Friday, July 29, 2016

International Tiger Day

Photo courtesy of TigerDay.org

Today is International Tiger Day, which I wanted to mention since, in case you can’t tell from my email address or various profile pictures, tigers just so happen to be my favorite animals. I've been in love with tigers for a very long time. They are beautiful and majestic cats that are in danger of losing their lives and habitats. So with that in mind, I wanted to share with y’all what Big Cat Rescue in Tampa and Clemson University Tigers for Tigers are doing for today. In order to raise funds to protect tigers in the wild, they have designed an awesome t-shirt, the proceeds of which will all be donated to the International Tiger (ITP), a not-for-profit project supporting Sumatran tiger conservation, rainforest protection, and local community partnerships. Plus, Big Cat Rescue is matching the profits for all t-shirts sold up to $3,000.


To learn more about this and the struggle of tigers in the wild, visit Big Cat Rescue’s website. And to buy a shirt to help support tiger conservation, click here. And now, here's some adorable tiger pics to make you smile:

My heart can't even take the adorableness of this.

Those eyes!

Absolutely majestic.

Awwwww... this reminds me of my friends and I.

The fluffiness!!

Another Secret Book Blitz

Blurb:
After yet another bad dream, Leland accepts he can no longer keep his secret; the time had come to confess all to his best friend, Drew. He sets out early in the morning, determined yet fearful of Drew’s reaction to what he must tell him. Leland has loved Drew ever since they were teenagers and together they experimented with their sexuality, but Drew has only ever been his best friend. He dreads maybe even losing that when Drew learns the truth.

However, when halfway through the forest to Drew’s home, Leland is forced to take cover when he sees a large grey wolf tailing another man. His concern turns to shock when the man abruptly shifts to become a wolf and attacks the grey wolf.

The fight is swift and bloody and ends when the man-wolf runs off. Leland gets his second shock of the morning when the grey wolf abruptly shifts to become human. To become Drew. Too surprised to do more than watch as his now very naked best friend rushes off, Leland is in for yet another surprise when he finally confronts Drew later that morning.


Excerpt:
Perhaps fate had decided enough was enough and given him that proverbial kick up the backside, letting him know it was time to tell Drew everything. He sighed. It was the last thing he wanted, but the time had come; he could put it off no longer.

He was just about to step out into a small clearing when he saw it—a large grey wolf, so dark as to be almost black. It was a beautiful specimen. Leland kept very still, not wanting to draw the animal’s attention. It looked as if the wolf was already trailing something by the way it was behaving. Even as he watched, the wolf sniffed the air and quickened its pace. Apparently, it had found its prey. As Leland slipped back behind the tree, shock slid through him as he spied the wolf’s target. It was a man.

Leland was of two minds what to do. His immediate reaction was to shout a warning, but that could induce the wolf to attack sooner. Cursing himself for being a fool, Leland ran as quietly and swiftly as he could around the clearing toward the unsuspecting victim. Sliding to a halt behind a large tree, Leland saw the wolf lowering itself, as if getting set to spring. Leland opened his mouth to yell a warning, but the man was not as unaware as Leland assumed. The man spun to face the wolf, snarling and growling as he tore the clothes from his body. Leland, his mouth still hanging open, watched in total shock.

Almost too fast for Leland to follow, the man’s form shifted and changed. From two feet, he dropped to all fours, fingers and toes becoming sharp claws. Pale skin sprouted dark brown fur as his face elongated and his teeth became sharp points frothed with saliva.

The two wolves leapt at each other, meeting mid-flight to clash and fall to the earth, landing on steady feet, teeth bared as they snarled at each other. They circled, gazes locked, until they charged again.

Leland gripped the tree so tightly the bark dug into his palms as he watched the two animals fight it out. He was battling the urge to run for safety, not sure if the wolves would break apart and come after him instead. His body was telling him to stay where he was, hopefully well and truly hidden, but his brain was debating how safe it would be when one of the animals won and sensed a new victim nearby. Even though he knew one of them was, in fact, a man who had changed—shifted?—into a wolf, Leland found it hard to think of it as anything but an animal. He certainly wasn’t behaving like a human as he bit and tore at the other wolf’s hide. Leland also wondered what sort of condition the man-wolf would be in, assuming he survived the fight. His body was already streaked with blood from the attack.

It appeared the two wolves were well matched; neither seemed able to gain the upper hand in the battle. The dark grey wolf suddenly leapt and landed hard on the man-wolf’s back and he let out a howl, which soon turned into a snarl as he fought his way from beneath the dark grey animal. With a snap of his jaws and a growl, the man-wolf turned and ran for the cover of the trees opposite where Leland was hiding. The dark grey wolf tensed, as if to follow, before it limped a few steps back, eyes constantly searching the surrounding trees to ensure the other wolf didn’t return. After a few minutes, the wolf sat on its haunches and began to lick at its wounds.

Leland allowed himself to relax a little, deciding it was best he stay where he was. He was pretty sure the wolf would sneak off to its den as soon as the animal felt secure enough to move on. He kept a close eye on it, not allowing his caution to slide, though after a minute or so, he did wonder if perhaps he was more shocked than he’d thought or if maybe he was more tired than he’d realized and his vision was affected. He couldn’t be seeing what he thought; he couldn’t!

But as he watched Drew Horton climb to his feet from where a second ago a dark grey wolf had sat, still rubbing at the long gash on his thigh, Leland could no longer refute what his eyes were showing him



Meet the Author:
STEVIE WOODS is a Brit living in the Northwest of England who has left her day job behind - though it’s a quandary that there still doesn’t seem to be much more free time in her day!

A long time avid reader of romance with a dash of adventure, Stevie only stumbled over ‘slash’ pairings a few years ago and was an immediate convert. Having dabbled with writing on and off for years, it wasn’t long before Stevie was tapping away on the keyboard inventing stories around two hot guys, gaining her first publication in the summer of 2007.

Stevie likes reading stories with a good strong plot and believable characters and does her best to create them in her own work.

Stevie has a soft spot for Historical settings but also thoroughly enjoys SF and Fantasy, Paranormal and Contemporary, finding the similarities as intriguing as the differences. Stevie already has a variety of novels, novellas and short stories released by Phaze Books, MLR Press and Torquere Press.

Stevie is happy to hear from her readers via her website
She can also be reached via:
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Thursday, July 28, 2016

Chryalis NBtM

Blurb:
We are living in a time of transformation. Old ways are fading. New ways are emerging. There is an increasing focus within. Many of us are feeling a desire to create a new direction for our lives.

Chrysalis: Personal Transformation From The Inside Out uses nature’s process of Chrysalis- a caterpillar transforming to a butterfly – as a guide for our own personal transformation. Each stage of Chrysalis provides a jumping-off point, upon which to reflect about our own experiences as we each transform.


Excerpt from Ch. 5 - Our Collective Chrysalis:  
Becoming Imaginal Cells                                   

In our Collective Chrysalis, imaginal cells are the people, organizations and societal forces that promote and create positive change and transformation in the world. Imaginal cells are our innovators, providing the fuel for our Collective Chrysalis. We can nurture imaginal cells by promoting open space for all to create, overcoming our fear of change, creating an environment of increasing interconnectedness and transparency and giving imaginal cells both a context and a role in our world.

Can we all be imaginal cells? Yes. It is a journey available to every one of us—a journey of freedom, creativity, trust, and courage. We do not look to leaders for our answers; we look within. We source our own creativity and highly value freedom. We look to the new and see possibilities, not barriers. We champion human rights and the empowerment of the individual. We feel the winds of change and use their energy for our creations. We have the courage to venture into the unknown and the discipline to follow through.

Imaginal cells have already given us global communication, faster means of travel, space exploration, scientific breakthroughs, profound spiritual insights and pathways, new organizing structures, and greater understanding of the human psyche. These creations can be built on as we begin our work. We accept that imaginal cells are of many varieties, and we move organically to create our Collective Chrysalis. We are tolerant and value diversity, knowing it is necessary to our evolution. Amidst diversity, we work in harmony and, sometimes, in chaos. We know that chaos fuels creativity, and it is not feared.




How did you get started writing?
I moved to the High Mojave Desert in 2000. I was living in a small town that had its own weekly newspaper, The Country Journal.  The newspaper has a practice of interviewing any business owners that move to their area. At the end of our interview, the editor of the paper asked (out of the blue) if I had interest in writing a column about coaching for the paper. I said yes! I wrote a weekly column Coaching Corner for five years and it is now in its third run.

I had been thinking about writing for a while. The column got me started and I had the benefit of the editor’s excellent advice and editing. That gave me a great start with the discipline and creativity required to write weekly.


What was the inspiration for your book?
The butterfly! J My coaching practice, and my passions, center on personal transformation. Nature’s process of Chrysalis is a powerful metaphor for our own personal transformation. At first, I resisted writing Chrysalis, as I was busy with other projects. But soon, the muses became very loud and I started writing Chrysalis for an hour or two each day. After the first chapter was complete, I was in the rhythm of writing and got the book done.

I hope that Chrysalis will be of use to readers as they transform. Transformation is not easy and Chrysalis can be a companion for their journey.


What’s the one genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?
I have not yet written a full-length fiction book. It is a very different art from non-fiction. I have thought about writing fiction for years now and have a concept for a book. To do it well, I have a lot of learning in front of me. I am now reading John Gardner’s On Becoming A Novelist. Maybe some day!

I have put my toe in the water with a short book I wrote in 2007, Power Stories: Mythical Tales of Personal Power At Work. They are fairy tale-like short stories about people finding their power and fulfillment at work.


What are you up to right now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?
I am busy with my coaching practice. Currently I am looking for two more people to complete a Career Circle that will begin in August. My career circles run for 3 months and support participants in finding fulfillment in their careers. 

As far as writing, I have completed a book titled, Kaleidoscope: Flying Together In Earth’s New Energy. Kaleidoscope is a scientific name for a group of butterflies, so my metaphor continues. I do not have a release date yet. I have finished the first chapter of my new book, Hummingbird.


Alright, now for some totally random, fun questions. Favorite color?
 Purple. Used to be turquoise and before that blue.


Favorite movie?
Several - Out of Africa, Apocalypse Now, A Man and A Woman are some.

You have one superpower. What is it?
The power of my intuition when it comes to people. J


Last question: You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?
Thich Nhat Hanh, Jim Morrison, and Oprah Winfrey.


That’s all from me, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!
Thank you, Emily!


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Author Bio and Links:
Ann is an author and coach dedicated to collaborating with her
clients and readers as they create fulfilling lives and bring their
unique gifts to the world.

Connect With Ann Vanino:
Website     |     Facebook     |     Twitter
LinkedIn     |     Newsletter     |     Blog


The book will be free during the dates of the tour.

Other Books By Ann Vanino:
Power Stories: Mythical Tales Of Personal Power At Work
Coaching Corner Volume 1
Leadership On Trial: Lessons from The Apprentice
Kaleidoscope

Laid3 Book Blitz

Synopsis:
Supercop Jack Cannon’s met the man of his dreams and isn’t about to give up loving Lucky… even when the man is marked for death.

LAPD Swat team member, Jack Cannon, takes on an unusual assignment, Threat Management, a new crack team created to target LA’s most violent criminals, The Hollywood Ten. Then… Jack is shot and forced to take a vacation. He flies to London to spend time with his hot and sexy lover, Lucky, in London.

Jack’s man is working on an undercover assignment. Jack’s plans for a feisty little R and R don’t sit well with the hit man who’s been hired by a mysterious source to bump off Lucky.

With things heating up between Jack and Lucky all over London from public restrooms to five-star hotels, Jack lures the wild assassin into their sensual web. This is either gonna be the beginnings of a spicy, feisty threesome… or a triple homicide.


Excerpt:
“I see someone in the driver’s seat,” one of the bad guys said. They sounded very far away. It was the bulletproof glass.

Where the fuck is Zuniga?

I pulled out my phone again, texting for backup, I hated having to do it in the middle of a job but I wasn’t going to be much use to the mission if I was shot full of holes. I wasn’t invincible as much as I liked to pretend to myself that I was.

I couldn’t play cowboy and take on these pistol-packing peanuts alone. Or could I? Go down in a blaze of glory? I didn’t want a life without Lucky. They’d be doing me a big fucking favor if they shot me.

The message came back. Stay where you are. Don’t move.

“He’s texting! He’s texting!” one of the little assholes outside yelled.

“Shoot him!” the guy beside me said. I heard the one sound I didn’t want to hear. A gunshot. It bounced off the passenger window.

They started to rock the SUV back and forth.

Where the fuck is my backup?

 I drew my gun out of the holster as I heard the second sound I absolutely did not want to hear. My door releasing.

And opening.

I was ready for the little shit and shot him from my left hand, clear in the chest with my new, handy-dandy, state-of-the art, gazillion-watt Taser X26C gun. His eyes rolled up like escalator stairs and he flew back, billowing out on the ground, twitching with the force of the electro-magnetic impulse.

“Motherfucker!” his friends yelled. They ran toward the front, shooting away at me. I blasted back, getting one little fucker in the shoulder with my state-issue .32, with my right hand. The third little bastard screamed at me. What an asshole.

He jumped over his friend’s writhing body and popped off a couple of shots. One hit the driver’s door. As he neared me, I closed the door toward me and whumped him as he tried to yank at it. It smacked him in the face and I heard a satisfying crunch of bones. I let him have a little Taser juice just because I felt like it. He was on his knees calling me a pig and a honky.

No manners.

I closed and locked my door.

We’d been had.

How did he know I was a pig? And calling me a honky? He was like something out of a seventies’ blaxploitation movie.

I called my supervising unit. Nobody responded. I had three prone assholes outside and an even bigger problem on my hands. Somebody had ambushed us. Keeping my eyes on the road, I realized there’d been no traffic passing by me during the entire encounter with the three guys still sprawled on the ground.

Calling 9-1-1 was supposed to be my last resort but as far as I knew, my partner had been ambushed and the supervising unit was out of commission.

My cell phone rang. I prayed it wouldn’t be Lucky.




Author Bio:
A.J. Llewellyn’s obsession with myth, magic, love, and romance might have led to serious stalking charges had it not been for the ability to write. Thanks to the existence of some very patient publishers, A.J.’s days are spent writing, reading and dreaming up new worlds. A.J. has definitely stopped Google-searching former boyfriends and given up all ambition to taste test every cupcake in the universe to produce over 200 published gay erotic romance novels.

A.J. wants you to read them all. A.J. can be found lurking on Facebook and Twitter—part-time class clown being another occupation. When not writing or reading, A.J.’s other passions include juggling, kite-boarding, and spending a fortune buying upgrade apps for Pearl’s Peril and Farm Heroes Saga.

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A Gentleman and a Rogue Book Blast

Blurb:
Lady Keira Russell is destined to bring compressed natural gas to Britain. Her inner courage and mental toughness rarely falter – except when Prince Edmund Windsor is involved.

Edmund of Wales is from the future. His last jaunt through history muffed up the time line. Now, he's here to set it straight and win Keira's heart.

For Keira, if it isn't one obstacle, it's another. Queen Victoria has sponsored a competition to find a cleaner fuel source than coal. Keira's father is trying to build a windmill and the Ridgecrofts are working with gasoline. Then there's Edmund, whose sensual kisses and heated stares distract her down to her bones.

Keira has a choice: trust Edmund's notorious mischief-making or put her faith in Queen Victoria to make the right decision, but if Keira makes the wrong choice, the future of Great Britain will be changed forever.


Excerpt:
Richard pursed his lips.

"All right, then. I have orders to take you, Alice, Grayson, and Jonas back immediately."

"That ought to be fun -- especially Jonas. He's helping Keira's father build a windmill."

"Petrol and electricity are the future."

Edmund grimaced.

"No, they aren't. Alice and I tried to tell you -- Keira's compressed natural gas powers our future."

His voice filled with conviction.

"Ever since we were children--"

"History changed when Grayson came with Alice. He's here to fix it now."

Keira held up her hands.

"Now, boys, let's not raise our voices. I have a feeling you've had this conversation before and came to no resolution."

"That's true," Edmund conceded.

Richard nodded.

Edmund glared at his brother.

"I'm not leaving. Alice and I have every intention of setting history straight."

Richard sighed.

"Besides, the only way to get back to the future is for us to warm our coin necklaces in our hands. You can't do that for us."

"Ever heard of an override switch?"

"No." Edmund's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that.

"Professor Byron gave me one."

A sinking feeling descended into the pit of his stomach.

"What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

"That's telling."

Exasperated, Edmund raked a hand through his hair.

"Think this through, Richard. No, better yet -- listen to your instincts."

His brother chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"I had an interesting conversation about instincts today with Jocelyn."

Keira tilted her head slightly, a curious expression crossing her face.

"Do you know Jocelyn well?"

"I'm staying with the Dunkirks."

"I can't imagine Lord Ridgecroft meeting the suitable test with his goggles and cigars," said Edmund.

"Actually, I find Jocelyn and her father very refreshing."

"So, Richard, what are you going to do?" Edmund asked.


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Author Bio and Links:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.  She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  After serving 11 years in the US Army she currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate, is addicted to coffee and enjoys early morning walks.  She's also an assistant den leader for her son's Cub Scout den and is a Boy Scout mom. She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A Heart in Conflict Review Tour

Blurb:
A Heart in Conflict (Challenge the Heart Book 2) Opposites attract, it is a well-known fact. At times this leads to insurmountable conflict, when at other times, sit back and watch the fireworks.

Steve Tanakis considers himself cool and calmly confident. Head of a fashion business, he needs to be in control of his life and his business decisions. He decides it is time to find a suitable mother for his son. Through with the pain that comes along with passion, he now considers what he wants is an unemotional wife, one who will fit well into his way of life.

Georgie McNamara, assistant designer in his fashion house, is flamboyant, vivacious, and gregarious, the antitheses to his idea of the perfect choice. The tiny whirlwind turns Steve's organized lifestyle upside down, somehow worming her way into his, and his son’s life, foiling all his plans to find that uncomplicated wife. Along the way Steve comes to realize there is a lot more to this bundle of feminine trouble than he first thought. Is she more trouble than he can handle?


Excerpt:
“I need to get married.” Steve Tanakis gazed into his half empty glass.

“And why the hell would you want to do that?” His accountant stared at him.

“I didn’t say I want to, I said I need to. I’ve decided it’s about time I got a wife.”

“Aha.” David grinned. “Take mine. Or—a better idea—take one of my three exes. They’re screwing the last dollar out of me.”

Steve made a soft sound of disgust. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of ditching Marylyn.”

“The woman drives me nuts. The piranha is hell-bent on making me a pauper, what with her passion for diamonds and cars! And those other bitches...” He cursed softly.

“The trouble with you is that you’re too much of a romantic. You expect too much of your women. You marry without putting any real thought into it, then spend your days regretting your haste. There might be a good business mind ticking over inside that head of yours—” Steve tapped his temple. “—But where women are concerned you’re a fool. Now, what I propose is to find myself a perfect example of womanhood.”

David laughed. “Oh, so as you obviously haven’t found this paragon yet, I take it Marika isn’t in line as the next Mrs. Tanakis?”

Steve looked across to Marika, who was talking to his head designer, her every gesture manufactured to draw the attention of all the males present. Most women would do just about anything to have a figure like hers. The epitome of sophisticated elegance; diamonds glittered at her throat and fingers.


My Review:
3.5 stars

This was a fun trip through the Australian fashion world. I enjoyed Steve and Georgie (especially Georgie) and seeing their romance blossom. While we didn't really get the chance to get to know a lot of the secondary characters, there were definitely some of the usual romance tropes (plucky heroine, brooding older hero, etc.) present. However, I enjoyed the writing style and was pulled into the story, and even though I could predict where the story was going, I still liked the journey to get to the story's end. Plus I could also tell that the author definitely knew what she was talking about, which made the story much more enjoyable for me. 

All in all, this is a fun little read that I would recommend if you're looking for a fun romance for your next summer beach read.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*






Author Bio and Links:
Award winning author Tricia McGill was born in London, England, and moved to Australia many years ago, settling near Melbourne. The youngest in a large, loving family, she was never lonely or alone. Surrounded by avid readers, who encouraged her to read from an early age, is it any wonder she became a writer? Although her published works cross sub-genres, romance is always at their heart. They say write what you know, and before early retirement gave Tricia the time to write full time, she worked as a pattern cutter in a clothing factory, and even had her own designing and dressmaking business for a while. So, her years in this industry is where the inspiration to write Georgie and Steve’s story sprung from.

Website     |     Blog     |     Facebook     |     Books We Love author page

A Heart In Conflict will be $0.99 during the tour.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Night Magic Book Blast

Blurb:
Krista Winter is in need of legal counsel. Several years ago she was forced to flee her life as a teacher in New Jersey after being shunned for practicing witchcraft, and her past is about to catch up with her.

Jon Bartolo is a dedicated attorney. His days are spent helping his clients with their struggles, and his nights are spent in agony, lost in a world between life and death. His mother, who died three years ago, lurks in his house, suffering from a curse for eternity, without a final resting place.

A smoldering fire ignites between Jon and Krista almost immediately, however, he’s sure his secret would frighten any woman away. An afternoon escape brings them closer, but doubts linger between the love-struck couple.

Burning questions about how to fuse their futures together with so much of their past still clouding the future becomes a heavy burden that they’re both trying to bear on their own. It will take a touch of magic if there’s any hope in sight.


Excerpt:
She smiled, wishing she wasn’t so nervous. Before she realized what was happening, he stood and headed toward her. Was Jon about to make a move? If so, she wasn’t resisting. He planted himself in front of her and took hold of her hands to help her stand. With a smooth sway of his hips, he slowly slipped his hand around her back. Tunnel vision altered all perception of reality, and she closed her eyes as he gently pulled her up against his chest. Jon’s touch aroused her mercilessly. There wasn’t time to react. Her panties moistened and her nipples tingled. The tiny stubble on his face gave her skin a slight burn, and it unleashed her wild spirit. She dug her fingers into his back. A sense of belonging came as a surprise. Jon cradled her in his arms, and she surrendered to his advances. His passionate touch filled her spirit with longing. It didn’t matter if they were strangers. When their lips touched, it felt right. A quiet echo and a brightness filled the room as if the goddess of love hovered over and shined light upon them. The connection was solid, and it practically knocked her off her feet. Steadying herself, Krista stared into his eyes with her heart racing. As Jon moved in again and plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, he caressed her back, and she surrendered mercifully to his touch. Each passion-filled kiss felt as if he was a long lost lover who had reappeared and claimed her heart’s desire. There was no telling what might happen next.


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Author Bio and Links:
Kathleen writes contemporary and paranormal romance in her home in New Jersey, where she lives with her husband and their two fur babies, Luc and Chaz. She spent years working as a registered nurse in an emergency room. She is also active in Community Theater. She has three children and three lovable grandsons. Her favorite romantic getaway is Cape May, New Jersey. You might find Kathleen on a beach down the Jersey Shore, wearing a straw hat and sipping on an iced tea as she plots her next romance novel.

You can find Kathleen at the following places:
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