A Magic Redemption – #MFRWHooks
For #MFRWhooks this week a tale about A MAGIC REDEMPTION – from the award winning A Demon’s Witch Series. Even with magic, finding your place in the world proves more difficult than imagined especially when someone is out for revenge.
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about A MAGIC REDEMPTION!
A little background to A Magic Redemption:
A Magic Redemption was in the process for quite some time. Synn the Heroine of the book has wandered in and out of most of the books in A Demon’s Witch Series. I always knew I’d have to tell Synn’s story, but had to wait until all the pieces fell into place from the other books in the series. I’m super excited to share her incredible adventure and heart-warming story with you. I certainly hope you enjoy reading A Magic Redemption as much as I did writing Synn’s tale. Pssst… soon to be available in Audio.
A bit about A MAGIC REDEMPTION:
Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?
A sneak peek between the pages of A MAGIC REDEMPTION: The hook.
He showered, pulled on sweats, and stretched out on his empty king-sized bed. After his long flight, a peaceful sleep came quickly until Synn’s nightmare invaded his dream world. Gut wrenching terror tore through him until he was able to disengage himself from the nightmare. There’d be no phone call this time. For a moment he considered shifting, but he might need a vehicle after arriving at her home. He yanked off his sweats and pulled on jeans, a sweater, donned a coat, and grabbed his keys.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him. “It’ll be okay, girl.” He knelt in front of Synn, brushed the hair away from her face. A vacant stare met his gaze into her eyes like she was in a trance. This couldn’t be good.
He’d seen her nightmare. Something was trying to control her. He wouldn’t let it happen. Releasing a breath, he took hold of her shoulders. She’d been like this once before. When she came out of it anyone within arm’s reach could be in danger. Though her magic was tempered these days, it wouldn’t be for long… Changing strategy, he re-positioned himself behind her, caught her up in a bear hug, and pushed the pup out of her lap. Storm yelped and went grudgingly but refused to leave her side.
“Synn, it’s me Gavin; you’re safe.” He gave her a little shake. Arms and legs began flailing. She let out a blood curdling scream and kept screaming until he thought the neighbors a few miles away would hear and call the police. He held her tightly, sat down on the floor, and pulled her into his lap. “Synn. Synn. You’re all right. We’re at the cottage.” The screams turned to sobs. She leaned her head back and blinked.
Panic seized her. “Gavin, you’ve got to get out of here. He’s coming for me and will kill everyone associated with me, including Storm.” She reached for the pup cuddling her close to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I knew this would never work. I don’t deserve a normal life.”
“That’s enough. It was a nightmare. That’s all.”
She turned her large aqua eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. “Really? Are you willing to stake your life on it?”
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, A Magic Redemption, Demons, Ireland, magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Witch's by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
Interview Barbara Burke Author of Counterfeit Viscountess
Give a warm welcome tt Barbara Burke, author of Counterfeit Viscountess. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Barbara and her Counterfeit Viscountess! I’ve got a few questions for you. Ready?”
Yep!
Who would you recommend this book to and what should readers be aware of before reading it?
I’d recommend Counterfeit Viscountess to someone who’s looking for a very light, quite sweet read. I don’t go behind the bedroom door – in fact, the entire conflict in this book centres on the fact that they mustn’t touch each other. As a consequence the entire romance plays out with words. If you don’t like dialogue this isn’t the book for you. Sometimes I think I should give up writing prose and just write scripts a la Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward (as if I had a drop of their talent). But I do love banter.
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
So far my favourite character is a crusty old academic in a mystery I’m writing. He was meant to be quite off-putting but I’m loving him more and more and he’s now just delightfully eccentric. He’s also a complete page hog and is getting way more lines than he should. I also love Amanda from Recompromising Amanda. She was my first romance heroine and we never forget our first, right?
What makes you laugh out loud?
