Studio Interview with Master Vampire of London – Sephoroth

Studio Interview with Master Vampire of London Sephoroth, Lord Eldridge of the Book Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn; Arieanna’s Legend.

Well hey readers, my name is Alexandria Infante, author of the Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn, and A Lite Farie Tale series. Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn; Arieanna’s Legend being the first book in the series.

So, as I heard it, Arieanna and Auron just happen to be on vacation right now, so readers I thought we’d sit for a spell with Master Vampire of London Sephoroth.

We didn’t really get to see much of him, until halfway through the book, so I thought we’d see what was up with him, where he sees the series going, and maybe we can get him to spill a few juicy details of the next 12 books.

The women in the front row gasped as he walked into the studio, and I laughed as he immediately put on the swagger.

He was such a p.i.m.p…

Moreover, as usual he’s dressed sexy as hell in his black sports coat, black slacks, black button down Dolce shirt and blood red tie. I noticed today, his blonde hair is pulled back in a bun, so those amazing sky blue eyes of his seem to stand out even more.

Ladies, I’m tellin you, I could go just lookin at him.

I looked up as he took his seat across from me, a slight smile on his face. He surveyed the studio, then grinned even wider, because it was filled with women.

“Hello me love.” He said as he kissed the pulse at my neck. I caught the gasp before it left me, but I give you my word the women around me nearly swooned.

“Hello yerself.” I mocked and he grinned.

“We wanted to talk about T.B.M.D; Arieanna’s Legend, the series itself, and the next three books, because they’re already out right?

“Yes, book 2, ye lil hellion was released on September 12th, book 3 on September 30th and if I’m not mistaken ye released book 4 only this week? As well, aren’t ye editing book 5 now. Which is yer only redemption with me right now.” He replied with a half grin.

“Yes, and were you a bit angry with me for book 2?” I asked grinning, and a slight smile came to his features.

“We, shall speak of it later, but ye could do with a spanky.” He said, and there was a collective moan in the audience.

“Back to the book. You’re master of the city right, so can you tell us how old you truly are?”

“I believe there is a distinction in the book my love.” He evaded, his grin a little wider.

“Yes, but that doesn’t tell the readers how old, “you” are.”

“If I tell ye that, then I’d just have to wipe yer memory. And would you truly wish to forget the pleasures we could have together?” I gasped, as his eyes changed color, and felt an enormous heat spread through my body. I immediately pushed it from me. I created him, so I knew the tricks up his sleeves.

He laughed out right then.

“You…are so bad!” I cried, and he grinned.” Seriously tho.” I said clearing my throat. I just knew my face was scarlet. “So, you and Auron have been friends for centuries right?”

“Yes, god blind me, as barmy as it may seem we have. The lot of us have, with the exception of Eirnin. They can become a bit tedious at times, especially Auron twittering on about his good deeds, and penance. Tis completely bollix if ye ask me. The past is the past.”

“And what do you think of the power that’s been entered into your lil circle because of Arieanna and the legend?”

“I’m finding it quite delectable. She was a complete surprise to me, and I dare say ye did that on purpose.” He grinned, and there was something behind that grin. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he had a thing for Arieanna.

“I do, unfortunately, she met him first.”

“Stay out of my head.” I said grinning, and he laughed.

“Fine, but is she not ye?” He countered grinning, and I laughed.

“I can’t answer that.” I stated, and the women in the audience laughed. “How do you see the series turning out? Does your character develop on an emotional level Seph, or are you just eye candy constantly causin mischief?”

“Hummm, tis hard for me to answer that without giving away many of the plots. But I am who I am, ye created me that way, and it is to my delight ye did. However, I will say, I was very miffed with you, I wasn’t there for the Wolf Dance/ Blood Moon; a three day love fest would have been an oasis of lust for a psychic vampire. Ye were a naughty minx to do what ye did.” He said, and I laughed again, crossing my legs.

He was a serious orgasm waiting to happen.

“If I’m not mistaken, and ye can correct me, because yer the author; the books get darker, more sensual, and tis believed Stenos actually shows up. Which I must say, where ye pulled that one from I shall never know. I’m a bit angry about it. Not to mention Maggy.” He frowned, and I laughed.

“Why, because it means you’ll be controlled?”

“My love, ye should know by now, that shall never happen.”He grinned, and was immediately in front of me.

The audience gasped, because his lips were at my throat.

“Ye created me, ye know what I am capable of.” He said softly, there was a catch in the audience’s breath as his fangs hovered just above my neck, then he released me.

I created him, even I didn’t know he was this powerful, and the lust just exuded from him.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Do ye seriously think I’ll allow that my sweet?” He grinned winking, and I laughed.

“Anyway Sephoroth, how deeply are you involved in the series. As Master, surly you have to do some not so nice things to keep that position?”

“As old as I am, not anymore, I did them, which is why I don’t need to now. They’ll not muck with me easily.”

“And the book, Isis’, I heard you wanted it?”

“Why would I not, tis complete power.” He said laughing.

“But what about Arieanna?”

“What about her, she’s mine eve…well never mind, but many things come to pass in the next 7 books the readers will be shocked by.”

“And what’s next for you?” I asked, and that same grin was back.

“Only ye know my love. Nevertheless, I will say, I was very happy with what ye did, ten lovely women, all mine. I sigh, just mollying it over now.” He said, his eyes turned deep silver, and the audience moaned again.

“And the men?”

“They have known for centuries this is me, as to who and what I truly am, they do not.” He frowned, and I nodded.

“So, it’s you want someone else’s toys?” I countered grinning, and he laughed.

“But of course I do, and as long as I have lived, I am entitled to it.” He grinned, and it was full of mischief.

“And can you give us a small tid-bit of book two?”

“Jobey, the heartless wench.” He muttered, and I laughed again.

“Can you be a bit more specific?”

“Not without giving it away, but Arieanna meets cousins she never knew about. Twins. Bloody cow, and she is still making amends to me for it too. Saix becomes master, and well I shall not divulge the rest. But I am still quite put out with ye for what ye did.” He snapped, and I laughed.

“And books 3 and 4?”

“Magnus bloody deals with Malik again, which is completely mental, because the lower level demons are vicious, and Eirnin gets burned, then nearly turns someone. The bothersome Celtic god Dagda, or as he is presumably called on this side Jeff. The bollix with the premonition, the bloody Council, Keelik resigning, the whole complete muck. I say hold onto yer knickers, or many of the lovely women here can just take them off, but it’ll be an eventful series.  I dare say, one I will enjoy some aspects of immensely.”He stated laughing.”

“And finally, if you had to pick a book Seph, which in the series would be your favorite.”

“I don’t have just one. I would definitely say after five.” He snapped again glaring at me, and I couldn’t help laughing. “But five is special to be, because of Luna. 6 because of Celli, 7 because of Arieanna and Luna, 9 because of the baby, and 10 because I finally get what I’ve wanted since day one.” He grinned, and it was one of those devilish grins.

“Well, this has been completely delish Seph, and we definitely have to do this again. Ladies, you can find Seph hangin out in the Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn series.” The audience applauded as he stood to his feet, bowed, then blew them a kiss. The women went crazy. He pulled me next to him then.

“Shall I give ye a lift?” He asked grinning, and all I could do ladies was smile and nod…

Readers can purchase books 1-4 of the Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn series, and books 1&2 of the A Lite Farie Tale on amazon now.

Book Buy Links

Createspace: www.amazon.com

Online Connections:

Website: www.poisonedpin.webs.com & http://www.farietalewish.webs.com

Blog: www.poisonedpin.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@lex6802

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Between-Midnight-and-Dawn/199915416719374?ref=hl

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5125756.Alexandria_Infant_

Google+ : https://plus.google.com/u/0/100897574868961031281/posts/p/105384485997053424389

About the Author

 Its always been Under My Skin…

Alexandria Infante teaches literature and art history at the college level. It’s been her dream to be a author since she was a teenager, and although she’s older now and has had several different careers, it’s still her #1 dream.  She grew up with a Cuban father, and her mother is Native American, Puerto Rican, Irish and African-American; so culture was a huge concept in her house. She grew up listening to people like Celia Cruz, Harry Bellefonte, Tito Fuentes, Earth, Wind & Fire, just to name a few; with a mixture of Coltrane, Miles, Kenny G, Beethoven, Bach, and Green, because this was her parents.

Yet, at the same time, her abuelito taught her to Salsa on his feet, and swing to big band. Ms. Infanté’s family was and still is very eclectic. She speaks both Spanish and English, and embraces each of her backgrounds fully; which makes it somewhat hard finding just the right niche sometimes.

However, she believes love is color blind, and is in love with the idea of being in love. It is Alexandria’s express wish to show this, and she hopes others feel the same way. To Alexandria, a delicious looking man is just that; and color, race or creed has nothing to do with it.

To her Yummy is yummy!

Alexandria deems sometimes identifying with a character is not all that matters, its the aspect of being taken outside of your comfort zone to experience someone else’s cultural background; and their life as they see it.

Alexandria is a native of California, with five amazing children, three of which are in college. She considers being paid to do something she loves, rocks, and she’ll be writing books till she can’t anymore.

Ms. Infante writes two series: Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn;  featuring werewolves, the Goddess Sekhmet, Osiris, Asť, Ptah, Horus the Elder, Titans, the Japanese Sun Goddess, Blackfeet legends, Okuzo Ninja Clans, Gargoyles, Secret Church societies, Merlin, three day Love Fest, the Arvantes, Tantric Sex, the Brotherhood, the god of wine Dionysus, the goddess Demeter, the supposed original Vampire myth of Sekhmet, the Book of the Dead, Ré, and the Roman myth of Mulkie the first Lycan King (13 books in this series so far).

As well, A Lite Farie Tale:  featuring; Finnish, Scandinavian, Irish legend, the Keltic gods Dagda, Llewellyn, Odin, the Emerald Council, Demons and the Fae.

You can find Ms. Infante @:

www.poisonedpin.webs.com  Teaching Between Midnight and Dawn series.

www.farietalewishes.webs.com  A Lite Farie Tale series.

www.alieinfante.webs.com Historical Romance series

www.contemporarylove.webs.com Contemporary Romance series

www.poisonedpin.blogspot.com blog

And the Winner Is…Howloween Blog Hop 2012

Thanks to everyone who hopped with me for the Howloween Blog Hop 2012. It was a fun post to write and I loved reading the comments. (Note to Janice – You may swat Kevin on the butt, especially when he’s in the kilt!)

The winner chosen by Random.org is Barbara! Check your email and congrats!

Come back to visit again and may all your romances be sweet with a little sizzle,

~Val

The Regency Era and Romance by Anya Wylde

In a lot of twenty first century popular fiction a little bit of old world charm is hidden. Harry Potter escapes the mundane modern world and arrives at Hogwarts, a place where wizards wear old fashioned robes and the castle has gothic charm. Stephenie Meyer wrote ‘Twilight’ inspired by a novel written around Regency times, Pride and Prejudice. Edward Cullen is a hundred and four year old vampire and the quintessential romance hero.  Mr Darcy still rules our hearts and Rochester makes our legs go weak. The romance of the Regency era lives on.

Are modern day men that bad that we have to resort to fantasising about centuries old men? Apart from my husband, I would have to say yes. Most modern men are hopeless. During the Regency era men were fashionable, they were passionate, and they cherished the ones they loved. They were like birds of paradise. They primped, they preened, they built beautiful nests, and they danced and sang to win over the woman they loved. Today men approach a girl they fancy and ask “ Do you wanna …? ’’ and the romance trembles and withers and dies right there.

Men wrote poetry … poetry I tell you, to declare their love during the Regency era. Today men grunt. Though, to be fair, a boy did write a poem for me once. It was so bad that I cried.

It is a misconception that all Regency heroines are damsels in distress. Most modern day authors create feisty, bold, and progressive Regency heroines. In fact even Elizabeth Bennet can be considered progressive. After all she turned down Mr Darcy, a brilliant catch with ten thousand pounds a year. Emma, another of Austen’s heroines, was independent and wilful. She did not swoon or flutter her lashes at anything in breeches. She was intelligent, confident, and wonderfully nosey.

It is not the men who lived during the Regency era that fascinate us. After all Percy Shelley was a cad and Byron scandalous. It was authors like the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen who crafted classic, drool worthy heroes. It is those characters that continue to make our hearts flutter to this day. After devouring ‘Pride and Prejudice’ for the hundredth time, we are left wanting more. That is when we reach for modern day authors who attempt to recreate the magic of Regency era through historical romances. As I said, the romance of Regency era lives on…

My next novel is a Regency romance called ‘Penelope’. Penelope is a country bumpkin who arrives in London along with Lady Bathsheba (her pet goat) to catch a man during the season. I am currently editing it and it should be available soon.

Anya Wylde is the author of one my favorite reads of the summer, The Wicked Wager, featuring her own progressive heroine – Miss Emma Grey! Check it out on Amazon.

An Interview with Paul Kelly by Richard Long

Interview with Paul Kelly

Q. Paul, thank you so much for taking time out from your busy schedule of murder, mayhem and madness to spend some quality time together. I see that you’ve brought along your trusty pocket-sickle. Could you explain how that works?

A. I had it custom made in Germany, where they still know a thing or two about craftsmanship and cruelty. As you can see, the long semicircular blade is hinged in two places and attached to a stainless-steel handle with a 360-degree rotational swivel joint, so I can open it with one swift whip-crack motion, whereupon hidden metal dowels lock all the hinges in place. Here let me demonstrate: Cachhhhhing!

Q. That’s a…very nasty piece of metal. I suppose that could really cause some damage.

A. Yes, quite a few people have lost their heads when confronted with such a formidable weapon. By the way, here’s a little-known fact about beheadings…little known, that is, to anyone who wasn’t around during the Reign of Terror. There’s enough oxygen left in the brain after a particularly swift decapitation, let’s say from a guillotine during that aforementioned terrible time, or my own modest invention here, that the head remains not only conscious for a considerable period, but also acutely aware of his surroundings. You can look into his eyes…and they look back. Better yet, you can even ask him questions. And here’s another little secret that I daresay you couldn’t learn from any other person on the planet: they almost always answer you. Oh, the stories I could tell you! The things that I have learned!

Q. Death seems to be a major preoccupation of yours. Why the big interest in mortality?

A. I suppose you could say I’m a scientist, and my particular area of interest is pain…and death. The greatest mystery of life isdeath. What force engineered this necessity? What is this thing we call ‘food’? We eat life. And we eat it every single day. Why does life require life to feed it? What are we making when we reproduce? What story is the DNA telling? What are we struggling to become?

Q: And you claim to have the answers?

A: I don’t make claims. I make widows and orphans. The mystery of death is shrouded in fear. We fear it so terribly today because no one comes face to face with death anymore. Back in the old days, people didn’t make such fuss. They didn’t put their noses up in the air each time someone lost their head. Death was everywhere! It was all out in the open. People would fill the public squares for a beheading. Torture was a science. An art! The bravest saints would know the rapture that awaited them when their final breath was torn away. There wasn’t the slightest pretense we were any better than that. Now we have marches and rock concerts and petitions to stop it! And slaughterhouses and food factories that hide it! Wrap it up on a Styrofoam dish! Microwave it! We pretend death is everywhere, except here! But death is here. Now. In this very room, watching us. And death has many secrets to share.

Q: What secrets?

A: There are three ways to learn about death. The first is by talking about it, which leads to no real comprehension. The second is by watching it…and I can see by the look on your face that you’ve never had the privilege of that most noble of all experiences. The third and by far most effective route…is by causing it.

Q: That’s horrible!

A: It’s hard for me to remember now, but I had misgivings too when I was your age. Then I learned the folly of my ways and by hook and crook, I claimed my destiny.

Q: Destiny. That’s another major theme of yours. You seem to have quite an inflated opinion of your own importance. There’s nothing Christ-like about you sir, yet it seems as if you think of yourself as some kind of messiah. Is that true, do you think you’re actually the Chosen One?

A: An Té atá Tofa. The One who has been Chosen. Yeshua was so convinced that he was the chosen one. Well, he was, but not the first. There’s such a thing as seniority. Still, I think he said it best when Pilate popped the question. ‘It is as you say.’

Short and sweet.

Q: So what is this all-important destiny of yours? What exactly are you trying to do?

A: Not do. Become.  Even if I’d never been born or chosen or filled with the spirit—The Becoming will still occur. It was ordained by the prophecy 6,000 years ago. The Singularity will set the stage, and very shortly afterward, the Intelligence will become fully manifest. There’s nothing in this or any universe that can stop that from happening. It is the irresistible intent of the Intelligence—the point, the sole point of everything that has ever existed. To facilitate the proper outcome of this event is what we have dedicated our lives and our deaths to since the building of the first Tower in Babylon—and the Great Wheel beneath its foundations. Our enemies have tried to steer the Intelligence in their favor, convinced that their path is the only true course to victory. But regardless of what they do or believe, or what we do or believe, The Becoming will still occur. The only questions that remain are when and where and how and most importantly to me…who.

Q: Who?

A: Yes, who. If there’s a God to be born darlin’…he’ll surely be holding the Book.”

Available here:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/LJf2nX
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NpEy0E
iTunes: http://bit.ly/Mo9fBc

Connect and follow:
Blog: http://www.thebookofpaul.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RichardLongAuthor#
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/RichardLongNYC
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/O72Fm0
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YouTube: http://bit.ly/Ne5yAW

The Perfect Costume for the Howloween Blog Hop

One of my favorite Halloween events is shopping for my family’s Halloween costumes. I was overruled this year and we won’t be going as the cast of Gilligan’s Island but as ninjas and angels. However, the Howloween Blog Hop has given me the chance to not only participate in a wonderful event but to outfit some of my favorite characters for Halloween!

Music for Her Soul’s Lena Spencer and Ethan Holden

Lena will be dressed as a flapper. She loves jazz and would love to show off her curvier figure. Plus she already has the flirty curls so she won’t need a wig.

Ethan will be dressed as a pirate. The eye patch will fit perfectly with the small scar that trails from the corner of his eye into his hairline and as a musician he’s already used to the stage make-up!

In The Moment’s Amber Grayson and Kevin Miller

Amber will be dressed as a Renaissance lady. The costume flows down to her feet without making it look like it had to be lengthened and the ties across her chest give her a night without the minimizer.

Kevin…well there was a discussion that began with – “Sweetpea, I ain’t wearing that.” Some negotiations…a few promises…a swat across the bottom or two and Kevin will be dressed in a kilt.

Thanks for stopping by and indulging me! Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a $25.00 electronic gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  One winner will be randomly chosen and notified via email so leave your email address as well.

Visit the next stop ~ Jan Graham – Author Blog

Click here to return to the Howloween Blog Hop!

To read the stories of the characters mentioned above, just click the covers below:

In The Moment – Amber and Kevin’s Story from Vallory’s Calliope

Music for Her Soul – Lena and Ethan’s Story from Amira Press

**Reviewers and bloggers receive complimentary copies of either book, just email me at t(dot)mailhes(at)yahoo(dot)com**

Passionate Cook – A. R. Norris


“Heavenly Pillows” Sopapillas

What’s more hot than a flaky dessert, dipped in honey and shared with the one you love? Yeah, it takes a bit of prep and build up, but so does the art of romance, does it not?

Sopapillas are a sentimental recipe for me. My grandfather brought the recipe over from Central Mexico when he moved to America. I used to love watching him sit in the kitchen and toss flirtatious comments to my grandma as she dropped the dough in the deep fryer. And then later, they’d cuddle against the counter and share one (or two) together.

The moments were so romantic, that when All Romance asked for romantic recipes I knew I had to share this one. Click HERE to download the free e-cookbook and see all the other fantastically romantic recipes.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 quarts oil for frying

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. Stir in water a little at a time until dough is smooth texture. Cover and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Roll out on floured surface until ⅛-inch thick. Cut into 4 to 5-inch squares or triangles. Set aside.
  3. Heat oil in deep fryer to 375 degrees F and fry until golden brown, flipping with tongs to ensure both sides are evenly tanned.
  4. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle powdered sugar to desired amount and serve hot. As an alternative to the powdered sugar, you can sprinkle cinnamon sugar. To do this, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon sugar, blend well and sprinkle to desired amount.
  5. Serve with honey for dipping and enjoy! Makes about 2 dozen.

The Hispanic culture has always held a rich romantic element to me. When Damani Wassack, the main male character to my last installment of the Telomere Trilogy, popped into my mental life I knew he was from a Hispanic heritage. In End of Eternity, he tries not to be romantic or sentimental, but can’t stop his nature… especially against the Dokkaebi warrior Luna Dokkaebi. He knows that her hostile and contrary personality is only used to hide her fear of a world and an attraction to him she doesn’t understand.

End of Eternity – Book Blurb

Luna thought her journey away from her people’s world was over. Now, she’s forced to join the lost daughter in her journey with Captain Noah Bonney’s crew to learn why these women coexist with men. Something unbelievable to the all woman race. Adding to the confusing change in Dokkaebi directive and teachings, is the presence of the gold-eyed man that stirred something in her heart. A forbidden attraction that goes against all her teachings and her people’s ways.

Damani Wassack isn’t happy with the situation either. Telomere Watchers lead secluded and separate lives. Yet now, he and the other watchers must come to the surface, show all their secrets and work with outsiders. If that weren’t enough, he can’t get that sneer from the man-hating warrior woman out of his mind. Or her fierce dedication, strong spirit, and sense of duty and honor. The package is appealing, and completely impossible.

Purchase Links for End of Eternity

All Romance Books, Amazon, B&N, and Books on Board

Curiosity Quills – The Audition

The Query

Portia Andrade has known since her early teens that the scenes which played before her eyes like a movie were instances woven in the fabric of Time. Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell if the haunting depictions occurred hundreds of years ago or yesterday. As an adult, she has tried everything from meditation to medication to quell the visions. However when her feisty sister is the most likely suspect in the murder of the young actress found stabbed to death in the courtyard of the Andrade House Hotel, Portia draws upon her complete arsenal of weapons – her gift, the research skills of her current boyfriend and the investigative knowledge of her ex-husband – to keep her sister out of jail amid a media storm of bad press.

A midnight gala in honor of Talia McCormick, Hollywood’s latest ingénue, has all the delights New Orleans has to offer from blackened alligator to an authentic jazz second-line under the majestic shadows of St. Louis Cathedral. But by the time the last silk handkerchief is waved, the young actress lies dying on an oyster-shelled path and Portia must embrace the most frightening part of herself because family is just that important.

Set in New Orleans, Upon an Oyster-Shelled Path, uses the culture of the Afro-Cuban and Creole communities where either you are related to or went to school with everyone else as Portia’s ally in her quest to clear her sister’s name. This completed 25,000 word novella, intended to introduce the Andrade House Mystery series, can be included in an anthology or made available as a stand-alone title for readers of cozy mysteries looking for a culturally diverse amateur sleuth in an exciting setting.

The First Page

Hollywood had invaded the quiet neighborhood of Algiers Point, located a ferry’s ride across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter.  From her spot on the balcony, Portia could see the majestic steeple of St. Louis’ cathedral peeking over the horizon silhouetted against a bright cloudless sky.  Double shotgun houses neatly lined the riverbank in an array of pastels from blues to pinks to yellows. It was a picture perfect snapshot that could have been taken in the early 1900s.

The only exceptions were the vans parked haphazardly along the narrow streets each with the vivid logo from a different television station.  And the crowd of onlookers spilling beyond the restriction gates set up by the Algiers Point Commission to mingle with the cameramen and newscasters.

All were jostling for the best view of the star of last summer’s hit Midnight’s Kiss, Talia McCormick.  All were trampling the manicured foliage of historic Algiers Point.

Portia’s stomach flipped.  Danielle LeBlanc, current APC President, would surely speak with her about this later.  The thought of speaking with Danielle, her perfectly coiffed eighty’s styled mushroom swinging about her thin angular face made Portia cringe and take another puff of her offensive cigarette.

She never smoked while working.  Hollywood had done this to her. The people, the planning, the drama combining in a massive early morning headache and the need for just one before she could continue with the rest of the day.

Not that she wasn’t grateful.

Midnight’s Kiss had provided amazing opportunities for her family. Her sister, Jewel, was now an Oscar winning costume designer for a hit movie. The Andrade House Hotel, chosen as the backdrop for key scenes in the first film, was now slated for a more prominent showcasing in the upcoming production of Midnight’s Kiss: Renewal.  She was the event planner for Talia McCormick’s First Annual Midnight Ball for Literacy this evening.  It couldn’t get better than that.

Or worse.

A cacophony of screeching snarls and high-pitched whines erupted from her bedroom and demanded her attention. Portia took another quick puff and crushed the cigarette beneath her sneakered foot.  Taking a cleansing breath, she stepped inside.

To view the first pages of my fellow minions, please click here!

To read Portia Andrade’s premier short story, please click here! 

All for Love with Ann Swann

Author Ann Swann is joining us today with a snippet from her first adult contemporary novel, All for Love.

About Ann Swann

Ann lives in West Texas with her handsome hubby and three rescue pets.  All For Love is Ann’s first adult contemporary novel.  She is the author of the Young Adult books: The Phantom Series.  Book One is The Phantom Pilot, Book Two is The Phantom Student, and she is hard at work on Book Three, The Phantom of Crybaby Bridge.  Ann has also published short fiction in the anthology Timeless (paranormal love stories).

Liz falls in love with Quinn the moment they meet in college.  He professes to love her, too.  She begins to think about the future, but his past rips them apart.  What Liz does next impacts the rest of their lives, but she feels it is the only way… she does it all for love.

Excerpt ~ The volleyball game where Liz and Quinn first meet:

 

We were on our last game when Carol came up to serve.  She hit a nice one but José got to it and gulped a mouthful of sand to set it up for Boyd who spotted it for Greg to come in and spike.  Everyone could see it was going to crash right at my feet, but there was no way I could get to it; I was half a step away when a lean figure in cutoffs dashed through the middle of the game and dove directly in front of me.

            Wild brown hair all tangled up in the setting sun, he flipped the ball onto my waiting hands as if by magic.  His grin was electric.  It lit up the gloaming as if he’d swallowed the sun.  Without a sound, he twisted like a fish escaping the hook and raced around the corner just as some chick with a water balloon appeared on the horizon between the dorms.

            “No fair!” Greg cried as I set the ball for Ronnie.

            She got it in their weak spot near the back corner—she was good at that—the back left corner was Boyd’s territory.  He came charging under the net on the pretense of anger, and tackled her in the bed-soft sand thus effectively ending the game.

            At that, we all flopped down, exhausted.  I looked around for the smiling boy who’d saved my game, but he was nowhere to be seen. 

            “Who was that?” I asked the group at large.

            Boyd cocked an eyebrow at me.  “Quinn Rose,” he said.  “Math major, I think.”  Our school was small, a branch of The University of Texas.  Everyone knew someone who knew everyone else.  It was like six-degrees of separation on steroids.

            Carol grunted affirmation.  “Chick chasing him was Delilah, his girlfriend.”

            I nodded as if it were really no big deal, but Ronnie’s radar had been alerted by something in the tone of my voice.

            “Want me to pass him a note at recess?” Her voice was so coy I wanted to throttle her.  Instead, I hopped up, brushed the sand from my shorts, and started toward the dorm.  Carol jumped up to accompany me. 

            “Pizza?” Greg called.

            Carol and I turned at the same time.  She looked at me and I looked at her.  “Sure,” we said in unison.

            That night, after pizza and beer with Greg and José, Carol and I went for a stroll on the quad.  I loved the splashing refrains of the fountains in the brick courtyard.  It was the best place for smoking—back then, you could smoke damn near anywhere.

            “He likes you,” Carol said quietly.

            “Greg?” My voice was deep because I’d just inhaled.

            “José.”  She didn’t look at me so I couldn’t judge whether she was serious or facetious.   “Greg too, I think.”

            I stopped walking.  I thought we were all just friends.  Romantic entanglements were not something I wanted with either of these guys.

            “Nah,” I tried to keep it light.  “We’re all just buds.  Ronnie’s the one every guy fantasizes about.”  After I’d said it, I felt kind of small.  Maybe I was a tiny bit jealous of our roommate; after all, she was tall and slim with long smooth red hair.  Compared to my average, stocky body, and wavy brown locks, she was a supermodel.  I didn’t really care that all the guys zeroed in on Ronnie, though.  I was so timid I much preferred the background.  I was really surprised Carol thought the two guys had even noticed me.

            I mulled it over later that night while I lay in my narrow, dorm-sized bed, but when I finally dozed off, it was with another name in my head: Quinn Rose.  His face was in shadow, twisted away from me toward the lights that limned the sand-court, but his crazy hair was lit from underneath, and his smile was everywhere.

Released August 23, 2012

5 Prince Publishing www.5Princebooks.com

Available at:

Reviews:

 I started and finished this book in less than a day. It was impossible to put down. This book isn’t a fairytale romance, with a prince or even a “happily-ever-after”(although, the ending was great); this book is about real-life romance, one in which people get hurt, deeply hurt, and need to decide whether that person is still the one for them.”

Carolyn Arnold   ★★★★★

“Ann Swann has done it again! I found myself on the edge of my seat hurrying along to see what was going to happen next once again. Ann has such a wonderful writing style it made me feel I was right there alongside Liz in that little West Texas town. Anxiously awaiting more works from Ann!”

Tara Anderson ★★★★★

“At first glance, this book is a romance. And a romance it is … a romance of the most true-to-life kind. Instead of getting Prince Charming who can do no wrong, in ALL FOR LOVE, you have Quinn, the flawed, loveable hero who — through being himself — not only steals Liz’s heart, but changes her life …”

Serena Rodriguez ★★★★★

Connect with Ann online:

Curiosity Quills – A Minion’s First Page Revision

OMG! I’m working hard to revise my first page and I don’t know if my fellow minions are having the same problem but the first page leads into the next!  This week, we are going to be picked by Super Villions! It’s The Voice and my song selection isn’t the best! (crying softly over my keyboard!)

Hollywood had invaded the quiet neighborhood of Algiers Point, located a ferry’s ride across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter.  From her spot on the balcony, Portia could see the majestic steeple of St. Louis’ cathedral peeking over the horizon silhouetted against a bright cloudless sky.  Double shotgun houses neatly lined the riverbank in an array of pastels from blues to pinks to yellows. It was a picture perfect snapshot that could have been taken in the early 1900s.

The only exceptions were the vans parked haphazardly along the narrow streets each with the vivid logo from a different television station.  And the crowd of onlookers spilling beyond the restriction gates set up by the Algiers Point Commission to mingle with the cameramen and newscasters.

All were jostling for the best view of the star of last summer’s hit Midnight’s Kiss, Talia McCormick.  All were trampling the manicured foliage of historic Algiers Point.

Portia’s stomach flipped.  Danielle LeBlanc, current APC President, would surely speak with her about this later.  The thought of speaking with Danielle, her perfectly coiffed eighty’s styled mushroom swinging about her thin angular face made Portia cringe and take another puff of her offensive cigarette.

She never smoked while working.  Hollywood had done this to her. The people, the planning, the drama combining in a massive early morning headache and the need for just one before she could continue with the rest of the day.

Not that she wasn’t grateful.

Midnight’s Kiss had provided amazing opportunities for her family. Her sister, Jewel, was now an Oscar winning costume designer for a hit movie. The Andrade House Hotel, chosen as the backdrop for key scenes in the first film, was now slated for a more prominent showcasing in the upcoming production of Midnight’s Kiss: Renewal.  She was the event planner for Talia McCormick’s First Annual Midnight Ball for Literacy this evening.  It couldn’t get better than that.

Or worse.

A cacophony of screeching snarls and high-pitched whines erupted from her bedroom and demanded her attention. Portia took another quick puff and crushed the cigarette beneath her sneakered foot.  Taking a cleansing breath, she stepped inside.

To view the first pages of my fellow minions, please click here!

To read Portia Andrade’s premier short story, please click here! 

Today’s Hero – Evan Hermes with Keshia Robertson

Flow Magazine editor has come to freelance videographer and business owner, Evan Hermes’ downtown office to see if he should be in the piece of “100 Top Bachelors Who’d We Love To Marry.” We’ve dressed him up in a suit for a potential cover with the rest of the men but I finally get to sit down and talk to him.

KR: Hello, Evan. Should we just skip the pleasantries and get down to what our readers really want to know?

I walk into his office with my best dress on but he doesn’t give me the same appreciative once over the rest of the men in the downtown core have given me. I walk over and shake his hand. He laughs.

 Evan: I think that your readers are going to be surprised. I got nominated by one of my interns but I’m still not quite sure what this role means.

KR: You just have to tell us what kind of proposal you would do for your dream girl? Have you ever proposed?

Evan came around in his seat and helped me into my chair before sitting down beside me.

Evan: I proposed to my girlfriend this New Year’s…but it didn’t go as planned.

KR: How come what happened?

If he proposed to me I think that I would faint with the ring on my finger. He’s steaming in his button down shirt and jeans.

Evan: I’ll just have to show a little bit more of my romantic side next time.

KR: You didn’t do the whole romantic event for her? You’re in trouble!

Evan shook his head as he ran a hand through his short brown hair.

Evan: I think people get a little bit too comfortable in love especially when they live together like me and my girlfriend do so though I thought marriage would be the final step, it didn’t feel as big of a transition as it should. Being romantic isn’t half of it; I’m aiming to sweep her off of her feet.

Evan shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. I tried to keep my face from dropping but I think that a let a little pout out from my disappointment come out.

KR: You’re going to do really well with that.

Evan: Don’t sound too excited. I guess the fact that I’m getting engaged makes me a bad bachelor.

KR: At least you got competition with the national one this time around. What women would like to know from an attractive man is how they can get someone like him? How did your fiancée make you fall for her?

Evan: She didn’t have to do anything. The first moment I saw her in college, it was kind of a done deal. I just wanted to know how to make her stay beside me after she slipped underneath my umbrella as I walked to class that day. I don’t think I have ever had that kind of nerve with anyone that she showed on that day. She definitely is the kind of woman that a man has to wait for but once she shows up you have to make sure to be the first with a ring for her.

KR: Thanks so much for the interview, Evan and good luck with your future marriage. By the time the article comes out you would have already been engaged.

Evan: From your lips to Santa’s present sack.

Both Evan and I shake hands before I leave. After I wave goodbye to bachelor Evan, most likely married now, without turning back.

About Just As Good

(Release Date: November 17, 2012)

Evan Hermes traded in romance for pragmatism when he suggested marriage at their New Year’s Eve party to his girlfriend Kitt Preston. It was a “suggestion” which wasn’t well received by the love of his life. Though it’s taken him most of the year to figure out the perfect proposal, this time romance is front and center to obtain a yes!

Kitt has been in love with Evan ever since he asked her out during their first year of college. Tall, handsome, and a family man, Evan is the kind of person that most women would be falling over themselves to marry…but not her. Kitt is only willing to say yes to a marriage proposal that is worthy of their love and years together.

About Keshia Robertson

With homage to our favourite romantic comedies of the 90s, Keshia Robertson writes fresh sensual to erotic contemporary romance with a multicultural twist. When she isn’t crafting stories of sexy heroes and witty heroines you can find her on twitter @startswithakesh or on her website discussing her preferred writing techniques or the latest episode of a Korean drama.

Connect with Keshia online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Keshia-Robertson/174115309314737

Twitter: @startswithakesh