Who Would You Choose?

By Mina Carter

I’m a fairly active pinner. Actually, yeah, I love Pinterest. I’m a very visual person (I’m also a cover designer and photographer) so the hoard of pictures appeals to me in many ways. I use it for my own book covers, cover’s I’ve made, cover I wish I’d made, photos I’ve taken…and of course, pictures of hot men. What, every girl’s gotta have a bit of inspiration, right?

So, that got me to thinking I should share the inspiration for my Lyric Hound heroes with you all. Now, because of that pesky little thing called copyright, I can’t post images so let me paint you a picture with words here…

Aaron Rixx from Melody’s Wolf is the big guy, the head honcho of the Lyric Hounds. When the buck stops, it stops with him. He’s a man with the weight of the world, and the success of the band, on his shoulders. Long haired, lean and sexy as hell, he’s got everything going for him, as well as a kick-ass voice. Now, normally I’m not particularly a Tom Cruise fan, but have you heard the guy sing? Hell, if you haven’t, then you have to go check out Rock of Ages and his portrayal of Stacee Jaxx. Then have a quick google for images. Squint a bit, yeah…there you go, that’s Aaron ;)

For Barrett we take a step to the side, like a loooong step. Barrett’s former Special Forces, and he’s broken, to put it mildly. Losing the woman of his dreams in combat, then being medically discharged from the military means he’s lost his way. Head of security for the Lyric Hounds, he doesn’t let being plain old human stand in his way. And he certainly won’t let it stop him reclaiming his woman when Madame Eve manages to pull a miracle. I based Barrett on one of my go-to favourites. Seen The Hobbit, then you’ve seen Barrett. I based him on Richard Armitage, who plays Thorin. Need a bit of time to google? A bit more, no problem? Back with me? Yes, you’re welcome. Nice, isn’t he? If you caught the ones with the buzz cut and the short beard, then you’re looking right at Barrett.

Now, Karlan Rixx is Aaron’s twin but they’re not identical except in wolf form. He’s the quieter twin, but hell when he gets fired up, people know about it! With Sav on the drums, Karlan provides the musical weight to the Lyric Hounds sound. He’s nothing short of a musical genius on the strings but happy to stay in the background and let his brother take centre stage. Time’ll come though when he needs to step out of the shadows. For K, what can I say? I like British men, like REALLY like British men. Crane, Ichabod Crane…or more precisely, the Tom Mison version of him became the base for Karlan Rixx. *whistles while I wait for you to google*

And here’s the double whammy. The third Lyric Hounds book contains not one but TWO heroes. Trent Savage, commonly known as Sav, is totally alpha. Dominant as all hell, gruff, brash, abrasive…he has an ego a mile wide and the cocky attitude to pull it off. He starts the book the typical long-haired rocker but reinvents himself after a heartbreak. His story is the ultimate in sacrifice and reinvention until Madame Eve steps in. So…I have one word for you about Sav. Crixus. Need a few more? How about these two? Manu Bennett. No others needed. That’s Sav right there on the screen ;)

So, now that you’ve had a little peek into my head and haven’t run away screaming (I hope), tell me… Which delectable specimen would YOU pick for your own 1NS? Leave me a comment and I’ll pick a random winner for an ebook from my backlist!

***

Mina was born and raised in the East Farthing of Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England) and spend her childhood learning all the sorts of things generally required of a professional adventurer. Able to ride, box, shoot, make and read maps, make chainmail and use a broadsword (with varying degrees of efficiency) she was disgusted to find that adventuring is not considered a suitable occupation these days.
So, instead of slaying dragons and hunting vampires and the like, Mina spends her days writing about hot shifters, government conspiracies and vampire lords with more than their fair share of RAWR. Turns out wanna-be adventurers have quite the turn of imagination after all...
(But she keeps that sword sharp, just in case the writing career is just a dream and she really *is* an adventurer.)

The boring part: A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.

Website: http://mina-carter.com

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Mina-Carter/e/B002BOH5R4/

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Love and Loathing the Holidays

By Mina Carter

Holidays. I both love and loathe them.

On the one hand I love having my family about me and all the festive cheer, but… on the other hand, they’re loud. I’m a creature of quiet. I work at home, alone, with just my music, one sleeping cat and occasionally an irritating furby (that quickly gets put in a cupboard) for company. I’m also a quiet sort of person. Generally people have to tell me to speak up, and I’ve been told I have the quietest knock (as in, knocking on a door) ever.

