Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Beyond Earth by Stephanie Morris, Lola Blix, Celia Breslin, Leslie Chase, Candice Gilmer, Alina Riley, Robin O’Connor, Sky Robert


Author Interview with Celia Breslin

- Are you currently binge watching anything on Netflix, Hulu (or elsewhere)? 

We just finished re-binging Supernatural. That was fun. I need a new one to binge now!

- Do you prefer movies or TV series?

No preference, but I do watch more TV series than movies.

- When it comes to reading do you prefer standalones or series?

Series, although I do also read standalones.

- Do you prefer to start a new book series when the first book is released, or do you wait for several books in the series to be released so you can binge read?

No preference, although it’s fun to binge-read when I discover a new-to-me series that has been out a while.

- What are some of your hobbies, interests or guilty pleasures?

I like walking around my city. San Francisco is so pretty. My family and I also like to game and attend concerts.

- What's your guilty “nerd” pleasure? 

Everything in the Marvel Universe. And most definitely Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (comic series and the movie).

- Have you ever peeked at the ending of a book?

Nope. Never. No spoilers!



Beyond Earth
Stephanie Morris, Lola Blix, Celia Breslin, Leslie Chase, Candice Gilmer, Alina Riley, Robin O’Connor, Sky Robert

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher:  Carnal Imprint
Date of Publication: December 10, 2024

Tagline: Discover passion among the stars…

Blast off to the future with this limited-edition collection of sizzling, science fiction romance stories!

Book Description:

Otherworldly seduction and intergalactic adventures await you in these high-heat, open-door tales from a diverse group of authors. Meet alien gladiators, cyborgs, AI lifeforms, psychic aliens, interstellar royalty, psy-changelings, fearless humans, and more. Visit alien worlds, travel on high-tech vessels, and immerse yourself in red-hot seduction blazing brighter than any quasar.
 
The Beyond Earth anthology is a pulse-pounding, toe-curling journey into the cosmos. If you enjoy out-of-this-world romance with guaranteed happily ever afters, lovers from different worlds, fated mates, enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine, rescue romance, and more, then you’ll love this treasure trove of spicy, steamy, futuristic stories.
 
Order your copy of Beyond Earth to begin your passion-filled voyage into the galaxy today!

Amazon      Apple      Kobo     BN      Google


Excerpt from “Claiming Kaden” by Celia Breslin

The station’s vid screen flared to life, blocking her view. A handsome and angry male face filled the space. The brightest amber eyes she’d ever seen glared at her.

“Stop shooting,” the man growled.

The face disappeared.

“Who the hell was that, Athena?” A Zyphorran? She ignored the gorgeous stranger and kept firing at the battleship.

The face reappeared. Dark brows furrowed over his blazing whiskey eyes. “Desist, woman!”

“Desist this, you jerk!” She shot at the enemy. Continued to miss. “Ugh!”

She didn’t care how handsome he seemed, with his pale, silvery blue skin and spiky dark hair, and those glowing eyes which looked like they could melt a girl’s panties.

No one told her what to do, and no one would force her into servitude.

Never again.

The green vessel took out two enemy ships before it planted itself in front of Calie’s station.

Angry Guy’s face filled her screen. “I’m trying to help you. Stop firing!”

Oh… Cranky Guy was the pilot of the green ship. Possibly a good guy? Calie lifted her hands away from the controls.

As she watched, he took out every single destroyer then turned his attention to the warship.

“Shield at eight point seven percent,” Athena announced. “Hm…”

“What do you mean, hm? Should we head for an escape pod?”

“This is most intriguing. And disconcerting,” Athena murmured, not answering her escape question.

“What, that guy’s amazing battle prowess?”

“No. He infiltrated and took over my communication system to speak with you.”

Okay, now Calie was doubly impressed with good-looking Mister Frowny, because Athena was a powerful genius. No one bested her.

Calie plastered her palms on the controls. “Let’s help him kick that warship’s ass.”

“Don’t you dare,” their unknown ally barked, audio only.

