Friday, August 31, 2012

Guardians by Andrew Weston Release Day Giveaway!




In a series of terrifying events, otherworldly beings intervene to save innocent lives. The world community reacts with relief as they realize that angels may in fact exist, and they are diligently protecting us.

But there are those who would seek to stop what they feel is a threat against their livelihoods. How far will some go to battle the Guardians? Is the fairy tale over before it even begins?

Guardian Angels is a powerful and compelling story about the catalyst that has the power to unite society in the hope for a better future. The spark of hope is fragile—can it last?



  

About the Author

Andrew P Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston, eventually attending Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boy’s where he was School Captain and Head Boy.
He was an active sportsperson for the school and a variety of rugby, martial art, swimming, and athletics teams throughout the city.
On graduation in 1977, he joined the Royal Marines and served in a number of roles both in the UK and abroad.
In 1985 he joined the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, serving as a police officer in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.
Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies, was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.
An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.
When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark. He has not managed to catch any yet, but is sure he came close on 2 occasions.

Connect with Andrew


Website
Twitter
Face book
Blog

Where to Buy

Guardian print copies are available to pre-order on the Pagan Writers Press website for $14.95. The e-book is available on Amazon for $5.99.



Thanks to Andrew and his publisher, Pagan Writers Press, one lucky winner is going to receive a copy of Guardians. In addition to the book, the winner will receive a wonderful prize pack created by The Sisters Elemental. The prize pack includes a Guardian inspired necklace, Mind~Body~Spirit bath salt, and a Midsummer's Dream soap. 



 To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 9/21/12. Giveaway is open to the US & Canada. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Super Powers? Um…nope L Guest Blog By Alexia Purdy





So you think you can do it all? I know a lot of people who do and try their very best to slave-drive themselves to the ground until they collapse.  Well lately I have been faced with a lot more on my plate than I can handle and have sadly discovered, I’m falling behind! How did this happen? I am pretty much a procrastinator at heart anyway but to fall this behind that there is no hope to catch up, I think I might just stuff my head in the sand and pray it all goes away! BUT, I am also a driven person, so this is just another challenge for me too!

Like most people, I wear many hats. Yes I have the mom hat that has subcategories such as ‘slave’, ‘housekeeper’, ‘boo-boo healer’, ‘cook’ and then some. On the other hand, I am also a nurse, book reviewer and writer. I have no time. It’s all used up in the many avenues I have chosen to do. It’s okay though. I love every second of it. Thought it tests me in every way: mentally, physically and emotionally, I wouldn’t change it for anything. 

My point being and this is just a reinforcement of an awesome snippet of advice for anyone: it’s okay to not do everything and be superwoman. It’s exhausting to keep up and it ends in disappointment many times and frustration. I think it’s time to slow down. Not sure how but I might slow down on book reviews, less social media and enjoy my free time as much as possible. It’s okay. It will help me stay sane to continue this amazing and crazy journey that I have gotten to experience through writing stories. Sometimes it’s time to submerge back into life in other ways. Don’t forget to take care of yourself! It can only help.

Superwoman? I don’t quite think so, but it’s a super life indeed. J

 
 
The Serenity of the Land of Faerie is threatened as the Unseelie Queen Aveta rages war against the three remaining Seelie Realms of Faerie. As Shade's powers grow, she finds she is running out of time to keep the war from spilling into the human world. Winter is growing in strength as the evil Queen's horrifying legions scar the land in their frigid wake. No one is safe. Shade becomes enemy number one for the Unseelie legions. Questioning her true role of power, Shade discovers the cost of winning may come at a much higher price than she ever imagined.
About the Author:
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada- Sin City!!! I love to spend every free moment writing, or playing with my four rambunctious kids.  Working as an RN currently to fund my dream career of writing.  I devour books daily, especially paranormal fantasies and find genre books and independantly published books to be irresistible.  I've has been writing since I can remember (probably since the age of 6) and love creating paranormal urban fantasy and poetry. 
I review books too and highly support all authors. I also enjoy watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food (yum). 
 
