The Haunting of the Sandpiper Inn By Elizabeth Black

Posted by Diana Coyle in

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Hi everyone and welcome! It's time for our Thursday's reviewer showcase and I have a wonderful read I know you'll all enjoy sinking your teeth into. This week I'm thrilled to tell you about: The Haunting of the Sandpiper Inn by Elizabeth Black. This was a fun and entertaining paranormal story that's just ideal to read any time of year. If you love to read about ghostly hauntings, this is the perfect book to add to your collection.

Ms. Black is a talented storyteller and she knows how to hook her readers in. I fell in love with Ellis, who is a psychic, and I enjoyed getting to know her as the story unfolded. It was a treat seeing her interact with the crew from the TV series Ghost Hunters of Scenic Thatcher's Island (GHOST) and I love how she felt such a strong attraction to John "Beck" Becker. As Ellis and the team investigated The Sandpiper Inn, I had hoped they would find the answers to all the hauntings that were scaring the customers away. Business was becoming increasingly slower due to all the sightings and the owners just had to do something about it quickly before they lost their precious inn. I was curious to know if the place was truly haunted and if so, what had happened to make it this way.

While reading this story, I felt as if I was on an adventure of a lifetime trying to debunk the rumored hauntings right along side Ellis and the GHOST team. I was so wrapped up in trying to find feasible explanations for all the strange occurrences, that I just simply lost track of time. This is one story that you should definitely add to your buying list.

If you would like to learn more about this talented author and see what other titles she has available, please visit her at: http://trishwilson.typepad.com/blog/.

This closes another week here at NOR and I just can't believe how time flies when you're having fun! We enjoyed you stopping by and please feel free to leave a comment for Ms. Black. Enjoy the rest of the week everyone and I'll see you all next Thursday. Take care!

The Haunting of the Sandpiper Inn

Author(s): Elizabeth Black Website

Genre(s): Paranormal, Erotic Romance
Review Date: Jul 02, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60313-620-4
E-Book Price: $5.99
Publisher: WCP Torrid
Street Date: Out Now

The Haunting of the Sandpiper Inn - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Psychic Martha Ellis McKay is different than what you would imagine a psychic to be. She knows she has a special gift, but is the first to remain skeptical when she discovers new found evidence that a residence or place of business might be haunted. She knows that a large majority of her findings can have sensible explanations such as common settling noises in the house or business she’s investigating. But one in particular seems to draw her attention and once she is asked to investigate it, she figures it would be wonderful to write about it in her new haunting book, Haunted Cape Ann, Massachusetts.

Ms. Amoroso contacts Ellis and asks for her to visit her lovely turn-of-the-century bed-and-breakfast. She explains that The Sandpiper Inn has had a series of reported occurrences of being haunted and she would love for Ellis to see for herself. After discussing the fees, Ellis accepts the offer to investigate it and explains that she is going to write about it in a chapter in her upcoming book.

But when Ellis arrives at The Sandpiper Inn she has to deal with more than just debunking if it’s really haunted or not. She meets up with a TV crew from Ghost Hunters of Scenic Thatcher’s Island (GHOST) and faces having to prove herself to this team of investigators. Along the way though, Ellis discovers much more than she could ever imagine she would find at The Sandpiper Inn.

I loved this story by Ms. Black. I am a huge fan of her writing and I thoroughly enjoy her haunting storylines and characters. She developed a fun storyline that immediately pulled me in from the very first page and entertained me until the very last sentence. I felt as if I was walking along with Ellis and the GHOST team trying to debunk the hauntings that The Sandpiper Inn seemed to be experiencing. This is a great story that doesn’t just have to be read at Halloween. If you love ghost stories and love to read about haunted places, this is definitely one you must add to your library. Ms. Black did a wonderful job with this story and I can’t wait to read her next one. You’re definitely going to enjoy this story. Don’t pass this one up!

Book Blurb & Info for: The Haunting of the Sandpiper Inn

While psychic Martha Ellis McKay may have the Gift, a skeptic’s heart beats in her breast. She has seen her share of fakes, and she does not take kindly to them. Even worse is when she is accused of being one. So imagine her chagrin when she expects to spend a quiet weekend at the Sandpiper Inn working on a book about haunted houses only to meet a ghost hunting team with its own skeptic, who greets Ellis with a jaundiced eye.

She has met her match in both getting to the bottom of the haunting of the Sandpiper Inn and proving to skeptic John “Beck” Becker that she is the real deal. The problem is that Beck and Ellis have more serious worries. The Sandpiper Inn holds a dark secret that threatens to destroy them both. What awaits them as they delve into the history of the Sandpiper Inn? And will their investigations bring them closer together or drive them further apart?



Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=3906

Elisabeth Naughton Virtual Signing & Goodie Packages

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

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View - Virtual Signing Details

Goodie Bag Giveaways items that everyone who purchases one of my books (between 7/27 - 8/3/2009) will receive are:

1. A signed STOLEN HEAT Bookmark

2. Signed cover flat of either STOLEN HEAT or STOLEN FURY

3. A silver Ankh charm necklace

4. A first chapter excerpt from book 3 in the Stolen Trilogy: STOLEN SEDUCTION, due out January, 2010 (pdf version)

Big thanks to Tammie and the crew at Night Owl Romance for having me here today and for hosting this virtual book signing! What a treat this is!

The Romance of Adventure

I have forever been an action/adventure buff. I grew up on movies like The Goonies, The Indiana Jones Series, Romancing the Stone and its sequel, Jewel of the Nile. In books I gravitated to the Choose Your Own Adventure Series, and even when reading some of my favorite classics – like Anne of Green Gables – I’d visualize romping adventures for the characters, ones in which accident-prone Anne gets on a boat, leaves Prince Edward Island and goes in search of buried treasure.

Oh, and there was romance. In my versions, Indiana Jones found the one woman who was right for him and couldn’t seem to ever let her go – and it was always Marion. (…why did it take Hollywood so long to realize that?!) In my made-up stories, Indy and Marion experienced dangerous, heart-pounding adventures, blistering arguments (because Marion is the epitome of a strong heroine, isn’t she?), and hot, sweltering kisses. (PG, of course, because at the time I was like 12.) And always, always, at the end, a happily ever after.

When I consciously decided to sit down and write for publication, I knew these were the kinds of books I wanted to write. Intrigue and adventure, hot, steamy romance, a little murder and mayhem thrown in for good measure, and a forever kind of love. Anyone who’s ever been through a life-threatening situation will tell you it changes a person…it reinforces just where your priorities should be. And there’s something exciting about searching for treasure or unraveling a puzzle, especially when you do it with someone you never expected to meet but can’t seem to stop thinking about.