“Are you eavesdropping on us? Rude!”

“The unknown male is attempting to take control of all station systems, Calie.”

“Cut it out, whoever you are,” Calie warned him. She aimed one of the station laser cannons at his ship.

“Who I am? I’m the male who’s going to disable and commandeer the warship, then eliminate everyone on board it while you sit on your pretty ass and stay out of my way.”

He thinks I’m pretty? She shook off the frisson skating down her spine. “Screw you. I’m blowing up that warship. Athena, take it out.”


About the Author:

Celia Breslin lives in California with her husband, daughter, and three feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, the Fae, and cyborgs. When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to fantasy TV shows and movies.














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Monday, December 16, 2024

WILD by Adrienne Wilder - Deck the Halls with Books Holiday Extravaganza



August and Keegan have been naughty and nice. 

Here is their Christmas list for Santa. 

• Ammo
• Bag of M&Ms
• New pair of long Johns(cause Daisy chewed up his other pair)
• Pair of snow shoes
• Hunting knife
• Satellite phone
• Edible underwear (because August thinks it would be funny)
• Angora luxury brand sweater (cause August thinks Keegan would look sexy and it would be red to match the edible underwear)
• antibiotics
• First-aid supplies


WILD
Adrienne Wilder

Genre: gay romantic suspense
Date of Publication:  September 1, 2017
ASIN:  B07518D2PZ
Number of pages:  341
Cover Artist: Adrienne Wilder

Tagline: Survival story of passion and love

Book Description: 

August Vallory had it all. A modeling career, a man he loved, and the extended family he’d acquired in the business. Then the world he knew was torn away when the plane he was on crashed en route to a photo shoot.

Lost in the Alaskan wilderness, August doesn’t stand a chance.

No sane man would choose to live in the Alaskan bush unless he had something to hide. And Keegan Brooks has secrets darker than night, more dangerous than wolves, more brutal than an Alaskan winter.

Every day was a fight for his life until he stumbled upon a downed plane with a lone survivor. Now it’s no longer just Keegan’s life teetering on the edge of survival.

It’s his heart.


And be sure to check out the Christmas novella follow-up with the Wild characters- 

The eyes watching August from the tree line were not blue. They weren’t even human.

They belonged to a brown-furred monster, with long black claws.

Snow crunched, and piles were ejected from under the stretcher with the forward movement. Night had already fallen under the trees, creating shadows that swallowed the bear as it moved. There were times it disappeared so long August thought he’d imagined it. Then the golden highlights in the animal’s fur would snap it out of the dark.

“Keegan.”  

The stretcher bumped a rock and August was jostled hard enough to move his leg. He clenched his jaw. Sweat stung his eyes, and nausea welled in his stomach. It withdrew, and the bear picked up its pace.

Wind tossed up particles of ice. August coughed, trying to clear his throat but it was too dry. “Keegan.”

Could the man hear him? His heavy breaths were more labored than August remembered. How long had he been asleep? How long had the bear been following them?

And if he yelled, would it charge?

August had to take the chance. He put more force behind the man’s name, and everything came to a stop. The ice had made chunks in Keegan’s beard and clung to the fur covering his hands. More had packed the folds of his pants. The edge of his boots was swallowed by what covered the ground.

“You okay?”

The bear froze, its body a mass merging into the thick trees. Was it gone? Dark eyes glittered. Then slowly, as August’s eyes adjusted, the outline of the beast reformed. It had crouched down, body tense. A loaded spring.

“Bear.” The word wasn’t much more than an exhale.

The Keegan made a slow turn and at the same time dropped the rucksacks he carried. By the time he had his back to August, the rifle was in his hands.

“Two o’clock,” August said. Keegan took a step, blocking August’s view. Then another, clearing the way. Shadows pooled in the empty space around the tree trunks. Keegan scanned, turning his whole body, rifle raised. When he’d made a full circle, he put down the gun.

“It was there,” August said.

Keegan knelt and loaded the satchels he’d been carrying onto the stretcher.

“It was there. I saw it.”

“I believe you.” He tightened everything down.

“I swear, I swear, it was that fucking grizzly.”

Keegan put a hand on August’s shoulder. “I said, I believe you.” As Keegan stood, a massive brown shape rose up behind him. The scream got caught in August’s throat, but it was too late. One huge paw came down, catching Keegan in the side, sending him airborne. There was a clatter of metal and wood and Keegan rolled out of sight. The bear raised its head and the air shook with its voice.





About the Author:
 
Adrienne Wilder (trans-male – he/him) is an author of gay contemporary and speculative fiction and an artist of all things monster. He was born and bred in GA and moved to NC in 2013 where he lives with his partner, multiple dogs (one has atomic farts), cats (one of those also atomic farts), and lots of corals (although not known, statistics suggest that at least one of them probably—you guessed it—atomic farts) 

He lives to create new worlds and the people in them. Several of his books have been best sellers both nationally and internationally.

He writes original stories with powerful characters and emotion as well as a fast-paced plot. His goal isn't just to deliver a good story but to take the reader into the story and let them experience the characters as if they are right there with them.

 While his books have a strong romantic element, some are not traditional romances. In fact, he'd like to think there is nothing traditional about them. And the stories he paints are done outside the lines of traditional genres.

 One of his favorite things is to push the boundaries of what makes a story by delivering the unexpected and maybe even changing the perspective of the reader. His characters are more often than not beautifully flawed; they're not always the good guy, and make mistakes. Their stories will take dark turns which, in the end, make the light at the end of the tunnel all the brighter. 

 If you're looking for something different, exciting, and unique, his books are for you.

He has recently been creating a lot of artwork for his stories. You can see SFW ones on his Instagram and NSFW ones on his Patreon. He is creating a Nox graphic novel available for patrons only right now.

Check out Adrienne’s website for updates and how to contact him. His Facebook group is the best place to talk with him and get info. Join his newsletter to see some content early.







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Friday, December 13, 2024

The Devil I Love by Kay Freeman- Deck the Halls with Books Holiday Extravaganza



THE DEVIL’S HOLIDAY CUPCAKES

DEVIL’S FOOD WITH BUTTERCREAM ICING and PEPPERMINT SPRINKLES


 

Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS FOR CUPCAKES

½ cp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ light brown sugar
1 tsp instant coffee
1 cp hot water
1 stick unsalted butter
¾ cp sugar
1 ½ cps flour (or gluten free flour)
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs (room temperature if possible) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2. In mixing bowl whisk cocoa powder, coffee, brown sugar, hot water and set aside
3. In another bowl,  mix flour, baking powder and baking soda and set aside.
4. In mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar together, beating well until well mixed. Add the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time with the flour mixture in between the eggs. Then the cocoa mixture, alternating between eggs, flour and cocoa mixtures, beating gently until the entire mixture is combined. Do not overbeat batter.
5. Divide the batter evenly into 12 cupcakes (lined) and bake for 20-25 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
6. Cool before frosting.


INGREDIENTS FOR ICING:

½ cp unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cps confectioner sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tb milk or dairy free milk of your choice
A handful of peppermint candies or one or two candy canes

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream butter in stand mixer until smooth
2. Gradually add in sugar until mixed in
3. Add vanilla and mix
4. Add milk and beat 3 to 5 minutes until it looks awesome
5. Frost the remaining cupcakes that thieves didn’t take
6. Take the peppermint candies or candy canes and using a grinder or mallet, crush them into pieces and sprinkle the pieces on top of your cupcakes
7. Enjoy!


The Devil I Love
The Devil Chronicles
Book Two 
Kay Freeman

Genre:  Contemporary Gothic Romance
Publisher: Kay Freeman
Date of Publication:  02/10/2024
ISBN: 979-8-9853618-4-1 
ASIN:  B0CQ4KH1K9
Number of pages:  247
Word Count: 68,180
Cover Artist: Consuela Parra

Tagline:  She was supposed to be my wife, not my rival’s slave.

Book Description: 

I promised to go legit. The truth—I can’t. It’s who I am. 

When I break the news, River returns my ring and relocates like I knew she would. I don’t tell her the rest. My only hope, he sees the engagement is off and decides our deal is too and leaves her alone. 

If he doesn’t and takes her, she’ll become his and I'll never escape the hell I've created.

Amazon     BN     Apple     Kobo     Smashwords


Excerpt

"We need to postpone the marriage." My words echo through the cavernous space, sounding harsher than I intended. The yellow flames from the candles reflect in River's eyes and a tear slides down her cheek. It's like when you're passing a car wreck; I don't want to look, but I can't stop myself. My bedroom is the quietest room in The Palace, which is the reason I brought River here. Everywhere else in the house is frenzied and boisterous with my employees getting ready for work. They live here with me and that's the way it's always been, and it seems it's going to remain that way.

River's shoulders slump. "I can't believe you're doing this, Cruz." She collapses onto my throne, carved from ebony. I purchased the piece at auction. It was a steal. In the past you had to come from royalty to sit on one or kill someone who did. Most people today don't feel comfortable sitting on one unless it’s in jest. You need a large ego to do it, which suits me fine. No one sits on it but me. River realizes she's made a mistake and gets up quickly. Her face crumples. "Why must we?"

"I thought I could, but I can't. I've lived in The Palace since I was twelve and—"

River staggers toward me. "You promised. You said we'd be a family. You're going back on your word." Her forehead wrinkles.

"I can't give up a business I'm good at it. I've done it a long time and—"

"You have Monsters now. It's a nightclub, and it's legal, not against the law like…" But she holds the rest of her words, while holding her hands at the same time. She doesn't call it a whorehouse, a brothel, or any of the other nasty names people use to describe what I do.

"Be realistic, River. Monsters doesn't come close to earning enough money. It’s just another Chicago nightclub. I make ten times the amount in receivables in a single day with The Palace. I'm sorry, River, but I can't give it up, or any of the others…yet. I've got too much overhead."

"But maybe someone else can run it and—"

"I can't; no one else can manage the women."

"When will you be ready to marry and give up the brothel?" River twists her engagement ring. The smell of burning sage is the only thing keeping me strong. I want to take back my words before I say them. Do anything to stop what's coming. But it has to be done. I need to make her go. I'd said several chants to build my strength earlier, but it won't protect us from what will happen when I say these next three words.


About the Author:

Kay Freeman spent the early part of her career as a professional artist. She's shown her work throughout the United States under her professional name, Kay A. Klotzbach. She was awarded two Geraldine Dodge fellowships for her paintings from the state of New Jersey. Kay was a full-time art professor in South Jersey for over twenty-three years and was granted a Princeton mid-career fellowship for her teaching and her community-based learning projects from Princeton University.

Kay decided to pursue her passion for writing after her manuscript, Truth Moon, was selected by Romance Writers of America's RAMP program in 2021, which led to the publication of her debut novel, Truth Moon, by The Wild Rose Press. Kay has gone on to self-publish four other novels. She also writes a publication for romance authors, What Do Romance Authors Think About, a free newsletter, on substack.

Freeman is passionate about contemporary gothic and suspense romance. Kay loves to balance dark characters with more spiritual ones when writing her novels, providing ways for heroes and heroines to transform themselves into better people. Besides her passion for art, reading, and writing, she loves blues music, tequila, her husband Barry. This list is not intended to be in any particular order. Kay lives in Wilmington, DE, in a mid-century, modern kit home designed by Donald Scholz that she and her husband are still in the process of restoring.










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Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Release Day Blitz Beyond Earth


Beyond Earth
Stephanie Morris, Lola Blix, Celia Breslin, Leslie Chase, Candice Gilmer, Alina Riley, Robin O’Connor, Sky Robert

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher:  Carnal Imprint
Date of Publication: December 10, 2024

Tagline: Discover passion among the stars…

Blast off to the future with this limited-edition collection of sizzling, science fiction romance stories!

Book Description:

Otherworldly seduction and intergalactic adventures await you in these high-heat, open-door tales from a diverse group of authors. Meet alien gladiators, cyborgs, AI lifeforms, psychic aliens, interstellar royalty, psy-changelings, fearless humans, and more. Visit alien worlds, travel on high-tech vessels, and immerse yourself in red-hot seduction blazing brighter than any quasar.
 
The Beyond Earth anthology is a pulse-pounding, toe-curling journey into the cosmos. If you enjoy out-of-this-world romance with guaranteed happily ever afters, lovers from different worlds, fated mates, enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine, rescue romance, and more, then you’ll love this treasure trove of spicy, steamy, futuristic stories.
 
Order your copy of Beyond Earth to begin your passion-filled voyage into the galaxy today!

Amazon      Apple      Kobo     BN      Google

Excerpt from “Claiming Kaden” by Celia Breslin

The station’s vid screen flared to life, blocking her view. A handsome and angry male face filled the space. The brightest amber eyes she’d ever seen glared at her.

“Stop shooting,” the man growled.

The face disappeared.

“Who the hell was that, Athena?” A Zyphorran? She ignored the gorgeous stranger and kept firing at the battleship.

The face reappeared. Dark brows furrowed over his blazing whiskey eyes. “Desist, woman!”

“Desist this, you jerk!” She shot at the enemy. Continued to miss. “Ugh!”

She didn’t care how handsome he seemed, with his pale, silvery blue skin and spiky dark hair, and those glowing eyes which looked like they could melt a girl’s panties.

No one told her what to do, and no one would force her into servitude.

Never again.

The green vessel took out two enemy ships before it planted itself in front of Calie’s station.

Angry Guy’s face filled her screen. “I’m trying to help you. Stop firing!”

Oh… Cranky Guy was the pilot of the green ship. Possibly a good guy? Calie lifted her hands away from the controls.

As she watched, he took out every single destroyer then turned his attention to the warship.

“Shield at eight point seven percent,” Athena announced. “Hm…”

“What do you mean, hm? Should we head for an escape pod?”

“This is most intriguing. And disconcerting,” Athena murmured, not answering her escape question.

“What, that guy’s amazing battle prowess?”

“No. He infiltrated and took over my communication system to speak with you.”

Okay, now Calie was doubly impressed with good-looking Mister Frowny, because Athena was a powerful genius. No one bested her.

Calie plastered her palms on the controls. “Let’s help him kick that warship’s ass.”

“Don’t you dare,” their unknown ally barked, audio only.

“Are you eavesdropping on us? Rude!”

“The unknown male is attempting to take control of all station systems, Calie.”

“Cut it out, whoever you are,” Calie warned him. She aimed one of the station laser cannons at his ship.

“Who I am? I’m the male who’s going to disable and commandeer the warship, then eliminate everyone on board it while you sit on your pretty ass and stay out of my way.”

He thinks I’m pretty? She shook off the frisson skating down her spine. “Screw you. I’m blowing up that warship. Athena, take it out.”


About the Author:

Celia Breslin lives in California with her husband, daughter, and three feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, the Fae, and cyborgs. When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to fantasy TV shows and movies.











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Tuesday, December 03, 2024

The Coal Elf by Maria DeVivo - Deck the Halls with Books Holiday Extravaganza



Holiday Recipe – Rainbow Cookies

I love to bake! And while I am partial to quick and easy recipes (I mean, who isn’t?), sometimes the more complicated ones have the biggest payoff!

 One of my absolute FAVORITE cookie recipes is an old Italian one that was passed to me from my mother—RAINBOW COOKIES! My mother was a wizard in the kitchen, and even with her amazing culinary skills, she only made rainbow cookies one time a year: Christmastime! So naturally, growing up I equated rainbow cookies with the holiday season, not realizing that they were readily available at any other time of the year at any given Italian bakery in New York.

If you like jelly, and almond, and chocolate, then this is for you… but I warn you, the recipe and process of the recipe is not to be taken lightly!  But once you’ve mastered the art of the rainbow cookie, you know you’ve elevated your baking game to that whole new level!

Good luck, godspeed, May the Force Be With You, Valar Morghulis, It is Known, This is the Way…



DeVivo’s Rainbow Cookies

Materials needed:

Three bowls

Electric mixer

Parchment paper

Three large cookie/baking pans

Small bowl for egg whites

 

Ingredients needed:


1. 8 oz. can of Almond Filling
2. 6 sticks of butter (softened)
3. 2 cups sugar
4. 8 eggs
5. 2 teaspoons almond extract
6. 4 cups flour
7. Red food coloring
8. Green food coloring
9. 1 jar apricot preserves
10. 1 jar raspberry preserves
11. 1 package Toll House mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Oven at 350

2. Separate the egg whites into a small bowl. Beat with the mixer until they are thick and stiff

3. Mix the yolks, almond filling, softened butter, almond extract & sugar in one of the large bowls

4. Beat in the flour to the mixture

5. Fold in the whites to the mixture a little at a time. This is a very gentle process!

6. Separate the mixture into three parts – so this way you have batter in each of the three bowls. It won’t be exact, so you’ll have to eyeball it. It helps if the three bowls are the same or at least the same size.

7. Leave one bowl WHITE. Use the food coloring to color the others (one red, one green)

8. Grease one of the pans and line it with parchment paper. GREASE the paper.

9. Pour the white batter onto the pan and spread it out like a giant rectangle shape. Try to have it even with no “breaks” in the batter.

10. Bake for 15 minutes

11. When done, flip the contents of the pan onto another pan (CAREFULLY) and remove the parchment paper. Spread the apricot preserves on top. You will really only use half the jar for this.

12. Do the same with the other colors. Grease sheets and even out the batter. Bake for 15 minutes each.

13. When the second batter is finished, flip that on top of the layer with the apricot preserves (CAREFULLY)! Remove the parchment paper and spread the raspberry preserves. (again, probably half the jar).

14. Finally, the third color goes on top of the raspberry preserves. Leave the parchment paper on and press down to hold everything together.

15. Put in refrigerator overnight.

16. Heat up the chocolate chips so you have a spread. Remove the parchment paper from the tray and spread the chocolate on top. **you don’t want the chocolate to be on too thick, or else it will be hard to cut

17. Back in refrigerator for about an hour (give or take) to let the chocolate harden and settle.

18. Cut into cookie squares and serve.

19. ***the edges might be messy, but that’s ok. I make a separate cookie bucket I call “THE REJECTS”. Reject cookies are still delicious! They just aren’t pretty to look at.

***FUN FACT: For years, I used wax paper instead of parchment paper. It was what my mother used. Thanks, Mom, for putting us in a potentially life-threatening situation. You were always good for that. Miss you, Red. <3


The Coal Elf
The Coal Elf Chronicles
Book One
Maria DeVivo

Genre:  Dark Fantasy
Publisher: 4 Horsemen Publications
Date of Publication:  October 15, 2024
ISBN: 979-8823204231
ASIN: B0CW1HMWZJ
Number of pages:  260
Word Count: 73k

Tagline: Santa is real, but this isn't your childhood Christmas tale!   

Book Description: 

Ember Skye is a fed-up teenaged Coal Elf with a big ashy chip on her shoulder. Torn away from her carefree life Aboveground, she was forced into a world of dirt and darkness in the Mines. Now, the coal is starting to take its toll. Plus, being the only girl-elf coal miner at the North Pole is not fun at all!



About the Author:

Maria DeVivo writes horror and dark fantasy for both a YA and adult audience. Each of her series has been Amazon best-sellers and have won multiple awards since 2012. A lover of all things dark and demented, the worlds she creates are fantastical and immersive. Get swept away in the lands of elves, zombies, angels, demons, and witches (but not all in the same place). Maria takes great pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds – just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.









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