Thursday, February 20, 2014

Dishing with Elodie Parkes about Candy Hearts & The Flower Box

Thank you for inviting me to the blog today with my new release romance books.

The Flower Box and Candy Hearts, are released very close together, February 7 and 14 by Hot Ink Press.

Contemporary, erotic romance, and without my usual twist of paranormal, fantasy or magic, I’ve enjoyed writing these love stories. They are both Valentine’s Day oriented stories, but can be read anytime. Although they fit into the category of erotic romance, because the bedroom door is open, they are classic romance stories with happy endings.

The Flower Box


Alice longs for love. Oliver wants to give her flowers and candy until he thinks she has another lover. Will his jealously drive him away from Alice or straight into her arms?
Candy Hearts (February 14) a Hot Ink Single

Tom found a new job, but can he find love?
Working in a surf coast hotel seems like the remedy for his previous unhappiness, but as Valentine’s Day approaches, Tom realizes he’s lonely, and looks around for someone to love.

What’s hot about The Flower Box?
Oliver,
• he’s not afraid to admit to Alice that he finds her irresistible
• he’s very sexual and physically strong
• he’s centered, happy with what he does

The story is about two people who could pass you on the street. You might look at Oliver because he’s gorgeous, you might look at Alice because she’s pretty and has an aura of sadness to begin with, but they are real people. Their jobs are not unattainable. There’s no billionaire Cinderella story here. It could happen to you.
What’s hot about Candy Hearts?
• The main female character, she smolders, and Tom the main male character he’s a sexy sweetheart. Tom’s the lovely blue eyed guy next door. He’s a keeper.
• The story because it reflects things that happen in life. Often they don’t get resolved, people pass like ships in the night, in stories we get the happy ending.
*****
Author Interview:
Are you working on another book right now?
I’m working on three books, right now, a contemporary romance that has a mystery thread through it, a contemporary ménage romance, and a contemporary shifter romance.
Naturally, they are all erotic love stories, with HEA. I have to have that in my books
Why do you write the genre?
I want love in the world. I want soft sighs and whispers. I want care and understanding between people. (Utopia I know) I like happy endings. There are so few in real life, it seems to me, and so I write them. I write the hot sex that the characters would fall into when in a loving relationship. Not very politically correct I know, but my characters are physically beautiful (mainly) and I do that on purpose because humans like beauty, they aspire to it, and beautiful people are like flowers for me. They adorn the world with loveliness. Speaking as a heterosexual woman nothing is better than a gorgeous man with a sculpted body and lovely eyes for me. Mmm maybe trees, trees are great, the ocean, that’s fabulous too. Music, music lifts my soul. There you go I’m in love with beauty in general.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
I enjoy the way my characters become so real to me and their worlds that I create. It’s almost magic the way the story setting just unfolds for me. I can actually see the places in my mind. I see the place better than the faces of my characters. I hear my characters and know them, but often their face is not clear. Maybe that’s because I feel their heart and know that readers will assign a different face to them according to their imagination.

What do you like the least?
Marketing. It’s so time consuming and quite soul destroying when you’d rather be writing. I always thought that publishers helped with marketing, that’s hardly true at all. (Smiles)

Would you like to see any of your books as movies?
None of them. I’d be there fussing about the script staying true to the book, or the casting, especially the casting. (Laughs).

What things do you like to do to relax?
I find writing relaxing, but I also like to get out into the countryside near where I live. I enjoy visiting the historic places across the country too. I read, watch movies and I love music. I’m often singing along with something as I drive.

Do you have another job as well as writing?
Yes, I have to. I work for an antiques emporium.

If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?
It would have to be healing.

What makes you cry?
Cruelty. To people, but cruelty to animals is the worst for me. Animals are so innocent. When I see dogs that have been abused I always cry, because I know dogs feel the same emotions as humans. It’s the same for any animal I see that’s been abused, I just weep. Many animals have been assigned lesser status than human beings and now scientists are discovering they are highly intelligent, communicative, highly sensed beings in the same way humans are.

What makes you laugh?
Not a lot these days (smiles)

If money were no object, where would you most like to live?
I live in the country I want to, maybe I’d move down the coast to Cornwall or Devon where the surf coast is.

What kind of car would you have if money was no object?
I have the car I want. I’m a Jeep person and always drive them.

What’s your favorite food?
Fruits and potatoes, (cooked any way.)

