The last thing college senior Lottie Boyd expected while on spring break in New Orleans was having strange, yet vivid dreams of a 19th century young widow, desperately trying to save her dying little girl. When doctors are unable to do more, the beautiful woman in Lottie’s dreams is forced to go beyond her beliefs for one last attempt. 

Compelled to find answers, Lottie is drawn toward the historic Villere House of Voodoo, where she meets the owner, Xavier Villere. She is attracted to his intriguing creole good looks, but his skepticism of his family's century-old link to Voodoo and the occult keep pushing her away. It isn’t until Xavier begins experiencing unexplainable events from his own past that he begins to understand why he must help Lottie with hers.

Leslie Fear has always been an avid reader and when she began posting reviews, she went back to her roots and started writing again. She is also a singer/musician and was a member of a local group which performed in the Dallas/FT. Worth area in the early '90's. Leslie lives in Texas with her husband, two great kids and a pug.

When not writing, C.D. Hussey enjoys a career as a professional engineer. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, teenage son, and two cats.

Besides exploring the world of Human Vampires, C.D. also enjoys writing fantasy romance. 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202737.Leslie_Fear

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CD-Hussey/229054990442307

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18275576-villere-house

https://www.facebook.com/author.leslie.fear

Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae - beautiful, magical, and deadly creatures that have a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?

Welcome to my world.

What started out as a strange assignment, lead to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times. My friends and I are set and determined to find out who is killing off Fae and Witches alike.

Couple of problems in the way – I hate the Fae and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him. He’s a rude, overbearing egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate and control me. Oh – did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae...every time he touches me or looks at me with those dangerous golden eyes he seems to pull me further in under his spell, despite my better judgment.

My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface – not even me.

I’m excited to welcome Amelia Hutchins to my blog today to discuss her paranormal romance Fighting Destiny.  
Hi ladies, so happy to be here. Thanks for having me!

What inspired you to write Fighting Destiny? 
I had the story stuck in my head for many years before I finally sat down to write it because Ryder would literally not stop growling into my ear. 

Fighting Destiny is the first book in a series. Do you know how many books the series will include and do you have them mapped out? 
4-5 for Syn and Ryder.

Tell us about your characters Syn and Ryder and how they came to be?
Ryder...well he’s Ryder. He’s all alpha and determined for me to write him the exact way he is inside my head. He’s difficult to capture because he’s dominant and not afraid to show it. He keeps winking inside my head, and telling me to just write in somewhere that he throws poor Syn over his shoulder and she goes willing. Syn says, “Not bloody likely.”

Synthia is difficult because she doesn’t trust easily, and she watched a lot before interacting. She’s very selfless, but fierce in the way she deals with people. Overall, she’s very fun to write because she’s got a serious side, but she also has a humorous look on things that comes out a lot more in book two.

Did you have a particular audience in mind when you started writing? 
Adults, other than that I was just hoping people would like it.

Fighting Destiny has a bit of everything—action, suspense, romance, humor. Did you know from the outset it would have all these elements? Was there any aspect you found more difficult to write? 
No, honestly I allowed the characters free rein which seemed to work out for the best. I found the blood and gore of the crime scenes hard to write because I’m one of those girls who throws her popcorn and runs out of the movie theater screaming like a girl. 

What’s your writing process like? 
Coffee, check Facebook pages, more coffee, Ryder growls, and I eventually open the document and give in to his demanding ways.

What are your “must haves” as you write? 
Music and coffee.

Are there any books or authors that have influenced you in your writing? 
Johanna Lindsey, Hannah Howell, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole, Darynda Jones, and of course Karen Marie Moning.

What has surprised you the most with the release of your first book? 
That people liked it. Hands down, I still cry when I read a good review. I was in shock when it climbed the charts and I didn’t allow myself to even crack a smile until the reviews started coming in. When they did, I smiled and cried.