Not my family. Oh no. My daughter, bless her, is just like her father and both like to have conversations at the tops of their voices, while in the same room. Wince for my poor delicate ear-drums with me, would you? My husband has conversations (yelled usually) with the TV when the rugby is on. My daughter sings along with whatever she has on her tablet and the Furby just talks to anyone. Even our cat is loud. So loud in fact, that we call him shouty cat because he likes to complain about the least little thing.

All in all, its chaos, and I have to work in the middle of it. Which, when you’re trying to write a sex scene can be interesting. Here I am tapping away about…yeah, you know, and there’s a tap at my elbow.

“Mummy, can I have a drink?”

Have you ever seen an author squeak and slam a laptop closed while trying to cover a notebook at the same time? It takes some dexterity, let me tell you. You see, little Miss Carter can read. Well. And spell. Excellently. Certainly well enough to read certain four letter words in certain scenes in my manuscripts that I don’t want her learning.

Okay, we get that sorted and she’s playing in the front room. I start again, tapping away happily as my husband does paperwork for his job (he’s a plumber).

“Sweetheart, how do you spell vent?” (he’s dyslexic)

On so many occasions I am tempted to spell a different four letter word for him but I’m not that evil. Yet. Tap me up at the end of the holidays and see how that’s going ;)

So…generally by five o’clock I’m frazzled, need earplugs and a vodka (although I rarely drink holidays bring that out in me!) but then we’ll sit down and watch a movie together as is a requirement on holidays in our house, Miss C and I on the sofa all snuggled up in a blanket (we fight over them). Often she goes to sleep across my lap.

It’s then that I realize that without the shouting and the questions, I wouldn’t appreciate the quiet so much and I wouldn’t change my family for the world.

So what do you love and loathe about the holidays? Do you have any rituals for the festive season?

***

So, 2014 is rapidly approaching, which means the release of Sex, Wolves and Rock N Roll is nearly upon us. To celebrate, I’m giving away a copy of the first in the Lyric Hounds series, Melody’s Wolf! Enter below for a change to win!

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Mina was born and raised in the East Farthing of Middle Earth (otherwise known as the Midlands, England) and spend her childhood learning all the sorts of things generally required of a professional adventurer. Able to ride, box, shoot, make and read maps, make chainmail and use a broadsword (with varying degrees of efficiency) she was disgusted to find that adventuring is not considered a suitable occupation these days.

So, instead of slaying dragons and hunting vampires and the like, Mina spends her days writing about hot shifters, government conspiracies and vampire lords with more than their fair share of RAWR. Turns out wanna-be adventurers have quite the turn of imagination after all...

(But she keeps that sword sharp, just in case the writing career is just a dream and she really *is* an adventurer.)

The boring part: A full time author and cover artist, Mina can usually be found hunched over a keyboard or graphics tablet, frantically trying to get the images and words in her head out and onto the screen before they drive her mad. She's addicted to coffee and would like to be addicted to chocolate, but unfortunately chocolate dislikes her.

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Let a Sexy Crow Shifter Carry Your Spirit

Crow Magic available HERE

By Mary Quast

After the Civil War, my ancestors settled in Michigan near a large tribal trading post and since then Native American legends, lore and herbal medicine are woven into the fabric of my heritage. My grandmother fascinated us with tales of spirit animals. With a toothless whisper she would often say, “Hush children. Crows are spirit carriers and you don’t want them hear you speak ill of the dead. The crow in the tree above us may be carrying the spirit of the person you are speaking of.  ” I remember watching a handsome crow in her backyard and imagined it carried Grandfather’s spirit to visit her.

I have crows nesting in the woods on my property and they are truly magnificent creatures to behold. My muse has wings and enjoys frolicking with the creatures. A crow landed with a gentle thump on the ground not far from where I sat one day. He tilted his head and watched me. Perhaps he expected a treat. I wondered whose spirit he carried. With a flutter of his wings he boasted his size. A vision of black silken feathers brushing seductively against pale skin tickled my mind’s eye. When the crow morphed into a drop-dead sexy man with is obsidian eyes, long black hair and tanned skin covering delicious muscles came to me, I couldn’t refuse his story. 

The intelligent gaze, silken feathers, strength of flight led my imagination to create the hero in Crow Magic. Tecumseh, aka Seth Crowe, is a Shawnee shaman who guides people out of the spiritual darkness of their lives, but at a cost on his own stability. He is naturally charming, but from his demanding 'work' his family fears he’s on a path of becoming bad-tempered and destructive. His family convinces him to use Madame Eve and her 1Night Stand service to find a special woman.

When the time comes for his date, the mischievous crow in animal form visits unsuspecting Lucy who opens her heart to the creature. Seth is moved and his spirit animal is drawn to her.  Once he makes his appearance as a man for their date, he uses his magic to draw out her fears and carries more than just her spirit out of darkness.

Now, my advice to you…never speak ill of anyone, especially when a crow is around. However, they are great listeners of dark secrets.

***************

Romance author and Artist Mary Quast lives in a log home affectionately named "Camp Run-A-Muk" located in the woods of Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a collection of animal family members. As a professional artist, Mary Quast answered the call to express herself creatively. With her descriptive writing style she has developed a knack for creating passionate characters and realistic settings. When she’s not busy writing contemporary erotic romance novels, novelettes, and short stories, Mary Quast doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”.

Visit Mary's website www.maryquast.com or her blog at www.maryquast.blogspot.com

Check out another 1NS story from Mary Quast,  Handcuffs & Silk

Stephanie "Stiff" Johnson, is a tough Las Vegas cop who many men find too intimidating to date. Steph begins to wonder if something is wrong with her so she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who could be the yin to her yang, even if it's just for one night.

Hunter Morgan left behind years of living as a sub to a female Domme in New York. Upon return to his hometown, he questions whether he wants to continue with the "lifestyle" or find something different. Turning to 1 Night Stand, he hopes to sample his options.

A simple one-night stand opens a whole new sensuous world to both. 

Have a Romantic Halloween

Crow Magic available HERE

By Mary Quast

October has been one very full month. My tough football players wore pink socks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. I promoted my hunky crow shifter in Crow Magic to celebrate paranormal romance. AND we had one heck of a birthday party for the 1 Night Stand series! Now the month ends with the dark holiday of Halloween.

How about a “1 Night Stand” with your honey? Halloween should be seen as more than a night of candy and costumes for kiddies, but as a season to add some spice to your love life. Use the opportunity to bring guilty pleasures to life. Hide behind a mask, dress in a sexy outfit and role play. Become a sex kitten and explore fantasy for one night.

If that sounds a bit too risqué, then perhaps a simply romantic evening is in order. Light some cinnamon candles, pour dark red wine and carve a pumpkin together. Have fun in the kitchen and rediscover what all your hands can do to/for each other.  Hand out candy while sitting on the porch… snuggle on the step or sit on your honey’s lap. Once the porch light is out and the children have sorted their treasures, retire to the bedroom. Let your honey unwrap your Halloween surprise!

Always take time to add some spice to your romance. This is the perfect opportunity to offer your honey a change from the norm and find a new way to celebrate Halloween!

Romance author and artist, Mary Quast will be celebrating Halloween watching scary movies with her two eldest sons then taking her youngest trick or treating. She looks forward to relaxing with her husband in front of a fire and drinking Witches Brew.

When she’s not busy writing contemporary erotic romance novels, novelettes, and short stories, Mary Quast doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “RomanticInterludes”.

Visit Mary's website www.maryquast.com or her blog at www.maryquast.blogspot.com

Connect on Facebook 

Twitter @MaryQuast  

1 Night Stand Books

buy Handcuffs & Silk HERE

buy Crow Magic HERE

  

Selkies and Synchronicity

by JoAnne Kenrick

It’s here! Finally.

Release day for my selkies. Seal the Deal, Isle of Man and Selkie book one.

It seems fitting to share the story of how this story came to be….

I’m a huge believer in fate and synchronicity. My gut instincts are ever present. If I pay attention and listen/watch for the signs, all works out for the best. If not well, you-know-what hits the fan.

I’ve a long history of wishing I’d have listened to my gut. It’s a tough learning curve as to when to act upon these senses versus when it’s fleeting thoughts or my own fears.

Writing Seal the Deal was born because of my gut instincts and a major case of synchronicity.

It all started when I found an old show featuring the actor who plays Doc Martin in the BBC series. He was touring all the different Isles in the British Isles and chatting with the locals. So rustic and isolated, the settings had awakened my plot bunnies and ideas were swelling. I needed to write a story set here. I began studying the map and thinking about which Isle would work best for a fictional piece. I was pondering the question about whether I wanted to write a paranormal romance or a contemporary with this setting when a You Tube video suggestion led me to a documentary on Isle of Man seals. I was sold. I was going to be writing a selkie book set on the Isle of Man. But I needed more to make this work. What sort of a story would it be?

Low and behold. Kate and Val, the senior editors and creators of Decadent Publishing’s 1NS series made comment they’d love to see some British Isles stories. I can’t tell you how much I was grinning when I saw this. I knew then it was meant to be.

A selkie 1NS story set on the Isle of Man.

But it needed something I could integrate into the selkie world building to give it a mystical edge.

A calendar forward search made me remember it is a leap year in 2014. Yes!  I could use this in my selkie legend.

My plot bunnies were busy for a few weeks while I tried to put the pieces together. Something still wasn’t quite right. I needed something extra, a reason why my hero was a selkie and why he might have that chance to be human again.

And that’s when I discovered the Port St. Mary lighthouse story and everything fell into place. So it’s no wonder both heroine and hero are huge believers in fate!

"Another magical read from JoAnne Kenrick. Passion, thrills, and romance, this book has it all. A must read!" ~ USA Today Bestselling Author, Marie Harte.

Find all buy links HERE

After being ditched at the altar, Finn Kneale isolates himself at Port St. Mary’s magnificent lighthouse. A violent storm ravishes the coastline, pitching the maritime tower into the Irish sea and transforming Finn into a seal. Carefree at first, he soon longs to walk as a man again. When leap year arrives, bathing land and sea in magic, Finn temporarily regains his human form. If he can’t find his soul mate in twenty-four hours, he’ll be back to cavorting among the waves.

Anne Ward—resident midwife and newcomer to Port St. Mary, Isle of Man—guards some wild secrets of her own while avoiding entanglements with married doctors. A believer in fate, she seeks out

Madame Eve’s exclusive agency to help find her destined mate. 1Night Stand matches these two lonely souls. But will their extraordinary date allow Finn and Anne to open their hearts to magical possibilities and Seal the Deal?

"JoAnne Kenrick transports her readers to that land between myth and reality where romance is all the magic you need. Don't miss your chance to visit!" ~ Heather Long, bestselling author of the Always a Marine series.

"Ms. Kenrick created a magical, romantic, and sexy world with vivid details that pull you in and make you beg for more. Seal the Deal is a wonderful, steamy addition to the 1Night Stand series and a must read." ~ Bestselling romance author, Lia Davis.

Sneak Peek Sunday – Crow Magic

Crow Magic available HERE

By Mary Quast

Enjoy six paragraphs from Crow Magic and today is the last day to enter the Crow Magic Contest.

Hearing her name, she focused on him. He had removed his shirt, his bare chest shining with sweat while his arms commanded the night. As every muscle rippled, he emitted supernatural power, sending erotic shivers through her. With a quick bow, he began an ancient dance, moving in a series of mystical twists and turns. Through the graceful movements, he became god-like in the candlelight. Not able to take her eyes off the shaman dance, she caught sight of a large tattoo of black wings covering most of his back with the wing tips hidden under the edge of his pants.

The flames continued to stroke her without pain. Tongues of pleasure lapped her skin. She closed her eyes, the vision of black feathers embracing her returned. Was it her crow spirit or his? Power coursed through her veins and the inferno absorbed fear and apprehension. The face of a crow appeared and whispered her name. A violent renewal of forgotten vigor and confidence emerged. Inhibitions developed into sexual recognition. Fiery fingers caressed her torso and cupped her breasts. Her back arched in pleasure.

“May the flame continue to burn and always remind Lucy of her power as a woman.”

His voice drew her attention. She managed to open her eyes. Firelight painted his rigid muscles in gold and bronze. A lean warrior stood his ground, calling upon the elements to do his bidding. Silken wings emerged from his back and flexed behind him and in one fluid motion he unlocked his grasp and with his palms turned, plunged his arms downward.

“So be it!” His voice roared with the blare of many voices.

He held her gaze. The flames extinguished and electricity shot through her in a sudden piercing pain, followed by a wave of emotional warmth and comfort. The fire destroyed the demons of her past. Never again would she be harmed by a man or her fear. She commanded her own sensuality. Love poured from her inner core and encompassed her.

The hero in this story is a Native American Crow/Shifter. If you had an animal spirit which would it be? Enter the contest with your answer.

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A Special Visitor

Crow Magic available HERE

by Mary Quast

The hero in Crow Magic is a Native American Crow/Shifter. The story came from stories a family friend would tell. “Indian Dave” taught the spirituality side of the gifted animal shifters. Even today when I see an animal, I wonder if it is a shifter or not.

