Promo Blitz: Wolf's Castle by Madelyn Hill Excerpt

Wolf’s Castle by Madelyn Hill

Historical Romance

Date Published: June 14, 2014

Can he forget the past and embrace the future?

He’s the beast of Lomarcan Castle. Tortured, angry, and bound and determined not to allow Vivian Stuart to invade his lair. Lord Galen Maclean refuses to be endeared to the lovely woman who has landed on his island looking to study alchemy. The island possesses secrets, secrets too horrid to share with the gentle woman. However, her beguiling nature brings light to the darkness of the castle and the few quirky inhabitants and edges into his heart.

Can she tame the beast within him to gain his love?

She was stranded on a remote island, her father dead and dishonored by her betrothed. Still, the lovely Vivian Stuart wears her heart on her sleeve and strives to redeem Lord Maclean. She knows his heart is good and the castle can be filled with love. Through science she learns more about the troubled lord and slowly but surely, the torture lord's icy heart begins to thaw as Vivian shares the magical healing power of love.

EXCERPT

            He scowled at her. “You want fresh air, here it is.” He seemed pleased with himself, as a ghost of a smile turned his lips upward. When the smile reached his startling blue eyes, then she’d believe him.

            “’Tis not fresh air alone, m’laird. I want to leave. I want to go home.” I want my father back and all the security that he could offer. She waved her hand toward the see. “The water is calm.”

            Ignoring the hitch in her voice, Vivian tried to maintain eye contact with her warden. The rigid line of his shoulders and the stiffness of his back gave little indication that he’d heard her or would relent.

            He gave a seemingly careless shrug of his shoulders. “You can’t leave.”

            Standing, she walked as close to him as she felt was safe. “And you’ll be giving me good reason?”

Raking a hand through his hair, he released his breath. A white plume billowed from his broad mouth. The set of his jaw read threatening, sinking her expectations as the soaring walls of the courtyard began to close in, making her want to run from the potentially serene haven.

He pointed toward the cliffs with a shaking finger, his voice a low rumble scratching over the distant thunder of the waves. “Have you not seen the current? A boat would be swallowed with a wee thrashing.” He reached for her and grasped her arms, holding them to her sides, his gaze probing hers. “You may not go near the water. Too many have died. I can’t allow you to be next.”

About the Author

I'm a mom, wife, and writer just living life to the fullest. A Michigan native, I've moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to marry the love of my life. Life is exciting, exhausting, chaotic and I wouldn't have it any other way. I currently work in education and love integrating technology into learning.  In my writing world, I enjoy researching, trying to find historical facts to weave into my writing. Historicals are my first love, but I have started writing Young Adult novels. Writers are often told write what you know and since I work in education and have three children, I have plenty of experiences to add to my writing.

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Promo Blitz: Taking Vengeance by M. K. Theodoratus Excerpt

Taking Vengeance by M.K. Theodoratus

Historical Fantasy Novelette

Furious Half-Elven parents, Mariah and Ashton, seek vengeance for brutal attack on their daughter by vicious Sea Raiders.

In a tale older than time itself, Taking Vengeance tells a story about the strength and conviction of a mother's love against those who would harm her family. After witnessing centuries of fighting and chaos against her people and her own bickering with Linden, the ruler of the Far Isles Half-Elven, Mariah has withdrawn from politics to seek a peaceful life as a healer.

But Mariah's peace is short lived when Sea Raiders attack her daughter's family, leaving her at death's door. The act of bigoted cruelty plunges Mariah into despair. Her grief is sensed by Ashton, her partner who is far away spying on their southern enemies, and he uses his elven magic to rush to her side. The couple's rage boils over at the outrage. Ashton urges Mariah to belt on her sword and seek vengeance against their daughter's attackers.

Mariah discovers the Sea Raiders wield a strange new magic that threatens all they hold dear. But can she convince Linden that their country is in danger before it's too late?

Taking Vengeance is a tale set in the world of the Far Isles Half-Elven, who constantly fight among themselves even though they’re beset by enemies on all sides

EXCERPT

        

The Half-Elven patients and their families cowered against the walls, increasing Mariah's anger at the stupid clod who dared to growl at her. Their audience rolled their eyes like nervous horses, fearing what the combatants might do. They pulled what energy they could from the air to strengthen their protective shields. Mariah's skin itched from the static raised by their efforts. But she focused her attention on the ruler who had once been one of her closest friends.

In a voice a third as loud as Linden's, Mariah said, “Calm down, you fool. You're disturbing the patients.”

“Blast your patients. I'm warning you.” Linden’s face turned red. “Get your nose out of my business.”

