Tag Archives: paranormal romance

April 21, 2017 · 5:00 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – April 21, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Guess the fragment, and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, given away monthly!!!

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. 

Have fun!

NOTE – I am discontinuing the weekly Friday Fragment contest and SpotaLie Facebook Contest after April. Beginning in May, rather than these two regular postings, I will have random games and prizes where I do more frequently and give various prizes, rather than one monthly prize. Sometimes it will be a 5 or 10 dollar gift card, sometimes other items. This way, more participants have a chance of winning. Thank you to all the authors and readers who have played along with these fun games. Check my Alicia Dean Friends and Fan Club group for info and the new games.

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

Book 1:

My Lord Ghost by Meredith Bond

Find Meredith here: http://www.meredithbond.com

Snippet A:

Oh, but his old bones ached. His whole body trembled with the cold as he galloped across a bare countryside soaked in the pale gray shadows of moonlight. Why hadn’t he taken a carriage? He could have been warm and snug inside with a hot brick at his feet. Thank goodness it wouldn’t be much longer. He hated being old almost as much as he hated this infernal cycle of life in which he was trapped. The standing stones appeared in the distance, beckoning to him. As always, they stood waiting to welcome him home.

Snippet B:

I got up. Grateful for the moonlight, I managed to find and light my bedside candle. Donning my robe, I crept to the connecting door. Putting my ear to the door, I listened closely. Alternate moans and sobs mixed with wails of pure despair. Gooseflesh covered my arms.
Very slowly, I turned the handle. The door wasn’t locked. Taking a deep but quiet breath in, I tiptoed toward the bed. My hand hesitated at the curtain’s edge. Slowly I grasped hold of the heavy fabric and began to inch it open, trying to peer
inside.
“NO!” the man’s voice yelled…
Snippet C:

Rose turned back to the gentlemen and said with an apologetic smile and a shrug, “mia kaké arché kánei éna kakó télos ”

“I beg your pardon!” the duke sputtered. “Perhaps the reason why your aunt hasn’t introduced you is because you have never been taught how to behave in public.”

“I beg your pardon, sir,” her father started, his eyes narrowing with anger. Rose put a hand on his arm.

“She is nattering on in some strange, unknown language,” the man said, scowling down at her. “Either that, or she’s lost her mind and is speaking gibberish!” 

“My Lord Duke, I believe the young lady was speaking Greek,” a younger gentleman said. He was quite a sight.

Book 2:

Nothing Stays the Same by Catherine Chant

Find Catherine here: http://www.CatherineChant.com

Snippet A:

Despite her best efforts, tears seeped from Sable’s eyes as she dutifully followed her mother away from the grave. She didn’t dare try to wipe at them or call attention to herself in any way. “Don’t embarrass me” had been her mother’s motto for as long as Sable could remember. Falling apart and making scenes was not allowed in good families like theirs. Sable marched stiffly toward the long, black car waiting to take her family back to their house for the repast. She’d never understood the practice. Eating and socializing was the last thing on her mind.

Snippet B:

Callie couldn’t put the album down. She traced her finger across the name, then flipped it over to read the back. “Nana, who’s Joey Tempo?” Kind of a corny name, really. Probably a novelty record. It would make a nice addition to her vintage album collection, though, even if it weren’t right for the party. “A singer from the 50’s,” her grandmother answered without pausing in her work. “Like Elvis Presley.” Like Elvis? “Yeah, but I’ve heard of Elvis. How come I’ve never heard of this Joey guy? Was his music any good?”

Snippet C:

Brennan sat forward and rubbed a rough hand across his face, massaged his temples. What the hell happened today? One minute he’d been listening to some old tape of his father’s, the next he’d woken up on a studio lot in 1973. And then…his father. Of all the people to suddenly come face-to-face with. Now, Leah. Leah. He fell back against the cushions again with a long, drawn-out sigh. Why did the best moments of his life always seem to piggyback on the worst? Like that day in the record store. He’d been about to ask Leah out and bam! His father’s dead.

Book 3:

The Pleasure Device (Harwell Heirs Book 1) by Regina Kammer

 

Find Regina here: http://kammerotica.com/

Snippet A:

“Sophie, you’re looking radiant. And Helena, all grown up.” The familiar voice filled her with a glow of joy. “Uncle Arthur!” Uncle Arthur, ever so dapper in his evening attire, stood next to a column with his arms open wide waiting for her to hug him. Helena knew she had to restrain herself in such a public place. Still, he was her favorite uncle, and she, his favorite niece, a private joke since neither had any more of such relations. He wrapped his arms around her and patted her politely, then turned to Mama and kissed her on both cheeks.

Snippet B:

She loved Arthur, she really did. He was the best brother in the world. Why, at that very moment he danced with his fiancée Henrietta—Henny—her full skirts swinging like a bell in perfect rhythm to his lead, their faces flushed and smiling. His countenance reflected the swell of pride he felt toward Henny, hers how absolutely besotted she was with him. They were a perfect couple and Sophia did not wish them ill will in the slightest, but she did take umbrage over the fact that Arthur was allowed to marry for love and she was not.

Snippet C:

She jumped at Arthur’s hiss, tumbling backward to the carpet. He grabbed her around the waist, lifting her quite readily, hauling her down the corridor. His anger was palpable, his fingers digging into her side, the knuckles of his other hand white as he clutched a book. He slammed her against the wainscoting of a recessed doorway, threw the book to the floor and dug the heels of his palms painfully into her shoulders. “What the hell do you think you were doing?” His breath fanned hot on her lips, the hint of tobacco and brandy flaring her nostrils.

 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - My Lord GhostCupid Scores(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 2 - Nothing Stays the Same(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - The Pleasure Device(required)

 

The correct answers from last week: (No one guessed correctly, I’m afraid. :()

Book 1 – B

Book 2 – C

Book 3 – C

1 Comment

Filed under Author Blog Post, Friday Fragment, giveaway

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April 14, 2017 · 9:31 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – April 14, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Guess the fragment, and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, given away monthly!!!

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. 

Have fun!

NOTE – I am discontinuing the weekly Friday Fragment contest and SpotaLie Facebook Contest after April. Beginning in May, rather than these two regular postings, I will have random games and prizes where I do more frequently and give various prizes, rather than one monthly prize. Sometimes it will be a 5 or 10 dollar gift card, sometimes other items. This way, more participants have a chance of winning. Thank you to all the authors and readers who have played along with these fun games. Check my Alicia Dean Friends and Fan Club group for info and the new games.

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

Book 1:

Cupid Scores by Sylvia McDaniel

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Cupid-Scores-Western-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B01N4RZJQJ/ref=pd_sim_351_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S3FJSGSVCEXR0F0CTWPT

Snippet A:

“Dancing around this statue is going to help us find the man of our dreams?” Kelsey questioned. “Whoever made up this shit is sitting back somewhere laughing at how many fools stripped off their clothes and danced in the moonlight.” “In the middle of freaking winter,” Meghan added. “Come on, girls, we’re doing this. We’re going to prove this is either the biggest farce in town or it’s going to work for my friends. Just not for me.” “I hope this is worth it,” Meghan said as they began to remove clothing. This little escapade must be kept secret from her family.

