Happy Release Day! 'Blue Butterfly' by Marian L. Thomas

Genres:
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Christian Fiction
Clean Fiction

The Back Cover:

Precious Blue Johnson, young, country and naive, from Lutts County, Georgia, is traveling to the energizing city of New York to search for her birth father and perhaps make history by becoming the first black ballerina. Her simple mocha skin and thick lips will put her in the center of a movement, expose secrets and unlock the past as she steps onto the stage as the Blue Butterfly. She will be guided by the vivacious and wise Ms. Ann and fall in love with the alluring Ray Silvers.

Ray brings the whole package. Enchanting eyes, a bright future as a doctor, and a willingness to love completely. To Precious, he is perfect. Except Ray’s package includes his deadly past. Will their love survive the one person who could end it all—his drug-addicted mother?

Check Out an Online Excerpt:

https://www.smore.com/p95y

Praise for Blue Butterfly:

"What happens when Precious Blue Johnson sets out to find her father on the way to stardom? Author Marian L. Thomas has woven a page turner that will have you wanting more. In her book, Blue Butterfly, the author does a fantastic job developing each character and taking the reader on a ride of unexpected turns. Blue Butterfly brings families together through past painful experiences, hidden secrets and personal agendas. Those three elements make for a wonderful and enjoyable read."
~ Paulette Harper, Award-Winning Author of Completely Whole, Living Separate Lives

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

Author Website:
http://www.marianlthomas.com

Let's Connect Socially:

Twitter: MarianLThomas01

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cleanfictionbooksbymarianlthomas

Blog: http://thewritersinkspot.blogspot.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marian-l-thomas

Cover Reveal! 'Hunted (LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted Series #2)' by Tyffani Clark Kemp

Hunted

LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted Series # 2

By- Tyffani Clark Kemp

Expected Publication Date- April 16th, 2014

Genre- Paranormal/Vampires

LeKrista Scott survived three separate vampire attacks, almost drowned, and turned down her boyfriend's proposal. What else could possibly go wrong?

Apparently, if it's not one thing, it's another. Lizette, a brand new vampire with a grudge, blames LeKrista for being turned into a monster. In retaliation, she decides to go straight for the throat, so to speak, and attack LK's ailing mother at her rest home. LeKrista enlists the help of her "Vampire liason" Roman, but it could never be that easy. Not for her.

A daywalker, a born vampire who can walk in the sun, has been hired by the head of the Vampire Counsel to collect LeKrista and the debt she owes him. As payment, her great great aunt is taken. Once again, the Mages refuse to help, so what is a girl to do, but rescue her family herself?

With her back against the wall, LeKrista will rise up stronger and teach the preternatural world to fear the Vampire Hunted.

'Lizzy' by Krystal Shannan

Lizzy

by Krystal Shannan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Keeping secrets is dangerous…and painful.

The last man who found out Lizzy MacLaughlin’s secret left without so much as a goodbye. Now, utterly in love, Lizzy holds her breath that her six-month relationship with retired army ranger, Ethan Hart, won’t end the same way.

Life is never perfect…or easy.

Ethan is head-over-heels in love with Lizzy, and warring schedules make time together precious. Determined to be together without interruptions, they plan a weekend getaway at his lake house –unaware the past Ethan is trying to ignore is coming hell-bent on destroying what Ethan holds most dear.

Will Lizzy’s secret tear them apart, or will something far worse threaten their very lives?

Read an excerpt:

“Mom has given the stink eye to every guy that’s ever taken me out. She has to make up for Dad not being here.”

A surge of jealousy wormed its way into his mind. “How many guys have you been out with?”

“Simmer down, soldier.” She giggled and winked. “My love life is boring and consists of one guy in high school and two guys in college. I wasn’t a nun, but it wasn’t like I got around either. You have nothing to be all caveman about.”

“Sorry, I was having a moment.” He really was. The thought of any other man touching her, kissing her, putting hands anywhere on her body made his blood boil.

“No worries, but would you mind terribly going and getting me a plate of bread and cheese. I swear the buffet smells like something died and then came back to life, but I’m starving and desperate.”

His concerns returned full-force with her joking comment about smelly food. Something was going on with her. It’d been nearly a week since he’d seen her eat any meant and that was very out of character.

