A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance #MFRWHooks
For #MFRWhooks this week a tale about the luck of the Irish A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE – Not what you’re come to expect from a Vampire tale. Join Stefan and Brandy on an exciting Romantic Fantasy that begins in Glacier National Park, winds through Australia. Will they make it to Ireland in time or will the Irish folk tale control their destiny? What happens in between their travels will keep you turning pages. Pssst… Also available in Audiobook.
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 Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance!
Click on the cover to read more or purchase.
A bit about A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance:
Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…
Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.
Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unraveling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance:
It was nearly midnight when he cut across the Sun Road to another trailhead, so intent on his goal that he nearly collided with an attractive young woman. He skidded to a stop, spraying gravel, rocks, and small twigs down the road in front of him. A pinecone dislodged and bounced along the road past her. Tall and slender, she had miles of fiery-red hair that hung down her back in a cascade of curls. Intense emerald eyes stared back at him as he attempted to regain his composure, not to mention balance. What the hell was she doing here at this time of night?
“Whoa.” She stepped lightly to the side to avoid the flying debris. “You really should watch where you’re going, especially at that speed.” Her voice scolded, but the smile on her lips teased. “Someone could get hurt.”
Pretending to pant, he shrugged, holding his palms up in surrender. “Just trying to get my run in before work. Stefan Talltree, at your service.” He stepped closer, leaned over in an exaggerated bow, and caught her hand, brushing his lips over the palm and wrist, inhaling her sweet scent. AB negative with a pulse of adrenaline. Perfect. Her pulse beat a tattoo against his lips. He backed away.
Her heart thundered as she drew her hand from his grasp. “The name’s Brandy. Pleased to meet you, Stefan.” Her smile reached up into her bright eyes as they swept over him with an appreciative glance, an experience he enjoyed.
Her voice had a hint of Irish lilt to it. He liked that too.
“Where do you work that requires you to report in at—” She glanced at her watch. “—midnight?”
Nostrils flaring, he paused. Blood? Not hers. The sound of Brandy’s voice brought his attention back to her and the situation at hand. “Oh, shit, I’ve gotta go!” He sprinted off, leaving her standing alone.
As he started down the trail, the tree branches swayed in the silvery moonlight, casting eerie shadows across the trail’s edge. The breeze brought with it the coppery scent of fresh blood mixed with sulfur. He turned for one last look at her as she wrinkled her nose before silently creeping into the wind, tracking the source of the stench.
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 Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler, Vampire by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
For This Knight Only by Barb Bettis Plus Researching
Give a warm welcome to Barbara Bettis, author of For This Knight Only.
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 Barb and For This Knight Only. Barb give us a little insight into your research technique.
Researching—It’s All to the Point
Thanks for hosting me today, Tena. I love visiting you.
Always a pleasure to have you. Researching is the first step is starting any novel but especially a historical novel. Right?
I’m taking a bit of a break from finding information for my current historical. Researching is one of my favorite things. If I’m not careful, I can spend way too much time gathering facts and data—fascinating pieces of information and specific incidents that can lead into long digressions and many ideas for new stories. Discovering something unusual is just wonderful.
I know there is always discussion on where one can or should do research—online or in hard copy books. Both are very important, of course.
I must admit, my preferred sources are books. Undoubtedly because in my college days, that’s how we did research. I still like my desk (or the floor) stacked with volumes which resemble porcupines sprouting colorful sticky notes marking important passages. I’ve driven many miles to consult library collections, particularly when researching medieval topics.
In spite of that, I’m coming around to online searching, especially now that so many very old documents, papers, collections, and the like have made their way to the Internet. And more and more, ancient documents are appearing online courtesy of various institutions—universities and public libraries. It’s exciting to see copies of original tax rolls or religious writings. Or the Magna Carta—even if I can make out only every third letter J
Another important place to check—bibliographies. They are present in the backs of books certainly, but many secondary online sources have lists of sources consulted. All of these titles can give a researcher lots of tips.
Being accurate in very old historical material, as in Middle Ages, often is difficult but to me, important. I find myself using rules learned from my journalism experience—verify sources. That is, find the same information in two different, reliable sources before I use it. (Journalism says three, but I’ve settled for two.)
Still, no matter how hard I try, dates of things that happened 800 or so years ago can be hard to pin down unless they’re very well known historical events. We all know 1066 for William the Conqueror’s invasion of England.
Well we all know now. LOL
Click on the cover to read more or purchase!
Now tell a little about For This Knight Only. I love the title!
He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.
Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.
Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.
But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.
Buy links:
A sneak peek between the pages of For This Knight Only.
What would it take to persuade her to marry him? A sudden pain burst between his legs, and he gasped, eyes blurry. The little hell-cat kneed him. Even though chain mail deflected some of the impact, he used every bit of his willpower to remain standing.
Apparently persuasion took more than a kiss.
He drew a steadying breath. “You don’t understand, my lady. You will be my wife before the sun sets. It was your brother’s dying wish. It was my pledge to a comrade.”
By God, he’d begun to believe it himself. Alyss met him toe to toe. “This morning I had never seen you, and by tonight, you think I will marry you?”
Her head tilted back and she glared into his eyes. “Were you, perhaps, wounded in the head during a fight? Have you lost your senses as well as your hearing? How do you propose to force me to the altar?
With your army?”
With an exaggerated look around, she nodded at Alain. “Ah, yes. There it is. Impressive to be sure.”
Turning from Roark, she said, “Sir Baldwin, see that these two knights are outside
the gates by sundown. Call every man in the garrison to help, if need be. I want them gone.”
Head high as if confident her word would be enforced immediately, she strode to the
stairway.
Frowning, Sir Baldwin started forward. Roark lifted a hand to halt him. He glanced at
Alain, then back to Alyss. “One moment, my lady. Hear me out.”
She continued to walk, but everyone in the hall had no trouble hearing her. “Unless you
intend to apologize, you can say nothing that will interest me.”
Roark had known this would not be easy, but he had expected the female to at least listen to reason.
An obedient, well-behaved lady is how Sir Godfrey described her. An excellent housekeeper, but
helpless to defend herself if her menfolk were all dead. Obedient, well-behaved. Helpless.
That Lady Alyss wasn’t this Lady Alyss.
About the Author:
Award-winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a newspaper reporter and editor, then a college journalism and English professor, she’s retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a new story. Now retired, she lives in Missouri where she edits for others and spins tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.
Find Barb Here:
Bookbub Facebook Twitter Blog/Website
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with For This Knight Only!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Barbara Bettis, Historical Romance, Research', This Knight Only by Tena Stetler with 14 comments.
A Witch’s Journey 99¢ Sale #MFRWHooks
This week. #MFRWHooks is the award winning A Witch’s Journey. Psssst… A Witch’s Journey is on sale for 99 cents, for a limited time! Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper, a powerful witch, achieve her life-long dream of building a wild life rescue, but can they save the McKay magic too?
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 Witch’s Journey! Psssst… A Witch’s Journey is on sale for 99 cents, for a limited time!
Click on cover to read more or purchase
A little about A Witch’s Journey:
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
A peek between the pages of A Witch’s Journey! The hook.
At dusk, the mist rolled in, but it didn’t dampen the revelers’ enthusiasm. Pepper and Lathen followed the crowd over to the harbor where several boats were lined up and decorated with different kinds of patriotic colored lights. A variety of bulbs burned steady, while others flashed, chased, and twinkled. One pleasure craft had a flag draped over the bow made up of red, white, and blue lights that blinked in time to “The Star Spangled Banner” playing in the background.
After casting votes for the best display, they returned to Lathen’s pickup and drove the short distance to the Sea Crest Inn, where everyone gathered for an ice cream social to benefit local charities. Local bands presented the entertainment for the evening. Music ranged from country to rock and roll, and even a group that did a respectable job on the 1812 Overture as the spectacular fireworks display exploded in the night sky.
Suddenly, cold shiver ran up her spine as goose bumps crept up her arms. Pepper reached down to untie her sweater from her waist, and someone grabbed her around the middle and covered her mouth with a hand. Excruciating pain exploded through her temples. Instinctively, she sank her front teeth into the palm of the hand covering her mouth. He cursed and shook his hand free. She screamed, stomped backward grinding her heel onto his foot, then whirled around, elbows out and connected with the bridge of his nose. A split second later, she shoved her knee up hard into his groin. Blood spurting from his nostrils, hands cupping the family jewels, he yelled a stream of curses as he hit the ground and curled into a fetal possession. A big burly man, pounced on the attacker, yanked his arms behind his back and pressed a knee to his ass as the attacker writhed in pain.
The burly man glanced up at Pepper. “You all right?”
Bent over at the waist, forearms resting on her thighs, palms together, she gulped in air and said haltingly, “I’m ok. Thanks.” As she battled to keep the magic furor at bay, her hands tingled, she shook them out and clasped them tight together. Can’t release magic among mortals.
Pepper’s scream brought Lathen bounding through the crowd, just as Pepper landed the final blow and Sven, the big burly man subdued Tom Green,
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 #MFRWAuthor, #MFRWHooks, A Witch's Journey, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 16 comments.
To Heal A Heart by Jana Richards
Give a warm welcome Jana Richards, author of To Heal A Heart part of the Masonville Small Town Series. 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 Jana and her inspiration for To Heal A Heart.
Like all the books in the Masonville Small Town series, the inspiration for TO HEAL A HEART is to show the triumph of love over adversity. It’s about overcoming obstacles and traumas of the past, and finding the courage to reveal secrets so they no longer have the power to cause pain. Love gives each of my characters the strength to find happiness.
Whether they understand it or not, the things the characters have been through have left them stuck, unable to move forward. For instance, in TO HEAL A HEART, Garrett Saunders has been in limbo for nearly two years, ever since he lost part of his leg in Afghanistan. He’s back home now, living with his parents in North Dakota, but he feels like an alien in his hometown – he doesn’t think he belongs there. He doesn’t know what to do with the rest of his life either. He always believed that after his military career was over he’d go into policing or fire fighting, but those options are no longer open to him. He desperately wants his own place, but his plans to buy land have twice fallen through. And even if he did buy a farm, he’s not sure what he’d do with it. He’d never wanted the life of a farmer.
Garrett always believed that someday he’d get married and have a family. But since he lost his leg, he’s not sure why a woman would want him. To dull the pain, he self-medicates with alcohol. The more he drinks, the more hopeless he feels. Garrett is essentially stuck on that dusty road in Afghanistan.
Blair Greyson is stuck, too. After a traumatic event in her teens, she’s worked hard to forge a career as a veterinary technician and to make a life for herself. She’s volunteered with horse rescue organizations and has rescued a couple of horses herself. She’d be the first person to tell you that her work has given her life meaning. In her work, Blair is competent and confident. But in so many ways, Blair is still the frightened, grieving seventeen-year-old she’d been back then.
My inspiration for this story is to show these two damaged people that no matter what’s happened to them, no matter what they’ve done, or think they’ve done, they deserve to love and to be loved. In fact, it’s only through love that they can find healing and happiness. And I hope readers of TO HEAL A HEART will get the same message.
How about telling a little about To Heal A Heart?
Two souls in pain, two hearts in need of rescue.
Garrett Saunders’ world changed two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including him.
Blair Greyson moves to Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett’s rescue horse and he’ll help with repairs around her farm.
Garrett finds purpose working with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she’s hiding a secret. Can she forgive herself and accept Garrett’s love, or will she let guilt and regret continue to rule her life?
A sneak peek between the pages of To Heal A Heart.
She pulled into the Saunders’ farmyard and parked near the house. After killing the engine, she hopped out of the driver’s side door and hurried to help Garrett get out of her truck. He leaned on her as they walked to the house, and she staggered a little under his weight.
“Home to mommy and daddy. Pretty pathetic, isn’t it? A grown man living with his parents.”
She could practically taste his frustration. “I guess we’re two of a kind. I’m a grown woman living with my grandfather. Does that make me pathetic, too?”
She helped him up the front steps to the porch, and they stood in front of the door. She kept a steadying hand on his arm, worried he’d lose his balance.
“Hardly. You’re looking after him. I only cause my parents worry. “
Once more she saw the bleakness in his eyes, and she desperately wanted to ask him what had happened at Lauren’s house. But that wasn’t what he needed. She put a light tone in her voice.
“I don’t know about that. Granddad worries about me, too. Mostly he worries that I’m more interested in horses than in men.”
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Like horses better than men?”
“Yeah, sometimes I do.”
Garrett let out an unexpected bark of laughter. “I like you Blair Greyson, even if you did steal Everett’s farm out from under me.”
“I did not steal—”
His mouth descended on hers, and for the second time that evening, he stole her breath away.
She had so not expected this, was totally unprepared for the way her body heated at his touch. His tongue swept into her mouth, stroking her tongue over and over until her knees turned to water and she had to grip his biceps to stay upright. He tasted hot, and a little desperate. Desperate for her. Her body arched toward him as he ran his hands over her buttocks, and up her sides, his thumbs grazing her breasts and leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
He stopped kissing her and she wanted to whimper in protest, to beg him not to stop. He leaned his forehead against hers, breathing heavily as his hands gripped her hips.
“Don’t go.” His voice was a rough whisper. “Stay with me tonight.”
She was far more tempted than she should have been. He’d had way too much to drink tonight, maybe even had a problem with alcohol. Though she recognized all the dangers, to her shame her biggest fear was that in the morning he’d regret sleeping with her.
She shook her head. What was she thinking? A short time ago she’d been afraid he was going to rape her. Where was her sense of self-preservation?
“I think your mother might be shocked to find me at her breakfast table in the morning.”
He pulled her closer, letting her feel how much he wanted her. “Then let’s go to your place.”
Blair trembled in his arms. She had a bad habit of taking in strays with lots of problems and Garrett Saunders was her biggest find yet. She instinctively understood he had the power to crush her.
“I think my grandfather might be as surprised as your mother.” She lightly kissed his cheek. “Besides, I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Too bad.”
“Sleep well, Garrett.”
She pulled away and he dropped his hands. Blair hurried down the steps and ran to her truck before she could change her mind.
Buy links for To Heal A Heart.
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.de: https://www.amazon.de/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.fr: https://www.amazon.fr/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-heal-a-heart-jana-richards/1136868654?ean=2940162717966
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-heal-a-heart/id1508639914
About the Author:
When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG
Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary Western Romance, Jana Richards, Masonville Series, To Heal A Heart by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
