L. Shannon

Guest Author: Jerry Race

2011-09-02T14:08:00.001-04:00

Muse It Hot Publishing

releases

More Than A Stud

a novella

by Jerry Race

on September 2, 2011

To buy More Than A Stud click on this link .

http://tinyurl.com/3fjrq36

Genre: Paranormal Erotica M/M Romance
Editor: Lea Schizas
Line editor: Anita Baron Ford
Cover artist: Suzannah Safi
Words: 31269
Pages: 110
ISBN: 978-1-927085-56-1
Price: $4.50
Warning: Adult Content
Blurb:
Will stakes and fangs keep Shane and Jamiefrom being a couple before their relationship begins?
Shane Richards, 24, male model, has a fewproblems. His rival threatens to discredit him if he participated in theupcoming America’s Top Male Model contest. Near his twenty-fifth birthday, thedormant vampire abilities within him begin to surface and he starts having nightmares aboutmeeting his so-called father whom he’s never met. As if that isn’t enough oneof his male friends who has the hots for him is determined to make him hislover. On his twenty-fifth birthday his nightmares come true and he winds uprisking his life in a battle with his father over a pendant with supernaturalpowers.

Thank you.
Jerry Race
Seductive. Sensual & hawtromance!

Excerpt:

Steam swirled throughout the bathroom asJamie Donovan entered and warm vapors caressed his naked body while he shut thedoor. Anticipation tingled his skin at the thought of getting to see hisboyfriend without clothes for the first time.

As badly as Jamie wanted his boyfriendsexually he had to force himself not to rush into things. If he did he’d surelylose him and after everything he’d gone through to be with Shane Richards hedidn’t want to be back to square one, alone. For that not to happen he’d needto win his trust and he was determined to follow through no matter what itwould take.

During the time they’ve been together helearned a lot about Shane. Too many people, mostly men, used him to get whatthey wanted. Once they had sex with him they’d forget he existed. Of course,Shane was aware he allowed all that to happen. But how else was he going tohave sexual contact with someone. Hand jobs became much too boring.

His persistent waiting was about to payoff. Until meeting Shane he’d doubted love would ever surface.

Pausing near the frosted shower door alight shiver slithered over him. Somethingis wrong. I’ve never felt weird vibes come from Shane—never.

Without a word from the other side theshower door opened. A long arm shot out. He gasped as long, thick fingers graspedthe wrist on his right hand, yanking him inside. Hot water instantly poundedhis body as he slammed against the naked, stunning physique before him. Hiseyes gazed into a smooth brown face then glanced up into mocha color eyes andtiny sparkles of crimson flickered in those eyes. How odd.

Jamie stepped back letting his eyestravel from the soaked ebony hair and down the taut wide chest. His tonguebrushed over his lips at the sight of the impressive cock pointing at him. Mmm. It’s much thicker and longer than Iever expected.

Just as he reached for the thick shaft ahand brushed them away and his boyfriend stepped back. A nervous smile formedon his lips as their eyes met. His lids lowered while his boyfriend brought hislips closer to his. Jamie moaned the moment Shane claimed his lips. Oh Shane.

Feeling Shane pulling his mouth away hislids lifted.

“Now, give me that ass,” A deep, malevoice softly demanded.

Hands gently grabbed his shoulders. Theballs of his feet slid on the wet floor as his body swung around. Facing theblue gray tile he leaned his cheek against it. Needing something to hold on tohe rested the palms of his hands on the wall. Sensing the thick cock head slidingbetween his ass cheeks his body tensed.

“Come on Jamie, relax,” he heard Shane’sseductive voice in his ears.

“Just take it easy, Shane.It’s been toolong since I’ve had sex. Besides, I’ve never had a cock as big as yours.”

Tension continued to flow through him. Nomatter how hard he tried, relaxation wasn’t working.

“Open up, damn it,” Shane ordered. “Sorryabout this kiddo, but—”

“Ow!” Jamie cried out as the thickerection plowed in him. Tears swelled in his eyes when he felt the cock shoveddeeper.

“Oh yeah. Nice and tight.” Shane pulledhis cock back.

Fuck! Idoubt I’ll ever get used to that monster.

Again the thick erection moved forward.Without further hesitation Shane picked up the pace plunging his cock up anddown making their bodies rock in unison.

Jamie clenched his teeth tighter from theswift movements. I never thought I’dsay this, but I wish he’d hurry and get this over with.

As if Shane heard his thoughts he sloweddown and made a sudden stopped. “Ahhh.” His scream bounced off the walls. Thenall Jamie could hear was the water spewing from the shower head.

Unexpectedly, Shane leaned against hisback.

Warm breath blew in his ear and teethnibbled on his ear lobe. Jamie shuddered when sharp teeth clamped on his neck Afew seconds later his boyfriend spoke softly in his ear. “I love you, Jamie.”

Jamie grinned. “And I love you too,Shane.” Feeling the teeth sink through the skin on his neck Jamie screamed.“Ow. Shane, giving me a hickey is one thing, but—”

His body tensed as he heard his bloodrushing up his throat. Within seconds his knees wobbled and about to buckle. Ashis hands slipped on the tiled wall darkness filled his mind.

Ka boom!

His bodylurched from the emphatic sound and the rapid pounding of his heart slammedagainst his chest. Awaking, he heard a gasp escape his throat. A bright lightflashed from the other side of the room as he sat up in bed. Glancing at thewindow thick sheets of rain slapped against the pane. Movement to his rightmade him look away and his eyes settled on Shane lying on his back, opening hiseyes . “What’s wrong, hon?”

“I justhad the wildest dream,” he answered.

Sittingup, Shane asked, “What about?”

“I don’twanna talk about it, at least not now.”

Shanesnuggled beside his boyfriend and brushed his lips over his ear, whispering, “Have I ever said that I love you?”

Jamiecringed. Then he glanced at Shane focusing his attention on his boyfriend’smouth and nodded. Without another word he threw the bedding off and leaped outof bed.

“Jamie?”Shane asked. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Withoutbothering to answer he ran out of the bedroom refusing to look at Shane.

2011-09-02T14:01:00.002-04:00

Yay! I just heard that The Jade Prince will be picked up by Amber Quill Press! I'm so excited!! It is tentatively scheduled for a November release. I'll post more as I know it.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Guest Author: Selena Blake

2011-04-25T09:00:00.006-04:00

Have you ever been seduced?

There's something so nice about being swept off your feet. Especially when you least expect it. According to Wikipedia "the word seduction stems from Latin and means literally 'to lead astray'." It goes on to say "seduction, seen negatively, involves temptation and enticement, often sexual in nature, to lead someone astray into a behavioral choice they would not have made if they were not in a state of sexual arousal." But sometimes I think a little sexual arousal and a dose of seduction lead you exactly where you need to be.

Case in point: my latest release, Seduced by a Cajun Werewolf. The heroine certainly isn't expecting to be seduced. She's got a job to do and distractions aren't allowed.

But come on…since when has a werewolf played by the rules? Especially one as sinful as Laurent Deveraux. Handsome as heck with a smile that will make your toes curl, he's got seduction on his mind. She doesn't stand a chance.

If you like your romance erotic and paranormal, why not give SBACW a look?

Ultra sexy werewolf Laurent Deveraux thinks that Violet, the love of his life, died two hundred years ago until she shows up in New Orleans looking for him.

Violet, now a vampire, thinks she’s someone else. Her powerful and dangerous sire has bound her memories, taught her how to kill and Laurent is her next target.

Laurent is determined to awaken her memories and her undying passion before danger steals her away again.

For more info and an excerpt visit: http://site.selena-blake.com/bookshelf/series/stormy-weather/bound-and-determined/

Six Sentence Sunday - Walking Death's Edge

2011-02-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

Bryck towered over her, crowding into her personal space. “You will do as I command. I won’t let your games put my demons in further danger.”

He was pissed. Perfect. Under the guise of needing space, she pushed her hands lightly against the thick muscling of his chest. The power surge was instantaneous, rushing through her body, bringing every cell to life.

This Sunday my six are from Anom'tam 4: Walking Death's Edge. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
Complete opposites with a world of death between them, Bryck and Maya have more in common than either suspect, but revealing the deepest of secrets will have to wait until they’ve rescued his missing demon, Flayvor.

Every step toward the rescue has brought new love to the members of the Anom’tan unit and now the pattern begins to make sense.

Everyone will have a part to play. The new lovers will be put to the test. A greater force controls the game and only the ultimate sacrifices will offer Bryck and Maya the future they so desperately need.

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

First Kiss Friday: Walking Death's Edge

2011-02-25T09:00:00.004-05:00

“Flayvor…” The despair in Bryck’s voice tore Maya apart.

She caught his hand, clinging to him and offering what strength she could. When Bryck sagged to the floor, kneeling before his lost comrade, Maya let him go and began working on the chains holding the younger demon in place. Bryck would want to take him for whatever burial traditions they held to. She’d heard once that lost demons were laid to rest in the Hall of Souls.

“Wait, Bryck. There is something wrong here.” Bryck looked up at her with eyes black as night. “Where is Flayvor’s soul? I felt it before and now… I can sense it, but not within his body.”

“He was without a guide. His soul may not find its way.” This final cruelty pushed the demon commander to tears. A single black trail slid from his right eye.

She wiped away the track from his cheek. “If his body is healed, will his soul return?”

“Perhaps, if it has not completed the journey back to the Creator, it might.” Hope sparked in his eyes then dimmed at once. “But I know of nothing that can heal him or call back his soul.”

She brushed her lips over his. “Perhaps I do.”

This Friday's first kiss is from Anom'tam 4: Walking Death's Edge. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
Complete opposites with a world of death between them, Bryck and Maya have more in common than either suspect, but revealing the deepest of secrets will have to wait until they’ve rescued his missing demon, Flayvor.

Every step toward the rescue has brought new love to the members of the Anom’tan unit and now the pattern begins to make sense.

Everyone will have a part to play. The new lovers will be put to the test. A greater force controls the game and only the ultimate sacrifices will offer Bryck and Maya the future they so desperately need.

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

Six Sentence Sunday - Walking at Sundown

2011-02-20T09:00:00.005-05:00

“Looks like he plans on being mute. Teaching him to speak will be fun.” Her voice was as cold as her eyes. Both were in contrast to her black and red firecracker appearance. Her shocking red hair spiked outward over her leather halter. The matching miniskirt was painted over fishnet stockings and knee-high spike-heeled boots. Tattoos spiraled down her arms, similar to the stark tribal tattoos but more intricate and flowing.

Something awoke deep within Dante, some remembered hint of passion. She was striking in her painted beauty. His body reminded him of the pleasure found in life that would be lost to a soulless monster fried to dust.

This Sunday my six are from Anom'tam 3: Walking at Sundown. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
Synn demons, Spyce and Mayce are completely devoted to each other, but with both being dominate and the risk of accidentally killing other lovers, their love life could use a little something extra. When they catch the vampire expected to help find their lost comrade, they find just that missing spark. Dante has been lost in a world of equals.

A master vampire turned and enslaved Dante, teaching him the pleasure found as a submissive. In Mayce and Spyce, Dante sees an opportunity and seizes it with both fangs, demanding they give him one day of pleasure in exchange for his help.

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

First Kiss Friday: Walking at Sundown

2011-02-18T09:00:00.006-05:00

FIRST - between Mayce and Spyce

Mayce waited until the vampire began across the room, before grabbing Spyce and dragging her into a hard kiss. They came together with a crash and sparred for dominance that neither would truly gain. The battle was one Mayce lived for. Passion flared and he was rock hard and aching for her in seconds.

Never one to deny himself pleasure, he shoved her back until she hit the low wall around the pool area. “Lose the clothes.”

“Make me.”

He growled and let his magic burst outward, dissolving both his and her clothing. He hooked his arm under one thigh, opening her, but instead of a fast fuck like he’d originally imagined, he exposed his mind to her and they became one in thought and action. She reached between them, stroking his throbbing erection, rubbing the head over her wet entrance. Slowly, ever so slowly, he pushed in, reveling in her passionate response when she arched backward, trusting him to support her upper body.

Then she was all liquid movement, writhing against him, working herself over his thick length.

AND THEN... between Spyce and Dante

Mayce stepped into view beside his mate. His face was a mask of concern. “You can use your safe word. It can all stop with one word.”

Tears slipped down his face. How could they understand so perfectly? But they did, and he did not want to stop. “Please… I don’t want to stop.” The words felt torn from him, and in the rending he felt freed.

Mayce stepped back behind him but did not continue with the whipping. The demon’s hands moved over the ribbons of his back. Dante felt the examination of each wound and the care behind the touch. The barbed whip always exacted its pound of flesh, but his vampire nature made up for the damage and could heal him completely within hours.

Spyce kissed away his tears until Dante had full control once more. Her hands feathered over his face and combed through his tangled hair.

“What kind of mistress are you?” He asked with wonder.

“Do not doubt my control. Mayce and I own you, but we have no need to be cruel. All we do will be what you consent to and what we know you need.”

Confusion over her kindness brought out a boldness he had no control of. “But you have each other. Why would you want me?”

This Friday's first kiss is from Anom'tam 3: Walking at Sundown. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
Synn demons, Spyce and Mayce are completely devoted to each other, but with both being dominate and the risk of accidentally killing other lovers, their love life could use a little something extra. When they catch the vampire expected to help find their lost comrade, they find just that missing spark. Dante has been lost in a world of equals.

A master vampire turned and enslaved Dante, teaching him the pleasure found as a submissive. In Mayce and Spyce, Dante sees an opportunity and seizes it with both fangs, demanding they give him one day of pleasure in exchange for his help.

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

Six Sentence Sunday - Walking in Memories

2011-02-13T09:00:00.004-05:00

Rayce was sure they’d both lost their minds and was about to tell them as much when their position shifted slightly and revealed the two staring into each other’s eyes with a tenderness that was hard to grasp. There was humor still tugging at her lips, but his had turned intense and hot. Then they were kissing, still wrapped in the same tender emotions.

He should stop them, get them inside, but Rayce didn’t move. His brother had so little happiness in his life.

This Sunday my six are from Anom'tam 2: Walking in Memories. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
The Anom’tan demons continue tracking their missing brother. The latest clue leads to a witness, whose mind was damaged, ravaged. The violation leaves Clarice unable to remember the attack, control her own fate or even say no.

Rayce and Chayse can heal her and free her memories, but from the moment they set eyes on beautiful, willing Clarice priorities change.

Between them Clarice becomes an irresistible sex toy with the ability to heal them both. Can Chayse overcome his past fears to unlock Clarice’s mind? Can they trust Rayce to keep everyone safe? Will they find love together?

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

First Kiss Friday: Walking in Memories

2011-02-11T09:00:00.004-05:00

She (Clarice) looked so very innocent. “I don’t want her hurt.” Silently he (Chayse) added, even if it meant losing the two Synn demons. There was something about this pale beauty that captured him and forced him to admit at least to himself, that he wasn’t willing to sacrifice her regardless of the results.

“You have the skill to read her. I can too but with less finesse than you. Do all you can to get what we need. Hopefully that will be enough.”

Chayse couldn’t believe his ears. Rayce was giving him permission to lead, to take control and do what was needed. To his brother, control was precious and rarely given up.

“Go. I’ll watch over you both.”

He paused one second longer then went to the girl. “Clarice?”

“Hello.” She released the washcloth and wiped her hands on her short apron. “You’re very handsome.” And before he could think or react, she plastered her body against his, and took his lips in a wild, passionate kiss, that shattered his world.

This Friday's kiss is from Anom'tam 2: Walking in Memories. Now available at Cobblestone press.

BLURB:
The Anom’tan demons continue tracking their missing brother. The latest clue leads to a witness, whose mind was damaged, ravaged. The violation leaves Clarice unable to remember the attack, control her own fate or even say no.

Rayce and Chayse can heal her and free her memories, but from the moment they set eyes on beautiful, willing Clarice priorities change.

Between them Clarice becomes an irresistible sex toy with the ability to heal them both. Can Chayse overcome his past fears to unlock Clarice’s mind? Can they trust Rayce to keep everyone safe? Will they find love together?

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

Budweiser commercial-Streaking Sheep

2011-02-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

Part of the fun of the Superbowl is the commercials!

Mom says...

2011-02-06T20:30:00.001-05:00

and I quote "It's the Steelers way. If we can't out play them then we can break them."

I never knew she was so blood thirsty. hee hee.

Pittsburgh Steelers Polka

2011-02-06T19:36:00.000-05:00

Brett Keisel - Fear the Beard - Pittsburgh Steelers Fight Song

2011-02-06T19:31:00.000-05:00

Don't Disrespect The Terrible Towel

2011-02-06T19:19:00.000-05:00

Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel

2011-02-06T19:17:00.000-05:00

Steelers Fight Song - The Men of Steel 2010 Powerhouse Mix

2011-02-06T19:11:00.000-05:00

Steelers Fight Song 2010/2011: http://www.steelercountrysong.com

2011-02-06T19:10:00.000-05:00

Go Steelers!

2011-02-06T18:52:00.002-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of the boys in black and gold. So I thought I'd share some love in the form of some videos while I'm watching the game (and drinking beer).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzWrL0xLYps

GO STEELERS!!

Six Sentence Sunday - Walking with Synn

2011-02-06T09:00:00.002-05:00

This Sunday my six are from Anom'tam 1: Walking with Synn. Now available at Cobblestone press.

His face...he was so pale. The man’s white skin glistened. It was almost bluish, with pale smudges of tan. He looked fragile and ill, but behind that terrifying exterior was a stark beauty so breathtaking she thought for a moment he must be an angel.

Then his shadowy eyes opened, and she saw the madness lurking in their dark brown depths, ready to claim him. He bit down on his lip and pinched his eyelids closed.

She couldn’t help but stroke her hand down his smooth cheek.

Curious? Here's the blurb:

People die under the sun as well as the moon, but most Tascryn demons turn to ash in sunlight. A special class of demons called Anom'tan, Soul Walkers, are paired to offer the strength walking under the sun requires so that no mortal soul is left without guidance.

When Sayvor and his brother are attacked, both their lives will depend on his ability to remember the ones who stole his brother. But without his brother, Sayvor’s strength is failing and his only hope is within the arms of willing lover to help him recover the memories his team needs to save them both. Dr. Sasha Washington never expected therapy to be this much pleasure.

Want to know a little more about this story? You can find excerpts and related books at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net/

First Kiss Friday: Walking with Synn

2011-02-04T03:00:00.003-05:00

This week's First Kiss Friday is from Anom'tan 1: Walking with Synn, now available at Cobblestone Press.

Sasha forgot to breathe.

Damn the man. His voice tickled through her, arousing places he had yet to touch. With voice alone, Sayvor made her hot and wet. His hands wandering lightly over her body seemed almost excessive. And this was when he was ill with grief. When he was at full strength, would he make her come with just his voice? She wouldn’t doubt it.

“So…do you object?” His hands stilled as if he were giving her a chance to choose.

How could she object to amazing sex that would just happen to maybe save his life? She didn’t bother to answer him with words. Instead, she leaned forward and claimed his mouth in a deep, searing kiss. After the first plunge of her tongue, Sayvor returned her kiss just as fiercely.