Favorite color?
I have two I love, oh wait three, blue, purple and green. (All the shades of each) I love color.

Can you think of a song or piece of music that could be your theme tune?
I used to say Coldplay: Speed of Sound, now I think maybe its Primitive Radio God, ‘Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand’
One half verse sticks in my mind so vividly,
A life is time, they teach us growing up
The seconds ticking killed us all
A million years before the fall
I feel we are bound by time, societally constructed time, and it’s so controlling and restrictive.

Just answer these questions as quickly as possible.
Chocolate or vanilla?
Neither, I like lemon and orange
Dog or cat?
Dog and cat and horse and there’s an owl in the woods near where I live that I’m fond of.
The film or the book?
both (sorry)
Jeans or skirt?
jeans, but sometimes little black dress
Beach or Snow resort?
countryside and beach
Heels or flats?
Boots, depends where I’m going if they are heeled or flat
Stockings or pantyhose?
Stockings, love them
Top or bottom?
Er…both if I can get it…
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading my books. I write from the heart so you get a piece of it every time you read one of my stories. (Smiles)



Characters Interview

Welcome to Oliver and Tom, Oliver stars in The Flower Box and Tom in Candy Hearts
Oliver, tell us something about Alice, how would you describe her in a few words?

Alice is just great. She’s the love of my life so I’m biased in my opinion I guess you know. She’s brave, capable, and independent. She likes the park and water. She’s very pretty, slender, intelligent, kind, and generous, and she treats everyone and thing well. She’s great at her job and runs her own business. She’s sexy. (He grins)

Tom, describe your loved one in a few words. (Tom’s asked us not to give away her name, when you read the story you’ll know why)
Very sexy, giving, clever, thoughtful, a great lover, knows what she wants or needs to do and goes for it. She’s full of surprises, she loves me, and she works hard at her jobs. I couldn’t live without her now.

So guys tell the readers about how you met the leading ladies in your stories.
Tom: I met my love in a coffee shop. She was a waitress. On one occasion, she gave me a look that nearly melted the chair I was sitting on besides parts of me touching it. (laughs)
Oliver: I met her in person in a flower and candy shop. I’d seen her before but not close up.
Can you describe when you first knew you were in love?
Oliver tell us about when you knew you loved Alice.
It might be a spoiler if I told all. I thought I’d lost her, that woke me up with a jolt. (smiles)
What about you Tom?
It was hard to let myself fall in love, I think I loved her very soon though and just pushed it away.
Is there anything you would have changed about the story, your name, job, story setting, anything?

Tom: I’ve never thought about that. I don’t mind my name and in the story I get to change jobs. I used to hate what I did so that was great. The setting goes with the job, and is a cool place, I think.

Oliver: I like my name. I love my job. It’s not what I set out to do when I went to college, but it’s great. The setting for the story wouldn’t be able to change, that’s where I work and where Alice works, and where we live, plus it’s a cool city. (smiles)

Will each of you choose an excerpt from the story that you enjoy?
Oliver: Is there a rating level on your blog? Mine has to be a love scene.
Tom: Mine too. (laughs)

Just choose what you want, and thank you both for coming along today.
Oliver: Thank you. It’s been fun.
Tom: I’ve enjoyed meeting you, so thank you.


Excerpt from The Flower Box 18+ rated

Alice took him down the narrow alley that led to the back of her shop. Halfway down there Oliver stopped. He guessed she was taking him home to bed, but the kisses they’d shared ignited a need in him that was surprising. He had to kiss her again right then.
Alice turned to him as he stopped walking. The small white walkway lights shone on her hair.
Oliver’s cock stirred as he pulled her close. He found her mouth and grazed her bottom lip with his as he closed his eyes. He pushed her back against the wall, then took her hands and held them down locking his fingers with hers. He slid his tongue against her lips until she opened her mouth. The feel of her hips against him made him sigh. Oliver kissed her as his cock hardened and strained against his jeans. He pressed the hard column against her stomach.
Her moan reached his ears as he kissed down her neck.
He wanted to suck her soft skin and feel her pussy around his fingers. He let go of her hands to lift her skirt.
She pressed her neck against his face as he sucked.
He pulled her skirt up around her waist and kissed up to her ear. “I want you,” he whispered into her ear and she gasped. Oliver pushed her pantyhose down around her thighs. He kissed her lips, and felt her part them to moan as he slid his hand between her legs. She was wet and his cock jerked. His breath came in short gasps as he pushed two fingers into her pussy. The feel of her inner muscles around his fingers sent a spike of sensation through his cock. He thought he’d come right then as his hips thrust in response to her opening her legs wider for his hand. He murmured against her mouth. “You feel so good. I can’t wait to get you home.”
Alice kissed him. “Let’s go. I’m desperate for you.”
Her words made his cock leak. He wondered if he could make it to her car. He took his fingers from her pussy and lingered with his fingertips against her clit.
She held his shoulders and kissed him hard.
Oliver took his fingers from her clit and rested his face against hers. “Sorry, Alice, does anyone else use this path?”
Her voice was low as she answered against his cheek. “Not usually.”
He hugged her. “That’s good.” He moved from her
She made a little sound as he pulled her pantyhose up.
He held her face and kissed her tenderly. “Let’s go.”
*****
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2014