A couple days ago a young hawk took a tumble while hunting in our wood. He found a quiet perch to dry off and rest, allowing my son and I a rare opportunity for a friendly visit. We approached him carefully and spoke to him in Chippewa. His reaction surprised us as he calmed down and simply watched us. He gazed at us as if settling in for conversation. At one point he showed curiosity regarding my cell phone.

Hawks are considered messengers. I asked “Gekek” (Chippewa for Hawk) if he had a message for me. Words entered my mind. “You need to begin writing a Hawk/Shifter story.”

I told him as soon as I finish my Eagle/Shifter, I will obligate his request. I only have one more chapter to write!

After several hours, he flew over my house with a call. What a blessing to have had him for the day!

Don’t forget to enter the Crow Magic Tour Contest to win one of three prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dragon Series Dilemma

By: Kali Willows

Double Dragon Seduction available HERE

For fans of my bestselling 1NS erotic romance of fiery parahuman twins & a divorcee with a tricky twist of her own in Double Dragon Seduction, there is a sequel to this sizzling paranormal tale, and now a third dragon story coming in October 2013!

But that’s not all…a fourth story; a prequel to it all is underway with plans to put the collection in a print edition!

What is the dilemma you ask? Well, coming up with single titles is usually fairly simple for me, with each dragon story added to the series, it took more thought and contemplation. Now, to name the whole series has me in quite the quandary.

I want you to weigh in and tell me what appeals more to you for the title, & does it need more steam for an erotic paranormal romance series?

The stories in order are:

                              Dragon’s Bond (prequel currently WIP)

Double Dragon Seduction

Dragon Temptation

                             Dragon’s Breath (releasing in October 2013)

“Double Dragon’s Blood” Or “Double Dragon Legacy”

The other part I need your feedback with is my custom swag. In part, I’m focused on the Romantic Time Convention in New Orleans next year; this is my one convention goal to complete; go to RT loaded for bear with swag and print books for all dragon lovers to enjoy.

To avoid any duplication of my esteemed fellow authors’ creativity, I’m looking for something unique and dragon related, I’m also taking into consideration the Mardi Gras atmosphere of New Orleans.

What I’ve come up with so far, are custom glow in the dark, (or regular) temporary tattoos I’m designing, flavoured fortune cookies with messages from the series, Chinese fans, customized dragon’s blood votive candles (they smell so yummy), glow in the dark beads and a few other possibilities.

What do you prefer for swag? Something useful, mementos, theme related…? Help? This is one version of the tattoo I’ve been working on, and wonder if you like?

© Kali Willows 2013

Leave your comments for a chance to win an eBook copy of the first dragon story in the series Double Dragon Seduction. Don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact the winner to send your prize!

Happy Reading,

Kali Willows

DOUBLE DRAGON SEDUCTION BLURB:

Gwen Trembley is disturbed by the upcoming wedding of her reprehensible ex, and coping with her emerging fiery talent. Gwen seeks the services of 1NS for a night where new carnal knowledge will revive her damaged soul. Madame Eve has the perfect arrangements, but perhaps twice what she bargained for.

Twin brothers Tatsu and Yong Li, are in desperate need of a unique woman who can accept them as inseparable. They carry not one, but two secrets. These exotic brothers can’t be with just any woman, and if Gwen is willing to try, she will face the most passionate, lust-filled night of her life, but will she survive? Will they? 1NS finds a match they never expected possible.

13 Native American Spirit Animals

Crow Magic available HERE

By Mary Quast

Crow Magic came from the stories told every summer around the campfire at our family cottage in Michigan. Our neighbor, Indian Dave, used history, legends, and spiritual lore to weave fantasy and reality into timeless tales. My favorites included Spirit Animals and Shifters.

“Once a man opens himself to the Great Spirit, a guardian spirit in the form of an animal will be gifted upon him. This animal is a part of his soul. Some may choose his animal spirit, others will be born with theirs; the spirit within the chosen gives the body the ability to shift from human to animal The man may need to control instinctive urges as well as listen to the animal’s wisdom. The animal spirit can sense good and evil as well as the man’s one true love, the mate for both man and beast. ” – Indian Dave

Here is a list of my favorite Native American Spirit Animals taken from Tribes of the Great Lakes Region.

Crow

Golden Eagle

Bald Eagle

Hawk

Brown Bear

Wolf

Cougar

Owl

The Great Hare

Fox

Otter

Bobcat

Great Blue Heron

1

In honor of Native American shifters and my book, I’m giving away three awesome prizes this month. Please enter the Crow Magic Tour Contest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway