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Monday, March 31, 2014

Author Cage ~ Author Maggie Mundy steps into the cage today.

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Today in author cage we have Maggie Mundy. Maggie is the author of Hidden Mortality today’s book blast. We would like to thank Maggie for stopping by today and sharing with us.

About Maggie:

clip_image002Maggie Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English at Flinders University. She had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. Over the past year she has had stories on line with Alfie dog in the UK and Antipodean SF in Australia. She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.

https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie

www.maggiemundy.com

https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor

http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/

http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/maggie-mundy/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428101.Maggie_Mundy

Authorcage

 

Welcome to Darkest Cravings, tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in England and lived most of my life around Bath and Bristol where my book Hidden Mortality is based. I moved to Australia in 1986 and now live in South Australia. I work as an operating room nurse which helps with the gory scenes in my books. Last year I passed my motorbike test and felt a great sense of achievement. More of a biker hen than chick though. I have worked in corporate entertainment and do a mean Sybil Fawlty impression. It also explains all the voices in my head.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I came to writing later in life. I was never one of those people who had stories scribbled down on napkins. I just thought one day about ten years ago. Is this it? What else can I do? Midlife crisis, I know. I was in my forties. I went to university and did a degree in Drama and English. I had to write a one person one act play and loved it. Since then the characters keep telling me I have to write their story. The play is still hiding on my computer. I suppose I really considered myself a writer when I received my first review from someone I didn’t know. It’s a scary thing to put yourself out there but so worth it.

Writing adult fiction isn’t for everyone, how did you end up writing for the toughest audience?

I reckon the writing chooses you. I have an epic fantasy sitting on my computer but what I was reading was urban fantasy and paranormal. It seemed a logical step to go in that direction. It might be a hard market but they are also some of the most appreciative readers.

Most of the intimidating parts of being an adult fiction writer is the steamy scenes, how did you overcome the “stage fright”?

Do you know, I don’t think I had any. That sounds a bit cheeky. I believe the sex scene is part of the story and when it happens it serves a purpose. I sometimes close my eyes and try to imagine what the characters are feeling. I did have an instance when my husband read something and asked who I had been sleeping with though.

Which fictional character would you like to go on a date with? Why?

Seth. For a start he is a cross between Vin Diesel and Kelly Slater and did I mention he is immortal and great in bed. He rides a huge motorbike and wears grey bike leathers. Need I say more

What was the first adult fiction novel that you read? What was your reaction?

Joanna Lyndsey Prisoner of my Desire. It is a tricky book and has rape scenes in it. Him of her and her of him. I felt she handled them well but not sure I would enjoy it so much now. I suppose we all change as we go through life.

Your favorite adult fiction book is-?

Christine Feehan’s Dark Guardian. It was the first of her books I read and I loved both the hero and heroine. I have read nearly all of her books.

Your favorite Author is-?

J.R. Ward at the moment. Reading the Blackdagger brotherhood series. Love those guys.

We all have a treasured possession, what is yours?

My mum left me what is called a mourning broach she had been given. It is described in the book Hidden Mortality. The broach often has the favorite flower of the deceased person on the front. On the back would have a little compartment with hair or material in it.

Are your characters based on real people or did you create them from scratch?

I created them from scratch. With Hidden Mortality I did character profiles. I also do a little trick where you have to say what the person has on their bedside table. I like to interview my characters. It’s surprising what they say

Do you think adult fiction have reached its full potential yet, or are we still in for a huge surprise?

I think adult fiction mirrors in many ways what is happening in society. I think it works in the same way as science fiction and talks about subjects that are hidden or tricky to approach.

Do you think adult fiction helps improves relationships?

Yes I do. I had an interesting chat with friend with a fifteen year old son recently. Porn is popular with the young now and she was worried about how it influences young men. She is considering letting him read an erotic novella I had written called Blood Scent because the sex is consensual. The women are smart and the men want to pleasure the women. It’s an interesting concept that this fiction could teach young guys a thing or two.

If you have to pitch adult fiction to someone that’s too shy to read it, what would you pitch?

It’s not about the graphic sex, it’s about the relationships. Sex is a normal part of communication so read it with that in mind and you will be lost in the story.

What is your motto?

Live life. I have had a swim with dolphins in the open ocean off New Zealand. I have white water rafted down a river. Ridden a motorbike and written and had books published So much more to do.

Remember to check out Hidden Mortality’s book blast below to find out more about this amazing author and her work and don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

Book Blast & Giveaway ~ Hidden Mortality by @MundyMaggie

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clip_image002Hidden Mortality

Maggie Mundy

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Soulmate Publishing

Date of Publication: 6th February 18, 2014

ISBN:-13:978-1-61935-329-9

ASIN: B00I911NI0

Number of pages:281

Word Count: 85,000

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Purchase at Amazon

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

A witch is murdered in 1850 in a ritual that will grant longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another called Seth to avenge her death.

Cara lives in present day Bristol, and is a descendant of the witch. Having been unlucky in love she fills her days with food with her Irish themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of erotic dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. So this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell her she is coming into her power.

 

excerpt

Cara kept searching but couldn’t find the book she wanted. The assistant at the empty counter smiled politely as she approached.

“I’m looking for a book called Immortality and Witchcraft, Fact or Fiction,” Cara said.

The woman typed the title into her computer. As Cara waited, someone walked up to the other counter beside her. She turned to look. Her world stopped as she met the slate grey gaze of the man staring straight at her. This wasn’t possible. He couldn’t exist. He was just a dream lover. Yet there he was, standing next to her as big as life.

She tried to smile, but it probably came out as more of a grin. He didn’t smile back. Her legs turned to jelly. If she didn’t breathe, she would pass out. She reached out and gripped the counter. One of them had to look away but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Someone was talking to her and the moment was broken.

“Excuse me.”

“Sorry.” Cara replied, as she forced herself to look at the salesperson. She was afraid if she glanced back, he would be gone. Her imagination must be playing tricks on her.

“It looks like we should have one copy left,” the woman said.

“I think I’m just about to sell it,” the other shop assistant said coming up to the register. “We could order it in for you. It might take a couple of weeks.”

