Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Pride Mate - Available Today!

PRIDE MATE

Katzman 3

This new release is offered at a 10% discount for four weeks.

Erotic Futuristic, M/M Romance

Shaikh Bogden Dhal Wuher Al'Abdalha couldn't forget Anjali or the time they spent together. If it hadn't been for the death of his father, Bogden never would have left his mate. And he knows Anjali is his mate. They dream together.

To get Anjali back, Bogden buys his contract and sends for him. But Anjali isn't overjoyed to see Bogden. Instead, Anjali thinks he is a slave, bought due to his training as a pleasure slave. And he's pissed when he discovers who his new master is.

Before they can settle their differences, someone betrays them, attacking their desert camp. Chaos reigns as Bogden and Anjali try to fight for their people, fight for each other, and fight to stay alive. But can two men win against insurmountable odds or will they lose the love they share before they know they have it?

http://www.bookstrand.com/pride-mate

Yes! Pre-order Appassionato!



I have just found out that my release day is Wednesday, January 5, 2011! This is what I call a great way to start off the new year, and it doesn't even involve a mojito (at least not yet). You can pre-order right now.

This will be my second erotic romance and I've finally been able to let the sci-fi/paranormal voices in my head run loose on the page. My three characters include one rock star, one best friend, and one sweet librarian. What will happen when they start to dream about each other? What will happen when they meet each other for the first time? You'll be able to find out very soon. . .

Wednesday's Words for December 29, 2010


Did you have a good Christmas?

I often wonder, is there much in life that every year receives such a big build up as Christmas does, only to be done in a single day?

It is over in one day in these modern times. When I was younger, we used to stretch out Christmas. We’d go to church on Christmas Eve for the midnight Eucharist. Then of course, the big day, with gifts and our enormous family breakfast—because our means were spare, it was the only morning all year we sat down to a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, home fried potatoes, and, oh joy, orange juice and grape juice!

We’d have the traditional turkey dinner of course, and my mother’s Christmas Pudding—a steamed carrot pudding that has no added fat, and that I still make each year, to this day.

Then the next day—Boxing Day—would begin the “Christmas Visits” – they usually took place over the next two or three days, actually—visiting friends and relatives. For any who had small children, my parents would always bring along some gift or treat for the kids.

Christmas, back then, was very nearly a season.

Do we blame the retailers in our world, or ourselves? Here in Canada, we begin to hear radio and television ads for “Boxing Day” sales, before we even have Christmas! It’s hard not to let the loud and constant cacophony from the world of consumerism influence us.

I often lament the passage of what, in retrospect, appear to have been simpler times. But I wonder if they really were simpler? Or does my subconscious soften the memories so that they just seem that way?

I do look forward to the “review of the year” that seems to be a popular feature of many news shows. I like to take a moment and remember the milestones, the passages, and the achievements of the year. Sometimes, I learn of things that escaped me when they happened originally. And sometimes, I think, was that only this past year?

Times change. People change. Nothing stays in a comfortable place, not for long, at any rate. I think it’s a facet of the human condition that the older we get, the more we want things to slow down and stay somewhat the same. We want to seek comfort in the familiar. It’s why we have our favorite mugs, our favorite chairs, and even our favorite restaurants!

It is, at the core of it, why we have traditions in the first place.

I really believe this need is universal. It’s one of the reasons older folk are always characterized as beginning a lot of sentences with, “Back in my day...” There’s a sense for some of us, as we age, that how things were back in “our day” was the “right” way, the “best” way, and of course, for those of us whose inner curmudgeon isn’t inner any more, the “only” way.

Sometimes I hear younger people admonishing the older to “keep up with the times”.
To those younger folk I would say, you can hope, but most often, it’s just not going to happen.

I spent time with my older brother on Sunday. He hosts a “Boxing Day Brunch”, and for the last few years he’s invited us to attend. He and his wife of more than 45 years do the cooking together, making the usual fare. Always delicious, of course!

I found it interesting to sit and listen to him afterwards as he was telling my beloved that the fliers come in the newspaper for the local electronics store, and he marvels at all the pieces of technology for sale that he has no idea, whatsoever, how to operate. He said he didn’t even know what a lot of them were—and really didn’t care to learn.

I can recall this same brother, not so many years ago, describing to me his latest blow-your-eardrums sound system with woofers and tweeters and other things I didn’t even understand then.

Now I’m e-published, on line all the time, hip deep in IMs and e-mails, and he doesn’t even use the computer he has. Times do change.

I wish you all a blessed New Year. May 2011 be very good for you all!

Love,
Morgan
www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Come escape the cold with me

In HAWAII! For those of you who do not know, I lived in Hawaii for three years. Hubby was stationed at Hickam AFB and we had our second child there:) While I was not one for Island Life, I definitely had things I loved about the islands. And, so I decided to write some Menage Amours set there. Mele Kalikimaka, Baby and Sex on the Beach are the first two books of my Hawiian Holidays series. I am working on the third book which is set during Lei Day (we call it May Day on the Mainland).
Mele Kalikimaka, Baby is out now and Sex on the Beach is on preorder until tomorrow morning when it releases. So escape the cold December weather with a quick side trip to Hawaii;)
Oh, and come on over to my blog to vote for your favorite hero(s) from my books this year!

Mele Kalikimaka, Baby

Ménage Amour: Erotic Contemporary Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Interracial]


When Sophia Cantwell gets stuck working in Hawaii on Christmas, she isn't too happy. She doesn't like trying to buy land from a Hawaiian family, especially when she is convinced that her company isn't being ethical. When she is confronted at the airport by the landowner's grandsons, cousins Maleko and Jack Akaka, she doesn't expect the jolt of arousal or the instant attraction. And she doesn't expect them to insist that she stay at the family's condos.

