Howloween, day 4!

Happy Monday! I'm not sure if it's entirely legal to say such blasphemy, but there it is.

I'm typing this from my iPad, so apologies for any formatting issues. Since my car battery crapped out on me this morning, my husband is up and occupying his laptop. Speaking of car troubles...

I watched this awesome movie once, and I can't for the life of me remember the title. I know it was a Korean subtitle horror flick.

Anyway, the opening scene showed this woman in her car, where it had died in the heavy snow. She's on the phone with her husband and a man stops to see if she needs assistance. She's creeped out by him and says no.

So then she gets off the phone with her husband to wait for the tow truck and sees the weird guys can parked in front of her. She's like, 'Huh?' When she turns on her headlights, he's standing there with a crowbar and nabs her.

Now, this story may not seem like much, but it triggered a massive fear I have that relates back to the whole looking out a dark window. Back when I was working the evil day job, I left at an ungodly hour and my neighborhood doesn't believe in street lamps. I was so terrified to turn on my headlights for fear of what might be lurking in the shadows.

Have you ever felt like you're being watched only to find no one is there?

Don't forget to check out the other fantastic authors on this hop at http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page

Howloween, Day Three!

Happy Sunday!

I was going to continue the story this morning, but thanks to a sleepover last night I forgot to sit down and write more. Silly brain. Instead, let's chat about what is the most terrifying thing in the world to us.

Halloween is my favorite holiday. It's really the only acceptable time to be all dark and creepy without anyone thinking too much about it. I love watching horror movies, too, and this time of year is awesome for tv!

But I also scare very easily. I watched this little film the other day (totally worth the watch, trust me):



And it really got me thinking. While the premise is horrific - I mean if I woke up and a lump that wasn't my husband was laying next to me, I'd probably pee myself. But is it the most horrifying?

What about at night, when I'm doing dishes and staring into the dark sunroom, seeing only myself reflected back? What if there's someone on the other side of that glass, looking in? I hate looking out of windows in the dark. Since I can't see what's coming, I am so afraid of pressing my face to the glass only to be eye to eye with someone.

I think that's my worst fear. Because at that point, you're just scared and caught off guard. Couple this with the fact I live in a quiet and dark cul-de-sac surrounded by trees and close to a highway, and you've got Paranoid Lindsay running around!

That's about all I can muster up this morning. Lazy brain on lazy Sundays. What scares you? Thanks for dropping in! Here's the link for the other participants.

Howloween, Day Two!

Happy Saturday!

Today, I blog with you again for a second installment of The Factory. I hope you've been enjoying the hop so far, and have connected with some fantastic authors! I know I enjoy many of the books from the authors on the list.

Here's that link again, if you need it.

And here's the second part of the story:

Scene Two:

The shadow grabbed her arm and Courtney thrashed to get away, her cries echoing in her own head. As it pinned her, she knew her life was over. The shadow would kill her and leave her remains to rot in the old, abandoned halls of the Powder Factory.

From a faraway place, her mother’s voice called for her. Courtney struggled out of the haze, trying to reach her mother. Towards a light she clawed, until her eyes flew open and she was blinded by the sunshine peering into her bedroom window.

Throwing her hands in front of her face, Courtney yelled. “Close the blinds! Close the blinds!”

Her mother ran to the window and drew the shades, casting the room into muted darkness. Courtney relaxed and sat up on her elbow, blinking against the blinding headache that pounded her temples.

“Mom? What happened?”

Her mother sat on the edge of her bed. “Baby, your friends brought you home. You fell and hit your head, I guess. What were you doing in the factory, anyway? You know that’s a dangerous place to be.”

Shrugging, Courtney shut down. She didn’t want to tell her mother what she saw inside, and felt strangely protective towards the secret. “I don’t know. I just wanted to explore.”

She watched as her mother walked around the room, straightening pictures and papers on her desk. “I don’t want you going back there, you understand? If you sneak off again, you’ll be grounded for a month.”

“Okay. I’m going to take a shower.”

Finally alone, she stood and walked to the floor length mirror beside her closet. Lifting her shirt, Courtney stared at the three claw marks on her chest. An upside down cross with a circle around it. “What the hell?” The strange symbol was hot to the touch.

Trembling with the knowledge that something horrible had touched her, she turned to get her robe. Her head snapped back to the mirror, studying her reflection. The girl in the mirror was her replicate, but she had stayed when Courtney turned.

