Death Lies Between Us by Jody A. Kessler

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

Jody will be awarding $10 Amazon GCs to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

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Excerpt:

“Juliana?” I don’t respond. I can’t face anyone.

“Can I sit with you?”

I hug my knees into my chest with my face buried in my folded arms. I mumble into the pit of my lap. “Are you here to end my misery?”

“Not yet.”

It’s an odd answer but then again so was the question. “Then, please leave.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come, but neither can I go.”

I turn my face, taking in the crisp air and digest his unusual answers. There are so many things that have happened tonight that don’t make any sense. Why would one more confusing sentiment make any difference?

Loneliness wraps around me, holding me in a cool embrace. I break its grip by saying, “It goes on the list, you know?” I speak into the dark. No movement or sound gives away his location but I can feel him close by. The low thumping of Blue Nouveau’s drums is the only sound breaking the stillness of the forest.

The caress of his voice brushes my ear. “Which list are you referring to?”

“Our list — things that are inexplicable.”

“Which deficiency of mankind are we adding tonight?”

“Lying to someone you love.” My voice is flat but the tear leaking from my eye gives away my true feelings.

“We can put that one on the top of the list,” he says.

A tender hand surprises me as it wraps gently around my swollen ankle and finds a comfortable hold. The warmth penetrates through the sore muscles like a mild current of electricity.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers. She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.

Death Lies Between Us is her debut novel and the first book in the An Angel Falls series. Book two, Angel Dreams, is scheduled for release in early 2014.

She welcomes visitors to her website www.jodyakessler.com Buy a copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble Or connect with her here: Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pinterest

Sweet Sexy Sadie by Christine Young

From the first time Sadie’s eyes met those of Brody McKenna in the hot Sierra Madre Mountains, theirs was a potent attraction—not gentle, slow, and easy, but hot, hard, and all-consuming. The daughter of a dysfunctional family, Sadie had dreams no man could wrench from her with hot sex and an all-consuming passion. She’d challenge this alpha male with all the strength she possessed. But her red hair, fiery temperament, and indomitable spirit obsessed Brody...and he knew he had to find a way to show her he was more than he appeared and convince her to make a life with him.

Christine will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here



Sweet Sexy Sadie is a quick read with a fun plot line, Sadie is researching the migration of butterflies for her thesis she meets Brody when her car overheats in the desert pretty soon the car isn't the only thing overheating. Sadie also has a stalker of a paranormal variety.

The action happens quick and without a lot of back story to have this come out novella length. I enjoyed the chemistry that is immediate between Brody and Sadie. I liked the paranormal element to her stalker and the bond that Sadie and Brody share to overcome the trials in their path to happiness.

This time of year with the kids in school you have lots of chances to sit and wait this is the perfect length book for those times and you can get in a fun love story while you are at it.





EXCERPT:

"It's dangerous out here." His speech was slow and his voice gravelly. The tone sent a shiver down Brody's spine.

Clad in black and riding a black stallion, the demon slayer rested one arm on the horn of his saddle. Tipping his hat back, he stared hard at Brody. Silence of the night engulfed them.

His square jawline and rugged features reminded Brody of a man who never settled down, one who chased sunrises. His body appeared lean and powerful, his stance intimidating a silver aura emanating from him. So still and solemn Brody wondered at his story.

"Dangerous everywhere." Brody didn't think he'd want to meet this man in a dark alley. He didn't know why, perhaps instinct, but Brody was sure the demon slayer was also a shifter.

"Seen that man over yonder, just a shadow now but he's real and treacherous." Slayer pointed behind him. "He's hunting a lady. Is that you, ma’am? If so, you need to take care."

The Slayer's question irritated Brody. At his sides his fists tightened. "Don't think that's any of your business. Maybe you should just ride on and not look back this way."

"It is if you want my help, but doesn't sound as if you do. I'm a friend." An owl cried out. Then as if in answer, a long low howl filled the silence.

To Brody the man appeared ready to unleash all the power he seemed to hold in check. "Can always use an extra pair of friendly hands." He tried to calm his breathing, but the pulse of the night set the pace. Blood surged through heated veins and the adrenalin rush was intoxicating. Brody was ready for a fight, but he needed to get Sadie somewhere safe.

