Caris Roane's Embrace the Mystery (The Blood Rose Series #3) Book Blast + giveaway

Embrace the Mystery
The Blood Rose Series, Book 3
Publication Date: November 18, 2013
Print Length: 222 pages
ASIN: B00GRXTZ1E
Mastyr Quinlan pursues the artist, Batya, with only one thing in mind but soon discovers that his desire for her is just the beginning of an earth-shattering affair…

He doesn’t want a woman in his life…

Quinlan must keep Grochaire Realm safe from the enemy at all costs. As ruler of his realm, a woman has no permanent place in his day-to-day existence. But when his lust takes him to Batya’s bedroom, he soon discovers he’s deep into a powerful experience that threatens to blow his life apart. He wants Batya with a feverish desire that makes no sense in his logical, warrior world. But when an ancient fae attacks Batya’s gallery, he launches into protector mode and soon finds himself embroiled -- body, soul, and fangs -- with a woman he’d only meant to bed a couple of times.

She has no desire to get involved with a mastyr vampire…

Batya’s intense desire for Mastyr Quinlan stuns and baffles her. She doesn’t want to be involved with the vampire on any level. His sole focus of ruling Grochaire Realm has kept him from staying with one woman longer than the proud length of his fangs. Besides, she’s built a life for herself in Lebanon, Tennessee as an artist and healer to the realm ex-patriot community. But when the ancient fae attacks Quinlan at her gallery, then attempts to kidnap her assistant, Batya finds herself catapulted into an astonishing adventure. Even so, she works steadily to get back to her free-clinic and her painting, but how can she leave Quinlan behind when he’s commanded her like no other man ever has?

Excerpt

From Chapter Two: Mastyr Quinlan, having survived an enemy attack because Batya healed him, has to brush out his long warrior hair. Batya helps him out…

Quinlan showered, washing out the mass of his hair twice then applying Batya’s crème rinse until he’d have a half-way decent shot at getting the snarls out with a brush.

Using her blow dryer, he scowled as he watched his damn hair fly around. Why couldn’t a vampire, especially a Guardsman, have some kind of preternatural power to remove snarls and dry his hair without electricity?

“Want some coffee with your ‘shits’ and ‘damn-all-the-elf-lords-to-hell-and-back’?” He met Batya’s reflection in the mirror, and saw a mug extended in his direction.

He shut the dryer off, turned around, and took the cup. “That bad, huh?”

Batya chuckled. She had dimples, two of them. Not deep, but they were definitely there, beside her mouth. He’d never noticed before, but then most of his seduction work had taken place at a distance.

“Turn around. I’ll work the back section.”

He didn’t hesitate, something that resonated deep in his brain as a serious warning of some kind, but he wasn’t sure in what way.

She picked up the brush he’d been using and started at the tips. He couldn’t even feel the tugs so he 

drank his coffee and released a sigh.

His thoughts turned to Grochaire, the realm he ruled. “I need to get word to my Guard, to warn them about what they’re up against. But my telepathy isn’t working through your shield and my phone got blasted by one of those wraith-pairs.”

“You can try my phone, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get through, not with the shield I have in place. Sorry, but staying alive has a priority here.”

He smiled because he couldn’t have agreed with her more.

She brushed through a long length, hit a snag and started working it. He could see her in the mirror, brow furrowed. He’d seen that look already, more than once just conversing with her. She had a seriousness about her that he approved of, maybe because it matched his own.

He sipped some more and watched her. She was a beautiful woman and tall, maybe just under six feet. He wouldn’t have to lean too far down to pull her into his arms and kiss her. She wore her hair loose with clips holding it away from her face.  She had strong cheekbones and a straight nose. Her chin was definitely fae, more pointed than a human’s would be, but exquisite.

He knew her ancestry, half-fae, half-troll, her genetics having fallen on the fae side. Realm-DNA did that when the species mixed. The offspring landed one way or another, the same if more than two lines made up the code. Genetics always picked a lane. He realized that he liked her looks, really liked them. “Have you ever done a self-portrait?”

She picked up another long hunk of his hair and once more started at the tips, working swiftly. “I don’t really do faces. I’ve always been into landscapes and the occasional still-life if the objects intrigue me enough.”

“Do you go out, snap photos of woodlands, that kind of thing?”

“Sometimes.” She stopped brushing and scratched her cheek with her thumb. “But more often than not I’ll get these rich images in my head and that’s what I’ll paint.”

“Sounds fae.”

She started brushing again, making quick work as he sipped his coffee. “Maybe. Probably. I don’t think about it. I just paint and let the spirit move me.”