“Please, take my copy.” The man at the other counter held out the book. His voice was deep, exactly as it was in her dreams. She was caught again in his gaze. The world disappeared and for a moment they were the only two people alive locked in the gaze they shared. Her hand went to her chest. She could feel her heart racing at the thought of him being near.

“Thank you, but no I couldn’t. You had the book first.”

“Please, take it. I have plenty of time to wait for another copy to come in.”

She found it hard to say no. Perhaps, it was the fact he was about six three and wore grey bike leathers. They added to the effect of making him look powerful. The shaved head and the stubble on his face gave a menacing look, but she wasn’t afraid of him. This wasn’t right. Her life was wild enough without dream lovers becoming real.

Plus, she wouldn’t want her other dreams to become real as well. She needed to say something, or he would think she was an idiot standing there with her mouth gaping. He held the book out to her. As she took it, her hand touched his. It was such a tiny touch and yet it meant he was real. She felt the heat rising up her neck as she blushed. She also sensed another heat inside her. It was the same way he had made her feel in her dreams.

“Thanks.” Cara paid for her book and listened as he confirmed his contact details. Seth Scanlon. She had a name. She wasn’t really stalking. Taking another book off a shelf, she flipped through the pages. He glanced her way before he left and caught her gaze once more.

She couldn’t fool herself. The look he gave her was so intense she felt he was seeing inside her soul. Her breath caught. She shivered although the shop was warm. For a split second, she considered following him and saying he must remember all the times they had made love.

She could just imagine the expression he would give her. He didn’t know her. She was a stranger. The shop became suffocating as she pulled at the collar of her jumper. She needed to be outside. There was no sign of him on the street. For a moment, she wanted to cry. At this rate, she would give the silly schoolgirls in the shop a run for their money.

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abouttheauthor

 

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Maggie Mundy lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English at Flinders University. She had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. Over the past year she has had stories on line with Alfie dog in the UK and Antipodean SF in Australia. She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary, especially in her stories where creatures of the night really exist.

 

 

 

authorlinks

https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie

www.maggiemundy.com

https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor

http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/

http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/maggie-mundy/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428101.Maggie_Mundy

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Cover Reveal: The Eternal Gift by @TheEternalGift

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covergifTitle: The Eternal Gift
Series: The Eternal Series Vol. 1
Author: Candy Crum
Genre: NA Paranormal Romance
Audience:  17+
Formats: Kindle/Paperback
Publisher: Candy Crum
Cover By: Megan Parker with EmCat Designs
Editor: Nathan Squiers with Literary Dark Editing
Pages: 224
ISBN-10: 061546050X
ISBN-13: 978-0615460505
ASIN: B00522J7HS
Exspected Date of Publishing: April 13th, 2014








 


 
 

http://picasion.com/gl/2Obh/
 
 
A young girl (Kailah) discovers that she is from a lost and forgotten powerful Immortal blood line after she meets a strange new physician at work. She begins to have visions and see spirits and has trouble controlling bad things from happening when she is angry. Along the way she discovers the terrible truth about who she is and the incredible power that is locked away deep inside her. Her Immortal ancestors want to use her to destroy the vampire race. Vampires want to use her power to destroy her Immortal ancestors. But hiding in the shadows are those who have been watching her since she was born. They want to help Kailah discover who she is and help her learn to use her abilities. They simply want for her to make the right decision before it's too late. Unfortunately for them time is not on their side and the Rogue Vampires have plans for Kailah no one could have imagined.
 
