Vampires come in all shapes and sizes. I think most of us love our vampires as heroes and Lillie J. Roberts has a unique twist on the Vlad Tepes story. Check it out!  Vlad Tepes, Vigilante Vampire
by Lillie J. Roberts In today's world, some vampires sparkle and some are mass murderers. In my world, vampires are governed by a Vampire Hierarchy, turns are seldom, and one particular vampire is a vigilante, protecting humans whenever he can, even if he must have their blood to survive. My hero is Vlad Tepes, the righter of wrongs and possibly mankind's only hope. Vlad was a child as the Black Death ripped through Europe, bringing disease and death to those it touched, including Vladimir. But, as fate would have it, a vampire with a soft spot for the young and unprotected found Vlad, healed his illness and adopted him as his son. Vanic Tepes instills his values into his young charge, watching Vlad grow into the human Vanic wishes he could be. Then, the unthinkable happens, and Vlad finds himself knocking on death's door. His only hope for life is if his father can save him one last time. Even though Vlad must have blood to live, he's forced to take a long hard look at himself, and to contemplate those weaker than he, his prey. Vlad tires of senseless death and violence. He attempts to restrain his baser needs, but he knows there's an evil in his soul, tightly controlled, his beast that begs for violence. Vlad becomes what his conscious demands. He saves those he can and avenges those he cannot. When the Hierarchy moves his family to Chicago, he discovers a whole new environment, different and yet the same. Evil lurks everywhere, and it's not always vampiric. Love finds Vlad, if only he can hold onto it. He must save his life mate and lover, Sheree twice, once from death, and once from her mobster father. Excerpt: Old Chicago, that's what I liked to call this part of the city with its old neighborhoods, the Italians, Irish, Asians, Germans...and the new additions, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and Middle Eastern born people. It didn't make any difference to me, a mass of human population boiling over with need, want, and violence, the same as it always was...but it was also a hunting grounds and that was important to me. You see, injustice never set well with me, and this latest gig as an enforcer, well, it was right up my alley. Two days had been spent tracking the latest problem that worked his way across our domain. Another being, happy with violence and sickness, unable or unwilling to contain himself. If he wasn't stopped, how many more would he torture, maim, or kill to satisfy those sick needs? The night surrounded me and I drew it in tighter, virtually invisible to the human eye, waiting, watching, prowling... What was taking him so long? I had other things to do besides waiting for him to make his move. My patience was wearing thin, and my shoulders rolled with tightness. The night was becoming longer than it needed to be. Finally, traces of his foul wonderings greeted my mind as he mused about his next victim, hoping she'd scream and beg, hoping she'd plead for her life. Then after a few promises and sure knowledge her life was forfeit, she'd beg for the lives of her husband and daughter. He got a self-induced high off what he planned to do. It disgusted me, reviled me, and yet, it was I who was the monster. He pondered it all as he came closer, and I promised myself, he'd have a taste of his own fear. There he was! Jaunting down the sidewalk, keys jiggling nervously in his pocket, anxiousness in his footsteps, and eagerness in his dull-brown eyes. He glanced up at the pretty blonde in front of him, his smile widened, his dull eyes lit up. His sharpened pointy canines peeked below his upper lip, but they were only for show. He wasn't one of my kind but he liked to pretend. It was all about invoking fear and he liked the powerful feeling. So did I. His footsteps quickened and mine followed his. He was closer now to the object of his desire, almost within touching distance. Almost. He licked his pale thin lips, greasy hair flopped on his forehead, sweat gathered on his brow. Now, his thoughts rang in my ears, his hand lifted, grab her now! With a crumpled up ball of dirty white fabric clutched in his hand, he reached out as he crossed the darkened threshold of the alley. The shadows slipped away from me, and I stepped further back, sliding my sunglasses into place. No need for my eyes to give me away. There was a muffled scream. I heard her heels scrape along the rough concrete, then his slump against the crumbling brick of the adjoining building. Damn, his thoughts spoke loudly, she's already passed out. Fun and games'll have to wait. He kissed the top of her head almost tenderly before he dragged her further into the alley and ran straight into my chest. My arms swallowed both of them, lifting them from the pavement. “Hey,” he shouted, “get off of me!” Anger rolled off of him in waves. It filled the air, and I felt my beast roll, just a little, inside of me. My arms opened and they tumbled to the ground. The woman, now a dead weight, landed on top of him and I offered my icy hand. He looked at it and shivered. “Get away from me,” he threatened, brandishing a razor sharp blade that was wide at the base and narrow at the tip. But blades no longer frightened me. My eyes closed, nose twitching with the scent of the night air. Pheromones rolled off his body: fear, lust, and one I preferred not to think of, death, all mixed together with the heady floral fragrance of the young woman. It made me greedy to take what he was offering. Buy Link: Amazon About the Author: Lillie J. Roberts is a multi-published author who loves to reviews books as well. Lillie (a.k.a Dottie at Tink's Place), enjoys sharing her thoughts about the books she's read. Stop by sometime, let her know what your think. Her preferred genre is paranormal romance, the darker the better, though if you give her a good thriller/chiller and she's happy too. She loves all types paranormal creatures from