EXCERPT
The two men looked over at Jesse who was leading his own horse into the stable, anger etched in every muscle of his face. Joe nodded toward the chuck house and they followed the others in to leave Alex alone when Jesse came out.

She was starting back to the main house when Jesse grabbed her arm and turned her around. “You ever do that again,” he said in a voice she had never heard, intense in its anger, rage just below its surface, “I swear to God, Alex, I’ll...I’ll take you over my knee and give you a lickin’ once and for all.”

“How dare you!” She shook him off. “How dare you talk to me like that! How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are?”

Jesse jabbed his finger at her to emphasize he meant what he was saying. “Who do I think I am?” he snarled back. “Who do I think I am? You ever, ever take a gun off me again and point it at someone, you’ll find out who the hell I think I am. You
know that coulda gone off? You know you coulda killed someone? I told you—out there yonder—I told you, you never point that thing at anyone less’n you mean bus’ness.”

“I did bloody well mean business! They were destroying that horse. Furthermore, I knew, and you knew, and they both knew, there wasn’t a shot under the hammer. You taught me that, didn’t you? So there was no chance of an accident!”

“That don’t matter none. You coulda pulled the hammer back twice. Way you was, you were nothin’ better’n a loose cannon, Alex. You ever do a thing like that again—”

“You’ll what?” She shook with her rage as tears pooled against her will. “I apologized to them both and they accepted my apologies. It’s none of your concern—”

“None of my concern! You pulled my gun! You ever do that again— Don’t you walk away when I’m talkin’ to you!”

She turned back to him after a few steps. “You’ll what? You’ll what, Jesse? What will you do? I want to hear it! Say it again. What will you do?” And she stood there in the evening darkness, facing him down, wearing him out like she’d faced
down the stallion.


 

Andrea Downing likes to say that when she decided to do a Masters Degree, she made the mistake of turning left out of New York, where she was born,  instead
of right to the west, and ended up in the UK.   She eventually married there,
raising a beautiful daughter and staying for longer than she cares to admit.  Teaching, editing a poetry magazine, writing travel articles, and a short stint in Nigeria filled those  years until in 2008 she returned to NYC. She now divides her time between the city and the shore, and often trades the canyons of New York for the wide open spaces of Wyoming.  Family vacations are often out west and, to date, she and her daughter have been to some 20 ranches throughout the west. 
Loveland, her first book, was a finalist for Best American Historical at the 2013 RONE Awards.  Lawless Love, a short story, part of The Wild Rose Press ‘Lawmen and Outlaws’ series, was a finalist for Best Historical Novella at the RONE Awards.   Dearest Darling, a novella, is part of The Wild Rose Press Love Letters series, and comes out Oct. 8th and Dances of the Heart,
another full length novel, comes out in the next few months.

Andrea's Website

Empath Katrina Shepard spends most of her time alone, preferring solitude to the constant press of the pain and emotion of others.  When she meets publishing tycoon Kassian McAllister at a party she finds herself intrigued.  He is the first man she can't read.  Maybe she isn't the only one with strange psychic powers.  

An Earthbound Angel, Kassian has spent the better part of a century hunting Jack the Ripper.  His personal quest for vengeance has locked his heart and emotions behind tightly guarded door.  But Kat reawakens the emotions he thought long dead.  As they grow closer they both learn truths about themselves and see a chance for love.  
 
But Jack the Ripper still roams the Earth and Kat has become the ideal target.  Will Kassian finally have his revenge or will he lose yet another woman he loves? 

Buy Links:
Amazon    Barnes and Noble    The Wild Rose Press
 

EXCERPT:

“Look, I’ll make a deal with you.” He knew they were attracting more attention than he’d intended, but Kassian found it inordinately refreshing to have a woman up in his face instead of falling at his feet. “You stop trying to get into my head and I’ll stop trying to get into yours and we’ll just agree to have a nice, normal conversation.”

“Why?” She regarded him with narrowed eyes.

“Why? What do you mean, why?” Had she looked in a mirror recently? Why would she think he was any different than the next poor schmuck? Not to mention the telepathy thing and the fact that she’d actually tried to read him; that would have guaranteed his interest even if she looked like Janet Reno. She was obviously uncomfortable with her abilities. He found himself not only moderately entertained, but unwillingly curious.

“I mean, why would you want to have a nice, normal conversation with me? There are plenty of people here tripping all over themselves to get your attention. You don’t even know me. I’m sorry if I’m being rude, but honestly, I was getting ready to leave when you came over. Did you want something?”

His eyes did a quick once-over, missing nothing. Hell, yeah, he wanted something, but he knew instinctively that she wasn’t the anonymous-quickie-in-a-bathroom-stall type. He could have any woman in the room. That wasn’t conceit talking, it was just a fact, a fact about as impressive to
him as dry toast. And the only woman in the room he found remotely interesting was wishing she was anywhere but here with him. She wasn’t flirting or making any effort to impress him. He suspected she would be more relieved than disappointed if he walked away right now. It was a completely new experience for him. And given his extensive experience that was saying something. She rubbed
her forehead as though she was in pain. He wondered if trying to hold her shields securely while engaging in verbal repartee with him in a crowd was causing her discomfort. Maybe he should tell her to relax? She really wasn’t blocking him very well anyway.

“Why were you leaving? Do you have to be somewhere?”

He surreptitiously glanced at her left hand. Katrina Shephard had piqued more than his physical interest, although she certainly was no slouch in that area. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had done that. He wasn’t quite ready to relinquish her company to whoever might be waiting for her at home. After all, they were simply conversing in a public place; it should be harmless enough.

“No,” she replied levelly, “and please don’t take it personally, I don’t really care for crowds. I only came for Elle’s sake, and only planned to stay for a short time.”

Kat rubbed her forehead again. He hadn’t intended to make her uncomfortable; well, not physically at any rate. He was about to withdraw when he hesitated. Her mind suddenly descended into turmoil, her thoughts becoming increasingly scattered and disjointed. He realized it was more than trading
banter with him, more than the crowd.

Something was wrong.

Welcome Ash Krafton, a writer of all things spec fic. She believes spectacular endings make the best beginnings...

WOLF’S BANE (Demimonde #3)
Genre: urban fantasy
Paperback: 370 pages
Publisher: Pink Narcissus Press
Date: June 15, 2014


The first book in the series, BLEEDING HEARTS is also available for 1.99! Why not start at the beginning?

Blurb:

When life gives you lemons, all you can do is try to avoid paper cuts. 

Since becoming oracle to the demivampire two years ago, advice columnist Sophie has battled werewolves and survived a vampire attack (or two). However, not only was she powerless to save her lover Marek when he slipped to the brink of evolution, she also witnessed his transformation into a falcon, the symbol of Horus United. 
Sophie’s quest to save Marek is further complicated when rock star Dierk Adeluf – who also happens to be the king of the Werekind – invites her backstage after a concert. Just when it seems she will find respite from heartache, Sophie is bitten by a werewolf and Dierk decides she is destined to be his queen. 
Sophie is caught between the demivamps she loves and the Were who commands her to love him. Throw in his
jealous wanna-be girlfriend and an ambush by witches, and there you have the big mess that Sophie calls her life. And, hello? Her soul mate is still a bird.
She’s supposed to be the girl with all the answers, but Sophie needs more than a little advice--she needs divine intervention.

Excerpt:
      “What are you doing?” Dierk sniffed at the air around me, frowning. “You are human, yet you command these demivampire. You wear their power. Are you a succubus?”
     "A what?” I knew what a succubus was. At least, Syfy's version. If that's what he meant, I had better be hearing wrong or I was going to club him, superstar or not.
     His lip curled. Apparently, that’s exactly what he meant.
     “A vampire whore.”
     A condemnation if I ever heard one. I’d known vampire whores and being placed in the same category as Donna made me want to spit.
     “Is that what you think I am?”
     He shrugged, seeming very comfortable with hurling insults. “Perhaps.”      
      “How dare you!” I raised my hand, intending to slap off his smug expression.He grabbed my hand before I could strike and held it firmly. Although it didn't hurt, I still didn't like it. I twisted, trying to pull out of his grasp.
     “I do not mean to insult you,” he said. “But I am Wolf. This is our world. Don't blame me because my brethren are not overly fond of your demivampire pets.”
     “Look. Let's just agree to disagree. Okay?” I struggled to yank my hand loose. His half-smile made me furious. “You don't like my friends. I don't like yours. Let's just say so long and good night and let me go.”
     “I cannot.” He lowered our hands to his chest and I could feel his heart beating. “There is still the matter of the Leni.”
     “Which is?” His tone made me wary. I was suspicious of foreign words and foreign traditions. I was
still trying to figure out the DV, for crying out loud, even with the Sophia giving me an inside track.
     “The Leni is a ritual of destiny. The sensation you experience when we are separated is the sign of the soul-bond. The Leni
will determine if it is a true bond.”
     "A true bond meaning...?”
    “It's a mating ritual, you stupid human. Honestly, Dierk, this one? She isn't worthy of ein König!” I didn't have to see the owner of the ugly voice to know it was my new BFF. “She is an insult to Wölfe. An insult to our Leni. She makes mockery of legend.”
     Not that I wanted to agree with the mean bitch, but still. “Dierk, I didn't come back here for a mating ritual.”
     “Can you deny what you felt when you walked away from me?” His tone was not bossy. It was tender, soft and gravelly. “I know what I felt.”
     “Dierk, you must be mistaken,” Cacilia insisted.
     “Cassy.” Dierk's voice raised in dark warning. “Now is not the time.”
     “It's never the time,” she said, her words running together in a growl. “I will not abide this.” Pushing aside the people who stood in her way, she stomped out.
     “Look, Dierk,” I said. There was something big going on with that woman. I more than suspected the entire drink-down-the-back thing was in retaliation for Dierk speaking to me at the bar. “I don't want to cause problems with your girlfriend.”
He glanced in the direction she had gone.
     “Cacilia is not my girlfriend.”
     “Neither am I.”
     “True.” His half-smile deepened and took on genuine expression. “But you may turn out to be so much more.”
     “Do I have any choice?”
     “Destiny is not a choice, my dear. Ugh. Dear?
     “This isn't my destiny. I've already got one.”
     “We will see.” He half-turned and called out: “Clear the room.”
     Immediately, several large men, some of whom I recognized as the lovely gentlemen who’d asked me about a missing wallet, began ushering people toward the doors. Murmurs of disappointment trailed in their wake. Several DV spikes, questioning,
suspicious. IT was the DV that were being shown out. The people I’d identified as humans, too, I noticed. Alarmed by this, I hesitantly peeked my power out.
     Only Were remained in the room, and me. The sudden vacuum made me suck in a hard breath. When the doors closed with a boom, Dierk turned his attention back to me. Gently, he raised my captive hand to his mouth and I felt the scrape of new beard mingling with the softness of his lips. It was a very courtly gesture and I didn't appreciate it one damn bit.
     “Destiny…” His voice carried to the corners of the room. The gathered people and wolves held collective breaths, me
included. “Determines the path of the stars and the cycle of the moon. We can deviate from our destinies no easier than the moon or the stars can from theirs. I, Dierk Adeluf, son of Schatten, der König von Wölfenkinder, invoke the Leni to determine if it is destiny that our soul-bond become life-bond.”
     Life bond? My eyes must have bulged with the disbelief I struggled to contain. Oh no, he doesn't --
     Before I could protest, he thrust our hands out and down to our sides. A wolf bit into my hand. The attack was silent. The pain was splintering. The stars and their destinies exploded behind my eyes. I rocked on my feet. Heat traveled up my arm, filling my head and squeezing out my breath. My knees buckled once,  twice. I tumbled forward into Dierk’s open arms. He’d been waiting for me to fall and he caught me, gently sinking to his knees with me, cradling me to his chest.
     As the room and the light and the sound faded into the haze of heat and pain, the last thing I saw was Dierk's face and his damnable half-smile.

                                                                             Amazon         Barnes and Noble

Ash Krafton is a writer of all things spec fic. She believes spectacular endings
make the best beginnings... Why not? One billion black holes can't be wrong. 
 
Her urban fantasy series The Books of the Demimonde is available through Pink
Narcissus Press (http://pinknarc.com). It includes the titles BLEEDING HEARTS, BLOOD RUSH, and the upcoming WOLF'S BANE, expected June 2014. 
Her urban fantasy novelette STRANGER AT THE HELL GATE is with the Black Rose line of The Wild Rose Press (http://www.wildrosepublishing.com). WORDS THAT BIND is her first full-length paranormal romance and will be available through TWRP Faery Rose line. 
In addition to novel-length fiction, Ash enjoys writing poetry and short fiction,
some of which earned awards and distinction in several national competitions.
One of her poems was selected as a Pushcart prize nominee. She's a member of
Pennwriters, RWA, Pikes Peak Writers, SFPA, and the Maryland Writers
Association. She also contributes to Query Tracker's blog at http://querytracker.blogspot.com. 
 

Ash resides with her family in a rural town in the heart of the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region. She'll never leave, either, because coal is just another example of a spectacular ending waiting for a brilliant beginning. (It's kinda fitting.) 
And because, like a black  hole, once you're in... ...you can never get out. 
                                                                    Website Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads

                                        Want an autograph for your ebook? Just CLICK HERE to go to Authorgraph!

The always amazing SARA HUMPHREYS not only has an upcoming release, but she's hosting an awesome pre-order giveaway to go along with it! Check it out below!
VAMPIRE TROUBLE….

 A fledgling vampire ignites a war...
Maya remembers the last moments of her life as a human with haunting clarity, and every man she meets pays the price...until Shane. Finding herself in the middle f a bloody fight between vampires and werewolves, Maya has no choice but to let the devastatingly sexy vampire guard get close to her.
And that's not all that heats up...
Shane Quesada, a four-century-old vampire sentry, is known for his cold, unemotional precision, but once Maya begins to invade his dreams, his world is changed forever. His job to protect her is swiftly replaced by the all-consuming need  to claim her as his own.


 
 



Praise for Tall, Dark, and Vampire (Dead in the City #1):
"Shines with fascinating new characters... from the very talented Humphreys!" --RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick of
  the Month

"Laughter  action and a steamy love story." --Long and Short Reviews

"Riveting, outstandingly written... A must read for all vampire lovers." --Bitten by Love Reviews

"Engaging...Humphreys skillfully blends intrigue and romance." --Publishers Weekly

Vampire Trouble Special Pre-Order Gift!
Send proof of your pre-order of Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys (PUBLICATION DATE: July 1 2014) and Sourcebooks will send you a special Dead in the City bookmark and an “I <3 #NYCVamps” button!
Sourcebooks will send these gifts to anyone who shows them their pre-order receipt until June 30th, or supplies run out. Just email your receipt to
casablanca@sourcebooks.com.


 

Additionally, everyone who sends us their proof of pre-order
will also be entered in a random drawing to win a necklace just like the emerald one Maya wears in Vampire Trouble. These necklaces will be given away as the preorders hit the 250, 750, and 1,000 preorder mark!

And if preorders hit the 2,000 mark, then one lucky entrant will receive
a $250 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Be sure to follow Sara Humphreys on Facebook, Twitter, and her Website for
more details leading up to the release of Vampire Trouble, including more exclusives, and MUCH MORE of her fabulous paranormal romances!

The winners of the jewelry will be announced on Sara Humphreys Facebook page and website as each threshold is reached!
So spread the word about #NYCVamps!

Pre-Order your copy today! (Links below)
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/o4ougyf
Apple iBooks: http://tinyurl.com/qxoyjqz
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/oknxgfg
Book Depository: http://tinyurl.com/qxa7mqn
Indigo Books: http://tinyurl.com/qhlozdr

Title: Unforgiven 
Author: Cat Miller
Series: The Forbidden Bond Series (Book 2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Vampires
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: May 27 2014
Edition/Formats: Available In: Audio Book, eBook, Print

 Things are about to heat up…
Brandi Vaughn wishes she could stand out. She’d do anything to get out from behind the shadow of her socialite family—which now includes Dani, her half-sister, recently discovered to be the most powerful vampire known to their
kind. But Brandi is more extraordinary than anyone realizes. The fiery young vamp has a secret elemental power—an inner flame that she must keep under control so as not to reveal herself to the dangerous rogue vampire targeting exceptional talents like hers. But when two desperate followers of the Rogue attempt to kidnap Dani during her wedding ceremony, Brandi lets loose with a pyrotechnic display that doesn’t go unnoticed…
As the vampire nation comes face-to-face with the threat of the Shade army, Brandi is caught in an emotional tug of war between the light and the dark. Torn between the affections of lovers from both factions, she will need to choose who
to trust with her heart: a warrior or a rogue. 

Book Links
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print
Audible {Audio Edition}
Goodreads

Author Information 
 Cat Miller was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and now I live not far from my birth place in Perry Hall, Maryland. I have two teenage daughters and a man that keep me busy when I'm not working full-time as a Certified Medical Coder. I'm an avid reader and I love all genre of romantic fiction from historical to contemporary to paranormal. Sleeping has always been a problem for me so most nights I can be found in the living room reading or writing instead of in bed like the rest of
the world. I don't watch television. It's not a conscious decision, it just never occurs to me to turn it on when I have books to read and writing to do. It can actually be a hazard, because I never know what the weather will be until I look outside and I have to rely on my kids and coworkers for local and world news. I love creating the characters you love and love to hate. My characters remind me of people I know and people I wish I had never known.

Author
Links
Amazon Author Page
Facebook Author Page
Facebook Personal Page
Goodreads
G+
Twitter
Website
YouTube


 
 



 

I'm so happy to welcome back my good friend Jan Romes and share her latest release, book two in the Texas Boys Falling Fast series- KEEPING KYLIE!


Millionaire Quinn Randel is a world-class philanthropist and a world-class ass.
He has a perfect life and he doesn't want to muck it up with marriage and kids. And then he meets luscious Kylee Steele; barmaid, single mother and college student. Kylee makes him nervous with just a look and her kisses take him completely out of his comfort zone. Can he stop being a jerk to find love? Will the secret he carries close to his heart keep them apart? 

Kylee Steele let her guard down once for love and received a broken heart, but also a beautiful daughter. Things are starting to go right. She's a hard worker with her eye on the prize - a PhD in psychology. Smooth-talking Quinn Randel comes at her with intense bedroom eyes and an attitude that he can have her despite her efforts to shut him down. His relentless pursuit puts her heart,
head and body at odds. She wants him but he's a risk she can't afford. She wants
him but guys like him are not in it for the laugh haul. She wants him...

Excerpt:
It was nerve-wracking to be excited over someone whose magnificence was only on the surface. Quinn was arrogant, privileged, a man who had the capacity to make a difference in the world but was too busy to notice anything outside the perimeter of his social circle. He wasn’t worth the brain space to fantasize over. Given that, why was she splitting her focus between his eyes and his mouth? Instinctively, she ran her tongue over her lips. Either wittingly, or unwittingly, Quinn mimicked her. 

In an attempt to stop behaving like a love-starved ditz, Kylee swept her attention away from his mouth only to land on
his stylishly cut every-strand-in-place blondish-brown hair. Perfect hair. Of course it was perfect. Everything else was spectacular; it only stood to reason his hair would be too. She had a strong urge to lean across the granite
countertop of the bar and rearrange all that perfection. Even with tufts of hair going every which way, he’d still look yummy. 
 
Her moral compass pricked her with its pointy arrow – Quinn Randel belonged to someone else. To boost the message, her
conscience jabbed her again with another compelling thought – the fantasy is always better than reality.
 All right already! I get it!

A scratchy noise of disenchantment at the tug of war going on in her head rolled out with no chance to stop it. 

The smile lines at the corners of Quinn’s eyes deepened like he could read her mind.

Kylee shifted from foot to foot while she pondered how she would be able to help someone else understand and cope with the
things bothering them when she couldn’t get some semblance of control over the things wreaking havoc in her own backyard. She was studying to become a psychologist, for crying out loud. It was a slow undertaking, but at some point she’d have her PhD and license to practice. Hopefully by then she’d have a good understanding as to why she continued to fall prey to hot guys with bedroom eyes who would leave after they scratched their itch. 

Jan Romes is a hopeless romantic who grew up in northwest Ohio with eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she is also a proud mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She likes to read all genres, writes witty contemporary romance, is a part-time fitness trainer, and enjoys growing pumpkins and sunflowers.

You can contact Jan by Email, Facebook, or Twitter.

I'm so pleased to welcome Terri Rochenski and share her beautiful cover for her upcoming release SECRET OF THE SOULS!

Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people. 
 
For, Hyla, though, saving her nation isn’t her ultimate goal—returning to the Pool of Souls is. Becoming its Guardian and preserving their faith is her heart’s desire. The perils of her current journey, though, could leave her unable to fulfill that dream.
 
To find her way back to the Pool, Hyla must live among dangerous, powerful humans willing to defend the Natives, and must submit herself—her Talents—to them. While her protection is paramount, plots to end Hyla’s life will push her to her physical and emotional limits. 

On the edge of sanity, her courage tested, and convictions nearly broken, Hyla’s final test of loyalty to her faith comes with the death of one she could have loved. 

Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with
storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the
rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.


Terri Rochenski
 
Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads