by Sarah | Jun 28, 2015 | Books, The Tribe, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is Stiff.
Back again with The Raven, the 4th book in my Tribe series.
In this weeks installment, Velli gets an idea in the middle of the night. Before they came to the sanctuary to work on her friend John’s little problem, she made Kane promise to not let her get lost in the lab.
Also, her past is not pretty by a long shot and she has a tendency to run (she ran away from Kane for 6 whole years before he found her again). She has spent years believing, and experiencing, that the worst can, and usually will happen, to her.
Being with her mate has helped her move past such thoughts most of the time, but sometimes they creep back in.
Oh, and translations…Shëntse Táno means “Fucking Wolf”. And Möchésé táno means what it’s followed by “Ravenwolf”.
Hope you enjoy:
“Spirits, that’s it.”
Kane startled awake when the woman wrapped in his arms shouted in his ear and bolted from the bed. He rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the dark. “Vels? What the actual fuck?”
“Sorry. I got an idea.” She kissed his temple. “Go back to sleep. If Aidan wakes, I pumped earlier and there’s plenty of milk in the fridge.”
“No no no.” He grabbed her hand. “You promised.”
“I know, but I thought I’d be done long before the next moon when we came. If I put this off it might be another moon before we can go home.”
“Bribery is not the way to go.”
“Kane.” She yelped when he yanked her back in bed. “Stop. I have to go now before I forget what I was thinking.”
“You never forget anything.”
“Not entirely true,” her tone wobbled.
He cursed inwardly for the accidental reminder of the organization. They’d been doing well pretending that huge massive problem wasn’t looming over their heads. “Vels.”
“Give me five minutes to write this down. Please.”
“I thought you had to go.” He was glad she wasn’t, but he really didn’t want to draw out their stay any longer than they had to.
“I do, I should…but…fuck.”
“Easy.”
“There’s just too much.” She sat, her whole body now tense. “I should start this test now so it’s done soon. But I need to talk to you. Then there’s the bird. And the kids. And I promised I wouldn’t get lost down there. I made you swear not to let me, but if I don’t—”
“Easy.” He clasped her hand and used it to tug her back down to the bed. “What’s going on? You were fine a few minutes ago.”
“You reminded me of something. Something we need to discuss.”
“Can it wait?”
“No. Yes. No. It’s waited a long time already.” She curled close against him. “Part of me thinks we should deal with the latest crisis. The rest knows I have to tell you, but I’m scared you’ll think I’m all batshit crazy again.”
“How about we compromise?”
“How’s that?”
He rested his chin on her head, trailing his finger along her shoulder. “We’ll leave a note for Kimi, and take Aidan with us. While you run your tests, I’ll wait in the office with Aidan and once you’re able to, we’ll talk about this other thing.”
“I don’t like it when you’re calm and logical. It’s annoying as hell.”
“Poor baby.”
“The horrors I live through being your mate.” She chuckled against his chest. “Fine. We’ll do things your way. Live less stressfully and all that crap.”
“You’re just mad you’re getting used to it.”
“I am. It’ll hurt more when it’s all taken away.”
He reached for her as the last statement faded into the dark, but she was already in the closet getting dressed. Damn that woman for her sometimes inhuman speed. Rather than confront her outright, he gave her a minute to calm down. He grabbed his buckskins and slipped them on before padding over to the closet door. “You still think that?”
Her whole body grew stiff at the question, he could tell even in the dark of night. The Wolf in him sensed it as much as the scent of fear that edged into what had become the sweet scent of the calm air she’d acquired in the months at the reservation. A faint whisper caught the air, “Shëntse Táno.”
He crept up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders. There wasn’t a ripple of surprise in her at his touch, not that he expected one. What he expected more was some sort of attack, but she stayed still. “Don’t blame my Wolf .”
“I was not blaming your fucking Wolf, I was blaming you. Or is your Native name not Möchésé táno? Hm, Ravenwolf?” She leaned back against him. “You know I never let that go. I may never let that go. The instinct to run is not as great with you, and Kimi and Aidan, but I always fear the world tumbling down around me. I likely always will.”