vampires, were- creatures, witches, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. She loves a good ghost story, so if you have one, share it with her. The scariest book she's ever read is a toss up between Bram Stroker's Dracula or Stephen King's It (both gave her nightmares). Lillie lives in central Illinois with her husband, three children, and one wild Westie (who is also her reading and critique partner; he listens to all her new story ideas, almost always with a wicked sense of humor). She is an animal lover as are her heroines and heroes (and no, that doesn't include insects or spiders). She loves movies and listens to them while she writes, it doesn't matter if they're old or new, as long as they're engaging. She enjoys all kinds of music, especially if it has a hard driving beat. You'll find some on her favorite artists mentioned in the pages of her books. She writes Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Chillers/Thillers, Suspense from Modern Contemporary to New Adult and YA, from sweetly innocent to naughty romance. She tends to be a genre bender, mixing her genres to provide an unique read. Author Links: Amazon Facebook Twitter Site Goodreads 
Steampunk is a hot new genre. It's stories that change the aspect of history into a new society. I love how authors can pull from history and fantasy to create amazing new stories. Check out the blurb and excerpt from A Priestess of Mars.  A Priestess of Mars
by M. E. Brines Lilith of Gomorra is a noble Martian priestess who sees love as nothing more than an exercise in naked carnality. But when she discovers a higher form of love, her faith in the ancient religion turns to doubt and she must choose between her people and the man she loves. The fate of the Earth hangs on her choice. In 1907 in an alternate steampunk universe where Tesla invented a electric antigravity device that makes steam-powered spacecraft possible, asteroid miners have discovered ruins that pre-date human civilization. Two expeditions head to Ceres to explore them–an American expedition funded by a wealthy senator, and a German one organized by the occult Thule Society and led by Aleistar Crowley. But the Martian priesthood and their supernatural allies have infiltrated both and plan to discover the secret of the weapon that shattered the ancient world of Pentara in order to turn it against the Earth. Can Crowley and his proto-Nazis find the Kaiser a world-dominating weapon? Will the Martians achieve their apocalyptic revenge against their colonial masters? Whose side is Lilith on? Her father’s? Crowley’s? Or does she have ambitions of her own? Find out. Read A Priestess of Mars! Excerpt: The greatest minds of Mars had failed to destroy Earth’s civilization once. They must not – could not – fail the Masters again. The light from the brazier flickered off the cold stone of the musty vault, the scent of old blood tainting the air. A large egg-shaped table stood in the center of the room, a bizarre mass of clockwork purring beneath the gleaming surface. Around it stood four men in dark robes… and one woman. She was young, half the age of the others, and her skin was the color of ebony. Her lustrous hair cascaded down her back and over the unworn hood of her cloak. Before her on the table lay an inkpot, quill pen, and a sheet of parchment made of human skin. A portly figure in a blood-red satin robe gestured at her with a pudgy finger. “You. Bring us wine.” Her eyes narrowed, but she remained silent – and motionless. The baldheaded man to her left had a pate that shone as if it had been polished. His robe was darkest silk. Embroidered on its back in gold thread was the symbol of the High Priest – an eye with flames for lashes inside a pyramid. He spoke with a voice that belonged in a crypt. “She isn’t a servant, you gluttonous fool.” A knocking interrupted. The High Priest bellowed, “Enter!” Across the cavernous room a door swung open, revealing torchlight and a pair of guards in red tunics with polished brass helmets. Short iron swords hung from their belts, although one had a Colt revolver tucked beside his scabbard. The High Priest scowled at the sight, but said nothing. The guard cleared his throat nervously. “Uh, the Elder of the Sacrificial Brotherhood, Milord.” Another dark-robed figure entered, giving the guard a wide berth, and bringing the faint scent of decay with him. An ornate wavy-bladed dagger hung from his sash. Both it and his fingernails were crusted with some dark, unsavory substance. He glared at the guard’s Colt as if its mere touch might contaminate him with some loathsome disease. Gesturing at it with skeletally thin fingers, he sneered at the portly figure in red. “Do all your temple guardians bear such Earther….” Sighting the woman, he paused, his lip curling as he struggled for the proper word. “Devices?” He smirked contemptuously as he took his place by the table. Behind, the door closed again, the guards remaining outside. The portly one shrugged, an almost imperceptible gesture amid his rolls of fat. “They may be unclean, but they’re effective. Cold steel is fine for unresisting sacrifices, but the encroachments of the Unbelievers can only be prevented with superior force. And that means hot lead.” The High Priest nodded. “Regrettable, but true. Now that we are all here.” He threw a steely glance at the tardy Elder. “We can now, as the Earthmen say, get down to business.” “And that business is?” The speaker, the Keeper of Secrets, wore a black robe that hung over his sparse frame as if decorating a scarecrow. The wisps of white hair that rimmed his bald pate gave him an eerie look, like something a grave robber left behind. “The destruction of Earth.” Buy Link: Amazon About the Author: M.E. Brines spent the Cold War assembling atomic artillery shells and preparing to unleash the Apocalypse (and has a medal to prove it.) But when peace broke out, he turned his fevered, paranoid imagination to other pursuits. He spends his spare time scribbling another steampunk romance occult adventure novel, which despite certain rumors absolutely DOES NOT involve time-traveling Nazi vampires! A former member of the British Society for Psychical Research, he is a long-time student of the occult and a committed Christian who sees himself as a modern-day Professor Van Helsing equipping Believers for battle against the occult Principalities and Powers that rule a world in darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) The author of three dozen books, e-books, chapbooks and pamphlets on esoteric subjects such as alien abduction, alien hybrids, astrology, the Bible, biblical prophecy, Christian discipleship, conspiracies, esoteric Nazism, the Falun Gong, Knights Templar, magick, and UFOs, his work has also appeared in Challenge magazine, Weird Tales, The Outer Darkness, Tales of the Talisman, and Empirical magazine. Author Links: Site Twitter Goodreads 
