All I want for Christmas is my Destiny Calling

by Maureen L. Bonatch

Christmas is coming a little early for me this year with the release of my novel, Destiny Calling, on December 22, 2014! 

Many writers compare the process of writing, editing and publishing a story to that of having a baby. While it's true that the love a writer feels for thier book is often equivalent to that of a child, my 'pregnancy' for Destiny Calling was much longer. I'd compare it more like that of an elephant and after all the editing and rewriting the amount of paper I went through may have weighed as much.

But we all do the little extra things to make sure our 'baby' is perfect. Although instead of giving up caffeine as I did with my human children, I loaded up on caffeine to give birth to my paperback one. 

So look...here's Destiny Calling's 'baby picture' and 'birth announcement'. I may have a mother's bias, but I think she's beautiful. 

 

Hope doesn't know if the man she can touch is a dream come true, or a nightmare just beginning.

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil's spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Drawn to the city she vowed never to return, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn’t know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld. Time is running out, and Hope’s choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game played by a merciless ruler who doesn’t lose.

Excerpt: 

I strained to release my arm from Griffith’s vise-like grip while scanning the surrounding trees, trying to determine which was less of a threat, the beast of a man holding me or those who might be waiting for me in the woods.

“You will come inside, now.” Griffith spoke slowly and deliberately as if I were a small child.

I batted at the hand Griffith placed on my head. “I’m not a puppy, quit petting me.”

“I will protect you.” Griffith’s warm breath caressed my ear. “If for no other reason, to find out what I’m giving up and why she wants you so badly.”

I inhaled his masculine scent, like musky earth. It washed over my face, and the tension in my jaw released. I stopped struggling. “Are you the devil?” My tongue was thick and heavy so the words came out slurred.

“Not even close.” His words soothed and comforted, like having a weighted blanket cocoon me. Each movement was an effort. It wasn’t the same as the thing in the woods. This was more like the feeling after a long massage or bubble bath.

“It’s not safe.” Griffith wrapped his arms around me, and I rested against his broad chest.

“It’s not safe.” I nodded. My muscles relaxed and my eyelids grew heavy.

“It’s cold. We’re going inside.” Griffith kept his arm supporting me as he steered me toward the house.

“We’re going inside.” I parroted and walked up the steps, leaning heavily on him.

Out of the corner of my eye, something was cautiously moving at the edge of the woods. Branches snapped as whatever was observing us crept closer.

Buy the Paperback now at Amazon

Preorder the ebook on Amazon

Buy at The Wild Rose Press

So tell me...what is Santa bringing you for Christmas this year? 

Please help me spread the word on release day with a 'social media flashmob': Click to Thunderclap it! 
(You know how moms love to brag about their kids--you don't even want to see all the things I've been yapping about it and all the pics I've already put up on my Facebook page..or maybe you do...)

Growing up with four siblings had Maureen familiar with escaping into a good book, or the recesses of her mind. She realized later in life everyone didn’t have characters telling stories in their heads, or weren’t envisioning magic and mayhem within the everyday. This, and long walks in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania spawned a love of writing.

Since her desire to become a Solid Gold Dancer was thwarted when the show was discontinued, Maureen opted to pursue other paths. Attempting to conquer new endeavors proved fruitful with her first novella, while other attempts, such as challenging a fear of heights with parasailing, were unsuccessful. Therefore she’s chased other interests, though none-the-less-daring, but closer to the ground, such as belly-dancing, becoming a self-proclaimed tequila connoisseur, fulfilling her role as biker babe to her alpha hubby and surviving motherhood to twins (so far).

Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.

Visit me: www.maureenbonatch.com

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Paralysis

The genesis of Protect her-

 A condition I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy!

The genesis of my novel, Protect Her, is a strange story, and one I don’t speak much about. But I’ve decided to share this terrifying tale with you.

When I was 18, I had an episode of sleep paralysis.

What happens during sleep paralysis is you wake while still being in REM sleep (the cycle of sleep when we dream). It’s thought that while in this part of sleep, our body is in a state of partial paralysis. Our bodies way of keeping us from acting out our dreams.

Whatever the reason, it’s terrifying.  Your brain wakes up, while your body is still asleep. You can’t move or speak. Frequently, the episode is combined with hallucinations and shortness of breath.

Well, when this happened to me, I saw a demon hovering over me.

I’ve since learned that this is a common occurrence during sleep paralysis.

Back before the internet was readily available to look up what malady you’ve suffered from, I had no idea what sleep paralysis was, let alone how common it is.

For years, this demon has been in my head in Technicolor, so of course, when I decided to write my paranormal romance, Protect Her, I used this creature in my story.

Perhaps all the myths of demons that pin people down while sleeping are just an episode of Sleep Paralysis…perhaps not.

I haven’t had another episode since, though I’ve seen my grandmother’s ghost at the edge of my bed. However, I wasn’t terrified and I wasn’t paralyzed. But that’s a whole other blog post, and possibly another book. J

Golden Alexander is trapped in a nightmare. 

Trying to flee her hallucination of a demon, she runs heart first into the brooding alpha male she’s been dreaming about for years, and then her nightmare really begins. 

Kris Pietka is done with women . . . he’s broken. But when he meets Golden, an overwhelming need to protect her tests everything he thought he knew about himself, and the paranormal. 

A bond forged centuries ago thrusts them together as they search for a way to break an ancient Druid curse prophesying their demise. Racing against the clock, they travel from Vermont, to the Carpathian Mountains in Poland, and the Scottish Highlands in search of answers and a way to break the curse. 

But something evil watches—it covets, and time is running out. 

Will fate allow love to prevail against unbeatable odds, or will Golden wake to find it was all a delusion?  

Once in a Blue Moon by @MeganSlayer ~ #paranormal #ghosts #mmromance #LGBT

I have always wanted to write a story that featured ghosts, demons and angels. I've got the ghost and a particularly pesky demon. The angel comes in later.

It's kind of funny. When I started the book, Blue Moon, I had no idea it would be part of a series. It's a short series (three books), but still. I envisioned a short story about two guys, one who is dead and one who hasn't gotten over the death. The story line came out of a conversation with someone about dealing with the loss of a dear friend. I've had some friends come and go, but I haven't lost anyone super close to me (fingers crossed, knocking wood, etc). But I've helped others through this particular crushing time.

During a recent event where a close friend of mine dealt with the death of a beloved pet, I had the characters of Tristan and Paul come to mind. Paul was very, very sad. He had his black cat, Snowflake, to help him grieve, but even she didn't help him deal with losing his partner and best friend, Tristan. All of this didn't come out right away. Paul had to go through the grieving process.

When he first showed up, he was angry and denying his partner had been killed. He'd only talked to Snowflake at the time. Then he moved on to bargaining and depression. If only Tristan would come back, things would get better. The bargaining didn't last long, but the depression did. Blue Moon is his way of accepting and possibly moving forward.

Sounds like it would be a depressing as hell story, doesn't it? I'm not going to lie. Having the conversations with Paul in my head were...heavy. I went through a bout of malaise at the time. Nothing seemed to gel and I just...it was rough. But I got into his headspace and understood where he was coming from. This was tough stuff. The man he loved had died...on Halloween and wearing a cheesy devil costume.

Are you wondering what happened next? Well, there is a demon, a bargain and some hot sex involved. The order of those events, well, you'll have to read the book to find out. I don't want to give too much away.

Blue Moon by Megan Slayer  

Part of the Scare This collection

MLR Press

M/M, Anal Sex, Masturbation

Contemporary, Paranormal, Ghosts

Short Story

The ghost at my door claims to be my ex-boyfriend, back from the dead. Yeah, right.

Ghosts don’t exist. I know they don’t. Why? I’ve never seen one. I’ve seen everything else—from Sasquatch to hell hounds and more…even vampires, but I’ve never laid eyes on a ghost.

Go figure. It’s Halloween. All sorts of stuff happens on the spookiest night of the year. There will be plenty of people out having a good time, scaring each other and begging for candy. They’ll try to get me involved, but I know better.

Have I mentioned I hate Halloween? Two years ago on October 31^st, my world fell apart and I know it’ll never be fixed. No ghost can ease my broken heart and bring my boyfriend back to me. None.

Available here:

MLR Press: http://www.mlrbooks.com/Bookstore.php?bookid=MSBLUEMN

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Moon-Scare-This-Book-ebook/dp/B00P5BGGVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414969714&sr=8-1&keywords=megan+slayer+blue+moon

AllRomance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-bluemoon-1660780-340.html

EXCERPT:

©Megan Slayer, 2014, all rights reserved

“Bitter isn’t a good color on you.”

Paul tapped the remote, silencing the television. He could’ve sworn he heard someone besides the people on the screen talking. The voice sounded like Tristan, but that was impossible. Tristan Evans had died two years ago.

“Come on, Paul. Hasn’t it been long enough?”

Damn it. That had to be Tristan’s voice, but from where? He glanced around the room. With the exception of the cat, he was alone. He’d locked the front and back doors and checked the house to ensure everything was safe. Right after Tristan had died, he could’ve sworn he’d heard Tristan talking to him. The shrink dismissed the voice as being a figment of Paul’s imagination and longing. Paranoia, the shrink called it. Paul only lasted the rest of the session before finding a new psychiatrist.

Hearing Tristan had to be a figment of Paul’s imagination—again.

“If you won’t properly speak to me, I’ll stop coming to you.”

Paul squeezed his eyes shut. In his mind he saw Tristan leaning against the bedroom doorframe. He wore his favorite ratty, body –hugging blue jeans, no socks or shoes and the old Flashes shirt he loved. The muscles in his arms bulged and his dark hair flopped over his forehead. His blue eyes blazed as he tipped his head to the side. Even as a memory, he sent warm shivers through Paul’s system.

“You’ve got to stop hating the holiday we both loved. Hate won’t bring me back.” Tristan strode towards him and hooks his thumbs in his front pockets. “Cheer up. Please?”

Tears slipped down Paul’s cheeks. The hurt he’d bottled up for the better part of the last two years came back in a rush. “I know I should, but I can’t. I lost you and seeing all of the Halloween decorations makes that loss so fresh and raw. I can’t do it. I love you, but I can’t keep ripping myself open.”

“Then keep loving me.”

Paul wiped his face and opened his eyes. He needed to get his shit together. Talking to a figment of his imagination wasn’t going to help his situation. Still, the words poured out of him. “How? How do I forget the man I love?”

Tristan sat opposite him on the bed. “You keep my memory alive, thus keeping me alive.”

Paul blinked. He’d opened his eyes. There was no way Tristan could be on the bed with him. No way. He’d buried his lover. “You’re a ghost. Ghosts don’t exist. What the fuck is going on?” He scrambled off the mattress and landed on the floor with a thud. One of the pillows flopped over onto him and he shoved it away. His mind had to be playing tricks on him. “No. Ghost do not exist.”

“Technically I’m not a ghost, but you’d be surprised.” Tristan—or what sure as hell lookedlike Tristan—sighed and stood. He turned his back on Paul. “It all comes down to rules and you know how much I hate rules.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “I found a way around the rules.”

Paul rounded the bed and placed himself between Tristan’s ghost and the cat. No one hurt Milo—not even a crazy ghost who claimed to be Paul’s ex-boyfriend. “I don’t know who you are or why you’re doing this, but the joke is over. You had your fun and old Paul looks like a moron. You won, now get the hell out of my house.”

“Aww, honey, I’m not trying to dupe you.” The man strolled across the room to the bed. “Paul, I’m here.” 

* * * * *

http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

Megan Slayer - It's Always Fun to Squirm

What This Author Is Thankful For . . . by Nancy Gideon

It’s that time of year—time to make lists of what we’re grateful to have before they turn to the frantic scramble of giving and receiving. I’m tremendously thankful for . . .

My family. Having my Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night with my grandson at my elbow all day to help prepare. The scent of turkey roasting, the anticipation of stuffing (my favorite!), my once a year gravy indulgence, pumpkin pie, traditional casseroles, laughter around the table . . . sigh. Now that’s fulfilling!

My critique group. Wonderful, creative women who’ve stood by me (and behind me when I needed a swift kick!) for two decades! Their support, enthusiasm, truthfulness, empathy, individuality, assistance, gift of the ridiculous, and tolerance is what’s kept me going, both professionally and personally.

The gift of words. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t have stories chasing around inside my head (in a good way!). I’ve never taken that ability to spin plots, build worlds, craft unique characters and commit them to paper for granted. It all comes down to two moments: rereading a passage and being surprised at how beautiful the words flow together, and having readers tell me how those magical words I can’t take credit for touched them.

Fans. That handful of vibrant, greedy (in a VERY good way!), gushing, eager readers who push me to give them MORE! Who talk about my characters as if they’re real. Who light up my social media sites with their excitement. Who push my books upon reluctant friends. Who make me strive to be better, work harder, get up at 5:00 a.m. and not retire to the couch to watch Netflix. I love you guys!

Changes in the publishing industry. After three decades of bending to the rules of the Big Six (or is that Four now?), it’s wonderfully freeing to be able to work on those projects of the heart and pass them on to readers who’ll enjoy them through small and indie presses and by self-publishing. I’m tremendously grateful to my publishers and have learned volumes from my fab editors, and now can take that experience to explore brave new worlds as well as the ones they’ve so generously provided.

