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Showing posts with label Dark Winter Tale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dark Winter Tale. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dark Winter Tale, Alternative End! with A.M. Robinson

Dark Winter Tale

Please visit the Master List if you missed the previous parts of the story!

To find to official end to this story, written by Sarwat Chadda, please visit Dark Faerie Tales !

Now because we want you to choose your own adventure, here’s an alternative ending, written by A.M. Robinson

“Santiana ekkos nascissus!” she started again, gaining speed when she saw how close she was to the end of the incantation. “Hakka! Morgana! Dut!”

And that was it. Liv looked up, eager to see if her instincts had been right. Wyatt and Alice were still surrounded by trolls, and not only were there movements slower, Alice had a bloody gash across one cheek. It hadn’t worked. It hadn’t worked.

The laughter grew louder.

“Perhaps you are not as special as we thought,” Aodh’s voice said, coming from nowhere and everywhere at once. Liv watched in horror as more of the creature appeared--a lumpen, scaly black shoulder, and then the tip of a pointed ear.

She flipped through the pages again, stopping on “Unwanted Unicorns.” Well, these were unwanted asshats, so maybe it would be close enough. But just as she was about to start into the next verse, a high keening noise sprung up among the trolls.

“What the--” Aodh’s voice rumbled as his minions began to clasp their hands to their ears and moan. The few who were still on their feet ran to the crevasse, stepping on Aodh in their frenzy to dive underground. The ones who had fallen to their knees were sinking into the turf as though it were quicksand. The earth was swallowing them.

Aodh started to scream. “No! Not again! I have waited decades for this. Decades!” he roared as the fractured ground started to knit itself back together. “I will rise! I will take my rightful place as mmmmhmmmm.”

And that was it. The last thing Liv saw of Aodh was a single claw, and then even that was gone, so quickly that she almost wondered if she had imagined it. Before she could react, Alice sprung off the ground and ran over to embrace Liv in a hug. Liv was so happy just to have non-shaky earth beneath her feet that she hugged back.

“You did it!” Alice said. “I knew you couldn’t be Rose’s granddaughter for nothing.”

“I did it,” Liv said numbly, and then with more conviction. “I did it.”

Alice pulled back and punched her on the shoulder. “Welcome to the Guardianship!”

“No,” Wyatt said, and when they turned to face him, his brow was furrowed.

“Are you kidding?” Alice said, impatiently wiping at the cut on her cheek. “She was amazing! And we’ll need her for next year if Aodh--”

“She doesn’t join unless she wants to.” He looked at Liv. “We shouldn’t have tried to manipulate you into doing something you didn’t want to do. It’s not . . . you could have been hurt. And I understand if you don’t want to see any of us again.” After a second, he reluctantly added, “I understand if you don’t want to see me again.”

No one spoke for a moment, and then Alice sighed. “Well?” she asked. “I still think it would be a gigantic waste of talent.”

Olivia looked at the two of them, her world still feeling a little like a tilt-a-whirl. After all of the running and all of the denial, it was hard to say “well when you put it like that” and take the biggest plunge of her life.  But at the same time, defeating a dark fey hellbent on your destruction? Kind of makes a life full of late-night pizza runs and term papers seem . . . well, a little boring. And when Wyatt dipped his head contritely, as he was doing now, his hair fell over his eyes in that way that made her melt, and she had a hard time thinking anything at all. God save her from boys with lazy haircut regimens.

“So Aodh is going to come back?” she said, deciding that there wasn’t any harm in asking a few questions.

Wyatt looked up, startled. It was obviously not the question he was expecting. “He’ll try,” he said. “It’s sort of an annual thing.”

“I see. And I can shoot lightning from my arms?”

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Wyatt’s lips. “Sort of. It’s a . . . well, it’s going to take some explaining. Alice?”

Alice opened her mouth to answer, but then closed it, her eyes darting from Wyatt to Liv and then back again. “You know,” she said. “I think Wyatt explains it better.” She pointed to her cheek. “I’m going to go put some Neosporin on this bad boy and get some sleep. Got a big Psych test in the morning. See you back in the room! Don’t wake me up,” she said before taking off across the field.

Liv looked up. It had started to snow again, but it was a gentle snow, with the kind of flakes that tickle when they land on your nose.

“You were amazing, you know,” Wyatt said softly. “Even if you don’t want to be one of us, you should know that.”

That did it. Liv came to a very important decision. “Want to get breakfast tacos?” she asked.

Wyatt blinked for a few moments before his lips broke into a slow smile. “At Lupe’s?”

“Where else?” she said. She slipped her hand into Wyatt’s, holding her breath until it became obvious that he wasn’t going to pull away. If anything, he pulled her in closer. “Come on,” she said, bumping his shoulder affectionately. “You can tell me everything I’m going to need to know on the way.”

THE END

Feel free to discuss both ending and let us know which one you preferred!

Don’t forget, Andrea is offering One signed finished copy of Vampire Crush.

Open Internationally!

Ends Dec 27th, 2010.

