by Sarah | Mar 8, 2013 | Blog Hops, Books, Changing Tracks, Contests, Giveaway, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
{WINNER – JL Hammer!!!}
I almost didn’t join this hop, after all my characters don’t inspire any great dessert recipes. There is no scene in Changing Tracks that talks about it, with the exception of one scene where Jane is offered a slice of apple pie.
However, I couldn’t resist showing this ‘outtake’ of sorts – one that Jane may never forgive me for – unless the ending is good enough for her to soften.
Please enjoy – and one lucky commenter will receive a copy of [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link], and a $10 Amazon (or Barnes & Noble, your choice) Gift Card! So leave a comment and then get hopping over to the Secret Cravings blog to find chances to win other great SCP authors books (or don’t, so my chances are better 😉 ).
Dessert Is On Me:
Jane threw the pan and everything on it into the water. The smoke that poured off in the resulting clatter and hiss added to the smoke already filling her house. Another attempt at cooking burst into flames—in rather spectacular fashion.
“I give up.” She sneered at the charred and drowning remains of her attempt at sweet cakes. Not even detailed instructions from Cora had resolved her inability to make what Cora had declared a simple recipe.
A knock at the door interrupted her attempt to glare the pan into cleaning itself. She spun and left the pantry. On her way past the stove she kicked shut the door. The whole way to the door she waved her arms at the smoke in a useless gesture of clearing the air.
When Jane yanked open the door, Cole’s lips were already quirked in a cockeyed smirk. His ice blue eyes twinkled without any restraint of his laughter. “I could see the smoke from half a mile back. Wondered if I oughtta call for help.”
“Hush.” She couldn’t contain her own grin at his amusement. “I wanted to try to cook again. Cora swore the recipe was simple, I think she lied.”
“Or you just can’t cook.” He chuckled and held up the bowl in his hand. “Think Cora ain’t too confident in your cooking neither. Sent ya some custard.”
“Good to know she has such faith in me. Too bad she didn’t send some sweet cakes. I prefer it to custard.”
“She did try. I told her to send the custard.” One long finger dipped into the creamy custard and he held it out to her. “It’s more fun.”
“I didn’t think about that.” Her heart fluttered and her womb clenched when he licked his lips. She licked her lips before leaning in to capture his finger in her mouth. The sweet treat melted smooth on her tongue, and she held still until his low groan.
When he took a step closer she swirled her tongue around his finger, flicking it across the tip. Slowly she pulled back, sucking gently until his finger was free.
She smiled and licked her lips. “I don’t remember custard ever tasting so good.”
“I wanna try.”
Blurb:
There’s nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He keeps his women at a distance, unwilling to relive a past he worked hard to forget.
Until the night Jane Doe falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief someone tried to kill her. In the strange world of amnesia she manages to find solace in Cole’s arms and he finds home in hers.
While they work together to solve the mystery of her appearance, their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – build a barrier between them.
To make matters worse, Jane’s past isn’t willing to let her go. A stranger proves he’ll kill to keep his secrets safe. With those she loves in danger, Jane’s errant memory is all that stands between them and death. Cole can only do so much to protect her, will it be enough?
Buy Links:
Secret Cravings Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
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Don’t forget to go over to the Secret Cravings blog for links to the other participants and their giveaways!!
*~*~*
*Winner will be drawn Monday, March 11th at 9AM. Winner will have choice of Kindle or Nook version (and choice of GC to Amazon or B&N).
by Sarah | Mar 8, 2013 | An Uncivil War, Books, Contests, Giveaway, HerStory - Pagan Writer's Press, Publishing Credits, Writing
In ancient times, women were regarded as sacred. They were thought to hold the mystical power of creation—responsible for the continuation of our species. With the rise of Science and Religion, these myths were dispelled and their plight began.
HerStory: Fiction Honoring Women’s History Month is a collection of Flash Fiction and Short Stories from today’s top authors featuring female characters that exemplify strong strength of mind, body, and character. Some of these tales are based on real people while others are purely fictional. However, all are standing up for themselves and what they believe in.
Grab yourself a glass of wine or favorite hot beverage and get comfortable as you read about the lives of women who will light the fire in your soul.
It’s finally here. HerStory. Available to the masses. And to honor release day, we’re having a party. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win some terrific prizes. *U.S. residents only*
Here’s what’s up for grabs.
GRAND PRIZE
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| First Grand Prize |
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| First Grand Prize |
Because they have the same agenda: empowering girls/women, Keira’s Kollection owner Mr. Wagstaff has graciously agreed to donate a Strong is Beautiful T-shirt. One very lucky woman is not only going to walk away with a paperback copy of HerStory and be empowered through words, but she will also be showing her empowerment right there on her shirt.
And that’s not all, the grand prize winner also gets a pair of earrings from Cathy from Etsy, who runs Yesware. The earrings sparkle one side and have a message on the other side: the greatest story never told.
Only, we’re telling it, the authors of HerStory. We are telling it.
SECOND GRAND PRIZE
Author Laura DeLuca has donated an incense diffuser to go along with some handmade soap from Greenchild Creations.
And we’re throwing an e-book into this mix. Why soap and diffusers? What does that have to do with women’s history?
In HerStory, Mathilda of Ringelheim runs a bath house. It seems appropriate to honor herstory this way.
AND as Mathilda seems to know, every woman needs soap and every woman needs time to relax. So one lucky winner will take a nice long shower with her fantastic handmade soap, set her diffuser on a table, and curl up with HerStory on her kindle. Who says you can’t be relaxed and empowered at the same time? (and smell good)
THIRD GRAND PRIZE
Another donation from Laura DeLuca: an ebook, a Japanese tea set, and an Oriental incense diffuser. How does this tie into HerStory?
In Please Stay, Asuka, a Japanese wife of the 1600s, is preparing the evening meal while awkwardly trying to discuss a matter–somewhat delicate–but of great importance with her husband.
As you get lost in your ebook, in Asuka’s story (penned by Becca Diane), you can pretend you are there. Perhaps you feel your husband’s penetrating stare. But you serve him his tea, straighten your spine, and say what needs to be said…then wait, breath held, for his reply, incense lightening the tension in the air…
FOURTH GRAND PRIZE
One lucky winner will have a chance to make their voice heard on the radio…with a $25 Amazon gift card burning a hole in their pocket!
HerStory goes behind the scenes to locate the stories of women who lived, laughed, and touched the lives of generations…
Now, here is your chance to have your story told to the world….or your mother’s…it’s your chance to talk about the most inspiring woman or women in YOUR life. Shout it out! Tell listeners everywhere about this amazing person. Honor her!
This prize is being donated by Indie Reviews Behind the Scenes.
PRIZE 5, FOUR WINNERS, FOUR TINS OF EMPOWERMINTS
Four of these tins of mints are being donated by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild. That means four lucky winners are going to win a tin of mints to carry around in their pockets and every time they look at the tin, they’ll be empowered!
The tin is also the perfect size to serve as a pillbox once the mints are gone. This is something you can keep for a LONG time.
PRIZE 6, TWO WINNERS, CROSS STITCH WALL HANGINGS
Author and editor Tara Chevrestt has a secret addiction and hobby. It makes her feel like an old lady, so she keeps it under wraps, but now the truth is out…
She likes to cross stitch!!!
Two lucky winners will walk away with these. They are 3.25″ by 6″ and have a hard backing so they may be placed on a wall.
PRIZE 7, ONE WINNER, FLAPPER-STYLE HATDonated from Rakestraw Book Design.
Toni Rakestraw, one of the HerStory contributors, is stitching this hat so one lucky reader can–in her mind–march in a suffragette parade as she reads HerStory. Or perhaps this is something Margaret Sanger would have worn as she leaves the workhouse in The Woman Rebel.
PRIZE 8, ONE WINNER, ONE PAINTING
You’ve heard the term multi-published and many of HerStory’s authors can place that before their name, but how about multi-talented?
Author Morgan Summerfield can not only write as she shoes us in Adella, but she can paint too! She is kindly donating a painting 27″ wide by 11″ high, titled Morning Poppies. The frame is handmade with real wood and she stretches all her own canvases. It is hand-painted-by her!-in multi media.
And last, but certainly not least, we have a lovely Coco Chanel quote pendant donated by the lovely Jewelry Designs by Lula. One winner will win this delightful pendant that says A girl should be things: WHO and WHAT she wants.
I could not have said it better.
Enter for all prizes using the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is for three weeks. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond with their snail mail addresses. After 48 hours, new winners will be chosen.
Thank you and enjoy HerStory! Be empowered! Learn something. Believe in yourself and womankind.
Buy links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by Sarah | Mar 6, 2013 | Book Spotlight, Excerpt, Guest Authors, Writing
Blurb:
Shuffled from place to place in the foster system, Morrigan doesn’t know the meaning of home. Plus, she is different. She has power over fire, the ability to move objects with her mind, and glimpse into the future. Just when she believes her life can’t get any stranger, she discovers her true identity.
Filtiarn, a knight with a dark past and a surprising secret, has been tasked with guiding the heir of Tír Na NÓg through countless perils to be returned to her family. Once Morrigan has been reunited with her mother and grandmother, their triad can save the forgotten land of magic from being devoured by an ancient evil.
Short Excerpt:
“Guardians!” A low snarl emanated from the back of his throat. “What are you doing with Guardians?”
“Stop it! Sit down!”
Morrigan wasn’t sure who she was addressing, the man or the animals. Luckily, they both obeyed her command. She stepped in between them to avoid any further confrontations. The cats took a seat on either side her legs, but their posture hardly relaxed. They still glared warily at the newcomer, even though their hisses died down to an occasional soft growl.
“Dirty, filthy beasts!” Tiarn snarled as he climbed to his feet. “I hate Guardians.”
“They’re just little cats,” Morrigan told him. “What’s the big deal?”
“Just cats! Hah!” He was standing at a careful distance, even though they had started licking their paws nonchalantly. “They are much more than simple cats! Though even those I find distasteful.”
Morrigan narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Never mind. It does not matter.” Tiarn dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. “They are not coming with us.
“They most certainly are coming!”
Tiarn growled again. “I beg to differ with you, Your Highness. They would only get in the way. Possibly even get killed.”
Danu raised her head from her grooming to hiss at him again, as though she had taken that last statement as a personal threat. The strange reaction of her faithful sidekicks made Morrigan wonder again just how much Tiarn could be trusted. She also wondered why, when she wasn’t sure she could trust him, she still felt the undeniable urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.
“If they stay here alone, they’ll definitely get killed or at least sent to the pound,” Morrigan told him. “I can’t let that happen. So, they’re coming. End of story.”
Tiarn’s eyes flashed dangerously, and he looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it. “Very well, Princess. Bring your mongrel felines. Just keep in mind that Guardians and lycans do not mix well.”
“Lycans?” Morrigan repeated.
A sick feeling started to settle in her stomach, as the truth of his words sunk in. It all started to make sense—his hairy arms and chest, his reaction to the cats, even his earlier comment about smelling her out. Her dark knight had a much darker side than she had ever seen in her dreams.
“Why yes, Your Majesty. Did you not realize? You are a witch and a sorceress. And I, your faithful traveling companion, am a lycan—a werewolf.”
*~*~*
Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.
by Sarah | Mar 5, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Writing
{WINNER is Jennifer Simpkins!!}
Another Hump Day Hook! Changing Tracks has been quite lovely and taken me on a ride around the internet this month – and is still going. I’m hoping to have a cover to reveal so I can start showing you bits and pieces of Masked Hearts as well – but as for now, you can have another little taste of Jane…and because I’ve been taunting you with Jane and Cole and the cast of this book for so long…I’m going to include a giveaway in the post. One lucky commenter will win a copy of Changing Tracks – in their format of choice!!
This is not a typical paragraph that I’d post – but as it’s primarily dialogue of one liners, I needed to include a full four lines. Jane is asking Cole to assist her in a task that requires them to leave town:
“So will you help me?”
He studied her for a long minute. “What’s in it for me?”
“We’ll take one horse. Two people. One horse. Plenty cozy, don’t you think?”
“When do you wanna leave?”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
by Sarah | Feb 28, 2013 | Cover Reveal, Guest Authors, Writing
FINDING HOPE | Pool of Souls Book 2
Warning: The plot thickens with a passel of pissed off Olympians, but Ares and Aphrodite are in for a double dose of trouble! More Olympians join the mix in Finding Hope: Pool of Souls Book 2. A jewel addict, a kick-ass possibly-virgin huntress, and an insatiable ancient oracle are just a few. But don’t worry; Ares and Aphrodite are still front and center.
Addison Connelly has given up on men. She is disappointed yet again when her best friend tries to play matchmaker, and the match falls flat…or does it? Her friend knows all Addison needs is a chance, a little hope, and maybe a dropkick in the right direction. With an extra push from Aphrodite, will this lonely soul learn to trust again? Or will she run from the only man who could make her happy?
Adrian Colter, Nashville Police Detective and certifiable bachelor, puts his foot in his mouth in a big way when his roommate’s fiancé tries to match him up with her best friend. After making a horrible first impression, can he earn the trust of a woman who won’t speak a civil word to him?
Adrian isn’t the only one trying to earn the trust of a beautiful woman. While Ares fights to rebuild the trust he lost thousands of years ago with the Goddess of Love, his parents do what they do best —show off their greed and selfishness. Will he find the hope and forgiveness he so desperate seeks or will his parents destroy his chance at happiness?
Krystal Shannan Love and Destiny in all Realms
Author of
Chasing Sam: Vegas Mates Book 1 Amazon | Smashwords | & Others
Open House: Pool of Souls Book 1 Amazon | Smashwords | & Others
A Very Russian Christmas Amazon | Decadent | Smashwords | & Others
Finding Hope: Pool of Souls Book 2 – Coming Soon!
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by Sarah | Feb 26, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook! Once again I’m bringing Jane Doe to the party – but this time I’m responding to a request to see a paragraph from book 2 in the series, Derailed. As I don’t have a cover yet, you get my Changing Tracks cover.
This is the opening lines of Chapter 2 in Derailed. Jane and Cole are much relaxed in their room:
“I was sixteen.”
Jane grew completely still, the finger that had been dancing along his chest froze in place. Cole never spoke about anything beyond his years in Dominion Falls. For a moment she wondered if she should let him go on.
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
Dessert Is On Me:
