May the Irish hills caress you.
 May her lakes and rivers bless you.
 May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
 May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
 ~Irish Blessing

We may not be Irish but we will claim to be on St. Paddy’s day. Why? For the gratuitous, spontaneous pecks of course!

Only two other holidays allow us this opportunity but with conditions; Christmas, you have to be under the mistletoe and New Year’s Eve, at the stroke of midnight.

Irish is sexy. We have a romance with the strong Irish brogue and the fiery passion. The stories of struggle and conquer. The Irish male lead with the strong brogue taking what he wants. The female headstrong and not willing to give in easily. I know these qualities are used with many lead characters but what makes it sexier? The brogue: plain and simple.

The Irish blessing that I started with is a real Irish blessing. Read it again. I’ll wait. Okay so, did you notice even though it’s a blessing it has its sexy qualities. Words like caress, enfold and behold you.

Now imagine that whispered in your ear with that strong Irish brogue, while strong hands hold you tight with passion. Yes, Irish is sexy.

So today celebrate your Irishness, whether it be inherited or borrowed. Drink the green beer, chant the chants and definitely snag those kisses!

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we are giving away three free books to whoever leaves a comment.

Tell us if you think Irish is sexy.

Do you claim to be Irish for the day? Or are you going to collect on those gratuitous free pecks today?

Whose your favorite Irish male character in a story?

Leave a comment, name and email today. Each commenter will recieve FREE Books.

 All three authors have upcoming books.

Keith Publications    Wicked Ink Press    D’ Ink Well    Dreams N Fantasies

@KeithPubs

@Writers_Rescue

FB Keith Publications LLC

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

This might be question a lot of the readers would like to ask, and rightly so. I will try and explain what made me decide to take this route.

First of all, unless you have a huge social network of followers, no one except friends and family will even know a book has been written. Publishers leave it up to the author nowadays to promote his/her own work, so they’re no help. (unless you’re a big name!) And e-books don’t fill up shelves in bookstores and Wal-Mart stores. Therefore, our only avenue to find readers and wave the book in front of them is by the internet. Not too easy, unless as I said above, you happen to have a large social network – (it does bear repeating.)

Then along comes Amazon with their new KDP select program. If you publish with the select choice, you give Amazon sole rights to your book for three months. And in turn they grant you 5 days where your book can be listed for free. And you get to choose the days!

If used well, and promoted like crazy, these days can get a lot of people to see your book, download it and raise your numbers in your category. It can mean that you’ll come out of the vast black hole of unnoticed books and into the daylight of bestseller’s lists.

So, that is why some of us like to give our books away free. For instance – the more people who download My Cheeky Angel, the better my numbers will be. If some people actually read my book, like it, maybe review it, why it’s a huge plus.

So…do this author a favour, go and download mine and all the other books that interest you.

Then enjoy!!

See all the free books at the links below.

Blurb: My Cheeky Angel  (1st book in the Angels with Attitudes series)

 Annie is naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.

Tyler, a Social Worker and a woman-hater previously hurt in two relationships, only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell.  In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.

Excerpt:

Every time he closed his eyes, a strange image of Annie in trouble took on such realistic tendencies it seemed surreal. Sick of his own company, Tyler decided a walk would do him a world of good, clear his head, and help to get his mind off his tomboy gone rogue.

Once the idea appeared, it became a fixation. No choice, no dragging his feet, he had to get out of his apartment. Either he needed hallucination treatments or a curt, gravelly female had taken up residence in his brain and urged him to hurry and get his butt moving.

The elevator, not ever on his floor, awaited him with the door open and no one else inside. He shivered. Strange and stranger! The ride down lasted only seconds. When it slowly opened, a nightmare unfolded. One look at his Annie clinging to her evening’s escort and his rage superseded common sense. Without thought, he ripped her from the scumbag’s groping fingers and shoved the conceited-looking, puffed-up character against the wall. All Tyler’s six feet two inches of anger intimidated. He watched the coward evaluate, then shrink back.

Within seconds the smooth prick spoke. “Anna had a bit too much to drink. I was seeing her safely home.”

“Not a problem. I’ll take her up,” he growled. By this time, Tyler had a supportive arm around the wobbly woman. He looked down at her. “Say bye-bye to your date…Anna.” His spitting out her newly chosen name would have set worry bells ringing, if she’d been in her normal state of mind. Blitzed out of her head, she just jiggled her fingers and said, “Bye-bye, date.”

With everything happening so fast, Tyler knew Annie hadn’t had a chance to fully appreciate the change in her situation. One minute she was leaning drunkenly against the slimy character whose hands were all over her body, while her unfocused eyes gazed at him adoringly. The next minute, Tyler had taken over.

As the elevator doors closed, leaving Sergio shrugging off his disappointment, a fuming Tyler lifted Annie into his arms.

At ease, Annie wrapped her arms around him, snuggled her face into his neck, and then sighed. His familiar expensive cologne, one of her gifts that he regularly used, seemed to soothe her. “I love how you smell.”

His anger fled the moment he became aware that she sniffed at him like a small kitten. His legs almost buckled when he felt the tip of her tongue lick him, and then press a tiny kiss over the wet spot.

The groan started deep, frustration forcing it out, chasing away his righteous snit. At her door, he lowered her to her unsteady feet, but she refused to unwind her arms from around his neck. They clung, her body glued to his.

Check out Mimi Barbour

Contact Email: mimibarbour@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.mimibarbour.com

Blog: http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com

Announcing

Lucky Days Free Par-Tay

http://www.freepartay.com

Discover over 40 amazing ebooks:

Romances, Thrillers, Mysteries, Humor, Fantasies, and more!

All FREE at Amazon.com

Fantastic ebooks, many by award-winning and best-selling authors.

There’s a genre for every reader’s taste.

Romance from sweet to HOT, suspense, paranormal, humorous, historical…we have an awesome range.

If Mysteries and Thrillers are your thing you can’t go wrong. Police action, murderous mayhem, amateur sleuths and more.

You’ll also find Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Woman’s Fiction…. A fantastic selection!

Got kids? We have books for elementary school age and teens alike.

Don’t miss out! Soon these amazing ebooks will be back to their usual prices.

Grab them while they’re FREE! March 14th-18th.

Who says you can have too much of a good thing.

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Load up your Kindle and tell your neighbors to do the same.

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Some Examples

of the

Great Books Available

You like Romance? Find them here.  

Don’t miss Mimi Barbour’s “My Cheeky Angel” or Virna DePaul’s “Chosen by Sin.” Rita Herron will make you smile with “Marry Me Maddie.” Stephanie Bond’s “I think I Love You” and Denise Domning’s “Almost Perfect” are perfect for the addicted romance reader. Debra Burroughs “Three Days in Seattle” and Nina Bruhns’s “The French Detective’s Woman” add a splash of mystery and suspense to their romance. 

Excited by Thrillers?  Ecstatic for Mysteries? Scared by Horror? Tweaked by Sci-Fi? You’re in the right place!

Ron Kierkegaard’s “The God Particle” stretches the boundaries and Michael Shean’s “Shadow of a Dark Star” will open your eyes to new worlds. Michael Paneush’s “The Stein and Candle Detective Agency” is a fantastical take on mystery and fantasy abounds in Jack Albrecht’s “Osric’s Wand” and Vicki Keirie’s “Worlds Burn Through.”  

“Liquid Lies” By Lois Lavrisa dives into secrets, lies and murder, while Shannon Mayer will lead you through ten Horrifying stories in “Ingredients of a Caldron.” Nathan Yocum investigates a post-apocalyptic future in “The Zona” and Katherine Owen digs deep in a story of love and loss in “Seeing Julia.”

And don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter. You’ll automatically be entered to WIN $100 in Amazon Gift Cards.

Leave a comment, name and email address,

because one lucky peson will win Mimi’s e-book.  

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

My name is Tara Fox Hall. I author several different genres, but I’m here today with Mary -Keith Publications to promote Just Shadows, my anthology of short horror and suspense stories recently published in January. Below is a dark prequel to the title story, Just Shadows. Enjoy!

Hungry.

I was hungry first.

Then came feelings of being closed in, of cramped confinement, constraint.

Then came voices.

“We shouldn’t do this—”

“You saw how upset she was, Margie. We must do this. Who knows what might happen next time to her if we don’t?”

“This is not a simple prayer for a bad man to get punishment, Sylvia. The Husterman will go after anyone it finds—”

“I will do this with your help, or without. Now get the blood, Margie.”

The silence returned. I drifted in my dark womb, hunger gnawing at my belly.

****

Voices again, stirring me from my coma.

“Are you sure it’s ready?”

The voice called Margie. She was near. Very near. I pushed upwards eagerly, against my confines. There was a gasp, then a scuffling noise.

“You saw for yourself. He is ready. Grab the bag and come.”

“You grab it, Sylvia, since you know so much.”

There was a sound of contempt. I smelled that tantalizing scent again. Then I was in motion, the back and forth sensation making me angry. Odd sounds took place, loud growling, then a deep vibration. It went on and on, my being vibrating with the noise. I did not like it. It made my angry turn to fury.

****

The vibration stopped. I moved slightly, stretching against my confines. More noises come, then there is a familiar repetitive sound. I am moving again.

“Come on. We have to hurry!”

There are so many smells. I writhe frantically, trying to break free, wanting to get out. I must get out. I must get out and rip into those smells and find out what they are.

A gust of air hits me. I freeze, the shock overwhelming. I am turned upside down, and fall. Instinctively, I spread myself thin, stopping my descent. I have no body. The mist that is me reforms, and I look with eyes for the first time.

Large things tower over me with reaching arms. They smell good. So many smells.

“Husterman.”

I blink my eyes, liking the sensation. Then I somehow know that sound means me. It is my…name.

“I have called you into being. I charge you with keeping this forest from dusk to dawn.”

I look with my new eyes. There is a frail being in front of me. Feminine. Her anger matches my own.

“You will stay within the boundaries of this forest.” The being thrusts out her hand.          There is something in it. I come forward, sniffing eagerly, then recoil. The thing in her hand is bad. It smells like it will hurt me.

The female hangs the thing from a tree, then turns back to me. “Stay within the forest.”

I am hungry. I want food. But I cannot ask. I cannot speak. I have no mouth.

The female leaves, moving fast. There is another like her near a box-thing. They both get in, and that terrible vibration rises up, as lights piece the darkness. I move back, safe inside the towering things.

They leave, the vibration lessening. And as they go, I watch with my eyes and remember…

A car. That box-thing they drove away in is called a car.

****

Nights go by. With each one, I remember more of what I was. Who I was. Names for things around me, like trees, rocks and shadows. But so much is missing. So much is lost.

I was human once. I had a mouth. I will have one again. I want one, and teeth, too. Long teeth. I am working hard to make them form out of the mist that is me.

I have claws now. So shiny and black, so lovely sharp. I am so hungry…so hungry.

Voices!

I wait, slinking into the hollow tree. Beings are coming. Not female. Maybe they will hurt me.

“Jeff, hunting season isn’t for another week, Man. Why the hell are we out here? If the DEC catches us, we’ll—”

“Shut your pie hole. If you want a deer, you’ve got to get out here now, before they all get spooked.”

I form eyes, then peer out. The beings are so close. The sun is almost down. Dusk has settled over everything. But my eyes see clearly.

I scent the air. There is no bad smell. There is a good smell, a wonderful smell that makes me moan before I stifle it.

“Did you hear that?”

“That was just that log creaking, you crybaby. Come on.”

The beings smell like food. Food! I cannot wait. My new mouth salivates. I must try it, and my new teeth, too

The beings are leaving, their feet making soft noises on the old leaves. I slide out of my log, and follow them, unseen.

Blurb:  From the murky depths of a summer lake to the echoing halls of an insane asylum, evils both supernatural and mortal lie in wait for potential victims. Those innocent might escape by a hair’s breath, if they’re lucky.  Then again, they might not.

Just Shadows is a collection of disquieting stories; some horror, others suspense, ranging from classic haunted houses to murder to the apocalypse, and everything in between. Root for the victim or villain, its up to you. Justice is blind, and sometimes the sword falls where you’d least expect.

The shadows are waiting for you. Dare you step into the darkness and be judged?

Excerpt of Book – PG RATING

Here is an excerpt from the title story, Just Shadows:

 Dawn was just breaking, fog rising off the small stream in misty tendrils that wafted through the forest glade The forest was dark and deep, still mostly silent, inky blackness. From time to time, rustling sounds issued from thickets, but it was the small rustling of rabbits and grouse, not the prey most men were after today. Suddenly, there came a sharp shriek of a scream owl, startling the man crouched waiting in the tree stand high above.

“They’re just shadows,” Lenny said under his breath to himself, shifting his weight. “How long you been huntin’ these woods? You know better.”

He looked down the barrel, checking the sight one more time. You couldn’t be too careful. It was easy to knock the sight off getting up into the tree stand. God knew, he wasn’t getting any younger. Still, for a man his age, Lenny was pretty limber. Smiling, he settled back, scanning the forest floor. The first day of hunting season was the best day of his year.

****

“Fucking amateurs,” Lenny said angrily hours later. “Assholes!”

The morning had been beautiful, the day creeping in quickly, illuminating the shadows. Like clockwork, a beautiful buck had come right to the stream to drink. Lenny had been squeezing the trigger when a rifle crack had shattered the moment, the buck bolting out of his sights, its flank bloodied. Lenny had cursed, then climbed down the wooden ladder quickly. The crackling of dead limbs coming his way was testament that the stupid ass who’d shot his buck was giving chase. Lenny reached the forest floor in time to stop the young punk in his tracks

“What are you, an idiot?” he’s shouted at the boy. “You can’t use a rifle on deer.”

“Who’s going to stop me, old man?” the punk said with a sneer. “There’s no DEC anywhere around here today. They’re all up there on the state land. It’s party time—”

“You get out of here before I drill your ass where you stand,” Lenny growled harshly. “This is my land. I pay the taxes on it, not you. Get out of here now.”

The punk glared back, but when Lenny’s eyes remained hard and unwavering, the punk’s gaze slid away, then lowered. “I know I hit the animal. I need to track it—”

“You winged him, is all,” Lenny interrupted, gripping his shotgun. “He’ll be fine. But you won’t be if you don’t shut up and get gone. Now.”

The kid turned and walked away, muttering under his breath. Lenny watched him until the boy was gone, then let his shoulders slump in relief. You could never tell these days if a kid was going to snap and start shooting, or if he’d been taught to respect his elders. A lot of men Lenny’s age had found the former true in recent years. It was a relief he’d been right this time.

But that hadn’t been the worst part; that had come later. Lenny had climbed back up into the stand, had lunch, then waited the rest of the afternoon without seeing a goddamned thing. Just as dark was falling, another deer came up, again a buck. Trailing him was a doe. Lenny got into position, and then suddenly, the bark of a dog shattered the stillness, making the two deer turn as one and flee.

Lenny cursed again. That damn neighbor of his, out walking her dogs. Didn’t she know today was the first day of hunting season? Yes, she did—there was her bright orange hat and vest. Christ, she even had orange vests on the dogs. He stayed silent, waiting for her to pass.

He’d waited until the shadows were thick, hoping for another chance, but no deer had come. Pissed off and dejected, Lenny began to reluctantly climb down. This was his first opening day in years that he had noting to show for his efforts. Now dusk was closing on full dark. Damn it, I should have left earlier…

There was a snap as the ladder rung he was holding onto gave way. The ground rushed up to meet him before he could yell.

****

Blinking his eyes, Lenny sat up, trying to ignore his throbbing head. Damn ladder. He was lucky the gun hadn’t gone off; he’d forgotten to safety it before starting to descend the ladder. At least there was a shiver of moon, just enough to illuminate the woods around him weakly. But the thickets and bushes were black as pitch, just shadows with no form.

He hadn’t fallen far, but he’d cracked his head good. The rest of him was just fine. With a groan, he got to his feet, feeling in his pockets for a flashlight. His wife Hera would be worried about him. She’d been telling him for years to get himself one of those new cell phones, complaining that when he was out hunting she had no way to contact him. He hadn’t listened, of course. The last thing he wanted was to have his hunting disturbed. Now she was going to bend his ear every chance she got, after hearing about this. Grumbling, he clicked the safety on, switched on the flashlight, and began walking slowly back to where his truck was parked.

There was a rustling in the thicket ahead. Lenny turned, curious. Maybe it was a deer? Wouldn’t that be funny, he thought sarcastically; a deer coming in so close now, when it was too late to shoot. He aimed his flashlight beam into the thicket, but the weak light wouldn’t penetrate the shadows. All it did was illuminate two eyes shining back at him.

There was a deer in there staring at him. Had to be. Well, there was no point in scaring it. Lenny began to back away slowly.

The eyes held on him, motionless, then very slowly rose in the shadow, until they were level with his height. Then they kept rising up, until they were near eight feet in the air. Again they held still, staring back at him.

Lenny’s skin crawled as he stared back, frozen in his tracks. Even a deer rearing on its hind legs wouldn’t be that tall. This had to be a bear, and the biggest goddamn one he’d ever seen.

The eyes moved in the darkness toward him, leaves rustling with each deliberate footstep.

A bear wouldn’t do that, Lenny thought, backing away. A bear couldn’t walk that far on its hind legs.

The eyes suddenly darted forward, twigs and branches in the thing’s path snapping. Lenny turned and ran, the fast crackling of broken branches coming right behind him.

Leave a comment, name and email address,

because one lucky peson will win Tara’s e-book.  

Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers – Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first e-novella, Surrender to Me, was published in September 2011. Her first full-length novel, Lash, will publish in April 2012. Her Vampire series begins in June 2012, with the novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.

Website: www.tarafoxhall.com

Email: tarafoxhallATgmailDOTcom

Tara’s Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903

 Tara’s Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog

Buy Links for Just Shadows:

http://shop.bradleypublishings.com/Just-Shadows_c2.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Just-Shadows-ebook/dp/B006V4HB2Y

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

The bio, a much dreaded necessity of a writer, can be a painful and frustrating endeavor.   However, it is essential to your promotion and “brand”. I really dislike the word “brand” but it is a true fact of self-promotion.

After all, you are selling you. Your book is an extension of you. A lot of thought, emotion and time have gone into writing it, and your ultimate desire is for people to read it and love it as much as you. (Let’s not forget SELL!)

Readers have lots of books to choose from so it’s important to present your “brand” in the best light and bolster awareness among potential consumers, making impression after impression. 

Bios are important to our readers and editors. When I read a book that I enjoy, I check out the author’s bio to maybe catch a glimpse of who created such great characters and stories. It fills our need to not only connect but then the opportunity to follow our favorites.

Recently requesting updated bios from our authors, I came across a stumbling block. It is so much easier to create and write characters than it is to write about ourselves. 

We don’t really think of ourselves as that interesting, certainly when compared to our creations. But are we? The answer is yes!

We all have something interesting about ourselves. Don’t scoff. You do. We have qualities that bring us closer to our fan base. Something that is relatable. I for instance, thrive on caffeine! I cannot start my day without it and to my own demise drink way to much of it. Sometimes I feel I alone am keeping the energy drink companies afloat. See some of you may relate to this.

Some tips for writing a great bio.

• Should always be written in third person.
• Something simple to relate yourself to your readers; could be you thrive on coffee or have to listen to music when you write.
• Something interesting about yourself; what got you to start writing, a quirky talent (we all have something).
• Education; degree in creative writing or any background studies that provided a basic knowledge of your plot and characters.
• Your published works
• Groups you belong to. Professional or interests.
• Where you live (even if vaguely stated)
• Pets, kids, significant other. Not necessarily in that order.
• Read your favorite authors bios and make note of what they said that interested you.
• Your blog; if you have one a brief mention is ok
• Your readers: if your works are in serious nature your bio should have a serious tone, tone is important to your readers. If you write YA it should be upbeat and quirky to appeal to that audience…and so on and so forth.

These are just a few tips to help you on your way.

Here is an example of one of Keith Publications author’s, Victoria Maikell bios. She made two to choose from. The first one is quirky and geared towards her audience. The second is a more professional bio.

The first one is a quirky bio:

The creature known as Victoria Maikell assumed her human form on December 28, 1985. From a very young human age, she developed her skill of imagination and shared it with whoever took the time to look or listen.

Fellow monsters and mythic beings were summoned to the Earthly realm at her whim; however, most were weaker in power and unable to leave their written or doodled form. After some trial and error, she later created a technique to transport real people into her imagined world to blend in amongst its imaginary inhabitants.

Soon after the turn into the twenty-first century, Victoria’s first novel-length adventure of the world she had created had taken full shape, and with it began her journey to focus her powers into greater clarity.

Years later, still not having the resources to build her own ark, Ms. Maikell was forced to flee during the last great flood caused by Hurricane Katrina; however, even that did not stop her quest for knowledge—she returned to her schooling at the University of New Orleans to earn a BA in English.

Today Victoria Maikell works like an average citizen to pay bills and pose as a typical citizen. By night she may be found terrorizing the city with her fiancée, a weretiger massage therapist, her two roommates, a gay psychic vampire, and a buxom pirate who battles viciously to earn her commissions.

Between secretly ruling a city of vampires and helping werewolves defend the planet, she still makes time to relax, and hopes that one day more humans will see her world to make it greater than she ever could imagine on her own.

And the second professional bio:

Victoria Maikell has always had the desire to create characters and watch them run around. Born in 1985, her home near New Orleans, a place known for its uniqueness both fictional and real, has been a host of many people and places that have inspired more possibilities than the author has yet to commit to paper.

My Afterlife Story was the first novel-length tale written by Ms. Maikell during the Spring Break of her eighth grade school year. Supernatural movies of the eighties and nineties had been her main muse at the time; however, as a teenager, Victoria usually had complaints about how the characters of such movies spoke or reacted. When trying to convey and debate such feeling with classmates, most had not watched, nor cared; thus, Ms. Maikell created a work based on a teenager her age to introduce basics of the supernatural to her fellow students, as well as provide adults with a written example of how a teenager would speak, think, and react to such odd circumstances.

Since then, Victoria had focused on her creative writing to improve her skill at storytelling. She completed her chosen studies at the University of New Orleans to earn her BA in English, with a minor in Philosophy to widen her cast of characters. She had even submitted My Afterlife Story as a work assignment to be read and critiqued by classmates, and later by professors outside of class, in order to test the novel against its original purpose.

With some edits done for the sake of grammar and detail, Ms. Maikell adjusted the adults of her book while keeping the thoughts and actions of the younger characters as they had been written almost ten years ago.

Which one did you enjoy reading the most?

Which one brought you to connect more with her?

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

April’s Book Cover Contest

 Jimmy Thomas

Theme – Write the story that best fits this cover.

Have you ever read a book and the cover didn’t portray

what was written in the book?

Here’s your chance to change the outcome.

Write a 3,000 – 10,000 – word story

of what you see in the cover.

The Rules:  

1. Word count 3,000-10,000
2. Deadline: Midnight, May 15, 2012
3. Entry fee: $10 (5% of the prize money will go to the Arizona Literacy Foundation)
4. Send money through PayPal to mary@KeithPublications.com Please put the title of your manuscript in the PayPal comments.
5. All entries are to be emailed to: mary@keithpublications.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
6. All emailed attachments should be in .doc, .docx or .rtf format.
7. All emailed entries subject line must have: March ECover Contest 
8. Author entries must identify author by name and pen name, mailing address, title, word count in the email, and the email address you used to pay for the contest in PayPal
9. Entries must have a short synopsis of the book entered in the contest. See how to submit a synopsis on the left side bar of Keith Publications’ site. Copy and paste the synopsis form into a word doc and fill it out. Attach this form along with your full manuscript.
10. The categories are: Romance/sub-genres: paranormal/fantasy, hot/erotic/sexy/alterative/GLBT, romantic suspense or romantic mystery.
11. Winner of each genre or sub-genre will become a semi-finalist. All semi-finalists will go into the final round.
12. The top winner will receive a cash prize and contract with Keith Publications. Their book cover will state “Contest Winner.” The cash prize is 35% of the number of entry fees submitted.
13. The remaining three finalists will receive a publishing contract with Keith Publications, with their book cover stating, “Contest Finalist.”
14. All other entries will be looked at for possible submissions to Keith Publications, unless the writer wants to withdraw manuscript after the closing of the contest. Author must state they want to withdraw manuscript at the close of contest.
15. Keith Publications author entries will be judged separately and the four winners will receive a publishing contract with KP.
16. No entries will be returned or acknowledged. If you have not heard from Keith Publications by September 15, 2012, it is safe to send your manuscript to another publisher.

If you have other manuscripts that you would like to submit, please read the guidelines for submissions at Keith Publications side bar.

 Link to KP site where this and other contests are located.  http://tinyurl.com/76ytke7

Leave a comment with your name and email address.

The lucky peson will win one of Keith Publications’  e-books.  

All names and email addresses will be added to KP’s mailing list.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

March’s Book Cover Contest

Jimmy Thomas  

Theme – Write the story that best fits this cover.

Have you ever read a book and the cover didn’t portray

what was written in the book?

Here’s your chance to change the outcome.

Write a 3,000 – 10,000 – word story

of what you see in the cover.

Rules:     

1. Word count 3,000-10,000
2. Deadline: Midnight, April 15, 2012
3. Entry fee: $10 (5% of the prize money will go to the Arizona Literacy Foundation)
4. Send money through PayPal to mary@KeithPublications.com Please put the title of your manuscript in the PayPal comments.
5. All entries are to be emailed to: mary@keithpublications.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
6. All emailed attachments should be in .doc, .docx or .rtf format.
7. All emailed entries subject line must have: March ECover Contest 
8. Author entries must identify author by name and pen name, mailing address, title, word count in the email, and the email address you used to pay for the contest in PayPal
9. Entries must have a short synopsis of the book entered in the contest. See how to submit a synopsis on the left side bar of Keith Publications’ site. Copy and paste the synopsis form into a word doc and fill it out. Attach this form along with your full manuscript.
10. The categories are: Romance/sub-genres: paranormal/fantasy/time travel, hot/erotic/sexy/alterative/GLBT, romantic suspense or romantic mystery.
11. Winner of each genre or sub-genre will become a semi-finalist. All semi-finalists will go into the final round.
12. The top winner will receive a cash prize and contract with Keith Publications. Their book cover will state “Contest Winner.” The cash prize is 35% of the number of entry fees submitted.
13. The remaining three finalists will receive a publishing contract with Keith Publications, with their book cover stating, “Contest Finalist.”
14. All other entries will be looked at for possible submissions to Keith Publications, unless the writer wants to withdraw manuscript after the closing of the contest. Author must state they want to withdraw manuscript at the close of contest.
15. Keith Publications author entries will be judged separately and the four winners will receive a publishing contract with KP.
16. No entries will be returned or acknowledged. If you have not heard from Keith Publications by September 15, 2012, it is safe to send your manuscript to another publisher.

If you have other manuscripts that you would like to submit, please read the guidelines for submissions at Keith Publications on the left side bar.

Leave a comment with your name and email address.

The lucky peson will win one of Keith Publications’  e-books.  

All names and email addresses will be added to KP’s mailing list.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

Firstly, I  write because I must. Writing is the single activity which I am compelled to do. But what I write is the real story…  

Only in the past forty years has American society’s view of women and their ‘place’
changed. Thankfully, slow, incremental change has come, although there is still much to be done to ensure equal opportunity, to provide education and training, to allow women to control their own destinies—not to mention their own bodies—in ways men, especially white men, have always enjoyed. It is accurate to say this.  Women and their possibilities have finally been recognized, driven by the women’s
movement, by the fight for civil rights for everyone, and by demographic changes in
the population of the country.  
  

This change–slow in beginning and constantly stymied—nevertheless produces
life-changing opportunities. At the same time, it presents challenges and sacrifices women of the 1930s never
dreamed of. To embrace opportunities in education, in social mobility, in more meaningful work, women have struggled,
sacrificed, and absorbed ridicule, caustic criticism, blatant hatred, ostracism, and judgment from those threatened by a world based on fairness, equality and change.  

Everyone has a story. Most of us never consider the challenges life presents to the neighbor next door, the stay-at-home mom, the university president, the pediatrician, the young cashier at the supermarket, the women’s basketball coach, the
store clerk, the truck driver—women all, trying to make sense of their lives. Many of us respond to the challenge of an ever-changing life; some exist in a never-changing life. But most women strive to make their little corner a better place.  

These struggling women are the characters I bring to life—those who want meaningful work, a sustaining love partner, friends
who value us, and occasional rewards. We may or may not want children, wealth, social position, travel opportunities, professional respect, power, or status. But whatever we value, those reading our stories should draw strength from our winnings and commiserate with our losses. After all, isn’t this the point of society, of our place in the universal human condition?  

Blurb:  

Recovering from a marriage lost to her husband’s depression, Anna struggles to rebuild her life. Just as a new writing career is within her grasp, she finds herself accidently aiding the man of her dreams, the still attractive, Jake–her secret love from high school. With Anna’s help, Jake understands that his life may be in danger and, by her association with him, so might hers.  

In an effort to remove them both from a threatening environment, Jake decides to accompany Anna on her book publicity tour. He finds that he needs Anna’s unique book knowledge both to unravel the mystery of embezzled funds in a state university and to keep them safe. As Jake’s love for her grows, Anna feels even more ambivalent about their relationship.
How much can she risk again?  

Excerpt:  

The cabin, even after she had laid tile and completely repainted the walls, represented her ‘roughing it’ period. Alone here most of the time, she had relished the isolation of its location, its sturdy construction, the break from people it represented.  

“You liked it here, old girl,” Anna reminded herself as she opened her car door and stepped into the early spring morning. “You
hid, licked your wounds, and gathered strength to face another day.”  She smoothed the skirt of her new, tailored suit, realizing that she blended perfectly into the bright greens all around her. Spring is best in the mountains, Anna thought; but that’s the only thing that’s best here.  

“Why did I come?” She muttered to herself, fighting the flood of painful memories which threatened to overwhelm her. Anna walked briskly down the rough driveway, circling around the cabin. She had loved the quite remoteness of this place; now it felt isolated. Another house sat on the near-by hill; but the trees hid it from view.  

“…just as I hid my pain,” Anna noted. Remembering, Anna could feel the tears welling in her eyes.  Her memories of those days were still vivid: the bouts of deep sobbing at home; the quiet tears in her office; the constant exhaustion; the strain of preparing food and trying to eat; the demands of a thankless job.    

In the past, she’d often declared that she was a late bloomer, always experiencing life a little later than the majority of women.  She had married late, had her children in her thirties, and awakened to the reality of her marriage—late as well. It was the loss of that relationship—the warm ‘knowing-ness’ of being together, the deep connection she and her husband had developed, their
shared helplessness in the face of his worsening depression—that had brought her to her knees.  

Acacia Oak, former professor and academic administrator, examines the challenges for women who work in higher education.  From two-year college students who seek training and work-related skills, to typical under-graduate who have no idea why they are in college, to ‘more able than thou’ graduate students, she describes this world—one very much like
the non-academic world with which most of us are more familiar.  Society’s challenges are reflected in academia.      

Through her historical research in eighth century Europe, she has discovered that women’s challenges remain essentially the same. Her titles include: Charlemagne and His Lady and The Banished, Medieval Queen, first wife of Charlemagne. She’s served as a reviewer for Library Journal and Choice.  

Contact Email:  jujuferret@yahoo.com
Website: www.acaciaoakbooks.com
Other Links:     www.academicdenizen.com

Purchase site:  www.dinkwell.com  or   www.wickedinkpress.com    

All names and email addresses will be added to KP’s mailing list.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

February turned out to be a great leap year or month. KP had so many bloggers this month…one for every day but the 5^th of February. That was my anniversary and my attentions were directed to Paul, my wonderful husband, not the blog that day. But I will add 1 vote for all those in the running for the 4 grand prizes of books.

Keeping track of all the names takes a long time. I found that out last night…Yes, it is already March 1^st and I haven’t gone to bed yet. I still haven’t got all the names tallied, but it should be later today and I will add it to the blog, send out emails, tweet and post to FB.

Please check below to see who won the big prizes.

I appreciate all the bloggers who poured their romantic hearts out and replied to all the ones who left comments. I appreciate all of the people who stopped by and read the blogs and left comments. What a great bunch of people. I hope to become a friend to all of you and I hope you have made some new acquaintances in both readers and writers.

So far in my tallies, I’ve seen the same names repeated…some not…thus the title of this blog.

I had fun reading the comments, going back and forth between the blogger and the person leaving the comment. I’ve learned a few things from the bloggers about the many sub-genres of romance and why they write what they write.

I hope all of you that have stopped by KP’s blog, to comment, read or blog will come back and join us in more upcoming fun.

If you would like to blog…email blog@keithpublications.com. The blog form is at www.keithpublications.com on the left side bar. Fill it out and attach it to the email and don’t forget the checklist at the end. It’s there to make sure you have attached everything I need to set up your blog post.

Remember we are a publisher of every genre…non-fiction too. We work with authors who have agents and those who don’t.

One of the agents I work with sent a nice review about working with KP. I was so thrilled that I thought it fitting to share it here with you first. Diane herself is a great agent to work with too.

Thanks for the kind words Diane.

“Keith Publications is among the best publishers I have ever worked with — and I have been in business since 1988. They are quick to respond to submissions; their contract is extremely fair; and they really seem to care about what they are doing! I hope to have a long and fruitful relationship with KP!”

Leave a comment and the lucky person will win one of KP’s e-books.

Don’t forget to check back later to see if you have won one of the big prizes.

The Winners Are…….

I want to thank everyone for blogging and those who commented. I have the 4 grand prize winners listed below. It was a close run and with the 1 extra day added to each person, we had only 1 person to have a total of 29 days.

If you are getting this email, you are a blogger or 1 of the lucky 4 winners. If you are a winner, please email me, so I can send you the books.

Congratulations to the winners.

Nikki  with 29 days

Lynda Frazier with 28 days

Tracey D with 28 days

Ronda D with 27 days

It took longer than I thought to tally all the people up…but it was a fun month. Hope you will come back and blog or comment again…or both

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

When I started thinking about writing romance I always thought I would only write in the one I enjoyed reading the most…Historical Romance. I’m talking about in the most traditional sense of the genre, Historical M/F. I’ve always loved the settings in them with all the different types of dresses and dashing heroes who almost always tended to be noblemen with a tarnished past. I do still plan on writing them, but my muse, Lucien had other ideas in mind.

Like most writers, I’m always checking out the calls for submissions on the publishers websites. I saw one for Red Hot Fairy Tales. Lucien, being the mischievous and sometimes very irritating muse that he is, perked up at the idea of writing a fairy tale with a modern twist. I began writing my version of Beauty and the Beast, my first attempt at erotic romance. I got about four or five chapters in on that story and for one reason or another got sidetracked. I came across another intriguing call about that time. This one was for Cyberpunk Novellas. I am happy to say that I finished it.

But a funny thing happened during the plotting and beginning chapters of that book. Originally I had the heroine with a man before the hero showed up. Needless to say I started getting writers block when my characters didn’t want to do what I wanted them to. I talked it over with my critique partner at the time and was a little stunned with the realization that the man who my heroine was supposed to dump for the hero insisted he was a part of the relationship between her and the hero I had planned for the book. Thus my venture into the world of erotic romance began. I did finish writing their story. (It’s currently in revisions again and has become a full length novel with the Beauty and the Beast story being incorporated into that series.)

After I hit send on the email to submit my cyberpunk story, someone pointed out the call for Keith Publications “Tramp Stamp Series”. I decided to try writing a short story for the first time and received the contract for my first book a few weeks later. “Shooting Stars” was published last March as the first in the “Tramp Stamp Series”. I was completely surprised by that since I didn’t have any writing credentials to my name at the time.

The characters in “Shooting Stars”, Willa, Schy and Kee, weren’t finished with me yet though. They had a much bigger story to tell. “Falling Star” picks up a couple of months after “Shooting Stars” ends and tells the emotional journey the three of them take to realize their love for one another.

Every writer’s approach to writing the stories their muses present to them is vastly different. For me, I’ve learned I need to listen to my characters and tell the story the way they show it to me. I didn’t plan to write Erotic Romance when I started writing, but I’m definitely not sorry that I found it. Or rather my characters and Lucien forced me to see the light. LOL. Just like in real life you need to be willing to bend and sway when something isn’t working. You just might be surprised with the results.

Blurb: Shooting Stars

 Dr. Wilhemina Brock prides herself on her ability to keep her private life with her husband Schyler just that – private. But when Keenan, the new nurse on staff, catches a glimpse of her tramp stamp, she’s coerced into spilling the story behind it, revealing how she broke the student-professor boundaries and hooked her husband.

Excerpt: Shooting Stars

Dr. Wilhemina Brock glanced in the mirror on the door of her locker. She frowned at the tight braid she’d twisted it into that morning. She reached up and released the clip holding it in place then shook out her long raven tresses. Soft wispy locks curled around her shoulders, sending shivers of pleasure dancing on her skin. Much better. Smiling to herself she grabbed her black t-shirt and started to pull it over her head.

A whistle sounded from the door. “Damn, that’s sexy.” A very masculine voice said.

Willa spun around, tugging the hem of her shirt into place. Keenan Fergason. The newest addition to the nursing staff. His muscular build, rugged features, reddish brown hair and sparkling green eyes had everyone lusting after him. She could feel the blush that stained her cheeks at his continued appraisal of her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Keenan. I’ve gotta run. I’m meeting Schy for dinner in half an hour.” She reached up to stuff her lab coat into her locker and felt the bottom of her shirt raise above her low cut jeans.

“I’m not letting you leave here until you give me the dirt on that sexy tramp stamp you’re sporting there, Dr. Willa,” Kee said.

She glanced over in time to see him wiggle his eyebrows as he said the words tramp stamp. Shit. Just what she needed.  News of her guilty pleasure traveling all over the hospital as she was finishing up her residency.

Leave a comment and the lucky peson will win Shey’s e-book.       

 Join us every day of Feb. We are giving away a book a day.       

 At the end of the month, four lucky winners who have commented the most throughout the month will win a pile of books.        

So try not to miss a day. 

Shay MacLean is a multi-published author of Erotic Romance with Keith Publications and Sizzler Editions, where she has published “Branded Hearts”, the first of her Romantic Bondage Series. Shay is a proud member of Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of several special interest chapters, Passionate Ink (of which she currently holds the position of Workshop Coordinator), RWA Online and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal. Shay is also a member of Savvy Authors and Romance Divas. When Shay isn’t immersed in her writing projects she enjoys photography, graphic/web design in addition to spending time with her wonderful husband and four amazing children. Please visit her website at www.shaymaclean.com.

Contact Email:  shaymaclean@yahoo.com

Website: www.shaymaclean.com

Blog: www.scorchedsheets.blogspot.com

Other Links: Facebook, Twitter

Shooting Stars at Dreams N Fantasies, Branded Hearts at Sizzler Editions

Leave a comment and the lucky peson will win Shey’s e-book.   

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary

So you want to be a writer of erotica.

First off, don’t think because you’ve had sex in positions other than the missionary position that erotica is going to be easy to write. Anyone can list their fantasies out on a page, or describe what they did with a partner. The challenge is to make your scene relevant to the reader, so they will enjoy what you’ve written to the point they have to put the book aside and, ahem…deal with the urges that your writing has made them feel. It sounds easy, but it isn’t. The human mind is complex, and what turns on one person may leave another feeling cold. The limits for what crosses the line also vary from person to person. Lastly, realize that once you delve into the steamy wet realm of erotica, you’ll never be able to go back. You will have written, “One of Those Books.” While some readers will be overjoyed that you went there (and perhaps clamor raucously for more), others will be not so thrilled. Lastly, like all writing, you will need to promote your erotica, which means blogging at erotic sites, and having your book cover up there with others that you might be embarrassed to have your mother see. Make sure you’re ready for that.

I see a nod of commitment and resolution. All right, then. That leads us to the next hurdle, which is what to write. If you’re writing a short story for an anthology, you may already have a theme given by the anthology title (i.e. my short story Kink had a Christmas theme, as it was featured in Wicked Christmas Wishes). That makes it easier to think up an idea. But don’t be afraid to come up with your own. Use anything that inspires you, or that you think is sexy. It could be a real life experience you had (or wanted to have), or a setting which makes you feel sexy, or even something out of the ordinary, which you paused at during your workday, eyeing laviciously with the inner thought of What if…?  Jot down your idea, then do an outline of the story. You don’t have to have names or graphic details yet. That comes later. Remember that good erotica has a believable plot. Great erotica has a good enough plot that the story would still be readable if all the sex was removed (though of course, it would be much less stimulating).

Here, finally, we get to the sex. This part is what will make or break your book. Most people are not reading erotica for the plot; they are reading it to get them hot and bothered. Make sure your sex is hotter than a blazing forest fire in a drought stricken pine copse. Read through your sex scene(s) from end to end. How did it (they) make you feel? If the answer is bored, label the scene draft 1 and start again on a fresh page. If you didn’t get to the end because you went looking for satisfaction, then you’re on the right track.

You’ve got the sex scene, the setting, and a good outline for the rest. Now comes the part that’s sure to make you blush, if you haven’t already. It’s time for research. This is not usually book research, though that’s also a possibility. You need sex props for your erotica to make it sizzle. This can be any of a number of things, like specific actions your characters take in their relations (BDSM, etc.), sex toys (there are an infinite number of these online or in your local adult bookstore), sex games without bondage (see Kama Sutra, or Arabian Nights; Scheherazade didn’t seduce her king on the power of her words alone), or even some new “help” you come up with on your own. The only thing to remember is make your finished scene somewhat plausible. I once read a romance with an Indian riding bareback with a woman riding him, having sex to the gallops of the horse. All I could think of as I read the sensuous passage was how painful that would be in real life, which meant I couldn’t lose myself in the action, much less get excited about it.

If you’ve mastered the plausible angle, you’re almost done. Flesh out the story, put the finishing touches on it, and send it to a friend who likes naughty books. If they give it the green light, draw up that email to the publisher, and hit send. Then go have a glass of wine, and congratulate yourself. It doesn’t matter what or when you hear back from the publisher. You are now a writer of erotica. Congratulations!

Leave a comment and the lucky peson will win Tara’s e-book.       

 Join us every day of Feb. We are giving away a book a day.       

 At the end of the month, four lucky winners who have commented the most throughout the month will win a pile of books.        

So try not to miss a day. 

Blurb:

Paul believes his marriage with his beloved Joy is wonderful, that their sex life is both varied and fulfilling. Yet when Joy reveals her heart’s desire is more kink, Paul is determined to not only fulfill her wish, but to give her a Christmas that satisfies her wildest fantasies.

Excerpt:

Christmas Eve came complete with snow and ice, cancelling the dinner Paul and Joy had planned to attend. Paul looked out at the flakes nervously. His plan had them beginning the scenario on the way home. Now he’d have to wing it.

Everything else was all set in the guest bedroom, at least. He could do this. He just had to believe he could, like Sin had said.

“Honey?” he called. “I have a present I wanted you to open tonight. Were you working on anything, or are you ready to sign off work for Christmas?”

“Ready, willing and able,” Joy said tiredly. She plopped down on the couch. “We are done for the night, and the weekend, too. Would you pour me some wine?”

“Sure,” Paul said, opening a bottle of Shiraz. “But there is one present I really want you to open now. I’ve been waiting all day, and I can’t wait until tomorrow morning. It’s there in front of you on the table.”

Joy shot him a curious look. “You’re eager, Mr.-I-Don’t-Care-About-Presents. What’s in here?”

“A surprise,” Paul said, sitting back as he watched her unwrap it. “One I’ve been working hard on all week. I hope you like it.”

Joy took a large sip of her wine, then dove in, tearing the wrapping paper away from the box in large strips. She yanked at the taped top, splitting the tape in two, then folded back the two halves. Her face registered absolute shock, then glee.

“Where did you get this?” she asked in awe, lifting out the black harness, the soft leather and metal rings glistening in the winking lights of the tree. “It’s beautiful.”

“That’s not everything,” Paul said huskily. “Look deeper.”

Joy set the harness aside, then moved away the tissue paper. Her eyes widened as she lifted out over the knee spike heeled boots, the black leather creaking. “There’s something in one—”

“In both, actually,” Paul encouraged. “Take a look.”

Joy slipped a small whip with a tassel on the end out of one boot, and then a black motorcycle cap and set of long black leather gloves out of the other boot. She looked up at Paul. “Do you want me to try them on?” she purred.

It was her aroused tone. And he hadn’t even gotten to the scenario yet! Encouraged, Paul nodded. “Hell, yes. I’ve been eager to see how they look.”

“Wait right there,” Joy said, then left quickly with the box.

In twenty minutes, she was back, the transformation complete. Her curls were fluffed under the leather cap, her eyes made up, her exhaustion forgotten as she stood proud and strong before him, balancing perfectly in the heels. The leather getup fit her perfectly: her breasts threatening to spill from the deep cups, her inviting hips riveting, the whip in one delicately gloved hand.

“I can see you like it,” Joy purred. Her gloved hand moved upward languidly, and then she crooked a finger. “Come here to your master.”

She was following it! He just had to keep his cool. Paul nodded, took a long swallow of wine for courage, then set down the glass. He came to stand before her, then went to his knees. “Mistress. How may I serve you?”

“Mmm,” Joy said, the pleased sound rolling out of her as she shifted her weight. “I like the sound of that. First, I want you to undress before me.”

Paul took off his shirt, and stood, slipping off his pants and underwear. As he turned to face her, Joy flicked him slightly with the whip, the tassel gently hitting his rigid cock. Paul gasped, his penis bobbing as he drew back.

“I didn’t give you permission to stand,” Joy said darkly. “I’ll have to punish you now—”

“No,” Paul said roughly, grabbing the whip away. He took it in his hands, then broke it with a sharp crack. Joy’s eyes widened, her lips parting. Before she could move,           Paul pushed her into the chair behind her, then straddled her. “I have something else in mind, Mistress.”

Joy thrashed about wildly as he began to buckle leather cuffs around first her right wrist, then her left. With a click, he connected them, and then looked at her with a satisfactory smirk. “Now hold still.”

Producing a leather blindfold, Paul slipped off the cap, then pulled the leather over Joy’s eyes. He got to his feet, grasping her bound wrists. “Come with me.”

“Where are you taking me?” Joy said querulously. Paul didn’t answer, slowly guiding her towards the guest bedroom, her high heels making sharp clacks on the wooden floor.

Opening the door, he turned on the light, led her to the bed, sitting her down on it firmly. Carefully, he pushed her back until she was lying in the middle, then clasped one wrist cuff onto a chain. Disconnecting the other wrist from the chained one, he pulled her spread-eagled, making her cry out softly in surprise. With a click, he fastened that one to another chain on the other side of the bed. Paul’s hands slid slowly down her legs, tugging off each boot. Joy let him without protest, but brought her legs tight together as soon as he was done. She shifted slightly on the bed, the chains on her arms clinking.

“Stay right there, Mistress,” Paul teased lustfully. “I’ll be back for you soon.” With a kiss between her breasts, Paul left, his footsteps fast, Joy’s alarmed call following in his wake..

Ten minutes later, he hesitated on the threshold. Saying a quick prayer for courage, he crossed over, striding to the bed and yanking the blindfold from Joy’s eyes.

Joy gasped, her look of shock complete. Paul stood before her in leather pants, the neck ties of his long billowy black pirate shirt undone, the gold studs on his calf high black boots shining. In his left ear, a gold ring caught the light. Over one eye was a black leather eye patch.

“You thought to dominate me,” Paul said lustfully. “You got in over your head, woman. Tonight it’s my desires that will be fulfilled.”

Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers – Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first e-novella, Surrender to Me, was published in September 2011. Her first full-length novel, Lash, will publish in April 2012. She divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.

Contact Email:  tarafoxhall@gmail.com

Website:  www.tarafoxhall.com

Blog:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog

Melange Books Author Page: http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/tarafoxhall.html

Bradley Publishing Author Page: http://www.bradleypublishings.com/Tara_Fox_Hall.php

Manic Readers Page: http://www.manicreaders.com/TaraFoxHall/

Tara’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903

Return To Me   http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/returntome.html 

Surrender To Me   http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/surrendertome.html 

Spellbound 2011  http://www.melange-books.com/authors/anthologies/Spellbound2011.html 

Just Shadows    http://www.amazon.com/Just-Shadows-ebook/dp/B006V4HB2Y

Wicked Christmas Wishes:  http://www.melange-books.com/authors/anthologies/WickedChristmasWishes.html

Leave a comment and the lucky peson will win Tara’s e-book.  

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Mary