BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Knights of Stone by Lisa Carlisle @LisaCBooks #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Lisa Carlisle released Knights of Stone, an Erotic Paranormal Romance.

Gargoyles, tree witches, and wolf shifters have divided the Isle of Stone after a great battle twenty-

five years ago. When Kayla, a tree witch, hears about the unconventional rock concerts in the gargoyle’s territory, she sneaks from her coven and into their territory to see for herself. Night after night, she returns to see one in particular shift into human form and play guitar at these unconventional shows.

For several nights, Mason has kept watch for the pixie-like female. He plans to seduce her, thinking she’s a visitor from another island. When he discovers she’s one of the tree witches, he retreats, attempting to keep his distance. The temptation is strong, but forbidden.

Kayla and Mason attempt to meet in secret, but other elements on the isle command their attention. A magical cloak created by the three clans on the island is thinning, leading to repercussions for all the clans. Kayla and Mason are caught in the middle of it, and their actions may change the fate for all. " Gargoyles, tree witches, and shifters have divided their Scottish isle. When a witch breaches into another territory, she's tempted by a forbidden attraction that may affect the future for all.

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A REVIEW from Read Our Thoughts Book Blog... "OMG a hot gargoyle, who would have thought and now I want to read more about them. Kayla is enthralled my the very hot and compelling rock star Mason.....And he is certainly a ROCK star, he is a gargoyle that puts on a very spectacular show with his brothers... Very moving and passionate story for adult readers, I look forward to more from the Knights of Stone."

EXCERPT

The crowd pushed Kayla closer to the stage as the last trails of fiery sunset faded. They knew what happened once darkness fell. She recovered her footing and focused again on the five life-sized stone gargoyles perched on pedestals on the perimeter of the stage. The space between them was set with instruments—guitars, a drum set, mic stands, and massive amplifiers, while a bonfire in a pit behind them cast the statues in a warm glow.
A stagehand with tartan draped over one shoulder climbed onto the stage and walked to the closest statue. He fastened the kilt over its shoulder and around its waist with a thick belt, covering the statue’s massive thighs. Kayla flushed, picturing why the coverings were necessary once the transformation began. The kilt had become a key detail in her fantasies about the guitarist, since it was the only clothing he wore. The stagehand continued dressing
each statue with the same brilliant blue tartan worn by the gargoyle clan.
The last vestige of sunlight disappeared from the sky, and night draped the stage like a closing curtain. The statues loomed, dark silhouettes barely discernible by the crescent moon with the backdrop of the craggy cliffs and the rugged peaks of waves in the Atlantic Ocean behind them. The murmur of voices was replaced by silence. Waiting...
Five torches blazed on the stage all at once, lit by an unseen force. The audience erupted in cheers as the dancing lights from the flickering fire basked the statues. The flames lowered, casting the gargoyles in an eerie, almost reverent glow.
Movement. So slight, Kayla wondered if it was simply a play of light and shadows in her anticipation for the change. She fixed her gaze on the statue in front of her, the one she’d gravitated to each time she had sneaked out to see the show. Its massive gray form stood straight on two legs built for sturdiness. Its chest jutted out proudly. Gray wings with detailed feathers etched in the stone arched from a point below its shoulder blades. Eyes cast straight ahead on a face that appeared to be a mixture of canine and lion. Its right hand twitched, so slightly she would have missed it if she hadn’t stared so intently. Then a clawed foot inched forward. 

ABOUT Lisa Carlisle
Lisa loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent, caring heroines. She feels very honored to be a multi-published author since she's wanted to write since the sixth grade. Her travels have provided her with inspiration for various settings in her novels, including deployments while she served in the Marines. She lived in Parris Island, the California desert, and Okinawa, Japan. She also backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris, France, as an au pair before returning to the U.S. and buying a book store. She now lives in New England with her husband, two children, a cat, and many fish.