“I was just consoling the girl.”

                                     

“My affairs don't concern you.”

“Elysianna deserves better than being dropped cold by a coward.”

Linden's face grew redder. “By the Fates, I wish Ashton was still here to put a leash around your neck.”

“Well, he isn't here.” Mariah controlled her sigh, hiding her sorrow at her ring-mate's absence. “You sent him spying on our southern enemies.”

Mariah took a deep breath, ready to yell back at Linden's next comment.

The hall's head healer appeared in the doorway that lead to the consulting rooms, her hands folded in front of her. A scowl darkened her face. “Quiet, the two of you. Take your disagreement elsewhere.”

Thick silence spread over the room.

“She rules here. Go drill your troops or something.” Mariah whispered. “I came here to help not cause the patients discomfort.”

The force of Mariah's glare pushed Linden towards the door. He stomped away, looking as mulish as he had when his father forced him to clean the byre as a boy. Mariah shooed him on his way as if her hands were a broom.

Her face calm in spite of her thumping heart, Mariah turned. “Who's next?”

No one moved until a small boy touched her hand. He looked up at her sideways, ready to run. “My granny's tooths hurt.”

With a closed-lipped smile hiding her pointed front teeth, Mariah clasped his hand. “Shall we stop them from hurting?”

“That'd be nice, Lady. Then she can chew ham again. She does enjoy a nice slice of ham.”

About the Author

Comics first hooked M. K. Theodoratus on fantasy. When she discovered L. Frank Baum's first Oz books, the strong female characters drew her into the possibilities of alternate worlds. Then, she stared writing in grade school when a teacher assigned a short story lesson. The assignment was incomplete at 25 pages, but she finished the book by the next summer. The Children’s Librarian, the only other person who’s read it, thought it well-done.

Theodoratus has enjoyed at least four writing careers, including non-fiction. Now she writes fantasy ... mostly because it amuses her. Theodoratus writes in the world of her grumpy Far Isles Half-Elven, often featuring Mariah del Oesti or Renna of Ren Creek. She also explores other magical worlds of ghosts, gargoyles, and Fae. Most of her newer stories are set in Andor where demons prey on humans. You can read more about her fantasy at http://www.mktheodoratus.com

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Promo Blitz: Falling From the Sky by Nikki Godwin Excerpt & Giveaway

Falling From the Sky – Nikki Godwin

YA - LGBT Contemporary Romance

Date Published: February 21, 2014

  

All stability in sixteen-year-old Ridge McCoy’s life crashed and burned in the plane crash that killed his dad. This summer-long basketball camp is his chance to improve his skills and escape his problems back home. But his summer plans take a turn in an unexpected direction when he meets Micah Youngblood, the guy who runs the carousel at the local mall and has a reputation for devouring straight boys’ heterosexuality for breakfast, alongside his chocolate chip pancakes.

Ridge needs a way to avoid the guys at camp, whose only quest for the summer is to drown in beer and hook up with girls. So when Micah offers to explain how the ten unique horses on the carousel are significant to his tribe, Ridge takes him up on it. Still, Ridge can't decide if this is a bad thing or not. All he knows is that he hasn’t felt this alive since his dad fell from the sky, and as the horse adventures come to an end, Ridge finds himself falling as well – for Micah.

EXCERPT

Once we’re at the candy stand, Terrence places his order while I scope out the scenery. I keep a low profile until I see Micah. He leans against the edge of the carousel booth and motions someone over to him. It’s a guy. He’s shorter than me, about Micah’s height. Brunette. Thin but somewhat athletic. Then Micah hugs him.

“Uh oh,” Terrence says, following my gaze. “You better go squash that now or someone else will be playing your Xbox games.”

“Shut up,” I mumble. But he’s right. Micah is all too friendly with this guy.

It physically stings. What the fuck is wrong with me? There’s no way I’m jealous. I mean, yeah, if this dude showed up at his house and crashed an Xbox session, I’d be pissed. But Micah is free to talk to whomever he damn well pleases.

Except this guy.

I tell Terrence that I’ll be back and make a beeline for the carousel. I slow down once I’m a bit closer, shake my hair like an emo kid to look a little more natural, and stand tall – because you know, male dominance and all that. Whatever that other guy says is in one ear and out the other the moment Micah sees me.

“What are you doing here?” he asks. He smiles, though, so obviously this isn’t an awkward moment…unless he’s expecting an orgy.

“Terrence had to bring something to his cousin, so I just tagged along,” I say as nonchalantly as I can. “Busy night?”

