Romantic Quote Thursday

My heart is ever at your service.
~ From Timon of Athens (Shakespeare)

Forbidden #Books

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Book: Forbidden

By Jacquelyn Frank

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Publisher: Ballantine Books


From Amazon:

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

Teaser Tuesday Snippets

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.


Yeah, right. Alix was anything but stupid, and she knew that while Devyn was kind to her in bed, he didn't have any deeper feelings for her than that. Dreams were for fools and men only used the women around them. Once done, they moved on.

Unless they owned the woman. Then they used her to their heart's content without any regard for her feelings. That was probably why the Hyshians had chosen to enslave and subjugate their men.

But that was neither here nor there. Devyn was the key to her freedom and that was all he could ever be.

Page 153 Born of Ice by Sherrilyn Kenyon




Here's the Blurb:

In the Ichidian Universe, the League and its ruthless assassins continue to keep rule. But at what cost? Welcome back to the future...and a whole new world.

HE IS AN OUTLAW WHO OFFERS NO QUARTER.
Devyn Kell spent his life in service to the League until he learned of the double dealing and backstabbing that was costing innocent people their lives. Refusing to play those politics, he became a Runner--someone who makes sure planets get the weapons, medicine, and supplies they need to survive. May the gods have mercy on any who get in his way, because he definitely won't.

SHE IS ON THE RUN FROM HER PAST THAT COULD END HER LIFE.

Alix Garran is a woman on the run from a past she can't escape. Signing on to work for Devyn as a Systems Engineer, she finds a cause she can fight for--a man she can respect. But as Alix's past catches up with her, and Devyn's old enemies turn lethal, they have to fight together...or fall alone.

Do you have this in your bookshelf?

Monday Musing

It is now officially Autumn. My favorite time of year. The vibrant flowers and green tree leaves of Summer give way to the Asters, Chrysanthemums, bellflowers and red, orange, yellow, green, brown leaves of Fall. The temperature drops from the highs of 80-90 degrees to the mid ranges of 50-68 degrees.

(photo by Michael S. Yamashita, National Geographic)

No more daylight savings time. Shorter days, longer nights. This is sweater weather. The time of year fallen leaves crunch underfoot. Brisk air with a slight cold bite. Birds fly south. Squirrels gather food for winter hibernation. Hot chocolate or cider to warm your insides after experiencing outside seasonal changes. Oak logs burn in fireplaces.

Football season starts this time of year as well. A time for school and professional team rivalries. Winning bragging rights. Tailgate parties at home or school/team parks--customized RVs, t-shirts, loud music, hats, and food.

What do you like about Autumn?

One Lovely Blog Award

My "Indie-Pendents" and author friend, Mae Clair, nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award. She is an excellent blogger (explore it here) and writer expecting her debut novel, Weathering Rock, to be released on October 8th. Check it out on Goodreads.

As the recipient of this award, I'm to share seven random things about myself.

Here goes:

1. I love watching old BBC comedies on public television such as Are You Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearances, As Time Goes By and The Vicar of Dibley.

2. Genealogy is a favored pastime of mine. I love finding out nice little tidbits about my ancestors. Learning about what their lives were like, their struggles and triumphs.

3. At one time, I was a Sunday School teacher of the Cradle Rolers, Beginners and Primary students (little kids between the ages of three to age nine). I miss teaching them. You can learn a lot just talking to children. They have the most wonderful rationale and solutions for today's problems.

4. Not only do I like to read and write paranormal stories, I also like watching those type of programs on television like Ghost Adventures and Dead Files.

5. I love traveling. It's my goal to see the rest of the United States then one day to travel to Europe.

6. I love playing video games.

7. I love drinking Lady Grey Tea while lounging on the bed or in a recliner, reading one of my books from my 'keeper' shelf.


The Rules for Participation:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
Thanks, again, Mae!

2. List seven random things about yourself.

3. Nominate other awesome bloggers. Participation is voluntary.

Here's my pick:

Lynne Kensington

Christy Olesen

Sahara Roberts

Naima Simone

Carla Swafford

Jane Wakely

Romantic Quote Thursday

Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
~Franklin P. Jones

Dark Storm #Books

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Book: Dark Storm

By: Christine Feehan

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Berkley


From Amazon:

Awakening after all this time in a world of absolute darkness and oppressive heat, Dax wonders in how many ways the world above must have changed. But it is how he has changed that fills him with dread and loathing. Buried alive for hundreds of years in a volcano in the Carpathian Mountains, Dax fears that he has become the full-fledged abomination that every Carpathian male fears, a victim of the insidious evil that has crept relentlessly into his mind and body over the centuries.

But there are some things that never change.

His name is Mitro, the vampire Dax had hunted all these long centuries. Second in command to the prince of the Carpathian people he is the epitome of everything malevolent, and perpetrator of one of the most shocking killing sprees known to man—and beast. Even his friends and family weren’t safe from Mitro’s bloodlust. Neither was Mitro’s lifemate, Arabejila, an extraordinary woman with extraordinary gifts.

But now that Dax has re-emerged, so too has Mitro. The ultimate battle between good and evil has been re-engaged. Between Dax and Mitro, a violent game has begun—one that has marked Riley Parker, the last descendent of Arabejila, as the reward.

Teaser Tuesday Snippets

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

"Lesson one...wait, lesson one is over. That was how to kiss. And we know you're good at that. A plus."

Jasmin drew her lips into what she hoped was a stern frown. If kissing was lesson one, then lesson two...Her body went cold. "I am not taking lessons--"

"Lesson two is how to accept a gift--and a compliment--graciously. Would you like a bite of my sandwich, gorgeous?" He pushed his plate toward her.

Page 116 Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist





Here's the Blurb:

SHY NO MORE WORKSHEET NAME: JASMINE BURNS

Image the person who intimidates you. Naked.
I'm intimidated by Josh Toby, the world's biggest movie star. Who has to imagine him naked? I've seen it on a forty-foot screen.

Breathe deep.
As Josh's costume designer, I'm suppose to dress him. And undress him. Oh, and my psychic sister, Amy, who has never been wrong, named him my One True Love. Breathing is completely out of the question.

Ask for what you want.
What I want is for him to stop being so...irresistible! I want not to fall in love with a man who's stalked by the paparazzi and whose washboard abs could cut glass.

Believe you can do what needs to be done. Then do it.

So, all I have to do is believe I can resist Josh Toby. Resist those deep violet eyes, those strong, muscular arms, and the way he makes me feel like the only woman on earth. Couldn't be easier. Yeah right...

Do you have this on your bookshelf?

Monday Musing

Good Afternoon!

It's time to stop lolly gagging. I need to get to work. It's time to put my nose to the grindstone. I need to get more writing done!

What about you? Is you nose to the grindstone? Are you writing?

The Sunshine Award

I don't usually blog on Fridays, but a few days ago, Mae Clair nominated me for The Sunshine Award. Thank you so much, Mae, for thinking of me.

How does the award work?

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you (Thanks again, Mae!).
2. Post the award icon.
3. Answer the questions below.
4. Nominate other bloggers.

So, here goes:

1. What is your favorite Christmas/festive movie?
Miracle on 34th Street (the original, 1947) with John Payne, Maureen O'Hara
and Natalie Wood is my all time favorite with the remake (1994) featuring Dylan
McDermott a close second.

2. What is your favorite flower?
Although I use red roses on my blog and website, the pink rose is my favorite.

3. What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?
Homemade lemonade is my favorite beverage made with real lemons and splenda
instead of sugar. I also like water, but it has to be icy cold.

4. What is your passion?
I have many, but reading, writing and genealogy to narrow down the list.

5. What is your favorite time of year?
Fall is my favorite time of year because of the vivid colors of the leaves and
the brisk cold snap in the air.

6. What is your favorite time of day?
Afternoons.

7. What is your favorite physical activity?
Walking. I desperately need the exercise!

8. What is your favorite vacation?
My favorite vacation was one my family, my parents and I took together. We
went to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

And now the other bloggers I've nominated. They are:

Jane Wakely

Lynne Kensington

Christy Olesen

Sahara Roberts


I subscribe to each of their blogs. I hope you enjoy their blogs as much as I do.

Romantic Quote Thursday

Kiss me and you will see stars; love me and I will give them to you.”
~Unknown

Mate Claimed (SHIFTER UNBOUND) #Books

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Book: Mate Claimed (Shifter Unbound)

By: Jennifer Ashley

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Penguin Publishing



From Amazon:

Collared and controlled, Shifters are outcast from humanity, forced to live in Shiftertowns. But waiting within are passions that no Collar can contain…

As a wildcat Shifter and leader of his Shiftertown, Eric Warden knows his own kind. When he sees Iona Duncan, he realizes that although she appears human she is a half-Shifter wildcat living without a Collar—and that if she doesn’t acknowledge her true nature and her mating hunger, it may kill her….

Iona finds the mysterious and powerful Eric alluring, even though she has vowed never to reveal her Shifter side, lest her mother pay the price for hiding her all these years. But her mating hunger is rising, and with Eric so close, she may not be able to resist…and her desire may lead to the very doom they are fighting to deny…

Patriot Day 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

Steampunk Selection


She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Wait a moment. Why am I speaking with you at all? My Lord, your behavior last night!" She stood and began to swish about the cluttered little room, her eyes sparking fiercely. She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "You are not simply a werewolf; you, my lord, are a rake. That is what you are!"

Page 155 Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate) by Gail Carriger




Here's the Blurb:

ALEXIA TARABOTTI IS LABORING UNDER A GREAT MANY SOCIAL TRIBULATIONS.

First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire--and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia is responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Do you have this on your bookshelf?

Monday Musing

Good Morning!

I've been thinking about the mythology of shapeshifters. The ability to shapeshift was part of many cultures that depended upon hunting to survive. Hunters would take the form of prey animals imitating them around the fire before and after a hunt. This ability is still seen among the South African Bushmen who follow the tracks of animal prey by running like the animal they are chasing and also making cries similar to the chased animal. In Irish folklore, hunters practiced a form of invisibility which was the ability to blend into the landscape as an animal. Sometimes special shapeshifting spells of invocation called fith-fath were used by Gaelic hunters to start or enable a hunt.

Special attention today to Lycanthropes. Their mythology originated in Europe but many legends are found all over the ancient world. This is a human of folklore with the ability to shift into a wolf either purposely or by being placed under a curse, or a lycanthropic affliction by bite or scratch of a werewolf. A full moon usually triggered a transformation.

One of my works in process is a series about werewolves. It involves a heroine with unique abilities and a warrior hero fighting against a villian who uses whatever it takes, whether people or circumstances, to acquire the heroine's abilities for himself. Will the heroine give herself up to save her world? Will her warrior be able to overcome a guilty past to save her?

What are your thoughts on shapeshifters? Which type of animal shifters do you prefer?

Romantic Quote Thursday

Passion is the quickest to develop, and the quickest to fade. Intimacy develops more slowly, and commitment more gradually still.
~Robert Sternberg

Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles, Book 1) #Books

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Book: Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles, Book 1)

By: Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


From Amazon:

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Teaser Tuesday Snippets

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.


Darling tossed a throwing knife at Hauk's head.
Hauk caught it and laughed before he tossed it back at Darling who caught it just as easily. "You keep doing that, human, and you're going to hurt my feelings."
"You don't have feelings, Andarion."
"Not true. Compared to Nykyrian, I'm as sensitive as a woman."
"God knows you're beginning to whine like one." Nykyrian rubbed at his right eye under his shades as his thoughts returned to the mission they'd just completed.

Justice had been served swiftly and coldly. Tomorrow Syn would inform their client about Chenz's death. Granted it wouldn't bring back the senator's son, but it would ensure that Chenz never decapitated another child and delivered his head to his mother.

That alone made him wish he'd had more time with the bastard.

But there was nothing more to be done. Chenz was dead and they would be paid.

Page 31 Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon




Here's the Blurb:

In the Ichidian Universe, the League rules all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption...

HE WAS BORN AND TRAINED TO KILL
Command Assassin Nykyrian Quiakides once turned his back on the League--and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father's political alliance has made her a target.

SHE MUST ACCEPT HIS PROTECTION--OR DIE
As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new endanger them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.

Do you have this book in your bookshelf?

The LOOK Challenge

My "Indie-Pendents" friend, Christy Olesen tagged me in the Look Challenge. Thank you Christy!

Here's how the Look Challenge works.


1. Find the first usage of the word 'look' in your WIP and paste
the surrounding paragraph into your blog.

2. Tag as many people as you want to take part in the
challenge with you.

Christy's paragraph is here.

Here's mine:

“You all right?” Buckling himself in, the driver took a quick look into the rearview mirror before putting the cab in motion.


“Yeah, great,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Is this a business trip or one for pleasure?”

“Neither. I’m running away. Kinda childish, huh?” Swallowing hard on a painful throat. She looked out of the cab window, with clenched her fists in her lap, acknowledging how the gloomy darkening sky matched her dark and angry mood. How could he do this to her? How could he say the things he said?

I hope you enjoyed my LOOK Challenge. I tag:

Lynne Kensington

Sahara Roberts

Monday Musing

Good Morning! Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrated the economic and social contributions of workers.

Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York in 1882. It became a federal holiday in 1894.

Early celebrations included a street parade, a festival and speeches by prominent men and women. The holiday is now regarded as a rest and parties.

Labor Day also marks the marks the beginning of NFL and college football seasons.

How will you spend your Labor Day?