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http://lisacarlislebooks.com/  |  https://www.facebook.com/lisacarlisleauthor

#Thursday13 Sentences from #MFRWauthor @DevBentham DRIVING INTO THE SUN

Dev Bentham shares 13 sentences from Driving into the Sun, an Erotic GLBT Romance, released with Loose Id in 2014.

Bad choices. We all make them, some more than others. Dusty’s choices have left him unemployed,
broke and practically homeless. Despite the major issues he has with his family, his only rational choice is to sell everything and move into his parents’ basement. At thirty. Looking for a ride west, he answers a phone ad. The voice at the other end of the line flows like dark, rich honey. Finally something to look forward to—listening to Joe’s voice all the way from Illinois to Idaho.

Rather than the hip crooner of Dusty’s fantasies, Joe turns out to look more like a panhandler. Is that because Joe dresses down, or are Dusty’s preconceptions about Native Americans clouding his vision? Joe is silent more often than not. He has a complicated past and still has amends to make. But he is ready to move on. Dusty feels trapped. Two damaged men, one small car driving two thousand miles into the sun—sometimes things need to break down before they can get fixed." Two damaged men, one small car driving two thousand miles into the sun—sometimes things need to break down before they can get fixed.

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"" Driving into the Sun is a book about leaving angst and risk management behind while accepting the possibility that there is something better that you didn't even know was out there. A great book, beautifully written, character driven and highly recommended."" - USA Today

""A richly developed and believable romance that resonates with strong emotion, Driving into the Sun is a superb novel that is quite captivating. Dev Bentham brings together two very complex and damaged characters who find love despite their insecurities and rather messy lives. The close confines of the car and the stops along the way provide an intimate setting for Dusty and Joe to divulge their secrets and explore their attraction. The sex scenes between them are exquisitely detailed and are a perfect blend of sweet and sexy.""
Book Reviews and More by Kathy
http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/category/driving-into-the-sun/

13 Sentences from DRIVING INTO THE SUN...
When Joe finished with the hand, he put his fingers under Dusty’s chin and tipped his face toward the light. His touch was gentle, like a lover right before a first kiss. Dusty’s lips opened as he stared up into Joe’s dark brown eyes. Joe’s gaze flicked to Dusty’s mouth, then away. He wet some gauze and began dabbing at Dusty’s cheek. Dusty had forgotten about scrape on his face. Now it stung. So much for the moment before a kiss. He bit the inside of his lip to keep from pulling away.

“Don’t worry.” Joe’s voice was soft, amused. “This won’t scar your handsome face.”

Dusty rolled his eyes. Handsome was about the last thing he’d call himself tonight. Still, he found himself smiling at the thought.

ABOUT Dev Bentham
Dev writes soulful m/m romance. Her characters are flawed and damaged adult men who may not even know what they are missing, but whose lives are transformed by true love.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5682093.Dev_Bentham
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dev.bentham

A QUICK and QUIRKY #MFRWauthor Interview @KetaDiablo

MFRW Author Keta Diablo, multi-published author of erotic romance and gay fiction, talks about one of her latest books... oh yeah, and she gives us some quirky answers to some quick questions.

If money was no object, where would you travel?
Well, if money is no object, you'd find me anywhere there's year-round sunshine and something we squish between our toes...sand.

If money were no object, where would you shop?
My favorite to place to shop would have to be a room filled with handbags, candles and bath soaps. I admit, I'm an addict to all three.

If you were stranded on an island, who would you bring with you?
If I was stranded on a tropical island, I'd want to be with anyone who lived larger in life during some point of history in the great USA.

Country or City?
Country life over city life in a heartbeat. Moooo. Moooo

What advice do you have for new writers?
The answer is simple and very brief. Write. More. Books.

Do you have a writing schedule?
I don't have a writing schedule per se. I do, however, plant my butt in a chair every day and write something. Anything. Writing is a lonely life and one must also be committed to sectioning off time every day to fulfill writing goals (whatever they are).

What is your favorite book?
The Windflower, Laura London (husband and wife team authors)
Second Favorites: To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone With the Wind, Sweet Savage Love (Rosemary Rogers), Spymaster Series (Joanna Bourne)

Tell us about writing Chasin the Dead.
I loved writing Chasing the Dead, Book 1 in the Bannister Brothers' Series. The Old West and Native
American history are two of my faves - not only do I love to write about them but the research is fascinating. Once in a while a toss in a paranormal element, which I did in Chasing the Dead. The Apache (all Native Americans) were very superstitious about the afterlife and ghosts. I hope I delivered something about the Natives you didn't know before.  And I hope I scared you too! The dead spirit in Chasing the Dead is no ordinary ghost - he's a ghoul bent on revenge!

Chasin the Dead, an Erotic Western Paranormal Romantic Suspense 

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We're running for our lives from Uday, the vaporous ghoul tracking us. He lusts after Sacheen, the beautiful maiden banished from the Apache village who travels with us. The warrior killed her father when Sacheen refused to marry him, and then Sacheen's brother killed Uday. The ghost's powers grow stronger every minute on our journey back to El Vaquero...and so does my love for Deacon.  ~ Madrid Arrende ~

EXCERPT

A shadow hovered near the fires, ducking in between stalks of cacti and other scrub brush. Maddie drew a deep breath and ambled forward with Elan beside her. Amid the dissonant chants and prayers, warriors brandishing spears and shields hollered into the gray mist. Maddie squinted, hoping to catch sight of the ghoul the others couldn't see. Only powerful shamans and spirit chasers had trained themselves to look upon the face of a dead spirit. A ripple of fear spread through her limbs and shivered down her spine when la fantasma appeared before her. A mass of black patterns and swirls marred his enraged face. His eyes were hollow and black until a den of serpents slithered from the sockets–a deception the spirit had learned in his brief time in the underworld.Maddie swallowed hard and sneaked a glance at Elan. Standing tall and looking formidable, she had to admire the man's courage. ""It is you he seeks to destroy, Elan, to forge a path to Sacheen. I will go forth on my own now.""Elan shook his head, his expression one of disbelief. ""Why would you put yourself in such danger? We wait and see what the dead man will do.""""No. It is what he wants, for all in the village to fear him. Only then does his true power unfold. I will meet his challenge; let him know I am here to banish him back to the dead."" ""Although I cannot"", she whispered under her breath.The ghost twisted and turned, retreating back from the fire, only to appear seconds later at another location in camp. He screamed and howled, the otherworldly sounds rumbling through the village like a murderous dust storm. Maddie shrugged aside Elan's grip on her elbow and walked forward. ""Madre, be with me,"" she said to the ground. The moon had not shown its face this night but a smattering of a million stars gave enough light for Maddie to focus on the grim outline of the wretch. ""Lift up your eyes dead spirit and hear my words.""An inhuman screech sent a blast of wind in her direction. It lashed her face and whipped her long hair into a frenzy.""You are small and weak. I do not fear you!"" she screamed, bewildered by the words spewing from her mouth. ""The wolf has sung your passing and the bear has grumbled low. Sing your death song and return to the underworld.""The wailing chants of the shamans echoed behind her. Ignoring her warning, Elan suddenly appeared beside her, only to be struck to the ground when the ghoul unleashed a stream of lightning spikes from the sky. Elan moaned, clutched his broken arm and attempted to rise.""Stay down!"" Maddie ground out between clenched teeth.Her mother's voice rode the crest of her fear. Be strong, Madrid, try again.Her knees shook and her spine curled, but she took another step forward. ""Your breath has moved to another world. You must remain with it. Do you hear me, dead spirit? You are no longer welcome here. Your relatives have said farewell and so must you, never to return.""A refrain from the Apache against her back bolstered her courage—a roar of cheers and the synchronized trampling of moccasins beating the ground.  Torrents of rain fell from the sky, pounding Maddie into the earth beneath her feet. Wet dirt spiraled up her nose and debilitating pain wracked her body. A hand clamped over her arm. When Maddie realized it belonged to Elan, a sigh of relief mingled with the cold blast of air surrounding them. Sacheen's brother pulled her against his wet body and crawled toward camp, dragging her with him.A triumphant scream from the ghost rent the air, pitching the warriors into a cowering retreat. The cold, gray dawn swept over camp. Shivering with despair, Maddie turned to Elan. ""His power is great.""Out of breath and still clutching his arm, he nodded.""Maddie raised a fist to the sky. ""We have failed this night, dead spirit, but we will not the next time we meet.""

#MFRWauthor Interview @REMullins

MFRW Author R.E. Mullins talks about her latest book.

R. E. Mullins was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. She has also lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Springfield, Missouri and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Though she has loved each area, the Ozarks hold a special place in her heart. That is why she set her fictional town of Amber Heights there.

She worked as a Phlebotomist for ten years and assisted in a Continuing Education Course in Phlebotomy. Now she is concentrating on writing. Connect with her on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/REMullinsauthor.

Why do you write romance novels?
I want to write the types of things I like to read. Fantasy, romance—these are the things that interest me.

What kind of research do you do for a book? 
I do tons of research. Mainly because I get caught up in it and continue long past the point needed. Very little of it actually gets incorporated into my manuscripts.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Quite a bit. The disastrous blind date in my second novel actually happened to me, I was a phlebotomist, and the setting is quite similar to where I live. That said—I must add a disclaimer. I might have borrowed from real life for my books but my characters are imaginary.

Would you like to write a different genre?
After I finish my vampire series (4 books) I believe I might try my hand at contemporary. I’d like to have my characters enjoying a good meal once in a while instead of always drinking bloodwine.

Do you feel humor is important in fiction?
Yes. Absolutely. Life is funny. I continue to try to incorporate more and more humor in my writing.

Tell us about your latest book.
Vampire In The Scrying Glass is the second novel in my vampire series: The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights. Though it continues the family saga, it focuses on a different couple. This is Morgan and Rafe’s story. Don’t worry, though, you’ll hear from the characters in the first book.

Vampire In The Scrying Glass, The Wild Rose Press

Rafe Blautsauger, vampire and enforcer, must put his feelings for the mortal Morgan Maguire aside. The Nosferatu council who employs Rafe strictly forbids their love. But he can't stay away from the beautiful woman who causes his blood to beat with new life.Yet, she hides a secret, one he must expose in order to protect her.
                             
Morgan keeps her unique gift of magic under wraps due to a spell gone horribly wrong when she was young.  She is haunted by a nightmare where two malevolent glowing red eyes stalk her. Can she trust the arrogant but oh-so-handsome Rafe with her secret as well as her heart? Can he help her regain her power in time to save the world of the living and the undead?

There's a vampire in her scrying glass... BUY LINK

EXCERPT

Morgan quickly lunged forward, and pressed the stake firmly over his heart. “You are despicable.”
“Necessary. Especially for someone as puny as you.” With ease Rafe flipped the piece of sharpened wood out of her fingers, twirled it around a couple of times, and then handed it back with a small flourish.
This time reprisal came more quickly as a spell came to her. She hoped that one day it would come automatically. “Let this man feel my slap. Not to harm, just a tap. Let him feel a touch of fear, to know he cannot domineer.”
For a second the words hung in the air and then Rafe’s eyes widened as his head jerked to the side. The faint lines of a palm print reddened his left cheek.
“You little devil,” he rubbed the side of his face before pushing her on the shoulder with the flat of his hand. He shoved hard enough to force her back a step. “If you’re going to slap at me, by god, you better have the balls to come at me personally.”
“Oh, yeah?” Morgan thrust both hands against his chest and shoved with all her might. It shook her when he didn’t budge an inch, but she managed to keep up her air of bravado. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like the fact I’m not weak and powerless?” Tossing back her head, she challenged, “I don’t need magic to take you on, but it would be wise for you to remember it’s always there.”
He thwarted any chance of escape or the ability to get in the last word by twisting his hand into her hair. He pulled hard enough she gasped.
“So take me on,” he dared."