A Writer's Mind

Winter Blog Festival! Skhye Moncrief's SWORDSONG.

2012-02-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome! It's hard to believe that it's already February. This month is chock full of incredible authors sharing their affordable reads in my .99 CENT EBOOK WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL. Today it's my pleasure to welcome over talented romance author, Skhye Moncrief. She'll be sharing two novels from her Time Guardians series.

SWORDSONG...

Genre: Celtic Time-travel Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: Spicy

Length: full-length novel -- 93K words, 375pp in print

He's arrived to help her create the perfect bride.

He's stuck in present-day Scotland with a bent time-travel key only she, a swordsmith, can repair. Duty requires he return to his time. His ticket home relies on a lonely woman haunted by more than apparitions. Her track record with men keeps her at a distance. And ghostly events keep pushing them closer together. Earning her trust will require the kind of patience only a valiant time guardian learns during his twenty years of apprenticeship. If time-travel duty, romance, and a bit of magic don't help them realize their destiny resonates in mysterious fairy SWORDSONG, all known history could change.

Excerpt:

"No," Katie yelled and sprang into motion, lunging for the doorway.

Gods' jest. The lass pushed something over her head. Something invisible.

She flew back toward me and fell at my boots, arms scrabbling behind her for a handhold like the jointed legs of a crab.

Guinevere screeched an ear-piercing wail of a banshee.

If the ceilings held, it would be miraculous. I grabbed beneath Katie's arms and hoisted her upward as the blaring female's cacophony ricocheted off the stone walls.

I searched Katie's disturbed blue gaze focused on the doorway. "What is it?"

She shoved her heels around, trying to regain her footing. "Stop laughing, you bastard," she snarled.

Not at me. There has to be an intruder. Or spirit. In the empty doorway.

A sudden quiet moment consumed the mind-numbing reality of the dark subterranean world.

"No," Katie screeched, reached out, seemingly blocking a blow with her forearm.

What did she see?

"What is it, Katie?" Pam shouted.

Katie had to stop reacting. Trick the Seer. If she didn't look though, she won't react to the spirit. I grabbed the blonde's stiff shoulders and crushed her gaze into my chest. "There's naught there, lass."

Katie squirmed, the hardness of her head fighting my grip. "He's got a knife."

And that would matter? I scanned the doorway for a person or a hint of a glinting dirk.

Why would I expect to suddenly see the apparition? The Seer had only come for Katie.

She stilled in my arms.

Yet, her thundering heart hammered. I could try to explain. Ease her fears. But a woman of her time isn't ready to believe in Post-Modern alchemical notions. Not with Truth hounding her in an astral projection.

The air warmed about us.

Probably more the heat from the fear in the chamber than an actual rise in temperature. But a rise in temperature would note the visitation's end. "Is he gone?" I scanned the doorway.

"I couldn't possibly know. I can't see," she droned into my shirt.

Of course she can't. But better to hang onto her with a spirit afoot given her reaction. I loosened my hold enough to permit her to peer over her shoulder.

Katie scanned the whole room where I held her.

Probably uncertain whether to sigh or grab a weapon.

"He's gone," she announced.

The other females descended upon us. Their three crowns bobbed beneath my chin as the other maidens's arms grabbed Katie.

"What was it?" Guinevere simpered.

"Yes, tell us what you saw," Pam commanded.

Out of the three, the masculine maiden had the most sensible way about her. All business. Very much a Brother in behavior.

"A large man in big black boots," Katie gasped. "He laughed at us, shaking a knife over his shoulder. He was going to kill us."

"I didn't see him," Guinevere finally managed to speak plainly.

As if any of us had. "None of us did." I maintained my hold on the frightened blonde maiden.

Katie shot me a bitter scowl.

Not good. Her pinched glare of betrayal isn't the prize I expected. I'd have to salvage the little friendship we had, to gain access to her uncle's foundry. "I'm not saying you didn't, lass."

Buy On Kindle

HE OF THE FIERY SWORD

Genre: Celtick Time-travel Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: Spicy

Length: Full-length novel -- 85K words, 340pp in print

He, Arthur, is a reflection of luck, an abomination. He can feel the love, the pain, the sorrow, and the joy of all the ages. If he doesn't save the Druid he is sent to find, all known history could change. Some things are worth dying for. But first a man must live.

Arthur didn't count on becoming human. And now the fairies want him to break dragon law... He never expected his charge to push him to the edge of reason. But a man must live before becoming king.

Fear not. The fairies have a plan.

Trust not the fairies.

Druids wed one soul for eternity to protect the integrity of the timeline. Druid Solas's soul mate was taken from her. Now, an 11th Century Irish bishop stalks her to serve as his mistress. She has nothing left yet everything to live for in creating the historical maps she was sent through time to make. She will break time-travel Code if she submits to another man by allowing even one paradoxical child to muddy history. Then Arthur arrives to save her. He is anything but a time guardian. And a fairy tells her to help him. To ignore a god's instruction could prove detrimental. Yet, every time guardian knows believing the Gods is wielding a double-edged sword. Since it is forbidden for Druids to wield weapons, her future relies on He of the Fiery Sword.

King Arthur is born.

Buy On Kindle

Learn more about Skhye at her Website.

Winter Blog Festival. Jennifer Jakes' TWICE IN A LIFETIME.

2012-02-01T05:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to A Writer’s Mind’s, 99. CENT WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL. Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over talented author, Jennifer Jakes.

About the Author

After trying several careers—everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver—Jennifer finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion there is no better read than a steamy western historical.

Married to her very own hero, she lives on fifteen acres along with two beautiful daughters, three spoiled cats, three hyper dogs and one fat rabbit.

During the summer she does Civil War re-enacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention she has continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater.

Jennifer is graciously giving away an Ecopy of TWICE IN A LIFETIME to one lucky commenter!

BLURB – TWICE IN A LIFETIME

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she’s furious – until she realizes he doesn’t know her or believe they’re married.

Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

EXCERPT:

Her fingers threaded in his thick hair as she traced his mouth with the tip of her tongue. “Kiss me.”

He hesitated, then groaned and covered her lips in a breath stealing kiss. Hot, wet, silky. Her nipples hardened, ached for his touch, the tug of his fingers, the pull of his mouth.

“Touch me.” She pressed a kiss to his throat, then licked his collarbone. “I need your hands on me.”

He grunted and slid his hands down her back. Rough palms gripped her cheeks, grinding her against his erection. His gaze burned through her as he moved his thigh between her legs.

“Yes. Please.” She tilted her hips, rubbing, needing release more than air. “Oh, God, yes.” Desire roared through her, the ache building. Building. The orgasm so . . .damned. . .close.

A sharp knock sounded at the door. “Captain? The men are ready to go ashore.”

Ian pulled back and swallowed hard, his expression hungry, his heart thumping against her breast.

“Captain?”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll be right there.” His heavy lidded gaze skimmed her body. Possessive. Aroused. Regretful as he set her aside.

Her mind crawled to process what was happening while her body was doused with disappointment. “You’re still going?”

He raked through his hair, then nodded. “We need provisions before sailing for Jamaica. I’ll only be a few hours.” He stepped to the door, but turned and pinned her with a hard stare. “But when I return . . .”

“Yes?” Her heart thumped in anticipation of some explicit description of what he would do to her. Oh, but his tongue was naughty in all the right ways.

“. . . I expect an explanation.”

Izzy drooped against the door, her thoughts racing even though her legs collapsed. This was going to be the shortest second chance in history.

Visit Jennifer Jakes at her Website.

Purchase your .99 Cent copy of TWICE IN A LIFETIME at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Also, check out Jennifer's FREE READ, Shotgun Santa HERE.

Winter Blog Festival! Aithne Jarretta's, CONCENTRIC CIRCLES.

2012-01-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! The work week starts off right here at A Writer’s Mind with my .99 CENT EBOOK WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL. Grab a hot cup of java and enjoy. Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over the super talented Aithne Jarretta.

Clearwater, Florida, United States

Once upon a time Aithne Jarretta tripped upon a ley line. Actually it had happened before, but she didn't realize the ramifications until later. She brushed the incident aside and climbed into her car. Real life was the important factor at the moment. However, those RL moments wove into meeting new friends--the kind most people never see and definitely don't chat much about. Those friends came with persistent voices. Eventually Aithne brought them out of the closet and politely called them Muses. They became her virtual traveling companions and still journey with her today. Author: Concentric Circles, Wyndy: In a Heartbeat, Kissing Santa, Claire: the Lost Fae (coming soon) Flash Fiction: Flashpoint & The Match Maker

About CONCENTRIC CIRCLES…

Shayla Brinawell comes from a fragmented family. Fearful of the dangers her daughter could face, Shayla's mother raised her to deny and hide her magical gifts. Shayla is about to have her world turned upside down and every other which way. Witch way that is. She must come to terms with her magical destiny in hyper drive.

Meekal Chilkwell has always known his life purpose. To protect the magical and healing waters of The Chalice Well located in the shadow of the great mystical Tor in Glastonbury, England. A new danger has arisen. One that threatens not only the Chilkwell family, but also the non-magical world.

Shayla & Meekal join together in order to conquer Syther the Quitch, an evil wizard bent on spreading darkness.

Excerpt from Chapter Eight: Death Knell

After eating, Shayla and Meekal walked through a hidden panel in the library to an upper room serving as an oversized closet. “This is where we store the linen and paper goods for the guests who stay at the manor. It’s mostly Mari Bree and Harry who use this secret passage.”

Meekal closed the cupboard door they stepped through and a mythic shroud surrounded them with a sense of the past.

Shayla studied the drawers and doors built into the wall on either side. A chill traveled through her. “Kal?”

He motioned to the wall beneath a small leaded window. “Yeah, this is where two monks stayed. Their cots were there. The cupboards are a later addition.”

The window let in a sliver of distorted moonlight, casting them in silver.

“Spooky.”

“Aye. Come this way,” Meekal whispered, wrapping his fingers protectively around hers.

Next, they stepped into the upper hall. Plush carpet padded their footsteps as Shayla followed Meekal past portraits, artifacts and live plants adorning the upper hall.

He led her to a narrow stairwell at the far end. The first surprise Shayla received was this stairwell was an optical illusion. Three pie-shaped steps turned to the right only to end in a black wall carved with a door. Close inspection revealed the illusion.

“Surprise.”

“How?”

“This way,” Meekal said, mischievously. He moved his hand forward to the shelves that graced the end of the hall next to the fake stairs.

The oak shelf boasted several figurines: a unicorn, a wooden box carved with runes and a Crusader helmet. The helmet was made of steel with narrow eye slits on the crossbar of the symbolic cross of the Crusades. Fleur-de-lis terminals embellished the sacred symbol. Meekal’s finger glazed over the brass cross, following its shape. “Pernicious.”

Shayla’s brows rose sharply.

“No one will ever guess that’s my keyword,” he said, while he readjusted the helmet’s position on the shelf. “Even Harry doesn’t know it. Follow me.”

Shayla stepped through the doorway that opened. “Why doesn’t Harry know? I thought he's your best friend.”

“His twisted sense of protecting me. We hang out elsewhere when we’re together. Stubborn prat. Anyway he prefers the Tor or Harry’s Pub when we take time to socialize.” The book shelves swung closed behind them, latching with a soft click.

“Pernicious was the Raven Prince. He was Fyr’s da and the person who sent Black Bry to Glastonbury. You’ll learn the history later. Perhaps Fyr will tell you.”

“Okay,” Shayla said, dragging the word out as she focused on the thickly carpeted narrow stairs wending upward. They stepped into Meekal’s room. His upper floor bedroom spanned the full size of the manor. The steps carried them up to the middle of the chamber.

The bed dominated the right side, its presence powerfully bold due to four posts rising almost to the pitched ceiling. The ceiling, marked with both heavy wood beams and modern skylights, crowned with everything with perfection. “Wow.”

Purchase your .99 Cent Ecopy of CONCENTRIC CIRCLES at Amazon.

Visit Aithne's Website.

Follow Aithne on Twitter.

Sunday Covers It! Eliza Knight's (Annabelle Weston), WICKED WOMAN

2012-01-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous weekend so far! As some of you know, I run regular author features at A Writer’s Mind. One is called Monday Covers It. During this particular feature, some of your favorite writers pop in to chat about the ‘story’ behind their covers.

As the .99 CENT EBOOK WINTER BLOG EVENT is currently running during the week, this time I’m hosting a Sunday Covers It feature!

It’s my pleasure to welcome over the very talented 'duo' Eliza Knight & Annabelle Weston to share the details behind their latest title, WICKED WOMAN.

The floor is yours, Eliza and Annabelle…

“Along with my cloak and dagger writing partner, we’ve penned a few tales under the name Annabelle Weston. WICKED WOMAN, is our first western historical erotic romance in our DESERT HEAT series (SCANDALOUS WOMAN & NOTORIOUS WOMAN releasing this year!)

The cover for WICKED WOMAN was made by one of the cover artists at Ellora’s Cave, but we hoped that they would do exactly what they did! We wanted the cover to really display the story, so while enjoying the story, the reader could look at the cover and see the town, see the hero and heroine. The background is a saloon—and our hero is a saloon dolly out for redemption. Our hero is tortured cowboy seeking revenge on the man who killed his brother. It just so happens that the same villain who has tortured our hero has also stolen all the savings the heroine put away to start a new respectable life. The colors are warm and inviting, reminding you of a desert town, and sultry at the same time. With the hero’s chest exposed, and the heroine wearing a risqué corset, her long legs exposed, you know you’re in for a very sexy treat.”

Blurb…

There are some things a man can’t walk away from. Nathan Bender is on a quest for vengeance. What he finds is sexy saloon-dolly O’Dell Murphy. She holds the information he needs—and becomes a temptation he can’t resist.

O’Dell longs for a respectable life outside the saloon. When the man Nathan is searching for steals O’Dell’s savings, she has no choice but to go after him.

Torn between passion and revenge, Nathan reluctantly accompanies O’Dell through the Sonoran Desert. There are some things a man can’t walk away from—and Nathan is finding it’s not revenge that binds him. It’s O’Dell, and the wicked, sinful pleasure she provides.

Reader Advisory: This book contains violence and a brief depiction of rape.

What they’re saying about WICKED WOMAN.

4 Stars from Fallen Angel Reviews!

Annabelle Weston's latest Wicked Woman is definitely a story worth reading from beginning to end. I love that you have Nathan Bender, who in his whole life has never picked up a gun, but is now determined to use one at any cost. Then you have O'Dell Murphy who even though is a whore by profession, she is more of an innocent woman at heart. Together these two prove to one another that what they really need is love, not vengeance. Annabelle Weston shows us that even though vengeance might bring peace to someone, it can also lead to something like love when it comes to Nathan and O'Dell. All in all, Wicked Woman was a fun read, making me wonder how O'Dell can convince Nathan she is the only woman he needs in life. I loved it and can't wait for more.

Read an excerpt HERE.

Purchase your copy of WICKED WOMAN at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Visit Eliza Knight’s Website.

Check out Annabelle’s News Blog.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

~Sky

Winter Blog Festival! A PATH NOW TURNED by Carrie James Haynes.

2012-01-27T05:00:00.002-05:00

I’d like to welcome author Carrie James Haynes to A Writer’s Mind’s, .99 CENT EBOOK WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL! Enjoy yourself over the next several weeks as authors share their latest, greatest and very affordable titles.

Carrie James Haynes- Using a pen name for the first time in her writing career, Carrie James Haynes is excited to publish her first fantasy saga, Whispers of a Legend. Shadows of the Past is the first in the series and if free most sites. With the release of THE PATH NOW TURNED the legend continues. She is excited about Whispers of a Legend, an epic fantasy filled with adventure and romance.

Carrie has two of books under Jerri Hines published by Wild Child Publishing, Dream Walker and Patriot Secrets. She also has a historical romance series with Whiskey Creek Press, Tides of Charleston. The Judas Kiss, the first in the series, was released on January 15, 2012. It will be followed by The Promise, May, 2012, and Another Night Falls, September, 2012.

Today Carrie will be sharing her latest .99 Cent release, Whisper of a Legend. Part two: THE PATH NOW TURNED

The Legend Continues...

The legend, they say, is whispered within the winds along the magnificent Preda Mountain Range, the words and deeds never to be forgotten of the Time of the Nuxvenom, a time when the Sordarins crushed the impending threat, the dreaded Asmeodai, and once more Scarladin was safe. The mighty Sordarins, rulers of the sky! No, the Sordarins have slept well over the years secure in their knowledge the Great One watches over them, knowing the legends holds a mighty warrior will emerge if threatened again, born with a destiny only to defend their world. But subtle changes have emerged. Little by little fear beings to resurface that their world, their very existence is once again threaten. They look to the skies anxiously awaiting their warrior; questioning perchance if the Great One has forgotten them. I know this how? For I am the one born to defend their world. I, Kela Calledwdele, was born a Euchoun. I am their warrior.

So starts this epic fantasy...Whispers of a Legend saga. Kela Calledwdele was born with a destiny, a Euchoun with only one purpose in life...to protect. Torn between two worlds, Kela soon discovers she is the hope of both. Now she must find the courage to face the destiny fate has dictated to her.

Kela has always known what path in life she would follow. She was born a Euchoun. Half Witheleghean, a passive peaceful race where magic runs freely and the other half, Sordarin, a valiant warrior race of hawkmen who rule the sky, she knows well her parents gave the ultimate sacrifice to give her a chance to live. Yet, in so doing, they have left Kela unprepared to face the dangers that await her. Her instincts are to protect and in this she does, but in so doing it leads her into a world where she knows not whom to trust. In time her power matures and grows stronger when she bonds with a Sordarin warrior, Cono. She learns well why she holds the power. An evil as no other before, Asmeodai, has emerged but all is not what it seems as a dark cloak encompasses her family. Betrayal, distrust, treachery leaves Kela alone. She is torn by her desire for Cono and the purpose, the path, she has been given to follow. And when another emerges within her world, one who seemly wants only to help her along her path, she is pulled further away from her Sordarin.

Having proven her ability during the Payelaga Desert battle, she believes herself ready to follow her destiny beside her warrior. Fate has another path for Kela. When she discovers all she has long believed is not as it seems, the betrayal leaves Kela torn by her desire for Cono and the path she has been given to follow.

The Path Now Turned is the second installment of the Whispers of a Legend saga. Follow Kela's battle to embrace her destiny. Whispers of a Legend follows Kela along this conflicting path, where as a young woman unsure of her ability and her confidence in facing the challenges before her to where she emerges as a strong leader who learns to lean upon her own strength, to stand not behind, but side by side with her warrior.

Excerpt...

For the first time since the assailant a smile crept on my face at my impulsive sister. Sareta flung herself over the barrier and hugged my warrior. His reaction I couldn't see with his back to me, but I saw Sareta's and...Amicia's who suddenly came into my view.Her face. I needed nothing else to know, even from the distance I stood. She glowed as he bowed his head to her. He must have said something for she blushed, prettily. I stared in disbelief. Sareta grabbed Amicia's hand and squeezed it excitedly when Cono withdrew. My attention turned from my warrior to Amicia whose eyes fixated on my warrior. Sareta leaned into her giggling in a fashion, turning to another near by, saying something that all laughed. But Amicia was in love with my warrior...Her eyes lifted upon him, but mine lay upon her. The whole of my bearing stiffened.Engrossed in my thoughts, the figure in the sky shadowed over me without reaction until the fluttering of his wings blew around me. Taking a few steps back, Cono landed beside me. His bold eyes caught mine. Irritation dissipated with each step he took toward me.

His lips on one side lifted in way one might considered a smile. His broad shoulders glistened in the sunlight with the sweat he had exerted. His wings flexed. The shadows flying above us softened the sharp planes of my warrior’s face. His hand reached for me. I gave no resistance, uttering only under my breath.

“You were to come to me this day. I waited…then I saw this celebration in the…” Others words hung in the air for he said nothing.

Ignoring my ramblings, his arm rounded me pulling me to him. His hand caressed my face, tenderly, passionately. I felt I couldn’t breath. He bent his head and kissed me, fiercely. The power flowed between us. I leaned into him, accepting him, wanting what I wasn’t sure, but I opened myself to him, heart and soul. His mouth wandered over my lips, cheeks, brows and throat.

“Kela,” he uttered, his voice rasping my name. “I love you, Woman. With everything in me. You are part of me.”

In some dim recess of my mind, I suspected all a dream. In hypnotized fascination I said nothing. He ran his hand through my hair, freeing the bounds that held it. Falling down long passed my waist, his fingers lost in the mass of tangles.

His eyes blazing, he tightened his hold. His mouth claimed mine once more. Flows of warmth filled me, gasping as his lips burned a path down my cheek to the sensitive part of my neck. I arched back, baring my throat for him, lost in a sensation that dealt not with reason but want.

“Cono,” I whispered in a low drawing voice. His hand rounded me, pressing me against his leather bound chest. Between the material of my gown, his hands cupped my breast, sending me into a spasm of pleasure, robbing me of all reason.“We can’t,” I uttered, though my body betrayed me. With reluctance, he broke from me. His hand lingered on my face.

“I’ll wait only until I get you back to my barrack. No more separation. Not now.”

Exhilarated! Words I had only dreamed of escaped his lips. “I have no say?” I teased.

He laughed and drew me into his arms again. “Tell me, my Euchoun. Tell me you love me.”

Visit Jerri Hines (Carrie James Haynes) Facebook Fan page Novel Works and Castles in the Air Blog.

Purchase your copy of THE PATH NOW TURNED at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Winter Blog Festival! Paty Jager's, FOR A SISTER'S LOVE & more.

2012-01-25T05:00:00.007-05:00

Welcome! Today launches A Writer’s Mind’s, .99 CENT EBOOK WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL. Over the next several weeks a variety of talented authors will be stopping in to share their latest, greatest and wonderfully affordable tales.

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over author Paty Jager.

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager and her husband currently ranch 350 acres when not dashing around visiting their children and grandchildren. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Paty is a member of RWA, EPIC , and COWG. She’s had eleven books and a short story published and is venturing into the new world of self-publishing ebooks. Her contemporary Western, Perfectly Good Nanny won the 2008 Eppie for Best Contemporary Romance and Spirit of the Mountain, a historical paranormal set among the Nez Perce, garnered 1st place in the paranormal category of the 2011 Lories Best Published Book Contest.

