Halloween Week: Spotlight on The Birthrite Series

Welcome to Day Five of my Halloween Week!

Today I am spotlighting a dark fantasy book series, The Birthrite Series by Tiffany Apan. The third book in the series, Kindred, will be released on Halloween and I have an excerpt from that novel, as well as a trailer and a giveaway. Plus, I have the Halloween Horror Group Giveaway over on Instafreebie. Enjoy.

The Birthrite Series by Tiffany Apan

Kindred (The Birthrite Series, #2) 

It is the summer of 1933 and nearly two years since that fateful Halloween night in Plains, New York.

Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, eighteen-year-old Cletus Blake spends his days working to help his family through the massive economic recession spreading throughout the United States and many other areas of the world. As society struggles to accept that the economic surge of the 1920s are long gone, Cletus also clings to the memory of his last phone conversation with his cousin Dorothy. Having formed and maintained a relationship with two of her close friends - the recently married Reginald and Gail Carr Johnson - the three find solace in regular communication with one another.

Like Dorothy, Cletus possesses supernatural abilities inherited through his bloodline. His vivid dreams and visions - including ones of a beautiful young Romani woman and twin baby boys - continue to increase in strength. Meanwhile, Reginald and Gail begin falling prey to dark adversaries that have been lying in wait.

Evil surrounds at every turn, old friends race to help, and ancient evil re-emerges. A war between worlds brews beneath the surface, threatening to rip the protective seams that keep the portals sealed.

Then in the midst of it all, Cletus happens upon a caravan traveling through his Ohio town. The very familiar Romanichal family's history ties not only to his own past, but to all the kin of the four men that experienced worlds outside of their own on that summer solstice in 1844. All are linked to a future that will reunite the Blakes and the Livingstons, two families that at one time, shared a very unlikely friendship.

Kindred is the second full-length novel in The Birthrite Series. Picking up from where Descent and Sacred Atonement: A Novelette left off, the story continues to challenge all that is known about light and dark, good and evil. Passion, intrigue, and secrets abound as history unravels. Revelations uncovered in previous installments are given new perspectives, taking the reader on a thrilling ride into a world where nothing is ever what it appears to be.

Kindred will be available on October 31st
Pre-order it here: Kindred


And don't forget the great Birthrite giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Trailer

Excerpt from Kindred:

His eyes darted about and breath hitched when he saw the property of the Fleming Orphanage surrounding him. The summer breeze turned into a crisp, autumn chill as the song flowed with the wind that carried it. Leaves fell from their branches, blanketing the ground, seeming to undulate with the notes being played.

He was compelled toward the woods, feeling Dorothy's presence and the grave danger she was in by being here. Confused and disoriented, he looked around, calling out to her, but she was nowhere in sight.

His voice was getting lost in the wind stirring up as it carried DeBussy's song. The woods and empty buildings of the former orphanage took on menacing shapes, as if they were alive and mocking him. Every fiber of his being wrenched when he heard a distant howling from somewhere in the woods. His breath grew rapid as his lungs took in the icy air. The song to the moon faded and the sound of someone humming another familiar tune took over.

 All the Pretty Little Horses...

Cletus tried moving in the direction of the hill, knowing that it would take him away from the property, but the wind increased in strength and invisible arms seemed to hold him back. He heard the howling again, only this time, it was much closer, sounding unlike any animal he knew of. A foul stench started crawling out from the buildings as the windows radiated a deep red glow.

(Like blood...)

The glow pulsed, spreading throughout the property as the stench of death and decomposition engulfed him. His body stiffened upon hearing a bloodthirsty growl closing in behind him.

He tried to run, but his feet were planted to the earth. He could sense it inching closer, crunching over the cold, drying leaves. The creature's rancid breath assaulted his nostrils before it let out a deafening roar. Then the creature pounced, pummeling the young man forward…

And here are the other books in the series...

Descent (The Birthrite Series, #1)

Visions of infant twin boys, clouds, a young woman taking her own life, and a collision of space, time, and realms...

On the eve of Summer Solstice in 1844, four men in different areas of the world share an experience that impacts not only their own lives, but those of the future generations. The first man is Nicolae Ganoush, a young Romany fugitive from a slave village in Wallachia. The second is Jonathan Blake, an eighteen-year-old Irishman in the American Midwest who finds himself falling in love with a young woman from a nearby Sioux village. The third is James Livingston, a prominent figure in colonial America, and the fourth is Hector de Fuentes, a sixteen-year-old from Tuxpan, Mexico with special gifts and visions enhanced by a mysterious and wondrous cave. Each man carries his own inner battle, unbelievable ancient truths deep within their lineages, and demons that are much closer to home than any of them would like.

Descent is available at:

Smashwords

Amazon

Sacred Atonement: A Novelette (The Birthrite Series, #1.5)

"He wondered how she would react to seeing him. Not just his physical appearance, but seeing him for the first time since what happened between nearly a year ago. And what would happen once she found out what he really was?"

Sacred Atonement: A Novelette is available at:

Smashwords

Amazon

Made in Heaven (The Birthrite Series Short)

It has only been two and a half months since Reginald and Gail returned from that fateful night, a strange set of circumstances, and world they never thought could exist.

Made in Heaven is available at:

Smashwords

Author Bio:

Author photo by Jessica Sullivan

Tiffany Apan grew up among the thick forests of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was there she began honing artistic abilities and received much of her creative inspiration. A misfit among her peers (she was the only one in her fifth grade writing class obsessed enough with Vikings and Norwegian mythology to write poems about them), Tiffany was highly active in the artistic community in Wilkes-Barre, PA, involving herself in all music, theater, visual arts, and writing. Eventually, she settled quite comfortably into a role as “that artsy kid in black” who sits in a coffee shop, drinking endless amounts of coffee and tea while writing furiously in a journal or sketchpad.

After graduating high school, she left the Northeastern PA ghosts for the Southeastern PA zombies (Pittsburgh). Upon the move, Tiffany became involved with the indie film scene, landing supporting roles in a couple films. This also gave way to the release of her music with partner in crime, Jason English. Since then, she has gone on to act in several films and theater productions with starring and supporting roles, release music to critical acclaim, and receive accolades for her writing and producing.

The Appalachian Mountains serve as a backdrop for many of her stories, including The Cemetery by the Lake and The Birthrite Series.  You can check out more of her work (writing, music, film, etc) on her website, blog, Amazon, and other social media.

AUTHOR AND BOOK LINKS:

http://tiffanyapan.com

http://tiffanyapanwritingproject.blogspot.com

http://facebook.com/tiffanyapanfanpage

http://facebook.com/birthriteseries

http://twitter.com/TIFFANYAPAN

http://amazon.com/author/tiffanyapan

http://goodreads.com/tiffanyapan

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tiffanyapan

And now the Halloween Horror giveaway!

Over 30 Free Books and Stories in this horror giveaway!

A mix of horror, paranormal, dark sci-fi and fantasy.

Check it all out here!

Halloween Horror Giveaway!

Interview With Author Aspen deLainey

Today I have a delightful treat, an interview with paranormal romance author Aspen deLainey. She chats about writing and her Evermore Chronicles series, including the newest book, Howling Hearts. Enjoy!

Interview With Aspen deLainey

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

I started telling stories before I could read. You know those picture books little kids have? My little brother would ask me to tell a story and we'd curl up in the rocker, open the picture book and I'd keep him occupied with my imagination for hours.

Once I learned to read and print, I began to write my own versions of the stories my father read to me. elementary school opened up creative writing where I found a new audience for my tales. My poor grade five teacher used to assign work by saying a minimum of a three page story must be handed in, then he turn to me and give me a limit of ten or twenty pages. He always read my stories out to the class.

During my teens, watching and listening to one of my friends' mothers going through a painful divorce, I wrote a poem asking why had his love died and sent it in to one of those women's magazines. I received a cheque and a copy of the magazine. My mother was horrified that I would steal that mother's pain and brazenly write about it. What did I know about life, love or pain? I was forbidden to send anything out again while I lived under her roof. "Leave that to people who know what they're doing," she told me.

I never stopped writing, though after once, years later, sending in a romance to the wrong sort of publisher, I held those stories to myself. Until...one of my grown kids told me she'd delete all my files if I didn't send just one story out to any publisher. Biting my nails, heart in my throat, I sent a short piece to a magazine in March 2010. Two weeks later I got an acceptance letter.

The joy, the pride, the nervous acceptance that maybe I could write spurred me on. I write in many genres though I am only published in two so far: paranormal romance and scifi. I do believe I am a writer!

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

After I wrote Love 'n Lies, about an overweight vampire, I wanted to flesh out the world I started to build. I wanted to get to know her friends better. Howling Hearts is the story of Rand, a young adult werewolf who moves from the Evermore Keep down to Calgary Alberta to seek her fortune and a new life while running away from a love affair gone sour. The book starts with a hair-raising trip through mountain passes in the dead of winter during a blizzard. Because when I started the book a snow storm had been raging here for three days. Rand meets an RCMP officer on the trip who strikes her fancy as much as she whets his. Rand interacts with the various paranormal beings living just under the human radar in Calgary, gets a job and keeps interacting with her young man. Hijinx ensue when her ex shows up.

Why did you decide to write in the paranormal genre?

I worked in medicine for years, the last several in geriatrics. I got to wondering what happened to a werewolf with Alzheimers, or a troll with Parkinson's. How would a vampire age? And what kind of retirement home would house these poor creatures, how would modern medicine handle a decrepit fire elemental? What happens when subdivisions cut down a dryad's grove. I knew I had to write about this.

You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?

I am caught between different genres. I cannot honestly say I prefer writing in any one of them. Depending on my mood, I write in each. When I'm angry I write murder mysteries - though none of them have seen the light of day. When I'm moody, sad or depressed I write romance as it seems to perk me up  a little. The times I feel adventurous I write scifi.

Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?

At least once a month I read Roger Zelany's Art of Writing. He is fairly inspirational, especially when I'm not in the mood to write. I read everything that passes by, though I do have a few authors whose books  I will seek out: Anne Bishop, Jeffrey Deaver, Mary Higgins, and Tami Hoag. I reread Tolkien's books every few years, along with Ann McCaffrey's Pern series and Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series. In reality, I go through my personal library every few years rereading everything that catches my interest.

How do you research your books?

Ah research...the bane of my writing career. I get lost some days in research.

I write fiction. But. Even fiction has to feel real. For my paranormal romance I read legends from around the world. I research god myths. I probably spend over one hundred hours just on the research once I start a story. For my first book, Love 'n Lies, I asked a hematologist if theoretically a vampire could get fat drinking the blood from a high cholesterol victim. In theory, the doc agreed. Voila - story! During Howling Hearts I researched the equinoxes and earth's reaction geologically to this event. Not just that, of course. I have reams of information on different culture's werewolf folklore. Right now I have been reading personal stories on line about people going blind for my next book that might be called What Will Be.

Do you have any amusing writing stories or anecdotes to share?

I live in the country, fairly far from any neighbours. Sure, I can see two houses, one north west and one north east, about a mile away. That's it. To the south is a long dirt road stretching off to nowhere. About a mile from our house this road becomes an unmaintained road allowance. Another two miles and the road allowance turns, coming out at the highway in about two miles. Farmers use the allowance to get into their far fields. If I keep walking straight instead of turning, I eventually get to a large slough in a coulee about ten miles away. I know this because I've seen a map of the area. And I've driven the road down to the slough in spring to see the swans.

Once, I took the dog out on her daily walk. I'd been writing that morning and got stuck on a scene. I wanted it to go one way and my muse kept interjecting lines pulling it another. So, dog nearby, I walked off thinking about the scene. I don't know how long I walked for, but suddenly I didn't know where I was! The road had disappeared, I was walking in knee-high grass and by the look of the sun I'd been meandering for hours not paying attention to anything except the scene in my head for my book. I got home about nine that evening, tired; the dog exhausted but happy. Yes, I'd resolved the conflict about the scene - my muse won.

Are you working on another book?

Oh yes. I have four books in various stages and lots of pages of notes on book ideas. I got kidnapped in July, right after I finished editing Howling Hearts. My muse would not let me take a breather. for weeks I wrote on this newest idea. My muse let me up for air about a week ago, once I'd gotten the main plot and two hundred pages of first draft finished. Thank the gods. My fingers are worn to nubbins.

Of all the books you've written, do you have a favourite?

Ok, I've only written three that have been published. But the one that is my most favourite is no longer in print, though I am trying to republish it after I get my beta readers to finish it. Te book, Moustache on the Moon, a scifi book for young adults, is about life living in space, sort of. See, these Beigorri, which are marsupial space worms, house a race of human/aliens. The Beigorri shows up in our skies, above the moon. The aliens who live inside it come to earth offering a particular genetic trait of humans a one way ticket to a new world. It will be a series, ending with their new world.

I loved writing that book. I love the characters. And I loved the ideas for the alien artifacts I developed. I wrote that book under the pseudonym d.k.snape. I even enjoyed the research I had to do to get that book as realistic as possible. 

You can find Howling Hearts on Amazon, Kobo, and at Champagne Books

Brain to Books Indie Pride Day Book Blast And Blog Tour: Author Tiffany Apan

Today is July 1st, and celebrates both Canada Day and Indie Pride Day. So I wish a Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians, and give this post as part of the Brain to Books Indie Pride Day Book Blast and Blog Tour!

As part of this indie pride extravaganza my blog will be featuring the horror genre.

And for this event, I have a great spotlight featuring author Tiffany Apan and her gothic horror novel Descent, part of her Birthrite series. Enjoy...

Descent (The Birthrite Series, #1) by Tiffany Apan

Visions of infant twin boys, clouds, a young woman taking her own life, and a collision of space, time, and realms...

On the eve of Summer Solstice in 1844, four men in different areas of the world share an experience that impacts not only their own lives, but those of the future generations. The first man is Nicolae Ganoush, a young Romany fugitive from a slave village in Wallachia. The second is Jonathan Blake, an eighteen-year-old Irishman in the American Midwest who finds himself falling in love with a young woman from a nearby Sioux village. The third is James Livingston, a prominent figure in colonial America, and the fourth is Hector de Fuentes, a sixteen-year-old from Tuxpan, Mexico with special gifts and visions enhanced by a mysterious and wondrous cave. Each man carries his own inner battle, unbelievable ancient truths deep within their lineages, and demons that are much closer to home than any of them would like.

Later in 1931, seventeen-year-old Dorothy Blake, a descendant of Jonathan and his Sioux wife, is living in Plains, New York, the town founded by James Livingston. The notorious Fleming Orphanage has long fallen into disuse but kept by the town as a landmark. The buildings loom high on a hill, overlooking the town, taunting the townsfolk with its lore. On Halloween night, Dorothy ventures up with friends, and the group of six expects nothing more than a good time along with a few laughs. But they fall into a dark, brutal evil; one that extends beyond the orphanage and town of Plains, far back into history. Their descent is only the beginning…

The Birthrite Series is an epic journey into the vast unknown, plunging deep into the dark crevices of the mind, begging the question of what sanity really is and if the insane truly are. Are we really shown the whole truth of what surrounds us or is it an illusion? It also tells of deep-rooted love, planted centuries ago and a story of family, forgiveness, and redemption.

You can find Descent on:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords
Goodreads

And you can check out the Birthrite Series here:

Birthrite Facebook Page

Book Trailer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tiffany Apan grew up among the thick forests of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was there she began honing artistic abilities and received much of her creative inspiration. A misfit among her peers (she was the only one in her fifth grade writing class obsessed enough with Vikings and Norwegian mythology to write poems about them), Tiffany was highly active in the artistic community in Wilkes-Barre, PA, involving herself in all music, theater, visual arts, and writing. Eventually, she settled quite comfortably into a role as “that artsy kid in black” who sits in a coffee shop, drinking endless amounts of coffee and tea while writing furiously in a journal or sketchpad.

