Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Blog Tour / Love Lines Series by Diana Nixon

Hello Love Line Fans!  How's everyone today!  Let's all have some fun and Welcome Author Diana Nixon with her amazing writing and Love Line Series Awesomeness as she shows them off during this Tour.  
Follow along the Love Lines Series Tour and Join the Love Lines Series by Diana Nixon - Blog Tour - February 1st-25th Facebook Event!! 


Schedule

February 1st – Amina Black’s Blog

February 2nd – Intomy World of Reading and Writing

February 3rd – Samantha Combs Writes

February 4th – Rătăcitori în Lumea Cărţilor

February 5th – Book Nerds Across America

February 6th – A blog of the Author Jason Ellis

February 7th – Valsul Fluturilor

February 8th – Curling up with a Good Book

February 9th – Just Fantasy Books

February 10th– Amina Black’s Blog

February 11th – The Cover Contessa

February 12th – The Book Town

February 13th – The Book Mystress

February 14th – Aripi Pentru a Visa

February 15th – I’m Wide Awake and I love books

February 16th – Nic’s Nominations

February 17th – Books and Their Wordly Realm

February 18th – The Indie Bookshelf

February 19th – Self Publish or Die Book Blog

February 20th – As You Wish Reviews

February 21st – Fantasy World

February 22nd – Bibliophile Mystery

February 23rd – Lady Amber’s Reviews

February 24th – A Blue Million Books

February 25th – Bianca M. Calin’s Book Blog

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The Impostor by Tiffany Carmouché


Tiffany Carmouché

Hi my name is Tiffany Carmouché. I am the author of the Alaska trilogy. Much of The Impostor, A Love Story and Obsession and Sacrifice take place in Alaska. Why Alaska? I chose Alaska because it is the most beautiful place I have ever truly experienced and the men are amazing. When you arrive, it is almost as if you have jumped into a masterpiece and a serenity takes over that makes you remember how to truly live.

I will never forget the first time I was flying into Kodiac, Alaska with a friend of mine. I had met Sarah in Anchorage and we decided to visit some friends of ours who lived on the island. Sarah was beautiful, just a little taller than me, maybe 5’2. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back and heads turned as she sat there in the terminal.
Me & My Best Friend Julie
The winds were high and the flight had been canceled many times. Hours passed but finally the flight opened up and we took our seats on the tiny plane. As we taxied down the runway Sarah popped out of her seat. Her big blue eyes opened wide and she screamed in her thick German accent , “Stop the plane! Stop the plane!”

The stewardess informed her she needed to remain seated and it was impossible to abort the flight because we were ready to take off but Sarah did not calm down. I slouched in my seat, sure we would soon be attacked with apples or some other flying objects by the passengers who were eager to fly.

“Stop the plane!” she shrieked and she rushed the cock pit with her arms flailing as she pleaded with them to turn the plane around. The door to the cock pit opened and all of the gadgets and instruments lit up. I examined the pilot as he turned his head to address the situation.

Me & My Best Friend Julie
I don’t know how, but this little 5’2 German woman got them to bring us back to the terminal. I have to say we were probably not the most popular people aboard and I am sure most of the passengers were cussing us under their breath. But a few things stuck out to me from this experience.

One, the winds were still very high. What if turning the plane around and having the flight delayed actually saved the people aboard? I will never know. Going aboard I wasn’t afraid but getting off the plane with her I started to wonder. What if I could have died if I had taken that flight? It makes you look at things differently. I learned to cherish every moment.

But most of all, I remember feeling a sense of awe. One that those little instruments that lit up in the cock pit made a four thousand pound object soar through the air. And I knew one day I would learn how to fly. But even more amazing to me was that this little meek woman stopped a plane and made a pilot turn around.

Yes, I learned Sarah was not the best travel companion but I also realized we are powerful beyond measure. I went to Alaska a young, naïve, single mom who wanted to rediscover herself, much like Nicole from the trilogy. And I learned from my beautiful little German friend, that we are in charge of our destiny! I would love for you to join me on the journey of Nicole in this Suspenseful Romantic Trilogy. Perhaps it is destiny that our paths have crossed. It is truly nice to meet you! Live, laugh and love!
"The Impostor, A Love Story is inspired by true events. I did escape to Alaska with my best friend Julie to get away from an abusive relationship. The pictures above are of me and Julie as we left everything we knew to journey to the Last Frontier."


The Impostor, A Love Story is the first novel in a suspenseful romantic trilogy about unexpected love and a woman’s fight for survival. It is a captivating story of growth, acceptance, and the perseverance to begin again.

“Alaska? Who goes to Alaska?” Nicole, a young single mother, escapes an abusive ex-boyfriend  and leaves behind the broken dreams of becoming an artist. She travels to Alaska, a place she knows little about, on a journey of self-discovery.

Nicole is scared of getting hurt again, but Dylan’s chiseled body, chocolate-brown eyes and charm captivate her. She begins to fall in love. In Alaska, she discovers the power of friendship and true love and starts to let down her guard. But is her security a facade?

Soon Nicole’s innocent beauty taunts a sinister man, and she is caught in a web of deception and danger. Someone evil is stalking her. Someone she had trusted. Will she be saved? Or will she be hunted?

The Impostor is not just a romance, not just a mystery but an insight into the ideals and dreams of women, as well as their struggles and fears.” Aleta O’brien, Fluer De Aleta

 

Review
Tiffany Carmouché really knows how to tell a story about adventure, love, obstacles and life of a single mother trying to break away.  There are moments of laughter and moments of suspense.  The friendships and character bonding throughout the story is amazing.  I became completely wrapped up in this love story.  The mystery of what was going to happen next as well as the heart felt touching moments of Nicole's journey to Alaska with her friend.  There is only so much a woman can take when in an abusive relationship and it takes time to heal the broken heart.  Trusting is not always the easiest thing to do when there are past burdens.  Dylan takes that way and gains the trust of Nicole with his charm and chiseled body, who could resist.

I would recommend The Impostor, A Love Story to those that love romance, suspense and the mystery of it all.  There were so many moments that I wanted tried to guess what would happen next and failed to be right and other times when I was right.  I fell head over heals for Dylan and at times wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in his arms.  I cannot wait to read the next book and will be holding my breath until then...  A wonderful ending to an amazing book leaving me wanting more and impatiently waiting to read the first page of Obsession & Sacrifice.


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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tasting Never Blog Tour with CM Stunich



Interview with CM Stunich

What is it you do when not writing?
 

You mean it's possible to spend time doing something other than writing!? Just kidding, just kidding. I read, of course. It's pretty much a part of the job description. No author gets good at writing without a whole lot of reading. I'm a slave to my cats, and as most cat owners know that can sometimes feel like a full time job, too. I like to bellydance, tribal style mostly, and watch terrible movies on Netflix, things called Santa Baby that deserve less than a one star rating. I'm also an anime and manga geek with an insatiable hunger for anything labeled yaoi. If you don't know what that is, I'm not telling. Go look it up!
Do you have a day job as well?

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?
 

I've been writing my whole life (as most authors will tell you!), but I didn't really buckle down and start to put together a cohesive story until I was in college. I was living in Santa Cruz, CA at the time and was supposed to be writing a paper when this phrase popped into my head. Administrative assistant. I don't know where it came from or why, but I got started thinking about how really, that's just a fancy word for secretary and all of a sudden, there I am, writing about a secretary demon who reads romance novels. Thus, Hell Inc. took its first breathe in 2007, but was limited to a few, paltry pages that I carried around to my creative writing classes. Strangely enough, those first few pages remain the least edited part of the whole story. Besides grammar edits, I pretty much left that part as is. I abandoned that project after awhile and didn't get back to it until 2009 and it wasn't until 2011 that I actually finished it.

How did you choose the genre?
 

Good question! Well, for my first book, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I knew what I liked to read (urban fantasy, straight up!), and that I absolutely one hundred percent had to have demons it it, but really, that's about it. My first book, Hell Inc., ended up being a hodgepodge of different genres at first. I think a lot of first time authors make the same mistake. What I had to realize was that there would be more books; there had to be! I just couldn't get out all that I wanted to get out in one book. Even now, sometimes I have to switch between projects because certain feelings might come into my writing that don't fit the book I'm working on currently. In most cases, I'd have to say that the genre chooses you more than you choose it. (P.S. I ironed out the kinks and Hell Inc. is now a tried and true comedic paranormal romance in the vein of Stephanie Rowe. ;) )

Do you ever experience writer’s block?
 

All the time! Although I don't completely believe in the traditional view of writer's block. Honestly, at least in my case, most of the time it has more to do with a problem that I'm having outside of my writing. For example, if I'm stressed about something or distracted or if I'm just being lazy, I won't be able to get out a word. I've learned recently though that the best thing for me to do is get up, take care of the problem, whatever it may be, and take a deep breath. Writing is supposed to be fun. I'm not saying that every scene will be a blast or that you'll giggle when you're doing grammar edits, but for the most part, creating the story should be exciting. When it stops being something you look forward to doing and starts seeming like a burden, that's when you've got to step back and try to figure out what's happening. Maybe you need to go read your favorite book for inspiration? Maybe you need to get away from reading/writing entirely and go take the dog for a walk? Every person is different and there is no one “right answer” for curing writer's block. As they say, It's all in your head!

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
 

Heck no! ;) This isn't me being arrogant. This is just a perk of the self publishing revolution. If you put your heart and soul into your work and you know that it's ready to get out there and find reader love, you can do it. Nobody is stopping you anymore! I can't tell you how many indie books I've read lately that I know would never have made it past a publishing company's gates, and that's a real shame. If you love your work, put it out there. What's the worst that could happen?

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
 

Absolutely! Well, can I tell you about my upcoming books? *Wink, wink* I, along with rest of the world it seems, am in a New Adult craze, that genre that straddles the line between YA and romance novels. I think it's a fabulous place to be, full of heartfelt stories and situations you never hear about elsewhere. I've got quite a few books planned (two of them being the sequels to Tasting Never, of course!), and although I can't say anything now (it's a secret!), I can promise that you're going to love 'em!

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
 

Some of it is real and much of it is imagination. I mean, if I could date a hot fae man for awhile to enhance the realism of my writing, trust me, I'd be all over that! A lot of what I write is whimsy and fantasy and of course there is no real basis for that other than dreams and desires, but I do like to spice up the fantasy with strange bits of reality. For example, Caleb's band in The Seven Wicked series is named after the band of a friend of mine. It's also nice to make sure that you balance all of that otherworldliness with a dose of truth. That way, it makes the whole story seem more believable. And when it comes to stories like Tasting Never that are not fantasy based, I draw my inspiration from deep down. I don't always know where it comes from, but it's always there, waiting for that perfect moment to leap from my heart and settle onto the page. 

Tasting Never Review

WOW!! I didn't expect to experience such an emotional response to Tasting Never.

C.M Stunich has written such a fabulous story that touched my heart and dug deep into my soul. I picked this book up thinking I would read a couple of chapters at a time, but I was so wrong. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up late because I just had to finish it. I am still trying to register all the different feelings that have surfaced since diving into Never and Ty's story. I honestly am having trouble putting into words how deeply moved I am with the journey these characters took me on. If you have ever experienced a time when you didn't know how to love or be loved, then you aren't alone. Never and Ty are both damaged and unable to feel a connection with someone of the opposite sex except for a series of unsatisfying flings. Never cries herself to sleep every night, feeling alone and empty. When Never and Ty meet, sparks fly and not in a good way. Fate steps in and throws them into a life changing situation. They form a difficult friendship that brings all their pain and struggles to the surface. Can they heal and learn to trust again?

"Sometimes, the only way to go forward, is to take a few, careful steps back."

I highly recommend Tasting Never. Be prepared to have your heart tugged at and your life altered. I am awaiting the sequel to continue on this emotionally charged journey through pain, anger, love, hate and maybe a bit of healing. Thank you C.M. Stunich for writing a story that reaches into the darkest parts of my soul and allows a bit more healing to take place. 

Reviewed by Tina Donnelly

CM Stunich Links:

Tasting Never Links:
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Monday, January 28, 2013

Cover Reveal / Crimson Flames by Ashley Robertson

Title: Crimson Flames (Crimson Groves Sequel)
Author: Ashley Robertson
Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Crimson Flames blurb

Half-vampire Abby Tate is determined to learn more about the sorceress powers that were awakened inside her when she was turned into a vampire—making her a whole new hybrid species. There’s a group of rogue vamps banding together and forming a Resistance against the vampire governing body, The Head Council, and Abby’s newly discovered powers are the key to the Council’s victory. Now the Resistance will do anything possible to remove the hybrid threat, and with no other options, Abby is forced to rely on the aid of the Council, yet can she trust the very vampires that hunt for her human lover? And even worse, can she fight the unwelcome attraction that’s growing between her and one of those ancient vampire rulers?


Chapter One Sneak Peek
1
The Deal

MY STOMACH CLENCHED as I sensed the vampire’s approach. He was close. So close I could feel the thrum of his power vibrating along my skin. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I knew if I was going to use my power for defense, then I needed to bring it forth now. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe as deeply as I could—which thankfully had gotten easier with practice. I focused on the energy inside me, willing it to the surface, and as I felt it swelling, building like an approaching storm, I threw out my hand, gripped Stone’s shirtsleeve, and urged him to the floor. “Get down! He’s here!”
Stone raked me with a look that told me he was not too pleased, but then fear swept over his face when he realized just how little time we had.
The wooden door to the pub suddenly burst open—bits of wood and dust raining down from the force. Even though Stone should’ve cowered behind me—since his gift of reading blood wasn’t something he could fight with—somehow he’d found some bravery and boldly stood by my side. Though I appreciated it, I didn’t like it, and desperately wished he had listened to me. But I couldn’t think about that and call forth the fire within me at the same time. So I pushed Stone to the back of my mind with the silent promise of dealing with him later. Then I returned my attention to the power building inside me. One last deep breath and my heart shuddered to life inside my chest, making a rhythmic pattern with my faux breathing. A tingling warmth spread from head to toe, then settled on my awaiting hands. Seconds later, there was a glowing orb of fire (about the size of a basketball) cupped inside my palms. And just as the vampire appeared through the settling fog, I called out, “Not another step, Tristan, or it will be your last!”
“I think you should reconsider your threat,” Tristan shot back. “We are on the same side.”
That I sincerely doubted, but I knew killing a member of the Head Council would definitely put me on the “Most Wanted” list. Which I might already be on, since I’d helped the human this vampire was here to claim escape.
“She’s not bluffing!” Stone said through a snarl. I wanted to glare him into silence, but I refused to take my eyes off of the vampire standing in the broken doorway, wearing a black Armani-looking suit—now lightly covered with dust. It was a custom for all members of the Head Council to wear black suits, but each of them would wear shoes and an undershirt of their own choosing. I guess it was a way to express their individual personalities. Yet this one seemed to express himself through his spiked, platinum blond hair, not the basic black undershirt and matching boots—which were much more boring compared to what I’d seen a few of the other Council members wearing. But this vampire was far from boring. He was a tracker for the Council—one of the best hunters on earth. And he was after my human boyfriend.
“You know why I’m here, Abigail,” Tristan bit out. “The human was here.”
I felt my gaze narrow as I carefully took a step forward, the ball of flames growing hotter in my hands. “Yes, he was. It’s my fault he wasn’t captured.”
“That’s not exactly true,” said Stone as he moved up beside me.
I stole a few deep breaths, fighting the urge to throw my fireball at him instead of the blond vampire in the suit.
“Please explain!” Tristan ordered with impatience. But as Stone attempted a reply, he was cut off. “Not you! I want to hear this directly from Abigail!”
“Abby,” I corrected, feeling sweat forming above my brows and pooling between my breasts.
The blond vampire smirked, folding his arms in front of his chest.
“I did not restrain him because I do not believe he will be kept safe once in your hands,” I went on. “And until I can prove his innocence in all of this, I feel it’s best that he stay far away from you.”
A tinge of red formed a ring around Tristan’s irises as he scowled. “That is not your decision. He must pay for his involvement with those rogue vampires, including Bronx. He cannot get away with helping them try to destroy our stronghold.”
“I made an agreement with the other Council members,” I reminded him. “Doesn’t that count for something? Your word is nothing if your actions do not back up what you say.” My voice was getting louder, my patience thinning. And the angrier I got, the more difficult it became to control the fire in my hands.
“Yes. We have a deal,” Tristan assured. “We will not kill him or harm him—just as we told you—but that does not mean he won’t be punished some other way.”
“I don’t believe you,” I snapped.
Stone put his hand on my shoulder. “Abby, maybe you should—”
In a flash of movement, the vampire closed the distance between us and held Stone in a headlock from behind with his fangs hovering over my friend’s neck. And since it wasn’t to drink Stone’s blood, since Stone was also a vampire, then that meant it was a threat to rip out my friend’s jugular. From there it would be too easy to finish Stone by ripping off his head. And that’s when my patience snapped. There were only two ways to kill a vampire—burning to death or decapitation—and he was about to find out firsthand just how very dangerous I was. Sure, he could threaten to kill my friend, but he’d be burned alive before Stone’s head hit the ground. I placed all my focus on the orb of heat in my hand, willing it to retract to half its size while intensifying, growing hotter, then I thrust it at Tristan’s face. In a blur of motion, he ducked, throwing Stone to the floor as the fireball grazed over his head, singeing the soft tips of his hair. A snarl erupted from his throat as his fiery gaze locked onto mine. There was a brief hesitation, burnt hair and musk filling my senses, then something similar to curiosity flashed over his eyes and he was airborne, plunging straight for me. My body shuddered as heat blasted out of every pore, radiating from me like invisible steam. Throwing his arms over his face, the vampire faltered midair and fell sideways, then jumped back once he landed and retreated by the door from which he’d entered. Satisfied I’d made my point, I pulled all the heat back inside me, then rushed over to Stone and helped him up. “You okay?” I asked.
He nodded by way of an answer, then ran his hand through his coffee-colored hair—which was completely messed up now.
My eyes narrowing, I fixed my gaze on Tristan across the bar by the door. “Do that again and I’ll kill you,” I warned.
Tristan brushed some of the dust off of his pants. “Abigail, I’d rather not have to repeat that again. Hopefully I’ve made my point by now,” he said, his mouth curling into an amused grin that nearly reached his eyes. The hints of crimson were gone—for now anyway. “I would not have harmed your friend, as I’m sure Mr. Rayver here is already aware.” He glanced at my disheveled friend, a smirk still pulling at his lips; then his gaze slid back to me. “Your powers make you far greater than just any other Enforcer. You are an equal with us. We should work side by side, you making the sixth, and final member, of the Council. But you must not argue with our protocol. If rules are broken, there are, and will always be, consequences. There are no exceptions to this. Ever. The rules of our kind are ageless. It’s been that way for centuries and shall remain that way indefinitely.”
Well that was news to me. I knew the Head Council wanted my services, but I’d thought they just wanted me to be one of their many Enforcers. Enforcers were gifted vampires like me. Well, kind of. A few months ago I’d been kidnapped by an evil vampire named Bronx and turned against my will, which awakened the sorceress’s bloodline inside me, unbeknownst to me. But Bronx knew all about it, and he’d planned to use my powers to defeat the Head Council. Only I’d killed him before he got the chance. Later on, I’d learned about my real mother being an all-powerful sorceress and how she’d used her magic to impregnate her vampire lover—my father. So I never really was just another vampire. Or even an Enforcer. I was always more than that. A whole new species altogether, a hybrid, and a hot commodity among the vampire world—since there was no other like me. Yet if the Head Council really wanted my partnership, then I just gained a whole lot of leverage. Anxiety curled through my belly. “If you want me to work with you, and of course the others, then I will need you to be more flexible. Rules are always in place for guidance, but we both know they are not in stone. Especially when I believe innocence is a key component.”
“When there is proof of one’s innocence, then we have a trial,” Tristan explained. “But there is no proof of that with this human.”
I thought about that for a moment. Sure, I didn’t have “proof” per se, but I had Tyler’s word. And though he’d lied to me about his alliance with Bronx, and the fact he’d known about my father’s death all along, for some crazy reason I believed him now. “Allow me the time to find the proof you require and I will consider partnering with you.”
Tristan shot me a lasered glare. His face softened but I had absolutely no idea what his thoughts were. Mind reading wasn’t one of my gifts—yet. Since no one could predict what other gifts I’d inherit.
“How can you possibly believe this human didn’t help those rogue vampires?” he asked at last.
Keeping my eyes on Tristan’s, I shook my head. “He was involved. I’m not saying I can prove that differently. He’s innocent of knowing what Bronx’s intentions were, what those rogue vampires’ intentions were.” I paused a moment to suppress some of the heat inside me, though I didn’t completely extinguish it just in case things got hostile again. “He thought he was helping them,” I went on. “He thought they were in trouble. He didn’t realize he was working for the bad guys until…until it was too late.”
Stone snorted in disbelief, but kept his mouth shut. Smart vampire.
Tristan’s eyes widened. “How can you possibly believe that? He must have you brainwashed!”
“That isn’t possible,” I told him.
“What are you speaking of?”—confusion in Tristan’s voice. “Bronx would have claimed you with his mind control had you not killed him first.”
 “No, it’s not possible to brainwash me,” I explained. “And that is how I was able to kill Bronx.” Saying that struck a pang inside my chest: I didn’t want to be a murderer any more than I wanted to be a vampire, err hybrid. “I have the ability of blocking powers.”
A wave of surprise flashed over Tristan’s face. “There is so much to learn about you, Abigail,” he said.
“So do we have a deal?” I asked, taking a couple steps toward him.
Tristan raised a brow. “How much time are you asking for?”
“As long as it takes,” I replied instantly. “I have a feeling you and the others will delay me, since we are all curious to learn more about my powers.”
Tristan closed his eyes momentarily, presumably using his telepathic powers to confer with the other members of the Council. I stole a moment to look at Stone. He was shaking his head slowly, azure eyes with hints of red wide with shock. I shrugged my shoulders warily, knowing fully that to keep Tyler safe, I’d break this deal and the neck of anyone who attacked him. Obviously Stone knew that too.
“We have a deal,” Tristan finally announced.
I smiled. Relief flushed through me as the remnant heat within finally extinguished. Moments later, my breathing slowed and my heartbeat completely stopped. Oh the joys of being a vampire hybrid. “I have one more favor to ask,” I said, a whole new confidence exuding in my voice.
Stone called out, “Abby, what are you—”
“Silence, Mr. Rayver,” Tristan stated. “I am very interested in what Abigail will ask for now.”
“I want to speak to Madelaine. Will Elliott do that for me?” My real sorceress mother, Madelaine, had died long ago, and I’d never even had the chance to meet her. My father and one of his female blood donors, all the while believing she was my mother, had raised me. And though I’d love for Elliott to connect me to my father, I simply couldn’t risk giving away the fact he was dead too. Who knew how that little piece of info would affect the deal I’d just made, or the innocence I wanted to prove for Tyler. Bronx killed my father. But it was because of Tyler’s gift of premonition that Bronx was able to find my dad in the first place. So I guess you could say Tyler did carry some of the blame. But he’d sworn that he never thought Bronx would’ve killed him. And I believed him, hopefully not foolishly. So far I was taking the news of my father’s death okay. Maybe my estranged relationship with him was helping me through the mourning process. After all, he’d left me when I was ten. Fifteen years later, I’d finally gotten a phone call from him, warning me I was in danger. I never had a chance to thank him for trying to help me…or see him again.
“Abigail,” Tristan said, bringing me out of those thoughts. “You’re going to make a great addition to our team. You’re already very good at negotiations.” He chuckled lightly. “It will be our pleasure to call upon Madelaine for you and an honor to introduce you to your real mother.” Holding out his hand, he moved closer, giving me a good view of his violet eyes speckled with the deepest of cobalt, not a trace of crimson in them, which calmed me further. “So we have a deal?”
I nodded, taking his hand inside mine. “We have a deal.” Then I asked, “When do we leave?”
His answer was one simple word: “Dusk.”
I felt my chest tighten as he said it, even though I’d somewhat expected that to be his answer. Moving to where Stone was behind me, I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face against the softness of his tee, yet I could feel the ridged lines of muscle just beneath. “I know I just got back here, but I promise we’ll have more time once this is all over. I will miss you,” I told him, my voice muffled.
He gently grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back, just enough for him to look at my face. “What in the hell are you talking about? Do you actually think you can get rid of me that easy?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feeling confused.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not!” Tristan shouted from behind me.
I shrugged as a plan formed in my mind. “Wait a second. I think it’s a great idea for Stone to come.”
“No,” Tristan repeated.
“Actually, sir,” Stone said, “I can be of help to both Abby and the Council. I can help look for the information Abby seeks to clear her human while she is tied up with business affairs with you. It would make her that much more available.”
I felt my eyes widen. That was actually better than my plan. “But you hate Tyler.” And he did—with a passion.
“Oh I still hate him, but I think the world of you.” Stone gently gripped my chin, caressing it between his thumb and forefinger.
A lone tear I hadn’t felt before dripped from my eye as I smiled. Stone let go to wipe it and I glanced over at Tristan. “Please allow Stone to come with us. He would be a true asset. And he is my friend. Please.”
Tristan was quiet for a short moment, face hard, eyes studying us intently. “Very well.”
“Where are we going exactly?” I asked.
“Boston,” Tristan replied. “We have a few stronghold locations, but we are operating out of Boston right now. It’s good to move around. Staying in the same place for centuries can get quite boring. And it’s not as safe.”
I nodded. I’d never been to Boston before, but I’d heard it was an interesting place. A huge part of me was looking forward to seeing it, checking out all the historic monuments, buildings, and the statue of Sam Adams, if there would be any time for sightseeing. With Stone coming, we would certainly accomplish twice as much, twice as fast. I trusted that he would work diligently on finding a way to prove Tyler’s innocence. Though Stone despised Tyler, I was certain that he cared enough about me to do as he said he would. Yet Stone wouldn’t be upset in the slightest if he was unable to find the proof we needed to clear Tyler’s name.
There was also the uncertainty over what kind of situation I’d be getting myself into with the Head Council. Learning vampire politics and more about the new species I’d become when Bronx turned me…well, that could take more time from me than I could ever imagine. Plus meeting my mother for the first time and finding out more about her set my emotions swirling with anxiety.
I closed my eyes and let out a deep, long sigh. Just take one thing at a time, Abby. One thing at a time. Quit worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. Bronx was dead. Tyler was alive and pardoned for the moment. Lily, my closest human friend and old blood donor, was okay. Stone was here with me now and would stay with me at the Head Council’s stronghold. And I’d gotten pretty good control over my amazing, awesome, and insanely strong powers. I’d say my life, afterlife, whatever, was going pretty darn well at the moment. Yet, at the time, I had no idea just how quickly everything was about to change.

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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Twin Flames by Debbie Christiana



My Guest ~ Debbie Christiana

Thank you, Julia, for having me as your guest today.

My debut novel, Twin Flames, released by Black Opal Books, is what I affectionately refer to as a paranormal love story rather than a romance. It was a story I carried around for many years and when I was finally ready to put it on paper, it flowed naturally and easily from me. It’s a tale of reincarnation, twin flame soul mates and of course, a playful ghost. My fascination with reincarnation began when I was about twelve years old, thanks to my mother, who handed me my first book on the subject. I was hooked.

When Marc and Natalia first meet one cold December night, it’s in a déjà vu moment. We’ve all had them, when we have the odd sensation that the present feels like the past. It may be when you meet someone for the first time or strike up a conversation or walk into a building you’ve never been to before. The scientific community says it has to do with memory processes. Memories of what? Many parapsychologists believe it’s a recalling of an experience from a past life. Whatever the reason, I like it when it happens to me. I struggle to keep the moment for as long as I can, trying to decipher what it all means, but in a flash, it’s gone.

Another concept of reincarnation I wove into the story was the notion of birthmarks. Many experts in the field of past life regression believe birthmarks are similar to ‘battle scars’ that we carry with us into each incarnation. Marc has a strange and unattractive birthmark on his left shoulder. Natalia draws it perfectly without ever seeing or knowing he has it.

The premise of twin flame soul mates dates back to ancient Greece when they believed the Gods created one soul, split in two. One-half female and one-half male. The two human beings the souls inhabited would never be happy until they found their ‘other half.”

I put all these ideas together and Marc and Natalia’s love story was born.

Twin Flames Blurb

The last thing forty-year old Natalia Santagario expected was to be sitting on a Manhattan barstool ogling a man she has never met, but swears she knows.

The mysterious dark-haired woman at the end of the bar stops twenty-eight year old Marc Tremonti in his tracks. His head assures him she’s a stranger, but his heart tells him otherwise.

Their attraction instant and enigmatic, they travel back in time only to discover they have spent hundreds of lives together as lovers and Natalia holds the secret to Marc’s puzzling birthmark.

But their reunion in this life is complicated by a kind, albeit confused almost ex-wife, an unfortunate accident and a temporary bout of amnesia. When a mischievous ghost from their past decides to help them, what could possibly go wrong?

Author Bio
Debbie Christiana would sit in her room as a little girl and write stories about ghosts, unexplained events and things that go bump in the night. She combined her love of the paranormal with her fascination of unusual love stories and decided to write paranormal romance.  Her debut novel, Twin Flames, was released in 2011 with Black Opal Books. Her second book, Solstice, is a 2013 release. This year she’s had two short stories published. The Land of the Rising Sun, was one of ten included in the anthology BITES: Ten Tales of Vampires and The Thirteen Steps is featured in BELTANE: Ten Tales of Witchcraft. Debbie is a member of RWA and Secretary of the Romance Writers Chapter of Connecticut and Lower New York.  She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children.

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