Micah shakes his head. “Nah, dead actually,” he says. “Oh, this is Tyler, Emilia’s boyfriend. You remember my cousin Emilia, right? Pax’s sister?”

I swear, something inside of me literally crumbles like a broken statue. I don’t know if it’s my lungs or my heart or maybe my entire ribcage. I should have the words ‘fucking idiot’ permanently inked into my forehead, branded like a goddamn cow.

Tyler reaches out to shake my hand, mumbles something about Emilia wasting too much time looking at nail polish, and how he better get back and find her. I finally catch a bubble of oxygen about the time he walks away.

“So, Fourth of July? You coming?” Micah asks, completely oblivious to my male dominance and green glow of envy.

Terrence’s shadow closes in on us just as the question leaves Micah’s mouth.

“What’s happening on the Fourth?” he asks, looking at me instead of Micah. Terrence is damn good at playing dumb as shit.

“We’re having a cookout on the res, pretty huge,” Micah says. “And then we go down to our side of the river for the fireworks show. It’s epic. You should come too.”

“Hell yeah,” Terrence says, nodding along like this is such a freaking brilliant idea. “McCoy here can give me directions. I’ll definitely swing by.”

And then, as quickly as he popped over here to seal the deal for my weekend, Terrence makes some lame excuse about going to look for some Adidas shorts and that he’ll wait for me at the sports store but “no rush.”

When I finally break away from Micah fifteen minutes later, I take the walk of shame down the mall to find Terrence. I dread having to look him in the eye when I know, without a doubt, that he was right.

I want Micah to want me.

About the Author

Nikki Godwin is a YA/NA/LGBT author. She can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, and music by Hawthorne Heights. When not writing, she internet-stalks her favorite bands and keeps tabs on surf competitions. One day soon, she'll live near the beach. Her favorite pro surfers are Jeremy Flores, Gabriel Medina, and John John Florence.

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Promo Blitz: For Her Protection by Amber A Bardan Excerpt & Giveaway

For Her Protection - PROMO Blitz

By Amber A Bardan

Erotic Romance

Date Published: May 30, 2014

     

You shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.

Yet pleasure seems to be the one and only thing on Charlize’s mind the moment Connor steamrolls into her life. Desperate to save her family company, prove she’s more than a pretty face and worthy of being CEO, pleasure is a distraction she can’t afford.

She doesn’t want a bodyguard, especially not one whose caveman heroics kick her libido into hyperdrive. But surrounded by enemies and an attacker on the loose, there’s only one man she can trust with her life.

Connor knows better than to get personal with clients. Yet there couldn’t be anything more personal about his feelings for Charlize. From the moment he clapped eyes on her he wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and really give her something to scream about. He’ll get his uptight she-cat to unwind, preferably one orgasm at a time.

With Connor in her office, her home, driving her to sweet, merciless distraction, there’s only so long Charlize can resist his sexy, dominant brand of protection

EXCERPT

They made use of her mostly empty living room for training, standing barefoot in the middle of the room. Charlize glanced at the hardwood floor.

“Wouldn’t this be safer on the rug?”

“We won’t be doing throws today,” he said and circled her, walked around her three times.

She refused to turn her head and follow him.

“Here’s how it’s going to work. I’m going to show you a dozen simple techniques. At the end I’m going to test you.”

She frowned. “Like a quiz?”

“No, like a challenge. We see what you’ve remembered. Get you to think on your feet, force you to think quickly and react fast.” He stopped in front of her. “If you pass the challenge, you win—and trust me, you want to win.”

Charlize folded her arms and tried not to look as if she caught the suggestion in his tone. “We’ve played this game before. If you want to prove you’re bigger, stronger and better at this Karate crap than I am, then I concede—you’re better.”

He grinned a devilish smile that reminded her just how quickly he could make her heart race. “This is a new game. All you have to do is prove you were paying attention. It’s not a contest, it’s a challenge—and the stakes are higher.”

She uncrossed her arms. “How high?”

“At the end of this I’m going to fuck you.” He slinked closer in his prowling-panther way of moving. “How I do that is up to you. Either you get to fight me off, put up your best resistance, or I own you and you do exactly as I say. If you win, you get to choose how it happens.”

Charlize took a breath then reminded herself to breathe out. Told her hands not to shake at her sides.

“But if you fail, I’ll take you how I want.”

How he wants? Her body rushed with adrenaline. Part of her wanted to lose just to see which option turned him on. She wanted him rough. As impolite as that might be, as much as it fell outside what she’d done before, she acknowledged the desire—but this was different. This was saying it out loud. This was conscious choice, deliberate. This was agreeing to some kind of kinky role-play. None of which she could bring herself to accept.