At least, Courtney thought she’d seen it.

Her heart raced as she shook her head and laughed a little at herself. Snatching her robe off the hook, she headed for the bathroom. The hot water rushed over her body, rinsing away the grime and dirt from her skin.

Whistling, she flipped her head over after the shower and wrapped it up. Her shadow hung beneath her, but as she watched a long arm extended from it and crawled up the wall towards the mirror.

Courtney froze, eyes wide and breath catching in her throat. She stood slowly, turning to the mirror where her reflection stared back at her and mimicked her expression. Glancing around behind her in the mirror, she blinked hard when her reflection smiled at her.

Her eyes swung around to meet the mirror, and the image of her behind the glass raised a hand and waved with three fingers as a scream ripped from her throat.

~End Scene~

Hope you like it so far!

If you'd like to ask me anything, you can reach me at lindsayktheauthor@yahoo.com. I look forward to continuing this one for y'all!

(Yes, I'm a Texan trapped in Ohio.)

You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and the web. Thanks for dropping in!

Howloween Blog Hop: Day One

Happy Friday! Today is the beginning of the Howloween Blog Hop, and I've supplied the link below to check out the other fabulous posts. I thought about doing a promo for each of my paranormal or horror books, but what good is promo if you don't know me? Instead, I'll be posting a short story in installments for this blog hop that my daughter and I collaborated on. She's ten, and I'll supply her bio alongside mine at the end of this tour. She's penning her very own paranormal book right now, in fact, and has asked me to edit it.

I don't think she understands what she's getting into with that one, but hey. Whatever. During the course of this hop, I'll be offering two prizes: Readers choice of a backlist book, and a handmade wire bracelet to be shipped out at the end of the tour. Unfortunately, the only book I can't offer for a prize is Haunted Hotel, as it wouldn't be fair to the other authors in the anthology to hand it out. I'll be selecting a random commenter, so be sure to include your email address!

And here's the link for the blog hop, as well.

Without further ado, here is the opening scene of The Factory:

Scene One:

A howling wind cut through the sparse trees as Courtney wandered an abandoned trail in the woods. The whooshing sound of the river flowed beside her and a few fossil hunters waded in shallow waters on the other bank. Courtney stayed hidden behind the trees, in the safety of solitude.

In the shadow of the Powder Factory, she shivered. The building towered over the area, three floors of macabre stories and legends. Used to create gunpowder in the forties, the entire building had suffered from a spark, an explosion that rocked its halls and killed hundreds of unsuspecting workers.

Courtney loved to wander the forests nearby. Several people had witnessed ghosts on the trails, and she wanted nothing more than to sneak into the cold and windowless building to investigate. But her friends were too chicken.

With a sigh, she turned around to go home before the sun set. Her heart raced as she looked up to find a young man standing in the path. He hadn’t been there two minutes prior. With a hand to her heart, Courtney studied him. His khaki pants and leather jacket were caked with dirt, and soot streaked across his face. He stared at her with morose eyes, hands in his pockets as he kicked at a rock on the ground.

“Hey,” he said.

Courtney swallowed and stepped towards him. “Hey. Who are you?”

“Johnny,” he replied. Something in his voice made her think of a time long gone, and she held back a few feet.

“I’m Courtney. Where’s your shoes?” She pointed to his bare feet.

“Left them at home. What are you doing out here?”

“Just walking. You?”

He cocked a smile and leaned forward, never taking his eyes from hers. “I’m going into the Powder Factory,” he whispered.

Her interest piqued, and any sense of wariness vanished. “Really? Can I come along?”

Johnny cocked his head and disappeared into the trees. She followed his trail, excitement coursing through her. When the building came into clear view, she inhaled sharply.

Was that a man she just saw in the catwalk above her?

Johnny whistled and pointed to a partially open bay door before he slipped underneath it. Adrenaline pushing her forward, Courtney took a deep breath and shimmied underneath. Pausing, she let her eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. What sunlight was left outside didn’t dare to penetrate this deep into the abandoned factory.

Johnny grabbed her hand and led her to a door on the opposite wall. The heavy steel opened with a creak that echoed into the cavernous room beyond them. Courtney walked behind Johnny, looking at the singed walls and footprints in the soot on the floor.

“Johnny, who do you think those belong to?”

He glanced down and grinned. “The ghosts,” he said.

A shiver ran down Courtney’s back, and she couldn’t shake the sudden sensation of being watched. 

