Virtual Cover Reveal: Code Name Jack Rabbit

Author Name: Elizabeth Noble

Book Name: Code Name Jack Rabbit

Series: The Vampire Guard

Book: One

Release Date: July 12, 2016

Blurb:

Meet the newest members of the Vampire Guard, where legend and myth meet science and technology.

Jonas Forge, vampire. Once a spy and soldier, now a cop, Forge enjoys the life he’s built with his friends in Flint, Ohio.

Blair Turner, PhD. Blair, a vampire and computer hacker with exceptional skills, shares a powerful empathic bond with Forge, his soulmate.

Declan, vampire, ex-pirate, ex-fur trapper, thief, and con man. Declan is Forge’s former lover and soulmate to Lucas Coate.

Lucas Coate, MD, Flint’s medical examiner. A werewolf living amongst vampires, Lucas is also one of Forge’s best friends.

Their lives become complicated when an impending presidential visit throws them headlong into a world of high tech vampire spies and espionage. Recruited into the Vampire Guard by the secret society of the Akhkharu Nasaru, they uncover a werewolf terrorist organization known as the Qiguan.

Together they must thwart a murder attempt on the open waters of Lake Superior while tracking a previously unknown biological weapon controlled by the Qiquan—a weapon that may very well mean death for one of them.

Pages or Words: 67,000 words

Categories: Contemporary, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Werewolf Shifters, Thriller, Urban Fantasy

Excerpt:

Lucas decided it was his good luck—no, it was a real blessing—neither Declan nor Forge could read his mind. Right now he wanted to kill them both. Lucas could do it too. Ten minutes wolfed out was all he needed. Vampires might be faster, but werewolves were stronger.

Being in a surveillance van with three vampires wasn’t the fun and excitement one might expect it to be. Lucas liked Kai, but he was sure Ori would agree that in this circumstance, Kai would have to die too.

Forge was pacing, at least as well as a man could inside a van with three other decently sized men. Lucas was leaning against one side, gazing at a camera feed, and doing his best to stay out of the way and not strangle Forge.

Declan put both hands on Forge’s shoulders and said, “Jonas, he’ll be fine.”

“He’s never done anything like this.” Forge turned and stared at the monitor. “Damn, I wish I could see him and not just hear him.”

“Jonas, it’s a pizza parlor, and she’s a research scientist. What the hell can she do to him?” Declan asked. Forge and Kai both turned to look at him. Declan heaved a sigh and shoved Forge into the seat beside Kai. “Relax. You can hear every word they say and feel what Blair feels. If anything goes wrong, you’ll know it practically before he does. You and I muddled through information collection with far less support and lived.” Declan rolled his eyes and focused on Lucas.

“I should go out there and back him up. In case.” Forge started to stand, but Lucas helped Declan push him back down.

“In case of what? They run out of pepperoni?” Lucas asked.

“She might recognize you,” Kai said. “You’re the head detective of this town. There is no need to take the risk someone will recognize you and blow everything. Besides, when making contact with someone with the express purpose of entering some sort of relationship with them, having your bond mate hanging around a few feet away is a bad idea.”

“He speaks from experience,” Ori chimed in and chuckled.

“You all do realize I can hear you, right?” Blair’s voice was crisp and clear coming from the speaker.

“Heads up. There she is. She’s about to walk through the door,” Kai said. He pointed to the monitor. “Got to love predictable people.”

Buy the book:

eBook: https://www.dsppublications.com/books/code-name-jack-rabbit-by-elizabeth-noble-236-b

Paperback: https://www.dsppublications.com/books/code-name-jack-rabbit-by-elizabeth-noble-239-b

Meet the author:

Elizabeth Noble lives by the adage “I can’t not write”. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t make up stories and eventually she learned how to write them down. A part of every day is spent living in worlds she created that are filled with intrigue and espionage.  Using a real love of scifi and urban fantasy highlighted by twisty plots she crafts stories taking place in a slightly altered version of our world.

When she’s not chronicling the adventures of her many characters Elizabeth is a veterinary nurse living in her native Cleveland, Ohio. She shares her little brick house with an adorable canine princess and her tabby cat side-kick. Elizabeth is a fan of baseball, basketball (go Cavs and Indians!) and gardening. She can often be found working in her ‘outside office’ listening to classic rock and plotting her next novel waiting for it to be dark enough to gaze at the stars.

Elizabeth received several amateur writing awards. Since being published two of her novels have received honorable mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Her novel Jewel Cave was a runner up in the 2015 Rainbow awards in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.noble.77

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551582581800123/

Twitter: @elizabethnoble1

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elizabethnoble1/

Website: http://www.elizabeth-noble.com

The Vampire Guard website: http://elizabeth-noble-thevampireguard.weebly.com/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27263994-code-name-jack-rabbit

Publisher: DSP Publications

Cover Artist: TL Bland

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Divine Magazine, BFD Book Blog, The Dark Arts, Man2ManTastic, Bayou Book Junkie,

Oh My Shelves, The Hat Party, Charley Descoteaux, Book Lovers 4Ever, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews,

Alpha Book Club, MM Good Book Reviews, Molly Lolly, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Velvet Panic,

Kirsty Loves Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Full Moon Dreaming, Outrageous Heroes

Rafflecopter Prize: Two winners will receive a backlist book from Elizabeth’s extensive collection!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Virtual Book Tour: Emerald: Good and Evil

Author Name: M.D. Grimm

Book Name: Emerald: Good and Evil

Series: The Stones of Power

Book: Five

Series should be read in order for maximum enjoyment.

Release Date:  November 18, 2015

Blurb:

Home. Family.

Those words often invoke a sense of love and comfort. But for the dark mage Morgorth, they mean hate and pain. As the seventh son of a seventh son, many believe Morgorth’s destiny is to become the Destroyer. His father embraced such a future and trained Morgorth through torture and fear to become his weapon. Morgorth managed to escape his father’s cruelty, but not the nightmares that still haunt him. For many years he’s lived with the stain of his father’s savagery, but now he must confront his nightmares head-on.

His father has found a stone of power.

Morgorth must return to his land of birth, to the memories he’s tried his entire life to suppress. Aishe is determined to help Morgorth defeat his inner demons, but he knows he might not be enough to save Morgorth from embracing his darkness. They know it will be a fight to the death and know Morgorth won’t be the same if he survives. With Aishe by his side, Morgorth hunts for his father, and finds answers to questions he never dared to ask—and must live with the truths they reveal.

Pages or Words: 78,000 words

Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance

Excerpt:

I glanced at Aishe to see he had his bow, an arrow nocked, and quiver at his side. He was crouched, still looking ill, but his eyes were hard and flat. I grinned in pride. Nothing could keep my mate down. I let the wind die and the ship slowed, rocking violently, the water lapping hard at its sides. The tentacles caught up and tried to wrap around the ship once again. I didn’t risk fire, but I had another element that was aplenty around me: water. Just as I gathered focus for the next spell, a tentacle tried to slither onto the deck, heading toward me. Before I could react Aishe shot an arrow, puncturing the slimy flesh of the tentacle. Then he ran and leapt over it, and with his sword, sliced off the tip. The tentacle shot back into the water, and the monster bellowed in pain. Aishe spun around, nocking another arrow. He was now close to me, and I could see it was a struggle for him to remain focused. He was sweating profusely and deathly pale. I would have ordered him below deck if I thought he would listen.

More tentacles were now slithering around the ship and the crew did what they could, cutting at the appendages and shooting their own arrows. They gave me the time I needed. I ran across the deck and realized the monster’s tentacles seemed to be following me. I wasn’t surprised, since most creatures could sense magick and many predators were attracted to it. If a predator ate a mage, they sometimes gained the power of their food: you are what you eat. I could use that to my advantage.

I reached the other side of the ship and flung my hand down with another word, using the magick in the water—every element had magick, instilled there by the Mother—and used it to freeze the water. But not just on the surface, I made the ice sink below where the beast rested. I continued the spell, causing the tentacles to freeze. It wasn’t easy to freeze saltwater but as I was using the magick within the element, and not my own to control it, it was much easier. Once the tentacles stopped moving, I instantly swung around and used the wind again to get the ship to move. We shot across the water once more, and I happened to look back to see what the beast was doing. We hadn’t gone very far before the ice broke. I realized the beast was far bigger, and stronger, than I’d suspected. I watched, fascinated and terrified, as the beast surged completely to the surface. Its bulbous head and gaping mouth appeared, its tentacles writhing in rage. Those black, pitiless eyes focused on us, and then the monster dove back into the water. It sped toward us, creating a hump in the water.

I took a deep breath, reaching a decision. It wasn’t going to stop, not until it had eaten me and destroyed the ship. I stopped the wind.

“Everyone hold onto something!” I bellowed. I glanced at Aishe as he clung to the rail, his eyes huge and locked on me.