He smiled. “The spirit, huh?”

“It’s a good earth-saying, don’t you think?”

“I suppose it is. So you like being here on human earth?”

“I do. In fact, I love it. I didn’t know what happiness or freedom was until I moved here.” She met his gaze in the mirror. “And I don’t plan on ever returning to the Nine Realms. The day that we made our treaties with the US, turned out to be the best day of my life…”

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About the Author:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Caris Roane has published nine paranormal novels and novellas and writing as Valerie King, fifty Regency works. In 2005, Romantic Times gave her a Career Achievement award in Regency Romance. As Caris Roane, she currently writes paranormal romance for St. Martin’s Press and also self-publishes the continuing stories for her Guardians of Ascension series as well as stories set in other worlds.

2/03 - 2/28 Caris Roane's EMBRACE THE MYSTERY Book Blast

TOUR GIVEAWAY 

3 Grand Prizes: Each winner will receive a signed paperback copy of EMBRACE THE DARK, e-copy of EMBRACE THE MAGIC and EMBRACE THE MYSTERY, notepad, journal, note cards, sticky notes, RTC cards 

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Spotlight: To Catch Her Death (Grim Reality, #1) Book Tour + giveaway

To Catch Her Death (Grim Reality, #1)
By: Boone Brux
Publisher: Red Hot Publishing
Publication Date: October 17th 2013 

What do you get when you cross a hockey mom with the grim reaper?

Me, Lisa Carron. If being a depressed, frumpy, widowed mother of three wasn't bad enough, I just found out I'm a grim reaper. I know what you're thinking. Wow, that's kind of sexy and full of awesomeness. Hardly. Oh, and my clients? Stupid people. Like I don't get enough of that from the living.

Since Alaska is big and angels of death are few, I've been partnered with reaper extraordinaire, Nate Cramer. He's strong, silent, and way too good looking for my recently widowed state. Oh, and he reaps violent criminals, so that should be interesting.

Forget the danger and the hours of self-analysis it will take for me to find my reaper mojo. My biggest problem? Hiding it all from my overly attentive family and nosy neighbors. Now that's going to take a miracle.

Buy links:

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About the Author:
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As a bestselling author, Boone Brux’s books range from high fantasy to humorous paranormal.

Boone has lived all over the world, finally settling in the icy region of Alaska, where she writes full time. Always looking for the next adventure, it’s not unusual to find her traversing the remotest parts of the Alaskan bush. No person or escapade is off limits when it comes to weaving real life experiences into her books or blogs.
Connect with Boone:

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

GRAND PRIZE: One lucky winner will receive a $10 iTunes gift card, tote bag, a signed swag pack, and a To Catch Her Death mouse pad.
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Book Review: McQuade The Lone Wolf Takes a Mate book tour + giveaway

McQuade: The Lone Wolf Takes A Mate
by Lynn Richards

McQuade Jenner was a lone wolf.

He didn't need some antiquated idea of one mate for life messing up his perfect bachelor lifestyle. On any given night he could find a biker groupie–human or shifter–reckless enough for a one-time fling with a wolf. He could bed a woman when he felt the need and go home to the solitude he enjoyed. And that's exactly what he'd intended to do the night Rose Spencer walked into his life–alone, wet, and trouble just waiting to happen. He’d never intended to get involved with the innocent Rose–she was a life-time commitment and McQuade didn't do commitment. But what was a wolf protector supposed to do when the woman his wolf wanted was threatened by a low-life lion shifter?

Rose Spencer wasn't the bar-scene type. She'd never have stepped foot inside the shifter bar unless she’d been trying to protect her sister–again. When would she learn that Alice was quite capable of taking care of herself–and that she was the one suddenly in need of protection?

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Review

McQuade Jenner is sitting in the Crater Moon Bar looking around for a woman, pretty much any woman to satisfy his sexual frustration with and just when it looks like he'll be going home alone, Rose walks in the bar and he's instantly drawn to her.

We first meet Rose Spencer when she walks into the Crater Moon Bar completely soaking wet and mad as hell. She was supposed to be meeting her older sister there but she's no where to be found and Rose was in a bind with a flat tire and no way to fix it. That is until McQuade offers to help her out.

I knew right away that I wasn't going to like Rose's older sister, Alice. Right away she came across as selfish and uncaring of anyone other than herself. It's funny how two siblings can be so completely opposite and these two sister's certainly are. Where Alice is uncaring and rude, Rose is caring, sweet, innocent and nurturing. Rose put herself through nursing school so she could take care of herself. She might live in a small shack of an apartment with used furniture, houseware and very little money for personal things but she's happy, unlike her older sister who expects everyone else to take care of her.