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CHAPTER ONE (first half)
The night was cool and thick as it sheathed me in total darkness. The satin shorts and camisole that I’d gone to bed in were now damp from the moisture hanging heavily in the air. Holding my hands in front of my body, I blindly wandered around in blackness as I tried to find some kind of clue that would give me a better picture. My bare feet told me that I was standing on soft ground, the tall grass tickling my calves as I moved. It was possible that I was in a large pasture, though the clean, crisp scent of the air let me know that no large animals were near.
Thunder cracked in the distance and the ominous, coal-black clouds had even chased the moon and stars into hiding, not even the faintest glow giving away their location. It took a moment, but my mind was finally beginning to recognize this place. This was a dream world, one that I’d seen before. With every passing night, with every passing dream, I was able to travel further and further into this illusion as I tried to discover its meaning. I’d had recurring dreams before, but there was something different, disturbing about this one that seemed to speak to me. There was something that I was supposed to learn here and I needed to find it.
The wind began to pick up and I looked to the north, the same direction that I looked to every night. Lightning cascaded across the sky, illuminating the massive, empty pasture in which I stood. The momentary flash brought something to my attention that I’d never seen in the dream before. Two figures stood off in the distance, several yards between them, facing off. Even with great distance between us, I could feel the tension rolling off of them. That must be the dark, heavy feeling in the air that I’d felt: anger, hatred.
Thunder rolled again as the lightning danced across the sky. Using the display to light my path, I ran toward the figures ahead of me. As I approached, a bolt of raw, electric energy reached down from the sky and ignited the immediate area in flames. The swift turn of events stopped me short, nearly throwing me to the ground. The flames spread into a perfect circle as it surrounded both figures, blocking any further approach by me. Sharp chills cut through me from head to toe as I realized that one of them was fully controlling the blaze.
Now that I was closer, I could tell that the figures were women. One woman, maybe an inch or two over five feet tall, stood around fifty feet away, and to my right. Her long, jet-black hair reached just below her hips and whipped around in the increasing wind. As I studied her, I began to see a deep-red, transparent cloud, like an aura surrounding her. She was strong, very strong, and I could feel her overwhelming power from here.
Looking to my left, her opponent was roughly the same height; only her hair was frosty white and hung to her knees. This woman was much different. She was surrounded by an aura cloud as well, though hers was dark blue. Something about her called to me and it took everything I had not to trudge barefooted through the flames to reach her.
Rain began to fall and quickly soaked everything around us, though it was still unable to extinguish the fire. Movement brought me to attention as the white haired woman lifted her arms. The earth began to quake beneath me as it broke free all around her. She looked like a dancer as she maneuvered her body, forcing the element into submission under her power. The packed earth sailed through the air towards the dark haired woman, but she was quick to react.
In a flash, she completely disappeared from my sight, managing to dodge the attack. My eyes moved quickly as I focused to find her. My body locked up as my vision was suddenly clouded with the mysterious dark haired woman as she appeared before me, seemingly out of nowhere. Her dark, emerald green eyes and dilated coal-black pupils stared into mine, glinting in the firelight. Her raven hair seemed alive as it brushed my skin and sent tingles running through my body. Her flawless, olive-toned skin nearly glowed as she stood there, concern in her expression.
“Kailah.” As her soft, sweet voice spoke my name, I inhaled sharply. Though her mouth barely moved as she spoke my name, her perfect, white teeth showed just enough for me to make out four tiny, yet still elongated, razor sharp fangs. My heart fluttered rapidly as I wondered if this woman was the creature that she appeared to be, and if so, how did she know me and what did she want with me?
“Y-yes?” I stammered.
“This is not a dream, Kailah. It’s a warning.” She leaned in closer. “Run,” she whispered.
“Wait, what?” I asked, chills once again stabbing me like thousands of needles running from the roots of my hair to the bare, wet soles of my feet.
Run!”
As soon as I turned to run, the dark thunder cracked overhead and the lightning began touching the ground all around me, trying to hold me where I stood. I heard a loud growl sound out from behind me, but decided not to look back. The earth began to shake again and my bare feet slid on the wet grass, the soft ground cushioning me as I fell hard on my right hip.
“Hello Kailah.” The new voice sent a shiver down my spine as I looked into the icy blue eyes of the white-haired woman.
Though her hair would have suggested otherwise, she looked no older than me: around twenty. Her skin was also olive toned and absolutely flawless, just like the other woman. Though, normally, one would look to the light as salvation and the darkness as hell, I didn’t think that was the case in this situation. Her crystalline blue eyes had death in them and I found myself backing away from her, toward the raven-haired beauty.
She laughed and the sound enveloped me like frigid water. “Kailah, you would choose the Vampire over your own grandmother?”
Before I could digest the words that she had unleashed on me, her attention shifted and the blue aura cloud surrounding her exploded into a barrier. Instinctively, my eyes closed and I threw my hand out as a large throwing knife bounced off the cloudy shield and headed for me.
“It is you!” she said with wonder.
My eyes snapped open and surrounding my hand was the same blue energy that surrounded the white-haired woman, only mine had a throwing knife buried in it. I couldn’t stop the scream that bubbled up out of my throat as the energy dissipated and the knife fell in my lap. What the hell was going on?
Her attention shifted again and with soft, graceful movements, a lightning bolt responded as it split from the sky and reached for her outstretched hand. She caught the energy easily before throwing it at her opponent. Another loud growl sounded out only a moment before something slammed hard into the barrier. That something, I realized, was the woman she had referred to as the Vampire.
Dark red energy swelled around the supposed Vampire as she pushed against the barrier of the opposing woman. “Kailah! She can find you in your dreams! Go, now!” As soon as the order left the raven-haired beauty’s lips, energy exploded from her body as the white-haired woman was thrown several feet away. “This dream is a figment of your own mind but, make no mistake, this is a premonition. You are the key to ending this war and if she finds you, it will doom all humans to a fate worse than death. Leave this realm now and prepare your mind. Your life is about to change.”
 
 
http://picasion.com/gl/2Obt/
 
clip_image006Candy Crum lives in Indiana and is the Author of “The Eternal Series” and other short stories. She published her first novel, The Eternal Gift, in May of 2011 and has been publishing ever since. Candy is an avid lover of the paranormal genre, stemming from years of reading the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice when she was a teenager. Later, she developed a deep love of the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead and the House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, furthering her love of the genre and pushing her to really push to finish and publish her novel.
Since then, Candy has released three other books in The Eternal Series and will release another later in 2014. Now, Candy is trying her hand at more contemporary pieces of work, like that of Lean on Me and other books she will release in 2014.
Some of Candy’s interests include the usual reading and writing, music (of most types), movies (action and comedy or any combination of the two), cartoons (she loves to say that her children watch cartoons because she does), and drawing. She loves talking with her fans and loves reading the reviews that her fans are kind enough to leave for her. Always feel free to find Candy on Facebook and send her a message!

 
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Sweet Treat Reading Reviews - http://strreviews.blogspot.com/
Bound 2 Escape - http://www.bound2escape.com
Darkmotive's Books and More - http://darkmotivesbooksandmore.blogspot.com/
Blushing Divas Book Reviews - http://www.blushingdivasbookreviews.com
Becca Anne's Book Reviews - http://beccaannesbookreviews.blogspot.com
Love, Lust & all the Pages in Between - http://lovelustpages.blogspot.com.au/
The Phantom Paragrapher - www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com
Vampy And Racey - http://vampyandracey.com
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

New Release ~ Uncovering You by Scarlett Edwards

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clip_image002Uncovering You

Scarlett Edwards

Genre - Dark Romance

Release Date - March 27th, 2014

Book Description:

When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what's waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind.

Reality is much worse:

A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning.

I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom:

J.S.

Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice:

Resist and die.

Or submit, and sign my life away

 

booklinks

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excerpt

 

“Lilly.”

Oh God. It’s him. There’s no mistaking that rich, masculine treble.

What’s he doing down here?

“M-Mr. Stonehart,” I stutter, turning. I curse my inability to hide my surprise. He totally caught me off-guard. I have to look up to meet his eyes. Then up some more.

The face that I find is so striking it should belong to a Greek god.

He’s younger than I expected. Late thirties, maybe early forties.

That means he started his company when he was younger than me!

Dark scruff lines his angular cheeks. His jet-black hair is styled in long, natural waves. My fingers itch to run through it.

Totally inappropriate.

He has a prominent nose that might be too big on a less imposing man, but on him, it’s perfect.

In short, he’s a package of the purest masculinity I’ve ever seen.

And then there are his eyes. Oh my God. His eyes. They pierce into me like honing missiles. They are the deepest black I have ever seen. They would be frightening if they weren’t so beautiful. When the light reflects a certain way, you catch a glimpse of the purple underneath.

They are like midnight sapphires. His eyes reveal a cunning intellect. Those eyes do not miss a thing.