What has been the biggest challenge? 
Editing, I have forked out money and not gotten anything finished...even checked people’s reviews and ended up jaded on it. It’s definitely a learning process for sure.

What can your readers look forward to next? Do you see yourself writing in different genres? 
I might later on. My focus is getting this series done and seeing what the future brings. I’d like to do a comedy romance and maybe some erotica someday.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? 
Don’t stop writing, and ignore the negative things people will say about you. You can be the nicest person and someone will still tear you down. Grow some thick skin, and smile and just keep writing. 

Bad villain or Sexy villain? 
Sexy villain...look how Lothaire turned out! O.o hubba hubba.

You’re trapped in an elevator—which paranormal/preternatural creature would you prefer as company and why? 
Fae, so he could sift me to safety! 

What TV or book character did you have a crush on growing up?
Payton Murray...from Hannah Howell’s Highland novels. 

Favorite hobby that isn’t reading or writing? 
Playing Legos with my six year old...does that count? 

Who doesn't like Legos?:) THANKS Amelia!
Thanks so much for having me! 

Excerpt:
He bowed his head giving me a dark, dangerous smile.  "Keep telling yourself that Syn, and you might eventually believe it."

"I don’t need you to believe it, or myself for that matter.  I have to protect, endure and live for my coven.  In that order.  I'll be ready to leave in five minutes.  Let me just go grab my big girl panties," I said, leaving him at the door.  

"I'll be strong for you Syn, if you need it.  You don’t always have to be the strong one, I'll be your glue if you want to crumble, I'll hold you together," he said lifting his eyes and meeting mine.  

"And what if you're what's making me crumble Ryder, what then?"

His lips lifted into his sexy smirk.  "Then I'll put you back together.  I will never tear you down, Syn.  I will always protect you from anything and everything that would.  I've yet to find anything in this world or any other who can take me on—keep that in mind," he said lifting his eyes to meet mine before he started to turn away.  

I was startled by his words and what he had said earlier when we were dancing. He didn’t like me, did he? "That's what I'm afraid of." 

About the Author:
Amelia lives in the great Pacific Northeast with her family. When not writing she can be found on her page Erotica Book Club. She's an avid reader of everything paranormal romance.

Stalk Amelia here:
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092218.Amelia_Hutchins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorameliahutchins

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Destiny-Fae-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D5M4PTM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374806229&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fighting-destiny-amelia-hutchins-amelia-hutchins/1115481136?ean=2940016649634

Sex on Fire, Kings of Leon
Closer, Nine Inch Nails
Broken, Seether
Godsmack, I Stand Alone
Puddle Of Mudd, Control
Carly Simon, You’re So Vain 
Limp Bizkit, Behind Blue Eyes
Stained, Believe
Nine Inch Nails, Head Like Hole
Stone Sour, Through the Glass
Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars
Three Days Grace, I hate Everything About You
Sublime, Bad Fish 
Trapt, Headstrong 
AC/DC, You Shook me all Night Long 
Disturbed, Down With the Sickness 
Kings of Leon, Use Somebody
Seether, FMLYHM

When twenty-six-year-old graphic designer Lily Moore shapeshifts for the first time, Atlanta police detectives consult wildlife experts to sort through the bizarre forensic evidence she leaves in her wake. Her traumatic transformation coincides with murder and Lily finds herself the center of a mad vortex of area crimes.

On the run, Lily turns to her younger brother to help unravel the secrets surrounding her boyfriend’s death as well as unlock the mysteries of their Chinese heritage. When a loved one goes missing, Lily finds herself scrambling to find purchase in this new world where there hasn’t been balance for a century.

As she learns to master her new preternatural abilities, she must cut through the lies of those around her. With the police and a killer hot on her trail, can she solve the mystery of being First Born or will family secrets prove deadly?

