Sunday, October 29, 2017

Join the Halloween Hop!


How would you like one of 70+ gift cards to dropped in your Halloween pumpkin? Join me for the Halloween Mega Gift Card Facebook from October 28-31. You can enter to win a gift card from every author on the hop! With gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $100 up for grabs, that’s over $800 in prizes!



Mark your calendar and make my FB page your first stop on the hop:


Or go to http://bit.ly/2xgQPAL for the complete list of authors and their Facebook links, plus info on a bonus giveaway. We’re awarding an Amazon Echo Dot of Kindle Fire to one lucky winner who enters every author’s giveaway on the hop.

Have you entered our two grand prize giveaways? That’s right, we’re running two big giveaways at the same time. Enter for your chance to win! We’re giving away multiple Kindles and ebook packages.

Giveaway #1 – PNR/UF Halloween Giveaway  http://bit.ly/2yRyN8A

Giveaway #2 – Falling in Love Romance Giveaway  http://bit.ly/2yShQLb

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Excerpt ~ Blame It On The Voodoo


My short story, Blame It On The Voodoo is today's free ebook at the Halloween Month of Treats Giveaway. This is a fun story inspired by a trip to New Orleans with the Nine Naughty Novelists. I still harbor dreams of turning Zee and Rene's story into a series of supernatural mysteries. They were such fun characters to write. You can get it free today at: https://halloweenmonthtreats.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, here's an excerpt...

“It’s getting to where you can’t swing a dead chicken around here anymore without it
smacking into one damn psychic or another.”

Zirondelle Doucette couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she listened to
her Aunt Serafina’s complaints. Her aunt stood at the window of their family’s shop, staring out
at the street, and Zee didn’t have to guess too hard to figure out the cause for her discontent.
Another “damn” psychic had recently put out her shingle in the previously vacant storefront
directly across from their own.

“And if it’s not a psychic it’s a card reader,” the other woman continued, grumbling
crossly. “Or a palm reader. Or tea-leaf reader—”

“Or a purveyor of Voodoo essentials?” Zee suggested, holding up the little gris-gris bag
she’d just finished assembling.

Serafina turned her head to glare at her niece. “Don’t sass me, Zee. You know exactly
what I’m talking about.”

“Yes, Ma’am, I do.” Ducking her head, Zee started in on the next charm. She knew it
wasn’t psychics per se with whom her aunt had a problem. Serafina was a tolerant soul, not the
kind who’d ever take a stand against anyone else’s religion or spellcraft or spiritual beliefs. It
was the idea of all those make-believe mystics making a mockery of their family’s calling that
was trying the older woman’s temper, and not without cause. The Doucette family had owned
and operated their establishment in the self-same Royal Street location for several generations,
dealing in authentic rituals, in candles and jujus, talismans and spells. It was hard not to take it
personally when your way of life was turned into a kind of circus act by greedy imposters. But as
Zee and her aunt both knew, the charlatans did in fact have a place and a purpose in the grand
scheme of things.

Oh, how the tourists loved them. They ate up their acts and purchased their trinkets as
eagerly as they did the beignets at the Café du Monde. Or jazz on Frenchmen Street. Or
hurricanes in Pat O’s Courtyard. It was all part of the Crescent City mystique, like Po’ Boys and
crawfish, pralines and beads. In an odd way, they kept things safe. They kept the merely curious
from straying into dangerous territory.

“Oh, Lawd.” Aunt Serafina’s sudden gasp caught Zee’s attention. She glanced up in
surprise.

“Auntie, what’s wrong?”

“It’s him.” Serafina scurried back behind the counter where her niece was working,
babbling nonsensically. “He’s back. He’s coming this way. What should we do? What does he
want this time?”

“Do about what?” Zee asked, feeling mystified and mildly exasperated. “Who’s back?”
She loved Serafina; truly she did. Her aunt had taken Zee in after her parents passed, without
question or hesitation—the only member of their somewhat eccentric family who seemed to have
any idea about what to do with a bewildered little girl who’d suddenly been orphaned. Zee would
never forget the older woman’s kindness but, all the same, there were times, like now, when
dealing with her aunt seriously tried Zee’s patience.

The Doucette family had a certain reputation; they were known for being fierce and
fearless. They prided themselves on it, in fact. But Serafina had always been unusually timid for
a Doucette. Right now, her pale eyes, also unusual in a Doucette, were wide with fear, the pupils
dilated; her voice was but a whisper. “Monsieur Boudreaux.”

Boudreaux. The name itself meant very little. It was as common as dishwater around
those parts. But between the look on her aunt’s face and the singing certainty in her own heart,
Zee knew exactly which Monsieur Boudreaux Serafina meant. She meant Rene Alcide
Boudreaux. Zirondelle’s Monsieur Boudreaux. Dominant. Vampire. Master.

But not her master. No, not yet.

As the door to the shop swung open, Zee trembled inside. She couldn’t even raise her
eyes to gaze upon the shadow that she knew must be filling the entryway. Odd, considering that
shadow contained the very thing for which she’d been longing.

“Good evening, Madame Doucette, Mademoiselle.” Rene glided into the shop with his
usual preternatural grace. He had a way of moving that Zee found mesmerizing. And his voice!
That subtle growl, as dark and seductive as midnight, left Zee wanting to fall to her knees at his
feet and declare her submission right then and there. She dared not, however. Not with her aunt
looking on. Not when she hadn’t yet been granted the right.

“Monsieur Boudreaux.” Serafina’s voice shook a little as she returned his greeting.
“What a surprise. We weren’t expecting you.”

“Weren’t you?”

“Well, yes. I mean…no! It—it’s so soon after Monsieur’s last visit.”

That was sadly true, Zee reflected. Although he’d once been a regular customer, stopping
by every few weeks, things had changed in the last decade. Nowadays it was not unusual for a
year or more to pass between encounters. Rene’s last visit to the shop had been three months
ago. The occasion was burned into Zee’s memory because it was then she decided that enough
was enough. It was time to take matters into her own hands, to go after what she wanted, to stop
waiting, hoping or dreaming that Rene might someday recall her existence. She could be dead by
the time that happened!

“Indeed,” Rene agreed. “However, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that circumstances have
made it necessary that I return sooner rather than later. I’m here because of the spell that’s been
placed upon me—the curse, if you will.”

 “A curse!” Serafina gasped in alarm. “Oh, surely Monsieur is mistaken.”

“I assure you, Madame, the mistake is not mine. It would, in fact, be rather impossible for
me to be mistaken about such a thing. You see, if there’s one thing we vampires are very familiar
with, it’s curses. Centuries of people wishing one dead or ill tends to naturally have that effect.”

“But…who would dare do such a thing?”

Zee glanced at her aunt in surprise. Any number of people, she was tempted to reply. Was
that not the very reason Rene had been coming to them all these years? He’d been their most
loyal customer since practically the first day they’d opened for business. The Doucettes had
grown rich selling charms and protection spells to people like Rene Boudreaux. Even if she
privately shared her aunt’s skepticism, surely it was bad business to mention the fact!
Rene’s brow furrowed. He stared searchingly at Serafina for several seconds, then
inclined his head. “I apologize. I’m sorry to have alarmed you, Madame. I can see now that you
had nothing to do with the difficulties I’ve been experiencing. Might I have a word with your
niece? In private?”

“Wi-with Zee?” Serafina stammered. “In p-private?”

Zee could tell her aunt was gathering her courage to refuse. She was touched by
Serafina’s protective instincts, but right now those instincts were as unnecessary as they were
unwelcome.

“Why, Monsieur, I…I hardly th-think that’s necessary.”

“It’s all right, Auntie,” Zee said quickly. “Why don’t you go into the backroom and brew
up one of your tisanes. I’m sure it will help calm your nerves.”

