A Touch of Darkness - It's Spring! Giveaway Winners

And the winners are

Shannon A. - has won an e-copy of A Touch of Darkness
Molly L. - has won $5 Amazon Gift Card

Both winners have been contacted by email.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

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Interview with Nina Mason - The Queen of Swords blog tour

Today, I'm excited to have Nina Mason, author of smexy paranormals and killer thrillers, to stop by for an interview with me. Her new novel, The Queen of Swords, released on March 22nd.

The Queen of Swords, a paranormal tale of undying love

Author: Nina Mason

Publisher: Vamptasy Publishing

Heat level: spicy

Formats: Kindle and paperback

Where to buy: Amazon

How can she be his soul mate if he doesn’t have a soul?

When Graham Logan, a Scottish earl turned vampire by a dark wizard’s curse, draws the Queen of Swords, he knows he’s about to meet the love of his life. For the third time. But surrendering his heart will mean risking her life…or making her what he is. Neither of which his morals will permit him to do. Graham, who believes he lost his soul to the curse, rages at God: Why give her back only to take her again?

Cat Fingal, the third incarnation of Graham’s twin flame, won’t let him escape so easily. As soon as they meet, she feels she knows him and begins having past-life flashbacks. A white witch, she casts a spell to summon him, wanting answers and to fill the void she’s felt all her life.

Graham has other problems, too. Like the seductress who wants him for herself and the dark wizard who cursed him and killed his beloved the first two times.

Will he find a way to save her this time around? Or will she save him?

Nina, Thank you for stopping by.

      What was your inspiration for writing The Queen of Swords?

Thinking back on when I first started what is now The Queen of Swords, a paranormal tale of undying love, something like six years ago, I’d have to say it was the Twilight phenomenon. While I enjoyed the series very much, I set out to write a vampire who’d experienced history and characters who thought more deeply than “he’s so hot.” I also felt frustrated about the criticisms I was reading on the internet of Twilight by people who clearly knew nothing about the vampire genre. So, that was a piece of it, too. The original few versions of the book had a lot of conversations between the h/h about vampire literature. There is still some of that, but it’s been greatly condensed over time.

     What is your favorite genre to read?

Literary fiction. I love beautiful writing.

     What is your writing process like?

I start with a kernel of an idea, develop the characters and their GMC (goal, motivation, and conflict) and try to develop ideas for a plot. I then try to map it out rather loosely using the 15 beats of the Save the Cat method and/or the Hero’s Journey. Once I actually start writing, things can go way off course when my characters take over and start doing things that weren’t on the program. If I like what they’re doing better than what I plotted, I’ll go with it and change the plot. If I don’t like it, I cut their stuff and rein them back in.

      If you could have your ideal writing space, what would it be like?

The library in an old manor house in England. You know the kind you see in Jane Austen movies with all the gorgeous paneling, towering bookcases, and rolling ladders.  Notice how many times these kinds of libraries get mentioned in my books. LOL.

     You are a doll maker.  What kind of dolls do you make? What inspired you to get into this hobby?

I used to paint figures, but stopped after I got married and had a baby. My house was too small for a separate studio and I was terrified my toddler would get into the paints of the turpentine or something equally dreadful.  To fill the void, I started making dolls. My first few attempts were pretty dreadful, but I kept at it and eventually figured out how to stuff, sew, and paint them using other people’s patterns. I do historic dolls. I love history and historic costume and antique dolls, so that’s what I do. Over time, I started working with paper clay. Another huge learning curve. After I got the hang of it, I started doing sculpted figures on armature frames with detailed historic costumes. Some of them were featured in Art Doll Quarterly a few years ago. The trouble was, I couldn’t sell them. The recession hit and they’re expensive because so much work goes into them I can’t sell them as cheaply as people might like. These are one-of-a-kind art pieces. I can’t sell them for what Chinese mass-produced items sell for. I went back to making cloth dolls so I could make them more affordable.

Rapid questions:

Coffee or tea? Both.

Scotland or Hawaii (for vacation)? Scotland. Hands down. I’ve been to Hawaii twice already and I’m a total Scotaholic. All of the heroes in my books, even the thriller that’s releasing in August, are Scots.

3 Favorite books:

The Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Again, thank you for stopping by and answering a few questions. I'm looking forward to reading The Queen of Swords! 

Look for the Giveaway at the bottom of the post.

About Nina Mason, author

 Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. Three of her books will be published in 2014: The Queen of Swords, an urban fantasy/paranormal romance; The Knight of Wands, book one in the Knights of Avalon Series; and The Tin Man, a political thriller about the dangers posed by media monopolies.  She is currently at work on Book Two of the Knights of Avalon series and is itching to get back to a book she started a while back about a merman who falls for an oil company spokeswoman after a phantom tanker capsizes on the coast of the Hebrides islands. When not writing, Nina works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert.

Social-media links:

Website: http://ninamasonauthor.com

Blog: http://ninamasonromance.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ninamasonromance

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ninamasonauthor (@ninamasonauthor)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ninamasonauthor

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ninamasonauthor

Google+: https://plus.google.com/105622637668245901733/posts

 

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Release day for THE SHADOW PRINCE by Stacey O'Neale

Today is release day for THE SHADOW PRINCE by Stacey O'Neale! Help us celebrate the release of this amazing novella and enter to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

 Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission: Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king. Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

Available for FREE on Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Also available in PRINT from Amazon

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Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Quote of the Day

The psyches and souls of women also have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place.

 ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

A Touch of Darkness & Gift Card Spring is Here! Giveaway

In honor of the first day of Spring, I'm running a giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a copy of A Touch of Darkness and a $5 Amazon & B&N Gift Card. Good luck!

Cassie’s working for a tightwad boss at a pretentious NYC diner, dealing with paralyzing pain that doctors can’t diagnose, and trying to hide her hands that glow purple whenever she ...well, whenever.

So, when a mysterious stranger walks out of her dreams and into her life to spout some nonsense about her being a mythical creature, she chalks it up to one more crazy thing to add to her it’s-a-crappy-life list. Yet, when the stranger’s predictions start to come true, she discovers a world that could shake up her humdrum existence

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Can't wait to read it? Find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble for $2.99! 

Cover Reveal - Perilous Waters by Diana Paz (Timespell #2)

BOOK INFO:

Timespell: Perilous Waters by Diana Paz
(Timespell #2)
Publication date: May 15th 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Time-Travel, Young Adult

Synopsis:
After nearly losing their lives defeating the creatures of Mythos in Revolutionary France, Julia and Kaitlyn finally understand what Angie has known all along… being a Daughter of Fate isn’t so fun when one mistake can mean their deaths. Haunted by visions and horror-filled memories, the girls have spent the summer honing their newly discovered magical abilities, determined to grow in power and prepare for the uncertain time when the Fates summon them to their next mission.

But their protector Ethan, still embittered by Julia’s betrayal, refuses to engage in the girls’ magical research or power-enhancing spell practice. That is, until his brother’s loyalty to Julia causes him to unwittingly uncover ancient magic greater and more binding than any force the girls have encountered so far. Before the girls or Ethan grasp the full extent of what his brother has done, the girls are jettisoned through time into the madness of the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy.

Only by working together can the girls harness the full power of their magic and secure the world timeline, but with the lives of those close to Angie and Julia at risk, and Kaitlyn designing a dark agenda of her own, all three girls harbor secrets that threaten to drive their fledgling trinity apart. Small treacheries, mounting fear, and the use of dark magic have not gone unnoticed by those trapped within the Nether… those who would stop at nothing to unleash their destruction upon the world once more.

Enter the Giveaway below!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20911839-timespell

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AUTHOR BIO

Diana Paz writes books about magic, adventure, and romance. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she’s a beach bum. Diana graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a highly sweetened iced coffee. Find her at her blog:dianapazwrites.blogspot.com or on Twitter @dianapazwrites

Author links:

http://www.dianapaz.com/

https://twitter.com/dianapazwrites

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6578457.Diana_Paz

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Quote of the Day

Lakota Instructions for Living

Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.

passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cover Reveal - When Lightning Strikes by Sedona Venez

Title: When Lightning Strikes
Author: Sedona Venez
Cover Designer: Mae I Design
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Series: Credence Curse Series
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance - due to graphic language and sexual content this book is recommended for readers 18+.

Synopsis:

It couldn’t be normal to dislike him and want him all at the same time. 
Ryker Alfero
Wolf-Shifter. Tattooed. Dangerous. Off-limits. Everything I crave — and everything I shouldn’t want.

“I would love to see what else your dirty little mouth can do.” With those little words, my body shivered as a surge of energy zipped into my body, unlocking something I didn’t understand. My brain started functioning with a clarity I hadn’t experienced in years. No warring emotions, just calmness.

This shouldn’t be happening, especially not with him. God. This was going to be a rough damn ride.

“I’ll do my best to break you in slowly, submissive,” he hissed, his voice dripping with raw sex. He took my hand, clasping it tight when a jolt of electricity ran through both of us. His thumb caressed my hand.

Is total submission inevitable?
“When I get you under me, it’s going to be slow, hard, and memorable.” ~ Ryker


I have other plans.
“Go find yourself a woman stupid enough to settle for less than you're willing to give. Whose heart you can break without giving a sh*t. This woman is off limits.” ~ Lightning


***WARNING: When Lightning Strikes is an erotic New Adult Paranormal Romance intended for mature audiences. Recommended Reading Age 18+***

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18338679-when-lightning-strikes?ac=1

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AUTHOR BIO

Sedona Venez is the author of the New Adult Credence Curse series, and the New Adult Valkyries: Soaring Raven series. She is a NYC girl (go Brooklyn!) with a slight obsession with her iPad, Pinterest, and television shows Pawn Stars and Face Off. Her love of music, tattoos, rockers, alpha men and wolf-shifters inspires her edgy paranormal romance novels. She also writes Middle Grade/Young Adult under her real name, T.L. Clarke. You can find out more about Sedona and her novels by visiting http://www.sedonavenez.com

“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SedonaVenez
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLClarke_TLC
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tlcauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535416.Sedona_Venez
Sedona’s website: http://www.sedonavenez.com

Quote of the Day

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. 

~ Charles William Eliot

Cover Reveal - A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger

Today, I'm very excited and happy to bring you the cover reveal for A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger, my agent-mate. Here we go!...

 

 

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

When a soul breaks, it isn’t pretty. The pieces are sharp; they cut and bite and rend at flesh. They seek blood, want vengeance. They congeal, become something more than they were, something dark and beautiful and terrible.

A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books

She’s a middle grade and young adult author, represented by Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel. She teaches high school technology education in rural Virginia and is the slave to one cat, Molly. She spends all her free time writing. She’s a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). When not writing, she’s reading, and an avid movie fan. She also loves long walks on the beach discussing Shakespeare while sipping large fruity drinks with little umbrellas.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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