Snippet B:

“It worked for all those other women. Why not us? The superstition says at midnight anyone chanting and dancing naked around the fountain will soon meet their true love. I’ve never believed in the notion, but hey, I’m game. We’ve got thirty minutes. Let’s go kick some Cupid butt and see if that superstition is real or not.” “You want me to take off my clothes and dance in front of you and everyone else in town, chanting some silly verse?” Meghan said, her voice rising. That was the most ridiculous thing Meghan ever heard. But then again, what if it worked?

Snippet C:

“Valentine’s Day. Today is the cheating snake’s wedding day,” Taylor Braxton said, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder before taking a sip of wine. Her third glass of the evening. “I’d like to propose a toast to his new wife. May she never find him in her bed with someone else, like I found her in mine.” The three women clinked glasses. “Maybe it was for the best. After all, lawmen are known for being serial cheaters,” Meghan, one of Taylor’s best friends, said in her quiet librarian voice. She gave a shake of auburn hair, her emerald eyes filled with sympathy.

 

Book 2:

Beloved Enemy by Hywela Lyn

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Enemy-Hywela-Lyn/dp/1509205349/

Find Hywela here: http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk

Snippet A:

She sighed softly and decided she could leave it no longer. He turned and looked at her. “Something on scan that should not be there?” he asked, the brusque tone of his voice breaking into her musings. “No, it’s just…so beautiful out there—and so vast,” she replied. How could he fail to be moved by the stars she loved so much? “It makes me think of something my mother told me when I was a child back on Earth.” He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” “You wouldn’t be interested. It’s just a story.” She rose from her seat. “Try me.”

Snippet B:

He noticed on the shore several gigantic, human-like statues, but had no time to contemplate or admire them. After he had travelled for some time he saw ahead an immense sheet of water spilling from the roof in a fury of white and rainbow coloured froth. The water around the boat raced and boiled and he realised he was heading into a maelstrom. There was no way he could control the frantic motions of the craft as it heaved and bucked like an unbroken colt. Throwing down the paddle and gripping the sides of the boat, he sent a frantic message through the ether.

Snippet C:

“I hope for your sake nothing, or no-one, attacks us in the night.” “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” she said, mimicking his mocking tone. “And I told you, the vessel will be shielded, and any intruders are going to be sorry if they try to break through. As for the gun, you can have it back as soon as I know I can trust you.” (Unless your friends come back for you, in which case you’ll be my ticket off this planet.) His face betrayed no emotion. Curse him. What was going on behind those amazing, if ice-cold, eyes?

 

Book 3:

Wicked Lustful Tales by Maria Cox

Buy link: http://www.melange-books.com/authors/mariacox/WLTcc.html

Find Maria Here: http://www.mariacox.net

Snippet A:

During a group cycling vacation in the Caribbean Shana White learns that her boyfriend is moving to New York to further his career without her. With no intention of sulking Shana opts for a day excursion with former beau and fellow cyclist Nick Marino. After a biking accident leaves them stranded the rekindling of an old friendship and memories of their torrid past emerge leaving Shana to struggle with conflicting emotions. Now on the rebound can she afford to seek solace in Nick’s arms and risk heartache all over again?

Snippet B:

When Nina Bates discloses her pregnancy she’s soon shunned by her boyfriend and her mother. Alone and confused Nina turns to her grandmother who suggests she leave her hometown of Seattle and move to Alaska. In Anchorage, divorcee Dexter McIver hires Nina as live-in nanny to his son. An emotional bond develops between them and after Nina delivers her baby the smoldering attraction that existed for months threatens to boil over. With so much at stake should Nina and Dexter go out on a limb for a brief liaison?

Snippet C:

With a career in photography about to take off Adam Baxter is at the top of his game. Office buddy Jennifer Silva has been a supportive friend from the start and the two have an easygoing platonic relationship. But when Adam’s assistant Nellie singles out Adam’s jealous behavior he’s forced to analyze his true feelings for beautiful, caring Jennifer. Adam knows all too well that a romantic involvement can complicate matters. So, is Adam ready to put it all on the line and take their friendship to the next level?

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Cupid Scores(required)

Which Snippet is fro Book 2 - Beloved Enemy(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - Wicked Lustful Tales(required)

 

The correct answers from last week: (No one guessed correctly, I’m afraid. :()

Book 1 – A

Book 2 – A

Book 3 – A

2 Comments

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April 8, 2017 · 8:28 am

The American Civil War – The Way the Brits Saw It by Linda Nightingale ~ New Release: Her General in Gray

Please help me welcome fellow AHA author, Linda Nightingale, with an intersting article & a new release!

 

The American Civil War – The Way the Brits Saw It

Brit’s Eye View:  The Northern States denied the right of secession, claiming that the union was a “federal” one, in which case the attempt at separation is rebellion. The Southern States claimed that the Union was a “confederation” from which any member is entitled to separate itself. The British Government under Henry John Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) declined to judge between them.

Yet, popular sentiment was passionately divided. The violent feelings against slavery won many to the Union cause, but the political advocacy of the right of self-government won sympathy for the Confederacy from many another. Since the South fought against heavy odds, the sporting British people were drawn to the Confederacy.

Palmerston’s government was determined to maintain a strict neutrality. This, to most intents and purposes, it succeeded in doing though their cotton industry suffered direly. The blockades of the Southern ports cut off supplies of raw cotton upon which the Lancashire cotton industry was dependent. The cotton famine deprived many Lancashire operatives of their means of livelihood.

The Trent Affair increased sympathy with the South in England and very nearly involved Great Britain in the war. The Southerners dispatched two commissioners, one to England and one to France. The commissioners reached a neutral port and embarked on a British vessel, the Trent. A Union warship boarded The Trent and the commissioners were carried off. A declaration of war was only averted when President Lincoln gave way to the demands of the British Government and released the commissioners.

Yet, the Union had cause for complaint. Ships were built and fitted out in British docks and sailed from British ports with apparently harmless intent, to be employed as cruisers by the Confederates, having been cleverly concealed. The most notorious instance was the Alabama. The British Government flatly repudiated the charge that it did not display due diligence in preventing such action. When the war ended with the Union the victor, claims were brought for damages done by the cruisers.

If Britain had entered the war on the side of the South, how might history have been different!

Her General in Gray was inspired by the Ghost & Mrs. Muir, not by the Civil War.  Here is the blurb and a short excerpt.  See what you think of this Confederate General.

BLURB:

Autumn Hartley purchases Allen Hall at a steal, but the northern lass gets far more than a beautiful plantation in the South Carolina Low Country. The house comes complete with its own ghost, a handsome and charming Civil War General—for the Confederacy. The stage is set for another civil conflict.

John Sibley Allen died in battle from a wound in the back, the bullet fired by the turncoat, Beauregard Dudley. The traitor’s reincarnation is Autumn the Interloper’s first dinner guest. Sib bedevils her date and annoys her with fleeting, phantom touches, certain he can frighten her away as he did previous purchasers. As time marches on, her resident ghost becomes more appealing while her suitor, Beau, pales in comparison. Autumn finds her ability to love didn’t perish in the divorce that sent her south seeking a fresh start.

After over a century in the hereafter, Sib discovers he is falling for none other than the feisty Yankee girl, but what future could a modern woman and an old-fashioned ghost possibly hope for?

EXCERPT:

“Did you have slaves, General Allen?”

“I did, Miss Hartley. They were an extended part of my family. None left the plantation when the war began. Unfortunately, I was killed in battle, as were my other two brothers, and they were forced to accept freedom. My estranged brother inherited and basically sent them packing with no more than the clothes on their backs. Perhaps Hell is his new habitat.”

“Why are you still here?” She glanced around the room.  “I mean why didn’t you go wherever dead people go?”

He laughed.  “To torment you, I suppose.”

“You’re doing that grandly.” She flung a shooing gesture.  “Leave.  I’ve no need of a ghostly…whatever.”

“I’m not a whatever, Miss Hartley. This is my house, and you’re the intruder—along with the coward who murdered me.” He removed his coat, hanging it on the back of a chair. “With all due respect, I take offense to your tone and the fact that you served Beauregard on my mother’s fine china.  She loved those pieces.”

“I’m the intruder? You’re dead. You have no claim on this place.” She braced her hands on her hips, glaring at the arrogant spirit.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Her-General-Gray-Linda-Nightingale-ebook/dp/B06W9HFMBM/

http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/

 

16 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, New Release

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April 7, 2017 · 11:34 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – April 7, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Guess the fragment, and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, given away monthly!!!

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. 

Have fun!

NOTE – I am discontinuing the weekly Friday Fragment contest and SpotaLie Facebook Contest after April. Beginning in May, rather than these two regular postings, I will have random games and prizes where I do more frequently and give various prizes, rather than one monthly prize. Sometimes it will be a 5 or 10 dollar gift card, sometimes other items. This way, more participants have a chance of winning. Thank you to all the authors and readers who have played along with these fun games. Check my Alicia Dean Friends and Fan Club group for info and the new games.

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** The March Winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is Nisha Tissoo – Congratulations, Nisha!! Thank you for playing. (Nisha was very active on the SpotaLie Facebook game, and it paid off! :)).

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

 

Book 1:

 

MAN DOWN by Tracy Tappan

Amazon buy: https://goo.gl/j42GZv

Website: http://tracytappan.com/

Snippet A:

Her tone was so matter-of-fact that he wanted very badly to clamp a hand down over her mouth. The wild pounding of his pulse was machine-gun fire in his veins, counting down to an inevitable explosion. Shutting her up might save her. “I was able to steal medical supplies,” she said. “But I couldn’t get any food. However I figure…” Whatever she continued to say was blotted out by a crackle of fire in his ears. A single woman…alone at night…in a city full of terrorists. How many different ways could you be dead right now? He lost it.

Snippet B:

“You just did something with your mouth.” I did? “My mouth?” What had she done? “You grimaced.” “I…” He swung up to a sitting position, his boots hitting the floor with a solid wump. “Did I hurt you?” Mayday, mayday. Hard collision with his male ego imminent. “No. It was, uh, a little uncomfortable at first, but then—hey!” He’d just slammed to his feet, his eyes on fire with a mixture of emotions. Pissed off was a prominent one, but she was reasonably sure she also saw mortified in there.

Snippet C:

“Take her in your arms,” the drug lord instructed. “Kiss her, mouth open, with your tongue.” A tic jumped in his jaw. No, thank you. He’d prefer not to do that, now he was naked ’n’ all. His knees felt constructed of broken glass as he stepped back over to her. She straightened off the table. He aimed his vision at her neck. Whatever was going on in her eyes, he didn’t want to see. He tugged her against his body and exhaled. Her hooker dress provided little barrier against the feel of her ripe figure against his bare flesh.

Book 2:

The Captain and the Cheerleader by Elaine Cantrell

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Find Elaine Here: https://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Cantrell/e/B001K7V90M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1488077922&sr=8-1

Snippet A:

Susan finished her soft drink and tossed the can into a nearby recycling bin. “I could make Kurt ask me out if I wanted to.” “Yeah? Prove it. Get him to ask you out. I’ll bet you fifty dollars you can’t do it,” Robin taunted. “All he’s interested in is football.” Melissa Taylor, Susan’s best friend, cleared her throat. “How long would she have to get the date?” “Two weeks ought to be enough for an old pro like Susan.” Robin snickered as her gaze swept around the lounge. “Would the rest of you like to get a piece of the action?”

Snippet B:

“You missed me,” she taunted. She had no sooner finished speaking before a second bean ball flew through the air. This one caught the shoulder of her new blouse. The blonde laughed. Aimee grabbed a bean ball from the table and threw it at the blonde. She hit the woman right in the chest. “Help me!” the blonde shrieked. “She hit me in the heart. Where’s the sheriff?” From the corner of her eye, Aimee saw the priest hurrying their way. She fired one final bean ball, which hit the blonde’s forehead with a beany thud.

Snippet C:

“That’s what I get for falling in love with a pro football player,” Stacey teased, her blonde hair turned to frosted silver by the light of the full moon above them. Matt squeezed her hand that wore his engagement ring. “It’s too late to back out now. You’re mine.” “Mmm, do I like the sound of that!” The car rounded a curve, and without warning a deer bounded across the road. “Look out!” Stacey screamed. Matt braked sharply to avoid the animal. The tires slid on a patch of loose gravel in the road, and he lost control of the convertible.

Book 3:

Dan Alexander, Pitcher by Jean Joachim

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0UT7CS

Find Jean Here: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com

Snippet A:

Then, it happened. She dropped a hot dog loaded with mustard. The man in the stands stood up and started hollering. Holly bent over to clean it up. The guy in the TV booth running the camera zeroed in on her rear, and there it was, big as life on the Jumbotron! People clapped and hooted. The players laughed. Dan held his breath. She craned her neck and looked around. Although Dan couldn’t hear what the man was saying, the pitcher saw him point to the giant screen. Dan cringed as she spied her backside, huge, amusing the crowd.

Snippet B:

Depressed after losing the World Series, Matt needed sunshine, in short supply in February in New York. In the weeks before spring training, he’d agreed to head up a two-week camp for underprivileged kids. Matt wouldn’t be doing it alone, some joker, named Dusty Carmichael, from professional softball would partner with him. This jerk, Carmichael, was a pitcher. How good could he be playing men’s softball? It annoyed him to think he’d be running the show with little help from newbie who was getting paid a bundle. He shook his head. Why did he always get stuck with the losers?

Snippet C:

She rummaged through her purse until she located her wallet. No matter how many times she looked, she couldn’t scrounge up more than three dollars and fifty-six cents. She prayed it would be enough to buy breakfast. As to her next meal, well, she’d have to figure that out. She looked at the menu. One item under four dollars. She sat at the counter. “Coffee?” The waitress asked as she turned the cup. “No!” She didn’t have enough money for coffee. “I mean. Thank you, just water, please.” Kate sensed heat in her cheeks. She’d never been this broke before.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Man Down(required)

Which Snippet is fro Book 2 - The Captain and the Cheerleader(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - Dan Alexander, Pitcher(required)

 

 

2 Comments

Filed under Author Blog Post, Friday Fragment, giveaway

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March 31, 2017 · 8:45 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – March 31, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Guess the fragment, and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, given away monthly!!!

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. 

Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** Since tomorrow (April 1)  is the day I draw a winner, all guesses made after today (March 31) will go toward the April drawing.

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

Last week’s extra giveaway winners are listed below.  Congrats, ladies!

From Gemma Juliana – Free copy of The Amulet – Winner: Elf

From Cailin Briste – Free copy of Shane: Marshal of Tallav Book #1 in the Sons of Tallav series. – Winner Mary Anne

From Suzanne Stengl  – Free copy of ANGEL WINGS – Winner Melissa O’Leary

Book 1:

Overload Flux by Carol Van Natta

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OHNCCYI

Find Carol here: http://author.carolvannatta.com

Snippet A:

Imara badly wanted to get all the answers she could from him immediately, but she couldn’t justify torturing him any longer. He was only staying with her now out of good manners, and perhaps protectiveness. “You’ve got to get some rest, Agent Sòng. The security team will monitor the assho…uh, valued patron, so Derrit and I will be fine.” He gave her a tired but genuine smile. “I would be honored if you would call me Lièrén.” “Shì de, dāngrán, zūnjìng de xiānshēng.” Yes, of course, honored sir. She gave him an exaggerated bow. “Whatever honored sir desires.”

Snippet B:

“When they assigned you to me, did they tell you not to talk?” “No.” Her voice sounded low and rusty, as if she didn’t use it much. A ground skimmer that was weaving through the lanes came within centimeters of scraping their side panel, but she smoothly adjusted their position to narrowly avoid it. “Good,” he told her. “I’d hate to inhibit your natural garrulousness.” She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow and quirked a corner of her mouth in what may have been a smile, but said nothing. He laughed, delighted to discover she had a sense of humor. “I get the feeling you don’t do this very often.” “Drive?” “No, have a casual conversation.”

Snippet C:

For paradise, it sure as hell rained a lot. Jerzi hunched his shoulders forward and tried to keep the warm, torrential rain from drenching every square centimeter of his new corporate suit as he half ran toward the huge, rounded entrance to the lecture space in the Optimal Polytechnic Chemistry building. It was supposedly the tallest building of the four clustered on the anchored ovoid disc that made up this part of the famous floating campus, but he couldn’t see anything but gray shapes. The only available parking for his flitter had been on the east end of the floater, on top of the Materials Science building.

 

Book 2:

Pressed to Death by Kirsten Weiss

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Pressed-Perfectly-Proper-Paranormal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01FOR0Z7G/

Find Kristen here: http://kirstenweiss.com

Snippet A

Once upon a time, in the foothills of granite mountains, when the sun hadn’t yet risen in the east, there were three sisters. And one, me, had been stuck at the hospital all night. The shadow of our small town’s modern hospital loomed over the parking lot. Behind it swelled Sierra peaks, a jagged frame vanishing into dark clouds. The muggy air promised rain to come, but I shivered in my thin blouse and safari jacket. Maybe if I hadn’t been so tired, I would have paid more attention to the images written in the clouds…

Snippet B

I was going to jail. Worse, my arch nemesis would be the one to drag me from my own paranormal museum. “I do not traffic in stolen goods.” My voice cracked on the final word. You’d think my innocence would go without saying, but Detective Laurel Hammer’s loathing for me was irrational. So I was saying it. I crossed my arms, defiant. The photos of executed murderers watched, impassive, from the museum’s glossy white walls. GD, the museum’s ghost detecting cat, hopped off the haunted rocking chair in the corner. He landed, silent, on the checkerboard floor

Snippet C

It was just meat. Sickly green tiles, slick with something I didn’t want to identify. A wall of cabinets with square, metallic doors. And on the autopsy table…just meat. I adjusted my mask, adapted my breathing. My stomach flipped at the smell of ammonia and petroleum. By this point, I should have been used to the oil stink. Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, reeked of the stuff. It seeped from the ground, staining the sand, hanging heavy in the air. But surely I was imagining the odor here, in the morgue two stories below the city’s streets.

 

Book 3:

The Cafe Birds by Alicia Hope

Buy link: – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYFPJ11

Find Alicia Here: https://www.aliciahopeauthor.blogspot.com.au

Snippet A

‘… even the most utilitarian bra doesn’t address all the issues, like white meat wobble, boobie bounce, old lady sway, tray tableism, and don’t get me started on strap gouge or mono-boobs!’ ‘What the heck is tray tableism?’ Grace giggled. ‘When your bust is jammed up under your collarbone, like a built-in tray table.’ Nita frowned. ‘Designers call it “lift and separate” but it’s more like “lift and suffocate”. I’ve also had bras that were sweet to look at but completely useless, and others that simply relocated the bulk to my back – and aren’t back boobs just the LOVELIEST sight?’

Snippet B

‘Elise?’ The voice was hoarse, breathy, weak. Fanning the flowers so each blossom was clearly visible from the bed, Elise set down the vase and pulled a chair closer to the bedside. ‘Yes, Emilie. How are you feeling?’ She took the shaky hand extended toward her. It felt small and chilled. She rubbed it between both her own. Emilie focused watery eyes on the younger woman’s flawlessly made-up face, and her nose caught a hint of expensive fragrance. She blinked and swallowed. ‘Elise … I must tell you … a story … from ze past.’

Snippet C

With a sheepish smile Grayson hurried to the bathroom as suds dripped into his eyes again. Trying to remove the image of his smooth, round pectorals and the hint of a six pack above his towel, Maggie took a deep breath and lifted her chin. Taking her steaming mug onto the landing she closed the door behind her, lent back against it, and sighed. So much for keeping our distance. I not only have a dinner date with Grayson, I’m also sharing my bathroom with him! First Harry, and now the plumbing. Is the universe conspiring to throw us together?

 

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Overload Flux (required)

Which Snippet is fro Book 2 - Pressed to Death(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - The Cafe Birds(required)

 

Correct answers from last week:

The first person to guess correctly was Elf, who wins an extra entry!!

Book 1:  Raven of Blackthorn Manor – C

Book 2: Maon: Marshal of Tallav -B

Book 3: The Thurston Heirloom – A

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March 24, 2017 · 10:25 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – March 24, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. (when we offer extra giveaways, commenting is usually the only way to enter.) 

Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

 

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

Extra Giveaways!!! (Last week’s winners are: Mary Anne Landers won Stephanie Berget’s E-copy of Sweet Cowboy Kisses and Elf won a $5 Amazon gift card from  Colleen L Donnelly. Congrats, ladies!)

This week, lucky winners will be drawn from all commenters for the following prizes:

From Gemma Juliana – Free copy of The Amulet

From Cailin Briste – Free copy of Shane: Marshal of Tallav Book #1 in the Sons of Tallav series.

From Suzanne Stengl  – Free copy of ANGEL WINGS

 

Book 1:

Raven of Blackthorn Manor by Gemma Juliana

Buy link: http://a.co/gPeLwHY

Find Gemma here: http://www.amazon.com/author/gemmajuliana

Snippet A:

“No!” Olympia’s heart thudded. “I can’t, won’t go with you. I’m working on a project with a tight deadline.” “That’s too bad, because you are now mine. I won you in our high stakes private poker tournament until I’m paid.” The sheikh’s mouth disappeared into a cruel thin line as his eyes lingered on her breasts, then her hips. He snapped his fingers, and the four henchmen standing behind him came forward and encircled Olympia. “Rick—,” sheer terror blazed in Olympia’s eyes. “Don’t let this happen.” This couldn’t be happening. Rick watched in horror as the scene played out before his eyes.

Snippet B:

The promise of a bitter cold winter hung in the air as Oonagh carried wood inside and placed it at the grate of her fireplace. She stoked the fire, pleased as flames leapt with vibrant life. “Come my child, I’ve prepared a very special gift for you.” Oonagh wrapped her burgundy shawl tightly around her to repel the ice that would surely claim her veins. She pulled her emerald green cape closer and ignored the shiver that wracked her tired body. Emerald eyes blazed with pride as she watched Zoe, her most stunning magical creation ever, rise to her feet to follow. “A gift! You know I love gifts, Ma.”

Snippet C:

I fairly trotted back to the house, so angry I looked neither right nor left. As I cleared the entrance steps and threw open the front doors, I spotted Ronan walking toward the kitchen at the back of the house. Too outraged to talk with him now, I ran straight upstairs to my room. Was I losing it, or had I been in a small cottage with some unseen person who’d managed to remove two books from the desk while I was in the bathroom or the closet? I hadn’t heard a sound. This place had me questioning my sanity—something that had never happened before.

 

Book 2:

Maon: Marshal of Tallav by Cailin Briste

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Maon-Marshal-Tallav-Cailin-Briste-ebook/dp/B01MRUND2U/

Snippet A:

Frau Heinrich continued, her voice a steady acidic drip. “Since you are a true submissive with mild masochistic tendencies, you are fortunate a Tallavan marshal holds your contract. We are always pleased to place our students with a marshal from Tallav. They’re such an exclusive club of men.”

Snippet B:

She was on her way to the Whip Hand to meet the owner and notorious sadist Randolph Meryon. The drawings she carried in her portfolio were the first installment of a trade she’d made. He would become her mentor while she explored sexual domination, and she would design exclusive apparel for his staff.

Snippet C:

Kolya was an artist. A sculptor focused on what he termed brutal beauty. He’d tried but failed to convince Tyen to model for him, claiming he’d make it worth her while with a naughty wiggle of his eyebrows. She’d refused, not willing to experience the pain that went along with being the focus of his creative genius.

 

Book 3:

The Thurston Heirloom by Suzanne Stengl

Buy link: http://amzn.to/2lP7hoK

Snippet A:

Not wanting to join the hikers yet, he found a seat at the bar. Jason delivered a Rickard’s Red as soon as Teague sat down. “How’s it going?” Jason opened the beer. “Good,” Teague answered. “Have you seen the new maid?” A slight pause from Jason. “Mariah?” “Yes.” “About five foot seven? Long reddish brown hair? Blue eyes? Pleasant expression?” “Yes.” “No, I haven’t seen her,” Jason said. “I haven’t even met her.” Something was up. “Then how come you know what she looks like?” “Because everybody’s looking for Mariah.”

Snippet B:

“She’s an ex-girlfriend. They went out last summer when Gaven was home.” Christie felt her chest tighten, and then she let go of her breath, and looked up from the neat rows of hash browns. Ethel Hamilton sat across the table from her, sitting in the place where Gaven had been. Ethel, in her brown dress and her brown hat with all the feathers. “You’re still here,” Christie said, setting down her fork and vaguely wondering if Lucy had added something to the coffee. “Yes, I am.” “You’re a figment of my imagination.”

Snippet C:

The large living room window gaped open with a ragged hole letting in the sea breeze. Shards of glass scattered over her couch and chair and coffee table. Even more astonishing, a man dressed in black jeans and a black T-shirt knelt in the middle of a heap of broken glass in front of the couch. A window washer? His arms, bare and muscled, braced in front of him, gripping the bottom of the couch. Glass flakes sparkled in his hair. Like his clothes, his hair was dark. Dark brown, almost black.

 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Raven of Blackthorn Manor(required)

Which Snippet is fro Book 2 - Maon: Marshal of Tallav(required)

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - The Thurston Heirloom(required)

 

Correct answers & winner of the extra entry from last week:

No one answered correctly last week…better luck this time!

Last week’s answers:

Book 1: Sweet Cowboy Kisses – B

Book 2: The Cowboy’s Triple Surprise – A

Book 3: Mine to Tell – A

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March 17, 2017 · 10:27 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – March 17, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. (when we offer extra giveaways, commenting is usually the only way to enter.) Last week’s Giveaway winners: Mary Anne Landers won a $5 Amazon Gift Card and Elf won an Ebook or audiobook set of all three Jane Barnaby Adventures books by J.J. DiBenedetto. Congrats, ladies!

Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

 

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

 

Extra Giveaways!!! (Last week’s winner is Elf…I think she’s owed a few gifts from the week before. I’ll be in touch soon, Elf, my apologies!)

Stephanie Berget is offering an E-copy of Sweet Cowboy Kisses

Colleen L Donnelly is offering a $5 Amazon gift card

 

(Must be ‘Cowboy’ week :))

Book 1:

Sweet Cowboy Kisses by Stephanie Berget

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Cowboy-Kisses-Coated-Cowboys-ebook/dp/B01N39F0F2/ref=la_B00CJYM8KK_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487940775&sr=1-4

Find Stephanie Here: http://www.stephanieberget.com

Snippet A:

When she cleared her throat, he jerked his eyes up to her face. “It won’t do you any good to talk to my breasts. Like most women, it’s my brain that answers questions.” A smart ass and she’d caught him red-handed. His cheeks warmed. Damn it, he was blushing. This woman was not at all what he needed. Time to end this. “I have a ranch, the Circle W. We need a camp cook. A man.” Her eyes narrowed, and her body tensed. “It looks like you need any kind of cook you can get.” She held her hand out, indicating the empty café. “Not a lot of takers.”

Snippet B:

Mother of all things holy! The doorway to the café was filled with Wranglers and muscles and cool gray eyes. He’d had aged well, if she could call twenty-eight aging. The lines of his face had thinned and his muscles were more defined. She found it hard to look away. What was wrong with her brain? She was hardworking, smart and knew enough to take care of herself. Why did the mere sight of this man turn her into a five year old coveting a candy bar?

Snippet C:

Holy neutrons! The heat coming from his gaze nearly set her heart on fire and she leaned toward him. He jerked away like she had Spotted Fever. To cover her embarrassment, she went on the offensive. “I’m a pretty good horseback rider already, right? Maybe even a prodigy.” When he only grunted, she continued. “I might even win the Grand Prix like National Velvet. And I’ll give you all the credit as my trainer.” “National Velvet rode in the Grand National. The Grand Prix is a dressage competition. I don’t do either of those.”

 

Book 2:

The Cowboy’s Triple Surprise by Barbara White Daille

Buy Link: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B01HB74HZ8

Find Barbara Here: http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

Snippet A:

He came to a stop beside her, not too near, but close enough to see the long sweep of her lashes as she kept her eyes down, her gaze focused on her work. Close enough to smell the same flowery perfume she had worn last summer when he’d danced with her at the wedding and, a few nights later, when he had slept with her in her bed. He gulped another mouthful of sweet tea and nearly choked on it. She never looked his way. That only made him more determined to get her attention.

Snippet B:

“I appreciate all you’ve done,” she told him, “but I’m fine now. Really. And I won’t be alone. I told you, I have a friend dropping by.” She had called that friend deliberately to give herself an out. Maybe it was the coward’s way out. She couldn’t help that now. Ordinarily, she would stand up for herself and her kids and send this man packing. But somehow, she couldn’t seem to gather the strength to do that. Or to face another argument with him and all the memories that would surface along with it.

Snippet C:

Things could have been different, too, if he hadn’t left. But he had left—without giving her time to find a way to tell him about her pregnancy. Yet in all honesty, how could she put one hundred percent of the blame on him? *Suppose you’d given me the news a long time ago?* he had asked. *How do you know I wouldn’t have stayed in town then?* He’d said nothing about staying with her. She was the one with the long-held dreams of settling down with him someday. Dreams it seemed she couldn’t forget even now.

 

Book 3:

Mine to Tell by Colleen L Donnelly

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Mine-Tell-Colleen-L-Donnelly/dp/1628300027/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454378481&sr=8-1&keywords=mine+to+tell

Find Colleen here: http://www.colleenldonnelly.com/

Snippet A:

He’d come to feel optimistic about us again, hopeful I’d give in so things could return to his kind of normal. I smiled on the outside while he visited. I smiled for him, smiled for my parents, and even smiled to placate my brother. But I cried when he left, sad that he was so happy over what was nothing more than a weak pretense on my part, and sadder yet because I missed him so. Missed him on the inside, in the places where he’d never, ever, been and where I feared he never would be.

Snippet B:

“I can tell you one thing, she’s your mama’s daughter, and your mama sure doesn’t need any makeup. I know.” James looked for his mama again in Mr. Morgan’s dark eyes. Did Mr. Morgan see her the same way Pop did, and that’s why makeup was forbidden? Mama would probably laugh at all this talk about beauty, she with her faded dresses and unpinned hair. James wanted to laugh like she would, but something in Mr. Morgan’s eyes stopped him. “Your mama’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known,” Mr. Morgan said.

Snippet C:

Hearing his voice and seeing his expression ignited tiny flames inside me. Flames that had flickered quietly far too long, done little more than lick the surface of my imagination. Until that day. Each time he spoke after that, something in me flared to life and heated me up from within, bringing what Mama called an unladylike glimmer to my eye. A glimmer that was identical to the one I saw in his eyes, but she never knew that. I never talked about Raymond to her. I didn’t dare.

 

 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Sweet Cowboy Kisses

Which Snippet is fro Book 2 - The Cowboy's Triple Surprise

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - Mine to Tell

 

Correct answers & winner of the extra entry from last week:

The first person to guess correctly was… Juli, who will receive an extra entry. Congrats!

Last week’s answers:

Book 1: The Beachcombers – A

Book 2: Last Chance – B

Book 3: Fate Captured – C

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March 12, 2017 · 5:00 am

Author Interview: Krysta Scott ~ New Release: Shadow Dancer #TWRP

I am beyond delighted to host my friend and share her debut novel, Shadow Dancer, which is an excellent paranormal romance.

Welcome, Krysta! Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hello my name is Krysta Scott. I grew up a mid-western girl in the suburbs of Chicago. After I graduated from college, I relocated to Oklahoma with my husband. I have been in Oklahoma ever since and consider Oklahoma my true home. Chicago is a nice place to visit but it is too anxiety provoking. I prefer the slow calm pace of a fifteen minute rush hour to and from work. Also, my daughters are native Oklahomans and they would have it no other way.

Where did you get the idea for Shadow Dancer and what was the most difficult thing about it?

I am a family law attorney who does some work as a Guardian Ad Litem. When I started writing again after law school I was encouraged to write about being a lawyer. Much of what I do is wade through the muck of emotional turmoil caused by tearing a family apart. It’s bad enough when I represent the parent. They fight about past wounds and injuries that have nothing to do with the child. Yet somehow the child gets pulled into their battles. It is especially painful from the child’s perspective. When I am a Guardian Ad Litem, I try to keep the child out of the middle of the dispute as much as possible. It is not an easy task. So you can imagine my reluctance to write about the heartbreak I deal with all the time. But then I thought, what if I could change how parents behave? That’s how the idea for Shadow Dancer emerged.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?

I am an attorney. Most days I like it a lot. Some days it can be very stressful. Writing is a very good way to relieve that stress. That is probably why I took to writing again.

Do you collect anything?

I collect Star Trek ornaments. It started when I got the shuttlecraft ornament as a birthday gift. It all got out of hand. I have almost all of the Star Trek ships, Star Wars ships and the Dr. Who Tardis. I have so many ornaments they have their own tree. I bought a black Christmas tree with white lights so my ships could hang in space during the holiday season. This is a good thing for the rest of my family so they can have their own more traditional Christmas tree.

What was your first job?

I worked at Burger King. When my daughters were little they thought that was cooler than being a silly old attorney.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

Well that’s not hard. Stop watching TV. Not going to happen but I would certainly have more time on my hands.

What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Escape to Witch Mountain. These books took me to another world where fabulous things like magic and flying cars were possible.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read Shadow Dancer?

Having the power to change things is a huge responsibility. There are consequences to misusing power even if you have the best intentions.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

I would rather have a bad review than no review. There are many reasons a reasons a reader likes or dislikes a book. That’s why there are so many different types of books. There is something for everyone.

What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

Romantic Suspense or thriller.

What is your most prized material possession?

My Raggedy Ann dolls. Why? When I was a child I created voices and personalities for my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. I would control them for my sister. They are a big part of my childhood. Like the characters in my favorite books, they have stayed with me.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

My favorite author is probably Joan D. Vinge. She is a very skilled world builder. Her descriptions are pure poetry, her character three dimensional and her concepts are breathtaking.

Tell us your favorite…

Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Music: Pop and Rock & Roll
Place you’ve visited: Scotland
Place you’d like to visit: India and Italy
TV show from childhood: Lost in Space
TV show from adulthood: How to Get Away with Murder
Food: Sushi
Sports team:  Cubs and Bears
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? I would say board games but I think the more honest answer is television.

And now, Krysta has a question for readers. And, she’s giving away a $5 Amazon gift card to one commenter. To enter, answer this question:

Would you rather read about characters facing problems in the real world or a world far far away? Why?

 

Blurb:

As an attorney for children, Guardian Ad Litem Nikki Angelus’ priority is protecting innocents caught between warring parents in custody proceedings. Her job proves almost impossible, until she discovers the power, through dreams, to alter the past and transform people into loving parents. But devilishly attractive attorney, Garrett Nightshade, seems to know what she’s trying to do, and is determined to stop her.

Garrett Nightshade isn’t happy about his position in the Guild of the Celestial Night. Especially when he’s given the task to find and destroy the Shadow Dancer—a Guild member with the ability to unleash dangerous power. His duty becomes even more distasteful when he learns that the lovely, enigmatic Nikki Angelus might somehow be involved.

Will their growing love survive the showdown between the shadowed dream world and reality?

Excerpt:

Nikki leaned against the sink contemplating her next move. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t characterize what the Hanover family needed.

She stopped Parker from beating his wife, but something still remained…off. Especially since he was using his powers again. She spread toothpaste onto her toothbrush and scrubbed her teeth so hard her gums bled. Not once during the time she was mucking around in Parker’s head did she stop to consider his parents might have been right to strip him of his gifts. She’d focused on Parker’s pain, not on the reasons for his parents’ actions. She spat into the sink. She had to make this right. But where to begin?

Parker would have his guard up. Resistance would make her task more difficult if not impossible. In truth, she wasn’t quite sure how to go about mending such egregious errors. Perhaps focusing her efforts in strengthening Amy’s defenses against Parker’s wishes would net better results. She wrapped Amy’s velvet scrunchy around her wrist, the one Lori had given her.

Nikki glanced up in the mirror again, pressing her lips together. She wouldn’t be deterred from her mission until she fixed this situation. She stalked to the bed, crawled in, and pulled the covers to her neck. She closed her eyes and drifted into oblivion. She raised an arm toward the slip stream. Before she was caught up in its electrical surge, steel fingers wrapped around her arm and yanked her around. She looked into Garrett’s hard gaze.

“You’ve done enough damage. I won’t let you cause anymore.”

“And how are you going to stop me? I’ve evaded you before.” She was getting weary of his pestering. Didn’t he understand she was trying to fix her mistakes?

“Like this.” He moved closer. The heat of his breath trailed her skin, tickling the back of her neck. He kissed her, sending shockwaves of need charging to her most private places. The smell of cinnamon and cloves drove her to a frenzy. Fire coursed through her veins. The charge sizzled on her lips. She fell into him, kissed him back. Her traitorous arms circled his neck. His hands locked against her spine, sending warm shivers through her.

She dragged her lips from his, gasping for air. Her heart ached but she willed herself to stay put. This was all a game to him. A desperate ploy. “I know what you’re trying to do. It won’t work.” Her mind reeled.

He smirked. “If you knew what I was trying to do, we wouldn’t be in your head. You’d be in my bed.”

“I told you this would not happen again.” She balled her fists, refusing to give credence to the pleasure of his words. Oh, to fade into oblivion, here, with him. So easy to give in. But the bastard was only trying to distract her like she had him. Did he think her that stupid?

BIO:

Krysta Scott has always been a daydreamer, imagining worlds far away with happy endings. When she was in fifth grade, she was so caught up in fantasy she earned the dubious distinction of being named the girl who daydreams the most. The award for this questionable honor was a colorful transparent plastic poster made to look like stained glass. It was very cool. Given her flights of fancy, it came as no surprise to her family when she announced she was going to be an actress. Unfortunately, her pursuit into theater didn’t last long, because she was too withdrawn and shy to exhibit any talent in this area. Left with no other choice but to pursue a more practical avocation, she decided to major in psychology and then go to law school. Not able to let go of the worlds she created in her head, she returned to writing and was very excited when the Wild Rose Press contacted her first book.

 

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March 10, 2017 · 8:41 am

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – March 10, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. (when we offer extra giveaways, commenting is usually the only way to enter.) Last week’s Giveaway winners: Mary Anne Landers won a $5 Amazon Gift Card and Elf won an Ebook or audiobook set of all three Jane Barnaby Adventures books by J.J. DiBenedetto. Congrats, ladies!

Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

 

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

 

Extra Giveaways!!! 

From Stephanie Queen: Ebook of box set: Scotland Yard Exchange Romantic Suspense: The Complete 5 Book Series

From Michelle O’Leary: Ebook of Vessel of Power (pdf, mobi, or epub) – info link http://a.co/fD9Etv2

 

Book 1:

The Beachcombers by Stephanie Queen

Buy link: http://amzn.to/2mllk3f

Find Stephanie here:  www.StephanieQueen.com

Snippet A:

“I have the advantage of knowing the island like my own balls.” He winked at her. “What’s your story?” He waited. Not even blinking. She refused to flinch. What kind of man could go from gracious to crass in so short a space of time? She wouldn’t respond to his baiting. She would tough him out. She’d done it before with crasser men than him. “I’m a beach bunny who knows how to shoot straight. What’s your story?” “You leave the shootin’ to me, bunny. Stick to playing heiress surfer.” “You forgot to tell me your story.” “No story. I’ve been around the block. If the world could be called a block. Shot and caught my share of bad guys. I owe the governor, so here I am.”

Snippet B:

“You don’t seem the type to take risks,” she said. “I’m a cop.” It was true. He took risks all the time as a cop and before that, as a special ops soldier. But he handled his personal life in the opposite way. Or he had up until now. “I could have sworn you would go for the kindergarten teacher type.” “And what type are you?” “Unlike you…” She slid her hand inside the waistband of his pants. He said nothing. Didn’t prompt her. Maybe because his teeth were clenched. With her voice scraping over him and leaving him raw and exposed she said, “I am a risk taker.” He managed to respond, albeit in a raspy voice. “What makes you think I’m not?” “Are you?” He took a deep breath. “A boat in the harbor is always safe. But that’s not what a boat is built for.” She laughed. “Well then,” she paused, caressed the tender skin of his belly as she slid her hand lower. “Let’s take your boat out of the harbor and go for a ride.”

Snippet C:

Dane was lucky more than smart. Lucky more than charming. Shana might have left the island and him for good. He had no idea why she hadn’t put her bags on a ferry, taken off from Martha’s Vineyard and never looked back. Instead, she had moved a few blocks away. It felt like she was on the dark side of the moon.

 

Book 2:

Last Chance by Michelle O’Leary

Buy Link: http://a.co/6vkX0zz

Find Michelle here: http://molearyauthor.wixsite.com/michelleoleary

Snippet A:

“You should have at least worn a coat,” he growled. As if she hadn’t thought of that already. She rolled her eyes. “Nobody likes a know-it-all. Could you just…?” She froze when he lifted a hand toward her face, gulping the rest of her words. What was he doing? Gaze flashing to his, she couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. His eyes glittered golden fire streaked with dusky green, his face intent and absorbed. When his fingertips touched the side of her neck, she gasped and leaned closer.

Snippet B:

He caught her arm before she could slip into the Shadow. “Is broken how you see me?” Her head rose slowly as if she were reluctant to meet his gaze. A furrow creased her brow and something like pain darkened her green eyes. “No, I don’t see you as broken.” In that moment, he believed her. Maybe it was just something he needed to believe, or maybe it was the look in her eyes. The hint of darkness made him ache to hold her. He could drown in those eyes.

Snippet C:

She held very still, fighting the pull of him, the pure, magnetic energy which demanded a response. He’d be hard to resist in an interrogation room. Suns help her, he was hard to resist outside of one. Would he be this demanding in bed? She blinked at the errant thought and a flush of heat rose up over her skin. Now was not the time for her libido to kick in, but his gaze didn’t waver from hers and she was having trouble thinking.

 

Book 3:

Fate Captured (Spicy romance) by MM Jaye

Buy Link: http://a.co/hUudygl

Find MM Here: https://fb.com/MMJayeauthor

Snippet A:

His nostrils flared as he sniffed the air, and his gaze landed on the skillet. A vertical line between his brows darkened his gaze. “I cooked for you.” “Who let you in?” My shoulders bunched at the sound of his voice, succumbing to the need to cower before him. “I let myself in.” “The door is locked.” My eyes flicked to the window. “I got in through there.” “Why?” “To cook for you.” “To cook for me?” I took a step forward. If this man was to hire me, I needed to assert myself. “Katerina at the Kavos Hotel told me that you need a cook. I can cook for you.”

Snippet B:

Alex took two silent steps on the thick carpet and was now standing right next to her. Monica stood up mechanically. Her mind raced trying to unjam the clutter of words clogging it. She put out a hand in a brusque move. “Brown-red of Fanari and Gray of Alivery.” Alex raised his full black brows. “Excuse me?” “The … marble. The types of marble down in the lobby and up here,” she said, aware that a “Nice to meet you” might just have been a better way to introduce herself.

Snippet C:

“Was that Plan B or a payback?” At the sound of the guy’s low, deep voice, her heart rate went from fast to frantic. “What was?” Hot guy quirked a thick, dark brow. “Do you make a habit of throwing yourself at men, or was that your way of getting back at me for not falling for your little dance routine earlier?” Anger thickened her blood to the point of clotting it, and her heartbeat markedly dropped. “Did you just imply I stumbled on purpose?”

 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - The Beachcombers

Which Snippet is from Book 2 - Last Chance

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - Fate Captured

 

Correct answers & winner of the extra entry from last week:

Last week must have been a tough one, no one guessed correctly. 

Last week’s answers:

Book 1  Forbidden Colours – A

Book 2 Finders Keepers – C

Book 3 Decades of Love – C

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March 3, 2017 · 3:51 pm

Friday Fragment Contest – #Giveaway #FunGame #BookLovers – March 3, 2017

fri-fragments-and-spotalie

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

The February winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is Mary Anne Landers…congratulations, Mary Anne!

And, the winner of Ruth Kaufman’s ebook giveaway is Nancy Burgess, who will receive a free copy of At His Command. Congrats to Nancy!

Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly) – Remember, you get an entry just for guessing!

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. (when we offer extra giveaways, commenting is the only way to enter.)

Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

 

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right. 

 

Extra Giveaways!!! 

From Nicole Fitton: A $5 Amazon gift card awaits one lucky reader. The winner will be chosen at random Please leave a comment in the comments box to be in with a chance of winning. Good luck!

From J.J. DiBenedetto: Ebook or audiobook set of all three Jane Barnaby Adventures books

 

Book 1:

Forbidden Colours by Nicole Fitton

Buy Link https://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Colours-Nicole-Fitton-ebook/dp/B01N0BXSYV/

Contact Link – www.nicolefittonauthor.com

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Snippet A:

Even though buried, her memories continued to breathe under the mountain of life she’d lived. Dare she even speak of them? Their place of residence had become an unmarked grave in her history. Her family had a right to know, after everything that had happened. His world was dark and full of shadows; where would she begin? For over 25 years she had told no one. Now she was being drawn back into his world. It was a time she wanted to forget. The tie that had been bound to her so tightly was about to be broken.

Snippet B:

“It really is good to see you.” His eyes flickered upwards and there it was bam right between her eyes– delight, this time unmasked and blatant. She felt ashamed, a double-dealer. It was not supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be crisp white linen, clear blue cloudless skies. Instead it was clandestine iron ore that left a stain on your hands. Anne of Green Gables would not approve. She sat hands clasped together unable to make eye contact. It would only take a split second for Tony to understand.

Snippet C:

Well that was very bold of me wasn’t it, she thought, not sure where this confident version of herself had come from. Maybe it was the shopping, maybe the shopping made her bold! It was a type of therapy after all! ‘As long as I’m not intruding?’ ‘No no, please intrude away, intrude as much as you like… I mean….’ Stuttering and blushing again, the man must think I’m a bloody moron. Thankfully there was no evidence of the oversized biscuit…at least he won’t think I’m a glutton as well, that’s one blessing.

 

Book 2:

Finders Keepers by J.J. DiBenedetto

Buy Link: http://books2read.com/FindersKeepers

Find J.J. Here: http://www.writingdreams.net

3

Snippet A:

“What do you want me to do? I had one idea, and it’s a good idea but you keep screaming at me not to do it, so tell me what you do want!” What Jane wanted was for Sheryl to move over and let her take the wheel, but that wasn’t exactly a viable option at the moment. As a plan B, the only thing she could think of was the next exit. A couple of minutes ago, it had been twenty kilometers away, but at their current speed, surely they’d covered at least half that distance.

Snippet B:

This was a bad idea. How many horror movies had she seen in her life? Was going down into the basement ever a good idea, in any of them? Did it ever end well? Jane knew the answers, but she went down the stairs all the same. She tried to step softly, but they creaked anyway. Whoever was down there had to know they were coming. She continued down regardless, and when she got to the bottom, she called out, “Tishy?”

Snippet C:

“You know that expression ‘if looks could kill’ really is just an expression, right? You can stare at me like that all night if you want, but I’m not changing my mind.” When she’d told him her new plan, Jane had worried, just for a moment or two, that Tom might try to grab the wheel or do something else equally drastic. She wasn’t sure what would have happened if he had; fighting for control of the car with a hostile passenger had not come up in her Driver’s Ed classes back in high school.

 

Book 3:

Decades of Love by Sin City Romance Writers (Lynn Crain is one of them.)

Buy Link: http://mybook.to/DecadesofLove

Find Lynn Here: https://www.facebook.com/LynnCrainAuthor

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Snippet A:

Hell, who was she kidding? Once she got back, her life would be anything but well-ordered as she’d be unique, being someone who had successfully time-travelled. Unfortunately, that would all be kept within the confines of the Time Travel Bureau as the world could never know how they were kept safe from the Desmond Draeggers of the world. They’d even made her sign a non-disclosure document before MI6 would let her step inside their damn time travel device.

Snippet B:

“That’s all for now and it’s most of what I know. But we all share the same concerns as I’m sure you have. Javed has the specifics on our next contact. And please don’t get mad at me for the unconventional way I have instructed him to give those orders to you. It was necessary.” I turned to look at him suspiciously. “What is she talking about?”

Snippet C:

She stared at him and again noticed his eyes. Like the sky in Nevada – blue, deep, and endless. She could watch them all day, but the force of his hand nearly knocked her on her ass. She blinked several times and remembered where she was. Her throat constricted, and it was everything she could do not to puke. Her eyes darted around her for a moment or two, as her mind rearranged the morning into the right scenario. The slap was probably the best thing he could have done for her.

*** The book is on pre-order right now for an incredible $0.99. We plan to do giveaways the week of release (Feb 28 through March 6.) More details can be found on the Sin City Romance Writers Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SinCityRomanceWriters/

…thanks for having me!

 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Which Snippet is from Book 1 - Forbidden Colours

Which Snippet is from Book 2 - Finders Keepers

Which Snippet is from Book 3 - Decades of Love

 

Correct answers & winner of the extra entry from last week:

The first person who guessed correctly was Kristina Oden, who wins an additional entry in the March  contest. Congrats, Kristina!

Last week’s answers:

Book 1 – In Your Arms: Correct Snippet: B

Book 2 – My Once & Future Love: Correct Snippet: C

Book 3 – Soul Seducer: Correct Snippet: B

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