Friday, November 30, 2012
Author Miranda Stork - Vigilante of Shadows
Today is the official release of
Vigilante of Shadows! The beginning of a new series from Miranda Stork, the
action begins fast and hard with a murder, an immortal murderer, and a bright
young police officer caught in the action. Oh, and shadowpeople and a demon.
Did I not mention those? Vigilante of Shadows sets the series off on a path
that will be humourous, horrifying, and just a little bit steamy. A path where
this time…the whole of humanity hangs in the balance.
Blurb:
Aodhan clutched uselessly at his head,
groaning. He knew it was useless, because the voice was not inside his head. It
followed him, skimming across buildings and land. It had followed him since he
was sixteen, and it still followed him today, like a memory too horrific to be
forgotten…
Aodhan
is a shadow-demon, hardened and cold after years of being alone, after his
love, his Entwined, was cruelly taken away from him. He has closed his heart to
the world, and now spends his life ridding the world of men like those who took
his beloved away, an immortal hit-man…
Arianwen
Harris is a young DCI, working for York City Police. When a known criminal is
found viciously killed, she finds herself trailing a hit-man who has seemed to
escape clutches again and again…but she begins to find herself drawn to his
dark charms and roguish good looks…
As
their two worlds collide, Aodhan and Arianwen find themselves coming together
to escape a far greater enemy, one that threatens to create a world far worse
than the one they live in. As they battle to hold back the oncoming forces,
fate has another plan; one to draw them together and heal their broken pasts
together…
Excerpt:
He
paced along speedily, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans. The sounds
of the night surrounded him--distant cat song, the steady hum of far-off cars,
the soft sound of wind whistling underneath people’s windows. He loved being
out at night, not because it was a time when his ‘kind’ were more active, but
simply because it was so much quieter than the day. The sounds of people
rushing around disappeared, and left a peaceful calm with the soothing
darkness.
Of
course, there were the voices in his head, but that was another story.
He
shrugged his shoulders up, cutting off the wind whistling around his neck. He
wasn’t particularly cold, but the noise was annoying when your ears were so
sensitive that a pin dropping could sound like a two-ton weight.
Aodhan’s
mind went back to the girl from the bar. He hadn’t meant to be so brisk with
her, but it was really best that no-one got that close. He…didn’t do well with
people any more. They always brought back memories of simpler times, of her.
And besides that…he killed people. People who wouldn’t die if they hadn’t found
out about them…
Aodhan
was a demon.
A
rare demon, as well, a shadow demon. He had been born to a Scottish clan just
over eight-hundred years ago, to humans. Contrary to what he saw people
believed in the media and books, demons were actually born to humans. There was
no line of them, like vampires or werewolves. They were simply…random.
When
he had been born, there were no noticeable signs of what he was. He just looked
like any of the other babies born to them, strong and healthy, but definitely
human.
As
he grew older, he had shown great proficiency with all weapons, learning faster
than any of the other boys in the clan. Even some of the boys older than him
had a hard time keeping up. He was never big-headed about it though, simply
trying to fit in with everyone else. However, the clan talked about how the
strange-eyed boy was so much quicker and stronger than others twice his age,
and whispered about ancient gods coming back to the earth. His looks weren’t
too odd for his clan, everyone having black, brown, or auburn hair. But his
eyes were odd. All others in his clan had mostly blue eyes; some of them had
brown eyes. But he had startling clear green ones, more like a cat than a
human.
When
he was thirteen, he suddenly began developing strange growths near his temples.
After going to see the clan’s wise woman about it, she simply cackled, and
whispered, “Those who are given the gift of darkness, should not fear the
unknown.” He had shaken off the wise woman’s words, telling himself that she
had finally gone crazy.
The
growths had developed further, until they started to look like small dark
horns, about the length of his thumb. They curled close to the curve of his
head, smooth with small ridges forming at each stage of their growth. Luckily,
Aodhan’s hair grew wild and long, allowing him to cover them up as much as he
could.
By
the time his twentieth year was reached, he was a well-loved member of his
clan. He was kind and helpful to all, and helped to fight off their enemies
more times than he could count on both hands. But he was holding a dreadful
secret from his clan. Since his horns had grown, he had also noticed many other
things.
He
had begun to...see things. Shadows.
When
he was out hunting in the forest near to their home, he would think that he had
seen someone moving in the trees behind him. But when he swung around to face
them…nothing. Then he would hear a soft chuckle, his name being called on the
wind. At night, in his bed as he tried to sleep, he would see black figures
running around the walls.
He
had tried to tell the wise woman of the village again, thinking them to be
spirits sent to drive him mad, or something worse. She simply shook her head at
him, and chuckled, rocking herself to and fro. He had got used to the shadows
by now, drawing the blanket up over his head so that he couldn’t hear their
taunting murmurs....
Aodhan
suddenly stopped walking, snapping out of his daydream. He was sure he had seen
one of...them. Looking all around, he
scanned the buildings with his vivid eyes. The problem with them was that they could hide anywhere
they chose--walls, buildings, floors, anywhere--especially at night.
The
red brick buildings around him looked empty, the few alleyways just leading
alongside the backs of houses, a small number of bins scattered about. No-one
else was walking near him on the pavement, no sound anywhere.
Just
as he was about to turn around and carry on walking, pulling his jacket up
again, he heard something behind him. Something whispery and cold.
“Aodhan...”
Giveaway:
Rafflecopter link (on Moon Rose Publishing’s Facebook
page): https://www.facebook.com/MoonRosePublishing/app_228910107186452
Rafflecopter code (if you have Blogger):
<a
id="rc-7adce32" class="rafl"
href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7adce32/"
rel="nofollow">Vigilante of Shadows Release Day Giveaway</a>
<script
src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Buy links:
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miranda-Stork/e/B0082YW92S/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1352814299&sr=8-2-ent
Bio:
I was born in
Guisborough, North Yorkshire in 1987 and have lived in various places around
Britain, including Newcastle and Glasgow.
My writing is
inspired by various writers, including the vivid characters of Charles Dickens,
the imagination of Stephen King, and the gothic imagery of Anne Rice.
My love of
horror began at an early age, when I was only three or four. I could read
proficiently at the age of three, and devoured fairy-stories, but I always had
a bent towards the darker stories, such as the Brother's Grimm's tales...Red
Riding Hood was always a firm favourite, although I always felt sorry for the
wolf, despite him having tried to eat everyone!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Irish Author Jonathan Dunne
Good morning! Welcome to Exile on Peachtree
Street. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Irish author Jonathan Dunne. His
debut novel, Balloon Animals, is so amazing. It is great to have him join me today
in exile.
Jonathan, please introduce yourself in 50
words or less.
I’m Jonathan Dunne (Jon to friends and
beautiful strangers). Balloon Animals is my book. A tragic-comedy with
larger-than-life characters that make up for my own average being.
Didn't we meet in Amsterdam a few years ago?
Didn't we meet in Amsterdam a few years ago?
I once worked in Holland, sorting tulips
(the flowered and human kind). I stayed 3 months in an old ramshackle hotel on
the freezing coast with a bunch of drug-addicts. I was the only alcoholic so I
kind’ve felt proud of that. Everybody else went around with saucer-eyes, just
like owls they were, but I wise the wise old toad. I visited the Red Light
district one night but I’m sure that I didn’t meet you there. Then again, it is
Amsterdam...
Okay, it must’ve been another good looking Irishman. At least we have both been in Amsterdam at different times. So, tell me Jonathan, what books are you currently reading? Who are your favorite authors?
Dickens by Michael Slater and Confederacy
of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.
What inspires you?
On my FB page I’ve got one inspiration: Sofia
Vergara (Gloria from Modern Family)
What are your writing habits?
I repeat an age-old mantra, thus inducing
myself into a mind-bending stupor. I insist on writing sitting down. I
occasionally listen to film soundtracks to heighten the atmosphere but no
lyrics as they tend to jar the written word. I don’t know why that is.
Having two sets of words going on at the same time jams the signal. I write in
a cabin next to my house. I lock myself in until I have cabin fever.
What lead to the creation of Balloon Animals?
My daughter and I were going for a walk in
our adopted town here in Toledo (Spain). She happened to have a red helium
balloon that day. She accidentally let go and it sailed upwards over town. She
bawled her eyes out and I was completely useless but to just watch as it
ascended until it became nothing but a passing bird. I compensated by telling
her “Granny caught the balloon and that she was happy to receive such a
thoughtful present”. My mom died in 2009 – so that was the seed: that image of
the red balloon against a blue sky, going somewhere from somewhere. The rest is
fiction. I see writing as a series of dot-to-dots on a child’s activity book.
Eventually you have enough seeds to join and get the bigger picture.
Why did you write it?
It had to be on paper.
Is it your first book?
Yes but I’ve been writing since I was a kid
and publishing the occasional short story. I’ve written a few more novels that
will remain hidden for now. I realized I was a writer when I joined the items
on mom’s shopping list to create a narrative plot: the carrots were soon
blaming the turnips for the murder.
Do you have more books planned?
Yes, my next book should be out sometime in
late Spring 2013, at the rate I’m going. It’s called Living Dead Lovers – My
Sick Romance. In a nutshell, it’s about a hell-raisin’ fiery-tongued gypsy
psychic medium who falls in love with one of her dead clients – a philandering
racing-driver. That’s all I can say for now. Let’s just say that she finds
herself in a predicament.
What message do you want readers to take from Balloon Animals?
Whatever they pick up from it...
Any plans to be in Atlanta soon?
Thought you’d never ask, Hunter...
Thanks for joining today Jonathan. Continued success to you. Cheers~
Here is my 5 Star Review of Jonathan’s
novel book:
This book is so well done I thought it was
an autobiography when I first started reading it. Mr. Dunne takes the reader on
a flight of fantasy in many ways. You will be captivated by the humanness of Johnny
Rowe, from the first chapter. Congrats to Mr. Dunne for being one of the brave
new wave of fiction writers that demands we, as readers, take a look--this is
where an imagination can take you.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Some Girls - Elodie Parkes
This is so great, today I'm joined in exile - Exile on Peachtree Street - by the enchanting Elodie Parkes. Elodie and I share a love of the written word, the erotique and we have a super secret that we can reveal to you in a few weeks.