Excerpt:  
She looked again to the night sky, surprised by her heightened perception of things. Cicada chirped a mysterious serenade as clouds danced across the face of the moon. She shook her head to focus. A metallic taste permeated her mouth. She ran her tongue over her gums finding the empty socket where her top canine used to be. Suddenly, a familiar scent hit her, drawing her toward home.

After a quick right on to Myrtle Street, she stopped in her tracks while her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Two police cruisers occupied the street in front of her duplex, their blue and white strobe lights spinning. Each turn of the lights sent menacing green-gray shadows to stretch then contract on the front wall of the yellow Victorian home. Lily shivered then held her breath when she saw a lean muscled figure pacing behind an unmarked Ford Taurus.

Detective Caldwell Simms? Lily crept behind the neighbor’s shrubs to spy on the Atlanta Police detective. She stayed close enough to hear his side of a cell phone conversation. 

“Lieutenant, we checked the house. Her brother, Seth, let us in. No sign of her or a struggle here. Her landlady, Mona Sinclair, isn’t answering, although her car is in the driveway.” He stopped his movement as he listened. “Bite marks?”

Stalk Tricia here:
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tricia-Zoeller-Author/439025286173082?ref=hl

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tzoellerwriter

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670526-first-born

"Like" her author page on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Tricia-Zoeller/e/B00D9FAH8S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1377008571&sr=8-1

Shadow Blues

What would you do for your best friend? Even good shadowcasters break the rules...for love.


Excerpt:
With a trembling hand, I reached out to brush blond hair from Ben’s sweaty forehead. When he sat up suddenly, I took a step back. Could he see me? He scanned the room with feverish eyes that passed right over me.

When he turned on the lamp, I flicked my fingers, casting a shadow on the wall of a bird flying. He gasped before looking around once more. Now, he definitely knew something was here. After peeking in the corner, the closet, and under the armchair for the source of the shadows, he shrugged his shoulders. He used his hands to create a barking dog. I used my magic to create a meowing and hissing cat with fur standing on end. I barely stifled a giggle from the goofy expression on his face as he scanned the room in wonder. Anka Rehmling you are in big trouble. I’d just broken three darkling rules.

I brushed the thought aside and concentrated on my epic superhero, ninja and dinosaur forms complete with sound effects. Ben looked so happy that I told myself it would be okay just this once. He had been so sick all day.

Each pull of my magic started in the pit of my stomach. The energy swirled out to my arms, before releasing from my fingertips like thread. I felt the snap of it as it disengaged from me and became the shadow upon the wall, floor, or inanimate object. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but rather a natural flow of so many strands of silk coming loose from the fabric of my core.

When Ben grew tired, I watched him lay back in bed and drift off to sleep, a smile upon his face. Ben had light hair with pale skin that burned and freckled in the sun. In contrast, my skin and hair were darker like the shadows I cast. We both had green eyes. I removed my hand from his arm as reality hit me.

In human years, we were both eight. However, darklings matured more quickly than humans did for the first five years. The Shadowland Council assigned Patrick Benjamin Solomon under my charge at the age of two. I cast shadows in his world and would for my lifetime. “That’s a lot of responsibility riding on your shoulders”—direct quote from Dad.

Dad. Shadowcaster rules flooded my head. 1. Always cast true to form. 2. Never talk to the human. 3. Never touch the human other than to use him as a portal. 4. A child may see you as an imaginary friend. You may play with him, but never converse. 
5. Imaginary friendship shall not last longer than one year or the Council will reassign the shadowcaster.

My heart galloped in my chest. I hadn’t cast true. My palms grew sticky with sweat. I’d created my own make-believe shadows. Technically, I hadn’t talked, just made sound effects. However, I’d touched him.

This revelation caused an adrenaline surge of stress that ignited then burned out, leaving me completely exhausted. I couldn’t wait to go home. My sister, Bianca, often watched Ben while he slept so I could eat, rest, and check in with Nana and Pops.

As is often the case with shadowcasters, the Council assigned my family the entire Solomon family to cover. My dad shadowed Ben’s dad. My mom followed his mom. Bianca and I took shifts with Ben. Other shadowcasters rotated in if we required a break.

As a shadowcaster, I didn’t attend school, but instead trained on the job, tutored by my father. My grandparents, Nana and Pops, ran the household since Mom and Dad worked so often.

Ben’s sigh caused me to assess him once again. He looked peaceful. Perhaps, his fever had broken. When Mrs. Solomon slipped into the room to check on him, my mother followed, casting the appropriate shadows. My mother stood 5 ft. 10 and wore a flowing dress of purple, the family color. Jeweled combs adorned the hair around her crown, which was the darkling custom.

As I watched Mrs. Solomon fussing over Ben, I felt envious. He had a normal life. Not every darkling had the ability to cast shadows and so it was a privilege and honor to serve the Council. However, the other darkling kids went to school and played during the day. Most of them would never journey to the human world, but they benefited from the power shadowcasters brought back to Shadowland.

My mother’s brown eyes scanned me. I met them briefly before looking away. Had she heard my sound effects? I forced myself to glance back up. She gave me a gentle, yet weary smile before leaving the room with Mrs. Solomon. I sighed with relief.

Shadow Fire

As Shadow Fever runs rampant through her kind, can Bianca heal them or will Montenai's imbalance burn them all?

SYNOPSIS: Present Perfect by Alison G. Bailey

I’ve been unsure about many things in my life except for one thing, that I have always loved him. Every single minute of every single day that I have been on this earth, my heart has belonged to him. It has never been a question, never a doubt. The love had taken on many different forms over the years, but it had always been a constant.

Everyone has their definition of love. There have been countless songs sung about it. A gazillion books, articles, and poems written about it. There are experts on love who will tell you how to get it, keep it, and get over it.

We’re led to believe love is complicated. It’s not the love that’s complicated. It’s all the crap that we attach to it and put in front of it that makes it difficult. If you’re smart, you’ll realize this before it’s too late and simplify.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amanda Kelly spent her entire life trying to control every aspect of it, while striving for perfection. Her obsession with being perfect, along with her feelings of worthlessness, consumed her. The one thing she thought was perfect in her life was the bond she shared with her best friend, Noah.

Everything was going according to her life plan until she woke up one day and realized she had fallen in love with him. The one thing she couldn’t control was the affect he had on her. Noah had the power to give her one hundred lifetimes of happiness, which also gave him the power to completely devastate her. He was the one thing in her life that was perfect, but she couldn't allow herself to have him.

Her life begins to unravel. Events take over and force her to let go of her dreams and desires. She needs to realize that a person cannot control the events in their life, only their reaction to them...but will it be too late for her to save her relationship with her best friend? Present Perfect is a story of how past events have present consequences and how perfect your present could be if you stopped fighting and just allowed it to happen.

Today I would like to extend a big welcome to new author, Alison G. Bailey. Alison was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. As a child, she used her imagination to write additional scenes to TV shows and movies that she watched. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a BA in Theater. While at Winthrop, she began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. 

Throughout the years, she continued writing and producing several one act plays, but then life got in the way and she hung up her pen for a while. On the advice of a friend, she started writing again. In January 2013, Alison sat down at her computer and began writing her first novel, Present Perfect.

Alison lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Jef, and their two furry children (dogs). She’s addicted to Diet Pepsi and anything with sugar.

First off, congratulations Alison on the launch of new adult contemporary romance Present Perfect! 

Thank you. I really appreciate you being a part of the blog tour.

What inspired you to write Amanda’s (Tweet) & Noah’s story?

Tweet has a certain trait that I wanted to write about and show how it impacted her life. I can’t say what it is because it would give away too much.

Can you tell us a little bit about your main characters?

Tweet is an intelligent, clever, and funny young woman who strives for perfection and control of her life and her relationships. She grew up in the shadow of her older sister, Emily, who in Tweet’s eyes is perfect.  As she gets older her insecurities grow. She knows intellectually that she should be more confident, but her feeling of worthlessness is such a part of her DNA she doesn’t know how to change. Her life starts to unravel and she’s forced to make a decision about how she chooses to live and who she keeps in her life. 

Noah is Tweet’s best friend and soul mate. He is there for her no matter what. He’s strong, kind, loyal, and protective. Where Tweet is unsure of almost everything, Noah is sure of most everything, namely that he loves Tweet. He’s sweet and patient with her, but he’s not a pushover.

Did you have a particular audience in mind when you started writing?

Not really. I realize everything has to be placed in some sort of category. Present Perfect is considered a New Adult Romance. The story follows Tweet and Noah from the age of 6 up to 27. There is a romance aspect to the book, but there are other elements that I hope the reader can relate to no matter what age they are. The age of my beta readers ranged from the twenties to late sixties and I got great response from all ages.

What was your favorite part of the process? What was your least favorite part?

My favorite part was seeing how the story developed and changed from a couple of ideas, to random scenes written, then chapters, etc. My least favorite was the editing process. It’s tedious and never ending. 

Did you find any characters more difficult to write about than others? Do you have favorites? 

None of the characters were difficult to write. At times their decisions and actions were difficult. As far as favorites, I love them all, even the troublemakers. The character I like least is Noah’s girlfriend, Brooke.

Are there any books or authors that have influenced you in your writing? What are you reading right now?

I’m influenced to a certain degree by several authors, but Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher, and Tara Sivec are big influences for me. Reading their stories is effortless. They read like plays. They have the talent to draw strong emotional reactions out of their readers. They can make you cry, laugh and want to throw your book, all in one chapter. I would like to be that type of writer. Right now I’m reading an ARC from a new author, C.R. DeStasi titled Worth It. It’s very good, very intense, and deals with a subject you don’t see dealt with very often.

How has your background in theater influenced your writing style and your story telling?

My theater background has a tremendous influence. Present Perfect is dialogue heavy and I consider the book divided up into scenes. I could take any chapter in the book and put it up on stage with very little adjusting. Well, maybe not the sex chapters. I’m not the most technically accurate writer. I mean, I think about sentence structure, it just doesn’t always dictate my writing. I feel my way through things and listen to my gut for the most part. The reader connecting with the characters and feeling the emotions is what’s most important to me. 

What’s your writing process like?

Present Perfect was written out of order. I would get an idea for a scene or just dialogue and would type it into my notepad app. I knew certain events had to happen, so it was a matter of piecing all these elements together. I came up with a lot of the ideas while listening to music. Sometimes I would write while listening, but most of the time I would sit and listen while picturing the scene in my mind.

What are your “must haves” when writing?

Lots of Diet Pepsi and some sort of sweet, preferably of the chocolate persuasion. 

Is there anything you wish someone would have told you before you started to write?

How emotional it would be. I knew it would be emotional, but not as intense as it was at times. I laughed a lot, but I also cried like a baby. There were days I was so upset you would have thought someone had shot my dog. The other thing is how much time you have to spend doing other things when you’re an indie. It’s promoting, learning the business side, and for me, doing more with social networking. I love Facebook and have been on it for a long time. I’m still learning Twitter and Instagram. You could spend an entire week doing the other stuff and your days would be full.

What new projects are on the horizon? Do you see yourself writing in different genres?

I have a second book in the works titled Past Imperfect. The prologue is included in Present Perfect. I haven’t thought beyond that. I didn’t even think about a second book until I was almost done with Present Perfect. I’m not a multi-tasker and I don’t have a ton of ideas all at once like some writers. I don’t know about writing in other genres, but never say never.

Thanks for visiting Alison!

I appreciate you having me. 

Red's Randomness
One last set of questions, Alison (I bribed her to stay with a Diet Pepsi and promises of Godiva chocolates).

If you could be a character from a book who would it be and why?

I would be Olivia Kaspen from The Opportunist so I could kick Leah Smith's ass.

If you were stranded on an island with a book boyfriend, who would it be? It can't be any of your own characters.

I know you only want one, but I can't pick just one. It hurts, but I can narrow it down to Kellan Kyle, Christian Grey, and Dean Holder. Oh and Caleb Drake, Cade Walker, Tristan from Bad Things, Cage York, and Josh Bennett. The island is getting crowded. Lol. I swear this is the last boyfriend—Chase from Taking Chances.

Dogs or cats? Suddenly this seems like a strange question after the last one.

Dogs.

Thanks for playing Red’s Randomness. I don’t think we need to send a search party for Alison if she ever gets stranded. Something tells me she’ll be just fine!

Stalk Alison here:
http://alisongbailey.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alison-G-Bailey/223772144436171
https://twitter.com/AlisonGBailey1
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17727279-present-perfect
http://pinterest.com/alisongbailey/present-perfect-by-alison-g-bailey/

http://www.amazon.com/Present-Perfect-ebook/dp/B00EABIHGE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375927689&sr=8-3&keywords=Present+perfect

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/present-perfect-alison-g-bailey/1116294610?ean=2940148407591

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/345001

RELEASE DATE: 
September 10th

GENRE: Romance/Fantasy

SYNOPSIS:
Ainsland, a virgin widow fleeing from her husband's murderer, and Collum, a healer who possesses supernatural abilities, are brought together by circumstance.  What begins as a marriage of convenience for the couple evolves into one of great love and passion.  Yet, Collum's tragic past and the ever-looming threat of Ainsland's malevolent pursuer's appearance in their close-knit rural community overshadows their ability to be truly content.  When evil strikes and all seems lost, will it be the resilient, headstrong Ainsland who is able to save herself, her husband, and the people she has come to know and cherish or will Collum, determined and wise, somehow manage to rescue the love of his life before time runs out?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Barbara Cutrera has been a writer since childhood but didn’t begin writing novels until 1999.  She released In a Manner of Speaking, a mystery blended with romance, and Over, Under, Across & Through, Book 1 in The Real World Series, in 2012.  Cutrera, a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Florida Writers’ Association, was born and raised in Louisiana and moved to Florida with her husband and son in 2004.  She works with the visually-impaired and is visually-impaired herself.  She firmly believes that our minds are only limited by the restrictions that we place upon them.  That is why her literary credo is, “Transcending reality by exploring it one story at a time….” 

Connect with Barbara here:
http://www.onmywayuponline.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Cutrera-Author/294829647240199

THE HEALER'S GIFT PLAYLIST:
Fields of Gold - Sting
If Everyone Cared - Nickelback
Under Your Spell - One More, With Feeling (The Cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Hole Hearted - Extreme
One Rainy Wish – Brian May
Arco Arena (Instrumental) – Cake
See Me, Feel Me – The Who
When You Wish Upon a Star – Jackie Evancho
Blackbird – The Beatles
I Burn for You – Sting

BARBARA'S BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:
Hosted by Book Enthusiast Promotions

September 9
Hook Me Up Book Blog
http://hookmeupbookblog.blogspot.com.au/

Kim's Book Blog
http://mom5taz.wordpress.com/

September 10
Dalene's Book Review 
http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/

The Book Enthusiast 
http://thebookenthusiast.net/

September 11
Harlie's Books 
http://www.harliesbooks.com/

Book Geeks Unite
http://www.bookgeeksunite.com/

September 12
Turn the Page
http://turnthepagebookreviews.blogspot.com/

Read That!
http://sookie72.wordpress.com/

September 13
SnifferWalk Books
http://www.snifferwalk.org/

2 Chicks and a Blog
http://www.2chicksnablog.blogspot.com/?zx=71ad52866d4b1cdd