Health. Getting older ain’t for sissies! Things start to creak and groan, brilliant thoughts flicker and fade before they’re captured, burning that midnight oil gets extinguished at 10:00. Writing isn’t for sissies. We punish our bodies and minds, hunched over the keyboards for endless hours, stressing over lack of time and money, working when others are relaxing, pounding keys when others are sleeping, struggling to stay relevant and unique as the pressures to produce crowd in. Our fingers and shoulders complain, our brain groans with fatigue . . . but there’s always one more blog to write, one more chapter to finish, one more deadline to meet. And the strange thing is, those things that so abuse us are the ones that give us so much joy. We all want to be Barbara Cartland, still putting it out there at 99, so we need to take care of what we’ve got so we can keep going!

The sense of writing community. No other profession can boast of what we have as writers. That generous spirit that lets us see potential rivals as comrades. That has us donating time and talent to others. That close-knit fabric of sharing and rejoicing and commiserating. I’d never met another writer until after I’d published my first three books back in the ‘80s. I was isolated, alone, with no one who understood those creative demons that hounded me. Now I’m surrounded by an inspiring, encouraging sister-(and brother-)hood of like-minded souls whom I can depend upon, lean on, learn from and support. (Group hug!)

The New Year! It’s fabulous to look ahead and see seeds already planted, and have more ready to sow. I’ve got the first three long out of print books in my “Midnight” vampire romance series being reissued by ImaJinn Books in an exciting campaign that repackages and re-releases the entire series together for the first time, one book per month, starting in March, 2015. That’s nine months and I’ve already gone through the labor! I’ve got a completed romantic suspense ready to publish, and the next book in my “By Moonlight” shape-shifter series already plotted. And two western romance series to self-pub with outlines for concluding books in both of them. I’ve got author friends with wonderful things in the works that I can’t wait to support and fangirl.

The Paranormal Romantics. I’m so grateful to have been invited into this fun and talented group. I’ve enjoyed discovering new books and new worlds. I’m tremendously grateful for our retiring moderator who has worked so tirelessly to put everything together for us. May we continue to support and encourage one another and provide our genre with delights and adventurers!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

And even though it’s not out-of-this-world, here’s a little something to add to your literary table—my new contemporary romance release w/a Dana Ransom:

Can two broken hearts make a perfect match?

Widowed on her honeymoon, Robyn Lee pours all her unfulfilled dreams of a happily-ever-after into her wedding planner business, hiding her own heartbreak by making perfect memories for couples beginning the loving future she was denied. The last thing she needs is the brother of her dream client—whose endorsement will guarantee Robyn’s success—to rock the boat…and her regimented world.

Through the lens of his camera, photojournalist Kyle Travers has witnessed all the ugliness life can offer. Still reeling from the death of his news partner in the field, he sees the frilly job of photographer at his sister’s wedding as an annoyance—until he meets the steely organizer who protects her broken spirit almost as fiercely as he does his own—making him wonder if two fractured halves can make a stronger whole.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group

Follow @NancyGideon

We are never getting back together

by Stephanie Beck
The Case of the Old Flame


When I was in high school in a small town in Minnesota, the drama of two of the older siblings trickled down to my senior class. One older brother and another's older sister had married and had two kids and were now struggling.


This meant, as it often does in small towns, that the younger siblings of the couple were now mortal enemies. Sides were picked. Things were said. Cars were egged.


And then the feuding couple got back together again. Fast forward almost fifteen years and for all outside purposes they look to be very happy together. And the two younger siblings still hate each other.


If I'm writing a shorter story, I do like to look to past relationships as a possible start point, because there is already a history there, and I think history and time play big factors in love (not always, but for the most part I think this is true).


In Super Love, Myles and Dinah were lovers who burned hot and then burned out when she hit a rough spot. I knew they weren't done, though, not these two. I'm glad they gave themselves a second shot, even an imperfect one. Maybe that's what the second and third go-round for couples can do--allow them to approach the other with fewer perfection tainted expectations.





Super Love is part of Beachwalk Press's Series Spectacular Event (where all 1st books in series from Beachwalk are FREE at all retailors). Get yours now, and start the Justice Fraternity Chronicles.


Super Love
Reuniting to save the world.

Dinah just wanted to save the world. That didn't pan out, so she turned to social work, only to find herself miserable. When she's given the option of returning to the Justice Fraternity and her life as Dinah-Go, super fast superhero, she hesitates because going back means working side by side with her former lover Myles Steele, aka Man of Wonder.

To save their city from gargoyles, Man of Wonder needs Dinah-Go back in fighting shape. But Myles wants more than just his fighting partner at his side, he wants the lover and friend he lost two years earlier. Getting her will take more than even his super strength.


Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Love-Justice-Fraternity-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CV8I4S4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416665499&sr=8-2&keywords=super+love


Nook:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-love-stephanie-beck/1115373233?ean=2940149181032


Kobo:
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/super-love


All the best,
Stephanie Beck
www.stephaniebeck.net
www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor
www.twitter.com/StephBeck123

Guest Author Jillian Jacobs Talks Elementals and WATER'S THRESHOLD

I'm pleased to introduce our guest today - Jillian Jacobs!

Here’s a little about Jillian: In the spring of 2013, Jillian Jacobs changed her career path and became a romance writer. After reading for years, she figured writing a romance would be quick and easy. Nope! With the guidance of the Indiana Romance Writers of America chapter, she’s learned there are many "rules" to writing a proper romance. Being re-schooled has been an interesting journey, and she hopes the best trails are yet to be traveled.

Water’s Threshold, the first in Jillian’s Elementals series, was a finalist in Chicago-North’s 2014 Fire and Ice contest in the Women’s Fiction category.

Jillian is a: Tea Guzzler, Polish Pottery Hoarder, and lover of all things Moose.

The genres she writes under are: Paranormal and Contemporary with suspenseful elements. 

Spotlight Book Title: Water’s Threshold

Series Name: The Elementals Series, Book: 1

Blurb: What happens when a lonely water-girl finally finds her shore?

In a tourist town at the base of the Tetons, Maya Conway, a mythical being known as an Elemental, stands at a crossroads. On her current path, she is content using her life force—water—to protect humans and the environment. Her direction is altered when Mother Nature taps her to guide Terran Forrester, an analytical scientist, on his journey to become the next Elemental—Earth. If Maya crosses into his world, will her lonely heart find a partner or will his rational mind reject her otherworldly existence? When an ancient evil evolved from dark matter shadows their steps, which path will they choose—logic or love?

Short Excerpt:

A low beat of classic rock came from the backyard as Maya stood on Terran's front porch. Always one to forge her own trail, she fought the notion that this pull toward him was predestined. Hadn't she, so many years ago, left behind her birthplace to begin a new life? At eighteen, she had traveled across America by train to California. Forever frozen at age twenty-one, she fought the notion this relationship was chosen for her. Fate did not have her at Terran's doorstep-hope did.

At the door's threshold, indecision raced through her mind. Should she cross into his life and get release for this pent-up need, or should she walk away? If she left, could she keep him safe and ignore the pull attempting to anchor her in place? Could she stand still, neither in, nor out?

Veronica: What prompted you to start writing?

Jillian: Honestly, I needed an addition to my current career. I love, love, love to read, and as I mentioned in my bio, I thought writing would be easy. I quickly discovered being an author is very challenging. I’ve spent the past year and a half learning craft from some very wonderful fellow authors. My goal now is to create work that I enjoy reading. I hope others will enjoy, as well.

Veronica: Which five people would you invite to dinner and why?

Jillian: Elvis, because he’s Elvis.

My grandmother, because I’d like her to meet my son.

Freddy Mercury, because I love his music, and I’d like to hear the truth of his life.

Lastly, a panel of women throughout time, how did they ever make it? Specifically a few brave gals who survived on their own while their loved ones fought in the Civil War. Women who fought for our right to vote. Women who fought for our health care. A glimpse into their strength and persistence would be fascinating.

Veronica: That would make for an interesting and wide ranging discussion. Which word or phrase do you most overuse in a manuscript?

Jillian: Super easy—THEN.

Quickfire:

Must watch TV show: Justified- aka that show with Timothy Olyphant

Cats or Dogs: Cats

Favorite Flower: Yellow roses

Tea or Coffee: Tea

Book or books I reread most often: Until You by Judith McNaught and To Tame A Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning. I could go on and on.

Veronica: How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book?

Jillian: I don’t really celebrate, because there is still so much to do. I imagine I will celebrate when I get my first royalty check. I’ll probably tell my immediate family, and then get my writing pals together for a mani/pedi.

Veronica: What are you working on next?

Jillian: I’m in final edits for Ember’s Center, the first in my Contemporary series, The O-line. The hero is a professional football player, and NO, he’s not the quarterback. I wrote this series because I feel like all the other players on the team deserve a story. We hear enough about quarterbacks, don’t we?

I’m also in the final chapters of the second in this Elementals series, which will be Flint and Violet’s story. Fire’s Field is the working title.

Where can your readers find you online?

Website: www.jillianjacobs.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenMooseProd

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorJillianJacobs

Buy Links for book:

Amazon   Barnes & Noble  All Romance eBooks   KOBO

Jilian: Thanks, for this opportunity to reveal a little more about my story and myself.