Add all that to his towering height, his wide shoulders, his confident-yet-at-ease posture… and Stonehart cuts an intimidating figure.

My gaze darts to his left hand before I can stop it. No ring. He’s unmarried.

He looks down at me, expectantly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and I feel like I’m being dissected, measured up, and tucked away in some small corner of his brain. I imagine this is what a gemstone feels like under the magnifying class of the most critical appraiser.

Stonehart clears his throat. I come to with a start, realizing I haven’t said anything in ages. I open my mouth, but the capacity for speech seems like a foreign concept to my brain. “I—”

Somebody bumps into me from behind. I stagger forward. I’m not used to these shoes, so my heel steps the wrong way. My ankle twists under me, and I start to fall.

I don’t fall far. The hand still on my elbow tightens, and Stonehart pulls me into him.

I plaster myself onto the solid steel wall the man has for a body. I catch a scent of his cologne. It’s a deep, musky smell with a hint of charred spruce that is all male. It scrambles my thoughts even more.

“Sorry!” a rushed voice calls out. From the corner of my eye, I see the postman giving a hurried, apologetic wave.

Although the sequence lasts less than a second, it feels like an eternity. Pressed up against him like that, I don’t want to move. I know that I couldn’t have made a worse first impression.

Stonehart eases me off him with a firm yet gentle grip. Our eyes meet. I flush the most vibrant red. His fingers graze my forehead as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.

Any tenderness I may have imagined vanishes when Stonehart takes out his cell. He long dials a key and growls an order. “Steven. See the delivery boy leaving right now? Have his building pass revoked.”

I gape. Stonehart keeps speaking. “Wait. I thought of one better. Bar his company from accessing the building.” There’s a pause. “For how long? Indefinitely. FedEx can talk to me when they have an improved employee selection program in place.”

The phone call gives me just enough time to compose myself. My heart’s still beating out of my chest. But nobody has to know that.

I speak without thinking. “You’re going to restrict the entire company from serving this building because of that?”

Stonehart humors me with an answer. “A company’s employees are its most important asset. Their behavior reflects the organization as a whole. If FedEx decided that clown is good enough for them, it tells me they’re sloppy. I do not do business with sloppy organizations.”

“What about the other tenants in the building?” I ask. “Won’t that piss them off?”

When I hear myself and realize how improper my question is, my cheeks flame red again.

Stonehart’s eyes darken, as if he cannot believe I asked that question. I open my mouth to apologize for my imprudence, hating the way my professional skills have evaporated into thin air. I’m cut off by a short, barked laugh.

“Miss Ryder.” He sounds amused. “I believe that is the most direct and honest question anybody has dared ask me in weeks.” He takes my elbow again and leads me to the elevators. I have to take two quick steps to match one of his long strides.

“Yes,” he continues. “They will be ‘pissed off.’ But the perk of owning a building—” he hits the elevator call button, “—is that you get to make executive decisions.” He gives me an unreadable glance as the doors open. “That is, at the risk of being questioned by inexperienced interns.”

If that isn’t a loaded remark, I don’t know what is. I flush scarlet red for the third time since I’ve met him. I’ve never had a man throw me so off balance.

The elevator is packed, for which I’m infinitely thankful. The trip up will give me some time to properlycompose myself.

Gratitude turns to panic when the crowd files out, meek as mice, when Stonehart steps in. None of the people waiting in the lobby follow us.

The doors close. I’m alone in here with him. My heart’s beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings.

He catches me staring. “Impressed?” he asks.

“They know you,” I manage.

His dark eyes flash with amusement. “Astute.”

 

abouttheauthor

 

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I live near beautiful Seattle, Washington. I grew up reading all types of fantasy books before discovering the wonderful world of romances in high school. Now, I spend most of my time writing about sexy men and the women who love them.

Website - www.scarlettedwards.com

https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettEdwardsAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/ScarlettEdwards

Author Cage ~ Author Pippa DaCosta steps into the cage today

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Today in author cage we have author Pippa DaCosta. Pippa is the author of today’s book blast Beyond The Veil. We would like to thank Pippa for stopping by today and sharing with us. So here we go.

 

Welcome to Darkest Cravings, tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a writer, mother of two little girls, and the wife of a blacksmith. We live in a sleepy Cornish village, in South West England. We also have a Malamute, a tabby-cat and a Shetland pony. It can be pretty hectic at times. I read paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but I also enjoy action-packed thrillers. I’ll pretty much read anything, especially if there’s a reluctant hero involved.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

I started writing stories when I was twelve. That’s when the insatiable desire to write got its teeth in me, and it hasn’t let go since. As for actually having a business card with ‘writer’ on it… – that happened in 2013, when I finally decided to release my ramblings to the world.

Writing adult fiction isn’t for everyone, how did you end up writing for the toughest audience?

I write the things I love to read. I wouldn’t be able to write any other way. In my old job, I spent a lot of time writing marketing copy. I found myself wanting to add a bit of romance, a dash of spice, to ramp up the tension, which is tough to do when you’re writing a brochure! It was a great job, but I prefer the freedom to explore conflict and tension between characters. Plus, with fantasy, I can create worlds, dream up characters, and throw it all together to see what happens. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

Most of the intimidating parts of being an adult fiction writer is the steamy scenes, how did you overcome the “stage fright”?

Well, I knew the steamy scenes were coming, so I had time to mentally prepare myself. It’s the same with all emotionally charged scenes, such as a death of a character, or actions scenes. I have to detach my personal biases and try to look at the scene objectively.

The characters themselves drive a lot of the action. I just lurk in the background, giving them a few pointers – a bit like a director on a movie set. Getting the balance right between actions and emotions is the difficult part. We need to know who’s doing what, and why. Sounds simple, but it’s really not. A sex scene without emotion will fall flat. The emotion makes all the difference. It’s also pretty easy to lose track of who’s hand is where. I know it takes me probably ten edits, if not more, to get it right, and there’s always room for improvement.

Which fictional character would you like to go on a date with? Why?

I’m guessing I can’t say my own characters, because I’m pretty certain Akil would rock my world for an evening (but it’d strictly be a one time thing – he’s too hot to handle). Can I say Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse books? He’s sweet, but deadly. I have a tendency to lust after the bad guys.

