Buy Links:  Amazon     B&N     Smashwords    Kobo    (Coming soon to Apple/ITunes)

 Blurb:

When a mortal cop must delve into the paranormal, only a Viking vampire can save her soul, and her heart.

Detective Celeste Wilder knows who she is, a damn fine cop. But when the recently dubbed ‘Cult Murders’ start back up, this time targeting city prostitutes she’s sworn to protect, she’s thrown into a world of paranormal creatures she never believed existed. And now, they’re out to keep her from uncovering even more secrets.

An immortal Viking vampire, Brandon Wulfgar knows something is strange the moment he sees Celeste valiantly fighting for her life against a group of rogue vampires. When he’s asked to work with her–solve the crime while keeping the mortal woman safe–he figures no problem.

But as the undeniable connection between them grows and danger appears from every side, they will have to trust one another not just for their lives, but for their very souls.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Brandon Wulfgar sat stiffly on the icy metal chair. He took a hefty gulp of his drink–a mix of blood and whiskey–never glancing away from his twin brother. Eric lay in the bed, facing the stone wall of the dungeon room. He mumbled in his dreams, the quiet mutterings occasionally punctuated by short, guttural screams. Was he reliving the painful past they’d shared, or that of Eric’s own more recent tortures?

The room stank of cold sweat, permeated by fear and agony.

Brandon’s hands clenched and the mug cracked. It crashed to the floor, shattering.

He stared at the white shards of ceramic covered in crimson. The sight mirrored how he felt, unable to help his brother pick up the pieces and leave the darkness he’d descended into.

With a sigh, he stood and headed for the hall. His king’s new wife was going to be pissed he’d broken yet another cup. He snorted, the sound lacking any amusement. Dalia would just have to deal with it.

He opened the door, then stopped short.

Dalia stood in the hall, arms crossed, tapping her foot. Her short pink-streaked blonde hair settled around her pointed chin and her green eyes flared, vampire-red circling the irises. “Again?” she demanded.

It didn’t matter he dwarfed her with his six-foot-four height, nor that he was ten times stronger. All she had to do was shoot that look of hers and even the strongest of the vampire warriors living in the castle crumbled as if facing a disappointed mother.

Brandon merely shrugged. “I’ll clean it up.”

“Yeah, right.” Her gaze softened as she looked past him to Eric. “No change?”

“None.”

She straightened, rubbing her hands together. “Jordan wants to talk to you. I’ll sit with your brother. And I’ll clean up the poor cup. Again.” Shooting him an ironic look, she added, “We’re almost out of dishes.”

It wasn’t true, but she had a point. He’d gone through an awful lot of mugs lately. But it wasn’t on purpose.

As the older twin, albeit only by five minutes, he’d been raised to protect his brother. To fight the world, side-by-side. Yet he was failing miserably, unable to draw Eric from the cocoon of sleep where he’d escaped.

Dalia entered the dungeon room, and leaving the thick metal door open a bit, sat in the chair Brandon had vacated. She leaned back, hands folded in her lap and started humming. Her voice was soft and airy, a sound guaranteed to get soul-deep inside anyone listening and make them feel better.

As an Omega, she could calm people’s ragged emotions. More recently, with her magic growing, she no longer needed to look into their eyes to gain that connection. Her voice could suck anyone in when she tried.

Brandon’s shoulders tightened when her voice brought no reaction from Eric. It took most of his will to leave, but he forced himself to walk down the icy hallway, and upstairs to his king’s chamber.

Inside, Jordan reclined in a chair, facing the fireplace. The man held a glass of amber-colored liquid. A second full glass sat on the table beside him.

“Sit for a while,” Jordan stated, his Scottish brogue thicker than normal.

Brandon twitched at the tension in Jordan’s voice, and crossed the room to the waiting chair on the other side of the table.

“Any change with Eric?” Jordan lifted his drink and sipped, trying to act casual as he ran a hand through his short blond hair.

Taking his own glass, Brandon gulped it down. The smooth whiskey burned his throat, then settled warmly in his gut. “No.”

Jordan sighed, shifting to face Brandon fully.

Trepidation filled him. The man was normally direct.

“The ‘cult killings’ have started once more in the city,” Jordan said, his gaze dark with anger and confusion.

“But Connor killed the demon behind them just a few weeks ago,” Brandon protested.

“Aye. Yet, here we are.”

Brandon set his empty glass back on the table before he broke that one too. “So is Connor returning?”

“He’s busy with something else.”

“What? His refound family?”

“Nay. Something for the Magic Council.”

Considering the man was a Judge for the council, it shouldn’t be surprising. “So they’re not sending him back?”

“Not now.”

A sinking suspicion crawled into his gut. “Then who are you sending to investigate?”

Jordan just stared at him.

Jumping to his feet, Brandon paced to the fireplace. “I can’t go. Eric needs me–”

Jordan’s voice broke through his agitation. “Needs you? He hasn’t said two words in the last month. He doesn’t respond to anything we try.” He stood, arms behind his back, as Brandon paced. “Someone has to take care of the problem. If it’s another demon, you’re the only one I can send.”

Anger turned his stomach, bile burned up his chest. “I can’t leave my brother.”

Jordan’s voice cracked like steel. “You’ll tell me no?”

Stopping short, Brandon slowly swung around and met his king’s blazing red gaze. He’d never told Jordan “no,” since the man had rescued both him and Eric from living agony. But to leave his brother…

The tension in his shoulders ached. His chest tightened and he gave his king the only answer he could. “When do I leave?”

***

In the lingering heat of the evening, Celeste Wilder strode from her unmarked car towards the flashing lights shining from the alley. Near the yellow police tape, cameras flashed as bystanders tried to capture anything interesting they could put online or sell to the news.

Whipping back her long black hair, she muttered under her breath, “Mierda! Gotta start keeping a damn hair tie in the car.”

One of these days, she was actually going to remember, so when she was called into a crime scene unexpectedly, she didn’t have to deal with the looks she was getting now. It was difficult enough being a female detective without flaunting her femininity. More importantly, it got in the way.

Like usual in Arizona, the weather had bypassed spring entirely. Sweat dampened her neck, making her loose curls cling uncomfortably to her skin.

“Daily, let me in,” she growled at the nearest officer blocking the alley.

He hurried to pull back one of the sawhorses. “Yes, ma’am.”

She pushed past him, taking in the scene. Phoenix PD officers guarded the sight from the lookie-loos, while the coroner hunched over a body only partly hidden behind a rusty dumpster. Overlaying the scent of rotting garbage, she caught the distinct coppery odor of fresh blood.

“Who was first on scene?” she demanded from an obvious rookie as he nervously flicked his notepad open and shut.

“Um, I was, detective, um, ma’am.”

She read his name-tag. “All right, Portensky. Details.”

He fumbled open the notebook, nearly dropping it. “The call came in at 8:02 p.m. I was dispatched, and arrived at 8:09. I didn’t see anything at first.” The kid paled, swallowed hard, then continued. “Then I smelled it.”

“Any information on the caller?” She studied how the dumpster had been pulled away from the wall. Black and red lines of wax snaked from the brick to the center of the alley.

“No, ma’am. Distorted voice, barely clear. Dispatcher said she wasn’t sure she’d even heard the address right.”

“Make sure your report is on my desk by morning.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He hustled toward the street, as if trying to put as much distance between himself and the body.

Unfazed, Celeste headed right for it.

Hovering over the body, the coroner, Frankie, glanced up. Weariness dulled her dark eyes. “Hey, girl. Rough night?”

“About to get worse.”

Frankie sighed, pushing her long bangs from her eyes with the back of her hand, then waved at the body. “No name, no ID.”

“I assume that’s why I was called in. These are my streets,” she replied.

“Sad state this last month, with all these killings.”

Shrugging, Celeste stepped closer. The woman lay mostly exposed, tattered remains of her clothing spread back from her chest. A small piece of red cloth had been draped over her face. Bleach-blonde hair spread around her head, the tips soaked with blood. The killer had taken a knife to her throat and chest.