“Even with the Spirits reassurances, and that of the Sage?”
“Even with all of that.”
He rubbed his hands along her arms gently. Even though he knew years of self-doubt, self-loathing, and pure torture couldn’t be erased in the short time they’d had together, he hated that part of her still succumbed to what her past had bred in her. “What can I do?”
“You’re doing everything right.”
“Should I do more wrong, then?”
*~*
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by Sarah | Jun 21, 2015 | Books, The Tribe, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is Old.
Well well well it’s been a long time since I have played this game! I’ve had a rough start to my year (let’s not talk about how far behind I am on my writing goals). BUT, in the past couple of weeks I’ve really begun to push myself back into working. With edits in on book one of my Tribe series, I decided to get a kick start on book 4, The Raven before I really have to buckle down for the next in my Lake Point series.
So here we are with my favorite Shifter native Tribesmen, Nirvelli “Velli” Misu and Kane (no last name). As a refresher, Velli’s been to hell and back but in this fourth book she’s sort of actually found happiness. Kane is a 300+ years old Shifter with Healing magic. The bird they are referring to is an ancient Raven, one of the last of his kind on this earth. In some Native mythologies the Raven is known as a bringer of magic. He has sought out Velli for reasons unknown to her, although she’s begun to speculate. She didn’t come to the sanctuary to find out, she came to help out a friend – unfortunately the friend’s sanctuary is where this bird lives.
Is that clear as mud? lol. Sorry, trying to get you somewhat caught up before I throw you to the ~ahem~ Wolves:
“I don’t think I get what you’re saying.” Kane paced the length of the room. On the bed Velli glared at him deeper with every step. “What do you mean?”
“If I knew I wouldn’t be asking you now would I?”
“You know that isn’t what I meant, smartass.”
“All I did was ask why a Raven’s feathers would be turning silver.” She pushed to standing. By the time he’d made another circuit of the room she stood in front of him to block his path. “I thought they were gray at first, but today I got a better look and I’d swear they were silver.”
“It’s a Raven, Raven feathers are black.”
“Duh.”
He growled when she rolled her eyes. He didn’t like what she was telling him at all. Whatever it mean, he was sure it wasn’t good, and he was triple sure he didn’t want her involved in whatever it was. “Asking you ignore it is pretty pointless, isn’t it?”
“Not entirely.” She set her hands on his chest. “I haven’t said a word to the bird. I’m pretty sure he wanted me to see it this last time, so I kept my mouth shut. I don’t know what it means, and I won’t say a word until I have a better idea.”
“But asking you to forget and move onto something else?”
She shrugged.
“That’s what I thought. It’s pointless.”
“I think something’s wrong. While I don’t trust him to lead me down that path himself, I want to know what’s going on. I’m too curious to let it go.”
“You’re curiosity is a dangerous thing, you know.”
“I know.” She grinned as she met his gaze. “For all we know it’s a style choice and he was looking for a fashion critique.”
“You really think we’re that lucky?” He chuckled at her answering shrug. “If you were to give him a fashion critique what would it be?”
“He’s gone far too subtle with it.” She practically hopped with her enthusiasm over the silly subject. “The silver is too hidden to be glimpsed easily. At least one feather should be visible enough to make us seek out the rest.”
He frowned, even though she said it in jest. “Why wouldn’t he just mask them from you? He sure has the ability.”
“What if he doesn’t? What if it’s an illness?” The giddiness of the moment passed as her features lost their spark of joy. “What if that’s why he wanted me?”
“He’s an ancient Spirit. I don’t think illness is likely.”
She sighed and sank onto the bed. “I sort of like the old bird.”
“That doesn’t mean you need to get sucked into whatever ploy he’s scheming.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Just leave it be, would you? Do what we came here for.”
“Sorry.” She sank down next to him. “I know you still don’t trust him, and I don’t trust him completely either.”
“Then drop it. I’d rather us not be stuck here any longer than necessary.” He draped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. His tension eased as she snuggled closer. “I also like having you happy, and most of all, safe.”