Excerpt 1:
"Look!" Soap yelled out as he pulled Shade out of her reverie. She followed to where he was pointing. Her eyes widened as she stared at the scene opening before them. Molten lava was now spewing from cracks splitting the ground and spreading across the earth atop the slope.
"What's going on?" Shade called out in surprise, wiping the last of her tears away. "Where's that coming from?" It was Shade's turn to grip onto Soap's arm, her eyes wide with fear. Her hands shook as she glanced at the other warriors, waiting for them to decide what to do or where to go.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Win a Copy of Destiny at Goodreads!

Want another chance to win a signed copy of my debut novel of Destiny? Just head over o Goodreads! Entry is quick and simple. Good luck!


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Destiny by Laura DeLuca

Destiny

by Laura DeLuca

Giveaway ends October 09, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Monday, August 27, 2012

Guest Post by Linda Andrews Author of Brianna



Do you remember the first romance novel you ever read?

I do. Vividly. I was just beginning high school when the movie Romancing the Stone came out. Wow! I watched that movie six times. Here was everything I was hoping for--action, adventure, intrigue, mystery, humor and a love story in one package.

The next time I went to the library, I looked for the book but didn't find it. Undeterred, I went to Walden's Books and there it was. I immediately checked it out and read it from cover to cover. Again and again and again. I reread it in college and when I was pregnant with my children and when I was in the emergency room or hospital.

I was a convert to the power of happily ever after.

And from then on, I zigged away from the mysteries and zagged toward the romance section of my local library.

I wasn't until much later that I realized how lucky I was to have a library that was friendly toward the genre. It still boggles my mind that some folks don't appreciate romance novels.

What's not to love about strong women facing adversity and triumphing? What's wrong with the belief that there are people who will love you for who you are and not try to change you? What's wrong with believing that a person could be the most special person in the world to someone?

And don't get me started on the sex.

I'll admit that I'm a book lover. I love to read and I'll slip between the pages of almost any genre. I have over 300 ebooks on my kindle app, 25 on my Nook app and I'm afraid to open my ibooks app. I also have a pdf convertor for those books I win on blogs.

But it is the romance genre that draws me back again and again. If I'm having a hard day--a romance will pick me up. If my kids are fighting, I can retreat to exotic locations like the Bayou or a cowboy ranch in Montana in a romance. Why? The stories may put me through an emotional ringer but I'll always end up smiling in the end--guaranteed.

Could it get any better than that?

So what draws you to the genre that you read?

Since the story featuring my Victorian heroine's journey to Egypt has been subjected to Murphy's Law, my publisher has graciously agreed to put the ebook featuring her parents' love story.


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghost-of-a-chance-linda-andrews/1100069406?ean=9781936144914

And as a special bonus for the blog tour, I have a free paranormal short story available here:


http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/162749

And lastly, on August 31st, I'll be giving away one Ankh necklace. To enter, send an email with the topic of today's blog to contests at lindaandrews dot net (placed in proper email format).



Love, lies, and an ancient Egyptian curse. Brianna Grey holds the key
to mankind's destruction and someone is willing to kill for it. Having spent most of her life dying of consumption, one man's kiss has resurrected her desire to live. For US Treasury Agent, Duncan Stuart, love means death. He works alone, lives alone and plans to die alone until he meets Brianna again. Under the harsh Egyptian sun, Duncan will break all his rules to save her but will it be enough to overcome the secrets that could get them both killed?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Gilt Hulk $250 Amazon GC Giveaway!



GiftHulk - Rewards The EZ Way
At GiftHulk users can earn gift cards, electronics and other rewards the EZ Way, by doing things they already do online – searching, answering surveys and more!
GiftHulk offers users more than 15 different ways to earn Hulk Coins! These include Search&Win, Offer Walls, Daily Surveys, Friends Connect, Treasure Box (patent pending technology) and much more!

Currently GiftHulk is open to users from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.
GiftHulk - Rewards The EZ Way
Why GiftHulk?
“Time Is Money.” However, when it comes to surfing on the Internet we totally forget about it and spend our time refreshing Facebook and Twitter to see if there is a fresh update. We all do it.

GiftHulk established a way to make it possible to gain from surfing the web and your online daily activities! The main goal is to allow people the things that they really want and need – for absolutely FREE!

That is the main reason they offer such a huge selection of gifts, from department and fashion stores to online shopping cards to premium game account cards and even cool gadgets! The idea is that every person will be able to enjoy GiftHulk!

One lucky winner will receive a $150 Amazon Gift Card & 2 additional winners $50 Amazon Gift Cards.

Think of all the books you can buy with that!

Giveaway ends September 3rd at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!



 
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Author Laura DeLuca is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.  

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Softer Edges - Guest Post by Author Louisa Bacio



Life changed after I had children. Priorities shifted, and suddenly I couldn’t stomach movies and literature that featured violence, especially violence against kids. The subject became too close to home, too real.

A year ago I bought a collection of short stories from one of my favorite authors, Stephen King. Partway through Full Dark, No Stars, I put the tome down, and didn’t pick it up again.

I didn’t start writing in romance. My first love affair was horror. Regularly, I slashed and diced. I poured through nonfiction books on serial killers, trying to get to the heart of the why of murder.

That’s a major question with a death, right? Why was a victim chosen? How did the slaughter occur? We want all those grisly details.

“Bed of the Dead” doesn’t uncover or answer the questions about humanity. But, it does take a look at the darkness – that potential for evil. As a whole, my writing tends to be darker.  An erotic paranormal, “Bed of the Dead” focuses on the power and greed that comes with immortality.

While I’m unable to face reading horror, I guess it hasn’t kept me from writing about it. Also, there’s an additional complexity of emotion. With my daughters, love becomes all encompassing. My youngest at 5 likes to hold me tight, her face snuggled into my breasts, breathing in my scent. It’s a carnal, purely physical connection. If one’s out of my sight, it feels like something is missing. When both go in opposite directions, I’m torn, unsure of how to watch both.

As I continue to evolve, so does my writing. Such a new realm, a softer edge, to be embraced. 




 When Chloe places an online ad for some kinky sex, she doesn’t expect to hook up with a vampire coven. But sleeping in the bed of the dead isn’t all she expected. Instead of a cold lay, she craves some warm flesh. Fortunately, gorgeous surfer-boy Seth is more than willing to share his humanity.

Pick up your copy of Bed of the Dead on Amazon for only $.99 or free with Amazon Prime.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Celtic Attic Helps Celebrate the Upcoming Release of Morrigan With a Giveaway!



My newest YA novel, Morrigan, will be released on October 31st, 2012.  Morrigan is a tale inspired by my love of Celtic mythology and legend. The story takes place in the land of Tir na Nog and the characters are named after goddesses of Celtic legend including Hecate, Ceridwyn, Brigid, and Arianrhod.  Of course, Celtic symbolism will also come into play, and you will hear about the triple moon, the Celtic knot, and of course, the triquetra. If you ever watched the television show, "Charmed",  you will probably recognize this symbol as the sister's family crest.  But the triquetra or Trinity Ring was a magical sign long before the Hallowell's adopted it. To many, this ancient symbol represents the three aspects of the Goddess--maiden, mother, and crone (an important element in Morrigan). It can also  be interpreted in many other ways, depending on the path you follow, but no matter what it represents to you, it is a beautiful and ancient symbol.






If you love the triquetra and enjoy finding lovely jewelry and decorative items that display this symbol, than a wonderful place to shop is Celtic Attic. They are a store that offers beautiful Celtic jewelry and decor, but I especially love their triquetra selection.  You can find pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings, sun catchers and more, all emblazoned with this eternal symbol. The selection is amazing, so you are sure to find something perfect for your personal style.





If you are looking for some awesome Celtic gifts, now would be a great time to start shopping. Celtic Attic is hosting a Summer Sale Spectacular right now.  Purchase $50.00 or more from the Celtic Attic throughout the month of August and receive a FREE mom Suncatcher or pocket token.  If they run out they will come up with another great gift instead!  They are also offering $3.00 off your order.   Plus get a candy bag with each and every order. The discount will be removed AFTER you place your order. They will be processing all credit cards in the store so that they can take make any price adjustments.  They  will also be giving away a SUMMER COOLER SPECTACULAR! (Gift Basket includes - 2 coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Shortbread & Irish Candy Treats bag, Suncatcher & a Keychain! Value $60.00) Enter Now! As always they  will be awarding  2 Celtic cross pendants in addition to the Summer Cooler Basket. Visit their  sales pages and purchase one item and get another for 1/2 off!

And as if that isn't awesome enough, Celtic Attic is also sponsoring a fun giveaway. The prize will be a beautiful triquetra pendant that matches the symbol on Morrigan's dress on the cover of my book.





  To enter this giveaway, just fill out the rafflecopter form below. You will be able to enter this giveaway at both the New Age Mama and Author Laura DeLuca blogs. You only need to enter ONCE. Please do not enter on both blogs. Entries will be merged and one winner will be chosen. Giveaway will end on 9/11/12. Winner will have 48 hours to reply before another winner is chosen. Thanks again to Celtic Attic for offering this great prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Book Spotlight - Becoming Jolie by Monique O'Connor James



Jolie Bourque is trying to finish her thesis and get on with her life.  She wanders into Folette, Louisiana, a place plagued by ghost sightings, convinced they are all crazy.  No one wants to help her, no one except Hutch Landry and his brother Tucker.  

Will she find the monster that is preying on the town's children?  Can she stay sane surrounded by madness? 

What are her ties to the small town?  How will she choose between the brothers?

This is the nightmare that is her life and all just a part of Becoming Jolie.


 
About the Author:

Monique is the mother of two beautiful children and lives in a small community outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She currently works full time as an insurance agent, but her favorite jobs are mother, wife, and author. On her ninth birthday, her mother bought her a journal and said, "Write whatever you want. Just write". And so, a love affair with words was born. 

She wrote poetry and short stories in high school and college, until 1993 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her mother's death in 1998, deep in depression, she found herself unable to write. Nine years passed, and only on rare occasion did she attempt to write. Finally, in 2007, under the urging of   friends, she sat down and pecked out her first novel. It was raw and unpolished, but the process had been unquestionably cathartic. 

The next three years were spent filling her hard drive with seven complete manuscripts. At the beginning   of 2011, Monique decided it was time to edit the work and share it with the world. She hopes you enjoy the ramblings of a truly southern girl raised in a state rich with heritage and love.
In June of 2011 her first book, The Keepers, was published by Astraea Press and it has been a world wind of excitement ever since.  Please check out her website and feel free to contact her at any time via her email, facebook, or twitter.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Nexus 7 Giveaway

Mom Powered Media proudly presents the Nexus 7 Giveaway!

Nexus 7 Tablet
  • Thin, light and portable the Nexus 7 was built to bring you the best of Google in a slim, portable package that fits perfectly in your hand.
  • With a stunning 7" display the Nexus 7 brings your entertainment to life in stunning clarity on a vibrant 1280-by-800 high-resolution display protected by scratch resistant Corning glass.
  • With over one million pixels in your hand, text is sharper, HD movies are more vivid and gameplay is smooth and dynamic.
  • Less charging, more doing With over 9 hours of HD video playback, 10 hours of web browsing or 10 hours of e-reading and up to 300 hours of stand-by time, Nexus 7 is designed to go the distance. Whether you measure battery life in chapters read, levels completed, movies watched or minutes of backseat silence, you can spend less time charging and more time doing.
  • Designed with gaming in mind Nexus 7 was designed with gaming in mind. With heart pounding quad-core performance and sensors like a gyroscope and accelerometer - do a barrel roll then tilt, touch and tap your way to the top of the leaderboards while exploring over 600,000 apps and games available on Google Play.
  • Quad-core performance Nexus 7 was built by ASUS and comes with a NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor, meaning everything is faster - pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze. A 12-core GPU delivers rich and immersive graphics while patented 4-PLUS-1(tm) CPU design gives you processing power when you need it, and battery saving efficiency when you don't.
  • The world's most popular platform Nexus 7 is powered by Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, the latest version of the world's most popular mobile platform. With smarter notifications, beautiful new widgets and home screen customization that's as easy as drag-and-drop - Android is faster and more intuitive than ever.

One lucky winner will receive a Nexus 7 Tablet (8GB).

Giveaway ends September 6th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!



 
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Author Laura DeLuca is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 

The New Phantom Cover!



Well, the contest has ended, and by a virtual landslide, the winner of  the Phantom cover contest is cover #1!  We plan to re-release Phantom with the new cover on or around 9/1/12.  As a bonus, the new edition is going to include the first chapter of the second book in the Musicals Trilogy, inspired by Sweeney Todd,  to give you a little taste of what will happen when Rebecca heads off to college.   In the meantime, if you're one of those people who really doesn't judge a book by its cover, you can take advantage of a great price on the older copies. Pick up a print copy direct from Pagan Writers Press for only $12.95 or grab the e-book on Amazon for only $3.99.  For those of you who are new to my blog, here is little about what Phantom is all about:

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.



Thanks again to all my wonderful followers who offered their opinions on the cover! The winner of the giveaway has been selected and I am waiting to hear back from them! So if you entered, be sure to check your email!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Help Rosa Sophia Kick Start her New Novel!

 
My friend and editor Rosa Sophia is trying to raise some money to market her book! To help achieve her goal, she is trying out the Kickstarter Program.  Unlike most projects you can back, you are guaranteed to get something back if you help Rosa out.  In exchange for helping, she is offering signed copies her book, editing services, blog mentions and more! Be a part of something great and back this wonderful young author! To learn all the details, just check out the program here.

Marlow & the Monster Review & Giveaway





Monsters hide under beds, in closets and lurk outside closed doors. No matter where these creatures take up residence, most children go through a phase when they worry about monsters, ghosts and other creepy-crawlies being in their room at night. So how can parents help them cope?

Sharon Cramer is a mom of three who has dealt with her fair share of monsters while raising her three sons. She tackles the subject in her latest children’s book Marlow and the Monster (Talking Bird Books, July 1, 2012, $14.95), a book every parent will want to keep on hand for those spooky nights.

In Marlow and the Monster, Marlow has a monster, whether he likes it or not. And guess what? He doesn't! What will Marlow do about this very pesky monster that keeps getting him into trouble? At his wits end, Marlow decides that the only prudent thing to do is to pawn the monster off on his little sister, Sarah, who eventually helps him see his monster in a very different light.

In Marlow and the Monster, Cramer takes the intimidation factor away from monsters and helps children and their parents form a more lighthearted view of these creatures.

“We don’t want to underestimate the reality our children’s beliefs and fears,” says Cramer, “but we do want to help them understand the role their imagination plays in controlling the things they are afraid of. For instance, maybe their monster is silly and goofy instead of mean and scary.”

The book
is, in Cramer’s words, “My first trip onto the wild side!” Illustrated with quill pen and ink, the only splash of color is reserved for the monster to depict that only the children can see him. Each illustration takes her between 30-40 hours to create. 

TALKING POINTS:
  • Monsters – Do they necessarily have to be scary?
  • Fun ideas on how children can imagine their monster moments as friendly moments.
  • Talk about your fears - Everyone is afraid sometimes, even Mom and Dad. Share how you cope with your fears.

SHARON CRAMER is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and avid competitive equestrian. She is also the author of Cougar Cub Tales, an award winning children’s picture book series that follows the adventures of a brother and sister cougar cub, and is working on a new young adult series called The Cerulean Star. She lives in Spokane, Wash.

To learn more, please visit: www.talkingbirdbooks.com. You can also follow her on Twitter.

Where to Buy
You can order your copy of Marlow and the Monster on Amazon for only $14.95.  And as a special deal to celebrate the blog your, the e-book is FREE.

Our Thoughts

Marlow and the Monster is a unique children's book that both boys and girls can enjoy. It tells the tale of a boy named Marlow who has a bit of a monster problem. It isn't scared of the monster. He just seems to find him annoying at first. The monster keeps him up at night. He gets into everything, and he just won't go away. Whenever Marlow tries to tell his parents, the monster hides. Finally, he tries to push the monster off on his little sister. At first she's scared and Marlow just gets in trouble again, but then his little sister helps him see that the monster really just needs a friend.  So the underlying moral of the story is that you can be friends with anyone, even if they seem a little different while also teaching kids not to be scared the monsters under their bed. My kids enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I thought it was unique that each picture is in black and white, expect for the brightly colored monster. It makes it easy for the younger children to find him, even when he's hiding. With Halloween on the way, this fun but no so scary monster story would be a great addition to any child's library.


One very lucky winner is going to receive a copy of Marlow & The Monsters!  To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to the US only and will end on 9/5/12.  Thanks again to  Sharon Cramer for offering this fantastic prize.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway



***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. *** 

Private Arrangements - Guest Post by Author Jenna Jaxon

One of the best known tropes in historical romance is the arranged marriage.  Two people are thrown together, often by their parents’ wishes, and made to marry even though they don’t know--much less love--one another at all.  The reader is then afforded the pleasure of watching them find their way, albeit often bumpy, to falling in love.  This is one of my favorite tropes in romance, which is why you find elements of it in my new historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do.
The situation is founded on reality--for the upper classes and nobility up until the late 19th century, arranged marriages were the rule rather than the exception.  Marriage was seen not as a joining of two individuals who loved one another, but rather as a merger and acquisition deal.  Money, land and station were the critical factors.  Great houses sought connections to gain wealth, political clout, and family ties through the marriage of their offspring, quite often with no regard for the feelings of the parties involved.  Some times the husband and wife were able to reach an accord, even an affection for one another.  Many more did not.  And during this period infidelity on both sides was extremely common.  Because love rarely entered into marriage, people sought it elsewhere.
Hardly the stuff romance novels are made of.
However, romance writers have taken the real life situation--two people who don’t know each other, don’t like each other, don’t have anything in common--as the major conflict for their novel.  Circumstances vary--the arrangement may be made by parents, it may stem from some financial need, it may arise from some indiscretion or scandal that forces the couple to wed.  But the romance writer is bound by the unwritten (and sometimes written) rule that there must be a Happy Ever After ending.  To that end, the arranged marriage serves as an inciting incident to the action of the novel, which is to create conditions through which the couple is able to fall in love.
As noted above, this is a very popular plot, especially for historical romances.  And depending on the way the complications are managed and the set-up of the book is handled, these can be some of the most rewarding reads in romance.  Two of my favorites are from multiple-RITA winner, Jo Beverley.  Her first two Company of Rogues Regency titles have arranged marriages at their hearts.  The first, An Arranged Marriage, has hero Nick Delaney marry the woman his brother raped to save her reputation.  The second, An Unwilling Bride, has a father arrange a marriage between his son (who is actually not his blood relation) and his illegitimate daughter so the family bloodline will remain intact even though it will be through the female line.  The challenges to the couples in both books are great, but watching them slowly learn to know, trust, and eventually love one another is romance at its best.
My own novel, Only Scandal Will Do, uses this trope to an extent.  The Marquess of Dalbury compromises the daughter of a peer and has to convince her to marry him to avoid the ensuing scandal.  Lady Katarina fights against the marriage because she fears the marquess’s reputation as a rake will prohibit any happiness for her.  The Marquess has to use every ounce of his charm to persuade the lady that he is, in fact, the perfect match for her.
Excerpt from Only Scandal Will Do:
“I assure you, there was never a night like that before.” Lord Dalbury spoke quietly, and Katarina sensed a tension in him. “I had never done such a thing before. Never participated in such an auction. Never tried to take a woman unwillingly to my bed.” He stopped speaking. Just stopped. Then his breath hissed as though he’d slowly released it.
“I cannot find the words to tell you how deeply I regret I was not a better man that night.” He paused, and she held still and waited. “What I tried to do was madness, without thought, without honor. I do not even have an excuse other than my base desires, and that your abundant charms overwhelmed me.” His face was shadowy in the scarce light of the sickle moon, but he sounded contrite. “I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I have no right to expect it. But I would ask you to allow me to attempt to remedy the situation.”
Kat shook her head slowly. “What on earth do you believe you could do, Lord Dalbury, that could even come close to a remedy for the terror and humiliation you put me through? Do you think now that I have met you, heard your feeble attempts at an apology, and rejected them, the memory of that night will magically disappear?” She fought to control her anger, though she yearned to blast him with it. “What magic potion would you have me take that would erase the memory of you pinning me to the bed? Because if you have such an elixir, then yes, I will gladly take it from you and obliterate you absolutely and irrevocably.”
He stood silent at her words, then said simply, “I have only myself to offer, my lady.”
“You would have me kill you, my lord? In that, too, I agree I would oblige you, but not at the cost of my own life. I understand the English law punishes those who do murder quite severely.” Kat was astonished when he lurched backward, as from a blow.
“No, my lady, I would not have you kill me,” he said, sounding grimly amused. “Though indeed that would probably give you most satisfaction. I meant I would have you marry me.”
His words surprised a laugh out of her. “Marry you?” The laughter grew. “I see, my lord, you think me both a whore and a fool.”
“I think you are neither, Lady Katarina.”
“Then you are the fool to believe I would put such a man as you in control of every aspect of my life.” That he thought she would even entertain the suggestion was insulting.
The pale moonlight shadowed his face, but she could read displeasure there just the same. “You judge me solely on one act that, I assure you, was grossly out of character for me. You cannot possibly know what kind of husband I would be.”
“And never will, Lord Dalbury. I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”
He inclined his head toward her, a faint smile touching his lips. “I believe you made a similar claim about dancing with me, Lady Katarina. Yet we have indeed enjoyed a dance together despite your words.” His tone was soft, the sensuous, cajoling one he had used to seduce her that night in the House of Pleasure.
Kat trembled, recalling the incredible sensations of his hands, his mouth on her body. Damn. He could not do this to her again. Not just with his voice.
“Is there nothing that would entice you to leave your Hell for my Heaven?”
She struggled to answer, opened her lips to deny it, only to find her mouth completely sealed by his.

Aurthor Bio
Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical  and contemporary romance who has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own writing.
Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets.  When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director.  She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Buy Links:  
Lyrical Press          Amazon          iTunes
Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.
Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she's a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her.
Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he'll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who'll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family's name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared.
He's betting their future he'll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?
WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Coming August 31st 2012 - Guardians by Andrew P Weston




In a series of terrifying events, otherworldly beings intervene to save innocent lives. The world community reacts with relief as they realize that angels may in fact exist, and they are diligently protecting us.

But there are those who would seek to stop what they feel is a threat against their livelihoods. How far will some go to battle the Guardians? Is the fairy tale over before it even begins?

Guardian Angels is a powerful and compelling story about the catalyst that has the power to unite society in the hope for a better future. The spark of hope is fragile—can it last?



  

About the Author

Andrew P Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston, eventually attending Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boy’s where he was School Captain and Head Boy.
He was an active sportsperson for the school and a variety of rugby, martial art, swimming, and athletics teams throughout the city.
On graduation in 1977, he joined the Royal Marines and served in a number of roles both in the UK and abroad.
In 1985 he joined the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, serving as a police officer in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.
Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies, was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.
An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.
When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark. He has not managed to catch any yet, but is sure he came close on 2 occasions.

Connect with Andrew

Twitter
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Blog

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Shades of YA Plantom Blog Tour & Giveaway


The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.




Dates: 

August 
1st- Kristy Centeno (spotlight)
7th- Tara Len Walker (spotlight)
10th- Bengal Reads (guest post)
14th- Howling Turtle (guest post)
18th- The eBook Reviewers (spotlight)

September
10th- whoopeeyoo (review, guest post)
20th- JennReneeRead (review, giveaway)





There is also a giveaway across the blogs that are participating.  The prize pack is show in the photo above. Stop by any of the blogs to enter!

Friday, August 10, 2012

FREE TODAY! Ride for Rights by Tara Chevrestt

Blurb:
In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone.
From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert.
Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?
Excerpt:
There was a twinkle in Francisco’s eyes as he looked the women up and down, taking in their dirty riding attire and the motorbikes behind them.
“We are just moving some of our caballos and mules to a more desirable location,” he said smoothly. “You must be the famous sisters riding to Los Angeles and getting into muchas problemas!” He laughed boisterously and, turning to the conversing men waiting on their horses and mules behind him, said something in Spanish to them all. The men began laughing and slapping their thighs with their large hats.
Angeline didn’t like this and stepped forward. “What are you saying?” she demanded.
Francisco gestured for his men to be quiet. “I read your American papers. You are quite famous. You brought trouble upon a man with many wives.” He shook his head and raised his hands in the air as though in supplication. “More than one espousa. Por que Hombre loco!”
The men behind him roared their approval once again. Finished with his antics, Francisco turned a serious face to the women in front of him. “Crazy man, I say. One woman is enough.” He held up a single digit. “Any more woman than that, and I would be drowning in my José Cuervo!”
The men behind him began yelling amongst themselves, and Angeline had no idea what they were saying but decided it sounded rather bawdy and thus related to women and a man named José, and it seemed harmless enough. The men looked dirty and disheveled, and she noted they carried weapons, but the man called Francisco was smiling and did not seem to intend them harm, so she permitted herself to relax.
Adelaide was quite charmed by this foreign man in front of her. She liked his smooth movements and the way he spoke with a twinkle in his eye. She also liked the idea of being famous. She asked the man to tell her more about what he had heard.
“You are representing women, yes?” Francisco asked them. “You aretropas and rebels!”
“Well, I don’t know what a tropa is, but I suppose you could say that.” Adelaide blushed again. Angeline was watching from the corner of her eye.
“Tell me more.” Francisco placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Maybe we can help you.” He gestured to his men to dismount, and they all rushed to obey, pulling saddlebags off their horses or mules. “We have food and water and José Cuervo.”
Angeline was looking around for this mysterious José they all seemed to worship so, but no man in particular seemed to respond. She shrugged and reluctantly followed Francisco and her sister as they walked. The men obviously under Francisco’s command were all resting on their colorful bedrolls and chatting, occasionally looking in their direction in curiosity.
She caught up to her sister and new companion and grabbed her sister’s free arm, forcing her to stop her chattering and turn around. “We really should be going. We must reach the next town before dark,” she said in a warning tone.
Adelaide’s eyes were bright with excitement, and her cheeks were flushed. “Francisco says we will not make the next town before dark. He says we may join him and his men when they set up camp.”
“Absolutely not!” Angeline hissed, glancing discreetly at Francisco who was now directing orders at his men. “What has gotten into you?  We are two women alone surrounded by strange, foreign men! Do you have any idea what could happen?”
Mujures, I assure you no harm shall come to you. Here…” Francisco came up to them and pressed a Colt dragoon into Angeline’s hands, “for your safety.”
The dragoon was heavy, and she struggled not to show surprise or dismay. She had never shot a weapon. She attempted to exhibit a confidence she did not feel as she looked Francisco in the eye. “Why?” she asked defiantly. “Why do you want us to stay with your camp?”
“My men and I would love the company. We have been traveling for days with nothing but ourselves, our horses, our smelly mules, and José for company. We will not harm you, but I will not stop you from leaving if wish you wish to do so.”  He gallantly bowed once again.
A camp was being set up near a formation of rocks, and the men were unpacking cooking utensils as Angeline looked at the setting sun. She sighed. They had wasted too much time. She did not want to get lost again.
She looked at the dragoon in her hand, and its weight reassured her. She looked at a hopeful Adelaide and nodded her consent at Francisco. They would camp one night, but if any of the men bothered her or her sister, she was putting this dragoon to use even if it meant shooting her own arm off.
Customer Review from Amazon:
This was such a great story. I haven't read YA in years, but the subject had me intrigued. The story surrounds the Hanson sisters, Angeline and Adelaide and their desire to show a 1916 America that women can indeed participate in the war by becoming motorbike dispatch riders.
I admired the spirit and determination of these two women. At each obstacle they encountered, from disapproving looks from people for wearing male attire, (trousers and leather jackets), a lost wallet, downright meanness, and at one point incarceration, the sisters persevered. There were a couple of instances where they could have given up, but they remembered why they decided to ride across America.
Reading Ride for Rights evoked a lot of emotions, the most prevalent was a sense of empowerment. 1916 was a time where women were considered nothing without a man and the Hanson sisters proved they could be someone. If one is willing to step out an fight an injustice incredible things can happen and the Hanson sisters did their best to make their cause heard.
So if you're looking for a sweet story, while an emotional impact and lots of adventure, Ride for Rights delivers. Also the author adds a nice note at the end regarding her research. It's worth looking into, I did a little more research on my own and found a few more noteworthy women and I never would've done that if I hadn't read Ms. Chevrestt's book. Ride for Rights isn't just a title, it's a call to action, a battle cry.
--Chantale Williams “Telly”
Bio
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
Tara also writes as Sonia Hightower. Sonia writes the racy stuff and argues that she was here first. She just wasn't allowed to be unleashed until the last year.
While Tara and Sonia continue to fight over the laptop and debate who writes the next book, you can find buy links, blurbs, and other fun bits on their website: http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.