Literary Nook Book PromotionsPromo Blitz: Dangerous Attraction

10 Award-winning, bestselling authors – 10 Hot Heroes – 10 Romantic Suspense Page Turners

99 CENTS THROUGH NOVEMBER 16th!

With nine full-size novels from bestselling romantic suspense authors and a brand new Christmas novella from New York Times bestselling author, Rebecca York, this boxed set can’t be missed. Sexy, steamy heroes to heat you up and twisting plots to keep you turning page after page well past midnight!Grab it at the introductory price of 99 cents. That’s 10 books for less than a buck!

From sweet to scorcher, these stories are a must read. Fall in love with our sexy cops, tough military heroes, and hot CEOs. Treat yourself to an amazing reading experience by top authors of romantic suspense collected in one boxed set at a price that can’t be beat.

Ignited by award-winning and national bestselling author, Kaylea Cross – Can sexy ex-SEAL Hunter Phillips keep Khalia safe from the terrorists who took her father’s life? (Scorcher)

Secret Guardian by international bestselling author, Jill Sanders – Will ex-special forces hero, Ethan, save Ann in time, only to lose himself to love? (Scorcher)

Deathscape by Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence recipient and Rita Award finalist, Dana Marton – Detective Jack Sullivan will do anything to put Ashley in prison for her crimes…even if he’s falling in love with her. (Sensual)

Legal Ease by award winning and national bestselling author Lori Ryan – Marrying Kelly solved the problems this steamy CEO faced at his company, but will he ever be able to forgive himself for the price she has to pay? (Scorcher)

The Killing Game by international bestselling author, Toni Anderson –Forced to choose between his country and his heart, British SAS Soldier, Ty Dempsey risks it all to save a wildlife biologist caught in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. (Sensual)

Fallen SEAL Legacy by national bestselling author, Sharon Hamilton – Will Navy SEAL Cooper be able to survive the loss of the woman he loves, or will his self-sacrifice be enough to keep Libby safe? (Scorcher)

Three Days in Seattle by national bestselling author, Debra Burroughs – Trying to stay a step ahead of a lunatic set on revenge, Kate and Ryan are locked in a desperate race to find her missing sister and capture the madman before both women wind up dead. (Sweet)

See Me in Your Dreams by Patricia Rosemoor, Golden Heart Winner and two-time recipient of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award – Her dreams allow her to see through his missing daughter's eyes, but he thinks she’s a con woman...until she dreams of something known only to him and the girl. (Sensual)

Catching the Bad Guy by national bestselling author, Marie Astor – Top-notch white collar crime investigators Janet Maple and Dennis Walker team up to solve what could be the biggest case of their careers, but will their attraction to each other get in the way? (Sensual)

Bonus Christmas Novella, Christmas Captive by Romantic Times Career Achievement Award Winner and Rita Finalist, Rebecca York – Her special sight let her glimpse the Christmases past of this international financier, but did he have a Christmas future?

Excerpts:

Excerpt from CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE, by Rebecca York:

        Hannah Andrews fiddled nervously with the tall latte on the table in front of her. Although she’d agreed to meet a man named Frank Decorah in this downtown San Francisco coffee shop, she was having second thoughts.

     She glanced around at the cheery Christmas gifts displayed on the shelves near the counter and at the ten other patrons enjoying coffee drinks, some working at computers, others getting e-mail on tablets. Safety in numbers, she thought. But not even Bing Crosby, singing White Christmas over the sound system, could make her relax.

     When the door opened, she glanced up and saw a tall man in the doorway. He appeared to be in his fifties with salt and pepper hair.

      Frank Decorah. She recognized him because she’d looked up his security agency on the Web and seen his picture, and she knew from his bio that he was an ex-Navy SEAL. He’d looked tough and capable on the screen. In person he seemed even more formidable, and she wondered again why she’d agreed to meet him when he’d been so secretive about the job he was offering.

            Yet two factors had swayed her. He was based in Maryland, and he’d offered to fly all the way across the country to meet her. And he’d made the meeting sound urgent—a matter of life and death.

Excerpt from DEATHSCAPE by Dana Marton:

Ashley wanted so badly to think, but she couldn’t. Those sculpted lips she’d thought about painting were over hers. Oh wow. The body she’d assessed with an artist’s eye was now pressed against her, suddenly gaining another dimension. So much more interesting, so much better, so much…everything.

As an artist, she kept her subjects at arm’s length. But now Jack was suddenly very, very close, her head reeling. Heat poured off him that threatened to set her on fire.

He was a ball of pain and hard man, a man on the edge, yet there was something heroic at the core of him, and at the same time something incredibly tragic. A complicated subject, layer upon layer, colors bleeding into each other, twisting. How on earth was she supposed to make sense of him?

She couldn’t, not for the moment. Right now all she could do was feel. She hung on to his wide shoulders, because she wasn’t sure how much longer her knees could hold her.

The passion that flared to life between them stunned her. There were parts of her that had been simply dead since the accident, most likely because of the depression and the pills she’d taken at the beginning. But suddenly everything came roaring back to life, passion as a swirl of vibrant colors. For the first time in a long time, she felt like a woman again. The fire was all-consuming, hotter and wilder than she’d ever felt before.

And it was all wrong.

He was the wrong guy for her, a drifter cop who was obsessed with a serial killer.

Excerpt from SEE ME IN YOUR DREAMS by Patricia Rosemoor:

In the midst of her sleep, she'd envisioned him kissing her.
   

Arousing her.
   

Confusing her.
   

For, while made of flesh and blood, human emotions and passions, Keelin was not a woman to be driven by sheer lust. She believed in the kind of love found in high romance – Romeo and Juliet, Guinevere and Launcelot, Heloïse and Abelard – the utopian state of passion her parents had never found together, sadly enough.
   

The kind she had only dreamed of finding...
   

Nevermind that all of those great epics of literature and/or history had ended in tragedy, Keelin was certain equally many real romances ended in happily-ever-after. For some reason, one just rarely heard about the good endings. Perhaps they weren't dramatic enough. She believed that genuine and total love of mind, body and spirit existed. She was certain her grandparents Moira and Seamus had found such in each other, hence Moira's last wish for her grandchildren.
   

 For all of her adult life, Keelin had been waiting to meet the one man she couldn't live without...and according to the McKenna Legacy, she was fast running out of time.
   

But that man simply could not be Tyler Leighton...

Dangerous Attraction Pre-Sale Links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18Ya4Oc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ahU8nO
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Giveaway:

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Link to tour schedule: 

Album Review: Paul McCartney - New

Just when you think you can write Paul McCartney off as just another classic rock god, riding on the coat tails of his past successes, he puts and album out like New, and you just sit back and go "WOW!"

New is an album that proves that age has nothing to do with the quality of music an artist puts out and that Paul McCartney is still one of the most brilliant songwriters of our time.

The title track is one of his finest earworms. Every so many albums Paul writes a Beatley song, and this is one of them. It is a short little ditty, full of fun. This is classic Macca.

All of the songs keep with the short and sweet format. Out of 15 songs only 2 top 4 minutes, but because Paul is a master and his finest work came from the decade where the majority of songs are short, sweet and to the point, the songs are all top notch.

The album opens with a rollicking "Save Us" But probably the most stand out and unique track is "Alligator." It is a song that draws you in because you are waiting to see where the alligator is. Unfortunately it isn't there, but in its place is a dark rocker.

"On My Way To Work" is another Beatley track. Its a slightly more poetic and modern "Penny Lane."

The album is an interesting mixture of darker rock and the usual fun pop flair. "Appreciate" has a bit of an electronic feel. The song "Ou est le Soleil?" has a similar feel.

"Everybody Out There" sounds like a song that might appear on a Ringo Starr album.

The tracks that really stick with you come early on in the album. The fabulous "Queenie Eye" rocks pure and simple.  It is followed by the acoustic "Early Days." This is a more reflective tune, and even someone unfamiliar with Macca will notice the imperfections that age has brought to this icon's voice, but that is what really makes this song so magical and special.

The album isn't perfect, Paul does his Texan from Liverpool routine with "Get Me Out Of Here." What is it with Brits and country music? When George Harrison did Miss O'Dell it was humorous, regardless of whether it was intended to be that way or not, but "Get Me Out Of Here" is a bit dull and monotonous and well....lifeless.

"Looking At Her" is a more experimental sounding song. Electronic beats and Paul McCartney just don't got together. However, Paul gets double props for doing things up different.

New is Paul McCartney reminding us all, that he has it. He never lost it. It is a well rounded album that should appeal to old fans as well as new. All Paul McCartney albums come recommended, but it has been awhile since there was one that is so good that everyone should own it. This is one of those albums.

Watch: New

Musical Hotties

Just thought I'd share some prettiness with you..young and older because that's how I roll

Josh Groban....ah....he's just adorkable!

Mika makes me want to buy a Swatch again!

Some geek chic, care of Nick Lowe

Album Review: Nick Lowe - Quality Street

Quality Street is a seasonal album by Nick Lowe. This is probably the most surprising holiday albums in the last 10 years. What is even more surprising is how fantastic it is.

Why?

Because this album is pure Nick Lowe and not some cutesy Christmas album. White Christmas doesn't even make an appearance here!

Quality Street is Nick Lowe doing Christmas as Nick Lowe. His songs all sound like Nick should sound and not full of sleigh bells and other cliches that usually fill up holiday albums.

The first track is the folksy "Children Go Where I Send Thee." It is perfectly Nick, even though it is hard to imagine Nick doing a song that is so religious in nature.

The next two songs "Christmas Can't Be Far Away" and "Christmas At The Airport" have the current Nick Lowe sound, that's a little bit like Bacharach & David. These are great songs for a night by the fire.

"The North Pole Express" is what happens when jazz and country get together. This is one of the songs that everyone, young and old can enjoy.

"Hooves On The Roof" is jazzy holiday brilliance. If Diana Krall hears this one, it may make it on her next holiday offering. Even the songwriter of this one, Ron Sexsmith probably pleased with the treatment Lowe gives to this song.

The songs that shine the most are the folk tunes. "I Was Born In Bethlehem" is another such song. Unlike "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and "Rise Up Shepherd" it is a much more subdued melody. Nick's more mature vocal really brings a certain intimacy to the song

If you enjoyed "Children Go Where I Send Thee" you will be over the moon at Lowe's version of "Rise Up Shepherd." This song conjures up a wonderful visual of Nick on porch playing this song with a backdrop of winter snow.

"Silent Night" is the only true holiday staple on the album, and you haven't heard "Silent Night" sung this way. Rockabilly "Silent Night" is bloody brilliant. This is a song that is always so serious sounding. There's absolutely nothing serious or silent about Nick's version. The percussion and organ are so lively that you may find your foot taping to this song.

If any song on this album could really convey Nick's recent style it would be "A Dollar Short Of Happy." This song could easily slip on an album like The Convincer. Nick has never been known for his "happy" tunes. He's always the heartbroken bloke, and this song is just pure Nick!

Nick saves the best for last. The album closes with Roy Wood's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day." Though Nick's cover isn't as bouncy as the original, he gives it the Nick Lowe retro treatment. The arrangement goes back to his 70s sound. It is still the fun frolicking song most are familiar with
but Nick's version is more about the vocal and less about the glitz.

Quality Street is definitely one of the must have holiday albums of the year. 

Watch: A Dollar Short Of Happy




Rating: 5 our of 5 stars

Book Blast: Summerset Abbey

SUMMERSET ABBEY

by T. J. Brown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Reminiscent of Downton Abbey, this first novel in a new series follows two sisters and their maid as they are suddenly separated by the rigid class divisions within a sprawling aristocratic estate and thrust into an uncertain world on the brink of WWI...

Rowena and Victoria, daughters to the second son of the Earl of Summerset, have always treated their governess’s daughter, Prudence, like a sister. But when their father dies and they move in with their uncle’s family in a much more traditional household, Prudence is relegated to the maids’ quarters, much to the girls’ shock and dismay. The impending war offers each girl hope for a more modern future, but the ever-present specter of class expectations makes it difficult for Prudence to maintain a foot in both worlds.

Vividly evoking both time and place and filled with authentic dialogue and richly detailed atmosphere, Summerset Abbey is a charming and timeless historical debut.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:  A lump rose in her throat as she caught sight of the ornate casket, draped with a full spray of lilies, carnations, and palm fronds. The only reason she was here, clutching Rowena’s and Victoria’s hands in hers instead of shrinking into the background with the other servants, was the kindness of the man who lay inside. After Prudence’s father had died, her mother, who had worked at Sir Philip’s estate as a girl, had been sent to attend to Rowena and Victoria’s ailing mother. When his wife died, Sir Philip asked her to stay on to help raise the girls, and Prudence, exactly between his daughters in age, became part of the family. Prudence, who volunteered her time at several different poorhouses in the city, knew exactly what happened to young girls left alone in the world. She would forever be grateful to Sir Philip for not allowing that to happen to her.

She blinked away her tears and occupied herself by looking at the rest of the congregation. Only a few looked familiar. Among them were Rupert Brooke, the high-strung and handsome young poet; Ben Tillett, the iron-jawed union leader; and Roger Fry, the controversial artist responsible for bringing London’s shocked attention to postimpressionism some years prior. These were some of Sir Philip’s friends, a motley collection of artists, intellectuals, and misfits.

Because the Earl had arranged the funeral, most of the people in attendance were his peers, men from the House of Lords and others from the cream of London society.

Sir Philip would have hated it.

The beautiful gold arches and polished marble of St. Bride’s Church gleamed, just as they had the few times the family had attended church. Sir Philip had chosen St. Bride’s because, as he used to say, “Sir Christopher Wren built the kind of church that God might actually enjoy.”

Gradually, Prudence became aware of a young man staring at her from across the aisle. Her eyes darted in his direction, then away. Moments later, unable to help herself, she glanced back to see whether he was still looking at her. He was. She turned slightly and stared fixedly at the bronze candelabra to the left of him, her cheeks burning.

Victoria leaned around her to whisper to Rowena. “Look, Lord Billingsly has noticed our Prudence.”

“I’m right here,” Prudence whispered, and gave both their hands a hard squeeze for emphasis.

She didn’t look his way again.

Once the service started, Prudence sank into a well of grief that threatened to drown her. The waves of it lapped at her from all sides, covered her head, and made sight almost impossible. Inside, her heart broke and a waterfall of sorrow poured from the cracks. On one side, Victoria sobbed quietly, while Rowena’s stiff resolve buoyed her from the other. She clung to their hands as the service passed in a blur of speeches.

They remained that way until it was time to get into the ornate black and gold funeral carriages that would take them back to their home in Mayfair for the reception. Behind the carriages stood a line of motorcars; most of the wealthy guests had long given up their carriages for the convenience and speed of automobiles. The Earl himself had several, and Sir Philip’s sleek Eton-blue Belsize sat idle in the carriage house, but the Earl insisted on traditional horse-drawn carriages.

“Miss Tate will ride in the staff carriage.” The Earl’s voice brooked no opposition and his square jaw firmed. Prudence knew that look. Rowena’s pretty face held the same expression when she got all stubborn about something.

Victoria’s eyes widened. “Prudence rides with us.”

“Nonsense. The Duke of Plymouth wishes to join us and there isn’t enough room.”

Prudence placed her hands on Victoria’s shoulders. Tension vibrated through the young girl’s slender body and Prudence’s stomach knotted, sure that Victoria was going to throw a fit, the kind she used to throw when the family still called her baby and she wanted the biggest sweet in the shop. Even at eighteen, Victoria wasn’t above a tantrum or two if she thought the situation warranted it. But her waiflike face suddenly fell and her lower lip trembled.

“It’ll be all right,” Prudence whispered. “I’ll go back with the staff and meet you at home.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

TJ Brown is proud of her two children but coming in a close second is the fact that she parachuted out of a plane and beat the original Legend of Zelda video game. Her young adult historical about Harry Houdini’s illegitimate daughter came out in June from Balzer+Bray. She also writes adult historicals under TJ Brown. She resides with her husband and way too many pets in Portlandia.

www.tjbrownbooks.com

@teribrownwrites

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summerset-abbey-teri-brown/1110049205?ean=9781451698985

http://www.amazon.com/T.-J.-Brown/e/B00B9Y1X5C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

You can get Summerset Abbey @ B & N today for $1.99

Giveaway: The author will be awarding autographed copies of books two and three of the series, A Bloom in Winter and Spring Awakening to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour

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Bowties Are Cool

The Eleventh Doctor started it all. Allow me to show you a few reasons why bowties are in fact, very cool.

Mika proves that not only are bowties cool, but so are funny plaid suits!

Bill Nye has always known bowties were cool, but never more so than on Dancing With The Stars!

Heck, even Ashton Kutcher knows they are cool! Waves to Kelso!

Aw hell....and when it comes to David Tennant...everything is cool

Cover Reveal: Waking Sarah - Krystal Shannan

WAKING SARAH

Vegas Mates, Book 3

Council threats and Renata’s deadly attack leave the Vegas pack scrambling to regroup…

Heartbroken over the death of her fiancé and tortured by a voice in her mind that’s haunted her since childhood, Sarah McLain learns her true ancestry after attending her best friend Margaret’s wedding. Can the pack save Sarah from the darkness that threatens to overwhelm her? Or will the wolf inside drive her over the edge before they can show her being a supernatural being is a good thing?

Chris Michaels is in charge of training the new latent werewolves at the O’Hearn mountain inn, now known as Woodhaven. His focus is tested when he finds out the beautiful but sad redhead, Sarah McLain, is his trainee.  The connection he feels to her is strong but not magickal, and his wolf claims it foolish to listen to his human instincts.  Can Chris heal her broken heart in time, or will he lose the woman he knows is perfect for him.

WAKING SARAH – COMING NOVEMBER 3^rd – KRYSTAL SHANNAN

~Short Excerpt~

PROLOGUE

Sarah’s mind drifted as her friend Margaret recited her vows and became Scott O’Hearn’s wife. She stood silently holding the bridal bouquet. They were calla lilies. She would have been carrying calla lilies two weeks from today. They were her favorite and Brad always got some for her on her birthday.

Her thoughts moved to the unworn wedding dress hanging in the back of her mother’s closet. When she glanced up at Scott, the look of adoration he had for Margaret nearly broke her heart all over again. Brad would have looked at her like that. 

Margaret had practically begged her to stand as her maid of honor. Sarah wanted to be here for her friend’s wedding. She really did. But neither Margaret nor Sam knew she’d been engaged to Brad. None of them knew she and Brad had picked out a wedding date. Or that it was two weeks from today. September twenty-second. They hadn’t had the time to tell anyone…

She shook her head and sniffed quietly, clearing the image from her mind.

Now, he was dead. That future they’d both been so excited to share with their friends had been stolen.

Nearly six months had passed since she’d gotten a life-altering knock on the door from two Houston police detectives. Sorry to inform you, but life-as-you-know-it has just ended. That’s not what they’d said, but it might as well have been.

She’d dropped out of college and come home to Vegas to find one Sam already married and Margaret in a rapidly-becoming-serious relationship and now married as of today. Margaret had told her earlier that day she’d wanted to get married in May, but somehow her big bear of a fiancé convinced her September would be better weather. Of course, Margaret had also shared they’d had a few snafus getting the inn up and running again, too. It was an older building. So the extra time had been needed to accommodate the repairs needed to house everyone.

Sure.

She’d listened to Margaret ramble on, but most of it had fallen on deaf ears.

The happiness in the room was suffocating. She should be happy for her friends, but she wasn’t. Then she felt guilty. Their lives weren’t perfect. Both Sam and Margaret had both recently lost their fathers. She couldn’t imagine losing her Dad, but right now the only thing her mind kept circling back to was that they both had their soul mates.

Hers was gone.

The forests outside the inn called to her soul. Dark thoughts of disappearing into the forest forever crossed through her mind. It was a big mountain. Her dreams over the last few days here had tortured her sleep and she’d doubled up on her prescription just to make it through the night. The pills helped silence the voice, but no treatment or therapy had ever successfully gotten rid of it.

She was so tired of the pain.

Meet the Author:

Paranormal Romance author, Krystal Shannan, lives in Texas and is married to the love-of-her-life. They have a spunky young daughter who believes in fairies. Krystal professes to loving shoes, but avoids wearing them at all costs. She teaches in the public schools and writes as much as she can in her free time. If any more spare time can be squeezed from her day, she enjoys reading romance in all genres, but especially paranormal. If it has a 'Happily Ever After', she's on board!

Krystal Shannan

Putting Magick in Romance one Soul Mate at a Time.

___________________________________

Follow my NEWSLETTER, gift card giveaways every month!

www.krystalshannan.com

www.theromancetroupe.com

www.satinsheetsromance.blogspot.com

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Book Blitz: Laura DeLuca - Hyde

Book Info:

Title: Hyde (Dark Musicals Trilogy)

Author: Laura DeLuca

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Young Adult Romance

Categories: Mystery/Thriller

Publisher: Pagan Writers Press

Release Date: 7/29/2013

Heat Level: Sweet

Word Count: 102,000

Synopsis:

Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.

She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.

Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18081364-hyde

Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes &Noble 

Excerpt: 

The act ended with Hyde grabbing hold of a scantily dressed Lucy and pulling her into his arms. Then the lights on the stage were extinguished, and the silent crowd suddenly burst into thunderous applause—even some of the cast was clapping. Rebecca couldn’t help but notice Steve was watching the fanfare with a frown, especially when Fernando, dressed for the next scene as the butler, clapped Justyn on the back with undisguised approval and pride. Rebecca had the distinct feeling Steve was plotting something sinister and definitely Hyde-worthy.

From that point on, Justyn scarcely had a moment out of the spotlight. Rebecca didn’t even get a chance to tell him how fabulous he was. It felt as though the show had only begun when Rebecca found herself decked out in the splendid Victorian wedding gown signaling the final act was about to begin. The dress came complete with realistic bell sleeves, an excessive bustle, and a long, flowing trail embroidered with delicate lace. The elaborate wardrobes and happy wedding guests gave the audience the illusion that it might be a happy ending after all, but for Dr. Jekyll and Emma, that wasn’t meant to be. As soon as the reverend began to recite the vows, Hyde made his final deadly appearance.

At the beginning of the scene, it was sweet and romantic. Justyn started out holding her hand, looking happy, almost ecstatic to be with his true love. Then he suddenly started to sway. Tom, in his role of John, the best man, tried to steady him, but there wasn’t anything he could do to stop the transformation. Dr. Jekyll doubles over in agony and tries to run before Emma can see him change into a monster. Justyn was supposed to head toward the back of the stage where Rebecca would pursue him and eventually become Hyde’s captive. But they should have known no opening night could ever go exactly as planned, especially when it was obvious at least half the cast was out to get them.

Just as Justyn stumbled across the stage, Steve, who was blending in with the other guests on the sidelines, stuck out his foot. It was doubtful anyone else observed the sabotage, aside from Petya, who was smirking at her husband’s side. But Rebecca was at the perfect vantage point to see the intentional attack. Unfortunately, Justyn was so wrapped up in the role he didn’t notice the danger, especially since his loose hair was dangling in front of his eyes. Before Rebecca could cry out a warning, Justyn’s foot was caught in the snare. With a grunt, he tumbled off the side of the stage. Even over the background music and the gasps from the audience, Rebecca heard the loud thump as he hit the ground. She raised her hands to her mouth and couldn’t help but scream.

Author Bio:

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player and Demon. She also has short stories featured in two anthologies called HerStory and A Celtic Tapestry.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Pinterest

Purchase Phantom

Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble

Purchase Demon

Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble 

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Shades of Pink

Shades of Pink Charity Anthology

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For this occasion, 33 authors have allied for 1 cause: fundraising for research. Their gift to everyone who makes a donation? A romance anthology (ebook) titled Shades of Pink, totaling over 200.000 words / about 500 pages as a PDF.

The suggested donation is $5. Funds are raised via Stayclassy.org and all proceeds go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can Donate Here. Readers can also donate to the charity organization of their choice (with a focus on breast cancer) and email their receipt to receive their copy of the anthology in either PDF, ePub or mobi (kindle).

Who: Kate Baum, Brei Betzold, Jean Booth, Catherine Bowman, Perci T. Brooks, Rose Caraway, Bethan Cooper, Sarah Daltry, Vivien Dean, JJ Ellis, Rachel Firasek, Sabrina Garie, Amber Green, T. Hammond, Lisa M. Harley, Susan Harris, K. R. Haynes, Ellie Heller, Laura Hunsaker, Jennifer James, Torie James, Kallysten, K.A. Linde, C. Deanne Rowe, DJ Shaw, Madeline Sheehan, Eden Summers, Gill Taber, J Annas Walker, Matthew Welch, Kristin L. Wilson, Zoe York, Angela Yseult

When: October through November 15th.

What: 33 short stories, including…

·      30 M/F, 1.5 M/M, 1.5 M/F/M

·      4 paranormal, 2 sci-fi, 19 contemporary, 3 historical, 1 BDSM, 9 fantasy, 3 YA (some stories have more than one genre)

·      4 spicy (ménage or kink), 15 sexy (explicit sex scenes), 14 sweet (no sex)

·      A handful of vampires, about four dozen humans including fighters, cursed humans, reincarnated souls, footballers, time travelers, bosses, secretaries, writers, rock stars, teens, witches, soldiers, wives, husbands and fiancés, 1 succubus, 1 genie, 1 extra-terrestrial princess, a few gods and goddesses, a pack of werewolves.

·      Pink, pink and more pink, including cherry blossoms, jewelry,  flamingoes, silk, a leather collar, assorted flowers, hair, a car, lip gloss, champagne, a hair ribbon, a hippo, various clothing items, lemonade and a toy.

Where: Kallysten’s blog

Here you’ll find teasers for all the stories, interviews of the authors posted during all of October, and of course the link where you can donate and help this worthy cause.

The following authors have contributed a story for this project 

• Vivien Dean - One More Bloom - Read a Teaser -
• Eden Summers - Dirty Strategy - Read a Teaser -
• DJ Shaw - Blood Lust - Read a Teaser -
• Laura Hunsaker - Highland Eclipse - Read a Teaser -
• Sabrina Garie - In Search of Pink Coral - Read a Teaser -
• Ellie Heller - Flock That! - Read a Teaser -
• Amber Green - The Touch - Read a Teaser -
• Rachel Firasek - Collar Me Pink - Read a Teaser -
• Kristin Wilson - Princess Pink - Read a Teaser -
• Rose Caraway - The Mother - Read a Teaser -
• JJ Ellis - A Single Pink Rose - Read a Teaser -
• Matthew Welch - Mysteries in Pink - Read a Teaser -Interview
• Perci T. Brooks - Pink Rose - Read a Teaser -
• Torie James - Fate, Free Will & Fancy - Read a Teaser -
• Madeline Sheehan - Olivia - Read a Teaser - Interview
• Brei Betzold - Break Out - Read a Teaser -
• KA Linde - Avoiding Commitment (Jack's POV) - Read a Teaser -
• Zoe York - See Me - Read a Teaser -
• Susan Harris - Love and Other Silly Emotions - Read a Teaser -
• Sarah Daltry - The Pink Ribbon - Read a Teaser -
• C. Deanne Rowe - The Pink Hippo - Read a Teaser -
• Lisa M. Harley - Real Men Wear Pink - Read a Teaser - Interview
• Gill Taber - Harlequinade - Read a Teaser -
• K. R. Haynes - Surprise Weekend Getaway - Read a Teaser - Interview
• J. Annas Walker - The Princess's Consort - Read a Teaser -
• Bethan Cooper - Pretty Little Rockstar - Read a Teaser -
• Tina Hammond - In Love With Teresa March - Read a Teaser -
• Jean Booth - The Last Night - Read a Teaser - Interview
• Catherine Bowman - I Already Am - Read a Teaser -
• Kate Baum - Pink Girl - Read a Teaser -
• Jennifer James - Pinkie Swear - Read a Teaser -
• Angela Yseult - Blush- Read a Teaser -
• Kallysten - The Last Sunset - Read a Teaser -

The State Of Pop Music

Here are some random musings from the Music Whore...

Bubblegum music is not dead...Have you heard Katy Perry's Roar? This song is proof that bubblegum music is still alive and well and not always made by tweenybopper stars. Thank god for that.

Katy Perry's music is never going to change your life, but when you listen to it, you can't help but feel good.  Plus her videos are the best ever.

I am not embarrassed at all to say, I love this song. It makes me smile and sing a long every time I hear it.




Next up let me talk about Miley Cyrus. Sometimes I wish this girl would just go away. The things she's done for shock value aren't really so much shocking as they are nauseating, but they got the world talking and taking notice, something they didn't do with her last album.

So now they are talking..and guess what....Wrecking Ball isn't a bad song. It isn't a fantastic, groundbreaking song, but it does prove that Miley is more than just a Disney pop tart. She's a regular ole' pop tart now.

I only wish she wasn't trying to be Madonna, or Gaga or Britney.

Seriously...I don't need to see your camel toe..and everyone should stop twerking...especially with men that are almost old enough to be your dad.

But again..the video aside, which is rather bleh...Wrecking Ball won't make your ears bleed. And the video really is tastefully done. I'm more of the mind that the people fussing are just jealous they aren't built like Miley. Hell, I wish I were built like Miley.

As for her VMA performance..that was just fucking weird..but a totally awesome PR stunt that worked perfectly.

And parents, get over the fact that she was Hannah Montana. She's old enough to make her own decisions.

Plus a little FYI celebrities should in no way be considered role models for your kids, m'kay...same goes for athletes. (If they want to do commercials for fast food..its a free country..they are allowed...get over  yourselves!)



Now let's talk real music....the kind that doesn't need PR or flashy stuff to get you talking.

The Lumineers Ho Hey...is truly one of the best examples of folk/Americana...ever. I have to admit..I've labeled this band as Starbucks music. It makes me want to curl up with a book and a pumpkin spice latte and read while my foot taps in time with the music



Lastly...I've been loving on Mika again. How can you not love Mika? Underwater is one of the most beautiful videos I've ever seen and seriously...it sounds like vintage Duran Duran...

Easy Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:

2 32 oz cartons of Chicken stock/broth
1 rotisserie chicken
3 cups of flour
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups of water
salt

Directions:

Debone and shredded the cooked chicken.

Pour the stock/broth into a dutch oven or soup pot and bring to a boil.

For the dumplings

Mix the flour, eggs, water & salt and combine until sticky.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the boiling broth. (When they are done, they will rise to the top) Stir occasionally so the dumplings don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Let simmer so that the broth thickens from the flour in the dumplings.
About 10-20 minutes before serving, stir in the shredded chicken.


Enjoy!

Album Review: Mika - The Origin Of Love

The Origin of Love is the latest album by Mika and the followup to 2009's The Boy Who Knew Too Much.

While it is still an album full of synth pop goodness that all fans are used to, The Origin of Love shows a more mature side of Mika.

Sure there are quite a few of the catchy pop songs that Mika is known for, most notably the first single "Celebrate" and "Love You When I'm Drunk" though none of them have the energy found on "We Are Golden."

Not that he wants to do that.

After all, there is one song that will make you forget all else on this album and that is "Popular Song" which is a reworking of the song from Wicked. It is a duet with Priscilla Renea. However the better version of this song is featured on Adriana Grande's Yours Truly album.

There's also the super cute "Emily" that is the English version "Elle Me Dit." This song is pure Mika in the vein of his first two albums.

"Underwater" is another single that sounds a bit like Duran Duran, if Simon had the sweeping, lush vocals that Mika possesses.

The themes of most songs remain the same, lost love, like "Stardust" that will have younger fans and their mom's willing to give Mika a big ole hug.

Though this album can't compare with his first two in terms of crazy pop goodness, you can't help but love it. Mika has definitely grown as a songwriter and that is evidenced on tracks like "Lola" and the title track, but he is also an artist that knows what his fans want. So there's no real shortage of great dance tracks that make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs.

The other thing about Mika's music, is that his lyrics speak to the underdogs. Again, take note of "Popular Song" which takes digs at all the bullies out there.

So while this album isn't quite like the first two, it is a pleasing listen and one that is bound to make listeners smile.

Watch: Celebrate



Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Song I Love The Most Today: Mika - Popular Song

I'm really annoyed that The Tonight Show doesn't have the clip from his performance on Oct 1st up on the site.

Seriously, Mika, you should have got on Jimmy Fallon!

But I love this video...it is so Burtonesque