Howdy!

Every story has a beginning…

“You’re morally damned, Madison Grace Wescott!” Bruce Wescott screamed the outraged whisper into his daughter’s face. “It shames me to recognize you as my daughter.”

Those are the first lines of Madison’s beginning…Before Pandora’s Box and the Road to Hell series begins, Madison relives moments from her life, all of them leading to her showdown with fate in Pandora's Box. Come join her adventures: http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com/

I didn't get out for the Black Friday shopping, although I have in the past few years. How about you? Do you Black Friday shop? Instead of spending money, do you want a chance to WIN something fun? If so, visit Decadent Publishing's 30 Days of Decadence! Click HERE and be entered for a chance to win. Come back each day until December 31st and find something new to win everyday! I'll be spotlighted on 30 Days of Decadence on December 14th and I'll be giving away an e-copy of Pandora's Box (when it's released) and a skull tote bag.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you're having a fantastic weekend!

~huggles~
Gracen

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online.

This holiday, my husband and I decided that we will shop online rather than hunt for gifts at the mall. With meniere's disease still plaguing me, surfing the net at home is the best thing to do. I don't know what to buy for the girls and my husband yet, but I'm sure Amazon will give me its helping hand.

Is it wise to do this? Are online shoppers tend to spend more money compared to the mall shoppers? What are the advantages of shopping online? Disadvantages? Share your thoughts.

If you're one of those online shoppers, I have books available online. (shameless promo) Visit my site at http://tierneyomalley.com

Let's chat. Leave your comments and you might win a copy of my latest book, Irresistible Knight.

She’s a rich wary violinist. He’s an FBI agent always hanging out behind alleys and dirty dumpsters. Together, can they make a beautiful symphony or break each other’s heart?

Tierney O'Malley

Romance Author

Happy Thanksgiving!

Where on earth are my blog partners??? I dunno so I'm stopping by to wish all of our friends who read Wicked Thorn and Roses a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are so glad to have you be part of our lives even if it is only through our blog.

My holiday plans start off with enjoying the evening tonight with movies. We rented Eat, Pray, Love, The Christmas Carol (the new one!), and the new Pet Semetary. We'll also be making the desserts tonight and I let the kids help with the cooking on Thanksgiving Day. Holidays around our house always seem to be fun and silly... the way holidays should be.

As for my Nanowrimo-novel: I'm still at a little over 18k. I've decided Dreaming of Him would be a novella and I'm about to wrap the story up. So why the low word count? I've gotten an editing job and have been busy editing a manuscript. Now that I've finished the editing project, I will be returning to my own writing before school resumes next week.

What are you doing for the holiday? Do you have any family traditions for Thanksgiving?

Talk to you soon,
Wendy Ely

I will NOT give up!

It's Wednesday again... a day that I get to sit in Starbucks, update you on my Nanowrimo progress while taking a break from the novel and school :) And today I wish I was bringing better news on my progress but... well... It's over halfway through the month and I've only gotten to 16k on my nano-novel.

I won't give up! Next week is my Thanksgiving break so I will have 7 full days to write! In order for me to finish Dreaming of Him for nanowrimo, I will have to finish during my break since I start a business law class the following week that my teacher insists as being haaaard!

That's all for my progress this week... what's yours? Please inspire me to get my fingers on the keyboard!

Wendy Ely

Bad Religion by Kathleen Scott - Now Available at Loose Id

Kree Janus is a sexual mystic.

As the head of the Order of Sopha, it is her sworn duty to ensure her religion continues under the threat of genocide. Trapped in a warehouse by one of the theocrats' enforcers, a Druma warrior who hunts by pheromones, Kree is captured and taken to a secret hideout away from the long arm of the guards. Kree’s survival depends on the plans of her sworn enemy, a man who brings all her sensual desires and pleasures raging to the surface, even in the face of peril.

Eavan desMort is a Druma warrior.

Contracted as an enforcer for the theocratic council, he has taken an assignment to bring in the Sophite premier, Kree Janus, for execution. Eavan has plans of his own. Charged by his people to bring Kree to their settlement, he has taken vows to die for her if necessary. Nothing, however, prepares him for the overwhelming call of her flesh. It is a temptation that could mean the very loss of his honor if he gives in.

Excerpt:

He rubbed a spot in the middle of her forehead. Instantly, her eyes felt heavy. She fought the lethargy back. There was no way in hell she’d fall to sleep without some better explanation than his enigmatic smiles and the flash of sexy golden eyes.

Weapons as effective as those were going to see to her downfall. There were defenses she could raise to keep his seductive powers from touching her, but she doubted they’d work. Not when she already felt the wet slide of arousal between her legs when she moved them.

The worst part was fastened around her neck. There was no way to remove the security collar without setting off an alarm on her captor’s wristband. There had to be a way to get it off and escape before he delivered her into her fate. She’d not accept defeat. Her sisters under Sopha would haunt her for eternity.

“If you want my cooperation, you have to earn it.”

That made him laugh. “I don’t think it’s up to you at this point.”

Kree’s heart stopped. If his smile and eyes were seductive, his laugh was death itself. She fell into the spell of animation that lit his features.

“Is this how you mean to torture me?”

The amusement faded.

Tension hung thick in the air between them.

“No, I have something much better in mind.”

***

Eavan’s blood had already grown so hot it moved like burning lava through his veins. Torture her? He’d cherish her until his dying breath. But she didn’t need to know that yet.

Initiating her to the ways of the Druma would be very enjoyable. He only hoped he’d get the chance. After all he’d done to capture and secure her, he’d hate like all the hells for her to fall under the spell of one of his fellow warriors.

He traced a finger down her cheek. “I already know how you’ll taste.”

Her gaze flew to his.

If sin had a shape it would be her lips. They were soft and wide with the barest pout to the lower one.

He ran his thumb across it. “The theocrats would love to get their hands on you.”
“Are you planning to ransom me to them?”

“The thought never crossed my mind.” He let his fingers move lower, down her throat to her collarbone. Every inch of her skin felt like silk under his fingertips.

“How long has it been since you’ve enjoyed a man’s touch?”

Even as her eyes flashed defiance, her back arched off the bed, lifting her breasts closer to him. “I’ve met no men worthy enough to touch me in a long while.”

Eavan smiled. Even if she meant it as an insult, the fact she’d been with no man recently sent need pulsing through his body. The Sophites used their sentries for sexual favors like most people used air to breathe. He sensed her words were all bravado or insult.

He let his fingers roam lower. The deep vee of her shirt ended at the apex of her cleavage. His gaze followed the trail of his hand. Her nipples stood out behind the fabric, inviting him to feel.

He didn’t disappoint.

*********

I've never been successful in getting blogger to actually activate the hyperlinks for sites. It's very frustrating. I will post the address though in case anyone wants to cut/paste to get to the page at Loose Id.

Have a great day

-Kate

http://www.loose-id.com/Bad-Religion.aspx

Another hot Knight

Yes, the story of Bors is finally out. Irresistible Knight, book two of Knight Brothers Series is now available from Red Rose Publishing.

 

 

She’s a rich wary violinist. He’s an FBI agent always hanging out behind alleys and dirty dumpsters. Together, can they make a beautiful symphony or break each other’s heart?

Sleep deprived, Bors Knight thanked his stars when he decided to help the vanilla scented Taylor Monte Carlo cross the street. She’s in need of a place to stay and his ticket to finally nail the man he wants to throw in jail. Not one to let go of a good opportunity, he offers her his newly built home. Taylor, however, has made matters complicated. She occupies his room, covers his windowsill with her rock collection, disturbs his quiet morning with beautiful music, and then… crawls inside his heart.

 

Taylor wants only one thing—keep her father from ending up in jail. Her problem is solved when she meets the funny and delicious looking hunk Bors whose father happens to be a judge. He offers to share his home, his secret cove, and show her blinding and all-consuming passion she has never known. In a very short time, she has learned to trust Bors with her secrets. All was good until a man holding a gun, Hollywood style, blows his cover—an FBI agent bent on sending her father to jail.

In love, Taylor finds herself between two men she can’t live without. But who should she chose?

 

Tierney O’Malley

http:/tierneyomalley.com

Progress and a kid!

One thing I've learned this week which I haven't figured out any other year while doing Nano is that it is really good to have someone do the program with you. I'm not saying write a book together but be there for each other.

How did I come to learn this tip? Because my daughter is doing the young writers program of Nanowrimo. She has been pushing and taunting me all month long. Yes, some days she comes off as being a pain in my butt by calling out through the house, "Mama! I have more woooooords than yoooooou!" but she pushes me to do more. She also inspires me. Her word processing program on her laptop doesn't work so she is writing her entire Nano-novel by hand. She doesn't complain either which I would do if I were in the same boat as her.

On my other posts I mentioned writing this Nano-novel for her. It's a paranormal with no sex (at her request).... as a gift to her since she helped me come up with the plot. The other night she was so discouraged with her book. "Mom, I don't think I can do this," she had exclaimed while flopping down on the couch next to where I was busy typing away. After trying to convince her that she could finish her book, she still wasn't hopeful. I asked her if she wanted to hear part of Dreaming of Him which is the book I'm working on. She listened to what I had so far. She hopped up off the couch with a revived passion for her book. "I have to write!" And off she went. She told me that night that I inspire her :)

I got her started on this Nanowrimo thing (she started doing this program when she was 10) and now I wouldn't do it without her. So, nanowrimo writers, find someone to do the program with you!

As for my progress~ I'm at 8,626 words. According to my nano stats, at this rate I'll finish my nano-novel by December 28th! Not so good. So how are your books coming online?

Talk to you soon,

Wendy Ely

V for Vendetta - A Romance

Last night, I had my heart broken.



Since I saw the first trailer for this movie a few years back, I've wanted to see it. I knew it was from a graphic novel, but I hadn't read that either. Nor did I pick up a copy though I do like most of Alan Moore's work. (I'll admit Promethea got to be more about the verbage than the pictures and probably needed to be moved to novel form - but anyhoo...) For one reason or another I never got to the movies to see V or rented the movie when it became available. When I saw it available from Netflix, I knew my time had come.

The only thing I have left to say is....I should have went with my gut and gone to see it on the big screen.

This movie not only rocked and rocked hard...it was both ghastly and hauntingly tender at the same time. And even though some of V's methods and actions are very questionable, I actually found myself understanding clearly his motives and forgiving him completely.

I think I fell in love with him.

From their first moments onscreen together, I wanted V and Evey to have something more together. I won't write spoilers here for those who haven't seen the movie or read the graphic novel (I really don't know if they end the same and oddly, Alan Moore's name seemed to be left off the credits as the creator of the story. Only David Lloyd the illustrator got credit.) But suffice it to say that I ached for these two. This movie grabbed me on a level I haven't felt for some time. Not with a movie anyhow. Books are different. I get more gut-wrenched from them than movies for some reason.

As unconventional a love story as any has ever been, it still struck me at it's heart a romance. The Wachowski Brothers who brought us The Matrix do a beautiful job of adapting this story for the big screen. They admit to going a little bit deeper into the relationship between V and Evey, which I think made the movie all the more gripping and what got to me.



I never really expected it to be a pseduo-romance. I knew I'd probably like it, but the pain and terror these two characters have endured make them compelling, sympathetic and in the final scenes....heartbreaking and triumphant at the same time.

There really aren't enough words. And I'm finding myself having trouble in articulating exactly why this movie got to me so much. It might be the man behind the mask and how he hides his pain through vengence. There is one scene where V is alone and Evey has just left where his vulnerabilty comes through and I almost lost it.

If you haven't seen it. You should.

V forever!

-Kate

THE CROW

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word "Crow"? For me, aside from the black birds that scavenge, it was the mystical belief that they are omens of death.

In my newly contracted book, Pandora's Box, I needed a mystical creature that could deliver a riddle from a higher power about the future. So, I started researching and quickly became fascinated by the Crow. Similar to the Raven it appears in mythology as a soothsayer, as a creator and cleanser and as omens of death. Okay, so I wasn’t completely wrong, but neither did I know near all of it.

Among the North America tribes the Crow was considered as the guardian of the sacred law that could see not only the past, but the present and the future. Ah, so a soothsayer that could easily be used in my story to deliver a riddle about future events.

In Celtic lore, the battle goddess Morrigan would shapeshift into either a crow or a raven and they were both seen as allies and companions.

Scottish folklore said the crow had 27 different sounds and each one of them correlated to an occasion, foretelling anything from coming guests to good fortune to an imminent death. Truly I found this fascinating and wanted to learn more about the 27 different cries. By the way, the number 27 was derived from the magical 3 x 9 derivative.

To the Greek, the crow was considered an unlucky warning. In fact, while crows were sacred to the Greek goddess Athene, she refused to allow them to perch atop the roof of Acropolis in Athens because they were omens of death. Even though they were considered omens of death, it did not prevent the Greek god Apollo from shapeshifting into a crow when he fled Typhon.

Medieval bestiaries saw the crow as birds of parental devotion and it was said that the crow led the migration of storks. Medieval Christians thought the crow was a sign of the devil because of its scavenging conduct, but it was also an icon of fidelity because it was thought that crows did not seek a new mate when its mate died. Magical properties were given to the crow as well, which included the skill to foretell the future, dismantle the past and to educate humans about how to mix humor, playfulness and love.

Interesting lore—or so I thought—was the Australian aboriginal legend. I found it in The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, written by John & Caitlin Matthews © 2008:

“In Australian aboriginal legend, Crow, along with Tortoise and Frog, dissented in the corroboree (gathering) that suggested that Kangaroo and Emu, and Dingo and Goanna should mate. The animals fell to fighting but when they grew hungry, pelicans dived for fish to feed them and a fire was started to cook them. Crow warned them that to cook fish away from where they had been caught was illegal and the animals began to argue. Frog threw his voice to make it sound as if Crow was insulting Kangaroo, so confusing the other animals that they fell out even more and decided for ever after to have their own languages.”

All of this was a far cry from the 1994 movie, The Crow. In it, the lead character comes back as an undead entity bent on avenging his and his fiancée’s murder. Entertaining, yeah, and maybe he was loosely considered an omen of death, but he was really the cause of the death of those that murdered him and his fiancée. It was revenge and nothing more.

So, what do you think? Do you believe in the magical elements of Crows? For me, I don’t know, but I do know I had fun using the crow as a magical creature that showed up, shapeshifted into a beautiful woman with birdlike qualities and clothing made of feathers. Minor excerpt posted below staring the Crow in Pandora's Box.

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend! My baby turned 9 today! Wow! I cannot believe how fast they grow up!!!

Unedited Excerpt:

The crow shifted into that of a woman, with almond shaped eyes and long hair, both as black as a crow's feather, and a body to die for dressed in a black cat-like-pantsuit. Well, no, that wasn't quite accurate. The pantsuit wasn't made of cloth, but rather a seamlessly flowing feather-like garb. A black feather floated and came to rest across Madison's bare foot.

"You've been found worthy of the crows," the crow said, her voice as melodious as a bird's warble. "Keep the feather secure and if you ever need assistance, grip it in your hand and consider our help a one time deal."

"Lucky me." She pushed out of her chair and heard Nix rise beside her. She palmed the dagger Nix had given her. In the paranormal world, she was learning things could turn on a dime, so she trusted no one. Not even a shape-shifting crow. And she grew weary of feeling defenseless as each new supernatural entity arrived on her doorstep. Grew restless sitting and waiting on them to come after her.

Crow shuddered like she'd seen a bird do a million times, her feathery black hair buzzing with the movement. "I came with a message only."

"You're an omen of death," Nix snarled, glaring.

Startled, Madison looked at him, every muscle in his body alert, his pistol gripped tight in his hand.

"Sometimes, yes," Crow agreed looking him up and down. "You're cuter in person, Phoenix Birmingham."

"You…" he made a face of disbelief, "You know my name?"

Crow clucked her tongue at him and then swiveled her head to look at Madison. She blinked, slow, like a bird assessing its prey. "The boy has risen from the puppeteer's hell. Evil has been dismantled from his past, but his future isn't set in stone. The choice is his. A blood-father born of the pit will test the mettle of his son again, but the boy owns his future."

Chills scattered across Madison's body. "What does that mean?" She looked at Nix, feeling more than a little paranoid, "What does that mean?" Did it mean Amos could make his own future or would he own the future the demon planned for him? How could she plan if she didn't understand the message?

It frustrated her that Crow did not answer. Nix could only offer an 'I don't know' shake of his head.

Crow looked from Madison to Nix, indicating the next message concerned both of them. "Nix, if you continue to squander and push aside that which you desire the most, you'll fall to a torturous death of your own making. A pact with a devil in a hell you cannot fathom. Leaving those who love you to mourn. After months of agony, you'll break to his satisfaction, become the monster he desires. In your honor, allies will come to your aid and a new Phoenix, battle hardened by flame, pain and shame, will rise from the ashes."

That strange, bird-like piercing stare settled on Madison and she resisted the urge to fidget under the crow's penetrating gaze. "Madison, you'll be plagued by doubt and uncertainty. A mother from the grave complicates everything, leading to a life chiseled with years of wandering war. Lifelong friends will be made and they'll come when you call. Only when he," she nodded toward Nix, "falls will you find your wings and build a fearsome empire. You're strong enough to crush a King, but it'll take courage to do the impossible. Forged in fire, you'll come out the other side, supernaturally strong and greeted by a lover that'll die for you. Trust in the goodness you've instilled in your son and a formidable ally will be forged, one to defeat a second King."

"What does that mean?" Nothing Crow said made sense.

"A death omen," Nix said, disgust darkening his voice.

Crow smiled. "No, a life omen," she said.

~Photo snagged from photobucket. I do not own the photo and do not claim any rights to it. No copyright infringement was intended.~

A New Power is Rising

November 3, 2010

Logan, deeply soaked with unicorn magic, is the ultimate slave to the unicorn, his mind, body and soul completely forfeit to the unicorn's whims. Blake on the other hand has his fair share of troubles with the centaurs, a rival clan to the ones on the farm capturing him and forcing him to see his once innocent world in a different light. The unicorn's son, Keallan, is the brothers' only hope. Can he rise up and overcome his own failings to help the two men before Logan is totally lost and Blake is held forever by the centaur clan? And can all this prevent the bloodshed that will soon follow as the unicorns and the centaurs prepare for war?

Centaur's Awakening will be available on the 15th of November from eXtasy books.

Also, I am doing NaNo this year; although I generally write about 2000 words a day anyway, but it's nice to get a bit of recognition :-)

That damned Nanowrimo!

As suspected, my life is so crazy that I'm already behind on the 2010 nano-adventure. How many words do I have? 1500! Yep, that is all. If I was on track I would have about 6k so far. Btw~ my 13 yr old is doing the youth nano program and is delighted that her word count is higher than mine!

I do love my plot and the characters. I'm tempting my hand at a paranormal with romantic elements. Can I pull it off? I dunno but it is fun. This one is titled Dreaming of Him.

Are you doing Nano? If so, I'd love to hear about your progress and I certainly hope it is going way better than mine!!

Talk to you soon,

Wendy Ely