Promo with authors Amber Skyze and Katalina Leon

Promo with authors Amber Skyze and Katalina Leon

What’s up my Lovelies! I have an awesome treat for you all today! For those of you who remember back in June I hand and Ellora’s Cave feature month. In that month I had the pleasure of having both Amber Skyze and Katalina Leon on the blog. They were crazy fun and when I found out that they had written a book together, I knew it was a no brainer. This book WOULD be on the blog for all of you to find out about. *nods* Unfortunately I missed this tour because my son had surgery, but thankfully the awesome Roxanne at Bewitching Book Tours allowed me to post the promo later. Yay! I am excited about this because I really wanted to be able to share this book with you. Okay! Enough of my rambling … let’s get started!

Please allow me to introduce to the blog (again) *grins*:

**AMBER SKYZE**

And

**KATALINA LEON**

**MS. SKYZE’ BIO**

From a very young age, Amber Skyze began making up stories–the only child syndrome. Had anyone asked her back then if she would write when she grew up, she’d have laughed. It wasn’t until raising children and reading all those romances that she decided–hey, I can write these. Then she discovered erotica and found her calling.

When not crafting hot, steamy tales, this New York transplant now resides in Rhode Island with her husband (the inspiration behind her stories), three children who force her to work a day job, and three dogs. She’s thrilled to join the authors of Ellora’s Cave.

You can find out more about Ms. Skyze at the following places:

Blog

Website

Facebook

Ellora’s Cave

**MS. LEON’S BIO**

I’m an artist, an author, mother and wife. I write for Loose Id Publishing and Ellora’s Cave. I try to bring a touch of the mystical and a big sense of adventure to everything I write because I believe there’s a bold, kick-ass heroine inside all of us who wants to take a wild ride with a strong worthy hero.

You can find out more about Ms. Leon at the following places:

Blog

 Facebook

Night Owl Reviews Author Page

Seven Sexy Scribes Blog

Ellora’s Cave

**THE  STRIX**

**Book One ~ Bag Of Tricks Series**

Genre: Paranormal erotic-romance, vampire, historical, parallel worlds.

Publisher: Loose Id LLC

Date of Publication: July 17, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-61118-906-3

ASIN: B008MH8FTG

Number of pages: 262

Word Count: 83,134

**BLURB**

A cursed amber amulet unearthed in Pompeii flings Arcona into a past life of witchcraft, bloodshed, revenge, and sexual slavery to the cruel Master of a gladiatorial school. This violent parallel world is populated with “Slayers,” blood-drinking immortals devoted to the gods of war and mayhem.

As a Strix, or malignant witch, Arcona once used sex and blood rituals to create a race of immortal warriors to unleash on Rome. Now it’s time to pay.

The gladiator Tyr was one desperately lonely lover she betrayed. Against his will, she turned him into Upir Likhyi, a foul vampire. For two millennia he’s lived a grim existence as a Slayer, in constant sexual arousal yet denied release; now, he's pissed off and wants revenge. He kidnaps Arcona, planning to drink her dry and break the curse.

Along the way Arcona and Tyr relive their sexual slavery at the hands of Rome and blood sport in the arena, but the real magic is they forgive and fall in love.

Too bad another Slayer wants them dead.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, dubious consent, female/female sexual practices.

Buy Links:

Loose Id LLC

All Romance eBooks

Amazon

**EXCERPT**

(Arcona is speaking to Salem witch Dame Bishop in the Silver Moon Scrying Shoppe)

“Are you familiar with the legend of the Strix?”

“No.” Arcona shook her head, noting that the amulet was warming almost too quickly in her cool palm.

“You won’t find this myth in many books; few know or speak of the Strix. The Strix was a compilation of all ancient Rome’s guilty fears about the so-called barbarians they enslaved, punished, and brought under their own roofs as domestics, lovers, and lethal entertainment. The Strix combined fearful barbarian lore and Roman superstitions in a single horrific creature that traveled the night as a grotesque bird of prey, sucking the blood from innocent people and turning them against Rome.

“The Strix might start life as a worshipper of Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and necromancy. She could be born Roman or Celtic and work as a healer, witch, or midwife, but somewhere along the way, hatred and the need for revenge against the oppressor corrupted the witch’s capacity for doing good. Rage and destruction took the place of healing acts. Stray witches made bargains with dark forces in exchange for the power to grant invincibility in battle to others, who in turn would walk the earth in violent wrath.”

Arcona grimaced. “The Strix sounds absolutely repulsive.”

“She isn’t, and by the way the Strix is always a she. The essence of Venus imbued the Strix with the power to seduce and sexually torment any young man she approached. She sought out strong, battle-worthy men. Her victims were powerless to refuse. At the climax of the sexual act, she’d drink their blood and send them into a violent rage. During these unnatural couplings, rarely but sometimes a male, Upir Likhyi, was created.”

Arcona was almost afraid to ask. “What’s an Upir Likhyi?” She struggled to pronounce the unwieldy words.

“It’s an old pagan Baltic term for wicked or foul vampire. It is a revenant, or undead soul, that seeks the thrill of blood sport and warfare. In ancient times many were recruited to secretly serve Mars.”

A shiver trembled up her spine. “We certainly don’t need any more of those violent, bloodsucking sorts hanging around, that’s for sure.” She laughed with nervous self-consciousness until she noticed Dame Bishop’s serious face. It was apparent she did not share the dismissive attitude.

Arcona struggled to compose herself. “I don’t mean to sound so disrespectful, because I love mythology too. It’s had a huge influence over human history, but myths are just a way to explain human desires and behavior. I’m a bit puzzled that you’re talking about the Strix as if it’s a real entity.”