Elodie, thank you so much for joining me. It is so nice to kick off the Holiday Season with someone like you who is so naughty and nice.
Why don't we have a cup of tea and why don't you bring the readers and me up to date on your latest news.
Hi Hunter thank you for inviting me to the
blog.
Can you tell us when you started writing and what you love about it?
I started writing when I was seventeen, but
never took it seriously. I had some love poetry published in a couple of
magazines. (smiles)
I started writing again properly a couple of
years ago because I had so many stories in my head.
I have published three contemporary erotic
romance books to date and I am working on another book right now.
They are available on Amazon kindle. I love
eBooks myself, and it’s rare now for me to buy a paperback or hardback.
Elodie, what do you read and what inspires you?
I read heaps myself from across all types of
genres.
For my own writing people and emotions
inspires me. The complexity of life spurs me to write.
What category features your works?
My books fall into the category of erotic
romance because I do write the sex scenes graphically and that’s because I want
the love the characters feel to show up properly in my stories.
I think too that readers have become used to
reading more. They don’t want the description of the romance to stop at the
bedroom door.
Can you tell us about your latest release and possibly share some with us?
My latest release ‘The Horoscope Writer’ was mostly inspired by signs along a country
road when I was out driving one day in another county.
The main characters just started to flow into
my head and by the time I had driven home, which was a three hour journey
through the countryside, I had the book and characters completely ready.
‘The Horoscope
Writer’
is about a man, Dominic, who is a writer and has lots of different writing jobs
for magazines amongst which is that of horoscope writing. He is a lonely soul,
living in the country on a funny country lane where a few artisan’s workshops
are. Fortunately he has a friend there too, Jeremy, who has a workshop, design
studio there on the lane.
Dominic is lonely. His last relationship
broke up a couple of years prior to the opening of the story and he really
wants love.
Dominic Reed the horoscope writer is
desperate for love. He doesn’t know he has never had the kind of love he
suddenly finds with Cassie the female lead character. It ignites a sexual
passion in him he didn’t know he could feel.
There is a workshop to let on the lane and
Cassie comes along to rent it.
Dominic is instantly attracted to her when he
sees her in Jeremy’s office and she finds Dominic irresistible.
There is a mild paranormal streak running
through what is an erotic romance because Dominic has been influenced by his
great uncle who was also a horoscope writer.
This is a love story, erotic and enticing.
My books do contain graphic sex in the love
scenes but they are love scenes, romantic, and the characters are driven by
love.
EXCERPT 18+ only From The Horoscope Writer
Dominic walked up behind Cassie as she sorted
paintbrushes into a box on one of the workbenches and put his arms around her
waist, kissing her neck from behind. She stopped sorting the brushes, and
placed the whole bundle on the shelf next to the container to lean back into
his arms.
Dominic transferred a hand to cup one of her
breasts through her shirt and nuzzled her neck. Cassie felt herself grow weak
with longing and began to turn to face him. They pulled each other close
kissing each other and moaning just audibly.
Suddenly Dominic smiled against Cassie’s lips
and she drew back a little to look into his eyes.
“What Dominic?”
He shook his head. “Nothing bad, I am so
desperate to make love to you I can’t think straight”.
Cassie nodded again. “Dominic I want you too.
We could just go over to your cottage”.
Dominic didn’t need another prompt. He took
her hand and walked her over to his place.
Once inside the house they began to undress
each other, and they made it upstairs. Dominic was soon dressed only in his
jeans and he lifted Cassie up pulling off her boots and jeans as he kissed her.
His kisses were so intense they drove Cassie to gasp. Dominic pulled down her
lace underwear, and began to whisper to her as he found her wet for him and
pushed his fingers into her.
“Cassie, I’ve never felt like this. I want to
say things to you that I have never said to a woman. I want to push into you so
hard, and so deep you moan, and come again, and again for me. It’s
overwhelming”.
Cassie held his head and kissed him hard.
“Say them Dominic, the words, say them”.
He had his eyes closed as she kissed him, his
fingers inside her and his erection pressed into the side of her body where he
had her lifted to him.
He groaned and shook his head slightly. He
was shocked by it. Instead, he lay her on the bed, and entered her with a low
moan thrusting deep until he felt as if he would come without giving her the
pleasure he wanted to, and he slowed down.
“Cassie ride me”, he whispered, turning over
holding her, so that she straddled him.
Cassie sat up on him. She moved on him only
for seconds before her orgasm ripped through her making her lie forward over
him and try to reach his lips. Dominic caught her head to his and kissed her.
He left his lips against hers but moved his hands to hold her hips and press
her down to meet his thrusts. His orgasm knocked the breath out of him and he
groaned into her mouth.
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2012
Delicious! Thank you for stopping by today Elodie. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future and wish you continued success! Readers, you can find Elodie at all the folloing spots. Cheers~
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