You can learn more about Paty at her Blog, Website and Facebook. Also follow her on Twitter @patyjag.

Paty will be sharing a few of her .99 cents titles today…

FOR A SISTER'S LOVE...

Lorelei and Maggie Holmes make a desperate vow to reunite after an Indian raid on their wagon train leaves them orphans. Eight-year-old Lorelei is taken in by an impoverished family headed to a Colorado mining town and ten-year-old Maggie finds herself on the way to Portland, Oregon to live with a woman widowed during the Indian attack.

Ten years later, Lorelei’s adoptive father gambles away her birth mother’s locket and her only connection to her lost sister. Believing she needs the locket and to find Maggie, she sets out after the gambler and ends up in the company of a citified lawyer searching for the same man.

While cleaning a hotel room, Maggie discovers her mother’s locket in the possession of a gambler. Fear for her sister increases Maggie's determination. Never one to give up, she dogs the gambler until he agrees to help her find her sister.

Two sisters, two adventures, will they find one another or will the men helping them be their destinies?

Purchase your copy on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords or Nook.

IMPROPER PINKERTON...

An impetuous Pinkerton agent is out to prove to a righteous US Marshal that she's the best "man" to complete the assignment and the only "woman" who can capture his heart.

Mae Simon is on her first assignment as a Pinkerton operative and determined nothing will stand in her way of accomplishing her task. When the simple assignment turns into a murder and kidnapping, she has to stop hiding behind her disguises and trust a man she’s betrayed.

U. S. Marshal Beck Harlan can’t afford to befriend anyone. Not with a vengeance seeking outlaw killing off his intimate acquaintances. Yet, he falls hard for the French prostitute he talks into being an informant, not realizing she is a Pinkerton operative after the same man.

Excerpt:

He spun her and lowered his head, covering her mouth with his—just to keep her quiet. She stopped fighting. Her body went lax, and he molded her soft contours to his, drawing out the kiss. His heart hammered in his chest. Her arms entwined his neck. His hands roamed up and down her clothing. There were no restraining garments underneath. Only thin fabric between his skin and her round bottom. He reached around to the front and cupped her breast. She was a hand full.

Her palms flattened against his chest, and she pushed out of his grasp. He let her go physically, but his mind was back kissing her.

“Monsieur, you have not paid for that privilege!” Her golden brown eyes lacked the scolding of her words. He peered down at her moist lips and wanted to drag her back into his arms. He hadn’t needed a woman in some time, but this woman…lured him.

She spun away and stepped toward the door. She couldn’t leave. They still had to talk. He stepped around her, blocking her exit. His arms crossed over his chest to avoid reaching out to her again. Staring down at the top of her head, he waited. She slowly lifted her chin and stared at him.

“I must find Sally.” She raised her hands as though to push him aside, then dropped them to her hips when he didn’t budge.

“I just need a few minutes of your time.”

She held out a hand, palm up.

“What?”

“You, monsieur, wish my time. You will pay for it.” She wiggled her fingers.

He narrowed his eyes. He didn’t know what game this woman played. A moment ago she’d participated in a steaming kiss just as much as he had, and now she wanted paid for her time?

“Now listen here, I’m not paying to talk to you.”

“But, monsieur, you did more than talk when you,” her face blushed prettily, “dragged me into this room.”

“I only did that to keep you from screaming.”

“Screaming? I did not scream.” She cocked her head to one side as though sizing him up.

“You were about to.”

“Non. You took lee-ber-tees.”

He ran a hand over his face. Was she about to scream or did he take liberties? Now, he wasn’t so sure he didn’t kiss her because he’d been thinking of it all night as she flirted with Lamont.

That was the cold water he needed. Knowing she’d been with Lamont moments before.

“I need you to do me a favor.”

There she went with the palm and waggling fingers, again.

“I don’t need that kind of favor.” He pulled his badge out of his vest pocket. “I’m a U.S. Marshal.”

Her eyes widened, and her full lips formed a perfect ‘O’ before she uttered in her breathy sigh, “But monsieur, surely I have done nothing wrong.”

PURCHASE your copy on Amazon Kindle, Smashwords or Nook.

Calling all Authors!

2012-01-24T13:41:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone's having a super week so far! I posted about this awhile ago but wanted to remind everybody that my next blog event starts tomorrow. There's still space available if any authors would like to join. Just follow the instructions below.

The event will promote authors who offer .99 cent titles. Even if you offer more expensive books I ask that this go round you stick to promoting only your super cheap tales. Is there a genre preference? No. All goes. Even erotica.

EVENT TITLE: .99 Cent EBook Winter Blog Festival

If this is something you’d like to participate in please send the following information directly to me and I’ll email back which days you’ll be featured.

CRITERIA: You’re welcome to feature two .99 cent titles. Please include brief bio, blurbs and one 500 word excerpt (you choose which title). Include purchase links and website link. Covers for tales should be attached to email.

Contests are not mandatory, but if you’re interested in hosting a contest mention it when you contact me.

All information should be sent to Sky@Skypurington.com with the words, WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL in the subject heading

Blog event begins Wednesday, January 25th and will run Monday-Saturday of each week. Features run for two days.

Thanks so much!

~Sky

Want to know my Secret?

2012-01-19T22:09:00.005-05:00

Hello all! Sorry it’s been a bit since I posted. My family needed me this week and as I’m sure you can understand, they come first.

I have all sorts of wonderful things to share with you but figured that stuff could wait. I’d rather chat about what’s on my mind tonight. It’s something I think all of us can benefit from.

What’s that you ask?

The power of positive thinking. I know, sort of cliché but you know what… it’s a cliché topic that doesn’t get old. At least not in my book. It absolutely astounds me how simply changing the way I think can change everything around me versus everything around me changing the way I think!

Here’s the thing… I haven’t always been a positive thinker. Not really. I believe I tended to focus on the negative before the positive despite my best intentions. Strangely enough, my perspective started to change last year a few months before my Dad passed away. Yep, I know that sounds weird but my cousin turned me onto a fantastic book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. If you have not read this book, do so. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.

This book helped me look at life differently and essentially helped me to start thinking differently. The cool thing about it? Something bad happens to me now and it doesn’t feel like the end of the world. It’s more manageable. Essentially, the book focuses on the Law of Attraction. As far as I can tell, it works. Even if it didn’t, I feel I’m a better person for having read it. Fellow author, friend and extremely positive person, Alisha Paige, read The Secret as well and agrees, two thumbs up!

Even better, it’s brought positive people into my life. Some were old friends I reconnected with, others are new friends. You know who you are. Much thanks to each and every one of you. Not only were you there via text and email every day Dad was in the hospital at the end but you’ve leant me so much encouragement in my writing career that it’s humbling.

So to anyone who might come across this post, if you’re having a bad day… STOP right now! Sit back, clear your mind and focus on what you’re thankful for in life. Focus on what makes you feel good. Skip the dreaded bad seed mojo and breathe in some fresh, I’m-gonna-turn-this-day-around air. I would’ve sounded silly to my own ears a year ago but no more. Quite frankly, I think I’ve been more successful because of my new attitude and the wonderful and very positive support system I have.

Cheers!

Sky

Muses and Highlanders. YUMMY Combo. TAKE it? Or leave it.

2012-01-15T05:53:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend! I’ve been busy working on my latest paranormal novel. But my Highlanders are always on my mind.

Highland Muse is FREE today at Amazon. If you enjoy 16th century Scottish Highlanders combined with a bit of Greek Mythology, namely those nine Muses of Inspiration, this tale might be for you.

It’s all about Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, falling in love with a Scottish royal. Go figure! But she did. This story’s full of drama, humor and true love. I had such a blast writing it. Then again, I wrote it alongside eight other talented authors. Yep, that's right. It was originally part of a fabulous anthology called Song of the Muses. I listed all the authors original to the series HERE. You should certainly check them all out. Well worth it!

Alright. Back to Melpomene and her hero, Rowan. Here’s an excerpt from their tale...

She felt warmth and safety, skin and life. Melpomene cuddled closer and relished the near vacancy of power, the freedom of similitude with a mortal and the departure from constant obligation. She stretched her limbs, languid in movement and enjoyed the feel of muscles used, relaxed then awoken. Such unusual bliss, such humanity!

Could it be? She'd slept? Indeed! Her eyes shot open and her gaze crashed into Rowans. He was clean shaven now. His icy green regard registered shock. It appeared they were equals now. Both caught off guard by the upper gods, made to discover together.

Nude and entwined with his body she pulled on vast experience and maintained a level of calm she didn't feel. "Are you comfortable?"

"What do you think?" His gaze slid the length of her then returned sharply to her face.

He lay with a goddess. Nothing could be more desired by mankind. She arched a brow. "I think you're privileged."

A crooked grin slashed his features but didn't quite reach his eyes. "Aye, lass, I've been told that before."

She was not amused. Did he think she'd cower? Play the shy maiden? No, she'd play the temptress. Her Highlander wouldn't rise to the bait. Not yet. She ground her belly against his arousal.

Rowan's hand shot to the side of her neck. His eyes turned to verdant flame. "Do you offer yourself so freely?"

Yes, freely, she did. But he would not take it. This she knew and regretted. But how she liked to tease and enjoyed the feel of his length along hers. "Have I not made myself obvious?"

"Aye, you have." His hand left her neck and entangled in her hair. He moved over her and stared down intently.

What was he doing? Would he really take her now? He had to know that if he did, it would be different with her, that his heart would become involved. Had he come so far? Was he ready to move on? She spread her thighs and ran her hands over his broad shoulders, down his muscled back, closed her eyes and willed him closer. Her voice was thick and strained. Need devoured all. "Love me, Rowan."

"Oh, yes, love her, Rowan!" Dionysus cried. Eager clapping resounded and giggles surrounded them.

Rowan rolled off her and sat up, clearly aggravated, though not as shocked as she'd thought he would be. It seemed he was getting used to the peculiarities of the gods. His voice proved husky when he spoke. "It seems you like to interrupt these moments." Rowan pulled a blanket over his lap.

The exuberant deity sat on the end of the gigantic bed thoroughly enjoying himself. He took a swig from his golden cup and grinned widely. "Please, pay us no mind. Continue what you were doing."

His women meandered around, mostly on Rowan's side of the bed, casting lustful invitation his way.

Melpomene sat up slowly and did not hide her nudity. "What brings you to us now, Dionysus? I could only assume it's to offer me answers."

Dionysus' wicked grin gleamed in the firelight. "Answers?" He looked to his women who offered evasive shrugs in return. "No, I came to watch procreation and enjoy my wine."

SKY HERE. Did they or didn't they 'have a little more fun' in front of Dionysus? For me to know and you to find out. *winks* Scoop up your FREE copy of Highland Muse at Amazon. Click HERE.

Astronomer's Corner. "El Gordo" Like DARK MATTER?

2012-01-13T00:25:00.000-05:00

Welcome! As many of you know, I’m an amateur astronomer and downright space junkie. I simply love everything going on 'out there'. Without doubt, I’m an avid stargazer, telescope intact. As many of you also know, I have an Astronomer’s Corner in every Newsletter. And, on occasion, love to share news blurbs here at A Writer’s Mind.

This past month has introduced a few stories of interest (well, more than a few but I’ve only so much space. *winks*)

I scooped up one reported story of interest and shared it today. Seriously, it's WAY cool. *wide smile*. Yeah, I know, I’m weird. Go with it.

Reported by By Charles Q. Choi , SPACE.com Contributor Space.com

SPACE.com – Wed, Jan 11, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas — The largest cluster of galaxies seen yet in the early universe, a giant that astronomers have dubbed "El Gordo," could one day reveal secrets about the invisible dark matter that fills the universe, researchers said.

El Gordo — which means "the fat one" in Spanish — is officially known as ACT-CL J0102-4915 and "is located more than 7 billion light-years from Earth, at a time when the universe was half its current age," study co-author John Patrick Hughes at Rutgers University told SPACE.com. The universe is about 13.7 billion years old.

The monster galaxy cluster has mass about 2 quadrillion (that's 2 followed by 15 zeroes) times that of the sun, making it "the most massive known cluster in the distant universe."

A galaxy cluster behemoth

Galaxy clusters form through mergers of smaller groups of galaxies. These events depend on the amount of dark matter and dark energy in the universe, and thus could shed light on these enigmas. Dark energy seems to make up 73 percent of all the mass and energy in the universe, and is driving the accelerating expansion of the universe. Unseen and as-yet-unidentified dark matter makes up about 23 percent of all the matter and energy in the universe — scientists know it exists because of the gravitational effects it has on galaxies. The regular matter that makes up humans, planets and stars constitutes only 4 percent of the universe.

El Gordo was discovered using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in space and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile. Its Spanish nickname is a nod to the Chilean connection.

The scientists detailed their findings today (Jan. 10) at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society here during a presentation that included a separate announcement of the discovery of the most distant galaxy cluster ever seen in the early universe.

El Gordo, a hot galaxy group

Gas in El Gordo can reach super-high temperatures of nearly 360 million degrees Fahrenheit (200 million degrees Celsius), based on X-rays collected by Chandra and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile.

"This cluster is the most massive, the hottest, and gives off the most X-rays of any known cluster at this distance or beyond," said study lead author Felipe Menanteau of Rutgers University.

This heat, as well as the fact that galaxies within the cluster are concentrated in two distinct groups, suggests El Gordo is the site of a violent merger between two galaxy clusters.

"Galaxies are moving within the cluster at speeds of typically 3 million miles per hour," Hughes said.

Although a cluster of El Gordo's size and distance is extremely rare, it does fit within the standard Big Bang model of cosmology. This suggests the universe is composed predominantly of dark matter and dark energy, and began with a Big Bang about 13.7 billion years ago.

"Gigantic galaxy clusters like this are just what we were aiming to find," Hughes said. "We want to see if we understand how these extreme objects form using the best models of cosmology that are currently available."

Future research can seek to model how dark matter separates from the gas in El Gordo, Hughes said. This could yield key details about dark matter's nature.

SKY HERE. Very cool, right? I mean…dang! Can you even imagine? I’ve got another ‘make-you-look-twice’ story coming soon. Did you know Earth might have TWO moons?

That topic, however, will be saved for the next ‘Astronomer’s Corner.’ *grins*

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Sky

It's time for authors to FEEL good.

2012-01-11T05:05:00.002-05:00

Have you ever just done something because it FEELS good?

My husband grumbles at me constantly because of my ‘do good’ habits. Not because he disapproves morally (he's a great guy) but because…well…it’s money.

So what do I do? What have I done? Within two week of selling well at Amazon I have faithfully made a point of hitting every contender in the top twenty of my category (more if I could) and ‘liked’ then ‘tagged’ them. Why would I do such a silly thing when they’re my competition?

Why not?

I detest the cut throat world that the publishing industry has become (or became years ago) The I’ll-shove-you-aside-to-better-myself attitude is not what it’s supposed to be about. It’s supposed to be about writers sharing wonderful stories with the world.

It's about the author 'touching' the reader somehow. And as far as I've seen far and wide, every author 'touches' at least one reader. That's the whole bloody point! I believe that every author deserves a chance, as does the potential reader. As you all know, it’s something I promote avidly at this blog.

So yes, I’ve played Secret Santa, but I suspect many others have as well.

If you have a second today, take a step back and consider promoting authors in your genre or perhaps others.

Trust me, it will feel wonderful! You might be surprised.

To all my readers. You know I love you. Stay tuned, my .99 cent Winter Festival starts in a few weeks. Tons of great deals to be had. I already have a fabulous group of authors and a super line-up of books for you. *smiles*

Hugs,

Sky

Are you an Author? This Might Interest You.

2012-01-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

~.99 Cent EBook Winter Blog Festival~

Calling All Authors

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful new year so far!

This winter I’ll be cozied down writing my latest novel. I figured while I was doing that my blog should continue promoting authors and their incredibly affordable EBooks. This will be one of the simpler events that I host as I’m determined to get this book written by the end of February.

The event will promote authors who offer .99 cent titles. Even if you offer more expensive books I ask that this go round you stick to only promoting your super cheap tales. Is there a genre preference? No. All goes. Even erotica.

EVENT TITLE: .99 Cent EBook Winter Blog Festival

If this is something you’d like to participate in please send the following information directly to me and I’ll email back which days you’ll be featured.

CRITERIA: You’re welcome to feature two .99 cent titles. Please include brief bio, blurbs and one 500 word excerpt (you choose which title). Include purchase links and website link. Covers for tales should be attached to email.

Contests are not mandatory, but if you’re interested in hosting a contest mention it when you contact me.

All information should be sent to Sky@Skypurington.com with the words, WINTER BLOG FESTIVAL in the subject heading

Blog event begins Wednesday, January 25th and will run Monday-Saturday of each week. Features run for two days.

Would you like to share this with other authors? Click HERE then click the 'Forward to a Friend' option in the upper right hand corner.

Thanks so much!

Sky

The King's Druidess- BIG Kingly Delicious News!

2012-01-06T04:08:00.000-05:00

Today, ALL DAY, The King's Druidess (The MacLomain Series- Prelude) is FREE at Amazon!!!

A little taste of what you can expect...

His rage was a thorough thing.

Erc tore his crown from his head and removed the cloak of his kingdom. He handed them to Cormac as he led her into the cover of an oak grove. The moon was no more so he flicked his wrist and drew forth his magi. Green flooded the tree trunks and the leaves overhead encaged them.

Beyond aggravated, he said, "Tell me, Druidess. What purpose do you serve here?"

She pulled her arm free. The tiny bells interwoven in her braids tinkled at the movement. "I serve you, my king."

He sat her on a wide log and paced. "No. You served me in the stones as was foretold. Why have you come for this celebration of mine in light of such a thing? What do you seek, Chiomara?"

He caught the slight flinch of her expression. "I come only because I was called here. No more."

"By whom were you called?" He continued to pace.

"Fionn, leader of the Fianna. I can tell you no more."

He ignored the heat rising in him, the pure lust and desire he felt at her closeness.

Erc stopped and looked down at her. "An unusual creature brings you to my wedding, Druidess."

She merely nodded.

“What am I to make of this? Of you?” She blinked at his words. He fell to his knees in front of her. "It is too much for me to bear you being here, Chiomara. Why do you torment me so?"

Her hands shook as they rose to his face. "Your torment is my torment, my king."

He took her hands and held them over his cheeks. "But you will not leave? You will stay and watch me wed another woman?"

She leaned over and cradled his head. "There is no other way."

“This is wrong,” he murmured. But even as he said it, Erc grabbed Chiomara and brought her down onto him. "You torture me, Druidess."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to cradle her in his lap. "Your wife will please you."

He stroked her soft hair, inhaled her sweet smell. "No one will ever please me such as you have."

Chiomara ran her fingertip over his lips. "My touch can be replicated if you will only allow it."

Erc shook his head and kissed her finger. "No woman will be a part of me such as you are."

"You know naught what you speak of, foolish king."

He brought Chiomara to the floor of the forest and covered her. "My need for you surpasses my foolishness. Will you have me again, Druidess, or will you deny me?"

Her lips parted but no words came forth. He filled her lack of response with his kiss. When alas he drew away, Erc asked again. "Will you have me again?"

Sky here. That's it for now folks! Hope you enjoyed. *grins*

Click HERE to download now.

Five Years Later. My Cover Artist ROCKS...then SHOCKS!

2012-01-04T03:52:00.014-05:00

We’re into the first week of 2012 and I’ve so many things to be thankful for.

First and foremost, my amazing and beyond talented cover artist, Tamra Westberry. We’ve worked together now for five years and she still totally amazes me with her talent. More than that, she 'wows' me with her everyday attitude. No matter what's going on, she is a nice person! And it’s probably because of her attitude and willingness to work with authors, that I will always consider her not only a friend but my all-time favorite cover artist. Trust me, combine politeness, a good business mind and pure talent with simple kindness, you’ve got someone worth cherishing.

That said, I’ve big news.

And it all revolves around Tamra Westberry.

Did you hear the BIG news??? (It's not really Shocking as my title implied. Got your attention though, eh?) Tamra Westberry is up for Best Artist at Preditors & Editors in 2011! I’m not surprised in the least. She is unbelievably talented. Have a quick second?

Please vote for her HERE.

ALSO, I have a cover up for Best Ebook cover at Preditors & Editors. One, of course, created by Tamra Westberry herself!

I remember when I first told Tamra how I envisioned the cover for The King’s Druidess (The MacLomain Series- Prelude). How I almost saw her mouth drop open via email at what I wanted. See, I sent her some pictures to work with, others she’d have to implement. The most important picture was that of a girl (stripper) most definitely dancing around a pole and a man (most definitely from a naughty picture) and told her… this needs to look whimsical. As if both characters desire one another but can’t quite have each other. I need Ireland, ancient times… pagan times.

I think her jaw still dropped open based on the pictures I sent. *grins*

Two days later, the cover for The King’s Druidess showed up in my ‘In Box’.

WOW! Did she hit the nail on the head or what??? Using a tree from her backyard she got rid of the naughty pole. With a ghostly fog, the king became a man whom overlooked his love. Tamra did something truly AMAZING. So much so, that her cover for The King’s Druidess has been a best-seller at Amazon for over three months.

Really look at it. Pure talent. Love her!!!

Learn more about Tamra Westberry at TaraWest.com

I’ve never had a book cover in the running but this one is phenomenal and I’m so thrilled. It would mean the world to me if you could swing over and...

shoot me a vote HERE (The King's Druidess- The MacLomain Series-Prelude)

Thank you so much!

~Sky xoxo

Happy 2012!!!!

2012-01-02T15:32:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I’m looking forward to another wonderful year here at A Writer’s Mind. With some fantastic features coming up as well as some hot writing topics, it should be a blast. I’m sure everyone’s wondering who the grand winner of my What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree blog event is. Well, the winner has been drawn by my six year old son. Congratulations AmyJo!!!! Please contact me at Skypurington@live.com to collect your prize.

I hope everyone enjoys a truly fabulous 2012. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year!

Hugs,

~Sky

New Words For 2011. wOOt!

2011-12-27T23:52:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Christmas! I’d like to once more thank all who stopped by my blog during my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. We had such fun! Well, I’ve decided to draw for my grand winner the old fashioned way. Straight out of a hat. To be exact, my son’s brand new Patriot’s hat. I’ve gone through all the posts and listed all the commenters. The problem? I’m out of printer ink. So, I’ll be hitting the print shop this week and getting the printer going. (So sorry about the delay)

My six-year-old will draw the lucky winner of the $100 Amazon gift certificate later in the week and it will be announced in a post at this blog on NEW YEAR’S DAY! What a great way to toast in 2012!

This week’s posts will simply be a lead-up to New Year’s Eve and all the interesting things that came out of 2011. First and foremost, five words added to the Oxford Dictionary this year. I'm sure you know them all. Or at least one or two. *grins*

Retweeting: resending somebody's tweet using Twitter (I knew this one. Who doesn't?)

Mankini: a one- piece bathing suit for men, with a T-back (think Borat) (Huh! *snorts* Funny)

Jeggings: tight trousers for women that look like denim jeans. (No comment)

Woot: (typically spelled "w00t") an on-line way to say "hooray," typically in a celebratory manner ("w00t! I fragged your n00b butt!") (Use this one often. Mispelled it though!)

Upcycle: to recycle into something worth more that the original. (I'm still busy recycling but this sounds good)

According to Oxford... "Some of the words are well-known to those who follow the news, such as sexting (sending sexual text messages or pictures) and cyberbullying (harassment over the Internet). Others are a bit specialized, such as noob (properly spelled n00b, a shortened form of "newbie" or somebody who's new to a game or forum; usually used in a derogatory sense)."

For All Who Have Lost Someone Close. A Christmas Post.

2011-12-25T06:00:00.008-05:00

Merry Christmas!

It’s hard to believe that December 25th has finally arrived. It’s been a fabulous month here at A Writer’s Mind. My What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree blog event has once more been a pure pleasure to host. Sixteen authors and jewelry vendors have visited and shared some truly wonderful Christmas tales. I would like to thank each and every one of them for joining me this holiday season. You ladies are the best! I'd also like to thank everyone who has popped in and commented. It meant so much.

For those of you joining me for the first time, if you have a few minutes to spare and want to share the yuletide with some fantastic people, grab a hot cup of hot chocolate or whatever your device and scroll back through the posts. Don’t forget to comment today for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to share today and decided that I'd rather be honest and shoot from the heart... this Christmas is a bit difficult.

As many know, I lost my Dad at the end of July and Christmas without him is… not quite Christmas. It was very important to me this year to try to keep things as normal as possible. For the sake of my son. For the sake of my mom. For the sake of myself.

There’s a certain joy that Christmas offers. A bittersweet nostalgia. Memories that though they hurt can also be healing. The lights, the warmth, the tradition of it all.

In fact, everything has gone quite well this holiday season. As far as everyone knows, I kept a dry eye. Until today at the store. I picked up a candle and thought to myself, “Time to buy a Christmas card for mom!” So off I strolled with a smile on my face, a bounce in my step, simultaneously sniffing the Warm Apple Pie candle and pushing my cart until I arrived at my destination, the card section. Not thinking twice, I reached up and grabbed a ‘Mom & Dad’ Christmas card. Eyes round as saucers, I froze.

Mom and Dad?

Regrettably, no.

Yep, I had a mini break-down. I quickly hustled away to the soda isle where I buried my tears by studying the ingredient label of a Diet Coke bottle. Let me tell you, there are some alarming things in soda. Suffice it to say, I quickly pulled myself together. No need for tender moments mere feet from so much carbonation. Shoulders back, determined gait full steam ahead, I went right back to that card isle and picked out the perfect Christmas card for my MOM.

Life goes on and I truly believe the worst disservice we can do to those who we’ve lost is to cease doing the little 'normal' things because they’re not right there with us anymore. After all, I think they still are with us. We just can’t see them. But we can feel them. I think Dad was right there with me telling me to pull myself together and stay strong. That I should celebrate Christmas with his memory close to my heart.

Dad, I love you. Though I can’t ‘give’ you anything for Christmas this year I hope that this, your favorite Christmas song, reaches you wherever you may be…

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

~Sky

What Are Your Favorite Things About the Holidays? Renee Vincent. Blog Event.

2011-12-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

It’s almost that time. The day after tomorrow is Christmas Day! I’ve had the pleasure of having so many wonderful authors and vendors join me for my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event this year. If you’re popping in for the first time, here’s the scoop. The past thirty days have consisted of sixteen featured guests. All left a prize to win. We now have fifteen happy winners! But that’s not all. Every commenter on all posts through December 25th are entered to win the grand prize, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.

Today and tomorrow, it’s my pleasure to welcome over a wonderful woman and author, Renee Vincent. Renee is graciously giving away an Ecopy from her backlist. Your choice! All you have to do is list your three favorite things about the holidays in a comment. In addition, I will be adding a $10 Amazon gift certificate to the jackpot. This prize will be given to a 2nd lucky commenter!

Let’s hand the blog over to Renee…

Before I begin, I’d like to thank Sky Purington for inviting me back to this great holiday event on her blog. I know she is enduring a very difficult hardship this year, and I give her kudos for continuing on with her normal routine. I know, from personal experience, that losing a loved one can be detrimental to one’s life, especially when the holidays roll around. But I want you to know, Sky, that your father would be so proud that you picked up and carried on with your career as an author. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

With that said, the Christmas season is my favorite time of the year and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite things about this great holiday with you.

Looking back at last year’s wish list, I wanted a Kindle VERY badly and to my surprise, my husband bought one for me. I was super stoked and believe me, I’ve used this Kindle more than I ever thought possible.

Last year, at this same event, I also wished to have Gerard Butler singing in his best baritone Phantom of the Opera voice that I was the next NY Time’s Best Selling author. That wish had not come true…but I’m still hopeful this year. (*ahem* Gerard….that was your cue!)

Moving on to the present, I couldn’t think of one single thing I wanted or needed. When my family asked for suggestions, I’ve found myself at a loss. I had no idea what to tell them, so this year should be quite interesting. On the same token, I LOVE surprises. So, I’m pretty excited about what they come up with.

While I’m clueless about what I want under my tree, I have no doubts as to why I enjoy Christmas as much as I do.

#1 I can’t forget the reason for the season. Through the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking, and cleaning, I always give praise to the man of the hour: Our Savior. Now I’m not going to go all holy-roller or push religion and faith down anyone’s throats. I just know that without Him, I would not be where I am today, nor would I have the success of an author to boast. I love sharing with my children the reason why we, as a family, celebrate the season of giving.

#2 I love the whole aspect of giving gifts, from the countless hours spent searching for that perfect present, to watching their eyes light up as they unwrap it, whether it be a child or adult. In fact, I actually prefer to give than to receive. The feeling inside is twice as rewarding.

#3 And lastly, my other favorite thing about Christmas is spending quality time with family. Through the years, I’ve learned that life is short and to treasure every moment as if it were the last. Those memorable days of laughing, eating, and relaxing with loved ones are ever so precious. Nothing, not even time, can erase those instances of joy and bliss from my memory.

And since I’ve shared with you my three favorite things about Christmas, I’d like to hear yours. Leave me a comment listing your 3 favorite things about the holiday season, and you’ll be entered to win an ebook copy of any one of my backlist (winner’s choice.)

From my house to yours, I want to wish you all a very blessed and safe Christmas!

Sky here. What a great post, Renee. Thank you so very much for the kind words in regards to my Dad. My thoughts are with you this Christmas as well, my friend. Your sister is still right there with you in spirit, as is my Dad right here with me. Wishing you and yours the very happiest of holidays.

THE FALL OF RAIN

Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from Norway, is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages and find proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years of living off the west coast of Ireland, he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest with pagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing it only confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on Inis Mór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who once inhabited the rugged isle.

For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.

Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine can’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she gets to know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a time long forgotten.

Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?

Purchase THE FALL OF RAIN at Amazon.

Renee Vincent’s Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Don’t forget to list your three favorite things about the holidays in a comment for a chance to win. Contest ends December 25th, 12 AM, EST.

'Tis The Season To Wear Jewelry! Designs by Dawn Marie. Christmas Blog Event.

2011-12-21T11:19:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. Only a few days left until Christmas and still lots to give away! In addition to each featured guest’s prize, one lucky commenter on any post between now and December 25th is entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift certificate!

Today and tomorrow it’s my pleasure to welcome over my dear friend Dawn Marie, CEO of Designs by Dawn Marie. Dawn Marie is graciously hosting a duel giveaway. One pair of artisan earrings to a commenter at this blog and another who follows the simple directions at DAWN MARIE'S BLOG.

Dawn's description of these magnificent earrings… “These are beautiful magnesite earrings. The veining in this magnesite selection is really spectacular. Gorgeous shades of turquoise and brown make these earrings a sure "go to" pair in your jewelry box. I've accented the magnesite with sparkling genuine Swarovski Crystals. To really finish the entire look, I've hand wire-wrapped rich chocolate wire creating a beautiful finial finish. The ear wires are copper, to really bring out the shades of chocolate and brown through the earring.”

I purchased earrings from Dawn Marie years ago and still wear them often (with tons of compliments I might add!) She puts her heart and soul into her work and it really comes through in her designs. I guarantee that when you head over to her blog that you’re going to end up browsing and most definitely fall in love with one of her pieces!

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!!!

Contest ends December 23rd, 12 AM EST.

Be Careful What You Wish For! Sharon Donovan. Christmas Blog Event.

2011-12-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. Every two days, either an author or vendor visits A Writer’s Mind to leave something beneath this blog’s Christmas Tree for YOU. In addition, every commenter on any post is entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon. This event has been a pure joy to host. And it’s not over yet!

Today and tomorrow, I’ve the pleasure of welcoming over the lovely Sharon Donovan. Sharon is very graciously offering snowflake wine chimes, cork screw and cocktail napkins to one lucky commenter!

Let’s hear from Sharon…

A warm thank you to Sky for hosting this beautiful Christmas blog. My topic is…

Be Careful What You Wish For.

It happened to me back in the eighties. Does anyone remember the home jewelry parties? Well, I do and I’ll never forget my one and only experience. It happened one Christmas. Enjoy!

Diva Queen

“And here’s our show stopper,” the jewelry representative held up a sleek snake necklace with emerald green eyes. “Can’t you just see yourself at all the Christmas parties in this breathtaking piece? And it can be yours in a heartbeat. All you need do is host the next jewelry party at your house, sell enough jewelry to meet the quota—and this hostess gift is yours! Now which of you lovely ladies is gonna be the Diva Queen of all his dreams?”

I couldn’t take my eyes off it. The emerald green snake eyes had me hypnotized. Before I could stop myself, I shot my hand high in the air. Practically panting, I screamed with gusto. “Me! I’ll host the next party. That necklace is mine!”

For the next two weeks before my party, I walked around with my head in the clouds, dreaming of the gorgeous necklace I’d showcase at all the upcoming Christmas parties. I walked around with stars in my eyes. I dreamed of it and counted the days until it was mine. In between decorating the house, trimming the tree and baking cookies, I went shopping for a dress regal enough to complement my show stopper.

Humming a verse or two of All I want for Christmas, I called every friend, relative and co-worker I could think of, making certain I’d sell enough jewelry to win my hostess gift. On the morning of my party, I even went so far as to post signs on telephone poles, bribing the unsuspected with promises of cookies and hot buttered rum. Giddy with delight, I ushered the jewelry representative in on a blast of cold winter wind.

“Come on in. I have a table ready for you in the living room. Go on and set things up. I’ll just check on the refreshments.”

And before long, the house was bustling with excitement as guests chose accessories to jazz up holiday wardrobes. And by the end of the party, I far exceeded the points I needed to claim my hostess gift. The minute all points were tallied, I screamed loud enough to wake the living dead.

“YES!”

But two weeks later, guests began calling me, curious as to the whereabouts of their orders. Puzzled, I called the representative, who assured me the shipment was just running a little late due to the Christmas rush. But when guests began calling me and leaving irate messages on my machine, I got suspicious.

“How dare you try and pull one over on us,” a co-worker screeched. “Of all the people in the world, you’d be the last person I’d suspect of stealing money.”

Something inside me went ice cold. What was she talking about? My left eye began to twitch the way it did when I was upset. Biting my lip, I made a few phone calls, feeling the life being sucked right out of me.

And when I learned the jewelry representative had told my guests she’d delivered the shipment to me over a week ago, my heart sank. I smelled a rat. And after more phone calls to the company, I learned the jewelry order was never turned in. The trusty representative had pocketed my money and was nowhere to be found, leaving me in bad standing with my friends, relatives and co-workers.

After countless calls to the jewelry company, numerous apologies to my guests and more heartache than I’d ever known, I reached rock bottom. But when guilt finally caught up with the jewelry representative, she called with a full confession.

“I’m so sorry,” she choked out in between sobs. “I couldn’t afford to pay the rent. I had all good intentions of turning your order money in next week. Honest. I’m really sorry. I’ve never done this. Can you forgive me?”

Her sobbing disgusted me. Because of her jack-be-nimble fingers, I lost the respect of the people I cared most about. I just shook my head, unable to say the words desperately wanting to roll off my tongue. I simply slammed down the phone, feeling a whole lot older and a whole lot wiser.

And a few days before Christmas, when my jewelry order was at long last delivered, I opened it with a heavy heart. And when I unveiled my hostess gift, something I was ready to sell my soul for, an icy chill washed over me. The sleek gold snake necklace glistened on a bed of blue velvet, its emerald green eyes winking up at me like the eyes of a serpent. Closing the lid, I packed it away. I wanted no part of it. Because of a piece of glamorous costume jewelry, I’d nearly lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Greed had taken hold of me, ensnaring me in its ugly web. I felt ashamed. Nothing was worth the price of that necklace.

The following day, I wrapped up the necklace and placed it under the Angel tree at my church. And the minute I did, I felt the weight of the world lift from my burdened shoulders. Humming along to the beautiful instrumental the choir was playing, the sound of flutes and harps filling me with inner peace, I left with a light heart and a valuable lesson learned. Be careful what you wish for.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

Sharon's Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Sky here. What a wonderful post, Sharon! Thank you so much for sharing. A very, very Happy Holiday to you and yours!

BIO

Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream arose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.

Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. Echo of a Raven, a narrative non-fiction about her struggles with diabetic retinopathy, received a CTRR award for outstanding writing, and The Claddagh Ring is a 2009 CAPA nominee for best inspirational of the year. Mask of the Betrayer was voted book of the week at LASR and its video by Triad Productions was a second place winner at You Gotta Read. Other books by Sharon Donovan are Touched by an Angel, Lasting Love, Her Biggest Fan and Charade of Hearts. You can visit Sharon at

Visit Sharon Donovan's Website or write to her at: sharonad@comcast.net

CHRISTMAS ANGEL

EXCERPT

“I want an abortion,” Eve hissed, glaring at her husband as he struggled to control his SUV during a complete white-out on the northbound lane of Lake Shore Drive. Gusts of bitter wind howled, sleet pummeled the windows, turning one of Chicago’s main arteries into a car graveyard. She cranked up the radio, fiddling until she stumbled upon a rock song to her liking. “And I want a divorce.”

“You’re drunk,” Oliver said, dark eyes flashing in the oncoming traffic. “We’ll talk about this when you’re sober.”

“I’m not drunk, and we’ll talk about it now,” Eve said, turning up the radio a notch. “I’m sick to death of your self-righteous attitudes. Your constant moralizing drives me mad. I only had a few drinks. It was a Christmas party, after all.”

“A few drinks?” Oliver snorted, skidding on the off-ramp from Stevenson Expressway. “Don’t make me laugh. You were tilting back that Sangria like it was cherry soda. You’re pregnant and shouldn’t be drinking at all. You shoulda seen yourself out there on the dance floor in that skin-tight red dress, rubbing up to all the male jockeys, shimmying and kicking up your stiletto heels like you were a contestant in Dancing With the Stars. You looked ridiculous. Everyone was laughing and pointing. Honey, you made a royal ass of yourself.”

“Shut up,” her hands balled into tight fists, long fingernails coiled like talons. How she itched to wipe that smug look off his face, knock him off his pedestal. She rolled her eyes theatrically, heaving out an exasperated sigh. “Unlike some people I know, the jockeys at the clubhouse know how to cut loose and unwind, leave the work load behind at the end of the day. You’re no fun at all, a real deadbeat. Did you even try socializing, get to know some of the jockeys? No, you just sat there all night like a bump on a log, drinking coffee, eye on the clock, a scowl plastered on your face. We have nothing in common. Why I married you is a mystery to me. I want out, the sooner the better.”

“Over my dead body,” Oliver roared, tires squealing as his vehicle skated dangerously close to a light pole. “What about our baby?”

“Weren’t you listening? I’m terminating this pregnancy; I’m only a few weeks. I told you when we got married, no kids. Training horses is my profession, my passion, something I won’t give up for anyone, least of all a kid. Thoroughbred racing comes first, foremost and always. Get it through your head. The last thing in the world I want is to be straddled down with a snotty nosed brat. Not in this life. You can’t make me have it.”

“You think this is about power and control?” Oliver raged, brakes squealing, wheels spinning. “It’s not. It’s about love and commitment. Haven’t I always catered to your every whim, your every need? Since the day we met, I treated you like a queen. I spoiled you rotten and let you have your way. Not this time, Eve. I’m putting my foot down. I want this baby. An abortion is out of the question. Absolutely not, I forbid it.”

“You what?” she laughed, cranking up the rock music to an ear-splitting screech. “Do you think you can control me, make my decisions for me? Order me to go through with this unwanted pregnancy because you’re a judge? The Honorable Judge Oliver Wendell Williams presiding? Do you really think you can lock me up behind bars, hold me prisoner against my will? Make me have this kid? Because that’s what having a baby would feel like to me, a jail sentence.”

“Don’t be so selfish, Eve.”

“Oliver, the pole!”

With a screech of brakes, the wheels locked, sending the SUV skidding into the light pole with a thundering boom. The vehicle flipped on its side, rolling three times before crashing into a tree, the splintering of glass and broken metal piercing the night.

***

She ached all over. Not wanting to open her eyes, she preferred the comfort of the surreal place she was floating in, drifting in and out of. Her head throbbed and she felt something tight and uncomfortable squeeze her arm. Somewhere in the distance, she heard beeping.

Cool fingers snaked around her wrist. Paramedics feeling for a pulse? She had a vague recollection of the wreck. To her horror, she remembered the SUV skidding into a pole and rolling over and over before landing with a resounding crash. The shattering of broken glass rang in her ears, the shuddering shriek devastating. Was she dead? She felt cold, colder than she’d ever felt. She needed to tell them she was alive.

She was faintly aware of murmurs, muted and distant. Someone pried her eyelids open and flicked a bright light in them. She thought she heard her name, far away in the distance, but it was so muffled she couldn’t be sure. She fluttered her eyelids.

“We’re losing her,” a man said, panic rising in his voice. “She’s lost too much blood and is going into cardiac arrest. We need to resuscitate. Let’s move! Code Blue.”

Eve felt herself leaving her body, floating upward to a swirl of bright light. As she gently ebbed closer to the rapture, her senses became acutely aware. She drifted through a garden of roses, vivid blooms of crimson, burnt orange and liquid gold as bright as sorcerer’s flames. The sweet perfume permeating the air was heavenly. Enveloped in peace and tranquility, she passed through a veil of flowers. With a flutter of gossamer wings, a beautiful cherub materialized. The angel was breathtakingly beautiful. A spiral of jet-black curls framed a heart-shaped face, and when she smiled, lips the color of ripe cherries lit up her entire face.

“Who are you?” Eve asked.

“It’s me, Mummy,” the angel answered sweetly. “The baby you lost in the wreck, the child you didn’t want.”

COMING SOON FROM WHIMSICAL PUBLICATIONS

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Wednesday, December 21, 12 AM EST.

Christmas With A Pirate! Helen Hollick. Blog Event.

2011-12-17T03:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome! My ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event continues. If you’re popping in for the first time let me fill you in. Every two days a new author or vendor visits A Writer’s Mind to leave a gift for YOU under this blog’s Christmas tree. Not only that, but every commenter between now and December 25th is entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over talented author, Helen Hollick. Helen is graciously offering TWO prizes. Be sure to comment for a chance to win a copy of Sea Witch. One winner will be selected from the UK and the other, anywhere else in the world.

Let’s hand the blog over to Helen…

Christmas with a Pirate

By Helen Hollick – author of the Sea Witch Voyages

A not historically accurate story for Christmas

A man of lesser fortitude would have worried about the dreams. Jesamiah assumed they were the unpleasant after-taste of too much rum, although how a whole bottle constituted ‘too much’ was a little beyond his reckoning.

“Cap’n?” Finch poked at Jesamiah to see if he was awake, was rewarded with a muffled grunt from beneath the blankets. “Cap’n Acorne, yer breakfast’s on the table. Up t’you if’n you want it ‘ot or cold. But I ain’t warmin’ it up agin fer you.” Finch poked him again. “I got to get on with fings.”

Jesamiah grunted again and shoving the bedding aside crawled from the wooden cot that hung from the underside of the deck above him by four ropes. The sound of the sea swirling past the hull echoed through the small side chamber, and the daylight in the main cabin changed slightly as Sea Witch leant over. She was going at a fair rate of knots; even down here he could hear the singing of the wind in the rigging and the thunder of the canvas sails as they bent and strained.

He scratched his bare backside beneath his long shirt and yawning, sauntered towards the mahogany table where his steward, Finch, had laid breakfast. Most days meals consisted of bread that was more weevil than bread, stew more gristle than meat and coffee that had more bits if dust and rat’s droppings in it than coffee. Such was life aboard a ship in the early 1700’s. The one advantage of being a pirate ship – there was usually a plentiful supply of rum and fresh provisions whenever they took and boarded a Prize.

“What’s this?” Jesamiah asked, poking at an oblong package wrapped in a piece of canvas cloth and tied with thin twine.

“Nuffing much,” Finch answered as he poured hot coffee into a small china cup – for once it looked and smelt like coffee. “Just something fer Christmas.”

Jesamiah sniffed and wiped at the moustache trailing to either side of his mouth into his jaw-line beard that was as black as his shoulder-length hair. “I thought we agreed? No damn presents. Gets a bit much finding trinkets and such for every bloody member of the crew.” Coffee cup in his hand, Jesamiah peered out of the stern windows that were salt-grimed on the outside. Sea Witch was leaving a long, straight, and frothing wake. He studied the horizon. No sign of another sail. Good. They’d lost that damned Royal Navy Frigate then.

He sipped the coffee, returned to the table, sat, investigated what was under the covered plate. Cooked ham, two eggs, black pudding and a kidney. He raised his eyebrows delighted and surprised.

“Must be Christmas,” he said, “you usually serve up burnt toast.”

Finch scowled and headed towards the cabin door, ducking beneath the low overhead beams. “I’ll fetch your shaving stuff and some ‘ot water. I’ve set our your best clothes too. You mind you put ‘em on.”

Jesamiah grinned, half saluted. “Aye Sir.”

Finch was a curmudgeonly old basket, but Jesamiah valued his unfailing loyalty.

Footsteps running on the deck above, shadows flickering through the overhead skylight. Rue’s voice, from where he stood at the helm, called out, “All ‘ands t’braces. Make ready to wear ship!”

The Frenchman, Rue, was a good second-in-command. Jesamiah trusted him implicitly.

“What’s this then?” he said to himself as he started to undo the package. “I thought I made it quite clear about presents this year. Last year there was such a squabble after the foremast jacks complained that the topmen had done better than they had.” He sighed. Finding suitable gifts for over one hundred men had proven to be a nightmare. In the end he’d shoved a load of bits and bobs in a chest and told them to help themselves to one item each. Thinking about it now, that had not been one of his better ideas. The ensuing fight had been somewhat spectacular.

Unpeeling the canvas he discovered a cedarwood box, exquisitely carved with a likeness of the Sea Witch. Inside, several lengths of blue ribbons. His trademark. He wore blue ribbons tied into his hair. A personal vanity with a practical purpose. He often gave one to the ladies ashore as a memento of a pleasurable night, but used them also for a more sinister reason. They made a useful weapon to quickly and quietly garrotte an enemy.

Finch brought in a laver and jug of hot water, set them to the small side table.

“You made this?” Jesamiah asked, indicating the box.

“I did.”

“That explains why m’dinner’s been late every evening this week then,” Jesamiah grinned.

Finch growled under his breath. “The crew wants you on deck, and Rue says do you wish to maintain this course or no?”

Jesamiah took his time shaving; with Sea Witch bowling along so merrily it was not easy keeping the razor merely to the whiskers. Twice he cut himself as she lurched over a particularly strong wave. He dabbed at the blood, dressed. Finch had lain out his best white breeches, linen shirt, lace cravat and the fancy waistcoat. It was Jesamiah’s favourite, the embroidery was exquisite – tiny green oak leaves with delicate little acorns decorated in gold thread. He slipped it on, added the leather baldric strap which went aslant from his right shoulder, across his chest to his left hip, where his cutlass nestled comfortably. Settling the strap onto his shoulder he touched the gold acorn earring dangling from his right earlobe.

That dream? He’d had it several times. Each occasion it was exactly the same. A woman was walking along a beach deep in thought. Two dogs were running and barking at her feet – it was drizzling with rain and apart from those three, the beach was empty. She walked for quite a way, then sat on a rock gazing out at the flat, grey sea. It was not a coastline he recognized. Who was she? Why did he keep seeing her?

Putting on his buckram greatcoat that had once been blue but was now a sun-bleached light grey, he set his hat to his head and went out on deck.

The crew were gathered there in their Sunday best – that is, clean neckerchiefs, jackets over their grubby shirts and canvas or calico breeches. Most of them were barefoot. Easier to climb and keep your balance on the rigging without shoes, and here in the Caribbean, warm clothing and woollen stockings were not essential anyway.

Without altering his bland expression Jesamiah climbed up the companionway ladder to the quarterdeck, stood looking out along the deck stretching ahead of him towards the bow. Every bit of railing was entwined with greenery and coloured streamers. Bound to the mainmast, a six foot Christmas tree, decorated with strings of shells.

Not able to contain themselves any longer the crew cheered and shouted, “Happy Christmas Captain!”

Jansy started up a song, with old Toby Turner raking what was supposed to be a tune from his old fiddle.

“What entertainment ‘ave you got for the crew this year then, mon ami?” Rue asked from the helm, his French accent bound with suppressed laughter. “Mayhap not the fight we ‘ad last year, eh?”

Jesamiah nonchalantly strode towards him and took the wheel, his hands caressing the spokes as he silently acknowledged his beloved ship. He had not got anything for anyone.

Some of the lads were dancing a boisterous jig, their feet stamping on the hot wooden deck, others clapping the rhythm.

He would have to offer them something, and pretty quick too. Pirates were not noted for their generous patience.

Ah. He had it.

“We’ll alter course,” he said, squinting up at the topgallant sails. “If I recall rightly, about an hour from here is that island we nicknamed La Belle Passion.”

“The one we discovered a few months back?”

“Aye.”

“The one with the tavern right on the shore?”

“Yep.”

“With those très bon kegs of French brandy?”

“That’s the one.”

“And those black haired, black eyed, senoritas?”

“Uh huh.”

“The senoritas with the big….”

Jesamiah grinned, nodded. He put the wheel over slightly, watched as the resulting movement shivered along the edge of the maincourse sail.

“Not suitable accoutrements for a Christmas day of course.” He said. “I doubt the men will appreciate the gesture. I mean, they’ll probably prefer listening to me recite that old copy of King George’s Christmas speech we found a few months back. A couple of games of pin the tail on the pirate and hunt the hook; that sort of thing.”

Rue rubbed at his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Oui, that they probably would. Traditional Christmas is very sacred, but maybe just this once we could put up with something a little different, non?”

Jesamiah laughed. “Aye, I reckon!”

He handed the helm back to Rue and stepped forward to the quarterdeck rail. “Men! I’m delighted to announce your Christmas present!”

The deck fell silent. The dancing and singing stopped, everyone turned to face their Captain, expectant.

“How do you fancy a few days holiday somewhere warm and very pleasant?”

Later, much later, the stars filled the dark heavens like a scatter of jewels cast there and the gentle hush of the sea lapped the golden sands that were cooling after the heat of day. An almost empty bottle of rum in one hand, and a beautiful woman, almost asleep on his shoulder, in the other, Jesamiah lay on the beach, content.

He closed his eyes. Ah, this was the life.

Drowsing he thought of that dream again.

That woman, the one in the place he didn’t recognize, had looked up and seen him. He’d been standing there for ages, his boots in the shallow surf, hat tilted back slightly, one hand on his hip. He nodded, gave her a half salute, his golden acorn earring glistening in the weak sun that was trying to push through the grey cloud.

She smiled. Said, “Hello Jesamiah Acorne.”

Good grief, he thought to himself, I’ve just realised who she is. She’s the one who writes down all my adventures! Well, fancy that.

For the full story of how I met Jesamiah Acorne click HERE.

Sky here. I absolutely loved this. Very clever! Thank you so much for sharing, Helen. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season.

Visit Helen’s Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win. Contest ends Monday, December 19th, 12 AM, EST.

I Need A Production Crew! AJ Nuest. Christmas Blog Event

2011-12-15T08:34:00.002-05:00

Only ten days left until Christmas and my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event continues! Now through Christmas an author or vendor will be swinging in every two days to share a part of their holiday with us. Each and every featured guest is leaving something under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, everyone who comments between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today and tomorrow, it’s my pleasure to welcome over romance author, AJ Nuest who will graciously be giving away an Ecopy of Jezebel's Wish to one lucky commenter.

Let's hear from AJ...

Help! I Need A Production Crew!

As the married mother of two, our family looks forward to Christmas with all the fervor and enthusiasm due middle-class American family. The day after Thanksgiving, we begin pulling out decorations, making wish lists, and scouring our favorite cookbooks for that one special recipe.

One would think this ensures our holiday goes off without a hitch, just like all those Christmas specials on television.

The happy family sits down to a delicious home-cooked meal. The stockings are hung above a roaring fire and the tree displays a stunning arrangement of hand-crafted ornaments. The children are perfectly behaved. Mom is gorgeous, her hair a bonnet of perfection, her stylish dress wafting around her knees while she floats around the kitchen in a pair of spotless high heels. Dad comes in from shoveling the walk and smiles at her in that special way, handsomely attired in his new Christmas sweater. After dinner, the children don their pajamas, kiss Mom and Dad on the cheek, and trundle off to bed. Mother and Father share a smooch under the mistletoe and glass of wine before the crackling fire. Christmas carols hum romantically in the background and a pile of shiny wrapped presents are stacked neatly under the tree. Everything is perfect.

I don’t know about you, but this ain’t how things go at our house.

Mom gets up two hours earlier than normal to start the preparations for the evening meal. Thinking she has more than enough time, she puts off showering and whips her hair into a ponytail using the rubber band off the asparagus. The children wake up and grumble for breakfast. Realizing she forgot to buy eggs, Mom wakes up Dad and asks if he could please go to the store. Dad grabs a coffee and heads out the door, only to return moments later and announce the car has a flat tire. Mom gives the children a candy cane off the tree for breakfast, hands Dad the checkbook, and returns to the kitchen.

The children decide to go sledding. Mom leaves the stove to gather gloves, scarves, hats, snow pants, and boots. She spends a half hour negotiating with daughter that even though last year’s snow pants have a small tear in the left knee, they will still work, and can she please stop arguing with her brother about who gets to ride the sled first.

Mom returns to the stove to find the hollandaise sauce burned beyond recognition. Dad enters kitchen reeking of motor oil and announces that he is just now heading to the store. Daughter reappears from outside, crying because she fell off the sled. Mom calms daughter down and hands her a second candy cane.

Roast gets inserted into the oven. The cat tears into the kitchen batting a glass ornament across the floor. Mom returns the ornament to the tree, only to find the bottom half is bare and the ornaments have been scattered throughout the living room. An hour later, the tree has been redecorated and the pine needles vacuumed.

Dad comes back from the store with a gallon of milk, enough double-A batteries to power Chernobyl, and an extension cord. Daughter pulls out painting project and arranges all her supplies on the dining room table. Son decides it’s time for band practice and spends the next hour banging out the same rhythm in his bedroom. Dad disappears to fix a string of broken lights on the front of the house. Mom returns to kitchen, pours a glass of wine, and peels potatoes.

The children decide to build a snowman. Mom leaves the stove and realizes the first set of gloves, scarves, hats, snow pants, and boots are soaking wet, lying in puddle on the utility room floor. She ransacks the closet for new gloves, scarves, hats, snow pants, and boots. A half hour is spent negotiating with daughter that even though she has to wear her brother’s hand-me-down snow pants from last year, no one will notice. They’re navy blue, for God’s sake.

While the children are busy and the husband has a task, Mom cleans up painting supplies, changes into sweatpants and begins (yes, begins) wrapping Christmas presents.

Four hours later we sit down to our Christmas Eve meal. No one has showered, the kitchen is a disaster, and Mom is on her third glass of wine. The cat walks into the dining room and barfs up a gelatinous combination of pines needles and candy cane goo for our viewing pleasure.

THIS is the way Christmas dinner goes at the Nuest household. And while it’s chaotic, loud and messy, I wouldn’t change a thing. Except maybe this year, I’m thinking of hiring a production crew.

Sky here. WOW, you have your hands full, AJ! The idea of hiring a production crew sounds fantastic. LOL. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!

AJ Nuest lives in northwest Indiana with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She is the Senior Editor for Still Moments Publishing, and the author of two contemporary romance novels.

Visit her on the web at her Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter.

Email: ajnuest@yahoo.com

Purchase Jezebel’s Wish at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

Watch a book trailer for JEZEBEL'S WISH

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win. Contest ends Saturday, December 17, 12 AM, EST.

Getting In Touch With Your Naughty Side This XXXmas

2011-12-13T08:14:00.014-05:00

Welcome! My ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ Blog Event' continues. New to this event? Well, every two days a different author or vendor pops in to leave a present under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, every comment between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 Gift Certificate to Amazon!

Today we’re turning ‘sexy’ way up with erotica author, Rynne Raines. So be forewarned, this post is 100% RATED R. Rynne is graciously giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Certificate to one lucky commenter who answers her question correctly. (located at the end of the post)

Let's hand the blog over to Rynne...

Getting In Touch With Your Naughty Side This XXXmas

It's not always easy to find that perfect gift for your man on Christmas. If your man is anything like mine you'll wrack your brain for hours on end trying to think up something he wants that he hasn't already purchased. Save yourself the trouble ladies and give him the one thing every man wants--a piece of your sweet and naughty ass with a side of kink.

Whether he has been ultra naughty this year or extra nice, every woman wants to give their man the super sexy Christmas gift that he will never forget. So, tap into that creative reservoir girls and allow yourself to cut loose for the holidays! Below are seven naughty ideas that will take you both to the erotic side of the winter wonderland.

Jingle All The Way

Sexy clothing is a fantastic way to set the tone for a seductive night of Christmas Eve fun! Meet your man at the door wearing a pair of high heels, these adorable red fishnets with their tiny gold bells ($12.95 at 3wishes.com), a Santa hat and nothing else! Those Christmas bulbs won't be the only things lighting up!

Tease and Please With Present And Bow Pasties

Want to decorate the "girls" for the holidays? A great accessory to the fishnets would be these amazing and creative nipple pasties ($16.95-18.95 at 3wishes.com) Try the fine art of the slow tease and he'll be begging to unwrap those gifts with a holiday smile on his face.

Spice It Up With A Kinky Kristmas Kit

Are you straight off the naughty list? Well this Christmas Vibrator and Bondage Kit ($18.00 vendio.com) is a sure way for your Secret Santa to keep your cheeks rosy. Fully equipped with blindfold, cuffs, rubber flogger, 7 multi-speed vibrator, and peppermint lube this little kit may have you reserving your spot on the naughty list for next year.

Whipped Cream Delight For Two

Here's one home recipe that won't remind him of his grandmother's baking! What's needed? A can of whipped cream, a tap of cinnamon, and some peppermint schnapps. Or grab one of those candy canes off the tree, pop a piece of it in your mouth beforehand, and give your man the holiday blow job he'll never forget. So simple right?! Open wide girls and enjoy!

Pantygram

Tired of giving him a Christmas card that says Happy Holidays and Season Greetings? Why not try this intimate Pantygram? Don't want to pay the $24.95? Do it yourself! Find a sexy black envelope and slide your sexiest panties inside. If this doesn't get his sleigh bells jingling, I don't know what will!

Erotic XXXmas Stories

Curl up with your eggnog and man and dive into some erotic Christmas tales. Naughty or Nice: Christmas Erotica Stories ($11.21) or The Merry XXXmas Book Of Erotica ($14.95) will heat things up enough to forgo the need for a warm fire this Christmas Eve.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

When you're giving your man his night to remember, here's a little tease toy that will help you remember it too! According to AskMen.ca, The Durex Play Vibrations ($7.09 at amazon.com) is top of the line for disposable rings on the market. While he's bouncing his Christmas balls off your ass, why not make sure you're both screaming "O Holy Night" when all is said and done!

Well ladies those are my Christmas Kink Tips for the year. Now it's gift time! I'm leaving a $20.00 gift card to amazon.com under the tree this year for one lucky person who leaves a comment telling me what Eve will be giving Donavan if she loses their bet. Legally Bound Excerpt. From me to you...Have a wickedly wonderful holiday season!

BUY NOW

Evelyn Morgan has a secret. Donavan Carver wants to expose it. Bondage, debauchery, and a weekend at Eden lands one of them on their knees....

For years, Eve has craved sexual domination, but a kinky romp in the hay isn't worth destroying her prestigious legal reputation over. Even if that romp's with her handsome rival and legendary Dominant, Donavan Carver. Desperate to protect her secret and keep the notorious playboy at bay, Eve clings to the lie she's told for two years--she's a Domme. Donavan doesn't buy it. Given the opportunity to put Donavan's doubts to rest, Eve lures him into a bet he can't win--one that will tether him to her leash. So what if she cheats to win? He'll never find out. Or Will he?

Where to Find Rynne Raines:

Rynne Raines Website

Rynne Raines Twitter

Rynne Raines Facebook

Contest ends December 15th, 12 AM EST.

A Truly Touching Holiday Memory. Faith V. Smith. Blog Event.

2011-12-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome! We’re about halfway through my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event and so far it’s been an absolute blast! For those of you unfamiliar with this event, between November 25th and December 25, sixteen authors and jewelry vendors are visiting A Writer’s Mind to leave a gift under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. The grand prize on Christmas Day? A $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

This week it’s my pleasure to welcome over author Faith V. Smith who is graciously offering a PDF of IMMORTAL JUSTICE to one lucky commenter!

Let’s hear from Faith…

There’s one Christmas I’ll never forget. Here’s why….

Back in 2005 my husband and brother were still alive, and I was able to cook Christmas Dinner for both of them. My husband was in his hospital bed in the den, and my brother, a Katrina survivor, was in the hospital. I brought him back to be with me a few months after the hurricane struck.

Rick, my husband, was suffering from a brain injury. His mind was not stable at times, and my daughter and I were in the kitchen cooking the dressing when she heard a sound. She peeked in on her dad, and came back to the kitchen. “Mama, Dad’s crying.” I dropped what I held in m hand and ran to his room.

“Honey,” I asked, “What’s wrong?”

He replied, “I didn’t get you anything for Christmas.” The fact he knew what day it was was a miracle in itself.

I lied through my teeth and told him that he did get Christmas for me and my daughter, but that he just didn’t remember it. We had a lovely dinner, and I took a plate to the hospital for my brother Zane.

That was the last year they were with us. Zane died in January of 2006 and Rick in August of 2006. That Christmas is special because they were both where I could hold them and tell them I loved them.

So this Christmas I’m wishing for all of you a chance to hold, hug, love, and rejoice in the blessings of the holiday.

Love,

Faith

Oh Faith. What a truly touching post. It's so important to hold memories like that close to your heart. This will be my first Christmas without Dad and it's just so hard. I will take your advice and hold, hug, love, and rejoice in the blessings of the holiday. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, Faith. (((big HUGE cyberhugs)))

Visit Faith’s Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook

Let’s learn a little more about IMMORTAL JUSTICE

Over a millennium ago, Highlander Darach MacRath was murdered. Resurrected by the Archangel Michael to fight demons as an Immortal Executioner, Darach now opposes all evil in the mortal world. His life is solitary—but when he rescues a young woman who not only sees demons but battles them herself, he is captivated by her courage and beauty. Abigail Dupree is not looking for love. But when a tall, dark demon fighter with a sexy brogue intervenes in her hunt, she’s fascinated. She should run away—but then his gentle yet sizzling touch ensnares her heart. When a demon from Darach’s past sets his sights on Abby, Darach will do anything to protect her—but for Abby, losing him would be worse than death. Together they must fight the demons of past and present, and the possibility that evil could destroy them both, before they find the gift of love.

Click HERE to watch a book trailer for Immortal Justice.

Be sure to comment for a chance to win. Contest ends Tuesday, December 13th, 12 AM EST.

Going Global in a Yuletide Post! Brenda Whiteside. Blog Event.

2011-12-09T02:06:00.000-05:00

Welcome! Just a few weeks left until Christmas and my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event is in full swing. Just joining us for the first time? Let me catch you up. Every two days now through Christmas Day an author or jewelry artist will be joining me and putting something under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, everyone who leaves a comment between now and December 25th will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today and tomorrow, it’s my pleasure to welcome over Brenda Whiteside. Brenda will graciously be giving away a copy of her tale, WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES. (It’s an anthology in which Brenda has two stories) Your choice between a digital or print copy!

Let’s hand the blog over to Brenda…

I wish Christmas was every day. The end of the year holidays are absolutely, without a doubt, all the way round my favorite time of year. Starting with Thanksgiving and through the New Year, there is static in the year – static that draws us together, sticks us to each other with an electric joy that is brighter than the strings of lights we drape around the tree.

My Christmas memories are rich and plenty. The year my sister finally sat on Santa’s lap was a good one. Little Debbie was always too shy and would never follow big sister Brenda on the path to the jolly old elf. Grown up Debra finally got the nerve to slide onto the fat man’s lap – she was forty years old.

I’ve lived in many places from California to Germany. How Christmas is celebrated, how it looks in different parts of the world makes for good memories.

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. December is a great time of year in Phoenix – the sweltering heat replaced by mild temps and sunny skies. Tossing the football around, playing baseball or riding the new bike on Christmas Day seemed perfectly natural to us desert rats. How totally incongruous it was for us to sing songs about dreaming of a white Christmas, but we did.

After I was married, we spent three Christmas holidays in Germany. Those have to be some of my fondest memories. The Germans have some marvelous traditions. The Christmas tree has its origins there. We would stroll along the streets of Nuremburg with lights and decorations galore. And on every other corner would be bratwurst stands selling not only the juicy brats in buns but also hot, spiced red wine. The traditions vary a bit in different parts of Germany. Christkindl brings gifts to children, but there is also a St. Nicholas Eve on December 6th. An old tradition, still practiced in the Nuremburg area was for children to leave their shoes outside and St. Nicholas would fill them with fruit, nuts and candy if they had been good. I can still smell and taste Christmas in Germany.

Christmas on the beaches of California was about as different from Germany as you could get. Red Hawaiian shirts, glitzy decorations and the warm Santa Ana winds lent a wholly different kind of season in Santa Barbara. That year, my husband was a student, my son was not quite two and we were as poor as the Cratchits. But we were also rich with love. My son was just as happy with a new coloring book and a package of plastic army men as he would have been with a new electronic toy.

And talk about glitzy – how about Christmas in Las Vegas? Glitzy and the desert, yes, but add to that snow. We actually had a white Christmas that year!

The last couple of decades have been spent in Minnesota. After the white Christmases of Germany, I was ecstatic to be back to a winter wonderland. Minnesotans know a thing or two about the season. Minneapolis has a holiday parade in the evenings on Nicolett Mall. The Mall by itself is glittery for the season and the parade makes it magical. St. Paul’s Winter Carnival doesn’t start until after the New Year but helps drag out the holidays that much longer. There is an ice carving competition worth braving the cold to see. My husband and I belong to a club that has a holiday party that takes over a hotel, everyone dresses in island garb and we forget for one night about the subzero temps outside. The highlight is Santa Mon’s visit.