I'm super excited to have Gwen Knight stopping by to Hello Gwen Knight, and thank you for visiting today. Tell us a little about yourself. I'm a northern Canadian girl currently living in Fort St. John, British Columbia with my husband, two collies, and cat. I graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. My interests include playing in the dirt (summer), building elaborate snow forts (winter), boating, and archery. Thanks! I hope you aren't feeling the super cold we're getting here in Michigan. It sounds like you have an interesting life. Now on to some personal questions. If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself? "Don't eat that, it's disgusting." If a zombie virus took over the world, how many days do you think you could last before you were infected? And what would you do to postpone the inevitable? If I was alone, I don't think I'd last long at all. I'd probably get eaten day one. However, if my husband was with me, I bet we'd survive. Thanks to World War Z, I'd pad the easily accessible areas with magazines or something to keep those snapping teeth away from me. I finally saw World War Z and picked up some interesting ideas myself! What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? I admit that this question stumped me. So on the advice of a good friend, we took to Google and took the quiz "What TV Show is Your Life". After a string of amusing questions, this website determined my life to be like General Hospital. We had a good laugh, as neither of us has seen this show, and then decided to choose Buffy. While not exactly a sitcom, it seemed the closest since I'm constantly researching and writing about the paranormal. And it sounds far more bad ass than General Hospital. Buffy is a favorite show of mine. But now I'm wondering if you are an Angel fan or Spike fan...What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? Read and crochet. Makes me sound old, eh? I think we all have to have activities to give us some down time. Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author. Did you always want to be an author? You betcha. What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? As a young literary minion, I read anything Christopher Pike, R.L Stein—those sort of books. Older, it was Danielle Steel, Anne Rice, and Laurell K. Hamilton. The last two sparked my intense love affair with vampires. Ohh.. I loved reading Pike, Stein and Hamilton. Hamilton is on my keeper shelf! Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? Music is a must for me. And while writing, it has to be instrumental. Words make me break out in song and dance, and then lose track of what I'm writing. What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? I've learned that the actual marketing of you, your name, and your books is another full time job all on its own. Need to be willing to put the time into that. Tell us about your latest release: (blurb, excerpt, cover) Ryker Bennett has dedicated his life to hunting down—and eliminating—creatures of the dark. But his latest assignment has him questioning everything he's ever believed in. Jenna Sinclair may be a witch, but she's also the only woman Ryker has ever loved. Jenna thought leaving Ryker two years ago would save him from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty. But when he tracks her down, it's clear the desire between them burns as hot as ever—and that they'll have to walk through the flames to be together…. How did you decide on your story plot? Ryker was the inspiration behind this book. I had this image in my head of a phone ringing and when he leaned over to check, it had a name on the screen. That name was Jenna’s, a former lover of his. I knew his duty would be to track her down and eliminate her, and from there it spiraled into this rich universe that I can’t wait to expand on. How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? The names were already in my head when I sat down to write. When I imagined the scene with Ryker, checking his phone, I just knew his name. Jenna—I was looking for something a bit softer sounding. The location was chosen because Jenna needed somewhere she felt safe, even though Ryker intimidates her. Do you have a favorite scene? Why? My favorite scene is when Jenna and Ryker finally establish their feelings for one another. I love how the descriptions came out and the magic that Jenna expresses. But that's all I'm going to say about it ;) Don't want to give anything away. Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? I felt a bit more connected with Ryker. He has a task set out before him that he doesn't morally agree with and he has to come to terms with what's best for everyone. It's easy to understand and identify with him as we've all been in similar positions. Thank you for dropping by and sharing more about your life and writing! Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you… Website: gwenknight.ca Facebook: facebook.ca/gwenknightx Twitter: twitter.com/gwenknightx Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/GwenKnightx/ Blog: knightgwen.wordpress.com Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7216477.Gwen_Knight  About the Author: Canadian girl Gwen Knight first began to delve into the realm of the paranormal at the age of ten, when she wrote her first horror starring a clawed monster that hid beneath her bed. Since then, her tastes have expanded into many genres. Though addicted to reading and writing, she managed to achieve a degree in archaeology, geography, and mapping. Currently, she lives in the Great White North with her husband, two collies, and black cat. She loves meeting new people and you can visit her website at www.gwenknight.ca, facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GwenKnightx, or twitter https://twitter.com/GwenKnightx. Her latest book is the paranormal romance, A Hunter’s Passion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ About the Book: Ryker Bennett has dedicated his life to hunting down—and eliminating—creatures of the dark. But his latest assignment has him questioning everything he's ever believed in. Jenna Sinclair may be a witch, but she's also the only woman Ryker has ever loved Jenna thought leaving Ryker two years ago would save him from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty. But when he tracks her down, it's clear the desire between them burns as hot as ever—and that they'll have to walk through the flames to be together…. Purchase your copy at AMAZON Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Title: A Hunter’s Passion
Author: Gwen Knight Publisher: Harlequin Pages: 55 Language: English Genre: Paranormal Romance Format: Paperback & eBook Purchase at AMAZON Ryker Bennett has dedicated his life to hunting down—and eliminating—creatures of the dark. But his latest assignment has him questioning everything he's ever believed in. Jenna Sinclair may be a witch, but she's also the only woman Ryker has ever loved. Jenna thought leaving Ryker two years ago would save him from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty. But when he tracks her down, it's clear the desire between them burns as hot as ever—and that they'll have to walk through the flames to be together... BOOK EXCERPT: Ryker Bennett was in a foul mood. That filthy leech had actually managed to score a bite, and his skin burned from its venom. He’d been foolish to allow something so small to distract him. The rules of survival were clear, and he’d abided by them his entire life. Why tonight had been any different, he’d no idea, but laboring on it seemed pointless. Right now, all that mattered was cleansing the wound. Though, he didn’t relish the idea of dousing his throbbing shoulder in holy water. A name—something so simple, and it had nearly brought his end upon him. If his brothers ever found out, they would never let him live it down. Hell, if he hadn’t managed to stake that blighted vampire, the entire hunting community would have heard of his incompetence. Thankfully, the leech was little more than dust in the wind now, and if Ryker was lucky, his brothers would never learn of this. Rolling out his shoulder, his eyes pinched shut as he bit back a pained groan. Lord, but it hurt. It wasn’t the first time a darkling had managed to land a blow against him, but this was by far the worst. And all because it had uttered Jenna’s name. Stupid. Jenna was long gone from his life. There was no reason she should still affect him, and he hated that she did. As if the woman hadn’t brought him enough heartache, now she was adding physical anguish to the list. Cursing under his breath, he palmed open the church’s oak doors with his good arm and slipped within. Far too late for mass, the church stood empty, the wooden benches gathering dust until the next service. A small consolation, at least, that there was no one to witness him bleeding to death. Pausing in the entry, Ryker glanced down the aisle, his gaze falling on a bank of prayer candles. Once, there’d been a time when he might have lit one and whispered a few words of gratitude: for being alive, for surviving another hunt... Tonight, he was simply tired, and with a quiet sigh, he turned and slumped down the nearby hidden stairwell. Though he’d never admit it aloud, it bothered him that some vile bloodsucker had spoken Jenna’s name. That they knew she’d once meant so much to him proved he’d been careless. For that reason only, he’d forever be grateful that she’d left him. At the very least, perhaps her leaving had managed to keep her safe from everything that went bump in the night. Ryker hadn’t been particularly careful with his stories of everything he hunted, and when he’d finally looked back on their time together, it was no wonder she’d run. What woman wanted to tie herself to a man that hunted monsters? What life could he have provided her beyond blood and death? Of course, that justification did little to ease the ache. Two years, and she still had such a hold over him. Pathetic. Grimacing, he repositioned his arm against his side and rounded the bottom of the stairwell. Though the room he entered was small, it contained all he needed. Dragging his feet over to the derelict table resting against the far wall, his fingers curled around a first aid kit and heaved it up. Closing this wound was going to hurt more than the whetted fangs that had torn him open, but with a deep breath, he flipped open the lid and fished out the necessities. Ripping into a package of sterile cloth with his teeth, he dabbed at the rivulets of blood spilling down his shoulder. He could have done with a little courage, preferably of the liquid sort. Too bad he didn't have any. “Here,” an aged voice grunted behind him. Cursing, Ryker spun, wincing when the tips of his fingers caught against his torn flesh. “Father Stewart,” he bit out, swallowing the colorful blasphemies dangling from the tip of his tongue. “That looks painful,” Father Stewart muttered, the heels of his shoes falling lightly against the cement floor as he edged closer. “Nah,” Ryker deadpanned. “Nothing more than a tickle.” “I may be a man of faith, but I still understand sarcasm, child.” Unaware that he had blood left to spare, Ryker was stunned when his cheeks warmed. At the very least, he should have been grateful that it was just the father that had found him, and not his brothers. “My apologies.” A pale