STOLEN HEAT, the second book in my Stolen Trilogy, is one of these books. Pete and Kat are in a race to stay one step ahead of a killer, unravel a mystery, find a missing relic, all the while fighting what they feel for each other. It’s a reunion story, and I’m a sucker for a good reunion story, especially when the hero is as wrecked for the heroine as Pete is for Kat.

For those of you who pick up STOLEN HEAT, I hope you enjoy it. And if you haven’t yet read STOLEN FURY, the first in the trilogy, give it a try. Action, adventure and romance? What’s not to like about that?

How about you…do you love a good romantic adventure? If there was one adventure you could take yourself, what would it be and why?

Bio:

A previous junior-high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton now writes sexy romantic suspense and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her debut release, Stolen Fury, was a 2007 Golden Heart Finalist and has been heralded by Publisher's Weekly as "A rock-solid debut." When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ball park or dreaming up new and exciting adventures.

Visit the author’s website at www.elisabethnaughton.com

To enter her “Big” STOLEN HEAT Release Contest for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card and other daily prizes, go to www.elisabethnaughton.com/stolen_heat_contest.html

Women During the Civil War

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

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When Night Owl Romance asked me to blog about women during the Civil War, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to share my article about the women who fought during the war. As an author of several acclaimed Civil War romances, I have had an interest in that time period for many years. I hope you will come to my website, http://www.dianewylie.com/ to check out some excerpts and book trailers.

Without further ado, here is “She Was a Soldier Too.”

~Diane Wylie

She Was A Soldier Too
By Diane Wylie
Author of Secrets and Sacrifices, Jenny’s Passion, and Lila’s Vow

"I am a soldier too."

You may remember those poignant words spoken by Jessica Lynch of the U.S. Army's 507th Maintenance Company when her rescuers came to get her from the Iraqi hospital where she was being held prisoner during the early days of the Iraq War.

While women today can openly enlist in the military, women in American history had no such freedom. Some women were allowed to serve as nurses or camp followers, or sometimes they acted as spies. In fact, during the U.S. Civil War, women like Belle Boyd and Rose Greenhow became household names due to their daring exploits spying for their chosen armies. Lesser known in our history is the role of a woman as a fighting soldier.

Many people today never realized that nineteenth century women from both sides of the Civil War put aside their wide skirts and bonnets, cut their hair, donned trousers, and passed themselves off as men.

But, how could a woman sneak into the army in 1861? The answer to that question and many more are explained in Elizabeth D. Leonard’s fascinating book called All the Daring of the Soldier-Women of the Civil War Armies.

In her book, Leonard claims that "probably somewhere between five hundred and a thousand women, who disguised themselves as men, enlisted as full-fledged soldiers during the Civil War." Ms. Leonard continues to cite well-documented cases, complete with names like Sara Edmonds, Rosetta Wakeman, and Jennie Hodgers, who became Yankees, and Anna Clark and Malinda Blalock, who became Rebels.

There were many reasons women enlisted in both armies, knowing they would be marching off to war. Like the men, some women felt called to service by patriotic duty, some to escape their dreary lives, and some to earn a much-needed paycheck. But, unlike the men, some women enlisted to follow their loved one, unable to bear the idea that he should be gone from her side.

Whether true story or fictional, the story of a female soldier during the Civil War captures the imagination. The image of the Southern woman of the time has been established for many by the book and movie, Gone With the Wind. The idea that Scarlett O'Hara would have dressed in a man's clothing to march off to war is inconceivable! However, many Southern women did just that. In Secrets and Sacrifices, Charlotte “Charlie” Garrett, follows her husband into the Confederate army and becomes a crack sharpshooter for the Twenty-Fifth Virginia infantry.
To understand how women could enlist during the, mid-nineteenth century, military life must be taken into consideration. So great was the need for recruits on both sides, that a physical examination, if performed at all, was very perfunctory. Sometimes the exam was nothing more than demonstrating the presence of a trigger finger or opening one's mouth to show teeth strong enough to tear open a powder cartridge.

When a female enlisted, some may wonder, wouldn't she be noticed right off, short hair or not? Certainly, women were generally smaller in stature, had more highly pitched voices, and were quite beardless. But, there were so many young men and boys signing up, some as young as fifteen, that one more smooth-skinned, small boy would not attract undue notice. Because of the way people dressed during that time period, the mentality of the day was, "if it wore pants, it was male."

If this lady could make it past the enlistment process, what about the physical demands on a soldier? Since army recruits of the time came from all walks of life, a male clerk struggling to handle his gear would draw no more attention than the young "boy" doing the same. Like the male recruits, these women learned to carry forty to fifty pounds of gear—gun, bayonet, scabbard, ammunition, blanket, canteen, cooking implements, rations, clothing, etc. One can only imagine how many troops had sore muscles, male or female.

Then there was the question about personal hygiene and bodily needs. Camp life for both Confederate and Union troops was not terribly restrictive, thus enabling a woman to take care of her needs by just walking off into the trees and brush, away from prying eyes as Charlotte had to do.

In addition, the uniforms of the day were loose fitting to accommodate many different body types…and she, like all other soldiers, would normally only receive one. Therefore, soldiers of the time rarely changed their clothing. While smelly, another problem for the lady soldier was solved.

Then there was the strictly feminine issue of a young woman's monthly cycle. In her book, Leonard puts forth the argument that many women soldiers probably became lean and athletic from the long arduous marches and simply stopped menstruating. Or she might have managed to dispose of the evidence of her menstrual periods by burying it or sneaking it in with the similar-looking cloth from the hospital tents.

With all of these ways to escape detection, did the women get caught? Some female soldiers were discovered . The most obvious end to some military careers came when the woman was wounded during battle. In some cases, however, a female soldier gave herself away by an inadvertent act such as her "unmasculine manner of putting on her shoes and stockings." Charlotte, of Secrets and Sacrifices, had to learn to spit and burp as the men around her to try and blend in. One woman gave herself away by displaying proper table manners! Nevertheless, some female soldiers wanted so badly to remain in the army that, upon being put out of one regiment, she would simply assume a new name and reenlist in another.

But some women were never detected. One lady, who called herself, "Otto Schaffer," survived the war and lived out the rest of her life as a man. She spent most of her days living as a hermit. The Chicago Times-Herald published the story of "Schaffer," the war veteran's death when a bolt of lightning destroyed "his" cabin. It was the coroner who discovered the old soldier's secret, and "his" identity as a woman was revealed at last.

One cannot help but admire the gumption of these women who, like Charlotte, simply wanted to be with her husband, and the others, who chose to fight for what they believed in, like Jessica Lynch. The brave ladies of the Civil War, and those who continue to fight today, deserve to be remembered and recognized for their sacrifices.

Leonard, Elizabeth D. All the Daring of the Soldier-Women of the Civil War Armies, New York, NY, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1999.

Wylie, Diane. Secret and Sacrifices. Ladsen, SC: Vintage Romance Publishing, 2006.

___________________________________________________________

Links to buy Lila’s Vow by Diane Wylie


Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Lilas-Vow-Diane-Wylie/dp/0981989608/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243988881&sr=1-3


Barnes and Noble.com

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Lilas-Vow/Diane-Wylie/e/9780981989600/?itm=3

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Follow Diane's Blog Tour and Win

July 20 - http://www.wewriteromance.com/blog/
July 21 - http://www.romantictimes.com/news_blog.php
July 23 - http://talwriters.blogspot.com
July 24 - http://nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com

July 25 – http://dianewylie.blogspot.com

Come along on my blog tour in July. I will be drawing another lucky winner from among all of those who leave comments or questions at any of the blogs. The winner will be announced at my blog, http://dianewylie.blogspot.com on July 25th. I hope you come along on the tour!

The Baby Interview by Robbie Terman

Posted by Diana Coyle in

5 comments

Welcome everyone to our Night Owl Romance's reviewer showcase. It's that time of the week again where I love to pick out a wonderfully written story and tell all our devoted readers about it. This week I picked one that I think everyone will truly enjoy.

So let's kick this blog off by me telling you about: The Baby Interview by Robbie Terman. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the storyline to be quite creative. Ms. Terman created her characters, Cole and Lucy, to be everyday people that we can all relate to one way or another.

Let me tell you a little bit more about this gem of a read. You see, Cole Donovan, a successful businessman, has come to the point in his life where he wants to have a baby. There's just one catch though. He doesn't want to be in a relationship at all thanks to his ex-wife doing such a terrible number on him throughout their marriage and divorce. So he decides that he'll hire a surrogate to carry his baby and he'll offer her a monetary package she just couldn't refuse. It sounds like a wonderful plan and the sooner he finds the right candidate, the better off he'll be. Until he meets Lucy Chaple and his plan quickly falls apart for him.

Ms. Terman is an author that writes with such emotion and it's easy to get caught up in her story. I loved being so engrossed in Cole and Lucy's story that I lost track of time entirely. This is a story that once you start it, you can't put it down. I'm new to Ms. Terman and her work, but after reading this, I definitely want to read more from her in the future!

If you want to learn more about this talented author and see what else she may have available for purchase, please visit her at: http://www.robbieterman.com/.

That's it for me folks! This wraps up another lovely week here at Night Owl Romance. I hope you enjoy the review and please feel free to leave Ms. Terman a comment or two. We definitely love to hear from you all. Have a wonderful week and see you all next Thursday!

The Baby Interview

Author(s): Robbie Terman Website

Genre(s): Contemporary
Review Date: Jun 17, 2009
Print Book Price: $10.99
E-Book Price: $4.50
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Street Date: Out Now

The Baby Interview - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Handsome and successful Cole Donovan always gets what he wants. If his devilishly handsome looks don’t succeed at getting what he sets his sights on, than his money usually does the trick. What Cole wants is a child at this stage in his life, but there’s one huge catch. He doesn’t want any of the inconveniences of being married again thanks to his ex-wife, Pam, for being so maniacal and manipulative as she was when they were married. So Cole decides that he will interview candidates to become the surrogate mother to carry his baby and of course, offer the one he chooses a monetary package they just can’t refuse.

Ironically though, the one he sets his sights on isn’t even at his estate to interview for the position. She’s there delivering the three floral arrangements she made and that are routinely delivered to his mansion twice a week. After entering, Lucy Chaple begins to be thoroughly and personally interrogated by Cole. Each question she answers convinces Cole even more that she’s the one that he wants to carry his child. So he decides to ask her out on a date to get to know her better and she accepts. When she finds out the truth behind the date, she tells him she’s the florist that was just making the delivery at his mansion. Cole is taken back a bit by this information.

Does he continue trying to convince Lucy to carry his baby or does he drop the subject with her? Do they hit it off enough to continue to see each other after this debacle of a date? Does Cole eventually get his wish fulfilled of having someone be the surrogate mother of his baby?

I fell in love with the characters from the very beginning and I was immediately pulled into the story from the very first page. I found myself experiencing all the emotions both Lucy and Cole were feeling and I honestly was hoping early on that they both could fill the void they had in each other’s lives. Ms. Terman wove an intricate web of details and emotions within these pages and I felt as if I was part of the story. I highly recommend this story and I eagerly look forward to reading more from this very talented author.

Book Blurb & Info for: The Baby Interview

Cole Donovan is handsome, successful, and a millionaire. He's a man who gets what he wants, and what he wants is a child – without the inconvenience of a wife. One failed marriage was more than enough to teach Cole that women can't be trusted. On the day he interviews potential surrogate mothers, Cole finds the perfect woman for the job. Too bad she turns out to be his florist.

Florist Lucy Chaple is more than flattered when Cole invites her to dinner. After her parents' death, her life has been little more than responsibilities – running their flower shop and raising her brother. She finds it hard to believe someone like Cole could be interested in her – and it turns out she's right. He's only interested in convincing Lucy to carry his child. But Lucy isn't about to give up her first born.

Cole will do whatever it takes to change her mind, even wooing her. Everyone can be bought. He just needs to find Lucy's price – before he falls in love with her.

184 Pages
Spicy


Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=3796

Looking Inside Your Character's Lives

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

6 comments

------------------------------------------------

One lucky poster will win an ebook.

Winners choice of - A Summer Without Rain, which is already out, or The First Full Moon, which will be out on August 1, 2009

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One of my favorite things about writing is making up the characters in my stories. What type of people they are and what life experiences they have often drives plot, sometimes in directions never even conceived of when the story is started.

When I sit down to think of a story to tell, I first think up the main character. What does he look like? Should he have dark hair or light? What color eyes? Does he have any distinguishing features? Since most of my stories take place in a historical setting, I have to make sure their appearance is consistent with the time period or that there is a reason if it doesn't. For instance, the main character Shannon in A Summer Without Rain had long hair, something not usual for the time and place of 1920 Ireland. However, I'd read in my research that Oscar Wilde, a gay Irish writer, grew his hair out as a sort of rebellion against the establishment and then gave this trait to my character.

After I have a physical description, I name my character. Sometimes I pick a name from an online baby name list and sometimes I have a specific name I've heard somewhere I want to use. Other times, the names just come to me. In my second novel, due out August 1, 2009 entitled The First Full Moon, the main character's name, Adam Ross, just popped out at me. It's funny, because I didn't realize at the time the symbolism the name Adam had to the plot of the book. With the second character, Necalli, I had to pick a name that went with his heritage and so looked it up at an online baby site. One thing I think is important to remember when picking names is to be careful they aren't too hard to pronounce.

