Saturday, March 30, 2013

Art Imitates Life -- Even When its Not Intentional




 Banner created by Lisseth from Read-A-HolicZ


If you've read any of the books in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, you'll notice the basic theme is life imitating art. In Phantom, Demon, and Hyde, Justyn and Rebecca find their lives start to mirror the world of the characters they portray on the stage. However, this duality can also work in reverse. Sometimes art can imitate life--even when it's not intentional.

 A few weeks ago, something miraculous happened in my life. The kind of thing that normally only occurs on soap operas or old episodes of Unsolved Mysteries. The younger brother I spent the last few years searching for finally made contact. Ironically, I was sitting at my desk, writing a chapter in Hyde when he replied to an email I sent him over a year ago on face book. Because we weren't "friends" it had gone into his junk folder. My fingers trembled as we chatted back and forth and I made so many type o's my editor would certainly have narrowed an eye. It was an amazing moment because not only had I found my brother Omar,  I also found a kindred spirit.

So this might be a touching story of reunited siblings, but what does it have to do with The Dark Musicals Trilogy? Let me explain. Lord Justyn, the hero in the series, has a special place in my heart. He was a character that has always felt real to me on a level I couldn't quite explain. Now I think I figured out why Justyn was so special. I think I was channeling my brother when I created him.




The first and most obvious similarity between Justyn and Omar is their passion for music.  Omar plays a variety of instruments including guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and sitar! Yes, I said sitar, an instrument that makes an appearance in more than one of the Dark Musicals books. Strangely enough, I had literally just added a sitar player into a scene in Hyde the exact moment I received his email. I always say, there are no coincidences. But best of all, my brother Omar is an amazing singer!!! He has even performed on stage in musicals, just like Justyn.

Where wardrobe is concerned, Omar's taste runs more to punk than goth, but he certainly wears a lot of black from what I've seen. He also has the same style of black hair, the same physical build, and certainly the same charming mannerisms as Justyn. Neither of these guys are an alpha male, but personally that is how I prefer it. However, music and physical appearances are not the only common denominator between Omar and Justyn. While their spiritual paths are very different, Justyn being Pagan and Omar practicing Sufism, their basic philosophy is similar. They both embrace diversity and free thought in all aspects of life, and express this through their art. With heart and minds open, they see that the things that make us different aren't as important as the humanity that unites us.






Finally, and probably most importantly to fans of Lord Justyn, Omar shares Justyn's unique sense of romance. So many people have told me the scenes where Justyn sings to Becca make them swoon. A few others have rolled their eyes and claimed no man would ever be that charming in real life. Now I can prove those doubters wrong. This was my brother's status on face book just a few days ago. Of course, with Justyn it would have been an opera song instead of Queen, but still...

"There use to be a gazebo here, fifteen years ago I slow danced with a beautiful girl under it, there was no music, so I just sang, it was a queen song ...still one of my favorite memories, I should write a poem about it."




So yes, and you can see, art can imitate real life, even when you didn't intend it to happen. I started writing Phantom years before I ever knew Omar existed, and yet you'd think I had based Lord Justyn on him. But there really is a deeper connection  here than what is happening in my fictional world. Lord Justyn might be a guy, but a lot of his thoughts are MY thoughts. In many ways, Justyn is a masculine version of myself which tells me that, even though Omar and I only recently met, we have more in common than most of the relatives I've known all my life. Omar is an amazing artist who embraces spirituality and is the type of man I can be proud to call my brother.  This  journey between us has only just begun, but it's one I am looking forward to exploring.

If you are interested in learning more about Omar, check out his music pages. Sarmust, his mystical dance/ punk activist/ indie rock group, are taking the Washington DC underground by storm. Evil Art Form is his other project which offers electronic music with a bit of a dark side--just one more way he's like Justyn. Listen to the lyrics, let them embrace your soul, and let our story be a reminder that there is always something magical waiting around the corner just when you least expect it. 



Phantom, Book One int he Dark Musical Trilogy, Inspired by Phantom on the Opera
Purchase





Demon, Book Two in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, inspired by Sweeney Todd

Purchase

Free Book - Fairy Tale by Andrew P. Weston (18 + Only






For the third year running, a ritualistic serial killer has struck again in the week leading up to Halloween, leaving a gruesome and bloody trail in his wake.

It’s the same every year. One murder every day, until his quotient of seven has been reached. Butchery doesn’t begin to describe what happens to those who he gets his hands on. Then the killer vanishes – only to return twelve months later as merciless as ever.

When he does resurface, he appears to strike randomly and at will. It cannot be established exactly how the killer selects his victims, or why. As such, the detective leading the case is no closer to discovering the identity of the ruthless predator than he was when the slayings began.

It’s only when the detective gets an unexpected break that things get interesting…

Fairy Tale is available exclusively on Amazon and today you can get it for free!

 

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
Face book
Blog

Friday, March 29, 2013

Demon - Book 2 of the Dark Musicals Trilogy Release Day Giveaway


Demon, Book Two in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, inspired by Sweeney Todd is available now!

Purchase

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn
It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.
Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.
 Head to face book to join the Demon Release Party.  You can also add Demon to your shelf on good reads.




If you haven't read the first book in the series, now is a great time to get your copy. To celebrate the release of Demon,  Phantom is now on sale for only $1.99 exclusively on Amazon!



Purchase

Phantom, Dark Musicals Book #1

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.


 

      Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player and Demon. She also has short stories featured in two anthologies called HerStory and A Celtic Tapestry.


 Follow the author Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest






 THE GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Demon, Author Laura DeLuca has put together a Demon themed prize pack. It includes a signed copy of Phantom, geode and geode slice, rough crystal points, incense and holders, Gothic style leather key chains, smudge stick with abalone shell, mini Buddha and elephant statue, crystal, natural stone and pentacle pendants, and a $10 GC to Little Caesars, . 



The The Sisters Elemental Etsy shop has also created custom Lavender Purification  bath salts and a set of ammonite necklaces, both of which are featured in the book.


And finally, the awesome mommy bloggers at  Mom Powered Media are also throwing in a $50 Amazon GC to support one of their own!



One lucky winner is going to receive all these fabulous prizes. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  5/17/13. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Mom Powered Media, The Sisters Elemental and the author for offering these fantastic prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
****Please note no compensation was received for sharing this post. Host blogs are not responsible for prize delivery.***

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: A Scholar's Journey: The Divine Tempest

A Scholar's Journey: The Divine Tempest

A Scholar's Journey The Divine Tempest
A Scholar’s Journey: The Divine Tempest is a no-holds-barred fantasy brawl. It begins when the God of Justice and Retribution opens The Abyss and unleashes a vengeful demon upon the mortal realm of Therra. Now it is up to scholar Penndarius Greyson and his tormented protector, martial artist Soren Luna Mortalitas, to stop a crisis that would send shockwaves through the very fabric of creation. In addition, Penndarius is waging an internal battle with a disembodied presence attempting to possess his mind. The two heroes must avoid death or capture, but there is a catch: They have only one day to solve a riddle older than history before a dark host of unstoppable demons is released into the world. The Divine Tempest includes warring factions, betrayal and redemption, and of course, Herrick Erickson-Brigl's trademark: epic fight scenes. This is the lean, hard-hitting first installment in a series that follows Penndarius’s growth as the avatar of the God of Creation and Soren’s reclamation of his lethal family’s humanity. Purchase A Scholar's Journey: The Divine Tempest on Amazon.

About Herrick C. Erickson-BriglHerrick C. Erickson-Brigl

Herrick Erickson-Brigl has been reading fantasy since he first learned to read and writing it nearly as long. While in college, Herrick's passion for writing culminated in his first novel, entitled *A Scholar’s Journey: The Divine Tempest*. He is currently completing his second book in that series. Follow the Author: Website | Twitter

Kickstarter Campaign

Herrick is also kickstarting the editing for his second book "A War of Lies" A War of Lies  



View Herrick's Kickstarter Page here! The author is giving away a Kindle, a $20 Amazon GC, and an ebook. Fill out the form below a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, March 28, 2013

My Favorite Quotes from Phantom


Tomorrow is the big day! Its the release of Demon, Book 2 is the Dark Musicals Trilogy. But today I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes from Phantom, Book 1 in the series.  You may have to click on the images to see the quotes.











Phantom is now on sale for only $1.99 exclusively on Amazon. Get your copy today before you fall behind in the series.



Purchase

Phantom, Dark Musicals Book #1

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.



And just one more thing I had to share. Yesterday, Stephanie from Militant Recommender made my day! Not only did she post a fabulous review of Phantom, she also drew a cartoon of Justyn and Becca! Here is a quote from her review.

  "The Recommender LOVED Justyn! He is such a real presence, someone smart, charming, witty, self-possessed and not afraid to be himself in a high school world that treats him snarkily."

 To see the full write up, be sure to visit her blog. If you want to countdown the release to Demon, come join us for the virtual release party on face book!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Kobo Arc Giveaway


Welcome to the Kobo Arc Giveaway!

Organized by Mom to Bed by 8

KOBO ARC – READS YOU LIKE A BOOK

 

 

The Kobo Arc 64GB offers booklovers a competitively featured Android 4.0 multimedia tablet with a new way to discover content – books, movies, TV shows, music, web pages and more. With a Kobo-developed interface called Tapestries, Kobo Arc gives consumers an exciting new way to discover content. Using an intelligent cross-media recommendations engine, Tapestries responds to the user’s “pinned” content to recommend related videos, movies, books, webpages and other related content. Tapestries makes it easy to discover new personal multimedia recommendations with little effort as the engine learns what consumers love – and brings them more.
The 7” high-definition display delivers crisp, sharp text and with 16-million colours bring photos and videos to life. With front-facing speakers with SRS TruMedia, a built-in microphone and high-resolution 1.3 MP camera to take photos and videos, the Kobo Arc offers up to 10 hours of continuous reading or video play, and two weeks on standby. With Google Play, Kobo Arc users have access to more than 600,000 apps and much-loved pre-loaded apps including Facebook, Twitter, Rdio, Zinio and PressReader.


One lucky reader will receive a Kobo Arc 64GB.

If you're really lucky, maybe the Easter Bunny will hop by your house with this great prize! Giveaway ends April 15th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. New Age Mama is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway - Maiden Behind the Mask by Tara Chevrett

You know you’ve done something right in the cover art department when you see not one, but two just like it show up on your Facebook or Amazon feed. Only different titles and author names.

*sigh*

When Maiden Behind the Mask was first published, it had a home with a publisher. Now, the image I wanted and put on the art form was declared too expensive. If you’re an author, you’ve been there. With much grumbling and sighing, I searched for stock art images that looked like a Spanish woman in 1800s Los Angeles (then a part of Mexico) dressed as Zorro.

That saying “looking for a needle in a haystack...”

Yea.

I found a blonde, I found an Asian with way-too-modern bangs, I found lace masks, beaded masks, feathered, masks, women half naked wearing weird masks, pointy-nosed masks, but no women Zorros.

We got as close as we could.


Three weeks later the publisher crashed and people told me I should get new art anyway. The art wasn’t working for them. (If they only knew how very hard it was making that cover...)

I had cover two for a while. It’s a great cover, but it began to irritate me. It would be perfect if my heroine was running around in a lace mask and a dress with a pearl belt. Again, it was the closest we could find that was in the budget. The artist did a superb job.


Regardless, being the type of person who is just plain irritated by discrepancies in covers—they must match the story!—I made a third cover. It wasn’t a lady Zorro, but a Spanish senorita looking coyly over a fan. Because when Catalina Rodriguez isn’t saving damsels in distress, she’s a lovely senorita...with a lot of mischief up her sleeves...


Oh, I made such a good choice. Everyone loved it...and then I saw it twice more...the exact image with no changes made to it at all. Three identical book covers!

URGH!

But the good news is...that image the publisher said was too expensive? The image I originally wanted...is now my cover.

Who says dreams don’t come true? Perhaps this weird twist of fate was just a nudge toward getting what I originally wanted.

Behold...the new Maiden Behind the Mask artfully created by Christie A. C. Gucker!


When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again.

Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling. However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry.

Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever. Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay.


Thank you, everyone, for taking this cover art journey with me! DO leave me a comment *with your email address* and tell me which one you like best and why. One lucky commenter from each blog will be given a coupon code to download the book FREE on Smashwords! And yes, you can comment on more than one blog to increase your chances. I’ll be having my trusty canine sidekick choose names from her dog bowl Sunday night, the 31st.
***
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.

Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She shares a website with her naughty pen name: http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html and they have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.

Free Book - AlmaMia Cienfuegos by Magaly Guerrero

 
 
 
In dreams, nine-year-old AlmaMia Cienfuegos chokes on the tears and blood that bubble out of her eyes, while her sister, Soledad, gloats over the younger girl’s broken body.

Mamabuela, AlmaMia’s grandmother, insists Soledad means no harm; and AlmaMia knows the difference between nightmares and reality, but her sister still frightens her. When AlmaMia refuses to hand in a family heirloom, Soledad’s rage sends the Cienfuegos family over the edge.

Set in the Dominican Republic, “AlmaMia Cienfuegos” tells a story where blood deceives, nightmares rot, and sisters wage war on each other.

 
 
MagalyGuerrero writes, reads, and dreams dark fiction. She is the author of Pagan Culture, a blog about everyday life through the eyes of a dark fiction writer. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and at www.magalyguerrero.com.
 
 
 
Where to Buy
 
Get you copy of AlmaMia Cienfuegos: a Story of Blood, Scars and Nightmares on Amazon. It is currently available for FREE!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Book Spotlight - Merlot & Men by Sonia Hightower


I'm just going to keep this short. It's a short naughty story. (IR, menage, m/f/m.) Those of you who have read books one and two know what to expect from these. Below is a blurb and an excerpt. Hope you get a kick out of it. ;)

(Book one was Ladies Uncorked, book two Grapes of Lust, but they do not need to be read in any particular order.)

Blurb:
It’s time for the Annual Regional Wine Competition, and Charmaine is in town, ready to taste, evaluate, and judge, but stress is weighing on her from her day job, and airport security gave her some trouble over a “little” something special in her luggage.

But she just may get her stress relief elsewhere—like from the two hot servers pouring her drinks.

Little does she know the two men are already competing. Dominic and Logan work for rival wineries, and each is there to watch the other and ensure there’s no “monkey business” during the competition.

But nobody said the monkey business couldn’t happen after the competition. After all, sometimes tasting isn’t enough.

Excerpt:

“They confiscated my vibrator!” Charmaine slumped on the plush mattress and kicked her heels off, slightly mollified at the thudding sounds they made as they hit the closet door. “I don’t know how I’m going to sleep!”

Laughter came from the other end of the line. “I can’t understand why airport security would take that away. I mean, just remove the batteries, you know?” her friend stated.

Anger and frustration caused Charmaine to grip her cell phone harder than was necessary. “I did, but they said anything cylindrical and a foot or so in length was prohibited and required to be checked in. There was some mumbo jumbo about billy clubs and some nonsense. Like they were afraid I’d club everyone over the head with Mr. Foot Long and take over the plane.”

Her friend Fiona made a choking sound.

“It’s not funny,” Charmaine berated.

The laughter and choking became soft sputters and giggles. “Yes, it is. I’m sure the old fuddy duddy wanted it for herself. It was an old lady, yes?”

“She looked like a grandmother.”

“Look at it this way. She’s probably widowed and in serious need of it. You did an act of charity.”

Charmaine scoffed. “Great. This better go on my good Karma list. But in the meantime, what do I do?”

“You can’t go one night without it?” Her friend’s surprise carried over the line.

“Two. I’ve got tonight and tomorrow after the wine competition.”

“Oh, geez. Two days. You poor thing.”

Reluctantly, Charmaine had to admit she was being overdramatic  A light chuckle escaped her. “Okay. You’re right. I guess it was more embarrassing than anything, and I was really looking forward to trying it. It was new.”

“Just swallow tomorrow, get yourself relaxed, and you’ll forget about it.”

They ended their call with giggles and randy jokes, and Charmaine finally flipped her phone closed, rose, and stretched.

Noting it was already pretty late, she decided to hit the sack. Tomorrow she was judging the Regional Wine Competition and writing up an article about the experience for her magazine, Women Wine.

Being the owner and CEO of the magazine had its perks. She got to travel the world, taste wines, meet interesting people related to the industry, and share the experiences with others through the written word.

But it wasn’t without its own set of stress. Her editor-in-chief had quit recently, resulting in the extra tension in Charmaine’s shoulders.

She’d be missing Mr. Foot Long, but she’d have enough merlot to make up for it—she hoped.

Mark Merlot & Men To-Read on Goodreads.
Buy on Amazon or Secret Cravings.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Jessica by Laura DeLuca Free March 25th to 29th



To celebrate the upcoming release of Demon, Pagan Writers Press is giving all my readers a present! Jessica is a spooky short story available exclusively on Amazon . March 25-29th, you can get your copy for FREE!  As an added bonus, the story includes a sneak peek and my YA fantasy novel, Morrigan. Check out the blurb below and be sure to pick up a FREE copy today!

Wilbur was used to going to his college formals alone. He thought the Halloween Ball would be no different. He’s amazed when a beautiful girl in a Victorian costume displays an interest in him and even more amazed to find himself alone with her on one of the campus nature trails.


What Wilbur doesn’t realize is that another woman has her eye on him too. The White Lady returns every Halloween to take revenge on the men of the campus for her brutal murder. She has chosen Wilbur as her next victim.

Phantom Book Tour & Giveaway

Join us March 25-29th for a great tour for Phantom by: Laura DeLuca. 
 

Book Description

March 30, 2012
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.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 270 pages
  • Publisher: Pagan Writers Press (March 30, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0984680098
  • ISBN-13: 978-0984680092
  •  
 ON SALE NOW FOR ONLY $1.99
Find the Book

Author Bio


Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Find the Author

Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Publisher






Make sure to follow the tour and enter to win a $50.00 Gift Card to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon as well as a Kindle Paperwhite! 


 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Book Spotlight: Learning What Love Is by Marissa Dobson



Jacey Wilder is always watching over her shoulder, worried her abusive ex will find her. Terrifyingly, her natural strength as a lioness shifter proves no match against him. When her brother suggests a vacation to Half Moon Harbor—a resort that caters to the paranormal—she leaps at the chance to get away.

Self-defense expert Blake Blackwell’s lion paced within him demanding they claim their newly discovered mate. The last self-defense class he had to teach at the Half Moon Harbor Resort was all that stood in his way. Or did it?

Can Jacey accept Blake as her destined mate or will her ex destroy her potential happiness? Blake lost one woman he loved but he’ll be damned if he loses Jacey.





Learning What Love Is buy links:


 

 

Excerpt:

Jacey Wilder held the cell phone in a death grip. Anger had her animal crawling to the surface. She kicked herself for her stupidity over Gray. Would she never learn? Why was she so set on changing him, when it was obvious he didn’t want to—and would never change?
The family fixer, she solved her family’s problems. Gray, a true bad boy on the wrong path, allured her with his overwhelming issues in need of the “right” woman to make it better. The man took everyone for granted, and she wanted to help him turn his life around. Falling for him hadn’t been in the cards.
“Jacey, it’s about time you gave up on that dirtbag,” Jackie said from where she relaxed on the porch swing.
“Were you listening in on my phone call again?” She eyed her twin with suspicion.
“I couldn’t help it, your anger was so strong I could feel it out here. I wanted to know what happened this time.” Jackie moved her legs to give Jacey room to sit down. “Are you really done this time? Before you get all defensive, I’m just asking because we’ve heard this before.”
“Yes, Jackie. I am done. It’s time for me to move on,” The tears in her voice angered her. She was tired of being used by Gray, yet her emotions were out of control when it came to him. A car door closed and she looked away from her sister.
Oh, Blake. The glimpse of her sexy new neighbor, his scent called to her inner lioness, and made both stand up and take notice. The sight of him was one of the perks of her day. Blake Blackwell was one of the few in their town who wasn’t a part of the Wilder family or somehow related. Blake’s grandmother had remarried a distant cousin of a Wilder mate. When she died, he’d inherited her house and bookstore.
Jackie scooted closer and put her arm around Jacey “I know it’s not easy but you deserve better. What I’m about to say next is because I love you, so please remember that when you want to strangle me.”
“What is it?” she prodded when her sister paused.
“Here it goes…Jay and his new bride, Meg, will be here shortly.”
“I can’t believe you waited until now to tell me. You know Jay’s going to flip if he sees me upset over Gray again.” She rushed into the house to repair her makeup. Her stomach had butterflies at the thought of Jay and Meg finally being back home. Jay had been away for too long, it would be nice to have him back among the Wilder Pride.
In the downstairs bathroom, she took a washrag to the mascara running down her cheeks.  Jackie yelled “They’re here,” and her time was up. She tossed the rag in the sink, and then she looked in the mirror. A quick fluff of her blonde, curly hair would have to do. She didn’t have time to redo her makeup.
Her puffy, red-rimmed eyes made her crying apparent. “Hopefully Meg has tamed the lion,” she told her reflection and went to greet her brother and new sister-in-law.