Dame Bishop blanched. “It is a real entity. Make no mistake; every myth carries a grain of truth within. There are realms loosely tethered to this one far stranger than anything you can imagine. To say these realms are less real than ours is to profess the Earth is flat. It is a statement only the ignorant can speak freely.”

“I’m sorry.” Damn, she really put her foot in it. Arcona gently lowered the amulet back into its box. “Thank you for sharing this with me. It’s fascinating.”

She gazed at the skeletal bronze birds and strange craftsmanship one last time. “How exactly did you come across this? A rare artifact of this age seems like it should be safely stashed in a museum.”

“I agree.” Dame Bishop’s expression brightened. “Some associates of mine at the Universita di Roma know my interest in such things and were kind enough to allow me to examine the amulet.”

“I’m familiar with the University of Rome! My ex-husband once taught there. Who are your contacts; perhaps I know them?”

“I highly doubt it.” Dame Bishop’s mouth drew tense. “My colleagues are very private people.” Her gaze dropped toward the amulet. “Tomorrow it’s headed to the Smithsonian in an armored car. I just wanted to share it with one last soul before it continued on its journey to lie locked away in some sterile vault until the curators can figure out what to do with it.”

A heightened gleam shone in Dame Bishop’s eyes as she lifted the amulet from the box and held it toward Arcona. “Why don’t you try it on? Just to see what it feels like.” A sly smile crossed her lips. “This is a bit of living history. You may never get an opportunity like this again.”

Something about the amber riveted Arcona’s attention. The center of the amulet was translucent and glowed like a fiery ember. Against her better judgment about carelessly handling antiquities and possibly ill-gotten property, she reached for the leather thong and looped it around her neck.

The amulet hung heavy and prominent atop her breasts. Arcona glanced downward. This was a big, bold piece of ornamentation obviously meant to immediately identify its wearer as a witch who had wandered over to the dark side.

A loud knock pounded on the front door of the shop.

Arcona started.

“Excuse me.” Dame Bishop pulled the curtain to the back room aside. “Let me see who’s at the door.”

Arcona was left alone in the back room to gaze down at the amulet and decided that in spite of the somewhat disturbing bronze motifs it was actually very beautiful and must have made a strong impression in its day.

The warm, subtle scent of amber resin reached her nose. She sniffed again in disbelief, knowing there was no way this ancient piece of fossilized amber could possibly be emitting a scent.

She inhaled the mystery fragrance, and sure enough, the rich scent of earthy amber was filling the air. She glanced around curious to know if there was anything near that could possibly be the source of the aroma and saw nothing she could hold to account.

She glanced toward the curtain. What was Dame Bishop up to? She didn’t hear anything going on in the front of the shop. All was silent.

She turned to leave the back room, and her knees buckled. A moment of extreme dizziness knocked her off balance and sent her flailing toward the dusty countertop in a scrambling attempt to keep from falling to the floor.

She blinked in shock as she doubled over the countertop. God, it was getting warm in here. Her skin felt burning hot. She gasped and tugged her coat away from her body, but it didn’t help.

A terrifying sensation of thousands of vicious needle jabs prickled the tender soles of her feet and spread upward. She struggled to kick her tall leather boots free of her feet but couldn’t. The burning sensations licked higher up her legs. She gulped air, fighting rising panic. Her skin felt crispy as if it were being cooked. The pain escalated until it was unendurable. “Help!”

The curtain of the back room was thrown open, and Dame Bishop appeared. “What’s wrong, dear?”

Arcona pulled herself upright. Suddenly nothing was wrong, except the sleeves of her trench coat were covered in dust up to the elbows from writhing against the countertop. The horrid burning sensation left as swiftly as it had arrived. “Dear God, that was weird. For a moment it felt like I was on fire.”

“Really?” Dame Bishop didn’t look the least bit surprised.

“Really. I think this amulet is cursed. Wearing it feels awful.”

“Cursed?” Dame Bishop balked. “I thought you were a skeptic?”

“I’m still a skeptic, but I’m telling you there is something unwholesome about this piece of jewelry. Perhaps it should be kept in a sterile museum vault.”

“Hold on a minute. Don’t be so quick to judge.” Dame Bishop wagged an admonishing finger in the air. “You were the one who was burning. Maybe we should concentrate on that.”

“Are you implying that what just happened to me was my fault? I put the amulet on and immediately felt like I was on fire. That never happens to me. Does that sort of thing happen to you? It’s kind of weird. I think I’m entitled to blame the amulet.” She half listened to herself, cringing at the childish tone of her argument.

Arcona took told of the leather thong and tried to yank the amulet over her head, but it tangled in her long auburn hair. She grasped the bronze setting and tried to untangle the thong. The setting hooked onto her sweater and clung like a bur. “Look at this thing!” She tugged at the amulet in exasperation. “It’s like an octopus grapping me.”

“Leave it alone,” Dame Bishop said tersely. “Don’t provoke it.”

“What?” Arcona frowned. “I want it off.”

“It’s not coming off, at least not until it’s ready.”

“No way.” Arcona grabbed the thong and gave it a sharp upward yank. A hellish burning sensation reminiscent of having cooked skin peeled from her bones racked her. “Oh my God!” she wailed.

She let go of the amulet, and the pain stopped in an instant.

Dame Bishop’s brow creased with serious concern.

“You didn’t know this would happen, did you?” Arcona fought a rising sense of panic. “Please take it off me. I don’t want it near me, and I’m afraid to touch it.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Dame Bishop took a cautious step backward. “I can’t take it off you. You’re the only one who can free yourself.”

So what did you all think? Tell me your thoughts. I love to hear feedback about the post I put on the blog. Have you read this book yet? Have you read these authors before? Are you likely to read this book? Why or why not?

I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms Skyze, Ms. Leon, and their book. And guess what, Book 2 comes out very soon! Tune in for details later on! Thanks so much for spending time with us today!

Until next time …

HAPPY READING!!!

Interview with author Chelsea Cameron

Interview with author Chelsea Cameron

Today I have the pleasure of working with the awesome Heather at Supagurl Book Tours. This is my first tour with Supagurl. Due to personal difficulties, I was not able to post this interview during the tour, but thankfully, I was allowed to proceed with it now. Thanks again for that, Heather! I read and enjoy YA novels, but I am extremely picky about what I choose to read. I suppose a lot of this is due to the act that I prefer to read romance (all genres of romance) over any genre so I tend to be very careful about reading outside the romance genre. But when I saw this tour invite, the book description caught my attention. And you now what that means … Yep! You all benefit because I then get to share it with you. I hope you enjoy your time spent today … Please allow me to introduce to you:

**CHELSEA  CAMERON**

**BIO**

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA writer from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

She has two books out now, Nocturnal and Nightmare, the first and second books in the Noctalis Chronicles about a girl with a dying mother who meets an immortal boy. The third book, Numb will be out this August, and the fourth in the winter. Her other book, Whisper, about a girl who is alive, a boy who isn't and the complications that go along with their relationship, released June 16 and is the first in a trilogy.

You can find out more about Ms. Cameron at the following places:

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

**INTERVIEW**

How has your life changed since becoming published?

It hasn't changed all that much, since I'm still working my day job. I think when I'm able to pay the bills as a full-time writer, then my life will really change. Other than that, I'm a lot more busy that I used to be. A lot more emails, lol.

LOL! What is your typical day like?

I work my day job at a bank Monday through Friday from 7:45 to 4:15, so all my writing gets done at night. I'm naturally a night owl, so this works for me. Weekends I'll sometimes do marathons and write all day.

Marathons? Not me. But that is great for you. I admire those that can do something like that. Especially with all you have going on. Tell us a little about your current release Nocturnal.

NOCTURNAL is the first book in a four-book series. It's about a girl with a mother dying of cancer who meets a strange guy one night in a cemetery. Here's the full synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan isn't one for doing the expected. Especially when she finds out her mother's cancer is terminal. After a crying session in the local cemetery where she's attacked by one strange guy and saved by another, she doesn't call the cops. Because those guys definitely weren't your average hooligans. 

And the one who sort-of saved her? Well, he's odd. He doesn't seem to breathe or smile or have anything better to do than wait in the cemetery for Ava to come back, which she does. Morbid curiosity? Even after he warns her that he's dangerous, she can't stop wanting to see him, talk to him, be with him.

There's just something about Peter that provides a much-needed escape from her mother's diagnosis and her tenuous relationship with her father. Her best friends, Jamie and Texas, don't know what it's like to face death. Peter does; he already has. But a promise he made a long time ago could destroy both of them.

When everything in your life is falling apart, what are you willing to give up to hold onto the one thing that could last forever?

Seriously. I know may that would take that plunge to keep everything from ending. Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?

I'm working on the third book in the series, NUMB. It will be out on August 31, and a New Adult Contemporary, MY FFAVORITE MISTAKE, which will be out on September 29.

Great to know! How do you keep in contact with your readers?

I'm a HUGE Twitter person. You can almost always find me on there, and if you don't see me, I'm probably lurking. I also have a Facebook, Blog and Pinterest. I love social networking :) Hearing from people who liked my work absolutely makes my day.

I bet it does. Nothing better than getting positive feedback about your hard work. What is your favorite thing about this book?

I wanted to write my version of a vampire book. I had the idea for this story three years before I wrote it. Back then, I was pursuing traditional publication and knew that no one would touch a vampire book, however unique, with a ten-foot pole. So I didn't write it for years. Then the idea wouldn't leave me alone so I wrote it. It turned out very different than I planned, which happens with all my books. The thing I love the most is Ava's relationship with her mother. I didn't want the story to just be about the romance.

Say what? No one would touch a vampire book? Pfft! Inconceivable! What’s next for Ava?

NIGHTMARE, the second book in the series, ends on a cliffhanger. The only thing I can say is that there will be a new character that's going to change things up in a big way :)

Cliffhangers – have a love and despise relationship with those. *nods* When did you begin your journey as an author and what pulled you in the direction of writing?

I've loved books ever since I knew what they were. My parents read to me every night, up until I was nearly a teenager. I'm an only child, and we lived in a rural area, so books were always my escape. The crazy thing is that I hated writing. Hated it. Whenever I'd get an essay assigned in school, I'd kick and scream and drag my feet before I did it. For some reason I thought that authors were some sort of mystical magical creatures that lived on a different planet than normal people. Like unicorns. I grew up and had a few teachers that encouraged my writing. When it was time to chose a major for college, I picked journalism because it seemed more reputable than English. I wrote for the school paper, but had an idea for a young adult book one night that wouldn't leave me alone. I wrote a few notes and over the next four years I wrote and re-wrote it. During that time, I discovered that I liked writing about fictional people better than real ones, and abandoned my ambition to work for a newspaper. Since then I discovered indie publishing, wrote six more books and haven't looked back!

For me, writing is a way to express myself, silly as that sounds. My mother is an artist, and I grew up surrounded by creative people. I don't have any talent for painting or drawing or any of that, so I use words instead. I feel like I have all this stuff in my brain and I have to get it out somehow. The stories come to me and bug me until I deal with them. Once I made the decision to be a fiction writer, all these stories came to me, as if I'd opened the floodgates.

Interesting! I always loved writing. Not novel kind of writing, but writing came very easy for me. My boys hate writing. Maybe they will be authors! That would be fantastic! Any special quirks or habits when writing?

I have to be sitting or lying down. I can't sit at a desk. Partially because I have back issues, and partially because I have to be comfortable. I also tend to mouth the words as I'm writing them. I wasn't aware that I did this until someone told me.

Love those quirks you never knew you had, right? LOL Lying down seems difficult. But whatever works, right? Nd I can relate to back problems. No bueno! How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?

This is going to sound silly, but I never really feel like I've 'finished' something until it's uploaded and for sale on Amazon. I do celebrate finishing drafts, and finishing edits from my editor. Usually I do something non-book related, like going out with friends for drinks or working out, or going shopping.

No way! Drinks and friends with shopping is awesome! And not feeling like the book is complete until it can be bought makes perfect sense; especially with all that is involved in the entire process! Any advice you’d like to share for aspiring writers?

I'll steal Stephen King's advice and say read a lot, write a lot. Pretty basic, but you have to do both of those things. I'd also add to that meet other writers, whether that is in person or online. You need to interact with others that understand what it's like, and respect it. I'd also suggest that they give NaNoWriMo a try. For those who don't know what NaNoWriMo is, it's National Novel Writing Month and takes place in November, and basically you try to write a 50,000 word novel in that month. I did it for the first time last year and it was crazy and stressful, but so much fun. It's a really good motivator if you need one.

NaNoWri Mo rocks! Until last year, I had no idea what it was. Then I did a huge segment on it and now I get it. I plan to revisit it again this year. Tell us one thing that readers wouldn’t know about you.

I'm really, really short. Only 5'0. I hit that height in seventh grade and never got any taller. I also look much younger than I am. This is going to be great when I'm older, but right now it's still annoying. Last summer a girl asked me if I was over 17 when I went to a rated-R movie. I was almost 25.

I have a friend with the same problem. She HATES being carded even though she is 25, but she looks about 15. On the bright side, you will probably age better than ANY of us. *grins* What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing?

That it's okay to suck. It's okay to write a crappy first draft. You can always fix it later. Also that I can write whatever I want. Let the ideas take me where they want to, and stop worrying about conforming to rules of a genre that really don't exist.

Great advice! Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides writing?

I always did sports in high school, and I did dance before that, but when I hit college, I started writing more and moving less. One of my co-workers is a workout teacher and I started kickboxing about 7 months ago and I love it! I'm in much better shape, and I'm actually happier now. Healthier, too. I'm also a sporadic crafter, but since joining Pinterest, I've got a ton of projects I want to do.

Ah! The marathon thing makes better sense now. Me? Soooooo NOT sport-talented. *shakes head furiously* … So … Salty or Sweet?

Depends on my mood. Sometimes both :)

Exactly! Alcoholic or Non-alcoholic?

I'll go with non-alcoholic, unless I'm out with friends. I'm a lightweight, being so short, so one drink is usually all I need.

Not a big fan of much of anything alcoholic here. What is your favorite drink?

I'm a huge tea drinker, so I always have a ton of that in my house. Lately I've gotten addicted to McDonald's McCafe caramel Frappes. Those things are  heaven.

Those are great! And their sweet tea! Love tea! I drink wayyyyyyy too much of it! Favorite place you have ever visited?

DisneyWorld! I went there last year with two of my best friends and it's true what they say. It is the happiest place on earth.

*snort* I was there forever ago – I’m talking like 1989. It was great and I still remember eating in Morocco. Is Figment still there? I fell in love with him! E left three days before MGM Studios opened. And Typhoon Lagoon was still under construction. So sad. Opposites: 1 thing that never fails to make you happy and one thing that never fails to make you see red.

Videos of babies laughing are the greatest thing ever. When I have a bad day, those never fail to give me a smile. Something that never fails to make me mad are people who hate other people for a completely ridiculous reason. Like the color of their skin, or their religion, or their sexual preferences. That gets my blood boiling.

That type of hate is just uncalled for and ridiculous. People need to evolve!!!!! E-reader or Paperback?

Both! I love the smell of books. I mean, really, who doesn't? I love the weight of them, the feel of holding them and how they look on my bookshelf. But then I love having my Kindle in my purse for when I'm waiting at the doctor's office. I also love being able to go nuts on Amazon and download 20 books in one day without having to find a place to put them.

I think I just fell in love with you a little. I get the Amazon thing because that is fun … who doesn’t like buying books after all … but there is nothing, NOTHING, like holding and smelling that book. Do you have any hidden talents?

I am an absolute trivia freak, so I know the most random facts ever. I watch Jeopardy every single night, and I swear I'm going to try out one of these days. I collect weird facts and bits of history like a squirrel collects nuts.

You totally should. We’d all be cheering you on! Can you imagine the tweets while you were on! How fun! Favorite midnight snack?

Nutella and Marshmello Fluff on graham crackers. Instant s'mores!

OMG! I am an idiot! I can’t believe that I haven’t put Nutella with marshmallow cream before! Doh!  Did you know Jif makes something like Nutella now too? They have a cappuccino one too. Not as good as Nutella, but not bad either. Flowers or chocolate?

Chocolate! That's not even a question. Chocolate releases endorphins in your brain. Flowers make me sneeze.

I’m greedy. I say one MUST accompany the other. LOL Do you have any phobias or fears?

I loathe spiders. Hate them. Whenever I see one, I have a freak out. I can't kill them because that's mean, so I have to find someone who's willing to put it outside. I don't know where this fear came from, because when I was a kid I used to carry spiders around in a jar and I absolutely loved Charlotte's Web.