After graduating high school, she left the Northeastern PA ghosts for the Southeastern PA zombies (Pittsburgh). Upon the move, Tiffany became involved with the indie film scene, landing supporting roles in a couple films. This also gave way to the release of her music with partner in crime, Jason English. Since then, she has gone on to act in several films and theater productions with starring and supporting roles, release music to critical acclaim, and receive accolades for her writing and producing.

The Appalachian Mountains serve as a backdrop for many of her stories, including The Cemetery by the Lake and The Birthrite Series.  You can check out more of her work (writing, music, film, etc) on her website, blog, Amazon, and other social media.

You can find out more about the author and her writing at these sites:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

CDBaby

Amazon Profile

Goodreads

Smashwords Profile

~*~

For more genres and tour stops check out these blogs:

Ani Manjikian - Right the Writer: https://rightthewriter.com/

Heidi Angell: http://www.heidiangell.com/blog

Tabitha Barret - The Throne Room: http://www.thethirdthrone.com/

Rainne Atkins - Just Books: http://rainnes.blogspot.com/

And Angela B. Chrysler for the main Book Blast event:

http://www.angelabchrysler.com/blog/

Interview With Author Chantal Gadoury

Today I'm part of a blog tour for author Chantal Gadoury, and her latest book Allerleirauh. I have for you a lovely interview with Chantal, and a peek at her delightful novel that includes an excerpt and the book trailer. Plus, there's a giveaway. Enjoy!

Interview With Chantal Gadoury

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

I’d love to! My name is Chantal Gadoury. I’m twenty seven years old, and I love to write! I love to paint (mostly acrylics), drink coffee (iced or hot, I’m not picky!), watch historical romances and Disney movies! I love to spend time with my Mom, sister and furry Yorkie-brother Taran. Sadly, my Dad passed away in August 2015 and have since, missed him more than I can describe. 

I am a 2011 college graduate from Susquehanna University with a degree in Creative Writing, and have since, published two novels: “Seven Seeds of Summer” with Waldorf Publishing and “Allerleirauh ”as my first self-published manuscript. 

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

I sure can! “Allerleirauh” is a retelling of the beautiful Grimm Brother’s Fairy Tale (entitled the same thing.) It’s a story about a King who promises his dying wife that he will only remarry a woman with the same golden hair. He searches the land for a new wife, only to be unsuccessful. It is only as he glances in the direction of his maturing daughter that he realizes his search can come to an end – his daughter, Aurelia has the same golden hair and the same features of his late wife. Aurelia makes a plan to try to deceive the King and buy herself time to escape the castle by asking for dresses made of impossible things: sunbeams, moonbeams and star dust and a coat of a thousand furs. When the King succeeds, Aurelia is forced to leave and disguises herself in the coat. She runs to a neighboring Kingdom where the Prince and his men find her in the forest. 

Aurelia tries to remain hidden under her new false identity, fearful of being found by the Mad King. Unexpected love is found between Aurelia and the Prince, and is challenged with an approaching arranged marriage between the Kingdom and a neighboring ruler. With the possibility of discovery hanging in the air, Aurelia must face the difficulties of her past with her father in her journey of self-discovery before the Prince and his entire Kingdom learns the truth of her real identity, and she looses him forever! (Thrilling right?) 

How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?

I’ve been writing since I was in the second grade. My first book ever, made by the hands of my teacher was called “My Trip to New Jersey” and my second, “Lyle Lyle is a Star for a While.” You know, home-made books are the best! In the sense of real publishing, my first novel was called “Seven Seeds of Summer,” based on the Greek Myth of Hades and Persephone. “Allerleirauh” is my second.

Of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite?

So far, I’d say “Allerleirauh” is my favorite. It’s come to mean a lot to me. A friend of mine inspired the motivation to write it, as the fairy tale has always been in the back of my mind since I was a child. It’s been the kind of fairy tale I’ve always wanted to write, and at times now – I really miss the writing process with Aurelia and the Prince!

Why did you decide to write in the fantasy genre?

It’s always been the preferred genre for me. When I was in college, I really tried to do what my classmates were doing – write realistic fiction. But I didn’t feel as though I could really explore myself and explore my writing while doing that. I used to always say, “If I want to write realistic fiction, I can just turn on a TV and watch it. It’s called Reality TV.” Now, I kind of see how I’m wrong about that, but I still prefer being able to write about Castles and Princesses, or Greek Gods or Mermaids. It’s just a preference. It’s easier for me to do what I want as a writer.

What is the hardest part of writing fantasy fiction?

Being consistent has been a struggle for me, and being able to describe something without “telling.” Sometimes in the Fantasy realm, you as the author make something up and you have to describe it to the reader. It’s also hard to keep things “realistic” in an unrealistic world. Even if it means that paranormal or magical things happen – you still need to make it seem completely necessary and believable that the world has these elements. There always needs to be a reason as to why a place or person is the way it/they are.

What did you find most challenging about writing your book?

The rape scene that happens in “Allerleirauh” was very challenging. You might think I’m weird when I tell you that I listened to “Earn It” – (a cover of it) during the entire time that I wrote the scene. I went back and forth about if I wanted to include a scene like that, or just fade to black. Do I allow the reader to see what happens to Aurelia, or do I just let you think what you want? Eventually, I came to realization that I wanted to write a book that was going to be uncomfortable; to show some realness to things that happen in our world today. Those girls don’t get to “fade to black” and check out – and neither should my readers of “Allerleirauh.” It’s an element to Aurelia’s character, and it’s really important. It was challenging because I hated every minute of it, but I knew I was trying to make a really important message come across to readers.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies? 

I love to paint in my free time. I’ll often look up painting ideas on Pinterest or look up those Paint Nite ideas and try to remake them myself. If I’m not doing that, I love to watch movies. I’m not sure if that’s really a hobby, but I’d say Netflix sure could be one if it really wanted to be. I love to go to the beach and walk around. I love to go on drives on sunny days. Mostly just paint and craft and write. Tumblr is a hobby for me – I love to RP with my online friends! (Nerd Confession: I’m a Huge Disney fan, and I RP as characters from Disney on Tumblr.)

Are you working on another book?

I wouldn’t call it a book yet, but I am working on two projects. At the moment, I’m still just trying to feel them out – which one I feel most passionate about. I have a mermaid story (completely original) that I’d love to write – if not now, someday. And I wanted to dip my toe in some nonfiction – personal essay – kind of writing. Once I figure it out, I’ll be sure to let you know! 

And now for a peek at Allerleirauh.

Allerleirauh by Chantal Gadoury

Once Upon a Time… 

In the Kingdom of Tränen, a King makes a promise to his dying wife to only remarry someone who has her golden hair. With time, the King finds his eyes are turned by his maturing daughter. Realizing her father’s intentions, Princess Aurelia tries to trick her Father by requesting impossible gifts: dresses created by the sun, moon and stars and a coat made of a thousand furs. When Aurelia discovers his success, she knows she must run away from her privileged life and escapes the kingdom disguised by the cloak and under a new name, “Allerleirauh.” 

Aurelia enters the safe haven of the Kingdom of Saarland der Licht, where she is taken under the care of the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus. Hoping to not be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Aurelia tries to remain hidden under her new false identity. Unexpected love is found between Aurelia and Prince Klaus and is challenged with an approaching arranged marriage between the Kingdom of Saarland der Licht and a neighboring ruler. With the possibility of discovery hanging in the air, Aurelia must face the difficulties of her past with her father in her journey of self-discovery before the Prince and his entire Kingdom learns the truth of her real identity, and she loses him forever.

Available at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Createspace

Book Trailer

Excerpt:

Prologue

“If you ever decide to remarry, you must marry someone who is as beautiful as I and has my golden hair.” The words seemed to echo all around the darkened, red room as my dying mother whispered them. Candles were lit all across the room, creating a gloomy and death-like atmosphere around us as they flickered against the stone walls; the only solace of light were the flames, curling out from the fireplace.  My mother’s hair, like spools of golden thread, lay against her forehead, clinging to her dying, pale skin as she lifted her hand, reaching out to my Father for his answer. My mother, the Queen, was dying in her bed with my weeping father on bended knee, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles and the corner of her lips.

“My wife…” His words were soft and full of a clouded grief I knew I didn’t understand. My father and mother were hardly ever affectionate behind closed doors. I often saw them together in the throne room, together in my father’s den, but never close; never touching. His loss of her was a mystery to me.

“Promise me,” she hissed at him, her breathing was growing faint as she shifted and grunted, trying to look at him more closely. Perhaps it was her only solace that her husband, my father, would never truly love anyone after her. Perhaps she hoped a new wife would only be a constant reminder of his first.

I stood in the background, watching the scene between my mother and father, clinging to the thick red bed drapes, my own golden curls tied back with a black ribbon. I had been pulled from my tutoring lesson with Mousier Rayner, learning French from the brittle books of my father’s library and had dressed for the occasion of my mother’s death in a simple black dress. I hadn’t known how to feel as the black silk brushed against my skin. I felt almost as if we were being paraded into her room to watch her die like an animal. Was this how life truly was?

 We were born, lived the life God granted us, and then, just as quickly, our flame dulls until it becomes a wisp of smoke in a darkened room and we’re gone. As the servants and house-hold hands guided me into the room, I stood frozen in the back. It was often said by the Courtiers I looked much like my mother; I had the same golden hair and the same blue eyes. I wondered now how true it really was. Did I truly?

I felt fear as her last breath slipped between her lips, her hand slowly falling from my father’s shoulder. Everyone in the Kingdom knew the King did not have a male heir, and in turn, would need one to carry on the Royal Line. Who would be next? I could see eyes staring at me; I was my Mother’s reflection: my Mother’s legacy. I felt a cold shiver run up my spine as I heard my father reply, “I promise.”

About the Author:

Chantal Gadoury is a young author who is originally from Muncy, PA. Chantal enjoys to paint in her spare time, drink a good cup of coffee when she can and appreciates watching her favorite Disney classics with loved ones. When she’s not busy crafting or reading, Chantal is dedicated to her family at home: her mom, sister and a furry-puppy-brother (and her Dad, who has now lives in heaven.) As a 2011 college graduate from Susquehanna University, with a degree in Creative Writing, writing novels has become a dream come true!

Where you can find Chantal:

Twitter

Blog

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

Amazon Profile

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#‎B2BCYCON‬ Book Spotlight for Demetrius (New Vampire Disorder Book 1)

Today I have another Brain to Books Cyber Convention author feature. Remember, this great event for authors and readers alike is happening this weekend on Goodreads through April 8th, 9th and 10th.

Be sure to check out all the fun here:
Brain to Books Cyber Convention

Now on with the main event, our Brain to Books author feature.

Today I have a great book spotlight on the paranormal romance, Demetrius (New Vampire Disorder Book 1) by Marie Johnston

Demetrius (New Vampire Disorder Book 1) by Marie Johnston

As if overthrowing the vampire government and helping implement a new council to make vampires, shifters, and hybrids play nice wasn’t enough, Demetrius Devereux finds a bigger problem to deal with in an innocent, stubborn, and privileged beauty.

Callista Augustus is the over-protected daughter of a once-powerful vampire leader. Discovering her desperate father has tapped into a well of pure evil, Calli swallows her sense of betrayal and turns him in. She almost regrets it when she meets the infamous and arrogant Demetrius. Forcing herself to work with the male who ruined her family, Calli’s only concern is saving her father.

When Demetrius gets past the infuriating personality of the righteous female, he realizes Calli’s the one in great danger. He gives her his help out of duty, until it becomes clear that if he loses her, he loses everything.   

Demetrius (New Vampire Disorder Book 1) is available at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

Author Bio:

Marie Johnston lives in the upper-Midwest with her husband, four kids, and an old cat. Deciding to trade in her lab coat for a laptop, she’s writing down all the tales she’s been making up in her head for years. An avid reader of paranormal romance, these are the stories hanging out and waiting to be told between the demands of work, home, and the endless chauffeuring that comes with children.

I'd like to thank Marie Johnston for sharing her book today, and be sure to check out her virtual booth at the convention this weekend.

Book Spotlight On Blood (Three Days of Oblenite #3)

I have a book spotlight today for the romantic dark fantasy Blood by Jean Lowe Carlson, the third book in the Three Days of Oblenite series. Plus, there's an excerpt from the book. Enjoy...

Blood (Three Days of Oblenite #3) by Jean Lowe Carlson

Brilliant surgeon Aulen Gregoire discovers by an accident of fate that his blood causes patients to survive death. His ability to steal patients from death's clutches turns into obsession, and the blessing becomes a curse as his own vitality is ripped away, craving the bliss of saving lives like a drug. Unleashed like a howling creature, his vast addiction drags him down to the deadly blue lights of the city's most desperate, where Aulen becomes the Angelus of the Catacombs.

And before his need is through, it will cost him everything; his position, friends, family, and his life.

Be advised: The book contains scenes of male rape, sexual coercion

You can find Blood at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Smashwords

ABOUT THE TRILOGY

A darkly romantic, gothic paranormal fantasy series, Three Days of Oblenite is rife with superstition, piety, and devious mysticism. The trilogy takes place in a dark, Parisian Victorian atmosphere, and involves three characters desperately cursed with the powers of a dead saint. With torturous undercurrents, their lives collide in lust, obsession, addiction, desperation, and death.

“Breath” follows a woman cursed to celibacy, unable to find love because her kiss kills, all but one night a year.

“Tears” involves a man cursed to feel bliss when he is whipped, and his religious conflict as he finds himself in a relationship with the man who brings him release.

While “Blood” features a surgeon cursed with healing blood, as he descends into a desperate underworld, addicted to working miracles.

A book spotlight for Tears

A book spotlight for Breath

 

Author Bio:

Jean Lowe Carlson writes epic fantasy fiction, dark supernatural romance, and dystopian fantasy. Her sensual, raw worlds remind one of Jacqueline Carey, Clive Barker’s Imajica, Anne Rice, and Robin Hobb.
Jean holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, and has a keen awareness of psychology and human behavior, using it to paint vivid and emotionally complex characters set amidst the broader scope of nations in turmoil or societies with riveting secrets. Not afraid of exploring all kinds of relationships, including LGBTQ and BDSM, her genre-bending novels are exciting, passionate, challenging, and lush.

For more on the author and her books check out these sites:

Amazon Profile

Goodreads

Smashwords Profile

Website

EXCERPT FROM BLOOD

They had finally crossed the park and were heading across Rue Blounne in the Gypsun Quarter. Jessup took them left, and then down a broad avenue strung with washlines and colorful clothing that fluttered like flags in the light summer breeze. A dog barked, and a passel of wild

curl-haired children went rushing by, shrieking and giggling. A stout grammère sweeping off her stoop yelled at them and shook her fist heartily, and Aulen’s spirits soared. The Quarter was a-bustle with life on this bright summer day, and his company was good and his tedium seemed far away.

Aulen was trying, and he was doing better than he’d done in weeks. Jessup was good company, and his light demeanor was rubbing off on Aulen. Suddenly, Jessup turned left, and hustled into a little glass-fronted shop.

“Let’s make a quick stop.”

“Sure.”

Aulen ducked into the shop behind the younger man, and found himself in a cozy little cigar-store as the bell-charm upon the door rang. The shop was cramped with shelving filled with cigars and baskets of loose-leaf tobaccos, smelling heavenly of herbal smokes of all sorts. Jessup seemed to know the young man behind the glass counter, an affable Gypsun of perhaps his late twenties, and greeted him cheerily.

“Freder!”

“Jess! Didn’t think to see you today!” The wiry, dark-eyed fellow ducked out from behind the counter and embraced Jessup with a hearty slap upon the back. Jessup gave a hearty slap back, then broke from the embrace to make introductions.

“Aulen, this is Freder de Merque. Freder, this is Dotorre Aulen Gregoire. He works with Krystof Fausten at Saint Sommes Hospital.”

“Enchanté.” Aulen clasped the man’s hand.

“Likewise!” Freder was cheery and bright, much like Jessup himself, and Aulen could see how the two were fast friends.

“Aulen and I are headed down to the faire. Want to come?” Jessup leaned against the glass case full of cigars and smoking implements.

“Ahh… Dieu de merde!” Freder looked stricken. “I’m supposed to watch the shop today for grandpère.” He sucked his lower lip a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. “Hold on a tic. Go ahead and pick something out if you want, the both of you. I’ll be right back.”

Freder strode to a set of stairs off to the left that led to upper apartments over the small family shop, and was soon gone out of sight. Jessup was already perusing the shelves, picking up cigars and smelling them idly.

“You smoke, dotorre?”

Aulen shook his head, hands in his trouser-pockets, leaning upon the glass case. “Not usually. I don’t tolerate substances well. One whiskey leaves me reeling, and a whole cigar…” He smiled ruefully. “Better have a bucket and a mop handy.”

Jessup looked over his shoulder and grinned his very white and very infectious smile. “So that’s why you only ever have half a pour when you come to the bar! I wondered about that. But you can eat a whole bucket of Marnet’s beignets and have no problems!”

Aulen patted his lean stomach. “Don’t know where it goes…”

At last, Jessup selected a cigar he liked from a tall mahogany rack near the door, just as quick boots trumped down the stairs. Dark-eyed Freder was elated, grinning wide, his smile every bit as infectious as Jessup’s. He extended his arms as he jumped to the landing, like a tumbler after a trick.

“Misseurs! Freder de Merque is at your disposal! Onward, to tumbling and contorting beauties! Grab your cigars and let’s go!”

Jessup twirled his cigar with a grin and pocketed it inside his black linen waistcoat, but Aulen simply pulled away from the glass case with a rueful shake of his head.

But blithe Freder wouldn’t have it. “None for you?”

Aulen repeated his earlier admonishment. “I don’t tolerate drink or smokes well. Really not at all.”

“Come, now!” Freder pushed, his dark eyes mischievous and relentless. “We’re off to celebrate and see hot little acrobat-women! Here, try this one. They’re very mild, and it has an herbal blend you’ll enjoy. Allons!”

And he was shoving it into the inner pocket of Aulen’s taupe waistcoat with a feisty grin. And Aulen found he was grinning back, enjoying the fun, swept up in the joyous enthusiasm of Jessup and his riotous comrade “Alright! Alright! I give in!” Aulen held his hands up,

laughing now as Freder patted his cheeks in a quick rolletunde, then turned and whisked something from behind the glass cigar-case.

Freder held up a pewter flask and sloshed it teasingly, his dark eyes alight with mischief. “For later!”

“You sneaky devil.” Jessup accosted Freder and wrenched it away, unscrewing the cap and sniffing, then took a swig. “Dark’s tits!” Jessup coughed, and his eyes were watering, but he was grinning. “What the Dieu de merde is that?” He threw the flask back to Freder.

Freder gave a cheeky wink as he caught it. “Homemade apricot brandy. Theoretically. Dotorre?”

Aulen started to protest with a shake of his head.

“Come on…!”

Freder tossed him the narrow pewter flask, and Aulen caught it. The day was fine, and he was out, and they were off to see blithe entertainment. Aulen’s worries and fears had been banished to the back of his mind, and he felt decades younger and lighter of heart than he had been in months. He thought briefly of Christianne, and how much she would smile to see her husband returned home after a day of revelry and distraction from his woes. Oh, how Christianne would smile for him.

“What the hell.” Aulen grinned and unscrewed the flask’s cap. He took a swig, then coughed like Jessup had, his eyes burning like fire along with his poor throat, and indeed, his entire mouth. His belly seared like flame. Aulen threw the pewter flask back, still coughing into his

rolled-up shirtsleeve.

“Merde!” Aulen managed to croak out, and Freder laughed heartily.

“That’s the spirit!” Freder reached around the glass case once more, and tossed a second pewter flask to Aulen. “Keep that one for me, huh? Jessup drinks shit too fast…” He winked.

“You ballsy baiseur!”

Jessup laughed and launched himself at Freder, and they wrestled a moment like young men do. But Freder was stronger, both broader in shoulder and stouter than Jessup, and managed to retain control of the first flask, shoving Jessup off and running for the front door of the shop. Jessup followed briskly, and Aulen whisked forward, making the door-charm tinkle against the glass as they whisked out of the dim shop and into the sunny, sweat-thick street.

Aulen’s head buzzed nicely even from his sip of the alcohol. The day was muggy and bright, cicadas chorusing for them in the trees as the laughter of the two younger men made heads turn all the way down the laundry-choked street. Dark-eyed women admired Aulen from windows and stoops as he turned. He felt himself flush, rifling a hand through his auburn hair, not used to being attended to in such a way by anyone but Christianne.

But the day was fine and the company was good, and Aulen’s worries were pushed aside. Aulen thought again of Christianne, of how she would smile for him when he came home rested from a day of distraction and in a good mood. He picked up his boots and whisked off down the avenue behind Freder de Merque and Jessup Rohalle, deeper into the Gypsun Quarter in the full sun of the afternoon.

The Common Centrale was one of the largest squares in the city of Julis, its four-block expanse of grey pavingstones adorned with not one but four massive white-marble fountains along its sprawling length. The hub of the Gypsun Quarter, the Common Centrale was normally choked with booths and stalls as a daily open-air market. Flanked by outdoor cafes all along its perimeter, the Common was a place to see and be seen, a place where even nobility from the highest classes of Julis came to take distraction. A site of interest for tourists, the Common was a fixture of the city, and also the starting and ending-point for the annual Rollows parade.

But today, the Common was choked to the hilt with the traveling faire. Massive tents towered over the neighboring four- and five-story brick and stone buildings of the Quarter. Hawkers crowded close, crying their wares with the same blithe and raucous enthusiasm of Rollows-eve, many of them in their Rollows-masques. The square was packed with revelers gawking at faire-entertainers mingling between the booths and tents. The fountains were barely visible through the melee and a riot of colorful silk and high-arching canvas soared over it all.

The traveling faire was the height of artistic mastery and phantasma. As Aulen pushed his way through the crowd after Jessup and Freder, they passed tumblers and acrobats, contortionists and sword-swallowers, fire-jugglers and snake-singers, dancing dogs and a rabbit race. And just when Aulen thought it couldn’t get any more magnificent or bizarre, they stepped aside hastily for a parade of white chargers ridden by lovely dark-haired women, aiming for the central-most of the six massive pavilions.

“Ah, baise-moi!”

Freder mock-swooned as the women rode by in their black corsets and dripping black lace. Their costumes sported little else to cover their muscular thighs and black riding-boots, not to mention their décolletage. All of them had dark curls piled high into luxurious cascades over back masques full of cormorant and peacock feathers. Blue and green and silver beadwork edged their corsets, dripping from the lace and accentuating their sinuous undulations as they rode their strong chargers.

“Ma bien-aimée!” Freder stepped to the stirrup of a particularly buxom and healthy woman, pacing at the side of her horse to kiss her boot. She laughed heartily and set her black riding-boot to his chest, pushing Freder off with a twinkle in her eye and a wink as she guided

her white stallion on. But she reined it in suddenly and made it rear, then did a perfect leap in place, her dark eyes flashing to Freder from behind her feather-masque to make sure he appreciated her efforts on his behalf.

Freder swooned backwards into Jessup’s arms, making a show of it.

The woman upon the charger laughed, and the crowd clapped and cheered.

Freder bowed as if he were flourishing a high-topped hat.

There was a ripple of laughter as the crowd dispersed, either following the horses on towards the pavilion where they would be performing, or heading off towards other entertainment in the packed square. Freder laughed his way over to a caramel-nut seller and bought them each a bag of pacanne, then whisked out his pewter flask. They all shared a round of liquor to Freder’s admonishment of, “Drink, dotorre, drink!”

“Over there!” Freder pointed, and Aulen glanced through the crowd towards the sound of drums and chimes and a reedy flute. But Freder and Jessup were already pushing their way through, and Aulen followed, his head reeling nicely.

Aulen made a mental note to wait a while before his next swig.

The day was too bright and too much fun to be ruining his blithe time with drink.

Aulen found the rakish Gypsun duo gawking at the edge of a set of red and purple rugs from Perthe, laid down over the cobbles. Occupied by a small band of musicians at the rear, a trio of dancing women paced the front of the rugs. The women were striking and half-nude, their garments little more than gossamer veils about the hips and something to cover their breasts, with lavish jewelry and semi-precious metals dripping over everything else. Their long, straight black hair was unbound, and they danced with colorful veils of featherweight silk. Winding and weaving through each other, the talented women accented the music with hips, ribcage, arms, wrists, and even head motions.

It was erotic, and Aulen found himself blushing at the edge of the sinuous spectacle, his heart racing from drink. Freder had dropped to his knees, his hands in a prayer of adoration before the women. One of them laughed as she danced, her dark eyes merry at his antics. Jessup put a hand to his friend’s shoulder and hauled him up with a laugh, but sincere apologies to the dancers. But one lithe creature danced close to Aulen and wrapped him in her purple veil. She pulled him close and ran her smooth, full lips over his jaw before pulling away, her dark eyes daring him to do more.

Aulen gaped, his head spinning.

“Dotorre Aulen Gregoire, seducer extraordinaire!”

Aulen vaguely registered Freder at his side, slapping his back heartily and rattling him by the shoulders. The lithe, dark-eyed dancer gazed over her shoulder at Aulen as she went. Sultry, she sashayed back towards the band as the tempo changed into something more brisk with pops and slaps of percussion.

Aulen’s blood raged, watching her go

A flask was pressed into his hands.

Aulen had a long drink, wiping his mouth on his forearm.

He tried to hand the flask back, but it was pressed to his hands again. Aulen took another drink. Someone hauled him backwards with a brisk laugh, and they were off through the crowd again.