Excerpt from Candy Hearts 18+


She watched him closely.
Tom saw her gaze trace his mouth, then his body. The atmosphere between them charged as she broadcast attraction signals. He edged his hand along the tabletop so that he might touch hers when she reached for her water glass.
It happened as they stared at each other.
Tom’s cock hardened as the prickle of desire flew along his arm from her touch. He saw her eyes darken and she leaned into him. He took hold of her hand then, locking fingers with hers. He had to kiss her. He raised his other hand, slid it gently along her cheek, and brought her head to his.
The kiss was devastatingly sexy. His cock, rock hard now, pushed at his suit pants. Sky’s lips parted for his tongue. He kissed her, and the steady hum of the restaurant guests’ chatter receded. Surrounded by the scent of her silky hair and softness of her skin, Tom took his time. He held her head to his until he felt her try to move from the kiss, away from him. He let her end the kiss, but he tightened his grip on her hand. As he lifted his head he realized their food had arrived and the server waited by the table for them to end the kiss. He smiled and let go of her hand.
She smiled too leaning back so that the plate could be placed on the table in front of her.
As they ate little bites of their steaks, Tom again asked for her real name.
He swallowed. “I’d love to know your name. Seriously, after that kiss, I can’t keep calling you Sky.” He saw her hesitate, and then she answered.
*****
Copyright Elodie Parkes 2014

About the author:
Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.
Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
Elodie writes for, Hot Ink Press, Moon Rose Publishing, Eternal Press, and Evernight
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog Tumblr Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest YouTube Amazon USA Amazon UK Smashwords Barnes and Noble ARe Bookstrand Evernight Manic Readers The Romance Reviews

In the Spotlight - Hunter S. Jones

In the Spotlight - Hunter S. Jones

Friday, February 14, 2014

NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR YA, BABY

Spread the indie love today. You know you want it. We love you. We've got nothing but love for ya, baby. So, show us some sweet love in return. C'mon and give it up for some of the hottest new indie books around.



We know what you like.

Goodreads Giveaway Bookshelf HTML:


Up For Grabs at Spread Some Indie Love Blog Hop
Shadow Town
Under Glass: The Curse of the Butterfly
Meeting Destiny
Destiny's Revenge
Destiny's Wrath
The Hideaway
Blood Debt
Hereafter
Starlet's Web
Starlet's Run
Centaur Legacy
The Silken Edge
Pity Isn't an Option
The Atomic Circus
By a Thread
Pierced
Starlet's Light
Escaped
Counterclockwise
Tension





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Keep scrolling down, my books are at the end.

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As always, thank you so much for supporting indie authors and indie artists of all types. Your support means everything to us. Instead of buying that coffee in a disposable cup, why not purchase a book, music or some type of art from an independent artist? It might change your life. 


Monday, February 10, 2014

WHICH STORY FROM A CELTIC TAPESTRY IS YOURS?

Looking for a hot spicy romance to warm up these cold winter nights? Well, look no further. Moon Rose Publishing can offer you seven stories, all based on the wheel of the Celtic year. Each story is available as a short on Amazon. Take the quiz, find 'your story' and fall in love with A Celtic Tapestry.  

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NjM2NzA1

Magic in Memphis is the short written by me. As fate would have it, it is also what the quiz gave me. Whatever, your story, snag a copy today!


Friday, January 31, 2014

AMBER LEA EASTON & ANONYMITY



A Blurb of Anonymity
New year, new beginnings. Alyssa McNeil is on a mission of breaking free of her comfort zone, reinventing herself, and forgetting the fact that her ex is getting married on New Year's Eve. She's in Belize for a week of sun, fun, adventure, and flirtation. Meeting Luke is an unexpected bonus…falling in love with him, though, simply isn't part of the plan.

Luke Picket is more than happy to go along with her idea of a no strings, uncomplicated weeklong fling. He embraces his bachelor lifestyle and can't see that changing any time soon. But when they find themselves trekking through the jungle and facing turbulent seas together, his hard heart softens.

But they'd agreed on anonymity, on a first-name-only-no-strings love affair, and neither wants to ruin the moment with unwanted declarations. Old beliefs are challenged. Doubts questioned. Will they stick to their deal and go their separate ways when the week is over? Or will the new year bring them a new attitude about love?

Excerpt of "Anonymity"

Her thoughts drifted to Luke. She'd admired how he'd laughed after tipping in the kayak, bantered easily with Rosie, smiled at her as if he'd known her for years, and had obviously made friends with the scuba divers who acted like he was a part of their group. He had a way about him, a magnetic pull. She grinned at the way his shirt had molded to his body. Yeah, even now as the rum haze wore off she wanted to strip him naked and explore that body. Laughing at her thoughts, she tossed the ring onto the pillow and closed her eyes.
The knock on her cabana door surprised her. Probably Rosie. Had she signed the bar receipt? She couldn't remember.
Showered and dressed in a loose yellow sundress, she walked barefoot toward the persistent knocking. She yanked the door open and stared. There he was, dressed in dry blue t-shirt, khaki shorts, and flip-flops. He tilted his head a bit to the side as he assessed her, his grin contagious as he held up the forgotten metal box.
"You forgot your treasure at the bar. I was a little hurt. I risked my life for this."
She rocked back on her heels, struck by how the blue of his shirt emphasized his eyes. "I thought you were going out with your friends."
"They're not my friends. I met them the other night, a diving club from Dallas or somewhere like that. We had a good time last night with my family at the bar that ended up with us all jumping in the pool fully clothed. I guess I left my shirt behind, but that's it." His shrug pulled the shirt tight over his shoulders. "We had a deal, didn't we?"
Every fantasy she'd ever had came to life in her mind. Sex on the beach, against a palm tree, on the deck, in the king-sized bed behind her...every image created a slow burn deep in her gut.
"Scared? I'm harmless, I swear. Rosie can vouch for me, she's known me for seven days now, that's the equivalent of a lifetime on this small island."
"Said the serial killer right before he pulled a knife."
"I know you want to." His voice had lowered to a seductive purr. "Come with me. Have some fun. Live a little."
She hadn't anticipated him showing up, not with the leggy brunette hanging all over him. She already had her e-reader prepped for a night of hanging out in the hammock listening to waves lap against shore. She gripped the frame of the door and stared.
"Dinner and a town tour. Simple," he said even as his gaze skimmed over her neck to her cleavage.
"Why do you want to keep our deal?" she asked.
His gaze snapped back to hers. "You're the most interesting thing that's happened to me in a long time. I want more of that. Simple."
"I'm not..." she'd almost said she wasn't brave, that she'd been dizzy from rum and travel, but the look in his eyes stopped her. "What's the matter?"
"Why do you think something's the matter?"
She squinted. Guilt shadowed his eyes, but there was something else there, too. "Did I miss something after I left?"
"I may have led people to believe you were my girlfriend." He winced without breaking eye contact. "Don't slam the door in my face."
"Are you afraid of the supermodel who was coming onto you, Luke?" She folded her arms across her chest and smiled at the idea of him using their brief flirtation as an excuse to ditch the group from the bar. "Do you need me to save you from the gorgeous brunette?"
"Save me, Alyssa. Please." He leaned a hip against the door and extended the box toward her.
"Are you bribing me with your found treasure? Interesting." She took the box and laughed.
"That's not much of a bribe. You should hold out for more." He winked, his good humor convincing her that she'd be a fool to say no.
She tilted her chin up, hoping the fact that her knees were buckling didn't show. Going or not wasn't a question of want...she definitely wanted. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and studied him through narrowed eyes. If she followed through with impulse, she knew she'd end up sleeping with him before the night ended. Did she want to cross that line? Did she really want to seize the moment, embrace carpe diem and all of that bullshit she'd been telling herself since getting on the plane in Denver? Those were the questions that made her hesitate.
"You won't regret it." His blue eyes danced with mischief, almost as if he knew exactly what questions tumbled through her brain. "Please come out and play, Alyssa."
She smiled at his boyish use of the word 'play.' "Since you said please...give me a minute to get ready."
Opening the box, she chose a bracelet laced with various colors of blue stones, brushed the sea salt and sand from it, and wrapped it around her wrist. She couldn't help but laugh.
Well, grandma, I'm definitely out of my comfort zone and taking chances.