“Blah blah blah.” The way she wrapped her arms tighter around him didn’t match her droll tone. “You’re such a sap in your old age.”
“You hate that you like it.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Oh, but I do. Which is why I also know you haven’t dropped the subject. You’re placating me with your nearness.”
“I just want to call Noelle and check her grandmother’s journals.”
“Then will you let it go?” He didn’t like how she’d managed to get wrapped up with the bird. Even though he trusted her to be smart and not get wrapped up in any sort of deal with the bird, he didn’t like where this was going at all.
“Depends on what they say.”
“Vels.”
Rather than answer, she moved fast enough to surprise him. In a quick minute she straddled him. Every nerve in his body came alive at her simple, possessive touch.
He groaned and gripped her hips. “Vels. You’re changing the subject.”
Her lips brushed along his ear. “You’re complaining?”
“I should, but fuck no I’m not.”
She squealed when he grabbed her around the waist and spun her fast until he had her pinned hard against the bed. With a husky chuckle she arched into him. “You are such a man.”
“You never complained before.”
“And I’m not now. Come here.”
*~*
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by Sarah | Apr 14, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
Blurb
A showplace for talent. A playground for love. STARSTRUCK. A new contemporary continuity series by Beth Ciotta, Cynthia Valero, and Elle J Rossi. Three authors. One world. Launching with Ciotta’s sexy novella—Obsessed.
A Fallen Star…
A hot-mess of controversy and scandal, Dakota Breeze—tarnished pop star of fading fame and fortune—accepts a friend’s offer, taking refuge in a small Midwestern town in order to rehearse her comeback concert in secret. Starstruck is the perfect venue however rehearsals are marred by Dakota’s reluctance to resurrect her former bad-girl persona and complicated by an anonymous death threat.
A Haunted Bodyguard…
Enlisted by a mutual friend, Wyatt MacDermott—a seasoned protection specialist—agrees to act as Dakota’s temporary bodyguard. Forced to set aside a personal grudge in order to fulfill his duties, Mac’s stunned by his fierce and instant attraction to the reckless celebrity he’s long associated with his greatest regret.
Obsessed with conflicting needs and united passion, Dakota and Wyatt spin out of control, indulging in a whirlwind affair and tempting an avenger’s wrath.
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/02/obsessed-starstruck-novella-1-by-beth.html
Link to follow Release Blast: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/02/obsessed-starstruck-1-by-beth-ciotta.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24809200-obsessed?from_search=true
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Z8DPBB8FPho
Author Info
Storytelling comes naturally to award-winning author Beth Ciotta. Dubbed “fun and sexy” by Publisher’s Weekly, Beth specializes in contemporary, historical, steampunk, and paranormal romantic fiction.
Beth lives in NJ with her husband, two zany dogs, and a crazy cat. A retired professional performer, Beth now pours her artistic passion into her writing. To learn more about her colorful life, visit her website at www.bethciotta.com
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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Dakota palmed her aching chest, fought for an even breath as Mac steered the sedan through the gates to her temporary residence. She hadn’t meant to spew or to beg. She didn’t want his pity.
But she did want him.
For all his indifference, he made her feel safe. At this point she’d welcome anything, even the company of Ice Man, to minimize her stress. Stress messed with her concentration and judgment, undermining her on-stage performances and her pursuit of private serenity.
Feeling exposed and raw, Dakota pushed her agenda. “So are you with me or not?”
He didn’t respond. Of course, he didn’t respond. The man was a freaking robot.
The car stopped just shy of the house and, with a white-knuckled hold on her purse, Dakota pushed open her door. Her shoulder sang with the effort, but she didn’t groan or complain or even wince. Mac was right. She was lucky to be alive.
She blocked his cold rejection from her mind, focused on Maggie. She needed to check on her ailing assistant and she didn’t want to compound matters by looking like a frazzled mess.
A startled scream stuck in her throat as her new bodyguard backed her against the car.
“One,” he said, spearing her with steely grey eyes, “You don’t move without telling me first. Two: As soon as we get in the house, I want that letter. Three: I say jump, you jump. I’m talking unflinching trust, Dakota.”
It was the most he’d said to her since they’d met and even though he’d done nothing but issue arrogant orders, a strange sense of calm snaked through her tense being. Pinned between the tank of a car and her broad-shouldered bodyguard, Dakota held his gaze and raised onto her toes, her mouth a breath away from his own. “For me to jump, MacDermott, I need to know something other than ice flows through your veins.”
And with that she indulged in one last impulsive act. She pressed her lips to his, anticipating rejection. Anticipating Antarctica.
Instead, he blew her away, melting her bones with a deep, searing kiss. His touch, his taste, his passion dazed her far more than any spinning car. Who could think straight with his strong hands exploring her curves? With his massive erection raging between them?
Dakota gave over to the intensity, the wonder, the mind-blowing melding that obliterated morality. Just shy of her jumping his freaking bones, Mac cooled her jets by backing away.
“Now you know,” he said as he reverted to professional indifference. “And if you’re smart, you’ll leave it at that.”
by Sarah | Apr 10, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
When Tasha marries the man of her dreams,
like every girl, she believes their love
will last forever.
She never thought the honeymoon would be over before it even began …
Her vows of ‘Till death do us part’ become very much a reality
But the path of true love never runs smooth. Fate throws Tasha another chance at love, and she must decide if her heart can ever trust or love again…
***Contains mature content, heartache and drama intended for readers 18+
***This book incorporates For Better or For Worse, In Sickness and In Health and To Love and To Cherish which were published separately in 2014
***Bonus Chapters
Buy Links
About Krissy V
I am a mother to two young children, who in turn keep me young. I live in Dublin, Ireland but, I’m originally from South Devon in the UK. I work full time in a pharmacy and write in all my spare time: in my lunch hour, when watching TV at night and anywhere. I have always been interested in reading from a young age and then 2 years ago I was given a kindle as a present and it was the best thing that happened to me. I was able to read lots of books ever week and then I started to write reviews for all the books I read. I took this one step further and started my own facebook page – Sparkling Pink Bookshelf. I intended to upload all of my reviews for the books I read. This was purely for pleasure and then I answered a post on Facebook for someone to read for reviews and thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was reading about 7/8 books a week, the kindle made this achievable. I would read at any opportunity I could, even staying up til the small hours to finish a book. I loved it. Then one day I was asked to beta read a book – I loved this side of it, it was so exciting. I have worked with a number of indie authors and have remained loyal to a few select authors and I beta read all their After a year or more of doing this, I thought maybe I could write some of the stories that were in my head and I just decided to write and see what happened. I wrote about 70% of a story and then saw a post for the NaNoWriMo competition – to write 50,000 words in 30 days, I decided that this was a challenge I wanted to take and the Til Death Us Do Part series was born.
I am always thinking of situations that can be turned into a story and have started a few stories, which in turn will be completed and released to my readers. I love to hear what my readers have to say about my work and please find my links below.
Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this series of books as much as I enjoyed writing them.
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Giveaway
by Sarah | Apr 9, 2015 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
Hunter Dennison has been an overachiever in all aspects of his life. He knows what he wants and goes after it, and he intends to follow suit in his love life with the young and beautiful Molly. His patience is at its last resolve as he waits for her to come of age, but finally the time has arrived, and he prepares to tell Molly how he feels.
What he doesn’t know is that someone else has set their own selfish agenda into motion, wreaking havoc on Hunter’s intentions and his confidence in Molly’s character.
Believing the vicious lies, Hunter veers off his planned path. He finds solace and comfort in another’s arms, never realizing that he leaves in his wake a devastated Molly.
However, fate cannot be fooled.
Now, twenty years later, they both have settled into their own lives in Clearwater Falls. Hunter intends to rectify the past by letting Molly know that she is the one he wants now, just as he had wanted then.
Can passion all these years in the making overcome the weight of regret that they both carry? Or will the price of their previous mistakes leave an insurmountable divide in their chance at forever?
