Moira Keith

I absolutely adore this woman. Her writing is hot. (Well at least the things I’ve read) And I might be a little biased because I also get the privileged of calling her my friend. Seriously though, Nina just has a way with her heroes that makes my heart melt. Chosen is available now from Breathless Press. Read the blurb then click the cover to go buy. I know you’ll want to. But first, what does Nina listen to when she is penning those hot and heavy scenes? Take a listen.

Now on to the hot reading goodness that Nina has provided the readers of the world with….

Chosen by Nina Croft
Available from Breathless Press

On the world of Arroway, Witches have been persecuted for a thousand years. Now, Tallon, Enforcer for The Order of Warlocks has been sent to hunt and destroy Shayla, a powerful, young Witch.
But when he sees her, she awakens something inside him—some connection forgotten in the years of persecution. And when he starts his spell, she counters with magic so strong it rips them from their own world and into a new one—Earth.
Drawn together as unlikely allies in this strange new world, Tallon and Shayla must work as partners to find a way home. They relearn the bond that once tied Witches and Warlocks as one, and in doing so discover not only their futures at stake, but the future of their whole world.

There is something appealing about buying anthology pieces. There is the chance to sample new authors through anthologies. Sometimes they are paired with an author you already know and love that help sweeten the deal. Usually shorter reads, they are  a quick fix for that reader junkie in you. Most anthologies I’ve picked up are set around a similar theme. Take my own foray into this realm with Wild Ride. All western/cowboy type stories that pull you in with their promise of cowboy lovin’. This Christmas anthology did something I haven’t seen before, and while it could totally have simply escaped my notice before now, I am still enthralled all the same.

A Passionate Christmas brings together four authors- Clarissa Yip, R.M. Gilbert, Silke Juppenlatz, and Nina Croft. Their stories range from contemporary to paranormal. That isn’t really what captures me though. What really sold me was the fact that while the stories may be different within the romance sub-genres, they are all set in the same town and there is some slight crossover of characters into the other stories. Now in order to pull something like this off, these ladies really had to communicate with each other before, during, and after the project. (We will learn more about that next week at The Sweet, the Bad, ‘n the Wicked) I myself am looking forward to reading each of these stories. Not only that but I want to know your feedback if you’ve read them and what appealed to you about this anthology. Just click on the post card to be swept away to Decadent Publishing where all books are currently available for purchase!

And don’t forget to stop by The Sweet, the Bad, ‘n the Wicked next Wednesday for a chance to learn more about the lovely authors behind A Passionate Christmas.

Yes ladies and gents. Today Music Monday is taking a back seat in preparation for a lovely author who will be dropping by tomorrow! I am so very excited! Thought I would share her blurb with you before I posted our music for the day. Here we go~

From the Heavens comes a hero who will take your breath away.

Reese Whittaker dreams of falling for a man who shares her love of archeology and ancient civilizations. But being attacked by a horde of demons and rescued by a Sumerian God—a well-armed, gorgeous Sumerian God—opens up a whole new world she never knew existed. And awakens a mysterious power within her that attracts all kinds of supernatural attention.

Dagan, son of the Air-God Enlil and a Time Walker, is sworn to protect the human race in general, and one young woman in particular—Reese. He’s not the only one mysteriously attracted to her powerful life force. Underworld leader Kur craves it for the untold power it will give him to strike a blow at the deities of Dilmun.

Dagan is forbidden by law from interacting with Reese, but from the moment he sees her, the fury—an intense sexual need for bonding—blinds him to all the rules. Should the pantheon discover he has fallen for a human, the punishment could mean suffering beyond imagining for him…and death for her.

Must read right? Make sure you stop back by tomorrow to check out Sloan. If you want to get in on all the action you can pop on over to Nikki Duncan’s site.

Now we get to the music. Enjoy a little Savior by Rise Against. This song gets played at least once a day on my iPod.

Well, this is a little late in the day, but on top of holding out for any late commenters, my computer decided to die a very quick death. Yes I cried buckets of tears because as usual, yours truly did a back up to what I thought was my external drive and alas it was a big FAIL! It backed up to my computer. It is gone. Beyond repair. Dead. The sound of Taps is playing softly in the background as we speak.

However, all is not doom and gloom because we have a winner! Yes ladies and gents, the magic hat has spoken and Zina is the winner of the $15 MBAM gift certificate! Whooo hooo! Pary in the house of Moira! So little ray of sunshine Zina…. your prize will be on its way post haste.  Thanks again to my commenters, readers, and of course the lovely Fiona Jayde!

Hi all of you fabulous readers and fellow authors out there. Today I have the pleasure of hosting Fiona Jayde, the author of the upcoming book Night Haven, which if you recall from Thursdays post, I am quite anxiously awaiting the release of. So as if the cover, blurb, and excerpt on the Samhain site weren’t enough to tempt you, she pops in here today to discuss what inspired the book. Help me in welcoming Fiona to the blog and feel free to leave a comment or question should one pop to mind.

Fiona Dishes on the Inspiration for Night Haven~

I have a confession to make: I love Buffy The Vampire slayer. I rewatch it every year. So when we’re talking about vampires, my first thought is Angel. And Spike.

The show is just so rich in themes and ideas that speak to me. Throw in a smart mouthed kick-ass heroine, and I’m happy.  In fact it was an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer which inspired the main theme of Night Haven and kicked off the Bloodwolf series – what happens to a vampire slayer when she looses her strength?

The idea fascinates me – always had, ever since I watched that particular episode for the first time. In the episode, Buffy looses her slayer-strength in a test to prove that even without her powers she is still a vampire slayer. I love this theme of someone who never wanted her destiny in the first place suddenly finding that she can’t be who she is without it.

In Night Haven, my bloodwolf heroine – Dina – looses her ability to shift after meeting Luke – the vampire hero and her sworn enemy. Unlike Buffy – who had her abilities consciously taken away from her by her reluctant watcher, Dina is unable to shift because of her conflicting desire for Luke, a vampire. And since in my world, bloodwolves shifting occurs as a result of a unified mind and body (there’s that Aikido training!), Dina’s internal conflict renders her unable to shift into her wolf form.

Similarly to Buffy, Dina must discover her own reasons for fighting vampires – and falling in love with one before she can shift in her wolf form.

To The Readers: who are your favorite super heroines?

Answer and be entered in a drawing to win a gift certificate for $15 from My Bookstore and More! Come on ladies and gents, start showing the love! The winner of the contest will be announced on Friday.

I would also like to extend a HUGE thank you to Fiona for taking the time to stop by and sharing her inspiration with us. I know inspiration comes in many forms, television shows, dreams, something you drove past when you were on your way to work, or an over heard conversation. I always find it interesting to see where others derive their inspiration for a particular story from. Night Haven will be released later this month, September 21st to be exact, by Samhain Publishing in eBook format. Be sure to pop on over there and get your copy when it does. The wait promises to be worth it from all I’ve read and heard so far! Get your entries in and be sure to leave me  a valid email address so that I can notify you if you won!

I told you I would divulge a little more information on my guest for this upcoming Tuesday and I am here to deliver on said promise. After rummaging around this author’s site, I am a bit beside myself. How do I compete with a woman who is a space pilot, a ninth degree black belt in three styles of martial arts, a computer hacker, a mountain climber, a jazz singer, a weight lifter, a superspy with a talent for languages, and an evil genius. Oh wait… it’s all in her head. Or so her website claims. (Perhaps she says the latter simply to make us all feel better?)

You are still wondering who this amazing woman is? Why none other than the loverly Fiona Jayde ladies and gents! She  has penned several stories which have now made their way onto my reading list. There is one though, that has made its way to the top of my must read first list and that is Night Haven, which releases September 21st from Samhain Publishing. Oh if I could only express how excited I am. If there were a webcam in my home you would see me bouncing up and down. After all, any book whose first line starts off with:

She should have kicked his ass after she’d kissed him—

Definitely tempts me to read further. More icing on the cake? It is the first in a series. Total joy overload! This is one author that I am sure you won’t want to miss, so stop by and show a little love next Tuesday. And go read a little more about her upcoming release from Samhain. Just click on the awesome cover and let it lead the way….

That’s right! If you hop on over to Coffee Time Romance and visit their contest page… scroll down until you come across my oh so fabulous cover and enter to win. (Of course I am expecting that you all rushed to purchase your copy already, but just in case…)

While you are there… check out my good friend, Teresa D”Amario, on the contest page for a chance to win a little paranormal love.

That’s all for now folks, because we are keeping it short and sweet today.

Blurb number two for the wonderful Wild Ride Anthology being brought to you on May 5th by Samhain Publishing and Niki Green. 

The Real Deal

He held the reins to her heart once—and this time he won’t let go.

A Wild Ride story.

Willa Tate left Millbrook, Texas, years ago—along with her future, her fiancé and her heart. Now, as one of the headlining acts at a hot burlesque club, she looks into the crowd, sees a familiar face staring up at her—and her past comes crashing back.

Chase Kiel has some hard questions for the former love of his life. He spent forever looking for her, and now he wants answers—even if he has to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to Millbrook to get them.

He’d find it a hell of a lot easier if the chemistry weren’t still there. If they didn’t still fit together like keg of dynamite and fuse. If he didn’t want not only his answers…but her heart.

Chase is still certain he and Willa belong together—and convincing Willa of it will be his pleasure.

Warning: This title contains explicit, powder-keg-hot sex, language that ain’t fit for your mama’s ears, and a hot cowboy with a Texas-sized heart.

Interested in reading a little more? Well what are you waiting for? Pop on over to Samhain Publishing’s site and read the excerpt. It’s just a click away!

Seriously, show a little love and support by popping on over to give the book a little looksie. Otherwise, denying the temptation to do so may drive you mad. (I’ve heard of it happening…are you really willing to test the theory?)

Sláinte!

Here is the first blurb from one of my fellow Wild Ride Anthology ladies. Strong, Silent Type is coming at you, May 5th from Samhain Publishing & Lorelei James.

Strong, Silent Type

Tough. Taciturn. And a fool for letting her go…

A Wild Ride story.

Wyoming rancher Quinn McKay thought he’d only have to bide time until his levelheaded wife came to her senses and called a halt to this “trial separation”. He never believed the marital rough patch would drag on for a coon’s age.

Libby McKay knew when she married the gruff, laid-back cowboy that he wasn’t prone to blathering about his feelings. But three months have passed and her stubborn-as-a-mule husband is still living by himself in the horse trailer. It seems he’d rather hold onto his pride than hold onto her.

Quinn realizes Libby is determined to move on if he doesn’t loosen his tongue and he’ll lose the only woman he’s ever loved. In a last-ditch effort to keep her in his life, he offers her one weekend of uninterrupted sexual decadence.

Reigniting the passion is easy. The hard part comes after the sheets have cooled and they find out if what remains is strong enough to survive past mistakes.

Warning: Old-fashioned groveling leads to smokin’ hot sexual encounters—steamin’ up the truck windows, rockin’ the horse trailer—proving even an old married dog can learn naughty new tricks.

Check out an excerpt here at Samhain Publishing just to whet your appetite a bit. You won’t be sorry!

Now if that little blurb ain’t enough to make you want to sneak a peek…. I don’t know what is. Seriously, go check it out. This little beauty will surely score big with you. 

Sláinte!