

She might bite him.

He might like it.

BW: Great excerpt!

What can readers look forward to from you? What are your plans for Luck of the Dragon, stand alone, series, or other plans?

SS: Stop Dragon My Heart Around will be out this spring. It is Leo and Tee’s story. A fun, friends to lovers tale with lots a sexy bantering. Tee is part of the Las Vegas Paiute tribe so there is a cool theme of “belonging” that runs through the story too. What is means to belong to the dragons, to a tribe, to each other?

Thank you again for having me on your blog, and giving me an opportunity to connect with your readers!

All my best,

Susannah Scott
www.susannahscottbooks.com
FB/ https:/SusannahScottAuthor


Giveaway:

Luck of the Dragon Rafflecopter: $25 Amazon Gift Card

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

OR Facebook Page GIVEAWAY link: http://bit.ly/16anljG


About the author:

SUSANNAH SCOTT lives in the Missouri Ozarks and is the lone female in a very loud sshousehold of males ranging in age from 4 to 40. While she jokes that the extreme levels of testosterone inspired her to write romance, it is really the love of creating an excellent story, and the occasional dreams of twenty-foot dragons, that wake her and send her to the laptop before the chaos of daily life ensues. Susannah loves to hear from her readers at the following social media

Stalk Susannah:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

September 2, 2013

Interview & Giveaway: R.L. Naquin

It’s no secret by now that I’m a R.L. Naquin fan, which makes it even more exciting that this is her second time stopping by Book Whispers for an interview (click here for the first interview)! Currently I’m in the middle of reading her latest entry in her Monster Haven series, Fairies in My Fireplace, and I’m love’n it.

So take the time to find out more about her latest book, more about the author, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway so you can win some of these amazing books.


Shera (Book Whispers): In your own words introduce yourself!monster

R.L. Naquin: Hi Shera! Thanks for having me back on your blog. I’m Rachel, and I’m writing this from inside a Starbucks while I sip iced green tea and hope my battery doesn’t die. I left the cord on the kitchen table. I like cupcakes, kittens, and the body I wore when I was 18, which was a very long time ago.

BW: What were some of the funniest parts of writing Fairies in My Fireplace?

RN: I think the most fun for this book was coming up with so many different kinds of creatures. Since Zoey’s house is full of Hidden refugees, I had to really step it up and throw everything in there. That meant lots of excuses to research mythical creatures and urban legends, which I love to do anyway. I saved some back for later books though. Wait till you find out who the final boss is. I’m terrified thinking about it.

BW: Were there characters that you wanted to give more page time to and couldn't?

ill-concieved magicRN: There are always characters I want to give more page time. Kam, the djinn might get a spinoff series eventually. She was such fun to write. A certain mothman might get his own short story sometime, but I can’t tell you why without spoilers. I’d have liked to spend more time with the goblin kids, Janey and Toby, and dig deeper into what they went through in order to get to Zoey’s house. There’s never enough time or space to tell everything about everybody’s story.

BW: What other creatures, besides fairies, can readers look forward to finding in Fairies in My Fireplace?

RN: Well, aside from the creatures coming over from the previous books, like Maurice the closet monster, Iris the skunk-ape, and Molly the brownie, we’ve got a Noah’s Ark full of new creatures. You’ll find a harpy, a hellhound, water sprites, a chupacabra, a family of gnomes, and a herd of dust devils all in the first chapter. Zoey’s got a full house.

BW: What can readers look forward to from you? What are your plans for A Monster Haven pookainmypantry
Story series?

RN: The Monster Haven series is contracted through six books, and I just turned in book four, Golem in My Glovebox, to my editor. After that, there might be the spinoff series with Kam. I’m also working on a few other sooper sekrit projects you’ll hear about when they’re ready.

BW: Recently what are some good books that you've read?

RN: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman was wonderful. I also loved Celebromancy by Michael R. Underwood. If you’ve never heard of that one and you’re a huge geek, grab his first one, Geekomancy. Lots of fun, but pretty hardcore geekery there, so be prepared for that.

oceanattheendofthelanegeekomancycelebromancy

BW: What are some of your current paranormal TV addictions?

fairiesinmyfireworksRN: Once Upon a Time is my favorite show, hands down. I may die of happy when Once Upon a Time in Wonderland starts up, too. I also watch Grimm, Lost Girl, Warehouse 13, and Haven. I can’t remember why I fell off the Supernatural wagon – I think it conflicted with two other shows at one point, and my DVR had a meltdown. There are a lot of new shows this season I’m looking forward to. Good thing I do my writing during the day. I know I’m missing something important, but I can’t think what it is right now.

