The Order of Chaos has a cover!

Many Thanks to the very talented April Martinez for her fantastic work!

Look for The Order of Chaos to be released in the coming months at www.LiquidSilverBooks.com

Guest Author Chastity Bush - KILLER KISSES

Thanks for being on the blog today! Tell us a little about KILLER KISSES.

My new book Killer Kisses is a very funny, very sexy, paranormal romance about adult novelty storeowner Tina James, and five hundred year old vampire detective Alex Monroe. Here’s a little blurb to get you going. 

The man straddling the Harley was, in one word…juicy.
Adult novelty store owner Tina James loves a good adventure, and the man peering at her through onyx black eyes is the closest thing to adventure she’s ever come across. Unless of course, you count the mugging at gunpoint she experienced only hours earlier.
Leather clad Alex Monroe and his big bike just moved to number one on Tina’s sexiest man alive list, and with every searing kiss, every white hot caress, Tina finds herself living out her wildest fantasies with the man of her dreams.
But is it all too good to be true?
There’s something about Alex, from his unusual habit of only leaving the house at night, to his amazing speed and strength that has Tina wondering what exactly the man she’s falling head over heels for is hiding?

Meeting Tina James is the best thing that’s happened to Alex in the last five hundred years. She’s spunky, sassy, and beyond sexy.
But there’s a problem…or three.
Alex is a vampire, Tina’s a mortal, and he’s searching for a rogue vampire who just so happens to have his sights set on her as his next victim.
Now, not only does Alex have to find a way to tell the woman he loves what he is, he has to catch the killer before he loses her forever.


Where were you when you got your first book contract? Who did you tell?

My first book contract was with a horrid company whom I’m still fighting to get my rights back from. But my second contract was a thrill to receive. I was at home having a pity party (like we all do at times) and opened my email to a contract offer from Solstice Publishing. I told my husband first, as he is my best friend and I tell him everything. While I’m no longer with that company, I still remember how excited I was to see that someone believed in my work as much as I do.

What draws you to write your paranormal/erotic thriller?

I have this crazy love for anything paranormal/supernatural and hot romance. I always have. So writing in that genre was inevitable. Being able to create your own beings, or adjust others like vampire, werewolves, demons, etc. is something I love doing. You can do anything in the paranormal world; I can really let my imagination fly.

Do you have any tips for new writers?

Research! Before you submit to a company or agent, do everything in your power to learn everything you can about that company/person. Unfortunately, there are publishers and agents out there only interested in lining their pockets. Also, write what you love. What’s hot today might not be so tomorrow. And last but not least, READ! I find that nothing gets my imagination rolling faster than reading a good book.

What is your guilty pleasure?

True Blood or Dexter, and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. My husband and I always enjoy a pint of ice cream and watch True Blood or Dexter. It’s a lot of fun. 

Where can your readers reach you?

I’m just about everywhere, but here is where I’m most active.

http://www.facebook.com/chastitybush
http://chastitybush.webs.com
http://www.goodreads.com
http://www.twitter.com/chastitybush
http://www.linkedin.com/chastitybush

Are you working on another book?

Always! At the moment I'm working on two books. One is a contemporary romance entitled, The Stranger Next Door that for some crazy reason took a turn toward the Mob, and the other is another paranormal romance entitled Reluctant Angel. Both are still works in progress that I can’t wait to finish.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

Certainly! Here’s a short excerpt from Killer Kisses. Hope you enjoy!