Looking up as Johnny led her further into the factory, she followed the curve of the ceiling as two more floors rose above them. The sun winked out of sight and the factory was cast into shadow as the moon rose high.

Dread filled the pit of Courtney’s stomach and she planted her feet in the ground. Johnny looked around to her. “Something wrong?”

“I want to go home.”

“It’s dark out. You can’t go walking around in the dark alone.”

“I’ll call my friends right now.” Yanking her hand free, she pulled her phone from her pocket and typed out a few words to send to her friends. At the Powder Factory with a weird guy. Come get me, please? Tucking her phone into her pocket, she gave Johnny a fake smile. “I’ll just go wait outside.”

But when she turned, Johnny was in front of her. His skin emitted an ethereal glow in the moonlight as he smiled at her. His grin wasn’t normal. It stretched from ear to ear, and his chuckle was low and deep. Courtney stumbled back, terror streaking through her.

“You can’t run now, Courtney.” She turned and ran, arms flailing out to the side for any semblance of a wall or table to follow. The only light she had crept between broken panes in intermittent panels along the dusty old floor.

Footsteps echoed behind her, bouncing off the walls in every direction, but when she looked back Johnny was gone. Bursting onto the second floor, Courtney searched for anything to protect her from the madman she’d mistakenly followed.

A door opened at the end of the hall and Courtney turned slowly towards it. Inky blackness seeped out into the landing, shifting and morphing as it came closer to her. Screaming, Courtney backed away and fell into another room to the side of the hall.

The door slammed closed behind her, leaving her in the dark even as she heard her friends enter the building. Screaming her lungs out, Courtney slammed her fists against the door. Desperate tears streaked down her cheeks, and she froze as a whisper floated on the breeze behind her.

“Courtney…”

Turning her head, she watched in horror as a shadow crept along the wall, in and out of the light, edging closer to her with every frantic beat of her heart. Back pressed against the door, Courtney watched as the dark shape came right upon her.

It lifted a hand and trailed a claw down her cheek, leaving a long scratch on her pale skin. Courtney tried to disappear through the door, whimpering as her friends clambered up the staircase searching for her. The shadow smiled, teeth appearing click by click in its mouth until the only light she saw was reflected from the jagged points gnawing near her face.

Courtney gathered one last scream as her eyes faded to black and the world disappeared.

~End Scene One~

Hope you enjoyed the tiny beginning! Tomorrow will find our heroine in the grips of sheer terror. Here's a fun note: The Powder Factory really does exist in Mason, Ohio, and I've drawn the description of the interior from a real life jaunt into it about twelve years ago.

To learn more about my pieces, please visit Amazon. The Delila series and Siege of Shadows are paranormal romance, By Blood is a horror (with rape trigger, just for your information), and Haunted Hotel is an erotic anthology.

Thanks for dropping in today, and don't forget to visit the other fantastic authors participating!

Book Blitz: The Zurian Child

Howdy, howdy! Today, I'm part of a blitz for the print release of The Zurian Child by Jessica E. Subject. Enjoy!

Blurb:

Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He's an alien, a Hemera, and she's half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn't enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.

Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband's partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend's widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn't want her with all his heart. 

Excerpt:

A block stood between him and the bottom of the mountain, where the Law Enforcement Office greeted Hemera friend and foe. The office signified the beginning of the main city within the mountain, where the quartz miners lived and worked. In the centre of the mountain, an open cavern held seven quartz-powered ships, enough to save the entire Hemera population.

"We are almost there," he said to himself and the baby in his arms.

Lorne gagged. Erebus. The stink hit his senses before he heard the creature's call. The monstrous beast lumbered toward his direct path to the mountain, having a central core and tentacles larger than any other he had laid eyes on. This one moved faster, too. The creature could take him out before he reached the mountain. I have to get there first.

Only one chance existed to get off the planet. He filled his lungs with air then pumped his legs as he raced past the Erebus toward the office.

Five meters from the facility, a tentacle whipped out, wrapping around Lorne's ankle. He crashed to the ground. Twisting over to one side, he landed on his shoulder, in an attempt to keep Bryce unharmed. His maneuver failed and the baby wailed in pain. The Erebus yanked the screaming boy from his arms.

"Be ready!" A man stood in front of the LE Office, weapon aimed at the large creature. "You had better catch that baby!"

