Thursday, June 25, 2015

Shore to Please

I'm super stoked to have Annette Mardis here with me today. She's sharing her Gulf Shore Series, and as someone who loves the beach, I'm always happy to see her lovely covers and exciting snippets. Enjoy!



Meet Paul “Flipper” O’Riley

 

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Christy. I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to the hero of Shore to Please, Book 3 in my Gulf Shore series, set for release June 22 by Liquid Silver Books. Flipper is the head dolphin trainer at Gulf Shore Aquarium, the jewel of the tourist district in the west-central Florida beach town of Gulf Shore.

Flipper sets hearts aflutter when he dons a wet suit and interacts with his finned friends at the aquarium’s Dolphin Inlet habitat. But animal rights activist Tara Langley isn’t happy that Flipper sets her pulse to pounding, too. After all, the group she cofounded, Stop Whale and Dolphin Suffering, SWADS for short, is against keeping dolphins in captivity. If she had her way, the job Flipper loves would be rendered obsolete.

Flipper and Tara are a classic case of fire and gasoline. Why, then, are they both itching to strike a match?

I sat down with Flipper recently for a very revealing interview.

Q. I have to tell you that I’m puzzled you’re even considering spending private time with Tara Langley. What could you two possibly have in common?

A. Well, we both love dolphins, for starters. Yes, we disagree on a very controversial issue, and it’s obviously a huge stumbling block because of what I do for a living. But she has a right to express her opinion, as long as she continues to do it in a respectful way.

Q. You weren’t always so open-minded where she’s concerned. What changed your mind?

A. My boss will kill me if he finds out I said this, but I can’t get the woman out of my head. There’s just something about her. I mean, it’s obvious she’s gorgeous and very sexy. But she stirs something in me that I haven’t felt in a very long time. Not since...well, that’s in the past, and I’d rather not talk about it.

Q. You mentioned your boss, Kenshin Hamasaki. I hear you two haven’t been getting along so well these days. Didn’t you two used to be good friends?

A. At one time, yes. But he’s been a real jackass lately, especially after he found out I had lunch with Tara at the aquarium’s Shoreline Cafe. It didn’t seem right that both Kenshin and Wesley Coffey, Jr., the director of our aquarium, have ignored her repeated requests for a meeting. I thought if I sat down and talked to her that maybe it would allay some of her concerns about our dolphins.

Q. You can understand, though, why your supervisors don’t want you spending time with her, can’t you? Isn’t she the enemy?

A. Forgive me for being so blunt, but it’s nobody’s business but my own who I associate with away from work as long as I’m not hurting anyone or breaking any laws. Ken has some misguided idea that I’m going to spill inside information. I’d never do that. And I’ve never given the people I work with any reason to doubt my loyalty. As for Tara being the enemy, I felt that way at first—until I got to know her a little bit. Now I want to know everything about her. I strongly suspect that prim exterior she clings to hides a really passionate soul, and I want to be the one to expose it. Oh, hell, did I really just say that? I’ll be lucky to keep my job once this interview appears online. But I’m not going to sit here and deny how I feel.

Q. Tara’s not the only critic of Gulf Shore Aquarium’s policies as they relate to marine mammals. What’s the deal with these threatening letters the aquarium’s been getting?

A. The anti-captivity contingent has had us in its sights for a while, especially since the controversy over SeaWorld and its killer whales. But lately some anonymous notes have been arriving in the mail, and the language has been increasingly nasty. And then I came home from work to find a message nailed to the door of my cottage. Taking issue with us keeping dolphins is one thing. But threatening bodily harm to me and other aquarium staff unless we release those animals... Some people are really sick, that’s all I can say about that. Detective Jo Tompkins of the Gulf Shore Police Department has been working very hard to track down the source of these threats. She hasn’t made any arrests, but I’m confident she’ll find the guilty party before someone gets hurt.

Q. Wow. I didn’t realize things had gotten that serious. Are you taking any precautions to protect yourself?

A. I imagine we’ll be ramping up security at the aquarium. And I’m considering applying for a concealed carry gun permit.

Q. Be careful, Flipper, and stay safe. One last question, because I know you need to get back to helping that adorable orphaned dolphin calf, Trident, get acclimated to his new surroundings. What’s the latest on Dani and Evan’s wedding plans? Are they getting married in Dani’s Missouri hometown like her mother wants? Or will they follow their hearts and exchange their vows on a moonlit beach behind the aquarium?

A. I’m the best man, so I’ll be there no matter where the wedding is held. But I really hope Dani doesn’t let her mother pressure her into anything. Dani and Evan deserve to have the wedding of their dreams, not anyone else’s.

 


Shore to Please excerpt

Paul “Flipper” O’Riley backed away from the note as if he expected it to somehow lunge at his throat. The outrage, disgust, and, yes, he’d admit it, fear he felt at reading the vile threats composed on the single page of common white printer paper had his stomach roiling ominously.

The letters of each word had been cut from what looked like a glossy magazine and glued on like a ransom note from a classic crime drama. If the message hadn’t been so loathsome, Flipper might’ve laughed at how cartoonish it looked.

But the warning had been nailed to the front door of the cottage he rented across the street from the beach, and that in itself represented an alarming development. It meant, of course, that the animal rights crusaders who’d been hounding Flipper’s employer now knew where he lived.

With a hand he fought to keep from shaking, he drew his cell phone out of the case attached to his belt, scrolled through his contacts, and pressed a familiar number. It rang several times before the person on the other end answered with an impatient huff.

“Jo?” Flipper asked. “Is that you?”

“No, it’s the queen of England. What do you want?”

Joanna Tompkins’ characteristic grumpiness and brusque manner usually amused him, but Flipper wasn’t in the mood for her tough-chick act right now.

“I’ve got something here at my place that you need to see. Can you come over?”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Fish Brain? Even if you show me yours, I’m not going to show you mine. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.” She gave a chuckle that he didn’t appreciate, given the circumstances.

“Hilarious, but I’m serious. Another of those nasty notes came, and this one’s even more personal than the others.”

Jo’s tone immediately changed into her no-nonsense cop voice. “It mentioned you specifically by name?”

“No, but it’s nailed to my front door.”

“At your cottage?” She sounded even more concerned now.

“Yes.”

“Don’t touch it. I’ll be right over with a tech to dust for fingerprints.”

“I know the drill. I’m hanging up now and calling Kenshin.”

“See if he can meet me at your place. That’ll save me a trip to the aquarium.”

“Okay.”

“And if you’re still on your doorstep, haul your happy ass inside right now and lock the door until I get there.”

“Seriously?”

“Did you call me for help or not?”

“All right, all right. You’re the boss.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

Wary now, Flipper looked around before doing as she ordered. Then he called his boss, Kenshin Hamasaki, supervisor of marine mammals at Gulf Shore Aquarium, and filled him in. Kenshin promised to drop what he was doing and be right over.

Flipper looked around his cozy living room—with its bland, impersonal furnishings straight from the rental property decorators’ manual—and then moved to his front windows to fully close the mini blinds. He wasn’t too proud to acknowledge Jo’s admonition had freaked him out, and he was too antsy to sit. Not that he’d feel safe settling onto either the loveseat or his favorite recliner, both near windows. He yanked his hand through his hair, annoyed with himself for letting the situation unsettle him and pissed off at whoever was disrupting his life this way.

Who would’ve thought being a dolphin trainer carried such potential for danger?

 


About the author

Annette Mardis writes the kind of contemporary romance novels that she loves to read. Her characters are the type of people you’ve worked with or lived next door to, and the plots are filled with the dramas, disappointments, joys, passions, and humor of everyday life. Her Gulf Shore series will transport you to a fictional coastal Florida town where you’ll taste the salt on your skin and feel sugary white sand between your toes, the warm sun on your shoulders, and the sea breeze ruffling your hair.

You’ll meet swoon-worthy alpha males who aren’t embarrassed to cuddle a rescued baby dolphin in their muscular arms, and accomplished women looking for an equal partner who thinks that smart is sexy. You’ll get up close and personal with sea life, join the “snipe and gripe” club for girls’ nights out, and fall in love with a parrot who acts like a little boy in a bird suit. You’ll go behind-the-scenes at the local aquarium and out to the beach to rescue marine animals in distress. And once you visit Gulf Shore, you just may find yourself wishing you could stay.

To find out more and Annette and her books, visit her website at AnnetteMardis.com. She loves to stay in touch with her readers, so drop her a line and sign up for her e-mail list for a chance to win prizes and get a first look at covers and excerpts.

 

Buy the book


 



 

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Twitter: @AnnetteMardis48








 

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Guest Author: Layne Macadam

I'm very happy Layne Macadam could drop by today and have a chat. Welcome to my blog, Layne!
 
 
Interview Questions
 
Thank you so much for having me today, Christy. 
 
Do you write in different genres?
Yes, I sure do. I write suspense, sci-fi, paranormal, and contemporary. Wolf on Wheels is the first book in my wolf shifter Heritage Series. Book 2 has some unexpected surprises.
Which is your favorite genre to write?
I like to stretch my imagination, but if I had to choose one, I’d say contemporary. Desire Unleashed is a contemporary suspense, and because it was my first published novel, it holds a special place in my heart. Desire Denied, Book 2 in the Desire Series was released April 6 and I’m currently working on Book 3.
How did you come up with the title for Wolf On Wheels?
Well, it was originally called Lara’s Wolf. It was the first thing that came to mind to save the file under. I never really warmed to it, though. The hero Caleb rides a motorbike, and I was trying to incorporate that into the title.
Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
A bit of both, really. All the books in the Desire Series had their titles before they were written. Obsession Down Under was originally called The Perfect Rose, and Star Crossed Lovers started out as Super Nova Princess. I try and title the books to reflect what’s inside and sometimes I don’t know that until the story is complete!
Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true-life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
I wish! Who wouldn’t love a gorgeous bike riding wolf shifter in their life? But alas, no, it’s purely fiction, although I do draw on my travel experiences for location at times.
What book are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Book 7 in the Outlander Series by Dianna Gabaldon. I love series because you get to know not only the main characters in detail but also the secondary characters. They kind of become like your family.
What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?
I’m actually working on two books. Desire Rekindled, the third book in the Desire Series, and the second book in the Heritage Series as yet untitled. When I hit a brick wall with one, I put it aside and work on the other.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Sure I would love to. The following snippet is from Book 2 in the Heritage Series, as I said before, I’m yet to come up with a title!!
 
Camille Robineau darted between the trees as if her tail was on fire; the wind tousling her fur, and her feet kicking up clods of damp earth. Cody was in hot pursuit. Not that he would catch her. She could always outrun her twin even from when they were cubs. But this time—he was livid.
Thoughts of his anger increased her speed, and the wind amplified right along with it. The velocity had picked up and it howled with menace. The farther she ascended Mt Robson the colder it grew, and a shiver ran through her. If Cody didn’t back off soon, she’d have to spend the night. That prospect held no joy. As a rule she loved sleeping in the open, but she was hungry, having missed lunch, and in no mood to hunt. She paused on a rocky outcrop and lifting her muzzle, looked up at a leaden sky. Heavy bellied gray clouds sagged on the treetops, and the clusters of birds huddled on the lower branches were an omen. Damn it, snow was in the air.
 

“Can I be of assistance?” he asked stepping off the machine, his lips curving upward and his grin broadening as he flashed his pearly whites.

“Ah thanks, I’m not sure what’s wrong. Betty complains a lot, but she’s never let me down.”

“Betty?”
“My car. I have this terrible habit of naming everything.” She giggled. Her laughter was a deep throaty chuckle that slid over his skin in a smooth

caress. It was an infectious sound, and he joined in remembering how she’d given names to Nora, and him.

“It suits her,” he said opening the door for her to step out.

Her smile widened at his gesture, and her green eyes twinkled with flecks of gold. She was a vision of loveliness. His heart constricted, and his body tensed at her nearness. It was a confronting feeling, but not one he disliked.

She glanced around him her eyes settling on the bike parked near the car. “I love your bike. Nicer than a Harley, in my humble opinion.”

“Thanks, yeah it is kind of cool.” It was also cool they had something human in common. The bike was a CTG 1200 with tall chrome handlebars and chrome muffler. The petrol tank was black with the CTG logo, a wolf’s face, red eyed with lips drawn back and teeth bared. His grandsire, Cyrus Thomas Grayson, started the company, and the family had been manufacturing bikes ever since. Over the last couple of decades the brand had elevated to a status similar to that of Harley Davidson. So much so there were only two types of true bikers, the Harley type, or the CTG type, and he was gratified she was the latter.

“Forgive me for asking, but did you remember to fill up?” It went against the grain to deceive her, but he was in a quandary. He had to meet her somehow and this was the best he could come up with on such short notice.

“Um, yes two days ago, but I’ve only been on short trips, so it couldn’t be that.”

Caleb took off his jacket. He wore it for effect not warmth, and to avoid awkward questions. His kind was immune to the elements. “Pop the hood and I’ll take

a look. I’m Caleb by the way. Caleb Grayson.”
“Lara Walker. Pleased to meet you.”
When she pushed her hand into his, a buzz shot up his arm and along his

veins. He almost howled with joy it felt so damn good. Her skin was silky and her scent alluring. When he released her fingers, his inner wolf wanted to pounce, bite her, mark her as his own, but he talked him down.

“Are you a local?” Her sexy voice sounded so good to his ears.
“Yep, I live farther up the mountain.”
Her arched brows drew together. “Tell me Caleb, do you ever see any

wolves?”
Her question was unexpected, and it made him grin. “Yeah, all the time.” Her index finger tapped against her bottom lip. “Hmm.”
She didn’t elaborate as she popped the release mechanism. He lifted the hood

and tinkered, feeling a fraud. “Any clues?”

“All looks fine here. Do you mind if I try and turn it over?”
Ginger curls swished from side to side as she shook her head. “Be my guest.” Caleb climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key. The car tried to click

over but sputtered. He tried again with the same result.
“Out of fuel would be my guess, Lara.” He liked the way her name rolled off

his tongue. He liked what else he was going to do to her with his tongue.
“Oh blast, my fuel gauge has been playing up the last few months but I was

sure I had plenty of gas left.”
When her brow crinkled again he inhaled sharply. “It happens to the best of

us. Tell you what though, how about I run you down to the gas station at the foot of the mountain? We can fill a can, and I’ll have you back here and on the road in no time.”

She didn’t answer right away, which was good, at least she hadn’t rejected the idea straight up. Her gaze flicked toward the direction they’d come from. The emotions that crossed her face were easy to read as she weighed her options.

While he waited for her response his acute hearing detected the sound of an approaching vehicle. He wanted her answer before it reached them so gave her a prompt.

“I’ll be a proper gentleman, scouts honor.” His left hand went over his heart, and with his right, thumb holding little finger down, gave the traditional scout salute.

She dragged her eyes back and focused on his ink. Her message was clear. Could someone like him be trusted? A biker? His Wolf tattoo loomed large on his upper arm, and dressed as he was in low slung ripped denims and a tank top, with his black hair pulled back in a ponytail showing the large birthmark on his neck, he guessed he didn’t look the gentlemanly type. And although he’d always been disdainful of her kind, he ached for her to come to him of her own accord. There’d be no coercion, but she did need time to get to know him, love him, and he needed time to know her, love her.

They both turned as the sleek black Porsche pulled off the road and stopped beside them.

“I didn’t get very far,” Lara announced as the human male he recognized from before got out of the car.

“Yes, I can see that. Sorry I was so long, couldn’t escape.” Joe pulled a face and shrugged.

“Understandable, Molly loves a chat. Joe, this is Caleb, he lives farther up the

mountain and stopped to give me a hand. Joe and I just met at my sister’s earlier today,” she explained.

When Joe, stuck out his hand in the traditional human greeting, he wanted to crush it. He could smell the other man’s lust, and it enraged his inner wolf. Caleb’s silver-gray eyes flickered and narrowed, and the hairs on the back of his neck thickened and stood on end. “Calm yourself,” he instructed his inner wolf.

“He wants our mate. I will rip out his throat before I allow that to happen.” “Trust me, it won’t happen, but we can’t rush this—humans are not like us.” “Be warned, I will not wait forever.”
When his inner wolf retreated, Caleb shook the other man’s hand.

*

“I feel such a dork. Seems I ran out of gas.” Lara forced a smile as she made the explanation. When Joe’s Porsche pulled into the lay-by, rather than excitement at seeing him again it was disappointment she felt. She’d really wanted to throw her leg over the CTG and ride behind Caleb, and now felt robbed.

“Nonsense, it happens, and sometimes these old cars can be unpredictable. How about I drive you to the gas station, pick up enough fuel to get Betty moving, and then follow you back down.”

Her gaze swung from the well-dressed clean-cut graphic designer to the longhaired tattooed bad-boy biker. Both men were sexy and drop dead gorgeous, but it was on the biker that her gaze lingered. When he’d made the same offer earlier she’d been ready to accept. Even now, uncharacteristic lustful visions of her jumping onto the saddle behind him, gripping his hips and pressing her body hard up against his butt, his back, his thighs, entered her usually rational mind.