“Time of death?”

“Her temp is still high. I’d say in the last hour.”

Considering Portensky had been dispatched less than a half-hour ago, it was possible the rumors were true. This cabrón was calling it in before his victim was dead.

Frankie pulled off her gloves. “What kind of sicko mutilates young girls? That’s what I’d like to know.”

“Aren’t they all sickos?” Celeste replied, forcing her emotions away. The victim’s wounds were ragged, as if caused by a serrated weapon. They still hadn’t figured out what the killer was using.

“We’re ready,” Frankie said.

Nodding, she replied, “Go ahead.”

Frankie lifted the red cloth from the body to seal it in an evidence bag.

Celeste’s breath caught, hitching in her tightening throat. “La madre que te parió!” she cursed.

No woman, just a girl.

Baby had been fifteen, max. She’d worked the streets, saying it was better there than at home.

Trying to get these girls into shelters was a trial. Every time Celeste got one off the streets, five more took her place. But Baby had been sweet, mostly clean, not the hardened type Celeste was used to dealing with.

And next week, there was an opening at one of the shelters Celeste worked with that Baby had agreed to enter.

Three damn days.

Swallowing hard against the dark, useless emotions trying to choke her, Celeste forced herself to move, to get on with the job. She noted the wounds and the bruises covering the girl’s face and upper arms. A broken necklace of cheap, brightly colored glass lay discarded near her left hand.

A dark smudge against Baby’s pale skin caught her eye. “What’s that?”

Frankie bent closer, snapping some photos, then gently turned the girl’s hand over.

A black mark had been drawn on her wrist. A question mark with a bar crossing the center of the straight line. Celeste drew a replica in her notebook.

“Didn’t see anything like this on the other bodies,” Frankie said as she took more pictures.

“I didn’t either. They were only left on the walls.” She continued to note the details of the crime scene as the morgue techs wheeled away the body, along with the scattered trash on the ground. They took it all. Anything could hold a clue.

As the other officers dispersed, Celeste stood back and watched. Waited for the scene to clear so she could search for clues. See if she could find more of the strange markings, some sort of runes, like at the other scenes.

As she waited, tapping her foot impatiently, her anger burned hotter.

These “Cult Murders” as the press called them, were supposed to have been solved weeks ago. They had disbanded the taskforce on her captain’s orders.

The city began to breathe easier.

Until a few nights ago, when they’d started up again.

Buy Links:  Amazon     B&N     Smashwords    Kobo    (Coming soon to Apple/ITunes)

Giveaway:

I’ll be giving away a $5 Amazon gift card, INT, Winner to be drawn next week on May 1st.

In the comments section, please tell me which of the Hero’s from the Heart of a Vampire series is your favorite so far : ) (Shane, Jordan or Connor)

Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

While when shitty, horrifying crap like this happens, one good thing can come out of it. People band together! They show their love for their fellow man in any way they can.

If you’re looking into doing something to help out someone affected by the tragedies last week, I say awesome.

And if you’d like to help those in West, Texas, here are some great ways to do it!

*****

Hey guys,

I’m a member of the West Community and I wanted to give everyone an update. I actually live about 10 miles away, but my children go to school in West and my
husband grew up there. We felt the blast all the way at our house. The noise was deafening, even that far away. We’re still desperately waiting for word on
names of the fallen. I know that my hubby has already lost one cousin and a very good friend is in critical condition.

My kids will finish the school year at schools 30 miles away. It’s going to be a hectic next few weeks for all of our family and friends, but this is a tight
community and they are already rallying. 

 Many author friends have contacted me to find out what can be done from the neighboring states. At this point, our resources (meaning food and goods)
are overstocked. We’re having to find storage facilities for the overage–that’s a good thing, because clean up crews will be here for weeks.

What we really need is cash donations. There are many funds set up, and you can give through the Red Cross or you can donate money to the relief at Point West Bank & Trust (254) 826-5333 or State National Bank (254) 826-3741.

http://www.pointwestbank.com/default.aspx?v=da5ca2bb-31a9-4cf1-ba97-770dfcc97cf4

If you’d like to make a donation to the education program that we so desperately need, I’ve saved a flyer that the school sent us. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1x4uxGq_dFbb3pvdWR5a2Z1Yk0/edit?usp=sharing

We lost three of the four schools. The only thing left is the elementary school.

Please don’t feel obligated, but I know how wonderful my online community is, and I wanted to pass on the word. Thanks for anything you can do for these
families.

Hugs to everyone!

Rachel Firasek

True Love Devastates

Twitter Website   Facebook   Goodreads   Blog

Check out the newest yumminess from the awesome Lynn Rush!

In the darkest place, the Light shines brightest.

Emma’s love saved Jake from life as a vampire. But their happily ever after is threatened by a savage Vamp seeking retribution for destroying the Avenos Trinity of Evil.

A mysterious stranger enters the mix, coinciding with the first Vamp attack in months. Emma’s new friendship, and the suspicion and deceit surrounding it, further drives a wedge between her and Jake.

To complicate things, Emma is bitten by a Vamp with abilities no one has ever seen before, and that bite has left its mark.

A mark that might tear Jake and Emma apart forever…

Title: Violet Dawn (Violet Night #2)

Author: Lynn Rush

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Release Date: April 1^st, 2013

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Dawn-Lynn-Rush/dp/1939173213

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17160459-violet-dawn

Website:  http://www.lynnrush.com

What others are already saying about Violet Dawn:

“Violet Dawn is powerful, enthralling, and refreshingly complex.” ~Carrie Butler, author of Strength



“I’ve fallen head over boots for Emma and Jake as a couple—and as an elite vampire-hunting team…” ~Kristie Cook, author of the best-selling Soul Savers Series

“Fast-paced, action-packed, Violet Dawn is basically everything you’d want from a vampire hunter novel and then some. Emma has kick-ass written all over her.” ~Kate Evangelista, author of Taste

Rafflecopter Giveaway

(Kindle is the prize) Giveaway ends at Midnight (EST) April 23rd, 2013.

http://www.lynnrush.com/GiveawayZone

Violet Dawn Book trailer: http://youtu.be/MZE8Yyv2ZGM

Find Lynn on the interwebz

Author Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Rush/e/B005G3NVBQ

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LynnRush

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lynnrushwrites/

Author Bio.

Driven to write, Lynn Rush often sees her characters by closing her eyes watching their story unfold in her mind. Lynn Rush is a pen name that is a combination of two sources – Lynn, the first name of her mother-in-law, who passed away and Rush – since the author is a former inline speed skater and mountain biker. All of Rush’s books are dedicated to Lynn, her namesake, and a portion of the proceeds benefits cancer research and awareness.

That’s because as I write, my characters take on their own personalities and decide from there on out where they’re damn well going to go.

But being a plotter, I still need to know quite a bit about my characters before I can start that initial outline.

I recently sat down to plot book 5 in my Heart of a Vampire series. I wrote two pages of outline before my heart sank and I showed it to Wicked.

She laughed.

My characters were wimps and the story was going nowhere.

Which is when I finally realized I didn’t know nearly enough about my characters to even begin plotting.

So, my Q4U: Writers – how well do you need to know your characters before you begin to write?

Readers – Are you drawn to books with more action oriented plots, or by great characters (or both)?

Lucky in Love? Well, are you? It’s a time of luck and wealth…or not. With each romance we find ourselves in a new world of love and memories. Are these just by chance? Is it luck? Welcome to your second annual Lucky in Love Blog Hop where we want to hear about your love, your romance, and how much you love St. Patrick’s Day!!! Are you wearing green? Ready to get pinched…or wait…do you like that?

 Almost 300 bloggers have giveaways and posts about those men we love! 

 But that’s not all….

We have TWO grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

 Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

2nd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

To check out all the stops on the blog hop, click HERE

And for my personal giveaway, a $5 Amazon gift card,  in the comments, tell me:

Do you think luck plays into love? Why or why not?

Leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win

Please help me welcome L. VanHorn to the keep today. She’s got a new book out, and let me tell ya, it sounds delicious!!

Valkyrie Slumbering

Release Date: 2/22/2013

Buy Link(s):  Amazon   B&N   Smashwords

Blurb:

After the murder of her father, Kyra’s heart is consumed by the need for revenge. The hunt is all that matters. But a chance crossing of paths with the alluring and mysterious Grim threatens to derail her focus and her quest. Something about him draws her in, melts her walls, and speeds her heart. Like her, he is half Alfhiem, but it’s more than that. He’s funny, considerate, and treats her as an equal even in battle, something most of the Vikings of her native homeland would never do.

Steamy nights is one thing, but Kyra can’t allow her heart to become wrapped up with anyone, not until she finds and kills the man who murdered her father. Traveling across the countryside with Grim, though, challenges her resolve in more ways than she thought possible. She still hungers for the hunt but that hunger begins to dim in comparison to the one that grows inside her for Grim.

Creatures that could only be from the legendary land of Midgard interrupt their hunt again and again, creatures that shouldn’t exist in this realm. Soon it becomes unclear whether or not Kyra and Grim are the hunters, or the hunted. But who would hunt them, and why?

So tell us about yourself.

What is a typical day for you like writing-wise?

Wake up, start writing where I left off the day before, and write until the sun sets. Sometimes I might take a break to eat.

What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?

Horseback riding is one of my favorites, but pretty much anything outdoors.

 What would you do with $1 million dollars (tax-free, of course)?

Build a bigger house so I could host writer’s retreats at home.

 Ooh, will we be invited?

If you could be any animal, what would it be (real or magical)? Why?

If I had to choose, I’d say a dragon, because, how fantastic would that be?!

What is your favorite book? Why?

Currently, An Unexpected Return by Jessica E. Subject. Great characters, great plot, and what’s not to love about a pleasure planet?

 What is your favorite movie? Why?

Currently, The Lord of the Rings saga. It was my first favorite book and seeing it come to life like that was amazing.

If you could time-travel, where would you go and why?

To the future, to see if our species survives.

 Interesting question, and one I’d like to know

Why are manhole covers round?

I have no idea but now I’m totally going to Google it.

Do you have any upcoming news you’d like to share?

I do! Valkyrie Slumbering just released and the sequel, Valkyrie Awakening will be releasing this winter.

 And the Fast Five:

Coffee or Chocolate?

Yes.

I’m right there with ya

Jewelry: Precious gems or gold?

I’m not much for either. I like semi-precious stones. 

 Beach or Mountains?

Yes, but beach if I must choose.

 Early Morning or Late Night?

Late night!

 Fruit or Veggies?

Fruits, then vegies.

 And last, but not least, where can we find you on the internet:

 Blog: http://lvanhorn.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorL.VanHorn

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6925150.L_Vanhorn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LillyVanHorn

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/lillyvanhorn/

BIO: With all the alluring creatures available in the fantasy genre, there is no end to the inspiration that keeps my muse up at night. My recipe: Start with choice characters, marinate in fantasy (any of the delicious sub-genres will do) add a heavy dash of romance, and mix in a generous portion of hot and heavy throughout the cooking cycle.

Last winter, I had a major change in life.

Like, an unexpected move, among other things.

Yeah, it sucks.

But the move is done (even if the unpacking seems to never end).

The good news is I’m back to writing.

I’ve missed it. Writing is my outlet, where I get to be creative, get to know new people and their unique lives, and go on adventures with them for the length of my books.

The best news for the many  who have been asking (thanks, it makes me feel awesome to know you’re waiting), is Magicstorm, Heart of a Vampire #4 is now in edits. I expect a release date in late April.

WOOT!

I also expect to start blogging again!

And if you’re signed up to get my newsletter, there will be some yummy goodness coming your way later this month

Welcome to Amber Kallyn’s Birthday Bash. We’ve got some great giveaways for you to win!

I love the holidays, but not necessarily having my birthday fall smack dab in the middle of them, LOL. But this year, I’d like to do something special for my readers. Over 25 authors and bloggers have come together to celebrate my 24th birthday (I won’t mention how many years I’ve turned 24 again

We have some wonderful prizes, and all you have to do is leave a comment at the participating blogs to win. Easy.

And don’t forget, Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire, Book 1) is currently free right now for an early present : )

Grand Prize

One commenter will win their choice of a NOOK Simple Touch™ with GlowLight or a Kindle Paperwhite (Up to $140 value)

Ebooks from the following Authors

Paloma Beck            (Coming Home, Contemporary romance)

Jami Grey                  (Shadow’s Edge and Shadow’s Soul, Urban fantasy)

Zrinka Jelic               (Paranormal romance)

Christine Fairchild   (An Eye For Danger, romantic suspense)

Marian Lanouette    (If I Fail, Mystery)

Sylvia Hubbard        (5 Ebooks)

Kenra Daniels          (Safe Heart and Kassern, Paranormal romance)

A $40 Gift card to either Amazon or B&N

Plus, there will be giveaways at some of the other blogs : )

How to win

The contest is open from Dec 19th to Saturday the 22nd. Hop to all the blogs. The winner will be chosen from the commenters on all participating blogs. Leave a comment at each blog for additional entries to win. That simple : ) Winner will be drawn on Sunday the 23rd.

Enjoy meeting new authors and book bloggers, and good luck on winning the Birthday Bash Prizes.

Blogs

Cynthia Arsuaga

Keira Kohl

Kenra Daniels

Lynn Chantale

Elise Vancise

Mona Karel

Lynda Kaye Frazier

Sylvia Hubbard

Marian Lanouette

Jami Gray

KE Saxon

Harlie’s Book Blog

Dianne Venetta

Christina Ricci

Cassandra Carr

Deb Sanders

Shauna S. Roberts

Danita Minnis

Kelly Whitley

Sarah Grimm

Zrinka Jelic

Sherry Gloag

M. S. Spencer

Christine Fairchild

Paloma Beck

What do you love about Autumn and Fall? What does it remind you of? What about reading? Do you think it’s a good subject to read? Tell us your favorite Autumn stories! Well, we authors are ready to share our favorite Autumn stories and why we love snuggling in the cold.  *wink* Starting on Friday and ending on Nov 12th, over 200 Authors and Bloggers will share their favorite things about those sexy men we know and love.

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 200 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

But that’s not all….

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

 Now what are those prizes?

 1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains 10+ paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!

Autumn.

The weather, at least here in the Arizona desert, is finally turning cooler. We don’t have specific times of year that we can point to as four seasons. It’s either Hot, or cool, LOL.

But finally the worst of the summer heat is over. I can comfortably sit outside, reading.

Holidays are coming up.

The time flies, but it’s a blast. And by the time winter gets here, it’ll be time for a nice break from the action.

Plus there’s pumpkin pie, cookies, cupcakes, lattes, breads…. YUM!

So what’s your favorite part of Autumn?

My Giveaway:

I’ll pick one commenter to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Please make sure you leave your information so I can reach you if you win.

And good luck

And don’t forget to check out the other authors in the Hop for great goodies and more chances to win one of the grand prizes

Who likes Halloween and wicked things?

I do, LOL.

If it’s sexy or scary or a hunky guy, I’m there

Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year, I’d like to celebrate this hop by giving away 10 e-copies of my erotic short story, Red’s Wolf: Beginnings (Volume 1) in Nook, Kobo, or Kindle format, international.

To enter, leave your contact information below and tweet or post to faccebook the following:

I want to win the sexy story, Red’s Wolf by @AmberKallyn on her blog http://wp.me/p10Tqd-nm #WickedAfterDark

That’s it.

I’ll be drawing the winners on Friday, November 2nd.

Don’t forget to check out the other Hoppity participants for goodies and giveaways.