More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest continues and Sacrifice HER cover reveal

At the first kiss I felt
Something melt inside me
That hurt in an exquisite way
All my longings, all my dreams and sweet anguish,
All the secrets that slept deep within me came awake,
Everything was transformed and enchanted
And made sense.
~Hermann Hesse

Have you joined the blogfest yet?

All it takes is one kiss.

One scene to be entered to win great prizes.

READ THE RULES AND SIGN UP HERE!

My kiss today comes from 1303 - THE DRAGONSLAYER.

Xan breathed out, forcing his overly tense muscles to relax. This just might work. The odds were stacked against him, but if he could manage to get in without sounding an alarm, he might be able to save the girl.

“Thank you.” He wanted to stuff Lois back in the car. Every bit of him screamed to keep her safe. This was no place to make a scene, though.

Lois grabbed him by the collar of his fireproof black jacket and yanked him to her. Her mouth mashed against his. Supple and hard, hot and desperate. There was a hint of caramel from her coffee on her lips to add a bit of sweetness to a kiss that was anything but. An electric tingling raced from his ears to his toes, and a rush of adrenaline that had nothing to do with the mission ahead.

He didn’t realize he was kissing her back until she pulled away. Lois made a small sound, something between pleasure and frustration.

“Good. Now I’m flushed. I look much more drunk. It’s been four minutes.” She ran her hands through her hair, but it only looked more tussled. She hitched up her skirt a few inches. Her long legs pale and gorgeous in the moonlight. “Good luck.”

Lois winked at him and wobbled down the sidewalk before he could gain enough sense to grab her.

The day has finally come. Time to reveal the cover of Sacrifice HER. Be amazed. 

Title: Sacrifice HER by Sheena-kay Graham
Goodreads: Sacrifice HER
Release Date: December 2013

Summary: When a city is at stake is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.

 Author Bio: Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels, poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen, or in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to unleash her creativity to wow the masses.
 

Links

Website: http://queendsheena.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448863.Sheena_kay_Graham

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheenakayGrahamAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/queendsheena

Cover Design: 

Image of woman with flowing hair (purchased): © Transfuchsian | Dreamstime.com

Cover Designer:  Langao @ http://fiverr.com/langao

And for a final bit of wow factor. Look at what I got for free without asking.

Untethered Realms post & More Than Just A Kiss blogfest continues

Join me today at the Untethered Realms blog.
I discuss finding your audience and marketing with speculative fiction works. Share with us any strategies you have and learn something new.

 Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

You can WIN PRIZES!

We had a great start to the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest yesterday. It's still early in the week. There's still time for you to join in on the fun. You can find the sign-up list HERE. You don't need to be a romance writer, and you can opt not to be included in the running for a critique. Yet we do have bonus prizes. Awesome ebooks from fabulous romance authors!

My kiss today comes from my FREE paranormal romance, FEALRESS.

“We won’t let any children die. We’ll go, but let me handle everything. I can carry you.” His fingers stretched over her hips, slipping under the hem of her shirt to touch bare skin. She sucked in a breath.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Abby snorted, immediately regretting how unattractive that was. She set down the knife and turned, intending to put a few inches more between them and tell him to quit treating her as a fragile doll. His mouth immediately mashed to hers and words were forgotten. His tongue parted her lips, demanding entrance. She didn’t deny him. A wanton whimper escaped her, and her heart hammered in her chest.

His hands eased upward, taking her shirt with them. When his thumbs skimmed the underside of her bra, she managed to find her voice. “We don’t have time for this. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

“We have time.” Demetrius insisted, kissing down to her neck and nibbling upon her sensitive flesh. She gripped his biceps and clenched her thighs.

“We need to go.” Abby’s voice wobbled. She should be pushing him away. Not just because she had a job to do, but because this could never be anything other than a fling. She was one of the Fearless. Her duty came first and it would claim her life sooner than later. He was one of the fae. His world wasn’t hers. He would leave after his blood debt was paid. And she didn’t do flings. Already she felt too much for him.

More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest

“A kiss, when all is said, what is it? 'Tis a secret told to the mouth instead of to the ear.” ~ Edmond Rostand

I'm so excited that today is the first day of the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest! I'm co-hosting the event with the wonderful and talented Cecilia Robert.

 

Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

The rules are simple:

1. Sign up on the linky list and post the badge on your blog.

2. On one of the days of the week of September 9th, post a kissing scene on your blog. It can be either fiction or non-fiction.

3. Please do not exceed 250 words.

4. This is a blogfest, so visit the other participants and have fun!

But wait! This is more than a blogfest.

We're offering prizes!

The scenes will be judged by these amazing romance authors: Cecilia Robert, Laurelin Paige, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains. (Hey, that's me!) We will choose three posts to win these awesome prizes.

Prize 1 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding ten pages). Critiques will be done by Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains.

Prize 2 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding five pages). This critique will be done by Laurelin Paige and Christine.

Prize 3 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding one page). This critique will be done by Cecilia and Christine.

BONUS PRIZES:
Cecilia, Kyra, Laurelin, and I will each choose one of our favorites to give out some fantastic ebooks.
Cecilia – TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.
Kyra - IF I LET YOU GO
Laurelin - FIXED ON YOU
Christine – All six volumes of the 13th Floor series.

Sign up here!

I'll be sharing kisses from my books each day this week. Maybe they'll offer you some inspiration. You've all week to join in! You don't have to be a writer, and you can opt not to win a critique. Yet we'll still include you in the running to win the bonus prizes. Just give us some kisses!

A kiss from THE GHOST (Vol. 6 of the 13th Floor series)

Chiharo froze when she realized his hands had covered hers. He wasn't prying her off him as he should've with a panicking girl. Instead, he drew her closer until their bodies were almost touching. Jeremy was skinny and closer to her short height than Tim. A much better fit for her.

He raised his hands, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. She expected him to say something. His mouth was always running. Maybe something cheesy, a compliment, or even a curse word she hadn't heard yet.

Nothing. His fingers slid into her hair, and she shivered. The second before a kiss. It was just as intense as the act itself. The tension between them chased the chill away. Warmth spread through her as color lit up his face.

Was he this beautiful before?

His lips parted just slightly before he kissed her. They were softer than she expected and hotter still. She melted against him and flattened her palms against his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed as she made a little wanton sound that she'd never heard come from herself before.

Jeremy was neither too gentle nor sweet. His tongue tangled with hers as if seeking the source of her moan.

Whoever said a person's first kiss was always the best was never kissed a second time.

Friday Five for September 6, 2013

1. It's been a long week. I haven't done anything in terms of writing or revising. Yet today the boy is staying for lunch at school, so I get an extra hour to myself. I've got lots of emails and blog stuff to catch up on. I'm nervous about the reveal of my 13th Floor Collection cover in one week. If you search around the net, you might find a few spots to get a sneak peek!

2. In two days, it's the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest! My lovely co-host, Cecilia Robert and I want to read your kissing scenes. We're offering prizes including critiques and ebooks. Two other generous romance authors have volunteered to help judge the entries. Thank you to Kyra Lennon and Laurelin Paige! You don't have to be a writer to participate. You can opt not to be entered to win a critique, but surely you don't want to miss out on the fabulous ebooks offered. I'll be posting kisses from my books every day next week. I hope to read one of yours.

3. I survived my first day assisting with my son's class at his preschool. The kids are very good and wonderful little helpers. I made mini blueberry muffins and brought apples for their snack, and the kids loved them. My little guy got a bit ornery with me there, but the teacher assured me he was much better behaved when I'm not around. Yup, saving all that for mom. He was testing me again yesterday and broke my camera. For the fourth time. Thankfully it's still under warranty. I really need my quiet time this morning.

4. I think I wanted to mention something else that was going on. Wow. My brain is on the fritz! I'll tweet it if I remember. Wait! I have a post on marketing next Tuesday on the Untethered Realms blog. Was that what I wanted to tell you? I don't know. Yup, brain fuzz.

5. No plans for this weekend. I obviously need to catch up on my sleep! Have a fantastic weekend!

Update: I forgot what I needed to add! Heather Musk shared her thoughts on THE DRAGONSLAYER yesterday. Pop on over and tell us what you thought about the book. :)

Insecure Writer's Support Group for September 2013

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

Also, a big congratulations to IWSG on it's second birthday! Two years. Wow. This is an awesome group. Make sure to check with Alex to see what news he has for us.

Yes, that is a purple elephant dancing on the clouds above a yellow and orange jungle. Maybe you're a bit confused right now, but I bet you're smiling.

A few weeks ago, my son and I were being artsy. We painted, and I took out all the art supplies. Puff balls, glitter glue, stickers, beads, etc. He went on to turn his orange and yellow painting into a grand jungle with animals, flowers, and trees. Once he had some clouds in the sky, he put the elephant on top of one.

Me: What's the elephant doing on the cloud?
Boy: Dancing.
Me: That's so silly. Why is he dancing up there?
Boy: 'Cause he always wanted to dance on the clouds. It's silly and fun and he loves it. It makes him happy. Happy is good. You gotta do what you love and be happy.

Sometimes when you tell people you're a writer, they'll snicker and give you that you're-silly look. Sometimes people will tell you your writing is ridiculous or over the top. Sometimes people won't believe you can write a book, and if you do, that it won't be successful.

It doesn't matter what they think. You write because it makes you happy. Be a little silly, a little out there, and write what you want to write. Write because it's fun. Write because you love it. Sometimes wisdom does come from the mouths of babes.

Be that purple elephant dancing on the clouds.

Teaser Tuesday with What's a Witch to Do?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This book I picked up randomly at the library, and I'm so glad I found it. WHAT'S A WITCH TO DO? by Jennifer Harlow is what I'd call a cozy paranormal mystery with a few pages of steamy romance. It has these cute to-do lists at the beginning of each day. Of course, the hero's life can't ever be as simple as a little to-do list!

Here's your teaser:
Time flies when you have fifteen potions to concoct, customers to assist, a survival plan to make, and a fantasy wedding to envision. Adam's had three hours to play wolf when I return to the barn. (page 54)

Polar Night review and In Your Pants blogfest

Blurb:
When Detective Danny Fitzpatrick leaves his hometown of Chicago and moves to Fairbanks, Alaska he wants nothing more than to escape the violence and heartbreak that left his life in pieces. Numbed by alcohol and the frozen temperatures of an Alaskan winter, Danny is content with a dead-end job investigating Fairbanks' cold cases. That all changes when a pretty blond woman goes missing on the winter solstice, and Danny stumbles upon some surprising connections between her disappearance and that of another Fairbanks woman three years earlier. Forced out of his lethargy, Danny sets out to both find the missing woman and solve his own cold case.

The investigation points Danny towards Aleksei Nechayev, the handsome and charming proprietor of an old asylum turned haunted tourist attraction in the Arctic town of Coldfoot. As he tries to find a link between Nechayev and his case, Danny's instinct tells him that Nechayev is much more than what he seems.

Danny has no idea that Nechayev is hiding a secret that is much more horrifying than anything he could ever have imagined. As his obsession with finding the missing women grows, Danny finds his own life in danger. And when the truth is finally revealed, the world as he knows it will never be the same.

My review:
Detective Danny Fitzpatrick only wants to escape the horror of his past. He leaves his Chicago home and takes a job in Fairbanks, Alaska working cold cases. While he's successful at numbing his mind with alcohol, a case comes along that snaps him into sobriety. Danny links a cold case of a missing girl to a new one, and through further research, he finds several more. His investigation takes him north to Coldfoot and to the haunted establishment of Aleksei Nechayev. Danny knows something's going on with Aleksei, but can't manage to convince anyone else of the fact without some hard evidence. When he finally comes across some information, it changes Danny forever and puts him in danger of more than just catching a cold in the freezing Alaskan winter.

This supernatural thriller will chill you to the bone and not just with the wonderful descriptions of Alaska. POLAR NIGHT gives us various points of view that takes the reader on a dark journey filled with nail-biting suspense and intense emotions. Danny has the heart of a hero, but is scarred by his past and it's wearing him down. He's a flawed man and yet still admirable. Aleksei is cold and immensely fascinating. Maria has an amazing spirit even in a terrifying situation.

While there's a thrilling plot and a great cast of characters, it's the setting and atmosphere that really make this book stand out. We don't often find books that take place in the far north, and usually not in the winter. I loved all the little every day tidbits Julie Flanders included about life in Alaska. Plus, I was enthralled by the haunted asylum. The little strange happenings and scary noises added to the tension of the story and brought out an even chillier atmosphere.

POLAR NIGHT is the debut novel from Julie Flanders. I can't wait to read more form her!

You can buy POLAR NIGHT here:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon UK  * Smashwords 

Bio: Julie Flanders is a librarian and a freelance writer who has written for both online and print publications. She is an avid animal lover and shares her home in Cincinnati, Ohio with her dog and cat. POLAR NIGHT, a suspense thriller with a supernatural twist, is her first novel. Find Julie online at her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

This fun little blogfest is hosted by the lovely Summer Ross.

It's very easy: take the current book title you're reading and add "in your pants" afterward.

I'm reading L.K. Hamilton's newest book.
AFFLICTION in your pants!
That doesn't sound healthy.