Bryce squirmed high in the air as the Erebus taunted Lorne, swinging his tentacle around, ready to send the boy crashing to the ground. Lorne had witnessed the murder of a good friend by the same method. He would not let the same thing happen to Bryce. Bracing himself for the weight of the baby, he bent his knees while standing to the side of the Erebus. He had to catch the boy in time.

A blast sizzled through the air. The Erebus howled. Bryce rose higher.

"Shit!"

"Again!" Lorne couldn't lose him.

The Erebus received another jolt, jerking in response. The baby, screaming, remained out of Lorne's reach.

With no time to waste, he removed his own weapon.

About The Author:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Buy Links:

Silver Publishing (ebook/print) / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / All Romance / more

Hello to Catriana Summers!

Happy Monday! Today, I've got Catriana Summers on the blog, with an interview and discussing her new release, Bound By Blood. Enjoy!

Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

I'm initially from the east coast, the North Carolina area, and now I reside in Washington. I've always been interested in writing, my overactive imagination had to have some outlet, and goodness knows it wasn't going to be through art! I'm currently happily married with two wonderful dogs. I'm a fantasy/romance author, but I love reading Sci-fi/Fantasy, high fantasy, romance, and I've recently delved more heavily into steampunk.

What about your latest release?

Bound by Blood is the second book in The Arcanus Series. It takes place almost two hundred years after the events of the first book (Destined) and feature two new protagonists, Rioran and Liari. The second novel takes the reader into the world of the vampires instead of the elves, and we get to learn a bit about how they operate. In addition, we now get a deeper understanding of how powerful Olde Magick(mentioned briefly in Destined) really is and how it affects the world.

Ok, let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded on a lush tropical island, and all of your basic needs were met, what two items would you have with you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuck there for an indefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

Well, I'd want to have my husband with me, most definitely. And I suppose if I had to have anything I wanted, it'd be an outstanding computer and solid internet.

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

With difficulty.

How much of yourself and the people you know manifest into your characters? How do you approach development of your characters? Where do you draw the line?

Well, I can freely admit that one character in Bound by Blood was directly inspired by my friend, Keith. In fact, he wrote me up one day, talking about how much he loved my writing and was proud of me, and I knew how much he was into vampires so I said "Hey man, you wanna be a vampire in my story?" And of course who can turn that down? So there's a character named Kien Varian who is introduced in the first chapter of the novel, and while he's not exactly like my friend Kieth, there are quite a few similarities and he absolutely loves the guy. That was a lot of fun, although I'm not sure if I'd make a habit of it. I believe any good author will have a piece of them in their stories and various characters. I've been told by my parents that my writing style 'sounds' like me. Wasn't entirely sure how to take that, actually.

Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you?

My friends helped me. To be honest, had they not pushed me and believed in me, I never would have found the courage to submit my stories.

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

Um, write, draw, balance it between my lip and nose, chew on it, and use the eraser.

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

I suppose it's a toss up between two characters who haven't even made an appearance yet. One is named Avery Luss and the other is Maria en Wesser. Avery joined the imperial army at the age of sixteen and befriended a woman named Sarena. Together, the two of them became powerful generals, until it was exposed that they were both female. They won the war their empire was fighting, but instead of being court-martialed for lying, they were instead rewarded. Sarena won the heart of the imperial prince and they married, while Avery took the title of Primia, the right hand of the future empress. Maria I love because she's got attitude and isn't afraid to let people know who she is and how she feels about them. She's strong, capable, and fiercely independent.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?

My Website: http://www.catriana.net
My Blog: http://catrianasmuse.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Catriana_S
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catriana.sommers

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

You can find just about every book I've written with the exception of Bound by Blood (I'm working on it) at my Amazon Author Page.

http://www.amazon.com/Catriana-Sommers/e/B0059TWISO/

Bound by Blood can be found on Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Blood-Arcanus-ebook/dp/B009POJSHS/

And my books can be found at the publisher's site or at any major retailer.

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words?

Thanks for having me! This was a fun interview to do.

Blurb:

Rioran is a Kass'na'vah, king of a magical race, and his kingdom has been frozen by Olde Magick. Along with his brother Viron, the only known survivor of the attack, he travels across Meedia looking for leads to these mysterious practitioners of an eons-dead magic.

Their quest hits a snag when Rioran meets his lifemate, a dying seven-year-old vampire noble named Liari Varian. To save her life, he gives her his blood, binding himself to her. Now he's stuck, physically incapable of leaving her, forced to watch from the sidelines until she comes of age and he can continue the search to free his people.

The world doesn't remain idle while he waits, however. Tensions between races are building, war is brewing, and behind it all is a mysterious organization bent on eliminating all magic in the world.

CONTENT ADVISORIES: This title is erotica; it is not a romance title. This title contains both MF and MM sexual situations.

Excerpt:

I am surrounded by incompetence.

Kien Varian reluctantly waved away the two voluptuous women sitting on either side of him. They flashed him pouty looks as he blew them apologetic kisses. Their hips swayed seductively as they quietly exited his social room.

The playful expression on his face morphed into an icy mask. Warm amber eyes, turned cold and predatory. Before him, a Mixed male kneeled on one of his fur rugs, one fist pressed firmly to the ground.

"Markus Lotros." Crossing his legs, Kien raised a well-manicured hand to stroke his goatee thoughtfully. 

"Care to repeat those words?"

The messenger winced despite the pleasant tone. "I saw the heir leave her party moments ago… with Lord Larian. I had heard you wished not to be disturbed, but the young master instructed I come to you."

Kien blinked and the stroking stopped. "Young master? Ah, you mean Eris." Eris Lotros, heir to the strongest clan in the vampire community. A bit older than the birthday girl tonight by a few years, but his interest was obvious. A good match, if any were worthy of his little Lili.

If she survives.

"Yes, Lord Kien." Markus's head remained lowered out of respect and fear. Even being from another clan, there were few who could claim ignorance concerning Kien's capricious behavior.

Fortunately, the vampire lord had other things on his mind. "Guardian?" he queried.

"Her whereabouts are unknown."

Right. Of course Reila couldn't be found. Had Alik listened to him and put a pureblood in charge of protecting Liari, Larian's obvious ploy would have been less likely to succeed. The last of the Ancient's resources and abilities had gone into ensuring the heir's conception; a replacement would not be forthcoming.

"Be grateful your prince is an only child." Kien finally stood from his plush red sofa, straightening his ruffled blouse. He blew out an exasperated sigh, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose in a futile attempt to thwart an oncoming headache. "Do you know where they were headed, Guardian? Stand up, man. I swear I won't unleash my crazy on you."

Buy Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/892/

About The Author:

I live in a beautiful hilly town in the state of Washington. I have a wonderful husband and two cute dogs who are huge parts of my life. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and I cannot imagine my life without it. I'm a fantasy/romance author, but I love reading Sci-fi/Fantasy, high fantasy, romance, and I've recently delved more heavily into steampunk.

I've been a published author since 2011. When I'm not writing, I'm procrastinating on websites like tumblr and roleplaying forums, I'm out and about learning the local area, or I'm playing video games. I've won National Novel Writing Month for two consecutive years and hoping to make 2012 my third.

Where to find me:

My Website: http://www.catriana.net
My Blog: http://catrianasmuse.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Catriana_S
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catriana.sommers

Review: Beautiful Ink

Happy Friday! Today, I'm hosting a guest blog and review for Beautiful Ink by L.C. Dean, in conjunction with CBLS Promo. Enjoy!

The author has provided us with a delicious looking recipe, as well. I'll be trying this one out soon. Thanks for dropping in, L.C.

Hi, Lindsay. Happy Fall and thanks for letting me drop by today.

I sat down at my computer fully intending to write something for your readers about motorcycles, tattoos, or the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a nod to Beautiful Ink and the Sturgis Rally Riders. http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?cPath=75_203&osCsid=hagkbf7hfo6ajton6hvsnbe161 But fall is distracting me. Outside my balcony open balcony a giant maple has turned to red gold and the air smells of autumn. Any moment, winter will hit and the North will be subject to the whims of Mother Nature. So I decided to share a favorite recipe that friends and family demand from late September through Thanksgiving. It is sexy and sweet, spicy and creamy, and all around delicious like a short erotic tease from Decadent Publishing’s EDGE.

Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 325°

Crust

1 c graham cracker crumbs

½ c finely chopped pecans

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c unsalted butter, melted

Mix and press into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9” springform pan

Filling

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

3 large eggs

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk until incorporated. Add pumpkin, maple syrup, spices and salt; mix well. Add eggs one at a time beating until just mixed. Pour into prepared pan. Place rack in center of moist oven (place a cake pan filled with hot water on lower rack during baking) Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken (another 5 to 15 minutes). Do Not Bake until fully set. Cool on counter. Cover and chill 3 hours or overnight.

Maple Pecan Glaze:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 cup roughly chopped pecans

Combine whipping cream and pure maple syrup in saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil rapidly 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened; stir occasionally. Stir in chopped pecans. Cover and chill until served. Stir before serving – may need to microwave slightly if too thick.

To serve, spoon glaze over cheesecake. Top with real whipped cream.

Blurb:

Too many days of living on soda and energy drinks have left Ink Monroe too keyed up to sleep. She needs a good ride to release her sexual tension so she can get some rest, but when the perfect hottie turns her down flat, she’s too pissed to keep looking.

Hooking up with a stranger is not Jet Ryan’s style, but when he rescues the beautiful tattoo artist from the groping hands of a drunk, his personal boundaries fall to a desire to make her scream. He just needs to get past her anger, prove he’s not a serial killer, and show her what letting go is all about.

Review:

Beautiful Ink is a well crafted story featuring two Alpha characters, both of whom I immediately liked.

Jet the rancher is out for a night on the town with his buddies during the Sturgis Rally, but he's ready to pack it in for the night. When Ink Monroe approaches, he second guesses himself. She's a fiery little thing, and when they meet in the bedroom the sparks fly, and fly far.

I found this to be an enjoyable, quick read. Just long enough to make you wonder what happens next, and short enough to devour over a lunch break. Definitely recommended.

Excerpt:

“You okay?”

She rolled her big eyes and righted her clothing while he mentally stripped her naked. “I could have handled him.”

“I’m sure you could have.” With a snort at the ludicrous statement and his own less-than-courteous response to her, he moved on but turned back. “You might want to head to Junction or Lazelle. It’s safer in the center of the action, even if you can take care of yourself.”

She flew him the bird and bent from the waist to straighten her fuck-me boots. “When I need your help, I’ll ask for it.”

His cock rose to full attention at the sight of her rounded ass peeking from beneath the short leather skirt. Was she stupid or just stubborn? He stormed back and grabbed the girl’s arm, pulling her down the street toward the bright lights. “If you want to get fucked, that’s one thing, but if you stay out here, dressed like a two-bit whore, you’re gonna get more than you bargained for. I’m not going to be responsible for you getting raped.”

Slapping at his arm, she tried to twist away. “Unless you’re doing the raping, I can’t see how it’s your business.”

He spun around and caught her wrist, jerking her against his chest. “You made it my business when you offered yourself in front of a balcony full of drunken men too far from their own realities to give a shit about right and wrong.”

She stilled as though his words had finally sunk in. Her eyes shone in the dim light.

“Are you crying?” He brought a hand up to cup her cheek.

“Hell no!” She tugged against his hold. “Let go of me!”

Jet moved away, hands spread wide. “You got it, honey. Have a good night.”

Before he could leave, he heard a sharp intake of air. “Answer a question for me first.”

He waited, uncertain what she wanted.

She wobbled, a bit unsteady on the high boots. “Why not?”

It was such a simple question. His cock wanted an answer; still he played dumb. “Why not what?”

She glared at him then looked down at her smoking hot body. “What’s wrong with me?”

Available At:

Decadent - http://www.decadentpublishing.com/index.php?cPath=75_203&osCsid=8ktv2tqpgiukct523n4qvi8g03
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Ink-Edge-Series-ebook/dp/B008HIVHRC
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beautiful-ink-lc-dean/1111959971

Reviews:

“Amazingly sensual story by LC Dean. She pulls you right into what is happening between Jet and Ink. Ms. Dean's words are descriptively stunning and take you right there with Ink & Jet, showing what they both need to overcome to make it as lovers. It's a must read quickie novella & I give it 5 stars!”--Vicki Rose, Bitten by Love Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars: "Loved This Panty Soaking Read!"

“I will keep this review short and sweet. Beautiful Ink was both hilarious and hot at the same time. I loved the heroine's sassy mouth and the hero's take control attitude. I have to say I read this during lunch at work and needed a soda to cool off but wished I had a bullet on me to slake the itch this read left me with.”--Mahalia Levey, Amazon

About the Author:

Although L.C. currently resides in Minnesota, South Dakota remains home on many levels and will forever hold a place in her heart. She loves to write but her day job keeps her from it more often than she would like. If you get a moment, drop her a note. She always loves to hear from readers.

Contact L.C. at:

The Hangout (blog) - http://lcdean.blogspot.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/LCDean

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/authorLCDean

Guest Blog: Glimpses of Midnight

 

Happy Hump Day! Today's guests are Jeanne Oiler and Suzzana Ryan, authors of the Glimpses of Midnight books. Enjoy!

Hello all! JL Oiler and Suzzana C. Ryan here to introduce you to our latest cooperative series, Glimpse of Midnight! Before we start, we would like to thank the awesome Lindsay Klug for hosting us today!

First let us explain how this all came to be….

Once upon a time, the wonderful staff at Rebel Ink Press contacted the both of us with the idea to do a paranormal coop. series. What they gave us (other than this wonderful opportunity) was the basic gist of the world we were to create. From there everything from characters, subgenre and heat level was up to the two of us. Right Suzzana?

Absolutely JL, the rest was in our very over active imaginations. I would like to thank Rebel Ink Press for giving me the opportunity to collaborate with you. It’s always a pleasure to find another writer who’s mind is as out there as your own.

You were a true joy to work with as well Suzzana and I wouldn’t want to tackle this with anyone else.

How did we create so an expansive and interlocking world?

The brainstorming was the best, how wonderful to find out JL is as warped as I am. She’d come up with a character and then I’d create a scenario. And vice versa, hence we had our world and our main characters, and down to our sub-characters all plotted out. This series is one of the finest endeavors I’ve been a privileged to be part of. I believe readers are going to be surprised and get carried away on fantastic journey. They’ll meet new evil characters and read about different lores and legends. I love the Good verse Evil theme, we’ve done it and our own way.

Want to know more? How about we both share a peek with the blurbs for both stories:

Glimpses of Midnight: Decadence

By Suzzana C Ryan

Cyrus Bellefleur ruled the underworld but couldn’t rule his mate, Alkmene, a gorgeous succubus. The feared ancient vampire could crush a legion of humans but found it impossible to tame one redheaded beauty. Their tumultuous union periodically resulted in the succubus fleeing the underworld in an attempt to anger him. She’d do what she did best and that was ravish human men with her temptuous body. Her prowess in bed was her curse. It was at times like these Cyrus followed her into the world above.

This time, however, when she ran from Cyrus, she found a portal in time, traveling to the year nineteen-fifty-seven, looking to hide. But Cyrus could sniff out an opening in the time line.

Alkmene found herself a dark, handsome lover, a fallen archangel, who was ripe for the plucking. But she never figured on his lovely human conquest falling into the mix. Emmy Harris was an up and coming Hollywood starlet and the biggest thing to hit tinsel town in ages. Now Emmy became a pawn in the wicked games Cyrus and Alkmene played.

In a world called South Hedonism, all vices, indulgence, decadence, obsession and perversion flourish. All creatures foul, evil and corrupt exist in the evil inner cities. They come and go between both worlds and love to play above. However, they always return. Hell has its advantages.    

Buy Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?sortBy=recentlyAdded&searchBy=author&qString=Suzzana+C.+Ryan

Glimpses of Midnight: Indulgence

JL Oiler

Carina Bellefleur is the only daughter of the dark lord of South Hedonism, Cyrus Bellefleur. Belonging to a city of indulgence and decadence has its privileges but the half vampire half succubus is having a difficult time finding someone, or better yet, more than just one someone, who can help her reach that ultimate orgasm. When a pair of human males are caught just outside the city walls, the subjects of the dark city desire nothing more than their immediate deaths. Carina, however, sees something special in the pair of well-endowed males.

Evan and Eric are the ultimate urban adventurers. Therefore, when they hear rumors of a city hidden beneath their own beloved New York, they can't help themselves. They have to try and find it. Now prisoners among creatures they'd never believed existed in their wildest dreams, the brothers find their fate rests in the hands of the city's sexy princess. 

They discover survival depends on providing Carina with the ultimate in sexual satisfaction before her father discovers humans within the walls of his city. In exchange, the feisty woman might lead them back topside. There's a catch however. What if they really don’t want to go home or she doesn’t want to let them?

Buy Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?sortBy=recentlyAdded&searchBy=author&qString=JL+Oiler

We hope everyone enjoys our little project and invite you to visit and follow us at http://glimpsesofmidnight.blogspot.com/?zx=c511203b15ae6cc5

As always Thanks for Hosting us!

JL Oiler and Suzzana C. Ryan