“So, what do you say?”

When Joe spoke, the image in her head disappeared like a puff of smoke in the wind, and she almost groaned at the loss.

“My offer still stands, you choose.” Caleb’s voice was upbeat, and when his lips pulled back into an engaging smile, her heart gave a little kick.

She ached to turn her vision into a reality, to feel the excitement of the wind in her face and him in her arms as they weaved down the mountain at speed, but it was her sensible inner voice that won out.

“Caleb, I can’t thank you enough for your help and your offer, but—” “Don’t sweat it. I get it—sensible choice.” The smile slid off his face.



 
Layne Macadam lives with her husband, two dogs and a cantankerous cat named Bob, on the beautiful east coast of Australia. She holds down a full-time job and has a degree in history.
Always an avid reader with a vivid imagination, writing romance seemed a natural progression for her.  After her first novel, a romantic suspense, was published in 2013 she decided to branch out and write different genres.
Her love of history has fueled her other passion, which is travel. Layne has been fortunate enough to have explored lots of this wonderful world we live in, and of course her travels have been a tremendous help when creating a backdrop for her stories. Her works include Desire Unleashed, Desire Denied, Obsession Down Under, Star Crossed Lovers, and Wolf on Wheels, Book 1 in her Heritage Shifter Series.



Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Shifters Gone Alpha

A huge welcome to the authors of Shifters Gone Alpha, a boxed set full of nothing but...you guess it...alpha shifters! I'm so glad Lynn Tyler and her pals could come for a visit.

Enjoy the sneak peek at what this boxed set has in store for readers!




Shifters Gone Alpha: Shapeshifter Romance Boxed Set

When it comes to love, it doesn't take long for shifters to go alpha. This boxed set of NEW stories from bestselling authors shows how there's nothing a shifter won't do for their mate's pleasure. 

Her Alpha Mate by Michele Bardsley 
As the Fire Pack alpha’s wife Alice Mason will do anything ensure the future of her wolf pack and the ancient bloodline of her husband. Even if it means she must sacrifice her own life… 

The Bear Witch Project by Renee George 
Bears and witches are natural enemies, so when bear shifter Ty Wasape meets curvy witch Solange Tremaine at an Osage casino, he is naturally torn between killing her or making her his mate. 

Her Destiny by Brandy Walker 
Selena has a new job, new home, and new friends; to include a cat she calls Felix. When her life is threatened Felix, aka Malcolm, comes to the rescue bringing her into a world she never knew existed. 

KnightForce 1 by Sydney Addae 
La Patron’s rebel problem needs correcting before the cops get involved. Asia, Angus and Tyrese, arrive in the Rocky Mountains to prevent more deaths and keep humans unaware Shifters live next door. 

Darkness Rising by Lisa Carlisle 
Antoine Chevalier is a gargoyle shifter living in Paris. When he's attacked by rogue vampires, he's forced to abandon his identity and must recreate himself in a world now filled with darkness.

Her Dragon’s Soul by Julia Mills 
Find mate…check. Bond with mate…check. Exorcise demon taking take over mate hence saving dragon kin and the world…oh crap, not again. Can't a dragon catch a break? 

The Gathering: Homecoming by Ellis Leigh 
Join the trio from The Gathering as they navigate their new life. Blasius and Dante must make their mate Moira feel welcome, but their mountain girl has trouble finding her footing on marble floors. 

Wolves at the Door by Skye Jones 
Brooke is studying the wildlife of a remote Scottish area. What she finds shocks her. Sexy alpha, Drew, seduces Brooke. They spend the night together, but Drew wants more. He wants Brooke as his mate. 

Domlen’s Way by Solease M Barner 
Domlen's handsome, sexy, smart and a Dominate. He will ensure you are satiated, satisfied, sore and pleased. You will only have to submit to Domlen's Way to get the attention of this dragon-shifter. 

Rescued? By the Wolf by Cristina Rayne 
When Rogue lion shifter, Tori, jumps into the truck of an annoyingly hot wolf shifter she mistakes for human, lifelong hostilities and self-restraint are tested as they flee from the lions in pursuit. 

Spring Mates by Lynn Tyler 
Mating season. The time when a young man’s heart turns to creating a permanent bond with the one he loves. At least, in theory. 

Breaking the Storm by Sedona Venez 
One curvy fae witch. One smoking hot ‘Rock Star’ wolf shifter--and a curse that threatens their burning love.