Serafina gazed piteously at her. “Zee…”

“It’s all right,” she repeated, a little more firmly. “Really.” She patted her aunt’s arm and
smiled reassuringly. It was more than all right, actually. A chance to be alone with her beloved
Rene? That was cause for celebration! But even so, as her aunt, with a sad little nod and a
reluctant backward glance, retreated from the room, Zee found a little of her confidence
deserting her. Her gaze dropped once more. The rush of blood was so loud in her ears she could
not even hear Rene’s footsteps on the floorboards. Oh, but she felt his approach just the same.
His powerful presence pervaded the atmosphere. She was paralyzed by it, enraptured, entranced.

“Zirondelle. Look at me.”

Her name on his lips was the sweetest caress. His words were a command she could not
disobey. She glanced up immediately, gaze locking with his piercing blue eyes. “Yes?”

“I know it’s you.”

“Wh-what? Me?” She drew in a shaky breath. “You do?” Well. It was only about time,
wasn’t it? After all, she’d known it was him for most of her life. He was her destiny, her fate, the
other half of her soul.

“Yes. I know it’s you who’s cast this spell upon me.”

Zee’s heart sank. Was that all he was talking about? Disappointment fueled her defiance.
She tossed her head and demanded, “And? What if it was?”

“Then you will remove it. At once.”

“What if I won’t?”

His eyes widened. “You would dare defy me?”

Would she? The thought shook her and, for just a moment, she considered backing down.
She didn’t want him angry with her, after all. Even if she weren’t madly in love with the man,
she still would never want to make an enemy of him—no one with any sense at all would want
that! On the other hand, desperation was a powerful goad. At this point, she was willing to go
pretty far to attract his attention. And if this was what it took, so be it.

Besides, foolish or not, she just could not bring herself to fear him all that much. She’d
known him all her life. This was the same Rene Boudreaux who was so kind to her as a child,
who’d comforted her as no one else could have following her parents’ tragic and untimely
deaths.

It was he who’d found her, hiding beneath a table in the funeral home, paging feverishly
through a book of spells she’d taken from her grandmother’s house, looking for something—
anything—that might bring them back. Curses were not the only things with which vampires
were familiar. They knew death and loss better than anyone else. When Rene had promised her
she would not die from a broken heart, when he insisted no spell was necessary, that her parents
had not really gone anywhere, that those we truly love will continue to live on eternally,
enshrined in our hearts forever, Zee believed him.

Now, remembering that day, remembering all his kindness—both then and after—a smile
curved her lips. “Why not? I think I would. After all, I know you’d never hurt me.” Not unless
she wanted him to.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Countdown to Halloween ~ Paranormal Romance Giveaway


HALLOWEEN FACEBOOK HOP & PNR/UF GIVEAWAY!
Over 70 Authors ~ 2 Awesome Giveaways


Who says Halloween is just for kids? Paranormal romance and fantasy lovers, here’s your chance to grab some sweet, sweet loot! Enter the Halloween giveaway October 10–31 and you could take home one of four prize packages, including the top prize, a Kindle Fire HD 8 and winner’s choice of $35 in ebooks from Amazon. Second through fourth prizes offer more kindle/ebook prizes.


Enter the Giveaway Here


Then, be sure to join us for our Facebook Hop October 28–31, when we will have 70+ gift cards available for over 70 lucky winners. That’s a gift card at every stop on the hop!


Facebook Hop Starts Here on October 28


(Sponsored by the 34 authors listed below)

Alicia Montgomery • Alyssa Drake • Amanda Uhl  • Anna Durand • Bianca D’Arc • Carrie Whitethorne • Crystal Dawn • Helen Scott • Ivy Quinn • J. Rose Allister • Jody A. Kessler • Karen Michelle Nutt • L.D. Rose • Laura Greenwood • Leigh Anderson • Lianne Cotton • Linda Nightingale • Lisa Chalmers • LJ Swallow • Lynda Haviland • Marsha A. Moore • Mary Abshire • Maureen L. Bonatch  • Mia McKimmy • ND Jones • PG Forte • S.A. Larsen • Shelique Lize • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Tena Stetler • Tmonique Stephens • Traci Douglass • Vella Day • Aileen Harkwood  

Monday, October 2, 2017

Day Two!


