Tag Archives: fairy tale

Beauty in the Beast (The Witches’ Mischief 5) by Elyzabeth M. VaLey (@ElyzabethVaLey)

Beauty in the BeastLight will become shadow. Love will become hate. Good will become evil. The Darkness is here. There will be no escape.

Morgana Wiles has spent her life, alongside her mother, fighting against the arrival of the creature known as The Darkness. Unfortunately, neither of them were able to stop him and now he’s here, ready to destroy all that is good in the world. Morgana must face him, but now that the time has come, she finds that things are not as simple. Her mother is gone, self-doubt is creeping in, and her visions are unclear. To make matters worse, a man with evil intent has entered her life and is bent on complicating her mission. Will she be able to resist him in time to fight The Darkness or will she succumb and become that which she despises?

Christopher Bexley is no gentleman. He enjoys trickery, deceit, mischief and above all seduction. Sexual intercourse is the greatest source of power there is or at least there was, until he heard about the Gem. Now that he has discovered there’s a stone that can make him the most powerful magic user of all time, he must have it. The only problem is that the only other person that might know where it is, is a stickler for rules and being good. Morgana is too innocent for his liking, and there’s only one thing he can do to change that: corrupt her.

Available at: Evernight Publishing ~~ All Romance Ebooks ~~ Bookstrand ~~ Amazon.com ~~ Amazon.uk

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Author Bio:

Considered weird by normal standards – what is normal anyway?- Elyzabeth M. VaLey enjoys making up songs about mundane things, doodling stars and flowers on any blank sheet of paper, talking to her Lab whenever he feigns interest and coming up with love stories to make readers dream.

From contemporary to historical or fantasy, she enjoys writing stories about good and evil, love and passion and all that comes in between happy ever after.

Stalk me at:

Blog
Website
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(Beauty in the Beast has its own board!)

*****

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Excerpt

Going anywhere, little one?”

She stared at Christopher. His hair was all over the place, his robe open to reveal a chest smattered with dark hair. His eyes glistened deviously, matching his grin.

“Are you keeping watch over me, Mr, Bexley?” She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping that he couldn’t see her beaded nipples.

Christopher laughed.

“No such lucky, Miss Wiles. I thought I heard a noise and came to investigate.” He looked her up and down. Her cheeks burned. “I suppose you heard something, too, or you would have dressed more appropriately before coming out of your bedroom.”

She hastened to cover herself up. Sweat dripped down her back.

“Don’t do it on my account, I’m quite enjoying the view.”

Morgana scowled. Where was this heat coming from? “No. I couldn’t sleep. I’m waiting for Anne.”

“Are you? I haven’t seen her since we arrived”

She licked her lips. She needed a fan. Christopher shifted his weight and it hit her. It was him. His energy was like a hot ball of fire. Like an animal that had come from a hunt, or from a run. Primal. He took a step toward her. His robe shifted, revealing more of his chest. How would it feel to run her fingertips across his flesh?

“Yes.”

“Are you all right? You seem flustered.”

“I’m fine.”

Christopher raised his eyebrows.

“I’m fine,” she repeated. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m just tired.”

“Maybe you should try and get some rest. If you can’t sleep, I’ll be happy to hold you.”

“Like you’re holding the woman in your bedroom? I think I shall pass down your offer, Mr. Bexley.”

He shrugged. “Your loss.”

He started to turn around but stopped. “You know, Miss Wiles, I don’t think your rejection sounded very convincing.”

Morgana stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

Christopher’s eyes lit up as he sauntered toward her. Morgana backed up against the wall. He crowded her against it, placing his arms on either side of her head.

“You’re smothering me.”

“Good.”

“Mr. Bexley, this is—”

Christopher dipped his head so that she was staring into his eyes. They were the color of crushed pine needles. “Mr. Bexley this, Mr. Bexley that.” He gently grabbed her chin. Her heart skipped a beat.

“You’ve been watching me, little one. Watching me and wondering about my energy. I can tell a woman’s, a witch’s curiosity, and you are dying to know what my energy feels like. Will it really make you feel more powerful? Will it hurt you? Is it what you need to defeat that dark thing you’re so afraid of? I don’t have the answer to any of that, but I can tell you the surge of power you feel when you share your body with another human being. It is amazing. Your powers will be heightened, and you will have the ability to be faster, stronger, and to learn things quicker.”

Morgana swallowed. She should get out of here now that she could, but she was mesmerized. Yes, she was curious, but she knew better than to be led on by a man like him. She took in a deep breath, determined to say something witty and be rid of him. Instead his scent curled around her. He smelled musky and masculine, different from anything she knew.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Morgana. I’m going to kiss you and show you an inkling of what this feels like.”

His lips mashed against hers before she could think to protest. Morgana froze. They were warm and soft. He pulled back a bit and kissed her again. Her eyes drifted shut. Christopher put his arms around her and pulled her closer. He took her bottom lip between his teeth and tugged. She gasped. Her heart hammered against her chest. Butterflies rushed throughout her body, touching her with their wings and making her fly. She wound her hands into his hair, the silky strands slipping against her fingers. His tongue wormed its way into her mouth, curling around hers. Sparks danced behind her eyes. She arched her back and moaned. She could feel the outline of his cock beneath his robe. Liquid fire rushed to melt between her legs. Her swollen nipples rubbed against the material of her gown, begging for attention. Energy crackled between them. She could hear it, feel it, and taste it in his kiss, in his touch. It was palpable. Christopher slid his hands down her waist, over her hips. She held her breath. He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth. She groaned, following his mouth even as he pulled back. He grasped her chin and tilted her head. Morgana opened her eyes. Christopher looked at her as if bewildered. His brow was furrowed and though desire still shone deep in his eyes, there was also something akin to amazement.

“What?”

He blinked and the moment was gone. His eyes lightened and he grinned mischievously. “There you have it, little one. The power of a kiss.”

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New magical, fantasy romance…with a twist from Sabrina York (@sabrina_york)

Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win the Wicked Enchantment Tiara

Wicked EnchantmentWicked Enchantment

By Sabrina York

Consigned to a magical prison, Sir Keeshan has suffered torment after torment for thousands of years. The curse of a powerful Djinn entombed him in the lamp, damning him to an eternity of pleasing the women who come to him—but never grasping true love. Every hundred years or so, a new woman comes to him and they are both are ensnared in a web of dark desire. And then, just as he grows to care for her, she is spirited away, back to the world. Such is the nature of his curse.

But when Aimalee arrives, Keeshan knows something is different. She is different. And his feelings for her are undeniable. He has no idea how long they will have together and, desperate to not waste a second of his time with her, Keeshan cannot help but indulge his every craving…and hers.

When the clever minx helps him solve a mystery that has been haunting him for ages, he can’t help but hope she may be the one to help him break the curse.

Hope is a dangerous thing in enchanted surrounds, especially because he knows her departure, when it comes, will destroy him.

Magical, fantasy romance…with a twist from Sabrina York

READ AN EXCERPT

Aimalee shivered as an unfamiliar inclination struck her. She wanted to drop the pillow and press her body against him. Rub against him. He was so beautiful. So perfect. She longed to touch him.

Of its own volition, her hand rose. At the last instant, just before their flesh connected, she curled her fingers.

He winced as she withdrew, winced as though she’d slapped him. Tiny tears clung to his lashes. “Please, Aimalee.” His voice was ragged. “Please touch me.”

She stepped away, ignoring the desolation sweeping across his countenance. It cost her but she forced those primal urges down, back into her subconscious where they belonged. Something wasn’t right here. Women didn’t just suddenly transport into sumptuous bowers. Gorgeous men with smoldering eyes didn’t simply appear from thin air. And most importantly, Aimalee didn’t have thoughts like this.

She never had.

She couldn’t give in to these cravings. Not until she understood what was happening to her. Her analytical mind would not allow it.

As though he could read her thoughts, a frown marred his sculpted brow in fascinating furrows. He stepped closer and closer still—though not close enough to touch. His breath was warm on her face. “Don’t fight it, Aimalee. You cannot resist. Please don’t try.” He bent closer and his nostrils flared like a stallion catching the scent of a filly in season. He licked his lips.

My but they were beautiful lips.

And my, oh my. He smelled of sandalwood and sin. The combination made her head spin. She desperately attempted to eradicate these errant thoughts. “Where am I? What happened?” More questions swirled but this was a good place to start.

“Please.” Beads of sweat dimpled his upper lip. Heat roiled from his broad chest. Everything about him was hard. “Not now. No questions now.” He whirled away with a growl, showing her his back, frustration clear in every rigid line. As he moved, the dim light glinted off the metal encircling his neck. Aimalee realized it was hewn of the same strange iridescent metal of the lamp.

Certainty dawned and with it a sense of incredulity. “I’m inside the lamp.”

He shot a glance at her over his hunched shoulder, a wounded animal. “Y-you touched it.”

“I’ve touched it many times before.”

“Many times.” A shudder racked him. He began to shiver, to shake. “But never with…never with…” Never with…what? He didn’t complete the thought, as though the words were too painful to utter. He moaned in agony and stumbled into the shadows.

She followed, racked with worry—he looked as though he was dying—and lightly touched his shoulder. He froze at the contact, sucking in a deep gasp of air, exhaling it on a small whimper. As their flesh connected, a sizzle shot up her arm, rocketing to her core. Something tight within her released.

And then she realized…the release hadn’t come from within her.

It had come from within him.

Invisible chains binding him shattered and fell away.

He straightened and stood. Sublime relief descended upon him like a cloud. “Thank you,” he gasped. “Thank you, Aimalee.” He drew his knuckles along the curve of her shoulder then trailed down her arm, sending riots of sensation through her. “You touched it with your bare hands, you see. And the lamp brought you to me,” he said, answering her earlier—long forgotten—question. He caressed her hand, lifted it to his lips then drew her thumb into his mouth and gently sucked.

Molten lava, deep in her core, churned and spat.

She knew she should not allow this. She knew she should pull away. The voice of sanity within her whispered as much. Trouble was, that voice of sanity was starting to recede. “W-why?” It was the only word she could manage. The only thought she could conjure.

He kissed her knuckles, one by one. “You are here for me, Aimalee. For this.” His scalding touch trailed back up her arm. She jerked in reaction but didn’t protest. Her body was heavy, drugged with desire. Her mind befuddled, rapt in it. Enthralled.

He tugged gently at the pillow she held before her. She watched in mute dismay as he tossed her armor carelessly aside. “God, Aimalee. You are even more beautiful in the flesh.”

Reverently, he cupped her breast. And then his head descended and those lips—those delicious lips—wrapped around a coral crest. Sucked. Pleasure rocked her. Exquisite trills danced along her spine. Tremors rippled through her womb.

But still…she resisted. As difficult as it was to fight against the alluring enchantment he was weaving—and it was difficult—she lurched back and gasped, “Who are you?”

Instead of answering, he scraped her nipple—sending spirals of delight coiling up her spine. Oh! It was getting harder and harder to resist him. Harder to focus on her outrage as he enticed her deeper into his web.

But she was not the only one besieged by temptation. His body was taut as a bowstring; he fairly hummed with the tension.

He pulled her into his arms. The shock of his hot skin against hers from chest to groin made her light-headed. He traced the line of her back from her buttocks to her shoulder blades.

“I am sorry, Aimalee,” he murmured, his tone limned with remorse. “But I cannot answer your questions anymore. I cannot wait. It has been far too long.” He lifted her hair and bent to place a gentle kiss on her nape. With his tongue, his velvet, drugging tongue, he traced a strange and sinuous symbol there.

A peculiar warmth blossomed where he’d licked her. It drifted down her arms, across her chest, infused her body and soul. Her nipples tightened. Her body liquefied. A hot rush of arousal seeped from her womb. Her clitoris throbbed and a scorching hunger growled and snapped like a long-caged beast.

She wanted him.

She wanted him like she had never wanted a man before. Savagely.

She ached to fist her fingers in his hair and drag him down on top of her. To take his lips with her own. Suck on his tongue. Consume him. Grind against that magnificent cock until he howled with need. Until he took her. Fucked her. Impaled her.

Her mind reeled with pleasure and passion…and confusion.

What was this?

This was not like her.

Not like her at all.

Hadn’t Carter told her repeatedly that she was frigid?

She had never wanted like this. Ached like this. Needed like this.

“What are you doing to me?” Even to her own ears, the cry was laced with pleasure, desire, delirium. She placed her palm flat on his chest to push him away but at that touch, passion swelled—the passion in her and the passion in him, tangling, twining. His skin was smooth but his hard muscles bunched beneath her touch.

He threw his head back and groaned in ecstasy. Or perhaps agony. Or both.

“I can’t. I need… I want to…” He hissed through his teeth. “But I cannot wait. I cannot.”

Easing her down onto the cushions, he covered her. The sensation of his hot, sweat-dampened skin against hers sent a shock wave through her. He nudged her legs apart. Neared. She writhed beneath him, eager, wanton, lost in wonder. Ravenous for him. Impatient.

He did not make her wait.

Get it now!

AMAZON
Free on Kindle Unlimited

*****

Sabrina_head_logoAbout Sabrina York

Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & snarky to scorching romance.  Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bj8tKb.

Bookshelf! http://sabrinayork.com/books/

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*****

GIVEAWAY!

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Footwear and Fantasy by J.J. Lore (@JJLore1)

Footwear and FantasyBlurb

Hanna Bregot is struggling to make a go of her ailing father’s cobbler shop, but the residents of her town regard a woman shoemaker as an oddity. At the end of the day, she can’t even summon the energy to repair her tattered slippers, let alone earn enough to feed herself or her cat.

Elf companions Lear and Garrin like to mingle among humans, but always in disguise. When they notice a poor cobbler crying over her shoes one evening, they immediately decide to intervene and give her a gift in the hopes of lifting her spirits.

What starts out as simple kindness soon morphs into a sensual game the three want to play forever. But when the Queen of the Elves discovers their love, it becomes a matter of magic versus mundane in a life or death decision.

Buy Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
All Romance eBooks
Evernight Publishing

Excerpt:

A gasping noise interrupted his thoughts and he and Lear turned toward the sound, alert to any threat. Rather than facing an intruding thief, instead they confronted a blinking Hanna crouched on the stairs. She was clad in a thin chemise, her bare feet and ankles peeping out from under the frayed hem as she tottered on an upper step, her thin hand grasping the rail. Her pink lips parted wordlessly as she glanced between the two of them. For a long moment, Garrin found himself wondering what she saw. Neither he nor his mate had bothered to assume a human veil, so she was now seeing elven men for what had to be the first time in her life. He knew he was ruggedly built by his race’s standards, where Lear aligned more closely to the slim, lithe ideal. They both had brown hair grown long and pulled back in a hank. His was thick and dark while Lear’s was more auburn and smooth. Of course, their pointed ears and sharper features were likely the first things she’d notice, alerting her to the presence of magical beings in her shop.

“You’re…you’re…” Hanna’s soft voice trembled and before he realized what he was about, Garrin found himself rising, ready to assist. Her blue eyes widened as she took him in and her eyelids fluttered. Like a felled sapling she slumped, crumpling on the stairs in a swoon. She would have tumbled down the last remaining few if he hadn’t gathered her up in his arms. Her warm weight was a welcome burden and he allowed himself the pleasure of looking over her body, taking in the swells of her breasts pressing against the thin fabric of her gown, the curved collarbone and hollow at the base of her throat revealed by the garment’s disarray. Her dark brown lashes fluttered against her pale skin as she roused and he couldn’t help but draw in a deep breath to capture her sweet, musky scent while he could.

Lear crouched at her side, running his fingers along the soft skin of her wrist, his gaze never leaving her face.

“Should we return her to bed, do you think?” Garrin tried to keep his voice low so as to not startle her, but she flinched and blinked her eyes instead. Her gaze flew to his, her deep blue eyes wide with confusion as she pressed her hands to his chest as if to push away. He tightened his grip instinctively, something about their physical closeness pulling him to her in an immediate and primal way. Her muscles stiffened in response and at that slight friction against his body, his prong thrummed to life, affirming that indeed he wished to have this woman.

“What are you? Why are you in my shop?” Her voice quavered and her eyes brightened with imminent tears. “Please don’t hurt me.”

Garrin took in an aghast breath. She was frightened of them? To be fair, they were trespassing, but they were attempting to do a good deed and had certainly never contemplated sneaking up to observe her as she slept. Or at least he hadn’t until the thought occurred.

“We won’t hurt you.” Lear’s voice went quiet and soothing, but the woman shook her head in denial. Her limbs quivered as if she longed to escape.

“We aimed to help you, mistress, only that.” Garrin knew that wasn’t quite the whole truth but better to reassure her than reveal he and his mate harbored lustful thoughts toward her. To ease her stress he invoked a small glamour over her, a mere shadow of reassurance and charm.

“But…but…what are you? You aren’t like any men I’ve seen before. Are you from one of the northern kingdoms?” Hanna blinked and attempted to sit up, somehow managing to position herself on Garrin’s lap. His thickened prong approved of the soft buttocks pressed to it. Her expression was sleep softened and gentle, not tense and frightened like before.

“In a manner of speaking,” Lear agreed with her but went still as she reached out one work-worn hand to almost touch the flared point of his ear.

“Was that an injury? How could that be? You both have them.” Her tone went from speculative to confused. Her whole body flinched against his, and Garrin longed for her to move like that when he had his thick prong pressed tight inside her body. However, it seemed there were quite a few impediments to overcome before that scenario would come to pass.

“You aren’t human, are you?” Now she did pull away in earnest, somehow able to overcome the little spell he’d sent her way.

Lear reached out to her cheek and whispered something under his breath and she quieted again, gently shaking her head even as she subsided against Garrin’s shoulder.

“We’re elves.” Garrin believed direct was best, especially when she was somewhat impaired by magic. She moaned low in her throat and Lear again reached for her, smoothing his fingers along her wrists.

“But you don’t exist. The old stories are mere fables and tales. The devil has pointed ears like yours. Or a demon. The cleric says minions of hell can come to steal us away underground where you use us cruelly.”

Garrin wondered what the cleric’s reaction would be if an orc shambled through his church in the middle of a service, or dwarves tunneled out of the vestry floor. As always, the legends and tales of humans cast magical folk as the enemy and blamed them for all the troubles that befell them.

“We aren’t devils or even particularly mean.” Lear smiled at her and she tentatively returned it. How much of her agreeability was due to genuine feeling or the glamour, Garrin couldn’t guess, but the main point was she was calm. “Merely different.”

Hanna raised her hands in the air and shifted her legs, clearly attempting to rise, but Garrin wanted to hold her fast. She might stumble and he would not care to see her injure herself.

“You need to let me go. You need to leave my home,” she declared as she wrenched herself free and tottered between them. Her gaze fell on the boots gleaming like night, and her eyes widened again. “What…are those for me?”

“Yes, Mistress Hanna.” Lear stood from his crouch and reached for the boots, holding them out as the silken laces trailed down.

“This defies all explanation. Mythical creatures in my shop, making me beautiful things.” Hanna’s voice trailed off as she accepted the boots and ran her fingertips along the stitched seams, her hair loosening from the plait down her back. “I should be afraid, screaming for the constable, but I’m not. Why?”

Garrin cleared his throat, sure he didn’t want to tell her the reason.

“We mean you no harm, so there’s no need to be afraid.” Lear nodded encouragingly at her. “Would you care to try them on?”

He knelt at her feet, a supplicant searching for her approval. Abandoning all pretense of aloofness, Garrin joined him, needing to touch her again. He no longer cared about the potentially grave consequences of interacting with her. He craved this sweet-smelling human as he craved wooded glens and waterfalls.

J. Lore Bio:

J. Lore needs three things; strong, black coffee, time to write, and…well…you can guess the third. When she isn’t inventing fantastical tales filled with passionate people, she’s shaking sriracha on whatever she’s eating or reading about the Justinian plague. For updates on her bestselling erotic romance releases, visit her at http://mllesnarratif.com/j-j-lore/ or follow on Twitter @JJLore1

New Release: Multi-Orgasmic – A Collection of Erotic Short Stories #ku #kindleunlimited

Hi everyone,

I’m delighted to announce my next release! Multi-Orgasmic is a solo anthology, containing twenty one erotic short stories for your enjoyment. Here’s the skinny:

Multi-OrgasmicFrom the pen of award-winning erotica author Lucy Felthouse comes a collection of short stories and flash fiction sure to hit the spot.

There’s something for everyone nestling between the pages of this sexy anthology. From spanking to voyeurism, bondage to pegging, solo loving to ménage, with a sprinkling of femdom, maledom and magic, fans of M/F erotic stories will soon discover why this book is described as multi-orgasmic.

Enjoy twenty one titillating tales, over 52,000 words of naughtiness packed into one steamy read.

Please note: Many of the stories in this book have been previously published in anthologies and online, but three of the tales are brand new and never-seen-before!

It’s only available on Amazon currently, which means that it is FREE for Kindle Unlimited members, or you can own it forever for a bargain price.

Buy links here: https://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/multi-orgasmic/

Add to your Goodreads shelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23457636-multi-orgasmic

Happy Reading!

Lucy x

An Interview with Tara Quan (@LaylaTarar)

I’m delighted to welcome Tara Quan back to the site. This time, she’s answering interview questions and discussing globetrotting, speaking Italian and Alexander Skarsgard…

 

Catching RedTell us about yourself. Both your writing self and your non-writing self. What are your interests and hobbies? Do you have a day job, etc?

I’m a bit of a globetrotter. My husband’s job makes us move to a new country every so often (the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, thus far), which is great since I love learning new languages. I’ve been taking Italian full time for the past six months, but I can get back to writing after Valentine’s Day. I’ve had a number of day jobs up to this point (running the gamut from paralegal work, administrative work, event planning, newsletter editing, etc.), but the year we spent in Karachi allowed me to save up enough to indulge in writing full-time for the next couple of months. After that, I guess we’ll see.

Give us the background on your latest release.

I’m a huge fan of both fairy tales and Resident Evil videogames, and a submission call prompted me to marry these two interests into my Undead Fairy Tales series. While zombies occasionally get categorized under paranormal and my publisher considers my books urban fantasy, I would categorize the series as sci-fi. My degree is in biology, and my first job was as a lab tech—both came in handy for designing a fictional Undead Reanimation virus.

How did you get started with writing? And what was your route to publication like?

When I was in high school, I wrote Harry Potter fan fiction. Being overly logical, I shelved writing throughout college and fixated on more “sensible” career paths. Suffice it to say that I’m not great at being sensible—I got back into writing after my husband announced he’d gotten his dream job, which required us to move to Abu Dhabi in less than 30 days. Since this move more or less absolved me from contributing significantly to our family income, I started writing again (while working full-time at the very definition of a dead-end job).

Two trunked (and multiply rejected) manuscripts later, I stumbled upon a submission call for a zombie fairy tale. I wrote the novella, answered the call, and got rejected again. I was convinced Tower in the Woods was worth at least a few more submissions, and it eventually found a home at Liquid Silver books.

What are you currently working on?

Another fairy tale-inspired submission call has caught my fancy, so I’m going to give romantic suspense another try. I also have a Christmas story awaiting revisions on my computer (which I am, admittedly, procrastinating on).

Do you have a particular Muse for your writing? Do any of your characters bear startling resemblances to sexy celebrities or people you admire?

My dream is to be able to write like Nalini Singh, whose heroes—angel, shifter or vampire—are all to die for. However, I think my funny side gets the better of me so my “men” all end up being significantly less alpha.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Both writing-wise and non-writing-wise?

Let’s see—in 2019, I’ll be moving again and probably learning a new language. I’m hoping to blog regularly once I’m in Rome (this July), so my website should be more robust. I should also have a significantly larger backlist (twenty more books would be ideal). Since I hate job interviews, I’m crossing my fingers I would have moved past the “intern paid in coffee” phase of author-dom to “part time minimum wage earner.”

And now for some silly questions…

Muscled or skinny? Muscled (Let’s hope my husband doesn’t read this)

Tall or short? Taller than me (I’m 5’0’’, so most people should qualify)

Boxers or briefs? Boxers

Moustache or beard? Light Beard (think 5 o’clock shadow)

Long hair or shaven head? Long Hair (preferably in a queue at the nape, with a silver clasp. Yes, this is something to which I’ve given much thought).

Tattoos or piercings? Tattoos.

Intelligent or funny? Funny. I like being the brains of the family.

Blond, brunette or red head? Blond 

Hottest celebrity (tell us why, if you like)? I have a crush on Aleksandr Skarsgard. In vogue or not, I still think vampires are super sexy.

Top same-sex crush (or opposite sex if you already like same-sex!) Natalie Portman. Yes, I did watch Star Wars Ep1-3. And yes, I liked them.

Most disliked celebrity (tell us why, if you like) Cartman from South Park. I know he’s a cartoon character, but he grosses me out.

Favourite food. Persimmons (they look like tomatoes, but they taste divine).

Favourite book (tell us why, if you like) Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh. There’s something about an angel with jet black wings and a tattooed face….

Favourite place in the world (tell us why, if you like) Wherever my laptop is located at any given moment.

Anything else you’d like to add? I loathe winter. It makes me want to hibernate.

 

Now give us the blurb, an extract and buy links for your latest release.

Catching Red

Scarlet “Red” Ryding is on a mission. To prevent mass suicide, she must fulfill her grandmother’s evil wishes and return posthaste. With knives in hand, she dives headfirst into an abandoned hospital full of zombies. But after getting trapped within, she is forced to accept help from the world’s most dangerous predator—a man.

Covert Agent Marcus Woodsman received strict instructions against interfering in the affairs of nomads. As a spy for the Federal Military Agency, his mandate is to observe and report. But when he finds a little redhead caught in the center of a brain-eater swarm, conscience compels him to put his ax to good use. By the time he realizes this smart-ass scout comes equipped with a world of trouble, it’s too late—he would do anything to keep her safe.

As Red and her Woodsman work together to survive undead, brave a snowstorm, and bring down an evil cult, they learn to laugh, love, and fight for happiness. The second book in Tara Quan’s Undead Fairy Tales series, Catching Red is a post-apocalyptic thriller with a happily ever after.

Buy Links: Consolidated | Amazon | AllRomance | LSBooks | GoodReads

 

Excerpt:

Scarlet woke to the delicious smell of charred venison and cooking fruit. The rusty feeling between her joints was gone. She rubbed her crusted eyes as she curled into a sitting position. For the first time in months, she felt energized and rested.

Her bed ended where the kitchen area began. Marcus stood in front of the wood-burning stove, his back facing her. Even with his neck bent and spine curved, his blond head grazed the low ceiling. He wrapped a thick cloth around his hand, lifted the cast-iron skillet, and turned in place. He plunked it down on the circular stone tray at the center of her small rickety table. Her first and only attempt at carpentry creaked but didn’t fall apart.

She lifted an eyebrow as she scrutinized the skillet’s contents—seared smoked venison covered with slices of dried apple. It was an interesting meal choice.

Perhaps in reaction to her quizzical expression, he turned his palms up and defended his creation. “The food store in your basement is a mess. This was all I could scrounge up.”

She frowned. “I packed and stacked everything in alphabetical order.”

His broad shoulders rose and fell. “Your system didn’t make any sense. You’ll have to explain it sometime. Either way, this beats the MREs I fed you during the snowstorm. Come on. Your breakfast is getting cold.”

She grabbed the worn quilt and wrapped it over her shoulders. She was about to lower her feet to the cold floor when she saw him shake his head.

He walked over to the foot of her bed. The length of his torso and arms easily spanned the small area separating the cottage’s sleeping and eating spaces. He leaned forward and grabbed the edge of the table with both hands. When he brought his elbows into his body, the piece of furniture with all its contents slid as if on wheels. It stopped a few inches away from the bottom edge of the mattress. He stepped around it, then pulled up the only chair, and sat.

Scooting over, she sniffed the food. The smell made her mouth water. “Why are you being so nice?”

“I’ve always been nice.” He used his knife to spear a piece of seared meat and raised it to his mouth.

Scooting over, she sniffed the food. “You only did it to get me to have sex with you.”

Now give us your author bio and website/social media links.

Tara QuanAbout the Tara Quan

Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, fantasy worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com

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Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this interview and wish you the best of luck with your latest release. Many sales!

Guest Blogger: Nikki Prince

I’m so excited about this naughty fairy tale.  It’s my first paranormal, interracial ménage!  I had so much fun writing this story and I think it’s a wonderful edition to the naughty fairy tale line and my Once Upon a Dream Series.  Book One is Waking Beauty and book Two is Cinda’s Fella.  Please enjoy a excerpt from Ridin’ Red.

Ridin' RedOnce Upon a Dream, 3

A race against biological time…

After being used to a life of luxury, Anastasia Trumane has the silver spoon ripped from her mouth. And she couldn’t be happier. Hard work fills her with unexpected pride, opening a world of new beginnings and hopefully redemption for her past. But when she sees her old Dom, Lucien Wolf, old hurts surface.

Lucien Wolf is a Dominant who gets what he wants. He’s found his mate in Bruno Hunter, but their bond isn’t complete. They both need Anastasia. Years ago, Lucien unknowingly started the mating bond with Anastasia. An unbreakable bond. One that would hurt them all if not completed.

One woman, two wolves, a triad forged in kink.

Be Warned: ménage sex (MMF), BDSM, m/m sex, rimming, anal sex, and spanking

Buy links:

Evernight Publishing
Amazon US
Amazon UK
All Romance eBooks

*****

Excerpt:

Who on earth could that possibly be?

“Just a second,” she called out.

What if something had happened to Dru? As much as Dru pissed her off, she didn’t want anything to happen to her. She hurried to the door, unlocked it and jerked it open. Her eyes widened, and she stood there with her mouth agape.

“Hello, Red.”

Still she couldn’t find her speech. Her fantasy come to life stood in the doorway. The pet name he’d given her flowed like honey off his tongue.

“Going to let me in?”

“No!” She proceeded to shut the door, and he stopped it with his booted foot.

“Come now, Red, let me in…”

“Leave, Luc. We have nothing to say to one another that hasn’t already been said.”

“Is that any way to treat an old friend?”

“Friends? Is that what we are?” Why does he have to look and smell so good? Why is he here?

“We were more than friends once, Red.”

“I seem to recall you’re the reason that ended. Now please, just go.” He didn’t budge, and she let out a sound of frustration. They’d be at this all night; he was as stubborn as hell. She held the door open. “Come in and say what you want, then go.”

“Thank you, Red.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. I may just fucking kick you in the balls as retribution.” He entered the suite, and she closed the door, turning to watch him warily.

“I’d more than deserve that.”

“Get to talking, Lucien.”

“Since our encounter at the club, you haven’t been far from my mind.”

She gave a small sniff. “The fuck you say.”

He held up his hand. “Please let me finish.”

She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, focusing her eyes on the lamp just behind his shoulder. Never him. If she looked at him, all would be lost. Just being this close to him had her heart racing. It was so loud she marveled that he couldn’t hear it.

“Finish, please. I was just about to read and turn in for the night.” Damn, she sounded so exciting.

“The Ana I knew didn’t turn in early.”

“You never really knew me, Lucien.”

“Fair enough. I want to remedy that. Let me get to know you.”

She brought her eyes to his quickly. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Lucien Wolf.” That was when she noticed he’d taken advantage of her not looking at him and was now only inches from her. She stepped back until she was forced against the door.

“You smell so good, Red.” He wasn’t touching her yet, his hands on either side of her head on the door. His lips inches from hers, his warmth emitting from him, the unique scent that was his wafted about, and she groaned. He put his nose to the pulse at her throat, and she whimpered.

“Stop…” It sounded weak even to her ears.

“You just came, Red. I can smell it on you. Fuck, too bad I wasn’t here.”

Those words galvanized her into action, and she pushed against his chest. Of course, he was resistant and didn’t budge. The heat of his skin through his black t-shirt seared her. She drew her hands away and fast.

He grabbed one of her hands and placed it back on his chest over his heart and held it there all the while his ice-colored gaze held hers. He made her feel so small in comparison. At 6’6” he dwarfed her.

“I don’t have time for games, Lucien. Stop this. Whatever this is, you need to stop it.”

“Feel my heart, Ana, my sweet.” His heart beat strongly beneath her fingers, the cadence mesmerizing.

“Luc—” he cut her off.

“No, listen. It was a mistake to make you leave. I tried to stay away, but seeing you a few weeks ago just brought to light that I shouldn’t have ever let you go.”

“How did you find me?”

“Cinda told me where you were. I asked her, though it took a bit of cajoling. She didn’t understand how I even knew you.”

“I kept my time with you my secret. I didn’t share it with anyone, least of all Cinda. She and I, if you haven’t noticed, aren’t close. Though that little problem is mostly by my design and Drusilla’s,” she half-muttered to herself.

“Listen, Red, I know I don’t deserve to ask you this, but I want another chance.”

“I’m not the same person, Lucien. You said it yourself. There is no going back.”

“I’m not asking to go back, baby girl. I’m asking to go forward.” He cupped her cheek, and then stroked his fingertip along her earlobe. She shivered. It was his signature move with her and in the next moment his hands were at her throat. He used his thumbs to stroke up and down both sides of her neck as he held her. She bit her lip in reaction. The years slipped away, and she was a submissive to his master again. There was a time when she’d have done anything he asked. Had that changed? It was a question she didn’t know the answer to, least not yet. Part of her wanted to tell him to leave, to never come back. The other part of her wanted to hold on tight to him and never let him go.

“Luc, some things we are never meant to go back to.” All the while what ran through her head was not looking him in the eyes. There was something about his gaze that seemed to capture her soul.

*****

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