Ashley Lucas Author

Stuff your Stocking blog and Contest

2011-12-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Since the Holidays are here I thought I would share a little about what makes them special for me. I never really had much as a child so family and friends became the most important things for me. To this day they mean more to me than any present.

One year my husband got laid off in December from his contracting job. The kids were about 8 and 10 years old. I told them they were going to have to not get as much that year because we did not have the money. My 10 year old daughter was like it doesn't matter mommy we have each other and this year we get to see Nanna ( we were in the military before so they couldn't see Nanna till that year for Christmas.)

When Christmas came and we opened the presents my daughter and son had teamed up to make a box full of paper flowers for me. We hung them up and kept them up, my daughter was sure to tell me they kissed each and every flower to make them full of love. To this day is the best present I have ever gotten.

My kids are older now but they remember that Christmas as being one of their best, not because of presents but because of the love we all had for each other that year.

What are some of your holiday traditions? Do you do anything special for the holiday season?

one lucky commenter will get a pdf copy of this book

Moonlight Tales

When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise. Phoebe’s Wolf Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend? Yarrow’s Vampire Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

Amazon buy link

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Happy Holidays! Love Ashley

Blog Tour Post!! with CONTEST

2011-10-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hello!! Thank you Drea for letting me be a part of your blog tour!

Welcome to my home on the web. Take a tour and let me know what you think of this place.

Are you ready for the holidays? How about Halloween. This holiday I love I can sugar up my little cousins and nephew, and nieces and then ....send them home! YES revenge is mine!

Speaking of revenge I have a story in the Tina B Anthology Vol 1. Jamie is a secretary. He is tired of his boss always coming down on him. He is planning the perfect revenge in the story Revenge is Best Served Hot. Alex his boss will never know what hit him trust me on that!

buy link
http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Bs-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0057XNMZA/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319772252&sr=1-3

Now if you are hankering for a Halloween themed story here is Triad Blurb
Three exceptional stories by three XoXo Publishing best selling authors. Halloween Triad. An anthology you won't be able to put down. Lilianna Conti
May Eye Review Yours Books

Marionette
Brigit Aine

As he walked past the department store window, Steve was dumbstruck, his jaw fell open and his heart skipped a beat. There she was, the perfect woman. Flawless alabaster skin, striking platinum hair, the darkest green eyes he had ever seen. She was dressed in trendy clothes, cute jean Capri’s and a tank top with coloured swirls on it that matched her eyes. It was almost as if she had been plucked out of every dream he ever had. Walking closer to the store window to get a better look Steve was disappointed to see she had strings attached to her, she wasn’t real at all. His sense of loss was so deep and profound that he felt his heart break. How could she not be real? She was everything he was looking for. There was no way that someone this perfect to his image wasn’t real. Going in to the store he walked over to the display to see her close up. A doll, a life-sized marionette.

The Purrfect Man
Ashley Marie Lucas

Gia was pacing back and forth. It was bad enough that she had given into the pressure and had hired a date for tonight. His being late was only adding insult to injury. She was having second and maybe even third thoughts about attending the engagement party with its Halloween theme. That was an odd theme for an engagement party but then again, her cousin Madeline was a bit different not to mention spoiled. Ahhh yes dear cousin Madeline, the bane of her existence. The fact that she was about to marry Gia’s ex fiancé Brian only added strain to what was already a strained relationship. Oh not about the ex fiancé part, yes that was awkward but did it have to be to Madeline?

THINGS THAT GO PUMP IN THE NIGHT
Cynthia MacGregor

Starting way back when she was fifteen, Amy had had a crush on Burt. The tall, lean, sandy-haired fellow, then twenty-one and still a bit gangly, was her brother, Ed’s, best friend. Burt and Ed had gone to school together, studied for two years at the community college together, taken jobs at the aircraft factory together, and four years later, enlisted in the Air Force together.
It was after that that their paths diverged, Ed remaining Stateside while Burt was shipped overseas. Ironically, however, the injury that led to Burt’s discharge resulted not from enemy fire nor even from friendly fire, but from a literal fire—a fire that raged through the mess hall where Burt, who had pulled KP duty, was hard at work. Instead of saving his own hide when the fire broke out, however, he stayed behind to rescue two others, who had been knocked unconscious by the explosion that had started the fire. That bit of devotion to his comrades-in-arms had cost him dearly: He’d been burned all over, but his right leg took the worst of it, and even after intensive rehab he was pronounced not fit for further service and sent home with a medal.

Here is the buy link for Halloween Triad
http://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Triad-ebook/dp/B005Z8IY50/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319772252&sr=1-4

If you would like to meet a sexy curvy lady named Phoebe and her equally sexy man Jason here is Moonlight Tales Blurb
When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise. Phoebe’s Wolf Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend? Yarrow’s Vampire Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

Buy Link
http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-Tales-ebook/dp/B005J86X6I/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319772252&sr=1-2

And last but not least I have two paranormal creatures you just have to meet Sam a were wolf and Bryce a vampire their story is in Tina B Vol 2 called For the Love of Bryce

here is the buy link
http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Bs-Anthology-2-ebook/dp/B005KLRRDM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319772252&sr=1-1

Contest time!!
What you have to do is answer my questions and one lucky person gets to pick which pdf they want from the above titles.
What is your favorite genre and why?
What paranormal creatures would you like to see more of?
What paranormal pairings are you sick of?
What makes you try an author you have never heard of before?

Have fun!