Yet another thing to consider is the character's natural personality. I say natural, because I believe people have personality traits they sometimes cover up to appear different. I know of some people who are introverted, yet have had to learn to be extroverted in order to be better at their job. In the case with Shannon, he was naturally gentle and sensitive, but wore black, grew out his hair and even walked a certain way to appear tough and harsh. He took on the persona of a much different person than he really was inside and that brings us to ask why - life experiences.

Life experiences are the things that mold us into the people we are and will mold your characters. Think about it, does a character fall in love easily or fight it every step of the way? Either way, there should be a reason why they behave the way they do. I also like to make the two hero's (I write M/M) opposites, but in complementary ways. For instance, in The First Full Moon, Adam is twenty years old and has never allowed himself to fall in love. His life experience, the fact he watched his family die in a house-fire when he was twelve, keeps him from getting too close to anyone. Deep inside, he is desperately afraid of losing anyone else he loves so he never allows himself to love.

However, Necalli is quite the opposite with love. He loves freely and and challenges Adam by being open and honest with his feelings from the start. In this way, Necalli and Adam are opposites, but in a complementary way that allows love to flourish between them.

Life experiences can also create an emotional hurdle for a character to overcome during the course of the story. When I think of major points in a plot, I always keep this in mind and strive to come up with ways to make the character face their issues and grow through the story. In The First Full Moon, Adam must overcome his fear of loss and fire as a result of what happened to him. In A Summer Without Rain, Shannon was molested at the age of fourteen by a male teacher. When it was found out, the town shunned him, even though he was the victim. During the course of the story, he is made to see how wrong that was and is able to come to terms with his homosexuality and himself as well.

One thing I find difficult as a writer is having to hurt my characters. At some point, they become almost like my children. But in order to create tension and bring on the plot point, the place where the character must choose between the way they were and the person they need to become, I always ask myself, "What's the worst thing that can happen?" Inevitably, the worst thing involves inflicting some sort of emotional or physical pain on them. Whenever I have to write these scenes, it's horribly draining on me, too!

Creating interesting, believable characters who share every part of their lives with the reader has to be the most important and can be the most fun part of writing a story. What would you like your characters to be like?

Happy character creating,

Christie Gordon http://www.christiegordon.com/

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NOR Notes:

Purchase: The First Full Moon
Purchase: Summer Without Rain

Free Reads, Garbage Men Heroes, And Keeping The Peace

Posted by Kimber Chin in Contemporary Romance, Free Books, Kimber Chin

1 comments

When Tammie mentioned that a space freed up in Night Owl Romance's July free read program, I jumped at the opportunity.

Why?

Because romance reading buddies (such as yourself) have been asking about Caja, Hagen's secret spilling older sis in Invisible. How did she meet her husband? What was her story?

She had a story, of course, but I didn't realize anyone would be interested in it until after Invisible released. Way too late. If I wrote her romance and submitted it for publishing, it'd be a year before it was available for readers. By then, Tavos Santos, my knife wielding vigilante, would have his story out (Flawless releasing February 2010).

Not a good scene. Tavos doesn't like to share ANYTHING, especially not the spotlight. He'd get miffy and take out that big knife of his, wave it around, irritating Hagen. Caja's not-so-little brother would threaten to bang some heads together. Ryan isn't exactly Mr. Calm and Collected himself, taking any insult to Caja very personally. In other words, there'd be a lot of chest beating and cussing. (Sigh) You know how those men are.

So thank goodness for this free read! It is helping to keep the peace amongst my characters (and my is used loosely as Tavos belongs to no one).

I also love that Caja's story is free (the best price going). You all have been so great about supporting Invisible that I appreciate getting the opportunity to thank you.

'Course it wasn't completely selfless. (Looking sheepish) I've been dying to write a romance story with a garbage man hero. I always wanted to write a stuttering hero (because I know quite a few sexy men who stutter). Unbeatable, Caja's story, allowed me to do both.

Reading buddies, what do you like about free reads? Writers, do you offer a free read? I'd love to know!

$

Kimber Chin also offers a free short story every week on http://businessromance.com/ .

Wolves as Archetypes in my Novels By Eva Gordon

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

12 comments

My blog is about why my fantasy and paranormal novels center on wolves as main characters, or spirit guides. In my debut fantasy novel, Mystic Stone of the Tenth Realm, my hero is a Scottish werewolf, an alpha of his own pack. My current work in progress is an epic

lycan series, The Wolf Maiden Chronicles to be published by Vanilla Heart Publishing. Book 1, Werewolf Sanctuary will be released early summer 2009 followed by Beast Warrior, which takes place during the Viking era. My totem guide is the raven but my heart guide is the wolf. I’m not alone. Numerous authors are following the call of the wild.

Why is the wolf a common archetype in many myths and stories, even today? Nothing sends a chill down your spine more that hearing a wolf’s howl in the night. While at a wolf sanct

uary, I spent the night in a trailer on the grounds and was privileged to hear night after night of thirty wolves in their nightly serenade. No sound is more awesome.

Yet in the past the wolf had a more sinister reputation. During the development of agriculture and domestication of livestock people settled down and pushed out old hunting deities. Wolves were vilified as part of pagan beliefs and turned the wolf into Satan’s ally. Fear of the wolf once ruled Europe. Wolves were hunted and exterminated. Legends of werewolves were rampant. Little Red Riding Hood and the story of Bisclaveret brought fear to the hearts of many. Many accused of being werewolves were tortured and or burned at the stake.

Today there is more of a movement to save the wolf and what was once considered a savage killer is now becoming a spirit guide for folks who need a strong archetype and for environmentalist who see the wolf as a “spokes creature” for nature. So why is the admiration and fear of the wolf so universal? My own explanation is that the wolf’s biogeography, high intelligence; and social interaction helped them enter into the mythos and literature.

The wolf is ubiquitous, found throughout most of the world from the icy Tundra in the Northern Hemisphere to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula. Even in countries where the wolf is not found such as Australia, there are canines that serve as a wolf proxy such as the dingo. Here in our modern homes and cities our pet dogs are constant reminders of our “wolfen” companion. We after all, created the dog from the ancestral wolf, as our most loyal companion.

Wolves display common social and intelligent behavior similar to our own. They both play and have a strict social status, just as some of our cultures have. They communicate with their kind, much the same way we do, both vocally and in non-verbal ways. We have kings and presidents, they have the alpha pair. Humans low in status such as slaves and peasants certainly were low on the pecking order or in a wolf pack the omega. Wolves also mate for life, which endears them to people who long to have a long and loving relationship with a mate. How romantic! What impressed me the most about the wolf sanctuary was the relationship between two wolves, Beasly and Barksalot. Beasily a white wolf had been rescued from a cruel man who gouged his eyes out, leaving the wolf blind and helpless. He was brought to the sanctuary and became friends with another rescued wolf, Barksalot, who literally became his “guide dog”. Beasly grabbed on to Barksalot’s tail and would be lead around. Barksalot would also bark to communicate with Beasly. Barking is unusual for wolves. Beasly was unusual in that he was the only blind alpha known. He passed away last year and soon after his two other companions joined him. These similarities to human behaviors let us see the good and bad in us in them.

We long to emulate their hunting prowess. Wolves use team strategy and their powerful carnassials to bring down a much larger prey. Imagine a hero that can do damage without a weapon.

The wolf is universally regarded as creatures of prophesy and omens, and have connections between the worlds of the living and the dead. The wolf is affiliated worldwide with magic, medicine, healing and transformation. In Native American culture the wolf is an important archetype. They had great respect for the wolf and often offered prayers before a hunt to the wolf spirit. Wolf spirit was also powerful medicine for shamans who traveled to the world of the dead. In the New World, there never was an attempt to eradicate the wolf from their land by the indigenous people. In Europe just as in the New World, myths and stories about wolves are universal. Early Europeans Respected the Wolf as Protector and Teacher. From the Steppes of Asia Minor to the British Isles the Wolf was mighty totemic protector. Hecate, an Ancient Greek deity was worshipped as a goddess with three wolf heads. Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus who were fed by the she-wolf, Alcala.

Ancient Celts respected the wolf as a totem and often as a spirit guide. In Ireland, King Cormac was nursed by a she-wolf. In the Viking world to be a member of the Wolf Clan, Ulfhednar was the greatest honour. Viking warriors believed that if they died a heroic death they would be turned into magnificent wolves. Vikings also believed wolves chasing and devouring the sun and moon caused eclipses. Two wolves accompanied Odin, ruler of the Norse Gods. He created the wolves Freki (Hungry One) and Geri (Greedy One) as loyal companions.

Today the wolf is once again a positive force in literature and as an important part of the predator/prey relationship that keeps nature in balance. And those hot one mate werewolf lovers make us long for the coming full moon.

Check out Eva’s novels

http:///www.ravenauthor.com (author website)

http://evagordon.blogspot.com/ (werewolf interviews each full moon)

Below are the covers for Wolf Maiden Chronicles booksWerewolf Sanctuary, Beast Warrior (Viking Werewolf) and my fantasy in the Realm Trilogy, Book 1 Mystic Stone of the Tenth Realm.

Werewolf Sanctuary - Book 1 of the Wolf Maiden Chronicles

By Eva Gordon

Werewolf Sanctuary, an action packed romance between an alpha male lycan, and his wolf maiden. The first in a series titled, The Wolf Maiden Chronicles, each depicts historical romances between alpha Males and their human wolf maidens.

Since ancient times, the Lupercal Council has kept their people’s werewolf identity a well-guarded secret. Referring to their kind as lycans, they shift into a bear-sized wolf, bearing unique markings reminiscent of Maori or Celtic tattoos. The pack shifts during the full moon and are under the control of their alpha male leader. The alpha male and alpha female are not bound by the full moon and can shift at will. Lycans can only breed with their kind. The exception are the alpha males, which can only mate with human women known as wolf maidens, who bear the five-toed paw print or mark of the wolf on their left hip.

The story begins with Lupercal society in peril due to an unknown disease infecting their young offspring. The children who do survive the pestilence, shift too early into wolf cubs, lose their distinct markings, and end up becoming normal wolves, unaware of their human consciousness. Normally immune to most known diseases, the Lupercal has few of their own doctors and must seek the help of a human outsider to find the cure.

Wyatt Weylin, alpha male of the Montana pack, and leader of a team of mercenary lycans, flies to a World Wolf Conference in San Francisco, where he hopes to convince leading authority on wolf diseases, veterinarian Dr. Madeline Styles to come to his wolf sanctuary and find a cure. The minute he sees her he feels drawn to her striking good looks. The sensory chemistry is instant. He tries to suppress the feeling, knowing that he is forbidden to fall for a human. Wyatt discovers that the vegetarian animal doctor has the mark of the wolf and he claims her as his life mate. Madeline slowly learns about Wyatt’s true nature and the fact that she has been claimed, and like all lycans, wolf maidens are microchipped to prevent escape. She is told that she

has three moons to decide if Wyatt is the right alpha for her, and if not, she must choose another. However, she can never leave their society. Angered and confused she first balks at the idea until she witnesses the entire pact shift, and learns that her own grandmother was a wolf maiden who lost the alpha mate and love of her life. Feeling the strong connection with Wyatt, she decides to pursue the cure to the lycan cub disease. To complicate matters Bisclavaret, Wyatt’s enemy and bad alpha lycan from the Bayou, is determined to make Madeline his wolf maiden, one way or another.

Reviews for Werewolf Sanctuary

Werewolf Sanctuary by Eva Gordon

Paranormal Romance- May 6th, 2009

4 stars

I typically tend to be more passionate about reading vampire novels when it comes to the supernatural fiction collection. But I could not help but become intrigued with this shifter book! It had all the elements that grab your attention. I found it an exhilarating page turner from the beginning to end.

Werewolf Sanctuary begins with a burst of action that kept me hooked! The author keeps the reader engrossed by explaining the main character’s (Wyatt Weylyn) origin which was highly fascinating. At Wyatt’s wolf sanctuary, the wolf cubs have been succumbing to various ailments including death. Wyatt is on a mission to hopefully cure and resolve this issue.

Maddie is a doctor in the biology of wolves and has a specialty in their diseases as well. She was a wonderful character. I felt deeply connected to her since she went through what many single women go through before they find their soul mates. I particularly was attracted to Maddie’s down to earth personality and courage handling sudden new changes to her life in ways she never expected to happen.

How do their lives intertwine? You MUST read it to find out. This is a guaranteed enjoyable read! There is a generous amount of romance, action, intrigue and paranormal that will keep you energized and wanting more!

Reviewed by Monica from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Werewolf Sanctuary is an amazing tale,intriguing and oh so believable - from the first paragraph to the last, this story is an entertaining journey into the the lycan world...the characters have such defined and believable personalities - the surroundings are so beautifully shared - Werewolf Sanctuary has more than enough to give readers a page turner, satisfying experience. I look forward to more of the Wolf Maiden Chronicles... Kathy Dement, beta reader

Werewolves are the stuff of legends, personifying wildness and inspiring fear and fascination. If you love these mysterious creatures you'll enjoy "Werewolf Sanctuary" by Eva Gordon. It's the first book in the "Wolf Maiden Chronicles," a paranormal romance you can sink your teeth into.

After his plane crashes in enemy territory in Afghanistan, Colin Taylor is rescued by Special Forces. But this force is more special than most. Wyatt Weylyn and his six man team are Lycans, men who can shape-shift into wolves. They will earn twenty million dollars for this mission, money they can use for their wolf sanctuary in Montana.

A mysterious ailment is killing Lycan children. The disease is affecting all the packs and the number of Lycans is dwindling. It's time to call in outside help. Wyatt is hoping to recruit a veterinarian, Dr. Madeline B. Styles, to research a cure. He goes to a seminar in San Francisco where she is a keynote speaker on the Ethiopian Wolf. There's an immediate attraction and when Wyatt discovers she has the mark of the wolf, he claims her for his mate. When Madeline learns Wyatt's true nature and is told she must accept him or another alpha, she's angry and confused. Can Madeline accept Wyatt and her heritage? Or will she succumb to Wyatt's worst enemy who is determined to have her for himself.

Eva Gordon makes it easy to believe that Lycans really exist. Her background in science and her love of wildlife add a reality to her story that makes it truly convincing. She puts a new spin on werewolf mythology and has created a society that's detailed and well thought out. The characters are fully developed. Wyatt, the alpha male werewolf, is a delicious hero. The animalistic yet sensual love scenes between him and Madeline heat up the pages.

If you like a good story with romance, steamy sexual encounters and action, then look no farther. This is a terrific debut; I can't wait for book two.

Publisher: Vanilla Heart Publishing (May 4, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1935407300
Pages: 318

Price: $15.95

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies.Let me just start by saying I finished this book in 2 days! Please everyone do your romantic soul a favor and go out and get yourself a copy. The romance and humor grabbed me from page 1. Wow Eva what a wonderful story you spin, I find myself wishing to be a Wolf Maiden! Kudos and Bravo for the first Wolf Maiden saga! I am breathlessly awaiting the release of Beast Warrior your next installment!

By Valorie Barto

Wolf Support Opportunity!

To celebrate the release of the first novel in Eva Gordon’s Wolf Maiden Chronicle Series, Eva Gordon and Vanilla Heart Publishing donated $1 per copy sold during launch party week to Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary, where Charlie and Sherrie LaBat have maintained a wolf sanctuary since 1991, committed to wolves in need of a permanent, safe haven. She plans to donate a portion for the release of each wolf maiden novel.

I write fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element. Werewolf Sanctuary is Book 1 in my epic Wolf Maiden Chronicles, a paranormal romance series involving male alpha lycans and their human mates known as wolf maidens. Werewolf Sanctuary is a contemporary that will lead to all the other historical paranormal tales in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles. Book 2 in the series, Beast Warrior(Viking Werewolf), takes place during the Viking era. Book 3 follows with White Wolf of Avalon. I love to create stories that combine my passion for mythology, romance and werewolf lore. Due out at the end of Summer, A fantasy, Mystic Stone of the Tenth Realm, book 1 in a Trilogy. A second fantasy, Gaia’s Keeper, soon to be published is forth coming. I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/

Physiology. My background in science and her passion for wildlife biology adds credibility to her writings. I also moonlights as a faculty member of the Grey School of Wizardry, an online school for kids and adults interested in magic and lore. A member of Romance Writers of America, I have also taught workshops on wolf lore and falconry for writer groups. I am open to doing workshops. I have volunteered at a wolf sanctuary and other wildlife rehab organizations.

Eva Gordon

Author of Paranormal and Fantasy Romance

http://www.ravenauthor.com/

http://evagordon.blogspot.com/

http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Eva_Gordon_WKIK.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Werewolf+Sanctuary+by+Eva+Gordon&x=7&y=18

Echoes of Magic by Donna Grant

Posted by Diana Coyle in

4 comments

Well hello and welcome back to Thursday's reviewer showcase. Today I'm going to talk about a new book that's already available for purchase and is the sequel to: Shadow Magic, Sisters of Magic series.

So sit back and relax for a few minutes as I tell you about: Echoes of Magic by Donna Grant. This is the second book in the series and it's just as wonderful as the first one I read and reviewed for Night Owl Romance.

Ms. Grant does a wonderful job of telling Grayson's story to us and she has a way of making you fall in love with her characters. I was just as engrossed in this second installment as I was in the first book of the Sisters of Magic series. I couldn't help but be drawn into her story as if I was another character interacting with Grayson, Adrianna and the rest of the cast of characters that she has created.

I'm thankful Grayson had stumbled upon Adrianna when he did because she was exactly who he needed in his life to keep a watchful eye on him throughout his search for the truth. The truth as to why his family was attacked so many years ago and when his mother was torn away from him at that time, was she still alive after all these years had passed? I loved the chemistry these two characters shared together and I was hoping that they would put their differences aside and just learn to value what they had both stumbled upon when they discovered each other. I'm a sucker for easy to like, well-rounded characters that I can fall in love with early on and I look for a unique and creative storyline. I have to tell you that Ms. Grant succeeded by achieving both goals for me from the very beginning of this story.

Each of these stories in the series is a stand-alone book, but I know you'll enjoy them even more so by reading them all in order. If you aren't familiar with Ms. Grant's work, this is the perfect series to acquaint yourself with this talented author.

If you would like to learn more about this author or see what else she has available for purchase, please contact her at: http://www.donnagrant.com/.

Well, that closes another week for me. I hope you enjoyed the featured review and please feel free to leave a comment or two for Ms. Grant. Until I see you again next Thursday, I wish you all a wonderful week and I hope you're enjoying the summer so far. Take care everyone!


Echoes of Magic (Sisters of Magic Book 2)

Author(s): Donna Grant Website

Genre(s): Paranormal
Review Date: May 15, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60088-383-5
E-Book Price: $5.99
Publisher: Cobblestone Press
Street Date: Out Now

Echoes of Magic - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Grayson has served years as a commander to his lord and friend, Drogan. Now though, it seems like the right time to set out on his own to finally find the answers he so desperately is searching for all these years. You see, when Grayson was a young boy, he was torn away from his mother, Leoma, by an evil army of men. From that day forward, he never saw his mother again. He doesn’t even know if she was killed during the attack or if possibly she is still alive today. He wants to find the answers to why he was taken away from her and why was his family targeted.

Now on his search alone to find answers regarding his mother, he is attacked by two evil knights led by Baron Nigel Creely. He is left for dead in the forest. Fate is on his side though because Adrianna, a witch, stumbles upon him and takes it upon herself to offer him medical assistance. She takes him to the gypsy camp where she has resided for the past three years and starts helping Grayson to recover. She smells evil all around them and knows that it’s only a matter of time before Nigel’s army comes looking for Grayson again once they find out that he’s still alive. Using her magic and mixing some herbs for healing, she does whatever she can to save Grayson from dying from his serious injury. While she cares for him, she can’t help but notice that he is very sexy and quite attractive. She can feel that Grayson is different in some way, but she can’t put her finger on just how different he truly is.

Once she is able to heal him enough without any complications to his health, they begin getting to know each other. She finds out that he’s on a mission to find answers about his mother and the past that still haunts him to this very day. She knows, through her witch abilities of seeing into the future, that Grayson will be hunted down and this time he may not make it out alive from the attack. She does the only thing that she thinks will continue to help him. She ultimately decides to travel as his companion during his search. Little do they know that they will both be challenged way beyond anything they have even had to face in their individual lives.

Does Grayson ever find all the answers he’s so desperately trying to find? Does Nigel’s army come back to find Grayson and make certain they finish off what they started with him? How does Adrianna fit into the picture with Grayson?

Ms. Grant did a wonderful job at telling this story. Her characters are well rounded and easy to fall in love with. I fell in love with Grayson immediately because he was introduced to me in the Sisters of Magic book 1, Shadow Magic. I also couldn’t help but like Adrianna because although she was a witch, she wanted to help Grayson in any way she could. I loved how they both were fighting off the attraction they held for one another, feeling as it wouldn’t be the right thing to do to have a relationship together. The author knows how to tell a story and keeps you on the edge of your seat while you’re turning the pages. She pulls you in from the very first page and keeps you engrossed right until the last page. She is a remarkable storyteller and I highly recommend you look into reading the Sisters of Magic series. Each is a stand-alone story, but I recommend you read it in order to enjoy the full effects of the complete series and what it has to offer her readers. I’m delighted to tell you that the next book in the series, Dangerous Magic, is available now for purchase.


Book Blurb & Info for: Echoes of Magic

Never say never to love...

Hiding a secret so awful that his only hope for survival is to remain hidden, Grayson has lived most of his life pretending to be someone he isn't. After years serving as a commander to his lord and friend, Grayson can no longer hold back the past.

With his weapons and battle knowledge, Grayson sets out to right the wrong he hadn't been able to stop as well as finding the mother taken from him so long ago.

Content: Erotic Romance - This title contains explicit language, graphic sex, and violence


Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=3658

New Beginnings By: Marie Force

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

15 comments

Two lucky winners will be picked from comments on this post. 1 copy of Marie’s first book, Line of Scrimmage, and 1 copy of Love at First Flight - USA shipping only...No P.O. Boxes...Must be a member of the NOR / TBRP newsletter and leave the first part of your email addy on your post.

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I was in the car the other day listening to the Matchbox 20 song “Closing Time.” You know how you can hear a song a million times and not really hear it and then suddenly a line will strike you just so? Well, when I heard this line at the end of the song I sat up a little straighter: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

If you’re like me, you’ll have to mull that over a couple of times before the full impact hits you and you say, like I did, wow, that’s rather profound—and rather true. I think the reason the lyric registered with me now and not any of the many other times I’ve heard the song is because I’ve been immersed in promoting my new book, Love at First Flight, in which a new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

When Michael and Juliana meet in the Baltimore airport, they are on their way to a weekend visit with their long-distance loves. They are fully committed to other people but worried about the status of their current relationships. Both experience a seismic shift in their life plans over the course of that weekend, and endings open the door to a new beginning. When they meet up again on the flight home that Sunday evening, a journey has ended for each of them and a new one begins—even if they aren’t entirely aware of it at the time.

In every book I’ve written, I’ve learned something from my characters. Michael and Juliana, as well as their former loves Paige and Jeremy, taught me that it doesn’t take much to compromise the foundation of a relationship. A single conversation, an ill-timed phone call, a comment that shows what’s in your heart, a decision made for you by someone who has no right . . . One small but critical moment can topple the entire infrastructure, and once the cracks appear, they can’t easily be repaired.

As one thing ends, another begins. Once the door opens, it can’t be closed. Once the heart allows someone new inside, he or she is there forever. Have you ever had a new beginning come from some other beginning’s end? If so, did you move forward with regrets or with a free and clear heart?

If you wish to discuss all the rules I broke in Love at First Flight, join me Monday, July 20, at 7 p.m. EDT on my blog (http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com) for a Book Club discussion. Warning, there will be spoilers, so make sure you read the book before the party! I’ll be giving away some great prizes to participants.

Once you’ve read the book, come by my website at www.mariesullivanforce.com to find out how to enter the contest for the Love at First Flight Grand Prize gift basket. I’ll accept answers to daily questions about the book through July 15. The winner will be announced during the July 20 Book Club Meeting.

Best selling author admits she was a closet writer...

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

9 comments

Sometime before I turned thirteen I penned my first short story on notebook paper. I don't recall what it was about, or what prompted me to write it. I only know it was a romance because I loved fairy tales where princesses ended up with their prince charming and they all lived happily ever after. My favorite was Cinderella, and still is today.

By thirteen I knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up and I recall asking my parents for a typewriter for Christmas, which I received. However, when I told them why it broke my heart that they laughed at me. To this day I don't think they realize how their reaction affected me. And that's when I became a closet writer.

How could they laugh at me, when being a writer was so very important to me? Was there something wrong with it? All of a sudden I began to question what I wanted in life. I stopped sharing my dreams and began to write in my bedroom with the door closed, and I would hide my stories because my confidence was gone.

My parents loved me. I don't think they meant to hurt me. To them a more appropriate ambition in life would have been to become a teacher or go into sales somewhere, as they had. But a writer? I guess they couldn't fathom someone in the family aspiring to do something like that with their life. Stephen King was a writer, but Debbie Wallace? That's laughable!

So, over the years I wrote in secret, hid my stories, and didn't share any part of it with anyone. I couldn't bear to be laughed at again. Writing became therapy to me and a very private part of my life. Until one day, when my niece confessed that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up.

I couldn't believe it! As we gradually began to share similar thoughts I broke down and revealed my dreams. My secret. She and my daughter convinced me into letting them read one of my stories and it was a turning point in my life. They liked it and said it was as good if not better then anything they'd read.

After much encouragement they convinced me into submitting to a publisher. Two short months went by when I received a contract offer for my first book, "Cupid's Arrow" with Whiskey Creek Press. What a confidence booster that book became, as it was on their best sellers list for two consecutive months!

I think it’s important that you pursue your dreams. I wish I had earlier in life. I didn’t become published for the first time until I was fifty. But it’s never too late. So if there’s any other closet writers out there, come on out! Dreams do come trueJ

Books to date:

CUPID’S ARROW - 2006

THE SENATOR’S DAUGHTER - 2007

IT’S ALL IN THE JEANS - 2007

WICKED DESIRE - 2008

THE COWBOY WAY - 2009

Check out the following websites for more information on Debbie Wallace:

http://www.debbiewallace.homestead.com/

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/

Debbie also writes erotic romance as Tory Richards:

http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/ - http://www.toryrichards.com

http://debbiewallace.blogspot.com/


Excerpt of THE COWBOY WAY by Tory Richards

"I want to talk to you."

"Really? And here I thought you stopped to kiss me." What was she saying? Baiting a man like Chase was dangerous.

There was a long pause. Something flickered in Chase’s eyes. His expression gave nothing away, though. Lacey began to feel nervous again, though for a different reason than the one back at the house.

"The cowboy way, ma’am?" His tone was soft, dangerous, carrying the subtle threat of an unspoken promise.

Lacey swallowed nervously. The cowboy way? That was twice he’d used that expression. She wondered what it meant. An explosion of heat uncurled inside her belly, as her imagination ran rampant. Of the two of them locked in a hot, passionate embrace. No longer was Chase’s mouth firm and unyielding, but soft and sensuous. His eyes darkened with smoldering intent. Yet instincts warned Lacey that Chase was just as dangerous now as he had been a moment ago, in anger. She tried to jerk the reins from his hands, suddenly afraid she was about to find out what the cowboy way was.

"Let go." Misty moved nervously beneath her, obviously sensing her growing panic.

In the blink of an eye his expression changed.

"Not until you listen to what I have to say."

"You can’t bully me, Chase." The wind blew at her loose hair, and she reached up impatiently to wipe it out of her eyes. "I won’t let you."

He reared back his head and laughed at her comment. "And how do you propose to stop me? I could do anything I want to you right now and you wouldn’t be able to stop me."

Lacey tightened her lips in frustration, even while the thought of what that something could be caused a tingle of excitement to zing through her. As his hard mouth curved upwards in a crooked smile that was sexy as sin, she wished she could wipe that arrogant expression off his rugged face. He was so sure of himself. The look in his eyes told her to go ahead and try. Well, she’d taken self defense lessons a few years back and wasn’t as helpless as he thought.

"Then maybe you should have warned me about you, this morning!" She jerked on the reins again, harder this time. When he wouldn’t release them Lacey reached out and slapped him across the cheek. She caught her breath, realizing a man like Chase might strike back. He didn’t look the type to turn the other cheek, or ignore a challenge. Their eyes clashed in silent battle.

Then without warning he reached forward and pulled her from her horse and into his arms. His gaze dropped to her mouth before returning to her eyes. "I think you need to be taught a lesson."

Hot For Teacher by Liza James

Posted by Diana Coyle in

4 comments

Hello fellow NOR book lovers and welcome to this week's reviewer showcase. I picked a scorcher of a read for all of you this week and I know you'll be fanning yourself off once you read this featured book!

So, let's get this party started by talking about: Hot For Teacher by Liza James. I've been lucky to read quite a few of Ms. James' stories and each one was fantastic in its own way for me. She's a very talented author who knows how to write a sizzling story and make her readers come back for more every single time.

Having said that, let me tell you a little bit about this story. Tessa decides to go out to celebrate her 40th birthday with her sister Marla. Tessa is the more responsible, levelheaded one between the two, but something about this one sexy guy that enters the club makes Tessa throw all her levelheadedness right out the window. I loved this cougar story and I enjoyed watching Tessa let he hair down long enough to live a little on the edge. Ms. James is a great storyteller and if you haven't read any of her stories yet, I assure you after reading this one you'll want to purchase all of her available titles.

If you want to learn more about this talented author and see what she has available for purchase, please contact her at: http://www.lizajamesauthor.com/.

That wraps up another week! I hope you're enjoying your summer so far and I look forward to seeing you all next week. Have a wonderful week everyone!


Hot For Teacher

Author(s):Liza James Website

Genre(s): Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Review Date: Jun 16, 2009
ISBN: 9781603103220
E-Book Price: $2.00
Publisher:Red Sage
Street Date: Out Now

Hot For Teacher - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Tessa Marshall, a divorced high school teacher, reluctantly decides to take up her older sister, Marla, on the offer to go out to celebrate Tessa’s 40th birthday. They decide to go to Cloudy’s nightclub to have some fun. While having a drink and unwinding, Tessa immediately notices this extremely handsome looking guy enter the club. Only problem is, he looks like jailbait to her.

While talking with Marla, Tessa just can’t seem to take her eyes off him. Knowing how attracted she is to this guy, Marla gives her the opportunity to talk to him. Setting her sights on a bunch of college guys across the room, Marla leaves Tessa to go have some fun with Mr. Hottie while she introduces herself to the college guys.

Scott Chapman isn’t going to pass up the opportunity that has presented itself to him. The woman that caught his eye since he walked into the club is now by herself. It’s now or never. He walks up to Tessa and begins talking with her. She’s so beautiful and he’s so sexually attracted to her, he can only hope to leave with her later on and take her to the hotel room he’s staying at across the street.

After some small talk, they can’t deny the attraction they have for one another and decide to head to his hotel room. Tessa can’t believe she’s doing something as crazy as hooking up with a stranger and one who is at least ten years her junior, but she isn’t going to let her birthday pass without letting her hair down and hoping to have some of the best sex of her life. Unfortunately though, once they sleep with each other, their lives start taking drastic turns for the both of them.

What do Tessa and Scott decide to do since their attraction for each other is so much deeper than they both imagined it to be? Could something more permanent ever come out of this situation?

Ms. James wrote a smoking hot story within these pages. I’m pretty certain I saw steam coming off the pages as I was reading it. The author developed believable characters that everyone can relate to and she presented them in such a fashion that I found myself hoping that they both could work things out between them to make something more permanent out of their situation. Ms. James is a magnificent storyteller and she doesn’t disappoint her readers with the storylines and characters she creates. If you are looking for a short, hot, sexy read to fit into your hectic schedule, this one is the perfect fit for you!


Book Blurb & Info for: Hot For Teacher

High school teacher Tessa Marshall is at a club with her sister celebrating her 40th birthday when the hunk of her dreams walks through the door. He's tall, dark, and oh-so handsome. He's also ten years her junior, which makes him the perfect candidate for a night of smokin' hot birthday sex. Only it quickly becomes apparent the man is special, which scares the hell out of her since nothing can ever come of it. With regret, she slips from the room while he's sleeping, intending never to see him again.

Scott Chapman is captivated by the beautiful Tessa, and though he swore off relationships several years ago, he finds himself instantly drawn to the blonde stunner. He takes her back to his hotel room for the birthday night of her life, and soon realizes their connection is deeper than he'd imagined. When he wakes up the following morning and discovers her gone, he's disappointed. They both find out, however, that fate has a mind of its own.

Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=3790