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, 
or anything else that's important about your books.

RN: It’s a proven, scientific fact that every time someone reads one of my books, a unicorn gets its wings. True story.

BW: Well let’s make sure some more unicorns get their wings! Big thanks for stopping by Naquin.


Tour Wide Giveaway:

  • 3 copies of one Monster Haven ebook, winner’s choice of one book from the series
  • 1 winner of all three Monster Haven ebooks

Fairies in My Fireplace Banner 450 x 169

Enter to win by clicking here. Or enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find R.L. Naquin:

Goodreads | Twitter | Feedburner | Facebook | Pinterest | Website

April 2, 2013

Giveaway, Cover Reveal, & Review!

Violet Midnight (Violet Night Trilogy, book 1) by Lynn Rush

violetmidnight

Genre: YA Paranormal (New Adult)
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Violet Dawn

Let the Hunt begin…

Blending in with her college co-eds proves difficult for vampire Hunter, Emma Martin, considering the mystical tattoo on her wrist glows whenever Vamps are near. And after three months of silence, the glow is back with a vengeance.

Jake Cunningham witnesses Emma, a violet-eyed beauty, using unimaginable powers to fight off a fanged creature. Finally, after two years of searching, he may have found out what he’s become—a Hunter, like Emma.

Thankful for an ally in the fight against the Vamps, Emma finds hope and comfort in Jake’s arms. As she learns more about her new love’s family and its dark heritage, she may be forced not only to hunt them but to sacrifice her life to save Jake’s soul.

***Portion of all proceeds donated to American Cancer Society***


Review:

Right off the bat I was put off. A vampire with a mark that starts to glow when vampires are near? Sorry, but that’s just stupid. First off all the hunter has to cover up the mark so no one notices, which begs to question why the glow. Secondly if the hunter forgets about it then they’re just glowing out there like good vampire bait. Then the magic weapons pulled out of thin air happened and I was all in! Yes, girl and their toys.

Emma is a college student by day and a vampire hunter by night. She keeps a low profile and only has a few select friend. She’s mind wiped a few—which to me is kind of crappy—and does what she needs to to keep under the radar. However, after months of quiet the vampires are starting to attack in clusters. Something is up, and then Jake steps in.

While the name is kind of common in the genre, the man is not! There’s some great chemistry here! Which I love you just can’t top great chemistry to get your blood pumping. The action scenes are edgy and only add to the great passing of this book. It’s the perfect kind of action.

Sure there are a few minor problems that irritated just a itsy bit, but the over all funness of this book. It’s a great action book highlighting the fun bits of why readers love vampire hunter stories.

Sexual Content: It’s clean for the kiddies.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Violet Midnight (1)
Violet Dawn (2) 

Violet Midnight (1)
Violet Dawn (2)
Violet Midnight (1)
Violet Dawn (2)

Cover Reveal:

Time for the for the big reveal of Violet Dawn, the second book in The Violet Night Trilogy!

violetdawn

Violet Dawn by Lynn Rush

Links above to add or grab the book to your Goodreads or Amazon account.

In the darkest place, the Light shines brightest.

Emma’s love saved Jake from life as a vampire. But their happily ever after is threatened by a savage Vamp seeking retribution for destroying the Avenos Trinity of Evil.

A mysterious stranger enters the mix, coinciding with the first Vamp attack in months. Emma’s new friendship, and the suspicion and deceit surrounding it, further drives a wedge between her and Jake.

To complicate things, Emma is bitten by a Vamp with abilities no one has ever seen before, and that bite has left its mark.

A mark that might tear Jake and Emma apart forever…


Giveaway!

So excited to host this amazing giveaway! Click on the image below if you have problems entering the giveaway.!

Violet Dawn Release Day FINAL 700x1400

So what’s up for grabs? A free kindle E-reader! Giveaway ends after April 2nd, so jump in on it!

Enter the giveaway here!