Mal and Jack have shared women before and have thought about getting that one special woman for the two of them. Both of them are surprised that she turns out to be an uptight, corporate go-getter. But the three of them cannot ignore their attraction, and a night out in Honolulu turns into a night in bed for all of them.
But when Sophia's ex-lover and boss arrives unexpectedly, will she be able to walk away from her dreams of climbing the corporate ladder, or will she lose Mal and Jack?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sex on the Beach


[Ménage Amour: Erotic Contemporary Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, public exhibition, sex toys]

Edwina Mitchell, Eddie to her friends, doesn't think she can have a happily ever after. She grew up with multiple fathers and never wanted to do that to a child. The problem is, she's in love with two men from her past. When she runs into them in Hawaii, she thinks it is just another carefree weekend, but the guys have another plan.

Drew Masterson and Sean Childress have served their country and now they're ready to enjoy life. That means opening a dive shop and finding the woman they both love, Eddie Mitchell. When they get a second chance with her, they refuse to fail. With New Year's Eve approaching, they decide to do everything in their power to convince her she is the one for them.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Scarlet Hyacinth Visits The Steam Room

Please welcome author Scarlet Hyacinth!


TSR: Tell us about your Kaldor Saga.

Scarlet: Enraptured was the first book I’ve ever written. The story is quite funny, actually. I started writing it while I was supposed to be working on my dissertation. My mother could never tell that I wasn’t writing anything remotely scholarly, given that she doesn’t speak English, so she couldn’t nag me that I was lazy. So, it was a lovely pastime,something I loved, and wanted to share with everyone else. Later I started posting it online as a free read, and it evolved into a much more complex storyline than I originally intended. Truth be told, I only ever intended it to be a trilogy, with three couples, all of which appear in Enraptured: Gabriel/Lucien(the main characters), Kalin/Cade and Orin/Zeli.


The Kaldor Saga now stretches over two worlds, including characters from both Earth,and its parallel world, Kaldor. While in Enraptured, the story revolves around a smaller cast, it gradually expands to include many more, as friends, family and mysterious enemies come to the fore.


In many ways, Over the Edge marks this twist, as the mood changes from the lighter, sweeter, more romantic one in Enraptured, toward a somewhat darker, deeper tone. I’m not sure whether it is because I am maturing as a writer, but in a way, I wanted to point out that happily ever afters are very hard to get. Something will always pop up that will mar it, even if it probably wouldn’t be something as drastic as what I used. You then have to rely on your loved ones, in this case Kalin and Cade, to fix what is broken.


My latest release, Destinies in Darkness, features a couple that wasn’t in the original story, Eric and Keenan. Part 1deals with the love story of this couple, while Part 2 reunites them, and the rest of the characters introduced in Part 1, with the Kaldorian side of the cast. As a matter of fact, Part 2 will come out tomorrow (Dec 28.) In this installment, the readers will find out the protagonists of the next story, Second Chances, which will be published next year, in spring.

TSR: What draws you to writing MM romances?

Scarlet: Well, there are two significant things that draw me to MM romance. The first one is that I find it with great potential from an emotional point of view. I also have a greater liberty with my heroes. For example, in an MF romance, I can’t make a heroine weepy or clinging on the male, as she would simply not appeal to the independent women who read the books. In MM, if the hero sheds a tear, he is simply in touch with his sensitive side. *grins


But seriously, I think that MM romance is much more challenging and with several aspects that an MF book would not have. For example, GLBT relationships are still looked down on in many countries, my own included. I hate that, and my writing is a sort of passive resistance to the general trend. Perhaps, in the future, I can do more for the GLBT community in my country.


And finally, I also write it for a very simple reason: it’s hot. What can be more delicious than two (or more) hunks getting it on?

TSR: You mentioned on your website that you don’t plan to ever write another ménage romance. Why not?

Scarlet: You saw that? Haha. That was true at the time when I posted it, but not so much now. From my point of view, ménage romance is very complex, simply because it involves an increase in emotion that is sometimes difficult to convey. But since then, I have changed my orientation and decided to take a chance.


As a matter of fact, four of the books on my coming soon list are ménage, the two sequels of my Deadly Mates Series (Spell of a Predator’s Moon and Dragon’s Bloodmoon), as well as two new books contracted with Silver Publishing: The Plot Bunny and Awakenings.

TSR: Would you ever consider writing straight or mixed (ménage with bisexual characters) romances?

Scarlet: I have many times considered writing other types of stories, including straight romances. As a matter of fact, I am considering venturing into mainstream fantasy sometime in the future. I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and I want to go beyond what I have already accomplished. But for now, MM romance is what I love to write, and I will stick to it.

TSR: You’re from Romania. How did you get into writing English-language novels?

Scarlet: English has always been a passion for me, ever since I first started going to school. In high school, I continued my studies of it and went on to take university classes in English. During this time, I read a lot, from Shakespeare plays, to philosophy, all in English. Then, a friend of mine introduced me to MM romance novels, and I was hooked. From then on, writing my own stories was only a step away. Of course, it took time for me to get good enough. Many wonderful people helped along the way, the great staff at Siren Bookstrand who gave me a chance and taught me how publishing is done. In many ways, I’m here now because of them.

TSR: I had a Romanian friend in college who used to roll his eyes at the mention of vampires. You list vampires as among your favorite things. What draws you to them?

