Just Imagine

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Welcome to my blog! Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and read what's on my mind. I've a vicious sense of humor, an apprecation for romance and a mad addiction to writing.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Wicked Desire. Fiery Passion. Scottish Warriors. Highland Mystic (The MacLomain Series- Early Years).




Welcome! It’s been a while since I chatted about the latest happenings in my world so I’d like to take this opportunity to share. As always, things have been busy, mostly in the medieval Scottish highlands. How so? Well, I've been spending time with some memorable characters from the MacLomain Series. For those who are familiar, do you remember Alan Stewart from Fate’s Monolith and Destiny’s Denial? If so, then you’ll probably understand why I felt he deserved his own romance. Drop dead gorgeous with those sexy dark eyes and black hair; he’d always captured my attention. Then there was his ever-so-suave way with the lassies. 

Oh wait!

You thought he was dead, eh? *grins* Guess I forgot to mention that. He's not so dead after all! Why? Quite simple, a lovely mystic ensured his survival. For those of you who read, Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years), you might remember Caitriona, the wee lass caught on an unexpected adventure. As it turned out, she had a goal, a secret objective known by very few. And who was at the heart of the secret? None other than Alan Stewart, a lad she desires above all else.

But there's more…

Do you recall Arianna Broun from Fate’s Monolith? She was the lass from the future who married Iain MacLomain. Were you ever curious what happened to the other Arianna Broun, the Scottish lass from the lowlands who was his true intended bride? Ponder no longer because we finally learn more about her and Stephen Broun in Highland Mystic. After all, theirs too was an epic love story. 

As Highland Mystic was recently released, I thought today to share a blurb and an excerpt. Happy reading!

Blurb


Two romances. Four destinies. One extraordinary outcome...


Alan Stewart loves the lasses. Beautiful all, he's never been one to settle. Until, that is, Caitriona appears. Shy yet alluring, her unexpected and rare gift gains his respect. Though his need to protect her grows, a dark ending looms. Only Alan knows that her death soon comes and he will not be able to save her.

Caitriona Devereux is not who she seems. Her fate was foreseen long before birth and so important it will impact all future MacLomains. When dreams of Alan Stewart begin, she knows the time has come. But how to convince a Highland laird from another century that he must die for her? Especially when it soon becomes apparent that she couldn't bear his death.

When their paths cross with Stephen and Arianna of the Broun clan, a powerful prophecy begins to unravel. Though promised to Iain MacLomain, Arianna Broun is in love with Stephen. They'll do anything to be together. Alan and Caitriona will afford them just such an opportunity.

Betrayal and loss will intertwine with passion, friendship and new beginnings as the four race toward their destinies. All will discover how far they are willing to go for love. But will the journey be worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Find out in HIGHLAND MYSTIC.

Excerpt


“We will go care for the horses and hunt for food,” Arianna interrupted, a wide grin on her face. 

“And we will set things aflame,” Alan assured with a wink.

Caitriona rolled her eyes. “We will have a fire ready when you return.”

Stephen and Arianna took each other’s hand. Their step was lighter and they seemed young lovers as they vanished down the path. “I hope they remember to be back before dusk.”

“Oh, they will… just,” he murmured, trailing kisses down a surprisingly tender area beneath and behind her ear. “But ‘twill not be the caring of the horses or the hunting that will slow them down.” 

Caitriona pulled away before she melted further into him. “Well, at least we can get done what we promised.”


Alan shook his head and grabbed her hand. “Nay, not yet. There is time. Come. I want to show you something.”

Every time he wanted to show her something it was an even more intimate location. Her resistance was weakening as it was. She stopped. “Nay. ‘Tis never so simple with you.”

His brows arched. “Now lass, I will carry you if forced.”

Dubious, she pulled her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest. “I said nay, Alan. I mean to stand by it.”

“Well which way will you have it then? Over my shoulder or in my arms.”

“Neither!” She said. “I dinnae want to see what you have to show and that is final.”

“You dinnae want to see?” He shook his head and started toward her.

There was no moving fast enough when this man gave pursuit. The cave flipped and the next thing she knew the floor was far below. Air puffed out of her lungs when her belly hit his shoulder. 

“You really thought over the shoulder the better of the two choices?” She gasped.

“I wasnae the one given the choice. When you didnae make one, I made it for you.” His hand tightened on her backside. “Besides, this allows me to climb.”

Climb! Oh no. She held on tight. As it was, he was taller than most men. There didn’t need to be more distance between her and the cave floor. 

“Dinnae worry. I willnae drop you.” He began climbing. “Yet.”

It was impossible to see what he climbed as they moved up. Caitriona squeezed her eyes shut. “Bloody hell, Alan.”

“Such language.” He squeezed her backside. “And all for naught had you just followed when asked.”

“A little more debate over this might have been nice. You put in no effort to persuade,” she muttered.

“Remember when we discussed our equal amounts of determination at the loch? I believed you. So why continue bantering?”

Higher and higher he climbed. She wasn’t about to tell him that he might have convinced her otherwise. Upon reflection, perhaps she should have. At least then, she’d have a wee bit more control. But would that much matter? Wherever he brought her now there would be no easy escape from. 

If he set to seducing her she’d all but be trapped. 

What seemed far too much time later, he finally stopped climbing and stood. He took his time about lowering her, choosing to let her slide slowly down his long, hard body. Caitriona would be lying to herself if she said it was the climb that made her tremble. Nay, it was the highlander. 

His eyes sought hers, their dark depths churning with something quietly vicious and blatantly possessive. If any air was left, the last of it fled her lungs. He’d brought her someplace all his and he intended to make it all hers. Getting around him this time would mean trying to get past not only the warrior and chieftain but by his other side too, the seasoned wizard. 

“Did you truly think I would let you protect me forever?” he said softly.

“I thought you would honor my wishes.”

“Then you gave me too much credit.” He made no move to release her. “I would rather have you in every way a lad should have a lass than never to have had you, all for the sake of remaining alive. There will come a day when I battle alongside my clansmen and you willnae be there. If a blade is aimed true, what good will your healing do then? I would die without ever having known you as I should.”

His words were moving, profound, troublingly convincing. As such, she had no rebuttal. And if she did it would be impossible to find the words through the fog of desire building inside her. 

*Sky here* Sorry to stop the excerpt here but things turn a tad bit naughty. I hope you enjoyed and consider checking out the story further. Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Find Highland Mystic at Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords and many online bookstores.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Vampires. Paranormal Romance. The Keeper: Revenge by O.L. Ramos.


Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over O.L. Ramos, author of The Keeper: Revenge, The Keeper Series, Book 2, a Paranormal Romance. 
ASIN: B00ERHTOUE
Number of pages: 296
Word Count: 112,930
Cover Artist: Dane Low
GIVEAWAY! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter after this post for a chance to win  a KINDLE with Crossbody Kindle Tote,  $10 Amazon Gift Card and The Keeper:Revenge Swag Pack.

 Book Description

If the world you lived in was someday revealed to be nothing but a lie, would you really want the truth? Elizabeth McBeth did, and she's paid the price for it...
After almost 10 years since Liz's mother was taken from her, Liz finally found her mother, Mary. But Mary has been forever changed, something that Liz will have to accept. The beginning of happier times, one would think...
The conspiracy has been exposed; Liz, Vincent, Mary and Michael had all thought that the vampire plot had been destroyed. They should have never underestimated Klein. 
Klein has reinforced his armies, splitting the entire vampire species with the question... is Klein the vampiric messiah? Unfortunately for the heroes and the world itself, Klein has set in motion a plan that will destroy the world and recreate it in his own image.
Will the group be able to defeat Klein and restore the balance to nature? Or are they already doomed?

Interview

SKY:  What inspired you to write this book?

O.L.:  Originality drove me to write this story. I wanted something to be real to the lore, at least as close as possible. I also wanted to avoid the cliche and get as grounded in reality as possible. I also thought it would be kinda cool to make a race of super up, and throw it into the mix.
SKY: How did you come up with the Title ?
O.L.:  In this book, Mary gets reborn. Thus, the title. It also represents a rebirth of the way the inhabitants look at their world; it all changes in this book.
SKY:  Tell us about our book cover and how it relates to the story?
O.L.:  I always try to ensure that the covers tell a story, laden with metaphors. In the cover, there's a blood moon. This is specifically mentioned twice in the story. The green and blue eyes belong to Michael and Vincent, respectively. The goblet has been spilled because of a tragic event that happens to Liz during the book. I could tell you why there's a blood trail, but that defeats the point of reading the book, no? lol
SKY:  Are you currently working on another book? If so, we'd love some details.
O.L.:  I’m currently writing the third book, “The Keeper: Rebirth”. ”. It picks off right from the final moments of Book Two and plunges deeper into the mounting revolt. A lot of new elements are introduced and there are even a few new characters. I really wanted to make this one open the world up, make the reader get a sense of just how big this is. I hope I accomplished that.
SKY:  What sources do you use for research?
O.L.:  Ok, so not to sound like a nerd or whatever, but I still use actual books! Heh, I have some really old books I got when I was very young. I also use the normal avenues that I imagine everyone else uses. Like google and wikipedia; the really esoteric stuff though, like when I'm digging up info on kelpies, nixes, all that kind of stuff, I gotta go down to the library at my hometown. The place is just old enough to not have anything new, lol.
SKY:  Did you enjoy writing one scene above all the rest? If so, share.
O.L.:  I hate to say this because I don't like showing preferential treatment to the characters... But Vincent's scenes, whenever he's drunk, are just a lot of fun. I haven't really had the chance to do that lately because the story hasn't called for it, but I just love those. They're funny and lighthearted; they really take away from the heavy tone of the doom and gloom of the story line.
SKY:  Do you prefer to write short stories, novels, or novellas? Why?
O.L.:  It depends on my mood. I have a great novella series planned to give the backstory of the characters. I've really been looking forward to writing it, but I have to finish Rebirth first. For me, I guess it just depends on the mood I'm in. And that depends on the story, sometimes a plot is so huge it can be intimidating to write. Sometimes, the book writes itself and it's an easy ride. When
it's like that and there's no pressure, it's laid back and a lotta fun to write.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Trusting A Vampire Has Never Been So Deadly. Vampire Games by TIffany Allee.

 

Welcome! Today it’s my pleasure to spotlight Vampire Games by Tiffany Allee.
 
Release Date: 10/28
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Entangled

GIVEAWAY! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter after this post for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

Book Description


She’s seen the past…

OWEA Agent Beatrice Davis is haunted by the death visions that help her solve crimes. When Detective Claude Desmairis, her vampire ex-lover, asks for her assistance on a case, she’d rather help him than take the mandated leave to stave off her burn-out.

The truth won’t stay buried…

Pressed to solve a series of crimes before the perpetrator blows the vampire world apart, Claude turns to a woman he thought he’d been able to leave behind. But he was wrong, and his feelings for her will only bring trouble in an investigation this dangerous.
 
As their passions reignite, they see a possible future together. Until her visions show her the face of the murderer—a man Claude can never betray. 

 About the Author

 
 
CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.
 
She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).
 
Tiffany has an MBA in accounting and nearly a decade of experience in corporate finance. All super useful stuff for a writer who spends far too much time trying to figure out fun ways to keep her characters apart, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books—of course!).

Visit Tiffany on the Web

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, November 4, 2013

What Would You Sacrifice to Save a Stranger? Visions by Laura N. Anile.


Today it’s my pleasure to feature, Laura N. Anile, author of Visions, The Gifted Series, Book One.
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: GlassHouse  Publishing
ISBN:  9780992279028
ASIN: B00FFM1GOW
Number of pages: Approx. 420
Word Count: 124,000

Book One- Unmasked Secrets is available for Free on Amazon.

Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, BN

Book Description


What would you sacrifice to save a stranger?
Isabel Cartier is career-driven and a little self-obsessed. Her future has been carefully planned—until something mysterious happens. When Isabel begins to experience premonitions of strangers in potentially life-threatening situations, she must decide what she is willing to do—and sacrifice—in order to save the people in her visions.
As her premonitions progress, the level of risk to her own life escalates, and she’s thrown into a mysterious world that will put more than just her career in jeopardy.
It is only when her life spins out of control that she is able to take chances that she never thought possible—including opening her heart to love.
There's Matt, the handsome stranger she saves from a terrible accident. But will she ever see him again? Then there's Jeremy, her thoughtful neighbor who's down on his luck. Both will shape her path and leave her breathless. But it’s another man, who she sees in her visions over and over again, who will leave her questioning everything. Does he have nine lives, or is it up to Isabel to figure out the parameters of a game she doesn't quite understand in order to truly save him?
Visions follows Isabel’s journey to find out if she has the courage she needs to save the people in her premonitions, and how, ultimately, their lives are intertwined with hers.

Excerpt


The child began screaming; a scream that made your blood run cold. Her mother instantly tried to placate her, eventually smothering her mouth when those attempts failed. That only intensified the screaming, agitating the girl more.
The gunman flew into a rage, demanding the girl be silenced before he silenced her. His hand twitched in fury. Could he honestly harm a child? I wondered, as fear crashed over me. The interminable screaming shrilled through the bank as the girl thrashed in her mother’s arms. My skin tingled, the air electrified with trepidation.
The gunman pointed the weapon directly at the child, narrowing his eyes. A growl erupted from his throat as his feeble control shattered and his finger pulled back the trigger.
There was no time left to decide, to think. There was only time to act. Instinctively, I jumped in front of the young girl as I heard the deafening crack of the gun being fired.
I jumped so violently that I awoke, drenched in sweat.
To read a sample, please go to: Amazon

Or you can read Chapter One at www.lauraanile.com/sneakpeek