Osiyo~
Welcome to the cover reveal with a wonderful friend and Wild Rose Press author, Linda Nightingale! Sit back and learn a new theory of how vampires came to be.š
Many years agoā¦Sinnersā Opera, then called The Vampyre Effect, was the first book I wrote. I loved the hero and followed him everywhereāto parties, concerts, but not the bathroomāand the manuscript grew to over 100,000 words. Needless to say, it had to be trimmed considerably before I could submit it.Ā Sinnersā Opera and its sequel Sinnersā Obsession are both available in eBook and Print from the publisher, Double Dragon Publishing.Ā I began a prequel featuring Morganās (the hero) early life and becoming a vampire, but havenāt finished it yet.
Morgan DāArcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody is a collection of short works cataloging his stroll through the years.Ā Soon to be released by The Wild Rose Press, it should be a good pick for anyone who likes to read about vampires.Ā Try a different variety!Ā My vampires are viral mutations rather than re-animated corpses.
(Calisa says: And in case you’re curious- Linda told me that Vampire (with an I) is an individual. Vampyre (Y) is the race. Nice to know.š )
I donāt have a release date yet from The Wild Rose Press, but I wanted to share the cover and the blurb. Ladies and Gents, I hope youāll enjoy meeting Morgan DāArcy, English nobleman, concert pianistā¦and vampire.
Blurb:
The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D’Arcy to fear nothing and no one ā humans and their weapons have little chance against his vampire speed and strength. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world.
Being the last of his aristocratic British line, he hasn’t given in to his fate or given up the hope to pass his title to an heir. The lure of a return to mortality, of a life in the sun puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women. Even grooming a bride of his own from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem.
Excerpt:
Good evening,
This book is a journey through the pages of my days.Ā Ā Please allow me to introduce myself.
I am Morgan Gabriel DāArcy, the Earl of St. Averil, a concert pianist andā¦a vampire.
Born in 1634, in Devonshire, a county in South West England, I was a young man during the English Civil war and fought with Charles II at the ill-fated Battle of Worcester.Ā By the time he was restored to the throne in 1660, I was a creature of the night.
If I dissect myself into the separate parts listed above, I shall begin with the Earldom.Ā In 1645 when my father perished fighting with the Royalist army at the Battle of Naseby, the title passed to me.Ā My ancestral home, Royal Oak, commands a view of the sea from a hill overlooking a hamlet on the coast of Devon.Ā Most of my time, however, is spent at my London residence in Eaton Place Mews, Belgravia.
As to the classical pianist, I learned my art on the harpsichord from an Austrian genius named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.Ā Later, I studied with Liszt, Ravel and Debussy.Ā In this twenty-first century, I am a celebrated performer in concerts worldwide.Ā Nevertheless, IĀ have played Mr. Piano Man in a smoky piano bar in Charleston, South Carolina to an audience too drunk or too sad to listen, but that’s another story…
I was a fighter pilot in World War II, flying night missions over Nazi Germany.Ā Today, I fly a Lear jet to and from Royal Oak and London, sometimes ferrying members of my brethren to the Europe for continental fare.
The vampire was born in 1659 on a winter night in Paris.Ā Rather than pay time its due, sacrificing youth and beauty, I gave my mortal life to Dominique du Montcleare.Ā To this day, the name Dominique reminds me of the word dominant.Ā My transformation was my reward for winning a cruel wager that ultimately ended eternity for Dominique.
The Vampyre are not walking dead.Ā In a ritual blood exchange, a fragile virus is introduced into the host.Ā The blood borne pathogen isĀ a mutagen.Ā The transformation from mortal to immortal is a mutation of human DNA by the Vampyre virus.
I have embraced my vampire nature, reveling in the hedonism and amorality.Ā I love women to a fault, sometimes to my detriment, sometimes to theirs, as you will see in the following pages.
I sincerely hope you enjoy my reminiscences.
Ever your servant,
Morgan
***
Bio:
A born-and-bred wanderer, born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.Ā Sheās seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.
Linda writes all across genres and has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA.Ā Ā She is the mother of two wonderful sons, a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League and enjoys events with her car club.Ā She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.
Twitter:Ā https://twitter.com/LNightingale
Facebook:Ā https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor
Web Site:Ā http://www.lindanightingale.com ā Visit and look around. Thereās a free continuing vampire story.
Blog:Ā https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ – Lots of interesting guests & prizes
Goodreads:Ā https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest:Ā https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
Current Thunderclap Campaign-Ā http://thndr.me/lQLjpy
Thank you for sharing your new cover and book, Linda! Such an interesting take on the vampire world.š For my readers, Linda is generously offering a prize to one lucky commenter. Comment below with your preference of vampire beginnings (viral mutation or living dead) to be entered for a $10 Gift Card for Amazon !
As always, thank you for stopping by and/or subscribing to my blog if you choose to do so!
Post shares appreciated, too.š
Dodadagohvi~
Mar 26
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Osiyo~ Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. Whatās the matter with you? You know the hands-on rulesā¦ The guest gets first pick!š Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen. Iām thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest […]
Sarah Grimm has a super special offer for my Ranch guests today. Keep reading to find out about it. All I’m going to say is I’ve read this book and can’t wait for the next one!š
It’s all yours, Sarah.
Oh- and I just had to snag this from AJ Nuest! Because it fits!
Itās official, for the next two weeks my award winning contemporary romance, After Midnight, is on sale for the super low price of 99 cents! So, Iām celebrating with a re-blog, re-tweet and share to win celebration!
What can you win???
$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM BARNES & NOBLE or AMAZON
(winners choice)
Ā Hereās how to play:
Thatās it. Pretty simple, yes? The more you tweet, retweet, share or repost, the more entries you receive!Ā Ā I will announce the winner of the gift certificate on my personal blog on February 11, 2013.
http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com
Can music heal a fractured soul?
Or will it tear them apart forever?
Thirteen yearsāthatās how long Isabeau MontgomeryĀ has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her motherās life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her barā¦
Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goalāone that doesnāt include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed wonāt be easy, but he canāt get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.
Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?
2012 Romance Through the Ages Award Winner ~ 1st Place Contemporary
2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist
2012 Readers Favorite Award Finalist
2011 Book of the Year Finalist ~ Long and Short Reviews
GET IT TODAY ā Just $0.99!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/11kD7JS Ā (1/25 ā 2/08)
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/TNBRdL Ā (1/25 ā 2/08)
The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/VohFcm (1/25 – 1/28)
“After Midnight is one hell of a love story! I was hooked at the end of the first chapter. I had to read more. I had to know more. And Sarah Grimm definitely delivered more.” ā5 Stars, Fire Pages
“Ms. Grimm creates characters that grab hold of your heart and never let go. This is an emotional ride that you won’t want to miss.”āBEST BOOK, Long and Short Reviews
“I am in love. This book was amazing. I would even go as far as to say that it was one of the best books that I read this year.” ā 5 cocktails, Cocktails and Books
Thanks for bringing your contest to The Ranch, Sarah!!!š
Dodadagohvi~
Osiyo~
Today Iām excited to introduce you to sister Lyrical Press author, Jessi Gage! Grab your mocha and a sweet treat and gather āround.
Itās all yours, Jessi.š
Thank you for having me, today, Calisa. Itās an honor to be a guest at The Ranch.
Iām so excited to share my new release, WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER, with your readers. Itās out now with Lyrical Press, Inc. Iām a huge fan of time-travel romance and anything with a kilt in it, so really, it was just a matter of time before I wrote my own. And now that I have, Iām worried I might have stumbled upon an addiction. I canāt stop thinking of ideas for sending unsuspecting Scots and modern day women hurtling through time at my whim.
The idea for WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER started with a kernel of a scene. I imagined a pregnant heroine working late at a museum and opening a package containing an artifact that likes to bring soul mates together. I made the artifact a wishing box and decided it should send the heroine back in time by 500 years into the brawny arms of a Highland warrior.
Of course, he has issues and she has issues, and youāll have to pick up the book to see what those areš. But the box knew what it was doing when it send them crashing into each otherās lives, and a happily ever after is guaranteed.
I adore h/h with issues! Lol
Hereās the blurb:
While examining Andrew Carnegieās lucky rosewood box, single-and-pregnant museum worker Melanie makes a tongue in cheek wish on the artifact–for a Highland warrior to help her forget about her cheating ex. Suddenly transported to the middle of a clan skirmish in sixteenth-century Scotland, she realizes she should have been a tad more specific.
Darcy, laird in waiting, should be the most eligible bachelor in Ackergill, but a cruel prank played on him in his teenage years has led him to believe he is too large under his kilt to ever join with a woman. He has committed himself to a life of bachelorhood, running his deceased father’s windmills and keeping up the family manor house…alone.
Darcy’s uncle, Laird Steafan welcomes the strangely dressed woman into his clan, immediately marrying her to Darcy in hopes of an heir. But when Steafan learns of her magic box and brands her a witch, Darcy must do what any good husband would–protect his wife, even if it means forsaking his clan.
WARNING: A pregnant museum worker, a sixteenth-century Scot, and a meddlesome wishing box.
Hereās an excerpt:
Size might have its advantages when it came to fighting, but those few boons fell far short of making up for the problems it caused. Being the biggest and the strongest had gotten him into far more trouble than it had gotten him out of. Swallowing his regret for how careless heād been with her, he sought to determine whom she belonged to, whom, saints forbid, he might owe.
āWhose wife are ye, then? Not a Gunnās or I wouldna have had to rescue you from one.ā
āIām not married,ā the lass said. āAnd thank you for the rescuing, by the way. I canāt believe I dropped the dirk. Stupid.ā She shook her head.
His heart warmed at her thanks. He didnāt hear many kind words from the lasses and would take what he could get, even from a dishonored woman who had caught a bairn out wedlock. Oddly, he didnāt think poorly of her. Whether it was her worried brow, her guileless, soft mouth, or her vulnerable size, he had not the heart to condemn her.
He didnāt even mind so much that she found him distasteful for his size, although talking with her now, she didnāt seem overly upset to be in his arms. He endeavored to keep her talking, keep her distracted from her disgust.
āYe never answered my first question,ā he said. āWho are you? And where are ye from if yeāre noā English?ā
āUgh. I donāt know. Is there an answer that wonāt get me burned at the stake or locked up in a ward for the hopelessly insane?ā
Like most things out of her mouth, that had been a peculiar answer. āYe could try the truth,ā he offered, slowing his pace since he heard Archieās voice not far off.
āNo,ā she said flatly. āI couldnāt. At least not the whole truth. How about we just go with my name, Melanie, and with the honest fact that Iām a long way from home and I have no idea how to get back.ā Her green eyes pierced his. āIām afraid you might be stuck with me, Darcy Keith.ā
Bio
Jessi lives with her husband and children in the Seattle area. In addition to writing paranormal romance, sheās a wife, a mom, an audiologist, a church-goer, a Ford driver, a PC user, and a coffee snob. Her guiding tenet in her writing is that good triumphs over evil, but not before evil gives good one heck of a run for its money. The last time she imagined a world without romance novels, her husband found her crouched in the corner, rocking.
If anyone would like more information about WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER or my other works, they are more than welcome to swing by my blog or website.
This week, Iām giving away 2 ecopies of WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER. To enter the drawing, commenters here at The Ranch should (1) leave their email address and (2) answer the following question: If you could go back in time for one week of what-happens-in-the-past-stays-in-the-past fantasy, where & when would you go?
My answer: Iād go back to Aberdeen, WA in 1991 just before Nirvana broke out with their big hit āSmells Like Teen Spiritā and flirt my butt off with Kurt Cobain.
Aw- love those accents! My answer- I would have to go back to when cowboys and Indians roamed the west. Where? Probably Texas to get me a big olā cowboy. Everythingās bigger there, right?š
For more chances at a free ecopy of WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER ranchers can swing by my blog and comment over there. Iāll do the drawing on Friday 1/11/13 at midnight and notify the winners by email on Saturday 1/12/13.
Thanks again for having me, Calisa! Happy trails!
WISHING FOR A HIGHLANDER buy links:
Lyrical (50% off for the month of January)
Thanks for joining me today, Jessi. Good luck with your career !
Dodadagohvi~
Osiyo~
What would you say to 27 books by 22 fabulous authors?Ā
I’m offering Home by The Wild Rose Press so here’s a bit about it.
TAGLINE:
What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?
BLURB:
Silvertownās outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam āThe Forceā Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now heās home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of āthat damn war.ā Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man sheās ever truly loved?
Sam Callahanās only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. Heās known Poppy his entire life, but thereās something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her sheās the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?
Some of these can be yours FREE!
Check these out…
THAT DATING THING by Mackenzie Crowne ~Ā mackenziecrowne.comĀ
HOMEĀ by Calisa Rhose ~Ā calisarhose.wordpress.com
MONA LISA’S ROOM by Vonnie Davis (plus a little sweet) ~Ā vintagevonnie.blogspot.com
STEPPING OUT OF LINE by Linda Carroll Bradd ~Ā blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com
DECEPTIONS OF THE HEART by Denise Moncrief ~ ~Ā denisemoncrief.blogspot.com
BE STILL MY LOVER’S HEARTĀ by Lisa Hannah Wells ~Ā memorymakerscreator.blogspot.com
Osiyo~
Youāve met one or two of my Writing Divas, well add one more to that count. We thank Eliza Knight for bringing us all together two years ago in August. None of us were published when we took Elizaās class, Edit Your Book in a Month, but learned so much during that time. We also became friends and chose to start our own Yahoo loop to stay together instead of anonymously fading back into our separate worlds- Eliza set it up, named us and is still a member of our small group. My life is so much richer with these women in it. Since that class several of us have become published. Some traditionally or through epublishers, some braved the indie route and some did both.
Today Iām excited to introduce you to my awesome writer diva sister, Sandy L. Rowland.
IS THE PARANORMAL IN YOUR BLOOD?
Iām Sandy L. Rowland and I write paranormal and fantasy romance. What is the paranormal?
From the Oxford Dictionary of Current English:
Paranormal: beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding.
According to my husband, that would describe me, and much of my family. I come by my interest in the āweirdā honestly.Ā One grandfather pored over astral charts trying to calculate the end of the world. A grandmother prayed to heaven that her abusive husband would be taken. He dropped dead two days later. Odd?Ā Absolutely.
The weird runs deep and long through my blood. A Scottish ancestor skilled in herbs and healing was accused of witchery for her talents, and forced to confess with the aid of thumbscrews. She lived.
Many of the women in the family have āthe sightā. An aunt bought thousands of pounds of sugar and stored it in the attic because she was told to in a dream. Some thought sheād lost her mind. Six months later, Pearl Harbor was attacked and America entered the war. Aunt Tina made a tidy sum selling sugar during rationing.
Lost children have been found, cheating husbands found-out, and all from miraculous healing, table tipping, card reading, Sunday go to meeting, pious women.Ā The paranormal has always been part of my life and thereforeānormal.
Hereās one short family story:
Some eighty years ago in a lone farmhouse the family met to celebrate the birth of a child. Men played cards, children chased about, and a few sisters huddled around the kitchen table with a Ouija board. It was all in good fun, and noneĀ professed to be true believers of the art.
The new babe had been put down for a nap. To test the device, one of the women asked the board if the baby was all right. The implement slid across the surface, pausing at letters and with each stop, one of the sisters copied the message. The answer came. The baby’s all right, watch out for the night.
The sisters laughed and accused each for pushing the director and manipulating the message. As the evening wore on, the women asked the Ouija the same question and received the exact same answer. The baby’s all right, watch out for the night.
The moon had risen high in the inky sky when a banging at the door stopped the fun. One of the women opened to a wild-eyed stranger. He took hold of the young mother, his cold hands pressed to her throat. She screamed, and the men flew to her defense, thrust the intruder to the floor and hog-tied him.
My grandfather was there to take down the man.
The police apprehended the escaped lunatic.
To me, spiritual communication is normal, though the sisters ditched the board after this incident. Iāve been blessed with these talents, but canāt take the credit. Iām no more responsible for them, than a person who is gifted with a beautiful singing voice or someone talented with languages can claim their creation. It belongs to a higher power. Why we make this āother giftingā wrong is beyond me.
Do I have paranormal aspects to my stories? How could I not?
Itās part of who I am to my root and soul.
CONQUERED
Claiming a mate on conquered Earth is driving alien vampire, Rafe, insane.
Twenty years in the future, on conquered Earth, the sage-kissed breeze of Red Rock carries with it the taint of blood.Ā Alien vampire, Rafe Nucretah, has lost comrades toĀ a vile madness that strips warriors of reason and reduces them to murderous demons. Rafe has sworn against suffering that fate, but the only cure rests is the love of a woman. Time is out for this ruler of the Western Quadrant and claiming any female will do.
Spunky and courageous reporter, Pepper Morgan, has lost both her mother and a fiancĆ© to the devastating plague that ravaged Earth before the vampires subjugated them. Desperate to reunite with her captured father, Pepper must throw herself on Rafeās mercy.
Now Rafe and Pepper find themselves bound not only by desperation and blood, but also by dangerous secrets that have the power to enslave humanity and threaten vampire survival.
Conquered is the first novel in the Kivronian Vampire Series. The romantic adventure centers on three compelling vampire brothers. These powerful, seductive warriors are thrown into the battle for Earthās control as they strive to overcome personal demons, cruel betrayal, and ruthless enemies.
The Kivronian Vampire series touches deep inside the hearts of all people, for we all long to be free.
AN EXCERPT FROM CONQUERED:
Her heart pounded and her knees felt weak. His smoldering gaze was lethal. She wanted to look away, extricate herself from the desire warming her blood, but couldnāt. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, his other hand cradling her head. Her body reacted in spite of her mental protests, tilting her chin, parting her lips in an invitation she couldnāt control. His warm mouth covered hers. She opened to his tongueās plea for entrance. This was a bad idea. She knew it. While her defenses buckled under his efforts, her mind fogged and she leaned into him, her arms sliding around his neck. She trembled with want, with passion, and with the fear of her own need.Ā
Her fingers moved to his thick dark hair, twisting in the silky strands as she moaned into his mouth. He deepened the kiss, taking her firmly, owning her mouth with the distinct demand for more. Fear shriveled under the heat of his hands. Her fortress couldnāt stand against this and she knew it.
Available on Amazon:
And Barnes and Noble:
Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=conquered+by+Sandy+L.+Rowland
ABOUT SANDY L. ROWLAND
Born and raised in Southern California, Sandy has always loved animals, nature, theatre, and learning. She attended Fullerton College and then married. After multiple moves around the western states while raising three children, they settled in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sheās worked in retail, banking, and graduated from Myotherapy College in massage therapy where she taught, before opening her own practice combined with life coaching.Ā Sandyās love of reading and expressing herself through words whispered, actually screamed, until she returned to writing.
Living between the twisted red rock of Southern Utah and the granite mountains of the Wasatch, Sandy explores life with her loving husband and family.Ā She serves on the board of her local chapter of Romance Writers of America, and is an award-winning author of paranormal and fantasy romance.
Sandyās E-mail: www.shumberson@hotmail.com
Her coaching blog can be found on her website: www.sandylrowland.weebly.com
She encourages all to believe in themselves and reach for their dreams.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āLove and success follow the brave.ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā -Ovid-
Iād love to hear your thoughts and Iām giving away a print copy of my paranormal romance CONQUERED to two lucky commenters.
Thanks for sharing your story and your book, Sandy. Iām so happy to have you on the ranch today. Congratulations on your release!!!
Having personally witnessed my mother’s guardian angel when I was a child, I am positive I have paranormal in me. How ’bout ya’ll?Ā You heard her- a FREE COPY of Conquered to share your story!Ā
Ā Dodadagohvi~
Osiyo~
I have a special post today, by an even more special guest. Nope. No round pen for this heroine. Only a cushy rocker for her and her little shadow tyke will do.
As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This event repeats every year, thank God!
I know it, have driven blocks out of the way to avoid walker/joggers on the Susan G Komen trek, seen pink everywhere I look, hear about it on television. But oddly, Iāve never been more aware since reading one novella, self-published by a new friend. When she contacted me to edit her āstoryā I jumped at the chance and am thankful I did. I wonder if Iāll ever read another story that impacted me more–doubt I will.
Where Would You Like Your Nipple is an account of one womanās walk from dark to light that is breast cancer. I donāt know anyone going through this disastrous disease, only have ever met one person who had it and lost and I didnāt know her for very long so I wasnāt hit by her journey the way this one hit me. Iām here to tell you–if you have, or know someone who has/had breast cancer, heck even if you say no to both of these– This book will change your life. You wonāt be able to help it. Even if, like me, you pay a little extra attention to your own body, get a mammogram, the book has paid for itself.
Iād like a big Ranch welcome and show of love for a wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, sister, daughter, romance authorā¦ SURVIVOR; Mackenzie Crowne.
Hair today, gone tomorrow.
If youāre a social media hound like me, you wonāt have missed the recent, heart-wrenching posts of Kelly Pickler shaving her head in solidarity with her best friend who is battling breast cancer. I was in the process of releasing Where Would You Like Your Nipple? my survivorās guide to navigating the breast cancer abyss at the time, and couldnāt help noticing the many posts. Like so many others, my attention was snagged by the pictures of the friends together. After all, theyāre beautiful; two gorgeous women with nothing but a shadow of fuzz covering their skulls, ala Sinead OāConnor. And well, as a survivor who has experienced chemo, Iāve been there, done that.
But as I witnessed the furor over Kellyās actions on social media, I found myself willing the millions of women touched by the stories to truly understand the scope of loss those pictures represented. Kellyās friend is facing chemo, proving the disease has advanced far enough that radical measures are needed. No matter the stage, breast cancer is a bitch and survivors will carry the scars of battle, both physical and emotional,Ā for the rest of their lives. But early detection reduces the scars left behind. Catching breast cancer early lessens the possibility of body-altering surgeries and debilitating treatments. It eliminates the need for reconstruction and fear of developing new issues, like lymphedema. And letās face it, ladies, average looking women donāt look like Kelly and her friend when they lose their hair. For months after chemo, I more closely resembled Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies than the lovely Sinead.
Sure, hair grows back, and considering all the crappy stuff a breast cancer patient deals with, a temporarily bald head is low on the list, but Iāll tell you this, the memory of crying in the shower while clumps of your hair clog the drain never quite fades away. There are many experiences from my breast cancer battle I wouldnāt wish on my worst enemy – okay, maybe one or two, but the point is, I donāt want YOU to experience them.
So, what are you waiting for? Check those ta-tas. Go ahead, Iāll wait.
*whistling the theme from Jeopardy*
All good? Awesome! Now, donāt forget to check them again next month. Youāll be glad you did!
Thanks for being a shining inspiration. Love ya Mac.
Dodadagohvi~
Osiyo~
I know you’re jealous. Admit it.š I’m the lucky one today and I am verra thrilled to be the caboose of the multi-blog scavenger hunt for sister TWRP debut author (and Iām proud to say, my friend!), Mackenzie Crowneās Gift of the Realm. Weāre doing an interview and she’s here to tell you more about why you will want to read this bookābesides that enchanting and haunting cover and the scrumptious Colin! So letās get this ranch jumping! Ā Please give a Ranch welcome to Mac Crowne!Ā *indicates the screen door in a grand gesture…gawks…at…*
Donovan OāBrian Quinn be me name.
Calisa:Ā Wha-? Wait a minute…
Donovan:Ā Iām pleased to make yer acquaintance. The lovely Calisa was kind enough to invite me to visit today, to tell ye about me book. Gift of the Realm, itās called. Oh, I didnāt do the actual writing of the thing. Mackenzie Crowne had that honor, but the story is mine. Iām the star, ye see.
Calisa: Uh-huhā¦ *glances around for the hidden camera then back at the dog talking? toĀ her* Hello? *a talking dog! pinches her arm and winces* Am I being Punk’d? I thought Mac was supposed to be here today. Where’s Ashton? Oh, well. Who am I to turn away a talking dog? Welcome to the ranch, Donovan, was it?
Donovan: I know what ye be thinkingā. A dog? Really? Dogs donāt type and they certainly donāt blog.
Calisa: Of course you know āwhat I be thinking.ā I just expressed that. What I want to know isā¦how?
Donovan: Well now, Iām here to tell ye, if ye hadnāt noticed already, an ordinary dog Iām not. An Irish wolfhound I be, living in the world of folklore and fairies in the mystical village of Dunhaven, Ireland, where strange and wonderful happenings are the norm. My people are Halflings, ye see. Ye might have heard of them. Keely and Colin Quinn be their names.
[image deleted]
Calisa: Actually, I haveā Ooh! That’s beautiful! I’ve always dreamed of going to Ireland and seeing a cliff like this one. *sighs*
Mac: Donovan!
*Calisa jumps from her reverie*
Donovan: *Yelp* Oh, Mac! Ye frightened a full seven years off me life. I didnāt see ye there. Tis the author herself, me friends. Say hello, Mac.
Calisa:Ā Mac, what a pleasant surprise to see you! *eyeballs Donovan suspiciously*
Mac: Hello, everyone, nice to meet you. What are you up to, Donovan? Sorry, Calisa. I hope heās not bothering you.
Calisa: Not atā
Donovan: I like that! Invited, I was. Calisa and I are having a wee visit. The lass smells of sweet, cinnamon candy, donāt ye know. I like that in a human.
Calisa: I didnāt actually know it was going to be Donovan, Mac. But since heās hereā¦ He does say such kind, flattering things about me.š And I do enjoy spicy cinnamon now and againā¦which Donovan noticed. Flatteryā¦
Mac: Yes, she is a sweetheart. *winks at Calisa* A wee visit, huh?
Calisa:Ā I donāt mind, really. And you are a sweet darlin, Mac. And he was about to tell me some of his story which Iād love to hear! Iām sure my Ranch guests are all ears, as well. I mean, how often does one have a chance to *chat* with a talking Irish dog?
Donovan: Aye. Iām sharing a bit of our story with the lads and lasses whoāve popped in for a visit. Itās a fine tale yeāve woven, even if it tis a romance.
Mac: Keely and Colin donāt seem to mind Gift of the Realm is a romance.
Calisa:Ā My guests and I LOVE romance! *bobs head back and forth between Mac and Donovan wondering if either are really listening to her*
Donovan: Hah! Humans, even those with fairie blood running through their veins, are silly with it when they find their one true mate. But I didnāt say I minded. After all, itās a tale full of curses and fairies, and an ancient ring of stones. And then of course, thereās me. Who doesnāt love a tale includinā a charminā Irish wolfhound?
Calisa: *raises hand, whispers* I do.
Mac: Iām not sure Keely would use the word charming. Not when you have a habit of digging up her lilacs.
Donovan:Ā Ah, that. Well, Iām a dog, aināt I? Itās what we do. And Keely doesnāt mind so much, not when her black wolf has a paw in that bit of mischief, more often than not.
Mac: Hmmm. *grins* She does have a soft spot for that Halfling of hers.
Donovan: And isnāt that how it should be, I ask ye? No matter. She canāt stay mad at me. Not for long, anyway. I helped her solve the mystery of the ring, after all.
Mac: Yes, you did, but you donāt want to share too much with your new friends here. Youāll spoil the story for them.
Donovan: Aye. Ye have a point. Still, we might tease them with a bit of our tail. An excerpt, I believe itās called. Ye have one, donāt ye? And are ye still running yer scavenger hunt contest, over at yer own web home? The one where me friends have a chance at winning a free copy of Gift of the Realm and a $25 Amazon card?
*Calisaās ears perk at this idea*
Mac: I do have an excerpt, and the Virtual Scavenger Hunt runs through today.
Donovan: And Iām thinkinā ye should give away a free copy of our story right here, to one of the lovely Calisaās friends.
Mac: Thatās an excellent idea, Donovan. Iām glad you thought of it.
Calisa: *claps hands and hops in joy*
[image deleted]
Donovan: Then what are ye waiting for? Give me friends the chains, so they can find out more about meā¦I mean, yer book.
Mac: I think you mean the links.
Calisa:Ā *snickers*
Donovan: *snort* Dog, remember?
Mac: *laughs* Here are the excerpt and the links. And donāt stay too long. Youāre scheduled for a grooming today.
Donovan: *growl* I thought to chat with me new friends a bit. There be dog lovers here, ye know. Iāll be gifting our book to one of them, after I hear what breed, other than Wolfhound, take their fancies. Iāll be along in me own good time.
Calisa: Ermā¦ I love my Chihuahuas and cried when I had to find a new home for my beautiful Boxerā¦ *eyes the cover of Macās book hungrily* Too bad hostesses canāt win. *pouts*
Mac: *waves at Calisa* Thanks, my friend. Donāt let him climb on the furniture. He sheds like crazy.
Calisa: Thatās ok, Mac. I have plenty of duct tape around here I use for my own four-legged hair balls. *waves Mac off*
Donovan: *snort*
Calisa: What? I use the tape to remove hair from the furniture! Oh… Just let the visitors read the excerpt… *rolls eyes*
Excerpt:
She tossed a thick stalk onto the small pile at her feet and set the claw at another. Her continued silence said she was done with him and expected him to go.
He abused her of that expectation by taking a seat at the small table beside the garden. He sat with his legs spread, elbows propped on his knees. Donovan lifted his head to stare at him, his dark brows puckered above darker eyes that seemed to plead with him to bring peace to the garden once more.
āI am your friend, Keely,ā Colin told her, āand Iād like to help if I can.ā
She paused at her chore, tilting her head to eye him suspiciously from beneath the brow of the hat. āWhy would you want to do that?ā
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. āWell, now, thereās a question. It turns out Iām not the sort of man who can ignore a mystery.ā
āThatās not the impression you gave yesterday.ā
āYesterday I was near to being speechless.ā A slow smile spread across his face as he decided how to break through her pique. āA man can be excused for being a bit rattled when sitting across from a lovely woman whoās just admitted to dreaming of him for the better part of a decade.ā
She fell back on her heels, her eyes widening. āI didnāt admit to dreaming of you, Quinn.ā She jabbed the claw in his direction. āI said you joined me in the dreams.ā
āYouād consider that a distinction, and yet you admit youāve been dreaming of me. I prefer my own interpretation.ā Confusion knit her brow, and he could see she wasnāt sure if she wanted to blast him for being an arrogant ass, or smile. He pressed the advantage. āIāve a clearer head this morning, darlinā. Iām here to offer my help.ā
She didnāt react to his use of the endearment, but he didnāt miss the flash of interest in her eyes at his offer of help. āHow, exactly, do you propose to do that?ā
āThese dreams we share.ā He paused, pleased to see a faint blush spreading color on her cheeks. āThey always take place at the Door?ā
She nodded.
āThe way I see it, youāve made Dunhaven your home, but youāve spent little time here. I, on the other hand, have lived the whole of my life in Dunhaven, except for the time I spent at university, and youāll not be holding that against me.ā
āI wonāt, huh?ā
He grinned. āNo, darlinā, you wonāt.ā
āHmm.ā She glanced away, fiddling with the tool clutched in her lap. He winked at Donovan, and gained a dog grin. Now they were getting somewhere.
Find Mac at: http://mackenziecrowne.com (The details of the Scavenger Hunt are there, as well as all the clues)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MacCrowne
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/MackenzieCrowne
Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press Ā http://tinyurl.com/84agxz2
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/84mxmrj
What a great excerpt, Mac!!! And I really think I might print and frame that cover just so I can drool over it. Remember, black wolf shifter fan here.š Thank you so very much for the contest, Mac!
Donovanā¦it was wonderful, and interesting to meet you. Thanks for surprising me with your visit. What more can I say but, stay away from my lilacsādonāt lift that leg there! Go get your groom on.š
For everyone else, donāt forget to visit Macās cyber home- which is one you donāt want to miss, itās gorgeous! Leave a note in the ranch comment box telling Donovan your email and what your favorite dog breed is (except Wolfhounds- no buttering allowed on the ranch unless it’s by me!) for the chance at a FREE copy of Gift of the Realm!!!
Dodadagohvi~
Osiyo~
Many of my followers know I am a proud and semi-active member of RWA and an active (and also proud) member of OKRWA. I’m an OUTLAW! In a good, no–great way. Many of you know I am a category coordinator for the National Reader’s Choice Awards; a contest began by OKRWA many years ago for print-published authors only (because that’s all there was when dinosaurs roamed). Yes, I dream of the day I can enter that exciting contest! But until that day arrives– I have another option to tell you authors and readers about. Listen up!
Yes, we need author entries, yes, we need volunteer judges.Ā Last year OKRWA decided to create a new contest. It’s not just any old contest though. As an electronically published author, how many times have you wished you could enter your ebooks in a contest in which readers can judge and chooseĀ the best book of the year, like print authors can? I know as a short story-published author I have wished there was a contest for enovella authors to enter. Well, guess what? Thanks to OKRWA there is a contest that covers both those author sets!
Now I’m going to feed you the information YOU need to sign up as an author and/or judge!Ā
The contest is the INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL AWARDS and you can read everything you want or need to know about how to sign up for it as an author or judge at this linkĀ http://bit.ly/wOlGR2 !!!!!
So what is the IDA Contest? It’s a digitally enter and judged contest strictly for electronic books. That’s where DIGITAL comes in.š WOOT!!! Do you live in any country where contests are allowed? You qualify. If your book is only accessible by getting your Nook, pc or Kindle to swallow it in, then it qualifies. If it is 10,000 words or more, it qualifies, if it was an original release in 2010-2011…it qualifies!
IF, however, your book is also available in print format–it DOES NOT qualify. Hence the contest name- International DIGITAL Awards, or as we fondly nicknamed it, the IDA Contest.
Are you a reader and addicted to your EReader? We need you! Are you a writer, but would love to judge? Super!! We need you, too!
Now, I’m not gonna tell you anymore because I want you to hurry and click that link up there ^^^ and check out the fantabulous website that a super Outlaw created just for the IDA! On it you will find everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING you’ll need to get started. What you don’t find will be in the FAQ page, or you can go to the Contact page and ask the wonderful Chairlady.
Still here? What are you waiting for? GO! NOW! Hurry because there is an entry number limit and a deadline to enter! GOgogogogogo! I can’t wait to see ya’ll there! And thank you if you choose to judge! Did I mention there’s FREE BOOKS involved? Good luck to those who choose to enter!Ā
If you want to offer feedback, or just gush about how much you love this contest opportunity, my comment line is open.š I’d love to hear what everyone thinks.
Know what? I’ll even give a FREE PDF of HOME to one lucky commenter who provides all the social media links they’ve shared this news to. There is a few buttons on the IDA site, below on this blog, or just make your own with a link back to the contest site. One link or ten, just show me. I don’t have one of those fancy contest widgets, so if you would just copy and paste ALL of your Tweet/Facebook/whatever-social media-links-you-use-and-share-it-on in a commentĀ (easy to paste these to a word .doc and then cut and paste your list in your comment all at one time) and I’ll draw the winner next Friday from those who qualify. Bottom line… I’m bribing you to help me get this contest out into the literary world fast. By bribe, I mean an impromptu give away to celebrate the coolest contest to break out this year!š
Dodadagohvi~
Living in the Oklahoma countryside with my husband is all the inspiration I need.
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And the winner is… Happy Holidays Blog Hop #CalisaRhose #winner
Jan 3
Posted by Calisa Rhose
Osiyo~
I’m so SQUEE-CITED to announce my Happy Holidays Blog Hop Winner!
Drum roll please–
Congratulations Marnie (barniebad)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Random.org chose #12 and that’s YOU!!!!!!!
I’ve sent you an email so if you don’t get it, check your spam folderĀ or contact me calisa(dot)rhose(at)gmail(dot)com with your format preference: Mobi, Epub or PDF, and an email to send to.
Unfortunately we didn’t get enough to gift two copies, but if you still want to read Risk Factors here’s where you can pick up a copy for under three dollars.
Kobo
iTunes
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kensington-Lyrical Press
I want to thank everyone who played and I hope you’ll return to visit often now that we’ve met.š
Happening now: I’m kicking off my “Comment to Win” contest so I hope you’ll join in with that. Details can be found on my January 1 post here:
https://calisarhose.com/2015/01/01/2014-blog-year-in-review-and-calisa-rhoses-2nd-annual-comment-to-win-contest-mfrwauthor-contest-justcomment/
Don’t miss Monday when I host another treasure trove of awesome covers for your viewing pleasure by what may turn out to be more new or new-to-you authors. You can find those right here on UnCover Monday for January on the 5th.
And just a side note- this exact post is my 400th for Pen of the Dreamer!!!!
Dodadagohvi~
Posted in Blog Hop, holiday, Pen of the Dreamer, Promotion
Comments Off on And the winner is… Happy Holidays Blog Hop #CalisaRhose #winner
Tags: 400th post, comment to win, happy holidays blog hop, Marnie, UnCover Monday, Winner