Author, author.... ~ spotlight ~

...read all about it !!

 

 

 

Crossfire of Love’s Anniversary Tour

Crossfire of Love will be on sale for $1.99 for the month of March.

 

Can an arranged marriage lead to love?

Recent college graduate Gabriella has finally married the man of her dreams, the older, charismatic attorney Lorenzo Martinez. She's had a crush on him for as long as she can remember and always imagined they'd one day find their happily ever after. Unfortunately, they enter into a union arranged by their fathers.

 

Lorenzo is charming, protective, and loyal to his crime lord father Carlo. When Carlo asks Lorenzo to marry Gabriella he jumps at the opportunity. He's been drawn to her for many years and knows by marrying her he's helping to protect her father.

 

Gabby is resentful and won't be Lorenzo's charity case. But sparks fly and the couple soon gives into their desire, realizing they were meant to be together.

What happens when Carlo's enemies threaten their future? Will someone get caught in the crossfire?

 

Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence

 

 Excerpt:

 

Lorenzo walked up the porch steps, turning to stare at her. "Are you coming, Gabriella?" No one but Lorenzo and his father called her by her full name. She liked when Lorenzo said it. He'd always made it sound so formal and sexy.

 

These were the first words he had spoken to her since they left the courthouse. They were married in the chambers of the prestigious Judge John Cartwright. He'd been a family friend of the Martinezes for many years. He was their go-to man whenever they needed something done fast and legally. Well, legal in her new father-in-law's eyes anyway.

 

She hurried up the steps and followed Lorenzo inside their new home. It was built within a matter of months after she'd agreed to marry him. Carlo wanted them to have their privacy, but he also wanted to keep them close. He didn't trust she'd hold up her end of the bargain, and keeping her on the property was the best way to ensure she wouldn't run.

 

It was silly, really. How could she run from a family like this? They had ties all over the world. There wasn't any place she could escape to that they wouldn't know about. She was a woman of her word. She said she would marry Lorenzo and she did. She'd find a way to cope. She always had.

 

Lorenzo pulled his jacket off, poured himself a scotch, and then loosened his tie. "Would you like a drink?"

 

"No, thank you," she said.

 

Most brides would be dancing the night away and drinking champagne by this point in their wedding night. She didn't think that was part of Lorenzo's plan.

 

"I didn't think you'd go through with it." He sipped the amber colored liquid as he looked her over.

 

"I said I would."

 

"I know, but when push actually came to shove, I thought you'd run."

 

"You don't know me that well," she said. "I don't run."

 

"Good." He smirked as he put the glass to his lips.

 

Gabby couldn't take her eyes away from those lips. She'd never had the pleasure of having them on her own. Judge Cartwright hadn't asked him to kiss his bride. She hated herself for thinking about him that way.

 

"You could've stopped this. Why didn't you?" she asked.

 

As they stood in front of the judge, she kept hoping he'd put an end to the charade and stop the wedding. It didn't make sense to her why he had agreed to marry her. She didn't have a choice. Her father's gambling debts made sure of that. But she didn't understand why he'd allowed things to get as far as they had.

 

"I was just as trapped as you were." He downed the rest of his scotch.

 

She didn't believe that. She knew he respected his dad, but she didn't get why he wouldn't have put his foot down and said no to such a life-altering decision.

 

"You could've told your father no from the beginning. Why would you agree to marry someone if you didn't have to?"

 

"Look." He shook his head. "It's done now. We're going to have to make the best of it."

 

"Make the best of it?" She plopped down on the leather sofa. "I'm twenty-two years old. I just graduated from college, and you want me to make the best of it?"

 

"I know this isn't what you might have wanted, but it is what it is. You agreed, and now it's done. You can't go back on it now. My father won't forgive that."

 

 

Buy Links:   Beachwalk Press    Amazon    Barnes & Noble  

 

 

About the Author:

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.

Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.

 

Author Links:   Site      Facebook Author Page      Twitter

 

Author, author... Laura DeLuca

...read all about her !!!

Today we have the wonderful Laura DeLuca with us :) 

 

 

 

So great to have you Laura, can you  tell us a little about yourself?

 

I live at the Jersey Shore with my husband, Timmie, and my four kids whose ages range from 1 through 12. In addition to being a writer, I am also a mom blogger and we own a restaurant at the Jersey Shore.

 

What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?

 

I always wanted to be a writer, but it was Christopher Pike who inspired me to write YA. I loved him as a teenager and he remains one of my favorite authors to this day.

 

What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

 

Most of my research comes from reading. For the Destiny, I read at least a dozen books on Wicca. I also use search engines a lot, especially when I wanted to describe places in Florida and Vermont I had never been to.

 

Do you have a special place you like to do your writing?

 

  If I have the opportunity, I love to write out in nature, especially at the beach.

 

As a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

 

I love historical and paranormal books and it definitely influences my work, though I tend to read only adult novels and not YA anymore.  

 

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper?? 

 

I am probably one of the only authors left who still hand writes my first draft. After that, I use my desktop computer to type it out and make revisions.

 

When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

 

Walking on the beach or nature trails, meditating, or taking a bubble bath.

 

Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers?? 

 

 I’m afraid my real life is pretty boring, and I don’t have many secrets worth sharing.  One thing that not that many people know is that I’m really into past lives and have had several successful regressions.

 

Okay now for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Your Favorite 5

1) Favorite color –Green

2) Favorite dessert – Tiramisu

3) Favorite Season –Fall

4) Favorite sad song-  My Heart Will Go On (Yes, I know its corny)

5) Favorite Romantic movie – Titanic

 And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation?? 

 

 Since I live at the Jersey Shore, my whole life is a vacation, but I would really like to go to Ireland. Doesn’t have to be romantic though. Hubby can stay home with the kids.

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

Email:  timmiedeluca@comcast.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorldeluca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorlauradeluca

Website/blog: http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-DeLuca/e/B004L7NLPE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/authorlauradeluca

 

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

 

Destiny

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

Destiny Unveiled

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

 

Destiny Excerpt:

Her eyes scanned the room, from the pale blue sofa to the bloody dent in the wall. But she didn’t need her eyes to know Darron was there. Her heart sensed his presence before her eyes saw him lying in a heap on the ground. His body shuttered with occasional spasms, and even though he wasn’t fully conscious, his lips were twisted in a grimace of pain.

Uttering a gasp of surprise, Gabriella flew to his side. She knelt beside him, and choked back a sob as she took his hand in her own. She saw his chest rise and fall and was glad to know was alive, but she felt helpless as she watched his face contort in pain. She noticed something wet and sticky on her fingertips. She gently titled his head and saw a large gash that looked like it needed medical attention.  The skin around the gash was so deeply bruised it looked almost black.

 “Darron, what happened to you?”

He didn’t move or reply. Gabriella moved her hand from the cut on his forehead, and her fingers dripped with blood. She bit her lower lip with fear. She knew enough about head injuries to know that the wound could be serious. She grabbed a few tissues from a box on the coffee table, and tried to apply pressure to the wound, but it was useless. The tissues were soaked through in seconds.

 “Darron?” She squeezed his hand, and fought back tears of fear and frustration.  “Darron, please open your eyes. Please be all right!”

He squirmed and groaned a little in response. Looking at his contorted features, Gabriella felt incompetent and useless. She didn’t know what to do to help him. The cut must need stitches. The blood was gushing through her fingertips, and she was sure his life was slipping away just as quickly.

More than anything, Gabriella wanted to help Darron, to end his suffering. Her thoughts, her desperation, caused something deep inside of her to stir. Something that had long been napping was awoken. The power she had fought so hard to deny was forcing its way to the surface. This time she didn’t struggle against that power. Her instinct to hide from it was finally overcome by the thought of losing someone else she cared about.

 

Gabriella was pulling strength and warmth from the earth, as though her legs were tree roots taking nourishment from the element. A tingling sensation began in the tips of her toes and spread slowly though her body as she breathed in the essence of the element of air.  Her blood flowed and grew warm, the element of water, bringing the power to the surface. She was overcome by a vigorous strength as she envisioned her spirit encircled by the element of fire. She felt so powerful that she thought she could stop the world from churning if that was what she wished. Gabriella focused the power, remembering for a moment her mother’s lessons. She looked down at her battered friend. She willed him to open his eyes and look at her. She demanded it of him.

Gabriella would have thought it was impossible, but she felt herself grow warmer. Her face dripped with perspiration. The power within her reached a climax. Then finally, when she thought she might burst, she felt the energy release. It seeped through her fingers, and shined with an illumination that only she could see. She heard herself chanting unfamiliar words, and scarcely recognized her own voice.

 “By the power of earth, water, fire and air,

Heal this man who’s in my care.

Goddess, hear your daughter’s plea.

As I will it, so mote it be!”

Gabriella repeated the words three times. Three was the number of power. Then she watched as the wound on Darron’s forehead healed before her eyes, becoming smaller and smaller, until finally it was gone. The blood was still warm and sticky, but beneath the blood, the skin was smooth and unmarred. Even the horrible bruise had vanished. Gabriella stared in open astonishment, marveling at the work she had done.

 

Destiny Unveiled Excerpt:

After collecting the offering from his followers, the leader returned to the center of the circle and the waiting initiate. With one quick motion, he sliced open his own palm. He held his hand over the cup, letting his blood drip slowly into the chalice, until the wound miraculously healed before Darron's startled eyes. When the chalice was full, he carried it to the eager initiate who took the cup firmly into his hands and tilted it towards his lips.

"As this blood makes you one with our flesh, so your soul follows to become one with the darkness," the English voice intoned.

As the initiate drained the last of the liquid in the chalice, his hood fell away, revealing a blonde ponytail pulled back over a pale white face, made even paler by the outline of bright red blood around his lips. Darron watched in stunned, horrified silence as his own face turned to meet his gaze. Eyes turned as black as coals stared back at Darron with a grim smile of satisfaction.

"Rise Darron," the leader commanded. And as he spoke, he lifted the hood from his head. Rise brother of the Dark Coven."

 

 

About the Author:

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Visit her on her websites at http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com or http://newagemama.blogspot.com .

Website / Facebook / Twitter  / Goodreads

Laura, thanks so much for visiting with us today and we wish you great luck with Destiny and Destiny Unveiled.  They both sound like great books!! 

 

Until next time, happy reading !!

 

Krista

Book Blitz: Fire's Ice by Brynna Curry

 

 

 

Fire's Ice

 

by 

 

 

Brynna Curry

 

 

 

Ultimate power, or endless love? 

Born the son of a Scottish laird a thousand years ago, but now trapped by his cousin's spell, Devin McLoch has seen countless battles and death. The erstwhile thief has turned away from darker pursuits to lead a life of peace, protecting those he loves and considers part of his clan.
However, there is one woman he can never forget, who must be given a chance to change, to accept her heart and his.

Arianne Farrell is just as dangerous and intoxicating as her power. Imprisoned in an ancient stone dance more than a thousand years ago, her only chance at freedom from the spell is through love—a love she denied. When Devin asks for her aid to save another from imminent death, she realizes there is more at stake than just her freedom or her heart.

WARNING: Two stubborn sexy wizards using magic with no bounds, scorching love scenes, and happy ever after. Ever play with fire?

 

Buy Links: 

eBook - Amazon Kindle – B&N Nook - iTunes - ALL ROMANCE 

Print -  Amazon – Createspace -  B&N

 

 

Excerpt – (Steamy)

Dark, rich chocolate colored bedding echoed the tile framing the fireplace. Dainty furniture, curved legs and soft cushions, yet the poster bed was large and sturdy. She’d seen it before while she visited his dreams. Definitely Devin’s room. And remembering didn’t help the ache snaking through her body.

 

Walking into the en suite, the first thing to catch her eyes was the floor-to-ceiling mirror covering one wall. Arianne studied her reflection. Her long, dark curls were mussed and tangled around a pale face. Her lips were pink and just a bit swollen from Devin’s kiss. The only thing she wore was a long white shirt. Sniffing the collar, she smelled the crisp, clean fragrance clinging to the material. His shirt, not conjured. Devin didn’t wear cologne, but the scent of his soap always stayed with her. He must have changed her clothes. What else had she missed?

 

Because I love you. Men were ever a puzzle. Still, hadn’t she known? The dreams they shared had changed over time, slow and sweet instead of hot and fierce. A softness came over his face each night she visited his sleep, the same one she had seen this morning. Just that look was enough to have her quaking inside.

 

She found a bottle of bubble bath on the side of the tub. Thanks to Devin's dreams and Allie's influence, she had knowledge of modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing. Turning the faucet on hot, Arianne poured two capfuls under the stream and let the water run until the big round tub filled. Reluctantly, she unfastened the shirt buttons and let the material fall away to the floor. Slipping into the frothy bubbles, she sighed and let the reality of her situation sink in.

 

I am finally out of that wretched circle. True enough, but she was still in a prison of sorts. One with running water, walls, food that didn’t taste like air, and a sexy male witch bent on driving her to frustration. Not so bad, all things considered.

 

Being trapped in the stone dance didn’t mean she hadn’t noticed changes in the world around her for a thousand years. She tipped her feet out of the water, waved toward them, and turned her toenails a bright fiery red. Allie brought her little things from the modern world. Mostly books filled with sweet love stories; more than a few of them brought a blush to her cheeks. What would Ryan think of his daughter’s taste in novels? Better not to head down that road. Allie had dreams of being a writer like her aunt and uncle. If what she liked to read was any indication, she’d write hot. Very hot. Speaking of hot, a soft tapping sounded at the door. Her maddening laird had returned.

 

“Okay in there?” His voice sounded hesitant. “Breakfast is ready.”

 

Time to ruffle the phoenix’s feathers a bit. “There is no need to be shy, Devin. You can come in.”

*****

The sound of splashing water rippled past his ears. Temptress.

 

Knowing Ari was just on the other side of the door, naked and wet, willing to succumb to every fantasy he could imagine, was a torment in itself. All he had to do was accept her sultry invitation and toss aside his plan. But she deserved a sweet slide into love, not the wild, mad rush of pleasure he craved. One palm rested on the door of its own volition, ready to comply. Not yet. Now, if only his traitorous body would listen to his heart. “That depends, sweetheart.”

 

“Oh?” she called out from the other side. “On what?” 

 

Devin chuckled at the line, but he just couldn’t resist teasing her. “What are you wearing?” 

 

She laughed. “Bubbles. Lots of bubbles. Share them with me.”

 

He saw it so clearly. Ari’s creamy skin peeking through the frothy bubbles. Open, welcoming. Need clawed under the skin, screamed at him. Why the hell not? Feeling a quiver of desire vibrate through his body, he called her bluff. “And what would you have me do with those bubbles? Hmm, Ari?”

 

“Oh, I am sure you could think of something. Something deliciously wicked. I have shared your dreams. I know your fantasies, Devin.”

 

Oh, you have no idea. His mind made up, Devin opened the door.

 

She lay in his huge garden tub, feet propped up on the rim, eyes closed, waterfall of black hair piled on top of her head. A soft smile graced her face. So she was enjoying their teasing banter. “Have you changed your mind and decided to join me?”

 

“Maybe.” No reason he couldn’t push them both to the edge. Pulling the t-shirt over his head, Devin tossed it into the corner. He laid his cellphone on the sink--out of danger--kneeled by the edge of the tub and dipped one hand into cooling water, using his magic to heat it.

 

“Mmm. Nice.”

 

He let his voice drop to a whisper as he leaned close to her ear. “I want to slick my hands over every inch of your skin until you shiver from the heat.” His fingers found the back of her knee in the water and trailed higher along the inside of her thigh. “And then…”

 

A soft “Devin” slipped from her lips as Arianne’s eyes flew open. “And then…”

 

Reviews:  https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1Kg3xfhIrh-tJ9jAUz7_40tMAHVp9hKMeEuaA81sTT48

 



Author, author.... Guest Blog

...read all about it !!!  Today we are thrilled to be the first stop on this tour !!

The first stop on the BLOOD YELLOW Tour!

I’m so thrilled to be writing this guest blog. This is the first stop of my third book tour and I just can’t believe I’ve come so far in such a short time. Over the last five months it feels like my whole world has flipped upside down and now I’ve captured an audience and published works of fiction and have fans.

 

BLOOD YELLOW is the second full length novel that I have written and I am very pleased with it. I’ve taken the characters that were introduced in BLOOD PURPLE and expounded on their current situations. You will find the book takes place three months later and everything has changed. Which is understandable, three months is a long time. This time around though you will see that Nasir starts to take a bigger focus of the book, more of a voice. That father role really jumps out onto the pages and he, a time or two, has to put Zayn and Nikole in their place. Part of being a God-Father is doing the hard stuff even when you don’t want too.

 

I did things a little different this time around, I wrote some of the words in Arabic. Part of what I want to establish in this world is the culture. While yes they live in Colorado Springs, they very much are Lebanese Vampires. Middle Eastern decent. Middle Eastern culture. That means words like mother father brother sister etc would naturally be in their native language. My publisher was very kind and let me go back through BLOOD PURPLE and add the Arabic phrases so the series match but I think it helps add some authenticity to the culture. Even though the drastic nature of some of the things they do in no way representing what their culture is in the actual country of Lebanon.

 

Something else that I start exploring in this book (and I do more of in BLOOD GREEN) is their past culture as an Algula race and what life was like back home in Lebanon. The traditions the Algula practiced and some of the ways of life that they gave up when they moved to America. I really wanted this book to be juicy with detail and help the reader learn more about the race and the world I created. My dilemma is this, there are a limited number of books. BLOOD GREEN is book 3, then BLOOD BLACK is book 4, BLOOD WHITE will be an extra’s book with a couple short stories and some deleted scenes I couldn’t fit in anywhere but wanted to happen so I won’t have a lot of time to get everything out there that I want too.

 

On the plus side however – the overall reaction from my beta readers and early reviewers is unanimously this, “they loved BLOOD PURPLE but after reading BLOOD YELLOW they can’t remember why because it was just so good.” Which completely makes me smile because as a writer, I want to improve with each book and each story I tell and I want my readers to be invested with me along the path so I want you all to grow with the characters too.

 

One thing about my writing is I leave out the fluff, it’s very short when you compare it to others of the PNR genre, about 1/3 of the size of a BDB book, however- that doesn’t mean the content isn’t just as good.

 

So take a weekend and sit down and explore the world of the Algula. It’s an amazing place, full of adventure and wonder. I promise you will finish the book and will know one thing if nothing else, you will never meet a vampire like mine. They don’t sparkle, they don’t cower to humans with stakes, they don’t fry in the sun. They feel, they bleed, they love and they fight.

 

About the author:

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs named Toto and Doogie. They have been together for almost 8 years and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.

Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life and they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

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