The cold, night air swirled around Alex as he rode down the desolate streets. The motorcycle beneath him rumbled, sending a wave of comfort throughout his tired body. He was a long way from home, and for Alex Monroe the old saying was true; there’s no place like home.
He’d spent the entire night in his hotel room searching through cold case files, going back years and years, looking deeper at unsolved murders, trying his hardest to find something, anything that would lead him in the right direction. He needed to find this murderer and fast. It was only a matter of time before he slipped up and exposed their kind to the entire world, spelling disaster for them all.
Only sparkly, vegetarian vampires appealed to most people nowadays, and he was neither sparkly, nor vegetarian.
Rounding the corner, Alex wondered if his contact inside the precinct would have any new leads to share with him. He doubted it; the local authorities didn’t have a single shred of evidence to help lead them toward who the killer might be. He’d hoped to find some connection between the recent murders and some of the unsolved ones from the past, but so far, he’d hit a dead-end.
The sooner he got this mystery solved, the sooner the women of this city would be safe...from this killer anyway. There would always be others wreaking havoc somewhere, and he would be there to hunt them down.
It was his job. As an Immortal Detective, he would do whatever it took to end the terror rogues caused with their senseless killing.
Pulling next to the curb in front of the police station, a flash of gold caught his attention. Taking a closer look through the dim streetlight, he frowned. A lone woman walked along the desolate sidewalk. Her long, sandy-blonde hair whipped in the breeze as she pulled her lightweight jacket tighter around her small frame.
“What the hell is she doing?”
Didn’t she know there was a killer on the loose? Why would she be walking the streets alone at three o’clock in the morning? Sometimes Alex couldn’t help but wonder how humans had lived so long without being overrun by his—or any other—species.
Before he knew what he was doing, Alex pulled away from the curb and rolled his bike along the street beside the woman. Alex wasn’t your typical knight in shining armor. He wasn’t even what someone would consider valiant. It just wasn’t in his nature, but something inside him wouldn’t let him turn his back on this woman.
“Are you all right?” he called loudly over the rumble of the motorcycle.
Stopping, she turned to face him, and all thought fled his mind at the beauty revealed before him. Large, sea green eyes bore into him as her gaze widened cautiously. Despite her petite stature, her legs, encased in tight, distressed jeans, were long and shapely.
Letting his eyes sweep over her boldly, he took in every inch of her lithe body as though admiring every brushstroke of a masterpiece. Her skin was a flawless, creamy ivory with a pinch of rose color staining her cheeks and nose from the bite of the crisp night air.
“Listen,” she said wearily, “if you’re looking to rob me, you're too late. Someone beat you to it about three hours ago.”
Smiling, Alex shut off his bike.
“Actually, I was just wondering why a beautiful woman such as yourself would be walking alone in the dark when there’s a killer on the loose.”
She is beautiful, he mused.
Stunning even. He’d lived a long time and faced countless women, but could remember none who matched her in beauty. The impulse to reach out and grab her, to pull her against his chest and explore every delectable inch of her, rocketed through him like a bolt of lightning.
Taking a deep breath, Alex struggled to rein in his fast-rising desire.
What had gotten into him? There was one rule he refused to break; never get involved with a mortal. Once they found out his secret, it was all over, but something about this sarcastic little bundle pushed him, urging him to learn more about her.
Just the sight of her held him on a razor’s edge. The silky glide of her voice only added to his desire.
Cocking a brow, she tilted her head. “I didn’t have much say in the matter. Some skuzz-bucket robbed me after I left work. He took my purse, which had everything in it, and the creepy cop who took my statement didn’t offer to give me a ride home or let me call anyone to come pick me up. So, here I am.” She finished, waving her hand in the air with exasperation.
She was feisty, and much to his surprise, he found he liked it. Alex never cared much for loud sarcastic women, but something was different about this one, and he couldn’t fight the feeling that he was supposed to know her. If he’d learned one thing in all of his years, it was to follow his instincts, and at the moment, his instincts were screaming for him to grab hold of this woman and not let go.
He couldn’t let her continue on her way. Not only was it dangerous for her to be out alone this time of night, the knee-high, black leather boots over her jeans looked like they would cripple her before she reached the end of the block.
How the hell do women wear those things?
“What was the cop’s name?”
“Briggs.” She grimaced. “He even tried to give me his number.” She shuddered as though the thought disgusted her, and he chuckled.
He would have a little talk with his contact about Officer Briggs’s unacceptable behavior, but for now, he needed to get her on the back of his bike and her thighs pressed firmly against his hips.
“Let me give you a ride.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think so.” She laughed cynically.
“Why not?”
Suppressing a groan, Alex watched as she propped her hands on her wonderfully curved hips.
“Because, I’ve already been mugged tonight and I don’t wish to add raped and murdered to the list.”
Alex couldn’t contain the laughter that burst from his lips.
She’s witty, too.
“What’s so funny?” she snapped irritably.
Calming his laughter, Alex dismounted his bike. “I’m sorry. I have no intention of harming you. My name is Alex Monroe, and I’m here helping the local authorities catch the Monthly Murderer.” He extended his hand to her.
He was also a five-hundred-year-old vampire, but didn’t think she would appreciate that little tidbit of information. She was already baring her claws like a cat backed into a corner, and he’d learned a long time ago it was never good to put stress on an unstable structure.
Based on the night she just described having, one false move and he would catch a swift kick to the balls before she ran away, leaving him to wonder who she was, and aching to see her, and he would ache, he realized.
Just the thought of never seeing her again sent a piercing pain through him. It was absurd, these feelings he was experiencing. He didn’t even know her name and yet, he felt...connected to her somehow.
He watched silently as she gazed at him and some of the wariness left her expression. The wind gusted around them, and her sweet scent flowed over him. She smelled exotic, sweet, and wild. He felt his fangs try to shift, yearning for just a sample of her sweetness. Taking a calming breath, he willed them back into place.
“Can I see some I.D.?”
“Why?” he asked curiously.
“Well, you expect me to believe you're a cop. It would help if you could show some I.D.”
Nodding, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a wallet, flipping it open to reveal a silver badge given to him by his contact inside the precinct.
Taking a small step forward, she examined the badge, and then nodded once.
Reaching out cautiously, she shook the proffered hand and cast him a small smile. A frisson of excitement tingled through him at the feel of her small hand cradled within his. Gently, he rubbed his thumb over the inside of her wrist discreetly, savoring the feel of her soft, warm skin.
“I’m Tina James,” she said confidently, before asking, “You’re really a cop?”
A smile tugged at his lips.
“Something like that.”

How did you come up with the title?

Titles are always hard for me to come up with, but the way I pictured Alex to look would easily make a woman swoon, and he’s a vampire. So, Killer Kisses popped into my head. 

Do you work on one project at a time or multiples?

Always multiples. If I were to work on one at a time I’d go crazy.

Is there one particular thing that you find challenging about writing?

