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Showing posts with label demons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demons. Show all posts

Thursday, August 9, 2018

GUEST: Katherine Gilbert - Protecting the Dead #urbanfantasy

Please welcome my guest, Katherine Gilbert. She's here to share her new release, Protecting the Dead, an urban fantasy.



          Let me tell you about the inspiration for Protecting the Dead. It's set in and around Decatur, Georgia, one of the many suburbs of Atlanta. It shouldn't be an odd area, but it is. Oh, it is.
          To give you a few examples of the strange things which no one in the area questions, one of the neighborhoods is called Druid Hills, and there (at least used to be) a statue in the Buckhead area called, "The Storyteller," which is clearly Herne the Hunter reading to an audience of various animals. I once also saw a brochure for an antiques shop which had, as one of its treasures, a decorative pin which looked like a hand of glory. These are only small tastes of its many oddities.
          It only made sense, then, to set an urban fantasy there, in a fictional version of the apartment complex my sister and I visited which told us about their tenants, "Oh, our residents never leave." Given the not-quite-alone feeling we had gotten in the apartment, we could much too easily believe it. Here's an excerpt:

          She knew she was being rude, certainly wasn’t being a good assistant to Geoffrey, but couldn’t quite force herself to look up again. If she did, she was going to see things she couldn’t wholly deny. She couldn’t take that. Whatever its dangers, denial felt safe. If only life could be all picket fences and well-tended lawns and SUVs and…
          Okay, so she really wasn’t dumb enough to think such details meant an utter lack of misery, but they just seemed so nice, compared to her life. She felt someone sit on the couch beside her, knew it was Geoffrey, even before he spoke.
          “Give her a minute,” he whispered, tenderly stroking her blue hair.
          One of the residents sighed softly. “I guess we are a bit much for a first day. Especially with our moon phase coming up and all.”
          She wished she lived the sort of life which made it impossible to guess what they were talking about.
          Geoffrey’s soft touch made her raise her head again, her eyes a little misty, as she gazed at the two werewolves’ worried yellow eyes. Their normal clothing only made the situation weirder. The one who had greeted them, Hugh, dressed much like her boss tended to. The second one was even wearing a business suit. She was trying not to scream.
          Fortunately, Geoffrey surprised her out of the impulse, pulling her close, his arms tender, mouth by her ear. Into it, he whispered a series of soft, soothing sounds. Like at her lunch with Glory, none of them were quite recognizable, except for her name. “Lydia,” he would breathe, before those only half-hidden words began again. “Lydia.” It made her real name so darn tempting that she couldn’t quite remember why she’d ever chosen another, and it finally made her sanity begin to piece itself slowly back together. She felt his soft kiss against her ear, before he finally leaned back. She didn’t really know what to think, after that.

Protecting the Dead

by Katherine Gilbert


Blurb:
After a childhood filled with demons and her devil-worshiping parents, Lydia longs for a quiet, normal life, a safe haven somewhere blissfully dull. Being the manager at the Roanoke Apartments seems to fit that bill. But Lydia soon learns that you can't leave the past behind so easily. She finds herself faced with unclogging drains for werewolves, conducting nightly vampire counseling sessions, and caring for two talkative cats. Then there's the distraction of Geoffrey, the hottest, and most angelic, boss anyone ever dreamed of.  As if that isn't enough, the demon who nearly killed her shows up to finish the job. So much for a peaceful, simple life...

Buy Links:

Author:
Katherine Gilbert was born at house number 1313 and then transplanted to a crumbling antebellum ruin so gothic that The Munsters would have run from it.  She has since gained several ridiculously-impractical degrees in English, Religious Studies, and Women's Studies. She now teaches at a South Carolina community college, where all her students think, correctly, that she is very, very strange, indeed.
  
Where to Find Katherine:
Goodreads:

Bookbub:


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Welcome Lynn Crain & Her #NewRelease


Hi everyone!

First, thanks to Diane for allowing me to be on her blog today. I’m here to talk about my story Avenging Aingeal in the wonderful anthology Mystic Realms. It’s release day for me and a great time to reflect upon the origins of this story.

I’ve always been intrigued about elementals. You know those people who seem to be able to control the powers of air, water, earth and fire. Most of us are familiar with them through the X-Men series but there they are considered mutants and not necessarily a human’s friend.

