Happy Halloween...Trio of Shorts.....

While I am not planning to spend the evening sitting in the great outdoors, freezing my tookus off waiting for the Great Pumpkin, I do profess to love Halloween. Call it what you will - Samhain, All Hallows Eve, a great excuse to dress up and gorge on chocolate....it just rocks. To celebrate this most fab holiday, we at Guilty Indulgence bring you a taste of some otherworldly romance, with a twist. Three short stories from Torque Press!

The Silver Sun of an Imaginary Day, J. Rocci, Torque Press, 2011

Lord John Blakeney has been living with the curse of the werewolf for almost a year and fears that he can no longer control the beast. Exhausting his search for a cure, he is determined to attempt one last antidote at the advice of a London alchemist. He needs transportation to a crag where the sun and the moon align in a lunar eclipse on All Hallow's Eve. When a pickpocket places a note in his pocket that leads him to a pub, he's approached by Donal Gambrill, air ship captain and a man he fell in love with years ago. Gambrill is convinced to fly him to the crag on the Totentanz, his dirigible, and during the journey, Blakeney and Gambrill find that their former attraction is still burning bright. But if the cure works, they may have more time than Blakeney can imagine.

This short most certainly falls into the Steampunk category - one that I am not strongly familiar with. The sensation of Victoriana exists and has a classic hauntingly romantic feel like an old Victoria Holt novel. But the focus on the mode of transport - dirigible, and the cure for his lycanthropy, makes this oddly romantic tale that "something other" and somehow I grew quickly to like it.

The chemistry between Donal and John is sexy - that kind of push me/pull you tug you feel with an old lover you never really got over. The mystery in reconnecting, answering those questions lovers generally don't get the chance to ask in hindsight, builds on that romantic element and the magic doesn't stop. What would you do to make things "right" for that second chance at true love?

Ghostly Indulgence, Berengaria Brown, Torque Press, 2011

Nurzhan and Spyridion are ghosts. The only night they can become corporeal is All Hallow’s Eve, when they should be busy haunting. Hopefully, there will be some time for fun, as well. They’re determined to get to know each other much better on this one special night. But how can they live a whole year without touching each other again?

I love rowdy ghosts. I really love rowdy ghosts who want to do more than scare people. If I had one day to be corporeal, I'd take serious advantage of it - and boy do these boys do just that! Not only do they get "busy", they make the house practically come down around their ears - and the prize they win because of it is so worth it! A totally quick, erotic read any fan of paranormal m/m will enjoy!

Lion Tamer, a Hammer story, by Sean Michael, Torque Press, 2011

Single Hammer Club Top Christopher is dressed up for the club's Halloween party as a lion tamer, complete with whip. He's an expert with the whip; he just needs to find someone special to use it on. Will newcomer and sexy kitty Travis be just what he's looking for?

Saving my favorite for last: like dessert, this was one sticky, sultry treat. Totally decadent, sexy as hell and just a wee over the top...all in 22 pages! Christopher is a Hammer Club regular, Travis is totally not. Brought by friends and dumped in a corner, he has that vulnerable self doubt sub thing that appeals to a proper Dom like Christoper. Their verbal exchanges are sexy, flirty and just reading about their dancing was enough to have me fan my face and grab something cold to drink. Their sexual chemistry is combustible and would be utterly tragic if the reader didn't feel there was a hope that after the last page, the next chapter was just around the corner for these two amazing characters.

Sean Michael has always impressed me with his ability to build a world, characters and story with little fan fare. His men are who they are, back stories are there but don't need to be fully divulged for the characters to feel real and the chemistry is always out of this world. Always a pleasure, this little "sip" is worth the taste!

All in all, not a bad night's read - really quick and easy, romantic and sexy - these men give new meaning to the mystery that is All Hallows Eve! I give them each four chocolate covered strawberries!

Get Jynxed

Jynxed by Melinda Barron is a short story brimming with passion but ultimately felt like a lead up to nothing. As I read the story and gathered details on the character’s past, I was waiting for the action to take off. And although good substance was provided, characters well- rounded, the revelations left me with more questions. My only hope is that this short story may only be the beginning of a beautiful series.

Jynx fell in love with Asar Moussa the first time she saw him while on fellowship at Cambridge. But after he stands her up one night, she thinks he’ll forever remain just a fantasy. Fast-forward three years and Jynx has moved on with her life though she’s never forgotten Asar and how he once made her pulse race. So when he contacts her, she finds herself ready to indulge herself and spend a single night with him despite how he ditched her last time. Amazed that her body still responds to even just the sound of his voice, Jynx knows she simply must give in to her fantasy. 

Asar has regretted standing Jynx up on that evening so many years ago – it has haunted him since. Now that he finally found her again, he doesn’t plan on letting her slip away this time. But finding her proves easier than explaining his reason for leaving the last time.

Don’t stand us up, Ms Barron, give us more because this simply whet my appetite for more. I enjoyed Jynx and Asar’s story - the writing was solid – but it simply was not enough.

RATING: 3 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Serpent's Kiss

This series has become one of my favorites. I am enthralled by Thea Harrison's Elder Races series, its world and its characters. Her version of the world in which all types of Wyr, Elves, Fae, Demons, Vampires and Witches exist is incredibly vivid and well-constructed. The Elder Races series is fabulous and the third installment, The Serpent’s Kiss, is no exception.

The Serpent’s Kiss focuses on Vampire Queen Carling. In the name of full disclosure, I will admit that after meeting Carling in Storm’s Heart, I was so not a fan. I worried if I would like her enough to even like the book. Well, worry not. Though she seemed rather cold and aloof during her trip to Adrial, there is much more to this character that becomes clear. I can even now say that I like her – I think we could be friends. Even though Carling is all-powerful, she's also caring, intelligent, and witty.

But she’s also sick – Carling’s power has become erratic. Abandoned by her followers, she relies on Wyr Sentinel Rune. Rune enters her life to repay a debt but is quickly drawn to Carling. He is determined to find a cure for her ailment the “serpent's kiss”, the vampyric disease that's killing her. Rune, a gryphon, is a delicious hero with his quirky humor, sexy power and strength, and his intellect. Watching how he brought out the best in Carling is sweet.