Other than coming up with titles ? I’ve always had a slight problem with writers block. If I'm more stressed than usual, or running on little sleep, I get a horrific case of writers block. Fortunately, after a couple of days, and the help of reading a good book, it subsides.

Who is your favorite author?
It’s a toss up between Kresley Cole and Hannah Howell. They’re both so wonderful at making the story real; making you feel as though you lived the story they were telling. I’ve always thought that’s what a great book did, made you feel like it was your own.

What are you reading now?

I'm ashamed to say that my to-be-read pile is empty. I just finished reading Hannah Howell’s Compromised Hearts. It was fantastic. And I’m looking forward to reading Lynsay Sands, The Reluctant Vampire. I have her entire Argeneau Series and love it.

Are your characters a reflection on you or anyone you know?

Some of the heroines in my stories take on some of my sarcasm, or snarky comments, but other than that, that are 100% original.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

That I can do it at home and not have to worry about who’s going to be taking care of our children while I'm working. Being able to work at home is a fantastic thing.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you like to be and why?

Of course I’d have to say either a Valkyrie from Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. They’re so completely bad ass that I would have to pick them over anything else. And not to mention, my sarcastic attitude would fit right in? 

How long have you been a writer?

I’ve been writing for a little more than three years now. It’s been a blast and I hope to be able to continue to do so for many more years to come.

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

I’ve written six books in total and all have been published. I have been very blessed in this aspect. It takes a long time, but I’m adamant about my work being published and won’t stop until it is.


Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

At first I did. But after writing so many, it’s become a piece of cake. But I have to admit, every now and then when someone mentions how hot a particular scene from one of my books is, I still get a little red in the face.

What is your writing day like once you start a book?

Once I start writing I can’t stop. I’ll drop the kids at school, run any errands I have, then once I’m back home my head is in the computer until time to pick the kids up from school. When my muse takes over, it’s hard to stop.

Do you promo your backlists when you’re writing a new book, or dedicate your time solely to writing?

I write and do promo as much as possible. I’ll do promo in the early morning, and then take over writing. It’s a lot of work, but worth it in the end.

How many books do you write in a year?

I try to write at least two, but this year I’ve been a bit lax, which is why I’m working fast to finish my works in progress and get another book started.

Guest Author Sherri Thomas

UPDATE: MAD ABOUT MADDIE RELEASES WITH LIQUID SILVER BOOKS ON JULY 18TH!

Today I have Author Sherri Thomas visiting my blog to talk about her debut novel Mad About Maddie. Tell us a little about your book.

Mad About Maddie is my first publication. It is being epublished with Liquid Silver Books (Liquidsilverbooks.com). I will be sure to post the release date as soon as I receive it. Mad About Maddie is a contemporary romance that takes place in Abilene Texas. Here is a blurb of the story.

Blurb:

Madison Preston wants nothing to do with the opposite sex, but finds it difficult to concentrate on her job when a certain cowboy won’t stay out of her way. Even her strong tongue-lashings do nothing more than encourage his sexual innuendoes.

Jake Dutson can’t get enough of Maddie, but he doesn’t need an entanglement with a woman who has a tongue as sharp as a razor. He has other plans and needs to concentrate on buying a home of his own.

It’s going to take a special man to help Maddie overcome her fears of intimacy and abuse. Especially when that man is a hot-blooded, sex-driven cowboy and his very being is dependent upon male-female relations. Nevertheless, Jake takes on the job, but is blown over when he discovers the only place he finds home is in Maddie’s arms.

Now he only has to convince Maddie their love is worth the ride.

Wow! I’m hooked already! It’s on my To-Be-Read List.
Where were you when you got your first book contract? Who did you tell?

I had just arrived home after picking my daughter up from school when I received my first contract. The first person I told was wonderful husband, then my mom, my sisters (I have five), and the rest of our family.

Do you have any tips for new writers?

Don’t give up. Personally it has taken me a lot of years of an on again off again affair with writing. The rejections hurt but try not to take them personally. Use the information as it is meant as constructive criticism. They do make you a stronger author in the end.

That is so true. You have to just keep plugging away and look at rejections as an opportunity to fine tune your manuscript. Where can your readers reach you?

You can find me on facebook at sherrithomasromance or on sherrithomas.blogspot.com or contact me at sherrit4@yahoo.com

Are you working on another book?

Right now I am working on a story called Lost Memories – The Matthew’s Dude Ranch.

Do you have an excerpt of Mad About Maddie that you’d like to share?

(Unedited)

Jake bent forward and rested his forearms on his legs. “Why are you afraid of me?”
“I'm not.”
“I see fear in your eyes each time I get close.”
Maddie shrugged her shoulders and bit her lip. “That's not fear. It’s exhaustion." She faked a yawn.
“Prove it. Come over here.” He patted the seat beside him. “I promise not to bite… Much.”
Not being one to back down from a dare, Maddie retraced her steps. She sank into the cushion next to him.
“Now what?” she asked in a diminutive voice.
“Relax.” His hand made its way to her shoulder. He massaged the taut muscle. “I’m not that bad, honest. I’m not going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do.” His mouth went up in a grin.
“I…” Thunder rolled and lightning lit up the room. Maddie flinched.
“Don’t care for storms either, huh.” He dropped his hand and claimed hers.
She hung her head. This day needed to end. She wanted to scream out her frustrations. "They're okay.”
“You're lying." He chuckled. His thumb caressed her hand. "Between me and mother nature, it’ll be a miracle if you come out of this without an ulcer.”
She grinned at his attempt to calm her. The sincerity in his eyes struck a cord deep within her. Her view dropped to his enticing mouth. She wet her lips.
Jake covered her mouth, taking her breath away. His arms brought her close. Heat traveled at lightning speed through her body. It had been a long time since she let herself relax and get lost in a man’s arms. Despite her protests and arguments, she wanted to be in his embrace, to feel the pressure of his lips on her own.
“Open up for me, darlin’,” he drawled.
She obeyed. The frenzy continued from outside the cabin to inside her body. His tongue met hers. Light flashed behind her lids. He maneuvered her until she lay prone on the couch.
The tension built. She blocked its path as her anxiety settled in.
Jake smoothed her hair with his hands. His mouth made love to her. In and out, his taste buds slid and twirled along hers. He worked his way from her lips to her ear, down her neck. His palm slid the length of her body, branding her skin with his print. Hot breath caressed her cheek, her hair, and settled on the base of her throat. He shifted his weight. The pressure of his hand on the inside of her thigh increased.
She gasped for air, her lungs on fire. Smothering, she clawed her way to reality. Her heart beat in an erratic staccato.
Stop. This is Jake, not Tony. Count, distract yourself.
She demanded her body to be absorbed into his skin, to forget everything else. His hand slid over her breast, up to her collarbone to the pulse on the side of her neck. Her breath came in short, quick puffs. She shoved him away.
“What the hell?” Jake let go and sat up.

What do you do to get in the mood to write?

Plug in my laptop (the battery doesn’t last anymore so portable it is not :) ) and I turn on country music videos- some days this works, others not so much.

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

I have three completed books to date. There is a sequel to Mad About Maddie called Holding On, which has recently been contracted with Liquid Silver Books as well. The two book series is called The Double M Ranch.
I do have another book, Greenhorn Heart, which is under consideration with another publisher (fingers crossed).

Best of Luck with Greenhorn Heart and I’ve just added Holding On to my TBR List too!

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

In the beginning I thought I would have a hard time writing a love scene, but when I approached this part of my story the bedroom scene just clicked. The characters took over and created their own heat.

Do your characters talk to you?

Not when I need them to.

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Mostly the characters until they decide to be closed mouthed then I have to intervene and give them different scenarios. They let me know what one works best.

Thank you for sharing Mad About Maddie with us today and please let us know when you have a release date! I’ll keep my credit card and my Kindle ready for it!

The Magical Return and Serena Shay

Hi Rhonda, Thanks for having me here today. I like what you’ve done with the place. By the by, what great questions you’ve asked…I could have gone on and on! ~sassy smile~


How long have you been a writer?

Oh I’ve always been a writer, only I didn’t listen to the characters in my head until a few years ago. As a kid I was always playing with my imaginary friends, acting out little stories I’d come up with. As a teen my imaginary friends became more internal and questioning. “What if this happened?” “How can we get such-n-so together with wa-whoz-a-what?” “What if Barry bad guy gets in-between Sheena Lovegood and Dirk Dogooder?” Clearly, I wasn’t listening or I’d have gotten it all down on paper. As an adult, real life hit loud and large, effectively drowning out the voices until a few years ago. When my characters came back, they did it with a vengeance. No more waiting around the green room in my head (which is gorgeous, by the by. They took me on a tour.) Nope, they wanted to tell their stories and I was the conduit. It’s been a heck of a ride so far!

What is your favorite thing about writing?

The surprise. Yep, definitely the surprise. I tend to be both a plotter and a pantser, but no matter how much pre-writing work I do on a story, my characters are always able to surprise me. In A Magical Return, the heroine Emterra has an Other, Irene, living inside of her. In my plotting, Irene was to be motherly. Well, when I started writing, Irene slithered in as sexy as you please and insisted there was nothing motherly in the feelings she had for Emterra. So what’s an author to do but say yes ma’am and write it the way they want it. ~grin~

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

I have four written, two published and about a half a dozen other started. Many times my stories get their start as a flash fiction piece. An idea I’m compelled to get down in a scene, be it from the beginning, middle or end of a story. We’ve been doing a lot of flash fiction over at my group blog Shapeshifter Seductions, about a town by the name of Talbot’s Peak. It’s been a riot. I can be found there on Friday’s giving tours of the town as a frustrated duck shifter, or I’ll be taunting the town’s sexy newspaper editor with a new switch I’ve found. (He has this thing about wood.)

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

Oh gosh no. Those are my favorite scenes to write. LOL When I started to seriously try my hand at writing, none of my characters had a sweet love story to tell. Which was fine by me—I always ended up frustrated when I’d read the closed door romance. I mean, we know they’re not playing chess in there… ~wink~

What draws you to write your genre and sub genre?

The freedom to create a fantasy world of my own liking. I love taking a normal place and time and filling it with unique characters or going the other way, creating a totally abstract world and dropping non-paranormal people into it, just to see how they do!