In my stories, yes there will be more to come, they are the world’s only hope from…well…if I told you that then you’d know the whole story. There is a twist to my tales but it’s not the normal one seen in urban fantasy books though everyone who has been saved by a Protector swears they are angels.

And in a way they are. But let’s be honest, there isn’t enough of them to go around and we’ll see that more and more as the series goes on. Now back to the elementals themselves.

I decided early on I didn’t want a normal elemental so I gave each of them a gift besides their normal powers. Each of them have the power of electricity. Now some people would say that should go to the air elemental but in all honesty, the ability to make electricity lies in every aspect of being an elemental. It’s generated in the air in storms, it travels through water and earth and fire, all whom can carry the added punch of electricity. What better way to defend yourself than to make electric orbs as necessary?

Now, I’d always known what elementals were or what I considered them. I knew they were of nature but were magical as well. They personify a specific force of nature and controls all the natural power derived from that element.

What I didn’t know were a few things such as the belief in their existence was almost universal in the realms of ancient religions such as paganism. I also didn’t realize that they abide in every natural substance known to man such as trees, rivers, plants, bogs, mountains, minerals, air, clouds and on and on.

I certainly didn’t know they are considered a lower type of nature spirit who maintain the natural harmony of the planet. They are ruled by archangels and are comprised of gnomes, sylphs, undines, salamanders, elves, water babies, brownies…well…you get the idea. Almost everything we as authors use in writing fantasy of any kind are considered a type of elemental. And that was definitely a new concept to me.

Now, I’ve read tons of fantasy books and am a die-hard Tolkien fan but until I studied the elementals, I never knew they were nearly every character I loved from those stories. Of course, being a writer, I do twist everything I know or learn into the weaving of my own tales. That’s what we’re supposed to do but to read and understand the history, it gives writers that extra edge to tell our stories better.
I hope you enjoyed this little foray into the background of my story. Now here are the particulars to the anthology, Mystic Realms, and my tale, Avenging Aingeal.




Blurb:
What goes bump in the night? What causes you a fright? While the answers for each may vary, I promise that these stories will not leave you wary.

From vampires and demons to shifters and creatures that you’d never suspect, this set will leave you breathless in the best possible ways.

So, don’t be afraid. Come, step inside our realm. Allow the mysticism of romance in many shapes and forms fall over you like a veil of sweet, soothing, spine tingling comfort.

We promise…you won’t be sorry.


Bound by vengeance, she is humanity’s one hope…

Blurb:
Aingeal Cochran is on a mission to save humanity from itself when suddenly she’s staring head-on at her forgotten past. Lukas Everhard must bring her up to speed regarding the real enemy before allowing himself to love her completely. In learning about her past and mission, Aingeal realizes the best is yet to be and she will do anything to protect those she loves. For Lukas, Aingeal is the mission.

Buy Links:
Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   Nook


Where Author Is:

We have some great giveaways going on and hope you’d check them all out. You can find out all about them at my blog.

Thanks and I hope to see you all around in my world.

Lynn Crain

BIO:

Award-winning author Lynn Crain writes full-time, weaving contemporary, fantasy, futuristic and paranormal tales, tame to erotic. Her home is in the desert southwest with her husband of 32 years. Readers can find her at lynncrain@cox.net or her website at http://www.lynncrain.com.


Title of My Book:  Avenging Aingeal

Series Title: Protectors of the Earth
Book Number:  1
Date Published: (Published in the Mystic Realms anthology)
Dedication:
To my husband, Gordon, for all the years, thick and thin, and never allowing me to give up on my dream

To my boys, Tom and Kyle, you make my world brighter. To my daughter-in-laws, Kim and Bianca, you are so much! And to the grandsons, Joseph and Michael, no, you may be too young to read this now…but someday you will…you will forever keep me young.

Word Count: 20,802
Page Count: 28 (Times Roman 12pt font)
Theme: The importance of family through self-discovery.

Long Logline: A young woman with elemental powers must learn who she is before she can help save the Earth.

Short Logline: Bound by vengeance, she is humanity’s one hope…

Blurb/Premise:
Aingeal Cochran is on a mission to save humanity from itself when suddenly she’s staring head-on at her forgotten past. Lukas Everhard must bring her up to speed regarding the real enemy before allowing himself to love her completely. In learning about her past and mission, Aingeal realizes the best is yet to be and she will do anything to protect those she loves. For Lukas, Aingeal is the mission.