face turned upward, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Here,” he said again, offering a silver flask. Blinking, Ryker’s words ran dry. Surely, the old man wasn’t offering him alcohol, was he? "For the pain," the father assured him. "We've no anesthetic, and I'd rather the sisters not alert the police. They remain blissfully unaware of the Church's..." His hands flourished as he struggled to find the words. "Extracurricular activities?" Ryker offered with a bemused smile before throwing back a mouthful of whiskey. Wincing, he lowered the canteen, eyes tapered as he waited for the liquor's burn to ebb. Father Stewart bowed over Ryker’s injury, his mouth pursed as he regarded the extent of the wound. "Be grateful it was just your shoulder. It looks as though it was trying to tear your arm off." "Had it all under control," Ryker muttered, eying the old man apprehensively as he reached for a small vial of holy water. "The bastard—sorry Father—played dirty." "Yes, well. They are beings of darkness and corruption. I doubt they even understand what a fair fight entails." Ryker’s lips quirked before he took another long swallow. "Suppose so." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Hunter’s Passion Tour Page: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2014/01/15/virtual-book-tour-pump-up-your-book-presents-a-hunters-passion-virtual-book-publicity-tour/ 
I enjoy sharing new books with readers. This book has a catchy title and I love the cover. New Adult is a hot genre and Crystal's book looks like a wonderful read!  Above Par
by Crystal Donahue There are no mulligans in love. Drew's life just got a whole lot harder. Her relationships are falling apart, her little sister is failing math, and her parents are leaving for Florida to take care of Grandpa. Now not only does she have to play surrogate parent, study to graduate from her last semester of college, and deal with the looming threat of full-on adulthood, she has to do it all while running the family's mini-golf course by herself. Even the upbeat Drew is starting to feel like she just drove her ball down the unfairway. Her luck takes a turn when she meets Weston, the snarky geometry teacher. He's smart, capable, dependable, and handsome—a real hole in one. But even Weston has a few hazards of his own. Now Drew will have to decide whether his secret is the wedge that drives them apart, or pushes them together. Excerpt: “Need some help with that?” With a smirk, I lower my head to line up my shot. “No thanks, I’ve been eavesdropping on your inspirational speeches so I think I can handle it. You make me want to be a better player both on the green and off,” I tease, “maybe you should write a self-help book.” He just grins and shakes his head. “I think I’ll leave the writing up to your dad. I’d be happy to help you with your form though.” My head remains down but I lift my eyes so I can see him watching me. “My form? What’s wrong with my form?” “From where I’m standing, I can’t find a single flaw. But in the interest of being thorough, I should probably take a closer look just to be sure.” Weston places his hands on mine and wraps around me as we both grip the putter. Standing so close our bodies melt together, my mouth starts to go dry. My heart is pounding wildly, tapping out a steady and thunderous drum beat. “And now?” I ask, feeling breathy and weak. "You’re perfect,” he whispers into my ear and I can feel the last remaining bit of air squeezing from my chest. Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble All Romance eBooks About the Author: Crystal Donahue has been fortunate to live all over the US, including Arizona, Hawaii, and Georgia but she currently resides near the Iowa/Illinois border with her tornado obsessed son and their mischievous cat, Brownie. She is a procrastinator of epic proportions, finds humor in almost everything, loves sarcasm and loathes washing dishes. A 2004 graduate of Western Illinois University, Crystal has held several unique jobs including driving a Zamboni and being a relay operator for the hearing and speech impaired. While working as a claims adjuster she realized life is too short not to do something that makes you happy, so she quit her job to become a nurse. Between work and raising her son she somehow manages to find time to write too, usually to the detriment of her social life. Fortunately her friends and family are amazing so it isn’t much of an issue…yet. Hmm. Something unique...When I was little I wanted to grow up to be an Egyptologist. Hieroglyphics and ancient cultures fascinate me. In junior high I wrote a short story about a female Egyptologist that gets trapped inside a pyramid and fights for survival. I hope to someday find the time to turn it into a full length novel. And of course, going to visit the Egyptian pyramids is on my bucket list! Author Links: Site Facebook Twitter Goodreads {Shades of Rose} The Viscount's Prize by Patricia Bates #historicalromance #blogtour #bookspotlight2/4/2014
Historicals are very popular and take a lot of research by the author. Jump into a different time with Patricia Bates' The Viscount's Prize by checking out the blurb and excerpt below.  The Viscount's Prize by Patricia Bates
The rogue spy and his sheltered courtesan must fight to find a far more ephemeral reward than mere passion – they must try to survive falling in love in a time when love isn’t fashionable. Excerpt: Frederique’s gaze slid past the queen as he knelt. His heart lightened when he recognized one of the queen’s maidens. “Elisabeth.” The name slipped past his lips in a soundless whisper. Shock reverberated through his body as she drifted into court a few steps behind her majesty. His attention wandered to the other women in the royal procession and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the last woman in line. Dressed in silver, her hair was swept up into a loose pile of curls atop her head. Powdered to perfection, it had a pale glow to it. Her clear, stunning blue eyes swept the room with curiosity and a touch of anger. Artfully applied cosmetics highlighted her high cheekbones and small nose. Her red lips were tilted in a smile that did not reach her eyes. A small black mole decorated her upper lip in the fashion of the times. A fan hung from her hand, and the ruffles along the edges of her skirts fluttered like butterfly wings with each step. Her breasts seemed near to bursting out of the lace of her bodice. Ribbons and bows cascaded over the gown in simple splendor compared to the queen’s lavish bejeweled gown. His body tightened as she bowed before the king and her full breasts pushed against the confines of her bodice. The king’s expression bore no hint of lust. Indeed, the king barely acknowledged her before turning to assist his wife into her seat. With the queen settled next to him, he motioned to the fair haired beauty standing a few steps beyond the dais. Buy Links: Carnal Passions About the Author: Currently I have over 20 books under contract under my own name and under my pen name Elise Whyles in multiple genres. My goals this year are simple to continue putting out stories my readers love, books they can relate to and characters they can identify with. For the full list of my books please check out my books page. Author Links: Site Twitter Facebook  Olivia Starke is a sizzling hot author. Her tales tantalize. Just look at that cover. But Vampire Masquerade has more than sexy female vamps...it also has a mystery! OOooohhh...Take a peek to see what I mean. Don't forget to enter her rafflecopter giveaway below.  Vampire Masquerade by Olivia Starke
It may be too late for Natasha to escape two she-vamps with one big secret… You are cordially invited to the event of the year The Vampire Masquerade Ball Sincerely, Aleese and Eaven When Natasha Edwards receives a personal invitation to the exclusive Vampire Masquerade, it's exactly the break she's been waiting for. It's her chance to impress national news syndicates, not to mention an opportunity to do some snooping into the disappearances of several women who were last seen within the Underground sect. But the two she-vamps have other plans for her. Aleese's infatuation with the sexy news reporter cannot be denied, and Eaven has never been one to ignore her wife's desires. The blonde beauty is perfect for their plans, and once she's inside their home, the trap is set. Natasha is easy prey. She's responsive to their touch, and sweet as honey to taste. They want nothing more than to indulge their fantasies in every way imaginable. Natasha finds exquisite pleasure of a kind she's never experienced with the two dangerous vampires. But when she stumbles upon the truth behind the missing women, will it be too much for one small-town reporter to handle? Content Warning: contains explicit language, graphic sex, F/F/F+ ménage, BDSM, oral sex, spanking, toy play, and voyeurism Excerpt: The two women flanking Nat left her feeling fluttery with the odd combination of awareness and anxiety. The she-vamps could easily eat her whole without a trace left for the police to find, making her their fourth missing woman. And despite that niggling of fear in the back of her mind, she couldn't keep her gaze off Eaven's cleavage. Perfect globes meant to spill from one's hands and, when free of constraint, sway with every movement. A body like hers was made for seduction and sexual pleasure. Ripe and lush, to be savored and enjoyed—a hedonist's playground for delights of the flesh. Nat swallowed and turned her attention to the other. Aleese aroused her in a different way. Graceful hand gestures accented her speech, each movement as fluid as a ballet dancer's. Agile, lithe, and confident in every breath, a study of symmetry and beauty against her partner's blatant sexual appeal. And her lips…God, her lips were incredible. Pouty and red, perfect to kiss, perfect to whisper sweet nothings in someone's ear. Nat's heart rate kicked up, and the room started a slow spin, like a carousal ride. She stumbled back from her hosts, needing space. "I'm sorry, but I need some fresh air," she explained when they shot her questioning looks. "Of course." Aleese took her hand and guided her toward a pair of open French doors. Outside on a small patio, a cool breeze stirred. "We can be a bit much in one great big swallow." "I'll be okay. I've had a heavy work schedule." Which was the truth; the last few weeks had been a madhouse at the station due to elections in the fall. A good explanation for the way her thoughts dashed this way and that. Sleep had also been hit-and-miss since she'd received the invite to the ball. The poise and professionalism she'd planned on bringing with her had evaporated the moment she'd stepped into the ballroom. Now she felt like a floundering fish out of water. Aleese clutched her hand with both of hers, their warmth sending tingles over Nat's skin. Another thing she hadn't counted on…the attraction she had for the two vampires. "We're delighted you could join us. The ball can be so stodgy when it's the same people year after year." Her eyelashes fluttered. "Having new blood is a real treat." Nat found herself transfixed with the way Aleese's mouth moved. It took a moment for her to piece the sentence together. "I appreciate the invite, though I'm curious as to why you'd want me here." Aleese peered up, her gaze almost doting. "Eaven and I respect you as a female reporter. It's such a man's world, and you're making a name for yourself, so why wouldn't we want to meet you?" She clutched Nat's hand tighter, leaning into her arm. "So were you one of those little girls who dreamed of attending a vampire ball?" Every young girl dreamed of doing such a thing. "Of course." Nat felt uneasy. Perhaps it was because she stood outside, beneath a full moon, with the most beautiful vampire she'd ever met. The silvery moonlight gave the she-vamp's skin an ethereal glow. She wanted to reach out and touch Aleese's cheek to see if it were as rose petal soft as it looked. Interview questions… Nat tried to recall the list she'd written and studied days before, but every single one failed her. Aleese tilted her head, her lips so very close… Nat cleared her throat. "I understand you've had three women go missing from your sect." Not what she wanted to open with, but the only question making itself available in her scrambled brain. Something glimmered across Aleese's face. An emotion Nat couldn't pin down before her coy smile returned. "I wouldn't say they've disappeared, we know exactly where they've gone." "Where?" Aleese licked her lips, her pink tongue an invitation for Nat's mind to play out vivid fantasies. Her fingers brushed up Nat's forearm, and Nat suddenly couldn't catch her breath. "There you are," Eaven cut in, joining them on the patio. "Feeling better?" "Yes, yes I am, thank you." Nat tried to move away from Aleese, but found herself trapped against the patio's rail. Eaven moved close, so close their breasts touched. Nat met the she-vamp's gaze. Her eyes reflected the silvery night light, leaving them even more pale and unearthly. Nearly void of color. With no place to run, Nat could only hold her ground and hope her legs didn't fail her. Heat built within her core like an inferno as a sweet ache settled between her thighs. Eaven looked to her wife. "They are playing our waltz, my love." She moved her attention to Nat's mouth. "Would you mind if I took the first dance with our new kitten?" "Only if I can have the second," Aleese purred in return. Buy Links: Beachwalk Press Amazon Barnes & Noble About the Author: Olivia Starke calls the Ozarks home. One of the most beautiful areas in the country, she loves hiking trails with her dogs, kayaking on the numerous waterways, and enjoying southern Missouri's fresh air and sunshine. She's also 'Mom' to four dogs, a growing number of kitties that show up at her door, and four VERY spoiled horses that do little to earn their keep. Not that she'd ever hold that against them. She's a HUGE fangirl of Doctor Who and to a lesser extent Supernatural, and has a pretty interesting love triangle (or square?) going on in her head between the Doctor and the Winchesters. Author Links: Site Twitter Facebook Giveaway: Olivia is giving away an eCopy of Vampire Masquerade to one lucky winner. For a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter below.   Who doesn't love hot heroes at a great price? This boxed set is an amazing deal right now! Check out the information below and be sure to enter the giveaway!  UNFORGETTABLE HEROES BOXED SET Sexy, Strong, Irresistible and UNFORGETTABLE Several of Turquoise Morning Press’ award-winning and bestselling authors share their favorite contemporary romance heroes—all boxed up for you in one sexy and irresistible package! From a sexy carpenter to magnetic CEO, a rough-and-ready cowboy to a homeless man, a classic car buff, a starving artist, a Latin-style dancer, and an FBI agent—each unique hero has his own story to tell, and a heroine who just can’t forget him. Ever. With an introductory promotional price of $0.99, how can you resist this unforgettable boxed set, either? Released: January 30, 2014 Turquoise Morning Press ISBN: 978-1-62237-258-4 Ebook only Available at these retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, All Romance Ebooks, and more. Promotional Price: $0.99 The UNFORGETTABLE HEROES boxed set includes:  Will Work For Love—Hurricane Destiny leaves a trail of destruction across the island of St. Thomas, jeopardizing the wedding of Whitney Oliver’s best friend. When Whitney arrives on the island, she finds a disaster only a sexy carpenter like Chris Maxwell can repair. Despite the sizzle between them, Chris has secrets that threaten his construction business and force him to work for Whitney’s love. Amie Denman, EPIC Award and Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence finalist.  This Magic Moment--Zack Graham, CEO of Scrumbles Snack Cakes, is energetic, magnetic and forget it—no women for him, except to relieve an occasional sexual itch. He’s a workaholic who refuses to let a woman make a fool out of him again. But what about Crandall Drake, the CEO of Pretzelicious Pretzels? He tells himself all he wants is sex. His heart tells him it wants more. Bobbye Terry is the award winning author of contemporary, historical and fantasy romance.  Her Hired Man—Hot nights, a double sleeping bag and a stranger for a husband…how much can one city girl take? Lillian Osborne needs a husband for a weekend. Wesley Hatfield needs money to customize his beloved classic car before Detroit’s biggest auto show. The perfect agreement turns out to be anything but when their accommodations turn out not to be what Lillian had expected. Cat Shaffer is a Golden Heart finalist and award-winning writer.  Sins of the Father—Just like the Princess in the classic tale Sleeping Beauty, Aurora’s life doesn’t really begin until her heart is awakened by a handsome struggling artist. But with her life in danger, Aurora must hide who she really is. Unbeknownst to her, her struggling artist isn’t who he appears to be either.... Friend, lover, or foe? Janet Eaves is an Amazon bestselling author of the Ladies of Legend contemporary romance series.  Holding Out For a Hero—Abigail Benton is a bum magnet, according to her dad, so when she becomes attracted to Eli, a homeless man at the community center where she works, she wonders if what her dad says is true. But when Eli saves her life, Abigail decides she is going to return the favor and save his life by turning it around. Trouble is, Eli isn’t on board with her plan. Jennifer Johnson writes comedic romances are so entertaining even guys read them. Author of the TMP top-selling Rescuing Riley.  Rawhide and Roses--She’s roses, he’s rough-and-ready rawhide. Kim Martin is hardly equipped for a Colorado camping trip, especially when her mountain guide is a rough-edged cowboy who is as untamed as the wilderness. Thad Winchester’s patience for city women is wearing as thin as the seat of his jeans. But there is something about Kim that puts his hard-and-fast don’t-touch rule to the test. Maddie James, Amazon bestselling author of contemporary and western romance.  Long Distance Love—Sometimes the distance between two hearts can be measured in frequent flier miles. Love may be a many splendored thing, but it’s rarely convenient. Can FBI Agent Jack Rudolph and fiercely independent Ellie Nichols find a way to make a long distance relationship work? Margaret Ethridge, contemporary romance fan favorite and TMP top-selling author of Commitment.  Silent Partner—Grayson Anders is a talented Latin-style dancer and wealthy co-owner of a happening nightclub. Chloe LaRoche is a talented artist, but failing entrepreneur with her once thriving studio now on the brink of foreclosure. When the two indulge in a passionate, out-of-control, one night stand, they awaken the next morning consumed with inspiration. Grayson finds his perfect dance partner while Chloe finally finds her muse. Will her secret destroy both their dreams? Renee Vincent, award winning author of historical and contemporary romance. Buy Links:
Turquoise Morning Press Bookstore AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | iBOOKS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS |BOOKSTRAND | SMASHWORDS Giveaway: (tourwide) Turquoise Morning Press and its authors will be giving away… 1 - $25 Amazon Gift card 1 – ebook set of UNFORGETTABLE HEROES 
I loved reading Betrothal and now I'm excited to present the second book in the series, Betrayal. Jenna Jaxon's story is compelling and filled with engaging characters. Jenna will be giving away a copy of the book on each blog, so please include your email and make sure you mention that you WANT the book! Don't forget that Betrothal, the first book in the serial novel is available at Amazon for .99 through February 14. LINK 
 Betrayal Time Enough to Love Book Two Jenna Jaxon Genre: Historical Romance Tagline: The worst betrayals come from within. Book Description: After a night of passion with her betrothed, Sir Geoffrey Longford, Lady Alyse de Courcy is eagerly looking forward to her wedding. But when Geoffrey is forced to marry another, a heartbroken and possibly pregnant Alyse finds herself in her own private hell. She must either gamble with her reputation or marry someone she does not love. A reputed connoisseur of women, Thomas, Lord Braeton, has dallied with many ladies of King Edward’s court, although he has favored none. However, as Geoffrey’s best friend, Thomas has sworn to serve and protect Alyse, an oath now sorely tested when he agrees to marry her—in name only—to guard her reputation. Yet, as they grow closer, and Thomas discovers Alyse’s sweet but spirited nature, he comes to desire a marriage in truth. Can he overcome her memory of Geoffrey or is Thomas doomed to burn with passion for a woman he can never possess? BUY LINKS: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Betrayal-Book-Time-Enough-Love-ebook/dp/B00I4IKQ8G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391083983&sr=8-1&keywords=Betrayal+%28Book+2%3A+Time+Enough+to+Love%29 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/403200 If you would like to purchase the first part of the trilogy, Betrothal, it is available at Amazon Smashwords ~~~~~ EXCERPT: “Lady Maurya, Lady Anne, Margaret,” the princess beckoned them. “Lord Braeton would have a moment with Lady Alyse. Would you attend me, please?” Princess Joanna passed Alyse, caressing her arm as she led the confused women through the door. At the touch, Alyse sought the princess’s eyes. Fear gripped her heart at the pity she saw there. “Thomas.” Alyse curtsied quickly then blurted out the fear she had fought almost since Geoffrey had left. “Is my lord well? Have you news for me?” Thanks to Anne and Margaret’s thoughtless comments, she had become convinced Geoffrey had fallen ill with Sir Robert’s ailment and now himself hovered between life and death. Avoiding her eyes, Thomas answered briefly. “Aye, my lady. When I left him, Geoffrey was well enough.” While his words relieved her, a shadow still lay on her heart. If Geoffrey was not ill, why had Thomas’s manner changed? What had summoned this aloof stranger? He was withholding something from her. “And Sir Roland?” He hesitated, searching her eyes then looking away. He fisted his hands. “Sir Roland is…has…” Alyse could stand it no longer. She crossed to stand directly before Thomas, laid a cold hand upon his arm, and gripped it. “Tell me.” That there was something he could not bring himself to tell her filled her with terror. He said Geoffrey was well enough when he left. What about now? Before she could question him further, he drew out a folded piece of parchment, sealed with blue wax and stamped with a signet ring bearing Geoffrey’s family crest. She stared at it, a cold dread creeping through her. “Geoffrey bade me place this in your hand and no other, my lady.” Thomas thrust the missive toward her. Alyse compelled herself to hold her hand out. He sighed. “He also bade me be at your service, lady, had you need of anything.” He gave the parchment into her hand. As he did so, she looked into his eyes and recognized the same pity she had seen in Princess Joanna’s. Panic made her arms weak and her fingers numb. She forced her shaking hands to break the seal. Alyse unfolded the letter and slowly read the scratched and blurry words. ~~~~~~ About the Author: Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days of Seduction. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance, Time Enough to Love, is being published as a series of three novellas. The first book, Betrothal, released on April 19th. The second novella, Betrayal, will release at the end of January. Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage. She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop. Find Jenna online at: http://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570 https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4960704.Jenna_Jaxon Other Books by Jenna Jaxon: Betrothal--Historical Romance Only Scandal Will Do--Historical Romance 7 Days of Seduction--Contemporary Erotic Romance Almost Perfect--Contemporary Erotic Romance Hog Wild--Contemporary Erotic Romance 
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