Do you characters talk to you?

24/7! Ever since the day they got tired of waiting for me to listen and bust down the green room door they’ve been talking to me. Some quite verbally, others in pictures or movie-like clips in my head and some even whisper to me in my dreams. They’ve become like cherished friends. The do quiet down once I’ve written their story though.

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Definitely them. I actually have very little control of the stories I write, which I’ve learned can be a bit dangerous and a whole lot time consuming. I’m more the moderator and the fingers that put the words on the paper.

Do you set timelines when you’re writing or write when the feeling hits you?
Actually, it’s a little bit of both. I try to set timelines and page/word counts, but only when I’m getting down to the end or struggling to keep the characters on task. Other than that, I let my characters tell me when they are ready to go, which they almost always are! ~wink~

Do you have any tips for new writers?

You know, this is probably the same advice they’ve heard from other authors, but write something, be it a story, short story, flash, or blog, everyday. Missing one day can quickly turn into two then three… Also, read! There is so much writing technique you can pick up by reading plus it stimulates the writing mind! The one other word of advice…never be afraid to put your thoughts down on a piece of paper, no one sees it but you until you’re ready to share and you’ll be surprised with what you come up with!

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you like to be and why?

Not really a what, more like who… Anita Blake. Yep, I’m a fan. Human Vampire, Shapeshifter without the change, but ya know, who knows what the future holds, Monster hunter extraordinaire with the love and adoration of a few good men! Pretty darn nifty. ~smile~

Tell us a little about your book.

A Magical Return is the story of love both lost and found in a world brimming with magic if you’re willing to open yourself to it. Check out the blurb below to learn a little more about the characters…

The Loss
Conleth “Cole” Douglas, warlock and vessel, needs a miracle. A destructive force has taken hold of his town and it will take more than just he and his magical Other, Cole, to eradicate the Evil. When an attempt to open his lover, Emterra, to their shared destiny fails, Conleth and Cole take extreme measures to stop the rising darkness. Their only option: take it, and themselves, into another realm.

Emterra “Irene” Azzurra, untapped witch and vessel, has given up on finding her own happy-ever-after. Devastated by the loss of her one and only love she becomes disinterested and remote, closed off from a life without Conleth. Even her job as the mayor of the dying town of Douglasville, MO, fails to sustain her, until she gets a blast from the past…

The Return
He’s back, alive and whole, but he didn’t come alone. The evil they’d hoped to contain in a distant realm has returned with him and is out to finish the job it started. There can be no failure this time, the now middle-aged, Emterra must accept her Other or doom the town to an agonizing death.

Skeptical of his sudden homecoming, Emterra is afraid to hope that his return could be true. She balks at the idea of opening her heart to him again. Especially when he looks like the same young Goth from ten years ago and tries to convince her she’s sharing skin with a magical being.

Can Conleth prove his claims of magic and the Others to be true? Can Emterra allow herself to believe in love and his wild claims? Or will the returning Evil finally swallow this town and all its inhabitants into the deepest realms of hell.

A Magical Return will be available June 20th 2011 at the Liquid Silver Books site. www.liquidsilverbooks.com