“Sit here, baby. I’ll be right back.” He helped her into a chair at an empty table and then went to the buffet table.

The spread of food ranged from deliciously smelling barbeque, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, cole slaw, and trays of crackers, cheese, and fruit. Nothing smelled out of the ordinary to him, but he grabbed an assortment of crackers and cheese, along with a few pieces of fruit, just in case she might want some.

He walked back to her and set the plate in front of her along with another glass of water he’d snagged from a passing server.

“Thank you.” She smiled and popped a cracker in her mouth.

“Anything for you, baby. I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise. I’m already feeling better,” she answered and bit into a slice of cheese. “This is really good.”

“Little sis, you okay?” Karen said you weren’t feeling well.” Caiden’s voice over his shoulder startled him. He was the only one of Lizzy’s brothers who could sneak up on him.

“I’m fine, Caiden. Don’t you dare go telling Trevor or Harvey. I got a little overheated outside. I’m fine. Ethan is taking good care of me.”

Her big brother snorted and Ethan bit back a grin. The MacLaughlin brothers all liked him, but after walking into the dressing room this morning with Lizzy’s sparkly lip-gloss smeared on his mouth, they were rescinding their approval temporarily.

“I’ll come back in a little while and check on you again.”

Ethan turned in his chair and met Caiden’s hard glare. “I won’t leave her.”

“I know.” Caiden sighed and nodded. He stepped toward his sister and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She smiled and patted her brother’s arm. “You worry too much. Go back to Lina and enjoy the party.”

Buy links

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | B&N

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Paranormal Romance author, Krystal Shannan, lives in Texas and is married to the love-of-her-life. They have a spunky young daughter who believes in fairies. Krystal professes to loving shoes, but avoids wearing them at all costs. She teaches in the public schools and writes as much as she can in her free time. If any more spare time can be squeezed from her day, she enjoys reading romance in all genres, but especially paranormal. If it has a 'Happily Ever After', she's on board!

She is an active member in her local RWA chapter DARA.

Krystal Shannan
Putting Magick in Romance one Soul Mate at a Time.
Contemporary Romance
Indie Published

Receive a free book for subscribing to my NEWSLETTER!

www.krystalshannan.com

www.theromancetroupe.com

Facebook Friend & Fan | Newsletter | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon

Krystal will be awarding a necklace pendant depicting the cover of Lizzy to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

'The Three Kitties That Saved My Life' by Michael Meyer

The Three Kitties That Saved My Life - PROMO Blitz

By Michael Meyer

Non-Fiction

Date Published: April 22, 2013

AN UPLIFTING TRUE STORY OF LOVE - from love and loss to love renewed - a feel-good read  #1 Amazon bestseller in Love and Loss, December 2013.

Losing loved ones is an awful fact of life; losing one's loving spouse, one's day-to-day partner through life, especially in the prime of life, is one of the most unbearable tolls that we humans are forced to endure. This is the true story of my journey from grieving widower, not caring if I lived or died, to the once-again happily married man I am today, a man who both loves and cherishes life. My three kitties have given me a new zest for living.

My story begins with loss and tears, but it ends with lots of love and laughter. I hope that you will find yourself both entertained and inspired by my journey.

Reviews

"This story will touch you, and you'll be telling your friends about it long after you've finished....Please buy this book and absorb it into your own life's experience. It will make you a stronger person." - T.R Harris, bestselling author of THE HUMAN CHRONICLES SAGA.

"It is one of the most moving books I've ever read. I cried very hard in the early part and rejoiced with the author through the rest." - Nick Russell, bestselling author of the BIG LAKE series

EXCERPT

It is amazing how time helps. In time, I have learned to overcome my own albatross. I have learned to live again, to love again. Life is a gift reads a plaque on our dining room wall, and that sums up what I have gained from the three kitties that saved my life. From Coco, I learned to care again. From Kitty, I learned to love again. From Pom Pom, I have learned how to cope with my own demons, the effects of aging being one of these. Pom Pom has taught me to accept what is and then to move onward. Yes, I have learned plenty from my three kitties.

My journey has been a long one, a difficult one at times, but it has a happy ending. The three kitties in my life have made it so. They have all helped me to become the happy-to-be-alive man that I am today. I now accept rather than cope. I live each day to the fullest, knowing full well that life is a gift, and a very precious one at that. I look back on my life and I often think that I must be the luckiest man in the world. I have so much to be thankful for. The wonderment and beauty of life are both so dear to me.

And, to add a delicious icing to the lovely taste of my life, I can say with total honesty to the whole world, my voice booming into the sky, my dancing feet not caring in the least who might see me, that I have been very fortunate to have done something that brings more sheer delight and wonderful pride to me than anything else that I have accomplished in my life: I have fallen madly, heads-over-heels in love not once, but twice, and how many others can say that?

Michael Meyer

Writer of mysteries, thrillers, humorous fiction, and non-fiction: Love and romance, laughter and tears, thrills and fears.

My INTERNATIONAL SUSPENSE COLLECTION currently has two books: COVERT DREAMS, Book One; and DEADLY EYES, Book Two.

My CONTEMPORARY/HUMOROUS FICTION COLLECTION currently has two books: THE FAMOUS UNION, Book One; and THE SURVIVAL OF MARVIN BAINES, Book Two.

THE THREE KITTIES THAT SAVED MY LIFE was my heartfelt attempt to make things right again in my own life, and putting this true story of love down on paper worked. It was something that I just knew I had to do.

I have resided in and have visited many places in the world, all of which have contributed in some way to my own published writing. I have literally traveled throughout the world, on numerous occasions. I have lived in Finland, Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia (where COVERT DREAMS - INTERNATIONAL SUSPENSE COLLECTION BOOK ONE - is set), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (where DEADLY EYES - INTERNATIONAL SUSPENSE COLLECTION BOOK TWO - is set). I gained the wanderlust to see the world, to experience other cultures, at an early age, and this desire has never left me. If anything, it has only gained in intensity as I have aged. I try to travel internationally at least once a year. In the interim, I spend lots of time traveling around both my home state of California and other nearby states.

Among the many unique things that have happened to me in my world travels, I have walked the streets of Istanbul with a detective, searching for a pickpocket who got me good. I have ridden on the back of a motorcycle in Tehran while the driver, who spoke not one word of English, pointed out all the sights to me. I have wrestled an Iranian soldier who tried to break into my hotel room in Tehran. I have had the paint completely stripped from my car as I drove across Saudi Arabia in a sandstorm. I have stood on the stage of a busy nightclub in Tokyo, singing "She'll be Coming Round the Mountain When She Comes" to an audience feeling no pain from the Sake they were drinking. I have been chased by a family of mongooses (yes, that is the correct spelling) on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Croix. And that is just the beginning of my long list of worldly adventures.

As a recent retiree from a forty-year career as a professor of writing, I now live in Southern California wine country with my wife, Kitty, and our two adorable rescue cats.

Author Links

Amazon Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Buy Links

Amazon

'Priceless' by Shannon Mayer

Priceless - PROMO Blitz

Shannon Mayer

Urban Fantasy Romance

Date Published: November 2012

"My name is Rylee, and I am a Tracker."

When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot.

I'm on the FBI's wanted list. I have a werewolf for a pet, a Witch of a best friend, and I have no need for anyone else in my life.

But when a salvage starts to spin out of control, help comes from a most unexpected direction. One that is dangerously dark, brooding, and doesn't know a thing about the supernatural.

One whose kisses set me on fire.

Shannon Mayer

Shannon Mayer lives in the southwestern tip of Canada with her husband, dog, cats, horse, and cows. When not writing she spends her time staring at immense amounts of rain, herding old people (similar to herding cats) and attempting to stay out of trouble. Especially that last is difficult for her.

She is the author of the The Rylee Adamson Novels, The Nevermore Trilogy, A Celtic Legacy series and several contemporary romances.  Please visit her website at http://www.shannonmayer.com  for more information on her novels.

Author Links
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Buy Link for PRICELESS
Amazon

Links to other books in Series

Immune (The Rylee Adamson Novels, Book 2)

Raising Innocence (The Rylee Adamson Novels, Book 3)  

Shadowed Threads ( The Rylee Adamson Novels, Book 4)

Blind Salvage (The Rylee Adamson Novels, Book 5)

Tracker (The Rylee Adamson Novels, Book 6)

Alex (A Rylee Adamsoin Short Story)

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

'Knight in the Forest of the Pons' by Joshua Heights

Knight in the Forest of the Pons

By

Joshua Heights

BLURB:

Prepare yourself for a magnificent journey… 

Nassor Wickem, leader of the Knights of Sperenza, has been in many battles, with two headed dragons, with beasts that creep and crawl, and with fierce lions who have pierced his flesh in death brawls. But after learning that his beautiful daughter has been stricken by a terrible brain syndrome, his body trembled and his nerves shook like never before. The brave Knight, hell-bent on slaying and saving the day, tries everything he can to cure his daughter. However, with the help of a mysterious Shaman, he quickly comes to terms that in this battle, love, not the sword, is the weapon of choice.

Read an excerpt:

As Lily peacefully slept, deep inside her brain, the shadowy monster from Lake Chandra found itself a comfortable place that was hidden deep within the Pons and nestled quietly and mysteriously with intent.

While the neurologist explained further about the port wine stain, the parents listened. A device known as a Pulse Dye Laser had been used, very successfully, to remove the stain, but it could take numerous surgeries to get to that point. 

“Surgery!” gasped Muriel beginning to cry. “Nassor, please take Lily and put her in her crib.” Muriel said to Nassor. He softly lay Lily down and covered her. She squirmed briefly, made a few squeaks, but fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep. Sitting up in her bed, Muriel looked intently at the doctor and with doe-like eyes said, “Surgery? Doctor, what are you saying?” “The procedure is invasive. Surgery is such a broad term. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“Well you did.” whispered Muriel reaching for her husband’s hand.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Joshua Heights is a professional chef and a passionate writer. His first work TEAR AVENGER soon went to number one in the thriller genre of the e-book world. Next, a burst of heartfelt poems filled the pages ofLOVE , MARRIAGE,FRIENDSHIP, HATE. His latest release , a super novella entitled, KNIGHT IN THE FOREST OF THE PONS is an epic journey into spirituality , oneness and love. In the creative stage is a screenplay , bearing the name NANO TATTOO, a nail-biting sci-fi thriller. It comes to life soon and is currently charming the curators of JUNTOBOX FILMS.


Links:

http://joshuaheights.com

https://www.facebook.com/officialjoshuaheightspage?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/joshuaheights

http://www.pinterest.com/joshuaheights/

Joshua will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win! Please note that Joshua will unfortunately be unable to interact a lot with commenters at this time, as he has been in a car accident. Please feel free to send well wishes his direction!

'Children of Lubrochius' by Matthew D. Ryan

Children of Lubrochius

by Matthew D.Ryan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

The vampire, Lucian val Drasmyr, has been defeated, but not destroyed: Now he serves another evil: Korina Bolaris, a young and gifted sorceress bent on subverting the power structure of Drisdak. Only Coragan of Esperia can hope to stop them. But is even he prepared to face the dark cult who claims her as their own: the Children of Lubrochius?

Read an excerpt

A change came over the body. Wisps of white mist, like smoke began issuing from his mouth and nose, and from the sides. The mist grew thick, coagulating around the edges of the corpse and rolling down the sides of the altar. Soon, the mist darkened, turning grey, and then black. Then, the body convulsed and burst aflame. The fire quickly spread across the altar and even down around it on the floor, coming into being everywhere the mist had spread.

Korina felt a wave of ungodly heat blast her in the face. Though she remained on her knees, she backed away somewhat until the heat of the fire was more bearable.

There was a terrible keening scream. The fires writhed, stretching upward toward the ceiling as a figure appeared on the altar amidst the flames, slowly coming into existence like a solidifying ghost. It stood seven feet tall and wore a simple black robe adorned with runes of power stitched in white. Its scaly skin was a marbled mix of black and red; its reptilian head bore two long horns stretching toward the ceiling, one over each glowing, green eye. A forked tongue periodically snaked between its razor-sharp teeth, and a thin stream of drool depended from the corner of its mouth. The robes it wore must have had a hole in the rear, for two enormous bat-like wings protruded from the creature’s back and spread outward like battle standards on a field of war.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Matthew D. Ryan is a published author living in upstate New York on the shores of Lake Champlain. Mr. Ryan has a background in philosophy, mathematics, and computer science. He has a black belt in the martial arts and studies yoga. He has been deeply involved in the fantasy genre for most of his life as a reader, writer, and game designer. He is the operator of the web-site matthewdryan.com which features his blog, “A Toast to Dragons,”a blog dedicated to fantasy literature, and, to a lesser extent, sci-fi. Mr. Ryan says he receives his inspiration from his many years as an avid role-player and fantasy book reader. He has spent many long hours devising adventures and story-lines for games, so it was a natural shift moving into fantasy writing.

Mr. Ryan is the author of the exciting dark fantasy novel, Drasmyr,, its sequel, The Children of Lubrochius, and a growing number of short stories. His first novel, Drasmyr, has consistently earned reviews in the four and five star range and serves as the prequel to his upcoming series: From the Ashes of Ruin. In addition to Drasmyr and The Children of Lubrochius, Mr. Ryan has published several short stories on-line, including: “Haladryn and the Minotaur,” “The River’s Eye,” and “Escape.”

Links to the Author on the Internet

Author’s website: http://matthewdryan.com
Author’s Smashwords Page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/matthewdryan
Author’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000038781652
Author’s Amazon Author Central Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/matthewdryan
Author’s Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/579148.Matthew_D_Ryan


The prequel to “The Children of Lubrochius” is “Drasmyr” and is free pretty much everywhere! Here are the buy links:

• Smashwords (ebook) https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/131156
• Barnes and Noble (ebook) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drasmyr-matthew-ryan/1109505934?ean=2940033064731
• Amazon (ebook) http://www.amazon.com/Drasmyr-Ashes-Ruin-Matthew-Ryan-ebook/dp/B008M2I0WI/ref=la_B008NY99CK_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393872828&sr=1-1
• Sony (ebook) https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/matthew-d-ryan/drasmyr-prequel-from-the-ashes-of-ruin/_/R-400000000000000665030
• Kobo (ebook) http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/drasmyr-prequel-from-the-ashes-of-ruin
• Diesel (ebook) http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW00000131156/Ryan-Matthew-Drasmyr/1.html
• Lulu.com (hardcover) http://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-d-ryan/drasmyr/hardcover/product-20712659.html

Matthew will award a miniature of a demon from the Reaper Fantasy Miniatures to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY). Follow the tour for more chances to win!

'Go For It' by Matthew C. Martino

Blurb:

GO FOR IT will guide you through some tough decisions you have to make as an entrepreneur and take you on a journey through the highs and lows of a being your own boss.

"So, keep walking. Enjoy. Experience the joy of doing something meaningful. Oh, and by the way, it‘s now time to GO FOR IT and do what you love the most!"

Available on Amazon US \ Amazon UK \ Book Depository UK

About the Author

Matthew Martino born 27 October 1992 is a British Entrepreneur, Film Producer and Author. Educated at Shenfield High School in Brentwood, Martino has always held a passion for writing - He has always focused on educational writing and research. His first book Lets Fly which was published by DM Aviation was well received by pilots and aviation enthusiasts around the world. During his early years Martino showed all the qualities required to maintain proven success. Martino has lived in Brentwood ,United Kingdom for seven years before which he lived in his hometown of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.

Get to know more about him on Wikipedia. 

Read an excerpt from 'Numen's Trust' by Pat Nelson Childs

About the Book

Seven years have passed on Firma since Rokey’s narrow escape from The Order of the Bone. All of Firma is now at war. The living god, Cyure, and his merciless hordes have succeeded in conquering all other realms save two – the kingdoms of Iceberg and Glacia, far up in the Northern Expanse. As refugees pour into these kingdoms from all over Firma, Rokey, Flash and their companions are working constantly to stay one step ahead of Cyure, who still wants ‘The Scion’ alive in order to steal his awesome, but still largely latent power. Just as things look blackest, High Mage Ellispon and his fellow scholars happen upon a key which at last will enable them to translate the ancient scrolls taken from Moribar years before. It is from these scrolls that they learn of a magical object known simply as “The Heart”, which offers them the means to finally unlock Rokey’s enormous power. The only problem – The Heart is not even in Firma! And so the final quest begins – a race to find this fabled object and to give Rokey the power he needs to confront Cyure at last, saving both the people he loves, and the land that he has already given so much to defend.

Link: http://www.chroniclesoffirma.com/NTsummary.html

Read an excerpt:

The roof of the hut burned like a torch, as Ellispon and the two scholars hurried to gather together the scrolls and all the notes that covered the table. A chunk of burning debris fell on Bantion, setting his tunic ablaze. In a panic, he screamed and ran out the door. 

“Bantion!” Valengyll screamed, and ran out after him, dropping his pile of papers. 

Ellispon went quickly to gather them up, jumping to dodge another section of the burning roof as it fell. Rokey watched through the doorway as Valengyll tackled Bantion and forced him to roll around on the ground to put the fire out. The elf then leapt up and drew his sword to defend the two of them from a pair of attacking ogres. Groog flew outside and assumed his fiery dragon guise, then swooped down to aid Valengyll. Ellispon rushed over to Rokey, the precious documents clutched to his chest.

“I’ve got everything,” he yelled over the melee. “Let’s go!” 

Rokey led the way outside, his sword drawn to protect the old mage. He looked around quickly. There were bodies everywhere, but he saw no other enemy fighters close by, so he hastened to aid Valengyll as he struggled against the ogres. 

‘Ellispon!’ he heard Groog send, ‘there is a clear path to a large brush patch straight behind you. Take the documents and hide there with them.’ 

Though he felt guilty about leaving, Ellispon obeyed without hesitation. In this situation, he knew that he would only be a hindrance. The other three continued to fight, Groog distracting the ogres as the other two engaged them with their swords. The battle did not last long. Rokey’s swordsmanship had grown superb over the years, and Valengyll, though he lacked skill, fought ferociously to protect the injured Bantion. After one ogre had been dispatched and the other had fled, Groog returned to his normal size, while Rokey helped Valengyll carry Bantion, severely burned and moaning in pain, out of the clearing and into the brush patch where Ellispon awaited them. All around, they could hear the battle still raging. 

“I’ve got to go find Flash,” Rokey said in a panic. 

“Rokey, you can’t,” said Ellispon. “It’s too risky.” 

“Master, what would you have me do...just leave him out there?” Rokey protested angrily. 

“Rokey, if we lose you, we’ve lost everything,” Ellispon reminded him. “You’ve got to get out of here – open a door to No-When and go. Take these documents with you. If Flaskamper is still alive, he’s already heading this way. If not...if not, then you’d only be throwing your life away for nothing.” 

‘Ellispon is right, Rokey,’ Groog sent. ‘You must escape. You are Firma’s only hope. I will fly out and try to find Flaskamper.’ 

Rokey was about to argue further when Valengyll spoke. 

“Is there anything you can do to help Bantion?” he pleaded. “He must be in terrible pain.” 

‘I’ll find Flaskamper and tell him where you’re hiding,’ sent Groog, and flew off before Rokey could argue. 

Though sick with worry, Rokey found that he could not ignore the young elf’s plea for help. He crawled over to where Valengyll sat with Bantion’s head cradled in his lap. It took Rokey only a moment, though, to realize that Bantion was beyond all help. He broke the news as gently as he could. 

“But he can’t be dead,” Valengyll sobbed quietly. “He can’t be. He was – he was my life.” 

With these words, Rokey felt his own heart tearing in two, for he knew that Ellispon was right. All around them the woods were beginning to erupt into flames, and they could hear the cries of the dying everywhere. It would be suicide for him to go looking for Flash. On the other hand, just like young Valengyll, he couldn’t imagine going on without his love. A he sat there, stunned and unable to act, Ellispon suddenly seized him by the shoulders. 

“You have to go now, son!” he insisted. “All of Firma is depending on you. You have to escape before it’s too late!” 

A nearby tree exploded, showering their hiding place with flaming debris. As the dry evergreen needles around them began to smolder, Rokey suddenly felt all of his emotions draining away. Yes, there was only one choice. His own life might be over, but ‘The Scion’ had to go on. There was too much at stake to let his personal feelings cripple him now. 

“Very well,” he told Ellispon, “but I need you with me, and you must make Valengyll come too. I need you both to help finish translating the scroll.” 

When Ellispon agreed, Rokey closed his eyes and began to reach out to the nearest articulation. He found it nearly impossible to concentrate, but he had performed this task so many times now in practice, it was now much less difficult for him. Still, the process required him to harness and manipulate a tremendous amount of energy, so once the process was underway, Rokey found himself becoming more and more focused on the job at hand. Soon he had constructed a stable doorway for them between two nearby trees. 

“Go now, Master,” he told Ellispon. “Take Valengyll.” 

The High Mage stood, still holding the valuable papers in his arms.
“Valengyll, you must come with us now,” he commanded gently but sternly.

“No!” said Valengyll defiantly. “I won’t leave him!” 

“There will be a time to avenge him, Valengyll,” Ellispon tried. “I swear to you there will be. But now is not that time, son. We need you now. Firma needs you now.” 

“You don’t know what you’re asking, Ellispon,” Valengyll said. 

I know, Valengyll, Rokey thought, desperately scanning the trees behind them for any sign of the dragon or Flash. I know. 

As Ellispon continued trying to persuade the young scholar, Rokey spied a person running toward their burning hut. For a moment, he dared to hope, but as the figure drew closer, his heart sank. It was the Princess Alengra – alone. 

“Princess Alengra!” he yelled, shaking off his growing feelings of dread. “This way!”
Alengra turned and ran toward him. 

“Where’s Flash?” he asked when she reached him. 

“I don’t know!” she cried. “He and Briander went someplace to talk. I was supposed to meet them here, but then the attackers came and –” 

Her knees began to buckle. For a moment, Rokey worried she might faint. He could not risk destroying the doorway in order to catch her. Fortunately she recovered herself. 

“Leni,” he said, “we have to get out of here. Go through the doorway with my two friends there.” He gestured toward Ellispon and Valengyll.

“Doorway?” said Alengra. “What do you mean?” 

Just then Rokey saw a group of enemy fighters break from the trees and start running toward them. There was still no sign of Groog or Flash, but now he could wait no longer. 

“Come on!” he yelled, grabbing her arm. Though clearly confused, she accompanied him willingly. “Ellispon! Valengyll! Inside now!” 

Ellispon entered the shimmering doorway just ahead of Rokey and Alengra. Valengyll, however, did not follow. Rokey turned back, only to find him rushing, his sword drawn, toward the pack of encroaching soldiers. There was no way any of them could stop him. Valengyll had chosen to stay and fight – to give his life avenging his slain lover. It was a supremely selfish act, and yet, as Rokey pulled the doorway closed, watching the young elf charge fearlessly into the overwhelming onslaught, the emotion he felt most keenly of all – was envy.

About the Author

Pat Nelson Childs currently lives in Maine with his faithful cat, Bo. He was born and raised in Rumford, ME. In previous lives, he owned a clothing store in Provincetown, MA and worked as a computer support technician for a large international corporation based in Ann Arbor. He presently mentors GLBT youth and is at work on his latest book. When he's not writing (which is rarely), the author enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking and traveling. He also likes watching football, baseball & hockey and hanging out with friends.

Links:

http://www.patnelsonchilds.com/about.html  

Website: http://www.chroniclesoffirma.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chroniclesoffirma
Buy book on Amazon: http://amzn.to/JWildV

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'Wilde Riders' by Savannah Young Promo Blitz!

Wilde Riders - Week Blitz

by Savannah Young

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 2/23/2014

WILDE RIDERS (An Old Town Country Romance)

FOUR WILDE BROTHERS…ONE WILDE COUNTRY BAND

WILDE RIDERS is the first novel in a spicy new contemporary romance series about four sexy brothers, their small-town bar and their local country band. WILDE RIDERS can be read as a STAND ALONE NOVEL or as part of the SERIES.

Cooper Wilde spent his entire adolescence counting the days until he could escape rural northwest New Jersey. Now at 26, he can’t believe he’s coming back. But his late father’s bar, Haymakers, is in financial trouble and his older brother, Jake, has asked for Cooper’s help. 

Riley Smith, 25, is fresh out of her Ivy League MBA program and wants to make an impression on her employer, H & C Bank. Her first solo assignment is a fraud investigation on a business loan they made to Haymakers.

Even though Old Town is less than 90 minutes from New York City, Riley feels like she’s stepped into another world in this remote, one-bar town. Riley can’t wait to do her business and get back to the city as quickly as her sports car will take her…until she meets Cooper Wilde. He’s not like the other guys in this rural town and Riley feels inexplicably attracted to him.  

EXCERPT

The drive into New Jersey is exhausting. My only saving grace is that most of the traffic is going into the city instead of out of the city like I am. 

You’ve got to love those bridge and tunnel guys. I wouldn’t date one but I have a little bit of respect for them. The commute into Manhattan turns a nine hour work day into an eleven hour one, if you’re lucky.

I can feel my stomach start to knot as I get further away from the city and further away from civilization. Pretty soon I’ll be in the sticks surrounded by woods and farmland. I can almost smell the manure that will no doubt take days to completely rid from my nasal passages. I pray that I don’t run into any animals, especially cows, which are huge, smelly and completely freak me out. The only live animals I ever care to see have to fit comfortably in a handbag, like a Chihuahua or Teacup Poodle, for example.

I have an appointment with a man named Jake Wilde. He asked me to come early, before the place opens at noon, so he can give me his full attention. I try to imagine what someone named Jake Wilde would look like and all I can come up with is an old gunslinger like Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven.

As I pull into Old Town the place looks exactly like I thought it would. The buildings in the town square are old and I image the place hasn’t changed much in the last hundred years or so.

Haymakers is just past the town square, down the hill from the deli, next to the gas station. Those were the exact directions I was given, in those words. I take that to mean the town only has one gas station and one deli.

When I pull into the parking lot, there’s only one other vehicle sitting there. It’s an old beat-up Dodge Ram. Nothing like fitting the country bumpkin stereotype like a glove. Then I have a brief moment of panic and wonder if it’s safe to park my BMW in the dirt lot. Then I remind myself where I am. Who is going to mess with it in the middle of the day? A stray deer from the woods out back? The only thing I probably have to worry about is it getting dusty.

I take in a deep breath. I have to be thankful there’s no manure smell yet.

The quicker you do this, I remind myself, the quicker you can get back to the lovely asphalt jungle you call home.

I’m hit with a gust of wind as soon as I get out of my car. How is it possible that Old Town is even windier than lower Manhattan? I didn’t think I’d ever find a place windier than Wall Street. Even the Windy City didn’t seem this windy when I had business in Chicago.

When I enter the bar, I try to smooth down my thick hair, which I know is probably a complete mess from the gust. I’m surprised by the homey feel of the place. How could someone like me possibly feel at home in a country bar? Even if I was wearing jeans and cowboy boots, if I even owned jeans and cowboy boots, I wouldn’t fit in at a place like this.

I hear someone clear his throat and I turn to see a guy about my age, mid-twenties, standing next to me. I can’t help my surprise when I see he’s wearing khakis and a polo shirt, like he just stepped off of a golf course. He looks as out of place in this country bar as I feel.

“Are you Jake Wilde?” I ask.

The guy gives me the faintest hint of a smile but it’s almost as if it pains him to give that much. His deep brown eyes look even more distressed and I can’t help but wonder what’s behind those sad eyes.

He rakes his fingers through his thick dark hair. “A little windy out, isn’t it?”

My hand automatically goes to my hair and I try to casually flatten it down again. I imagine I must look like I just stepped out of a wind tunnel.

“Your hair looks fine,” the guy tries to assure me. But he’s got that hint of a smile on his face again and it makes me wonder if he’s lying just to make me feel better.

“I’m Cooper Wilde,” the guy says as he offers a hand.

I don’t know why I suddenly feel nervous about shaking it. It’s a business meeting. That’s what people do. But the way this guy is looking at me gives me the feeling that he might be interested in more than just business.

But I’m not, I remind myself. Not only because I’ve all but sworn off men, I’m here to do a job. I’ve been working for H & C Bank for two years and this is my first solo assignment as a lead investigator. If I continue to do well, I’ll be well on my way to becoming a Vice President before I turn thirty. I don’t need a man to throw me off my career trajectory. And definitely not some guy in a country bar in rural New Jersey.

I take his hand and give it a quick shake but I can’t bring myself to look into his smoldering eyes again. “I’m Riley Smith.”

“I figured that,” Cooper says.

“Why is that?”

That hint of a smile has returned to his face again. “We don’t often get women in business suits in the bar.”

I’m not sure why I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to get a real smile out of Cooper Wilde. I don’t know even know the guy but it somehow seems important. I get the feeling he hasn’t really smiled in a while and it’s long overdue.

Not that I’ve had much occasion for real smiles myself lately.

Savannah Young:

Romance novelist Savannah Young grew up in rural northwest New Jersey in a place very similar to the fictional Old Town, which is featured in her books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories, Savannah is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

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