Friday, December 26, 2014

Spotlight, Excerpt and Giveaway Banewolf by Eden Ashley








Banewolf
Dark Siren Series
Book Two
Eden Ashley

Genre: paranormal romance, young adult

ISBN: 9780989963237
ASIN: B00GTT3RDI

Number of pages: 395
Word Count: 90,000

Cover Artist: Nathalia Suellen

Book Description:

New enemies are made.

New allies must be forged.

Kali is beginning to regain her memories. In doing so, she discovers old secrets and betrayals that threaten to unravel her present and shake the foundation for Rhane’s belief in her innocence. While her maturing abilities present unique challenges, a bigger problem arises when Kali learns her ex-boyfriend has made a misguided deal with the enemy in order to win her back—a decision that may ultimately cost him his humanity.

Keeping Kali safe has become a full time job for Rhane. And struggling to gain control of the immortal Banewolf isn’t making that task any easier. The power to eliminate the growing threat against Kali lies at Rhane’s fingertips, but using it means risking his friends to the insatiable blood lust of a monster. So Rhane is forced to forge a shaky alliance with creatures he has sworn to destroy. Despite these new allies, the danger pressing on their borders intensifies, culminating in a heartbreaking and shocking finale.

The strength of the bond between young and ancient lovers will be tested…and if Kali and Rhane are to survive, they must find a way to be unbreakable.

BN       Amazon Print      Amazon Kindle
Excerpt from Banewolf

I Want You to Remember…

After seeing the Cal who wasn’t Cal, Kali’s mind was far too harried to focus on class. Skipping the last block of the day, she went to the swimming pool and sat at the bottom for a long time. Her eyes were closed. Her body was motionless. The pressure of the water became a loving caress, helping to relax everything except her mind. Those anxious thoughts just wouldn’t let go. Even with all Rhane had revealed, the past remained hidden like it had never existed.
But you didn’t forget.
That was right. An entire lifetime…taken. And it wasn’t just her life with Rhane. Kali had lived well over a dozen lives in stolen human bodies. Yet she couldn’t remember a single one of them. Each of those little girls had been stripped from the arms of a family who loved them, only to be replaced by a soul-sucking, fire-setting siren. And for what reason? If Rhane knew, he wasn’t telling. Why won’t he talk to me? I’ve proven my trust.
Well, she amended the thought. I did push him away at first, but only for like fifteen minutes. Then Gabriel showed up and started ripping more of my life to pieces.
Kali took a breath and then another, but not with her lungs. Her skin absorbed oxygen from the water and exchanged it for carbon dioxide waste in her blood. The process didn’t come automatically. It took a lot of focus to make underwater breathing happen. In her two weeks on the lam, she’d discovered this new talent. And it had proven very useful, practically allowing her to live in the water. Holding her breath was certainly easier, but that came with time limits. After twenty minutes, she had to surface.
She was determined to master underwater breathing. Concentrating on the task left her brain severely limited in the number of other things it could worry about. And that was a plus.
Feeling the faintest tremble in the water, she opened her eyes. The lights were flickering. After a few cycles of an ebbing and surging glow, they went out completely. She tried not to panic in the darkness, expecting the underwater lighting to illuminate soon. But instead, there came a muted thud. All of the lights suddenly flooded the pool arena. And Kali screamed.
Bodies were everywhere. Hundreds of them littered the swimming pool floor. Parts of their skin were burned. Charred chunks broke apart from decaying flesh. Tentacles of black liquid snaked into the water. The body of a child rose up, a bloated mass set adrift in a nonexistent current. Kali stared into the film of the corpse’s dead eyes with absolute horror. Black hair floated around his head in a dark halo of death. Even with blanched, greying and puckered skin, Kali saw in the child a startling resemblance to Rhane. Bubbles spurted from her mouth as she screamed again.
She kicked hard, trying to get as far away from the corpse as fast as she could. When her back slammed into solid concrete, she turned to scramble up the pool wall. Fingers slipping on the wet ledge, she finally managed to pull herself out and flop onto her stomach. Trembling with a dozen more screams welled up inside, Kali shook with the effort of not releasing them.  
Pushing to her feet, she looked down into the water, needing desperately to believe she was not going crazy. There were no dead people. There was no dead boy. The pool was empty.
#
Icy water pounded from the showerhead, streaming into her eyes as it washed the chlorine from her body. All Kali could see was the boy. His lifeless face floating before hers, dark and grey and distorted in death. It took both hands to smother her sobs. She couldn’t understand what was happening. Was it possible that the vision was a real memory like the nightmares of the horseman had been real memories?
The lights in the shower room flickered and went out just as they had in the pool auditorium. Her breath caught in her chest as she waited for what would happen next. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Kalista,” a male voice sighed into the darkness.
She backed away. She was naked and blind. And in the shower was a stranger who probably meant her harm. The vulnerable state made Kali’s movements very clumsy.
“Darkesong.” 
This time the voice was closer. So close, she could feel the whisper against her skin. She knew it was the thing pretending to be Cal. Kali bit her lip. She was too frightened to scream. But screaming wouldn’t have helped anyway.
At first, his touch was light. Kali reacted, flinching away violently. Then “Cal” grabbed her. He was an irresistible force shoving her against the wet shower wall. His hard body pressed against hers. The heat from him completely dispelled the cold that fell around them.
Kali felt his face against her skin. His hot breath steamed next to her cheek.
“Don’t,” she whispered.
Strong fingers slipped around her throat, but their hold was gentle. The lights partially returned, and she could see him. Physically, everything was the same…except for the eyes. Gone was the shocking blue of Cal’s stormy stare. In its place were two red orbs that reflected abnormally in the dim light. She would have recognized those eyes anywhere.
“Gabriel.”
He nodded. His body still had her pinned. His right hand grasped her throat, while the other rested idly against the wall. She waited for him to say or do something, but he didn’t. Nothing happened. Open malice and rage emanated from Gabriel’s still form, but Kali wasn’t entirely sure those emotions were aimed at her.
She inhaled a shaky breath. The action squashed her breasts against his chest. “What did you do to Cal?”
Another unnerving smile slashed his face. “He’s still here.”
“What do you want?”
Pressing his nose into the curve of her neck, Gabriel inhaled a dramatic whiff of her scent. Trembling, Kali tried to push away, wedging her body painfully into the wall. When Gabriel’s left hand moved, she went rigid. But the hand never touched her. It hovered next to her head, holding a tiny yellow stone.
“I want to help you remember.”
The events that followed would remain a blur of varying shades of grey darkness for some time. When Kali came to, she was standing in the rain, completely drenched. Rhane stood in front of her, lips moving soundlessly as he shouted, the words swept away by an unforgiving wind. She had never seen his eyes so black or so deadly focused as he leveled a gun directly over her heart.



About the Author:

Cynic, realist, and hopeless romantic all rolled into one, Eden was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina, but thunderstorms have inspired her best ideas. There are few things she loves more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day, (except maybe chocolate cake. She loves cake.) often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her attention. She pretty much loves anything with supernatural elements, so writing paranormal romance and fantasy romance seems to be a natural fit.






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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Two Naughty Versions of The Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before XXX Mas
By Roxanne Rhoads 

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
I was frantically clicking away with my mouse

My stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that some dildos would soon be there

I wanted to be nestled all snug in my bed
But visions of hot studs danced in my head

I was in my nightie and a cute little thong
I had finally settled down to play with my dong

When under my window arose such a clatter
I jumped out of bed mad as a hatter

Over to the window my neighbors got a flash
My breasts fell out when I threw open the sash

The moon shown on my breasts like new fallen snow
Giving my skin a luster to any viewers below

When what to my unbelieving eyes should appear
but a big ass sleigh and eight horny reindeer

With a hot sexy driver so studly and thick
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Prick

Faster than vibrating dildos they came
He hooted and hollered and called them by name

Come on Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen,
Go Comet and Cupid, Faster Donder and Blitzen

Get over that fence, make it up that wall
I want to mount that bitch, I'll mount them all

I was quiet as could be watching him fly
They passed all obstacles on the way to the sky

Up to my rooftop the reindeer they flew
With a sleigh full of sex toys and Saint Prickolas too

And in a twinkling I heard them on the roof
The dancing and prancing of each heavy hoof
As I tucked away my breasts and covered my ass
Down the chimney came Saint Prickolas with a crash

He was dressed in velvet from his head to his foot
His clothes were all covered in ashes and soot

A bundle of sex toys he flung to the floor
He stripped off his clothes and hung them on my door

His muscles how they rippled, ass dimples how merry
His cheeks were all rosy, his cock red as a cherry

His sensuous mouth was curved like a bow
The hair on his head as white as the snow

The base of his cock he held tight in his hand
A condom encircled the head like a wreath

He had a thick shaft and a big fat tip and his balls
shook when he laughed, I wanted to give them a lick

His penis was chubby and plump, a well endowed young elf
I got horny when I saw him in spite of myself

With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head
He had me flat on my back upon my big bed

He spoke not a word but dove into his work
He filled my pussy with a twitch and a jerk

With just a few thrusts and fast pumps I came
Yelling and screaming and calling his name

As soon as he came he pulled right away, put a toy in my sock
then he climbed out the window naked holding his fat cock

I heard him exclaim as he climbed in his sleigh
"Merry Christmas, sexy! That was a great fucking lay!"

(c) 2007


My Naughty Night Before Christmas
By Roxanne Rhoads

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house
I was horny as hell clicking away at my mouse

I was looking at porn on the computer with care
Fantasizing about studs with long golden hair

Hot and ready I nestled all snug in my bed
but my vibrator died when I stuck in the head

I was naked as could be holding that big dong
I had been so excited I ripped off my thong

Outside my door I heard a soft pitter patter
I fell out of bed making a really loud clatter

I passed by the window, anyone looking got a flash
I was still butt naked and I hadn't closed the sash

The moon shown off my breasts like fresh fallen snow
My neighbors would surely think I was a slutty ho

I opened my door and what did I find?
A well endowed stud ready to blow my mind

He was better than batteries any day of the week
Naughty thoughts caused a blush to creep up my cheek

I was hot and horny and ready to come
When he fell to his knees and stuck out his tongue

I wriggled and giggled and moved my pelvis against him
His tongue swirled and curled then he stuck it right in

My knees started to buckle, I was going to fall
He grabbed my buttocks and leaned me on the wall

His mouth was amazing, his tongue so fine
I hoped I could keep him and make him mine

I held back no longer and came with a shriek
Then he laid me on my bed and kissed my cheek

And then in a twinkling my legs were spread
His large cock loomed over me, the tip bright red

I drew up my knees and closed one eye
As his large candy cane slid deep into my pie

His body moved above me like liquid fire
Taking me to new heights, soaring higher and higher

My nails dug in to the muscles of his back
Pumping hard I could feel the slap of his ball sack

I looked in his eyes, how they twinkled, his smile so merry
I kissed his full lips that were red as a cherry

I envisioned him wrapped with ribbons and a bow
Waiting for me in the white Christmas snow

The length of his shaft waiting for my wet sheath
A green condom circled the head like a wreath

I opened my eyes to broad shoulders and a flat belly
I shook as he thrust my body was like jelly

His cock was chubby and plump, what a sexy elf
I was going to come again, a surprise to myself

With a wink of his eye and a thrust of his head
He pushed my body harder into the soft bed

He spoke not a word but kept up with his work
then he filled my pussy with a twist and a jerk

He laid a soft kiss beside my cold nose
And quickly up off the bed he rose

He ran out the door without a goodbye
Then suddenly past the window he did fly

I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight
"Merry Christmas, darling. I'll be back tonight."

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Beyond It’s a Wonderful Life: Christmas Movies and TV Shows




Beyond It’s a Wonderful Life

While I can appreciate the Christmas classics, I try to look for something to watch that appeals to my enjoyment of the paranormal as well as a story not drowned in syrup. Some television shows and movies have blended the paranormal into a more feel good vibe without overdoing it. I’ll give props to A Christmas Story, but listed below are some of my favorite movies and television holiday-themed episodes:

I do like A Christmas Carol because I liked the ghosts, and it truly is a classic tale. The George C. Scott version is still one of the best, but my other favorite is Scrooged. Now here’s a Christmas movie I can get behind. Just seeing Bill Murray let loose with the biting sarcasm he does so well is worth the watch. Another great take is The Muppets Christmas Carol with Michael Cain as Scrooge.

Gremlins: they’re sooo cute.

Tim Burton directed some wonderful ethereal, winter/Christmas movies. The Nightmare Before Christmas combines my favorite, Halloween, with Christmas. Leave it to Tim Burton to merge the two delightfully. And I have to include Edward Scissorhands. I don’t love all Tim Burton movies, but this was so artfully made. So sad and beautiful. Burton and Depp’s best collaboration in my opinion, and Vincent Price in his last, perfect role as the Inventor.

On to great television episodes.

The X-Files “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”. Scully and Mulder investigate a house haunted by Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin. Asner and Tomlin gave great performances as ill-fated lovers which the writers used to parallel the growing bond between our favorite FBI agents. Some of the best X-Files episodes were the ones that showed Scully and Mulder interacting in odd-ball situations.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Amends”. I cried when I saw this episode. Angel is haunted by the people he killed (this is after he went Angelus on everyone) and Buffy convinces him to stay alive and fight the good fight.

The Simpson’s first episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”. Tackles both the despondency I sometimes feel around this holiday, but ultimately providing a heart-felt ending without the syrup.

And so I don’t appear totally heartless, I do love the quiet homage of Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and the Grinch, because if anyone can do a Christmas story without obliging us to feel fuzzy inside, it’s Dr. Seuss.


So grab some Egg Nog and prepare to laugh, cry, and maybe get a little spooked. Have a great holiday!

The Necromancer’s Betrayal
The Necromancer Series
Book 2
Mimi Sebastian

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Publisher: ImaJinn/Belle Books

ISBN: 978-1611945119
ASIN:

Number of pages: 226

Cover Artist: Debra Dixon

Book Description:

Her powers have been hobbled. Her enemies are growing stronger.

Old loves challenge her. And her worst betrayer may be herself.

Necromancer Ruby Montagne is battling for her life in the realm of demons. Unfairly branded for the death of a fellow necromancer, she’s got to prove her innocence without the full use of her magic. And the real culprit is still on the loose.

While someone is stalking her friends among the witches, Ruby searches for answers inside the dark intrigues of both the demon and necromancer worlds. Ruby must confront this new, sinister threat while reconciling her feelings for her former lover, a demon warrior. Only it’s difficult . . . because a sexy vampire is making it clear that he’d like to be a lot more than just friends.

The competition for Ruby’s trust heats up as the enemy pushes her toward a dark side that could threaten the entire realm. Yet what can Ruby do when she’s not even sure what she is? With the fabric separating the realms at stake, she must decide whom to trust. But will the ultimate betrayal be her own?


Available at Amazon

About the Author:

Mimi Sebastian raised herself on books and the strange and unusual, and an unhealthy dose of comics and movies. When a career as a punk guitarist failed to materialize, she completed her degree in urban planning, spent two years in the Ivory Coast with the Peace Corps, and another three years in Brazil. By day, she debates the merits of transport oriented development, by night she writes about necromancers and pirates. She’s convinced she could live off coffee, ice cream, and comic books, but is sure only one of those is good for her health.

She's a member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA. A transplant from the beaches of Florida, Mimi now wanders the desert in Phoenix, AZ, and attempts to balance writing with a day career, fantastic family, and household diva: her Amazon parrot.




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Guest Blog and Giveaway with HD Smith





Characters & Realms

Dark Hope, book one in the Devil’s Assistant series, introduces a lot of fun characters. Many of these characters come back for book two.

To help keep things straight, I’ll introduce you to the main characters and different realms in the series.

The Realms

There are three known realms. They have many names, but are generally referred to as Paradise, Purgatory, and Hell. In book 1 Claire (the Devil’s Assistant) learns of the fourth realm, which was destroyed ten millennia ago by the rulers of the other realms. She’s also considered “the girl” by many, and is supposed to fulfill a prophecy to save the fourth realm.

The Big Three (… Four?)

This group includes the royal siblings that rule the three known realms—the big three—is usually how I refer to them, but as we learn in book 1, they had a sister that was destroyed with her realm (Jayne, the troublemaker). The remaining three are: The Boss, Mab, & Harry. They are also known by many different names … here’s a list:
·        The Boss – Conrad Bosh III, Conrad Bosh IV, the Devil, Demon King, Old Man, Summer King, & Ruler of Hell
·        Mab – Pagan Queen, Winter Queen, & Ruler of Purgatory
·        Harry – Druid King, Spring King, & Ruler of Paradise
·        Jayne – Fallen Queen, Fall Queen, & Ruler of the Fourth Realm (the Fallen)

The Contenders

Claire has a thankless job as the Devil’s Administrative Assistant. In book two we meet Raven, and discover that Claire isn’t the only “girl” to fit the prophecy. There are actually three others with the same ability to fulfill the role. Girls three and four aren’t named in book two, but all of them together make up the contenders for the Fallen Queen’s throne.

The Quads

Every story needs a good villain—or four. While they aren’t exactly the poster children of good behaviour, they’d mostly mind their own business if left unprovoked. Unfortunately, that’s not how the story goes … these four are the hellspawn of the Devil and a pagan of insignificant birth—or so we’re told. Cinnamon, Sage, Sorrel, and Mace are nothing but trouble for Claire in book one, but The Boss washes his hands of them and puts the four under Mab’s control—of course I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of them.





Dark Awakened
The Devil’s Assistant Series
Book Two
H.D. Smith

Genre:  Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Wild Fey, LLC

ISBN: 978-1-942030-03-4
ASIN: B00PNVCQ8U

Number of pages: 290
Word Count: 88000

Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig Design Inc.

Tag Line: Darkly delicious—relentless—and wickedly good … the Devil’s Assistant is back.

Book Description:

Last spring Claire’s seemingly normal—if not totally screwed up—life was tossed on its head. For five years she’d been one of the damned—a human that knows the truth about the otherworldly among us. She’d worked for The Boss—the Demon King himself—as his administrative assistant, handling everything from early retirements, to Maintenance’s incessant requests for dental.

No one gets dental.

Then she walked into Purgatory—totally not her fault—went back in time, and awakened powers she never knew existed. Now Claire has a prophecy hanging over her head, a diamond ring hidden in her sock drawer, and the blood of a long dead royal running through her veins.

And it’s only going to get worse.

Her vow to live free or die takes a serious hit when she’s forced back under The Boss’s protection. Of course, there’s no protection from fate, or the Bounty Hunter sent to deliver her to Purgatory. And as if being “the girl” in the prophecy wasn’t enough, Claire soon discovers there are three other contenders for her role—two of whom want her dead.

Follow more of Claire’s adventures in Dark Awakened, the second installment of the Devil’s Assistant Series, to find out if she’s lucky enough to escape with her life, or if she’s just the first notch on the next contender’s belt.


Available at Amazon  BN   Kobo   Amazon Print

Reviews for The Devil’s Assistant Series


Dark Hope is a serious thrill ride type of story ~Fang Freakin' Tastic Reviews

I fell absolutely head over heels in love with this book! It truly was dark & delicious. Mayhem, death, Demons, Pagan's, Druids and a kickass heroine!
Taking It One Book at a Time

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, very unpredictable and difficult to anticipate what happens next, which is always a good thing.   Claire is an intriguing character, everything she thought she knew is not quite true …I cannot wait for the next book in series, eager to figure out what is going to happen to Claire~ Musings From An Addicted Reader

I love when authors can create something that takes me on a wild ride I’ve never been before. Book Lovin' Mamas


About the Author:

HD Smith has been writing for over ten years. She is a software developer by day, working for an awesome cruise line in Celebration, FL.

HD grew up in South Carolina, but has called the Sunshine State home since 1997.

She has Computer Science degrees from Clemson University (BS) and Florida Institute of Technology (MS). Her other hobbies include painting and screen printing. She enjoys creating t- shirts inspired by the places in her books. For more information, visit HD’s website at http://www.hdsmithauthor.com/



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Monday, December 22, 2014

Top 10 gifts for Elves: Guest Blog and Giveaway with Isabelle Saint-Michael





With the holiday happening this week you are probably wondering what to get the special Elf in your life. Well, no worries because Lily has you covered! She has put together a top 10 list of “must haves” in case you have any last-minute Elf shopping to do.

10.) Elves have a sweet tooth like you have never seen, but they love when it comes from fruits. That’s why Tallyn, Maerryn, and Kat are all obsessed with Brookside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate candies. They are sweet without hurting your teeth.


9.) Not everyone is lucky enough to know a Dwarf with the ability to imbue power into electric or mechanical devices. For that reason a solar powered phone or kindle charger is a great way to go. Phones might work when they are near a fairy circle, but they definitely don’t without power.

8.) If your Elf is a woman then get them undergarments. The Elves in the other realm don’t have them. Bras really throw the seamstresses for a loop. When in doubt though, can you really go wrong with underwear?



7.) Ponytail Elastics! Have you ever tried tying your hair back with ribbons or leather strips? Sure it looks nice, but it doesn’t give that nice firm hold that you get with a hair elastic. If Johnny Depp can rock the look, so can your Elf.




6.) Maybe you’re looking for something bigger. Why not a custom-made sword? While it is a peaceful time in most realms, you can never underestimate the value of a well-made sword. Some of our favorites from the Human realms are found here-à http://www.swordandstone.com/


5.) Boot warmers are an excellent and thoughtful gift. For a race that is so highly developed you would think they would have a better way of keeping warm, but like Humans they must still tromp through cold snow with frozen toes. Luckily, there are foot warmers.



4.) Kitties aren’t just for Fairies and witches anymore. Cats have been popular familiars within the Fae worlds for a long time and if you can make a long-term commitment to a cute fuzzy face, they are a wonderful addition to any Elven household. Great for laps when reading, feet when sleeping, and hours of entertaining companionship. Check with your local shelter to adopt!



3.) Hats are a great gift that allows your Elf to stay warm, be stylish, and blend in better with the Human realm when he or she comes with you to see the in-laws.



2.) Ear warmers are the perfect gift for this time of the year. Ears are a delicate erogenous zone for Elves. Only the most intimate of lovers touch each other’s ears. For that reason we need to keep them safe from windburn and deep freeze so they are all set for nibbles.



1.) Finally… Anything handmade with love. Elves, like many of the Fae and Darkling races, appreciate the love and time that goes into making something. Lily did needlepoint for Tallyn, Grace made cookies for Justin, and Kat is always making something for someone else. The thought and love that go into a gift means far more than the price tag.





Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears
Otherworld Realms
Book 1
Isabelle Saint-Michael

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Otherworld Romance, LLC

Date of Publication: November 14, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9908665-0-3
Paperback  978-0-9908665-1-0
ASIN:

Number of pages: 380
Word Count: 95,000

Cover Artist: CL Smith

Book Description:

Lillian Chambers was just an ordinary high school teacher, until she fell through a Fairy Circle. When she came to on the other side, she was surprised to find herself in the company of an Elven prince she thought only existed in her dreams. Now she’s slaying monsters and rescuing Prince Tallyn, instead of playing the part of the damsel in distress.

Tallyn had been the protector of his kingdom for over one hundred years. He knows that the world is filled with danger around every corner, but these days he’s finding himself babysitting the annoyingly fearless Lady Lillian.

When their worlds collide sparks fly, humorous situations ensue and the only thing for sure is that neither will ever be the same. Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears takes readers on an adventure into a modern fairytale where we explore what it really means to fall for Prince Not-so-Charming.

Available at Amazon

Excerpt Practical Uses for Princes with Pointed Ears

My dreams were more vivid than usual. It was like I was standing there with my favorite imaginary hunk. He and several others were packing up horses. There was a great deal of laughter and teasing among the men. They poked at each other until finally he had to step in and tell them to calm down. Even as he reprimanded them his smile shone brightly. I had never seen him smile with such a youthful presence.
Moments later another man appeared, just as handsome as my dream guy. “Tallyn!” he called, and my heart skipped a beat as I watched the man of my dreams turn to wave.
“Tallyn,” I could feel myself whispering. He turned and looked in my direction, as if he had heard me. His face fell a little when he couldn’t see me standing there.
“What’s wrong?” the taller man asked him.
I watched as Tallyn shrugged. “I was just thinking about how I was going to have to see your face every morning for the next few days and it quashed all the fun out of our camping trip.”
The taller man laughed, only to turn when someone called, "Maerryn!" which I guessed was his name.
I could feel the cool breeze on my skin, causing the hair on my arms to stand up. I watched with interest as the men finished packing up and began to ride away. I followed them through the forest I had seen a hundred times in my dreams. After a few hours they crossed the river in a shallow area then headed up a steep cliff, guiding their horses one at a time along the narrow ledge.
By midday the group reached the top of the cliff and stopped for lunch. The food smelled amazing cooked over the open fire. I felt my stomach rumble. When it did, Tallyn placed a hand on his stomach and looked around with confusion.
He was beautiful to look at, even with uncertainty creasing his brow. His green eyes deepened in color and his breath stilled. It was like he was looking right at me but couldn’t see me. With a shake of his head, he rejoined the conversation around him.
They packed up and left, heading across a path at the top of the cliff that led into another forest. The group seemed more hesitant when they entered the new area. They rode close together for hours, and when darkness finally threatened, they found flat ground and made camp. The horses were tied up, dinner was caught and prepared, and then the wine came out.
Boys will be boys, I thought to myself as they laughed, sang and passed around the bottles.
Behind me I heard the crack of twigs underfoot. Suddenly, I sensed someone else was there. I turned, looking in the direction of the sound, and I saw shadows moving through the woods towards the encampment. Panic filled me and I tried to scream, but I was just a watcher without a voice.





Holiday Spirit for Hire
Otherworld Realms
Book Two
Isabelle Saint-Michael

Genre: Holiday/ Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Otherworld Romance, LLC

Date of Publication: November 14th, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9908665-2-7
Paperback 978-0-9908665-3-4

Number of pages:164
 Word Count:41,000

Cover Artist: CL Smith

Book Description:

When life handed half-werewolf Grace MacGregor a pink slip four weeks before Christmas, she was determined to get back to work as soon as possible. She just didn’t expect it to be the very next day – or at the North Pole.  She now has four weeks to make other people’s holiday wishes come true, but will she be able to grant her own while she is at it?

Justin Kringle is the nephew of Santa Claus and his job is to keep operations of the Pole on point. When Grace is dropped bed and all into his work shop, he can’t decide if it’s love or hate at first sight. First impression: she’s a total mess. Can he keep her on track and remember to not mix business and pleasure?

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Excerpt Holiday Spirit for Hire

I settled into bed with my favorite boyfriend, my laptop. Before long I had updated my resume, applied for a half dozen jobs, checked flights home, and Facebooked with all of my friends to see if anyone had any leads. I was about to shut down when the pop from my email caught my attention.
     I closed the other tabs and stared at my inbox. It was from the OAC. The Otherworld Alignment Council was a group of magical beings, things that go bump in the night, and people that made sure that there were universal laws and regulations used across all the realms.  They made sure there was a common language, rules about magic, and laws that kept peace between the different races.  Why they were emailing me I didn’t know.

To: Grace MacGregor
From: OAC
Subject:  The North Pole Needs You

Dear Ms. MacGregor,

It has been brought to the attention of the OAC that you are no longer employed during this busy time of the year.  Every Holiday season we rely on the help we get from the Otherworld community to make the season bright.  Your talents could be used now through the end of the year helping deliver joyful winter holidays across all the realms.

Please see the attached application. Applicants will be considered for a paid position.  Please send a resume, two letters of recommendation and magical aptitude test scores to the email listed below.  If chosen we will need you to report immediately for work.

Thank you and Happy Holidays,
Otherworld Alignment Council

     I looked at the email again and shrugged.  “Why not?”  I asked myself.  I attached my resume, two recommendation letters and a quick note explaining my father was a Scottish Werewolf Clansman and that I was half human.  I figured my lack of magical abilities would keep me out of the fray.  My father told me to always answer the OAC right when they contacted you because they made the IRS look patient.
     With a giggle to myself I closed the windows on my laptop and shut it down.  Snuggling deep into my pillows I closed my eyes, giggling about what use I could possibly be to the Great Holiday Front up North.  Strangely enough I fell asleep with thoughts of sugar plums dancing in my head

      I awoke the next morning to the sounds of clinking, clicking and power tools.  I opened my eyes involuntarily when a particularly loud noise sounded right over my head.  It was then I noticed my bedroom was swarming with Gnomes and they seemed too busy to care I was sleeping.
     “Excuse me!” I yelled.  “Why are you in my bedroom?”
     A few of them stopped, exchanged looks with shrugs, and returned to work.  I wasn’t answered until a man with a heavy red braid down his back appeared.
     “You are in their workshop, and it’s about time you got up.”  I climbed out of bed angrily, prepared to demand that they leave.  “Nice pajamas,” he said with a grin as he looked me over.  “If you follow me we will get you assigned duties, uniforms and the rest of your paperwork filled out.”
     I looked around what should have been my room.  I was on a toy factory floor.  Only it looked like FAO Schwarz met Ikea.  Bright colors with industrial-grade shelves mixed with the old world charm of hand-carved wooden trim.  All around me Gnomes were hustling to complete toys.  I looked in the direction the redheaded man had gone and chased after him, abandoning my bed to the factory. 






About the Author:

Isabelle Saint-Michael is a cupcake enthusiast, shoe addict, and globetrotter. She is known for her sense of adventure and geeky hobbies. She is frequently seen haunting coffee shops and pubs into the wee hours of the morning. No matter where she goes, shenanigans and mirth are never far behind.

The blog that started it all- www.Elvenlife.com


Twitter @IsabelleStMike or https://twitter.com/IsabelleStMike

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