On and on they sparred. Without breaking the kiss, he dragged her body against his hard chest. She wrapped her legs around his waist and settled into his lap, framed by his powerful thighs.
He devoured her, taking turns plunging his tongue into her mouth in a tantalizing imitation of sex and sucking her tongue into his. The satin robe tore under his demanding fingers. He ripped it down the back and peeled it off her body.

The fabric caught on her hands and he twisted it, holding her captive. She moaned at the restraint. Like when he’d controlled her mouth as she’d blown him, binding her hands just did it for her. She ground her hips against his thick hard-on and used her body to beg for more.

He freed her lips and in a single motion, flipped her body over so she lay on her back with him above her.

Learn more about this story at http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html
Or buy the book here.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Killing Elvis

2010-10-19T02:06:00.004-04:00

All you Elvis fans, don't take this the wrong way, but I have to kill him. Call him a sacrifice if you like but for the good of my writing mojo...

Elvis must die.

Or at least he needs to get his awesome ass songs off the itunes playlist for my writing. You see, I started writing after changing my prefered music from oldies and country to alternative rock/metal. Pretty drastic perhaps, but it was a time when I needed change and it worked for me. Well 2010 has been a bit more laid back and in turn I added a bunch of songs to my favorite playlist, "Writing Music". Some of the new additions include Elvis' Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, All Shook Up, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Love Me Tender, Don't Be Cruel. Yeah, goodies. I actually love to sing (badly) along with Elvis. But apparently I can't write to his songs.

It's not just Elvis who will get the ax. Also on the cut list are:
Air Supply (wtf? Hubby must have snuck this one in.)
Beatles (*cries*)
Big and Rich (well hell, it's about saving horses and riding cowboys. What's not to love?)
Blackhawk (who is this again?)
Blake Sheldon (huh?)
Bon Jovi (sigh over my lost youth)
Bryan Adams (how did he even sneak in?)
Celine Dion (seriously losing street cred, aren't I?)
Dixie Chicks (OMG Kill me now. Me and Earl both.)
and Elvis

Over 40 songs cut just through "E". I'm finding it actually painful to gut my song list like this but with a little luck it will revive the hunger in my writing. I need to remember what it felt like to die with each word and bleed the last drop onto each page. So I've moved (not deleted cause I'm just not that strong) these and about 80 more to a new playlist called "Not for writing". LOL

Sorry Elvis. Like so many of my characters, you just had to die. But fear not, because my world includes reincarnation.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: The Longest Journey

2010-07-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

This Sunday my six are from my WIP, Eagle Clan 3: The Longest Journey.

In his dream they were not helpless, they were strong and powerful and free. He wasn’t alone. He was with another. A black dragon raced beside him. They soared together across the star brightened night sky. The joy and exhilaration burned away old fears leaving nothing but the caress of the night over glistening wings.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
It all began at Black Dawn, that terrible day when so many loved ones from the Eagle Clan died, but centuries pass and time does much to heal bodies and souls. Cradh and Adhar were only children then, but for al their lives they have known they were destined to be mates. But Cradh’s body and magic was broken in the attack and ever since they have been forced to be no more than friends. But time can heal hearts too, and their chance for love has come at long last…

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/EagleClan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: Destiny

2010-07-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Eagle Clan 2: Destiny now available at Cobblestone Press.

Just then, blue spotlights came on and skipped around before focusing center stage where the curtain cracked open slightly. Soft, deliberately fuzzy music floated over them. A long, perfectly formed leg slid from between the curtains then was followed by the attached and equally perfect body, which moved like silk, flowing gently as if carried by the smooth notes. Kita envied the dancer’s grace and beauty that inspired every man to focus on her motion. Two other women joined her on stage and they, too, were beautiful, but Destiny was the perfect one that they all wished could be theirs.

And she was the one that this demon would fight for.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
Rath and Dàn travel to Niagara Falls searching for the truth about Dàn’s father. They find a playboy, sex demon, with all the answers but he expects them to jump through hoops to get them. Before they get the chance, Dàn is attacked by a secretive enemy and Rath is falling in love with a woman who needs him to protect her child from a terrorizing pedophile. There is still a chance it will work out, with the “help” of a troublesome Gypsy girl, a rogue werewolf and a would-be werewolf hunter…

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/EagleClan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: Father of the Wolf

2010-07-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf now available at Cobblestone Press.

Hope hadn’t taken her eyes from the animal. It looked like a large wolf. Very large. The poor thing deserved better than this. As she watched Steve approach it, Hope saw what he couldn’t. Two pale, glowing eyes, blinking open.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
Between a wolf and his woman awaits the love they have both been searching for but to reach it they must overcome doubt, fear and betrayal. After several hundred years of isolation Athair and his clan of Valafrn rejoin the American world in search of mates. As a veterinarian, Hope doubts her sanity when she discovers that the wolf who is hit by a car is actually the man of her dreams.

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/EagleClan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: Another Chance (ADULT)

2010-07-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

This Sunday my six are some fireworks from Another Chance now available at Changeling Press.

His flames burst higher, with them in the center of all that heat.

Arching upward, Josh bellowed and came with a rush.

He claimed his mouth, swallowing down the pleasure, consuming, being consumed. His own orgasm roared in his ears, stole his breath and left him shattered and weak, collapsed over Josh’s lax body.

The insistent elbow to his rib roused him moments later. “Chance… tell me you aren’t capable of nuclear reaction. You aren’t, are you?”

Curious? Here's the blurb:
It’s stupid to want to spend Christmas with a Demon, right? Even if he is your lover. Trouble is, Josh is an incurable romantic -- at least when it comes to this particular Demon. All Josh wants for Christmas is another chance…

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/Chances.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

First Kiss Friday: Hotter than Hell

2010-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

This week's First Kiss Friday is from Hotter than Hell.

Cupping his firm jaw and staring into the endless depths of his emerald eyes, she contemplated her options. She could either bemoan her loss of consciousness, or she could embrace this wonderful dream. The decision was easy. All her life she’d played it safe and missed out on adventure. This one time she could have the best of both. This adventure was about as safe as could be considering she’d eventually wake up and go back to her life. Maybe she’d even remember the dream and be able to hold onto the memory when life in Demon got too boring.

Not to mention that nagging sense of something was yelling to jump in and live a little.

Yep, decision made—she’d enjoy the moment. Lani slid her fingers up around his neck, pulling him down and planting a kiss on him. She licked over his lips until they softened and parted. She’d be bold and take a kiss like none she ever had before… or she would have if she knew how. Fortunately, the second she hesitated, her mystery hero licked right into the pause, teasing her tongue into a proper tangle, devouring her down while still leaving her some control. In other words, he was a darn good kisser. When they finally drew back, she was left panting with desire deeper than she’d felt in years. Maybe more than she’d felt ever.

And he had yet to answer a single question. In the aftermath of the kiss, she didn’t care much about his answers, was having some trouble even remembering her questions. “I never knew I had such a good imagination...” She kissed him again, licking over the crease of his lips and diving back in when those lips parted for her.

With her arms around his neck and her mouth locked firmly to his, she easily lost track of how far he carried her. Not that it really mattered here in dreamland. Finally they came to a halt, and she came up for air. He’d stopped in front of a plain door, which opened without him touching it.

Hotter than Hell
A Hellish Love Story novella by L. Shannon
Paranormal Romance (demons!)
Now Available: Liquid Silver Books

Blurb
As the librarian for a small town of Demon, Arizona, Lani Monroe has a certain sedate image to maintain. But her calm life takes a hot turn when she falls through a portal to hell and lands in the lap of the oh-so-sexy Prince of Pestilence. Meryk has no idea how the human ended up in his arms or why she seems to think she’s asleep, but he’s more than willing to prove he can be the demon of her dreams.

Now available at Liquid Silver Books!

L. Shannon for Dark Paranormal Romance
http://lshannon.net ~ http://lshannon.blogspot.com
Romance - stalking outside the bounds of reality

Six Sentence Sunday: A Second Chance

2010-06-27T09:00:00.002-04:00

This Sunday my six are from A Second Chance now available at Changeling Press.

The human in Chance’s arms writhed in pleasure. The man’s deliciously perfect ass pressed back against his raging arousal, sliding his cock up between his lover’s cheeks. “Take me, Chance. Take me like you did in the snow.” Not just any human… Josh’s words gasped out on panted breath, begging for what Chance so desperately needed.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
Chance can’t get Josh out of his mind. It’s time for the demon to do something to exorcise the human from his nightly erotic dreams. The first step is to find Josh and take his fill of everything the human has to offer…

Want to know a little more about Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/Chances.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

First Kiss Friday: Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover

2010-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

This week's First Kiss Friday is from Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover.

Sunshine outlined a huge man, combining dark shadow and blinding light. Her heart thundered once before she was heaved off her feet, pinned to the wall and confronted by black wraparound sunglasses that reflected her own terrified face.

She clawed at the thick arms and kicked against the huge body. But the man’s weight crushed her to the wall.

The pressure changed, loosened. The man’s honey brown skin came back into focus.

“Oh, fuck.” The voice was familiar, from a past she’d left behind. He slammed the door and threw the wraparounds across the room with a vicious snarl of fury.

She met the man’s cold, pale gaze. Dear God, how did he find me? “Zeven?”

Her former lover fell on her once more, claiming her mouth, demanding the response that was too damn easy to give. She kissed him back, matching his passion, pouring her stress and emotion into the wild contact that she’d craved for so long.

Then Zeven ripped away from her lips. “What the fuck did you see?”

That brought Harley back to the moment, back to the stupidity which giving in to animal attraction would be. “Shit. I need to get out of here.” She struggled, jerking in his grasp. Zeven showing up took her terrifying day straight into FUBAR range. Now it wasn’t just the ones behind the threatening note. She had to escape Zeven and his homicidal family, too.

Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover
A Division Eight novella by L. Shannon
Paranormal Romance (werewolves!)
Now Available: Amber Quill Press

Blurb
Zeven had a simple plan. Get the contract, kill the mark and protect werewolves from being exposed to the humans and hunted to extinction. But when the mark turns out to be the woman who stole and then broke his heart, everything changes. With Harley back in his sights, Zeven has a whole new plan—keep her from running, keep her alive and convince her to accept werewolves and be his mate.

To Harley, nothing about Zeven or his life is simple. And the possibility of a future for them together seems impossible, especially since the local clan of werewolves wants her dead and Zeven is all that stands between her and her escape from the Las Vegas territory. The stubborn homicidal shifter is determined to be heard out even if it costs them both everything.

But if there is a chance for them, Zeven and Harley will have to take on the whole rabid clan and settle a lot of history between them. But will he be able to forgive her for abandoning him ten years before? Or will she run again, unable to face the killer he’s become?

Now available at Amber Quill Press!
http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ZevenWays.html

L. Shannon for Dark Paranormal Romance
http://lshannon.net ~ http://lshannon.blogspot.com
Romance - stalking outside the bounds of reality

Salome at Sunrise by Inez Kelley

2010-06-20T13:00:00.000-04:00

Author: Inez Kelley
Website: http://inezkelley.com/
Title: Salome at Sunrise
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Heat level: steamy sensual
Release Date: June 21
Stand alone sequel to MYLA BY MOONLIGHT, 2nd in planned trilogy

I don't have an official back cover copy yet, so I am just posting mine.

It's not nice to piss off Mother Nature…

Called to bring peace to Bryton's tortured soul, Salome is a spell, a windsinger with the power to harness the air. Commanding nature is far easier than handling her new charge. She offers him harmony while longing to sing a different tune, one of love and devotion. She can soothe him with song or touch but she can't be human.

Bryton Haruk is the King's Might and His Law. Forced to watch his wife die by his enemy's hand, he turns his back on his destiny in grief and guilt. He has vowed to avenge her death and join her on the Otherside. No beautiful peacemaker is going to change his course …even if he is tempted to forget his pain in her arms.