As they begin to open up and rely on one another, their desire for each other builds. The chemistry that builds – and the gradual mating – is hot, hot, hot. Rune and Carling find themselves walking through time only to realize they may have always been meant for each other. And now they need each other to have any hope of surviving.

While the story was a bit slow-moving in the beginning, as Rune and Carling embark on their search for a cure, the action picks up. And when Rune’s full abilities come to the surface, I actually gasped (and found him even more attractive). But I also found Harrison’s take on vampires utterly fascinating as we learn about the creation of vampires. The story is completely original with a well-developed storyline that picks up speed and takes you to the very end.

During their journey, they come upon several returning secondary characters and a few new ones. Harrison’s ability to make these characters unique and important to the story, without overtaking the main characters, is exactly on point. There’s a medusa medical examiner, an oracle and a djinn. And, of course, Dragos makes his appearance though I found the disagreement between him and Rune a bit awkward with nothing to really back up the rationale. And my personal opinion is that it would’ve been truer to character for Dragos to have given his immediate support to one of his sentinels.

I have been completely taken in by this intense world. Harrison has provided readers with totally original characters in a fantastical world. This book, heck – the whole series, is going on my favorites shelf. And I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next release.
RATING: 5 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Serpent's Kiss

Hello all, it's Friday!!! WOO HOO I have survived another week. LOL For those of you used to reading Kim on Friday's she took the day off so I am filling in for her...I am NOT trying to fill her shoes because that girl wears some really uncomfortable looking ones.
I have to throw a shout out to all my RAW friends and tell you all how much I am missing being there. I still remember the first one that Jenn and I drove to 5 years ago, seeing Lora Leigh, Christine Feehan, J.R. Ward and so many others all in one spot I thought I'd died and gone to heaven...you know the heaven with the really HOT books. I hope everyone attending has a fabulous time!
Ok so this week we have been talking about Thea Harrison's Elder Races series, and I have to say how proud I am to have been the one that brought this series to the book clubs attention. I read Dragon Bound when it first came out and fell in love with the world and the character's that Ms. Harrison has created. So I am happy that my fellow guilty indulgencers seem to like it as well. So Serpent's Kiss came out and I have to say I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this one or not. I really didn't like Carlings character in Storm's Heart and Rune is my favorite gryphon and I just didn't think she was right for him. Well thank God Ms.Harrison didn't ask for my opinion because I was wrong with a capital W.


Serpent's Kiss, Thea Harrison, Berkley
Recently, Vampire Queen Carling's power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee. Wyr sentinel Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help find a cure for the serpent's kiss-the vampyric disease that's killing her. With their desire for each other escalating they will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent's kiss...

In Storm's Heart Rune promises Carling a favor in exchange for her attempting to save Tiago's life. It was a bargain he was happy to make even if he didn't know what the Queen of the Vampyre's would ask of him. Rune feels a strong connection to Carling and he isn't sure why, but he is looking forward to exploring these feelings in greater detail.

Carling is dying. She has known this was going to happen for a while and has been searching, to no avail, to find a cure.She experiences time-dimension shifts when she fades away. When these happen they can last for hours or days, and during this time she’s completely unable to defend herself. She has exiled herself to an other-world island because of her fluctuating powers sending all of her people except of Rhoswen away from her.

As soon as Rune arrives at the island strange things begin to happen and they realize that he is being drawn into Carlings fades. This may just be the answer she has been looking for, or it may kill them both. And even if they can find a cure betrayal within could still cost them everything.

I liked this book much more than I thought I would. The more I learned about Carling the more I understood her actions and really began to like her.She was a strong woman who made a life for herself during a time when women were basically slaves. The Carling we know is powerful and self-assured but she wasn't always that way and seeing that made her much more appealing.

Rune could not have been a better hero, he is tough, protective, caring and loyal. The way that he treats Carling and the way that their relationship develops was fabulous to read.

The character's in the world that Ms. Harrison has created are not your common creatures. Sure we have vampires but the mythology that she has created for her vampyres is incredibly unique. We have gryphons and a medusa, a phoenix and a harpy and these are not commonly written about characters. It makes the possibilities and the direction that she can take this series wide open, which I hope translates to a lot of books.

There are a few things that bothered me about this book and I would be remiss not to mention them. I missed the other sentinels, I missed the interaction and the jokes. I also so did not get Drago's reaction to Rune and Carling's relationship. I am having a hard time understanding why no one seems to be happy when another character mates???

Those things aside it was another strong addition to this series that has quickly become one of my favorites and one that I am sure I will re-read many times. I give Serpent's Kiss 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and I am really looking forward to Oracle's Moon.

Storm's Heart

I loved Dragon Bound so much I wasn't sure about Storm's Heart – how could it get any better? But Thea Harrison hooked me with book 1 and I wasn’t disappointed. This book gave me everything I wanted - a hot Alpha hero, a smart and resourceful heroine... love, sex, humor, action, adventure, and strong secondary characters. Tricks is this little charismatic, girly girl faerie who loves pop culture, pink, chocolates oh and vodka and Cheetos for dinner. Tricks had a couple of annoying moments. But I loved her growth in this book. She grew into her character and was a changed person at the end of the story. As far as Tiago….YUM – I’ll have seconds please. He is this big hunky, solitary, protective, warrior Wyr AND he has a sense of humor. Actually can I have thirds? Don't you wish you could find a guy like him? You know, one who shoots thunder and lightning through your entire body with one little kiss. He scares her, no he’s sexy, no he’s scary, no he’s edible, no he is soooo sexy…... What more can I say? If you are looking for a sweet (yes deep down Tiago is really a marshmallow – for Tricks anyway) and romantic story then you will enjoy Storm’s Heart. This is a great book and definitely a must read.
I give it 4 chocolate dipped strawberries!

Stephanie

Storm's Heart....Humpday Hello!

Greetings and salutations Humpty humpers - raise your hand (or glass) if you too are so flippin thankful to be on the downhill slope of this week! Love fall folliage, love the weather...not the obstacle course of dead possum, deer, etc on the drive into work each day or returning to the home front sitch every evening! (We have hit the end of the first quarter of school - all school projects are due which has come as a total shock to both my kids so we've had late nights which means less reading....grrrrrrr!)