To enter FILL THE FROM

Monday, December 20, 2010

Dark Winter Tale Part 14 with A.M. Robinson

Dark Winter Tale

Please visit the Master List if you missed the previous parts of the story!

 

 

I am happy to have debut author Andrea M Robinson with us today! Her first book, Vampire Crush will be released by HarperTeen on Dec 28th, so I am very excited! I really hope you enjoy her part of the story, and please come back tomorrow for more of her writing!

 

 

 



Olivia didn’t know what to expect. When Wyatt had first handed her the book, it was wrapped in a paper bag, and she had stashed it away without looking, too scared to investigate what she had imagined might be a cover made of hair or human skin or at least something scaly. She had definitely not imagined that the key to their survival would be a slim tattered paperback with the initials “R. L.” scribbled on the corner.

“This is it?” she asked.  “This is worth a horde of trolls?”

As if to prove a point, a troll leaped forward and swiped at her with a ragged claw. Liv stepped out of reach just as Wyatt yelled another spell word that threw the hissing minion back several yards.

“Oh, it is,” he said, stepping in front of her. “Alice and I can hold them off for a little while, but we need the book’s magic to send them back underground.”

“And you’re the only one who can release it,” Alice added. She threw the now-empty shoulder bag at an approaching troll and followed it up with her own one-two magical punch.

“But why--”

“It was your Nana Rose’s,” Alice said.  “Family stuff, blood stuff, yadda yadda. But you have to use it now.”

The ground started to shake again, and the edges of the hole where Alice had pulled them to safety began to crumble and widen until the fifty yard line was a jagged crevasse. A screech split the air, followed by a clap of unexpected thunder.

“That’s Aodh,” Wyatt shouted. “And above ground he’s not going to look like a demon biker elf.”

Well, that’s one thing for the thankful list at least, Olivia thought as she hurriedly flipped through the book’s thin pages, her fingers feeling numb and stupid. For all that they were telling her she had to use it, no one was telling her how to use it. Her eyes skimmed over the titles of what seemed to be spells. “For Redcaps and Their Ilk” . . . “For Meddlesome Pixies” . . . “For Unwanted Unicorns” . . . nothing that said “For Aodh and his Trolls When They Are Coming To Kill You.”

She came to the last page, which was covered in faded script that looked to be an entirely different language. She was about to turn back to the the beginning, but something deep inside told her to stop, here, focus on this. What the hell--her instincts had gotten her this far, hadn’t they? She took a deep breath and started to yell.

“Melio abram pavlavakesh!”

The first few words were accented much like her eighth-grade French--Madame Remy would be so proud--but as she continued, they began to flow off her tongue, easing into something that sounded much more melodious, much more ancient.

“Helios standata kush!” she continued. “Mandata reyes! Fortunata libris san--”

Suddenly, a dark laugh cut through the cacophony, loud enough that it set the metal of the goalposts and bleachers humming. A hand shot over the edge of the crevasse, its long, skeletal fingers trying to find purchase in the quickly shifting earth. The palm alone was easily the size of a Shih Tzu.

There was no way in hell she wanted to see what was attached to that.

-------------------------
Here's a bit more about Vampire Crush

Supernatural suspense, star-crossed love, and drama of undead proportions. Meet Sophie McGee. Her life is about to get very interesting.

First, six mysteriously pale new students show up at Sophie McGee’s high school. Then, Sophie’s childhood nemesis James reappears, still displaying a knack for making Sophie’s blood boil. When Sophie finds out that James has a connection to the new students, she decides to investigate…never expecting her life will quickly begin to resemble a campy horror movie, complete with budding crushes and bloodthirsty villains.

Available in stores December 28th · Read an excerpt »

 

Andrea is offering One signed finished copy of Vampire Crush.

Open Internationally!

Ends Dec 27th, 2010.

To enter FILL THE FROM

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Dark Winter Tale Part 12 with Linda Robertson

Dark Winter Tale

Please visit the Master List if you missed the previous parts of the story!

 

For today’s part of the Dark Winter Tale story, please welcome author Linda Robertson! Did you know she used to be in a cover band playing AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N Roses and the likes? I’m a bit young for their glory years but I have to admit I love them all, so I was really surprised to discover her love of rock music! Without further intro, let’s see what the author of the Persephone Alcmedi series cooked for us!

 


Following what appeared to be a sharp turn in the tunnel, they came to an abrupt dead-end. “Any more great ideas?” Olivia asked, panting.

“Trust me,” Wyatt said, more like the young man she was accustomed too.

He reached up to the earthen ceiling and his fingertips stroked the pale web of roots saying, “Aperio.” It was the kind of gentle, adoring caress a girl sometimes wants. Can I really be jealous of dirt and roots?

Nothing happened.

Wyatt repeated the word, and his voice was laced with urgency.

The tunnel rumbled with the echo of the pursuing horde of trolls.

Olivia raised a brow. “Should I continue to trust you, Wy?”

Wyatt growled. “Aperio!”

Still nothing.

“Aodh’s locked it.” His voice conveyed misery.

“Locked the ground?”

“He must have changed the word to open it.”

“He can do that in the few seconds it takes for us to flee?”

“No.” Wyatt’s expression was utterly ashamed. “I’ve been here a while, hiding. Waiting. He must have known, changed them after I arrived. He set me up.”

Olivia made the connection. “Those were your prints that just stopped abruptly in the snow.”

“Yeah. Short cut.”

The sound of the trolls was getting louder. Olivia swallowed down the lump in her throat and stared at her hands. It seemed her previous attack-bolt was a direct response to the threat. Do I have it in me to kill again? Already she felt guilty over the ugly little thing’s demise. It was self-defense, she consoled herself, but she could still see the burnt carcass in her mind’s eye. She faced Wyatt. “Suggestions?”

He looked miserable, desperate. “Get behind me.”

She didn’t move.

He gripped her arms. “Olivia! You must be protected. I’ll give my life to save yours if I have too.” He pulled her into an embrace; she was too stunned to object. “I never should have gotten you into this. I am so sorry.”

With his arms around her he maneuvered her behind him then stepped into the tunnel where he would be able to see the trolls when they arrived. He took a ready stance.

Olivia was about to object when suddenly, the earth over her head shuddered. The ground slowly dilated open like the aperture of a camera. Dirt fell around her, then a crown of snow plopped onto Olivia’s head.

“Well, isn’t that just like a poetic sign from the gods,” a familiar voice drawled.

Olivia brushed away the snow and peered at the hand extended toward her. Her roommate Alice was lying on her belly in the snow, reaching down. “C’mon already. We’ve got little time!”

Olivia could see the strap of her book-bag around Alice’s shoulder. She reached up.

Alice began pulling her up and it became immediately evident that she had more strength—and leverage—than a human girl on her belly should have.

“This would be so much easier if you’d just listened to me,” Alice grumbled.

-----------------------------------------

More about Linda’s book….

Vicious Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, #1)A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do....

Being a witch doesn't pay the bills, but Persephone Alcmedi gets by between reading Tarot cards, writing her syndicated newspaper column, and kenneling werewolves in the basement when the moon is full — even if witches aren't supposed to mingle with wolves. She really reaches the end of her leash, though, when her grandmother gets kicked out of the nursing home and Seph finds herself in the doghouse about some things she's written. Then her werewolf friend Lorrie is murdered...and the high priestess of an important coven offers Seph big money to destroy the killer, a powerful vampire named Goliath Kline. Seph is a tough girl, but this time she bites off more than she can chew. She needs a little help from her friends — werewolf friends. One of those friends, Johnny, the motorcycle-riding lead singer for the techno-metal-Goth band Lycanthropia, has a crush on her. And while Seph has always been on edge around this 6'2" leather-clad hunk, she's starting to realize that although their attraction may be dangerous, nothing could be as lethal as the showdown that awaits them.

And you think beauty pageants are scary?

Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven — now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers — ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets — including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos — from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with....

Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything — including murder — to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life.

Fatal Circle (Pershephone Alcmedi, #3)Destiny sucks. . . .

There was a time when Persephone Alcmedi thought her life was hard to manage, what with wondering how to make sure she took adequate care of both her grandmother and her foster daughter, Beverley, whether she’d end up in the unwanted position of high priestess of a coven, and whether her wærewolf lover, Johnny, would resist the groupies who hang around his band Lycanthropia.

But that was before the fairies started demanding that Seph’s frightening, unpredictable ally—the ancient vampire Menessos— be destroyed . . . or the world will suffer. Seph and Menessos are magically bonded, but that’s a secret she dares not reveal to her fellow witches lest they be forced to reject her and forbid her use of magic. And, despite the strain this casts on her relationship with Johnny, as a showdown with the fairies nears, she and Menessos badly need the wærewolves as allies.

Life, death, and love are all on the line, but when destiny is calling, it doesn’t help to turn away. With the individual threads of their fates twisted inextricably together, can Seph, Johnny, and Menessos keep the world safe from fairy vengeance?

Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, #4)Even magic can’t solve everything. . . .

After facing down the forces of Fairy in mortal combat, Persephone Alcmedi still must deal with the aftermath. Not only does Seph now possess deadly secrets she must hide from the arcane and mundane world alike, but the dozens of magical creatures who’ve taken up residence behind her cornfield need food and shelter, and there’s still her foster daughter Beverly’s tenth birthday party to plan.

And that’s not all. . . . Seph’s boyfriend Johnny has revealed himself as the wærewolf Domn Lup, and the ruler of the wære world is en route from Romania to make sure Johnny really is the “king” he claims to be. But Johnny’s hiding a dangerous secret: his magic is locked in his mysterious tattoos. He and Seph must find a way for him to reclaim it—fast—despite those who have no intention of letting Johnny gain his full powers. Seph knows that, in the arcane world, strength is always a necessity and power must be constantly proven, but how far is she willing to go to succeed . . . and at what cost?