We’re one of those crazy couples who give their dog a couple of presents. Rusty loves Christmas as much as I do, but he’s more into getting than giving. He sniffs out his new stuffed toys and opens the packages. He smiles. Really!

We’ve also spent Christmas in a hotel room in San Francisco with a two-foot high plastic tree and on the road between Miami and Phoenix, but wherever we’ve been one thing is the same – that magical feeling the season brings. And that’s all I need under my Christmas tree.

One of my most favorite things about Christmas is the giving. So I’d like to give away a book of Christmas stories – Warm Christmas Wishes – in either print or e-book, your choice. Please leave a comment and we’ll draw for the winner.

However you celebrate this time of year, I hope you get a little something special under your Christmas tree.

Sky here. What wonderful holiday memories, Brenda. Thank you so much for sharing!

A bit more about Warm Christmas Wishes...

Lovely, rich Marie Louise Le Mare apparently has everything in life. So what can the handsome man in the red suit possibly give her? When they’re trapped in an elevator with only each other for company, a surprise gift exchange makes this Christmas special.

Purchase Warm Christmas Wishes HERE.

Visit Brenda’s Website and Facebook

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Sunday, December 11th. 12 AM, EST.

The Early Bird Gets The Present! Caroline Clemmons. Blog Event.

2011-12-07T03:38:00.006-05:00

We’re well into the first week of December and my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event is chock full of yuletide fun! New to this event? Well, it all about different authors and vendors visiting every two days and putting something under this blog’s Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate from Amazon!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming over Caroline Clemmons. Caroline is giving away an Ecopy of Home Sweet Texas Home.

Let's hear from Caroline...

Christmas is my favorite time of year! Hello from Mrs. Claus, otherwise known as Caroline Clemmons. At this time of year, I can’t help feeling as if I am chief giver of gifts and chair of Christmas decorations...at our house anyway. My taking care of all the shopping earns me praise from Mr. Claus.

What’s more fun than shopping for the perfect thing for our loved ones? Sure I like getting gifts, but nothing is better than finding a special surprise I know will especially delight someone I love. This takes strategy, fitness, speed and, sometimes, bravery.

For instance, two years ago my youngest daughter and I stood in a long line in cold weather outside an electronics store waiting for a five am opening so we could snag a sale-priced gift I couldn’t afford otherwise--a large sized monitor my husband wanted for his computer. If you realize that neither my daughter nor I is even close to being a morning person, this sounds more self-sacrificing. Hey, we had to get up way early to get there and get in line before five! I’d like a little sympathy here. Thank you.

We planned while we were in line. My daughter asked a store employee where the sale monitors were displayed. When the doors opened, I headed for a shopping cart while my daughter sped to the location. By the time I wove through shoppers to reach her, she clasped the desired monitor...and the stack was entirely depleted. Disappointed shoppers circled my daughter, shooting her the evil eye as they closed in nearer and nearer. I feared she would be mugged any minute, so we put the monitor in the shopping cart and got out of Dodge. Our tremendous sacrifice (remember--sympathy!) was rewarded on Christmas Eve when my surprised husband was delighted with the unexpected monitor.

Maybe that’s not the real spirit of Christmas, but we were pretty happy. Yes, we’re supposed to show love, offer reconciliation and understanding, and relieve hunger, strife, and all the other ills of the world. We can’t achieve all of these, but the same daughter and I love to shop for an angel from the mall tree. On good years, we each take an angel or two; in lean years we share one angel. Either way, what fun! We imagine the joy a child will have and we delight in providing as much as we can for that person(s).

For me, one of the joys is decorating our home. I go crazy! My husband, who I’ve always thought of as the sane member of our partnership, tries to temper my enthusiasm. Poor man, he thinks having a tree IS decorating for Christmas. He sets up our artificial tree and adds the strings of lights. He would be perfectly happy if that took care of the house. Not me. I add so many decorations that the tree is barely visible. I have saved decorations from all the way back to the first year we were married and I’ve added more each year. Honestly, it looks terrific when it’s decorated. Trust me. (Sure, you can.) My snow village and electric train under the tree add to the festive air. I’m in heaven and the cats, dog, and I sit and gaze lovingly at the joyful sight.

Then I start on the house. Wreaths on most every door, swags of fake evergreen, nativity sets everywhere (did I mention I collect them?), Santa and snowmen spread throughout the house. Then there’s the outside--the plywood cut out of Santa in his toy-filled train, the lighted reindeer, and the lights on the hedges. (I eliminated the lights along the eaves after that little falling-off-the-ladder incident that almost broke my husband’s leg.) Once all the decorations are in place, I take delight in our home’s Christmas clothes. My sweet, tolerant husband is just happy I’m happy and will leave him in peace until time to put all this stuff away. What a guy! No wonder I call him Hero on my blog, right?

I send lots of Christmas cards. I mean lots. Many people have quit sending cards due to the expense. Others only send to people out of town. Not me. I love sending cards and my Hero is with me here. We enjoy receiving greetings and I reread them several times. I love those long (okay, one or two are boring) letters that some people include. My favorite cards come with a photo or two. I can’t figure out how relatives’ kids grow up when I haven’t aged a day since last year. And why are some of my younger relatives sporting gray hair? It’s one of the season’s mysteries.

And thinking of happy occasions and giving gifts reminds me of my books. I love writing and love when readers tell me they’ve enjoyed one or more of my books. (I love to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com ) So, I’ll let you in on a secret. I have seven of my backlist books and novellas in historical and contemporary romance and a mystery at only 99 cents each on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.

I sat slaving in my desk chair for months to produce these books (remember--sympathy!) and here I’m offering them to you for the bargain price of 99 cents each. What a deal! In the next month or so, I’ll be adding a western historical, BRAZOS RIVER BRIDE, that’s the first of a Men of Stone Mountain trilogy to my 99 cent books. And I’m placing one of these books under Sky’s Christmas tree for her to give away, winner’s choice. I’m also placing one of my releases from The Wild Rose Press under the tree, HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME, a sweet contemporary romance that a modern day Cinderella story that has received rave reviews.

Purchase the .99 cent books at Amazon and Smashwords.

Purchase my The Wild Rose Press books HERE.

And while I have your attention, let me invite you to surf on over to my blog or catch me on Facebook. Follow me at Twitter.

Thanks to Sky for letting me share my love of Christmas, my books, and writing with you. Merry Christmas and I hope it precedes a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Sky here. What a lovely post, Caroline! I give you and your daughter ALOT of credit for standing out in the cold at 5 AM to scoop up a deal. I'm totally not a morning person so I beyond sympathize! Wishing your and yours a wonderful holiday season this year.

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Friday, December 9th. 12 AM, EST.

The Magic of Christmas. Jennifer Jakes Littleton. Blog Event.

2011-12-05T07:42:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. For those of you just joining us, this blog event welcomes a total of sixteen authors and jewelry vendors. All will be putting something under this blog’s Christmas tree for you to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome over romance author, Jennifer Jakes Littleton. She’s graciously offered an Ecopy of her novel, RAFE’S REDEMPTION. Be sure to comment for a chance to win.

From Jennifer’s lips to my blog…

Hi everyone! I’m so glad to be here today. Thanks for having me, Sky.

To me Christmas lights are magical. There is something about the twinkle that immediately transports me back in time. I get the same oooh, aaaah feeling I used to when my mom finished decorating and plugged in the lights. Growing up in the South, we usually didn’t get a white Christmas, but Mom would spray the fake stuff on the windows and the branches and garland. Then she’d drape the silver icicles all over the tree. By the time she was done, it felt like a winter wonderland. I’d lay beside the tree in the dark and let the twinkling lights mesmerize me.

Even as a kid, no matter what else was going on, there was something so calming and enchanting about watching those lights dance in the dark. It’s a feeling I still get – no matter how chaotic the day might have been. I always put trees in several rooms of our house, and I love nothing more than sitting in the dark, watching the lights. I can almost feel the bite of the cold air, the sharp smell of pine. My imagination soars, just like when I was a kid. Maybe it’s my mom’s love I feel when I see the lights, or maybe it’s Christmas magic. Maybe it’s both. But to me, the greatest Christmas joy I get is in a dark room, with a hot drink, wrapped in the warmth of memories, imagination and possibilities.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

***

Early in December, I’ll be releasing a FREE Read. Check my website for more info. I’m also working on another Western Historical, Alaskan Heat, which should be ready in Spring 2012.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. Best Wishes and Happy Reading

Sky here. What a wonderful holiday memory, Jennifer. I really connected with this post. I love the magic of Christmas as well and as a child often laid on the floor staring in wonder at the twinkling lights on the tree. I thought I was the only one! Wishing you and yours a wonderful and magical holiday season.

Let’s take a moment to learn more about Jennifer’s latest release, TWICE IN A LIFETIME…

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she’s furious – until she realizes he doesn’t know her or believe they’re married.

Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

Purchase TWICE IN A LIFETIME at Amazon and Smashwords.

Jennifer Jakes Littleton's Website and Blog

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Wednesday, 12 AM, EST

A Family Christmas Done Right. Beth Caudill. Blog Event.

2011-12-03T08:16:00.000-05:00

New to this blog? Good! You've arrived in the nick of time. I’ve yet another fabulous author visiting me during my, “What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. This event is all about multiple authors and vendors visiting A Writer’s Mind between now and Christmas Day. All are putting something beneath this blog’s Christmas tree for you to win.

Today and tomorrow, it’s my pleasure to welcome over talented romance author, Beth Caudill. Beth is graciously giving away an Ecopy of Healer's Fate to one lucky commenter. All commenters are also entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Time to hand this blog over to Beth...

My favorite part of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Laughter and love infuse the house during the few hours we spend decorating the tree. The kids make quick decisions on ornament placement and then I rearrange to evenly distribute decorations or to keep the more breakable objects away from the dog. Each ornament unlocks a memory – whether it’s from my childhood or something the kids made.

By the time we’re finished it’s dark outside and we can see the splendor of the white lights glittering off the ornaments. Despite the lack of seasonal snow in North Carolina, a Christmas Tree brings that magical quality of Christmas into our lives.

On the other hand, shopping for presents is my least favorite activity. I enjoy people opening presents and the delight of the kids on Christmas morning but the actual going to the malls and shopping is torture. I do some internet shopping but that only works if you know what you want to get someone. Most times I flounder on what to buy.

Being a kinetic individual, I can’t come up with ideas unless I go do the window shopping. I only wish there were less people crowding the hallways. Being jostled every step you take or being stuck behind a group talking in the center of the walkway and all you want is to move 2 storefronts down, takes what little fun there is out of shopping.

Eventually all the gifts have been brought home and wrapped. They don’t appear under the tree until the week of Christmas. With two youngish kids and a dog, the less time a present is under the tree the better. In fact, the kid’s presents are brought by Santa and Rudolf on Christmas Eve.

Yes, I torture my kids by placing all the relatives’ presents under the tree and not theirs. I’m an EVIL MOMMY. And it’s worth it to see their excited faces Christmas morning, because in the end it’s all about bringing joy to our children.

Sky here. Wonderful post, Beth! I'm just like you. My little one sees a few under the tree until Santa comes. Isn't that half the joy? In my case, my son would drive me nutty trying to open them all! You're not an evil mommy.. just a smart one. *winks*

Let's learn a bit more about Beth's latest release...

Corliss Rumdone hides behind her status as Healer to avoid the normal wolf pack hierarchical challenges. A forced mating changes the course of her life. Instead of Raymond, the beta wolf selected for her, she mates with Liam—her best friend and heir to the Alpha pair.

Liam whisks them away to a shifter retreat so they can allow the mating bond to settle in private. But interference from those seeking power and two terminal children arouse past hurts and challenge their new relationship. Even their home is not the haven it should be as Liam must watch Corliss fight for the right to stay his mate. For one healer, death becomes a weapon to balance life.

Website ~ Newsletter ~ Twitter

Watch a Book Trailer...

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!

Gifts and Scents of the Season. Skhye Moncrief. Blog Event.

2011-12-01T08:18:00.002-05:00

It’s officially December and my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event is in full swing! Every two days a new author or vendor stops in to share a holiday story and offer giveaways. In addition, all comments on posts between now and Christmas Day are entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today I’d like to welcome over author Skhye Moncrief. She’s graciously offering an Ecopy of FERAL FASCINATIONS to one lucky commenter. Also up for grabs to one lucky commenter between now and Christmas, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

From Skhye’s lips to this blog…

Giving gifts: What’s Christmas without searching for that perfect gift for someone and finding it on SALE? I spend most of each year on that mission! I’m one of those sick people who has to give gifts to everyone. My 6-year-old daughter’s second Christmas was a toughie. Between her friends and cousins, I had to buy for nineteen children! So, now we don’t give adult gifts. LOL

Baking cookies: There’s nothing like cookie dough! I used to bake about fifteen kinds of Christmas cookies. Then my wrists went bad on me. I couldn’t squeeze the icing bag! So now, it’s chocolate chip and pumpkin oatmeal cookies. The most amazing chocolate-chip recipe is on the back of the Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate chips. Use butter-flavored Crisco instead of butter and add ¼-1/3 cup of molasses. I take them out of the oven when they’re still a tiny bit damp and wet to the touch as well as barely brown. They continue to cook on the cookie sheet for a minute as they cool and are extremely moist when eaten. Perfect! People tell me these are the best cookies ever. And my friend’s husband gets mad if I don’t send him a cookie when she and her kids come over to play and have the cookies for a treat. ;) And then, there’s all the homemade candy!!! I have a recipe for what we call coconut candy—a homemade Mounds Bar candy. Covered in dark chocolate, just like fingers when dipping things in the melted chocolate!

The scents of the season: Don’t you love the way Christmas dinner smells? And Yankee Candle has every kind of candle you could want to burn during the holiday! My favorite Yankee Candle scent that I can’t find any longer is Yankee White Christmas. Now, I have to go with pine trees and cinnamon.

Sky here. Great recipe, Skhye! Yummm. Thanks so much for sharing!

Skhye Moncrief’s Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Werescape Book 1: COUGAR

Post-apocalyptic Earth: after alien invasion, AEI, 2064 AD, The Wild

With her beloved Shifter mate two days in the Oregon’s ground, Sierra must choose to live or die. She has two options—join a Shifter clan by choosing a mate or live alone. Life is dangerous for a woman, AEI. Women choose protection in a group or are sold into slavery, even to the aliens. She opts for the protection of the clan, him.

He’s glorious. Empathetic. And resolved to mark her. He will not lose her. Jackal, the powerful right-hand Shifter of the clan’s leader, her brother-in-law, is determined she will be taken care of properly as mates aren’t easily come by. Especially in The Wild. But they just met, and she fights mating in her early stages of mourning. Honor-bound with a vow made over his brother’s death bed to see her safe, he internally swears to win her love. Whatever it takes.

But she harbors a dangerous secret. Born a Cougar, she dares not risk revealing she’s a Shifter, or bounty hunters will descend upon the remote mountain village to capture her for extraterrestrials. Villagers would die in the attacks. However, her Cougar rises up to claim Jackal for its mate. Shifter meets Cougar. Cougar claims her mate. Never-ending fireworks mark their raw attraction. But when the post-apocalyptic world is determined to tear them apart, will Normals, Shifters, or aliens win? Bet your money on COUGAR.

Purchase COUGAR at Amazon.

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win an e-copy of FERAL FASCINATIONS. (blurb and reviews at the link) and whatever romance trading cards Skhye has. See her website for the cards she’s created to get an idea of what she might have on hand. ;)

A Humorous Christmas Tale. P.L. Parker. Blog Event.

2011-11-29T07:43:00.002-05:00

My 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event continues. So far it’s been a total blast! Just popping in for the first time? Well, this event hosts a new author or vendor every two days between now and Christmas Day. So sixteen features and over sixteen giveaways. Everyone who comments between now and December 25th is entered for a chance to a win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today I’d like to welcome over romance author, P.L. Parker. One lucky commenter will win an Ecopy of her latest tale, Will O’ the Wisp.

A little Christmas tale of humor from P.L. Parker’s lips to this blog…

He was exciting and fun, handsome and very masculine, but self-centered and self-serving. Stubbornly, my mind refused to accept those little warning signs. He was after all…so perfect.

Christmas season was upon us and it would be my first Christmas with a boyfriend in a very long time. It was to be a very special time. He’d given subtle hints about the present I was to get and my mind whirled with all the thrilling possibilities. We’d been dating long enough—it could be something really special. Christmas Eve and Day would be spent with my kids and my parents, so my friend and I decided to have our own private Christmas celebration a week in advance.

He invited me to his place for dinner, drinks and the exchange of gifts. I was so on edge with anticipation, nervous and excited, and when he told me early in the evening that my gift was “round,” I knew what it was! A ring! It had to be a ring! I could barely contain myself I was so keyed up! Surreptitiously, my eyes searched every corner, looking for that small white box I knew had to be here somewhere. Dinner seemed to take forever! Would he ever bring me my gift?

Finally, he stood up. “Your gift’s in the other room.” He smiled mysteriously and disappeared into the spare bedroom.

My heart pounded! I would throw myself in his arms and cry “Yes, Yes,” when he popped the question.

Banging and rattling came from behind the closed door. He must have hidden it well! Seemed to be taking awhile or perhaps it was just my own impatience making it seem longer than it really was.

The door slid open and he stepped out! My eyes bugged out. I froze. In his arms was a giant round thing! He dropped it on the floor and…it bounced. An inner tube?

I stared at the object. “Wha…? What is it?”

He gave me an odd look. “It’s a float tube! For fishing!”

“For fishing?” My elation took a huge nose dive.

“Yeah. Soon’s the weather warms up, we’ll take this baby out for a run. You’ll love it!”

“But I’ve never been fishing in a float tube!” And I didn’t want to either. Granted, the tube was pretty fancy. Had it’s own little mesh seat and a back rest, but it was still just an inner tube. Not what I was expecting! And definitely not something I’d ever wanted or would ever dream of buying for myself! I. Wasn’t. That. Person!

“You should be excited,” he exclaimed, animated. “This one was used in the TV commercial for the company.”

"Oh,” I muttered, feeling even more…crushed. “So it’s a used float tube.”

“Well, yeah. New ones cost about $150. You’ll need to pick up a pair of waders and some flippers, too. That’ll cost you about $75.”

Oh, so he couldn’t spend that much on me! I had spent almost $200 on his gift! And he was an engineer—at least that’s what he told me!

“Oh, and you’ll have to learn how to fly fish! Only way to fish in a float tube.”

“I’m sort of a bait fisherman. Nothing more exciting than trying to skewer a worm with a hook!”

“My woman needs to fly fish!”

“You know what?” I gathered up my things. “I need to get home. My babysitter can’t stay late tonight.”

“I thought you said she could.”

“I was wrong.” I headed out the door with him trailing behind, the float tube bouncing along beside him.

“I’ll carry this out to the car for you,” he offered. “You can play around with it, get used to the feel before we go fishing.”

“I can hardly wait,” I murmured. “Feeling all goose bumpy just thinking about it.” Chill bumps more like it!

He kissed me goodbye and I left.

A few months later, I got the chance to give that baby a run! My first try, the flippers stuck in the mud, I flipped upside down and almost drowned—saved by a nice older gentleman who actually cared!

Sadly, the relationship with Mr. Fisherman ended soon after that! Sadly? I probably should say happily!

Sky here. OMG, that was funny, P.L.. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

A bit about P.L.’s giveaway, Will O’ the Wisp…

Stalked across the vast reaches of the universe, Tannis, the last fecund female of the clan Light Bringers, takes refuge on Earth, veiling herself within the dying form of a human female. Her energy forces are flagging and to rejuvenate, she must seek the healing properties of the sun’s rays, but by doing so, she risks discovery by the hunter. Time is short and Kadin—the most feared assassin of all—draws near!

Purchase Will O’ the Wisp at Amazon.

P. L. Parker
Romantic Adventure at its Best

Website ~ Blog ~ Myspace

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win an Ecopy of Will O’ the Wisp and a $100 gift certificate to Amazon! Contest ends Thursday, December 1st, 12 AM EST.

What's Under Your Christmas Tree? Blog Event. Hywela Lyn.

2011-11-27T01:10:00.009-05:00

Welcome! For those of you just joining me, it’s all about Christmas at this blog. Now through December 25th, sixteen authors and jewelry vendors are visiting A Writer’s Mind to share some heart-warming holiday stories and offer some fabulous giveaways. As an added bonus, everyone who comments on any of the posts between now and Christmas Day is entered for a chance to win the grand prize, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

It's time to continue my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree’ blog event. Today and tomorrow I’d like to welcome over romance author and dear friend, Hywela Lyn. Lyn is graciously giving away to one lucky commenter a PRINT copy of Dancing with Fate and a hand-crafted Christmas ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm in the UK.

Let’s hear from Lyn now! From Lyn’s lips to this blog…

THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

I love Christmas – as long as it doesn’t start too early! I like to have the ‘magic’ feel fresh and new, so we don’t put the decorations up until a week before the great day and in keeping with tradition, don’t take them down until 5th January, 12th Night.

I really enjoy the build up to Christmas, and one of the things that makes me feel Christmas is really close is choosing our Christmas tree from the CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. After our artificial Christmas tree at last gave up the ghost and went to the ‘great artificial tree farm in the sky’ my husband and I decided, to revert to the real thing.

There are a number of reasons why we decided to go ‘real’. For each tree sold from the farm, another is planted, Since it absorbs carbon dioxide and 'breathes' out oxygen, each tree is helping reduce our collective carbon footprint. Although an artificial tree can be used for several years, the noxious chemicals produced in their production do nothing to help the fight against global warming, and they are certainly not biodegradable like a real tree. Also, it’s a great day out and we can take our dog Bouncer as well.

At the entrance to the farm is a full size Father Christmas. A little wooden fox greets visitors as they go through the gate and we pass by the little workshop where animated elves are busy making the gifts for Christmas and preparing Christmas trees. (Although one in this picture seems to have decided it was time for a mug of tea!)

The Farm uses two Shire horses, Thomas and Ambassador, who are working forestry horses. They are owned and trained by Steven Jones, who is a highly skilled forester based in Wales. Shire horses are a breed of horse which was used as draft animals on English farms for centuries. They are believed to be descended from English "Great horses" which were also used to carry armored knights in medieval times. Shires stand at least 17 hands tall (5ft 8in - 6ft/1.7m-1.8m) and weigh slightly less than one tonne.

Despite their size, the horses have a very gentle temperament. The horses leave the fields in much better condition than modern tractors. Tractors running over the ground can damage the soil structure and reduce its fertility by compacting it. Horses weigh less than tractors and their hooves spread that weight over a larger surface area. As a result, even in wet weather, the field is not damaged by the use of the horses, and the farm tracks are left un-rutted.

At the end of the rows of trees is a corral where we love to make friends with the horses, who, in this picture, were having a well deserved rest.

We spend a long time choosing our perfect tree. There are many different varieties and sizes to choose from. Choice made, while our perfect tree is being ‘netted’, we visit the Christmas Tree Farm shop. It is always like a fairy land, with a huge selection of beautiful ornaments and decorations - and close to the counter, a full size sleigh with a moving Santa on his sleigh drawn by a beautiful reindeer.

There are also woodland animals in various places around the shop, with twitching noses and paws, looking very realistic. They also sell things like magical reindeer food and special keys that only work for Santa, for houses with no chimneys. The display changes slightly each year, but it is always full of enchantment.

Before I leave, do you know the legend of the Christmas tree? This legend comes down from the early days of Christianity:

In Britain, Saint Wilfred was a monk who was helping to spread Christianity among the Druids. One day he struck down a huge Oak tree, which in the Druid religion was an object of worship.

As the tree fell to earth, it split into four, and from its centre grew a young Fir tree, pointing its topmost branch towards the sky. The crowd gathered around the monk gazed in amazement.

Wilfred dropped his axe and turned to the watching people. "This little tree shall be your Holy tree tonight," he said, "It is the sign of eternal life, for its leaves remain green all year round. See how it points toward the heavens. Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather round it, not in the wilderness but in your homes, surrounded with loving gifts and gestures of kindness." And so it is, to this day.

Sky here. Oh, I’d love to visit the Christmas Tree Farm! It certainly sounds like my kind of place. Thank you so much for sharing these stories, Lyn. I didn’t know the tale behind the Christmas Tree. While I mourn to hear of any Oak being chopped down, I love the part about the fir being a sign of eternal life.

AUTHOR BIO

Hywela Lyn lived in Wales for most of her life, and the beautiful countryside and legends inspired her to write. Although she now lives in a small village in England, she is very proud of her Welsh heritage and background. She enjoys weaving romantic tales of the future, and distant, mysterious worlds. Her pen name is a combination of her first two names.'Hywela’ is Welsh and her first name but it was never used and she has always been called by her second Christian name, Lyn. One thing remains constant in her writing: The power of love. Love, not only between her hero and heroine, but between friends and siblings, and for their particular world and the creatures that share it.

She is crazy about all animals, especially horses. She lives with her long suffering husband, Dave, and her animal family includes two horses, two ferrel cats and an adopted Jack Russell terrier called Bouncer.

Lyn’s first novel, 'Starquest', a futuristic romance, and and the sequel ‘Starquest’, 'Children of the Mist' are available in Ebook format or print from the Wild Rose Press and she is currently working on the third stories in the series. (Please watch her blog for more details) She has recently self published her fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' featuring Terpsichore, Muse of Dance, on Smashwords.

This was originally one of nine stories in the Wild Rose Press anthology ‘Song Of the Muses.'

Lyn loves to hear from fellow authors and readers and can be found at her...

Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

VIDEO: ‘DANCING WITH FATE’

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a print copy of Dancing with Fate, a Christmas tree ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm and a $100 gift certificate to Amazon. Contest ends Tuesday, November 29th, 12 AM, EST.

Mega Christmas Blog Event. Ruby Vines. It Begins NOW!!!!

2011-11-24T23:55:00.008-05:00

Season's Greatings! At long last my ‘What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree Blog Event’ has arrived. If you’re joining me at A Writer’s Mind for the first time this event is all about what we girls REALLY want beneath our trees this year. Not sure about you, but books and jewelry sound great to me. That in mind, I’ve decided to host an event that welcomes sixteen authors and jewelry vendors within thirty days. Prize after prize after prize. All for the taking. All for you. Every two days, a new face and a new goodie to be won! Don't forget, everyone who comments is also entered for a chance to win the grand prize on Christmas Day, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Each visitor will be sharing a holiday story or blurb that they hold close to their hearts. Did I hand select these ladies to share in such a momentous event? You bet. Each and every one is incredibly talented. So wrap a warm fuzzy around your shoulders, crank up that holiday music, bury yourself in a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy.

Today, I’d like to welcome the fabulously talented Ruby Vines (AKA- Alisha Paige).

From her lips to this blog…

Christmas and romance tend to go hand and hand for me, let me tell you about it.

It was early December when I went into labor with my baby boy. I woke up on a Sunday morning with serious labor pains. My husband rushed me to the hospital and we were both very nervous because the baby was breech. Once at the hospital they prepared me for an emergency C-Section. This was my third baby but I had had a VERY DIFFICULT birth experience with my second daughter so I was pretty much a fraidy cat. BTW, I had my second daughter totally natural and it wasn’t by choice either…and because she was eight years after the birth of my first daughter, the doctor said it would be like a first birth again, a very long labor. Put it this way, I arrived at the hospital near midnight with my first daughter and she was born five hours later. That isn’t a tough first labor so I was NOT prepared for the nineteen hours of labor from hell when I had my second child..so yeah…I was scared to death.

I remember being in pretty terrible pain sitting on the edge of the bed as my husband held my hands while the anesthesiologist stuck needles in my spine for my epidural. Tears started to flow and I was shaking like a leaf. My husband was so adorable in his scrubs and blue cap. He wore a mask too and all I could see was his big chocolate brown eyes staring back at me. He said, “Don’t be scared, baby.” About that time I felt warm liquid entering my spine. My husband kissed me through the mask as they laid me down. He squeezed my hand and I squeezed back, holding on. His strength gave me strength and I could just feel his love surrounding me. Or maybe it was the good drugs..nope..I’m pretty sure it was him..lol.

Pretty soon I couldn’t feel anything on my lower half and the doctor and nurses came floating in. Everyone was talking about Christmas shopping and seemed to be in a cheerful holiday mood. The doctor told a nurse to put the Christmas CD on. All of the sudden I heard the voices of angels singing.

It was beautiful.

Almost spiritual.

Wait. It WAS spiritual. I felt like it was a message from God that everything would be okay. My husband looked down at me and smiled with his eyes. I told myself I could do this. As they cut into my belly, the nurses and doctors continued to blab about the holidays as if they weren’t cutting into a human body. Within five minutes, they were trying to pull my son out but he was stuck. The cord was wrapped around his neck. The doctor instructed them to put him back in. Really? How crazy is that? And then the doc told a learning intern to roll the baby over and try to pull him out again and I’m not kidding when I say that the doctor checked his freaking black berry at this point and then glanced over to nod, as if everything was okay. Pretty soon I heard my son cry and they handed him to my husband.

The angels kept singing and my husband smiled over at me as he held our new born son in his arms. That was hands down the most romantic moment of my life and the most spiritual moment. It was like I was in a room with God AND my husband AND my new son. Benjamin was absolutely the best Christmas present ever!!! And three days later as my husband wheeled me out in a wheelchair to our waiting car with my son in my lap, we passed enormous Christmas trees in the lobby. The wide doors swung open and a gust of cold air hit us. Yep. Getting a baby for Christmas is just about the coolest thing ever. And I will never ever forget the romantic moment my husband and I shared. I swear, with each kid, I have fallen deeper and deeper in love with this special man. A nurse commented that she’d never seen a more in love couple. I have to agree. Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your Christmas is full of love and romance and you get all your heart desires!

~Alisha Paige/Ruby Vines

Sky here. What a wonderful story! I got chills reading it. Absolutely astounding. Your son was indeed a wonderful Christmas present. Wishing you and yours many, many more wonderful holidays together, Alisha.

Ruby Vines/Alisha Paige's Website ~ Blogspot ~ Twitter: @Alishawriter

CHANCE TO WIN a copy of Deadly R&R Ebook!!!

Leave a comment by Sunday, 12 AM EST to be entered into Ruby's contest. Please leave your email addy in a comment so that the winner can be contacted.

Time to relax with a good book trailer....

Swing back in Sunday, November 27th as I welcome author Hywela Lyn to A Writer's Mind, Christmas Blog Event. Lyn's Prize: A paperback copy of Dancing with Fate and a hand-crafted tree ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm in The United Kingdom.

Happy Holidays,
Sky

Tons of Blogging! Loads of Fun!

2011-11-21T13:11:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving week has finally arrived and I'm busy, busy, busy. I'll not only be blogging here this week but I'm also hanging out with the fabulous ladies, Andrea and Corrina over at The Write Life. Pop over any day, Monday through Friday, and leave a comment for a chance to win a PRINT copy of my latest release, The Victorian Lure.

I'm thrilled to say that I'm not only a Wild Rose Press author but I'm also an Indie author. Interested in learning more about my road to self-publication? My tips and tricks? Join me at Catherine Bybee's blog on Tuesday. Be sure to comment there for a chance to win an Ecopy of The King's Druidess (The MacLomain Series-Prelude) and Fate's Monolith (The MacLomain Series- Book 1).

And, last but not least, FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING until my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event launches! Hold on tight because sixteen authors and vendors stop by A Writer's Mind between November 25th and December 25th. All will be leaving something under this blog's Christmas tree for you to win. The grand prize on Christmas Day? A $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Best Regards,
~Sky

Back to my Roots. A Writer's Inspiration.

2011-11-19T17:54:00.003-05:00

Welcome! It’s been a few days since I posted. While life’s been busy the truth of the matter is that I’ve been suffering from ‘Blogger’s Block’ (similiar to writer’s block- except pertaining to blog content. *winks*)

I hope everyone’s having a fun-filled weekend so far. I spent a good portion of the day doing yard work. Here in New England it’s officially time to rake. Okay, okay… it’s past time to rake. Naturally, I waited to do it until we had a good windy day. *rolls eyes* Anyone who has ever raked knows what I’m getting at. Rake a portion of the lawn, breeze comes up and there vanishes your nice leafless lawn. Grrrr. But I got through it and for the most part enjoyed the fresh, cool air and family time.

So why am I telling you all of this?

Well, it was while I was out there raking away that I took the time to really look around at nature. I reconnected, so to speak. It amazes me how fast life goes by. How I drive down the road, walk outside or gaze out the window yet don’t really see what’s around me. The beauty of nature and the forest, the very thing that inspired me to start writing!

I can understand why Robert Frost (his farm is five minutes from me) was so in love with this land and everything it has to offer. I can still remember tromping into the woods as a child to my favorite spot. There I’d sit, spending hours and hours with my notebook (no laptops then!) writing away about everything going on around me.

I remember thinking that it was pure magic. The way the leaves changed colors in the fall and rained down. Then, before I knew it, spring had arrived and a new round of leaves were bursting from their branches. I even enjoyed the frigid months when the branches were bare and they clicked together in the wind as though applauding some grand performance only they could see.

I used to think the trees had secrets and stories to tell. You know what? Many did. They’d seen families come and go. The trees generations before had seen the first settlers arrive. The generations before had sheltered the Native American Indians. To my young mind, if an oak tree dropped an acorn and that became another tree, it kept all the memories of the tree from which it fell. Most likely, this's why many of my stories revolve heavily around nature, magic and time-travel.

The point is that in its own way, I found it refreshing and therapeutic to get back to my roots and remember what first inspired me to write. All writers should set aside the time to do the same. Many probably do. But I’m sure many of you are like me and life just gets too busy to stop and reflect.

I’d love to hear what first inspired you to engage in your craft, be it writing or something else.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend. I can’t believe it’s nearly Thanksgiving!

Best Always,

Sky

Where Ghosts Come to Play. Who came out on top?

2011-11-15T12:41:00.002-05:00

I'd like to thank everyone who has popped in over the past several days to enjoy excerpts from my recently released, The Victorian Lure. Remember, if you want to continue following the sexy ghost hunters from this trilogy, be sure to swing over and join us at Paranormal/Syfy Romance- Deep, Dark and Delicious blogspot.

At last, it's finally time to announce a contest winner. A huge congratulations to BJ! You won an Ecopy of The Victorian Lure! Be sure to contact me at SkyPurington@live.com to collect your prize.

Wishing everyone a fabulous Tuesday.

~Sky

Where Ghosts Come to Play. Sexy Paranormal Excerpts. 3 of 3.

2011-11-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

The weekend's almost over, but there’s still spooky fun to be had at A Writer’s Mind. Over the past few days I’ve shared excerpts from my recent release, The Victorian Lure. To wrap things up, I thought I’d turn up the ‘sexy’ a notch.

WARNING: This excerpt is intended for a mature audience. Some of the language and actions may be considered offensive.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free Ecopy of The Victorian Lure. Okay, here we go. Some of the far naughtier things that can happen during a paranormal investigation…

Leathan followed Dakota into the kitchen where she started to pull the cabinets open.

“You doing okay?” He leaned against the counter; unable to miss the way her perky breasts lifted even higher when she grabbed a pan from a taller shelf.

With a light clank, she placed the pan beneath the faucet and shrugged. “Yeah, as good as to be expected. Thanks.”

Beating around the bush had never been his style. “What did you think about what happened outside?”

A small smile curved her lips and a becoming stain of pink dusted her cheekbones. “Honestly? Though it was unnerving…I enjoyed it.”

“You worried about that white-robed guy?”

“Not so much.” She gave a soft smile. “He feels…different. Safe.”

He agreed. She turned and his eyes fell to her heart-shaped ass. Mmm. He remembered exactly how it’d felt in his hands. Smooth, taut…perfect. One foot in front of the other, close the distance. That’s all it would take. Then he could hold and kiss her. He wanted to so bad, Leathan wasn’t surprised when blood rushed to his groin. Heavy and underused, his instant arousal pressed uncomfortably against his too tight jeans.

“Be back.” He turned and headed for the cellar door. The last thing Dakota needed to see right now was the blatant lust she’d see in his eyes…and his obvious erection. Maybe it was the age difference, but Dakota made him feel like a teenage boy again. He opened the door, flipped the switch to turn on the power and headed down into the dank recesses below.

Cobwebs dusted his face as he descended. Thankfully, the camera they’d set up down here still sat, facing toward the main center area. As many houses of this period, the stone cellar split into various rooms, some used for storing canned goods. He walked into the first room and clicked on his flashlight as many of these smaller rooms weren’t lit. With a grin, Leathan eyed the rows upon rows of canned goods. At the very least, for now, they had extra food.

Continuing into the next room, he found random things scattered about. There was little of value since cellars became too moist. They would need to explore the attic soon. He suspected that would be where they might find more clues to the original owner and possibly the builder of this place.

After passing through the center area, he entered a larger room and sighed with relief. Stacked high, against two walls, was chopped wood. About to pull a piece free he stopped. Had he heard a giggle? Pushing the wood back, he spun the flashlight toward the entrance. Nothing. Bound to have an over active imagination down here. After all, this replicated the spooky cellars from the best horror movies. Light on, he clipped the flashlight to his hip pocket and grabbed the piece of wood again.

Three pieces of wood in hand, Leathan shivered. Brrr. Prepared, he held the wood in one arm, reached into his pocket, pulled his digital temperature gage and held it in the light. As hairs rose on the back of his neck, he watched the reading drop from thirty-five degrees to thirty-two, then thirty-one. He started counting. Within seconds it dropped to twenty-five. Ready to pull a recorder from his other pocket, Leathan froze when a black figure caught the corner of his vision from deeper insidethe room. Carefully, he set the wood aside.

His flashlight dimmed then snapped off without him touching it. Those in the paranormal world speculated spirits drew energy from their surroundings to manifest. He waited and watched.

“Leath─”

He snatched Dakota from the doorway, brought her between him and the wood and brought a finger to her lips. “Quiet,” he whispered close to her ear.

“Heard you the first time,” she whispered back.

What?

No time to wonder what she meant. Somethingwas happening in the corner. With a protective arm around Dakota, he peered into the dark recesses of the room. Someone whispered. She trembled. He peered closer. Nothing. The temperature rose, returned to normal. Leathan stroked her shoulder reassuringly. Whatever it had been hadn’t stuck around long. While he wanted to explore the area more the feel of her long body against his drove all logical thought from his mind. Her heart pounded against his. Breath rushed from their lungs. They were caught in a heady mix of adrenaline combined with lust.

At last she spoke. “Did you see anything?”

What scent was she wearing? It smelled sweet and inviting. “Nay.” He continued stroking her shoulder, then the side of her neck. “You okay? Frightened?”

“At first,” she admitted, her body relaxed and pliant between his and the wood stack.

Without consciously realizing it, he had her sandwiched; his front nestled against hers, his renewed arousal pressed against her with interest. Spirit activity, no matter how slight, usually had him interested. Right now, nothing but the feel of her lithe body flattened against his mattered.

Leathan pressed closer, gently kissed the side of her neck, said very softly, “Does this frighten you?”

“What do you think?”

Hungry, eager, he found her mouth. Willing, her lips opened beneath his and as before, her hands came around his neck. Wedging a knee between her legs, he found her backside and lifted until he held her locked and secure, inescapably lodged between him and the woodpile. Her firm backside filled his palms perfectly. Her slender athletic thighs straddled his leg. Heat emanated from her core, and he nearly groaned. Tilting his head further, he explored her mouth, their tongues and lips in perfect unison. He could kiss her forever and never get bored.

Grinding his thigh against her, he protected her backside with his hands. The ache rose sharp and hard when he felt the heat increase between her legs, when a small whimper left her lips. All he could imagine was the moist clinging heat within her. What would she taste like? Feel like?

Sky here. Hope you enjoyed! Not ready for the party to be over? Check out The Victorian's Lure book trailer. Speakers up. Kevin McLeod's dark and delicious music gets ya in the mood. *Evil grin*

Where Ghosts Come to Play. Sexy Paranormal Excerpts. 2 of 3. Chance to Win!

2011-11-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome! If you popped in Friday you know that I’m sharing excerpts from my latest release, The Victorian Lure (Calum’s Curse: Ardetha Vampyre). For those of you just joining me, grab a cup of whatever makes you happiest, sit back and enjoy what’s to come. Yesterday, I talked about the roots behind the writing of The Victorian Lure. After you read this post, be sure to click HERE to read more about not only Calum but how Dakota's victorian came to need a paranormal investigation.

CONTEST: Leave a comment on any posts between Friday and Sunday for a chance to win an Ecopy of The Victorian Lure.

Today, I’m continuing where I left off yesterday. The first moment the Worldwide Paranormal Society enters Dakota’s Victorian and the first moment Dakota meets lead investigator, Leathan Stewart…

Leathan Stewart frowned and gazed up at the house. Why had she lied to him? It wasn’t in good condition. As far as he could tell, the oversized Victorian should be condemned by the local building inspector, bound up with yellow tape, and labeled, “Don’t breath on me. I might fall down.” She’d actually purchased this thing recently?

He waved his team on and walked through a thick layer of brown crinkly leaves. “Look at this mess. The shutters are drooping. The paint’s peeling. And─” He shook his head. “What’s that smell?” Halfway up the crooked, creaky steps, the front door opened.

“Hello?” he said. No one responded. What the hell?

The door opened further. Inch by inch, it revealed a foyer that looked far different than the exterior. Leathan stepped inside and expected to see the woman who contacted him. Instead, he found an empty foyer with gleaming dark hardwood floors.

A low whistle. “Based on the outside, I would have thought whoever bought this house was thick in the head. Look at this foyer. It’s really nice!”

Leathan silenced his fellow paranormal investigator, Devin, with a sharp shake of his head. The others followed them inside, all silent.

“She’s here somewhere.” He started to climb the stairs. “Devin, search the first floor, Seth, the second, Andrea, the third. I’m going to the top, where she said she might be.”

As he walked he paid attention to details. To the common eye everything looked pristine and new. But he had a talent…he could look closer, see it as it had been, sort of a psychic ability. At first, he saw faded areas in the paint where paintings had hung before, holes in the hardwood that must have tacked a run rug. He looked up. The ceiling was starting to peel; small water stains marred the corners on the second floor and the odor of mildew faint but there.

When he looked closer at the walls, he envisioned the paintings that had once hung there, unknown faces from the nineteen fifties based on their clothing. The stair runner had been red, then faded, then removed. The stains on the ceiling, a problem never fixed because the former family couldn’t afford it.

Using his gift, he stopped looking, started feeling. A tear slid down his cheek. Not his but that of the woman who had removed the paintings because they were moving. Her husband wanted a divorce. Aggravation when she spilled warm milk on the carpet runner when rushing to get it to her child on the second floor. Would she be able to get the stain out? The day she moved, two children in tow and glared one last time at that water stain on the ceiling. Why did her husband blame her for that too?

An uncomfortable shiver rippled through him.

There was more to this house, much more, much deeper and something didn’t want him here…or did it? Well worth investigating. Climbing the last stair to the third floor, he looked around. Energy pulsed here, stronger than anywhere else. Usually he could see it, darkness at the corner of everything. This time he couldn’t. But he could feel it. Like a dull throb at the base of his skull.

Leathan opened the door to the fourth floor. Cool, rosewood-scented air poured over his face. He climbed stairs covered with a thin tan carpet until he reached the top.

Then he saw her.

He almost stumbled back. It felt like a freight train drove through him. Leathan blinked twice. He had expected her to look a thousand different ways but nothing like she did. Maybe five-eight, with a slender build, she was beautiful, exotic.

When she stepped beneath one of the three lights, he took an involuntary step back and sucked in a breath. Damned hot! Surreal with pale, silky smooth skin, her rich blue-black hair was cut in a stylish bob fashioned longer in the front, shorter in the back. The light cast her face into a striking combination of cheekbones carved high and wide, lips full and pouty. Her chin line delicately chiseled from a hard square into oval slopes made to fit a man’s hands. Startling green eyes appraised him.