Luke's gaze moved over her like a light caress. Rather than a predator or some sleezeball who picked up women on a whim, he resembled a confident man about to take a woman on a date. Black hair no longer stuck out in every direction; rather it fell lightly across his forehead and skimmed his ears. Salt no longer stuck to his neck yet the impulse to taste his skin beneath her tongue superseded all common sense. Exhilaration pumped through her veins at the idea of possibilities.
"I promised you fun and I always keep my word. Trust me," he whispered against her ear while she locked her door. His hand touched the exposed skin of her back.
Her hands trembled at her sides. Desire rushed through her like lava erupting from a volcano. Everything she'd wanted while sitting at the bar doubled in intensity. She turned within the small space between his body and the door and surrendered to temptation. Standing on tiptoes, she slid her hands over his chest and up to his shoulders.
"It's cliché to say I don't normally do this kind of thing, but I honestly don't. This is a first for me," she said.
"What part? The traveling solo part or the going out with a stranger in a foreign country part?"
"Both."
"No past, no future." He slipped his hand behind her neck and stopped within a fraction from kissing her. "No judgment, no regret."
He surprised her by stepping back and snagging her hand. Laughing, he pulled her to the sand and toward the beach.
"Tease," she said, bumping her shoulder against his.
"You've been bossy enough—stealing my treasure, bullying me into taking you out—tonight I'm in charge."
"Oh, really?" She liked that idea more than she'd admit. The thought of him taking charge, being in control, turned her on in ways she hadn't imagined.
From the way he looked at her, either he'd read her mind or they were on the same page. 
They walked along the beach into town, hands grazing each other, arms touching. The stars shone like crystals in the night sky that meshed with the blackness of the ocean. Wind tossed her dress around her knees and plastered it to her thighs.
"Any excursions planned?" he asked after a lengthy silence.
"Tomorrow I'm going on the Lamanai trip to the mainland to see the Mayan ruins. I booked it online when I made the reservation here, but now I wish I hadn't." She watched a water taxi speed buy them loaded down with rowdy tourists.
"I'm on that trip, too."
She squinted at him. "No, you're not."
"I am. My family was here all last week and I have little nieces and nephews. No one wanted to do the adventurous things with me so I waited until they left." He smiled down at her, black hair falling across his eyes with the steady wind blowing inland. "I did see the zoo, though. Fun times."
"What did they think of you staying behind?" She pushed her hair behind her ears, wishing she had brought a hair tie of some kind.
"They're used to me doing my own thing." He shrugged and looked toward a passing boat. "What did your family think of you coming down here alone?"
"It's uncharacteristic." She fell into step with him as they resumed walking into town.
"You seem pretty adventurous to me." He winked and then laughed when she looked away. "I meant it when I said this was a simple dinner...after that, whatever happens, happens. I don't expect anything. Don't worry."
She felt the blush heat her face and purposely averted her gaze to the sand in front of her feet. Maybe he didn't expect anything, but she did. She swallowed the sudden flood of saliva at the idea of getting him naked. 
It's official; I've lost my mind.
She sighed and forced her thoughts away from sex. Okay, so maybe she hadn't slept with anyone since Scott and only one other man before him, which was years ago. Horny was an understatement. Luke made her crave skin-on-skin. She'd wanted him to kiss her, was a bit annoyed that he hadn't.
When music wafted down to the beach from one of the bars, he snagged her against him and pulled her into a dance. She laughed at the spontaneity.
"You're deep in thought," he said with a smile. "That's not allowed."
"No?" She laughed when he dipped her backward before snapping her back up to face him. "Are you always so happy?"
"I'm on vacation and dancing with a gorgeous blonde in the moonlight, of course I'm happy." He moved her into a tight circle on the beach. The feel of his body against hers created havoc with her nerves.
"This is crazy," she whispered, not entirely sure if she was talking about her reaction to him, their date, or the entire situation.
"Madness."
Give in, a voice encouraged from deep within her psyche.
She skimmed her fingers over his neck before sliding them into his hair. Grinning because it felt good to abandon inhibitions, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
He slid his lips against hers, eyes wide open and reflecting moonlight. His hands gripped her hips. Slowly, they savored the taste of each other.
Tremors of desire began where their lips met and rocked through her body to her toes until she felt certain she'd collapse. Shaken, she locked her fingers behind his head and teased his lips with her tongue. He opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. Intense. Hard. Perhaps it was the beach or the aftereffects of Rosie's special concoction, but she'd never felt like this from a kiss.
With a gasp, he lifted his face from hers and stared into her eyes. His chest rose and fell against hers with each steadying breath.
"Why do I feel like I just dove off a cliff?" he asked without letting her go.
"Just go with it." She smiled against his chin before sliding down the length of him until her feet were firmly on the sand. Emboldened by the knowledge that his reaction mirrored her own, she laced her fingers with his.
"Oh, I'm going with it." He pulled her against his side. "I'm the go-with-the-flow kind of guy, remember?"

Buy links:
Amazon: http://getBook.at/Anonymity
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-anonymity-1379776-153.html




Author Bio:
Amber Lea Easton is a multi-published fiction and nonfiction author. For twenty years, she's worked in the fields of journalism and advertising with a brief detour into the financial industry. Although she holds a BA in Communications & Journalism, she is a perpetual student of life who enjoys taking classes on a wide variety of subjects when time allows.
Smart is sexy, according to Easton, which is why she writes about strong female characters who have their flaws and challenges but ultimately persevere. She currently has three romantic suspense novels out in the world, Kiss Me Slowly, Riptide and Reckless Endangerment, and a contemporary romance novella, Anonymity.
Her memoir, Free Fall, released on September 1, 2013, and is dedicated to suicide prevention, awareness, and helping others navigate the dark journey of grief.
In addition to fiction writing, Easton also edits and freelances. She also speaks on subjects ranging from writing to widowhood. Some of her videos on romance writing have appeared on the international Writers & Authors television network. Current radio appearances are linked via this site and her blog Kisses, Caresses & Whispers in the Night.
Easton currently lives with her two teenagers in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where she gives thanks daily for the gorgeous view outside her window. She finds inspiration from traveling, the people she meets, nature and life's twists and turns. At the end of the day, as long as she's writing, she considers herself to be simply "a lucky lady liv'n the dream."

Amazon Author Page: view Author Amber Lea Easton


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

First Amazon Review for FORTUNE CALLING

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging story January 27, 2014
Format:Kindle Edition
"Fortune Calling" by Hunter S. Jones is a short novel the first in a series, and it depicts a central moment in of Dallas Fortune, a musician in Tennessee, who is at a decisive moment in her private life and in her musical career.
The descriptions of the music scene, Dallas' talent and ambition (or lack of) bring immediate depth to an otherwise casual appearing plot. A fortune telling moves things forward and the future holds unexpected events.
Dallas is an engaging central character and her story is equally captivating. I loved this story.
Fortune Calling

Guitars. Hillbilly Music. Nashville, Tennessee.

Dallas Fortune is a small town girl with a gift for playing guitar. A member of her family has played the Grand Ol Opry since it began as a simple radio show in 1925. But, they are the minstrels, the troubadours--session players--not stars.
Dallas lives her life on the road. She’s just another guitar player with a dream until she finds an antique blue mandolin in a pawn shop. Her life comes into focus as the enchantment of the mandolin captivates her audiences. The Guitar God of Nashville beckons her. Everything is there for Dallas at last, until a stage accident sends her home and shatters her dreams. Blow after blow she fights the hand of fate. Is she destined to lose out in life? Hope, dreams, and love seem to be just out of reach. Every girl dreams of a happy ending. Dallas Fortune has the best Fairy Godmother in Country Music history. Will she help make Dallas’ dreams come true?

Is the future among the stars, in the cards or locked in your heart?

Fortune Calling is the first story in The Fortune Series. Set in contemporary Nashville and rural Tennessee, the series chronicles the life and loves of Dallas Fortune.