Excerpt:
Arching an eyebrow, I stared at him. No one in this facility could begin to hold a candle to me and I knew it. Worse, they knew it. “Whatever gave you the idea any one could kick my butt? Cause I know you can’t.” I sat there and listened to his buddies all crack up as Jonathan’s ears turned red. Now this was something I could really get into.
“Ever heard of Lukas Everhard?” The flash of puppy-like adoration almost made me lose it right then.
“You’re joking right? Everhard?” I couldn’t contain myself any longer and laughed so hard tears flowed from my eyes.  That would be the day.
“You’re just a bitch who won’t know what hit her.” His face took on a hard edge and if I hadn’t been so bored, I might have backed away.
“And you’re just an ass who will.” The orb bobbed in my hand as I stood, dangerously close to being thrown when something huge grabbed my wrist.
“You know the rules here. No fighting in the mess hall.”  The object didn’t remove itself from my body.
I whirled furious, jerking my arm away, energy in both hands now and was stopped short by the man who stood before me. I was not a small woman, yet this man dwarfed me.  Slowly, my gaze moved from his chest to his wide shoulders to his face and stopped there. Ice blue eyes stared at me without one bit of emotion attached to the look. He’s one cold cookie. I blinked rapidly almost as if I had been hit in the gut. This man was not going to take my crap in any way, shape or form. While I might be able to fool Darien somewhat as I had learned since I had arrived, I would never be able to fool this one.
Then there was the fact I felt more aware of him sexually than I had been with anyone else. Ever. There was a charisma about him which made me want to throw myself into his arms and beg to be taken.  And it was more than his physical appearance because if truth be told, this man looked good…the best I had ever seen…again a rarity for me to note. It was as if he were palpable under my hands even though we weren’t touching. My crotch tightened once more and I shook my head to clear my errant thoughts.
“Told you.” A snide voice commented somewhere off to my left.
I turned to look at my accuser, electricity leaping to my hand yet again. Some days I couldn’t control it at all. This could be a problem.
Stepping in front of me, the big man’s forefinger jabbed my chest in a hard push. “You. Me. In the sparring room immediately.”
I watched as he walked out the door, all predatory-like and with more purpose than I had seen anyone in this place have since my arrival. I eyed everyone else and realized it wouldn’t matter what I said, they were going to see if their man could best me. Sighing, I also knew I had brought this on myself. Vowing to make his fall gentle, I shook my head and followed him down the main corridor, wondering if I should even bother to introduce myself. I ran up to walk next to him and before I could even start, I was cut off by his raised hand. 
“Don’t bother. I know who you are.” He kept his eyes straight forward.
Frowning, I watched him for a minute. “Yeah, but I don’t know who you are, now do I?”
He stopped in front of the sparring room door. “And that should make a difference how?” Shoving it open, he waved a hand. “Ladies first.”
“As if I’d fall for that one,” I muttered more to myself than anyone.
Scowling at me, he shook his head. “Look one of us has to go in first. The door isn’t big enough for us to go side by side.”
“Fine,” I said through clenched teeth. This would end bad, I could feel it in my bones.

NOTES: This book has adult situations and is meant to be read by those over 18.


ASIN: B078X57PN4

ISBN(s): (Sometimes if you have a print and ebook, you will have more than one ISBN.)





Anthology Title:  Mystic Realms
Date Published: April 10, 2018
Page Count: 1151

Blurb/Premise:
What goes bump in the night? What causes you a fright? While the answers for each may vary, I promise that these stories will not leave you wary.

From vampires and demons to shifters and creatures that you’d never suspect, this set will leave you breathless in the best possible ways.

So, don’t be afraid. Come, step inside our realm. Allow the mysticism of romance in many shapes and forms fall over you like a veil of sweet, soothing, spine tingling comfort.

We promise…you won’t be sorry.

Authors/Loglines:
Secrets of the Hollows (Book 2) - Nicole Morgan
What’s a girl to do once she falls in love with a demon?

Fallen - Tamsin Baker
Gabriel thought he’d do anything to earn his way back into Heaven. He was wrong.