WARNING: Recommended for adult readers (18+) only. Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content.
AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * SMASHWORD
*** DENNISON SERIES ***
DENNISON SERIES, BOOK 1
** ON SALE FOR 99 PENNIES!!! **
* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * SMASHWORDS *
I live in New England with my young family. I’m a stay at home mom to two very active children. For all of you who are familiar with the stress of this job, I decided to complete an item on my bucket list and write a book. When I’m not writing, you will find me cooking, reading, shopping or being silly with the kids. In my opinion, one of life’s greatest pleasure is being able to get lost in a book.
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by Sarah | Apr 8, 2015 | Books, General, Goals, Writing
I admit, my goals this year were crazy lofty, and I’m not quite as far this early in the year as I was last year. Part of that is because of what I’m working on, and part is because this month is the first month in 7 months that I have not had a book released. It’s been a crazy time in my life, and I know I don’t really have a breather, because another will release in May, and then July, then September, October and December. With any luck I’ll have at least 3 more releases this year.
That being said, I’ve made a bit of progress since I announced my goals, and added on some more tasks for myself–including revamping a series while working on further books in it.
I have yet to make a decision on what will become of Lake Point in 2016, I have to see how the year pans out and if my muse decides to fill in some blanks on who/what the subjects would be.
With all that being said – onto my crazy goals and where I stand with them!
First, the overall goals to set the tone for the year…
- I’ve challenged myself to write 600,000 words in 2015. (128k in as of 4/1/15)
- I will build my audience and work harder at promotion – including tours for my three series during the year. (Doing good here. I am currently working w/ a PR company and have gotten involved in FB parties. Finding more fans)
- I will regain my focus. (Eh, not so good here. Trying really hard)
- I will detail at least one of the new series I have listed to play with. (Nope, not a lick yet. Want to finish my 2015 Lake Point books first)
- I will decide by July if I’ll continue in Lake Point through 2016. (Yikes, didn’t remember that July deadline. Guess I better get to work and figure that out!)
And next is my list of projects. The books in ORANGE are current works-in-progress. Books in RED are completed. Books in BLUE are new adds!
- Free Falling (Holidays in Lake Point 10) – 30k (done 2/28)
- Love for Hire (Holidays in Lake Point 11) – 30k (done 3/31)
- Haunted Hearts (Holidays in Lake Point 12) – 30k (100 words)
- Mistletoe Mixup (Holidays in Lake Point 13) – 30k
- Into a Mirror Darkly (Morgana Chronicles 1) – 100k (~10k done)
- Natural Selection – 40k (28,742 done)
- Switchback (Dominion Falls 6) – 100k
- Dead Man’s Switch (Dominion Falls 7) – 100k
- The Virgin Madam (Dominion Falls 5.5) – 20k (This one is possible, but not definite)
- The Raven (The Tribe #4) – 85k
- The Child (The Tribe #5) – 85k
- Escaping Humanity (Co-authoring w/ Mary Terrani) – 80k (54k done)
- Changing Tracks (revamping/updating) – 100k
- Derailed (revamping/updating) – 100k
- Dark Territory (revamping/updating) – 100k
I’ve been slacking a lot, hoping that once that Lake Point books are done I’ll really get some motion w/ the help of the bigger books I have got to work on this year. I hope to have the first three books in the Tribe series released by summer or fall, and would love to have 4 ready to head to my editor when she’s done with those. I’m also hoping that Mary and I can finish EH this year and figure out what’s next. The addition of the revamping of my first three Dominion Falls series is new, but I plan to squeeze those in as they’ll go faster than a full on writing session. I have two other series that I’ve been contemplating in the back of my mind, and several other items on the backburner. It’s a matter of making choices this year, and I have a LOT of them to make.
Plus, I have to admit, fear is holding me back from one book. I’m afraid to dive back into it, afraid of what it could be, or how I could fail it. I will get over those fears and complete it. Still, I think it’s making me go slower because I know the sooner I finish these Lake Point books, the closer I get to tackling the book that feels like THE ONE.
Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This weeks prompt is Stiff.
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