“How the fuck is there a win for me in that?”

He closed the distance, made her look up at him, made her breathe in the scent of his clean body. “Because it’s what you want, kitten. But you’ve got to admit it.”

Her tongue fumbled in her mouth, which had apparently found new saliva glands. The idea of fighting him off sounded hot all right, but she couldn’t do that. Not with memories of the parking lot so raw.

But if he wanted to challenge her, then he could be challenged too. With something equally as hot. “Instead of the fighting, the other option is you do as I say.”

“You want to bargain for that? Sounds less fun to me.” He stepped back and positioned himself two feet in front of her. “Let’s get started.” He ran her through exercise after exercise. Showed her the vulnerable places on the body to target, how to sneak a hit to the throat before an attacker saw it coming. How to break every kind of hold, but more importantly he showed her how to look around. How to stop the world from closing in and see the things around her, things she could use to protect herself.

Her muscles ached by the end but she knew she had this.

“You been paying attention, kitten?” Connor asked.

“Does it look as if I’ve fallen asleep?”

He grasped her wrists. “You mean like you did last night? You’re going to pay for that you know. I’m still aching.”

“Only if I fail,” she whispered and twisted her arms free. “So was that score one for me?”

He chuckled and laugh lines dimpled his cheeks. “Sure. Are you ready for the next one?”

She nodded and stepped from foot to foot. He had her ducking, twisting and even landing a hit to his “vulnerable” place. Not that he reacted—the bastard. She was ready to savor the sweetness of victory when he caught her from behind, twisted his fist in her hair.

Breath evaporated from her chest. Fear streaked through her limbs. The imagined smell of tobacco tingled in her nose.

“Breathe, baby,” he whispered and air rushed back into her lungs.

Charlize slammed her heel into his foot, her elbow into his stomach and twisted—breaking the grip on her hair. She dropped to the floor and rolled out of reach.

Connor pursued with his slow, confident swagger. “Congratulations, you did well. So what is it, baby? Am I yours to command?” He tucked up the legs of his sweatpants and crouched in front of her. “Or are you mine?”

About the Author: Amber A Bardan

After spending years imagining fictional adventures, Amber finally found a way to turn daydreaming into a productive habit. She now spends her days as a graphic designer but her nights writing gritty, raw, erotic romance with heart.

She lives with her husband and children in semi-rural Australia, where if she peers outside at the right moment she might just see a kangaroo bounce by.

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GIVEAWAY

Prizes include a $100 Amazon Gift Card, Romantic Swag, and 3 eBook copies of For Her Protection

Romantic Swag Includes

Luxury Robe & Thong, Kinky Tape, Polka Eye-mask, Massager, Bath-time Rose Petals, Silver Plated Book Charm, Amber A Bardan Magnets, Amber A Bardan Bookmarks, Amber A Bardan Pen

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Promo Blitz: Fast Series by Ryan Ringbloom Giveaway

Fast Series - PROMO Blitz

By Ryan Ringbloom

YA and New Adult Contemporary Romance

Okay, FAST. - Basically you have Robin who has a thing for Kent (the boy next door). Good News! Kent likes her back. Problem - Robin is a shy timid pain in the ass who needs a wake up call. Hmm, Kent needs a way to fix this. AHA - A plan! Make Robin jealous with the popular and oh-so slutty, Ashley. How can that plan fail? Well, for starters Robin is not the only one jealous by Kent and Ashley's new-found friendship.

Enter the hot younger brother, Patrick. By the end you have one very happy couple and one not so happy couple. Yikes!

Can you WAIT? - Tessa is looking for love...BUT that's it! At least for now. Why does it seem like everybody else is just out for a good time? Isn't anyone willing to wait for sex that actually means something? It sure doesn't seem like it to the curly haired prude. Hello Tucker!

Then you have Cassie. She waited just a bit too long to let her real feelings be known for her friend -turned- faux brother, Mark. Now seeing him with someone else is making her see red! Whoops. Who could've seen that coming? Oh, that's right...everyone!!!

Everyone has FLAWs. - Oh Josh! You killed my girls in the first two books with your man-whore ways. But I loved ya anyway. You just needed to work a little harder for that special someone! And Aidan, my dear sweet Aidan, you most certainly deserve the gift of love. Just be careful, sometimes under that pretty wrapping paper is something ugly.

Becca and Jordyn realize they need to work through some of their own flaws before either of them can find that happy ending.

Time to PANIC. - Kent and Robin are reunited and ready for that perfect HEA. Too bad Robin doesn't believe she can ever give it to Kent. But hey, time to grow up and realize that perfect comes in a lot of different ways.

Bailey gave Shayna twinkling lights, a night at the beach and then a little something extra. Now what should they do? Ummmmm....PANIC!!!!!

Ryan Ringbloom lives for anything Romance.  The passion, love, angst, awkwardness… she loves all of it.  When Ryan needs a break from reality she sneaks off to read a romantic story or write one of her own.   Drinking coffee, reading Tweets and hugs from her five year old are the best part of her day.

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Fast | Wait | Flaw | Panic

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Promo Blitz: The Trouble With Flying by Rachel Morgan Excerpt & Giveaway

The Trouble With Flying - PROMO Blitz

By Rachel Morgan

Young Adult/New Adult

Date Published: June 24, 2014

    

  

When introvert Sarah boards a plane to fly home after an overseas holiday, the last thing she expects is Aiden, the guy sitting next to her who’s never flown anywhere before and refuses to shut up. Hours of random conversation later, they part ways. Sarah can’t stop thinking about Aiden, though, and wondering if she made a terrible mistake letting him go. Should she abandon her safe, predictable life and go in search of him, or would she be chasing a happily ever after that could never exist in real life?

EXCERPT

CHAPTER ONE

I don’t make friends on aeroplanes. I know there are people who like to strike up a conversation with the complete stranger sitting next to them, but that’s not me. It’s not that I’m an unfriendly person. It’s more the fact that the conversation centre of my brain seems to seize up in the presence of strangers, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what to say. And even if the other person is happy to simply babble on while I pretend to listen and be interested, I’d really rather be doing something else. Like reading. Or watching a movie. Or sleeping. Or trying to figure out how to stop crying.

Yes. Crying. Because if being shy and awkward isn’t enough, today I’m adding red eyes, tears, and suppressed sobs to the embarrassing mix.

I stare out the tiny, oval window at the patches of reflected light on the wet runway and silently ask God to leave the seat next to me empty. I can’t deal with a chatty neighbour right now. I’d rather watch the black sky and incessant rain until we reach cruising altitude. Then I’ll close my eyes and let sleep take the pain away.

Oh, STOP IT. It’s not like someone died.

I wiggle around a bit in my seat and sniff, trying to listen to my inner pep-talk voice. Think of the good things, I tell myself. I’m on my way home. I’m leaving behind the dreary, wet weather for a sunny, summer climate. That, at least, should make me happy. But thinking about home leads to thoughts ofwho I’m flying towards, and that only makes my stomach twist further.

I hear the sound of a bag being dumped onto the seat at the end of my row. There are only three seats between the window and the aisle—mine and two others—so there’s a fifty-fifty chance this person is about to plonk him or herself down right next to me.

I angle myself more towards the window and swipe my fingers beneath my eyes. I start the furious tear-banishing blinking. Stop crying, stop crying, stop crying. All I need now is for someone to see my blotchy, wet face and start asking me what’s wrong.

I hear someone settling into a seat. I don’t feel movement right beside me, so it must be the aisle seat. Fantastic. I send up a quick thank-you prayer and remind God that it would be spectacularly awesome if He could keep the seat next to me empty.

A tickle inside my left nostril alerts me to the fact that my nose is dribbling. I sniff, but it doesn’t help.Crap, where are my tissues? I lean forward and reach down by my feet for my handbag. Brown strands of hair fall in front of my face and block my vision, but if I can just get the zip open and feel past my purse to the tissues—

No. Too late. Now it’s trickling down my lip and I’m digging around in the bag and I can’t feel the stupid tissues and a drop of tear-snot just landed on my hand and yuck! I haul the ridiculous handbag—I told Jules I didn’t need something so big—onto my lap with one hand while holding the back of my other hand to my nose. And there the tissues are. Right next to my purse. Perfectly easy to find. I rip one from the packet and jam it against my nose to stop the tear-snot flood.

And that’s when I catch a glimpse of the guy sitting in the aisle seat. A quick sideways glimpse, but enough to tell me he’s cute. Excellent cheekbones, a strong jawline, and perfectly messy dark brown hair. Terrific. My nose is dripping snot in front of a cute guy. Not that I should care that he’s cute, or that he’s a guy, because it’s not like I’m going to talk to him, and it’s not like I’m even available—am I? I don’t actually know. And thinking about that makes me want to cry all over again—but STILL. I don’t want to look blotchy and snotty in front of a cute guy.

Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn't for her--after all, they didn't approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults.

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A $20 Amazon gift card for one winner

E-copy of THE TROUBLE WITH FLYING for two winners

  

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