I really like the fact that Rose isn't a size 1, thin as a stick, super model type. I like seeing more authors making their female characters realistic with some curves.

McQuade first came off seeming like he's a ladies man and then I thought, not only is he a man whore, he's a scary biker dude! But it turns out this shifter is not without his protective, romantic side and we ladies love a sexy alpha who has a softer side to him.

Holy Hot Shifters, Batman! I opened this book and started reading it at 11pm, fully intending to read the first few pages and come back to it the next morning. Two hours later I was reading the last page and grinning because I loved these characters. Their personalities jumped right off the pages and into my heart.

The only thing about this book I didn't like was the use the of the "C" word. I've never liked that word and whenever I see it, I cringe a little. Thankfully that word wasn't used much.

If you like sexy brooding shifters, biker bars, crazy lion shifters and 2 people who are meant to be together even if they are different species, then you'll love this book.

4.5 sheep

Mary Kirkland
Dark Thoughts blog
Yahoo Contributor Network

Excerpt

Rose realized she’d made a grave mistake the moment she’d opened the bar’s metal door. Inside were roughly fifty men, and a handful of women. And not one of them was Alice. Why did that not surprise her? She’d probably already found a ride home, having hooked up with some other loser. Who else would she find in a biker bar?

Rose knew how to size up people, especially men. As an emergency room nurse, she’d learned that lesson quickly. Some of the men in the bar were humans but most were shifters. They were all big, bad men. And not in a sexy way. Well, maybe one of them was. The one lounging in a chair toward the back was quite possibly the handsomest man she’d ever seen—a ten in a room full of zeroes. He was smokin’ hot. The quick glance she’d had of his chiseled face and muscular arms had almost made her lose her breath. Everything about him was dark–from his hair and skin to his shirt and jeans. Not to mention the aura surrounding him. He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome… to say nothing of dangerous.

Immediately her mind went there, wondering how all that testosterone would feel unleashed on her. She wasn’t very experienced but she wouldn’t even mind if he liked it a little rough. The thought of what else he might like sexually had her panties soaked in seconds.

About the Author:Website-FB-twitter-blog-Goodreads
Lynn Richards is actually the pseudonym chosen by two best friends who started writing together back when they were both young and idealistic. Though no longer exactly young, they are still best friends and still pretty idealistic. They enjoy reading (and writing) romances ranging from sweet and pure, to spicy hot and erotic and love hearing from their readers. Please E-mail them at lynn.richardsromance@yahoo.com

Bookshelf
Beauty and the Wolf
Bedded by the Best Man
Bought by the Texas Billionaire
Branded by the Texas Billionaire
Bound by the Texas Billionaire
Delighting Daisy
Leader of the Pack
McQade: The Lone Wolf Takes a Mate
Pleasuring Tara
Seduced by the Italian
Sex by the Numbers
Taken by Force
Tempting the Texas Tycoon
Under His Control
Zoey’s Christmas Surprise

11/18 - 12/31 Lynn Richards McQUADE Blog Tour

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Lynn is giving away the following prizes at the end of the tour:

GRAND PRIZE: $25.00 Amazon gift card and an autographed copy of McQUADE
RUNNERS-UP: Three runners-up will receive an eBook of McQUADE

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Book Review: ADEN (Vampires In America, Book 7) book tour + giveaway

ADEN 
Vampires In America, Book 7 
Driven by the demons of his past and the power of his vampire blood, Aden is determined to become the next Lord of the Midwest.
But as powerful vampires line up and the battles begin, Sidonie Reid walks into his life with a challenge he cannot ignore.

Vampires are running slaves out of Chicago, and Sidonie wants Aden to shut them down, permanently! 

AVAILABLE NOW: 

AMAZON | AMAZON PRINT | BN.com | AMAZON AUSTRALIA | AMAZON UK | AMAZON UK PRINT

BOOK DEPOSITORY

Review

Aden is an extremely powerful vampire and most likely the next in line to become the Midwestern Vampire Lord. Before he was turned into a vampire he was a sex slave for a cruel master, so when he finds out that another vampire is kidnapping woman and selling them in the slave network, he's more than a little angry about it.

Sidonie (Sid) is a reporter trying to stop the slave trade. The slave traders find out she's snooping around and to send her a message they kill a woman she knows, hoping that will deter her from snooping further. It in fact, does the exact opposite and she's more determined to find a way to stop the slavers now more than ever.

This is the first book in the Vampires In America series that I've read and while my 'go to' genre is paranormal romance involving vampires, there are just a select few series that I keep going back to, this will be one of those series. D.B. Reynolds has created a vampire society with characters full of depth, charm and charisma. This is a welcome addition to the wonderful vampires series we already have available.