I stood in the middle of the ship again and closed my eyes. My magick flashed hot inside me, and I used it to once again grab hold of the water’s magick. I clenched my fists and let the foreign magick fill me, feeling the pressure of it, the fluidness of the water, the refreshing and cool sensation. Then I opened my eyes and quickly grabbed a crystal from one of my pouches. It was small but it would serve for the task I gave it. I clasped the crystal between both hands and unleashed the spell with a focused word inside my mind. The spell latched onto the crystal and just as the beast reached us, intent on smashing the ship to pieces, the water suddenly shot upward, like a reverse waterfall.

A large column of water lifted the ship out of harm’s way and the tentacles of the beast slashed at the column as it roared in frustration. I made sure the ship reached a good height before locking the spell into the crystal. Spells only lasted if there was enough energy, or rather, magick, to sustain them. With crystals, I could hold the spell longer by pumping a predetermined amount of magick into them, turning the spell into an enchantment. I used such techniques for Geheimnis. I frequently had to recharge the crystals but it meant I didn’t have to consciously think about the spells anymore. They were very nearly freestanding. I used the same concept here but of a shorter extent. What I had planned wouldn’t take very long.

I ran to Aishe and pushed the crystal into his hands. “Hold onto this. It will keep you all airborne.”

“What are you doing?” Aishe made to grab me, but I had already leapt onto the rail, struggling to keep my balance.

“I’ll be right back,” I said.

“Morgorth—”

I took a deep breath before I dove off the rail. I locked my hands over my head and made sure my magick was bubbling right below the surface. The beast rose out of the water and opened its mouth. This was going to hurt.

Buy the book:

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4543

http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Meet the author:

M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade and nothing has changed since then. Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she'd need a steady job to pay the bills. After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, she embarked on her writing career and couldn't be happier. Working by day, writing by night, she enjoys journeying on romantic quests and daring adventures and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, and find their soul mate in the process.

Where to find the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=md+grimm

Publisher: Torquere Press

Cover Artist: Kris Norris

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Mikky's World of Books, Bayou Book Junkie, The Hat Party, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, MM Good Book Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Happily Ever Chapter, Nephy Hart, Full Moon Dreaming, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Books A to Z, Moonbeams Over Atlanta, Book Lovers 4Ever, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Louise Lyons, EE Montgomery, Dawn’s Reading Nook, Velvet Panic, The Fuzzy, Fluffy World of Chris T. Kat, Inked Rainbow Reads

Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of Emerald: Good and Evil

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Virtual Book Blast: Wolf's Sacrifice

Book Name: Wolf’s Sacrifice (Pack of Light)

Book two in a series. This title can be read as a standalone.

Author Name: Draven St. James

Author Bio: Draven St. James is a born and raised Oregonian. She has traveled extensively in search of mischief and mayhem to fill her books.  Her ventures have been quite successful in inspiring a wealth of stories.  Of course at the end of the day, coffee within reach, laptop at the ready is where she finds her peace.

Where to find Draven:

Facebook

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

Pinterest

Publisher: Loose Id

Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs

Blurb(s):

Sean Maddox has one basic goal: to protect the Northwest Pack. That priority helps him stay grounded—until the day the pack rescues Liam. Suddenly Sean is finding any excuse to be around the sweet, blind shifter. But trying to focus his thoughts on keeping Liam safe and not exploring the whole laundry list of carnal fantasies he's been having is anything but grounding. It doesn't help that Sean's wolf makes it damn clear it believes Liam belongs to him.



From the first deep breath of Sean Maddox's intoxicating scent, all Liam wants to do is strip naked for the sexy beta and let the wolf claim him. Hiding away his desires seems like the best plan, given after a lifetime in captivity Liam is just learning what it means to be free. What does he know about being a mate? More to the point, would Sean even want him if he knew the truth? 



As Sean and Liam struggle with their growing craving for each other an old enemy steps out of the shadows. With secrets lurking and fate twisting two worlds together a sacrifice must be made, but can the two mates live with the consequences?

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal

Excerpt:

“You don’t have to stay here with me,” Liam murmured.

Sean twisted the cap off Liam’s root beer and pressed the condensation-slick bottle to Liam’s hand until his slender fingers curled around it.

“I know,” he responded, studying a drop of moisture slipping off the bottle to make a damp trail along Liam’s hand.

“Guarding me?” After propping the bottle between his thighs, Liam licked the drop that had traveled to the pulsing blue vein of his wrist.

“I can be around you without being part of your protective detail.” Sean swallowed past his suddenly parched throat. The man had no idea how seductive his innocent movements were.

Liam reached out until his hand was on Sean’s thigh. “Just giving you a hard time.”

You have no idea.