A band of murderers plot to overthrow the kingdom and claim the land for themselves. The only thing standing in their way is one bitter man and the whispering wind.

~~~~~~~
EXCERPT

He had no clue where he was going but followed the call of the wind. Grasses, tree roots and brambles grabbed at his boots but his feet never slowed. Fear did not touch him. Concern for his path never crossed his mind. Only the song mattered, the mournful lilting of wordless melody.

Prairie gave way to forest. The forest grew thicker then thinned to sparseness. The gusts dried his eyes and he blinked. A taste of honey burst onto his tongue when he licked his lips, the sweetness blending with the bitter drink. Without thought, he opened his mouth to draw more of the flavor inside.

"I am called for you. I come to soothe the ache inside. I come to give you peace."

Bright in the satin sky, the moon shone full with a throng of stars twinkling like torches. Bryton scanned the heavens but could see nothing but light and dark. An outcrop jutted over a vale. The funneled wind pushed at him until he stood at the precipice, the forest tops silvered below him. Icy-green leaves frosted by moonlight didn't move, though his tunic snapped like a sail.

"I am called for you."

"Who are you?" he yelled into the night. "Who sent you?"

"I am called to heal your wounds."

His ragged breath battling the gale, he fisted his hands."Show yourself to me then."

The wind calmed but his pulse pounded with a vicious thud. His bones quivered, not from chill but anger. He only knew one person with the power to call a magic spirit—his beloved pain-in-the-ass queen. A dark spot grew larger in the moon's circle. It flapped powerful wings once and then glided to descent. A fragile second before the owl landed beside him, a swirl of lilac shimmered along the golden brown feathers. A woman stepped off the air and stood before him.

Moonglow dazzled on long hair the shades of the owl's feathers. A thin gold braid secured it low on her nape, but full waves fought the hold. Wide gray eyes scrutinized him and a tiny smile bowed her pink lips.Her chin was a touch too pointed to be beautiful but it elongated the graceful column of her throat, and his gaze slid down to her one bared shoulder. The delicate exposed curve glistened like cream. Myla's chiton had been a draped length of ruby red silk affixed at both shoulders. This woman's chiton shone like blazing fire, sunrise against an ebony sky.

With her hands clasped lightly before her, she bowed her head. "I am Salome. I am called for you, Bryton Haruk."

"I don't need a guardian," he snapped.

"I am not a guardian."

"Then what are you?"

"I am a peacemaker."

Snorting, he shook his head. "Yeah, well, you're shit out of luck then, because I don't want peace. I want bloodshed and a lot of it.

--
Best wishes,
~Inez

Six Sentence Sunday: A Snowball's Chance

2010-06-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

This Sunday my six are from A Snowball's Chance now available at Changeling Press.

Josh backed up away from the small air hole, which had begun to shed dustings and small chunks of snow. Then what was falling wasn’t snow at all, but water, dripping to the cave floor.

“Hey!” What the hell was this guy thinking? Any second the five plus feet of snow would collapse and crush him and possibly his rescuer too.

But it wasn’t snow or water that came down. It was red and gold light.

Josh held up one hand to block the glare even while he squinted to see the man standing at the center of the glow. “I’m being saved by an angel?”

Curious? Here's the blurb:
Nearly frozen to death, Josh’s only hope is the demon sent to claim his soul. But Chance's “Get Out of Hell Free” cards don’t come easy. To earn his, Josh will have to satisfy a fire demon’s insatiable lust.

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/Chances.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

First Kiss Friday: Amethyst Bound

2010-06-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm trying something new here on the blog. Every Friday that I can, will be dedicated to first kiss excerpts. I'll be posting them here with book info and links when possible. Hope you enjoy!

Kicking off the first First Kiss Friday is from Amethyst Bound.

“So you were laughing at Amethyst?” He sounded doubtful.

“Yeah. She said I can bite you if I like.” I raised his hand to my mouth and bit down on his thumb, letting my tongue slide over the pad and circle around twice before freeing it.

He let out a sexy little moan, which I leaned forward to capture on his lips.

Kissing Davis was an experience in luxury. At first he did little more than react, but then he got into the action, and when he did…whoa, he did it right. His mouth moved slow and easy over mine. The contact might have felt casual if not for the way his tongue tickled me open and then plunged in to explore.

By increments he drew back, holding my advance at bay with firm hands on my upper arms. I didn’t want to stop touching. I didn’t want to stop kissing. I wanted him naked and writhing under me. I wanted him thrusting and hard, deep inside me. And I sure as hell didn’t want to hear whatever he was saying.

“…this a good idea?”

“A good idea?” I doubted it, but my brain had shut off a while back. Bringing it back online took a little work.

“I just want to be sure it’s you with me and not Amethyst.” His gray eyes were so serious. “Some mythologies claim dragons are instinctively sexual creatures. I want you, but I need to know that you want this as much as I do.”

I struggled to get a grip on my libido. Maybe he was right. This wasn’t very in character for me. Not the sex part. I was okay with that. But the out of control and giving in to my baser side was not me. Here we were about to have sex while the bad guys were probably hunting us down, and I couldn’t even work up a worry for anything more than how to get Davis out of his pants.

Amethyst Bound

An Amethyst novella by L. Shannon

Romantic Urban Fantasy (Dragons!)
Release: June 7, 2010 - Carina Press

Blurb

Toni Giovanni is a thief although prefers to call it the high-risk recovery business. Her current job feels suspiciously easy until a mysterious artifact draws her into an ancient prophecy and binds her soul to a spirited dragon named Amethyst.

But Toni isn’t quite ready to be taken over by a dragon, even if Amethyst’s appetite for sexy archaeologist Dr. Ben Davis mirrors Toni’s own. And she’s got a big problem on her hands: turns out the prophecy predicts that dragons will end the world and there are many more dragons out there.

Now available at Carina Press!
http://carinapress.com

L. Shannon for Dark Paranormal Romance
http://lshannon.net ~ http://lshannon.blogspot.com
Romance - stalking outside the bounds of reality

Complex Equations by Summer Alan

2010-06-14T09:00:00.002-04:00

Complex Equations, the sequel to Isosceles Triangle, was released today at Cobblestone Press!

I’m very excited about this story. When I wrote Isosceles Triangle three years ago (has it been that long?), I always pictured a sequel to answer the question: whatever happened to those clones??

Well, the world is more complicated, and the clones are everywhere! Useful, sexy and indispensable, you can have one created just for you, tailored specifically to your needs. But Ally doesn’t want a clone–she wants a flesh and blood human man to love her. Or does she?

And what is the IC corporation up to anyway? Their clones are used in industry, the military…they’re everywhere. Strong, intelligent…it’s almost like they could take over.

To read an excerpt to this sexy scifi, go here!

Summer Alan

http://summeralan.wordpress.com

Alien Revealed by Lilly Cain

2010-06-13T17:00:00.002-04:00

Title: ALIEN REVEALED
Author: Lilly Cain
Genre: Sci-fi Erotic Romance
Release Date: June 14

BLURB:
Inarrii agent Alinna Gaerrii was tasked with observing the Starforce base on Earth. Crash landing her observation pod onto the base was not part of her mission briefing. Neither was making m'ittar—mind contact—with Major David Brown, the human who discovered her amongst the wreckage.

David thinks she's a psychologist sent to evaluate his Special Forces team, and Alinna goes along with his misconception, seizing the opportunity to observe humans up close. But their daily contact has unexpected side effects, and Alinna soon invades David's dreams. Through their intimate mental connection she allows him to express his forbidden physical desires.

Alinna delights in the sensory exploration and grows excited by the prospect of a treaty with the humans and a potential life mate in David. But an attack from an unknown ship sends the base into chaos, and Alinna may be forced to reveal her lie, erasing all hope of a successful treaty, and driving David away forever…

EXCERPT:

David set the doctor back on her bed where she belonged. The fact that he would rather have kept her in his arms was not lost to him. Awake now, with those emerald eyes looking so deeply into his, he had the sudden revelation that the next two weeks might be far harder than he had suspected. Not only would he have to survive yet another round of psychological testing, but along with the stress of awaiting the upcoming mission he would have to keep every moment of his time with the doctor under control. He would love to taste those luscious lips, test the softness of her skin against his. But she was the one calling the shots in his life. One slip, one moment of questionable behavior around her, and his career would be at an end.

Besides, a question remained at the back of his mind.

"Do you remember anything about the time of the crash? Or immediately
after?"

She looked away from him and caught the edge of her medical gown between her fingers, running them along its hem.

He narrowed his eyes at her. She did know something. He could see it in her demeanor, the way she held her shoulders. That in itself was strange. A psychtech at the level she must be to have received a posting on the Starforce base should be well aware of body language, both how to read it and control it.

Perhaps the shock of the crash had her off balance.

"Not really. I remember hearing the pilot call out, and the emergency
signal. Then nothing until I awoke here, met you."

There was something in her inflection when she said "you." "You recognize my name?"

"Yes."

"You've been assigned to my team as psychtech to provide the final psych tests and give the green light on the mission."

"Green light…right."

Something just wasn't right. She hesitated before she made each statement. Granted, she could still be somewhat disoriented from the crash and from the pain medication. "You are Dr. Janet MacPherson, correct?"

She sat up straighter, looked him dead in the eye. "Yes, but call me Alinna—all my friends do." She smiled and the expression blew him away. With her grin came a sexiness that even her fabulous eyes hadn't hinted at. That smile matched her wild tattoos in a way that made parts of him sit up and take notice.

Six Sentence Sunday: Dead Men's Nails

2010-06-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

This Sunday my six are from a WIP Dead Men's Nails.

Much as I wanted to be sure Jason was okay, I didn’t feel safe enough to turn my back on the strange gray guy. Hand back in my purse, I gripped the gun inside. Would it have any effect on whatever this guy was? Did it matter since the guy didn’t seem to be attacking me?

Before I could draw it out into sight and threaten any answers out of the stranger, a flash of movement to my right had me spinning that way.

The denim-clad body hit me with a growl. A blade flashed toward me.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
So what do you get when a girl chased by assassins meets the essence of death? Well, you would think she'd be bright enough to run, but no, not this time. Faith nic Wolfe already has her hands full when Nail drops into her life, giving her a Dead Men's Nail as well as the oh-so-fun ability to see how her friends will all die. So how, while struggling with finals and family politics, will she save their lives? Not to mention, what will her parents say, if she brings Mr. Essence-of-Death to the next family gathering?

Want to know a little more about A Snowball's Chance? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/dmn.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

Amethyst Bound - Available at Carina Press!

2010-06-07T13:24:00.003-04:00

Amethyst Bound

An Amethyst novella by L. Shannon

Romantic Urban Fantasy (Dragons!)
Release: June 7, 2010 - Carina Press

Blurb

EXCERPT

Chapter One

Be the wall. Be the stone. Be invisible. I chanted the mantra silently as the temple guards strolled past. Frank, a heavyset older man, was no more than three feet away, yet he wouldn’t see me. I called it blending, but whatever the skill was or however I came to have it, the ability to become nearly invisible had saved my ass hundreds of times. More important, it allowed me to be a damn good thief, maybe the best in the world.

The skill and the reputation I’d earned with it had brought me here, to hiding in a small hole carved into a wall of dirt that had swallowed this long-buried temple. After more than eight hours I was stiff and tired and dreaming of a Big Mac. Despite my nonviolent nature, I’d seriously consider killing for those all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese… Even the thought of that juicy burger had me drooling, and since I couldn’t reach my chin without drawing attention to my hiding spot, dreaming of burgers proved to be a bit of a problem.

On days like this, I almost regretted my personal rules. Number one on my list of codes to follow was If I accept a job, do anything it takes to get it done. I was well known for my tenacity. Once I sank my teeth into a job, I owned it. The trick was making good choices about which offers were worthy of my interest. Fortunately, this particular job was more than a little worthy.

Two million…

Okay, two million American bucks for a simple recovery was a very worthy reason—worthy enough to be suspicious.

Weaver, the mysterious guy who’d hired me, had the money to throw away and so here I was, trapped for another hour. The final stage of the recovery would take place after the temple emptied for the evening. Soon. Very soon, I could snag the goods and hit the road.

Only one archaeologist remained. Davis, AKA Dr. Benjamin Davis, seemed to be packing up, and my recon had shown that the overly studious man sometimes had to be dragged out by his colleagues. He’d provided me with much-needed entertainment during the last few hours of stillness.

Davis was scrumptious in a super-geek sort of way, and he didn’t have even a single clue why all the lady rock docs hovered at his elbows. His wavy brown hair tickled his shoulders, and his tanned complexion set off his gray eyes so nicely. Not to mention the man had an ass that just didn’t quit.

Davis raised his arms over his head as if to stretch the aches from abused back muscles. His broad shoulders tightened the T-shirt and left me drooling for a whole different kind of meat. How long had it been since I’d taken time off for some carnal enjoyment? Davis’s long, lean body would make for a wonderful playground. I could rub those sore muscles until they relaxed completely. And then—

He spun in my direction.

I froze. Had he caught me watching? I’d been ogling him all day. I held my breath as his gaze skittered over my hiding place. I was no more than ten feet from him. Would he see me?

No, no one ever saw me.

And why was that thought disappointing? For the first time in a long time, I wanted to be seen.

I’d been hiding since childhood—first from the abusive bastard who’d been my father and then stealing just to survive on the streets. All I’d ever wanted was to be invisible. But the look in Davis’s eyes drew me like a magnet. Despite my past and all its hard lessons, I wanted Davis to see me, see the real me.

I mentally snorted in self-disgust. No one saw the real me. Was I the runaway or the master thief? Was I the elegant woman in red or the one cracking the safe? Or was I none of those? After all the lies and pretending, did I even have a real side?

I locked up my wayward thoughts and threw away the key. Shit, this was the problem with a stakeout like this. It gave me too damn much time to think.

The good doctor hadn’t seen me, and he wouldn’t until I wanted him to. Much as I might enjoy watching him, this job, like most, played out on a one-way street. I wasn’t about to blow my cover just so he might ogle me back. Teeth buried in the job, I’d take what was targeted and get out. I’d done it hundreds of times, never been caught or seen and rarely left any sign I’d been there at all, except for the missing items on the few occasions when I couldn’t leave a replica.

Davis turned back to a small container he’d been packing The man was covered in fine dust from his long day of work, but he carefully cleaned each of his tools and placed them into his immaculate case. His large hands were fascinating, mesmerizing.

Each smooth movement was ritualistic. It was a familiar ceremony, one I’d watched him perform just the night before.

I understood and respected his need to protect and care for personal, professional tools. I did the same with my weapons and liberation accessories. The similarity made us seem closer, more alike than moments before.

He settled the case inside a canvas bag, gathered up his hat and strolled out of the room, switching off the primary lights as he left.

Just a little bit longer…

I waited another twenty minutes before dropping from my protective crevice. Frank and his partner would be through in another half hour. Security was pretty lax, and this time it would cost them. Moving quickly through the excavation site, I searched for the artifacts I’d been sent for. Several priceless objects were scattered about the room, but what I’d come for was one of the lesser-known prizes. Only one of the archaeologists had paid it any attention. Davis, of course. It was just another interest we had in common.

The hours of observation paid off and I claimed the small box within minutes.

The wood of the six-inch-square box was ancient but still strong and beautifully carved with intricate symbols, glyphs of some ancient writing. But it was still a box, and the true treasure would be found within its sealed frame. I carried the treasure back to my hole and took out my lock pick set. Hopefully it would be of some use in opening the box. Only after confirming what it held could I make my escape.

First I studied the lock and the hinges. They gave away no clues as to the best technique to open it. Then I had to hide while the guards passed.

Once I was alone again, I slipped the first pick into the tiny opening in the front, feeling for whatever mechanism kept the box closed. A soft click, which I was fairly certain I hadn’t caused, reached my ears. The artifact opened, revealing several beautiful jeweled pendants, as I’d hoped. Each was designed to frame a unique, delicate dragon in different jeweled tones. I counted them and began to close the lid once more.

The amethyst dragon pendant caught my gaze and held me transfixed.

It was magnificent. An oval of black encircled a dragon inlaid with purple stone. I picked up the pendant, breaking every personal code I held dear, and caressed the smooth, cool gem. Without a single coherent thought, I dropped the fine chain over my head, letting the warm stone of the pendant settle between my breasts.

As dreams went, this one was a doozie. I was flying over the land but not in some common airplane. No, I was flying like a bird. The wind carried me, gentle as an infant’s cradle and as wild as the storm-tossed sea. My arms were stretched wide and they kept me aloft with great sweeps. No, not arms…wings. I had wings. I looked to my right and saw a long glittering wing in a familiar amethyst shade.

I should remember that color from somewhere other than my shiny scales. I should, but I couldn’t grasp the slippery memory.

So I flew on, letting the ground rush beneath my glistening body like water in a riverbed. And like that river, I seemed be to be following an invisible trail to some unknown source. I looked down and saw my shadow cutting over the land. My long, serpentine outline promised desolation to all those below. Then there were other shadows. More of the giants flew beside me, all seeking the source.

The source…

And there he stood. Not a place, but a man, and even as I watched, he transformed into a great silver beast and swept up into the sky, breathing fire down upon the land. He set the pace, and we others followed.

We flew and left nothing but devastation in our wake.

I awoke tucked inside my hidden crevice, swallowing a gasp. Shit! Night had fallen away and the workers were back in the temple. I was safely hidden in my little hole, but how long would I stay that way once they discovered the missing artifacts?

How had I fallen asleep? I was never so reckless. Never. I felt the weight of the pendant and slowly clasped the offending jewel. I needed to get it and the box into the small bag I had strapped at my waist. And then I needed to get my ass out of Dodge, or Tiahuanaco, where this oldest temple had been discovered.

The pendant was warm to the touch, as if it had soaked up my body heat, and after hours of being tucked securely between my breasts it wasn’t much of a surprise. But what was a surprise was how it seemed to be glued to my skin. No matter how I pried at it, the pendant remained stuck to me.

Damn. Now what? I slid my fingers around the edges in the hope I could pull it free, and all I found was a perfect oval seal, holding it tight.

But there had been no glue. Surely I would have felt it before, and I hadn’t. All I’d felt was the cool amethyst and the texture of the dragon. That must have been what inspired the strange dream.

What else besides glue could bind the thing to my skin?

My mind whispered one word. Magic.

There was no such thing. The only supernatural occurrence I’d ever seen was my own ability to get in and out of tight places without being caught. And as far as I knew, blending wasn’t magic. I didn’t know what it was or how it worked, but not by magic.

Still, the pendant clung to me in a way I didn’t understand. Maybe it was some ancient booby trap set by the people who’d made the pendants? One archaeologist had said this temple might be more than ten thousand years old, but he’d been hushed quickly by the others. Not that I cared where the damn thing came from or even how it became stuck. All that mattered to me was getting the pendant unstuck. I had to get it free before I could finish the recovery job. I wasn’t about to take back one of the artifacts attached to my body. If this employer was like most, he would have no qualms about cutting it from my flesh, and I wasn’t about to let that happen.

Prying at the pendant did nothing.

I needed help.

My gaze darted to where Davis entered the temple. Now, that was a temptation. He would surely know more about the artifact than any of the other eggheads, but how could I get him to help me without getting caught by the guards?

Take him.

It was the only option. From what I’d seen, he wasn’t going to let me walk out with the pendant no matter where it was stuck. No, he was too goody-goody to help a thief. Dr. Davis would have to be captured and given no choice. I wasn’t big into violence or personal crime but was capable when the job called for it. An ancient pendant attached to my body? Yep, this job was screaming for full-on response.

END EXCERPT

Now available at Carina Press!
http://carinapress.com

L. Shannon for Dark Paranormal Romance
http://lshannon.net ~ http://lshannon.blogspot.com
Romance - stalking outside the bounds of reality

Motor City Fae by Cindy Spencer Pape

2010-06-06T23:22:00.001-04:00

Can't wait to read this one! And it comes out tomorrow!
Shannon

Motor City Fae
Book I of Urban Arcana
By Cindy Spencer Pape
Coming June 2010 from Carina Press
www.carinapress.com

Blurb:
Detroit artist Meagan Kelly has had a strong sixth sense all her life, but that doesn’t mean the gorgeous stranger’s crazy story—that she’s a half-elf, half human heiress—is true. But Meagan can’t deny the evidence of her own eyes—he’s Fae. A tall, blond, handsome, pointy-eared elf—and a man she just can’t get enough of.

Ric Thornhill’s assignment just got a lot more complicated. The more time he spends with Meagan, the harder it is to see her as a political tool to prevent an all-out war between humans and Fae.

Now Meagan’s in a race to master her newly released powers in time to prevent the conflict, convince a jealous Queen not to strip Ric of his powers, and find out if she can build a life that straddles two worlds.

Six Sentence Sunday: Amethyst Bound

2010-06-06T09:01:00.000-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Amethyst Bound which releases with Carina Press on June 7, 2010. That's tomorrow! WOOT!

Halfway out of the temple, Davis stumbled as we passed the bodies of the two usual guards.

“Grieve later. Run now…” I dragged him toward the exit.

We ran on and reached the exit even as the shouts of the men followed us out. By now Davis seemed to understand that they were definitely bad guys and their bullets would kill him. He kept up and didn’t once let go of my hand. For some bizarre reason, his large hand wrapped around mine made the run-for-our-lives race easier to handle.

Or at least it did until the bastards shot me in the ass.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
All Toni wanted was to steal the artifacts, get paid and then spend some time relaxing on a beach somewhere. She wasn't planning on being bound to the spirit of a dragon, or becoming part of the prophecy predicting the end of the world...

Want to know a little more about Amethyst Bound? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/AMETHYST.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://www.blogger.com/www.lshannon.net

Preorder Amethyst Bound Today!

2010-06-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Check it out! Amethyst Bound is now available for preorder through Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NX7BS0/

And its a matter of hours now until my new book and several other wonderful ones will be officially released as part of the Carina Press launch!

Find more information about Amethyst Bound and read the whole first chapter HERE.

Shannon
*happy dancing*

Motor City Fae by Cindy Spencer Pape

2010-06-02T16:00:00.002-04:00

First of all, I’d like to thank L. for having me here. This marks the first official stop on my blog tour to promote Motor City Fae coming June 7 from the brand new Carina Press! I am so delighted to be part of the launch of this exciting new publisher, and I can’t wait to share Motor City Fae with the world.

So a little bit about me: I live in southern Michigan, not too far from Detroit, the setting for MCF. I’m celebrating my 25^th wedding anniversary this summer, so I honestly do believe in romantic Happy-Ever-Afters. I have two almost-grown sons, two oversized lap dogs, and a rescue iguana. My academic background is in biology and animal behavior, but right now I’m lucky enough to write full time.

While some readers may be more familiar with my erotic romances for other publishers, MCF is a more mainstream paranormal romance—hot but not kinky.  It’s book one in the new Urban Arcana series from Carina Press, and you can watch for book two, Motor City Witch, coming October 4. This series is something special

to me, one I’ve been saving for just the right publisher, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that it’s found a home with Carina Press.

Here’s some basic info about the book, and a short except (PG rated) Enjoy!

Motor City Fae

Book I of Urban Arcana

By Cindy Spencer Pape

Coming June 2010 from Carina Press

www.carinapress.com

Pre-order at Amazon for your Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Motor-City-Fae-ebook/dp/B003NX7BWG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1275064602&sr=1-18

Blurb:

Detroit artist Meagan Kelly has had a strong sixth sense all her life, but that doesn’t mean the gorgeous stranger’s crazy story—that she’s a half-elf, half human heiress—is true. But Meagan can’t deny the evidence of her own eyes—he’s Fae. A tall, blond, handsome, pointy-eared elf—and a man she just can’t get enough of.

Ric Thornhill’s assignment just got a lot more complicated. The more time he spends with Meagan, the harder it is to see her as a political tool to prevent an all-out war between humans and Fae.

Now Meagan’s in a race to master her newly released powers in time to prevent the conflict, convince a jealous Queen not to strip Ric of his powers, and find out if she can build a life that straddles two worlds.

Excerpt:

Suburban Detroit was a truly odd place.

Ric Thornhill’s vintage Jaguar convertible roared down Woodward Avenue, a wide car-clogged boulevard lined with all manner of businesses from elegant boutiques to seedy liquor stores. To his right loomed an enormous stone church that could have been in medieval Europe. On the left was a strip mall with a Chinese restaurant, a nail salon and a paycheck advance center.

Find Emery of Rose’s long-lost daughter before the next Seelie Council meeting, or live out a miserable human lifespan as a powerless mortal. That was the geas that his boss, the elven queen, had cast on Ric. In other words, find the girl or die. His death sentence would simply take forty or fifty years to be carried out. The geas was a result of telling Her Majesty off the last time she’d sent him on a fool’s errand. One would think he’d have learned by now to keep his mouth shut. The sad part was that on this job, he’d have done his best anyway. The fate of both realms could hang in the balance if he didn’t.

In over eight centuries of existence, he’d been in plenty of sticky situations, but none as bad as this. He’d started the search in New York, where Emery had died. No luck there. He’d also tried Windsor, Ontario, the hometown of Emery’s human wife. Nothing. Two other agents of the queen had mysteriously disappeared or been killed and now Ric was the only one left. And he was here in Detroit on nothing more than a hunch held by one of Emery’s cousins. Aidan Greene believed his missing relative was somewhere nearby. Now Ric only had five days remaining and he’d gotten nowhere but here, which wasn’t good.

The place was dismal and depressing—hot, gray and muggy on this August afternoon and the five-o’clock Friday traffic royally sucked. Ric had spent the last week checking out every new-age shop, so-called psychic and alternative club in the area—every place he could think of that a half-Fae would be drawn to. If his mediocre scrying skills hadn’t led him to the right place this time, he was probably toast. He was supposed to be at a certain corner in Royal Oak at a certain time. Yeah, he had lots of info to go on.

He accelerated through a yellow light, cranked up the volume on his stereo and settled his black Ray-Ban sunglasses on his nose despite the overcast day. What the hell, might as well go down in style.

* * * * *

If you enjoyed the excerpt, by all means watch for more. I’ll be visiting blogs all month! Also, I’m running a contest. All you have to do is pop over to my website, go to the “contact Cindy” page, and tell me which blog you saw me on and answer the question of the day. At the end of June, I’ll be giving away a $20.00 gift card to your choice of Borders, B&N, or Amazon. You can enter once for each blog stop.

Today’s question: Name the hero of Motor City Fae.

Now here’s where you can find me on the web. Check out L.’s post on my blog today, and Happy Reading!

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com

Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000270304390

knock-knock

2010-06-02T00:44:00.001-04:00

Knock Knock
Who's there
Dragon !
Dragon who ?
Dragon your feet again !

Amethyst Bound
Carina Press
June 7, 2010

Six Sentence Sunday: Amethyst Bound

2010-05-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Amethyst Bound which releases with Carina Press on June 7, 2010.

Time to choose between truth and lies.

Usually the easy answer was to lie, but I couldn’t think of a single fib that would convince Davis to translate the glyphs. So I did the unexpected. I told the truth. “I need your help to get this unattached from my skin.” I yanked down the neck of my tank top and flashed him.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
All Toni wanted was to steal the artifacts, get paid and then spend some time relaxing on a beach somewhere. She wasn't planning on being bound to the spirit of a dragon, or becoming part of the prophecy predicting the end of the world...

Want to know a little more about Amethyst Bound? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/AMETHYST.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

dragon humor

2010-05-26T00:57:00.000-04:00

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons

for you are crunchy and good with ketchup

Amethyst Bound
Carina Press
June 7, 2010

Six Sentence Sunday: Amethyst Bound

2010-05-23T09:01:00.000-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Amethyst Bound which releases with Carina Press on June 7, 2010.

I slid my fingers around the edges (of the pendant) in the hope I could pull it free, and all I found was a perfect oval seal, holding it tight.

But there had been no glue. Surely I would have felt it before, and I hadn’t. All I’d felt was the cool amethyst and the texture of the dragon. That must have been what inspired the strange dream.

What else besides glue could bind the thing to my skin?

My mind whispered one word. Magic.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
All Toni wanted was to steal the artifacts, get paid and then spend some time relaxing on a beach somewhere. She wasn't planning on being bound to the spirit of a dragon, or becoming part of the prophecy predicting the end of the world...

Want to know a little more about Amethyst Bound? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/AMETHYST.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
http://www.blogger.com/www.lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: Amethyst Bound

2010-05-16T12:07:00.003-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Amethyst Bound which releases with Carina Press on June 7, 2010.

Be the wall. Be the stone. Be invisible. I chanted the mantra silently as the temple guards strolled past. Frank, a heavyset older man, was no more than three feet away, yet he wouldn’t see me. I called it blending, but whatever the skill was or however I came to have it, the ability to become nearly invisible had saved my ass hundreds of times.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
All Toni wanted was to steal the artifacts, get paid and then spend some time relaxing on a beach somewhere. She wasn't planning on being bound to the spirit of a dragon, or becoming part of the prophecy predicting the end of the world...

Want to know a little more about Amethyst Bound? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/AMETHYST.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday: Walking with Synn

2010-05-09T11:50:00.003-04:00

This Sunday my six are from Anom'tan 1: Walking with Synn

With one hand, she carefully drew back the blankets to reveal thick, tangled, brown hair. When he didn’t object to being uncovered, she pulled the blanket back further.

His face...he was so pale. The man’s white skin glistened. It was almost bluish, with pale smudges of tan. He looked fragile and ill, but behind that terrifying exterior was a stark beauty so breathtaking she thought for a moment he must be an angel.

Curious? Here's the blurb:
Sometimes mortal souls must be guided when the sun is high. A special class of Tascryn demons called Anom'tan, (soul walkers) are paired to offer the strength walking under the sun requires. When Sayvor and his brother are attacked, both their lives will depend on his ability to remember the ones who stole his brother. But without his brother, Sayvor’s strength is failing and his only hope is within the arms of a willing lover to help him recover the memories his team needs to save them both. Dr. Sasha Washington never expected therapy to be this much pleasure.

Want to know a little more about Walking with Synn? You can find more at: http://www.lshannon.net/Anomtan.html

Check out other sixes at http://www.sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

I'm blogging at Carina!

2010-05-09T11:00:00.003-04:00

Check it out! I'm blogging at Carina today. Stop over and comment for a chance to win in the Countdown to Carina giveaway!

www.CarinaPress.com And Click on the link for the blog. :)

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Six Sentence Sunday

2010-05-02T11:20:00.000-04:00

Dee Carney (word warrior awesome) suggested I check out Six Sentence Sunday and so I did and found a nifty little blogging inspiration. This idea is to offer up six sentences from a story. How cool is that? Enought o get a taste without being so much as to slow anyone down. Love it!

So here's my 6, taken from A Lover's Touch.

I blinked my eyes open, meeting the bright blue eyes of a stranger whose face was only inches from my own. “How?” I asked in wonder. How was he holding me without messing with my magic vibes? I let my fingers brush lightly over the back of his hand and gasped as the deep ever-present hum changed to a purr of pleasure.

“Shh…” The purr quieted at his command.

Well that was fun, wasn't it? Go check out the 6 other authors have to offer and come back here next Sunday to see what else is happening.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Carina Coundown Post - 40 'til launch

2010-04-29T14:22:00.002-04:00

Woot! Carina Press is launching on June 7, 2010. I'm one of many very wonderful authors you'll find among the first month's releases. Check it out for yourself at http://www.carinapress.com/.

Yep, I am excited!!

Here on my blog I plan to post every day (or at least most days) for the next 40. Some will be short little countdown notes. Others will be longer, spotlighting excerpts from my release, Amethyst Bound or the fabulous stories by the other Carina authors.

Shannon
http://www.lshannon.net/

New book woot! A Lover's Touch

2010-04-24T00:26:00.002-04:00

Check it out, I have a new story available! Just a short story but it had been sitting around and doing nothing for a while now. You can find A Lover's Touch at Amazon. Run on over there and check it out.

New Editor Hoo-rah!

2010-01-29T00:33:00.003-05:00

With as many books as I have published it is safe to say I've had more than a couple editors. Every new contract brings with it the niggle of worry about the new editor that will follow. That's right, some of my publishing houses bounce authors between editors depending on who has time available. It's a bit of a crap shoot. You might get an awesome professional, the over-zealous new employee, one too busy or preoccupied to focus on your manuscript baby, or even one too cynic to work with well.

Yeah publishing is a big bad world sometimes.

And other times it is like hitting the lotto. In the last couple days, I received my first round of edits on Amethyst Bound which will be coming soon with Carina Press. This time I can honestly say I feel like a winner.

Opening the file was done with bated breath, but just moments later I was letting it out on a relieved sigh. Thank you Deb N for all your work. You rock! Hoo-RAH!

Shannon

Snow, snow and more snow...

2010-01-05T02:38:00.003-05:00

It was a wonderful white Christmas here in PA. Had a great time playing in the snow and watching the fantasy like white world fall all around me.

*happy sigh*

I LOVE snow. I mean really love it. There is something pure and beautiful beyond words about fresh snow covering my hillside in white. Or maybe it just covers up the flaws in a real life. (cynical side showing)

Tonight as I walked home from the parents, I was amazed by the number of tracks already running through the fresh -only hours old- snow. Deer, turkey, dog, cat, rabbit and a few I couldn't identify. Lots of deer tonight. Looks like the herd spent some time hanging out in my yard. I may have even heard them running off as I came through. I've been thinking about sneaking back out to see if they came back.

But I haven't because of the other side of winter.

It's cold out there. And I do not like the cold. *shiver* I'll be very happy when the warm weather returns. Might miss the snow, but not enough to complain. *grin*.

On another note. This week HBO was offering season one of Trueblood on demand for free. The moment I saw it was available I suggested all innocent like that my mom should watch the series premier to see if she liked it. She agreed all mom-like and took her current book with her to settle in on the sofa. Clearly she was being social and supportive to her paranormal romance writing daughter. I nodded. Yep, could live with that. She'd made cookies. It's all good.

So she watches episode one... no more than five minutes in and her book is pitched to the side and she is groaning and eeping and laughing at Jason Stackhouse for being so dumb.

Yep she was hooked.

I'd seen the season already but thought what the heck. I could putter through some editing on the netbook while it was on. (riiight, lol) So it goes like this...

"So mom, want to watch episode 2 now?"

"Okay, but just one more. Can't stay up too late." (it's only about 8 pm)

"All right."

::play episode 2::

"Oh okay. That was pretty good. Just one more."

::play episode 3::

"It's getting late." She yawns. "Go ahead and start one more. I'll get some coffee."

Now by this point I'm laughing my ass off. She's obviously way into Trueblood, hooked well and good for sure. But she's still playing it cool. So I'm playing it cool. And keep hitting play for her. This goes on until almost three in the morning. It was a hoot! By then she was admitting to enjoying it and setting up to have another marathon to finish the season the next night.

So I say, Thank you HBO! You've won over a new fan for Trueblood!

Enough of my rambling. Hope you all are finding something in the world to enjoy, be it the snow or a good show on the telly.

Shannon

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T01:12:00.004-05:00

I just got home from a nice quiet new years with hubby. He's so sweet. It was a private thing, just the two of us. Very nice. *smile*

Hope everyone else out there took a moment to feel blessed for making it through another year. Such things are often too easily taken for granted. I know I'm guilty of missing the moments in favor of the bigger-better-brighter future. Here in the quiet (if you consider singing birds, playing dogs and more than a little loud music...quiet) I've been having some deep thoughts. Some about the past year and all that has happened and some about the year to come which I hope will be just as filled with wonder.

Sometimes I forget, but I am blessed. I have family and friends around me. I have health and freedom to chase my dreams. I have much. I am blessed.

That doesn't stop me from looking forward and planning to conquer the coming year. With my list of "resolutions" in hand I will take my blessed life and remaining vigilant in keeping all that I hold dear and if possible making 2010 even better for my family and friends, and yes for me too.

And in the meantime, here's an old wives tale to brighten your chances. This one comes from my mom. She claims if you shake your empty purse at the blue moon and call out "fill it up, fill it up, fill it up" you'll be brought wealth. And these days who couldn't use a little more wealth. (brb) (back) Well I shook my purse. Did you? *grin*

Happy New Years to you! May karma be on your side and you dreams within your reach!

Shannon

Happy Holidays

2009-12-25T00:29:00.003-05:00

Wishing you all the very best.

L. Shannon

2009-11-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 21: Have a timer.

Use an cheap kitchen timer to control your working or break times. Plan to write for a certain block of time, say 20 or 30 minutes and during that time do not open any other window or check your email or feed the cat. That time will fly by and no one will starve until the dinger goes off.

Days 12-20 Have focus

2009-11-20T12:45:00.002-05:00

Days 12-20: Have focus and fight distraction. This middle of the trip is where many people disappear. During these hard times stay away from distractions like the web or specifically blogs which you don't have time to write on anyhow. lol.

2009-11-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 11: Have Snacks

Did you notice that every time you interrupt your writing to go make a meal it’s that much harder to get back lost momentum? If you have a supportive better half he or she will sneak in silently and place easy finger food within reach (but not in the way) of your flying fingers. But if such isn’t happening you may have to take matters into your own hands. Plan ahead and before you settle in for your scheduled writing, make a couple small snacks, sandwiches or chicken nuggets, leftover Halloween candy… something that you can eat without leaving the moving story you’re creating. Also set up your liquids. I tend to have my usual drinks as well as a couple bottles of water as back up. Anything that keeps you typing and undistracted for even a few extra sentences is well worth the effort.

2009-11-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 10: Have Caffeine

Or some other means of staying energized. By now you’re probably feeling the strain of the breakneck pace. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably fallen behind your big dreams of hitting daily goals. Don’t panic. Just adjust your way of attacking the problem. Maybe sketch out your next couple scenes and see if you can write them bare bones style. Nothing but the essentials to be filled in later. There is no right path to get to 50k. Any path that gets you there is a good one.

2009-11-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 9: Have An Ending

This isn’t right for everyone but for me I need to know where my story is going before I can focus on the path to get there. Sometimes I even write the last scene or ending before I hit the midpoint. Taking this idea a little bit further you might find it useful to write little bare bones snippets of the big turning points in your story. These aren’t made in stone and can be changed, edited or even cut later, but can help you keep on track and running ful speed when you need it most.

2009-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 8: Have Conflict

Conflict is the thing that will keep your characters at odds in the story. Try not to think of your conflict as a single problem, think of it more as a ladder. Your conflict should have several rungs the characters have to overcome. Each one higher and further from the last. If they don’t make it then the fall becomes more deadly as the story progresses.

2009-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 7: Have Motivation

Motivation is tied into goals for each character, similar but not quite the same. For instance the hero’s goal might be to stop the bad guy. But his motivation is the why that gives the goal purpose. So why does your hero need to stop the bad guy? Maybe the bad guy is trying to kill him? Kill the heroine? Steal a precious gem? Take over the world?

2009-11-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 6: Have Goals

Not only should you set monthly, weekly and daily goals for yourself, but your fabulous characters need goals too. Not just hero and heroine, but every character in your books needs to want something. They should have a goal, something to reach for and hopefully attain by the end of your book. Don’t forget the villain, sometimes his/her goal is the one that will drive the story.

2009-11-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 5: Have Character

Bet you thought I meant don’t lie and be nice to stray animals. Nope, this is about Having strong bigger than life characters for your novel! Yep a lot can be said for strong characters. Sometimes they can carry a soft plot or weak story further than you can even imagine. Best part of all, if you love your characters you’ll actually want to spend time with them. And that means you’ll spend even longer in your chair telling their stories. Which will lead directly to more words and eventually to a complete novel!

2009-11-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 4: Have Support

Yes even though writing is a solitary sport it is important to have the support of family and friends. Especially when undertaking something like Nano. Hopefully you warned everyone in your family of your intended insanity and they know better than to interrupt your writing time. If they really get your needs during Nano they will also airlift in meals without uttering a word and celebrate every day’s success with you once you actually come out of your writer cave and speak directly to them.

2009-11-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Day 3: Have A Schedule

Not everyone can write only when the mood moves you. Some like me make our living by writing and that means sometimes writing when totally not in the mood. Not an easy thing to do. Accept that times like this may prove not as productive as the good days when the muse is on your side.

Still even when it’s hard, plan ahead to put your time in and spend your “writing time” actually writing. Some of you may have heard the acronym BICHOK, but if you haven’t it means Butt In Chair-Hands On Keyboard. Simple as that you will increase your output. No, this doesn’t make it easier. And it won’t improve the quality of what you produce but it will put words on the page. And sometimes that is the best we can hope for.

2009-11-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Day 2: Have A Plan

Okay so now you’ve decided to try your hand at nano and are sitting there panicking over how on earth you can manage to write 50,000 words in one month without losing your mind. The good news is it can be done. The bad news is few actually succeed without losing their minds.

But really who needs a mind in December anyway? You won’t, not if you have a new complete novel to hug and to hold.

So to improve your chances make a plan and stick to it. NANOWRIMO has it all broke down into how much you need to write in a day to do the 50000 in 30 days. 1660. You can do this. It is achievable.

30 days of NANOWRIMO

2009-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

On the first day of nano…I give you tips for surviving nano.

Day 1: Have A Dream.
Yes, in October I dreamed of finishing a novel in November. I knew it was a crazy dream, but I clung to it anyways. After all a novel, a little novel all my own. I could see the cover with its beautiful images and best of all with my name blazed across it in all my glory. I can do this. I can write a novel in one month.

For those brave souls who have done nano before you may be thinking like me, of course it can be done. I’ve done it in the past. Just last year I won Nano. Of course I can do it again. Or for any newcomers to Nano, look at the list of winners and know that this year you can be among them.

Now, quit reading blogs and go write.

Do you NaNo?

2009-10-27T19:32:00.003-04:00

Stay tuned.

I'm gearing up for November's big challenge, National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. If you've never tried it, maybe this is the year to give it a go? Nothing else like it. This big challenge is a push beyond all pushes. Time to pull on the big girl panties (or in some cases big boy boxers) and see if you're made of the stuff or not.

Sound grim? Well it isn't. Even if you don't make the 50,000 word standard goal, or even if you don't make your own personal goal... if you write more in November than you usually do any other month then it is a great success!

My big goal will be to complete Dead Men's Nails: Kindred Spirit, but if I have time I want to push on to see if I can complete even more than just one story. KS needs 40-50k to finish. I've added my goal meter to the blog and will be posting regular updates throughout the month.

Wish me luck, or better yet, join me in November and sign up for your own goal over at the official website, http://www.nanowrimo.org/ Feel free to friend me there. I'm user: L.Shannon and always glad to share in success or commiserate with the bumps in the road.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

It's BIAWE time!

2009-08-20T14:21:00.002-04:00

Yep, starting tomorrow it's time to write! Not sure of the exact start time yet. That will depend on who ends up joining in, but if you'd got words that need to be written (like I do) then join in. We'll write like mad until we all collapse on Sunday night.

Soo... stock up on what you need, sharpen your virtual pencils or even your real ones and chime in here or IM me if you're joining us for the AUGUST BIAWE!

Shannon

New Release: The Vixen Files!

2009-08-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

The Vixen Files
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-556-0
AUGUST 09, 2009!
Cover: Trace Edward Zaber
(isn't that cover great?!)

James Smith is a notorious spy, selling his skill to any power willing to pay his steep prices. Smith’s lack of loyalty is the only consistent intelligence Agent Mae Vixandra can gather on this mysterious man. Now it’s fallen to her to capture him once and for all, and if possible, convince him to finally use those impressive skills for something more worthy than a quick buck.

If flipping a rogue spy were the only purpose, Mae would have the job tucked to bed without a second concern. She’s spent a couple centuries protecting her adopted America. Now she does so with the backing of a secret agency and a team staffed by her own six werewolf daughters. Together or apart they can handle about any job sent their way. But capturing James Smith offers Mae a very personal agenda. If her premonition is right, he’s her mate, and she’s been a widow long enough that even a traitorous spy is a risk worth taking...

If you love fanged or furry heroes and tough girls in ass-kicking high heels, don't miss out on this exciting new story! Go here http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/VixenFiles.html and buy The Vixen Files today!

L. Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Get Hooked on a Series Contest

2009-05-18T15:06:00.003-04:00

Check out this fantastic contest over at the Moira Rogers website! http://moirarogers.com/?q=node/347 Seriously those girls are crazy over there and why shouldn't we all benefit from the insanity? Get this... 50 books from 50 series with 50 WINNERS??? Don't miss out on this great contest. Run, don't walk, click your way over there right now! http://moirarogers.com/?q=node/347 Contest ends June 1st.

My books that you could win include:
Anom'tan 1: Walking with Synn - "Hot and steamy" RRTErotic
Acacia 1: Abducting Aeron - "L. Shannon has an awesome new series on her hands" FAR
Division 8, book 1: Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover (YES, You could win my brand new book!)

So what are you waiting for? Go already! http://moirarogers.com/?q=node/347
Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW
Nothing but Ash - 4/20/09 - Liquid Silver Books
Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover - 5/17/09 - Amber Quill Press
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover

2009-05-17T12:00:00.003-04:00

Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover
A Division 8 novella by L. Shannon
Finalist in the Brava Novella Contest!
Release: May 17, 2009 - Amber Quill Press
http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ZevenWays.html

BLURB
Zeven had a simple plan. Get the contract, kill the mark and protect werewolves from being exposed to the humans and hunted to extinction. But when the mark turns out to be the woman who stole and then broke his heart, everything changes. With Harley back in his sights, Zeven has a whole new plan—keep her from running, keep her alive and convince her to accept werewolves and be his mate.

To Harley, nothing about Zeven or his life is simple. And the possibility of a future for them together seems impossible, especially since the local clan of werewolves wants her dead and Zeven is all that stands between her and her escape from the Las Vegas territory. The stubborn homicidal shifter is determined to be heard out even if it costs them both everything.

But if there is a chance for them, Zeven and Harley will have to take on the whole rabid clan and settle a lot of history between them. But will he be able to forgive her for abandoning him ten years before? Or will she run again, unable to face the killer he’s become?

EXCERPT

Harley Lex knew she was in shock and was completely helpless against the biological response. Her breath came too fast, too shallow. Her heart raced. Her vision tunneled down to just the gruesome picture in her shaking hand. For a long second, she stared, gradually making sense of the image. It showed the brutalized remains of the two people she'd left behind to be killed the night before. Two friends from the hospital who'd been murdered in cold blood.

On the back were two words.

You're next.

Dizziness dragged her down. She fought back the panic attack. Later. I'll break down properly later. But at the moment that kind of weakness would just get her killed. One deep breath, then another. After a long sleepless night, debating if she should report the attack or not, then she'd found the picture and she'd ditched work, bolted out the door. She needed focus and motion, to pack and run.

At least this time she'd pack.

She grabbed her UCLA duffel bag and stuffed in jeans and T-shirts. What do I need? Where will I go? She had an aunt living in Michigan, but she couldn't risk endangering her. Where she ran to wasn't important. All that really mattered was getting her ass away from Vegas.

At the bottom of her closet she saw the black bag and grimaced. Damn thing would finally come in handy after sitting ignored for more than five years. She jerked it free. How many times had she settled somewhere new and carefully repacked her escape bag, just to feel safe? Now she felt damn lucky for the paranoia.

The two thousand in the bag would get her out of town and she'd worry about the rest later. All that mattered now was staying alive. She headed for the door, gripping both bags in one hand and opening the door with the other--

--and was slammed back into the wall with a crash.

Sunshine outlined a huge man, combining dark shadow and blinding light. Her heart thundered once before she was heaved off her feet, pinned to the wall and confronted by black wraparound sunglasses that reflected her own terrified face.

She clawed at the thick arms and kicked against the huge body. But the man's weight crushed her to the wall.

The pressure changed, loosened. The man's honey brown skin came back into focus.

"Oh, fuck." The voice was familiar, from a past she'd left behind. He slammed the door and threw the wraparounds across the room with a vicious snarl of fury.

She met the man's cold, pale gaze. Dear God, how did he find me? "Zeven?"

Her former lover fell on her once more, claiming her mouth, demanding the response that was too damn easy to give. She kissed him back, matching his passion, pouring her stress and emotion into the wild contact that she'd craved for so long.

Then Zeven ripped away from her lips. "What the fuck did you see?"

That brought Harley back to the moment, back to the stupidity which giving in to animal attraction would be. "Shit. I need to get out of here." She struggled, jerking in his grasp. Zeven showing up took her terrifying day straight into FUBAR range. Now it wasn't just the ones behind the threatening note. She had to escape Zeven and his homicidal family, too.

His hands tightened on her arms, holding her in place, when she should be running. The ravaged look in his eyes tore open a wound she'd thought was healed or at least scabbed over. Why was he here? Why now, after ten years?

For one second she imagined saying, Zeven, come with me. Then her survival instincts kicked in, and thumped her ass awake. "I've got to get out of here."

But Zeven, her long-lost lover, wasn't moving.

Almost visible memories passed between them. Memories she'd love to linger in, try to reclaim if only she had more time. If only being with him wasn't such a deadly mistake.

"They sent me to kill you." The growled words shattered the chemistry and memories.

The irony forced a choking sound from her suddenly dry throat. "No, it's not possible. It can't be your pack." It couldn't be the same werewolves... But same or different didn't make much difference. It must be her fate to be killed by werewolves. Zeven's pack hunted her for being human, knowing their secret, and loving Zeven. After five quiet years, she'd witnessed a werewolf bar fight and was back on the most wanted list. But why did it have to be Zeven?

The emotion drained from Zeven's expression, leaving him still and cold, a killer. Completely different from the man she'd known.

Oh shit. "Are you going to kill me?" Getting killed by werewolves would not be a surprise, but dying at Zeven's hands would be hell...for them both.

END EXCERPT

Zeven Ways to Kill Your LoverAvailable now at Amber Quill Press!
http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ZevenWays.html

Shannon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net/ ~ Dark Paranormal Romance

Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW

Nothing but Ash - 4/20/09 - Liquid Silver Books

Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover - 5/17/09 - Amber Quill Press

FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

Nothing but Ash

2009-04-20T12:07:00.001-04:00

Nothing but Ash

A Midnight Ridge novella

by L. Shannon

Release: 4/20/09

Liquid Silver Books

ISBN 978-1-59578-538-1

Owen’s life is in shambles. His wife is missing and presumed dead. His daughter is running wild and considered the worst criminal in Midnight Ridge. The sheriff, his former girlfriend, expects him to get his act together and “find his balls”. It couldn’t get any worse. Until his wife’s ghost shows up, determined to lead them to her killer, a wolf hiding among the sheep, picking them off one bad seed at a time...

EXCERPT

Chapter One

“Your daughter is locked up in my jail again.” Sheriff Erin Walker hated these calls with a passion. In a town of under two hundred with the people scattered spaciously around the forested base of Midnight Ridge, crime was rare. This was the third time this week she’d hauled Sienna Sinclair in and put her teenaged ass behind bars.

“Again? What has she done this time?” Owen Sinclair sounded tired, beaten down by the reality of raising a troubled kid alone.

She sighed. The answer didn’t really matter. The girl was just as messed up as her father. The difference was, Sienna was striking out at a community that had failed to save her mother. She couldn’t blame Sienna, not one bit. Every second of the two years since Cindy Sinclair had gone missing and then been presumed dead had been hell for them all.

“We have to do something about her, Owen. This can’t go on.”

“I know, Erin. I know.”

She’d grown up with Cindy and Owen. She wasn’t just the local sheriff. She was also one of Owen’s closest friends, Sienna’s godmother, and worried sick about both of them. Hearing the defeat in Owen’s voice broke her heart. “Come on down to the station. We’ll talk.”

“I’ll be there in twenty or so. I need to get Henry to watch the store.”

“We’ll be here.”

He answered with a grunt that might have been, “Okay,” before the phone clicked dead.
Erin dropped the department phone back into its cradle. It tore at her how little she could do to help them. But this time she was going to be blunt and lay it out. If she and Owen couldn’t get through to Sienna, then... well, they’d have to get serious.

The teenager had flattened James Marshal’s tractor tires, burned a few corn stalk pyres, stolen from her own father’s store, taken joyrides in Miss Carolyn’s old Caddy and tried to hotwire Erin’s Jeep... but this time was worse. What the girl’d done this time wasn’t just a prank. It was... disturbing.

Smoothing back her wind-tangled hair, she retied it into her usual ponytail. She reached halfway to her desk drawer for the lipstick she kept there but halted. No, she wasn’t going to spruce up. No need. It was just Owen and he didn’t even know women existed. His whole heart had died when Cindy disappeared. Shame too. He’d always had Erin’s heart firmly in his pocket if he ever cared to look.

Never mind that.

She left her tiny office to check the front desk. “Everything good here, Irma?”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s all good, all quiet.” A sweet little mouse of a secretary, Irma Parson pushed her glasses up and fussed with a vague attempt to hide her fresh pink nail polish. Not that the girl would get in trouble for it. No, it was more likely Irma was just being shy about the new, more feminine color on her normally bare nails.

Did Irma have a date? If so, it was about time. “Go ahead home, Irma. I can handle Sienna myself.”

With a single nervous glance at the clock, Irma snatched her purse and nearly darted for the door. “Thanks, Sheriff Walker.”

The door slammed shut and left the quiet moving through the room like a dangerous shadow holding the unknown. It was silent enough to raise the hair on the back of her neck.

Had Sienna ever been that quiet in her whole life? Not that Erin had ever seen. Rushing back to the lock up, she turned the corner and found the girl standing in the center of her cell. One hand rose and held out like a mime, pressing against a wall ... or perhaps something soft.

“Momma?” Sienna’s whispered voice carried on a tremble of air. Hesitant, yet flushed with the deepest of emotions. “Oh, Momma, I’ve missed you so much.”

Pain closed Erin’s throat. Dear God, please don’t let the girl go on like this. It was too terrible, too cruel, far too much to ask her to bear. “Sienna, are you all right?”

Sienna didn’t look her way. Her hand stayed up, but her fingers closed over like she was holding someone’s hand. “You see her, don’t you? Momma’s come back.”

Shit. Erin unlocked the cell and moved around the girl to face her. The look of joy on Sienna’s face was beautiful and terrible. “I don’t see anyone, Sienna. Just you and me.”

“But she’s right here. Reach out and you can touch her too.”

After seeing the crazy graffiti Sienna had painted on the water tower, she’d wondered if maybe the girl had gotten a hold of some drugs. Now, drugs seemed like the better of two awful options. “She’s not here, honey. She’s gone.”

“She’s not! She’s right in front of me. Momma’s here.” Tears welled up in the girl’s wide eyes. Her body began shaking. Her hand finally lost its surreal handholding shape and slowly fell to her side.

Erin caught her even as the girl’s knees buckled. “Easy, honey.” Curled into her arms, Sienna’s sobs were soft and wretched. Erin moved them to the bench and cradled her, holding Sienna through the emotional storm. With fingers to Sienna’s wrist, Erin checked her pulse. She was pretty sure this was just wild emotions, but if there were drugs involved, better safe than sorry.

Her pulse was a little bit fast, but not dramatically so considering the rush of tears. Gradually the shaking subsided and Sienna pulled back, wiping at her face with her overlong sleeve.

“Sienna, I’m worried about you.”

“I’m okay.”

Right. “I’m worried enough right now that I’m considering dragging you down to Black Mountain Medical to have you drug tested.”

“What?” Sienna laughed, but the sound grated on the edge of hysterical. “I don’t do drugs. You can’t even get drugs here in Midnight Ridge.”

“I just saw you talking to thin air--”

“No, you didn’t. I was talking to my mom.”

Owen’s shadow cut across them. “Your mother is gone, Sienna.”

“Mom’s not gone. She’s dead, but not gone.” Sienna shot to her feet and stomped across to face her father through the bars. “She’s dead, but she was here. I talked to her ghost. She talked back.” Sienna’s voice rose on every word.

“Sienna, don’t...”

Hands fisted around the bars, tears streaming down her cheeks, Sienna shouted. “She’s dead. Mom’s dead. She didn’t leave us. She’s dead and someone here in Midnight Ridge killed her!”

END EXCERPT

buy Nothing but Ash at Liquid Silver Books

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=linda018&product_name=Nothing+But+Ash&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

Shannon

http://www.lshannon.net/

dark paranormal romance

Chances 5: Chance of a Lifetime

2009-02-24T17:31:00.000-05:00

Chances: Chance of a Lifetime
ISBN: 978-1-60521-144-2
Erotic Urban Fantasy
L. Shannon - http://lshannon.net
Changeling Press - http://changelingpress.com
February 24, 2009

Blurb
The perfect gift, one hunk of an ex-lover wrapped in cuffs and a red leather bow set in a snow-filled corner of hell...

But will the gift be accepted in the spirit it was given? Or will the gift tear their love apart?

Excerpt

Josh leapt backwards when the hotel TV melted into an inky black hole and out stepped a business man in a smooth gray suit. With a deepening glare, the guy strode forward and grabbed Josh in one arm. "Chance owes me big time for this errand boy nonsense."

Before he could do more than drag his feet, they were both through the portal and stepping into a tidy looking hallway in front of an obnoxious red door. And just as quick, the man in the suit was gone again, leaving him alone.

He swallowed back the wave of fear. If Chance had sent for him, then surely he was supposed to open the door. After a light tap, he pushed the door open.

What the hell? He tried to say the words, but no sound emerged from his slack mouth. The decorations from his house were arranged around the cozy room. White candles danced on every surface. Red, white and gold streamers and roses in the three shades were all over. Two ice buckets with chilling champagne sat on the counter. Across the floor, which was covered in snow white confetti, dark red petals made a trail to a huge bed and on the bed…

Josh’s heart stopped and then thundered with the impossible thrill laid out before him. A very sexy man bound with his head covered kneeling in the center of the bed covered in white satin. Dressed in nothing but leather straps, he held an arched position that pushed his thick erection out in front like a flag waving surrender.

Blood rushed through Josh’s body.

The red leather straps across the man’s chest formed a bow. As in… a gift?

Heat flared behind him -- Chance’s heat. "You like your gift, love?" Chance’s warm breath feathered over his ear with every caressing word. "One of a kind. If you like him, you can keep him."

He turned, pulling Chance into an embrace. "Damn, I’ve missed you so much." He brought their lips together and set about devouring Chance the way he’d been dreaming of for the past week. On and on he kissed him, relishing the joy of just being with him again.

Then Chance’s words sank in… He pulled back "What do you mean, ‘keep him’?"

"He’s a gift. What kind of Indian giver would I be if I didn’t let you keep him?"

END EXCERPT

Buy Chance of a Lifetime at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=77

Check out the other Chance books at http://www.lshannon.net/Chances.html
A Snowball's Chance
A Second Chance
Another Chance
A Chance Encounter
Games of Chance
Chance of a Lifetime

Shannon~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LShannon/ for contests & freebies
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - now available in print!
Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover is a Brava Contest Finalist! Available at Amber Quill Press!
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html
Find more L. Shannon books at Amber Quill Press, Changeling Press, Cobblestone Press, Liquid Silver Books & Noble Romance

Chances 4: Games of Chance

2009-02-20T12:20:00.001-05:00

Chances: Games of Chance
Erotic Urban Fantasy
L. Shannon - http://lshannon.net/
Changeling Press - http://changelingpress.com/
February 20, 2009

Blurb
What does a demon give his mortal lover for their one-year anniversary? Chance knows exactly what Josh wants -- his former lover, Brandon. The three can be happy together, but only if Brandon is willing to share… All Chance has to do is push Brandon to the limits -- and prove he’s worth the risk.

The perfect gift. That’s what Chance needs. And in this case that elusive item would be a silly, reluctant mortal gift-wrapped with a big bow.

Excerpt

Chance couldn’t believe his luck. Not only was Brandon on the verge of agreeing to give this a try, but he did it looking damn attractive. He wasn’t model handsome or anything. It was the determined look in his eyes and the stubborn set to his jaw.

More than that, it was the reason for that determination. The willingness to fight for Josh the only way he could.

Oh, but forcing Brandon to endure wasn’t his idea of a good time. No, he needed to make the mortal enjoy, and if that meant playing sex games that pushed the limits… so be it.

He backed away from Brandon. "I already know you want me to play the big bad demon, forcing my will on you, but there will be rules to these games."

Brandon’s gaze finally met his. "What rules?"

"I don’t do rape." At least not off the job. "You’ve never dipped your toes into this water before, so we’ll only make one rule. I expect you to be willing, even when you play at being a victim. If you can’t handle it or want to stop, say your safe word. With one word, whatever game we’re playing ends. That’s it. That’s the one rule, the only rule."

Brandon’s adam’s apple bobbed.

"Do you understand?"

"What if… what if I can’t say it? What if I’m gagged or something?" Brandon’s question was accompanied by the vivid image of his mouth stuffed full of flaming cock.

Chance nearly laughed at the image. Would have laughed if it hadn’t sent all the blood in his body racing to the cock in question. Through a grin, he reassured Brandon. "Just think it. I’ll hear and know you want to stop."

The terrified look was fading from Brandon’s face, leaving behind mixed curiosity and determination with no more than a dash of fear.

The change was more than he’d hoped for this soon. Maybe Brandon’s fear of things nonhuman would be easier to conquer than he’d first thought. Once the fear was gone, this game would be so much more fun. He could hardly wait to get started. "What will your safe word be?"

"Can the safe word be Josh?"

"I don’t think that would work too well. Frankly if you don’t think of him often during this little experiment of ours, I don’t really see the point in bothering. Just so we’re clear on the facts, I’m doing this, offering you this opportunity, as a gift for Josh."

Brandon’s back straightened. "Well, just so we’re completely clear. I think that if you cared for Josh ,you’d get the hell out of his life. Or better yet, make him forget that you even exist. Whether I’m in his life or not, being tied to a demon is never going to be in his best interests."

"Good. We understand each other. Now, what is your safe word?"

"Banana split."

"Don’t forget it." The anger and challenge dancing in Brandon’s eyes was very enticing. They might not ever get to the point where he could trust him, but these tests might be a hell of a lot of fun anyhow.

"Now what?"

"Into your bedroom and strip."

Brandon’s jaw fell open. "Now?"

"Now. Get out of those clothes and show me what you’ve got." His mind shot back to Christmas Eve. He hadn’t seen Brandon naked then, but he’d felt those lips around him. More of that would be good, but considering the fear coursing through the mortal, he’d have to go slower. At least until Brandon conquered that bigotry.

Looking deeper into Brandon’s mind, he examined that dark desire that he denied so vehemently aloud. It was a glimpse into being dominated, but Brandon had never so much as dipped his toes into those waters. Even now with a simple command like "strip" Brandon rebelled, fought against the desire to submit and obey.

Chance chuckled and then laughed harder when Brandon jumped at the sound.

This game of submission Brandon wanted to try would let Chance take control of the play, and help Brandon feel like he had no choice. Relieving the mortal of all the self-recriminations and guilt. Chance could understand and accept the excuse. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have his own agenda here. He crowded the mortal backwards across the small living space and into the bedroom.

Brandon pushed down his slacks, stepping free of the legs before sinking onto the bed.

"Lay back and relax. I just want to explore your body this time."

"Explore?" Brandon hesitated for a second then reclined slowly.

"Yes, explore. Touch and taste you. Learn what you like and don’t."

"Taste? I… I don’t want you to bite me or drink my blood or anything."

He didn’t bother to reassure Brandon this time. The fool was in for a surprise, because if Chance wanted to bite or nibble he wasn’t going to ask permission. And considering the way Brandon’s eyes had flashed inhuman gold during their last meeting, it was past time he got over the bigotry he’d been spouting. "Some things will be your choice, but most of this game will offer you only one decision. Either give in or use your safe word."

Chance threw energy into the exposed sheets on the bed. Within his power the simple cloth simulated life and twisted on the bed, forming long ropes. They wrapped around Brandon’s wrists and pulled him more firmly onto the bed.

With a burst of fire, he dissolved his clothing and advanced on Brandon in nothing but flames.

"Ugghh!" Brandon jerked back, pulling on the restraining rope sheets.

Banking his flames, he slowed his approach, reaching for Brandon’s long, tense thigh with one hand. Nearly all his demonic characteristics were in check. He didn’t hide his flames, but kept them tight and hot against his skin.

Brandon’s leg stayed whipcord tight, but his head fell back against the pillow. Through barely parted lips he whispered, "For Josh."

For Josh.

God, they were a pair, weren’t they. Neither completely willing, but both trying so hard to find something that would work… for Josh.

END EXCERPT

Buy Games of Chance at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=77

Check out the other Chance books at http://www.lshannon.net/Chances.html
A Snowball's Chance
A Second Chance
Another Chance
A Chance Encounter
Games of Chance
Chance of a Lifetime

Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net/ ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LShannon/ for contests & freebies
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - now available in print!
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html
Find more L. Shannon books at Amber Quill Press, Changeling Press, Cobblestone Press, Liquid Silver Books & Noble Romance

Words in Motion Online Conference

2009-01-10T11:29:00.001-05:00

***Permission to Forward***

Cobblestone Press is hosting the 2009 annual Words in Motion Conference Jan 9-11 (Fri, Sat, and Sun) at in the Community Forums at http://www.cobblestone-mainstreet.com

Attendance and participation is free.
Theme: Sci-Fi, fantasy, and urban fantasy romance

Presentation Schedule includes:

January 9th, Friday
· Character Development for Urban Fantasy by Yolanda Sfetsos
· Creating 3 Dimensional Characters for Paranormal Worlds by Patti O’Shea
· Developing Believable Wolf-Shifting Heroes by Loribelle Hunt

Saturday, January 10th
· World Building for Paranormal Romance by L. Shannon Woohoo! Come on by and join me. :D
· Writing Science Fiction Romance by Kayelle Alan
· Your Underwear is Showing: How to Prepare for Online Events By Alice Anderson

Sunday, January 11th
· Creating Super Hot Super Heroes by P. Andrews
· Top Mistakes that Authors Make When Writing Paranormal Romance by Cobblestone Press Managing Editor, Brandi Loyd
· Designing Covers for The Darker Side of Romance

Other Events during the 3 day conference is an Author Parade that runs Friday-Sunday – Authors post their contests for readers to enter.
Also Publishers will have a Publisher Panel for Q&A throughout the conference.

To attend, you only need to register at the Mainstreet Forums and you will be allowed access. (Registration is required to reduce the amount of spammers to the site)

We hope you will start off the New Year at Words In Motion Conference!

-Sable Grey

Sable Grey
Publisher
Cobblestone Press, LLC
www.cobblestone-press.com
sable@cobblestone-press.com
Yahoo ID: sable_grey

Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW
Chances 3: Another Chance - 12/08 - Changeling Press
ACACIA III: Cravings 12/22/08 - Changeling Press
Nothing but Ash - TBA - Liquid Silver Books
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!

2008-12-27T13:08:00.002-05:00

The end of another year...

It always makes me sit back and evaluate my yearly goals. Did I meet them? Did they flop? Are they even relevant anymore? Yes, I do get a little deep in my head this time of year, which is not my usual style. Normally I'm more of live in the present kind of gal, but December rolls around and suddenly I'm thinking about my life and if I'm where I need to be.

And more importantly where I want to be next December. Yep, some people call them resolutions but my life is too fluid for a ridged word like that so I think I'll still with calling them annual goals.

2008 goals
1. lose weight & get in shape. (check - I have a shape. its round)
2. advance my writing career (check - I wrote lots, subbed lots, pubbed lots)
3. fix my personal life (snort - I mean... CHECK!)

2009 goals
1. diets suck. (I'm going to focus on being more active)
2. writing = good! (with focus on the other parts of publishing)
3. hey hubby? can we go to shogun tonight? (life is good - enjoy it)

Seriously for all you folks that break your own hearts with big resolutions... remember that they are meant to improve your life, not destroy your happiness. Whatever your goals, include the live-laugh-love philosophy and have a great 2009!

Shannon

ACACIA III: Cravings

2008-12-19T13:26:00.000-05:00

ACACIA III: Cravings
Erotic m/f/m Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-60521-146-6
L. Shannon - http://lshannon.net
Changeling Press - http://changelingpress.com
December 2008

Blurb

Hate crimes against vampires pose a rising threat to the moon colony of Acacia. Subversive attempts to destroy the colony are almost certainly being directed by the human purists on Rahla. Acacian agents have been murdered, and now their blood supply has been tampered with.
Counterintelligence operations have led to the capture of two werewolf warriors, more dangerous than anything either side has ever seen before. With their worlds on the brink of war, Queen Caitlin will do anything to protect her people, even if it means bartering her body to a pair of killers. But will her submission buy their loyalty?

Excerpt

Chapter One

Queen Caitlin stood behind the inch-thick plas-glass security panel and waited for the slaves to come into the exercise room. It had been months since she’d had time to watch them on seventhday. This more relaxed side of them was a balm on her overly controlled life. The entrance opened and in came the boisterous group. There were no guards to direct them, no orders given or followed. Today they came here to play.

Several of the males headed for the floor mats and began sparring. Their glistening bodies held perfect balance between tense muscles and relaxed poise. As the sex slave class all did, they lived mostly naked. The men wore nothing but loose-fitting, nearly transparent pants and armbands which declared their owner’s house, family and status. The armbands these men and women wore were gold and studded with diamonds and Acacia’s rarest stone, the iridescent black ruby. No other vampire in all Acacia would so much as touch these slaves.

They were hers.

There were only five women among them. She looked at each and saw herself in their places. Like her, they were all tall and well formed with long black hair. Her men were more varied, but the women had each been chosen because of their resemblance to her. Their purpose was to enjoy the physical love which she could not. Through them she could experience everything without risk.

One girl caught her attention. She wasn’t with any of the others, not playing or talking or interacting. She was among them, but almost as if she was unseen. She walked across the room with purpose, moving toward a private chamber, one often used for sex.

Caitlin followed, moving into the connecting viewing chamber. This one looked directly into the bedroom. Although she had entered the chamber alone, the girl wasn’t alone now. Two men, great hulking warriors, stalked her around the bed.

The men… they were not hers. They shouldn’t be in there.

Caitlin’s feet refused to move. The scene held her entranced as she watched the men catch the girl between them. Eyes wide, the girl didn’t struggle. Too terrified? Perhaps. But their hands made short work of her thin dress, tearing it from her flesh like animals.

The girl was so much like her. She leaned against the glass. “Fight them. Get away.”

Looking her way, the girl said, “Acacia needs them.”

No, that wasn’t right. How could the girl see her? The plas-glass only worked one way.

It didn’t matter. The girl was being ravished, her body stroked and fondled roughly. The men were both so huge. Every part of them. At some point they’d removed their clothes. Each sported terrifyingly large genitals, erections so thick they would surely leave the girl bleeding.

One pulled the girl across the bed, holding her down and kissing her thoroughly. The other male dragged her legs apart and knelt between her pale thighs. His silvery gaze turned toward Caitlin, as if he, too, could see the observer. “I’d die to protect what is mine. Her world becomes mine to protect.”

The first male abandoned the girl’s lips to add his own affirmation. “As would I. Nothing will cause her harm.”

The silver-eyed one lifted the girl’s hips and drove into her body in one long stroke. All the while his gaze never left Caitlin. He made love to the girl, but every motion, caress, declaration was for Caitlin. Over and over they took the girl, using her roughly, but also bringing her to one climax after another, until she was too spent to do more than accept their bodies.

The two were without mercy. Surely they would be sated soon. How much longer could they continue?

Forever.

Caitlin’s body throbbed with need. She felt their touches, enjoyed their pleasure. But release hovered just out of reach. She parted the folds of her robe, reaching down to her slick cleft. So close. Leaning against the glass she rubbed her thumb and fingers over the swollen nub of her clit. Pleasure rocked through her. Rotating her hips, she held to a controlled rhythm, forcing her body to go slow.

Inside the chamber, the second man took the girl, almost as if he were keeping to the same controlled rhythm. His cock plunged deep and withdrew over and over, in perfect time with Caitlin’s fingers.

Silver-eyes now stood at the glass, one hand resting over where she leaned. That huge hand, so close to hers… His other hand moved up and down his erection. He parted his lips, panting. His hand sped over the tip and slowed over the length. Over and over.

The waves of pleasure knifed through her and as her climax hit and stole her strength, they joined her. Both men found release with her. She sagged and would have fallen…

But the glass was gone. Both men caught her in their arms.

She should have been afraid, but she wasn’t. She felt safe. Which was ridiculous. “You can’t protect me.”

Silver-eyes tightened his arms around her. “We can if you’ll let us.”

The other one pressed his head against hers and whispered, “War is coming for you and yours. Only we can stop it. Only we can save you.”

She pushed at their heavy bodies, needing space. She didn’t need them. No. There had to be another way. Had to. Pushing… pushing…

Caitlin woke tangled in her blankets, pushing at the plush bed covering, desperate to escape the dream, the nightmare… the prescient vision.

END EXCERPT

Buy the book at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=77

Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW
Chances 3: Another Chance - 12/08 - Changeling Press
ACACIA III: Cravings 12/22/08 - Changeling Press
Nothing but Ash - TBA - Liquid Silver Books
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

Chances 3: Another Chance

2008-12-08T13:25:00.000-05:00

Gingersnap (Chances 3): Another Chance
Erotic m/m Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-60521-143-5
L. Shannon - http://lshannon.net
Changeling Press - http://changelingpress.com
December 8, 2008

Blurb
Worlds apart… It’s stupid to want to spend Christmas with a demon, right? Even if he is your lover. Trouble is, Josh is an incurable romantic -- at least when it comes to this particular demon. All Josh wants for Christmas is another chance…

Excerpt

The moment he touched Josh’s mind, Chance knew he was in trouble. The lingering, sexy, teasing bend of his lover’s thoughts offered no details besides the not so surprising news that Josh wasn’t at home.

Of course he wasn’t. Chance was standing in Josh’s empty condo.

Hello, my demon lover…

Where are you? Why are you not here, waiting for me?

It’s been ten months since we met. This will be our first Christmas together. I wanted it to be special.

I’m sure it will be. He’d been looking forward to this visit for a while now, since their last date almost three weeks ago. The thought of holding Josh and quenching some of his fire in his lover’s passion kept him going.

The image of Josh stretched out naked on a bed tickled through his mind. Well, hurry up and get here. The directions to the cabin are on the fridge.

Sure enough, there were directions. Not that he needed anything as mundane as street directions to find his lover. Oh no, simply touching Josh’s mind was enough to get him there.

I’m on my way. Rather than go to the effort of moving through mortal space, he dipped back into Abaddon and took a shortcut, arriving on the small porch of a rustic cabin a few seconds later.

The door opened at once. Josh dragged him into a scorching embrace and even hotter kiss. Josh wasn’t naked but only a burgundy-colored robe interfered with the earlier image branded on Chance’s mind.

For a moment Chance was too overwhelmed to react. Then he caught up with reality and accepted the kiss and the welcome that was more than he’d ever have hoped for. He pushed Josh back, fully into the cabin, slamming the door behind them.

Holding Josh wasn’t enough. Kissing him wasn’t… Touching him…

He needed more, so much more. He shoved the robe off Josh’s shoulders, letting the material fall. Only then did he leave Josh’s lips to trail fiery kisses across to his ear.

Desire flared, not only to kiss and fuck but for something more. He needed to mark Josh, to show the world who he belonged to. For the first time in his life, he envied his cousins who had fangs enough to bite. He scraped his boring teeth over Josh’s neck. Fangs or no, his fire did what he needed so badly. His nibbles left dark scorch marks trailing down Josh’s skin.

Growling happily at the marks, he couldn’t help but return there over and over again. Josh was his now, his for as long as he wanted. Mine.

END EXCERPT
Buy the book at http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1038
See all L.Shannon's Changeling books at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=77

Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW
Chances 3: Another Chance - 12/08 - Changeling Press
ACACIA III: Cravings 12/22/08 - Changeling Press
Nothing but Ash - TBA - Liquid Silver Books
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

All Romance Ebooks on iPhones and iPod Touch?!?

2008-11-16T15:42:00.002-05:00

***PERMISSION TO REPOST GRANTED***

All Romance eBooks now available through Lexcycle Stanza for download directly onto your iPhone and iPod Touch!

Palm Harbor, Florida (PRWEB) November 17, 2008 – All Romance eBooks, an on-line bookstore that specializes in the sale of romance eBooks, announced today that they now offer books for direct download onto iPhone and iPod Touch through Lexcycle Stanza.

Time magazine featured the Stanza reader in their "Top 11 iPhone Applications" article and the New York Times recently included it in their list of "Seven Must-Have Offline Apps For Your iPhone/iPod Touch". With a reading interface, which is unprecedented in its clarity and ease of use, Stanza is bringing the eBook revolution to the pockets of ove! r half a million readers worldwide. And that number is growing daily.

Through a seamless integration, All Romance eBooks' on-line library can be accessed through Stanza's custom catalog by adding the following url: http://allromanceebooks.com/epub-feed.xml. This groundbreaking endeavor will provide readers instant access to thousands of romance novels written by today's hottest authors.

All Romance eBooks, LLC (www.allromanceebooks.com) sells romance eBooks for hundreds of publishers and their imprints. Founded in 2006 and privately held in partnership, All Romance eBooks is headquartered in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Attracted to Sociopaths?

2008-10-13T02:59:00.002-04:00

Apparently I am. One of my addictions is DEXTER. If you aren't an addict like me, let me share the premise...

Dexter is a killer. After watching his mother be brutally killed right in front of him as well as some other really bad shit, he grew up with an uncontrollable desire to kill. Since he can't stop killing he channels it into the slightly more appropriate task of killing bad guys, usually very bad guys. Other than that he works as a blood spatter guy at the Miami PD and tries hard to fit into a world he feels very apart from. Part of that is an adopted sister with a foul mouth and a girlfriend who survived a seriously abusive prick of a husband.

Now back to the title of this post. I seriously love me some Dexter. Now logic says that a good man with a fairly well adjusted psyche is a much better choice. yet here I am blogging about a homicidal madman.

Why?

Cause unrealistic as it is, what he is pushes all the right primal buttons. At least this is my theory. See he is at the top of his food chain, a dominant male who is unthreatened by any. As a mate, that is appealing. In this weeks episode, he hunts a child predator who was a threat to his girlfriends daughter. WOW... can protect his young! Yep another primal need checked off. This guy has it all. He survives in an environment that is hostile to what he is.. not he doesn't just survive, he thrives.

Yep... my primal urges are all rampaging.

Since the premise is taken and being done so dang well, I guess I'll have to just stick to writing about demons who kill and werewolves that hunt...

I'm of to dream of Dex.

Shannon

most dangerous cake recipe in the world

2008-09-19T16:49:00.002-04:00

Just had to share this recipe. You all know I'm not much for cooking, but it looks easy enough that even I can make it. :) I'll let you know just as soon as I get some cocoa.

MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

News for July and August

2008-08-05T12:18:00.004-04:00

L. Shannon’s News for
July & August 2008

*What’s on my schedule?*
July 2008Father of the Wolf coming in print! Woot!
July 2008  A Second Chance released from Changeling Press
August 1, 2008  The Vampire Oracle: Love with Cobblestone Press
September, 2008 (I think)  Acacia 2: Blindsided with Changeling Press
September 13, 2008  Book signing in Saltsburg PA
SometimeA Lover’s Touch – this story has been delayed due to cobblestone scheduling. It will be out soon in CPQ

Every Friday at 9 eastern – Cobblestone Press release Chat – I don’t always make it to chat, but stop by anyhow and say hello to the other wonderful authors of Cobblestone Press. http://www.cobblestone-press.com/chat.htm

*Did you miss me?*
Sorry I missed putting out news in July. You all know I’m not the best at staying on a schedule. But I’ve been working hard, I can promise you that. In June Moira Reid and I finished and released Steel City Vampires: Welcome Home as a free download. If you haven’t grabbed it up yet, I recommend you run over to http://www.readmoore.com/free_reads.htm and grab it. I also finished edits on another Steel City Vampire novella (The Vampire Oracle: Love) which came out on August 1st with Cobblestone Press. And I wrote a third novella with the working title Bound and Determined which will probably be changed.

July was just as busy. I’m tickled (and tired) to announce the completion of the third Eagle Clan novel, The Longest Journey. And now I have to wait to hear back on the submissions but I hope the story will be coming soon. Not to mention I had a huge send of excitement for the print release of Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf. You can buy it now through Cobblestone Press. Grab your own copy even if you have the ebook. This is a new and improved version.

Whoops! I almost forgot I had another story come out in July also. Check out the Chances 2: A Second Chance, a hotflash from Changeling Press.

Anyhow, I can’t promise I’ll do better. I wish I could. The best I offer is… hey, got this newsletter out, didn’t I? *grin*

*Welcome!*
Welcome to new members tonni06, ladybirdinsyr, lindapeters, hotteddy2001, rm2h, redwitch59, crucible_23, rozblaede1, lonelyone97405, kittensbrightstar ! Thank you for joining the group!

*Contests!*
Join the L. Shannon newsletter loop http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LShannon/ and automatically be entered for a chance to win a free L. Shannon e-book. I give away one every month just for being a member! I call these Member Rewards.  I also have a second contest just for members every time I have a new release. I call these Release Rewards. Both of these contests require you to send me an email to confirm the win.

MEMBER REWARDS!
JULY – ma_tig_fa
AUGUST – downsideuk
(E-mail your choice of e-books to lshannon@hotmail.com)

RELEASE REWARDS!
Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf (signed & in print) – arayofdawn
Chances 2: A Second Chance – karensldr
(SCV) The Vampire Oracle: Love – dianestu13
(Confirm your win by emailing me at lshannon@hotmail.com)

WHO SAID THAT?
In Anom’tan 3: Walking at Sundown, who said… “I believe you will die this night.”
I love you guys. I really do, but I’m still waiting on the correct answer. The teacher in my is encouraging you all to try again. Keep sending entries! (E-mail your answer to lshannon@hotmail.com.)

NEW CONTEST!
The fourth and final Anom’tan book has been contracted to Cobblestone press. On the day book 4: Walking Death’s Edge is released (May 30th) I will draw one winner from eligible entries. The winner will receive a box of synnfully fun prizes including but not limited to… scented candles, relaxing bath set, fuzzy cuffs, romantic game dice…
To enter email your favorite line from any Anom’tan book to lshannon@hotmail.com. I’ll be adding to the prize package until the release day and will accept multiple entries from the newsletter group members. If you enter multiple times please pick more than one favorite line.

YAY! We have a winner! Thanks for the many entries for this contest. I loved hearing which lines you liked and I will definitely be having more contests like this one.

The winner is… Caity_Mack!! Her favorite line was: "He looked fragile and ill, but behind that terrifying exterior was a stark beauty so breathtaking she thought for a moment he must be an angel".

Caity_Mack has yet to claim her prize. Caity_Mack, please contact me ASAP with your name and snail mail address. If the prize is still unclaimed by my next newsletter I will pick another winner.

Other contests ~ Watch my blog at http://lshannon.blogspot.com/ and Cobblestone Mainstreet for spur of the moment contests and up to date info on contests and news.

*New This Issue*
You can see my available and coming soon books and read blurbs and excerpts for all my work at www.lshannon.net . Lots to catch up on here. Enjoy!

Chances: A Second Chance
by L. Shannon
7/22/08 - excerpt ~ buy ebook

Blurb
Passionate Obsession… Chance can't get Josh out of his mind. It’s time for the demon to do something to exorcise the human from his nightly erotic dreams. The first step is to find Josh and take his fill of everything the human has to offer…

EXCERPT
"Hey perv! Time to wake up."

His brother’s voice jerked him awake. Chance opened his eyes and the human faded away with the wisps of imagination. Not just any human, but the one man who’d been consuming Chance’s thoughts and dreams for five months.

Damn Josh anyway.

Why couldn’t he find satisfaction with anyone else? No more than a few hours in Josh’s arms and now he was ruined. Damn him. Damn them both.

Chance rolled over, ignoring his brother’s annoyed look. So what if he had been humping his pillow? It was none of Meryk’s business. "What the hell are you doing in my house anyhow?" He couldn’t keep the snarl from his tone. Being hard and unsatisfied made for a bad way to wake up.

"I’m tired of you moping around. I’m the one with a bad attitude, not you. I came down here to offer to watch over your last chance demons so you can go get your head on straight."

"What in the hell are you talking about?" He pulled on a pair of leather pants while trying to wake up enough to understand Meryk.

"I said, you’re on vacation. I can manage things for three or four days. Go figure out what’s wrong and get it fixed."

After stuffing his feet into a pair of boots, he faced his brother. "Just like that?"

"Yep. Any idea where you’ll be going?"

"Miami." He snagged a silk shirt from his closet and dematerialized from Hell. He staggered as he reappeared on a beach in the mortal realm. The sand shifted under him while his stomach reeled from crossing the realms.

Josh’s condo was along this beach on the outskirts of Miami.

Despite the dark night, Chance turned toward the cream colored building without hesitating. Josh was there, inside those walls. His salvation was within reach.

END EXCERPT
Buy the book at http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=949

Steel City Vampires
More than the usual dangers lurk the dark streets of Pittsburgh. Murder and mayhem is always a risk, but fear not. There are honorable undead-- vampires who have pledged their lives to protecting the citizens from creatures and villains who would desecrate their beloved city and its innocent inhabitants. They patrol the city, lurking in the shadows, saving our human necks... for themselves.

Steel City Vampires: Welcome Home
by L. Shannon & Moira Reid
JUNE 22, 2008 - EXCERPT - FREE DOWNLOAD - IN PRINT

Kalib Fontana had searched two hundred years for a peaceful home far away from his cursed past. As his realtor, Shasta Hemingway, welcomed him to the Fox Chapel estate resplendent with the lingering scent of dinner and her perfume, he allowed himself to imagine for one wonderful moment he'd found both. The moment shattered when David found him--David, the one curse that refused to be forgotten. As always, his dangerous past wanted him, and worse, this time it wanted vengeance.

(Steel City Vampires) The Vampire Oracle: Love
by L. Shannon
AUGUST 1, 2008 - EXCERPT - BUY THE E-BOOK

Dillon is determined to save his soul by killing vampires who prey on humans, but the current psychopath, Mistress Serena, is stronger and meaner than any others and has enslaved a man too sexy to resist.
Jason expected his mistress to kill him. He was ready to give that final blood drop, when he was suddenly given away to a huge, dark vampire with unknown intentions. Then again does it really matter which creature finally drains him?

EXCERPT
Dillon stared at the man curled against his side. The damn fool didn’t know what he was doing. Offering sex and feeding was playing with fire, hell, it was playing with fucking brimstone. Then again maybe he did know what he was doing. “You must have a death wish. Just what did Serena use you for anyhow?”

“She used me for whatever she wished.”

“You were her blood slave.”

“Yes.”

“And sex slave as well.”

“I was whatever she wanted.”

“How could you live like that? Slavery has been illegal for more than a few decades. Surely you knew that.”

Jason sighed and ran his fingers through his short hair. “Yes, I know that slavery is illegal, but after a few years of feeding a vampire, I had little choice.”

“You always have a choice.”

“Bastard. You’ve never been addicted to the Blood Kiss. How the fuck do you know what my choices have been?”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, total shit.” Jason left the bed and paced across the room toward the still shuttered window. Perhaps if it had been open he would have stared sullenly out into the front yard. Since it was closed, he turned and paced back to the bed. “Look, life with her was hell, but I couldn’t leave. At first I was a child and didn’t know any better. Then, later I stayed for the Blood Kiss and to try and protect my sisters. Now they are gone, and I thought I would be next.”

“She killed them.”

“Either her or one of the others that she entertains. She is very generous with sharing her slaves with others who are impressed by such things.”

“So she kills humans. Does she hunt off the street too?” All the evidence said she did. Dillon had tracked the scent from the latest kill right to Serena. It had to be her.

“I don’t know. Most likely.” Jason finally stopped pacing and settled back onto the bed.

“Are there any other vampires there now, or just Serena?”

The shutters lifted quietly, but Jason stayed on the bed. “I don’t know.”

Jason lay back on the blanket. He made no effort to cover his partially aroused body. His eyes offered more sex.

Dillon’s body reacted at once, but the cost was too great. This time Jason would expect him to feed. Just fucking great. Now he had all the devil’s temptations just laying there in bed looking like a dream. Looking tasty enough to kill for… Shit, how was he going to keep from running down this path to hell?

END EXCERPT
AUGUST 1, 2008 – ANOTHER EXCERPT - BUY THE E-BOOK

Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf
Novel by L. Shannon
Cobblestone Press - excerpt available in EBOOK or PRINT

Athair came into Hope’s life with a nightmare on his heels and a clan full of baggage. With his first touch, he awakens a power within her, but will it be enough for them to overcome the odds against them? Only time will tell if their separate responsibilities will tear them apart or bind them together.

Father of the Wolf is now available in print! Find it at http://Cobblestone-Press.com
Check out these book trailers! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUa3wUJuHhk (Thanks to Jamieson Wolf for doing this fabulous video!)
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db2mQkrjzC4 (Did this one myself :))

EXCERPT

That evening, as Hope washed the dinner dishes, she realized she’d gone completely mad.

Pardon, I am very thirsty. Could you please bring me a drink? This time the mental contact with the wolf came almost natural, as if it had been there all the time, only now choosing to use words.

“What?” she gasped aloud as his words sank in, and she realized the animal was again speaking into her mind.

Juice would be nice.

Deciding she might as well go along with the madness, she got a glass and filled it with orange juice. She could feel his thirst. It made her fill a second glass for herself before walking to the clinic recovery room.

Thank you, he said into her mind as she entered the room.

“I am not talking to you. Wolves don’t talk,” she said sternly.

He chuckled in a low, sexy tone that raised the hair at her nape. Unlike a voice spoken aloud, his mental touch vibrated through her whole body.

“They don’t do that either.” The sensation that had passed through her left her off balance and started a strange ache she didn’t want to name.

His next thought showed he understood just how much this situation unsettled her. Would you rather I pretend to be only a wolf until I leave?

She thought about what he meant by the offer. They could act as if he were a nice, normal wolf, and once he was well, he would leave without causing any more strangeness in her safe little world. The offer was terribly polite for an animal. But her curiosity and fear won out. She needed to know more. What if he was one of those who had attacked the girl, or he knew who had done it? If he was actually a werewolf, he would have the answers she needed.

“Maybe that would be a good idea,” she said. “But I want to know what you are first.”

A man, mostly.

“What does that mean?” Was he being deliberately vague?

I am not sure how to explain.

Yep, he was being vague. Maybe if she asked him specific questions, she would get more details. “If you are a man, why do you look like a wolf?”

I can change into wolf form.

Her guess had been confirmed. She was suddenly very glad he was behind the wire. “You are a werewolf,” she said in an accusing tone.

I can feel your fear, but there is no reason for it. I will not hurt you. He paused. Werewolf is one name we have been called, but it’s not one I prefer. With a mental shrug, he asked, So, do you plan to kill me now?

Shaken by his question, she studied him. His expression was one of acceptance rather than of fear. He actually expected her to try to kill him, after she had worked so hard to save him. The thought dampened her fear and brought her curiosity about him back to life. “Well, as I don’t have a pitchfork and torch handy, no. I don’t plan to kill you at this time.”

Then may I have the juice? It is not poisoned, is it?

“Oh, I forgot. Sorry. And no, it’s not drugged.” To prove her point, she took a sip from the glass before pouring the juice into a bowl and sliding it past the wire.

He drank it gratefully. The juice was soothing and cool to his tender throat. Again, I thank you, Hope. He drank the rest of the bowl. I may have a slight fever, despite your excellent care. I believe my body is trying to purge the poison I was given.

She refilled the bowl with her juice. “How did you wind up under the wheels of Steve’s station wagon? And how were you injured so seriously to begin with?” She sat on the upturned box.

Athair wondered just how much he should tell her, and decided she deserved to know the truth, or at least most of it. He would have eventually died from the poison and injuries if she had not found him. Considering the strength of the poison, even he would not have healed after losing so much blood. She had saved his life, and he wanted to speak with her honestly. But where should he start the story?

I was poisoned by members of another clan. When I did not succumb quietly, they attacked me. I had no choice but to flee. They chased me until I met with your friend’s wagon.

“Oh. By clan you mean...there are more werewolves? If you don’t prefer to be called werewolves, what do you prefer?”

He nodded. I am a Valàfrn. And yes, there are others.

END EXCERPT

(Read the whole first chapter online! http://www.lshannon.net/EAGLE/FatherOfTheWolf.html )
Buy in EBOOK or PRINT at http://cobblestone-press.com

*Currently available*
Cobblestone Press
Anom'tan 1: Walking with Synn ~ 7/20/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Anom'tan 2: Walking in Memories ~9/21/07~ excerpt available in ebook
Anom'tan 3: Walking at Sundown ~ 2/22/08 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Anom'tan 4: Walking Death's Edge ~ 5/30/08 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf ~ excerpt available in EBOOK or PRINT
Eagle Clan 2: Destiny ~ 6/30/06 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Lynx Clan 1: Forgiven ~ 9/15/06 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Origins: Vali's Curse ~ 11/10/06 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Origins: A Spirit United ~ 11/2/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Origins: My Immortal ~ 12/14/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Tascryn: Season of Blood ~ 10/31/06 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Tascryn Royals 2: Blood Reign ~ 1/19/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Tascryn: Surviving Synn ~ 5/11/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Valàfrn: Forever Eden ~ 8/17/07 ~ excerpt available in ebook
Vampire Oracle: Love (SCV) ~ 8/01/08 ~ excerpt available in ebook

Changeling Press
Tascryn Royals 1: Of Blood and Blessings ~ 6/2/06 ~ excerpt ~ buy
Chances: A Snowball's Chance (hot flash) ~ 3/3/08 ~ excerpt ~ buy
Chances2: A Second Chance (hot flash) ~ 7/22/08 ~ excerpt ~ buy
Acacia 1: Abducting Aeron ~ 4/18/08 ~ excerpt ~ buy

*Off Topic*
Off topic, off course, off task, often. Yep that’s me blundering around in this thing I call life. I love lists and plans and agendas. I really do. They give me this false sense of order when deep down in my heart, I know life is chaos. But I’m from calm dependable stock and I know that chaos can reign and life will still roll onward. Hey, quit laughing. I CAN be calm. I can, really. I mean it. STOP LAUGHING. Okay then… as I was saying.

I have a list of things to do and I look at it often, sometimes I let the very intimidating list terrorize me, other times I let it motivate me. At the moment I feel fairly on top of things. I have one book due in (checks calendar) 4 days and I really think I’ll be turning it on time.

Right now that list is motivational, because when I look at it and see that the book in line is Dead Men’s Nails: Kindred Spirit and I LOVE that book. Had to put it aside last fall to finish up some promised books and now I’m almost back to it. Can’t wait. :-)

Shannon

*Writing Wips*
At the moment I’m working on the second Acacia story, Blindsided.
Med Blake, A high ranking vampire doctor in the medical division of Acacia is shocked to find the blood supply contaminated. He nearly dies before his devoted slave, Dasher, saves his life. Dash has been at his side helping him for years, but never had he turned to him for sex or for love. But when the slave sees Blake almost die, he risks everything to save his master. Now the only question is who contaminated the blood, with what and why? And how will Blake and Dash go back to their former roles as master and slave?

Then I’ll be on to Kindred Spirit.
So what do you get when a girl chased by assassins meets the essence of death? Well, you might think she'd be bright enough to run, but no, not this time. Faith nic Wolf already has her hands full when Nail drops into her life, giving her a Dead Men's Nail as well as the oh so fun ability to see how her friends will die. So how, while struggling with finals and family politics, will she save their lives? Not to mention, what will her parents say when she brings Mr. Essence of Death home for a visit?

*About L. Shannon*

L. Shannon, the author, came into existence in June of 2004. Ms. Shannon’s always been a reader and lover of books, but never considered writing until one night when she ran out of books to read… She began writing that very night as the first line defense in a battle against insomnia. Her writing has steadily grown into a war against reality. Her friends kindly say reality never stood a chance. The L. Shannon novels have expanded to fill an entire world with paranormal wonders including Valàfrn werewolves, Tascryn demons, blood-sucking vampires, sexy selkies and many, many more. Be careful if you choose to enter Ms. Shannon’s hunk-filled world. You may never wish to leave…

In the time Shannon doesn’t spend writing, she’s kept busy with bothering her husband, showing dogs, gardening and watching over her four Butterfly Koi ponds. You can learn more about her writing and her life at www.lshannon.net.

Blogger hates my links, so if you see one that you want more information about you have two options. 1. Go to my newsgroup to find this original news post. The links my have survived there or 2. Go to my webste at http://lshannon.net and find all the information there.

Shannon

Soldier by Dee Carney

2008-07-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Soldier by Dee Carney

Dee Carney (aka Morgan Sierra)

SOLDIER available now at Cobblestone Press

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (Aug '08) and THE FALLEN (Coming Soon)

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Goodreads | MySpace

Voodoo Bones by Melanie Atkins

2008-07-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Voodoo Bones by Melanie Atkins

http://www.melanieatkins.com
http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/voodoobones.htm

Bitten in the Bayou by Selena Blake

2008-07-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Selena Blake's Bitten In The Bayou Book Trailer

About the Author
Bestselling author Selena Blake writes paranormal and contemporary romance for Cobblestone Press. Her series, Stormy Weather, will be available in 2008. Drop by her website to find out more about the handsome Deveraux men of Louisiana and for a free short story. http://www.selena-blake.com/

Promise in Eden by Yolanda Sfetsos

2008-07-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

PROMISE IN EDEN by Yolanda Sfetsos

Embed Code:

Signature:

Yolanda Sfetsos
www.yolandasfetsos.com

Sunlight by Moira Reid

2008-07-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Name of Video: Sunlight by Moira Reid

Debra Moore aka Moira Reid
I'm a BRAVA finalist!
Pay Dirt, Cobblestone Press
Hawkes Abandon from Cobblestone Press
Paid in Full-Valentine Monologues, Cobblestone Press
Sunlight-The Vampire Oracle coming 9/08, Cobblestone Press
Seduction 101, Samhain Publishing
FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD: http://www.readmoore.com/free_reads.htm
Please visit my website! http://www.readmoore.com
Join my yahoo group: EMAIL readmoore-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Postcards from the Dead by Ericka Scott

2008-07-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Seductive Suspense

Ericka Scott

www.erickascott.com

Moonshine by Moira Rogers

2008-07-18T00:35:00.000-04:00

Moonshine by Moira Rogers

On sale now! http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/moonshine.htm

--
Moira Rogers
http://www.moirarogers.com

Testing 1..2..3?

2008-07-16T22:49:00.005-04:00

Hello, is there anybody out there? Is anyone listening?

Well I signed up for a video blog tour, and anyone who knows me is laughing at that statement. Technology and I have a love hate thing going on. I love it, but I'm a moron when it comes to learning new ways ofdoing things. Not that it stops me from creating a SNAFU. It doesn't. I dont' know what I'm doing and I try to do it anyhow.

This time I'm attempting to figure out how to mess it up, in time to not be late, messing it up. LOL In other words, I'm using this as a test post with my own video before I mess up the videos of any of my chums.

so here goes...

My book trailer for father of the wolf. This is the one I did.

About the time I realized that I didn't have a clue, I asked a good friend Jamieson Wolf to help me out and he took pity on me. He made this beautiful video trailer for Father of the Wolf.

So did it work? What do you think?

Oh and for anyone interested, Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf is comign out in PRINT with Cobblestone Press on July 25th! I'm so excited I could just dance! Or sing, or strip and dance on the tables! Wait... Umm... okay I'm excited, but there will be no stripping. Honest.

NEW BOOK!! (AND IT'S FREE!!!)

2008-06-23T11:12:00.003-04:00

(stolen from Moira Reid's page because she did it awesome!)

I'm very excited about Sunlight, my newest book coming out in September. Sunlight is part of the Vampire Oracle series written by 24 amazing authors.

While writing Sunlight, I suggested to one of those authors, L. Shannon whose book is Love, that we should link our stories. She agreed. Her hero, Dillon, and mine, Johnathan, are brothers and part of a bigger group of vampires known as the Steel City Vampires.

To introduce readers to Dillon and Johnathan before the release dates--we decided to write a new story and give it away! Why??

BECAUSE GETTING FREE BOOKS ROCKS!

Just follow the links below to receive your FREE copy of Steel City Vampires: Welcome Home.

Kalib Fontana had searched two hundred years for a peaceful home far away from his cursed past. As his realtor, Shasta Hemingway, welcomed him to the Fox Chapel estate resplendent with the lingering scent of dinner and her perfume, he allowed himself to imagine for one wonderful moment he'd found both.

The moment shattered when David found him--David, the one curse that refused to be forgotten. As always, his dangerous past wanted him, and this time it wanted vengeance.

Download your FREE copy today from either of these sites!

http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

http://readmoore.com/

Thanks to all the folk on the blog tour!

2008-06-23T11:07:00.002-04:00

I'm sure everyone probably know, but I'm bad at promotion. I would rather sit here and write the next book than take the time to tell everyone about the one that was just released.

I'm trying to be better about it.

Really. :) But I can accept that I'll never be one of the writers who seems to be on every blog or forum or list sharing all the good news with the world. I wish it were, but that's just not me. So this blog tour was a lot of fun. I enjoyed circling the block so to speak. Did my little "queen wave" and everything.

But now it's over and life goes back to normal. Another post will follow... with some news. I promise.

Shannon

Selena Blake - Selena's Sex Tips

2008-06-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

1. Get creative. Do some research. Read an erotic romance. Think outside the box. Look up new positions. Once you've got some new ideas, present them to your SOS.
2. Get your SOS involved. Send them links to articles, websites, photos. Rent a movie together, read a book together, or flip through a magazine.
3. Get out a scarf or tie and tie one end to your wrist and the other to that of your SOS. Spend a whole day like this and you'll find plenty of opportunities for kisses and cuddles.
4, Tell it like it is. This is really the key. Ask for what you want. Use words like faster, slower, harder, softer, to the left, etc.
5. Get out of the bedroom. Nothing like a new venue to inspire you.
6. Try a sex toy. With dozens (probably hundreds) of websites out there that will provide quality merchandise in discreet packaging, you've got no excuse not to try something new.

About the Author
Selena Blake writes paranormal and contemporary romance for Cobblestone Press. Her series Stormy Weather will be available in 2008. Drop by her website to find out more about the handsome Deveraux men of Louisiana and for a free short story. Http://www.selena-blake.com

Terri Molina - Could it be magic?

2008-06-19T00:01:00.003-04:00

Could it be Magic?

Last summer I entered an online writing contest sponsored by Gather.com and Pocket Books. It was a first chapter contest for romance writers. Normally I don't enter contests because I just don't do well in them...especially if they're RWA sponsored.

Anyway, there were around 300 entries, I think, and the voting was done by the readers. It was pretty much a popularity contest...which I didn't know until after I'd entered. Anyway (sorry I say that a lot!)...thankfully a lot of it was about how good the stories were, and my novel DARK OBSESSION, a paranormal romantic suspense, moved onto the top 25 for the second round. I was pretty happy, and as per the rules, I had to post my second chapter to be voted on. The readers vote//rate your entry 1-10....10 being the best, of course, and in the end, only the entries with the most 10's will count and send the top FIVE onto the final round---which is to be judged by Gather and Pocket Books Editors. (did I lose ya??)

Anyway, I came in around tenth place overall...like I said, it was a popularity contest and I wasn't as popular. Haha

A n y w a y....During the contest I would peruse the Gather site stopping to read other non contest articles and I came across something from a woman who's topic was about Magic and whether or not you believed in it. I sent her a comment stating that, yeah, I think everyone has a sense of magic in them. But, by my definition, magic doesn't mean having the power to cast spells or make yourself float in midair. To me, magic is about emotion-- how strong your heart is, how strong your bond is with everyone and everything around you.

I've always felt I've had a strong intuition ( a strong sensory perception) and it's gotten me out of some pretty hairy situations. And I use this intuition when I write....which makes me a "panster"-- meaning I write by the seat of my pants.

In my novel (and contest entry) Dark Obsession I end chapter two with the sentence *It was the look of someone who had just seen the dead.*Since , the voters in the Gather Contest are encouraged to leave comments on your entry (which also help with the voting), I received some wonderfully encouraging feedback that both pleased and mostly overwhelmed me.

In a very glowing and very kind comment, a reader named Sammie A said::
Quote: "I love this ending. It really ties this chapter in with the first one with such a perfect twist of irony after him seeing his dead grandmother. I wonder, did you intend that when you wrote it, or was it just something that you realized afterwards?"

And well, I guess I have to say, yes and no. When I write, I always, always look for a way to end a chapter that has the reader saying "No..don't stop! What happens next?!" because your goal as a writer is to keep those pages turning!

The best compliments any writer can get is...."I lost sleep because of you!" or "I burned dinner because of you!" It's what we thrive for....what I thrive for. So, when I'm giving you a story I want to make sure that you're forgetting everything around you!

Anyway....I rambled....as for Sammie's question and that particular scene, I based it on something I once experienced when I lived far away from my family. (you know what they say....WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW)

I was working at a grocery store (in NY) and stocking shelves one morning when I turned around to see a woman standing in the aisle....she was shopping...not doing anything creepy like staring at me...but I had to do a double take when I saw her because she looked exactly like my aunt Delores....my mother's older sister who raised me from the time I was sixteen until I moved out at eighteen (I had lived with another aunt and uncle a few years before that---it's a different story though).

Anyway, the woman continued shopping and I followed her into another aisle, but when I looked at her again, she didn't look anything like my aunt. A few days later, I found out that my aunt had a heart attack (she'd been ill for a few years already but had been healing fairly well).

Growing up (and most anyone of Mexican/Latina decent will confirm this) we heard a lot of stories about ghosts and spirits and magic. It made for fascinating ways to scare each other, as well as build our imaginations at play time (since we didn't actually have toys to play with). And, as I mention in another WIP, you can't be born or raised near Mexico without believing the possibility that the magic existed. So, I've used this magic to help build my stories of suspense (sometimes around a central love story) and keep the reader intrigued, turning pages, and burning dinner.

To learn more visit me at my website www.terrimolina.com

Jamieson Wolf - Reading Romance - Writing Romance

2008-06-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

The other day one of my co-workers asked me what I was reading. This is an every day occurrence. In fact, I’m asked several times a day what I’m reading. There aren’t a lot of people in my office who read; there’s only one other girl who has her nose stuck in a book on her lunch and breaks like me.

It seems people who read are an oddity in my office.

That’s okay, though. I don’t mind being an oddity. In fact, I revel in it. I have always been what I would call eccentric, always outside the norm. But it seems I’m even more outside the norm because I read romance. And I write it.

I love love love romance. I read tons of it. You write what you love to read, right? As a romance writer, I’m almost duty bound to read romances; I’m pretty sure it’s in my contract somewhere.

But people always get wierded out by the fact that I read romances for two reasons. I’m a guy and I’m gay. People assume that, since I’m a guy, I shouldn’t read romance and, since I’m gay, I wouldn’t want to read straight romances.

They’re wrong on both counts.

I love romances not just for the sex scenes, but for the story, for the characters. I don’t know what it is about romance but the characters always seem to be more alive, more real than in regular fiction. Plus you get passion, excitement, harrowing plotlines, danger and disaster at every turn, conflict galore AND a happy ending. What can be better than that?

If any kind of writing was popcorn or candy for the mind, romance would be it.

In the end, I love reading romances and I love writing them even more. For whatever reason, my characters always come alive more if they’re in one of my little romantic novellas.

I’m particularly proud of Valentine (available now from Cobblestone Press) and Finding Beauty (coming soon from Cobblestone Press). To me, they are some of my best pieces of writing that I’ve done.

Thankfully, there are always new stories to write and to read. I will forever be a romance writer and a romance junkie.

For more info on Valentine, check out the blog! www.valentineanovel.blogspot.com

And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up your copy of Valentine by clicking here:http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/valentinejw

Ava Rose Johnson: Heroes: The Dark Side

2008-06-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Heroes: The Dark Side

Hello all! Ava Rose Johnson here, ready and willing to chat with you about my favorite topic. Heroes.

For me, the hero makes a story. I read romances for a lot of reasons-heroine, fun plot, hot sex scenes-but the hero usually takes the biscuit for me. It's the same with movies. Without a dashing hero, I'm not so sure I'd be interested.

Like a lot of people, I'm partial to the tall, dark and handsome version of the hero. Think David Boreanaz, Olivier Martinez, Clive Owen, Pierce Brosnan...I could go on forever. And speaking of tall, dark and handsome heroes, how could I not mention Mr. Big? I finally saw the Sex and the City movie last night and the whole way through, I couldn't stop thinking about how Big is the perfect hero (for me). Yes, he's flawed and can be stubborn and stupid at times. But that's hot. Who wants a hero who is absolutely perfect?

Okay, so we want the romance and the passion and the deep love and the 'likes dogs' to be part of our hero too. I don't think I could be hot for a hero who's afraid of puppies. But a hero has to have some mystery, some depth, some kind of darkness to pull me in. That's probably why my favorite kind of hero is a vampire. You don't get more dark and mysterious than that!

In Power, my upcoming release from Cobblestone Press, the hero is a centuries-old vampire called Jourdain. He's got the tall, dark and handsome thing going on. He's also big on vengeance which can be seen as a flaw, but I love him for it. He's pretty solitary, doesn't get involved too easily. Of course that changes when my heroine enters the picture. *wink*

So what makes a hero for you? Do you need your hero to be Mr. Alpha, or do you prefer the Beta side? Are you fan of Mr. Big or do you just think he's an arse?

To bribe you into telling me, here's some tall, dark and handsome eye-candy for your pleasure. Enjoy!

Thanks for having me!
Ava

Coming July 4th from Cobblestone Press- The Vampire Oracle: Power
A vampire's promise lasts forever...

Website ~ Blog ~ MySpace ~ Yahoo Group

MG Braden: Vampire Oracle - Harmony

2008-06-16T00:01:00.002-04:00

Vampire Oracle - Harmony

I never thought I'd be writing a paranormal romance. I write straight contemporary. I also didn't write fully disclosed love scenes. So, when the call came out for proposals for the Vampire Oracle line, why did I jump at it?

I have no idea. I originally read through the descriptions for each card and thought they sounded great. For someone else. Not my thing.

But then the Harmony card showed up (they were released for proposals five at a time, just like they are being published the same way).

I was drawn to the face on the card:

Then, the description captured me:
Key Words: sustenance, without conflict

Meaning: This is a time of happiness and constancy. But like all good things, they have been worked for and could slip through the fingers if taken for granted.

My storyline for Harmony immediately popped in my head and I rushed to open a document and start laying it out. Once I finished that, I carefully checked all the rules for the proposal and then submitted it.

It all happened very quickly, but I was in the middle of the pack for submissions and we were to wait until mid-August, or maybe it was the end, but either way, it was a long wait. However, we got lucky and Deanna and Sable made their decisions much faster. When I saw the email pop up in my inbox earlier than the expected date, I assumed it was a decline and was afraid to look.

It was a contract!! (Obviously, since I'm writing this, but still, very exciting for me.)

From then to now has been a busy time: writing, editing, blurbing and getting ready for release date. The first five Vampire Oracle novella's released yesterday (June 6/08). Vampire Oracle: Harmony will release August 1/08. And, if I do say so myself, those love scenes turned out pretty hot. I hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone and writing it.

Here is my blurb:

Recently engaged, Kara Staten and Marc Brodeur are in love, and life is good. Kara has a brand new business, and they have both worked hard to get to where they are. When things start to turn bad, they struggle for the harmony they once had.

The balance starts to unravel, secrets become harder to keep. Kara's skincare salon's "Take A Bite Out of Love (TBOL)" campaign results in several almost fatal love bites, and Marc doesn't know if he's the cause. He's a vampire trying to live a normal life.

As the vampire in him struggles to take control, Marc is only sure that he can't be the man Kara needs. She doesn't know he's a vampire--can't know. As their lives spin into separate paths, they will find that the thing that could tear them apart is the one thing that will ultimately keep them together.
__________________

Michelle

WEBSITE BLOG

Moira Rogers: Faking Human (free read!)

2008-06-15T00:01:00.005-04:00

Free Read from Moira Rogers!
Faking HumanClaire Franklin has never been ordinary. As the only child of a filthy-rich New York power couple, she's spent her life following rules. The most important rule of all--the one imposed by her mother in a desperate bid to hide the family's strong shapeshifter heritage--is the rule she hates the most: always act human.Attending college in Mystic Ridge, hotbed of supernatural activity, was the perfect rebellion for a girl tired of being human. At least, it should have been. But when she agreed to date the cute guy in her biology class, Claire found herself back where she started: trying to fake human. (Short Story set in the Mystic Valley Universe.)

Download for free! [PDF] [HTML] [Mobi]

2008-06-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

Kris Eton writes contemporary and paranormal erotic romance. Currently, she has four books published. Visit her website for excerpts from each of her books and more information about her writing.

Q. What's your favorite tv show?

A. I am a tv addict. I admit it. I've gotten better over the years...trimming my list of programs to those I really really like. There were some shows that I outgrew or that just became so godawful I didn't know why I was watching anymore.

As for a favorite show, I might have trouble narrowing it down. But, I guess I can pick three...is that okay?

LOST - Love the characters. I'm not all that worried about all the 'science' making sense in this show. I will always love Sawyer and Sun and Hurley and Charlie.

UGLY BETTY - This is my fun, makes-me-laugh show. It's sweet enough to stay grounded in some kind of reality, but has just enough over-the-top soap opera moments to keep me smiling. Betty and Gio are adorable together. And now that Eddie Cibrian has joined the show, there's plenty of hot guys to drool over.

THE OFFICE - Not every episode works for me. I prefer the darker shows with snarky humor over the more slapsticky ones. Out of the four NBC comedies on Thursday nights, this is the one I always watch first.

Q. What is your writing process like?

A. My writing process is constantly evolving. With every book I write, I fine tune it a little bit more. But sometimes books just take a hold of you, and you find yourself channeling a story. So my process is never consistent.

What I typically do is get the 'cool idea' first. The mini idea for a plot. Then, I think of ways this plot could be fleshed out. Sometimes actual complete scenes come to mind. Then, my characters start to fill in the blanks.

Lately, I find myself focusing more on character. Finding just the right combination to make the romance work. Because if it's too easy, it's boring. You have to give these people obstacles to overcome. Reasons not to be together.

I tend to have a very strong idea about where I want the book to start and to end. The middle is usually a mess of empty nothingness.

The last novella I completed, I had sketched out the first two chapters and the last two chapters. When I tried to sketch out anything in the middle, my mind went blank. So I left a huge hole.

It always finds a way to fill itself in.

Q. What's your favorite indulgent treat?

A. I do have a sweet tooth, but it's getting weaker as I get older. Thank the Lord. Things I don't like - ice cream, popsicles, sugar candy. Things I love - brownies, homemade cookies, chocolate from our local chocolatier, muffins, Red Velvet Cake!

I like some chunks or substance to my sweets.

Q. Which of your books is your favorite?

A. I will have to choose SNOWDRIFT. I think because of the characters in that book. They just came to life. The dialogue was snappy. And there's was some great sexual tension in that book.

SNOWDRIFT is the story of an old high school crush. Piper was in love with her best friend's older brother, a football star. But he never knew it. Years later they meet again during a group ski trip in the mountains and the sparks fly once again.

Battling through their past hurts and misunderstandings was just so much fun. There is one particular scene where they kiss for the first time, that is just so heart-wrenching. Sigh...

Yes, for now, that is my favorite book.

Thanks so much for having me stop by!

Kris Eton
http://www.kriseton.com
http://www.myspace.com/kriseton
__________________
Kris Eton
GOING DOWN, SNOWDRIFT, VARGAS GIRL now available
MOONLIGHTING now available from The Wilder Roses

Loribelle Hunt: Catured Moon

2008-06-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Captured Moon: Lunar Mates 6
Blurb and Excerpt
When her marriage ended, Abby retreated into herself to lick her wounds and rebuild her life. She’s found satisfaction and some success writing, and she’s happy. Mostly. Who wouldn’t welcome a little R&R?
Her favorite fantasy and many of her stories revolve around two men modeled after real life werewolf twins Rule and Lawe. When two of her friends talk her into participating in a local auction, fantasy and reality begin to mix. Rest and relaxation never felt so good, but is reality more than she bargained for?

Available June 27, 2008!

Excerpt
God, she couldn’t believe her own libido. A familiar awareness coursed through her just thinking about them. Rule and Lawe made her want wicked, sinful things. Things she’d never wanted with any man, much less two. It seemed so taboo, forbidden, especially considering she’d thought of them as her own brothers for years.
There were other considerations, though. Deep fears. Good reasons not to explore the passion she was sure could ignite between the three of them. That kind of thing tended to lead to mate bonds and the last thing she wanted was to be mated to a Panhandle werewolf. Or two. Sighing, she pushed those worries from her mind. It wasn’t like they’d showed that kind of interest.
She focused on the open doorway leading to the stage. The waitress at the entrance was hissing at her. Time to go on. She wondered how she was supposed to stroll across the stage without literally showing her ass. After walking out, it took her a moment to get her bearings. She’d never seen the bar from this angle.
“A yummy morsel, don’t you think, gentlemen?” Bill asked the crowd. “And I have to say, she’s just as lovely under the mask. Now, where should we start the bidding? Fifty? Do I have any takers?”
She shot him a horrified look. Was he crazy? No one was going to pay fifty dollars to go on a date with her! To her amazement, someone took the offer, then someone else countered. Before she knew it, the total was one hundred and fifty. She assumed that was the limit until she heard one of the dark, honeyed voices that fueled her dreams and fantasies up the bidding again.
Rule’s voice sent shivers down her spine. She longed to hear it in the darkest depths of night against her ear, whispering of the decadent things he was going to do to her and filled with the tenderness she ached to receive from him. Because as physically alluring as she found him, she wanted more. She wanted the steadiness, the strength of character, the caring and gentleness he’d shown her during the last year as she’d struggled to accept her divorce and the loss of her family.
But she only wanted a few nights. She wanted to be able to walk away. She tried to ignore a taunting internal voice. Yeah, right. Just a few nights.
After her parents’ deaths a little over a year ago, she’d taken the plunge and filed for divorce. Why she’d ever imagined a werepanther would be the same faithful, loving family man her werewolf father was escaped her. He was a cat, after all.
The loss of her parents had been horrific, but it had also been a wakeup call. She’d moved out within the week and started the long process of licking her wounds. Alex hadn’t fought for her. No, instead he heaved a sigh of relief and confessed he’d found someone else, someone he insisted was his mate even though, in her experience, werepanthers didn’t believe in life mates.
That was a week of changes. Maggie and Marilyn, who’d left for college and only returned for summer visits, moved back to Florida, and within a few, days the twins had come home too to take over their family’s bar. They were all together again. Sort of.
The twins switched responsibilities. Every couple of months, one would take over the bar, and the other would leave. She had no idea where they’d disappear to or what they did while they were gone. They’d both been gone for a few weeks in December, returning just in time for Christmas. They’d worked out some kind of part-time arrangement with the Hunters, but Marilyn had told her earlier in the evening that Lawe would be back soon and they were both done. Retiring.
Her pussy clenched at the thought of his return, and she tried to ignore the memories that rose. Lawe was something else entirely. Wild. Untamed. They’d grown close a few months ago, and she’d almost felt pursued as if he were hunting her, as if he were going to take that next step and ask her out. Or take her to bed. Then he’d backed off, and Rule had come home to take over. Maybe Lawe had sensed her desires and disapproved. Or just didn’t reciprocate.
And now Rule was bidding on her. Why?
She searched the crowd for him and groaned when she saw him standing at the rear of the bar. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a sound of pleasure, not even the small enjoyment she got scoping Rule out anonymously behind the mask, because standing next to him were Lawe and her ex, Alex.
She ignored Alex and concentrated on the twins. They looked so much alike, most people couldn’t tell them apart. Tall and fit, with matching green eyes and long dark hair, they turned heads. In personality, they were polar opposites. Where Rule was calm and collected, Lawe was a force of nature, always volatile and in motion.
Now, his brows were drawn down in a scowl, and he glared daggers at his brother before turning to gaze at her. The look didn’t soften when aimed in her direction. He recognized her. Did he not approve of his brother’s interest? Like this fiasco wasn’t bad enough, they both had to witness it?
With impatience, she waited for Bill to call an end to the bidding—she wanted to escape and fast—but before he could, the bid was upped again. The voice that called out one hundred seventy sent shivers up her a spine, and not in a good way. Ripping her gaze from the twins, she turned to the corner booth where Gage, the Alpha, held court. His lips turned up in the slightest smile and he lifted his beer to her in salute.
Her stomach flip-flopped. What the hell was he up to? The last thing she wanted was to come to the attention of the Panhandle Alpha. No way, no how. Thank you very much.
She whipped back around to Rule and Lawe. One of them had damned well better raise the bid. She was tempted to do it herself, but didn’t dare do anything that might embarrass Gage. He ruled the pack with an iron fist. As an unmated female associated with it, she was allowed a certain amount of latitude. But publicly opposing him… She shuddered. She didn’t want to know how he’d respond. Thankfully, Rule countered with two hundred. Gage held his gaze a long moment, nodded once, and let the bidding end.
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Christmas Moon now available at Cobblestone Press
Rules of Engagement now available at Cobblestone Press
Fireworks now available at Samhain Publishing

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