What was the first adult fiction novel that you read? What was your reaction?

Probably one of Laurel K Hamilton’s Merry Gentry books. Wow. Holy moly. Gulp. Unfortunately, I did get a bit bored of the series after a while, but we all remember our first ;)

Your favorite adult fiction book is-?

I can’t say it’s my favorite, but Surviving Raine by Shay Savage was recently recommended to me and I’ve just finished it, so it’s fresh in my head. The main character is a nasty piece of work, an alcoholic, and a killer, but he has his reasons. Without giving too much away, he becomes trapped in a lifeboat with a sweet young woman and we begin to see him open up about his past. The character development is marvelous but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Your favorite Author is-?

That’s a really tough question. I like lots of different authors in different genres, and all for different reasons. I think my favorite is probably Patricia Briggs. I love her Mercy Thompson series. Mercy is a tough female protagonist. She’s taken some knocks and has bounced back with grace.

We all have a treasured possession, what is yours?

I have a little plush highland cow magnet that I bought on holiday in Scotland with my now-husband. I was maybe eighteen at the time. A lot has changed since then, I lost my father to cancer, I have two beautiful little girls, and I’m still very much in love with my husband. The highland cow magnet reminds me how life goes on and we gotta roll with the punches to survive.

Are your characters based on real people or did you create them from scratch?

From scratch. The main character in Beyond The Veil, Muse. She’s been in my head for a long time. When I first thought her up (many years ago), she was a vampire. More recently, when I decided to do something with her, I’d been working on a post-apocalyptic vampire story and didn’t want to go down the same route. The next best thing, that’s dark and dangerous, was a demon. Once I’d decided on that, the rest just fell into place. Likewise, the two male antagonists, Stefan and Akil, had been bouncing around my head for about the same amount of time as Muse (It gets crowded in my head). Their story was always going to be told. It just took a while.

Do you think adult fiction has reached its full potential yet, or are we still in for a huge surprise?

Who knows? If we could predict the next best thing, we’d all be millionaires. The publishing industry is in a state of flux. Opportunities are out there. It’s an exciting time to be an author.

Do you think adult fiction helps improves relationships?

I suppose it depends on the relationship. I’ve certainly learned a thing or two by reading adult fiction. Reading, in general, is a fantastic way to broaden our knowledge and open our eyes to new experiences, whether it’s adult fiction, fantasy, or historical romance.

If you have to pitch adult fiction to someone that’s too shy to read it, what would you pitch?

See my motto…

What is your motto?

Try anything once.

Remember to check out the book blat below to find out more about Pippa and her book.

Book Blast & Giveaway ~ Beyond The Veil by @pippadacosta

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clip_image002Beyond The Veil

The Veil Series

Book 1

Pippa DaCosta

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Date of Publication: 7th Feb 2014

ISBN: 1494242354

ASIN: B00IA3S97K

Number of pages: 250

Word Count: 70,000

Cover Artist: Celairen Art

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Book Description:

“They say I’m half demon, but I like to think of myself as half human, especially as the demons want me dead.”

Charlie Henderson is living a lie. Her real name is Muse and her attempt at a normal life is about to go up in smoke.

When a half-demon assassin walks into her life, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake, Muse must return to the one man she hoped never to see again and ask for help. The Prince of Greed isn’t known for his charity. The price is high, but the cost could tear her apart.

Trapped between the malevolent intentions of a Prince of Hell, an assassin with ulterior motives, and all of demon-kind, Muse must embrace the lure of chaos at her core; the demon inside her, in order to survive.

When your ex is the Prince of Greed, you'd better be ready to raise hell.

 

excerpt

I should have known he’d be trouble as soon as he walked into my workshop, but I couldn’t have known he’d be the death of me. He wore a three-quarter length red leather coat, had platinum blond hair long enough to sweep back out of his eyes, and sported scuffed Timberland boots, but if the goose bumps shivering across my skin were anything to go by, he clearly was not as human as his appearance had me believe.

At first, I tried to ignore him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me hesitate. A quick glance at my dusty clock told me it was late, past midnight, and I’d be damned if I was going to drop everything just because he’d invited himself in. I continued to work on the sword resting on the anvil before me. I hammered out imperfections in the blade’s surface with renewed vigor, metal singing at each blow. Behind me, the coal forge roared. Rolling waves of heat branded my back. I told myself it was sweltering temperatures sprinkling perspiration across my face and back, making my scruffy tank top cling to me, but in truth, it was fear.

Picking up the unfinished sword with gloved hands, I turned and plunged the blade into the glowing coals before facing my uninvited guest. He’d given himself the tour of my cramped workshop, seeming to admire the various swords on display, some unfinished, some as close to art as I was ever going to get. Shame I couldn’t wield them as well as I could craft them.

“Well?” I managed to instil some genuine irritation in my words in the hope it would disguise the anxiety building inside me. I tried to flick my hair out of my face but a few strands stubbornly clung to my sweaty cheek.

“Impressive.” He nodded once and turned arctic-blue eyes on me before flashing what he probably thought was a knee-weakening smile.

If my guest expected me to gush and swoon, he was in for a shock. “Who are you, and what the hell do you want?” It was late. I was tired. He wasn’t human. I figured I was within my rights to be blunt.

His expression tightened. “You’re Muse, right?” He tossed a gesture at the stuffy workshop. “I was expecting something…else.”

I hadn’t heard that nickname in years. Muse was a tag left over from dark days I didn’t wish to revisit.

Approaching me, he reached inside his coat. I caught a flicker of light slide over a handgun tucked into his waistband and tensed. An unusual motif, like entwined scorpions, adorned the grip. But he didn’t reach for the gun. He withdrew a sword and rested it on my anvil. “I want you to read this.”

I tugged off my glove and skipped my fingers over the smooth surface of the blade. The metal burned cold against my insolent touch, as though the sword resented my presence. It was a wonderful piece of workmanship. The ripple - or hamon - below the surface of the carbon-steel blade hinted at Japanese origins, and the tempered edge was sharp enough to slice through flesh with little effort. An intricate hand-forged guard and leather-wrapped hilt betrayed the sword as functional but with a flair for the dramatic, and yet it was clearly a weapon meant for combat, not ceremony.

