Showing posts with label paranormal romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paranormal romance. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Tena Stetler is my Guest with Charm Me Again


Please welcome Tena Stetler, Award-Winning Paranormal Author, and her new release, Charm Me Again.



Charm Me Again - Breaking the curse is only the first step to forever. 


Thank you so much for giving me a chance to chat about my new Romance/Mystery , Charm Me Again.  I hope your readers will enjoy the excerpt and a little about what inspired the book.

I first climbed to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado several years ago. Although it’s only a little over a mile, you gain one-thousand feet in altitude in the one mile climb. On top of that, it was pouring rain, making the trail’s scattered boulders slick and treacherous. But it was well worth the climb. It quit raining and we ate our lunch in the beautiful surroundings. Mother Nature outdid herself carving this fantastic lake into the side of the mountain. At the time, I figured someday it would end up in a book.  Well, it did and in spectacular fashion (don’t want to give anything away). The background and a few of the meme’s I’ve created feature the lake and surrounding vegetation.  

A little about Charm Me Again:

For several months a Scottish Highland ghost has haunted Daylan, in his personal life, his professional life, and at his forge. Yet, despite being a talented warlock, he is no closer to discovering what the ghost wants or why he chose Daylan. A trip to his estranged sister’s home in Colorado may have unforeseen consequences, especially when family history leads him to a shocking discovery.

As his attraction blooms for Josie, a yoga instructor in his sister’s studio, he realizes there may be more to Josie than he can imagine. When an ancient rogue Fae Warrior set on revenge kidnaps her in an attempt to claim her as his own, a devastating curse comes to light.

Daylan’s world spirals out of control as he searches for Josie. Can he break the age-old curse to save her and their future, or will she be lost to him forever?




Buy Links:

A sneak peek between the pages of Charm Me Again:

As they climbed, the trail became steeper and rockier. He grabbed hold of the handrails assuming they were provided for oxygen-deprived people like him. How do people breathe up here? Until now he’d prided himself in being in excellent shape.
She turned and peeked over her shoulder. “You all right back there? We’re almost to the top.”
About damn time. Huffing out another breath, he leaned against a large boulder. The trail opened up and the Lake came into view. He sucked in a breath at the geologic wonder before his eyes. Suspended on the edge of Glenwood Canyon’s cliff, waterfalls spilled into a clear turquoise lake. Lush green plants trailed from the outcropping of rock on the walls surrounding the water was like nothing he’d ever seen. “This is absolutely unbelievable.”
Suddenly, the wind changed direction, a thin maroon line formed along the flat bottom of the dark clouds spreading across the sky where moments before there’d been only a few fluffy cotton ball clouds in a sea of blue. The maroon line widened then switched to vertical and spread open to reveal a shimmering interior. Shadows emerged from the cloud then disappeared. As he was about to comment, huge raindrops plopped on the ground followed by pea size hail that grew to softball size.
Josie ran for cover and he followed. Protected under a ledge, she cupped her hands over her ears as the roaring of the storm combined with huge ice balls smashing against rocks echoed through the canyon. She elbowed him and cocked a brow in question, pointing to the vegetation that remained unharmed.
His eyes narrowed. Something isn’t right. I can feel it. Magic is spinning this storm. But who—how and why? At a loss for answers, he shrugged and urged her further under the ledge to wait out the storm. Brushing the wet strands of hair out of her face, he smiled. She looked like a drowned rat but the fragrance around her reminded him of sweet spring flowers.

About the author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award-winning paranormal romance novels. She has an overactive imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a ‘tween, to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends.
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures–with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in–telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and strong mystical males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is her home, shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot, and a forty-five-year-old box turtle.  Any winter evening, you can find Tena curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate, and a big bowl of popcorn.

Social Media Links:
My Say What Blog - http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler   



Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Jillian Chantal's Evil Wind Rising is at Talespinner Today


Please welcome my friend and a great author Jillian Chantal! She has a new release—Evil Wind Rising. She calls it a horror romance, which sounds a bit horrific, so I’ll call it a paranormal romance—with ghosts and voodoo. At any rate, she’s regaling us with a blurb and excerpt, and a bit of background. Also a giveaway. Take it away,  Jillian!

I’m Jillian Chantal and am thrilled to be invited to my friend M. S. Spencer’s blog. Thanks for having me. I’m here to talk about my latest release, Evil Wind Rising.



For many years, I’ve had a plan to write a story with all the female characters having names from Beatles songs, but never did it. When I decided to work on this tale, I decided to take it a step further and have all the characters reference either the band or their songs. The reason I finally decided to take on the task is because this book is part of a conglomeration of writers of different romance sub-genres, who formed a group to write stories with five common elements.

The elements are: (1) a haunted or reputedly haunted house; (2) a stack of books; (3) a lightning storm; (4) lost keys; and (5) a character named Max.


Since I love the song Maxwell’s Silver Hammer (such a sinister song), that was my motivation to expand the Beatles’ female names to the whole Beatles universe. I did give Max a slightly different name than he had in the song. I hope the readers enjoy the little Easter eggs hidden—or not so hidden—in this tale. 

This is also a way to welcome in the scary season as it has a bit of horror, a bit of romance, and some wit to lighten the atmosphere.

I’ll give away a copy for a random commenter who leaves me a comment regarding anything fun you know about any of the Beatles or what your favorite song is and why.

89 p.
Released Oct. 1, 2019

Rumor has it the Rigby Mansion is haunted. The last owner was brutally murdered and now the house is on the market. Dr. Max Edison, a surgeon who has no time for such nonsense, wants to tour the manor as he wants a home outside the city. The firm listing the property sends him out with their newest employee, Stella McNamara, who is convinced the rumors are true. She has a sixth sense about these things….

Excerpt: Voodoo

"I showed the Rigby estate to a buyer today and there's something evil there. I need to figure out what to do since I think he's intent on returning."
"You stay away from over there, missy. You got the gift like your grandma did. You don't wanna be attracting no spirit to follow you home and make trouble in your life." Her mother coughed. "You hearing me, Stella girl? No nonsense, ya hear?"
"Settle down, Mamma. I'm not planning to go back. I was wondering how I could help the man who wants to buy the place. He's a nonbeliever and I'm worried he's going to get himself hurt."
"You need to steer clear. Even setting up a ritual to pray for his protection could drag you down."
Stella sighed. She should've known her mother would flip, but she had some of her grandmother's candles and other items used in ritual that might be of use in assisting Stella in casting a protective net around Max Edison. She'd learned the work from her grandmother even though her mother feared it.
"If you're asking for Grandmother's box, no. You can't have it. You need to forget that idea right now."
When her mother got that tone of voice, Stella knew the pope himself could ask her for the box and she'd say no. Not that the pope believed in Voodoo. At least she didn't think he did.


Buy Link:

About the Author

Jillian Chantal is multi-published in the romance genre. She’s a lawyer by day and writer, amateur photographer and history buff by night. Jillian lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Florida and loves her little slice of paradise. But not too much to enjoy world-wide travel every chance she gets. After all, a writer and photographer needs new and exciting places to go and capture in order to stay fresh, right? And there’s nothing quite like seeing historical places in person, is there?

Jillian loves to hear from readers. She can be found at her sites:


Thanks again to M. S. for allowing me to pop in for a visit.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Karen Bartell & Her New Release The Keys: Voice of the Turtle


Please welcome Karen Hulene Bartell, author of several paranormal romances. She’s going to introduce us to The Keys: Voice of the Turtle, which releases today from the Wild Rose Press. It is now available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Karen, can you tell us about the book?



Thank you, M. S. Spencer, for inviting me to your blog! It’s a pleasure to chat with you and your readers any time, but especially today, the day The Keys: Voice Of The Turtle is being released.

The setting for this mainstream fantasy is the Florida Keys, specifically Marathon and Key West. Why the Keys? Their raw beauty, magnificent sea-turtles, colorful buccaneer history, as well as the lure of buried treasure and the Keys’ bigger-than-life residents, like Earnest Hemingway, all captured my imagination, and all would play a role.

Key West is a town that doesn’t sleep. The city island is a continuous party that starts at breakfast with cafe con leche, Cuban toast, and mimosas. The festivities runs throughout the day in bistros, pubs, brasseries, or beside food-carts vending conch fritters and pink shrimp scampi. It reaches full swing at Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration with to-go cups in hand and then continues long into the night on a Duval Crawl.

Key West is a wide-open town that’s historically attracted pirates and wreckers. Today, the island’s sheer beauty, tropical vibes, and distinct culture draw vacationers, sailors, sun-lovers, and mavericks, as well as real-estate developers and hoteliers, who also play dark roles in The Keys: Voice of the Turtle.

The Keys: Voice Of The Turtle, by Karen Hulene Bartell

Date of release: August 14, 2019
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Series: Sacred Emblem
Genre: Mainstream Fantasy
Pagination: 328 pages
Heat rating: Sweet

Blurb:

Hours after arriving in the Florida Keys to help her cousin Keya create a turtle preserve, Ruth discovers a washed-up body and not one, but two apparitions—Maita, the angry victim's spirit, and Bart, a swashbuckling ghost. Ruth's curious ability to connect with the ghosts may help them move on, but how?

Keya is in a probate battle over her turtle-nesting beach. Land-hungry relatives want it bulldozed and developed. Like Ruth, she has a special gift—she can talk to animals. Between Ruth's help and Keya's unique ability, they work to save the property, but is it too late?
Can Keya save her beloved turtles? Can Ruth find Maita's murderer or help Bart solve his 400-year-old mystery? There's more than meets the eye to Keya's land. Add in a dashing sailor who believes in her, and Keya may have more than she bargained for…


Excerpt:

 ~ Key West—Cayo Hueso—Island of Bones ~

“Conveying this land to the turtles would be my way of leaving the world a better place.” She turned toward Ruth. “Does that make sense?”
Ruth nodded and gazed at Keya as if for the first time. Her cousin’s intentions were clear. “But legally, how can you will the property to the turtles?”
“Easy. I leave it to the Turtle Refuge.” Keya laughed inwardly as they meandered along the beach. “And this is where you come in. When you’re writing the brochure, add a few paragraphs about planned giving and charitable bequests…” Her words broke off as Keya stared as if in a trance.
Ruth looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
Her hand shaking, Keya pointed to a shady patch of beach half hidden by sand dunes. A lifeless hand lay tangled in seaweed, its fingernails broken and bloodied.
Racing behind the sandbanks to help, Ruth skidded to a halt, her heels digging into the sand. A woman’s bloated body lay staring at the sun, her eyes opaque and unseeing. “Do you recognize her?”
“No.” Keya shook her head as the cat gingerly approached, sniffing and meowing. “But Earnestine said she smells familiar.”
Two hours later, the police left, and Keya turned to Ruth. “How about a mojito?”
Earnestine cocked her head and stiffened as she growled in her throat.
“Knock, knock,” called a man’s voice.
Ruth flinched at the sound.
“Who’s there?” called Keya, her tone curt.
A tall, thin man wearing khakis and a nautical polo shirt waved from the property line next door. Then he stepped over the low row of pilings and picked his way through the thorny pyracantha bushes that served as a boundary between the properties. After pointing to the house behind him, he brushed his salt-and-pepper hair from his eyes. “I’m your next-door neighbor, Gerald Granger, but call me Gerry. Hope this isn’t an inopportune time to introduce myself.”
“I didn’t realize anyone lived there.” Her smile stiff, Keya stood, seeming to gather her shaken nerves about her like a flowing kaftan.




Amazon eBook: https://amzn.to/2XV2wO1
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2yfSB7b  
Barnes & Noble NOOK Book: https://bit.ly/2YFHWgQ
Barnes & Noble Paperback: https://bit.ly/2yuBEWO

Karen Hulene Bartell
About the Author:

Author of the Sacred Emblem, Sacred Journey, and Sacred Messenger series, Karen is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural that lift the spirit. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved annually, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Wanderlust inherent, Karen enjoyed traveling, although loathed changing schools. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Hill Country with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Contacts:

Monday, June 17, 2019

Mary Morgan, Celtic Myths, & Destiny of a Warrior


Please welcome Mary Morgan, author of Destiny of a Warrior, Book 4 in the Legends of the Fenian Warriors. Mary promises to enlighten us  about Celtic myths and legends…and entertain us with a wonderful excerpt. Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for great prizes. The contest runs June 5 to July 15.



How I Wove Celtic Mythology into my Fictional Fae Realm

In order to understand my fictional Fae realm, let me tell you about the world of Celtic myths and legends…

I’ve always been drawn to the ancient Celtic tales of mythology—from Cuchulainn and the Red Branch, to the epic sagas about the invasions of Ireland. I blame it on my heritage. The blood of my ancestors flows heavily within me. They speak to me constantly.

It only made sense that I would develop and expand the world of my Fenian Fae Warriors. Theirs was a world rich in legends, colors, and senses. I’ve based my own fictional account on the legend of the Tuatha Dé Danann—one of the invaders of Ireland. They were known as the Shining Ones, or the Fae. The Tuatha Dé Danann was defeated in two battles by the Milesians, whom historians and scholars alike agree were probably the first Gaels in Ireland. It was agreed that the new invaders (Milesians) and the Tuatha Dé Danann would each rule half of Ireland. Amergin of the Milesians chose that half of Ireland which lay above ground, leaving the Tuatha Dé Danann to retreat below. They were led underground by Manannán mac Lir, God of the Sea, who shielded them with an enchanted mist from mortal eyes. As time passed, they became known as the Sidhe (Shee), or Ireland’s faery folk.

Glossary of the Fae Realm~The Tuatha Dé Danann from DESTINY OF A WARRIOR:

CATHEDRAL OF TREES: A place of worship and where royal ceremonies are held.

COURTS OF THE FAE: Special chambers where the Fae Order discuss and advise on the laws.

FAE APOTHECARY: A special healer and where one can purchase or create medicinal herbal remedies.

FAE COUNCIL: A group of nine Fae members who proceed and advise over the laws, especially those governed by the Fenian Warriors.

HALL OF REMEMBRANCE: A place the Fae visit to reflect on their life’s journey.

KEEPER OF KNOWLEDGE: Archibald McKibben, Bard of the Fae. He is responsible for keeping a historical record of all events pertaining to the Fae within both worlds—human and Fae.

LIBRARY OF THE ANCIENTS: All the knowledge the Fae brought with them to Ireland.

PLEASURE GARDENS: A vast, luscious garden where the Fae may find others for sexual pleasures.

REALM OF SORROWS: When a Fae becomes trapped in his own misery and sorrow. Ultimately, they become a shadow of their former self and go mad.

ROOM OF REFLECTION: The Fae prison.

ROYAL HOUSES: On the planet of Taralyn—the Fae homeland—each of the nine continents maintained a royal house and family. These houses governed their own continents, but all were ruled by the King and Queen of the Fae.



DESTINY OF A WARRIOR, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Book 4
Release date: June 5, 2019
Genre: Fantasy/Celtic Mythology/Folktales
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Page count: 220
Heat Rating: Spicy

Blurb:

"You met him in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their greatest legend!”

As leader of the Fenian Warriors, Aidan Kerrigan’s accolades are many and his loyalty to the Fae unwavering. When an unexpected mission sends him to the human world and a chance encounter with Rose MacLaren, he’s tempted for the first time in his existence to discard duty and claim what is forbidden.

Rose MacLaren, a Society of the Thistle member, yearns to expand her botanical knowledge with her love of history. After her rescue by a handsome stranger, she is compelled to look beyond what her rational mind comprehends and unravel the secret of the standing stones, as well as the man who captivates her. 

In a mystical world ruled by ancient laws and edicts, can a fierce warrior choose a path destined for love? And will a woman honoring the ways of the land believe in a myth only spoken of in legends? If they do, will their love be enough to defy death’s punishment?

Excerpt:

A chill of foreboding swept through him. In her short time of being among these standing stones, she’d obtained bits of knowledge no one else had come upon. “Continue,” he encouraged softly.
Hugging her notebook against her chest, she went to the tallest stone in the center. “These symbols and images on the back mirror the three centered on the slab. In addition, they are all the same as the other site outside of Glasgow.”
“They’re merely circles,” he admitted, keeping his voice steady. “The Celtic triskele symbol also decorates many other stone structures.”
Her brow furrowed in obvious concentration as she disappeared around the back of the stone.
Tossing the pinecone aside, Aidan stood. His instincts screamed at him to do something to prevent her from further inspecting the stone. Only he knew the significance. And he now understood why he was sent here. In all his travels, not one human had documented his time among them. Or so he believed. Upon his arrival, he longed to pulverize the stones to shards of dust after viewing the back. The altar stone had remained buried under moss, dirt, and ivy. The same was true with the tallest stone at its base.
He fought against extending his hand outward and sinking the area a thousand feet underground. Making quick strides to Rose, he came to an abrupt halt. Her face was ashen as she knelt behind the stone, sketching an entire scene on her notepad. One side mirrored the stones, but on the opposite page, her hand drew an epic vista.
The blood pounded inside his head, and he dared to draw in a breath. With each stroke of her hand, an image came to life and his greatest fear unfolded. Slowly, Aidan lifted his hand. The power built and traveled down his arm. He had to destroy the picture. Banish the past vision from her mind. Eradicate all knowledge of him. Seal the door to the past from the present.
The truth must never be revealed.
But when Rose lifted her gaze to meet his, Aidan’s heart stopped. For the first time in his life, he was torn between duty and his own personal need.
“I am sorry,” he stated in a strangled voice.


RAFFLECOPTER: (June 5 – July 15, US and Canada only)
Grand Prize: Signed print copy of DESTINY OF A WARRIOR
Celtic jeweled bookmark
$5 Starbucks Gift Card 

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Direct Link to Rafflecopter:



Buy Links:



Mary Morgan
About the Author:
Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
 
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling by writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.


Connect with Mary at these places: