What have I been working on?

While Consequences (releases September 18th) is with the proofreader I have been busy at work on my next mystery novel, Dark Passing. *choir of angels sing*

 We will welcome back our favorite misanthrope, Ella Reynolds, and her ever so sweet detective, Gabriel Troy. Here is a little excerpt just for you. 
 
I shook my head. Fagan’s car crept up the snow covered lane and parked on the flat area behind us. He tapped on Gabriel’s window and waved for us to follow him to the barn. We hiked in behind him. The old barn groaned under the relentless wind and the smell of dirt and hay mixed with something sweeter that stuck in my throat and made me want to turn around and leave. Goosebumps covered my body and had nothing to do with the cold. I stopped, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had to pull myself together. The too familiar feeling of eyes on me, boring into me, made my heart beat quicken. I peeled back my eyelids that didn’t want to open to find no one was looking at me. All forensic investigators were busy photographing and collecting evidence and Fagan and Gabriel we looking intently at the table. I let my eyes slowly travel the room, searching out my discomfort. When I reached the loft an old man in overhauls and a white t-shirt stood out in the open staring down at me. The words to call out to him were on my lips when his face finally registered. His eyes were no more than crimson pools of blood slowly leaking down his cheeks and into his white beard. Everything around me faded, and I could hear the drip of the blood from the ends of his beard to the wood planked floor. Drip, drip, drip. I couldn’t look away from his gruesome gaze; my skin crawled as if trying to get away.
Gabriel stepped between me and the dead farmer, breaking the trance. “El?” He glanced to where I was looking, but didn’t see him. “You okay?”
“Um, yeah. Fine. Sorry. What were you saying?”
He gave me an odd look, but led me over to the table by the elbow. I couldn’t help glancing back up. The man followed me, the floor creaking under his weight, continuing to stare like he knew I could see him. My stomach twisted, but I forced my attention on Gabriel. He’s not real, he can’t hurt me, became my mantra.

Sizzling Summer Reads

Welcome to the Sizzling Summer Reads hosted by Literary Addicts. This Event takes place August 20 - Sept 2 Each blog participating will have a book related giveaway worth at least $10. The Literary Addicts is also hosting a grand prize - Open Internationally! Follow the linky below and hop around!

Hello, friends!

At this stop I am giving away a lot. The first book in my paranormal romance/urban fantasy series, The Guardian Trilogy is currently FREE!

Yep, that's right for everyone who stops by Bat Country. 

I see you over there, the one saying, "Big deal, I have a Nook." Well guess what, you are not left out either. Barnes and Noble

I haven't forgotten about Itunes or any other formats you might need/want. 

Now that we have that taken care of let me get one with the rest of the giveaways. 

I am giving away 5 signed paperback copies of Choices (Book 2 of the series)

For the grand prize I am giving away a tiger eye bracelet and a signed paperback copy of the anthology Cupid Painted Blind. 

To enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Consequences Sneak Peek

Okay so I am excited about Consequences coming out soon. It is currently with my editor, but I decided to share a little bit of the opening scene with you guys. This is completely unedited, but I hope you enjoy it!

 

"We have to go somewhere," the growl came from the beautiful statue of a man standing beside me in the middle of a deserted street. His voice made my heart patter and my brain struggle to maintain control.

"Go wherever you want. No one is asking you to stay," the dimpled, normally gentle man in front of me began to take on the appearance of an avenging angel with the light haloing him growing in intensity. 

"Why don't we have a little chat, guardian?" Holden easily looked more menacing—blood soaked, eyes flashing, and white teeth gleaming out from his snarling mouth.

"We have to go somewhere," Femi repeated what Holden said, but calmly, already bored with the guys’ bickering. "Holden's suggestion is the only one I've heard."

       "Of course he has a suggestion, he's a criminal." Quintus’ light grew brighter and brighter. "Olivia?"

New covers!

The Guardian Trilogy has had a makeover more befitting the series. What do you think?

And I have the cover for a new mystery novel coming out in 2013

The cover for DARK PASSING (a continuation of Dark Corners which will be available in October) will come soon as will the new cover for EASY BAKE COVEN which will be released in December of this year! All so exciting!

Hollywood Stories Available Now

“A WILD, FUN RIDE THROUGH TINSEL TOWN, PAST AND PRESENT!”  -- JAN WAHL, KCBS AM/FM & KRON-TV

"Hollywood Stories is a piece of history.  It needs to go up in the Smithsonian because nowhere on earth is there a book like this one.  I thoroughly enjoyed it." -- Dorothy Thompson, Book Reviewer at Literally Speaking

At high noon on a cold November day in 1974, sixty-seven-year-old John Wayne faced off with the staff of the Harvard Lampoon on the famous campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The students had issued their challenge by calling the beloved American icon a fraud. Wayne, who had his new movie McQ to promote, responded by saying he would be happy to show his film in the pseudo-intellectual swamps of Harvard Square. After the screening, without writers, the former USC footballer delivered a classic performance. When one smart young man asked where he got his phony toupee, Wayne insisted the hair was real. It wasn't his, but it was real. The appreciative underclassmen loved him and after the Q and A session, they all sat down to dinner. Later Wayne, who was suffering greatly from both gout and the after effects of lung cancer (sadly the Duke only had five years to live), said that day at Harvard was the best time he ever had.

Just when you thought you've heard everything about Hollywood comes a totally original new book -- a special blend of biography, history and lore.

Hollywood Stories is packed with wild, wonderful short tales about famous stars, movies, directors and many others who have been a part of the world's most fascinating, unpredictable industry!

What makes the book unique is that the reader can go to any page and find a completely engaging and illuminating yarn. Sometimes people won't realize that they are reading about The Three Stooges or Popeye the Sailor until they come to the end of the story. The Midwest Book Review says Hollywood Stories is, "packed from cover to cover with fascinating tales."

A professional tour guide in Hollywood, Stephen Schochet has researched and told thousands of entertaining anecdotes for over twenty years. He is also the author and narrator of two audiobooks Tales of Hollywood and Fascinating Walt Disney. Tim Sika, host of the radio show Celluloid Dreams on KSJS in San Jose has called Stephen," The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard."

Full of funny moments and twist endings, Hollywood Stories features an amazing, all-star cast of legendary characters and icons and will keep you totally entertained! 

Website   E-book  Hardcover

Mark of the Witch by Jessica Gibson

A good writing friend of mine has released her first book, Mark of the Witch. I personally cannot wait to read this book. I have already downloaded my copy. She has graciously allowed me to share a excerpt with you guys today.

Oh, and Jilly, you really shouldn’t be in the habit of meeting strange people at night. I could have been a strangler for all you knew,” he said with a hint of reproach in his voice.

    “Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about me, William; it’s the strangler who should be worried,” Jilly said with a viscous gleam in her eyes while she vigorously rubbed her palms together until they glowed brightly in the moonlight. “Care to shake my hand, Mr. Strangler?” she asked with a laugh as she stuck her hand out to him.

    “Ok, I’m game, let’s see what you’ve got up your sleeve,” he said as he grabbed her hand. Almost instantly he was on the ground, writhing in pain. “Well, I will say that tonight I’m glad that I cannot die; that sure packs a punch. I think I could feel my heart stop for a second,” he said, a little winded, as he propped himself up into a sitting position and rubbed his hand.

    “Yeah, I figured I’d give you a real show tonight,” she said as she walked away.

He watched her go, still sitting on the ground, and said, “Until tomorrow then,” almost under his breath.

Pick it up on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords!

Dark Corners Free 5/08-05/09

And on Wednesday Secrets (Guardian Trilogy Book 1) is also free!

Get 'em, while their hot. ;-)