The only element that I would have liked to see more of is Aden's dominant side. We get teases and glimpses into it, but it would have taken this story to a whole other level had he let loose a little bit more and shown us more of this side of himself.

Aden is a fast paced, adventurous look into a vampire society and I am looking forward to reading more.

I give this book 4 sheep

Mary Kirkland
My Published Articles
Dark Thoughts Blog

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Goodreads 
D.B. Reynolds is the award-winning author of the popular Vampires in America series, as well as other paranormal fiction. She lives with her husband of many years in a flammable canyon near Los Angeles, and when she's not writing her own books, she can usually be found reading someone else's.

Burned in Shadows by Tigris Eden Cover Reveal tour

Bonded in Shadows
A Shadow Unit Novella
When a family celebration threatens to turn into a disaster, there is only one person to blame- Asia Thompson, a member of the pack who also holds the title of Draven’s former first love.

After fighting almost impossible odds, Jes and Draven are finally together, but emotions are high strung now that Asia has shown up unannounced with the intention to take what she thinks she’s entitled to, including Draven.

Dealing with the protocol of Draven’s pack leaves a sour taste in Jes’ mouth. She’s battled every inner demon she has in order to be with her man. She wants their family to be first, not second which is easier said than done when she feels Draven is choosing his pack over family.

The pack has a way of digging their claws into their happily ever-after, pulling Draven further and further from his family’s needs. With Asia’s manipulative schemes combined with the conflict over their daughter’s birthday ritual, the couple’s bond is truly tested.
Join the members of Shadow Unit as they celebrate Family, in Bonded in Shadows a Shadow Unit Novella.

To learn more about the Shadow Unit series visit:

Shadow Unit Page:

http://www.authortigriseden.com/shadow-unit.html

Shadow Unit Blog: 

http://shadowunitseries.blogspot.com/

About the Author:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

Goodreads | Pinterest
There is really not much to say... I love to write, read, and listen to music. My attempt at a music career sadly ended at the Apollo one warm night in May. LOL (Side note: I was not booed just outdone by two munchkins rapping to Biggy Smalls, they were good.

Military brat extraordinaire; have traveled to a lot of interesting places. This February I will be going over to the other side of the pond where I will spend two weeks in Europe. I will be in Cambridge, London, Paris, Versailles, Bruges, and hopefully Cardiff.

The very first time I put pen to paper in story fashion (for fun), was in 6th grade. The story was called, The Case of The Missing Pepperoni. It was a cute mystery where all the ingredients and shop appliances came to life when the store owner closed up for the evening. See, pretty boring stuff. I always say I'm not the interesting one, but the people around me.

AFTER DARK Pre-Order Book Blast & Giveaway!

AFTER DARK 

Pre-Order Book Blast & Giveaway!

The AFTER DARK Anthology featuring Gena Showalter's The Darkest Angel and Kait Ballenger's Shadow Hunter is being released in mass market paperback on December 31 and to celebrate we are giving away lots of goodies.

ENTRY RULES:

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ENTRY RULES COMPLETELY!

In order to enter, you must email a picture, screen shot or attach a copy of your receipt from your purchase of either the MASS MARKET PAPERBACK or MASS MARKET EBOOK version of After Dark.

PLEASE NOTE: It MUST be the MASS MARKET format to be eligible for the giveaway.

Email your receipts to kaitballengergiveaway@gmail.com

PRIZE PACKAGES:

GRAND PRIZE:
Two (2) random entrants will each receive a $100.00 gift card to Amazon.

FIRST 10 ENTRANTS:
will receive a giant SWAG pack that contains a signed bookplate plus bookmarks from Gena along with SWAG from 50+ authors, courtesy of Book Monster Promotions.

FIRST 50 ENTRANTS:
will receive a goodie bag from Kait that includes bookmarks, magnets, pens and other goodies.

FIRST 500 ENTRANTS:
will receive the first chapter of Immortal Hunter, Book #2 in Kait's Execution Underground series for an exclusive peek.

You have until 1/10/14 to purchase your Mass Market edition and submit your receipt. Winners will be announced by 1/15/14.

AFTER DARK
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (December 31, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 037377852X
ISBN-13: 978-0373778522
A Timeless Seduction
A Unique Temptation
And a Whole World of Dark Desires…

From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter….

The Darkest Angel
Winged warrior Lysander has been alive for centuries, and yet he's never known desire—until he meets Bianka. Spawned from the bloodline of his enemy, the beautiful but deadly Harpy is determined to lead the untouched Lysander into temptation. He may try to evade her attempts, but even the most iron-willed demon assassin can resist for only so long….

And from debut author Kait Ballenger….

Shadow Hunter
Vampire hunter Damon Brock's newest assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn't the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family—and she works solo. But being alone is no longer an option when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. Forced to unite against the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they must decide between their lifelong beliefs…and their newfound desires.

MASS MARKET EDITION AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW:

AMAZON KINDLE

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Book reviews: The Blue Moon Brides series (1-3) (book tour) + giveaway

TEMPTED BY THE PACK (Blue Moon Brides, 1)
Once in a blue moon…For Rafer Breaux, life in the Louisiana Bayou is harsh, violent—and deeply sensual. The Cajun werewolf lives for his Pack and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his brothers safe. The longer a wolf lives without a mate, the harder it becomes for that wolf to shift back. To remember that he is a man—and not a monster. And those mates can only be found during a blue moon. When a blue moon finally rises, Rafer will need every weapon in his sensual arsenal to tempt one special woman into his arms and the heart of the Pack.

The Pack hunts for mates

Fighting to keep her family farm, Lark Andrews isn’t looking for love. Even if the very sexy Breaux brothers make her dream of hot bayou nights spent in their arms. When the blue moon leads Rafer to her door, however, Rafer has her rethinking her position on all work and no play. Now, the bayou nights are heating up as Rafer fights to convince her, one sensual touch at a time, to give love and passion a chance. But Rafer isn’t a one wolf deal. Is there room in Lark’s heart—and bed—for Rafer and his Pack?

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Tempted By The Pack

review

Lark Andrews is having a bad week. She's about to lose the farm she inherited from her grandmother because she can't pay the mortgage, she's having nightmares about wolves and she's sure that someone is watching her from the shadows.

Rafer Breaux is hoping that the blue moon will bring him or one of his brother's a mate. He's been watching Lark Andrews from the afar but he can't help the sexual feelings he gets when he looks at her.

When Lark is approached by Rafer and he buys some flowers from her, she can't help but notice how handsome he is. He warns her to stay home during the blue moon and not to run, so what does she do? Not only does she go outside during the blue moon, but she starts running, hoping to be chased.

Lark just hopes that Mama Jolie is right about this pack of wolves being the Breaux brothers, or she's in a lot of trouble. She's been lonely and is taking her life back, on her terms. When the wolves corner her, she calls them out by name and Rafer is stunned that she's guessed who and what they are.

Things would be perfect if the vampire skin hunters weren't also out on the blue moon. They want werewolf skins so they can wear them and walk in the daylight. The fact that the vampires are using the werewolf skins to wear them so they can walk in the sunlight is a new and wonderfully brilliant concept for me.

I found this book to be an incredible sensual, thrilling ride with sex scenes so hot you'll need an ice bath.

PLEASURED BY THE PACK (Blue Moon Brides, 2)
Dre and Landry Breaux do everything together. Fishing, fighting—and loving. A whole lot of loving. When the blue moon leads these Cajun werewolves to their fated mate, however, they’re ready to reform. Now, they’ll fight to keep the woman of their dreams safe from the evils lurking in the Louisiana bayou—and to tempt her into taking a chance on two of the bayou’s sexiest bad boys.

Mary Jane Johnson is no heartbreaker. Running from a troubled past, the bayou captain wants only to be left alone. When she takes a pair of bayou bad boys on board, however, Dre and Landry have her rethinking her need for space. These two big males have promised to take orders—all of her orders. Suddenly, she’s dreaming of getting as close as possible… to both of the Breaux brothers.

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Pleasured By The Pack

review

Mary Jane Johnson lives and works on her boat, the Bayou Sweetie. She is very shy and only allows women on her boat. That is until the Breaux brothers set their sites on her and ask to work for her while she brings in a big haul of oysters. She thinks something is up but needs the help so she lets them on board to help her.

Landry and Dre Breaux do everything together and share everything, even women. So when the blue moon is about to rise and they think that Mary Jane is their blue moon bride, they stop at nothing to be on the boat with her. They wait to see which of the women on the boat will be surrounded by the blue light of the moon, Riley or Mary Jane. But when both woman are bathed in the blue rays of the moon the Breaux brothers know that they've just found two blue moon brides, but only one is theirs.

The vampires also know about the blue moon and what it signifies to the wolves so they are out hunting the would be brides to get to the wolves for their skins.

Things seem to be going well for the Breaux brothers until the vampires attack. Mary Jane is confronted with the realization that there are vampires and werewolves and she's been on a boat with two of the sexiest, scariest werewolves she could ever imagine. But things get worst when Mary Jane's mechanic, Riley is kidnapped by the vampires and the wolves have to save her.

This second book in the Blue Moon Bride series, is packed with action, hot alpha males and sensually hot sex scenes.

CLAIMED BY THE PACK (Blue Moon Brides, 3)
The rising of the Blue Moon will lead the Pack to their destined mates… but some women are hard to claim.

Alpha to the bone, Cajun shifter Dag Breaux must find his Blue Moon bride to preserve his humanity. Each passing day sees him lost further and further in the shift, more wolf than man. Emotions and feelings are foreign territory for Dag and all he has to offer his newfound female is raw, passionate sex and protection from the centuries-old vampire stalking the Louisiana bayou.

Bayou mechanic Riley Jones stands on her own two feet. Always. She doesn’t need or want Dag’s infuriating brand of protection. Plus, she has secrets of her own that she’s desperate to keep. But there’s no denying the passion that burns between them and in the arms of her rough and tough shifter she discovers a darkly sensuous, no-holds-barred loving. When the vampire threatens Riley’s nearest and dearest, she must ask herself if resisting Dag’s mate claim is worth losing everything she cares about… or if teaching her wolf to love is worth the risk.

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Claimed By The Pack

review

Riley Jones is the mechanic on the Bayou Sweetie and friends with Mary Jane Johnson. She's been kidnapped by evil vampires who want to use her to lure the werewolves out so they can kill them and wear their skins. 

Dag Breaux is more wolf than man at this point. But his brothers need him to help find who they hope is his mate. He finds her and is about to rush in and save her from the vampires when she amazes him, freeing herself and killing one of the vampires holding her hostage.

When a wolf doesn't have a mate he can't always shift back to human and eventually he stays as the wolf and doesn't return home. Dag was very close to running as a wolf and never shifting back to his human half, until Riley needs him to save her and he finds his mate, his blue moon bride. 

Riley runs a womens shelter and when she finds out that the vampires might be headed to the safe house the women are at she and Dag set out to make sure they are safe. While they are working together Dag finds out his little blue moon bride has a secret, a big secret. My mouth fell open and darn near hit the floor when she revealed it because I totally didn't see that coming and funny enough, neither did Dag. 

Riley is a tough heroine and the perfect match for Dag. Together they will face the evil, skin stealing vampires and hopefully have a chance to be happy after the dust settles. 

I loved Anne Marsh's sexy Alpha males. They are big, strong and all seem to be well endowed. *gigglesnort* While they are worthy of any woman's fantasy lover, they are also domineering, with some chauvinistic ways about them. But somehow it works for these guys and they always seem to redeem themselves so that their mates can't help but melt in a puddle at their feet. *girly swoon*

I was riveted, the series got better and better with each book. Claimed By The Pack was my favorite overall. I think I really like a hero that needs a mate, not just wants a mate. Without his mate, he was going to be lost in a four-legged world and run as a wolf for the rest of his life. Dag was awkward at first, gentle but domineering and the most broken and most in need of help of all the Breaux brothers. 

5 Sheep!

Mary Kirkland
My Published Articles
Dark Thoughts Blog

About the Author:
Website Twitter Facebook Newsletter

Anne Marsh writes sexy contemporary and paranormal romances because the world can always enjoy one more alpha male. She started writing romance after getting laid off from her job as a technical writer—and quickly decided happily-ever-afters trumped software manuals. She lives in Northern California with her family and six cats.

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Ann is giving away the following prizes at the end of the tour:

GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon card 

RUNNERS-UP: Three (3) runners-up get an eBook of choice from the Blue Moon series.

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Alpha Male Diner with Valerie Twombly- Eternal Flame Book Tour + giveaway

make sure you check out our 5 Sheep review of Eternal Flame here

Marcus Dagotto (vampire)

recipe by Valerie Twombly

Eternal Flame (Guardians #1)

1 lick your lips delicious guardianAdd eyes the color of a springtime storm
Mix in equal amounts of stubbornness, humor, loyalty and passion
Sprinkle with healing and flashing powers
Brush with 1 wicked tattoo
Toss in 1 tongue and a set of fangs that can…

Whisk together and serve on a bed of silk, or you may opt for the steaming shower. Either way, be sure to enjoy every hardened muscle to its fullest.

This recipe does come with a caution, be careful of the tongue and fangs. We are not responsible for the mind numbing pleasure they will bring you.

TASTE TEST

Prologue

October 1712 

Tears stung Marcus’s cheeks when he raised his sword. “I am so sorry, love. I have failed you. It should be I who dies this day.”

Eliza’s cocoa eyes looked at him but didn’t see him. Dead inside, her soul was lost. She would never again be the woman he loved.

He sucked in a breath and flexed his arms, the sword swung, slicing across her neck. The blade tore through sinew and bone and sent her head rolling across the stone floor. Reality nearly sent him to his knees, but there wasn’t time to mourn the death of his mate. The fighting outside echoed in his ears, the demons were strong and put up one hell of a fight.

Marcus advanced down the corridor of the abandoned castle. The scene played out the same in every direction. Blood bathed the floors, and his brethren’s heartsick screams echoed off the walls as they killed their mates.

A demon jumped out from behind a door. Its claws tearing the flesh on his arm. He wielded his sword and sent another head flying across the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a Draki dispatching another demon. The shifter, a friend who also searched for his mate. Not even the dragons were immune to Drayos and his fucking misery.

The dragon turned his head. “Be careful, my friend. My brethren will soon be setting this place on fire.” Caleb’s cerulean body shimmered as he shifted back to human form.

“Have you found your mate yet?” Marcus asked as he searched the adjoining room. Empty.

“Not yet, you?”

He stepped beside his friend. “I killed her.”

Caleb laid a hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry, my friend. Drayos will die this day for what he has done.”

Marcus nodded and moved forward in his search for the demon Drayos. He opened up the psychic path leading to his prince. Aidyn.

Marcus, did you find my sister?

He closed his eyes, so many hearts broken today. She is dead, I am sorry, my lord.

I will kill Drayos with my bare hands.

Aidyn had already lost his brother and father in this battle. His pain ripped through Marcus. No doubt the other guardians felt it. It was a blessing and a curse to be connected to each other.

He tried to pinpoint the prince’s position, but something blocked him. Aidyn, where are you? Do not engage Drayos. The prince would die as well if he tried to kill the Demon Overlord. Aidyn was far too young; his two hundred years were no match against a thousand-year-old demon.

He took our women, used them to carry his spawn. He has killed everyone I love.

Tired muscles carried Marcus up a flight of stairs. He stormed from room to room, kicking in locked doors only to find them empty. I know my lord, and he will pay, but it is not wise for you to confront him. He knew Aidyn wouldn’t listen. Perhaps the gods would help.

“Zarek!” Marcus summoned the god, nothing. No surprise. After all, the gods could have stepped in and saved the women, but they had all been left to fate. Fuck fate, he was sick to death of it.

The sound of clashing swords filtered in from the hallway. He flashed into the room, not caring what he stumbled across. His vision filled with Aidyn and Drayos, they were face to face.

Drayos had morphed into a full demon and stood at least three feet taller than Aidyn. Blood seeped from the wounds that covered the demons blackened skin.

Marcus tried to run toward them but found himself behind an invisible barrier. “What the fuck?”

He balled his hands and banged on the wall. “Aidyn!” The prince ignored him. He was stuck, helpless as he watched the events unfold in front of him. Thoughts of telling Daria, his queen, she had lost her entire family in this battle sat like arsenic in his stomach. He pressed his palms against his prison. Aidyn, my friend, I can’t bear another loss today.

The air behind him shifted, a cool breeze lifted his hair. He moved his gaze over his shoulder and found Zarek towering over him in a Scottish kilt rather than his beloved Egyptian shendyt. His raven hair held a beaded braid on one side. So this is why he ignores us? He is busy playing dress-up with the goddess Quadira.

“Get me out of here!” he demanded.

“You will not interfere, my son.”

Marcus growled; his fangs elongated; he wanted blood. Yes, he would take the blood of his god if it ended the pain and suffering of his brethren. “You would let the prince die?” He tried to lunge toward Zarek but found his feet pinned to the floor. You are our creator, we your warriors. Why would you do this to us?

Zarek gave him a leveled gaze. “What makes you think the prince will die this day?”

He looked back toward the fight. Aidyn had lost his sword; a small dagger was clutched in his hand. Both the demon and the vampire bore bloody wounds.

He turned back to Zarek. “The prince is too young to fight one as strong as Drayos.” Marcus dropped to his knees, he would beg the god if he had to.

“Send me in his place…please.” He was three hundred years older than Aidyn and could defeat the demon. “We have lost so much today.” Death haunted him like a fucking plague. He was a healer, but today, he healed no one. The anguished cries of his brethren still echoed in his ears. They had slain their mates then turned on each other to end their misery. Marcus would like to end his suffering as well, but he would continue on; his skills were needed.

Zarek laid a hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry, my son, for all the pain you will encounter this day. However, today must shape the future.” With those words, he vanished.

The future? Aidyn was their future, the line that tied them all together. They all hoped the prince would persuade the gods to find a cure for the curse Drayos had placed upon them.

The curse would devour them, creating an imbalance that would darken their souls. When Zarek created his vampires, he used light and dark, good and evil. The light fueled the guardian of humanity, the darkness the warrior. A perfect balance, but once Drayos’s curse took full effect, the light would fade, the darkness turning them into pure evil, destined to destroy everything in their path. Not even the humans they guarded would be safe.

He jumped to his feet but found the shield still erected around him. Aidyn’s body lie still on the floor, and Drayos stood over him, sword poised for the fatal blow.

He beat on the invisible wall. “Aidyn!” He sucked in a breath, his heart trapped in a vice that squeezed the life out of him. He could do nothing but watch his prince die. A tear slid down his cheek for the death of his mate, his brethren and now his prince, his best friend. I am no guardian. I am a failure. I have failed them all.

Drayos swung his sword. Everything moved in slow motion as Marcus waited for the blade to connect with Aidyn’s neck.

Lightning sizzled from the sky and sent debris flying in different directions. The room crumbled around them as the earth shook. Drayos’s head rolled across the floor. Marcus sensed the shield that encased him drop, and he rushed forward to where Aidyn stood.

“What the hell just happened? Are you alright?” Marcus asked.

“I am not exactly sure. I think I caused the lightning.”

“You?” He looked over the prince, his pants torn and his shirt missing. Dust from the debris covered his bleeding wounds. There was something different about the prince. He seemed stronger. Marcus noticed the dark marking on Aidyn’s chest and reached out to wipe away the gray dirt so he could get a better look. “Sweet deity!” He jumped back.

“What?” Aidyn looked at his chest. His jaw dropped. “I never felt it.”

Like many of the other guardians, Aidyn had been given his mark. An indication of his position and abilities. Marcus bore the Ankh, a pair of angel wings spread out over the top. The ancient symbol meant life or living. A healer, able to repair the sick or injured with his energy.

The naked skin over Aidyn’s left breast bore the mark chosen by the gods. The eye of Ra, the symbol of protection and power, sat atop a pyramid encased by a blazing sun. This could only mean…

Marcus.

His thoughts interrupted by the almost unrecognizable voice. Father?

Come to me, son.

Aidyn touched his shoulder. “I am fine, let us go help your father.”

Together they flashed to the position his father communicated. When Marcus arrived, his father was on his knees holding the bloody, headless body of his wife, Marcus’s mother. His sword lay beside him covered in blood. He knew what had happened. His mother’s belly heavy with child. Drayos’s demon spawn had been growing inside her, and like the other women, her soul had been darkened. There was no cure, Marcus had tried to heal Eliza, but it had proved fruitless. Like him, his father had taken the head of the woman he loved.

“Father.” He knelt next to the frail man and placed his arm around his shoulder, pulling him tight to his side. “I am so very sorry.” Tears welled in his eyes, he refused them escape. He would remain strong for the man beside him.

His father looked at him, his eyes rimmed red. “You will do the honorable thing.”

Marcus closed his eyes, again. He would have to mourn later. “Yes,” he whispered. How much more destruction could he take before he crumbled? Somewhere, he would find the strength needed to end his father’s misery and begin his own.

“Take care of your sister.” It was the last command his father would ever give him.

“I will. I love you.” He kissed the man on the cheek then stood, his sword flashed through the smoke-filled sky and sliced through his father’s neck.

Marcus dropped to his knees, the heartache so severe he nearly passed out. His lungs contracted as he screamed to the heavens. Another failure, so many broken hearts he was unable to heal. Why couldn’t he heal the broken hearts?

Strong arms circled him from behind and held him tight. “I have you, my friend,” Aidyn whispered.

Eternal Flame
Guardians, #1
A woman he cannot have, a man who is only a dream.

When guardian Marcus Dagotto, discovers the Gods have gifted him with a mate, he is raging mad. He has no room for love 
and even less for a human who has no idea he exists.

Cassandra Jensen, has a shattered heart and has given up on men. Only one man can set her body on fire, but he is a fantasy that haunts her sleep.

Two worlds, one desire.

When the two collide, fate will rip them apart and test their resolve. Will darkness and evil prevail? Or, will love conquer all?

Buy links: Amazon-Resplendence

Barnes & Nobel coming soon

About the Author:

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As a child, Valerie would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying “It will give you nightmares.” She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any vampire movie she could find.

Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.

Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

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Valerie Twombly's ETERNAL FLAME Blog Tour - November 11 – 25

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