Sounds amazing right?

Well let me tell something else that’s amazing, Linda offered a whole set of the series, including Arcane Circle, signed, to one lucky reader!

Open to US & Canada

Ends Dec 27, 2010.

All you have to do is FILL THE FORM

And feel free to thank Linda in a comment *winks*

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Dark Winter Tale Part 10 with Tracey O’Hara

Dark Winter Tale

Please visit the Master List if you missed the previous parts of the story!

 

 

I am very happy to have author Tracey O’Hara with me today for the follow up of the Dark Winter Tale story. She is the debut author of Night’s Cold Kiss, and her next novel (the second in the same series), Death’s Sweet Embrace, will be available at the beginning of 2011. If you haven’t read her first book yet I strongly suggest you do, I really liked it (review here)!

 

 


Aodh’s shrieks unsettled the trolls. At first they huddled together, clutching at each other in confusion, then almost as one they turned on Liv and Wyatt, teeth bared and eyes feral. Wyatt stepped in front, pulling her to safety behind him.

“When I give the word,” he whispered over his shoulder, “run down the tunnel to the left and keep going. No matter what.”

“What’re you going to do?” she hissed back as the ugly little trolls inched to toward them, pure menace in their eyes as the saliva dripped from their twisted mouths.

“Don’t worry—just get outta here,” he turned to her for a brief second, apologetic concern clouding his expression. “I’m sorry I got you into this.”

She shook her head. “I can’t just leave you here.”

“You don’t have any choice….” Wyatt’s voice trailed off as he turned away.

For a moment, Liv couldn’t work out what had changed. Then she realized the fey’s screams were now silent and raised her gaze to stare straight into the murderous bloodlust burning in Aodh’s once mesmerizing eyes.

“I never meant it to go this far,” Wyatt whispered.

The tingling started in her extremities, flowing from her fingers and toes towards the center of her chest where it pooled and swirled.

There was something else Nana Rose had told Liv that she found hard to believe—until this very moment when she felt it building deep within her.

The first of the snarling little troll men launched at them.

“Go now—” Wyatt growled through gritted teeth. “RUN!”

Instead she held her ground, acting on instinct. The energy rocketed up her arms and shot out of her fingertips, hitting the troll mid leap and the smoking carcass dropped to land harmlessly at Wyatt’s feet.

“It’s true!” Aodh’s triumphant roar rebounded off the surrounding rock. “I’ve found her at last.” 

To Be Continued….

----------------------------

The tension between the Aeternus, an ancient vampiric people, and humanity has been mounting for over a century. But when rogue vampires begin to drain humans in order to achieve an illegal blood-high, all bets are off.

After the death of her parents, Antoinette Petrescu devoted her life to becoming one of the top Venators, the elite hunters who destroy the rogue Necrodreniacs. Her kill count is legendary and her skills superb.

But now the serial killer who killed her parents has returned. And to stop him Antoinette must join forces not only with the Aeternus, but also their most legendary killer. One that is both dangerously attractive, and involved in buried secrets of her past. More dangerous still, a dark attraction grows between them--one that could doom both races.

After thousands of years of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens to shatter the tenuous peace.
Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a twisted, sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force must be formed to halt the madness—a union of avengers including the vampiric Aeternus, Christian Laroque and Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes…and forbidden lovers.
A centuries-old blood feud has divided their peoples—pitting wolf against snow leopard in a battle to the death—and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside in light of the scourge that is now upon them. For the killer they seek is but the first sign of a blossoming terror rising up from their long-buried pasts: the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

Interested yet? Well here’s your shot to get your hands on the first book.

Harper Collins is offering three copies of the first book, Night’s Cold Kiss to three lucky winners!

Open to US & Canada

All you have to do is FILL THE FORM

Ends Dec 27th, 2010.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Dark Winter Tale Part 8: Nancy Holzner

Dark Winter Tale

Please visit the Master List if you missed the previous parts of the story!

Nancy_Lake_cropped

 

 

Nancy is the author of the very original Deadtown series (details at the end of the post) and I was very excited that she accepted our invitation! After reading her part of the story, I’m sure you’ll agree her writing is nothing like you’ve ever read before. Don’t forget to read until the end for a chance to win both of her books =)

 

 

“Bait?”

The men broke their death-grip gaze and turned to Liv in surprise.

“You set me up as bait? I’d thought . . .” No, she wasn’t going to say what she’d thought. What she’d hoped. Wyatt had already taken her for a fool; he’d just laugh at her now. “Wyatt, I was doing you a favor.”

God, how lame did that sound?

Wyatt glanced at BBF, but only for a second. When he returned his gaze to Liv, something flickered in it, something urgent. Like he was trying to give her a message using only his eyes.

No. Uh-uh. She wasn’t going down that road. Look where trusting Wyatt had gotten her so far.

BBF laughed, the sound bouncing off the cavern walls. “Ah, yes, there is certainly spirit in her, just as you promised. Let us be done with our bargain. The girl is mine, as we agreed.”

“I made no bargain with you, Aodh.” Wyatt’s voice thrummed with menace.

“Well, I made no bargain with either of you.” Liv yanked both hands away from them and took three steps back. “Look,” she said to the fey dude—what had Wyatt called him? Aodh—“you said you wanted the book. I don’t even have it. I dropped it in the snow. Why don’t you send some of your ugly little rent-a-trolls upstairs to look for it?”

Aodh moved toward her. “I’m afraid I cannot allow you to leave.” His mouth set in a grim line, he looked very big, and very threatening.

Liv would have given anything to be back on that football field, trudging through the snowy night. She had to get out of here. But what were her options? She had a talisman that might blow up in her face, a not-exactly-boyfriend she couldn’t trust, and a guy (a hot guy, admittedly) with pointy ears who wanted to make sure she never saw daylight again.

Liv was just about ready to go for the only plan she could think of—run blindly down a side tunnel (for all twenty steps that would get her)—when she remembered something. Something she’d heard not long ago. Something she’d refused to believe.

Something Nana Rose had told her.

To be continued...


-----------------------

Here’s a bit more about the DeadTown books…

deadtown1 They call it Deadtown: the city’s quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders — but Victory Vaughn, Boston’s only professional demon slayer, isn’t exactly human…

Vicky’s demanding job keeping the city safe from all manner of monsters is one reason her relationship with workaholic lawyer (and werewolf) Alexander Kane is in constant limbo. Throw in a foolhardy zombie apprentice, a mysterious demon-plagued client, and a suspicious research facility that’s taken an unwelcome interest in her family, and Vicky’s love life has as much of a pulse as Deadtown’s citizens.

But now Vicky’s got bigger things to worry about. The Hellion who murdered her father ten years ago has somehow broken through Boston’s magical protections. The Hellion is a ruthless force of destruction with a personal grudge against Vicky, and she’s the only one who can stop the demon before it destroys the city and everyone in it.

A demon is stalking Vicky’s dreams—just as several of Deadtown’s zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she’s the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown’s living nightmare.

Praise for Hellforged

“For demon-slayer Victory Vaughn, intensity and intrigue are revved way up as she is faced with a possible trap of destiny. The thrills are nonstop in Holzner’s latest Deadtown novel as the action races from continent to continent and into the reaches of hell itself. Even better than the first book, this series is becoming highly addictive!”

–RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars

Available December 28, 2010

------------------------------

Curious yet?

Well we have both of these books to giveaway!

The publisher is offering a copy of Deadtown to one of you (Open US & Canada)!

And Nancy is offering an autographed Hellforged (Open INTERNATIONALY)!

All you have to do is FILL THE FORM

Ends Dec 27th, 2010.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Dark Winter Tale: Part 6 with Joy Preble

Dark Winter Tale

 

I'm really happy to have the fantastic Joy Preble with me today for the sixth part of the Dark Winter Tale story! She accepted our invitation right away, jumping with us on this crazy wagon!  She is the author of the successful Dreaming Anastasia and it’s sequel, Haunted, will hit the stores in 2 months!

If you missed the previous parts of this story, please visit the Master Sheet.

 

 

Liv started to protest – really she did – but fey dude took her hand and she found herself walking beside him. His skin was warm – human -feeling warm. But those pointy ears of his reminded her that he wasn’t human. At least not all of him.

One of the trolls growled menacingly but made no move to stop them. What good were trolls if they acted like puppy dogs? Liv made a mental note to research this. Perhaps the next time she was yanked into a subterranean someplace with a tall dark and handsome whatever he was, she’d need to know.

“You know how to get out of here?” Her question echoed in the cavern and also in her head. Of course he knew how to get out of here. Didn’t he?

Not that she hadn’t been in tight situations before. That night she’d met Wyatt had been one of them. It was his hair, she thought. She’d always been a sucker for dark, shaggy hair. And crooked ironic smiles. Got her every time. It had been her second week on campus – roommate Alice had gone home for the weekend and Liv was rattling around on her own. Not that that was a bad thing – Olivia liked her own company just fine. But sometimes being alone can turn to lonely, even in a huge dorm on a huge campus. Or maybe especially because of those things. Liv had headed out to explore – shake the cobwebs out of her head. I’m here for a fresh start, she told herself as she strode purposefully across the darkened quad. Forget that pesky past and everything that Nana Rose had confessed to her a few days before she’d left home. She was Olivia the college student now. The old Liv, the one with the wonky, crazy family secrets, didn’t have to follow her here. Nope. She could be all shiny and new if that’s what she wanted.

Only fate or the goddess or maybe just dumb luck had something else in store for Olivia McMichael. Something tall, dark and Wyatt – and looking over his shoulder as both he and Liv rounded the corner of the building on the far edge of campus and smacked into each other with a resounding ‘thwack.’ The rest, as they say, was history. And whatever had been chasing Wyatt never did show itself that night.

They’d ended up talking over coffee and late night breakfast tacos at Lupe’s. Because how could she not like a guy who was double majoring in bio-chemistry and linguistics? Wyatt was crazy smart, both sides of his brain working over-time. And he, well, knew stuff. Okay, it was the kind of stuff that Liv had sworn she was leaving behind her when she drove from Kenosha to Oregon for that fresh start she’d wanted for so very long.

I’m doomed, she’d thought as she washed down the last of the corn tortilla with a swig of black coffee. But they’d become friends anyway. Better to align herself with someone who honestly seemed wonkier than she was. Perhaps he’d be so busy hiding his own secrets that he’d never dig up those of a normal looking girl from a normal little town in Wisconsin, famous for its cheese shops that dotted the interstate. People who stopped at Mars Cheese Castle on their way to Milwaukee didn’t usually suspect that the girl who was bagging up their curds – with or without caraway seeds - had just been informed by her Nana Rose that the world of faeries and goblins was not just fiction. Or that while this explained a lot about her family it only served to heighten Liv’s resolve to move as far away as she could as soon as she could. The resolve which lasted exactly two weeks and disappeared with that ‘thwack’ when she met Wyatt.

Of course, she didn’t have to become Wyatt’s courier. But Liv was a curious girl. Besides, Wyatt had given her the talisman. The same talisman that was still resting in its little velvet pouch in her pocket. The same talisman that – if fey dude didn’t get her out of this cavern in the next three to five seconds or if he made a move or any kind of sound to set the trolls into attack mode again – she was about to grab and find out if it did what Wyatt had promised it would.

Liv dug her hand back in her pocket. Closed it around the pouch.

“The book,” fey dude was saying. He was still holding her other hand. “Wyatt’s cool about me having it, you know. Although he thought it would be easier if you just placed it back on the shelf. Only sometimes Wyatt and I disagree.” His voice was soothing but still had that low throaty edge in the background. Wonderful, thought Liv. Hot and dangerous. Exactly what gets me every time.

Better to act than to trust. Hand still in pocket, she loosened the drawstrings of the little pouch. Wrapped her fingers around the talisman. And under her breath, hoping that she’d finish before fey dude could catch on, began to chant.

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Here’s a bit more about Joy’s books! Dreaming Anastasia is already available and it’s sequel, Haunted will be available in February 2011!

Sixteen year old Anne thinks her life is pretty ordinary – until she smacks into handsome, mysterious, and okay, annoying Ethan on her way to chemistry class. Now Anne has powers she doesn’t understand, a history altering mission she may not want, and a growing attraction to this blue-eyed stranger. And Ethan- who at eighteen made some choices he’s starting to regret – realizes that Anne is the girl for whom he’s been searching – for a very, very long time. Stir in doomed Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia – who is definitely not quite as dead as the history books say – and Baba Yaga, the legendary witch from Russian folklore, and you’ve got DREAMING ANASTASIA, a contemporary YA fantasy that alternates between the voices of Anne, Ethan, and Anastasia as Anne and Ethan join forces to battle the bad guys and save Anastasia. Only problem is – no one’s quite sure who’s really bad and who’s good. And everyone has some secrets.

Anne Michaelson’s world turned upside down last fall when a handsome, blue-eyed and temporarily immortal Russian named Ethan informed her that she had a destiny to save the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, held captive for decades by the witch Baba Yaga. But Anastasia had her own thoughts about destiny. And Anne and Ethan discovered that some things aren’t so easily undone. Now, six months later, the craziness in Anne’s world hasn’t gone away. Neither have her feelings for Ethan. Anne still has powers she doesn’t fully understand. She’s still dreaming about Baba Yaga’s forest. And she’s got a new boyfriend – very normal and very sweet lifeguard, Ben Logan. As for Ethan, well, he hasn’t quite gotten over the events of last fall, either. And he definitely hasn’t gotten over Anne. In short, everyone’s haunted by something – or someone.

Enter the rusalka – a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak - and a particular interest in Anne. When Ethan suddenly returns from Europe, Anne’s world collides with the paranormal once again. Her heart torn between Ben and Ethan, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

Like Dreaming Anastasia, HAUNTED is a wild adventure of a tale, a genre blend of fantasy, folklore and romance alternately narrated by both Anne and Ethan. As lives and fates intertwine and the romance heats up, so does the danger. “Stories within stories,” the rusalka tells Anne. “Secrets within secrets.” And as Baba Yaga frequently observes, nothing is as simple as it seems.

-----------------------------

Joy also very generously offered A signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia and a bookmark and postcard for Haunted.

The perfect opportunity to catch up with the series!

Open to US & Canada

Ends Dec 27th, 2010.

All you have to do is FILL THE FORM!

Thank you so much Joy!

Monday, December 06, 2010

Dark Winter Tale, Part 4: Anna Windsor

Darkwintertalefinal

If you missed the previous parts of the Dark Winter Tale story, Please Visit the master list!

The fourth part of this amazing was written by Anna Windsor author of the Dark Crescent Sisterhood series (details at the end of the post). She’s a new author to me, so I’m happy to discover her by your side!

“Be at peace,” said another voice so deep and resonant it rolled like a wave down Liv’s spine, leaving her shivering.

The creatures grabbing at her instantly let go of her ankles and clothes, turned toward the shadows at the far end of the cave, and dropped to their knees. They spoke a single word Liv didn’t understand, then bowed their ugly little heads.

Was that Latin? Some kind of language so ancient nobody even knows it anymore? And now they’re kneeling like knaves in a king’s court. This can’t be good.

What . . . in the hell . . . had Wyatt gotten her into now?

Her fingers tightened into fists as her brain struggled to categorize and understand everything she was seeing and experiencing. Getting yanked through the earth. Little troll men with spider web heads—bilingual little troll men, no less. A cave with shadows. And something very, very large moving in those shadows.

Definitely not good.

But the fey had been extinct for centuries. Everybody knew that. Whatever these little monsters and their shadow-pet might be, they couldn’t be fey, thank all the fates. The legends, the stories, the written histories—had more treacherous beings ever existed?

“I will not freak out,” she muttered to herself and the trolls, too, if they were listening. She was barely breathing, not even able to swallow, and she was shaking like the last clinging leaf in a hurricane, but she wasn’t helpless. She wasn’t even unarmed. By the Goddess above, whatever slunk out of those shadows would get the surprise of its life . . . if she could just make her fingers unclench and get her hand into her pocket. Yes. Like that. Just a little farther, and even the spider web trolls would regret snatching her down here to—to—wherever she was.

The torches seemed to flicker in their sconces as a man stepped out of the shadows not ten feet from Liv. She jammed her hand into her pocket . . . and froze.
Oh.
Really, she should be doing something. Screaming. Running. Yanking the little bag out of her jeans pocket and getting herself out of this hole. But . . .
Oh.
Tanned. Big dark eyes. Silky black hair dusting shoulders made out of muscle.
Work, brain.

He had to be two feet taller than her, with arms so ripped he probably juggled boulders just for kicks. His short-sleeved black tunic and breeches gave him something way past a bad boy look, but her eyes fixed on his ears. Pointed. Definitely pointed.

“Be at peace,” he said again, and the troll guys made jittery sounds of worship, throwing themselves at his feet.

Liv shivered again at the bass rumble of his voice, and her heart pounded so hard she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. The vision in front of her paid the trolls no heed, staring only at her. She couldn’t read his expression. He could be appreciating her, flipping out inside, or planning to sprout fangs and eat her.

This can’t be happening. He can’t be here. The fey don’t exist anymore. Liv’s brain finally did start working, but it wasn’t helping. At all. His coloring, that tan—a dark fey? Sweet Goddess, she had to stop staring at him and get out of this cave.

Now.

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About the series: All three books are scheduled to release back to back (November 23rd, 2010: December 28th, 2010: January 25th, 2011) for your pleasure!

Captive Spirit

Trapped by temptation, bound by desire

Saving humanity from the supernatural has been challenging lately—even for a well-trained earth Sybil like Bela Argos, who must harness the magic of a fractious group of warrior sisters and battle a new wave of paranormal attacks. Another challenge is Duncan Sharp, the hunky NYPD detective who might turn into a demon overnight and devour Bela in her sleep. Still, the darkness taking over Duncan’s body can’t stop the molten heat unleashed by the intense attraction between them.

Duncan has two major problems: First, he has the soul of a suspected serial killer hitching a ride on his vibe. Worse (yes, worse) he’s got a demonic fever raging inside that promises a world of hurt for everybody, especially Bela. Now he’s all about getting even with the demons that put this freak curse in his blood—satanic forces that dare to unleash their savage lust on Duncan’s soul, his city, and the woman he loves.

Captive Soul

She’s definitely getting warmer.

Her flame power nearly extinguished in a battle against the dark forces attempting to control Manhattan, fire Sybil Camille Fitzgerald is down but not out. Joining a new squad of warrior witches, she hopes to reclaim her fighting spirit and, with luck, her pyrotechnic mastery. Two problems on that front: a new army of cannibalistic demons and her superheated lust for John Cole, an unholy blend of demon and U.S. Special Forces agent now working undercover for New York’s Occult Crimes Unit.

John knows he can’t be trusted—hell, he can’t trust himself. His warrior soul has entered a new, supernaturally fit body. Unfortunately, it’s a body belonging to the Sybils’ worst enemy, whose supernasty essence still lingers. But when John’s demon energy seems more alive than dead, it’s Camille whose scorching kiss keeps him human—for now. All he’s got to do is master his dark side and save Camille and the Sybils from an army of satanic hellboys planning their ultimate destruction.

Captive Heart

Hot, wet, and bothered

As the world’s only fully trained water Sybil, Andy Myles is too busy battling New York’s demonic population and coping with personal tragedy to trust her broken heart to the wrong man. Jack Blackmore, FBI adviser to Manhattan’s Occult Crimes Unit, is Army-tough and rattling Andy’s nerves big-time, criticizing her strategies for attacking the powerful flesh-feasting Rakshasa. She could happily drown Jack with a rogue wave of her water energy—or her kisses. Honestly, when did hating a man become so hot?

Jack’s all human—and he puts his trust in bullets, steel, and fists, not magic. Tough and confident, he’s never met a problem he couldn’t handle. Then again, he’s never fought alongside warrior witches who can kill with a flick of a finger or lost his heart to a wild, unpredictable woman whose kisses taste like sweet southern rain. As a tide of despotic evil sweeps through the streets of New York, Jack’s got one chance to stop a malevolent rampage—and claim Andy’s heart.

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Angela from Dark Faerie Tales is offering a copy of Captive Soul to one lucky reader!

Open to Canada & US

To enter, just FILL THE FORM!

Don’t forget to visit Dark Faerie Tales Tomorrow for Part 5!

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Dark Winter Tale, Part 2: Carrie Jones

 

I’m a huge fan of Carrie, I LOVE her need series and I'm really anxious to get my hands on the next book Entice (release Dec 14th)! Has you can imagine, I’m really happy that she could make some room in her schedule for us! Please welcome her warmly!

 

 

DarkwintertalefinalClick here to read the first part of the story

PART 2

That had to be the most ridiculous thing she’d ever thought…. Flown up into the sky? She paused for just a second to look around. The boot prints stopped, that was certain, but was also certain that there was nothing in the darkness above her. No vampires lurked. No UFOs hovered. There was nothing but darkness.

“I am an idiot,” she muttered and then realized that was a bit demeaning and apologized to herself. “Sorry… sorry….”

Truth was she was out of her mind with stress from school and from liking Wyatt despite his stories about fey creatures. Those stories were getting to her, insinuating their darkness into her consciousness. Why else would she be so freaked out from carrying a book? From boot prints in the snow? From potential threats from the sky?

Total silliness, she thought, and just as she thought it she heard the noise of something scratching its way up through the snow. She took a step forward, froze, took another step, and just as she did a hand reached up from the snow and grabbed her foot. Fingers circled around her ankle.

“The book….” The voice was rough and inhuman. “I need the book.”

Here’s a bit more about Carrie’s next book, third in the Need series: Entice!

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?
And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned. She's Astley's queen.

 

Don’t forget, the third part will be available on Dark Faerie Tales tomorrow!

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UDPATE!

We have a copy of Entice to giveaway!

Open to US & Canada

just FILL THE FORM.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Dark Winter Tale Grand Opening!

Darkwintertalefinal

 

Today is the Official launch of the Dark Winter Tale!

You will be able to read the first part of the story, written by Lesley Livingston, over at Dark Faerie Tales!

To celebrate the occasion, Nalini Singh, who loved the idea but didn’t have time in her schedule to contribute is offering a signed copy of Bonds of Justice!

branded by fire nalini singh

Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor’s closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of a catastrophic mental fracture…

Sophia Russo is a Justice-Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max’s liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with forbidden emotion. But, her mind filled with other people’s nightmares, other people’s evil, she’s standing on the border between sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands, to become judge, jury…and executioner…

Thank you so much Nalini!

This giveaway is open to US & Canada

Ends December 27th, 2010.

All you have to do to enter is fill the form!

Don’t forget to stop by Dark Faerie Tales for your chance to win a signed finished copy of Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston!

Dark Winter Tale: Master List

Darkwintertalefinal

 

Here’s an easy way to make sure you haven’t missed any part of the story or any giveaways!

This list will be updated daily!

Please note that every giveaways will end on Dec 27th and winners will be announced on Dec 30th.

Dark Winter Tale Author Giveaway Shipping Restriction
Part 1 Lesley Livingston Tempestuous US & Canada
  Nalini Singh Bonds of Justice US & Canada
Part 2 Carrie Jones Entice US & Canada
Part 3 Rebecca York Dragon Moon US & Canada
Part 4 Anna Windsor Captive Soul US & Canada
Part 5 Mari Mancusi Boys That Bite & Night School US & Canada
Part 6 Joy Preble Signed Dreaming Anastasia + Haunted bookmark US & Canada
Part 7 Adrian Phoenix

Winner #1- Rush of Wings, In the Blood & Beneath the Skin. 

Winner #2- Black Dust Mambo.

International
Part 8 Nancy Holzner Winner #1- Deadtown
Winner #2- Hellforged
US & Canada
International
Part 9 Jess Haines Nocturnal US Only
Part 10 Tracey O’Hara Night’s Cold Kiss US & Canada
Part 11 Carrie Harris Pre-order Bad Taste in Boys International
Part 12 Linda Robertson a whole set of the series, including Arcane Circle, signed US & Canada
Part 13 S.L. Wright Confessions of a Demon & Demon Underground US & Canada
Part 14 A.M Robinson Signed Vampire Crush International
Part 15 Sarwat Chadda Devil's Kiss  & Dark Goddess US & Canada
Alternate Ending A.M Robinson    

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