It's Up To You, New York, New York

Last year, my annual working vacation (aka note-taking, info gathering, live research) was in New Orleans. This year, I'm heading to New York City!

I'll be posting pictures and observations while I'm there. Never know what I'll see or find, but it should be interesting.

So stay tuned.

Now Available in Print - X-TROLLER

 

X-TROLLER
Sensuous Sci-Fi Futuristic Post-Apocalyptic Paranormal Time Travel  Romance
Word Count: 62.9K
$3.99 e / $9.99 p

Emotionally scarred and physically weary, Dwan is ordered to go forty-seven years into the past in a last ditch effort to find the one man who can help her fight the monsters created decades ago by a company called Lambruchet. Monsters that have since devastated mankind and the world.

Eli Voight has been battling the Lambruchet demons ever since the company had his father killed. As the first Troller, he’s made it his duty to bring down the creatures and find a way to permanently stop them. He’s skeptical of Dwan's claim that she’s from the future. But her skill is undeniable, and her presence becomes an all-consuming passion for the man who had pushed aside any thought of a personal life in his quest to drive the demons to extinction.

Dwan never expected to fall and fall hard for the emotionally unapproachable soldier. Worse, she knew what kind of death lay ahead for Eli, which meant there could never be a future for them.

Together, they must fight to take out the monstrosities, or else Earth as it is will cease to exist. And the Earth that could be, Dwan’s world, will only hold a future of horror and hopelessness.


Warning: Contains living nightmares, impromptu dentistry, great beef stew (with real meat), screwed DNA, deadly broom handles, a shave and a haircut, coded writing, and two people fighting against a future that gives mankind only two more decades to exist.

Excerpt and buy links.

We have Dolphin Shifters! CJ Matthew is My Guest Author Tonight On "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

When was the last time you read a great DOLPHIN SHIFTER book? Then you don't want to miss tonight's episode of "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio. CJ Matthew is my guest author, and she'll be reading an excerpt from her new release, Blood Tide,  a paranormal suspense romance, and Book 1 of her Dolphin Shore Shifters.

Show time is 11 pm ET/ 10 PM CT

* * *
Protecting the oceans, at any cost.

The Santa Barbara Channel holds a closely guarded secret… 

She had more than just her mission… 
Sy’s rotation on land as a dolphin shifter couldn’t have come at a better time. With her best friend missing and no answers forthcoming, it was time to take matters into her own hands. And with the resources at the Save Blue Water organization, finding her friend would be a whole lot easier. Except …something sinister is going on inside SBW, something deadly, and Sy finds herself at the center of danger. 

The last thing he needed was bullets and bombs… 
Noah Nelson spent every minute trying to forget the war while fighting his PTSD, but jumping in front of a bullet was second nature. It had nothing to do with the fact the target was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Or that she was naked. But suddenly he’s caught up in her world, protecting her from unforeseen threats, and falling in love … but Sy’s got a secret that may rip them apart. Forever. 

Six on Sunday - RUNNER'S MOON: YARROLAM, a Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance

Six paragraphs from RUNNER'S MOON: YARROLAM, a sensuous sci-fi romance novel

1.     That’s good, she told herself. The barrier appeared to have been lifted, and they were back at square one. For some reason, she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot with this man. In fact, as crazy as it sounded, she wanted to take another deep breath of his cinnamon scent. Maybe it was from something he’d come in contact with earlier that day. One way or another, she promised herself she’d find out. Closing her menu, she laid it on the table. “Let me guess. You can read Cajun French.”

2     “Of course I do.” As soon as she’d retorted, Cherron knew how it sounded, and quickly amended her reply. “I mean, I care very much for him. To be honest, Liam, I don’t believe the soul-burning type of love you read about in romance novels, or see on the movie screen, really exists. My parents were married for almost thirty years before Dad died. And not once in all that time did I ever see them kiss one another. Or hug. Or even put their arms around each other.” She pushed her broccoli around on her plate with the memories. “I think, in order for a marriage to survive, there has to be a mutual respect for each other. And some fondness. But out and out love? It’s a bogus emotion. I believe when people care for each other, they call it love and let it go at that.”

3.     Yarrolam launched himself at the two men holding Cherron, slamming sideways into the man with gun. Both Cherron and the man who held her fell backwards under the impact. Turning slightly, he slashed down with his thick claws across the first man’s wrist, severing the hand holding the pistol. Before the second man could worm his way free from underneath Cherron, Yarrolam twisted his body and brought his Ruinos hand down on the guy’s Adam’s apple. The man released his grip on her and clasped his neck in a vain attempt to staunch the flow of blood.

4.     “And then what?” She tossed a concerned look at him. “Liam, how long are we going to have to watch our backs?” Her worry was a bitter cloud, striking him full in the face. This time it was stronger and more pungent. The longer they remained together, the more he was going to become aware of her feelings, her moods, and her emotions. The knowledge left him both exhilarated and depressed. This woman was meant to his, yet she was already spoken for. But he refused to claim her until she either withdrew herself from Aaron, or declared herself no longer his.

5.     His embrace tightened slightly, but it still wasn’t what she wanted. Glaring up at him, she stared into those chocolate-brown eyes with their silvery pieces of glitter. His expression was unreadable…until she saw the crack in his façade. Somehow, she knew he wanted to do more. The subtle hunger was evident in the tense lines around his eyes and mouth.

6.     A hand closed around her mouth the same instant she recognized the unconscious form. The action prevented her from crying out at the sight of his bruised and blood-covered skin. His Ruinos head sagged, facing the floor. He was held up off the floor by his elbows. His hands and arms appeared encased in some sort of silvery wrapping or cast that acted as handcuffs. His legs and feet were also bound at the ankles by the same kind of covering that made a metallic sound when it scraped across the threshold. Before she could get to her feet, another hand clamped down on her shoulder, keeping her from rising.

Excerpt, blurb, and buy links.

New! RUNNER'S MOON: YARROLAM, Book 5 in the Runner's Moon Series

Now Available!

RUNNER'S MOON: Yarrolam
Book 5
Sensuous Sci-fi Romance
Word Count:  56K
$3.99 e 

When they landed on Earth after escaping the Arra slave ship, Yarrolam swore he'd never do manual labor again after years of brutal slavery. Along with a fellow Ruinos, he came to understand the monetary system used by this planet's inhabitants, and became quite good at guessing the ups and downs of the stock market. So good, he was hired as an aide to Aaron Shulcrist, an investment broker.

What starts out as a favor to his boss to pick up Aaron’s fiancé at the airport becomes a race for survival as Yarrolam, now known as Liam, tries to keep Cherron Greene from being kidnapped by armed men determined to find Aaron, who has inexplicably disappeared. Worse, one deep breath of her unique scent tells Liam this woman is meant to be his life mate. But he cannot allow himself to claim her until she negates her relationship with his boss. And that may not happen if more of those men manage to get their hands on her.

The only place he knows where he can keep her safe is in a small town in Maine called Tumbril Harbor. There, he hopes he and his fellow Ruinos can face down any threat...be it from man or Arra.

Warning! Contains changing identities, scars, seemingly neverending bus trips, lack of a life mate user's manual, crispy disks, and the possibility of losing any chance to love the only person who would complete his life.

Excerpt and buy links.

White-Faced Fawn Rejected By Mother At Birth Is Given Happy Home At Animal Farm

“Very rare and beautiful white-faced fawn abandoned by its momma at birth, but adopted by a loving farm in Michigan. The baby deer, named Dragon, is just a week and a half old and is as adorable as his name is fierce.”

Source.

Not in the English Language - mac khach

Today is the First Day of Autumn

What are you looking forward to?

Now Available in Print - KNIGHT OF DARKNESS

KNIGHT OF DARKNESS
Sensuous Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy Romance
Word Count:  45.4K
$2.99 e/ $9.99 p

Sorrow Knight knew that at any time the U'Nar would attack Earth, but he needed a few more days to come out of chrystasis before he could fight the deadly enemy. With his soul sword, Rall, he and the handful of other Surge Knights would gather wherever the enemy landed, and drive them off this world. A world with so many wonderful sights and surprises. A world that contained a woman named Rachel, who had captured his heart and his imagination, but who was forbidden to him by his laws.

Rachel Grohl often wondered about the skinny, dishwater-blond young man living in the apartment across the breezeway from her. His shyness, as well as his clean but well-worn clothes, tugged at her heart. They'd barely spoken a dozen words to each other since he moved in a few weeks ago, but she had to thank him for helping her the other day. Maybe asking him over to dinner would work.

They shared one dinner, one touch, and one kiss that led to one night of love. A love which could ultimately avert the total eradication of the human race.

Warning: Contains tiny men skirts, lasagna, human metamorphosis, glass table tops, IOUs, comrades-in-arms, bomb shelters, and an invading alien force that will haunt everyone's nightmares.

Click here for excerpt and buy links.

Captivating

Use Your Delete Button (And Rid Yourself Of All Those Old Files)

I was backing up my files yesterday, and was shocked by the huge amount of space I was using on my desktop. A 32gb flash drive would not hold all my published books, much less my WIPs and other pertinent files. Going in to examine why, I realized I was holding onto EVERYthing. Although, in most cases, that would be a wise move, in this instance, it wasn't.

For every book I'd pubbed with a traditional publisher, I had copies of things that were no longer necessary. So, methodically, I've begun a clean sweep of items I no longer need to keep on hand. It's amazing how much space I'm clearing!

I'm passing along my suggestions.

Items to STORE on a disk or flash drive (not on your computer):
* old contracts
* letters of return of rights

Items to DELETE:

* old cover stock

* old edits

* redundant versions

Gemstone Cupcakes

Yes, you can really eat them.

The DIY tutorial can be found here.

Herd of Manatees Gracefully Swim Under Paddleboarders

Found here.

More Tiny Treasures

 

Sharing a Little Momento

A very good friend who goes by PS Nim sent me this "leetle cartoon" a few years ago after she read Lord of Thunder.

I hope it brings a smile to your face, the way I did mine.

Now Available in Print! - The Complete LORD OF THUNDER Trilogy

LORD OF THUNDER

Book 1 of the Thunder Trilogy
Sensuous Fantasy Romance

Word Count:  72K
$3.99 e / $9.99 p

Annie Mayall was a young bride, brought to Montana in 1940 by her new husband to start their new life together...as soon as he struck it rich in the promised silver mines. Abandoned for three desperate and lonely years, Annie was forced to survive by herself in the wilds of the mountains. Until one stormy night brought a severely wounded stranger to her tiny one-room cabin.  A stranger both mystical and fascinating.  A stranger who not only brought her happiness, but a kind of love she never knew existed.

A stranger who was not of this earth.

PASSION OF THUNDER
Book 2 of the Thunder Trilogy
Sensuous Fantasy Romance
Word Count:  83.9K
$3.99 e / $9.99 p

Rion and Annie have made a home for themselves on Rion's world.  But there are those who cannot tolerate having an "otherworlder" living among them.  People who are jealous of their happiness.  People who would do anything to see that their marriage is destroyed, and their lives forever ruined.

It will take every ounce of love between Rion and Annie to face the obstacles and hatred suddenly thrust at them. What they never anticipated was that an angel would resort to murder.

WINGS OF THUNDER

Book 3 of the Thunder Trilogy
Sensuous Fantasy Romance
Word Count:  76K
$3.99 e / $9.99 p

As the days flow into weeks, and weeks become months, Rion finds Annie slowly becoming more and more despondent with homesickness, melancholy, and the growing need to see her home world again.  His own fears escalate, knowing that if she returns, he will never be able to follow her.   If she is taken back, he will never see her again.  But she is an "otherworlder", and their laws dictate she cannot be forced to remain.  If her wish is to go back to Earth, he has no choice but to let her. 

But when fate sends a messenger through the gap during a massive, destructive storm, Rion is forced to fight to keep what he cannot live without.  Now it's a battle between saving their love and their marriage, or giving her up and relinquishing her to the arms of another man.

A man from Earth.

Excerpts and buy links.

Do-It-Yourself Terra Forming

This is mesmerizing.

Microscopic Photos Of Human Body Parts

Tongue

Fingernail

Tooth

You can view more here.

Autumn: Would You Rather

Would you rather:

• 1. Go apple picking V.S. Go on a hay ride
• 2. Scary V.S. Sweet
• 3 Sweaters V.S. Boots
• 4. Socks V.S. Mittens
• 5. Bonfires V.S. Football
• 6. Trick or Treating V.S. Watch Scary movies
• 7. Apple Pie V.S. Pumpkin Pie
• 8. Halloween V.S. Thanksgiving
• 9. Bake Pie V.S. Bake Cookies
• 10. Rain V.S. Fog
• 11. Black Cats V.S. Owls
• 12. Ghosts V.S. Wizards
• 13. Harry Potter V.S. Halloweentown
• 14. Go Hiking V.S. Sleep in
• 15. Cinnamon V.S. Nutmeg
• 16. Reading V.S. Writing
• 17. Hot Chocolate V.S. Tea
• 18. Live in a Cabin In a Forest V.S. Have it be fall 24/7
• 19. Candy Apples V.S. Caramel Apples
• 20. Blankets V.S. Pillows
• 21. Roasted marshmallows V.S. Roasted Chestnuts
• 22. Coffee V.S. Apple Cider
• 23. Red Leaves V.S. Orange Leaves
• 24. Braids V.S. Bows
• 25. Scented Candles V.S. The Smell of Fresh Baked Goods
• 26. Carve Pumpkins V.S. Make Pumpkin Pie
• 27. Pumpkin Spice Lattes V.S. Chai Tea Lattes
• 28. Coats V.S. Oversized Sweaters
• 29. Beanies V.S. Berets
• 30. Candy Corn V.S. Peanut Butter Cups
• 31. S'mores V.S. Apple Crisp
• 32. Jump In a Pile of Leaves V.S. Swing on a Tire Swing
• 33. Corn Maze V.S. Haunted House
• 34. Bob For Apples V.S. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
• 35. Whipped Cream on Hot Chocolate V.S. Marshmallows on Hot Chocolate

(Found on Tumblr.)

Never Forget

How Did He Do That?

This is Terrifying to Watch

Now Available in Print! UNDERSILVER, a Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance

The planet had secrets it never revealed, until it was too late.

Centuries ago, mankind's only hope for survival were the seven vessels specially fitted to send the last survivors of Earth to a planet named New Earth. Seven space ships that became floating cities once they landed on the water-only world teeming with edible seafood, as well as dangerous creatures.

Lt. Jace Novick, of the ship UnderPlatinum, is sent to sister ship UnderSilver to see if he can help find a possible solution to their growing problem. Food is beginning to run low, catches are scarcer, and the tension between ships is increasing as starvation becomes imminent.

Lt. Commander Rhone Derth has created a security device called wrap shields to protect Silver from repeated attacks by the planet's hostile monsters. But it seems the shields are also keeping the fish away as well. Jace believes he has an answer, but it means he and Rhone must work together despite Rhone's antagonism toward him, and the short time he's been allotted before he must return to his own ship.

Together, they try to discover a way to survive as the other vessels turn on each other in a desperate battle for the last of the dwindling food supply, not knowing that another, more malevolent being is watching them from the depths. 

Warning! Contains loss of oxygen, vicious sea creatures, massive destruction, scientific theories, near-drowning, subsonic bursts, questionable seafood, alien artifacts, and two people trying to survive what could be the complete annihilation of their species.

Excerpt and buy links.

More "You Had One Job" Fails - Potty Version

Fabulous Fathers

When it's his turn to babysit, these dads make the most of it!

More of Those Really Weird Laws

In Kansas its illegal to serve wine in teacup.