Well, this is embarrassing. When I stopped to think about it I came up with cat videos (also my own cat). They’re so serious in everything they do, how can you not laugh. Also, witty banter in books and on stage. I love me some good dialogue. Finally, and I guess this relates to the last point (and maybe the first) good conversation with friends around the dinner table.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
No, not at all. The whole point in writing fiction is to get away from the confines of your own being. My characters are imaginary creatures. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to know them in real life. I’d love to hang out with some of them. Probably because they’re way better (and more interesting) people than I could ever be. But what makes them truly different is that they never wake up at 2:00 in the morning and realise what they should have said – they manage to say it at the time. What a super power.
Speed Round
Favorite movie: To (if I was allowed more than one word I’d say To Have and Have Not)
Favorite book: impossible
Last book read: Lethal White (see how I cheated there and used two words?)
Favorite color: red
Stilettos or flipflops: stilettos
Coffee or tea: am coffee, pm tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: paperback!
Pencil or pen: pen!
Favorite song: see favourite book
Streak or not: I don’t know what that means
Favorite dessert: nope
Favorite junk food: potato chips
Favorite thing to do to relax: see next question
Champagne or gin: red wine
Paranormal or Historical: historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: what is top model?
Favorite TV show: none
Hot or cold: hot
POV: my own
I’d die if I don’t have: pizza
Review or Not: Yes
Tell us a little about Counterfeit Viscountess.
What happens when they both start wanting a real marriage?
Practical Caroline Saxon must travel to London for the season, when all she really wants is to stay in Ireland and breed horses. But a carriage accident leaves her unchaperoned at a posting inn.
Dashing Christopher Hawking just wants a bed for the night. He didn’t expect to find it occupied by a beautiful woman or to be caught sneaking out of her room. In the light of day, a London-bound member of the ton finds them together.
Attraction flares between the two in spite of themselves. But how will they save Caroline’s reputation and calm the storm of the ton’s gossip?
Buy Links: Amazon
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Counterfeit Viscountess?
When they were alone again and the tea distributed, Christopher and Caroline did their best to explain to Eleanor the events of the morning and the evening before.
Eleanor listened without interruption, contenting herself with the occasional raised eyebrow as her only commentary on the convoluted tale. When they had finished she turned to Christopher and remarked, “I must say, it seems quite foolish to have allowed Annabelle Winthrop of all people to discover you. She’s a complete pea goose and she won’t take kindly to Miss Saxon’s appearance on the scene. She’s been setting her cap at you forever.”
“I didn’t exactly do it on purpose,” Christopher was stung to reply.
“On purpose or not, it’s got you into a great deal of difficulty which could have been avoided if you had taken more care.”
Recognizing the signs of temper on Christopher’s face, Caroline interjected quickly. “Indeed, Lord Saxon did everything he could. If not for his quick thinking, we would have already come to ruin. You really cannot blame him for the presence of Miss Winthrop in the same inn where we were staying.”
“Nonsense, I can blame him for anything I wish. I’ve been doing it since he was a baby and very handy it’s been as well. It’s one of the only advantages of having a younger sibling.”
The fond smile she bestowed on her brother precluded any sting Caroline, less used to the ways of siblings, might have imagined such a comment implied, as did Christopher’s bland acceptance of her outrageous assertion. Though she had watched, and frequently envied, the comfortable, if often fractious, interaction between the brothers and sisters she’d played with as a child, she clearly had much to learn about family relationships when adulthood was achieved.
“However, I suppose there’s nothing we can do about it now,” Eleanor conceded, magnanimously. “But mind, Christopher, I’ll expect you to take a great deal more care the next time you break into a respectable woman’s bedroom.”
About the Author:
Barbara Burke’s peripatetic life means she’s lived everywhere from a suburban house in a small town to a funky apartment in a big city, and from an architecturally designed estate deep in the forest to a cedar shack on the edge of the ocean. Everywhere she’s gone she’s been accompanied by her husband, her animals and her books. For the last ten years she’s worked as a freelance journalist and has won several awards. She was a fan of Jane Austen long before that lady was discovered by revisionists and zombie lovers and thinks Georgette Heyer was one of the great writers of the twentieth century. She lives by the philosophy that one should never turn down the opportunity to get on a plane no matter where it’s going, but deep down inside wishes she could travel everywhere by train.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Burke
https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Counterfeit Viscountess!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Barbara Burke, Counterfeit Viscountess, Historical Romance by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
Spotlight Courting Moon, Vampyre’s Desire by Adom Sample
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Adom and his COurting Moon.
The dark meadows and midnight air blast through her hair giving off a scent that would attract any Vampyre for miles. It was there he sensed her. It was there he could no longer deny himself the pleasure of getting to know who she was. The rules were set, and the laws were written, but none of that could keep him restrained. Not anymore.
His emotions fluttered, leaving him no other choice. He must take that chance, regardless of the prospect of rejection. For months, he watched her, lurking in the shadows of their lands, never giving thought as to what would happen if he were to be discovered. It was a risk he was more than willing to take, if only just to get a second glance of her beauty.
He was, after all, the son of a count, and he knew the rules better than anyone. Fraternization between Vampyre and human was strictly forbidden. The rules were imprinted in his brain from birth, but he had to choose differently. Was it her human frailty or the smell of her blood that drew him there every night? Whatever this enchanting spell was that led him to her lands took total control, forcing him to do things he thought he’d never do.
Romantic love was forbidden and after months of obsessing over this human woman, he was beginning to understand why. All rational thought escaped his mind whenever he was near her. The erratic and irrational impulses that made him sneak out of his room, cross the neutral territory, and enter their lands each night had overwhelmed him. He’d lost control, yet refused to do anything about it. This was who he wanted to be.
Henceforth, that night in the dark meadows, basking in the midnight air, he made his approach. Would she welcome him or fear him? What stories would she have heard about his kind that could force her to be reluctant by his presence? He had no choice, for it was too late to turn back now. She was alone, and he would never have an opportunity like this again. He pushed back the bushes, taking slow steps toward her. Hesitant, he thought about turning around and forgetting about her. He knew where this would lead. Still, he interjects his reason and pushes aside all logic, giving in to his wanting desire.
“Hello,” he whispered softly from behind. She froze. She knew the end was near. She knew the Vampyre creeping up behind her would make her his supper if she didn’t run, and quick. Without thought, she took off screaming for her life. Her action to his bold move didn’t surprise him at all; the only thing that entered his mind was how beautiful she looked when she ran away. He didn’t pursue right away. He stood there paralyzed, fearful that he would be discovered.
If anyone heard her screaming it would be the end of him. Before she could get too far, he headed her off, and in a flash was right in front of her. They had collided. She ran right into him. The touch of her soft warm skin sent a sense of inner peace and tranquility through this entire body.
They had their arms wrapped around each other like lovers in need. That sensual gaze he gave her forced the fear to melt away only to be replaced with apprehension and embarrassment.
“I will not harm you,” he said in a passionate whisper.
“What do you want from me?” Her voice trembled.
“Simple conversation.”
“You mean to kill me?”
“Of course not. But far be it for me to make you my meal someday.”
“Who are you?” She gave him an uneasy glance.
He stared into her eyes and smiled, brushing his fingers through her soft, long hair. And thus that single encounter, that bold embrace set forth the path they would go through together; placing things in motions that would tear the very boundaries of everything they’d ever known. Forever.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Courting Moon, Vampyre’s Desire.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Adom Sample, Courting Moon, fantasy, Paranormal Romance, The Bloods Passion Saga, Vampyre's Desire by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
Interview with Anna M. Taylor Author of Haunted Serenade
Give a warm welcome to Anna M. Taylor, author of Haunted Serenade! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Anna and her Haunted Serenada.
Thanks for stopping by Anna, I’ve a few questions for you.
Why did you choose the cover concept you did?
Ghosts, music from the past, suicide and the need for self-love in the African-American community all play a role in the story Haunted Serenade tells. Dawne Dominque, my wonderful cover designer, came up a cover that gives subtle hints to all of these elements.
What is the theme of this book? If it’s part of a series, how does this book fit into the series?
Love and forgiveness are inseparable if you’re not to live stuck in the past. Haunted Serenade establishes the location and the theme all the stories in the Haunted Harlem series deal with, i.e. African-Americans in Harlem coming to terms with their pasts, the effects of that past on them and pasts and seeking/bestowing forgiveness thanks to that knowledge.
If writing is your first passion, what is your second?
Music. Playing an instrument and listening to recordings stir me the same way writing does.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing. There’s so much pain in the world that causes us to act the way we do. Healthy people don’t hurt others.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
The best advice I ever received is to believe in yourself as an author. A published author I admired asked me to be part of a writers panel. When I said “but I’m not published,” she responded “you’re a writer whether you’re published or not.” I’ve taken those words to heart ever since.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Notorious
Favorite book: Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Last book read: The Money Man by Nancy Herkness
Favorite color: Black
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Tea
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: God of Grace and God of Glory
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Apple pie
Favorite junk food: Mint chocolate Smashmallows
Favorite thing to do to relax: Watch old movies
Champagne or gin: Yeech. Neither.
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Love
Review or Not: Review
Tell us a little about Haunted Serenade.
All the women in Anora Madison’s family have lived as “Poor Butterflies”: women still longing for but deserted by the men they loved. Determined to be the first to escape a life of abandonment, she fled Harlem for Brooklyn, severing ties with both her mother and with the man who broke her heart, Winston Emerson, the father of her child.
Six years later, Anora comes back to Harlem to make peace, but a malignant spirit manifests itself during the homecoming, targeting her mother, her aunt, Winston and their little girl. Determined to stop the evil now trying to destroy all she loves, Anora must finally turn to Winston for help. But will their efforts be too little too late?
Buy links: Amazon
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Haunted Serenade?
“I never understood how you and Elizabeth could stay here after Diana…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the word. My mother didn’t finish my sentence for me. Apparently she couldn’t say the word either.
Suicide.
We waited in the shared silence, unable more than unwilling to offer terms of peace.
“A person can will themselves to die,” my mother said. Her gaze drifted to the album cover in my hands. “It’s not so hard where unforgiving spirits reign.”
My gut clenched. “Do you really believe you’re dying, Ma?”
“According to my doctor I’m sound as a dollar. But when you’ve got more days behind you than in front of you, that’s not saying much.” She directed her gaze to me. “That’s why Cammie is so important. She’s the future. I feel better just having been in her presence a little while.”
“I should have known.” I gripped the album cover with fingers trembling with anger and disappointment. “All that display of affection…you’re only using her to make you feel better.”
“No, Anora.” My mother came over and grabbed my arm with an earnestness that surprised me. “It’s not like that. I—I want the ghosts keeping us apart to die. Don’t you?”
I wanted it so much it hurt. I grimaced, but nodded.
“Cammie took one look at this house and asked if it was haunted.”
My mother snorted. “Out of the mouths of babes.”
“Exactly what I thought.” I returned the album cover to its resting place.
Resting place.
The term troubled my mind. Can the spirit of anyone who dies the way my aunt died ever rest?
The question went unanswered, interrupted by my daughter’s screams.
About the Author:
A recent transplant to the Southwest from New York, Anna M. Taylor is the women’s fiction and gothic romance pen name of Anna Taylor Sweringen, a retired United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA minister. Anna has been writing seriously since joining Romance Writers of America in 2003. She also writes inspirational romance as Anna Taylor and erotic romance as Michal Scott.
Author links:
Amazon author central page: amazon.com/author/annamtaylor
Facebook author page: @annamtaylorAuthor
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Haunted Serenade!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Anna M. Taylor, blacklove, Contemporary Romance, Haunted Serenade by Tena Stetler with 8 comments.