Pages or Words: 50,700 words

Tour Dates: January 20^th, 2015

Tour Stops: Parker Williams, Amanda C. Stone, Molly Lolly, Bayou Book Junkie, Love Bytes, Sinfully Sexy, Full Moon Dreaming, Christy Loves 2 Read, The Blogger Girls, Charley Descoteaux, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Fallen Angel Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings, MM Good Book Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, My Fiction Nook, Inked Rainbow Reads, Jade Crystal, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, It’s Raining Men, Michael Mandrake, Andrew Q. Gordon

Sales Links:

http://www.loose-id.com/pack-of-light-2-wolf-s-sacrifice.html

Book Blast Author questions:

13 – Favorite soup?

Creamy Basil Tomato.

14 – What was the last Halloween costume you wore?

Oregon Duck Superfan.

55 – Dog or cat?

Dog.

56 – You’ve been bitten by something radioactive. What power do you get from it?

Invisibility.

57 – Eat out or dine in?

Dine in.

58 – What is the best gift you’ve ever received?

My first laptop, a friend said he had faith in my writing and the author I could become.

59 – Best gift you ever gave?

Trip to Hawaii.

60 – What’s your favorite cookie?

Chocolate Crinkles. 

Rafflecopter Prize: A book from Draven’s Backlist

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday Briefs: Stan and Ollie #15

Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for another Wednesday Brief, right? Weekly doses of flash fiction brought to you by the Wednesday Briefers!  This week's promps were: "Anything you want, you got it..." or use: ferry, head, position, or "May I ask what you think..." or use an animal of some kind of use an accident or "When he/she said... I thought I would..."

In last week's episode of Stan and Ollie, as you may recall, the boys had a romantic interlude in the men's room while waiting for the bereaved fiance to show up. Today the story continues. Don't forget to see what the other Wednesday Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Stan and Ollie #15

We stroll out of the men’s room together, trying to look nonchalant, not like we’ve been up to anything that the locals might consider immoral, if not downright illegal. At least I am. When I glance over at my better half, he’s licking his lips, looking like the cat that drank the canary, and wearing a most pleased grin that only serves to draw heat to my cheeks. Despite the blush, I’m beyond happy and I’m not complaining. Far from it.

Since we have a little time to kill before the arrival of the distraught fiancé, I decide that a call to my sister is probably in order. I’m sure that things are fine with her and the diner, but it doesn’t hurt to check. Besides, she’s probably worried about Ollie and me and might just want some idea of when we expect to return. I know she’ll help out as long as I need her to; she’d do anything for us. She thinks Ollie is the best thing that ever happened to me and she’s not shy about reminding me of the fact, like I even need to be reminded of that. Or of the fact that she’s responsible for bringing us together, which I also know and am grateful for.

“Good idea,” he approves as I pull out my phone and we take up a position on a bench situated in the shelter of a large sweet gum tree. From here we can handily observe the bridge and keep an eye out for Egbert.

Gwin answers on the second ring. “Hello, dearest brother of mine! How are my guys doing?”

“We’re fine,” I assure her, squeezing Ollie’s hand that rests companionably upon my leg. “Sorry I haven’t called sooner.”

“Oh don’t worry about it.” She blows off my apology.  I can hear the background clatter of dishes and silverware, the low murmur of voices. I presume she’s in the dining room, probably getting ready for the dinner rush, so I shouldn’t keep her too long. “How’s the case going?”

“It’s going.” I’m not being deliberately mysterious, but I also don’t want to say anything, especially not when we’re out in the open like this. One can never be sure who’s lurking, especially since I know that nosy reporter’s around here somewhere.

“But not as well as you’d like?” She attempts to fill in the blanks of what I’m not saying. Pretty astute, my sister is.

“We could use a break,” I admit, although I’m not completely sure if it’s the case I’m talking about or the presence of that damned cat. Or both. “How’s the diner?”

“Super peachy keen!” I roll my eyes at her exuberance. “Lorenzo’s handling the kitchen just fine. And, before you ask, he’s keeping it immaculate too.”

Good. I’d hate to have to kill him for making a mess of my kitchen.

“You ever think about hiring someone on a permanent basis?”

Now that’s a loaded question. My biggest fear is having anyone find out about Ollie, which is why I’ve never hired any employees for the diner. It’s just Ollie and me and we’re doing fine. On the other hand, more time alone together would not go amiss. I don’t want to work my alien to death either. Not that he’d ever complain, ‘cause he wouldn’t.

Of course I know where she’s going with her inquiry too. And she heads there quickly, not exactly being shy or retiring.

“May I ask what you think of the idea of hiring Lorenzo? Maybe on a part-time basis, to start with? I think it would do the both of you good, to be honest.  And I can wait tables, you know that.  That would give you and Ollie more time together.” She’s echoing my thoughts, of course. “Just think about it, if you would. I don’t need an answer until you’re ready to give one.”

“I will, Gwin,” I promise.

“Can I talk to Ollie?”

“Of course.” I hand my sweet baby the phone.  He leans closer to me, claiming my lips in a brief, heated kiss, one that leaves me short of breath. His eyes flash for just a moment, and then he’s conversing with my sister and I’m simply focusing on breathing.

Is he trying to influence me to at least consider my sister’s proposition? He’ll find I’m not so easily persuaded. I can be damn stubborn myself, especially when it’s his safety that is under consideration. There are people that would pay a lot to learn Ollie’s location. People that certainly don’t have his best interests at heart, far from it. And other people that would sell him out in a heartbeat, if they only knew the truth. I’m determined that these groups never converge and compare notes. Not while I have anything to say about it, or the breath to fight them with.

Something hits me on the top of my head before falling into my lap. I pick it up, cradling it my palm, studying it like I’ve never seen it before, although I have. It’s just a sweet gum, that’s all. Not surprising since we’re sitting under the tree.  I idly roll the prickly little thing around in my hand. Many of its brethren have already hit the ground. After a minute, I toss this one after them, wiping a little sticky residue from my flesh.

Wait, what’s that? I mean, who’s that?

I gently nudge Ollie’s knee with mine. He understands and ends his conversation, handing my phone back to me. A familiar figure stands upon the bridge over the pond, a dark tulip in his hand. I glance cautiously about as we direct our steps toward him, but there is no sign of the bitchy reporter, thank goodness.

We stand at a respectful distance while he stares forlornly into the water before gently tossing the flower. As he turns to leave, we approach him.

“Mr. Montauk?”

He looks at us in surprise.

“A moment of your time, please?”

to be continued

Now don't forget to visit the rest of the Briefers!

Victoria Adams      m/f

Chris T. Kat   m/m

Lily Sawyer      m/m 

MA Church    m/m

Nephylim     m/m

Cia Nordwell     m/m

Tali Spencer     m/m

 MC Houle     m/m

 Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

A Purrfect Match Review

A Purrfect Match  

Author: Chris T. Kat

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

American release date: December 10, 2012

Format/Genre/Length: Novel/M/M Paranormal Romance/236 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★ (4.5)

Jim Sanders is not having a good day. The promotion he felt he deserved went to someone else, a younger white man. To relieve some of his tension, Jim goes home and shifts into his cat form, prowling the city. The day goes from bad to worse when he gets caught in an unexpected thundershower and has to take refuge in an unfamiliar part of town. Just his damn luck that he ends up on the porch of his new boss, Andrew Wright, and that Andrew’s son Tony catches the wet feline and wants to keep him as a pet named Mr. Frosty!

Synopsis:

Jim just can’t shift in the middle of his boss’ house, excuse himself and go home, especially as he would end up being naked in the process, and very vulnerable. He has no choice but to go along, for now, with being Mr. Frosty. It turns out that Tony, Andrew’s son, is a very lonely boy. And it’s amazing how much people will open up to animals, tell them things that they wouldn’t admit to other people.

Jim doesn’t intend to get involved. He figures he’ll split at the first opportunity and go home. After all, he has a job to go to, a life to lead.

But then he finds himself listening to Tony… and Andrew… and his initial attraction to Andrew is only growing stronger. It’s more than mere physical, although he certainly finds Andrew very attractive. But this can go nowhere for so many reasons.

Right?

What’s a cat to do?

Commentary:

When I first read the blurb for this book, I was drawn in, being a cat lover myself. I was fortunate to win a copy of it, and couldn’t wait to read it. Normally, I don’t have a lot of time to read, so it might take a while to get through a book. I tore through this one in record time! It is so compelling! I was just dying to find out how Jim was going to handle everything, see what became of him and Andrew, him and Tony, and Mr. Frosty and everyone. I could barely stand to put it down.

This is my first experience with Chris T. Kat, but it certainly won’t be the last. Her characters are so warm and human and real. I just wanted to hug them all. The little boy having a tough time adjusting to a new life in a strange place where he felt unaccepted. The father, having suffered through a bad relationship, in a new job, struggling to keep things together for his son. Jim who, against his better judgment and being pissed off about losing out on a promotion, can’t help his attraction to the man who got it, although he’s always preferred to be alone before and has never wanted a family.

This story is filled with humor and warmth and a great deal of love. I especially love the scene where Jim comes out to Andrew in a very moving omigod moment.

I look forward to seeing what else Ms. Kat brings to the party. This one was damn near purrfect….