Paranormal Romance Month- Beth Caudill

Thanks for popping in! Welcome to Paranormal Romance Month.This week, it's my pleasure to feature author Beth Caudill. I’ll be talking with Beth about her latest release, Healer’s Fate. Naturally, there’s a contest involved. What to do you have to do to win a free copy of Healer’s Fate and a $5 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press? It couldn’t be easier. Leave a comment!

Healer’s Fate…

Corliss Rumdone hides behind her status as Healer to avoid the normal wolf pack hierarchal 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.

Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Let’s talk to the author…

SKY: Welcome, Beth. Great to have you!

BETH: Thank you Sky. It’s great being here and this is a wonderful opportunity you’re giving to your fellow authors. I have to say February is a great month. Not only are there flowers and chocolate for Valentine’s Day but I get to eat birthday cake as well. (No, I’m not admitting how old I am.)

SKY: Happy Birthday! I have to say, Healer’s Fate sounds like a super read. What inspired this story?

BETH: Sometimes authors don’t have a simple answer to that question. Several things came together for me to write Healer’s Fate. Right now publishers prefer series to standalone stories. It’s something I don’t tend to write but I am interested in pursuing. Also in the back of my head I wanted to do a werewolf wedding scene but never had a story to go with it. The Wild Rose Press sent out a submission request for their Got Wolf series and that started me thinking. (Yes I know a dangerous thing)

I had an elf story started (Orlando Bloom as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings is very good inspiration.) and I decided to make the two stories happen on the same world. After deciding those few things – wolves, a wedding scene, and a planet populated by paranormals – the story wrote itself. I missed finishing the story in time to participate in the Got Wolf contest but I did finish. (The elf story is on hold currently because some motivations for characters don’t work and I have to start the story over.)

SKY: My heart is already aflutter. Liam is one of my all time favorite names. Give us a little taste of Healer’s Fate’s Liam. I’ll bet he makes everyone’s heart give an extra heavy thump!

BETH: Here is how Corliss see’s Liam as he joins her for the wedding ceremony:

Liam’s black, short-trimmed hair blended into the shadowed forest backdrop. He never let it grow long like the other males in the pack. He’d once told her it kept the females from petting him every time he walked through the village. Shadows hid his eyes but she knew they were green. A deep, piercing shade she loved to look into.

She smiled at the picture he presented wearing the forest green bowtie, no shirt, and an overly tight tuxedo coat. He appeared very masculine in the ill-fitting attire. The tightness of the coat outlined his well-defined muscles and moonlight glittered off the strip of fur on his chest—the proclamation of his status as an Alpha. A reminder of how close to the surface his wolf resided.

I don’t give Liam a lot of story time. Most everything is in Corliss’s viewpoint. I see Liam as a strong Alpha who uses his strength to protect those in his care. While he’s willing to let Corliss be herself, he doesn’t want to see her taken advantage of because of her powers to heal. Here is a scene between the two of them after a confrontation with another werewolf:

He gently touched his lips to hers. A flick of his tongue sent tendrils of fire through her body. “I may be overprotective, but I promise you won’t regret our bonding.”

Corliss rested her head against his shoulder. “There’s no one else I’d rather be joined to. Thingsare moving too fast. I have no control and I don’t like it.”

His right hand came up and caressed the side of her face. Then he laughed. “You and your lists. So organized and restrained.”

She nipped at his neck. Smartass!

Liam wrapped her hair around his right hand and slowly tilted her head back. “I think you’ll do well as Alphena because of those traits. And I’ll be around to make sure you take plenty of time off to play.”

This time his kiss expressed his aggressive nature. It left no room for her to deny his dominance. Using the grip on her hair, he moved her in the position he wanted—her back slightly bent so he could step between her bare legs, spread so his erection fit perfectly between her folds.

The thin pair of shorts he wore was the only thing preventing him from slipping inside her and calming the ache he created there.

“Take me to bed,” she demanded, freeing herself from his kiss.

He gave her a wicked smile. “I don’t know. I like the idea of taking you on the floor.” His gaze roved their immediate area. “Or maybe against the wall.”

She hated being exposed where anyone could see them, even if they were alone. “Please take me to the bedroom.”

He tugged her hair back further so her breasts stuck up at his face. His green eyes darkened to emerald and he blew warm air across her nipples. He sucked on one puckered nub before scraping his teeth along the sides. Their lower bodies rubbed against each other, adding to her tension.

She couldn’t relax or enjoy the sensations he evoked in her body. Desperate, she pleaded, “Please, Liam.”

He allowed space to develop between their bodies, but still supported her with one hand. The other he trailed from her neck down between her breasts before moving his hand to cup her right one. With slow movements he maneuvered her into a standing position, but quickly trapped her against the wall.

“What’s it worth to you, Sunshine? I’m perfectly happy taking you right here.” He lifted her left leg to his hip, then caressed her ass. To taunt her, he slipped the tip of his fingers between her folds, then pulled them out.

Back and forth.

Around her ass, between her legs, and a squeeze. His hands never stopped roving her body. She whimpered. Front, back, everywhere he surrounded her—his scent, his body, and the power of his wolf. She couldn’t resist him. She didn’t want to.

“I promise to quit trying to leave. I’ll do whatever you want until tenth day starts.” That would be the start of their second week. “Liam. Please! Take me to bed.”

Magnanimous in victory, he smiled, picked her up and said, “Of course, little wolf. All you had to do was ask.”

She growled at him. And then she had to suffer his laughter as he closed the door behind them.

SKY: Super excerpt! Of course, what is a hero without his heroine? Corliss Rumdone sounds like a strong, courageous woman. If she could speak to us, what would she say are her strengths and weaknesses? Would she even admit to a weakness?

BETH: Corliss would admit one of her weaknesses would be a wariness to confront people. Being a healer, she doesn’t want to cause anyone pain. A strength would be the willingness to do anything to get the job done.

SKY: I won’t keep you much longer but I’m sure everybody is dying to know… what can we expect from you next? Any new stories up your sleeve?

BETH: My goal for this year is to write a full length, standalone, fantasy novel. So far it isn’t going very well. After the holidays, I’ve had a hard time getting back into things, particularly when I came to the decision that the followup to Healer’s Fate needed to be restarted because things weren’t working halfway through. The motivations for certain characters don’t work and I need to rearrange things.

The recent snow here in NC only contributed to my lackluster word count as the kids have had three snow days now and everyone is stircrazy. To try and get the Muse back into storytelling mode, I decided to rewrite my very first short story – a werewolf paranormal romance (imagine that). It makes me laugh because I headhopp every other paragraph and there are lots of places I’m write show don’t tell the scene.

I also have another paranormal romance novella I can work on. I’m using a twist on the Ladyhawke storyline with an owl shifter and a guardian angel. (It was inspired by a submission request from Samhain but I only got two chapters written by the deadline. Healer’s Fate came out in the middle of the submission window and I did promo instead of writing.)

I’m limiting myself to writing these three stories. I have tons of ideas so I have to limit what I work on. Otherwise nothing would ever be completed.

SKY: Wow! Despite all, you’re keeping busy. I’m sure all your readers are thrilled! It’s been so much fun having you visit, Beth. Thanks for sharing.

BETH: Thank you for having me. Your questions required me to search a bit deeper for answers. I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into Healer’s Fate. You can find out more about my stories on my website-http://bethcaudill.net/ or blog- http://bethcaudill.blogspot.com/. Join my newsletter group and you can be entered to win a Valentine’s basket. I’ll have a picture posted under the website contest page shortly. Here are what the reviewers are saying about Healer’s Fate:

Xeranthemum at Long and Short Reviews gave Healer's Fate a 4 1/2 Book review

" Look no further for an entertaining and interesting wolf shifter romance than Healer’s Fate. It delivers a fine balance of love, intrigue and relationship quirks....Healer’s Fate is a solid romance between two characters which others deemed unsuitable yet fate determined as perfect. I agree with fate and Ms. Caudill. Liam and Corliss are a fine match and I enjoyed reading their story. I hope to read more by this author." For a complete review, click here-http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2010/02/healers-fate-by-beth-caudill.html.

Emma D. at Bitten By Books gave Healer’s Fate a 4 ½ Tombstone review

“I must admit to being entranced and wanting to hear more of Corliss and her world.” For a complete review, click here-http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=15563.

Danielle at Coffee Time Romance and More gave Healer's Fate a 4 Cup review

"Healer's Fate is a fantastic novel. Beth Caudill tells a story with a voice that is smooth, entertaining, and leaves the reader wanting more. . . .This is a great book to read and any paranormal fan would be happy reading about these wonderful characters." For a complete review, click here-http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/healersfate.html.

It's not over yet! Here's another head-turning glimpse inside Healer's Fate...

Weaving around the dark trees, Corliss’ paws traversed spongy moss and scrunched dry leaves.She followed in the large, gray wolf's footsteps. It wasn’t too hard. Though his face and body were dark gray, the tip of his tail and the bottoms of his paws were bright white. They flashed like a beacon in the darkness of night.

She’d been three and he six the first time they'd met. Though her mother had Beta strength,her father didn’t. The pack ignored him and he survived with the barest of necessities until he’d mated with her mom.

For her protection, her parents kept her separated from the rest of the pack. She’d had no idea who Liam was when he’d run out of the woods behind their cabin.

Her mother walked out of the house to find her rolling on the ground with a wolf pup. Seeing her mother, she’d shouted, “Look, Mom, can I keep him? We can call him Socks.”

Addressing the animal, she’d asked, “You’d like to be Socks, wouldn’t you?” The pup tackled her to the ground and licked her face.

It had been a good day until her mother explained the wolf pup already had a home and needed to go back to his parents. Then her mom told her about pack hierarchy and how she couldn’t play with the pup anymore because he was the Alpha’s son and they held no position.

Except it didn’t work out that way. Liam made sure she’d been included in events from then on. No one insulted her in his presence, but she still knew she’d been lowest of the low. She was also the only one to call him Socks, which she did quite frequently until he turned sixteen.

That day he had defeated four challengers for the right to become the Alpha. Once he mated, he would be the next leader of their pack. And she wouldn’t, even with her emerging healing skills, have the status to be his mate.

So she’d stopped calling him Socks, drifted back to the fringes of the pack, and watched from a distance.

Maybe the time had come to stop hiding. She had more skills than the pack knew. Forming a toothy grin, she thought that since he still called her Sunshine, maybe she should start calling him Socks again. That thought warmed her in a self-satisfied way.

Buy Healer’s Fate now. Click here http://www.whispershome.com/book_pages/healers_fate.html

Don’t forget. For a chance to win a copy of Healer's Fate and a $5 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press, you need to leave a comment by February 12th, 12 PM EST time!

Thanks for joining us!

Sky

Paranormal Romance Month- Featured Author Katie O'Sullivan

Welcome to Paranormal Romance Month at my blog! This week I have a special treat for you. Author Katie O’Sullivan has popped in to talk about her latest release, Unfolding the Shadows. To celebrate this fantastic read, I’m hosting a contest. What do you need to do for a chance to win a copy of Unfolding the Shadows? Leave a comment!

Unfolding the Shadows…

Jillian has worked hard to close the doors on her past and the psychic abilities that defined her youth. For sixteen years, she’s ignored the ghosts who still try to whisper to her. Even her controlling husband Kyle has no idea that his wife can talk to spirits. But on the day after Christmas, her great aunt’s car smashes head-on with a commuter train and Jillian finds herself on a collision course with ghosts who refuse to remain in the shadows any longer.

Long-hidden secrets are coming to light and Jillian’s life has to change to accommodate them. With the help of her friends and a substantial inheritance, she sets her life in a new direction, but Kyle’s not about to lose out on his share of Jillian’s inheritance—even if he has to kill her to get it.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Read on to learn more!

SKY: Welcome, Katie!

KATIE: Hi Sky! Thanks so much for inviting me to be your guest today!

SKY: Glad to have you! I have to say, I’m thoroughly captivated by your latest release, Unfolding the Shadows. It’s sure to please all who have a taste for both romance and the paranormal world. Tell me, what defining moment ignited the idea for this story?

KATIE: Have I told you my house is haunted? No, really. I realized it soon after we moved in - He’s a definite presence, and we’ve had a couple guests who’ve been spooked by him! A neighbor has since told me about the owner who died peacefully in his sleep. I started wondering what it would be like to be psychic: how cool it would be to talk with ghosts and learn their stories, but how hard it would be to grow up with that kind of ability. The character of Jillian was born.

SKY: There’s no way around it. We authors always tend to have a favorite character in our story. One we connect with above all others. Who would you say is your favorite character in this story and why?

KATIE: I would have to say Jillian is my favorite character. She struggles with her identity, and with the kinds of self-doubt that I also have problems with. But she has this inner core of strength, and these cool abilities to tap into when she needs help.

SKY: I’m going to make you think hard now, smiles. Focusing on your hero─ I’d love to hear his ‘voice.’ Give me one run of dialogue that makes me think, “Whoa. Who is this guy? What I wouldn’t do to meet him!”

KATIE: Of all the guys in the story, I think Jake is my favorite. The dark haired, gray-eyed artist worked with Jillian’s great aunt, and Jillian first meets Jake at the mansion mere hours after her aunt dies. He’s an honest, straight forward, down-to-earth guy whom Jillian really connects with, and who she ultimately turns to for help. I kind of regret not giving him a bigger spotlight (or any good sex scenes!) in this book, but he figures prominently in the next one.

Here’s a bit of the scene where Jake and Jillian are first getting to know one another.

“So how did you meet my great aunt?” Jillian asked as she wrapped her hands around the coffee cup. She leaned against the black granite-topped kitchen island, watching Jake search for a sugar bowl in the cabinet. His back was to her and she took the opportunity to scrutinize this man who’d worked with her aunt. With his hat off, she could see the crop of short dark curls on his head, matching the dark stubble on his face. He wore a tight red tee shirt, accenting his wide shoulders. His chest was broad like Kyle’s, but he didn’t have the thick neck of the football players Jillian had known.

“You know Edith had diabetes, right? I don’t know if there is a sugar bowl in there,” she told him as he kept up the search.

“Oh, there is,” came Jake’s muffled reply. He was busy taking mugs down from one of the shelves, placing them on the countertop. “She bought one to match these cups when I started helping her. Said she didn’t like the look of the little paper packets I was bringing. Thing is, I take like six sugars in every cup of coffee. So I leave lots of little papers in my wake.”

Jillian laughed as Jake turned triumphantly with a sugar bowl in his hand. “Aha! Told you,” he said as he placed it next to his own cup and true to his word spooned out six heaping teaspoons.

“Want any?” he asked Jillian.

“No,” she shook her head, laughing more. “Black is fine. So, you met my great aunt where?”

“I’m one of the artists she invested in about ten years ago. We hit it off right away and have gotten pretty close over the years. I met her at the opening of my wife’s first gallery retrospective.”

“Wife?” Jillian asked, surprised at how disappointed her voice sounded. Why do I care if he’s married? she wondered.

“Well, ex-wife now. Monica and I divorced five years ago. She’s a photojournalist,” he added as if to explain.

“Really?” Jillian asked politely, secretly relieved.

“She travels a lot on assignments. After the first few months of marriage, it seemed like she was away from the City more and more.” Jake smiled crookedly, as if the story he told were funny.

“Finally, Monica admitted it was me she was staying away from. We separated, then finally divorced. We’re still friends.”

Jillian grimaced and joked, “I’m not sure my husband and I were ever friends.”

“That would be Kyle?” Jake asked. Jillian nodded. “Your aunt did not speak very favorably of him, but then, she never had much use for lawyers. Not even that Davidson guy who works for her.”

“No, you’re right,” Jillian agreed. “She didn’t like Kyle from the very start. Now I wished I’d listened to her. Said I couldn’t base a solid relationship on less than total honesty.”
A bitter laugh escaped from Jake. “So true.”

“What do you mean?” Jillian bristled, wondering what else her aunt had told this man.

“I was thinking of my own marriage. How it was doomed from the start because my wife lied to herself and to me.”

“Another man?” Jillian asked sympathetically.

“Monica doesn’t like men in general, at least not in that way,” Jake smiled ruefully. “She’s much happier now that she and Crystal are a couple.”

“I’m not a lesbian,” Jillian said quickly, eliciting more laughter from the man across the counter.

“I never thought you were,” he replied, reaching across to push a stray hair out of her face. His light touch made her shiver, raising goosebumps on her arms. “So what’s your dishonesty?”

SKY: Great excerpt, Jake definitely sounds like my kind of guy! I won’t keep you much longer but I’ll bet everyone’s curious…what’s next on the agenda? Rubs hands together in anticipation. Tell, tell. Are you working on a new story now? If so, can you give us a hint as to what we can expect?

KATIE: I’m working on a second book featuring Jillian, Jake and the ghosts they share their lives with. Jake’s ex-wife is in deep trouble with Mexican drug lords and Jillian ends up being her only hope for rescue. I’m excited about the story, but it’s coming in fits and starts. So when my mind draws a blank, I’m also working on a romantic suspense set on Cape Cod that has a higher “heat” level than Jillian’s stories.

I’m also looking for an agent for the middle grade adventure I finished last year. It’s about a boy who’s trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in the world… and then he finds out his mother is a mermaid, and a Princess! Sort of a coming-of-age tale, with a tail…

SKY: It’s been super having you, Katie. Thanks so much for sharing!

KATIE: Thanks for inviting me here today! It’s been fun!

It’s not over yet! Dive inside Unfolding the Shadows one more time with another great excerpt…

Jillian woke with a start, disoriented. She swiveled her head to find herself in Edith’s hospital room, her aunt lying in front of her hooked to beeping monitors and morphine drip. She pressed fingertips against her face until colors exploded on the black screens of her eyelids, but was unable to shake the feeling Edith wanted to tell her something important. Finally, she gave up with a heavy sigh.

This was just a dream, nothing more, Jillian reprimanded herself. I don’t talk with spirits anymore. I’m not that person.

Someone cleared his throat by the door. Jillian’s head whipped toward the sound.

“I’m sorry to wake you, Jill, I didn’t mean to.” Jillian saw Parker leaning against the doorframe to Edith’s room, hands jammed into the pockets of his white coat.

“What are you doing here, Parker?”

He cleared his throat again, looking unsure. “I told you I’d stop by and check on you and your aunt. I heard the prognosis from Dr. Cohen. I’m so sorry, Jill.” Parker took one step into the room, looking down at his feet. “You know, I have to admit something. When your aunt first came into the emergency room, my heart raced to think I’d see you again, after so many years. But these aren’t the circumstances I’d have chosen.”

Jillian looked down at the magazine lying open in her lap, sorting through her own feelings. “I know what you mean. Hey, I’m sorry about before, in the coffee shop. I kind of bit your head off.”

“I want to start over.” Parker’s simple declaration sent a jolt searing through Jillian. She raised her eyes and locked them on his deep green ones. She opened her mouth but no words came out, her mind racing over his question.

Seeing the stunned look on her face, Parker quickly backtracked. “Oh, no. No, no. That’s not what I meant to say. I heard you got married to a lawyer or something. And have a gaggle of kids.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Jillian’s mouth. She had never thought of her three kids as a “gaggle” before.

“I’ll take the smile as a good sign,” he continued. “Can I buy you dinner?”

Jillian glanced at her gold watch, a Christmas gift from her husband the previous year, when his career was still riding high. “It’s only two thirty,” she told Parker. “Hardly time to be thinking about dinner.” As she stared at the watch, she thought of Kyle and wondered if he was back from fixing that barn yet. She needed to talk to him about the accident.

Parker laughed. “I may not have diamonds decorating my wristwatch, but it’s almost seven. You must need a new battery.”

“Seven?” Jillian stood quickly and looked around. There was no window in the room to verify that it was already night. “Are you kidding me? I need to call home.”

“You have to leave the hospital to turn on your cell phone anyway. Join me for dinner?” Parker wheedled. “There’s a bar on the corner that serves a mean burger. I’ll even spring for extra fries and a beer if you want.”

“Won’t your wife be expecting you at home?” Jillian asked, gathering her things.

“What? I’m not married,” Parker said, a puzzled expression scrunching his forehead. “Where did you get that idea?”

“I thought I heard you tell the nurses something about a patient trying to fix you up.” Jillian was sure she’d heard him say he was married.

Parker chuckled. “I was just letting an old woman down easy. There’s no one waiting for me at home, not even a cat.”

“Well, you always were pretty hard to live with,” Jillian teased, somehow relieved. “Dishes filling the sink, dirty clothes molding on the floor of the closet…”

“Ouch! Was I that bad? Wait, don’t answer,” Parker added quickly. He paused as Jillian brushed past him and then followed her into the hallway. “I’m sure I’ve changed. Medical school gives you a new appreciation of what germs can do.”

“I almost forgot!” Jillian turned suddenly, going back into Edith’s room. She emerged a few moments later and smiled sadly at Parker. “I needed to tell her I was leaving for the night and that I’ll be back first thing in the morning.” They walked in silence down the hallway.

Parker’s voice was gentle as he finally said, “Jill, she’s in a coma. She really can’t hear you.” He pressed the button to call the elevator. “Besides, I thought you gave up all your spiritual stuff when you became a cheerleader.”

“I did, I mean I don’t believe in…” Jillian started, unable to look him in the eye. “It’s just that… Never mind.”

“Never mind what?” Parker asked as the doors slid open and they stepped into the small cubicle. He pressed the button for the lobby and the doors slowly closed them in.

The elevator felt very small to Jillian, wafts of soap and Parker’s aftershave encircling her head. “Never mind what, Jill?” Parker repeated quietly.

“Auntie was speaking to me in my dream,” Jillian told him, embarrassed by the admission.

Parker turned his head upward to where the numbers slowly counted down the floors. “In college you told me that you had renounced all that.”

“Right.” Jillian shrugged. “It was just a weird dream. I guess I need more sleep.” The elevator doors finally whispered open, revealing the lobby. Jillian looked up at Parker and saw he was staring at her. “What?”

Parker smiled. “Nothing. C’mon, let’s go eat.”

I hope you enjoyed getting to know author Katie O’Sullivan. Doesn’t Unfolding the Shadows sound scrumptious? Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win! Contest ends 12 PM EST, Friday, February 5th, 2010.

Visit Katie at her website- http://www.katie-osullivan.com/

Purchase Unfolding the Shadows directly from Cerridwen Press -http://www.jasminejade.com/pc-7563-92-unfolding-the-shadows.aspx
Or find it at Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Unfolding-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B003380704/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1263994861&sr=8-2

Thanks for stopping in.
Sky

Introducing Paranoramal Romance Month

Well, it’s been a fairly unusual January here in New Hampshire. Why? The weather is undecided. One second it’s 50 degrees and pouring rain, the next 20 degrees and snowing. I know, I know, I live in New England…am I really that shocked?

Lucky for me, we’re entering the month of romance soon- February! At this blog that means warming up to 80 degrees plus. How do I plan to ensure that? Contests done paranormal style!

The month of February is Paranormal Romance Month here.

Next week I’ll be inviting author Katie O’Sullivan over to dish out about her latest release, Unfolding the Shadows. You don’t want to miss this! As to weeks 2, 3 and 4…I think I'll let the anticipation build!

Mark it on your calendar. Warm up your fingers to leave a comment. It’s all about winning at my blog next month!

Sky

Yahoo Group Done Right

It's official. I'm floating into uncharted waters. What does that mean? Simple. I've started my own Yahoo Group. How does this apply to you? Smiles. You get to know me better and I you. Sorry, did I make that sound intimidating? Didn't intend to. Chuckles. It's a group that puts us more in touch. We're able to exchange ideas and thoughts more readily. Frankly, I put it off for the longest time but wow, I shouldn't have.

If you're interested, come join the fun. I promise, that's what it'll be, fun, because if there isn't a trace of humor laced throughout, I tend to feel the need to spice things up. Winks. Naturally, if you join my group, expect a whole lot of talk about romance, be it paranormal or fantasy.

Regardless, I'll always be chatting about writing...and men. Honestly, what sort of romance writer would I be if I didn't include the handsome devils?

That said, at your own risk of course, pop over and join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyromance/

I look forward to seeing you!

Sky

Helping Haiti

As I'm sure all have heard, Haiti has been struck by a major earthquake and the death toll is expected to exceed 100,000 people. Please, if you haven't already, consider sending a cash donation to help out. There are hundreds of ways to donate. Here are just a few.

Send a $10 donation by Texting 'Haiti' to 90999. Call and donate at 1-800-RED CROSS. Donate online...head to http://redcross.org/ and click on Donate Now.

My heart and prayers go out to the citizens of Haiti.

Sky

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve. I know I did. What did I do? Wrote then watched the ball drop in New York's Time Square via webcam. Don't you love technology? As a mom to a four year old I chose to stay in with him this year. In its own way, it was as fullfilling as the days I used to romp around Boston.

My only regret this Christmas Eve was that I was unable to view the Blue Moon (Second full moon in a month) through my new telescope. Yep, you heard me right, my telescope! I know, about the last thing you would expect from me is that I love astronomy...but I do! We're due for a snowstorm or two up here in New Hampshire so it's cloudy and I can't see a thing.

That said I hope someone, somewhere viewed the full moon on New Year's Eve and everybody had a blast toasting in 2010. To those at home and to our troops overseas...may your new year be full of love and good health.

Always,

Sky

Christmas Contest Winner

Welcome all! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. What a fantastic turn out for my Christmas contest. With the talented authors listed, I'm not surprised in the least. All right, I won't make you wait another minute. The winner is....drum roll.....Janet Kay Gallagher! Congratulations, Janet! Please contact me at SkyPurington@live.com to collect your prize.

Thank you to everyone who participated and I wish you a very Happy New Year!!!

Sky

Christmas Contest 2009

Merry Christmas and Welcome to my Blog!

Interested in winning a $50.00 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press?

This year I’m running a contest that is strictly about giving back. To whom you ask? Easy, fellow writers. I’d like to say I searched long and hard but that would be a lie. They were easy to find. I won’t go on and on about these fabulous women, though I could. Best to get right to the point.

You need to answer six questions which require you to visit each of their sites. To help a bit, all answers are found on the home page of said site. Oh yeah, you have to work to win this time! Smiles. But, trust me, I’m sending you to sites well worth visiting. I list them in no order of importance, they’re all number one in my book.

Please Note: This contest is open to everyone. Readers, writers, editors, all are welcome!

So, here we go…I list the sites, ask you a question, and you answer them all in a comment at this blog for a chance to win big. Sound good? I hope so!

http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/... What is the sequel to Hywela Lyn’s well-written, raved about, carry-me-to-another-world novel, Starquest?

http://www.rynneraines.com/..... What erotically hot title does Rynne Raines have us already drooling over; set to be released on December 18th? Sorry, have to say a little extra here, her Eden series carries you away. Truly memorable.

http://www.freewebs.com/reece30/.... Having written some very sensual and thoroughly intriguing short stories, Reece Heering says something compelling on her home page. Fill in the last word to this sentence. “Books are the mirrors of fantasy, and the windows of what?”

http://www.chicksofcharacterization.blogspot.com/... What are the talented writers (and astute book reviewers) who founded this blog obsessed with? If you can’t find that, I’ll take what they’re currently reading as an answer as well.

http://www.skhyemoncrief.com/... Ms. Moncrief is a highly educated, imaginative and savvy Texan author who believes men look best in what? (And, I agree wholeheartedly!!!)

http://www.annakathrynlanier.com/... This must-read author captivated me, made me look twice and smile at the heading on her website. What does it say?

Answer all six questions correctly in a comment by 12:00 AM EST December 25th AT THIS BLOG, for a chance to win. More than anything, I’m glad you took the time to explore and perhaps found an author who caught your attention!

The winner will be announced at this blog on December 26th.

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Sky

New Trilogy

Three cousins...one Scottish, one Irish, one American, are thrust into a paranormal world they never could have speculated existed. Investigators all, ghosts were what they were used to. However, the afterlife isn't that simple. Trapped, finding love in the midst of true evil, these three determined men search for what they once considered reality. Will you be there?

I know, Halloween has passed but I've begun the first novel in my new series of stories titled, The Residential Curse Trilogy. This time I'm mixing modern day guys with the past, with the paranormal, with a reality beyond what any of us wants to acknowledge exists.

I live in a hundred year old Victorian that gets super active around this time of year, not sure why. December is the month for this old clunker. I believe in ghosts, have to. Do you? If so, I'm on the hunt...as are the men from my trilogy, Leathan, Devin and Seth.

I'm halfway through my first novel and would love to hear some real life stories. Do you hear feet scampering around when you're home alone? Ever catch a shadow out of the corner of your eye? You get the drift. Please, in a comment, share your story.

Thanks for popping in, don't forget to comment if you've experienced something from the world of paranormal!

Sky

Join My Mailing List

I hope everyone had a spooky Halloween. Can you believe we’re only a few weeks away from Thanksgiving? Pretty soon I’ll be whipping up my holiday newsletter. If you’d like to receive my quarterly newsletter and be updated to any new contests, join my mailing list by clicking http://www.skypurington.com. On the left hand side of my home page, click on “Join My Mailing List.”

Have a super weekend!

Sky

Breast Cancer Awareness Contest Winner

WOW...what a wonderful turn out this year for our annual Breast Cancer Awareness contest. I'm beyond thrilled that women are choosing to become more aware of this disease. Thank you all for taking the time to tell us your stories, lend advice, and share great tips. As always, choosing a winner is never easy so I left the task to my three year old. A huge congratulations to Carla Buck...you won! I'll be contacting you soon!

To all the women out there who are breast cancer survivors...you are in my thoughts, always stay strong.

Have a super week and thanks again for participating!
Sky

Breast Cancer Awareness Contest

In honor of all breast cancer survivors and casualties, we'd like to welcome you all to our annual October BREAST CANCER AWARENESS event. We're a few romance authors who want to spread some happily ever afters around while urging you to get your annual checkups! Just visit the following websites or blogs to read up on the latest health information and learn how to enter each of the participating authors' contests.

http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/
http://www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com/
http://www.annakathrynlanier.com/id18.html

Each author will offer a prize. So, be certain to enter at each location. Prizes will be announced Halloween night. There's nothing like a wonderful treat on Halloween!

This year I’ve decided to take a new approach. I’d like to catch those women so young they say to themselves, “I’ll worry about this later on,” to those who are getting ready to turn forty, contemplating their first mammogram to those who are fifty, tested yearly and nervous every time. Bet you’re wondering what I’m talking about. Well, simple enough, there are steps we can all take now to possibly lower our chances of getting this disease that visits one in eight women every single day. What’s this miracle cure you ask? No cure, but preventative and purely dietary. Yep, that’s right, changing our eating habits now could help us down the line!

Take the time to read the following dietary changes you can make NOW and I’m willing to dish out a slew of prizes to a random commenter. You read right, a slew of prizes, including two of my novels, a $10 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press and a Breast Cancer awareness T-shirt! That’s how much I want you to become more aware of this disease.

I spent hours scouring the internet looking for dietary changes you can make. Here’s what consistently seemed to be at the top of the list…

-SEAWEED! Who would have thought? Best bet, Kelp and Nori. It’s not as bad as it sounds. I had it in a soup one afternoon in Boston. Wow, was I shocked. It tasted great! What does it do? Fights those free radicals cancer cells find delectable.

-FIBER! Don’t hold back- dish up the fiber whenever you can. Fruits and veggies, beans, whole grains. I don’t know about you but I’ve found a lot of creative ways to eat fruits and veggies. I dip my apple slices in low fat peanut butter, coat my broccoli in crushed up wheat saltines (yeah, they make those now) and sauté them in margin and extra light virgin olive oil. Why is the fiber so important? Fiber interrupts the body's metabolism of estrogen and decreases the blood levels of estrogen. High levels of estrogen in the bloodstream correspond to a higher risk of breast cancer. High-fiber diets can decrease breast cancer risk by up to 54 percent! Load up on cruciferous vegetables--broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, bok choy, kale, and cauliflower.

GO FISH FOR FATTY ACIDS! I’ll tell you right off the top, I take 3,000 ML’s of Omega 3 powered fish oil pills a day because I have no time to cook. This option is super for those who don’t like fish as well. Like fish? Super! Eat at least three servings a week of cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, mackerel, haddock, cod, and sardines. Why? Omega-3 oils found in the aforementioned fish inhibit the effects of the compounds known as prostaglandins, which have been associated with the inflammation that suppresses the immune system's ability to identify tumors

The list is endless after this. I’ve found mixed reviews about Soy products, so I say research on your own. Eat what feels right. I also learned dairy products as well as olives were a good preventative measure. I listed the foods I did because I eat them religiously now. Did I mention my family history is full of breast cancer? Nothing I’ve listed here is “cut in stone.” I am not a doctor. At the very least it’s healthy! Talk to your doctor and see what he or she recommends.

All you need to do for a chance to win the grand prize is leave a comment about my topic. Do you agree, disagree, have another great point to make? Please share, it’s a go here. I’m all about awareness. If you took the time to read and become more aware, I’m happy!

Sky

Breast Cancer Awareness contest coming soon.

Wow, it's the first day of Autumn already! I hope everyone had a super summer.

I wanted to remind you it's almost that important time of year again...Breast Cancer Awareness month. Starting October 1'st running through the 31'st, I'll be one of a few authors hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Contest. Every author will cover a different topic. Come, take the blog ride, educate yourself. Stop back in on the first of next month to learn more and enter to win some great prizes.

My best to you all.

Sky

Swimming the Internet

Explored the Open Seas of the Internet Lately?

If not, you should. There's lots of fun to be had out there. I seldom post things just "for fun" but it's about time! Aye, like you, I get forwarded things in my email. All are welcome. Some catch my attention and I check them out. Why not post them? I thought. Usually, it's all about my work, readers and contests. This time it's for pure enjoyment and curiosity. So, as I said before, grab a cup of coffee (waterproof mug suggested), pull up a floaty and swim the net with me!

Curious what your name says about you? Sure you are, I was! Click Here...http://www.paulsadowski.org/Numbers.asp. Just remember, use your full maiden name ladies!

This one may interest writers more. How well do you think you spell? You might be surprised.

Click Here...http://www.bored.com/badspelling/

Oh, had to take this one just to see how accurate it was. They were right, it IS the best "smallest political quiz!" Will I tell you what I am? Nope. Political talk will always be the worst sort of conversation one can incite! (winks) Click Here to take the Quiz...http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html

I saved the best for last. At least in my mind, loving research and history as I do. Writing a novel, short story or school paper and need another resource? You have to check out Ology World. Not only is it chock full of great information...it's rather entertaining! Make sure you have your speakers turned up when you visit...http://www.ologyworld.com/

Hope you had your goggles on, hope you had some fun, because as far as I'm concerned, the Internet is worth the swim, eh?

Feel free to leave a comment telling me your results wherever you may have wandered. I might just share my own experiences in a return comment!

Sky

Win a $50 dollar Gift Certificate to Amazon!

Hey all!

I know, I know...I totally vanished in July. Please forgive. Summer's a busy time. We have few sunny summer days here in New Hampshire (even less this year) and since that steamy star in the sky came out a month ago, I've been on the go. Have I a nice tan? I wish! I turn red then back to white. Smiles. Hey, at least I've a few new freckles to show for my effort!

Anyway, the minute I read about a certain contest I knew I had to share. The Roses of Houston are going to be giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to Amazon. Aye, you read right...$50!!! All you have to do is swing over to http://rosesofhouston.blogspot.com/2009/05/share-your-writing-tips-by-aug-31st-to.html and leave a writing tip in a comment. It doesn't matter if you're a writer...as a reader, you may have one or two tips up your sleeve. So head on over for a chance to win. I'm right behind you!

Sky

Winner of my Stop and Smell the Roses Bouquet Contest

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Sorry I’ve arrived so late today. My internet service has been super moody. Wow, what a fantastic showing yesterday for my Stop and Smell the Roses Bouquet contest! Thank you so much for the lovely comments about my excerpts and books. You all made my day!

As usual, I wish everyone who left a comment could win, but regrettably, I have to choose just one. So, as I did with my last contest, I printed the comments and let my 3 year old choose for me. (Or should I say, point for me!)

So (drum roll please) the winner of yesterday’s contest is…lastnerve…congratulations!!! Please contact me at Skypurington@live.com to collect your prize.

Thanks again for popping in. Have a super week!

Sky

Stop and Smell the Roses Bouquet

Stop and Smell the Roses Blog Bouquet

Good morning all!

If you haven’t heard, today The Wild Rose Press is hosting what it called the Stop and Smell the Roses Blog Bouquet. What does that mean for you? Well, if you’ve a little bit of time to spare, there are a TON of prizes to be won at various participating blogs.

In that the third novel in my Scottish Trilogy, Sylvan Mist, is being released this year, I thought I’d focus on the trilogy itself as part of my contest. The prize? A $15 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press!

What I’ve decided to do is ask you a few questions about the first two novels, Fate’s Monolith and Destiny’s Denial, which means traveling to the home page of my website http://www.skypurington.com/. Once you've found the answers, swing back to this blog and answer a question about the following excerpt. Yes, it’s a never before seen excerpt from my upcoming release, Sylvan Mist.

Okay, here are the questions that you must answer in a comment at this blog for a chance to win! In Fate’s Monolith, the hero, Iain, has long awaited the arrival of whom? In Destiny’s Denial, Ferchar bringing Caitlin to Scotland will result in what for Cowal? Last but not least, referring to the excerpt below for Sylvan Mist, why do Coira’s eyes pop open in shock?

EXCERPT:

“You’re full of questions, aye?” Iain’s verdant eyes sparkled. “My wife Arianna is here and well. How pleased she will be to see you both again. And the laird is—”

"Me.” The deep voice came from behind.

Shivers ran down her spine. William stood so close, Coira swore she felt his breath on the back of her neck. She stepped away, but not before their eyes met. Her heart fell into her stomach. Had she ever met an Englishman as beautiful as William? She straightened her back and squared her shoulders. “I do believe I’ve been brought here by mistake.”

One of William’s dark brows shot up. “Have you now?”

She nodded once. With great effort, she kept her gaze locked with his. “Most certainly. Both Annie and I are well rehearsed in the ways of this connection between the Mac’Lomains and the Brouns. I’m quite sure that I’m not supposed to be here.”

William’s silver eyes left hers and swung to Annie. “Nay, you’re both here for a reason.”

When they returned to hers, a mocking gleam burned within. “Fate doesn’t make mistakes.”

She narrowed her eyes, not trusting him a bit. He was clearly intent on her sister. “Be careful, if I’m here for a reason, then it is without any doubt to protect my sister.”

An insolent smirk made love to his lips. “We will see, then, how well you champion your sister.”

Coira swallowed hard. “You would be amazed at my strength.”

“I’m sure I will be,” he murmured.

Annie broke through the battle of wills with her usual good humor. “I need no champion. Who here will have me?”

Iain alone laughed. Coira and William continued to glare at one another.

“We mount, aye, William?” Iain whistled and his black stallion trotted forth. “Annie, why don’t you ride with me?”

Both William and Coira started to protest, but it was too late. Iain had already swung Annie up onto his mount.

Coira put her hands on her hips and eyeballed William. “I do not wish to ride with you. May I ride one of the spare horses?”

“ ’Twould be my pleasure.” He smiled and she nearly relaxed. “If I trusted you, which I don’t.”

She bit back a growl. A growl! She was a lady, she didn’t growl. Before she knew what had happened, she was neatly plopped in front of William high astride his horse. Her skirt stretched uncomfortably over her legs and her backside nestled far too intimately between his thighs, very strong muscular thighs. She closed her eyes and counted to ten. Ridiculous noticing such a thing!

If that wasn’t enough, his hands suddenly covered her thighs. Her eyes popped open in shock...

After leaving your comment below for a chance to win, make sure you visit everyone else on the Stop and Smell the Roses Blog Bouquet. I’ve listed them below!

http://www.annwhitaker.com/

http://www.bethcaudill.com/

http://www.blog.skhyemoncrief.com/

http://www.catemasters.com/

http://www.christinecolumbus.blogspot.com/

http://www.donnamichaelsauthor.blogspot.com/

http://www.eroticcravings.blogspot.com/

http://www.happyendingsblog.com/

http://www.kyannwaters.blogspot.com/

http://www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com/

http://www.lindabanche.blogspot.com/

http://www.lynnreynolds.blogspot.com/

http://www.marywritesromance.blogspot.com/

http://www.melanieatkins.wordpress.com/

http://www.missmaesite.blogspot.com/

http://www.nicolemccaffrey.blogspot.com/

http://www.plparker.blogspot.com/

http://www.roniadams.blogspot.com/

http://www.sherilewiswohl.wordpress.com/

Thanks again for popping in and Good Luck!

Sky

Winner results for Children of the Mist Contest

Wow, I’m absolutely thrilled with how many of you popped in yesterday to not only enter the contest but to support and wish great sales to author, Hywela Lyn! Doesn’t Children of the Mist sound fantastic?

All right, down to business. I wish I could have picked you all to win, but, as contests tend to go, I had to narrow it down to one. How did I manage that? Smiles. I printed all the responses and let my 3 year old do the choosing. He tends to like to aim for the center of the page so…the winner is….Ladyaurthor2b, congratulations!!!! Please contact me at SkyPurington@live.com to collect your prize.

Also, while I have you, don’t forget next Monday, June 22nd, The Wild Rose Press will be hosting the Stop and Smell the Roses Bouquet. Swing by this blog once again for a chance to win a $15 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press!

Thank you to everyone who visited yesterday. I hope to see you again soon!

Sky

Contest for Hywela Lyn's latest release, Children of the Mist

Thanks so much for popping in today!

It’s all about celebrating Hywela Lyn’s latest release, Children of the Mist. Sequel to Starquest, Children of the Mist, takes the reader on yet another incredible journey into outer space. Into worlds we mere Earthlings can only dream about and above all, into a world rich with heart-wrenching romance and intrigue.

I’m so thrilled with this book (aye, read it and loved it!) that I’d like to host a contest in honor. The rules are simple. Read a blurb and excerpt from Children of the Mist and answer the following questions in a comment for a chance to win a $10 Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press!

BLURB: Two minds united against a common foe. Two hearts afraid to show their love: Long ago Tamarith fell in love with a man she can never have, and is convinced she will never love another. However, she cannot help but be intrigued by a handsome stranger whose psychic powers exceed even her own.

Vidarh seeks only to find his true purpose in life and to win the regard of his father, who eschews his son’s psychic abilities. Thrown together by a common threat to their planet, then torn apart by an evil greater than any they could have imagined, can Vidarh save the lovely Nifl woman who has captivated him, before it is too late? Will Tamarith and Vidarh overcome the deadly enemy who threatens to destroy all they know and love? Will they find the happiness they both seek? Or are they fated to live their lives alone?

EXCERPT: She glanced at him, feeling a little foolish. I suppose that sounds silly—to be scared of the dark? Vidarh gave her a searching look, that momentarily made her feel exposed, as if she'd revealed too much of herself.

Of course not, he reassured her, not after such an experience. Although I wouldn't have imagined you as someone afraid of anything much. But then most people are frightened of something.

Does that include you?

He was silent for a moment and she wondered if she had been too inquisitive. Then Vidarh again gave her a slow smile. There was something very appealing about that slightly crooked smile. Their eyes met and she had a fleeting sense of sadness, or perhaps loneliness, even, as his thoughts touched hers for the briefest of moments. Unaccountably she felt her cheeks begin to flush but she held his gaze and forced herself to smile back, reassuringly.

I hate crowds, he went on. I always feel uncomfortable with large groups of people, which is why I'm much more at home in the mountains with only my pony for company.

And yet you came to Gladsheim, knowing how many people were going to be here?

Vidarh shrugged a reply, obviously reluctant to discuss the matter.

How many other people know? she asked, after a moment. About you being able to teleport, I mean.

He shook his head. You're the first I've told. I haven't even mentioned it to my family.

Why not? It's not as if it's something to be ashamed of.

Again Vidarh shrugged. I'm not sure. Ours is a small community. I just felt...I don't know, 'different' somehow and I didn't want to be. I knew my father wouldn't approve—

But that's silly. A gift like that is something to be proud of. In Gladsheim it would be encouraged —nurtured, Tamarith began, but just then, Gullin called them to join the group on the other side of the lake.

Answer the following questions in a comment for a chance to win!

Why were Vidarh and Tarmarith thrown together? When Vidarh and Tarmarith first meet, they speak of fears, things they don’t like, make them uncomfortable. What is Tamarith’s dislike/fear? What is Vidarh’s? What gift does Vidarh possess, that which only Tarmarith knows about?

I look forward to hearing from you and good luck!
Sky

Swing by Hywela Lyn's website http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/ to learn more about previous and upcoming releases.

Simple blessing for Flight 447

My heart goes out to the families of Air France Flight 447.

My comfort in this is to hope and believe that, "The end is only the beginning."

Sky