Cursed - Tracy Goodwin
Forbidden love. Dangerous prophecies. Limitless power. Fate is a witch.

Avenging Aingeal (Protectors of the Earth 1) - Lynn Crain
Bound by vengeance, she is humanity’s one hope…

Her Fate, His Mate (Wolves of Windsor Woods) - Krista Ames
Can she accept all he is and all he stands for?

Sleeping in the Dragon’s Den - Lexi Thorne
His Hungry Dragon My Curious Desire; His Tattoo Curse My Wet Dreams

Dark Side of the Moon - Laura Baumbach
Vampire rentboy vs. the world.

Angel Vindicated - Viola Estrella
Some sins are hard to avoid...

A Wolf’s Touch - Christine Donovan
Can she love him--wolf and all?

Dr. Magic (Vampire Island, Book 1) - Jo Grafford
One more dance with the devil...

Dark Heat - Jan Springer
Betrayed by her two forced mates, she hides within Vampira.

Torkel - Mardi Maxwell
Love unites them in the mists of time.

Silent Storm - Sadie Carter
Sometimes the monster is the good guy...

Tangled Sin - Georgia Lyn Hunter
She was the light in his eternal darkness...

Seduction’s Scent - C.I. Black
Giving in to temptation threatens everything.

Ghost Mate - D. Anne Paris
She was going to kill him even though he was already dead.

Living on the Edge (Clan Book 1) - Laverne Thompson
Mate wanted. Dead or alive.

The Warrior’s Curse - M. Elliott & T. Eden
What comes next may be the end of it all.

Three Days From Hell - Dariel Raye
Can a permanent resident of Third Hell be trusted?

Just Tell Me What You Want - Tina Donahue
Her wishes will leave him breathless…


Thursday, February 1, 2018

Guest Karilyn Bentley - New Release - #Paranormal

My friend Karilyn Bentley visits with info about her new release.



Hi Diane! Thank you for letting me blog with you today! I'm excited to announce Devil Take Me, the fourth book in the urban fantasy series, Demon Huntress, is available at an online retailer near you! In case you haven't read the series, it follows Gin Crawford as the world's newest demon huntress and her hot guardian mage, Aidan Smythe. 

The last book, Demon Cursed, left Gin depressed and in a funk. Devil Take Me starts the morning after Demon Cursed ends. Gin is faced with a demon rampaging through Dallas and trying to entice her to his side. In order to stop the demon, she needs help from Smythe. But due to a huge misunderstanding, Smythe refuses to talk to her. Needless to say, she needs to patch her relationship with him in order to stop the demon.

The next and final book in the series will be out late this year (provided I can come up with a title!).  Read on for the blurb and excerpt. Enjoy!!

Karilyn :)

Blurb:

A demon attack…

Reeling from a personal tragedy and abandoned by all she loves, the world's newest demon huntress, Gin Crawford, sinks into a deep despair. She’s forced back to reality by news of a large number of people committing suicide, all on the same night. Suspecting demon involvement, Gin must work with her sexy but estranged mentor Aidan Smythe to track who, or what, is behind the deaths.

Leads to a new discovery…

As they come closer to finding the culprit, they realize their employer, the Agency, is hiding its own secret, one which threatens Gin's very existence. New discoveries reveal that even those dedicated to eradicating evil can be bought. Can Gin and Smythe forgive each other and work together or will they fall under the demon's thrall?

Excerpt:

     A vision of an auburn-haired man dressed in dark trousers and a gray button-down, appears in my head. He sits on my closed toilet lid, watching me sleep in the full tub, watching as my head slides closer to the waterline.
     It must be a dream. How else can I be asleep and still see the bathroom, my sleeping self and the man? A dream. Only a dream. His voice is nothing more than my imaginings.
     And yet I feel the need to answer. To deny his words.
     I’m not listening to you. I make an effort to rebuke the voice, refusing to take what it offers, refusing to admit its enticing pull.
     Oh, but you are. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze firmly affixed to my face. You contemplate my words. You seek the rest only I can give.
     Yeah, right. Not buying it, buster. Although I’m starting to want what he offers. I’ll never admit it to Mystery Man. What can a figment of my imagination really do?
     I am not a figment. He smiles, his lips pulling away from straight, white teeth.
     Despite the warm water, a chill runs down my spine. He holds out his hand.
     Come. Take my hand. Rest. Leave your problems behind.

Buy Links for Devil Take Me:



Karilyn's Bio:
Karilyn Bentley's love of reading stories and preference of sitting in front of a computer at home instead of in a cube, drove her to pen her own works, blending fantasy and romance mixed with a touch of funny.

Her paranormal romance novella, Werewolves in London, placed in the Got Wolf contest and started her writing career as an author of sexy heroes and lush fantasy worlds.

Karilyn lives in Colorado with her own hunky hero, a crazy dog nicknamed The Kraken, a silly not-quite-a-puppy, and a handful of colorful saltwater fish.

Where to find Karilyn
Website:        www.karilynbentley.com
Newsletter:    http://eepurl.com/ba_0Rf
Twitter:           http://www.twitter.com/karilynbentley1
Blog:              http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com


Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Release Day: Evil Speaks Softly by Maureen L. Bonatch @mbonatch

                           
Evil Speaks Softly
The Nightwalkers Series, Volume 1
Maureen L. Bonatch

A paranormal romance from The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor, DCA Graphics

Tagline: Everyone has a story to tell. Even the dead.

Blurb:
They were never supposed to meet. Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.
They were never supposed to find love. Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead. They’ve broken all the rules. Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

Evil Speaks Softly
Maureen L. Bonatch




Rating: Sensual (PG-PG13)

Page Count: 312
Word Count:  82982 
Digital Price: 5.99
Print Price (if applicable): 16.99
ISBN(s):
978-1-5092-1708-3 Paperback 
978-1-5092-1709-0 Digital 

Excerpt
“I met this strange man at the bar last night. He told me some really weird
stuff.”
            I paused. When she remained silent, I continued. “He said it was related to my writing.” She watched me with the fascination of one who desperately wanted to look away but couldn’t. As if a deer blinded to the oncoming headlights, she was fixated, trapped. “He said to talk to you.”
I searched her face. I knew my Grams. When resignation settled on her features a knot clenched in my stomach from either fear, or the excitement of validating Gage didn’t fabricate the story. Perhaps he wasn’t crazy.
            Grams slowly closed her eyes and opened them again. “He found you?”
            I nodded.
             She turned to stare out the frosted window where the birdfeeder sat frozen over from the recent snow. “I can’t believe he took that risk. Watchers are never to approach the Recorders. It could totally upset the balance.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth.
             When she used the same terms as Gage, my anxiety elevated. I expected her to deny his claims and then we’d laugh about the incident. “Grams, please tell me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I took a deep breath. “Some weird things happened last night. Occasionally I notice unusual things, but it’s an old house and I have an active imagination, but this time it scared me.”


About the Author:
Maureen Bonatch dreamt of becoming a Solid Gold Dancer. When the show ended, she continued dancing in her living room but pursued other dreams. Surviving twins gave her the confidence to learn to belly dance, declare herself a tequila connoisseur, and act as biker babe to her alpha hubby. These adventures, her vivid imagination, and a love of sarcasm help her craft stories full of fun, magic and mayhem.

Maureen lives in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons —biking, sweat pants, hockey and hibernation—keep her there. While immersed in paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. She enjoys reading & writing—of course! Also bicycling, being a backseat motorcycle babe, watching movies, hockey, wine tasting (usually in her living room where she still dances) and laughing.

Discomforting Thoughts About the Author & Evil Speaks Softly:
·         As a writer who 'writes by the seat of her pants' Maureen’s relentless characters can be demanding in wanting their story told and often have their own agenda. They just aren’t ruthless spirits and there’s no ancient curse…that she’s aware of.
·         The herniated disc Maureen suffered from while writing this story may have leaked a little extra darkness into the tale.
·         Maureen’s first house had a restless spirit.
·         Twins run in Maureen’s family—just no feisty triplets.
·         Maureen has no knowledge of wrestling but she did watch some WWF back in the day for entertainment.
·         Maureen believes she has had sleep paralysis in the past.
·         Nighttime spirits don’t terrify Maureen much since she’s up at the crack of dawn and can barely stay awake after 9:30 p.m.
                                          


Contact Info: mbonatch@yahoo.com


CHECK OUT MAUREEN'S GIVEAWAY

$15 Amazon Gift Card



a Rafflecopter giveaway