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

Prologue

April 1st, 10 years ago
Northern Missouri, outside of Douglasville, in a barren tobacco field
Giant plumes of fire shot into the air, bracketing both the stage and Conleth ‘Cole’ Douglas within their heated embrace. The pyrotechnic display filled the night sky with showers of crackling flames.
An unknown force had let loose a demon within the town of Douglasville. Malevolent was too nice a word for this beast. This evil was a promise maker, a soul sucker, a bloody life taker, and now it was Conleth’s job to send it back to Hell. The only problem--he wasn’t nearly strong enough on his own. For this, he needed Em.
Emterra Azzurra was many things to him, his friend and lover, his soul mate--but right now what he needed the most was the thing inside her. Deep within the body, he knew quite intimately, was a being of magic, a source of goodness, an Other--one who had the ability to work with his own Other to defeat the evil bearing down on them now.
“Terra quod ventus nos queso ye, adeo nos, reperio vestri populous.” ‘Earth and wind we beseech ye, come to us, find your host’.
Together Conleth and his Other called the wind and summoned the earth. The task put a strain on their waning energy, as neither power was theirs to wield. Yet, they could only hope there was enough force to release Emterra’s powers, link her to the earth and air around them, and free her Other.
Magic spiraled through the crowd, seeping into pores and burrowing under skin, looking for its host, looking for Emterra. She was here. He could feel her; his Other had scented her life force as she’d entered the field of battle.
Con knew Emterra had the power to control the wind and a body to embrace the being she carried inside. With practice, she would hone the skill to become truly powerful, a force to be reckoned with, but time was an indulgence neither could afford. He had to encourage her to try, right here and right now. A gentle introduction to her new life was something he could not give her this time as he had in the past.
He prayed she would forgive him.
“Em,” he whispered inside her head. Her thoughts were a confused jumble of fears and questions. She didn’t yet believe in psychic links as Conleth did, but this was the only way he could find her in the mass of humanity about to be used as food.
“How can I...in my head...Con.” Her emotions were scattered, but in her newly cop-like way, she’d locked them deep down inside. “What are you doing?”
“Something good, my love, nothing that can hurt you.” He hoped. “But I need you to trust me.”
“Con, I’ve always trusted you, but...but this time, you’ve gone too far...please stop.”
“Do you remember our last concert, Em?”
He flashed a vision of them into her mind, taking her to a past where they soared into the eclectic world of musical freedoms and expressions, while around them, drugs and liquor flowed freely. Amid the rabid throng, they too screamed and beat their hands in the air to the squeal of the electric guitar and each bang on the skins of the drum.
“Don’t, please don’t make me remember this, Con.”
Her mental plea broke his heart. A heart that had always and would always beat for her and her alone. Unfortunately, his love and devotion to her were not enough to keep him from what he had to do, no matter how painful it may be.
“I’m sorry, my love, but you must remember. I need, no--we--need you to remember..”.
He sent her another vision. This time it was a memory of those magically successful moments when she had relaxed and let go enough for her Other to come close. She stood in the past, her hands high above her head as he’d cupped her breasts from behind. They swayed to the ballad screeching from the massive speakers. Nipples hardened to painful points between his fingers and thumbs as he squeezed them. He held her tight as she shook, he knew, from the shocking power filling her body.
“Say it, Em,” he’d whispered. “Say the words.”
“Vicis congelo,” she screamed into the sky above them. The Latin words for ‘time freeze’ rang clearly through the air.
Everything slowed. The band, being further away from them, moved as if they were stuck in a muddy bog, starting and stopping, their sounds low and slurred. The fans surrounding them, however, froze in pre- and post-head-banging modes. They stood amidst the previous chaos, enthralled by the strength of this new gift.
“No!”
A steel door ended the vision with a finality that worried him. They were back in the present, with evil all around them, and again she squashed the emotions and thoughts inside her. “Em, please...”
“No Con, that vision is nothing more than a drug-induced nightmare of a time best forgotten. It wasn’t real...”
Conleth’s Other began demanding release. “It was very real, Em, and what you did then, controlling time, is what we need now.”
“Stop it, Con, just stop this. The time for foolish pranks and pretending to be magical are over--it’s time to grow up!”
Goddess, he thought as he was pushed back into the background of his mind, exchanging consciousness with his Other--they were screwed.


Where can your readers reach you?

I can be found at www.serenashay.com or mostly at my blog http://serenashay.blogspot.com/

I’m also a regular at my group blog Shapeshifter Seductions http://shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/

Thanks for being with us today Serena!

Summer Solstice Blog Hop

I'm so happy to be a part of the Summer Solstice Blog Tour! In case you just stumbled upon the hop or if you get bumped off and need to hop back on, the link is HERE. Go through the hop, visit with the many talented authors and enter to win books and prizes, including a Nook! I've also included an excerpt from THE ORDER OF CHAOS, the second book in the SINS Novel Series soon to be released with Liquid Silver Books.

I hope you enjoy my short story on Zoe Redner and her private wishes.

Zoe let out a silent breath, hoping that Jessie hadn’t already seen right through her. The ‘darling’ act made Zoe more nauseated each time she used it. She’d come on this excursion for one reason and one reason only. She prayed that once she threw her handful of dirt on the Solstice fire and made her wish that finally she’d be normal.

Being psychic was not a gift. It was a curse.

Zoe had no interest in knowing the secrets of everyone’s lives but she could feel the absolute truth coming from Jessie Bolton. She really hadn’t felt any of the strange energy flowing around Crimson Dawn.

Martin Santorini, or “Doctor” as his arrogant self insisted on being called was barely hanging on to the grant that allowed him to continue his research into the meteorite that he was sure would finally prove the existence of other life in space; although his benefactors believed that his research was for much more benign studies. And what the good doctor hadn’t spent on ‘research’ had been squandered away with his gambling addiction.

Corey Thurston was hoping to forget his last bust that had gone horribly wrong, resulting in the death of an innocent bystander. Lindee secretly lusted after Will Treadworth and Phineas was a closet cross-dresser. On top of all that there was an enormous amount of sexual energy coming from the quiet John P. Smith and Jessie. If ever there was love-at-first-sight, this must be it. The only one who didn’t set off her psychic bells was Carla Hildebrand whose mind appeared as blank as she seemed to be.

All of these were things Zoe didn’t want to know and if her wish came true, she’d be blessedly normal by time the sun rose.

Normal. Hell she didn't even know what that would mean anymore. To be able to date a man and not know his every dirty little secret. Although dating wasn't so much a problem anymore since she'd learned to block the energy coming from people around her. As long as there was no intense emotion involved. Intense emotion like those invoked during sex.

Gosh, she couldn't even think about the last time she'd had sex. All the scattered thoughts flowing through Dirk's mind while she rode him. He seemed so sexy and caring on the outside but his mind gave away just how selfish and vile he was. He considered himself a player and she was just another notch on his belt.

Maybe she'd be rid of her psychic curse and finally be able to feel again, to love again. Maybe she could even soothe the wounds of the sexy copy, Corey Thurston.

That night, as she stood before the Solstice fire and threw her wish upon the flames, it was Corey that she thought of. Corey she yearned to run her tongue along his scarred cheek and soothe the wounds that haunted his soul.

The fire burst into streaks of white hot sparks so intense that she fell backward to the ground, only stopped by the strong arms of the law. As she looked into Corey's concerned face she saw nothing of his inside turmoil. She dropped her carefully constructed walls to be sure and still, all she felt, all she saw, was him. She smiled slightly as he lifted her upright, supporting her weight as easily as if she was a child and bringing his mouth so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath.

"Are you okay?" His words feathered against her mouth.

"Oh yes." She sighed. "I'm great!" I hope you enjoyed it! Continue on the tour to read more from the very talented authors along the way.

Sign yourself up as a follower and leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of my paranormal romance, Nightwalker, A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel and look for the second book in the SINS Novel series, The Order of Chaos, to be released in the coming months! You can read and excerpt below.

Thanks again and have a very steamy summer!

EXCERPT from THE ORDER OF CHAOS. COMING SOON TO LIQUIDSILVERBOOKS.COM

He turned me around and melted me with a look that skimmed me from the top of my head to the toes of the stiletto heels that I still wore. I started to kick the shoes off but he stopped me. “Leave those on.” His voice grew deeper, sultry.
I did a little spin that would make any runway model proud. He grabbed me and tossed me onto the bed while we laughed. “Yes, definitely keep the shoes on.”
“You owe me.” I reminded him.
He stripped off my jeans and flipped me onto my stomach. He began caressing my neck, my shoulders, then further south; alternating between gentle sweeps of his hands and a firmer kneading motion that sprang Goosebumps from my body. I felt the bra strap come undone before his hands slid to the flimsy piece of elastic of my panties. His fingers trailed them down my legs until he removed them completely. Then those magic fingers began caressing their way up my legs, teasing the tender skin on the back of my knees and inner thighs. I heard the Velcro of my holster tear away and felt the weight of my pistol lift off my waist. “Nightstand.” He murmured knowing that I felt more secure if I knew where my weapons were. Then his mouth blazed molten lava on my thighs and I forgot all about weapons

Shapeshifter Seductions Interviews Rhonda L. Print

I'll be over at Shapeshifters Seduction on Thursday June 16th talking about my upcoming release, THE ORDER OF CHAOS. Stop on by http://shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/today and read an excerpt and find out how to enter my contest running now through June 26th!

Happy Reading!

Guest Author Anya Winter and The Master

Welcome to the blog Anya and thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk about your latest book, The Master. Tell us a little about THE MASTER.

A semi-naked photo, taken almost ten years, is about to ruin everything for Madison Pearce. With a glass of champagne in hand, Madison is about to call her recent event planning job a success, until she is pulled her into a private room and a past secret resurfaces. Along with the lover, she never expected to see again…

Where were you when you got your first book contract?

I was stuck in traffic on the way home. I remember honking the horn, I was so excited!

Who did you tell?

Who didn’t I tell! LOL. I remember sending my CP an email using way too many exclamation points. I tried calling my husband but the phone was busy so I ended up crying. Just a little bit.

What draws you to write your genre and sub genre?

I have fun writing erotic romance. It’s getting to the HEA that is fun. I like to find ways to immerse real life into fantasy. And of course I have to include chocolate in all of my stories. Some how, some where it’s there.

Do you have any tips for new writers?

Believe in yourself. You are the only one who can write your book. No one else. If you don’t believe in yourself, then no one else will either.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I’d say chocolate but I refuse to feel guilty about that :)

I agree. Chocolate is nothing to feel guilty about!

Where can your readers reach you?

www.steenaholmes.com is my main site. I have a home page for Anya Winter at www.anyawinter.tumblr.com

Are you working on another book?

Sure am. I’m finding that the second story for publication however is harder to write than the first one was.

Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share?

“You’ve done well for yourself,” she broke eye contact with him and took a sip of her champagne. If she didn’t eat something soon, all this alcohol would go to her head and she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions. Her hand trembled at the thought.
“I only took what I had and made it prosper. You, on the other hand, started from scratch and excelled.” Anderson downed his champagne in one gulp before he stepped back and walked to his desk, her hand still captured in his. She had no choice but to follow.

“How do you know about what I have or haven’t done?” A warm, tingling sensation filled her as the alcohol took hold. She enjoyed the warmth. She knew her eyes gleamed when Anderson reached for a chocolate-covered strawberry and held it out to her.

“You may have walked out of my life, but I didn’t walk out of yours.”
She parted her lips and waited for him to feed her the treat. Shivers ran along her body when the decadent chocolate dessert filled her mouth. She stared into his eyes, saw the naked desire he felt for her. The ache that started in her stomach spread lower.

“You kept tabs on me?” The melted chocolate on her tongue tasted delicious. With the combination of strawberry and champagne, Madison could have cared less about what happened in the past. If she believed she was in heaven before, then she’d just stepped through the pearly gates.

Anderson shrugged his shoulder as he took a bite of a strawberry. Flakes of chocolate broke off as he bit down and fell onto his shirt. Madison reached up to wipe the chocolate away and found her finger on his shirt button instead. With a flick of her wrist, it opened and wisps of his dark curly hair appeared. Madison gulped.