"So, is the Chullachaqui after your woman?" Slayer pushed back his hat then gazed pointedly at Sadie. "She's a pretty one."

Body liked the sound of that. My woman. Sadie was his she just wouldn't admit it yet. But he also didn't like the way the demon slayer stared at her. "I don't know and that's the truth. We think he might be, but we don't know why. Besides, how do I know I can trust you?"

"Best you figure it out soon. He's gettin' closer. It's just a matter of time. I've been riding shotgun, and I've notice you've got a couple of friends backin' you up too. You're going to need them."

"Siblings." Brody felt the rise of anticipation. The fight would come. The only question was when. "Are they back there now?"

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children. Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Blog | Rogue Phoenix Press

THE SYDNEY RYE SERIES

Books 1-3, The complete Series Box Set (Value Pack)

The Sydney Rye series of mysteries features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. This series is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

This box set includes all three of the Sydney Rye Books.

UNLEASHED (A Sydney Rye Novel, #1)

When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller's dog-walking business on Manhattan's exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people.

But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim--and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way.

When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit--cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan's elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.

DEATH IN THE DARK (A Sydney Rye Novella, #2)

At the beginning of Death in the Dark we find Joy Humbolt hiding, not only from the law, but also from her past and the mistakes she's made. Living this isolated life doesn't last long though when a visit from Mulberry brings Joy to accept her new identity as the Private Detective, Sydney Rye. To complete the transformation, Joy must learn to control her emotions as well as her giant aggressive dog, Blue. With the help of an expert trainer, Joy learns to fight with her mind as well as her body. However, when the daughter of a close friend is brutally murdered in

the desert, Rye turns away from her mentor to seek revenge. Sydney's quick temper and deadly intentions lead her into a trap that she will need all of her new skills to survive.

INSATIABLE (A Sydney Rye Novel, #3)

The third book in the series begins with private detective Sydney Rye living a simple, disciplined life in London, but when a dangerous man from her past calls, Rye finds she cannot turn him away. Robert Maxim explains that the daughter of a powerful friend has gone missing and he wants Rye to find her. In exchange he offers her something she had given up hope of ever having; freedom from her past.

With her dog, Blue, at her side, Rye meets up with her new partner, a handsome man she's not sure she can trust. Heading for Mexico City, they go undercover, posing as husband and wife. After meeting with the bereaved parents, Rye starts to sense that there is more going on than just a missing girl. But it isn't until they arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, hot on the girl's trail in Paradise, that all hell breaks loose. Sydney has to reach out for help from old friends and deal with the consequences of her past, if she's going to find the girl and keep them all alive.

New release! STRINGS OF GLASS (A Sydney Rye Novel, #4)

STRINGS OF GLASS is the fourth novel in Emily Kimelman's Sydney Rye Series of dark murder mystery novels. This series features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. It is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

Sydney Rye is hanging out in India with her boyfriend, Dan, reading paperbacks and sipping beer. No violence and no reminders of her past. But when she and Blue, are attacked by a pact of wild dogs, Sydney starts to feel that old itch again; to do good by being bad.

Trouble finds Rye when she stops the attempted rape and murder of Anita, a reporter working on a story of corruption and human trafficking. The atrocities Anita describes send Sydney, Blue and Dan on a quest that takes them across India after a dangerous and, up until now, untouchable, figure. While Sydney struggles to accept her true nature she realizes that it is the only way to end decades of abuse and exploitation. But Rye fears that she will lose herself, becoming no better than the monster she fights against.

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What do you think you’re really good at?

I’m really good at traveling, hosting parties, and having fun.

What do you think you’re really bad at?

Oh, so much. I’m a terrible procrastinator. Sticking to an exercise regime is almost impossible. Controlling my emotions (not going super bitch on my husband regularly) is a challenge. Let’s see what else, oh, I don’t take criticism well, my house keeping skills are sub par, I get bored easily, I get sick easily, I’m a total klutz. My interview skills need some work too :)

Is your life anything like it was two years ago?

Besides my friends, family and dog almost everything else in my life has changed. Two years ago I lived on land in Pennsylvania and was running a gallery. Now I live on a boat in New York and write books. I like my life now better but the other one wasn’t that bad either.

Have you ever had an imaginary friend?

My protagonist, Sydney Rye, and her dog, Blue, are my imaginary friends along with all the other characters that populate my books. I’ve always made up “friends” and spent a lot of time in my imagination.

Do you have any phobias?

Not really, I’m not a fan of flying (though I do it all the time) and spiders freak me out.

EXCERPT:
From UNLEASHED (A Sydney Rye Novel, #1)

We walked over the Brooklyn Bridge on the wooden pedestrian path that hangs above the roaring traffic. We followed the thick steel cables under the massive granite towers. To my left, glass skyscrapers mixed with turn-of-the-century stone houses perched on the tiniest tip of Manhattan. A gaping hole in the sky where the towers used to be made the island look off- balance. The Statue of Liberty glowed small but still impressively in the distance.

City Hall, white and large-windowed, stood at the end of the bridge. I turned us uptown, and we passed more courthouses. People stood outside fiendishly smoking in doorways, even at this late hour. Most were women who had come to watch their husbands, sons, and boyfriends be arraigned. To cry in the bathroom, to plead with the judge, to yell at the officer behind the bullet-proof glass, to smoke cigarettes outside.

Heading uptown, we passed Canal Street, its storefronts covered in pull-down metal gates in every shade of gray, deserted by pedestrians, at least human ones. The entrance to the Manhattan Bridge was still active with cars honking at each other as they tried to make the turn. A police officer watched from his parked cruiser.

In Soho we passed the flagship stores for Prada and Apple, and galleries with photographs of Bob Dylan and Audrey Hepburn. Above us, giant windows of fabulous lofts glowed. The occasional cobblestone street, the uniquely dressed, the tall, the skinny—here was the center of deciding what we want to be, how we want to live, what will make us belong. Giant billboards of young girls caressing bare-chested, glistening men in expensive jeans loomed over us.

Crossing Houston with its four lanes of traffic into Greenwich Village, we watched drunken coeds pour out of loud, stinking bars. “That’s a really cute dog,” a perky brunette, illegally drunk, told me from between the supporting arms of two friends.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emily Kimelman lives on a boat in the Hudson Valley with her husband, Sean and their dog Kinsey (named after Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone). Kimelman has a passion for traveling and spends as much time as possible in the pursuit of adventure.

Her "Sydney Rye Series" are dark murder mystery novels which features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. This series is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

The first four books in Kimelman's series, UNLEASHED, DEATH IN THE DARK, INSATIABLE and STRINGS OF GLASS are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

If you've read Emily's work, and enjoyed it, please let Emily know. You can reach her via email ejkimelman@gmail.com

http://emilykimelman.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyKimelman

@ejkimelman

“Unleashed” is free through the end of summer!

Buy links for all books at Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Not the Leader of the Pack by Annabeth Leong

Buy links for Not the Leader of the Pack: All Romance | Amazon | Amazon UK | Bookstrand | Breathless Press

When Juli Gunby left Missoula, Montana, she didn’t intend to come back. Not to her exacting alpha werewolf father, and certainly not to Neil Statham, the beta who rejected Juli’s girlish advances. Her father, as usual, has other ideas, using his dying breath to pass pack leadership to his daughter. Juli resolves to carry out her duty to her father and her pack, but the one man she wants on her side has made himself her enemy.

After years of loyal service to the pack, Neil expects to take over as alpha when his mentor dies. As good as it is to see Juli again, he knows he can’t trust her. After all, she abandoned both him and the pack years ago and never looked back. Neil determines to fight for his rightful position in the pack, even if that means going up against a woman who fills him with an overwhelming urge to mate every time she walks into the room.

Someone needs to lead, and the more Neil and Juli fight, the more they attract interference from those who would control the pack and destroy the ties between them.

Annabeth will be awarding a $10 gift card for Breathless Press to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, follow the tour HERE the more often you comment the better your chances.



A Little Like Me, a Little Different from Me

by Annabeth Leong

For the most part, my characters are completely made up. I don't base them on people I know in person, actors, or what have you. Things do creep in, of course—many times my heroes wind up saying things that my husband would say, for example. However, I resist this as much as possible, because I want each character to be different, his or her own person.