Anyhoodle, we had an amazing book club meeting this Sunday with not one but two new members! Big ole shout out to Christy and Steph who are awesome gals with most excellent taste in books, wine and friends - who could ask for more? Our monthly read was Thea Harrison's Dragon Bound which we have given you a taste of the past couple days....it was excellent! Some of us loved it so much we had to hurry off and get the next couple books in the series because we wanted more, more, more dragons! It was an extreme challenge this week for me, trying to decide between eye candy that supported our Breast Cancer Awareness month cause and a little something that cried out dragon-y goodness....you decide, enjoy a delish visual donut!!!!

Storm's Heart, Thea Harrison, Berkeley Publishing Group, August 2011

He’s a wyr warrior, a god of storms. She’s the heir to the Dark Fae throne. But desire will bring both to their knees in this all-new Novel of the Elder Races.

During the rule of her murderous Dark Fae uncle, Thistle “Tricks” Periwinkle found sanctuary among the wyr in New York. Her ethereal beauty and sparkling personality won the hearts of the public, but after her uncle’s death, there are those who don’t want to see her ascend to the throne…

Able to wield thunder and lightning, wyr sentinel Tiago Black Eagle has ruled the skies for centuries. His massive build and thunderous power make him one of the wyr’s best weapons. And he’s sent to protect Tricks when she’s almost assassinated in Chicago.

Soon, both Tiago and Tricks will fall prey to the stormy hunger that engulfs them—a passion that will shake the very foundation of all the worlds…

Having completely blown through Dragon Bound, I was totally psyched to see more of Thea Harrison's wacky paranormal world. Balancing just the right elements of urban fantasy with paranormal romance, Harrison has created yet another gem of a story in her followup Elder Races novel, Storm's Heart. Another fast paced, quick fire witty read, Storm's Heart unfolds the many mysteries of Tricks, aka Niniane, heir to the Dark Fae throne and the Thunderbird who grows obsessed with her safety and her love.

One of the best parts of finding a new series is getting wrapped up in the characters of the new world. Fortunately for this series, the world building was minimal, stated both matter of fact and evolving subtlety so the reader didn't have to struggle to recall all the peculiarities that often detract from new UF or PR series. The secondary characters make the story in many places for me - delivering humor and respite from the tensions that exist between the central characters. The sexual chemistry between Niniane and Tiago was truly like a massive storm - big and bold and charged with sexy electricity and roaring thunder! The mystery elements of the book, trying to uncover the traitor who wants to keep the spunky fairie off the throne kept the storyline more in pace with an urban fantasy type tale.

My biggest beef with the story seemed to lie in the overall lack of acceptance of Niniane's and Tiago's relationship with their friends. In Book One, no one challenged or doubted Pia and Dragos. In fact, they alone seem to be the only ones who accept this odd pairing. Questions raised about the Sentinel's losing strength in numbers or offspring resulting from their odd interspecies mating are never really addressed and that left this reader feeling like perhaps, down the road, there might be answers. The romantic optimist in me hopes that writers will reward readers who continue to follow their series by dropping pearls of post HEA news in later novels....stay tuned dear readers for more (it works every time!) The best part lies in the fact that there are more secondary characters introduced in each book so, just when you think you know the next pairing, you get surprised with Harrison's twists and turns. Gotta love it!

I give Storm's Heart at big ole five chocolate dipped strawberries and beg your leave will I head to bed to read book three in the series, Serpent's Kiss! Ciao!!!

Dragon Bound

Dragon Bound takes place in our present day with the exception that people know about magic and live openly around Faires, Wyr, and the Fae. Ms. Harrison takes this concept and weaves it into a very intelligent and fun alternative to our current take on reality.

To set the stage the book starts with a quote, “Doing business with a dragon. Now that’s a cut throat experience.” ~ Attributed to Donald Trump.

So what if Donald Trump was a dragon that had been born with the solar system? Imagine a larger then life global tycoon who doesn’t know the meaning of human ideals, such as love or to say “please”. He only knows the power of the empire that he has built over the millennia. He knows right and wrong, black and white. And he has seen it all, done it all and is terribly bored with it all. He has never found any task or item to be out of his reach. Thankfully this hero doesn’t look like Donald Trump but instead is wrapped up in a yummy body worthy of a warrior and is named Dragos.

Fate forces the heroine, Pia, to steal from Dragos inciting a fun chase after he realizes her theft. He feels that the world is his to control and determined to right her wrong he sets out to track her down. However, the chase excites him and he is quickly no longer bored. Once the two meet the attraction is combustible, of course since he is a fire-controlling dragon! He is intrigued with her and finds himself drawn to her on a primal, elemental level. Pia is cunning and witty, without being over done. Her easy going and fun nature gradually cracks the shell that Dragos has built around himself. Pia longs for a companion and finds herself equally drawn to him. The book quickly expands to reveal more plot lines, characters and twists and turns. The story line is fast paced without feeling too complicated or rushed. Their constant obstacles quickly turn into an exciting adventure for them both causing them to work together and trust each other. Pia’s ability to see through Dragos’ caveman prehistoric personality allows them to grow as a couple and learn to laugh at all that life throws their way. In turn, Dragos learns to be a charming mate and down right cute.

I found both characters laugh out loud funny. I found it inspiring that even a dragon could learn to say please and be a hopeless romantic. This was a great book. This is one to read multiple times and add to your collection – not just to borrow for a day. I couldn’t put it down and I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series. I am hopeful that she will write many more soon. The secondary characters are really well written and I’m look forward to getting to know them all better. I put this one at 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!

Christy

Dragon Bound

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

If you could steal anything from a Dragon’s hoard, what would it be?

In Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison, the heroine Pia Giovanni, faces that question and I do not want to give it away because it was wonderful as a reader to have it revealed as Ms. Harrison does, and I would not want to spoil that for anyone. It was probably the best little fun fact or plot element of any book I have read in a long time. At book club we had a discussion about how Ms. Harrison might have come up with that element of the story, and I would love to hear that from her. Please comment!! Serious snaps for coming up with it; it still makes me smile just thinking about it.

If you really pissed off a Dragon by stealing from him, what would you do next?

Run? Talk Smack? Sex Him up? Again, I am not sure that what Pia did was what any of us would do, but it is so fresh and humorous and well written, that it is all very believable and makes for a great journey with these characters. We get very involved with Pia and Dragos, the super hot Dragon shifter, who is not too happy about the fact that anyone found his hoard, much less stole from it. However, he finds Pia so refreshing and such a challenge to the boredom he has faced for thousands of years, that he clearly doesn’t want the adventure to end either. They are a great coupling and one of my favorite supernatural couples.

This book was hard to put down. It had such great dialogue, good romance, and interesting secondary characters that I could not wait to finish it and can’t wait to read the next book. I tend to be a pretty hard grader in the book club, but I definitely give this one 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!!!

Elven Finding Spell $500
Magical Ability to Get Thru Locks $0- inherited from Mom

What Pia steals from Dragos and the
plot that unfolds - Priceless


Cat Devon

WELCOME Stacy Eaton!

 

Today, the Ndulgent Bloggrs are hosting author Stacy Eaton who is here to share her My Blood Runs Blue series with our readers. Be sure to make a COMMENT to be entered in the drawing to WIN a copy of one of her books from this series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Currently I work full time as a Police Officer for a small township is Southeastern Pennsylvania. While my current position is that of a patrol officer, I spend a lot of my time doing investigations and crime scene processing.  Forensics is something I love and I take my job seriously.

I am also a wife to a Police Officer and with our constant schedules life can get very hectic in our home. I have been blessed with two children, a son who is currently in the United States Navy and I am very proud of him for what he is doing and for putting serving his Country. My daughter is a priceless princess who loves to help me market my books to teachers and other parents while she is at school and church.

When I am not working the job that currently pays all the bills I work on my business. Yes, I have my own business too.

I have two Shiloh Shepherd dogs, Garda and Callie. They are a bit different than the standard German Shepherds most people are use to. They are larger and less aggressive and they have more fur!  Man do they have fur!!!  Garda has a face that resembles a wolf, which makes me love him even more. (You can see by my photo that I wear a wolf pendant). Garda actually means "The Guardian" in Irish. It is also the name of the Irish Police.  Rather fitting for our family of officers don't you think?

In my spare time...I write.

CONTACT LINKS

Website: http://stacyseatoncom.fatcow.com/

Visit my Blog: http://stacyeatonauthor.blogspot.com/

BLURB:

“I’m still a cop, and my blood runs blue.”

Officer Kristin Greene has always felt that something was missing from her life. Although her job with the Fawn Hollow Township Police Department keeps her busy, she still feels like there is something else out there for her. She soon finds herself investigating a homicide where a young woman has had her throat ripped out. As she begins to dig for the answers, she finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t know ever existed. When the two strong and silent men walk into her life, she finds herself being pulled into a love triangle that has been going on longer than she has been alive. Who are they and why do they keep calling her Calista? Join Kristin as she fights to learn the truth about the recent murder, the two seductive men who have entered into her life and the real truth about herself.

My Blood Runs Blue is book one of the series. Blue Blood for Life... is the second book and was released on September 30, 2011.

My Blood Runs Blue is an adult Action/Romance Series and is intended for mature audiences.

The making of the Video Trailer

Authors have recently found that sometimes having a video trailer for their book can be a good thing.  It allows people a glimpse of what you have in your mind in an animated way which is sometimes easier to grab a person’s attention then with words alone.

Several people have asked me how I made the video and where the photos and music came from. I used a program that almost every PC/laptop has; Microsoft Movie Maker. It was pretty easy to do, but don’t get me wrong – it was labor intensive and I spend the better part of two days making sure it was how I wanted it. .

The photos that are in the video have all been purchased from Dreamstime.  I spent hours searching through photos to find pictures that were as close to my mind's eye as they could be to portray my characters. Items that are in the book, such as the midnight blue Mustang and the VMF house play a huge role in the book and I made sure to include them. I think people like to have an image of the scenery and an idea of what the characters look like.  For some people it helps them to understand the book better.

For the music, I wanted something that was intriguing and suspenseful and I found it on MyStockMusic.net.  They have a great selection of Royalty Free music, and even allow you to download the clips to try them out in your work.  The music is entitled "Alone in the Dark" and was composed by Dominik Hauser. I believe that the piece fit perfectly with the words and photos that I had selected to include in the trailer.

This trailer will introduce you to the three main characters along with a few supporting ones. It will give you just a quick peek into the trials and tribulations that Officer Kristin Greene will be dealing with.  The choices she makes in this novel have a huge impact and you might found yourself torn over her decisions.

While doing a video is labor intensive, they are really fun to watch.  Being of a creative mind, sitting down and playing with the photographs and writing brief lines to give meaning to the pictures was fun.  I hope you take the 2.27 minutes to sit back and visit Fawn Hollow Township.  

Excerpt

Chapter 4 - Julian's Memory

We turned to look at one another meaning to only say a polite goodbye.  We were eye to eye, almost exactly the same height, so close I could smell her without trying.  The current was soaring through me and she parted her lips, staring into my eyes.

“Jewels,” she said so quietly I could barely hear her over the noise of the bar.  She looked at my lips and I wanted to move closer to her and touch mine to hers.  She looked back up into my eyes then and said, “The two stones that are within my soul, sapphires for the dark of the sky and aquamarines for my dreams of the beautiful blue oceans in the heat of the summer.”

I started into her eyes; they were a liquid blue, bright and warm.  I couldn’t keep myself from saying, “Calista… you don’t know how much I want to take you in my arms right now and run away with you.” 

Her eyes widened then, and a smile crept along her face. “Then let’s run,” she said…

UNFORGIVEN Blog Barrage

It's a BLOG BARRAGE featuring Unforgiven by Sarah Ballance as part of her Packin Heat series. For a complete schedule of her blog appearance, go to http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com.

Riley Beckett's past just came back to haunt her . . . and this time, he's got a gun.

When Gage Lawton finds his brother shot dead on his back porch, every shred of evidence points to one person: Gage's former lover, Riley. He and she didn't part ways on good terms, and he's not planning to rekindle anything now--not when he's got a revolver pointed at her head and a finger on the trigger.

A year after Riley swore she and Gage were over, he returns in a hail of gunfire. One look into those achingly familiar blue eyes and she knows how wrong she was to let him go, but now far more than their heated past stands in the way. A twist of fate puts them in the crosshairs of a killer, leaving Riley with two slim options:  trust her greatest betrayer or face a murderer on her own.

Enjoy an EXCERPT:

Something was wrong. Was the dark playing tricks on her? Riley Beckett froze, arm outstretched, hand poised to toss her keys on the table just inside her front door. But she didn't let go. Instead of dropping them in their usual spot, instinct whispered for her to feather pieces of the makeshift weapon between her knuckles. Heart pounding, she pressed the keys in a silent, white-knuckle grip and prayed her concerns were her imagination, that the paranoia of coming home alone to a dark house was getting the better of her.

One, two steps in. Wood planks echoed underfoot. She fought to breathe in air that grew thinner with every tense second.

Three steps.

Then it hit her. The scent. His scent. And with it a flush of memories. The burn of hot grass on her bare skin. Rough hands, a tender touch. Love so sweet she ached for it, her dreams raging, and her body drenched with need.

Their first time.

Her last.

"Gage?" Her voice broke on the single syllable. Riley's grip on the keys tightened, her blood raging hot and cold all at once.

A creak sounded from the corner chair. Her eyes refused to adjust in the darkness, but not even the faint light kept the blond streaks in his russet hair from giving him away. Like rays of sunshine, she used to tease, and her words never failed to draw a scowl across his rugged face.

"Riley."

God help her, her name on his lips sounded as it always had. Coarse. Dangerous. Forbidden. Even before . . . The memory surged, hot and vivid, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. White heat assaulted her from every corner of the room.

The keys fell to the floor with a clink.

"An eye for an eye, is it?" His voice sounded unpracticed, as if he hadn't spoken in a long while.

She couldn't see his face, but she knew his expression. Flat and humorless. Broken. She remembered the day he stopped smiling. Every part of her wanted to flee, but she stood frozen to the spot.

"What do you mean?" Riley wondered if the words, whispered and weak, had the strength to make it across the room. Hadn't she always known she'd shatter the next time she saw him? Hadn't she dreamed of it anyway?

"You have to ask?" Gage laughed, cold and hollow. "Billy's dead. Hell of a thing to come home to, Riley. My brother blown to bits on my back porch."

"Oh, God." Riley swayed, bile rising in her throat. The room filled with a distant buzzing. She took one unsteady step to the side and stumbled.

When she found his gaze, it was over the business end of a revolver.

He leveled the gun in her direction. Everything else in her world trembled, but his aim held rock steady. Unyielding.

His eyes burned blue and bright. "What I want to know, sweetheart, is why you did it."

He worked his finger over the trigger, and a veil of blackness threatened her last discerning thought.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah and her husband of over fourteen years live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they're asleep.  She often jokes that she writes to be around people who will listen to her, but her characters aren't much better than her kids.  Fortunately, her husband is quite supportive, having generously offered to help her research "the good parts."  She's never had to ask twice.

Website - http://www.sarahballance.com/

Blog - http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003WKYEJI

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/SarahBallance

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Found out Friday

Happy Friday greetings! I just came from my daughter's middle school. They asked me to come in and speak to the 8th graders about how reading and writing are important to my job. They were a great group of kids. Should I have plugged our blog??? Probably not! I'm a firm believer that if your kids see you read they are more likely to pick up the habit. In my case with my kids it's completely true. My youngest is 6 and oldest 11. She and I have kinda our own little book club. We read the same book and talk about it and compare it to the movie if there is one. She too is a mythology geek. We're working thru the Percy Jackson series now and we're loving it. Here's what I read this week.....

Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers

A BAD DAY FOR A DEMON...

Rafe Deleon is a senior demon and he resents like hell his assignment to Earth to retreive the Chest of the Damned before it ends up in the wrong hands. But then he meets beautiful, intriguing succubus, Lucy Gregory, and she’s just unleashed a whole load of trouble...

REALLY SUCKS FOR A SUCCUBUS...

Lucy’s chic suburban salon has suddenly become the Underworld’s center of mass chaos and destruction. The only good in a day going rapidly down the tubes is the arrival of a gorgeous demon who’s adamant he can help her...

But Lucy has quite a few deeply unpleasant--not to mention deadly and hateful--surprises ahead of her. Surely there’s never been a worse time to tryout a new boyfriend...

Where to start... I had a hard time getting into this book. Not that it was bad it was just one of those books that I just wasn't feeling it. I can't put my finger on why??? I named today's blog Found Out Friday because Lucy finds out the hard way that her dad is still alive and has a big secret. I have to admit it was pretty darn funny LOL. I think one thing that bothered me is that the story was drug out. I didn't feel it progressed well. I think another word I'm looking for is disjointed. I will definitely read more from Sidney Ayers she's great:)

I give this book 2 chocolate dipped strawberries and a day at Lucy's salon. I would totally get my hair done there.

PEACE!

Burning For You: Hot & Cold

Burning for You by author Berengaria Brown was hot enough to cause its own fire, forget the planned fire drill that brings this threesome together. During an evacuation drill from their office building, Blair, Alex and Kurt find themselves flirting unabashedly. A simple invite to soak in Kurt’s hot tub leads to some steamy moments between all three characters. I’m not sure there wasn’t any configuration they ignored.

With only 41 pages, it was difficult for the author to pull off a strong development of feelings between the characters. Readers are told that they come to form a lasting bond but I never felt the connection. The sex scenes seemed simply that – just sex. When reading romance (even erotica), I crave the connection. Never coming to know the characters deeper than Blair’s love for shoes and the men’s love for Blair’s body left me cold.

Now, to be fair, I knew I was reading one of Torquere Press’s Single Shots and am aware short stories often leave me unfulfilled. You might like this as a simple sexy read – just don’t expect great depth.

RATING: 3 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Does Your Mother Know???

Happiest of hump days to y'all. This fall is speeding full steam ahead - leaves are turning lovely shades of gold and crimson and the nights are chilly enough for jackets and blankets! Add the smell of woodsmoke (which I've yet to sniff) and I will be the happiest gal... To me, fall is like a huge party before the quiet of winter - the best holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving are in the fall; the warm colors of autumn in the maples and mums just take my breath away some mornings as I drive into work. There's football all weekend and a reason to bust out the crock pot - it just doesn't get any better! Did you know that the ancient Greeks believed fall and winter were caused by Demeter's angst at losing her daughter to Hades for half the year? To give thanks to P&H, allow me to tease you with yummy eye candy dear hearts....Mmmmmm!

Does Your Mother Know?, Brownwyn Green, Resplendence Publishing, 2011

Lured from the overprotective, controlling grasp of her mother, Persephone journeys to the Underworld to meet Hades—the sinister man who’s invaded her dreams. Dark and dangerous, he brings to life desires she didn’t know existed. But in satisfying the cravings of her flesh will she lose her soul?

If mythology provides writers with the perfect platform to build a story, then Brownwyn Green proves to be an impressive sculptor. Taking the well known tale of Hades and Persephone, she fashions a sexy, spicy, erotic tale which is definitely not the one most of us read in grade school. Craving something dark and mysterious, the innocent daughter of Demeter slips away to the only place her overbearing mother cannot follow. There she experiences overwhelming passion with the darkly sensual Lord of the Underworld. Desiring to make her his queen, he begs her to take his offering. Can she accept his promises of forever or will she allow her fears of subjugation to halt her chance at true happiness?

The talents of this author lie in her ability to create a unique form out of a classic frame. Her characters are multi-dimensional and the emotions and sexual tension both palpable and believable. Even more, the story is truly erotic, weaving all the senses into the seduction of both Persephone and the reader. It is difficult to believe that the entire tale takes place in less than twenty pages!

I give this amazing short five chocolate dipped strawberries (or chocolate covered pomegranate seeds) and encourage you to indulge as well!!!

Artistic Appeal

Artistic Appeal, Andrew Grey, Dreamspinner Press
Brian Watson knows close friends Gerald Young and Dieter Krumpf have an ulterior motive when they invite him to their Christmas party. Brian has taken over the case to secure the return of the famous painting called The Woman in Blue to Dieter, but they don’t want Brian to be all work and no play. They intend to set him up with a friend, but he’s not who catches Brian's eye. Instead, it's Nicolai, the deaf art restorer caring for the works already returned to Dieter.
But pursuing Nicolai won't be easy. A year ago Nicolai had to fight to regain his independence after a bad break-up, and he's reluctant to give up his freedom a second time. Plus, Brian has competition in Justin, Nicolai's ex, who wants him back badly.
Nicolai's reluctance isn't the only roadblock. Brian was married to a woman for almost ten years. Now he has to confess to his mother, his ex-wife, and his young daughter that he loves a man—all while conducting a potentially groundbreaking court case and trying to convince Nicolai that love isn't about co-dependence, it's about support.


This story picks up just a few months after Legal Artistry ends and continues to tell the story of the return of The Woman in Blue and the men whose lives she brings together.

Brian has taken over as lead attorney from Gerald, but that's not the only big change in his life. After admitting to his friend about the end of his marriage and the fact that he is gay, Brian is trying to rebuild his life and care for his young daughter. Having Dieter and Gerald as friends has helped make the transition easier. While attending a Christmas party at their house he meets a man that he can't seem to get off his mind.

Nicolai has become close friends with Dieter while repairing some of the paintings that have been returned to him. He needed the work but more importantly he needed the friendship. After the end of a long term relationship that left him floundering because of how much he depended on the man he needs the interaction with other people to gain his life back. Being deaf doesn't make things any easier.

I appreciate an author that takes the time to develop a relationship between his characters, it makes for a much more realistic read. The feelings between Brian and Nicolai were authentic and made me believe in them as a couple. Things aren't easy and they both have outside influences that make them being together something they both have to work at.

I understood Nicolai's hesitation over becoming involved to deeply with someone again. To depend on someone and have them just leave you is devastating to anyone. But add in his deafness and having it effect his ability to communicate with possible clients, which threatened his livelihood had to be so much more.

Brian's reluctance stemmed from a very real fear of his family's reaction and his ex-wife's. Not to mention starting any kind of new relationship with a child that has just gone through the trauma of a divorce living with you. Introducing Nicolai to his daughter was an honest concern. I loved that Brian and his daughter took sign language classes.

The addition of the trial and the emotion that is created from that kept the story line flowing. The only real criticism I have is that Brian's daughter acts so much younger than her stated age that I wanted to "read" her younger. But what it comes down to is can two very different people with so many outside distractions build a relationship in spite of those obstacles.

This is another great addition to the Andrew Grey book list and I for one can't wait to see what he has for us next. I give Artistic Appeal 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Hidden Depths

Emma Holly is the Queen of erotic romance! She blends hot sex and emotional feelings better than just about anyone. The story she pens in Hidden Depths was the perfect blend of both.

Hidden Depths, Emma Holly, Self Published
James and Olivia Forster have been happily married for many years. A harmless kink here or there spices up their love life, but they can't imagine the kinks they'll encounter while sneaking off to their beach house for a long hot weekend.
Anso Vitul has ruled the wereseals for one short month. He hardly needs his authority questioned because he's going crazy from mating heat. Anso's best friend and male lover Ty offers to help him find the human mate his genes are seeking. To Ty's amazement, Anso's quest leads him claim not one partner but a pair. Ty would object, except he too finds the Forsters hopelessly attractive.


Shortly after the death of his father, the king of the wereseals, Anso feels the undeniable call to find his mate. Taking his lover Ty and two other guards he sets out to find her. What he finds is his true blood mate lying on a beach asleep in the arms of another man, but it’s not just any man it’s her husband. Ordering both be taken back to Oceana he claims he will find a solution there.

Olivia and her husband, James, of twenty years have a good marriage and a healthy sex life. Lately though Olivia wonders if her husband is craving something more in their relationship. The two are deeply in love and can talk to each other about anything, but when she questions him he evades the topic. When she wakes from a nap on the beach after a bout of sex with James she finds herself in the arms of a stranger and her husband being dragged behind her by three other men. She is scared but there is something about the man that feels right.

Claiming his throne and his true blood mate, dealing with royal politics, an angry husband and a disgruntled lover might be too much for most men. But then they wouldn’t be King Anso Vitul.

I have to admit I was a little skeptical at the beginning of this book. Olivia and James have such a deep devotion to each other I wasn’t sure I would like bringing anyone else into their relationship. But when you have fate and an otherworldly connection on your side it makes things a little easier. There are a lot of unfulfilled needs for each person in the beginning of this story be it sexually or emotionally, that once brought to light made going forward easier. I felt there was a good balance of plot line, sex and emotions to keep the story moving.

The sex scenes are scorching hot with a capital “H”, so when you start this book make sure you are not sitting in the doctor’s office waiting room or someplace like that. You may want to save this for a quiet evening at home with a nice glass of wine to drink and tall glass of ice water to pour over you when you start to heat up. The story is captivating and one that you will not want to put down once you have started it. So if you like your romances with hot men and even hotter sex with just a bit of kink thrown in,then Hidden Depths is one you won't want to miss.
I give Hidden Depths 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Lover's Cross

Lover's Cross, J.M. Snyder, JMS Books LLC
After a bad car accident, Jory's lover Peter assures him he's doing fine. But when Jory attends a get-well party at the house of a coworker, he's surprised when no one asks him how Peter is doing. More disconcerting, Peter's gold cross necklace is missing, and Jory suffers from headaches whenever his best friend Bruce brings up the accident.
Where is the cross? And why does Bruce keep asking Jory to remember what happened to his lover?


I had to take a few days after reading this book to really assimilate all my feelings. I don’t know the last time that so few pages have affected me so strongly. Lover’s Cross is beautifully written and feels so very real. I literally had to stop to let my eyes clear every few pages because of the emotions that Ms. Snyder brought out. I was right there with Jory emotionally and felt his loss. I am always surprised when an author can grab me so quickly and in just a few pages have me completely invested in their characters. Ms. Snyder has a strong talent for doing just that. You can truly feel the love that these two men shared and the heartache as one has to go on without the other. It wasn’t an easy read but it was well worth the tears. I give Lover’s Cross 5 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Fight Like A Girl!

Entangled- A Paranormal Anthology

Ghostly Justice- a Seven Deadly Sins Novella by Allison Brennan

So, we were very excited to read and review the Entangled Anthology. A great concept and a great opportunity to get to know new authors and characters without overburdening all of our TBR piles. Because I had fallen in love with Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy Series and read her first two books in that series, I went first to Halloween Frost. Loved it and will blog about it separately. Then I needed to pick another novella to review. For some reason Allison Brennan’s title, Ghostly Justice, peaked my interest, and I was not disappointed. In fact, it did exactly what it was supposed to do, it told a great story in a short number of pages and made me interested in finding out more about the characters by reading Brennan’s other works.

In Ghostly Justice we first meet Detective Grant Nelson who had a traumatic encounter a month before when a coven of witches used the Demon Lust to commit murder and mayhem. Unfortunately, during this encounter, his girlfriend sacrificed herself to save him. He has struggled every day to survive in the world without her and has done so, in part, to fulfill her dying wish, that he find out what happened to a 16 year old murder victim. The circumstances of the teenage victim’s death lead Detective Nelson to think there was a supernatural link, so he calls two Demon Hunters, Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper, whom he met at the last encounter. The Demon Hunters are charged with tracking down the Seven Deadly Sins, incarnate demons that have been recently released by Hell, and they want to determine whether one of those Demons had a role in this murder. There is suspense, drama and romance in this novella. If left me wanting to know more details about what exactly happened in the big blow up a month before and what will happen to Detective Nelson in the future. I also was very drawn to Moira and Rafe’s relationship. They clearly love one another, but chasing Demons is no easy task and they each have their own supernatural baggage which complicates their relationship. My favorite line in the novella, however, was very simple and comes when they are trying to figure out who played a roll in the teenager’s death. Moira can’t help but mutter in a nonplussed way, “Fucking vampires.” It reminded me of dialogue from the HBO Series True Blood. As we all know, the dead can be a real pain in the ass … All in all I give Ghostly Justice, 4 chocolate dipped strawberries!

Cat Devon

Free Friday

It's Pinktober as you can see by the blog theme this week. As much as everyone knows I hate fall and the pending cold weather I am all about breast cancer awareness. I preach it year round not just in October. I probably shared this last October but my mom and grandmother are survivors. So this hits very close to home for me. I call this blog Free Friday because this is one medical test that is free. It takes just a minute once a month to check the girls out. There is nothing more important that you can do for yourself and come on ladies it's FREE. How many other medical tests can claim that? So rock your pink this month but make it a year round event. Special thanks to my daughter's soccer team and my son's football team for rocking pink socks this month at all their games. You guys make me so proud:) And to my mom and grandma for making "fight like a girl" look easy. Love you!

Halloween Frost by Jennifer Estep
It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

I just finished reading the full length book in this series and LOVED it! This was an awesome little addition and perfect for the season. I love this series so much that I will be giving the book one to my niece for Christmas. I have to admit I'm a huge sucker for anything related to mythology and the whole gods and goddesses thing and the fact it takes place on my favorite holiday is an added bonus. I'm also a huge Logan fan. He shows up at all the right times. I totally have to find this town and trick or treat there because they get some serious swag from the shops they trick or treat at!

I give this short story 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and some of that yummy stuff out of Gwen's pumpkin!

PEACE

This blog is bought to you today by Barbie & Buffy. It's a FREE test ladies! Take care of us!

Sinfully Sweet

I’m not a fan of anthologies, mostly because short stories often leave me unsatisfied. It’s kind-of like having just one m&m. I don’t know about you, but I want at least a handful. But since Entangled was a book club selection, I hunkered down and read on a nice rainy day. I’ll admit to skimming some but then found a delicious nibble that left me daydreaming of cupcakes and not because I’m addicted to sugar.

SINFULLY SWEET is written by Michelle Miles who writes the Coffee House series. The short story gave me enough character introduction and world-building to make me want more. She’s now on my authors to watch list and you better believe I’ll read this series when it comes out.  The premise of this short story is simple. Chloe leaves her coven after her sister is murdered. She hides successfully in the human realm, opens a cute little bakery and enjoys life. As a witch, Chloe sometimes bakes a little magic into her pastries. When she meets Edward, the sexy half-demon/ half-witch, she puts a lust spell in the red velvet cupcakes which kicks up their attraction and lends itself to a deliciously hot moment. Only Edward has come to warn her that those who murdered her sister are now after her; and before they can formulate an escape, evil finds them. Edward’s magic saves the day. But this has to be just the beginning of a magnificent love story between Chloe and Edward.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Support My Rack!

Are you getting the point yet our lovely followers? Repetitive, annoying, lovingly presented - WE CARE! Support Breast Cancer Research, get your mammograms, check your boobies every month - and fellas, please remember 2% of breast cancer cases are male! 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetimes - imagine you and your seven best friends - who would you give up? No one!!! FIGHT to save your wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, best friends, coworkers and even yourselves.

As for moi - it was a great whirlwind weekend for me! Drove to Georgia to see my uncle's wedding, saw tons of family and stayed with the greatest friends. I am truly lucky that my best friends kids and my kids always seem to get along - of course, they could be brawling in the backyard and we'd never notice it if it's one of THOSE weekends (great books conversations, wee bit o' wine, etc.) But seriously - it was lovely seeing the fall foliage on the drive both north and south and the weather held. Today's rain just felt cathartic (sorry Kim, I know it makes you crazy) and I love autumn for just that reason. It's that universal message to slow down, wind down from the frenzy of summer, put on a sweater and grab a juicy new read and that bag of Halloween candy you've been hiding on top of the fridge! Oh, and don't forget to enjoy a little eye candy while you're at it - who doesn't love a hot man in pink?!?!?!


ENTANGLED, an Anthology, on sale today! October 12, 2011 in stores and online!!!


THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls)

In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

I absolutely adore reading new authors in anthologies. Don't get me wrong, usually I buy the book for shorts from one or two recognizable names but this anthology was like a Who's Who of great paranormal authors. And Edie Ramer is now on my IT GIRL list! Snarky, sexy humor and well crafted storyline that grabbed me like the fat cat from the Humane Society and plopped into my heart! Irony of ironies - I am not a cat person.

The Fat Cat weaves the spell binding story of Tory, a witch on a mission to find a cat familiar, well actually a replacement for her ex boyfriend. Surprised beyond belief, she finds a fat black cat who apparently has the ability to project his thoughts into her mind. Not the kitten she'd hoped for, she settles on Samson and takes him home. Full of love and bad gas, Samson appreciates his new domain and Tory even attempts a spell to make her old, smelly cat something young and virile. He proves to be excellent backup when she heads off to save her oldest friend from a nasty soul-sucking warlock.

Ms. Ramer has that rare ability to write in a fashion that is both sexy and funny, without detracting from either. (I actually laughed so hard at one point, I had to wipe my eyes!) Feeling like a much longer piece, this short story packs a lot into it's tale - action, adventure, romance! I don't know how she did it but she made me believe in magic and cats - who knew?

I give this big Fat Cat a big, fat five chocolate covered strawberries and a dish of tuna (for Samson, in whatever form he chooses!)

Save The Ta-Ta's

Continuing with our Entangled Reviews:

Medium Rare by Nancy Haddock
What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

What a delightful light read about ghost – not grilled meat preferences. This particular short story begins with a bit of tension when local ghosts begin to act up a bit because they are actually being threatened by one particular bully. The storyline pulls the reader in rather quickly based on the underlying question: how can you threaten a being that cannot actually die? Nancy does a nice job of quickly building the main character Colleen to one the reader enjoys identifying with; and of course there is a bit of romantic tension thrown in with Brick. From there you are left wishing the story was a bit longer. Medium Rare has enough to develop and grow in to a full 300+ page book; so please write more Nancy.

Liz

Feel Your BOOBIES!!!

Hello everyone, it's October so that means it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This disease has touched some of us here at the GI blog personally so we understand the importance of self exams and mammograms. So protect Barbie and Buffy and feel you boobies!!!

The anthology that we are spotlighting this week is special because all of the proceeds from the sale of this book go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Some of the authors included are survivors. So we are each going to review a short story from the book and we encourage everyone to buy a copy, if not for yourself for someone important in your life.

http://www.amazon.com/Entangled-a-Paranormal-Anthology-ebook/dp/B005LXWPI6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318251459&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/entangled-a-paranormal-anthology-edie-ramer/1105484403?ean=2940013022317&itm=1&usri=entangled%2ba%2bparanormal%2banthology


Entangled, Various Authors, Authors4theCure
Sweet Demon, Misty Evans

As if confronting the king of the vampires for the Central United States wasn't stressful enough, Kali Sweet also has to deal with running into her ex who left her at the alter 300 years ago. Not that she's not over the guy but there are some things you just never forget. Kali just wants to deliver the ultimatum set down by the Bridge Council and get out, but things don't always go as planned.


Ok I fell in love with Kali in the first two pages of the story. She is a kick ass vengeance demon with some FABULOUS boots. Nudra, the vampire king is the kind of villain that you love to hate. He is a megalomaniac that just needs to be taken down. I was very excited to learn that this is a prequel to a new paranormal series from Ms. Evans and I will defiantly be purchasing the next book. I want to know what happens from here as well as the whole Rad leaving Kali at the alter story. What a fabulous story to whet you appetite for the next sweet installment. I give Sweet Demon 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a cup of coffee for Kali.


http://www.bcrfcure.org/

Authors 4 The Cure

Authors 4 The Cure to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Eleven authors have banded together to support breast cancer research with their writing. Authors4theCure, which includes award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, as well as two breast cancer survivors, is donating proceeds from the sale of their paranormal anthology, Entangled, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

ENTANGLED will release September 12, 2011, and will be available as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other online retailers.

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! ENTANGLED includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, and Edie Ramer, plus a novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project.

All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stories include:


HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It’s Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.

SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.

SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ’special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

We give this anthology and it's cause five chocolate covered strawberries, raise a glass of champagne and a yell "GO TO HELL, BREAST CANCER!"