The month of treats continues! And one of today's instant giveaways is my book, Old Sins, Long Shadows, which is book two in the Children of Night series.

This is one of my favorites of my books, and the reason is the chemistry between my heroes, Conrad and Damian. Their reconciliation should probably have happened later in the series, but I couldn't make them wait any longer. Here's an excerpt I very rarely share, it's part of one of my all-time favorite scenes. Enjoy!


“Stop dropping your guard!” Damian scolded with uncharacteristic harshness. He’d coaxed Julie into
fencing with him, in hopes a little swordplay would help him expend some of the pent-up frustration he’d
been left with following his interview with Conrad. It wasn’t working, however. The girl was proving to be
far too timid an opponent for his needs. “Focus, chica. You’re too distracted tonight.”

Julie huffed out an angry breath. “Pot, meet kettle,” she snapped and Damian knew he couldn’t refute
the charge.

“Again,” he sighed, annoyed with them both. He was distracted, damn it, but how could he not be?
Ever since the morning after the party he’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop. He knew he’d pushed
Conrad too hard. It had been madness to taunt him. It was foolish and dangerous…and yet, Conrad had not
reacted in any of the ways Damian had come to expect. Quiet, subdued, forgiving, restrained; this was not
the vampire Damian knew and loved. Fool that he was, he suspected he might actually prefer a Conrad who
shouted and growled and made his feelings plain. At least then you knew where he stood with him.

You mean at least you thought you might tempt him to lay his hands on you in anger, an evil voice
inside his head insisted. Since you can’t get him to do so in any other way.

That was probably true as well, but if so it was of an order of idiocy beyond anything Damian had
sunk to in a very long time. And that was definitely not something he wanted to dwell on.

He froze for an instant when the door to the gym opened and the object of his obsession appeared.
Fabulous. Just what I need. He and Julie both stared at Conrad in surprise. As far as Damian knew, this
was the first time he’d been to the gym since his abduction—a good sign, surely. It was just Damian’s bad
luck he’d chosen to show up now.

“Have you come to work out?” he asked, trying hard not to stare. After all, it was hardly the first time
he’d seen Conrad dressed so casually. Even though his current outfit—yoga pants and fitted T—left little to
the imagination, he’d also seen him in far, far less. He should be inured to the sight. Still, it had been a
while.
Conrad shrugged. “It’s a possibility. I haven’t decided yet.” He glanced around vaguely, then took a
seat on one of the weight benches. “Go on with what you were doing,” he urged, as he picked up a small
barbell. “Don’t let me disturb you.”

Dios mio. Damian sighed. As if it had ever been possible for him not to be disturbed when Conrad
was anywhere in the vicinity. Still, the attempt needed to be made. For the sake of his pride, if nothing else.
He nodded to Julie and they began again—only to be interrupted almost immediately.

“Julie, you’re holding back,” Conrad observed, after Damian had scored another easy point off the
girl. “Push him a little. C’mon, you can do better than that.”

Damian bit back a growl. The one area where Conrad had mostly treated him as an equal was in the
care and training of the twins. It didn’t matter that they were in agreement, in this case, Damian still did not
need—or appreciate—Conrad’s sideline coaching.

“Again,” he growled, noting with sympathy how Julie’s jaw had clenched, the flush that colored her
cheeks. Of course she would be flustered and embarrassed with both of them harping on her like this. How
could she not? He could barely bring himself to offer any additional instruction himself, at this point, lest
she feel herself completely browbeaten.

They sparred for several minutes more and all the while Conrad, his own workout forgotten,
continued to volunteer advice. It was obvious he had misconstrued Damian’s silence as an invitation to take
over the lesson. Finally, Damian could take no more.

“Stop!” he ordered.

Julie’s eyes flashed. She glared at him, clearly exasperated. “What now?”
Damian ignored her and turned instead toward Conrad. “Do you really think you’re that much better
at this?”

Conrad appeared momentarily startled. “At what?” he asked cautiously.

“All of it! The fencing, the coaching, the sword fighting.”

“Sword fighting? Is that what you call what you’re doing?” Conrad’s eyes glimmered with
amusement. “Well, as to that, I should hope so, my dear. After all, I do have quite a few years on you. I
daresay I could still teach you a few things.”

“Do you? Bueno.” Damian motioned to Julie. “Hand me your foil.”

“What?” Julie’s eyes widened.

“Your foil, chica. Now.”

She handed it over reluctantly. Damian took it and executed a courtly bow. “And now, if il Maestro,
would be so kind. Perhaps you’d favor us with a small lesson?”

A disbelieving smile curved Conrad’s lips. “Are you saying you wish to fight me?”

“Unless, perhaps, you fear it would be too strenuous for someone of your advanced age?”
Conrad frowned. “No, I believe I can still manage it.” He rose to his feet. “Although it might prove
embarrassing for you.”

“I’ll risk it,” Damian replied, promptly hurling the foil at Conrad’s head—tip first—not overly
concerned with whether Conrad would catch it, or it would catch him. A moot point anyway, since Conrad
easily dodged and spun and caught hold of the hilt as it flew past.

Julie scurried away to sit on one of the benches. Conrad approached, idly swishing his blade through
the air. A fell smile curved his lips. “Very well. Now, what am I wagered?”

“Wagered?”

“It is customary, is it not? Or am I mistaken? Did you not just issue me a challenge?”

“I did. But why waste time now on details? Let us just say that the winner may demand from the loser
whatever boon he wishes.”

“Rather a useless victory,” Conrad observed coolly. “Is it not? As your sire, I’m already entitled to
ask for whatever I want from you.”

“Ah. You’re assuming you’ll win, then?”

Conrad’s answering smile was so engaging Damian might have had serious trouble resisting its
attraction if he weren’t so angry. And if Conrad didn’t compound his anger by replying with insufferable
confidence, “But, of course.”


“Don’t,” Damian advised, getting quickly into position. “En garde!”

 Living forever is hard. Loving forever? Impossible.

Of all the mistakes Conrad Quintano has made, driving Damian away is the one that haunts him the most. He hates the fact that he's hurt the man he loves more than anything. For the sake of the twins, though, Conrad and Damian parent as a united front, a challenge that grows more and more difficult with each passing year. And with Conrad in his weakened state after his kidnapping, it grows more difficult than ever to be around the one man he can't have.
But an old enemy's mission to create a dangerous new breed of vampire threatens the twins' lives, and it's now more important than ever that the estranged lovers put the past behind them, or everything they hold dear might be ripped apart.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Halloween Month of Treats!


Who doesn’t love to curl up with a page-turning book on a chilly October day? And what would make escaping into an awesome story even more indulgent? Chocolate, that’s what! 

Enter for your chance to win both in the Halloween Month of Treats Giveaway. Every day in October, we’ll be posting two new giveaways, or sometimes a giveaway and FREE book for you to download immediately and enjoy. 

A paranormal romance and gift set of Godiva chocolate cookies. A romantic comedy and a box 60 of Lindor truffles. Steamy romance, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, mysteries…We’ve got the goodies to hand out. It’s trick or treat time! Enter to Win at: 

No purchase necessary.

This Giveaway is Sponsored by

Alex Gordon • Amanda Uhl • Angelica Kate • Astrid Arditi • Bethany Strobel • Bianca D'Arc • Cailin Briste • Cherie Claire • Christa Paige • Constance Phillips • Crystal Dawn • Emme Rollins
Greta Boris • Holly Cortelyou • Hope Worthington • Jacqueline Diamond • Joanne Dannon • Jody A. Kessler • Julie Mulhern • Karen Michelle Nutt • Lia Davis • Lila Dubois • Lisanne Harrington • Louisa Clarkson • Mia Woods • N.D. Jones • Nancy Segovia • Naomi Bellina • Patricia Burroughs • PG Forte • Rachel Shane • Rose Chapman • Sandra Marton • Scarlett Dawn • Selena Kitt • Shaniel Watson • Sorchia DuBois • Stella Marie Alden • Stephanie Julian • T.F. Walsh • Traci Highland • Vella Day • Veronica Blake • Viola Estrella