Ideas have to come from somewhere, though, and a lot of times the answer is that they come from me. At any given moment in real life, I'm choosing which version of myself gets to respond to whatever just happened—my anxious self? my compassionate self? my angry self? I think there's a "real me" in there somewhere, but so many times I'm sorting through a lot of other possible selves.

When I'm designing a character, I'm usually taking the traits I know intimately and remixing them. For example, the villain of Not the Leader of the Pack, Heather Compton, is the result of building a character around the satisfaction and comfort I can sometimes get from following the rules. Of course, Heather takes that to extremes that I would not reach (I hope). The hero, Neil Statham, is the very best version of my commitment to duty, but not sufficiently tempered by the ability to stand up for his own interests. The heroine, Juli Gunby, is my exploration of what it might be like to find the courage to go home (I left my home a long time ago, and never went back for more than a visit).

Every person contains the potential to be so many people. I think that's part of where compassion comes from—for me, caring for others is a similar act of imagination. Someone will tell me they slipped and said something they didn't mean, and I think about times I've done the same, or that time I would have if my angry self had managed to get the upper hand. When I create a character, I'm imagining a person who's a little like me, and also a little different from me—just like every person I've ever met in the world.

That said, Not the Leader of the Pack includes a very important exception to my usual character creation process. I wrote it a couple months after my father died, and Darrow Gunby is based pretty heavily on my own father. That might not be obvious—he looks very different from my father, and my father wasn't a werewolf. However, Darrow's strong will, which comes through despite his death in the first chapter, comes from my own dad. Juli's experience saying goodbye to him is also based on what I went through at the time, and some of her regrets and feelings are my own.

I'm not sure how my dad would have felt about becoming a character in a paranormal erotic romance, but I hope he'd be honored to know that he was deeply in my subconscious at the time.

Excerpt:

Juli smiled for only a second before her expression turned serious. “Neil, I wasn’t ready for any of this.”

He tightened his arm around her. “Of course not. How could you be?”

“Pack alpha?”

Neil cleared his throat. It was just like her to take him off balance by diving straight into the heaviest part of the conversation. He needed to respond carefully. “Juli, if that’s a burden to you, I may be able to help.”

“I hope so! I don’t know what I’ll do without you staying on as beta. What if people don’t accept me?”

Neil blinked. He’d expected to find her desperate to relieve herself of the responsibility Darrow had dumped on her. She’d left years ago, after all, and had never seemed to spare a backward glance for the pack, or for him. “You mean, you actually want to do this?”

She pulled back a few inches and stared. His body cried out at the loss, and he had to resist the urge to close the distance she had opened between them. “I have to do this. My father used his dying breath to pass this on to me. I have a duty. You of all people ought to understand.”

He spoke before he had a chance to think. “Maybe it’s time to stop worrying so much about duty. Maybe it’s time to think about what’s right for us individually.” He should have kissed her that night years ago. She shouldn’t take this responsibility now, when she clearly didn’t have the resources or the training for it. Both these things could be fixed.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Annabeth Leong has written romance and erotica of many flavors -- dark, kinky, vanilla, straight, lesbian, bi, and menage. Her titles for Breathless Press include Not His Territory, Not the Leader of the Pack, and a contribution to the Ravaged anthology. She enjoys writing about the tension between passion and control that werewolves embody. Unfortunately, when Annabeth loses control of herself, she does not gain the power to change shape. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Blog | Twitter: @AnnabethLeong | Goodreads | Amazon

Bama Bride by Joan Chandler

BUY Links: AMAZON | BOOKSTRAND PUBLISHING

Neal Sinclair meets David Bankston in a college town bar. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, and wears a Stetson like nobody’s business.

When they dance, inner passion heats up while inhibitions melt away. Neal quickly discovers David’s not a Southerner at all. He’s a Boston architect, in Tuscaloosa for only one night. The next morning, they struggle to walk away from something that caught them both by surprise.

Time doesn’t diminish the ache they feel in each other’s absence. Unable to stay apart, David arranges to take Neal to watch her beloved Crimson Tide play in a football bowl game. Reunited, they’re determined to make it work. When separated, they perfect the art of open communication. They each know that true love is a long shot.

But distance isn’t the only thing standing in their way. Unbeknownst to her, Neal’s overprotective father is, too. With so much conspiring against them, can a natural disaster turn the odds in their favor?

Joan will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE .

Excerpt:

“What’s this?” she asked curiously.

“Do you do tequila shots?”

“Never have before.”

“Then you’re in for a treat. This is a slightly different recipe from the traditional salt and lime. I think you’ll like it.”

“How do you do it?” She looked at the three separate ingredients and wondered if there was a method to the madness.

“I’ll show you how I’m going to do it. May I have your hand, please?”

He held his palm out and she placed her hand in it. He turned it over, so the underside was exposed, and then he kissed it open mouthed. Neal watched him run his tongue over her skin, making it glisten with saliva. Then he sprinkled a generous amount of cinnamon over the slick spot. He picked up the whiskey and held it in one hand then dipped his mouth to suck her wrist. She felt him lick softly over her skin, and the fire started to burn inside her. He sat up and raised an eyebrow at her as he quickly consumed the liquid and then he sucked on the wedge to drain the juice out of the citrusy pulp.

“Damn, that’s hot.” She could already feel the rush of moisture to her sexual center, and crossed her legs.

David’s expression was lustful as the rush of alcohol began to take effect. “Your turn.”

He reached for her wrist, but she quickly jerked it back from him.

“No way, Cowboy,” she admonished him. “I’m doing it like you showed me.”

She reached out for his hand. When he extended it to her, she pushed up his sweater, then unbuttoned his shirt sleeve and rolled it up to get it out of the way. She kissed his wrist just below his thumb, and then took her own slow, sweet time to suck it until it was thoroughly wet before applying the aromatic spice. Neal licked the cinnamon, threw back the tequila, and bit the orange wedge that he held out to her. As soon as she swallowed, he covered her mouth with his and plundered it with his tongue.


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Joan Chandler is a Florida native who has lived in the Deep South all of her life. She is married with two children who are her pride and joy. She lives a double life of sorts, holding down a nine-to-five job during the day, and writing steamy romance at night—often with her black cat curled up in her arms as she types.

When she’s not spending her spare time working on her next novel, she loves to go camping, sharing girls’ night out with her friends, walking her two dogs, and watching college football.



BLOG

twitter account: @joanchandler1

Find me on facebook: Joan Chandler

email: joanchandler13@gmail.com

Bonded by Blood: Vampire Chronicles by Arial Burnz

Masked in a Gypsy guise, Broderick MacDougal hides his vampiric identity while seeking to destroy the man who slaughtered his family. When an old Clan rival ensnares Broderick in a trap using an enticing widow, he is compelled to discover if she is bait or an accomplice, and the cinnamon-haired beauty is his next conquest.

Widow of an abusive husband, Davina Stewart-Russell clings to the only image that gave her strength during those dark times—the Gypsy rogue who stole her heart as a youth. After nine years, she is finally face-to-face with him again, but reality clashes with fantasy as she is confronted with Broderick’s passionate pursuit.

When Davina’s past returns to haunt her, Broderick is forced to reveal a dark secret worse than anything Davina thought possible. The challenge before them has fatal risks and neither of them is prepared for the sacrifices expected for the sake of eternal love.

Cailin MacDougal has lived a dangerous life being the adopted daughter of vampire Broderick "Rick" MacDougal, so she had no choice but to learn to fight in order to protect herself. However, such behavior is hardly desirable in a dutiful wife who's supposed to embroider and run a household. This aggressive side of her behavior should be easy enough to hide from her betrothed...shouldn't it?

After being away at fencing school for seven years, James Knightly has returned as a master swordsman, ready to captain his own ship and finally wed his childhood sweetheart, Cailin MacDougal. What he finds waiting for him is a dagger-toting hellion for a bride, an immortal father-in-law, and an enemy bent on extracting revenge by threatening the family James holds most dear--the MacDougals.

Broderick MacDougal is lured away from his family with the promise of-at last-learning a way to protect those he loves from his clan enemy, Angus Campbell. Broderick knows he's headed for a trap, but the bait is too tempting to resist...and he unravels the beginning of a prophecy that will lead to redemption for all vampires. The cost of such redemption, though, may be the very soul of the woman he would die for...his wife, Davina.

Arial will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her NBtM Tour. Also, at every stop a randomly drawn commenter will be awarded a 5-Star Short Story eBook, Romance Trading Card set & signed Bonded By Blood series post card. Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE


Please welcome to the blog today Arial Burnz, I asked her to share with us her research about gypsies.

YUM! Baked Hedgehog!!
A special thank you to Carin for having me as a guest today. *Does the Snoopy dance*
Yep! You read that right…baked hedgehog! What is that, you may ask? That unusual little dish is the most interesting tidbit of information I learned during my research into the Gypsies.

I chose to add Gypsies to Midnight Conquest, Book 1 of my Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles , partly because the Gypsies are so accepting of the supernatural and traditionally connected to vampires, werewolves and the paranormal in general. But I also chose them because they’re a part of my family heritage. I was told by my paternal grandmother that her side of the family was descended from Romany Gypsies (she called them “Romanian Gypsies”) who eventually joined the circus. Apparently, my great-great grandmother stood on the back of two horses, riding them around the ring and performed for King George V and Queen Mary. And when she wasn’t riding horses on her bare feet, she was telling fortunes by reading cards.

During my research, though, I delved into the cuisine of the Gypsies to bring a taste of authenticity to the historical setting. Turns out hedgehog, being a fairly common rodent in the UK and Europe, was a delicacy for the traveling Romany tribes. The animal is trapped and then encased in a ball of clay (dead, of course), then set directly onto a campfire where it is baked. When the clay ball is broken open, the meat is extracted and the tiny sharp needles on its back are embedded in the clay, so there’s no worries of eating the porcupine-like spines.

Here’s a small excerpt of Midnight Conquest where my heroine, Davina, is walking through the Gypsy camp with her mother, Lilias, and experiences this unique dish:
As Davina and Lilias continued through the maze of activity, a man kicked a melon-sized ball of clay out of the fire beside his caravan, which rolled into their path, startling them. He approached with apologies and picked up the hot ball with a cloth, bringing it back to his seat. Davina veered toward him as he broke the clay ball open with a rock. Taking his knife from the ground beside him, he cut into the ball, revealing a steamy, white center. Davina stepped further toward him, peering at his ministrations. “What do you have there, sir?” she inquired.
“Baked hedgehog,” he replied, offering a piece of meat at the end of his dagger. “Would you like to try some, milady?”
Lilias wrinkled her nose. “Oh nay, Davina!” She grabbed Davina’s outstretched hand and gawked at the Gypsy as if he were mad. “Thank you, but nay!”
Davina laughed at her mother’s reluctance. “Come, M’ma. Be bold!” Davina took the offered meat and blew on the flesh to ease the heat. She sniffed and her mouth watered. “Oh, this smells divine!” Placing the morsel in her mouth, she explored the new taste with slow and deliberate chewing, savoring the succulent flavor. “Almost like rabbit.”
Her mother still shook her head and even clamped her lips tight to get her message across. She pulled Davina away as Davina thanked the man for the sample.
If you’re cringing like Lilias, you’re not alone! The tradition of eating baked hedgehog is still upheld by the Romany Gypsies and an article in a British publication – The Independent – shows how this practice is most definitely frowned upon!

If you’re interested, here are a couple of links to baked hedgehog recipes:
• Gypsy Roast Hedgehog (actually made with lamb)
• What Are Famous Gypsy Foods? Hedgehog
Thanks again for having me as a guest!! I’m available if anyone has questions.


Midnight Captive—Excerpt

Throwing his cloak back over his shoulders, he revealed a broad chest that rippled under the thin material of his black shirt as he reached across his hip for his sword.

Cailin blanched. Not many men carried swords on their person in the port city of Leith—daggers were the weapon of choice and easier to conceal—and those that did rarely matched the craftsmanship of this blade. This was not a cheap, decorative sword. Out of one mess and into another. She swallowed her fear and stood her ground.

“I suggest a wager.” He winked.

“I am not a gambling woman.”

Tilting his head back, he laughed and Cailin clenched her jaw, her cheeks blooming with heat again. Amusement twinkling in his eyes, he ignored her comment. “A challenge. If you win, I shall let you walk free.”

“And if you win?”

The amusement in his eyes transformed into smoldering desire. “I shall have to take you in hand and see you submit…” His eyes raked her body. “To the proper authority.” He folded his arms in front of him, the blade of his sword sweeping up and standing erect from his fist.

Cailin’s breath left her in a rush and fire surged through her body—from the fluttering in her stomach to the tingling in her toes. She did not miss his twofold meaning, and drew a deep, steadying breath, biting her tongue; though keeping her tongue proved more difficult to manage. “We shall see about this, sir.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Arial Burnz has been an avid reader of both paranormal and fantasy fiction for over thirty years. With bedtime stories filled with unicorns, hobbits, dragons and elves, she had no choice but to craft her own tales, penning to life the many magical creatures roaming her mind and dreams. And with a romantic husband who's taught her the meaning of true love, she's helpless to weave romance into her tales. Now she shares them with the world. Arial Burnz lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with her husband (a.k.a. her romance novel hero)—who is also a descendent of Clan MacDougal—along with their dog and two cats.

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BLIND ALLEGIANCE by Violetta Rand

It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

Violetta will award a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE


I want to thank Ms. Rand for coming on the blog and writing a guest post for us.

Is historic romance harder to write than contemporary?

I’m not an expert on contemporary romances, although I’ve read many, and am busy writing my first one now. Writing what you know is safe. For me, contemporaries are easier to read—there’s a smoother rhythm to them. I’m familiar with the environment, language, and culture. It’s like wearing my favorite pair of slippers.
Historicals are different. Authors are pushed outside their comfort zones. Research is always the first step. One of the hardest things is setting aside your own perspective/judgment so you can craft the world through the eyes of your characters. The most difficult thing I’ve encountered is the content standards romance writers are expected to meet (i.e., no depraved acts). As a contemporary writer, I think it’s easier to color within the lines. As a historical writer, who loves Vikings, it’s a challenge. Vikings pillage. You get the idea.
Historical fiction readers are smart critics. They don’t just want to be entertained—they want hard facts.
The internet, television, magazines/newspapers, and popular places provide limitless research opportunities for contemporary authors. In comparison, historical sources can be limited. And in some cases, information gaps exist. It’s the historical fiction writer’s job to convincingly fill in those gaps.
There’s no right answer. All writers are creative geniuses, and no matter what genre they prefer, finishing the story is always the hardest thing to do.


Excerpt:

She covered her face, blocking Randvior’s eyes from her own. She was only guessing—which never served anyone very well. She whirled, retreating full speed, heading directly for the cabin. She collided with a soldier. Noelle shoved him away in a huff, and tripped over her own feet as she stumbled through the door. She slammed it shut, barricading herself inside.

Confinement was the only escape at her disposal. But that only lasted a few minutes. Randvior tried to open the door. She braced her legs, hoped to keep the rest of the world locked out until they reached Norway. Randvior twisted the knob and pushed, but she stayed stubbornly locked in position. He banged on the planks and demanded she open the door. If she refused any longer, he’d probably just kick it down. She braced herself for what might happen when he came in and reluctantly stepped aside.

“What happened out there? Did you see a ghost?” he asked, entering the room.

“I would consider myself most fortunate if it was only an apparition taunting me.” She sat on the bed and wringed her hands nervously. “My conscience troubles me.” She raised her eyes to meet his.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. She couldn’t keep herself from sneaking admiring looks at his body. Only flesh and bone, she reminded herself, he’s only flesh and bone. His fine looks did little to relieve her; she was so helplessly riddled with guilt, she didn’t know what to do with herself any more.
He closed the door and moved closer. “Remember the things I told you in England?”

“I remember too much.”

What she really wanted were assurances for her future. She wanted him to vow he would care for her life as loyally as he would his own kinswoman’s. If he wouldn’t make her his wife, he should choose someone else. She needed a husband to protect her interests now. Even an inexperienced adolescent or an old man would do. As long as he had a pulse and a respectable name, she’d accept it. This was the only bargaining chip she had left.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

http://www.violettarand.com/