Charlotte’s Web is a frickin cartoon. There is no point in trying to classify them together. I love it too. Spiders – Hell to the NOES! I wake my kids up even if it is in the middle of the night or I won’t sleep. I’m not willing to let them live though because I’ll freak out about them getting back in the house. *shudders* No idea where my fear came from wither. Although it may have been that dang Arachnophobia movie! ARGH! Why did I ever watch that thing? Are you a night person or morning person?

Night all the way! I think most writers are insomniacs because our brains are always thinking and plotting and imagining. I've been an insomniac my entire life, so writing really works well with that. I'm only a morning person because I have to get up for work.

SUPA fun interview courtesy of Supagurl! *wink* I know, I know … but I crack myself up. Anyway, I want to thank Ms. Cameron for taking the time to answer my questions and for being here with us today. I hope that you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms. Cameron. How about I tell you a little more about the books?

**NOCTURNAL**

**BLURB**

Seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan's mother is dying. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that her greatest solace comes from someone who's already dead.

Peter Hart saves her one night in a graveyard from an attacker just as strange as he is, and now Ava can't stop thinking about him. She wants to see him again - even after he warns her he's dangerous, and she begins to realize what he is. Her best friends don't know anything about death, but Peter does, intimately. He's waiting for her the next night she comes to the cemetery, and the next...

But their growing bond comes up against a promise Peter made a long time ago, a promise that could destroy them both. Now Ava has to decide just what she's willing to give up to hold onto the one thing that could last forever.

**NIGHTMARE**

**BLURB**

Ava-Claire Sullivan's first mistake was becoming vampire Peter Mackintire's personal blood bank. Her second mistake was falling in love with him.

Now it's Ava's job to make sure he never loves her in return. A pact Peter made nearly a hundred years ago means loving someone will kill him. If she can figure out how to free him from his promise, it might kill her, make her immortal, or lead to the love she wants so badly.

But if she doesn't, at best her heart will break...and at worst, Peter will die.

**NIGHTMARE  EXCERPT**

“What's your name?” It's my attempt to talk him off the proverbial ledge. All the cops do it on TV.

“Peter.”

“Peter, what?”

“Hart.”

“It's nice to meet you, Peter. I'm Ava.” I stick my hand out, like this is some sort of meet-and-greet. He stares at my hand. I yank it back. I must have come on too strong. Go me.

“So, what, have you just been camping out here, waiting for unsuspecting girls to wander near your mausoleum?” I sound like a lunatic. 

“No.”

“Where's your brother?”

“You mean Ivan. He is not here.” Glory halleluiah. I should throw a party. With confetti.

“You're not very good at conversation, are you?” He turns his head to the side. I like it when he does that. Wait, what? I pull my eyes away from him.

“No, I am not. But you continue to try.”

“Call me Saint Jude,” I say with a sigh. It comes out kind of trembly, since I'm so cold. I hope he doesn't notice, but I'm sure he does. 

“Do you consider me a lost or hopeless cause?” That catches me off guard. Only Tex or Jamie or my mother or someone familiar with saints would understand that little quip. 

“Well I don't know you, so I couldn't say. What would you consider yourself as?” I look up at him, trying to be as confident as I sound. Clearly, he's something. I just don't know what that is. I move the beam back up to his eyes, hidden behind that hair. They sparkle like gems under water. 

“I am nothing.” His voice goes quiet. The first change in volume, which tells me something. I just don't know what that is. I'm still shaking and I can't feel any of my extremities.

“You're... something.” I can't say what I'm thinking, that I don't think he's a normal guy. I try not to look at his eyes again, but now that I've done it once, they're all I can see when I close my eyes. My heart kicks into high gear. Why are my palms sweating?

“I just can't figure you out.” He's still standing. “You don't want me to, though.” I meet his eyes for a second.

“I would prefer it.” I'm shivering so bad I can barely talk. 

“Well, thank you anyway. For not letting Ivan do, whatever it was he wanted to do. And for not killing yourself.” I cringe inwardly at how ungrateful of a thanks it is.

He studies at me a second before answering.

“You are welcome, Ava.” It's the first time he says my name. 

“So, um, goodbye.” As much as I'd like to stay and chat with him, my nose is going to freeze and fall off if I don't leave. He is unaffected by the cold. Come to think of it, I haven't seen his breath in the air. I haven't seen him breathe. I should probably just stop thinking.

“Goodnight, Ava.” I stare at his chest, looking for some kind of breathing movement. Of course, it's really hard to see in the dark. I drag my eyes back up to his face, which is calm as ever.

Of course I have to stop and say, “will you be here tomorrow?” in a hopeful, pleading kind of voice. He answers my question with one of his own.

“Will you?” I bite my lip before I answer, considering if I should lie or tell the truth.

“Probably.” I go with the truth. Even with the fact that I've just embarrassed myself irreparably, I know I'll be back. Sometimes you just know things. My mother would scoff at my certainty and say something about fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... I don't remember the rest. 

I give a lame little wave as I turn around. 

“Will you?” I ask again.

“Perhaps.” Neither of us wants to make a commitment. That would have made this something more, and I'm still not sure if it's anything or nothing. I want it to be nothing. But it's probably something.

**BONUS**

I was searching around for some information I needed for this post and discovered that both NOCTURNAL and NIGHTMARE are currently available as a FREE download via Amazon for Prime Members! I have no idea how long this is happening, so if you are a Prime Member, jump on it quick!

A special thanks to everyone who visited today! Thanks for spending some time with us and feel free to leave any comments. I love to hear feedback about your thoughts on the posts! Have a wonderful day … and until next time …

HAPPY READING!!!

Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Chastity Bush

Interview & GIVEAWAY with author Chastity Bush

Hello everyone! Today I have the pleasure of having Ms. Chastity Bush on the blog. I first came across one of Ms. Bush’s books reviewing for Just Erotic Romance Reviews (JERR). The book was titled KILLER KISSES and I found it to be an enjoyable read. It is a great way to pass a couple of hours. As a novella, this would be one you guys just might want to check out. *wink*

But today we are here to interview Ms. Bush, get to know a little more about her that many of you probably don’t know, and find out about another great book! Sound good? I thought so! So let’s get on with it! Please allow me to introduce to you all:

**CHASTITY  BUSH**

 **BIO**

Chastity Bush is the author of several romance novels known for their spicy romance, suspense and humorous edge. When not hard at work on her next novel you can find her spending time with her husband and their two daughters. She loves to hear from her readers and personally answers all email she receives.
 

You can find Ms. Bush in the following places:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon

Goodreads

Pinterest

**INTERVIEW**

How has your life changed since becoming published?

It really hasn’t. I take care of my family, and write when I have time. I love writing as much today, as I did the day I started.

Isn’t it great to be able to do something you love so much? What is your typical day like?

It’s a little busy, of course. J Take kids to school, run errands, promo, check sales, answer email, answer blog posts and interviews. Do a little house work, get some writing in, pick up the kiddos, and cook dinner. The evening is spent with my family.

The glamorous life of a published author, yes? *whispers* That sounds suspiciously familiar to me. *wink* Tell us a little about your current release, RELUCTANT ANGEL.

RELUCTANT ANGEL is a story about an angel who just isn’t ready to be an angel. She yearns to be alive, and thanks to her angel/warrior status, she’s granted the opportunity to win an entirely new soul, IF she can save one human. But, her human is more than a hand full. He’s a suicidal mercenary, who she just happens to fall in love with despite the ‘hands off humans’ policy. Here’s a little blurb.

An angel desperate for a second chance…

When a tragic accident takes the life of Killian Samms, she enters the one place she never thought she’d see. Heaven… or something like it.
Desperate for a second chance at life, Killian’s willing to do whatever it takes to regain her human life, including falling to Earth and facing the Destroyer.
If she can defeat The Destroyer, a creature who awakens once ever century to take the souls of as many people possible for power, she’ll earn any one of the countless souls he’s harvested over the years, including an immortal one.
But there's a catch, in order for her to be sent on this mission, she has to agree to help Chase Crawford- a mercenary who’s in desperate need of saving- see that his life is still worth living. However, she never expected to fall for the ruggedly handsome soldier of fortune.
Now, not only does Killian have eight days to find, face, and defeat The Destroyer in order to stay on Earth, she has to do it while fighting her growing feelings for the man she’s vowed to save, or lose him forever.

Couldn’t be more ill-suited for eachother … but then those are usually the best stories, right? I’m intrigued! How do you keep in contact with your readers?

I’m very active on the social networks, Twitter, Facebook, goodreads, pinterest, and of course email. I love to hear from readers and try to answer them as soon as possible.

I included the links above with your bio for those who would like to find you. What is your favorite thing about this book?

It’s a bit darker than my other books. And it’s a bit sexier in some places, than I’m used to writing, but I absolutely love the way it turned out.

Dark and sexy works for me! *nods* What’s next for Chastity Bush?

I’m working on a new book titled MELODY MASSACRE TO THE RESCUE. It’s a Sex And The City meets Underworld type of story. I’m having a load of fun writing this one. Here’s a sneak peek!

I’m Melody Massacre. Yes, you read that right, Massacre.

Five years ago I joined an elite team of agents known as the Immortal Eradicating Unit. My plan? Become one lean, mean crime-fighting machine. But in reality, I’m small, slightly pudgy, a bit sarcastic, and a little on the nerdy side… okay, a lot on the nerdy side.

Three days ago, I was named lead investigator on a case that just gets weirder as days go by. Someone’s killing truckers and leaving their charred bodies at truck stops across the country.

But that’s not the worst of my worries. (Yeah, it gets worse.)

I was given a new partner. Agent Bennett McClain or, Agent Hottie, as I’ve dubbed him. He has a wicked sense of humor, intelligence, and his looks are so hot a girl could find her panties melting in his presence. None of which are a good thing since I have a job to do and getting involved with my new partner isn’t the best idea.

Now, I have to discover who’s killing the truckers and why, while keeping my hands off the mancandy at my side.

I can do it. It can’t be that hard, right?

Oh gawd, Agent Hottie’s headed this way, and he smells so good…

I am digging the Underworld component. The Sex and the City component has me curious. *runs to add it to the TBR list* How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?

I take an entire week to do nothing but read. Just let my mind relax and enjoy someone else’s stories for a while.

I can relate to that! Nothing like reading and escaping into another world! What are you reading now? Any favorites you tend to go back to?

I’m currently reading Gemma Halliday’s High Heels series. I’m really loving it.  I’m currently on Mayhem in High Heels. Very fun read.

As for a favorite I always go back to? There are two. One is Highland Sinner by Hannah Howell and the other is Dark Desires After Dark by Kresley Cole. I love how their books take you to an entirely different world.

Good to know. I have a couple of Ms. Halliday’s and of course Howell and Cole are on my bookshelves but have yet to start them. Why oh why can’t time freeze whenever I am reading so I can get more read? *cries* Any advice you’d like to share for aspiring writers?

Don’t write for money. If you write with the idea of becoming rich and famous, you’re in for a terrible surprise. Write because you love it, not for the pay.

Oh! That’s a new one. I LOVE it! Tell us one thing that readers wouldn’t know about you.

I’m terribly sarcastic.

Huh? A writer that is sarcastic? Say it isn’t so! *grins* What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing?

That there are just as many con’s in the writing world as there are in the rest of the world. I wish I’d have known to be careful and research whom I submitted my work to before I got swindled. I’m still kicking myself, and fighting to get the rights to my first book back.

BE CAREFUL!

Sad, but true. I have a couple of published friends who have the same problem. It is disheartening to me that things like this happen and especially to an author with his or her own work. Do you have any other hobbies or interests besides writing?

I love to bake. I bake almost anything. And shoes. I can’t seem to have enough shoes!

Baking! Speaking of which I will be doing today. My oldest turns 15! Yikes! And the holidays are fast approaching. My mouth is already watering over the smells the will be filling the house. Dang it! Now I need to make some cookies or something. Perhaps I should add a recipe segment to the blog … *drifts off in thought* Opposites: 1 thing that never fails to make you happy and one thing that never fails to make you see red.

Happy: When my hubby and kids tease me. It’s all in fun and I love to see the smiles on their faces.

See red: Neglectful parents. When I see kids as young as 5-6 years old running wild all of at the mall or grocery store, it drives me crazy. There are so many things that could happen to these children, and their parents appear not to care at all.

Word! Boxers or briefs?

Briefs. J

M&M’s or Skittles?

Skittles

Long hair or short hair on a guy?

Hmmm… I think it all depends. I like both, really.

Exactly! Favorite midnight snack?

Ben & Jerrys Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Yes. Eeessss gooooood! Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Intorvert. Total introvert.

Here here! Do you have any phobias or fears?

I think a list of things I’m not afraid of would be shorter, but here’s a few things that freak me out.

Spiders. Elevators. Clowns. Strangers. Those little red/gold June bugs, and the list goes on and on.

Spiders and bugs! I am so there with you! And clowns were cool until I saw IT. *shudders* Are you a night person or morning person?

Night person. I’m horrible in the mornings.

Random Thought:

Why is it a ‘near miss’? I mean, they either missed, or they didn’t, right?  Goofy thing to ask, but I’ve always wondered that.

I know, right? Good question! That interview was a lot of fun! Ms. Bush has included a fabulous excerpt of her latest release RELUCTANT ANGEL. Be sure to read it all – not only will you be glad you did, you just might find a special surprise for one lucky commenter.

**RELUCTANT  ANGEL**

(blurb included within interview)

**EXCERPT**

(Warning: HOT!)

(*interrupts* I’d like to see your HOT warning and raise

it to a GOOD LAWD!)

Killian watched as Chase stood and paced to the center of the camp where he stirred the fire angrily. His vowing to protect her from the creature was something she couldn’t allow.

If she hadn’t accomplished her task with Chase by the time she faced the creature, she couldn’t stand by and watch as the Destroyer killed Chase. That’s exactly what would happen. She hated to admit it; it was dangerously wrong, but she felt a growing level of protectiveness toward Chase.

Once she set him back on the proper path, he would be zapped back into his life, away from the island, and away from her. They might run into each other someday, when she got her life back, but they wouldn’t remember each other. That too, was against the rules.

Standing, Killian leaned her hips against the tree she’d been sitting against, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I was sent to save you.”

Chase stalked toward her. Stopping within inches, he towered over her. His size filled her vision and overwhelmed her senses as he peered down at her. He was trying to intimidate her with his monstrous physique, but he didn’t scare her. His closeness had quite the opposite effect, and she fought the urge to squeeze her legs together to relieve the hot ache building there.

“Save me?” he scoffed, leaning closer to her face. His breath wisped over her mouth. The scent of mint tickled her nose. “From who?” he challenged through clenched teeth.

She felt his anger as it rolled off him like molten lava, hot and greedy as it spilled from his veins in a rush, yet she couldn’t bring herself to fear him.

Their faces hovered a mere breath apart. His lips looked so inviting. So tempting. The need to feel them pressed against hers surged within her.

Swallowing thickly, she fought to keep her voice clear of the aroused quaver his strength invoked in her. “From yourself.”

His expression shifted, changing to one of disbelief mixed with anger.

“You think you can save me from myself?”

His lips moved closer to hers as she studied him studying her.

Then she saw it. The moment he lost control, tossing it to the wind to be scattered haphazardly like dandelion seeds across an open plain. His eyes blazed darker than usual, tiny glints of gold mixed with rich, liquid chocolate. A muscle in his jaw ticked.

He reached up and grabbed her nape roughly in his large, hot palm. “That’s all well and good, angel, but who’s going to save you from me?”

In a flash, Chase pulled her head to him and met her lips in a heated, harsh kiss.

Killian shivered as white-hot arousal zipped through her like a bolt of lightning streaking across the open night sky. Hot and aching, it raced through her blood before settling heavily between her thighs.

Chase lowered his hands and gripped her ass, lifted her, stepped between her legs, and pinned her to the tree with his body.

As his tongue swept the depths of her mouth, she couldn’t contain the moan escaping her throat. She’d ached for this closeness, this contact, for so long the emotion swept over her with a startling fierceness.

Gripping his shoulders, she pulled him closer against her and wrapped her legs around his waist. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get close enough to him. Subtly he ground his obvious arousal against her hot, aching center.

For so long she’d ignored these urges, but with just one kiss from a stranger she was on the verge of throwing away everything she’d worked so hard for. No matter how desperately she tried, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. Her mind demanded that she control herself, but her body ignored the command.

Breaking the kiss, she twisted her head to the side. “We should stop,” she protested weakly, but her voice sounded unconvincing even to her as she roamed her hands over his broad shoulders, anchoring him against her in contradiction to her words.

Chase lowered his mouth to her neck and nipped playfully at the sensitive skin there before raising his mouth to gently suckle her earlobe. “What we should do, and what we want to do are two different things.”

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back as he cupped one aching breast in his palm before taking her hardened nipple between his fingers to tug playfully. He thrust between her legs again.

She gasped with pleasure.

“And what is it you want to do?”

Twining one hand tightly into her thick, black hair, Chase forced her to look at him as he continued his gentle but firm thrusting between her legs. Even through her pants she felt the heat of his body, so hot, so masculine, so demanding.

“What do I want?” he asked huskily. His thick, sweet voice enveloped her, sticking to every inch of her like melted taffy.

“I want to rip your clothing off, press you against this tree, and fuck you until you scream my name.”

His harsh description sent a heated chill sliding through her as the image of him doing just that filled her arousal-fogged mind.

His hard, tanned body, pumping into hers as he brought her to an exquisite release, releasing a scream from her throat before he joined her in the same bliss.

Heat flooded her cheeks at the lascivious idea. He lowered her feet to the ground, then spun her around to face the tree. His hand still twined in her hair, he pressed her against the trunk and kicked her ankles apart. Stepping between her legs from behind, he thrust against her. She gasped as his hand crept down the front of her body to cup her womanhood in his palm. Even through the cloth, she felt the heat of his hand against her sensitive flesh.

“Then, I would turn you around and take you just like this, until you were so weak from pleasure your knees shook and nothing but my cock held you up.”

Sliding his other hand under the hem of her shirt, he slid her breast free of its confines and caressed her bare nipple.

“But we can’t,” she said quietly. “It’s against the rules.”

Her breath caught in her throat as Chase slid the hand cupping her sex into the front of her pants. When he’d unfastened them, she didn’t know; she was too caught up, too lost on a torrent of pleasure.

“Aren’t rules made to be broken?” he whispered against the back of her neck.

A strangled moan caught in her throat as Chase slid his fingers into her panties, to slip hotly against her naked flesh.

“So hot, so wet,” he said huskily against her ear as one long finger entered her. “So ready for me, but it’s against the rules, you say.”

She was already close to her release; just his subtle thrusting against her while teasing her breasts was enough to bring her right to the edge of oblivion. The pressure his fingers built inside her, combined with the gentle, openmouthed kisses against her neck, was more than she could bear. Even the gentle tug of her hair as he held it in his fist sent a shudder of need through her.

“But this”—Chase pressed even deeper into her—“isn’t against the rules, is it?” He forced her face around to meet his for a kiss.

Breaking the kiss, he gazed into her eyes. “This is only releasing a little tension,” he murmured against her mouth. Pressing his fingers deep once again, her desire exploded and she screamed as her climax rocketed through her.

Chase held her between his body and the roughness of the tree, stroking her hair, kissing her neck, her shoulders, as she quaked with wave after endless wave of pleasure. She’d never felt such bone-deep satisfaction, even when alive. The need to have Chase lodged deep within melted over her.

Smoothly he withdrew his fingers and straightened her clothing. The hardness of his manhood pressed insistently against her. If she were to try to give him the same pleasure, would he allow it? As he stepped away, Killian turned to face him. She frowned, not only from the loss of his warm, strong body against hers, but at the shameful expression marring his beautiful features.

“Chase—”

“It’s getting late,” he interrupted gruffly. “You’d better get some sleep if you still plan to head out early in the morning. I’d better gather some more firewood.”

Looking at the small pile he’d gathered when they’d first arrived, she sighed.

He disappeared into the darkness.

Killian hurried to her sleeping bag, settled herself on her side, and tried to forget what just occured. But try as she might, she couldn’t. No matter how badly she wanted to be with Chase, it was impossible. There was no way she could let herself get tangled into a web of seduction with him. She came here to give him his life back, not ruin it further. How could she have let let this happen?

Breathing deeply, she fought to get her raging arousal and confusion under control. As an angel, she’d never been left in the dark, had never been left questioning a mission or a feeling. Unlike now, where she was forced to act as a human, she always knew what she was doing was right.

“Twenty-four hours in, and you’re already lusting after your human,” she muttered to herself with a disgusted shake of her head.

She snuggled deeper into the security of her sleeping bag, and let her mind wander. What exactly was in store for Chase? Mick told her there was something special in store for the man, but what that something was, he wouldn’t say what. That, more than anything, rankled. Why couldn’t they trust her with that piece of information? She hated to admit it, but the fact they didn’t trust her with that information cut her deeply.

Killian squeezed her eyes shut and fought desperately to push the interlude with Chase from her mind. She could still feel the gentle slide of his fingers against her, within her. Squeezing her legs together, she tried to ignore the indescribable need lodged in her center, but the ache had taken up permanent residence, and she feared it wasn’t leaving anytime soon. At least not until it got what it wanted.

Moments later, a hard body joined her.

She jerked with surprise.

“Easy. It’s only me.”

She relaxed.

Chase wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. Slowly, she turned to apologize for what she’d allowed to transpire.

“Go to sleep, Killian.”

His tone held no room for argument, and she decided it best to leave him to his thoughts. She certainly needed more time, because no matter what she told herself, or what she wanted to tell him, she knew without a doubt what they shared in the heat of the moment against that tree wouldn’t be the last time.

She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, then finally drifted into the arms of unconsciousness.

Good! Lawd! *fans self* Yep! Definitely reading this one! And I have some great news for one of you … Ms. Bush has generously offered to giveaway one of her eBooks to one lucky commenter. And it is winner’s choice! Weeeeee! All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form and answer Ms. Bush’s question. The other entries are completely optional. Easy! So get to entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway     I want to thank Ms. Bush for being here with us today and providing such an awesome interview. I hope you all enjoyed getting to know more about Ms. Bush and her latest release. I had a great time and would love to see Ms. Bush back on the blog in the future. Thanks very much for spending some time with us today everyone!

And until next time …

HAPPY  READING!!!