TAGS: Fiction, Country Music, Nashville, Tennessee, Guitars, Short story, Contemporary

© 2014 Ra Jones Publishing
Cover by Robin Ludwig Design

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Welcome to the Magical Mystical Worlds of Andrea Cooper



Today, please join me in the super uber mystical worlds of author Andrea Cooper. Lands where clans clash, fires flames and most importantly, lands where love still conquers all. Is there really anywhere else you would rather be? Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us today, Andrea.  
Viking Fire Blurb: In 856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.
Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?

Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?

With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.


 Viking Fire Excerpt
Chapter One Ireland 856 CE (condensed)

“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown.

“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.”

“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.

Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor.

“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.

Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”

Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight.
Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of
Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.

“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.

“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”

“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”

Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”

“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.













The Garnet Dagger Blurb: Everyone knows what happens when a vampire bites a human…but what if the victim is Elvin?
Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure. 

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and his world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?
  
The Garnet Dagger Excerpt:  Chapter One (condensed)
I’ve known death. For over half a millennia, I escorted many to death at the end of my sword. In the eyes of the dying, I watched it shroud them. Foolishly, I thought many more eras would pass before death came for me. It came so swiftly that I could not run; I could not escape. At a village, dressed in human clothes, I took in everything.
I delayed my return to my people as I watched human jugglers bounce torches and knifes. It was autumn equinox and the festivities would continue well into the night. Children laughed as they chased each other. A trail of leaves from their costumes twirled after them. It was dark when I reached the forest.

I hiked slower than my normal speed, so as not to startle whatever human called out. My leather boots crunched upon dried, diseased leaves and bark. Horrified, I glanced up. Branches twisted around each other to suffocating. Lifeless limbs cracked in the wind. Flesh of the trees sloughed off in layers, exposing its bones. Gashes hollowed out chunks of warmth. Fragments of leaves clung to finger tips, marking sepulchers of the dying trees. Trees mourned with wails like splitting wood, and I brought my hands over my ears. I must flee before I became infected, they told me. Flee before the stain of this defilement creeps into you, they warned. Trees spoke to my kind, always had. Yet these trees were in such agony of death that I could not breathe. Felt as though my lungs had folded in on themselves, like a moth unable to break loose from its cocoon.
Cooper, Andrea R. (2013-03-25). The Garnet Dagger (Crimson Romance) (Kindle Locations 60-67). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.


Andrea’s Bio: Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

The Garnet Dagger Book Trailer  http://youtu.be/ISi0u9LoseM
Viking Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/m1bPZ3nUyzs
Author Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com

Buy Links:

The Garnet Dagger Amazon: http://goo.gl/rMEJ59
The Garnet Dagger B & N: http://goo.gl/Qp5i6A
The Garnet Dagger iTunes: http://goo.gl/s1Cugp
Viking Fire Amazon: http://goo.gl/71VAsf
Viking Fire B & N: http://goo.gl/EvBxwf

Viking Fire iTunes: http://goo.gl/fQuKBd

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Address to a Haggis - Robert Burns

Address to a Haggis


For my part in today's Burns Night Blog Hop, I write the following with love. So, gather round, bring the shortbread and pour a wee dram while I explain what has been told to me about this poem and this event. A wee word to my American friends...if you can eat fried Southern pork sausage, you can eat haggis. Now, off we go...

Address to a Haggis was written by Robert Burns in 1786 to celebrate his appreciation of the Haggis. As a result Burns and Haggis have been forever linked.

This poem is always begins the evening of Burn's suppers. The haggis is carried in on a silver platter at the start of the festivities.

As it is brought to the table a bagpiper plays a traditional, Scottish melody. An invited speaker then recites the poem before the theatrical and dramatic cutting of the haggis with the ceremonial knife. 

Due to his Scottish Lowlands, or Lalands dialect, (as the Scots still call it today, just like Burns did in his poetry) my late father-in-law was in great demand at Burns Supper events. This blog is dedicated to him, his love of the arts and his devotion to Rabbie Burns. 

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, 


Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye worthy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.


The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.


His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!


Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
'Bethankit' hums.


Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect scunner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?


Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!


But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.


Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis


Thank you for stopping by today! Three copies of Magic in Memphis, my Yule novella from A Celtic Tapestry, the Moon Rose Publishing anthology, will be given to the first three people who comment. Cheers!