“Of course, I watched the little mouse become a lioness as she faced the world and made it her own. I’ve been quite proud of you, of the woman you’ve become.” His hand caressed her cheek.

“Then you will know that this woman misses the touch of her Master.” A small pool of moisture gathered between her thighs. She’d missed his touch, his magic.

Wow! Is it hot in here? Chocolate and Champagne? I'm hooked already!

How did you come up with the title?

I had just finished reading 7 Day Loan by Tiffany Reisz when a story came to me. I wanted something with a BDSM flavor and immediately The Master came to me.

Do you work on one project at a time or mulitples?

I have 4 on the go right now. Once I hit the 5K mark, it seems like that’s when my brain starts to think of other story ideas.

Is there one particular thing that you find challenging about writing?

Finding the time to write. I’m sure that’s one most writers can admit to.

Who is your favorite author?

I have so many right now. Tiffany Reisz is one - you totally should follow her on twitter. Joey Hill is another favorite right now. I will always love Elizabeth Mansfield. Always.

What are you reading now?

I just finished The Barn Dance by Camryn Rhys. I’m about to start on book 4 of the Shadowland series by Cherise Sinclair (another favorite author btw)

Are your characters a reflection on you or anyone you know?

I’d lie if I said no :) There’s always a little bit of me in my heroines. In one form or another - whether its a past experience, a hope/desire or just her love of chocolate.

Do you use more than one pen name? Why?

I only have one. Anya Winter. I also enjoy writing contemporary fiction and didn’t want to confuse the two. Plus in my previous life my husband and I were pastors and realize that it might be a tad bit difficult for some of our friends to understand. I won’t hide who I am or what I write, but I try to be sensitive to their feelings.

What do you do to get in the mood to write?

Drink coffee and let my husband talk dirty to me for a while :) That always seems to get the creative juices flowing.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Knowing that I found something I can do. Something I’m good at. Something that is only for me.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you like to be and why?

Something that would make me sensual, skinny and able to eat all the chocolate I want.

How long have you been a writer?

Since 2005. Wow - that seems so long ago!

How many books have you written? How many have been published?

I’ve written 6 and had two published.

Do you have a favorite character from one of you own books? Who and Why?

Jack. He’s in my contemporary fiction that I’m in the middle of querying. He’s an older man who comes across as gruff, but he’s a teddy bear inside.

What is the easiest and hardest thing about writing?

Easiest is coming up with ideas. Hardest is finding the words to express them.

Do you find love scenes difficult to write?

Not at all. In fact, I tend to write two to three loves scenes before I’m finished the first chapter. Once I know who my characters are I find that by placing them in a scene where they are most vulnerable shows me things I would never have seen. Plus it shows me far my characters need to travel to get to this scene. I love it. It’s odd - but it works for me.

Are any of your personal experiences reflected in your writing?

Of course :) But what? Not telling :)

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

That really depends. The Master, a novella, took a month to write and a month to edit (only because I edited at work - shhhh). My last novel took 6 months and 6 months to edit. The one before that took 2 years.

Do you set timelines when your writing or write when the feeling hits you?

I have three kids, a dog and a husband. Plus I work full time. I can’t carve in timelines.

Do you characters talk to you?

No, but they do come alive in my dreams.

Who controls the storyline, you or your characters?

Oh, they do. I never really understood that until recently. Fighting with your character can get down right dirty. They always seem to win too. Which sucks.

What is your writing day like once you start a book?

I try to get an hour or so a night, but usually it’s weekends when I write. Unless (shhh...) its really slow at work, and then I’ll try to write 1K or so during the day.

Do you promo your backlists when you’re writing a new book, or dedicate your time solely to writing?

I think we have to do both. I don’t much of a backlist to promote, but I think it will become necessary.

How many books do you write in a year?

Novels - 1 a year. Novella’s - I’m hoping to write 4-6 a year.

You can buy THE MASTER by Anya Winter at www.LiquidSilverBooks.com.

The Order of Chaos

I'm so excited that the second book in the SINS Novel Series will be released in the ccoming months at LiquidSilverBooks.com
The Order of Chaos continues the story of Leah Wolfe, Ian Nightwalker and Joaquin Wildhorse.

Please enjoy an unedited excerpt.

He turned me around and melted me with a look that skimmed me from the top of my head to the toes of the stiletto heels that I still wore. I started to kick the shoes off but he stopped me. “Leave those on.” His voice grew deeper, sultry.
I did a little spin that would make any runway model proud. He grabbed me and tossed me onto the bed while we laughed. “Yes, definitely keep the shoes on.”
“You owe me.” I reminded him.
He stripped off my jeans and flipped me onto my stomach. He began caressing my neck, my shoulders, then further south; alternating between gentle sweeps of his hands and a firmer kneading motion that sprang Goosebumps from my body. I felt the bra strap come undone before his hands slid to the flimsy piece of elastic of my panties. His fingers trailed them down my legs until he removed them completely. Then those magic fingers began caressing their way up my legs, teasing the tender skin on the back of my knees and inner thighs. I heard the Velcro of my holster tear away and felt the weight of my pistol lift off my waist. “Nightstand.” He murmured knowing that I felt more secure if I knew where my weapons were. Then his mouth blazed molten lava on my thighs and I forgot all about weapons.