A thin snap of power danced up my fingers, and with a small hiss, I snatched my hand back. This sword would not easily give up its secrets. “What’s in it for me?”

“What do you want?”

Now there was a loaded question. I didn’t know what or who he was, and had no idea how much he could afford or what the stakes involved. “It depends on what I’m going to find. If we’re talking murder, then I want danger money. If it’s just a lovers’ tiff you’re interested in, a few hundred should do it. I’m assuming you want recent information. If you need me to go back more than five years, it’ll be another two hundred.”

“Or I could walk out of here now and tell the world where you are. I know there are a few unsavoury characters from your checkered past who’d be very grateful for the heads-up on your whereabouts.” His smooth voice and slight smile belied the threat in his words.

I smiled tightly, my first smile since his arrival. “Now, there, you see? We were having a civilized conversation, and you just had to go and spoil it by threatening me.”

“Why don’t you just read the blade, and I can leave you to get on with your–” he cast a glance about him, “–work?”

And now he’d insulted me. “I’m not telling you anything until you give me more to go on.” Who did he think he was talking to? Some back alley half-human woman who would fall over her own feet to do his bidding? He might know my name, but he obviously didn’t know me.

He blinked, before turning back on the charm, as if I could be bought by a handsome face. “You’re right. I’m sorry. A few hundred, was it?” He dug deep into his coat pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. Without counting it, he tossed it onto the anvil. “That should cover it.”

I tugged my glove back on, pinching the heatproof fabric between each finger. “I think you should leave.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Just read the sword, Muse.”

I didn’t have time to humor assholes, especially those of the demon persuasion. “Get out.”

He pulled his distinctive gun on me, finger resting firmly on the trigger, aim rigid. “You will do this for me.” It wasn’t an order. It was fact–at least as far as he was concerned.

“Go back to hell,” I sneered, before reaching around and snatching the blade from the forge, flinging both the half-finished sword and some hot coals at him. He recoiled, cursing as the embers bounced off his coat. I dashed for the doors. My hand was on the handle, when he slammed into me, knocking the breath from my lungs.

He thrust the gun under my chin, freezing me rigid. “Why do you have to be so difficult?”

I really didn’t want this to escalate. Bad shit happens when she comes out to play. The darkness slumbering at my core began to unfurl, opening like the petals of a flower, but its intent was far from delicate. The trickling touch of power spilled into my muscles. Heat flooded through my body. The warmth of my element embraced me, threading itself through every part of me, the lure of chaos undeniable.

He abruptly released me and took a few steps back, gun up. His narrow glare measured me.

I pressed my back against the workshop door. Power dripped from my fingertips. I couldn’t see it—the human part of me was blind to the energy—but he could. His arctic eyes blazed with a promise of conflict.

He appeared to consider his next move and then, quite unexpectedly, laughed and lowered the gun, tucking it back into the holster inside his coat. “You’re right. This isn’t worth it.” With his hands up, as if in surrender, he turned and retrieved the sword in question before weaving his way back around workbenches toward me.

“I’ll leave you in peace.”

“What?” His sudden change in mood completely disarmed me.

“Step aside. I’m leaving.”

Surprised by his abrupt surrender, I did as he asked and watched him slide the door open and step out into the night. A sharp winter breeze invaded the heat of my workshop, rousing me from my muddled stupor. Confused and somewhat disappointed, I followed him out into the alley. The raw energy he’d aroused began to fizzle out. Its departure left me with a sickly chill and bitter sense of loss.

He climbed into the driver’s side of an old Dodge Charger with rust-bruised red paint. I had no idea who he was, where he’d come from, how he’d found me, or what lay hidden in that damn sword. And he was leaving. That couldn’t be right. Didn’t I deserve some sort of explanation?

“Hey!” I ventured further into the street.

Headlights bathed me in twin beams, forcing me to shield my eyes. He gunned the engine, jammed the box into reverse, and swung the car backward into a J-turn before speeding off, fat tires squealing on wet asphalt.

I stood in the street, hand on hip, head tilted to one side and breathed the crisp night air, clearing my lungs of forge-dust. Then the shockwave hit me. The explosion lashed across my back. I must have briefly lost consciousness, but the furious pain in my back quickly summoned me from the depths. A whine drilled into my skull. Alarms sounded from the industrial units around me.

I turned my head toward the heat, grit digging into my cheek as I peered into the smoke bellowing from the hollow gap between two buildings.

My workshop had gone and with it, my attempt at a normal life.

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  abouttheauthor

 

clip_image004

Born in Tonbridge, Kent in 1979, Pippa's family moved to the South West of England where she grew up amongst the dramatic moorland and sweeping coastlands of Devon & Cornwall. With a family history brimming with intrigue, complete with Gypsy angst on one side and Jewish survivors on another, she has the ability to draw from a patchwork of ancestry and use it as the inspiration for her writing. Happily married and the Mother of two little girls, she resides on the Devon & Cornwall border.

www.pippadacosta.com

www.theveilseries.co.uk

www.facebook.com/theveilseries

www.twitter.com/pippadacosta

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20776238-beyond-the-veil

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Author Cage ~ Author PJ Fiala steps into the cage today.

Authorcage

 

Today in the cage we have author PJ Fiala, author of Second Chances one of today’s book blasts. We would like to thank PJ Fiala for stopping by today and sharing with us. Here we go.

 

Welcome to Darkest Cravings, tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you for having me. I appreciate your time and the time of your readers. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. So, I am freezing! I have four children, ranging in age from 36 to 23. I have two grandchildren, ages 7 and 5 and one due in July. My husband and I are bikers and we ride as often as we can. We love taking off and riding in different directions. This year we are headed down to Arkansas to ride for a week.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

Well, I would say just last year when I finally sat down to write. I have always been a dreamer, with my head in the clouds. My stories were always there keeping me company. As I mentioned, my husband and I ride motorcycle and while on the road, I would dream up stories along the way using restaurants, stores, people I saw here and there and make up stories to keep me company while riding down the road. Last year, with encouragement from my husband, I sat down and started writing my story out.

Writing adult fiction isn’t for everyone, how did you end up writing for the toughest audience?

I love romance and love. There are so many people out there with stories that haven’t been told. People love reading about a couple finding each other, struggling, and finally coming together. I love that myself and consider myself an avid reader. As a matter of fact, I read two books last weekend.

Besides that, fiction is great because the story can be anything the author wants. No matter that sometimes it doesn’t seem plausible, such as shifters, vampires, witches, fairies, etc. If an author has an imagination and can weave a great story, the reader is going to read a great book.

Most of the intimidating parts of being an adult fiction writer are the steamy scenes, how did you overcome the “stage fright”?

I have to tell you at first, it was uncomfortable. I was writing my first sex scene at the kitchen table and my husband walked up behind me to give me a kiss. I slammed the top of my computer down and turned a few shades of red. Of course that peeked his curiosity and he wanted to know what I was writing. We came to an agreement, if he would leave the room and let me finish, when I did finish, I would let him read it. After I wrote a few of those scenes, it became easier, although, I still don’t like it when anyone is in the room.

Which fictional character would you like to go on a date with? Why?

Ohmygosh, I would love to go on a date with Gideon Cross!!! Mmm, mmm, mmm. He is sexy, tall, dark, handsome, wealthy, damaged and capable of love. Also, I would bet someone like him is very interesting to talk to with his business interests and all the places he has traveled. Besides Gideon, Tate from Kristen Ashley’s Sweet Dreams is one hot biker. I love a hot biker!

What was the first adult fiction novel that you read? What was your reaction?

I would have to say 50 Shades. I had gotten out of the reading mode, due to family responsibilities, and a friend said her book club was reading 50 Shades and that the women were all going crazy for it. So, I thought, “What the hell?” I picked it up and read the trilogy in a weekend. Then I read it again through the next week. From there I was hooked and started devouring books in that genre. Before that, the adult fiction I had read was very, generic and vanilla.

Your favorite adult fiction book is-?

I guess you don’t want to hear Second Chances? So, I will say I am still pretty stuck on the Crossfire series from Sylvia Day. I think partly because she hasn’t finished it yet and it feels like they are hanging out there waiting to be finished. I also loved the Stark Series and I have to say that Lauren Dane has a great series in the Brown Siblings Series. And, Kristin Ashley’s Colorado Mountain Series is amazing. Hard to pick just one.

Your favorite Author is-?

Right now I’m pretty hooked on Kristen Ashley. She’s a great story teller.

We all have a treasured possession, what is yours?

The first thing that comes to mind is my wedding ring. It’s beautiful and it was given to me by my husband, Gene.

Are your characters based on real people or did you create them from scratch?

For the most part I start out with characters from scratch, but little bits and pieces of people I know or stories I’ve heard over the years creep in to every character’s story.

Do you think adult fiction has reached its full potential yet, or are we still in for a huge surprise?

I would never say anything has reached its limit. The world is changing every day and new inventions, new ideas, new ways of doing things continues to find its way into our lives. That undoubtedly will creep into stories that authors tell. I would say, there will be surprises out there, it’s just a matter of time.

Do you think adult fiction helps improve relationships?

I think it can. When you read something, for instance, a steamy sex scene, and it’s something that you find titillating and interesting and want to try, that can spice things up for both partners. Maybe it’s just a place to go, or something to do or see, it brings a new element into the relationship. We are all so busy and it’s really easy to fall into a routine. My husband and I have been there. We would talk about it and say, we need to do something different, but didn’t know what that would be. After reading a few sexy stories, we both had some new ideas.

If you have to pitch adult fiction to someone that’s too shy to read it, what would you pitch?

Well, I always tell people to open their minds. That being said it isn’t for everyone, but what is the harm in reading it? You don’t have to read it out loud to anyone. If you need privacy to read it, go sit in a room alone and read away. You may find that you really like it. If not, at least you tried. Not trying is worse than trying it and not liking it.

What is your motto?

Ahh, well, I am a huge believer in karma. “Karma is a bitch” is one of my mottos. I always try to only put out there what I would want back. “Follow the Golden Rule” is my other motto. And finally, for my family, my motto is, “We live in the land of the free, because of the brave.”

 

Remember to check out the book blast below to find out more about his amazing author.

Book Blast & Giveaway ~ Second Chances by @pfiala

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clip_image002Second Chances

PJ Fiala

Genre: Romance/erotica

Publisher: Archway Publishing,

a division of Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0563-7

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0564-4

ISBN: 978-1-4808-0562-0

ASIN: B00IPONXA2

Number of pages: 426

Word Count: 163,375

Archway Publishing Amazon Paperback Kindle

BN Paperback Nook Hard Cover

 

 

Book Description:

After a nearly 30 year marriage to a man suffering from depression, Samantha Powell has decided a nice quiet, drama-free life is for her. She has demons to combat and self-esteem issues to overcome. She has decided to sell her house and find a nice little condo that places virtually no maintenance demands on her and allows her to work on herself for a while.

Grayson Kinkaide has waited his whole life, all 55 years of it, looking for his soul mate, the other half of himself. He suffered through an awful marriage with a manipulative selfish woman that almost brought him to his knees. The only things that kept him strong were his children and his growing business.

When Gray meets Sam both of their lives are changed drastically. Sam’s dream of a drama-free life is jerked from her grasp as Gray’s exes do everything in their power to tear them apart. Gray finds himself having to fight, hard, to convince Sam they are meant to be together.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/pQBY36w0pdA

excerpt

…Just then, Mrs. Koepple said, “Mr. Kinkaide, she really is a wonderful person. Don’t let this chance pass you by.”

She said it with a wink at him and he smiled a little bigger.

Sam couldn’t imagine any woman could resist that smile. Grayson told Mrs. Koepple, “I promise you I will make every effort to not let the opportunity pass me by.” Sam’s eyes were huge as she gaped at the three of them, mouth ajar. Jessie giggled and Sam looked at her with that same look on her face.

Jessie’s smile was huge. She winked at Sam and said, “That Mrs. Koepple sure knows how to make an exit.”

As Grayson turned to walk back into the room, Bill Chase walked into the room from behind Sam. He saw Grayson helping Mrs. Koepple and Alfred out the door and smiled.

“I see you met Mrs. Koepple and Alfred. They’re a cute couple, aren’t they?”

Grayson smiled again. Oh my God, that smile! He nodded at Bill, then looked at Sam. His eyes were so beautiful—dark like black coffee with thick lashes surrounding them. A sigh escaped Sam and Bill gave her a sideways glance. She blushed again and said a mental Crap.

Bill walked forward and shook hands with Grayson and Jackson. Sam was rooted to the spot just watching them, him.

Bill said, “Gray, it’s about time I got you to come to me for legal assistance. I was beginning to wonder if I could ever talk you into it.”

Grayson smiled and looked at Jackson, who was smiling as well.

Jackson finally spoke up and said, “Well, Grandpa was really insistent that we use his attorney over the years, but now that he’s retiring, we felt we could make the move.”

Grayson and Bill talked like they were friends. Finally, Bill turned and started leading the way to the conference room, which was a cue to stop gaping and go back to work. Sam looked over at Jessie, who had a huge grin on her face.

Sam shook her head and started to turn and walk back to her office when Grayson said, “Sam, may I have a word with you?”

Sam froze in her tracks, took a deep breath, and slowly turned back around to face him. Bill looked first at Grayson and at Sam with a furrow in his brow.

“Is there anything wrong, Gray?”

Jackson put his hand on Bill’s shoulder and chuckled as he said, “I’ll fill you in on our interesting morning.”

Bill and Jackson continued walking to the conference room.

Sam was a bit at a loss as to what to say or do when Grayson spoke and said, “Is there somewhere we can speak in private?”

Sam opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

After clearing her throat, she tried again, putting a smile on her face. “Sure, we can go into the small conference room.”

Sam walked the few steps to the small conference room, turned the light on, and walked in. Grayson, behind her, walked through the door and closed it. Sam heard the latch click and turned around to face him. With the door closed, she could smell him. Oh, he smelled so good. Wasn’t there anything wrong with this man?

He smiled and stood staring at her for a little while.

Sam was getting nervous at the silence and blurted out, “I’m sorry about Mrs. Koepple, I hope she didn’t embarrass you or make you feel obligated to…”

Gray cut Sam off, a smile on his face, and said, “I think you were the one that was embarrassed, and if you don’t mind me pointing out, I thought you were adorable.”

Sam’s eyes flashed up to Gray and she looked at him with brows furrowed and said, “Adorable?”

He chuckled and began, “The reason I wanted to speak with you privately is that I noticed how embarrassed you were and didn’t want to continue to put you on the spot. But, I would like to invite you to dinner. Would you have dinner with me this evening?”

Sam was stunned, but didn’t want him to think he had to ask her out.

“Please don’t feel obligated to ask me out because of Mrs. Koepple. It really isn’t necessary.”

Gray smiled and said, “I don’t feel obligated at all. I would love to have dinner with you. We both have to eat, and it would be nice to get to know you a little better. What do you say?”

Speechless…that was the only word to use. She was being asked out on a date by this gorgeous man. What would they talk about? What would they say? How could she eat in front of him and not make a fool out of herself? Sam didn’t feel like a very interesting person. She just lived a quiet life and didn’t do much else. She used to live a different life, but once Tim got sick, she had holed up in her house and did little else except motorcycling. That was the one thing Tim continued to do, even when he was feeling his worst.

Gray’s smiled widened and he cocked his head to the side a little, at the same time raising an eyebrow, waiting for Sam to respond.

Taking a shaky breath, she said, “I would like that very much.”

God, he had a beautiful smile.

He smiled again and added, “Excellent.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and asked Sam for her phone number so he could enter it into his phone. Sam’s phone was sitting on her desk.

Gray handed her his business card. “Put my number into your phone as soon as you get back to your desk.”

Gray smiled again and said, “I’ll pick you up at seven tonight. Once you have my phone number in your phone, please text me your address.”

Sam’s mind was reeling. A date! She hadn’t been on a date in forever. She was shaking and her mind seemed to be working very slowly as it was trying to process this new information. Oh my God, a date!...

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abouttheauthor

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I was born in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri named Bridgeton. During my time in Missouri, I explored the Ozarks, swam in the Mississippi River, played kickball and endless games of hide and seek with the neighborhood kids. Spending summers in Kentucky with my Grandmother, Ruth, are the fondest childhood memories for me.

At the age of thirteen, my family moved to Wisconsin to learn to farm. Yes, learn to farm! That was interesting. Taking city kids and throwing them on a farm with twenty-eight cows purchased from the Humane Society because they had been abused, was interesting. I learned to milk cows, the ins and outs of a breeding schedule, feeding schedule and the never ending haying in the summer and trying to stay warm in the winter. Our first winter in Wisconsin, we had thirty-six inches of snow in one storm and were snowed in our house for three days! Needless to say, I wasn’t loving Wisconsin.

I am now married with four children and two grandchildren and a new one on the way this summer. I have learned to love Wisconsin, though I still hate snow. Wisconsin and the United States are beautiful and my husband and I travel around by motorcycle seeing new sites and meeting new people. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are interested in where we are going and what we have seen along the way. At every gas station, restaurant and hotel, we have people come up to us and ask us about what we are doing and offering advice on which roads in the area are better than others and great rides others have been on if we are interested.

I come from a family of veterans. My grandfathers, father, brother and two of my sons and one daughter-in-law are all veterans. Needless to say, I am proud. Proud to be an American and proud of the service my amazing family has given.

Author web links: (web, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, etc)

Website: www.pjfiala.com

You Tube http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_BBjvOwu8akytlEN8VQNw

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pjfiala1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/pfiala

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pattifiala/second-chances

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7866768.P_J_Fiala

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00IL8OA04

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/116973848613644291786/posts

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pattifiala

Music Playlists on Spotify

www.spotify.com

Follow the links for the playlists for each book:

Second Chances

Dog Days of Summer

Rydin the Storm Out

Review Links

Archway Publishing:

http://bookstore.archwaypublishing.com/Products/SKU-000678446/Second-Chances.aspx

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chances-P-J-Fiala/dp/1480805645/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393679347&sr=1-1&keywords=pj+fiala

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-chances-pj-fiala/1118731355?ean=9781480805620

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20869617-second-chances