Ashley

Blog Hop starts tomorrow it is going to be HUGE

2011-10-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

http://dreabecraft.com/events-2/

Remember this starts tomorrow so come back for the contest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tina

Author Interview with Denysé Bridger

2011-09-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Creative inspirations and NEW books, too!

As authors, we get asked this question and variations of it many, many times over the course of years in the business. But, rarely does the reader get asked the same question, so I’d like to ask you–what inspires you and your imagination when you are reading the stories your favorite authors write in the hopes that they entertain you? Have you ever wanted to be able to order up a book with all your special elements?

I get my idea everywhere I turn, in the scents that I encounter from all around me, when I walk in the local park, or stand looking out over the ocean… it’s all speaking and telling a story. I see images and they whisper their stories to my mind, captivating my imagination and making me dream of how to make the visions come to life for readers. Music is another huge inspiration for me, and I’ve always got a soundtrack for the important stories and books that I write.

The newest of my books is a short story called PRELUDE TO ETERNITY and it came about when I was attending a convention a few years back and one of the guests, an actor friend, proposed an idea for a character he was playing. It caught my imagination and never left me, so I told him I wanted to write it. He loved the result, and here it is for you to contemplate, apart from his idea, you have a few of my own, of course, and when you read the story I hope you will think about the whole concept and find it interesting, as well.

Since our lovely hostess has been kind enough to let me take up her space at the moment, I thought I’d share both my new books with you. One is my first novel in over a year, and the second one is this short, historical tale – both are paranormal, vampire stories, and I hope they both contain a few surprises!

Thanks for stopping by and if you leave a comment, we’ll pull a name and I’ll send you a surprise package of at least two titles if you win, ok? Now, here are the two new books:

This book was released a few days ago, and it's my first full-length novel in some time. A paranormal thriller that is part historical and part modern day. The first reviewer stated: "Out of the Past is a crime-mystery, a thriller, a romance—intensely sensual, interweaving 1880's London with present day Toronto in a heady blend of carefully constructed scenes and a cast of characters that bring the story to life with an undeniable authenticity. This is a tale that will satisfy on many levels. I heartily recommend it for your 'must read' list. Well done, Denysé Bridger."

I hope you'll have a look, and enjoy it if you decide it's to your reading taste!

Thanks!!

OUT OF THE PAST

A new paranormal romance/mystery novel

Publisher: XOXO Publishing

Cover by: Kayden McLeod

BUY IT HERE:

https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=202

eBook Page count: 260 - Price: $5.95

Blurb:

A series of killings has the Toronto Police Department in turmoil. The press has labelled the killer a “werewolf” and hysteria is on the rise in the heat of the summer… Detective Damien Knightley is the lead investigator, but he’s got secrets of his own that need guarding in this very public investigation. Knightley is a vampire, and as the case gets more complex, what he discovers has him both baffled and worried.

In the Northern Ontario town of Brighton, a visionary woman finds a stranger outside her door, and because he’s near death she brings him into her home. In the wake of her kindness, dreams and visions expose things that terrify her. The stranger is a wolf, and history is about to repeat itself and explode in violent death if they can’t reach Toronto and capture a renegade on a blood-hunt.

As Damien recalls a love from a century ago, the threads of time are being pulled together, joining the past and the present. The beautiful woman he is falling in love with is bringing back memories he’d rather forget, and when the killer is finally revealed, there are more questions than answers in the identity…

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

January

The flames rose, blindingly intense, searing away the last vestiges of reality. Somewhere inside her, Shanna Blackthorne felt a scream of terror begin. Her hands moved, sluggishly, as though through mud, until they reached her face. She wanted to obliterate the inferno that raged before her, but it refused to be extinguished so easily. She gulped air into desperate, struggling lungs, but only the hot, dry fire poured into her body.

The scream escaped.

There was no one to hear it.

Pain exploded within her, but in its wake was clarity. She writhed, whimpered weakly, and shook her head in denial of what unfolded before objecting eyes...

Fog shrouded the night, curling, mist-like tentacles that floated above the street in search of human warmth. Despite the relative earliness of the hour, the normally busy roads were eerily quiet. Only the occasional burst of noise from an opening door gave evidence to the teeming life of the vast city. Outside the noisy pubs, a lone figure prowled the streets.

He watched, and waited. Patience was a familiar imposition, but it ended well, usually.

Tonight would be no different.

He picked one of the oldest dives in the vicinity, a place he knew well. He also knew most of the women who frequented the establishment. He had long ago decided he preferred the sweetness of feminine flesh to males. There was one lady in particular that he had wanted to get close to, but she had always eluded him. It was the eve of a new year tonight, and he decided it would begin with her company.

He didn't have to wait long, but she emerged from the tavern with another man in tow. Furious, he followed.

He hesitated as he watched the couple from the mouth of a darkened alley. They were less than a block from the Britannia, a public house located at the North corner of Commercial Street and Dorset Street. He'd witnessed the customary exchange of coin, and could clearly hear the sounds of the whore's business being carried out. The chill of December didn't reach him as he continued to hover, torn between his anger and the fury of his lust. He could have had his pick tonight, but he had chosen this one. She had always disappointed him, of course. The entire great city was in a drunken Holiday stupor.

The scents of sex and sweat teased his senses and he felt another, stronger pang of hunger deep within him.

He stepped into the alley and approached the couple in complete silence. She knew he was there, he realized a moment later when her liquor-brightened eyes pierced the shadows and found him in the darkness. His heartbeat quickened, he heard his own sharp intake of breath, felt the rapid pulse he'd learned to associate with fear and excitement. Her customer quickly pulled himself together and stumbled off without a backward glance. The passage of time held hunter and prey motionless, clear blue eyes locked with glassy hazel. When she held out her hand to him, he stepped toward her.

"You're not like the others, are you?" she questioned in a slurred voice.

There was still enough awareness to make him pause. He took her chin in his hand and tilted her head so he could look more closely at her. She was very young, especially for life in Whitechapel. She was not overly pretty. Before long she would be like so many of the women who populated this area, aged by the harshness of a life that meant little to any of them.

"What's your name?" He pretended not to know as he kept his tone a gentle, compassionate whisper.

"They call me Emma, my lord," she grinned, the expression exposed rotting teeth and foul breath. He might have been wrong about her age, he realized distantly. She straightened her clothes and inched closer to him. Here was a handsome young lord, and if she played this right, she might be rewarded richly for her trouble.

"Do they?" He smiled, imagined he could hear the shift of her thoughts as she contemplated her chances of successfully robbing him. Still smiling, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin. Her eyes fastened on the proffered money, greed easily read past the haze of alcohol. When she snatched the coin from his hand, he pressed her back against the cold brick of the building.

Emma's spurt of laughter was abruptly silenced when her head was yanked to one side. The snap of bones was audible, followed by a groan of pain. Then the only murmur that could be heard in the blackness was the soft maddened laughter of pleasure as his teeth tore her flesh from her bones...

"No... Dear God! Enough... please?"

Shanna wept bitterly, disoriented and horrified by the latest dream/vision. The savage inner conflagration had receded, replaced by the reality of the tiny blaze in the ancient stone fireplace that dominated her small living room. There was little comfort in the awareness that what she had seen was very old. The agony of the killer still twisted around her heart, chilled her despite the heat that emanated from the hearth. This was simply the latest in a long line of dreams that had brought unbearable terror into her life. She'd heard about the others, those that were not ancient deaths, but happening now, and with each murder came the fear that she might have stopped it. The reasonable part of her mind knew better, of course, she never saw a death before it occurred, but that did not make it easier to witness people being destroyed. She cringed, tried to escape the rest of the thought, failed. She could still feel the flesh being torn from fragile bones, muscle and sinew shredding like paper in the hands of a killer that was more monster than man.

She forced herself to her feet, and walked into the lovely, old-fashioned kitchen. As she went through the ritual of making tea, she made herself recall every detail of the murder she had been forced to witness and feel. Within the heart of the killer was a conflict as old as the latest vision itself.

Pain, coupled with deeply repressed fears. The mind of this killer was not mayhem and madness, despite the obvious appearances. She sensed agony, and loneliness, and confusion. Like an empath, she absorbed the emotions, made them part of herself, and cried softly without truly being conscious she did so. Shanna had known isolation and ridicule in her own life, knew what the scorn and contempt of others could drive someone to, if they didn't learn to draw on inner strengths.

She pulled her lacy shawl closer to her, huddled against its illusory warmth. Long waves of auburn hair fell to her waist, and she swept the heavy fall back in a gesture as natural as breathing. The whistle of the kettle drew her wandering attention back to mundane tasks, and she finished her chore automatically.

A short while later, curled before the fire once again, Shanna shivered. Her gaze flew to the door of her cottage- style home, and the sound of a low, anguished howl wrenched at her soul. Pure, raw agony flooded her body, and with it came a terror stronger than anything she had ever before known.

PRELUDE TO ETERNITY

Publisher: XOXO Publishing

Genre: Historical paranormal

Blurb:

Ever wonder why a vampire cannot walk in the light of the sun... why he was cursed to nocturnal existence.... reviled by all... a symbol of evil? I have a theory... the Prelude to Eternity....

Excerpt:

The man was dying. Alexander had a keen sense of encroaching death. He was often the cause of it. Angelo della morte – Angel of Death.

He wasn’t sure if the words inside his head were his own, or a whisper from the man who was near death before him. It was an appropriate name to give him, the most honest of the many he’d taken over the past several centuries.

A chill touched his spine.

The shadows were growing longer, yet the sun blazed infinitely brighter behind the

figure who commanded the former priest’s enraptured attention.

‘You have damned your kind to a darkness greater than any you have known before.’

Again the words whispered softly, sadly, into his barren consciousness.

As Alexander watched, the sun passed behind the prisoner. He stood, immobile, and felt the shadow of the cross settle over him. Pain, a searing, fiery force that drove him to his knees burned into his dead flesh. He was being torn apart from within, and was helpless to move. Ice flooded through him in the fire’s wake. Again, he was paralyzed by the onslaught of terror and anguish.

For endless, eternal minutes, Alexander writhed before the cross. His mind screamed in a steady litany of agonized horror and emerging understanding. The darkness grew absolute around him and his pain eclipsed all other awarenesses…

Denysé

Denysé Bridger

WEBSITE: http://www.denysebridger.com

BLOG: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com

Sensual Treats Magazine: http://www.sensualtreats.webs.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/denysebridger

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/denysebridger

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/denyse.bridger

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Romance.and.Fantasy

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003LUHE96

What is New with Ashley Marie Lucas

2011-09-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to be in a blog hop! So thank you authors doing this with me. I am of course going to give away a prize! It is going to be a choice of either Moon Light Tales here is the blurb

When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise. Phoebe’s Wolf Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend? Yarrow’s Vampire Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

or you can have Tina B Alternative Romance Vol 2

I will tell you about my story for The Love of Bryce.

Bryce is a vampire, he is being held hostage by his coven. Now he is using his power of dream walking to find his mate. But his mate is a werewolf. Since vampires and werewolves are at war can he convince his mate to save him before it is too late?

Pictures of the covers are on my side bar

here are the buy links

Moonlight Tales https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30&products_id=183&zenid=39955228282e59b0e4289c312c42c6cb

Tina B Alternative Romance Vol 2 https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=187

Now to be entered here are some questions to answer

What makes a paranormal romance memorable to you?

What do you think is over done in the paranormal world? What would you like to see more of?

M/M or M/F pairings and why?

pretty easy!!

I will draw a winner on the 19th

come enter today!

Ashley

Lisa Sanchez Romance Author blog

Interview with Author Cindy Jacks

2011-09-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

What is your newest release?

Phantom Touch coming out this October with Ellora's Cave. It's part of their Sex Bytes theme and I'm really excited about this project. I combined the Phantom of the Opera story with the current social network phenomenon. I think it comes across as a timeless yet thoroughly modern story of love, sex and romance.

How can we find it?

It's coming soon to my Ellora's Cave author page - http://www.jasminejade.com/m-683-cindy-jacks.aspx and I'll be giving sneak peeks this month on my website - http://cindyjacks.com/

What publishing houses are you with?

Ellora's Cave writing as Cindy Jacks and Cobblestone Press writing as CJ Elliott

Do you have blogs, facebook, twitter, how can we stalk you on the web?

LOL, I love web stalkers! Here are my links

http://cindyjacks.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/author.cindy.jacks/

twitter: @cindyjacks

What draws you to the genre you write?

Contemporary erotic romance is what I mainly write. I love exploring the complexity and richness of contemporary relationships. Modern women have so many choices when it comes to expressing their sexuality and I love being a part of that expression. As for paranormal erotic romance--it's just plain fun to write. I love letting my imagination run wild.

What makes a book memorable to you?

Powerful characters, real moments of vulnerability and scorching hot passion. I strive to infuse all of my work with these qualities.

What do you hope your readers get out of a Cindy Jacks book?

More than anything else, I hope to absorb the reader in the world I've created. Life is stressful and often tedious. If I can take the reader away from her everyday life, even for just a little while, I consider the book a success.

I know you write as another name why do you use another name and what is it?

CJ Elliott. I use the pseudonym to separate my paranormal work from my contemporary work. I think it helps set the expectation in the readers mind--a Cindy Jacks book has a certain flavor, a CJ Elliott book has another.

Are there any books in a series that you have written that you want to revisit in the future?

Very much so. At the beginning of my career I wrote a series I titled Point of Distraction. I loved the characters but despite the fact that it was critically acclaimed, it didn't sell well. I'd like to revise the series and make it more appealing to readers. I know if people gave Ana and her friends a chance, they'll fall in love with them just like I did.

What makes a good hero? And what makes a heroine memorable?

For me, a hero has to be strong, smart with a touch of vulnerability. There's nothing sexier than getting an alpha male to show you his soft underbelly. As for heroines, they have to be equally strong as the hero. I've never been one to write passive, docile female characters. I think readers will find my heroines are just as bold as my heroes, butt definitely still feminine.

If someone is new to reading you what book should they start with? I'd recommend LANDLOCKED. It's my favorite book to date and there's a lot of romantic development before the characters give in to their desires. I love creating that kind of sexual tension.

Are you going to any reader events for the readers to meet you?

I'll be attending Romanticon Sept 29th - Oct 2nd in Akron, OH. It's my first conference so I'm excited and nervous. I can't wait to meet readers and other authors in the flesh.

People think that writers have such glamorous lives what is the most unglamorous thing you have done late?

LOL, oh gosh, so many to choose from. Part of my process is to let ideas stew which means I spend as much time working on a book away from my laptop as I do typing away. The best activities to get my creative juices flowing are mundane cleaning projects (mostly because once I start cleaning I immediately want to STOP!) So yesterday I spent the whole day hunting down dust bunnies while ruminating about a plot line. Ick!

Who would be a dream collaborator for you?

I would love to write a book with Denyse Bridger (hint, hint, Denyse!). She and I are great friends and she's an amazing writer.

What would you say to any aspiring author about how to be a writer?

As cliche as the advice is, I would tell anyone who wants to be an author to write and read everyday. The more you write, the more skills you'll develop. The more you read, the more you can learn from other writers. Personally I do both every day. At least *most* days :) My final bit of advice would be to stick with it. A lot of this industry is perseverance. Believe me, every published author has had his/her fair share of rejection. Take rejection as a learning opportunity instead of a failure. Easier said than done, I know ;)

What would you like to tell the readers about you?

I LOVE reader feedback. So much of writing is done alone--it's not like acting in a play or singing on stage where you get immediate audience feedback. I love when readers take the time to contact me--even if it's to say they didn't get what I was trying to do though it's wonderful to hear that my book has made a positive impact--readers are essential to what I do. Without them, I'd have no one to tell my stories to.

What would you like to ask the readers?

Well, I'd like to pose the same question to the readers that you asked me earlier: what are the books that leave a lasting impression and why? I'd love to hear the titles that have stuck with them long after they finished reading.

CONTEST: An signed copy of Pirate's Passion which includes my novella LANDLOCKED

so post a comment and win a book!! Will draw the winner Tuesday to give everyone time to submit.

LS Beck Interview

2011-09-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

What is your newest release?

Evernight is actually my first piece released. I am working on a manuscript or two right now to send in soon hopefully.

How can we find it?

You can find the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and on the XOXO Publishing website itself. The release date of Evernight is the 15th of September.

What publishing houses are you with?

I am with XOXO Publishing. No others as of yet.

Do you have blogs, facebook, twitter, how can we stalk you on the web?

*laughs* I do have a Facebook page, LS Beck... and http://lsbeck.blogspot.com. Not on Twitter yet but I am sure I will be eventually

What draws you to the genre you write?

I have always let my mind live in a world of fantasy. It was an escape, a way to be exactly what and who I wanted to be. The genre of exotic fantasy romance is so full of life, almost tangible to me. I seem to love creating the vivid imagery that breathes vitality into my characters.

What makes a book memorable to you?

When it makes me feel that the possibility is there that it could actually be the way the author portrays it, when I look at my world differently and say... just maybe... and I can usually tell if the author loves what they are writing about, and if they take pride in their work.

What do you hope your readers get out of a L.S. Beck book?

I want my readers to not be able to lay the book down until they have finished it, and then want to read it again. To anticipate the next release, to actually be a part of it, to fit themselves into the story like they are one of the characters. There is not a person on this planet that has not felt at least alittle of what I write about, so they can relate in some way.

Are you working on just individual works or will you be writing a series eventually?

Well, my manuscript that is in the works right now I hope to make into a series. I have plenty of material swimming around in this mind of mine *smiles*

What makes a good hero? And what makes a heroine memorable?

hmmm... well, to me a good hero is grown, not made. He evolves into who he needs to be. They don't always start out that way. But the quality is already there. As for a memorable heroine? The strength she has, and I am not just talking about the physical. True strength comes from within... I know that may sound corny but thats how I see them.

Are you going to any reader events for the readers to meet you?

Nothing has been set up as of yet, but if any are in the near future, I will be posting it on my blog, so keep an eye out.

People think that writers have such glamorous lives what is the most unglamorous thing you have done lately?

You mean besides my complete existence? My life in general is not glamorous but the most unglamorous thing lately for me would have to be cutting coupons off cereal boxes to get my favorite ice cream for free... I smiled all the while I ate it, things always taste better when they're free *laughs*

Who would be a dream collaborator for you?

I have always loved Dean Koontz... his work enthralls me. He knows just how to capture and hold your interest.

What would you say to any aspiring author about how to be a writer?

Well, I was that aspiring writer not that long ago, so I would definitely say have the courage to take the step and send your work to a couple publishers, or enter a few writing contests. It just takes once to get your foot in the door.

What would you like to tell the readers about you?

Wow... talking about me is not easy, but I'll give it a shot. I live my life to the fullest as I have come too close to not having another chance at it to waste a single day. I will never act my age, no matter how old I get. My son is my soul purpose for existing so his needs come first. But I always try to be just me for a little time each day. So I don't forget I am an individual.

What would you like to ask the readers?

I would love to ask the readers of my work, why they chose to read it, and if they would continue to read as long as i was true to myself.

ok heres the links for some promo stuff too

http://www.allisoncassatta.com/images/Evernight2.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpeWw6DifMo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LS-Beck/244355582269128

http://lsbeck.blogspot.com/

XoXo Publishing Summer End Sale buy three get two FREE!!!

2011-08-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

XoXo Publishing Summer End Sale buy three get two FREE!!!

by XoXo Publishing on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 11:29am

Buy three ebook at regular price and the the third ebook FREE!

But wait there is more get the fourth ebook FREE!

How buy three of our ebooks below, send us your sales receipt and we will
send you your Two ebooks FREE!
tina@xoxopublishing.com

Tina B's Alternative Vol. 2. Romance Anthology

Tina B's Alternative Vol. 2. Anthology (18+ Section)
by Allison Cassatta,Cyril J. Michael,Michael Mandrake and Ashley Marie Lucas

What do a vampire, a masseuse a baseball player and a werewolf all have in common? Four talented authors tell you, in this second Gblt anthology!~

A super hot late summer read! Featuring 4 top best selling XoXo Publishing Authors you can't go wrong with Tina B's Vol. 2 Gblt Anthology.
Brianna Martini

Tina B's Alternative Vol. 2. Romance
$2.99

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

The Crazy Nurse

The Crazy Nurse (18+ Section)
Kathleen S. Allen

Molly, a new nurse on the psychiatric unit, falls in love with her manager John Whitefeather. His heart has been broken and he resists his attraction to her...at first. Afraid of getting hurt again after letting his guard down John leaves without a word. Molly quits her job and moves to San Francisco to take care of her brother who has AIDS. When they unexpectantly run in to each other again can they make their relationship work or is it too late for them?

Expect the unexpected! Once you start reading The Crazy Nurse you won't to put it down!
Brianna Martini

$3.49

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Moonlight Tales

Moonlight Tales (18+ Section)
Venus Cahill
Ashley Marie Lucas

When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise. Phoebe’s Wolf Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend? Yarrow’s Vampire Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

When Venus and Tina get together the whole room gets HOT with their exclusive duet Moonlight Tales! This novella will with out a doubt keep the reader hot and bothered.
The ultimatum ooooooooooooooooooo will get you with Moonlight Tales. Brianna Martini

$2.99

Moonlight Tales

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

A Second Chance

A Second Chance (18+ Section)
Michele Mandrake

Two cops who’ve lost their partners in the line of duty and life are both lonely but hesitant about beginning a relationship with someone new.
Will one of them accept the others proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

A Second Chance, we all want one don't we? Imagine getting that chance find out what happens, why and how it ends?
I loved reading A Second Chance, Michael delivers an intense summer read.
Brianna Martini

$1.50

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Divining Avon

Divining Avon
Elizabeth Lynn
(General Adult)

The residents of the sleepy town of Avon, Ontario go about the business of their daily lives and then a stranger moves into the Strauss farmhouse. It is inherited by Wanda whose occupation as a psychic is as intriguing as she is to the town’s residents. Several people pay for readings and it sets off a chain of events that result in life changing decisions. A middle aged couple’s marriage is put to the test as well as is a long term friendship. Two best friends face decisions about their current lifestyles and a large family looks for a way to escape their financial woes. The largest employer in town is affected by the readings of others close to him. With a mixture of humour and drama the stories all intermingle resulting in surprising results. Can one’s future be predicted or does the prediction influence one’s future?

Once in awhile I like to read a good Canadian content book and this is it, Divining Avon.
Diving Avon has a mix of comedy and drama just what I like to read! Hopefully this new book will hit the XoXo Publishing best seller list!
Brianna Martini

$3.49

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Stealth Leftovers

Stealth Leftovers (cookbook, non fiction, general adult section)
Cynthia MacGregor

LAMB RISOTTO
Mmmm, my mouth watered when I taste-tested this one…and I had to go back for seconds. Unlike some risottos, it doesn’t demand constant stirring, but you do want to stir it frequently.

3 cups cooked lamb, cut bite-sized
2 tablespoons oil (preferably olive oil)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 cup uncooked rice
4 cups chicken stock/broth or vegetable stock
2 tomatoes, cubed
1/4 cup dill
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over moderate heat, heat the oil and then add the onions, sautéing them until they’re transparent. Add the rice, stirring to be sure all the grains are well coated with the oil. Cook till the rice is translucent—2 or 3 minutes.
Now begin adding the stock to the saucepan, a half-cup at a time. Reduce the heat if needed—you want the stock to simmer. Each time you add stock, allow it to be absorbed by the rice before adding more stock to the saucepan. Stir frequently as it cooks.
When you add the last half-cup of stock, add the rosemary, dill, tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and lamb as well. When the last of the stock has been absorbed (but the rice is still moist), add the cheese and stir well one last time. Serve with a salad or a vegetable—asparagus goes particularly nicely; another good choice would be spinach. Serves 5.

You can't go wrong with one of Cynthia's cookbook! Healthy, delicious recipes, tips and personal quotes. Just like the Firehouse Diet Cookbook this cookbook is jammed pack with great recipes.
Brianna Martini

#3.95

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Gift

Gift
Duane Vorhees

A collection of poetry by Duane you will enjoy reading. A keepsake!

$1.99

http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Just Be Yourself

Just Be Yourself (Non fiction, Self Help, How to, Women)
Cynthia MacGregor

Many women's magazines sell copies by the carload with cover lines promising to tell their readers what they need to do in order to catch and hold a man. Plenty of books, too, offer advice on how to attract and catch a guy. The problem is that the overwhelming majority of these books and articles tell you to change something (or plural things) about yourself; the real you isn't good enough, they seem to be saying.
They want to make you over into someone else, but they're advocating making yourself over into someone you're not. The problem? If you do catch the attention of that special guy, how will you know it's really you he likes or loves.and not just the woman you're pretending to be? Just Be Yourself advocates doing exactly what its title says, gives you good reasons for that advice, and helps you to find and present the authentic you, so you can be confident in who you are and in your special guy's attraction to the real you.

EXCERPT: If, after trying, you find you don't like fishing, biking, Western dancing, skeet shooting, bird-watching, or attending every Packers game no matter how cold the temperature, say so. It isn't absolutely essential that a man's and woman's every interest dovetail. You want to have some interests in common, but you don't have to be each other's mirror image.

Maybe he'll play golf on Sunday mornings while you sleep late or go to church or visit your mom or play volleyball or go to the gym or just enjoy a quiet Sunday morning with the newspaper; then he'll show up with a box of donuts or a bag of bagels and spend the rest of the day with you. It's healthy for a couple to have some separate interests and to enjoy a little time on their own, separately. Too, it gives you more to talk about when you're back spending time together.

$1.99

https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online

Please do check out our three divisions http://www.xoxopublishing.com

Join our Facebook page and we'll keep you posted with new releases, virtual/book signing tours,
contest and more. http://www.facebook.com/pages/XoXo-Publishing/258678558724

Would you believe I am actually blogging today!

2011-08-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Okay I have two new releases to tell you all about.

One is Moonlight Tales

here is the description

When the bodies of beautiful blond women start showing up in Silver Wolf territory Alpha Jason Likos contacts the Blue Moon pack to help him solve the murders. Detective Phoebe Azure and pack Beta Alex Yarrow are sent to help solve the crimes but as soon as they arrive in town they are get a very unwelcome surprise. Phoebe’s Wolf Used to relying on her detective skills and her were abilities Phoebe Azure is beyond frustrated to find herself in serious trouble. The only man who can rescue her is Silver Wolf Alpha Jason Likos but can he save her in time to catch a murderer and find Phoebe’s missing friend? Yarrow’s Vampire Honoria, ruthless mistress to the Haven Coven is used to defending herself from those who wish to over throw her and gain control but she has never had to defend her heart before. Can a strong man of action like Beta Alex Yarrow be content to let his woman fight her own battles?

Buy Link

https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=183&adultshowcat=0&adultshowcat_randhash=7d2cec6697e90ca6b0fbcafa0f13cd96

This one is a M/F romance

The Next Release I have to Chat about is

Tina B Anthology Vol 2

I have a story in it called For the Love of Bryce. Sam is a werewolf, he keeps having dreams about a sexy man, only to find out this man is a vampire who is being held captive. Sam has to save his love before it is too late

here is the product description of the book

What do a vampire, a masseuse a baseball player and a werewolf all have in common? Four talented authors tell you, in this second gblt anthology!

here is the buy link

https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=187&adultshowcat=0&adultshowcat_randhash=7d2cec6697e90ca6b0fbcafa0f13cd96

and if you look on the side bar you will see the pictures!

Have a couple more MM projects in the works will let you know more about them as they progress!

Ashley

Halloween Submission Call

2011-07-29T20:06:00.001-07:00

Halloween submission Calls

Trick Anthology (sexy) can be ménage GLBT or MF in nature

Treat mf in nature only (P.G.) anthology

We are seeking stories for these two anthologies, with beautiful ghouls, slithering zombies, and alluring aliens. If it goes bump in the night we want it.

Six to eight thousand words, safe sex must be addressed if multiple partners.

One submission per author per category please.

Manuscripts must be doc or rtf only. 12 pt times Times New Roman 1” margins all around, no indentations. (Indent paragraphs with tab).

We will NOT accept cruelty, abnormal acts, pedophiles necrophilia bestiality or golden showers. Skat or other standard industry no no’s please leave out.

Contact Penny@xoxopublishing.com In the subject line Halloween anthology, please state if you are pitching for the trick or treat anthology.

Deadline is September 15 2011

CONTEST!!!!!

2011-07-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the “Vampire Kisses - Foxworth Coven” necklace contest. You can find the full details on Wiccan Wear Jewelry’s website:

http://www.wiccanwearjewelry.com/contest.html

"Vampire Kisses - Foxworth Coven" is composed of blue beach glass and black faceted hand-cut Czech crystal. It has Victorian styled filigree spacers and cross that have been artificially blackened with age. The lobster claw and chain are made to adjust in length. Burgundy freshwater pearl droplets on an aged chain complete the piece, a symbolic impression of a vampire’s kiss.

To enter the contest, answer the following to questions, by going to Wiccan Wear Jewelry and Kayden McLeod’s website to locate the answers. Once you’ve found them, e-mail them to:

foxworthnecklace@gmail.com

In your entry, please include your full name and e-mail address, so we may inform the winner after the drawing, and obtain shipping information.

Contest Drawing Date: August 13^th 2011

Question One

Answer found on Wiccan Wear Jewelry’s website: http://www.wiccanwearjewelry.com/

On WWJ’s website find the piece named Necklace of the Dreamer, and tell us what the past wearers of this necklace series have commented on.

Question Two

Answer found on Kayden McLeod’s website: http://www.kaydenmcleod.com/

How long has the Foxworth Coven resided in British Columbia, Canada?

Cynthia MacGregor - How to Write

2011-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

THE EXCITEMENT NEVER DIES

by Cynthia MacGregor

I remember when I sold my first book. I had been writing since half-past forever but had stuck to the short form and not essayed writing a book for a variety of reasons. Lack of patience for such a long project was one of those reasons. Another was lack of faith in myself, or maybe it was knowledge of the whims and vagaries of the publishing world. Whatever the cause, I knew that writing a book was no guarantee of getting it published. And so I stuck to articles and such, till one day I had an idea for a book so compelling that I had to write it. (It was nonfiction—that’s what I mostly write—and it was a book I felt was really needed.)

I was sitting at my desk when the call came in. “This is Hillary Cige of Berkley Publishing. Is your book still available? We’d like to make an offer on it.”

I sprang from my chair as if the seat were spring-loaded and began jumping up and down in place. Have you ever tried to keep your voice calm and businesslike and professional while you are jumping up and down beside your chair, and your heart is racing a mile a minute because your book is going to be published?

I tried to project an unflappable demeanor as I asked about percentages, advance, pub date, and all the other things I felt an experienced writer would know enough to inquire about. And still I was bouncing up into the air and down again.

When I sold my second book, I didn’t jump up and down, but I did squirm in my seat and grin a lot.

The truth is, the excitement never dies. It tamps down, but it doesn’t go away. It was in 1992 that I got that phone call, and the book, my first, was published in 1993. Since then, I’ve had 54 books published conventionally (that is, in print, as physical books), and another over-50 as ebooks. I still get excited when an editor lets me know she (or he—though most of my editors over the years have been women) wants to buy one of my books. I no longer jump up and down, but my heart beats faster, my face breaks into a grin, my eyes go wide, and a surge of joy and excitement sweeps through me.

Blasé? Not me! But then, in a sense, I never grew up. I never taught myself to restrain my childlike enthusiasm. And why should I? It’s fun being able to go through life with enthusiasm and excitement. I like the feeling of being thrilled by a sale to a publisher—or by a strong royalty statement, or a complimentary letter from someone who bought one of my books and particularly enjoyed or appreciated it. Why shouldn’t I get excited over these things?! The day I take them for granted, I might as well be dead.

The same way a good sales rep enjoys the thrill of making a sale, so do I. I look forward to the next book I’m going to write…and to placing it with an editor and signing the contract. I look forward to seeing it in print (or in electrons). I look forward to seeing the sales figures and the royalty statements. And I look forward to writing the next one, and the next one, and the next one.

I’m still in touch with my inner child, and my inner child still jumps up and down at a sale, even if I don’t do it literally anymore. But, nonetheless, the excitement never dies.

~ ~ ~

Cynthia MacGregor is the author of 54 conventionally published books and over 50 e-books. She has taught writing classes for both kids and adults and enjoys helping fellow writers, especially newbies who come to her for advice and help. Among her recently published e-books are The Writer’s Guide to Paying e-Markets, The Writer’s Answer Book, and You Can’t Learn to Write Just by Reading, all of which are available through XoXo Publishing at http://tinyurl.com/5uvkeu7.

Would you like to be a published author?

2011-07-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, here’s a chance! I’m putting together my first anthology! XoXo publishing has agreed to release “Evernight: Romance in a World of Darkness” and I want you to be a part of it! “Evernight” will be a paranormal romance anthology about the things that go bump in the night struggling to find their happily ever after.

Relationships must be heterosexual in nature. Though bi-sexuality is allowed, the HEA couple must be hetero. There must be safe sex practice. This is going to be an erotic anthology with a dark/gothic them. The main character/characters must go through some tragedy or strife, must overcome something in order for them to have their HEA. Submissions should be no longer than 6k words and must be no shorter than 4,500 words.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, August 1^st. Please send submissions to allisoncassatta@gmail.com. Once I receive your submission, you will get a verification email. If your submission is approved, you will get an acceptance email from me and the standard legal emails from a representative of XoXo Publishing.

Here is the draft introduction:

As children, we feared the boogeyman. Our parents comforted us when the monster under the bed or in the dark depths of our slightly opened closet threatened our safety. We cried when those evil creatures invaded our nightmares and stole us from peaceful sleep, but what if those monsters truly existed? What if they lived in a world not unlike our own, where all they wanted was the same basic needs that every human being spends their lives searching for? What if the things that go bump in the night only wanted to be loved?

In the following stories, you will read about vampires and werewolves and demons and monsters of all kinds overcoming some of the most difficult hurdles simply to find their one true love, to find their happiness. You’ll read of heated, salacious trysts beneath the moonlight and of lovers doomed before they even have a chance to find the one person who completes their soul.

Join us as we wander through a dark world where nothing is what it seems, where rainbows after a storm are a rare miracle, where the boogeyman captures your heart and fulfills your sweetest dreams.

Debra Jayne East author interview

2011-07-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

What is your newest release?

My newest release is Radiance...Love after Death. I did extensive research on people who had near death experiences. I wondered what if you fell in love during the moments of time you passed from life to death? The results are a love story that's very unusual yet romantic.

What inspired this release?

It all started with me finding a crooked heart-shaped stone. I was depressed and going through a divorce. I wasn't suicidal, but I didn't want to live. One evening I had taken my children over to stay with their older sister. For some odd reason, I reached down into the grass after I got out of the car. I couldn't see anything; it was like I was drawn to that spot. My fingers pulled out a quartz stone shaped like a tiny irregular heart. It was imperfect and had a crack half way through the middle. A clear voice spoke inside my mind. "Even though your heart is broken, it’s still a heart... you can still love again." At that moment I knew it was no accident I found that stone there. It saved my life and had the power to change how I thought about love! This message is meant for us all. My love story is woven around the event of finding that stone. The message of the stone is all about new beginnings. I had Sandra Pendragon design a pendant made from rose quartz to celebrate the release of my book. The result is The Heart-Stone pendant. As you can see by the picture it's beautiful!

Her web site is on my blogs listed below.

What is the buy link?

It's being released by XOXO Publishing at

http://t.co5HYNxWD and also on Amazon Kindle.

Does where you live influence your writing?

I would say so. I enjoy writing about places that I have actually been. My novel is set in Eden, North Carolina and ends up in Lily Dale, New York. I find that people love quirky funny characters and laid back attitudes. You can rest assured I have met all kinds around my neck of the woods!

What genre do you write in? What genre would you like to explore in the future?

I write paranormal romance but I also love bump in the night books. I'm going to try my hand at science fiction. I'm working on a novel now called, "Snipe Hunt." It's about urban legend gone wrong in a way that makes the hair stand up on your head! Stephen King move over!

What makes a good book for you?

It has to be unpredictable. If I have figured out the plot by the end of the second chapter, I lose interest.

What books do you have on your keeper shelf?

I have a book by Richard Paul called "The Christmas Box," and several Barbara Cartland books in her series of romance novels.

If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things would you want with you and why?

I would want a Bible because it is a roadmap for life; I would want Sobe Lifewater {Strawberry Kiwi} because it is my favorite drink EVER and last but not least, a camera to capture all the beautiful sunsets.

What would you like to ask the readers?

Do you like detailed descriptions of the main characters or do you like a little left up to the imagination?

Thanks Ashley, I've enjoyed this! Debra Jayne East

Where to reach me on the web:

http://twitter.com/juliet2cool4u

http://debrajayneeast.blogspot.com

http://yearoftheangel.blogspot.com

http://xoxopublishing.com

heart-stone@live.com

This is my first author interview!!! comment below!

Ashley

Release day!!!!

2011-06-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

My first release! come see it you will love all the stories in this anthology.

Ashley

Tomorrow is release day!!

2011-06-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to start the count down to my first release! I will be in the Tina B Anthology Vol 1 released by XoXo Publishing tomorrow!! Look for the cover coming soon!

I will be doing the happy dance waiting

Ashley