Nodding, she turned away and walked to the state of the art computer system tucked in the far corner of the room. “I’m glad you came. This whole house is screwed, and it all started here, Mr.Stewart.”

“Leathan.” He lowered his bag from his shoulder and surveyed the room. The door to a small bathroom stood ajar from a small make-shift kitchenette in the corner of the room. A two person table with what looked to be a left-over microwavable soup bowl and spoon had been placed next to a tiny built-in counter with a microwave on it, a mid-sized refrigerator beneath. A mattress without a box-spring cuddled in another corner.

“Good thing I had a bathroom and some food up here or I might not have made it,” she said softly.

Honestly, after a week, he fully expected to find her cowering and completely mad. But no, she appeared composed, totally unafraid, which made him wonder.

“I came as soon as I could.” Leathan headed for the computer. “Good to meet you…Dakota, I’m assuming?”

“Yeah, Dakota, sorry.” She paced away from the computer.

Was this a hoax? Dakota didn’t act as though she feared for her life. If anything, she struck him as rude, almost careless in her attitude.

“I’m completely trapped on this floor,” she continued.

“Yeah, you said as much in your email,” he replied and sat in the swivel chair in front of her computer. “Your claim seemed interesting enough to warrant investigation.”

Dakota’s brows furrowed. “I must have been persuasive for you to come so far.”

Truth told she hadn’t been convincing at all. However, something about her email struck him. At core, he sensed desperation. Almost as if he could read between her words─vague as they were─and see what she meant to write. What if he had ignored her, as everyone else probably would have, and her story was true?

And, despite himself, he was a fan of her site.

Leaning back in his chair, he watched her pace. “I assume you believe in the paranormal, Dakota.”

Her gaze flickered his way. “Now I do.”

Didn’t expect that response. “So you were strictly a non-believer before? I find that hard to believe.”

“I didn’t say that.” Dakota shrugged. “What does it really matter?”

Leathan didn’t reply right away. His silence forced her to stop pacing.

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you trying to figure out if I’m prone to fantasies…if I made all this up based on my networking site?”

“Sorry,” he said. “This is part of what I do. Try to understand the homeowner as well as what is haunting them.”

Aggravation shifted her green eyes to a sultry moss-like shade. “You want to understand me? Get me the hell off this floor, and I’ll tell you everything you want!”

Leathan kept his eyes locked with hers for a few moments. She should be crazy, out of her mind if what she said was true. Why wasn’t she afraid?

The dull throb at the base of his head had subsided when he came to this floor. Could there be paranormal activity on this level? Sure, but unlikely. However, his job first and foremost, was to disprove a haunting. Best to start here he supposed. They’d deal with downstairs later.

Swiveling around, he hit the on button. “Based on what you told me I think we should address what you saw on the computer first.”

Thump. He looked over his shoulder. Dakota had walked back against the wall, eyes round.

Leathan stood and followed her.

Dakota’s gaze stayed on him. “Shut it off.”

Within a foot he stopped. “No.”

“Get me off this floor first then explore it all you want.”

Ah, fear. “Are you that afraid of it?” He angled his body so she had a clear shot of the computer.

“I’ve been stuck on this floor for one week after seeing─” Her words trailed off. He knew she worked hard to keep her eyes on him and not turn away from everything.

“Please,” she whispered.

Leathan contemplated her for several moments. Dakota was stubborn. She was also petrified. He could see how she struggled to keep herself together.

“All right, let’s get you off this floor.”

Relief shrunk her pupils. Her shoulders fell a quarter of an inch. “Thank you.”

“There is a condition though,” he said.

“I didn’t realize ghost hunters came with conditions.”

“If I get you off this floor, I want to know everything. All the things you aren’t telling me now,” he countered.

“Aren’t you curious why I’m not telling you everything right away?”

“No.” He took her hand. “Fear does funny things to people. Obviously, being trapped here is your greatest fear amongst many. I only ask that you tell all once I help you face this one.”

Dakota pulled her hand away. “I asked you to come. You did. I’m grateful. Of course I’ll tell you everything once you get me the hell off this floor, out of this house.”

Leathan went to the nearest window and wedged it open. Snowflakes curled in on an icy wind and caught on his five o’clock shadow. He held up a hand. “Come.”

“What’s the point?”

“I would think that’s obvious.” He wiggled his forefinger. “Come. I need to see if you can stick out your hand.”

Dakota nodded. “I can.”

He narrowed his eyes. Understanding dawned. She didn’t like heights. So he challenged her pride. “What don’t you fear?”

Just as he figured, fire flared in her emerald eyes. She threw back her shoulders and came to him.

“I’m starting to think contacting you was a mistake.”

“I’m sure.”

Before she pulled more excuses out of her rabbit’s hat, Leathan grabbed her hand and pulled it out the window. Nothing stopped it. Not even a sluggish otherworldly cloud of resistance. Still, her hand gripped his. The muscles in her slender forearm clenched. Placing his free arm over her arm, he stiffened when he felt what he could only describe as intense static electricity shoot through him.

She made a low sound of shock─possibly pain─and he loosened his hold. Had she felt it too? Dakota’s eyes met his. Her finely arched brows drew down. “Let go.”

He did. She rubbed her hand before tucking it away in her sweatshirt pocket.

“So what, should I have scaled four stories to the ground with sheets tied together?” Dakota spun away and walked to the top of the stairs. “I suppose many would have tried.”

Leathan rubbed his fingers together, recovered from the aftershocks of touching her. “You don’t have enough sheets to have made it.”

A small smile graced her face then vanished. “I’ll tell you one thing now.”

“What’s that?”

“Despite my doubts you were meant to be here.”

He tried not to ask her a thousand questions, knew she needed time, needed to escape from what she considered the most imminent danger. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Dakota’s chest heaved. She nodded. “That’d be great.”

For a split second, he wished she didn’t wear such a baggy sweatshirt. That he could see her chesta little more clearly. Where had that thought come from? Shaking his head, he walked down the stairs and stopped, feet on the door jam. Looking back, he raised his hand and gave a come hither motion.

“Every time I try to cross that threshold the pain is unbearable.”

“Take three steps down. Prove to me you’re willing to try. I’ll talk you through the rest.”

Dakota’s nostrils flared. “Talk me through the rest, eh?”

“Just do it.”

Staring at him, she battled within until she came to a conclusion and quickly descended three steps.

“See, was that so bad?” he said. “But what about that?”

He pointed behind her. She looked.

Fast─before she knew his intentions─he climbed the stairs and scooped her up. Dakota yelped and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leathan left the fourth floor and flew down the stairs.

“Out of the house, please,” she urged in his ear.

Not a problem. Passing through the foyer, he opened the front door, transcended the stairs, and stopped. Bottle cap snowflakes drifted in thick sheets. Wind whipped and stung the side of his face.

Dakota gripped his neck tighter, nails dug into his skin. “I’m out. I’m out.”

She repeated those words over and over. Carefully, he set her down. When her feet hit the ground, she pulled away, turned, and started to run.

Damn woman.

By the time he caught up she was halfway to the ocean. He grabbed her arm. She yanked and twirled away. Leathan growled and pursued. Fast little thing! When he once more caught up, she was ankle deep in the water. From behind he wrapped his arms around her chest and pulled her close.

“Are you mad? Or just suicidal,” he roared.

Dakota said nothing at first. Her body shook. Her head rocked back and forth. When she spoke her voice sounded hoarse, desperate. “Let me go.”

Frowning, he pulled her closer. “No. You’re out of the house. I got you here. You owe me an explanation, lass.”

Leathan spun her, grabbed her arms, and forced Dakota to look at him. “You owe me.”

Bleary eyed, she peered at him through the veil of falling snow. “It should have ended here to begin with. This wouldn’t be happening now, the past damn week, had I only possessed the courage.”

Sudden comprehension made his mouth drop. Every fiber of his being wanted to shove her into the water, say “good riddance, be done with it you coward above all cowards”…but he couldn’t. How was it that a woman like this wanted to end her life? What on God’s green Earth had brought her to such a point?

Then he thought better. Those who wanted such deserved it. He released her abruptly. Dakota stumbled before she landed with a splash into the water.

Leathan turned away, disgusted. Old wounds threatened to bubble to the surface. He’d dealt with suicide before. Damned if he would again. Human life was a gift.

“Screw you!”

Screw him? Furious, he spun to witness Dakota stumbling out of the sea with a finger pointed at him. “Go back.” Walking backward, he nodded toward the black ocean beyond. “I won’t stop you from that. Not the sort of service you sought me out for. Sorry.”

Dakota stopped, legs akimbo, arms shaking. “We have a bigger problem.”

“What bigger problem could there be?” He walked her way. “A haunted house or its suicidal

owner?”

“I’m thinking the haunted house has us all beat.” Dakota stared past him, eyes wide.

When was the last time he’d got so aggravated with a woman? Especially one he’d just met. Had she really been trapped on the fourth floor or had that been some sort of a suicidal cry for help? Who cared if he’d sensed the house was a little spooked. Leathan would leave this case for another investigative crew. “My team and I will leave in the morn. It’s obvious you sought me for whatever twisted reasons your mind told you to.”

Dakota’s gaze fell from the horizon. Her eyes narrowed. “You are a complete jackass.”

“And you have some serious issues to tackle.”

“Do I?”

“I’m convinced.”

“Turn around and tell me if you still feel the same.”

For no other reason than to make his way back to his team, Leathan turned.

He stopped short.

Holy shit!

Sky here. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win an Ecopy of The Victorian Lure. Interested in checking out the character blog for the paranormal investigators from Calum's Curse? Head over to Paranormal/Syfy Romance- Deep, Dark & Delicious.

Purchase The Victorian Lure through The Wild Rose Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Join me again tomorrow as I share a super sexy hot expert from The Victorian Lure.

Sky

Where Ghosts Come to Play. Sexy Paranormal Excerpts. 1 of 3. Chance to Win!

2011-11-11T19:12:00.002-05:00

It’s finally that time! 11.11.11 has arrived.

In this case, the date means the release of my long awaited novel, The Victorian Lure (Calum’s Curse: Ardetha Vampyre). I started writing this book a few years ago. At birth, it was an entirely different story. In fact, it was originally drafted to be the follow-up to Highland Muse which was part of The Song of the Muses Anthology at The Wild Rose Press. Regrettably, that never happened.

But I didn’t let that get me down.

Instead, I gave the story a complete overhaul which included expanding it from a novella into a full novel. Gone were the Greek gods. In their place, ghosts and yes, even a nasty nemesis of a vampire. I was pretty shocked by the whole turn of events and how eventually this book became the first in a trilogy about three haunted houses which imprison creatures of the night. Three creatures bent on destroying descendants of Calum himself.

Who is Calum?

As it turns out, Calum had what I like to call a ‘there but not there’ part in my recently re-launched MacLomain Series. In Fate’s Monolith (Book 1) he was the babe in Marie’s belly. In Sylvan Mist (Book 3) he was the brother overseas studying in France. Yet these were novels that took place in the colonial period. The Victorian Lure takes place in present day. So there you have it, Calum is a ghost that though it seems he haunts the house, he’s really haunting his descendants to not only protect them but help them solve the mystery of the creatures sent to destroy them.

So who are these doomed descendants?

Three cousins, all born in different parts of the world, who run the Worldwide Paranormal Society. One is Scottish, one Irish and the third, American. In The Victorian Lure, you’ll meet Leathan Stewart, head paranormal investigator and journey with the team through the turbulent whirlwind of the Victorian and its role in Calum’s curse. Interested in 'meeting' the team? Before you leave A Writer's Mind today, be sure to head over to their new character blog, Paranormal/Syfy Romance- Deep, Dark and Delicious.

The fun part of the Calum's Curse trilogy?

Besides Calum, other characters from The MacLomain Series make an appearance throughout the Calum’s Curse Trilogy. If you’ve read the series you’re familiar with the Adlin, head shaman and meddlesome cupid. He’s back in The Victorian Lure as a ghost and moral compass for the ghost hunters. Enjoyed Destiny’s Denial? Well, Caitlin and Ferchar, join the paranormal crew in a most unexpected way!

I decided to celebrate the launch of the series with excerpts from The Victorian Lure shared throughout the weekend. Yes, Halloween may have come and gone elsewhere but here at A Writer’s Mind, ghostly encounters have only just begun. As an added bonus, I'd like to host a contest. Once lucky winner will be drawn from all comments left on posts between now and Sunday. The prize? A free Ecopy of The Victorian Lure! Before we begin, a bit about the book...

Is it true love or is the magnetic pull just another part of the Victorian's lure?

Dakota Allerton depends on no one but herself, but then she's never needed a ghost hunter. When her dream home becomes a house of horrors that is holding her hostage, her only hope is a Scotsman who investigates the paranormal.

The supernatural is nothing Leathan Stewart can't handle. However, trapped in Dakota's cursed Victorian home, he finds himself falling back in time. Only those who persevere can survive the dark domination.

Fear has a way of drawing two people together but so does the need to be loved. Dakota and Leathan must fight against unknown enemies, discover the secrets of Calum's Curse and defeat a vampire bent on finishing the legacy it began.

So why not start out right with the bone-chilling scene that caused Dakota to seek help to begin with? (Please note: this dialogue is intended for a mature audience)

Chapter One

Rye Beach, New Hampshire

Present Day

Walk in. Never look back. Leave it all behind. The icy ocean swirled around her ankles. The steady ebb and flow of waves an undeniable invitation.

“Don’t do it.”

“What?” Dakota spun. Nobody stood there. Only the Queen Anne Victorian mansion gazed down from its perch across the dark, desolate road. Her new home seemed more sinister than the fate she’d contemplated moments ago. She ran a shaky hand through her short locks and shivered. What was she thinking? With a deep breath, she sucked in the salty autumn air and frowned. Why, after all this time, did she suddenly turn coward?

“Shake it off, stay strong,” Dad had always said.

And, to this day, she had.

Imagine if he could see her now. Dakota headed for the house. Pins and needles stung her wet feet when she crossed grainy sand and frozen asphalt. As she climbed the stairs to the front door, light flooded the foyer. Thank God the power was on. It was about time. The thought of spending the night huddled in front of the fireplace drinking bottled water hadn’t appealed to her in the least. Locating the thermostat, she cranked the heat.

An eerie chill slithered up her spine. Alert, she studied every corner. Was someone watching her? Impossible. Had to be her imagination.

Ten minutes later, Dakota plunked down in front of the one thing worth living for, her top of the line computer. Snuggling deeper into her oversized sweatshirt, she defrosted her toes in fuzzy slippers and logged on. With a couple of clicks of her mouse, she had surfed through her competitor’s sites, looking for functionality and/or upgrades. She knew damned well they were doing the same thing.

Screw them.

Give it a month or two, and she’d leave most of them in the dust. After all, the social networking site she created was different than most. It had two options for customers to choose from. One section brought fans of anything paranormal together. Like vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, creatures of the night? It included a feature that allowed people to create their own unique page and befriend whoever they liked on the site. The other─and far more lucrative option─was the dating section. Looking for a fellow reaper devotee, maybe a sexy hunk with fangs in his closet? Don’t go any further! In addition, her site had superior security that was implemented and designed differently than any other site online.

So far, jackpot.

2.4 million dollars later, she was still undecided whether to sell to one of the top search engines. Dakota took a sip from a teeming glass of merlot and admired her site’s splash page. Twisting in from a murky pool of black and gray it ended on a small red dot. Click, click on the dot. A werewolf sprang forward, fangs dripping blood, eyes eager. Click, click again and enter the main site. She grinned. It wasn’t always a werewolf. She’d created over ten different ferocious monsters and coded them to randomly display on her splash page.

She clicked on the words, Welcome, madness. Name your space.

Enter name. She typed, “Last Girl Standing.”

Enter password. She typed, “betyourass.”

Once the page loaded, Dakota sifted through comments, mail, invites. Why the hell had she created a page here? Morbid curiosity she supposed. Or just shitty memories. Then again, she’d made a few good friends. One in particular had caught her attention. He called himself “Ghost of a Chance.” Like her, he was a software engineer, specializing in web development, so they’d had numerous conversations about graphics, animation, advertising, and other related topics. Besides that, she knew little about him personally.

A previously left instant message popped up from him. “Looks like I missed you. Hope to chat soon!”

Dakota smiled and closed the message. She didn’t even know what he looked like, where he came from, but she wanted to know more. Much more.

A sizzling fire erupted in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Someone was trying to contact her via instant message. Hell, she thought that’d been set to invisible. Eyes narrowed, she clicked on the inquiring name “I Remember You.” Whoever they were had typed, “Wanna have some fun?”

Um, no.

Just about to sign off chat, she stopped when they typed, “Awe, c’mon Miss England!”

Dakota froze. She flexed her fingers and typed, “Who is this?”

Only a site “friend” could instant message her.

No response.

They must’ve got the wrong person.

About to sign off another message appeared. “Has it been so long that you’ve forgotten me?”

She typed, “Think you got the wrong person.”

“Hmmm, doubt it.”

Knees tapping beneath the desk, fingers shaking slightly, Dakota shook her head.

“Getting nervous, Miss England?”

So not gonna take this. Dakota logged out of the site and closed the browser. Strangely enough, the splash page popped up again. She frowned. Click, click. The browser wouldn’t close. Dakota hit the “off” button on the computer.

Still no change.

The splash page had loaded. The red point wanted to be clicked. Hell if she would! She took her hand off the mouse. It clicked on its own! Eyes wide, she rolled back. Instead of a creature screaming forward, a globe of the Earth did. Long-fingered masculine hands formed around the globe. Even the wide, half-mooned nail beds could be seen.

Dakota blinked. “I’ve gotta be seeing things,” she whispered.

The hands began to decay, the cuticles peeled back, the knuckles crawled with vermin. Someone whispered, “Are you sure?”

Dakota covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head again.

A teeth-grinding laugh blared through her speakers. The hands twirled the planet, faster and faster. She pinched the bridge of her nose and narrowed her eyes. Think. Think. She leaned over and pulled the computer cord from the wall. Still, the hands decayed faster while they whirled the globe quicker. At that exact moment, the miniature portrayal of the Earth flew out of the computer screen and sailed over her head.

Dakota swiveled her chair and gripped the armrests. Her wine glass hit the floor and shattered. This can’t be happening. But no, the eighteen inch portrayal of the Earth hit the far wall. It slammed to the floor, rolled and stopped at her feet. Red wine swirled around the planet. She peered down. It looked like something. But what? Holy crap. Was it? Could it be? It appeared Earth was drowning in blood.

Blinking, Dakota tried to clear her vision. This had to be a joke. What if it wasn’t? Should she run? Get the heck out of there. She didn’t know what to do so. Foolish or brave, she leaned over and studied the very real globe smoking at her feet. She touched the surface and yanked her hand back. Ouch! Hot! Cocking her head, she looked closer. A burn clearly marked the country of Scotland.

Slowly, carefully, Dakota rolled her chair away. The globe must have been there all along. This was a figment of her imagination. The computer whirred. She swung back to the screen. Blood boiled beneath her cheeks. Fear made her limbs freeze. Hell had a name.

And it had found her at last.

Sky here. Be sure to join me again tomorrow as I continue this excerpt right where I'm leaving off. Tomorrow the Worldwide Paranormal Society enters Dakota's victorian for the first time. And Dakota meets lead investigator Leathan Stewart.

Purchase The Victorian Lure through The Wild Rose Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Veteran's Day. 11.11.11. Thank You.

2011-11-11T14:51:00.001-05:00

I could never find the right words or enough words to express how thankful I am to my countries veterans. I would not be able to enjoy the freedom I have today had you not put your lives on the line.

This morning on the news I heard a story about Grace Darling Seibold, a woman who started a group called American Gold Star Mothers. It’s not only a support group for moms of fallen soldiers but a support network in itself that travels across the country spending time with and thanking all of our veterans. If you’re a mom who has lost a child to war or know someone who has, you might want to check out American Gold Star Mothers.

Wishing every branch of the United States Military a very Happy Veteran’s Day.

Best Always,

Sky

Hywela Lyn's Contest Winners Plus Some F.Y.I.'s.

2011-11-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

What a great time last week! It was a pleasure having romance author, Hywela Lyn and her wonderful characters over to visit. As you know there was a contest running and two winners were drawn.

A huge round of congrat's goes out to Sheila Deeth and Francine Howarth. Lyn will be in touch with your prizes. If you didn't receive her email please contact me at SkyPurington@live.com.

I thought while I had you I'd share the latest and greatest badge Tamra Westberry whipped up for me. Love it!

The countdown is officially on. Seventeen days until my What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree Blog Event launches. *Wide smile*

Also, stay tuned. I have a release this Friday. The Victorian Lure (Calum's Curse: Ardetha Vampyre), the first in my upcoming paranormal trilogy. You don't want to miss meeting these sexy-as-heck paranormal investigators turned warlock! I'll fill you in more later in the week. Until then... be good.

Book Trailer Breather. Time to kick back and watch Hywela Lyn's trailers. Last chance to win!

2011-11-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

It’s the weekend at last! Time to wind down at A Writer’s Mind. How so? By enjoying a Book Trailer Breather! If you’ve been popping in throughout the week you know that I’ve been featuring romance author Hywela Lyn and her fabulous characters from Dancing with Fate. Well, today I’ll be sharing the book trailer for that title as well as a few others.

CONTEST ~ Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win an Ecopy of Dancing with Fate. Two winners drawn.

What Lyn had to say about Dancing with Fate’s trailer…

"This was fun to make, and although trailers are quite time consuming, didn’t take as long as the first one I made. Since this edition is a re-publication of the story originally published with The Wild Rose Press, I wanted it to be different, but to still have similar elements of legend and mystique. I was able to use several of the original pictures, but also incorporated one or two new ones. I tried to put as much movement in as possible, by incorporating a video of clouds and one of flames and a fireball. The clouds were also used in my futuristic novel ‘Children Of The Mist’ but I tinted it different colours and used it in a later frame.

The music was the most time consuming part. I went back to Kevin Mcleod’s great site http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ and spent a happy hour or so searching for the right piece. (It’s easy to get sidetracked there, because he has so much great music for all genres and moods.) I really liked the piece I had for the original trailer, but of course didn’t want to use that again. I found a piece of Celtic music which I like but unfortunately each time I tried to download it for some reason it only downloaded a short section which was not long enough for the trailer. I hope you like the one I finally came up with – another Celtic piece – Skye Cuillin (I’ve been to the Cuillin hills, they’re on the Isle of Skye and quite spectacular, cutting across the whole of the island. Although the Cuillins are Scottish and my story takes place in 5th Century Wales, I felt it had the right ‘feel’ for the story, and I could imagine Terpsichore dancing languorously to it."

DANCING WITH FATE. Purchase now through Smashwords.

STARQUEST

CHILDREN OF THE MIST

Learn more about Hywela Lyn, her books and everything she's up to at her Website.

Lyn is also one of the owners of Author Roast & Toast Blogspot. Swing over to meet tons of top-notch authors every week!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Sky

Character Blowout. Day #2. Like Greek Mythology? Hero Myrddin is Interviewed. Two Chances to Win!

2011-11-04T06:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the second day of A Writer’s Mind’s END OF WEEK CHARACTER BLOWOUT. This blog event gives you a more in-depth look into the characters from some of your favorite romance tales. Sort of like The Newlywed Game done blog style.

This week it’s my pleasure to interview Terpsichore (Muse of Dance) and Myrddin ab Morfryn. I got to know these characters a few years ago when Lyn and I were part of The Song of the Muses Anthology. I can’t tell you what a truly wonderful story this is and I don’t just say that because Lyn is a dear friend, but because this story will ‘wow’ you. I never expected this tale to go where it did and by the end I had chills running through my body. The good kind! Lyn’s imagination ties in so well with folklore, it’s downright awe-inspiring.

CONTEST ~ Comment on any of Hywela Lyn’s posts this week and be entered for a chance to win an Ecopy of Dancing with Fate. Two winners will be drawn!

Okay, ready to relax? It’s time to grab a hot cup of tea (or whatever your device) and enjoy a superb interview with the hero from Dancing with Fate. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Terpsichore. As you’ll see I added snippets from her interview alongside Myrddin’s.

SKY: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Myrddin.

MYRDDIN: I was born in Carmarthen, Wales, in the 5th Century AD. I had a fairly unconventional childhood and I always felt a little different. It wasn’t until I met Terpsichore and her half brother Apollo, however, that I realized what an amazing destiny was in store.

(Terpsichore’s response… I’m one of the nine daughters of Zeus. I inspire people to dance - I’m sure you’ve heard of me and my eight sisters. After all, we’re with you all at various times in your life even though you may not realize it.)

SKY: Ah, a Welshman. *Sky fans herself and tries not to swoon.* Remembering the moment you first laid eyes on Terpsichore, what thoughts come to mind?

MYRDDIN: She was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on. I thought for a moment I was imagining this perfect woman who stepped out from the waterfall and began dancing like I’d never seen anyone dance before.

(Terpsichore’s response… I was dancing at the time - and I’d been bathing in the falls so I wasn’t actually wearing any clothes. I wondered how long he’d been watching me. It wasn’t that I minded, but my instructions were not to draw attention to myself, and he was staring!)

SKY: She has one trait you adored from the start. What is it? Hands down, she appreciates one of your traits…what do you think that is?

MYRDDIN: Apart from her sense of humour, her sweetness, her perfect figure and beautiful face, her hair fascinates me. It reaches her feet and is as soft as a Welsh mist caressing the tips of the mountains.

She always gazes into my eyes as if she can see eternity in them – perhaps she can, all I know is we can spend hours just holding hands and gazing into each others’ eyes.

(Terpsichore’s response… I love his humility - and his gentleness. He didn’t seem to realize the power he had within him at the time - and even if he did he didn’t make a song and (if you’ll exuse the pun) dance about it. I think what he likes most about me is that I make him laugh - that and my looks I suppose, after all the daughters of Zeus are goddesses and as such very beautiful)

SKY: So romantic! She has one trait you’d change if you could. What is it? You figure there’s probably a trait she might want to change about you… care to share?

MYRDDIN: She is so impulsive. I wish she’d be a little more cautious, it gets her into trouble sometimes, but I have to admit she keeps things interesting!

(Terpsichore’s response… He’s pretty near perfect in my eyes – but he can be a bit over protective at times, even now. )

SKY: Love is in the air. What is the single most romantic thing you’ve done for her?

MYRDDIN: I’d like to turn that around if I may. The single most romantic thing she’s ever done for me was to sacrifice her beautiful long hair when she thought it would save my life. She was so proud of her hair, thank the gods it grew again, even thicker and longer than before. In return I do my best to ensure every single moment is magical and full of romance for her.

(Terpsichore’s response… He was nearly killed trying to protect me, can’t get more romantic than that!)

SKY: She has a feature that draws your eye every time. Care to share? She can’t stare at you enough… but where is she staring? Now’s the time to gloat about your thick head of hair. *Sky sniggers* Truth! Do you think it’s your eyes? Chest? Etc.

MYRDDIN: Funnily enough she gazes at my eyes more than any other part of me. (Well most of the time, anyway.)

(Terpsichore’s response… My eyes are always drawn to his eyes. They are the most subtle shade of blue, like Aegean sea beneath the softest summer sky – oh and his voice, it still sends shivers of delight through me, so rich and mellow. For him, I suppose it’s my hair, it’s really long, you see, down to my feet and he loves to run his hands through it.)

SKY: How do you think Terpsichore would answer the following… Our favorite thing to do together is…?

MYRDDIN: Oh, it’s difficult to choose just one. There are so many things we enjoy doing together. Making love in the moonlight has to be tops, followed by long gallops through the woods - and she’s taught me some of her dances, although of course I’ll never dance the way she does, but any excuse to hold her in my arms, the thrill never wears off!

(Terpsichore’s response… *Giggle* You mean besides the obvious? Well, dancing together of course, I’ve taught him steps he’d never even heard of before. Apart from that we love riding the horses, Sal and Harri, and racing each other across the Elyssian fields, and afterwards bathing in the Spring of Hippocrene together before – well you get the picture!)

SKY: You and Terpsichore don’t see eye to eye on what issue?

MYRDDIN: She loves water – well the muses are water nymphs so I suppose it’s only natural – but I wish she’d cover up after bathing when there are other Olympians around. I know they believe clothing is superfluous, but she has such a lovely body and I admit it – I get jealous and want it to be for my eyes only!

(Terpsichore’s response… There aren’t many things we don’t agree on, although I don’t think he really approves of me bathing naked in the falls if there’s anyone else around. He doesn’t mind if it’s just him of course, but he’s never really got used to the fact that we Greeks are proud of our bodies and enjoy showing them off!)

SKY: She said one thing to you that you’ll never forget. What was it?

MYRDDIN: She told me "I would stay with you as a mortal myself, and not count it a sacrifice.” How amazing that she would was willing to give up her immortal life for me!

(Terpsichore’s response… He told me: “I love you, with all my heart and soul, more than life itself.” What woman or goddess wouldn’t want to hear those words?)
What an utterly romantic interview! Thank you so much for joining me today, Myrddin.

If you haven’t read this wondrous story yet, pick up your copy now at Smashwords and Amazon.

Visit Lyn’s Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Myspace

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Sunday, November 6th at 12 AM, EST.

Be sure to return tomorrow to feast your eyes on some of Lyn’s spectacular book trailers!

~Sky

Character Blowout. Terpsichore, Muse of Dance, has been Interviewed. Two Chances to Win!

2011-11-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Thursday everyone! As many of you know, the end of the week at A Writer’s Mind often means it’s time for my Character Blowout. This fun event is all about seeing how well the characters from some of your favorite romance tales know one another.

Back in July, I welcomed over Hywela Lyn to chat about the re-release of Dancing with Fate. Regrettably, there was a death in my family and I had to cancel all remaining blog posts. Well, I’m thrilled to be able to finally share Terpsichore and Myrddin with you. These characters are absolutely delightful and I guarantee that you’ll fall in love with them as much as I did!

CONTEST ~ Be sure to comment over the next few days. Two lucky commenters will be picked to win an Ecopy of Dancing with Fate. Contest ends Sunday, November 6th 12 AM, EST.

Today, I’m welcoming over Terpsichore, Muse of Dance. Before we begin interview this intriguing muse, let’s learn a bit more about the story…

When Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit 5th Century Wales, and help the people regain their love of dancing, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost.

But Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.

Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever. Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE.

Interview time!

SKY: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Terpsichore.

TERPISCHORE: Thank you for having us and for giving us the opportunity to talk about each other – what fun!

I’m one of the nine daughters of Zeus. I inspire people to dance - I’m sure you’ve heard of me and my eight sisters. After all, we’re with you all at various times in your life even though you may not realize it. I was perfectly content with my life on Olympus, inspiring individuals, playing the lyre and dancing for Apollo our leader and my half brother, until he and my father decided to send me on a mission to 5th Century Wales. I little knew then what lay in store for me.

SKY: Ohhhh, Wales… sounds fabulous! Remembering the moment you first laid eyes on Myrddin what thoughts come to mind?

TERPSICHORE: I was dancing at the time - and I’d been bathing in the falls so I wasn’t actually wearing any clothes. I wondered how long he’d been watching me. It wasn’t that I minded, but my instructions were not to draw attention to myself, and he was staring! I also have to admit I thought he was one of the most striking and interesting mortals I’d ever seen - there was definitely something rather special about him.

SKY: He has one trait you adored from the start. What is it? You know without doubt he appreciates one of your traits. Share what you think that is.

TERPSICHORE: I love his humility - and his gentleness. He didn’t seem to realize the power he had within him at the time - and even if he did he didn’t make a song and (if you’ll exuse the pun) dance about it.

I think what he likes most about me is that I make him laugh - that and my looks I suppose, after all the daughters of Zeus are goddesses and as such very beautiful, and in all modesty, I know he couldn’t take his eyes of me when he first he saw me. (Of course I was naked at the time which might have had something to do with it, *Grin*.)

SKY: He has one trait you’d change if you could. What is it? Oh yeah, there’s a trait you know he’d change about you…fess up!

TERPSHICHORE: He’s pretty near perfect in my eyes – but he can be a bit over protective at times, even now. He’s not exactly bossy but he does try to stop me from doing things on the spur of the moment, not that I take much notice of course, I’m a muse!

SKY: Ah, love is in the air. What is the single most romantic thing he’s done for you?

TERPSHICORE: He was nearly killed trying to protect me, can’t get more romantic than that!

SKY: He has a feature that draws your eye every time. Care to share? His eye constantly roams to a particular part of your person. Tell, tell!

TERPSICHORE: My eyes are always drawn to his eyes. They are the most subtle shade of blue, like Aegean sea beneath the softest summer sky – oh and his voice, it still sends shivers of delight through me, so rich and mellow. For him, I suppose it’s my hair, it’s really long, you see, down to my feet and he loves to run his hands through it.

SKY: How do you think Myrddin would answer the following… Our favorite thing to do together is…?

TERPSHICHORE: *Giggle* You mean besides the obvious? Well, dancing together of course, I’ve taught him steps he’d never even heard of before. Apart from that we love riding the horses, Sal and Harri, and racing each other across the Elyssian fields, and afterwards bathing in the Spring of Hippocrene together before – well you get the picture!

SKY: You and Myrddin just don’t see eye to eye on what issue?

TERPSICHORE: There aren’t many things we don’t agree on, although I don’t think he really approves of me bathing naked in the falls if there’s anyone else around. He doesn’t mind if it’s just him of course, but he’s never really got used to the fact that we Greeks are proud of our bodies and enjoy showing them off!

SKY: He said one thing to you that you’ll never forget. What was it?

TERPSICHORE: He told me: “I love you, with all my heart and soul, more than life itself.” What woman or goddess wouldn’t want to hear those words?

What a fabulous interview! I can’t wait to hear what Myrddin has to say tomorrow!

Can't wait? Purchase Dancing with Fate HERE.

Visit Lyn’s Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Myspace

Best Always

~Sky

MIDWEEK MEET & GREET. Interview with Hywela Lyn. Contest. TWO winners will be drawn!

2011-11-02T17:05:00.003-04:00

Welcome! This is a much delayed post due to the fact when I last featured Lyn, a family emergency came up and I had to cancel all blog posts. I thought, however, to put this up now as I have Lyn's wonderful characters visiting over the next several days.

Lyn is also hosting a fantastic contest. Two lucky commenters will be chosen at week’s end to win an Ecopy of DANCING WITH FATE. So comment on any of Lyn’s posts the remainder of this week and you’re automatically entered for a chance to win!

So let’s get to know Lyn a bit better…

SKY: Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Did you always want to be an author? When did you first start writing? What have you published?

HYWELA LYN: Hello Sky. Thanks so much for this opportunity and for having me as your guest.

I think I started writing as soon as I could read. I used to like to embellish stories I’d read and then a friend suggested I write a ‘proper story’ when I was about fourteen, so that’s when I got serious. It took a while for me to realize that being a ‘writer’ was actually something attainable and not something that only ‘famous’ people did.

To start with, I wrote short stories which I had published in various magazines, including ‘The Lady’. Then I had the idea for a full length Western Historical, which I submitted to various British publishers without success (hardly surprising really, I hadn’t the vaguest idea of structure or point of view, besides which the UK wasn’t publishing many Westerns.) Several years later, I started reading Science Fiction and Fantasy and it wasn’t long before I decided if I couldn’t get a Western published, I’d try writing Science Fiction.

‘Starquest’ started out as a short story, but I got fond of my heroine and the short story became a full length novel. I began to realize that everything I wrote turned into a romance, so when I started looking for a publisher, and came across The Wild Rose Press, this seemed the obvious place to submit, even if it was in the US. The Wild Rose Press accepts email queries; the internet makes everything so much easier (and cheaper.) I was lucky enough to have ‘Starquest’ accepted, and this was followed by a sequel ‘Children of the Mist.’ Between the publications of these two books, I was invited to join eight other others to write a story in an anthology about the nine muses. I chose Terpsichore, muse of dance, and her story became ‘Dancing With Fate.’ I have now regained my rights to this story and published it as a ‘stand alone’ novella with Smashwords.

It will also soon be available in print from Createspace

SKY: I like to write at night. Inspires me. Where and when do you like to write? Why?

HYWELA LYN: I love to write at night too. I’m a ‘nightowl’ and don’t really wake up until midday. Unfortunately, my husband is a ‘Lark’. I’ve tried getting up early to write, but my brain just doesn’t function at that time of day, so we’ve reached a compromise, and go to bed around 1 a m. Too late for him really, and still a bit too early for me - but sometimes in marriage compromises have to be made and it’s probably not a good thing for me to sit up into the early hours, night after night, which I would do if left to my own devices! :)

SKY: You know you’ll always pen a particular genre. What is that? You might also dabble in other genres. Care to share what those are and why?

HYWELA LYN: Well, as I mentioned above, my first love was the historical ‘Western.’ I’ve always loved the stars though, and wondered what it would be like to travel to other planets, so it was natural that I should gravitate towards Science Fiction /Futuristic. The way I look at it, space exploration is very similar in its concept to opening up the West all those years ago. Only instead of horses there are starships, and alien civilizations instead of Indian villages, but the stories are still about courageous men and women exploring unknown territories and dangers. As for Fantasy, I just love mixing myths and legends in my imagination and coming up with something new. And we all love to have a little ‘magic’ in our lives, don’t we.

SKY: Oh yes, I’m all about magic! We writers are often urged to write what we know. Have you? Perhaps implemented a scene from your life or somewhere you’ve traveled. Tell, tell!

HYWELA LYN: Although my romantic ‘sub-genre’ is Fantasy and Science Fiction, which means research and imagination rather than actual ‘knowledge’ I draw on the beautiful landscape of rural Wales, which I do know very well, for the settings in many of my stories. This is especially true of ‘Dancing With Fate’ which is actually set in 5th Century Wales. Of course when it comes to other planets, I exaggerate and distort these landscapes a little, but I feel the mist sweeping over the mountains is just as beautiful whether it’s in the Welsh countryside on Earth, or a distant planet ‘far, far away.’

I also frequently use my love and knowledge of horses and most of my stories have a horse (or unicorn) somewhere in their pages.

SKY: Let’s get down and dirty. Writers typically love to read. You especially enjoy certain authors for a good reason. What are they? Their use of prose, voice, characterization, etc. You’ve got pet peeves as well. What are they?

HYWELA LYN: I have a very eclectic range of reading – everything from Tolkein to Daphne du Maurier and Anne McCaffrey to Zane Grey. All these authors have the gift of writing characters that one cares about and can identify with, as well as weaving intriguing and interesting plots. For me the story is hugely important, and I love to be surprised by the twists and turns – but the characters have to be people I can empathize with and really care about. Even villains can have a certain ‘charisma’ which makes you want to read on while hoping for their demise! Although none of the above writers could be considered ‘romance writers’ per se, they all have a strong love interest running through most of their stories. (Arwen and Aragorn, Max de Winter and his nameless wife, Lessa and F’lar, Jane Withersteen and Lassiter, for instance.)

Peeves? Not too many, but while, like most of us, I don’t want to read about a weak, sniveling heroine, I don’t like the opposite extreme either, where the ‘kickass’ heroine is so strong and independent, you wonder that she even feels the need for a love interest, and ‘femininity’ seems to be a word she’s never heard of. I dislike heroines who are so strong and self sufficient, they’re really little more than ‘men with curves’ if you know what I mean!

SKY: I so hear ya, Lyn! You’re writing or have written the book that will always hold a special place in your heart. What is it and why?

HYWELA LYN: Oh definitely the first book I had accepted for publication, although I did enjoy writing the others. ‘Starquest’ really is that old cliché ‘the book of my heart’ though. While I was writing it I lived and breathed as my heroine, Jess, and acted out scenes in my head while I walked my dog or rode my horses, and at night before I went to sleep. Forget counting sheep – working out an exciting scene, or working on the romantic scenes was guaranteed to have me ‘out like a light’ just as I got to the crucial bit! My heroine still talks to me, as do some of the other characters – and two of them demanded their own stories. One has since been published and one is the book I’m currently working on.

SKY: We’re all guilty. Though we like variety, we tend to adore a certain type of hero and heroine. What does your perfect hero look like? Tell us about his personality. Same goes for the heroine.

HYWELA LYN: For some reason which I’m not sure of, I’ve always liked dark haired heroes although the hero of ‘Dancing With Fate’ is blond. I also like them tall, perhaps because I’m so short myself, I’m not sure, LOL. Anyway, another thing I like my hero to have is nice eyes, the kind that look straight at you, and have a warmth and a depth to them. Of course he should be strong and brave, but I also want my perfect hero to be gentle and considerate, and not to be afraid to show his feelings, especially when it comes to the heroine! I like my heroines to be spunky and pretty. Long, red hair for preference (I have a ‘thing’ about ‘flame coloured’ hair) but again, several of my heroines are dark haired, including Terpsichore in ‘Dancing with Fate’. I want her to be have an inne strength and courage, but to retain her femininity and sensitivity - sweet and sassy and every inch a woman!

SKY: What’s next for you? What are you currently writing?

HYWELA LYN: I’m currently working on the third in the ‘Starquest’ series. I need to give one of the characters from he first book his own H.E.A. He keeps nagging at me and won’t leave me alone until I do! After that – well I might just dust off that old ‘historical western’ and give it a complete new revamp!

SKY: Where do you see yourself five years from now? Ten?

HYWELA LYN: Oh I believe in living in the ‘here and now’ and not thinking too much about the future (unless it’s in one of my stories, of course. I’ve had the rug pulled out from under my feet too many times to be confident in making plans, besides, I like surprises (if they’re nice ones) and being spontaneous. I would love to have a best seller though (LOL, wouldn’t we all!) and to have written a few more books - and hopefully be living back in my beloved homeland of Wales.

SKY: There’s no doubt in mind that you’ll right a best seller, Lyn. You’ve such a talent with words! Here goes. The grand finale. Share with us one thing you think readers would be surprised to know about you.

HYWELA LYN: Apart from books and horses, I’m also crazy about steam engines. I love these huge workhorses of another age. There is something really romantic about a steam roller or train, something that modern machinery just doesn’t have. I think perhaps I should write ‘steam punk’. I might have a go at it one of these days.

SKY: I never knew that about you, Lyn! I love steam engines too and *Sky hangs head* I never knew what the sub-genre ‘steam punk’ was until now! I thought it was some 80’s punk sort of genre. LOL! Great interview, Lyn. Thanks so much for sharing!

HYWELA LYN: Thank YOU Sky, my dear friend. You ask the best questions!

SKY: Thank you! They come out sounding even better when I have a great interviewee to question. *winks*

What reviewers are saying about some of Lyn’s titles…

STARQUEST

"The lovely, lovely descriptions never slow the action, but manage still to convey emotion and carry the narration forward. This is an incredibly original tale, and for all the science fiction trappings is truly a classic quest for love, and the romance, which at first seems very much at the periphery, will become not only a primary motivation, but the chief joy of the tale. Adventure may be the main motif, but the heartwarming side will be a surprising bonus."

'Snapdragon'

LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS

Read full review HERE

Children Of The Mist:

"This book is wonderful! There are few books that hold my interest to the point where I can't bear to put it down, but Children of the Mist is most certainly at the top of this list."

Reviewed by Orchid, The Long and Short Of It Reviews (Five Star Plus Best Book Review)

Read full review HERE.

Hywela Lyn’s Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Myspace

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win an Ecopy of Dancing With Fate. TWO chances to win! Contest ends Sunday, November 6th, 12 AM, EST.

Be sure to swing in again tomorrow as the heroine from DANCING WITH FATE joins us here for A Writer's Mind, End of Week Character Blowout!

Best Always,
~Sky

Contest Winners Announced!

2011-11-02T11:13:00.000-04:00

A huge congratulations to Mona Risk, you won a copy of AJ Nuests', Jezebel's Wish!

Another round of congrat's goes out to horseunicornkey@aol.com. You were the lucky winner of three Ebooks from my backlist!

All winners please contact me at Sky@Skypurington.com.

Be sure to swing in tomorrow as I welcome the hero and heroine from Hywela Lyn's, Dancing with Fate over for my End of Week Character Blowout.

Best Always,

~Sky