Scarlet: I find vampires dark, interestingand romantic. Like your friend, I roll my eyes when I hear people mentioning the bloody ways of the Transylvanian “Count Dracula”. I read references of it in books, and it makes me laugh – which is why, even if Romania appears in my books, you’ll never find it as a “stronghold” for vampires. That aside, I have always been drawn to the darker side of romance, the bad boys, so to speak. And I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to live forever, but deprived of something we “humans” take for granted.

TSR: What’s next for you?

Scarlet: Many things. I will, of course, be continuing the series already in progress. Book 5 of Kaldor is on the waiting list, as well as the following books of Deadly Mates. I have also started a new ménage series, Guardians. The first book, The Plot Bunny, will be available in a few months, from Silver Publishing. I also tried my hand at a more taboo subject, that of twincest, in Awakenings. And of course, I have many, many ideas, all struggling to get out of my head.

Important Links:

BuyLink: http://www.bookstrand.com/destinies-in-darkness-part-2

WebsiteLink: http://scarlethyacinth.webs.com/

Contest Information:

Hi,Michele. Thank you for having me here at The Steam Room. And hello to all the readers out there. Tomorrow is the release day for Kaldor Saga 3: Destinies in Darkness, Part 2, and as such, I figured I could tell everyone a bit about my Kaldor Saga. Since we’ve just passed Christmas, I am also offering a copy of the first book of the saga, Enraptured, as well as a copy of my first ménage story, The Three Horsemen of the Black Forest.


All you have to do is comment on the blog and tell me what’s on your mind, what interests you and, most importantly, what you’d like to see.


I hope you enjoy reading my books and I am looking forward to your questions and comments.

Note: to count, comments must be made at TSR: http://www.michelezurlo.com/apps/blog/show/5689628-scarlet-hyacinth-visits-tsr-

Angelic Forecast ~ #121



Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for the New Year, 2011

2011, Where the power of the heart is released. The saying, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, will never be more true than during this year.

This love and ‘caring’ for our own, for those closest to us, will spread out to our neighbors, then to our local community. For, this is the key to survival and prosperity, right now.

In opposition to this profound opening of the human heart, those who are soulless will unleash devastating attacks designed to destroy our ability to love, and our ability to be compassionate toward each other.

This is, also, the year we will have the opportunity to step up, and become a cornerstone within our own world. We will learn how to rely on each other in good ways, in the ways that matter. As well, this ‘heart-caring’ for one another will become the cornerstone for how this year progresses.

Revelations of TRUTH begun during 2010 will continue at a quantum pace. However, this year, TRUTH will find its way, as led by the heart. This will occur on the world stage and at a personal level.

The weather and natural disaster chaos of 2010 will not lessen, but is likely to increase in intensity. Around the world coastal areas are particularly vulnerable.

As the year deepens, the word, community, is likely to become a buzzword because there will be a ‘mass recognition’ that we ALL need to come together. However, rather than the idea of a global village, and top-down solutions, it is time for the rise of grassroots solutions. For only, at a local level can the needs, and the heart, of each individual be met.

Look for the crash of the OLD WAY, as many institutions falter, then go the way of the dinosaur. They will not go peacefully. They will thrash and smash anyone and anything in the way like a beast gone utterly mad.

Out of these events, we will realize, as never before, charity begins at home. And, with each passing day, the world stage as presented by ‘those’ who use the mainstream media will diminish in importance, despite the constant CIRCUS CIRCUS atmosphere.

2011 will become known as the Year of Decision, a pivotal point in time that determines the course of humanity’s future for the next ten years. This is true for personal decisions, as well as those decisions that affect everyone on our beloved Earth.

During 2011, one of the most positive vibrations available to US ALL, is that of creating the ‘unconventional’ this year. Or, the mother of invention is necessity. When it comes to solutions, and forging a better life for yourself, and your loved ones, free your innovative side. It’s time to tune into your own individual genius. And, go for it.
~~~~~~

ANGELIC FORECAST ~

For the following week look for all the ‘crashes’ that will occur on the world stage, and in your personal life. It may resemble the sound of dropping dishes.
Your best course of action is simply to step around every crash you can do nothing about. Where you are confronted by a situational crash, clean it up as best you can. If you are at fault, make amends.

The sound and fury of this week preceding the New Year, will be mostly bluster. However, there are real winds of change. Roaring. Relentless. Tornadic and terrible.

On the positive side, now is the time celebrate love in a big way, as you ring in the New Year. Make certain those you care for the most know how you feel about them by both word and good deed.

This week wear your heart on your sleeve. Give kisses. Give hugs. Give smiles.
And, if there is a special someone in your life, this week is perfect for making plans to join your hearts, whether in marriage or as partners.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~
Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down?

~~~ IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list ~

Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, BookStrand author of FLAVIA’S SECRET, A SECRET TREASURE, BLUE GOLD, BRONZE LIGHTNING, SILK AND STEEL, HOLIDAY IN BOLOGNA and CHASING RACHEL ~

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from Siren-BookStrand ~
~~~

~ HAVE A MAGICKAL NEW YEAR’S DAY ~

~ MAY YOUR ROMANTIC READING DREAMS COME TRUE ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wednesday's Words for December 22, 2010


Don’t you love this time of year? It’s the time of year when tradition saddles on in to take over our lives, mostly for the good.

Except in the case of the Ashbury household.

It would appear that we have a more recent tradition (since it’s happened now about four years in a row) that I would just as soon do without, thank you very much.

‘Tis the season of the car needing something expensive repaired.

Now in case you all think that perhaps I jinx myself by speaking about m-o-n-e-y within the confines of the automobile, let me assure you all most emphatically that I do not. Ever. That is a lesson I learned many years ago.

For those too young or green to understand this (until now) “unwritten rule” of car ownership, let me write it out for you: if you mention raises, Christmas bonuses, small lottery wins, gifts, inheritances, or any amount of money you may think you will have over and above your usual, the car will take advantage of you and break down so that you must spend that windfall on it.

Being the overly cautious types that we are, Mr. Ashbury and I never discuss money of any amount from any source in the car. We also never discuss if or when we might purchase another car, in the car.

Now, on to the Ashbury Christmas tradition of the expensive car repair. The first time this happened, we needed the signal switch replaced, as the mechanism also controlled not just the signal but the high and low beam of the headlights. That repair, about ten days before Christmas, cost us over a thousand dollars.

The second time it happened, it was the replacement of two headlights, within two weeks of each other. One was my fault, and one thanks to the courtesy of an unknown motorist in the parking lot of our local grocery store. Although together these replacements didn’t quite reach the thousand dollar mark, it still meant an outlay of cash at a time of year when all discretionary funds had already been allocated.

Last year, I bought the vehicle four brand new winter tires, hoping to head off disaster, in November. Alas, that ploy didn’t work. Tie rod end, front driver’s side, eight hundred dollars.

This year, I had thought we’d gotten off easy. It was twelve days before Christmas, and when my beloved went out to start the car, he discovered the heater fan wasn’t working.

Although not a problem in good weather, in winter, the car can’t be driven without the heater fan working, for the windows ice up on the inside.

Looking back on it now, my mistake was thinking, great, ‘only four hundred and fifty dollars’! A mistake, most certainly, as on Monday the car really didn’t want to start and my husband said, “the battery is nearly gone”.

Now, I’ve been taking my car to the shop for all its repairs since several years ago when my beloved said he didn’t want to be bothered fixing cars anymore. However, on Sunday he did fix our daughter’s car. So I looked at him and said, “I’ll buy it, you install it.”

Which he did, successfully.

I know I really shouldn’t complain. We’ve had this car since 2006 and have put half a million kilometres on it. And I’m not really complaining, I’d just like the car’s timing to be better. No pun intended.

I wish you all a happy, healthy Christmas, filled with warmth and laughter and love and yummy things to eat. And no car repairs.

God bless you all!

Love,
Morgan
http://www.bookstrand-com/morgan-ashbury

Monday, December 20, 2010

Angelic Forecast ~ #120

From a year ago...

December 21, 2009

Angelic Forecast ~ #68

Rudolph, here I come...

“I see his nose!”
In the distance a soft red glow forms a tiny halo. I watch as the red glow rises upwards and sails toward us, becoming ever larger and brighter.
Finally, I see the outline of a reindeer. He runs on the air as if he races over the tundra, a magnificent stag with antlers that branch handsomely.
All a-tingle, I feel as though I could float above the cloud.
“Go ahead,” the Heavenly One encourages.
I know what he means. Yet, it seems impossible, even in this land of the possible as I’ve never known it. Still, a leap of faith seems to be called for. After all, it is the time of the Winter Solstice.
“Three years from Winter Solstice 2012,” the Cherub solemnly intones, having read my mind, again.
“2012,” I repeat. “You and Sedona have already lived it.”
“We have. We are living it now.”
“Yes.” I lean forward, wanting to leap. Rudolph circles toward us, so majestic my breath catches.
Fly,” the Heavenly One says. “Fly the way you’ve always wanted to.”
My eyelids shut briefly. As I open them, I shove off, willing myself to soar toward Rudolph.
At first, it feels as if I fall... a fall from grace, I think. Yet, a whirl of stars surround me and I’m floating. I stretch as if I really am flying, and the stars spiral faster.
Rudolph nears me, such a splendid reindeer creature, it’s difficult to know he’s real. With a wink of one big beautiful brown eye, he offers me his back.
Hop on. We’ll celebrate the new arrival of light.
Joy lives as an incredible force inside me. I alight on his warm, thickly furred back.
You don’t mean merely the lengthening of daylight, do you?
The love and caring of this time, this time of celebration All that is Good, now lives in the world all year round as a New Light.
~~~~~~

ANGELIC FORECAST ~ December 20, 2010

This is the week of the HEART. A time for every expression of the human heart. Give your sweetest and most caring heart to those who share your life, to those who care about you the most.

While universal love is a force for GOOD, now is the time to wrap your heart around those closest to you. Demonstrate your love to them. Whoever is the most beloved of your heart, begin there. Then spread the glorious wings of your soul and soar, bringing love to family and friends, to those in your community as you are able, and divinely inspired.

This week love begins at home, the home of your heart. Let your heart-light shine in this manner and LOVE will embrace our beloved world in the most powerful way possible.

Also, for the following two weeks TRUTH will have its way on the world stage, and in your individual life, as never before.

And watch out! Explosions, good and bad, will rule. This can be an explosion of temper, a demand for justice, or a physical attack. As before it is for you to discern the good from the bad. Remember, every manner of trickery will used to confuse you, and obscure the truth.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~
Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down?

~~~ IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list ~

Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, BookStrand author of FLAVIA’S SECRET, A SECRET TREASURE, BLUE GOLD, BRONZE LIGHTNING, SILK AND STEEL, HOLIDAY IN BOLOGNA and CHASING RACHEL ~

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from Siren-BookStrand ~
~~~

~ HAVE MAGICKAL HOLIDAY SEASON ~

~ MAY YOUR BRIGHTEST, MOST ROMANTIC READING DREAMS COME TRUE ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas Contest with Rita Sawyer

Having a contest over on my blog stop in and check it out. Prizes!!!!
http://ritasawyer.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Fire Pages Reviews Loves Luminous Nights!


My Sci-Fi Romantic Adventure Luminous Nights is racking up fantastic reviews!

Here's the newest review from Fire Pages Reviews!

     Luminous Nights is a wickedly amazing intergalactic romance...The drama begins when Rachel unknowingly picks up Jack, a prisoner, after a prison riot on her Caprice ship. Jack is on a mission - expose the evil betrayer in the Draco Alliance. With Jack's strong will and intense focus on completing his mission, it seems that Rachel has no choice but to go along for the ride.

     Michele created a phenomenal world, fantastic characters, an intriguing plot, and a highly anticipated romance that will never let you see chocolate the same way again. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Luminous Nights. It's a delightful read worth every page. And the plots twists are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Reviewed by Zee

The Top 5 Things Fire Pages Loved about Luminous Nights

(1) Jack's Crazy Attitude! Call me looney but I loved Jack's murderous spirit. He is so intent on exposing the truth that he will kill anyone that gets in his way. That definitely added to the suspense of the plot and drove the story forward.

(2) Jet is Awesome! My favorite character hands down has to be Jet, Rachel's genetically enhanced dog. He is Rachel's Chief of Security and doesn't think anything of Jack. I am a huge sucker for dogs and reading about Jet made me smile every time.

(3) Jack's Digital Mask. What would you do if you had a digital mask that could change your identity? Oh, the possibilities. Well Jack has one of these super cool masks and definitely knows how to use it. Rachel suspects that there is something not right when she first meets Jack, but it isn't very long before the mask will come off between them.

(4) Rachel the Heroine. Rachel's character and personality is so relatable. While it is obvious that Jack is the aggressor between the two, Rachel does stand up for those who are weaker and I found that very admirable. Rachel has some fantastic heroic moments in Luminous Nights, and I really enjoyed reading about her.

(5) Luminous Nights is a Balanced Novel! My absolute favorite thing about Luminous Nights is that the story is balanced. There are equal parts of action, adventure, drama, intrigue, dialogue, and romance. This made the plot flow seamlessly. I found this book incredibly easy to read.
 
Interested in seeing more?
Luminous Nights
 by Michele Hart
Buy Link: http://www.BookStrand.com/luminous-nights
ISBN#: e-book 1-60601-884-1 * Print 1-60601-885-X
Available @ BookStrand Publishing, Amazon Books, Barnes & Noble, nearly everywhere!


Read the First Chapter of Luminous Nights:
http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/2010/08/luminous-nights-by-michele-hart.html

Read steamy, peril-packed excerpts, check out awesome reviews, watch a kick-ass book trailer:
http://www.michelehart.com/b15-book.htm

Read and live an adventure.
Have an action-packed day,

Michele Hart
Sci-Fi Romance Author
~ Walk Another World ~ http://www.ILoveShapeShifters.com/
Siren-BookStrand * MIND-BLOWN * LUMINOUS NIGHTS * VIGILANT - coming soon!
Siren-BookStrand * LOOKS ARE DECEIVING - 2010 Readers Favorite Bronze Award winner

New Release - In Debt to the Dom

My latest book is released today:

IN DEBT TO THE DOM

It is part of my Guilty Pleasures series.

Here's the blurb:

At twenty-eight, Maddie James has risen through the ranks of investment bank Goldstein Rivers to achieve great success. All of that changes when she receives a demand for half a million dollars for the safe return of her sister. Torn between her allegiance to her job and the demands of the kidnappers, she secretly wires the money, hoping to replace it with the sale of her house.
When thirty-six-year-old wealthy businessman Keaton Rivers discovers the money is missing from his company, he suspects Maddie. Will he throw her to the wolves or find another way for her to repay the debt?
As a Dom, Keaton knows Maddie would make the perfect submissive. From the very first moment he laid eyes on her, he’d wanted her. Only this time it will be on his terms...
To save her career, will Maddie make a deal with the Dom?
If you would like to purchase visit Bookstrand HERE
Read an excerpt:
“What are you going to do?”
“What would you do?”
She hung her head in shame. “Call the cops.”
He picked up the phone. “Good idea. Now we’re thinking in tandem.” His anger, now exasperated by her lack of an explanation, spurred him into action, and he began dialing.
“Please don’t.”
“Pardon?”
“Please don’t, Keaton. I’ll do anything.”
Her pleading made him disconnect the call. Her submissive tone brought something in him to the surface. Something he had kept locked and hidden away for years.
He stared at her. “Anything? Do you have any idea what anything means?”
“Yes.” Her hands clasped tightly together. “I have a buyer for the house. In just over a month, the sale will go through. I can pay you back then.”
“So, in the meantime, you’ll do anything to keep me from turning you in?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what that makes you, Maddie?”
“Yes.”
He stood and walked around his desk. At six foot three, he towered over her small petite figure. She couldn’t be more than five-four. Standing in front of her, he looked down into her trembling features. With a finger under her chin, he angled her face.
“Look at me.”
Her gaze rose to his, and he saw the frightened girl in her eyes. Physical desire spun its way into his body as her pale green irises connected with his. He wanted to dominate and make her compliant to his will. He wanted to seek some sort of satisfaction for her abuse of his trust. He wanted to bury his hands in her hair and love her the way he’d wanted to since the first time he’d seen her.
“I thought you had principles?” He mocked.
“They won’t do me any good now.”
“No, they won’t.”
“I can make up for last week when I was so despicable. I can be whatever you want, whatever you desire.”
“Is that so? Careful, Maddie, because my desires might not be the same as yours.”
“Oh, I think we’re on the same level when it comes to sex.”
He shook his head, and laughed out loud. “You have no idea, do you? Vanilla sex is okay for the right occasion, but I prefer something a little more exciting.”
Digesting what he’d just said, she stared directly at him. A faint blush tinged her pale cheeks. “You wanted me once. You can still have me.” She paused briefly. “However you desire.”
“You put a high price on…” he let his eyes sweep over her before continuing, “your services. Do you really think you’re worth half a million dollars?”
He saw her wince. She was fighting for her survival, and he knew it, yet he couldn’t—wouldn’t—back down. He wanted his pound of flesh. Maddie had broken his trust.
“Until my house sale goes through, I haven’t anything else to offer.”
He stared at her. At that moment, he felt it was possible to crave and despise in equal measure. She aroused a primitive need in him. He thought of the money she’d stolen, and his heart hardened. Either way, she would pay back everything she owed him.
“Depending on how you view things, you may have just made a deal with the devil, Maddie.”
To Buy - Visit Bookstrand HERE

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wednesday's Words for December 15, 2010


Many moons ago, my beloved and I were unrepentant coffee drinkers.

Perhaps “drinkers” is the wrong noun. I’m a writer, I should be able to come up with the noun that fits. Let’s see, we could try, imbibers, consumers, no, no, I have it: guzzlers!

Yes, we were both guzzlers, and when I think about the amount of coffee we ingested each day it makes me shudder now. It was enough that a large container of coffee (975 grams or 2.15 pounds) would last us a week and a bit. Scary, huh?

Those days are long gone, for both of us. I, of course, have to watch my caffeine intake as I do have a heart condition. My beloved says he doesn’t drink what he used to because he no longer smokes, and that could likely be true. Coffee and a cigarette used to go together like a hand in a glove, at least for me it did. Yes, I too am a former smoker. When I quit (eight years ago on December 2nd) I smoked two packs a day. My beloved did as well, and he had been a smoker for 40 years. He quit the same time I did.

So, here we are, non-smokers, reformed coffee guzzlers. We do, however, still drink the beverage. We each of us average two cups a day. Generally, if I want more, I drink decaffeinated.

During my visit to Indiana this past September, I had coffee differently than I’d ever had it before. My hostess had a one-cup coffee machine, with all sorts of little plastic “coffee cups” you could choose from to insert into the machine. Heck, there were even some teas available too. I was doubtful at first. Just ask my closest friends, I am a purist when it comes to my coffee. No flavor shots; no flavoured blends or creamers. Despite the best efforts of some very beautiful and talented fellow authors, Morgan refuses to go over to the dark side. But I also needed my morning coffee, so I tried it.

Oh. My. Goodness!

When I came home, I discovered this very same machine was on sale at a location near me. Yes, I went right out and bought it.

My beloved, bless him, only raised one eyebrow. He said nothing, and when invited to, finally chose one of the sample coffees that had come with the machine. He picked a “bold” blend of coffee.

He said, “Oh. My. Goodness!”

Yep. Instant new addiction. Though we still limit ourselves to our two cups a day, each cup is fresh, and wonderful. It didn’t matter that I had to order my coffee from Quebec. It didn’t matter that the coffee is more expensive than buying a regular “975” gram container (although I did get an adapter for the machine so I can use my own coffee in it, I haven’t done so yet). All that mattered is that this coffee was good; and if you’re only going to have a couple of cups of it a day, you might as well have what’s very, very good.

And this trend, in this area, is taking off. Forget about the claim that our consumption of bottled water is going to bury the planet in non-biodegradable plastic bottles. It’ll be the empty little coffee cups that will drown us.

In the mean time, a friend of mine has one of these machines too. And when I visited last week, he told me of a retail store just a few minutes from his house, where I could get an amazing selection of these coffees and teas.

My beloved and I went there last Thursday evening. Yes, the exact same coffee I was ordering on line is right there, not close, but certainly close enough—and with a larger selection, too.

I believe that in time, I will earn my very own designated parking spot in front of that store.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kris Cook - SECRET CRAVINGS - out tomorrow

Hi All -

Letting you know that I am blogging at Bitten by Books on Wednesday. http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=34198

If you post a comment, you have a chance to win.

This is all in celebration of my latest release at Siren - tomorrow:


SECRET CRAVINGS: Texas Wolf Pack

Dream Big! Dream Huge!

Kris

Monday, December 13, 2010

CONTEST! Find the Sci-Fi super weapon & Enter to Win a FREE e-book copy of Luminous Nights, a steamy Sci-Fi Romantic Adventure

Good day, readers!

Feel like a contest? At the end of the day Tuesday, I’m going to draw a lucky winner for a free e-book copy of my steamy new release, Luminous Nights, a Sci-Fi Romantic Adventure brought to you by BookStrand Publishing.

Want your name in the pot for love in the stars, deadly risk on an uncharted planet, adventures with alien chocolate seduction? Prison breaks? Doomsday devices? A dead-sexy and dangerous hero with naughty tricks up his sleeve and nearly superhuman talents?
Don’t turn your back on Jack…

Let me help you get in the mood...


Find Jack’s favorite weapon!
Follow this link:
Find: “The Very Brief Story of the Gun”
(Psst! The link’s located under the gun! Or click the gun!)

Then  read the very small paragraph, click the link to enter the contest, and tell me where I bought Jack’s super high-tech, demon-frying, villain-zapping, laser-blasting gun.  No mailing list, no secret battle plan for your e-mail address.
Good luck on the drawing!

While you’re there, read hot, peril-packed excerpts, check out the 5-star reviews, watch a kick-ass book trailer. Happily Ever After Reviews gave Luminous Nights a 5 out of 5 Teacups + a Recommended Read!

Read and live an adventure,

Michele Hart
Sci-Fi Romance Author
~ Walk Another World ~ http://www.ILoveShapeShifters.com/
Siren-BookStrand * MIND-BLOWN * LUMINOUS NIGHTS * VIGILANT - coming soon!
Siren-BookStrand * LOOKS ARE DECEIVING - 2010 Readers Favorite Bronze Award winner
The Wild Rose Press * NO FUNNY STUFF! - 2008 LASR's Best Novella Nominee
All Romance e-Books * ZERO-G * 28 Days of Heart

Angelic Forecast ~ #119



Winter Solstice 2010 Forecast by Volcano

During the two weeks on either side of Winter Solstice 2010, you may hear the singing of angels. For, the sound of joy will be heard, as never before upon our beloved Earth.

At this time, the angelic realm is raising their golden and silvery voices in concert with the higher vibrations now bathing our world. Their songs of love will elate the soul. Their healing tones will enliven and restore the body.

Divine radiance will surround All of us in a profound new way. Notice, and rejoice. For, that is the sacred gift from the angelic realm during this holiday season.

Everyone of us who celebrates the holidays with music and song, either by listening or singing, will heighten this heavenly gift to a sweeter and greater resplendence. One that will encircle the globe with pure and everlasting love.
~~~~~~

ANGELIC FORECAST ~

For the coming week it is advisable that you hold onto anything that is strong enough to hold you. This can be compared to sailors who tied themselves to the main mast of a storm-tossed ship. Hold onto those who are most beloved by you. Hold onto family, friends, and your community. Let them hold onto you. And know, love will be your anchor.

For the following several weeks, during this festive season, the winds of change will be whipping across the world non-stop. These winds will be violent, unrelenting and stunning in their speed and strength.

During this sacred season, celebrate what is worthy of being celebrated. Let go of the ‘excess’ material stuff. And, do not bother with what you could care less about. Now, is the time to celebrate what is in your heart. For, it is the time of the heart and its fullest expression.

This holiday season give the gift of who you truly are. Your light. Your soul. Your precious individuality. That is what we all need from each other. We need the blazing beautiful light of each other to stay safe and warm, and have the most happy holidays.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~
Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down?

~~~ IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list ~

Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, BookStrand author of FLAVIA’S SECRET, A SECRET TREASURE, BLUE GOLD, BRONZE LIGHTNING, SILK AND STEEL, HOLIDAY IN BOLOGNA and CHASING RACHEL ~

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from Siren-BookStrand
~~~

~ HAVE MAGICKAL HOLIDAY SEASON ~

~ MAY YOUR BRIGHTEST, MOST ROMANTIC READING DREAMS COME TRUE ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Delilah's Downfall up for BOOK OF THE WEEK

Hey, everyone! I am proud to announce that my second Texas Temptations book is up for Book of the Week at Long and Short Reviews! Check out some of the great things Canterbury Bell said about it:

Delilah is a complicated woman. She has grown up under the black cloud of a reckless mother and very overprotective brothers. Although all the Bartlett brothers have a similar desire, they are all so different in personality and manner that it makes this exciting to read. They are opposite in many way but complement each other in their dedication to their ranch and their desire for one woman to love all of them. They are the ultimate cowboys, physically and the ultimate men emotionally. The story carries their mutual attraction so smoothly and resists what could be cliché.

She said even more great things so check it out! And, be sure to give me a vote if you like the review!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

New Release: COWBOY DOMINATION by Stacey Espino


Ready for a COWBOY DOMINATION x3? 

NOW AVAILABLE!



Word Count: 47,761

Heat Level: SEXTREME
This new release is offered at a 10% discount for four weeks.


[Ménage Amour: Erotic Cowboy Ménage a Quatre Romance, M/F/M/M, bondage, sex toys, public exhibition]

Callie will do anything to save her grandfather’s farm. She’s even ready to offer her body to one of the wealthy Black brothers in exchange for peace of mind. What she doesn’t expect is how much she loves being dominated by the kinky trio. But can she trust the known playboys with her heart?

Colton and his brothers can’t get enough of the feisty blonde cowgirl with the wicked tongue and killer curves. They love playing their naughty games with Callie but never want the fun to end. Before they can convince her that she belongs to them, they’ll have to prove their intentions are honorable.




Wednesday, December 8, 2010

ALPHA BORN - Available Today!

ALPHA BORN

True Blood Mate 2

M/M/M, Paranormal, Werewolf, Vampire Erotic Romance

By Stormy Glenn

This new release is offered at a 15% discount for four weeks.


Alpha Caleb Redding has spent 20 years trying to bring his first love back into his life. When he finally devises a plan, the Council of Elders agrees to it, but they add their own stipulations. In order for the mate covenant to happen, Caleb has to agree to give up his clan and alpha status, submitting to Grayson.

Alpha Grayson Cane has watched Caleb from afar, never able to touch him or speak to him due to clan conflict. It's been a heartache that has stabbed at him for 20 years. When a peace treaty comes in the form of a mate covenant between their two clans, Grayson is all too eager to agree, especially when he learns that Caleb must submit to him.

But when the vampire mediator sent to broker the peace agreement disappears, will their second chance at being together also vanish? And what happens when Grayson accidentally mates the vampire while trying to save his life? Will Caleb have to give up his clan, his alpha status, and his dream of being with Grayson? Or will being alpha born have its advantages?

http://www.bookstrand.com/alpha-born

Wednesday's Words for December 8, 2010


Have you ever noticed that despite the fact that Christmas has always been on December 25th, it sneaks up on us every year?

At least it always seems to sneak up on me. Here we are, just 16 more days to go and once again, I am nowhere near ready.

I think one of my major problems is denial. I always think I have more time than I actually do. Logically, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to begin my preparations weeks or even months earlier. But once the holiday is off my radar, there’s a part of me that denies it even exists, until just a few weeks before it comes again.

At least the gift shopping part has ceased to be a hassle. We get gift cards for everyone, and yes, that is the lazy way out, but it really does let people get the one thing that they didn’t find under the tree. It’s especially handy for teenagers, who are always changing their minds as to what they want.

The next item on the list, after gifts, is the tree. Do you remember last year’s “Christmas Yucca”? If you recall, we had absolutely no room to put our tree up last Christmas because the Yucca was too big to move successfully to the office (as we had done in the past, putting the Christmas tree up in its place). So last year we threw some garland on the Yucca and called it done.

This year, of course, we had a bit more room in the living room, since we’d replaced the loveseat with three bookcases. Unfortunately, this past May, when we rented a dumpster and the girls cleaned out the upstairs in preparation for turning it into a temporary living space (again), my daughter thought that the tree in the box was her old tree and so she tossed it into the bin. What she actually threw out was our new tree that we had enjoyed only once.

My beloved says it was likely just as well, as that tree would not have really fit in the one space we have available for it—in front of the ‘corner’ made by the bookcases. So we bought another one—this also an artificial one since our daughter has recently developed an allergy to the real thing.

This “new tree” is only five feet tall, and only thirty-six inches around at the bottom. I stand five foot one. Yup, it’s little. But it fits and the grandchildren who are 10 and 8 were able to decorate it all by themselves and could even place the star on top without the aid of a ladder.

They were both very proud of the excellent job they did, and so were we.

There’s only really one item left on my list of preparations, and that’s the baking. I used to do a lot of it, back in the day. I haven’t baked a great deal lately because I hate tossing food away. My beloved still has his sweet tooth but it’s not as hungry as once it was. The days of his filching an entire cherry cheesecake out of the fridge for a midnight snack are behind us (thank goodness).

But as I did this summer, when for the first time in years I made pickles, this year I want to bake.

Last Christmas, my two younger grandchildren and I had an evening, where we made sugar cookies—primarily, I must confess, so that we could spend the time together and so they could have the fun of decorating them.

This year, I think it will just be my granddaughter and I in the kitchen. I want to make some of my traditional have-on-hands for the holidays: thumbprint cookies and shortbread. But we’ll try a couple of new recipes, too. I know we’ll have fun not just in the making but in keeping the grandfather of the house from snatching finger dips of batter as he so loves to do.

In other words, we’ll have fun making memories.

Love,
Morgan
www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Award-Winning Romances Discounted!!

If you enjoyed the free download of All the Right Reasons, you might want to check out the rest of the Damaged Heroes series or the romantic comedy Turning Thirty-Twelve! All are discounted for Christmas and New Year!!
*hugs*
Sandy

Award-Winning Romance

MurphyMurphy's Law
$5.99 $2.99 - Sandy James (Published by: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.)
Formats: pdf - epub - html - lit - prc

[BookStrand Contemporary Romance] Seth Remington had a fortune at his fingertips, but something was missing in his life. Purpose. Knowing he has one last chance to redeem his son, terminally ill Sterling Remington rewrites his will. To earn his inheritance, his son Seth must labor as a groom for a horse trainer. Katie Murphy's orderly existen MORE...
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15 Ratings
Avg - 4.9
5
4
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Free FallingFree Falling
$5.99 $2.99 - Sandy James (Published by: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.)
Formats: pdf - lit - html - epub - prc

[BookStrand Contemporary Romantic Suspense] Workaholic Ross Kennedy never learned to enjoy life until he meets the woman of his dreams. If only Laurie Miller can convince him that's exactly who she is.A psychologist with empathic abilities, Laurie rescues Ross, who has been stranded in the middle of a Montana blizzard. The two strangers are comp MORE...
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10 Ratings
Avg - 4.7
5
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Turning Thirty-TwelveTurning Thirty-Twelve
$5.99 $2.99 - Sandy James (Published by: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.)
Formats: pdf - lit - html - epub - prc

[BookStrand Contemporary Romance] Jackie Delgado didn't want a new man in her life until a dreaded blind date turns out to be more exciting than she'd ever imagined. When her youngest son leaves for college, Jackie is hit hard by empty nest syndrome and pours herself into her work as a teacher. Bowing to pressure from friends, Jackie agrees MORE...
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20 Ratings
Avg - 4.8
5
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Faith of the HeartFaith of the Heart
$5.99 $2.99 - Sandy James (Published by: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.)
Formats: pdf - lit - html - epub - prc

[BookStrand Contemporary Romance] Investigative reporter Joshua Miller has turned his back on life. Since cancer claimed his wife, he can't bring himself to write another story. Then he hears about a fascinating woman who piques his curiosity.After being struck by lightning, Sarah Reid finds herself with a gift... and a curse. She can heal the s MORE...
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10 Ratings
Avg - 4.6
5
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