Fall into Romance with paranormal thriller Half

Welcome to the next stop on the Fall into Romance Blog Hop! Sponsored by Romance Blog Hops Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy a taste of romance from my paranormal thriller, Half. Would you like to win an ebook copy? Just leave a comment and one lucky winner will be chosen and announced on the 23rd of September. Don't forget to enter the Fall into Romance Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card. Now pour a cuppa and relax as you get aquatinted with Valeska and Alex of Half.

About Half

Guarding CEO Alex Blazen during a charity gala was an easy job for Valeska Gorstef...until all hell breaks loose... Literally. Forced to face her own darkness, Valeska may lose her only chance to live a human life. Two sides of her soul will be at war. Which half will win?

Purchase links:

EXCERPT

Valeska stood within the darkness of the room and felt it breathe. The dark was a living creature part of

what she was. Her darkness, her vampire, and she hated it. A bit of dust and the stain was all that was left of her father. Once she had thought killing him would free her to live a normal life, but that was just a pretty lie.

After all this time, she still had to exist in the twilight between two worlds. Trapped. She was lost in the past when she heard footsteps and smelled Alex’s cologne before he reached the room. Good. He’ll see the darkness and run. It would be that easy to stop this before I want any more than I can have.

Alex didn’t run. Instead, he walked over, embracing her and kissing her blood covered mouth. All he cared about was showing her it didn’t matter. That he loved her human or not. Plying her lips with his tongue, he gently pushed into her mouth and met sharp fangs.

She tasted fresh blood and pushed him away roughly. “Alex stop! I haven’t fed enough.”

He gazed at her and the concern she saw there was more than she could bear. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t take an unwilling victim, not even a four legged one.”

He looked beneath the splatters of blood to the pain her eyes held. What horrors she must have endured to survive over six hundred years of life.

She wanted to push him farther away. “Don’t you see me? This is Valeska Gorstef. Alex, I can’t change what I am. I can smell the sweet copper scent of blood in your mouth. I can hear your heart pumping more through your veins and I want it. I want to taste you in ways that have nothing to do with passion.”

The video flashed in his mind. “I see the beautiful woman who walked into my office three days ago. I see the dark desire in your eyes. Blood isn’t all you want.”

She shook her head. “Alex, you don’t know what you’re asking.” Valeska felt her control starting to slip.

“No, I don’t.” Alex unbuttoned her shirt, peeled the blood soaked fabric from her shoulders. He pulled off his own shirt and tossed it in the pile. She was dizzy from bloodlust and need. Need to give in, need to love him.

She stood stiff as he embraced her and kissing, caressing first one lip then the other. He was more careful exploring the warmth of her mouth. He licked her fangs tasting the sweet copper in her mouth.

Weakening with the scent of his body so close, she kissed him back him feeling his warm clean skin. They fell to the floor, she rolled over him. “We can’t do this. I have to feed.”

He grabbed her face as he kissed her again. “Then feed.”

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Meet Ben Mason of Outlaw Born

I was invited to participate in the Meet Your Character Blog Tour by fellow author Juneta Key. After you meet the handsome and deadly Ben Mason be sure to visit her blog and meet her character Heiden Grim.

Now let me introduce you to Ben Mason main character of Outlaw Born.

What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person?
Ben Mason is a historical fictional character. Yet he is based on the story of two brothers who came home from fighting in the Civil War only to find their family hanged and the homestead burned. The family had refused the railroad's offer to buy their land. The rail company wouldn't give in, bullying the family, in the end they took measures to destroy them and took the land by force. The brothers were good men, but they vowed to avenge their loved ones and turned outlaw to do so.

When and where is the story set? 
The story is set at the end of the Civil War, a historical western. The story begins getting to know Ben as he leads a regiment of men for the North. Then we head for the wild west, New Mexico/Arizona, where Ben's home and family are. 

What should we know about him?
Ben Mason is haunted by his father's legacy. A legacy of crime, murder, and hate. Outlaw blood runs through Ben's veins and he's faught the tendencies he learned as a child to become a good man. Yet he must face those dark needs on his journey in Outlaw Born. 

What is the personal goal of the character?
Ben's goal in the beginning is simple. To come home to his wife and son, build his ranch and live as a good man should. That all changes when he discovers the deaths of his family. He embraces that darnkess to get the justice they deserved. 

Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
Outlaw Born is the true title for the novel. You can read a rough draft of the first two chapters on my Wattpad  And be sure to follow my blog for tidbits through Weekend Writing Warriors posts. 

When can we expect the book to be published?
My goal is early 2015 Jan/Feb, though it may be more into spring if LIFE jumps in. 

Outlaw Born Blurb: 

Orphaned at 8 years old and raised by a preacher's family Benjamin Mason became a good man. He wanted to forget and erase his real father's legacy of blood and violence from their name for his own son.

Then tragedy struck. The law wouldn’t give him justice, so he would take it. After all, wasn’t he born to be this kind of man, an outlaw filled with hell and vengeance in his blood? Ben Mason is outlaw born.

My vision of Ben Mason

Excerpt: 

Ben woke with a gasp; it had felt more like a vision instead of a dream. His wife and son trapped in fire. He could feel the heat of the flames as he reached out to them. “Ellen… Joseph…” 

Sarah sat up in the chair next to him. “Lieutenant Mason, just lay back, your fever broke, you’ll be alright now.”

It ached to take a breath, recognition set in and so did the ache of his heart. It had just been a dream, but he woke back to the nightmare of war.  “How long have I been here?” 

The nurse gave him a gentle grin as she checked the wound. “Four days, not so long.” 

Ben sighed as he took the offered sips of cool water. Not so long, but it felt like an eternity. He couldn’t shake the nightmare, it had been a long time since he’d gotten a letter from home. 

The nurse left him to assist another. The soldier next to him rose from his cot and took the nurse’s chair. The older man clutched his arm to his chest, careful of it as he sat. Something about the old man put Ben on edge. 

The man grinned and offered his only hand. “Jorge Wilson, Boston.” 

Ben shook the hand, “Ben Mason, New Mexico.” 

Jorge looked at him for a moment as if he seemed familiar. “New Mexico… I knew you had a familiarity. Benjamin Alexander Mason, Johnny’s boy?” 

Ben’s expression went blank almost cold. “No. No John’s on the tree.” 

Jorge chuckled. “No sense denyin’. You got your ma’s eyes. I remember you hidin behind her skirts in the saloon.” 

Ben glared at him and forced his weak body upright. He reached out and gripped the man’s wounded stump. “You remember nothing old man. The laudanum has you seein things not there. No, John Mason in my tree.” 

The old man’s eyes widened with the sharp pain as he gave a brief nod. Ben let go and leaned back, his breath came in pants with the effort. He didn’t want to hurt the old man but the past needed to stay as dead as his father. 

I hope you enjoyed this peek into Ben Mason and Outlaw Born. Do stop by for more about Ben and his journey, writing news, and a bit of fun on Gladiator's Pen. 

Outlaw Born 8 Sunday Weekend Writing Warriors

This week I’m going to join other writers who battle through the pages. The rules for Weekend Writing Warriors are simple. Sign up on the week’s linky list then post 8 sentences from your current WIP to your blog the next Sunday.

This week I’m working on Outlaw Born.

Blurb:

Orphaned young and raised by a preacher's family Benjamin Mason became a good man. He wanted to forget and erase his real father's legacy of blood and violence from their name for his own son.

Then tragedy struck. The law wouldn’t give him justice, so he would take it. After all, wasn’t he born to be this kind of man, an outlaw filled with hell and vengeance in his blood? Ben Mason is outlaw born.

8 Sentence Excerpt

The sound of gunfire and men’s shouts began to fill air as they moved closer. Soon the sound of the wounded could be heard, the thump of some of them falling to the hard earth. One of the mounted officers near Ben took a shot in the throat.

Ben dismounted to blend with his men. Officers were always the first picked off if Johnny Reb could manage it. His pistols in hand he ordered the men to take positions in the trenches and fire at will.

Several fell before they could get to the lower ground. They cried out as lead tore into their flesh. Ben felt something hot burn through his coat into his shoulder. Then his shirt being soaked with blood.

He pressed his bandana to it as he continued to call orders down the line. He looked out into the wheat field in which they fought.

He could hear Confederate officers shout orders to their troops as they took more of the field. Ben could see them fully now. They were in a greater number than when he had last met them. He waited for the volley to begin.

Be sure to visit other Weekend Writing Warriors by clicking HERE.

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Elise VanCise's Paying It Forward hop

Thank you to Juneta Key a fellow scribe who invited me to participate in this hop. This blog hop was created by F.C. Etier, author and photographer. Be sure to stop by their blogs for more great posts. 

For this hop we’re asked four questions about our latest projects and writing process. I hope you’ll enjoy this little peek into my write life.

What am I working on?

I’m working on a few things actually. One I’m working on reoutlining a story that I’ve chosen to work on for Camp NaNoWriMo that begins July 1^st.

The WIP I am presently working on is Outlaw Born, a historical western.

Blurb:

Orphaned young and raised by a preacher's family Benjamin Mason became a good man. He wanted to forget and erase his real father's legacy of blood and violence from their name for his own son.

Then tragedy struck. The law wouldn’t give him justice, so he would take it. After all wasn’t he born to be this kind of man, an outlaw filled with hell and vengeance in his blood? Ben Mason is outlaw born.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think Outlaw Born is different in its storyline and the way it’s written. Sure, there are stories of good men going bad or bad men becoming good ones. But with Ben Mason you’ll find a man who’s fought a legacy of darkness his entire life, even denied it in himself.

There’s a great twist into how all the events in his life are connected from the time he wins his first real poker match as a young rancher, through his service during the Civil War and… well I can’t tell you any more now, it would spoil the book :o)

Why do I write what I write?

I write in multiple genres. Paranormal, romance, horror, western, thriller/mystery. I think I chose Outlaw Born in particular because of my love for westerns and history. I’ve always had a fascination with the Civil War. As a matter of fact the war also placed an iatrical part in my first novel In the Dark.

I write what sends my imagination running like a herd of wild horses stampeding across the plains. :o)

How does my writing process work?

When getting ready to start a book/story I try to research any events or points that I need to. Then create a bullet point outline. A bullet point outline helps me keep on track with the story but it also allows that flexibility needed when say a character goes off on a tangent of their own. :o)

The outline consists of about 60-80 bullets some including snips of dialog or a reminder of an object, location or event that needs to be included in that segment of the book.

Once the outline is complete it’s time to stock up on chocolate and Arizona green tea with ginseng and honey. Once the goodie drawer is stocked it’s time to open that shiny new document and type Chapter One…. 

From there I try to write every day with a goal of 1500 words minimum. That goal isn’t always met, but having in place encourages me to make time in even the busiest of days to write something. Even if it’s just a couple of paragraphs, words are on the page.

That’s all that’s fit to print for this post. :o)  Three lucky writers will be getting an invitation to join in this hop. If you would like to participate, just comment with your email or FB link where I can message you with an invitation.  

Sneak a peek at an outlaw

Sneak Peek Sunday, created by fellow author Sara Walter Ellwood, authors post six paragraphs from either a WIP or a published work.  I’ve chosen six paragraphs of my work in progress, Outlaw Born. I’d love to know what you think of this short excerpt.

Blurb:

The war forced Ben Mason into long separations from family and set him on the battlefield against brothers. His luck left him more often than it came to him. He fought through it all to rid himself of the tarnished name given to him by his father and return home safe to his family. 
 
What he finds forces him to realize his battle has only just begun. When the law fails to offer justice, Ben embraces the legacy he had fought so hard to escape. Blood is the only path when you're Outlaw Born.

Excerpt:

*Scene setup* Ben Mason is recovering in the hospital tent after being wounded in battle. A fellow soldier tries to strike up a conversation with him. 

The older man clutched his arm to his chest careful of it as he sat. Something about the old man put Ben on edge.

The man grinned and offered his only hand. “Jorge Wilson, Boston.”

Ben shook the hand, “Ben Mason, New Mexico.”

Jorge looked at him for a moment as if he seemed familiar. “New Mexico… I knew you had a familiarity. Benjamin Alexander Mason, Johnny’s boy?”

Ben’s expression went blank almost cold. “No. No John’s on the tree.”

Jorge chuckled. “No sense denyin’. You got your ma’s eyes. I remember you hidin behind her skirts in the saloon.”

Ben glared at him and forced his weak body upright. He reached out and gripped the man’s wounded stump. “You remember nothing old man. The laudanum has you seein things not there. No, John Mason in my tree.”

The old man’s eyes widened with the sharp pain as he gave a brief nod. Ben let go and leaned back, his breath came in pants with the effort. He didn’t want to hurt the old man but the past needed to stay as dead as his father.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into Outlaw Born. If you want to take a peek at even more novels then click on the Sneak Peek button above and it will take you right to the linky list. Happy peeking :)

2014 Year of the Writer SSLY New Years Blog Hop

Welcome to the New Years Eve Blog Hop, sponsored by SmileSomebody Loves You Blog. There are 49 blogs participating in this event to share their hopes for 2014 along with giveaways at each one! Plus a huge Rafflecopter giveaway at the very bottom of this post, with a $150 gift card to readers choice of Amazon or Barns &Noble, ebooks, a Godiva chocolates basket, and more.

Gladiator’s Pen is giving away two ebook copies of Don’t Touch to two lucky readers. Just comment on this post and include your Twitter or email for notification. Good luck and Happy Hopping!

2014 the year of the writer

The bright shiny New Year has arrived. Looking back at the accomplishments and the failures of the last year, I believe 2013 was a successful year. I met so many new people and built fantastic professional relationships. I became a part of Authors in the Park, Coffee Time Romance& More, EPIC and The Author’s Secret. I’m looking very forward to the continued building of these new relationships as well as relationships with all of the wonderful new people who entered my life this past year.

In the works for 2014 are three novels to be published. I’m hoping the first will be ready to go by March at the latest. I’m also looking into a couple of new writing ventures that I hope will start a fantastic new adventure.

Last year saw so many changes in the publishing industry as well. Ebooks and indie publishing are no longer thought of as second best. Traditional publishers are making changes to become more accessible to both readers and writers filling 2014 with even more opportunities for writers.

I’m looking forward to a new year of learning new skills, becoming stronger in my craft, writing and publishing new stories. My goals for the first quarter of this year are to write/edit daily and publish one of the three work in progress manuscripts.

2014 is going to be the year of the writer with many adventures ahead. What are your plans, goals or resolutions for the shiny New Year?

Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a ebook copy of Don’t Touch and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this blog. Visit other great blogs on the hop for more chances to win these and other fabulous prizes!

From my family to yours Happiest of New Years! 

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More chances to win on these blogs! 

Tonya Renee Callahan Madison Sevier Tricia Anderson Cate Masters Tabitha Shay Paula Millhouse Hunter S Jones Magella Troche Tory Richards Deena Remiel Evelise Archer Ashley Nemar Roxy Wilson Inner Goddess Forum Literal Hotties TM Williams Jay Wilde Victoria Pinder Eden Connor Elise VanCise Andrea R Cooper Adriana Kraft Leigh Ellwood Lisa Carlise Andrea Cooper Sherry Gloag Natasza Waters Flossie Benton Rogers Kathryn Beyerle Lively Sugar and Spice Reviews Jeanine McAdam Morgan Wyatt Naomi Bellini AJ Williams Lyncee Shillard Beth Barany Candy Caine's Corner Shauna Aura Knight Anne Easley Fiona McGeir Donna Michaels Tiffany Clark Brenda's Book Beat Reading by the book

Tuere's not so Random Thoughts Flossie Benton Rogers Stephanie Kepke Kaplan Debra Dennis

Tag! Your it Blog Hop... I'm it!

Thanks so very much to Mary Ann Bernal  for tagging me to take part in the Tag You’re IT blog hop. I get to share a few tid-bits about my current work in progress, and tag three other authors and invite them to answer the same questions for their blogs.

They then tag 3 more authors, and so on and so forth till it’s one great big giant Tag-Along! Sound good? Great! Here goes!

1. What are you working on right now?
Right now I have more things going on than I have sanity :) First getting ready for NaNoWriMo 2013 whoo hoo I wuv NaNo. It's such a great way to meet fellow writers and encourage newbies to the world of words. I'll be posting more Lake County  NaNo News soon :)

My current book project is a historic western, Outlaw Born. 

When your father was a notorious outlaw, it’s hard to out run that legacy. Ben tried to live a better life and become the hero his wife and son had seen in him. When the war is over and his medals won Ben comes home to find his family and land taken by the greed of the railroad company.

When justice fails him, he finds a man can’t out run his legacy. He must embrace his lineage of violence to get vengeance if he can’t have justice. Ben Mason is an outlaw born. 

My muses for Ben :) 

2. How does it differ from other works in its genre?

I think the difference is in the character and what he is. Most heros run away from the dark past or try to hide it under the rug. Ben is forced to look at it and accept it as part of him. Exploring what happens to a good man when he has to do bad things. Does it really change his white hat to black or just a dark gray?

3. Why do you write what you do?
That is actually a hard question. I write so many different things and each one has a different reason or inspiriation. I think I write what I do mostly because that thing or character fasicates me. I want to know more about them, what better way to learn about something than to write about it.

Here are the 3 authors I’ve tagged for this hop:
Tony Vincent
Janet Beasley
Janie Little Upchurch
Tag you're it :) 

How about you? Do you have an exciting project or event coming up? What are your favorite things to see in a western read? 

Those Charming Heroes: Meet Alex Blazen of HALF

Welcome to the Charming Hero Blog Hop sponsored by Whitney Keevers-Eastman. The hop runs from the 3^rd through 4^th  celebrating t hose charming heroes that make our hearts flutter. Each blog on the hop is offering a chance to win books or other great prizes. So be sure to enter the raffelcopter drawing at the bottom of this post. Now Bring on the heroes!

What your hero’s name and where does he come from? 

Alex Blazen from the pages of HALF is from the city of Orlando, Florida.

What’s your charming hero’s profession? 

Alex is the CEO of the family company Blazen Enterprises. The company focuses mostly on research and development.

Now, there’s a lot about our heroes that sets all women in a flutter. What’s your hero’s greatest weapon when it comes to seduction?

His thoughtfulness and attention to the little things. Alex knows it’s all in the details, remembering those small details that seem insignificant to others, like how many sugars she takes in her coffee, makes a gal feel cherished. Not to mention those killer eyes and the way a suit fits his lean muscled form.

If your hero resembled one or more celebrities, who would they be?

That’s an easy one ;o) my muse for Alex was Adrian Paul.

Adrian Paul 

Apart from being incredible charming, how would you describe your hero’s personality?

Alex is intelligent, observant, he has a genuine heart and interest in people.

Does your hero have a favorite saying or motto? 

He doesn’t really have a motto or saying but Alex is always telling the others not to underestimate him. Just because he jockeys a desk all day doesn’t mean he can’t hold his own and stake a few vampires.

Post a scene that captures your hero using his charm to win over both our readers and heroine

Valeska stood within the darkness of the room and felt it breathe. The dark was a living creature part of what she was. Her darkness, her vampire, and she hated it. A bit of dust and the stain was all that was left of her father. Once she had thought killing him would free her to live a normal life, but that was just a pretty lie.

After all this time, she still had to exist in the twilight between two worlds. Trapped. She was lost in the past when she heard footsteps and smelled Alex’s cologne before he reached the room. Good. He’ll see the darkness and run. It would be that easy to stop this before I want any more than I can have.

Alex didn’t run. Instead, he walked over, embracing her and kissing her blood covered mouth. All he cared about was showing her it didn’t matter. That he loved her human or not. Plying her lips with his tongue, he gently pushed into her mouth and met sharp fangs.

She tasted fresh blood and pushed him away roughly. “Alex stop! I haven’t fed enough.”

He gazed at her and the concern she saw there was more than she could bear. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t take an unwilling victim, not even a four legged one.”

He looked beneath the splatters of blood to the pain her eyes held. What horrors she must have endured to survive over six hundred years of life.

She wanted to push him far away. “Don’t you see me? This is Valeska Gorstef. Alex, I can’t change what I am. I can smell the sweet copper scent of blood in your mouth. I can hear your heart pumping more through your veins and I want it. I want to taste you in ways that have nothing to do with passion.”

The video flashed in his mind. “I see the beautiful woman who walked into my office three days ago. I see the dark desire in your eyes. Blood isn’t all you want.”

She shook her head. “Alex, you don’t know what you’re asking.” Valeska felt her control starting to slip.

“No I don’t.” Alex unbuttoned her shirt, peeled the blood soaked fabric from her shoulders. He pulled off his own shirt and tossed it in the pile. She was dizzy from bloodlust and need. Need to give in, need to love him.

She stood stiff as he embraced her and kissing caressing first one lip then the other. He was more careful exploring the warmth of her mouth. He licked her fangs tasting the sweet copper in her mouth.

Weakening with the scent of his body so close, she kissed him back him feeling his warm clean skin. They fell to the floor she rolled over him. “We can’t do this. I have to feed.”

He grabbed her face as he kissed her again. “Then feed.”

HALF

Guarding CEO Alex Blazen during a charity gala was an easy job for Valeska Gorstef...until all hell breaks loose...literally. Forced to face her own darkness, Valeska may lose her only chance to live a human life. Two sides of her soul will be at war. Which HALF will win?

Purchase links :

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/206978

Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/HALF-Torn-Soul-ebook/dp/B009KZ3DMS

For more Charming Heroes and Giveaways visit the Charming Heroes Blog Hop page on FB 

Don't Touch Sneak Peek

This week I'm taking part in Sneak Peek Sunday Hosted by Sara Walter Ellwood. The following excerpt is a sneak peek of six paragraphs from the psychic thriller Don't Touch. 

Dr Ryan Reign has unlocked a gift she calls a curse. Detective ackson Prince and his partner need her help to stop a serial killer before he murders again.

One problem Dr. Reign can't touch or be touched. She's become a recluse never leaving her home for fear of what she might'see'. Jackson knows he has to help her accept her gift or there will be more deaths.

It takes a woman's touch to catch a killer.

Excerpt: 

             As they cleaned up dinner Ryan’s eyes kept going to the folders on the coffee table. Jackson tugged her shirt sleeve. “Why don’t we give it a rest tonight?”

            Moving to stand looking down at the crime scene photo of Tina, Ryan shook her head. “That’s the problem, Jack. I’ve given it a rest for too long.”

             Pointing to a photo on the end table of Ryan and another woman at Disney posing with Tigger.  “That’s my sister, Amber. I’ve lost her; I’ve lost all of who I was. I gave up.”

            Jackson came over and stood next to her. “So what are you going to do about it?”

            Looking at the photos again she took a deep breath feeling like she was jumping out of a plane without a parachute. “I’m going to get a life back. It can’t be the same one but I can’t live in these four walls for the next sixty or so years. Do me a favor, if for some reason I can’t let go take the picture from me.”

            Before he had a chance to protest she picked up the picture of the murder weapon and touched the two dimensional knife. There was a blink of the photographer; he was tired, pulling a double shift. The next was a glimpse of a gloved hand setting the knife beside the victim. Heavy duty work gloves, not latex. The knife was set down with care so the blade was pointing at the victim’s feet. Then she was just looking at the picture again. She opened her fingers and let it fall to the table.

            Her hands were trembling as she processed the visions and what they were. “I did it. I saw him or her. I saw someone.”

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For more Sneak Peek Sunday excerpts click the banner below and follow the linky list to the next blog. 

Kings and a Lady

Jake splashed the pot, all his chips tumbled haphazard about the center of the table. “Are you in little lady?”

The saloon hushed to a few whispers as Caroline looked up from her cards. There was only a glimpse of her confidence being shaken as her eyes glanced the cards again before tapping their worn edges on the table. “I was all in the last hand, Mr. Landry. I’m afraid I’ve nothing left to meet your raise.”

His lip turned up into a wicked curve as he leaned back in the chair. He unabashedly let her see him perusing her ‘goods’. “Oh I think you have something you can ante, darling.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Sir, I turn cards not tricks.” 

Boisterous laughter filled the room, more at her expense than his. Jake didn’t mind, he liked her moxie. In the six hours of the tournament, she matched a man’s skill with cards and wit, not to mention matching him drink for drink.

He leaned back and took a deep drag from his cigar and blew the smoke across the table toward her pretty face. When she didn’t blink or complain he grinned. “How do I know you don’t have an ace stuffed up in your petticoat to slip into that pretty hand?”

Caroline folded her cards and lay them face down on the green mat. She unbuttoned the top side buttons of her skirt and stood. A moment later her petticoat lay across the table. “A lady never cheats, Mr. Landry.”

He snorted and sat up to caress the linen still warm from being so close to her skin. “I think we should call this and see who’s luck holds out, Miss Watson.”

She took her seat and fanned her cards back with one hand. The dealer looked between them feeling a bit overheated himself. “Show your hands, gentlemen…. Uh and Miss Watson.”

Jake laid his down first one at a time in a row for effect. “Full house, two jacks and triple nines.”

Caroline glanced over at the cards and pursed her lips. “That is a good hand, I’m not sure…”

She laid out her cards in their perfect fan for him and the dealer to see as she leaned over the table. “I’m not sure but I believe four kings beats a house. Is that correct, Mr. Alcott?”

It took a moment for the dealer to stop his gaze from moving further down her neckline. “Um, yes.. Yes Miss Watson it does, indeed.”

A polite grin crossed her lips as she began to pile the cash and coins into the make shift bag from her petticoat. “Thank you, gentleman and Mr. Landry. It was a fine tournament.”

Jake swore and tossed his cigar on the floor and stood over her. He gripped her wrist and held it tight. “You playin me for a fool?”

She looked up into those dark eyes and grinned then let them openly drift down to take in his ‘goods’ as he had her. “Play nice, Mr. Landry and we both might get lucky tonight.”

Caroline reached up and grabbed his shirt collar. She pulled him over the table to meet her lips then let go.

Jake half over the table and off balance tumbled back onto the floor. She tossed her room key on his chest and picked up her petticoat bag of winnings. “Be a gent and give a girl some time to freshen up.”

She walked calmly up the stairs then into her room. Once the door closed and locked, she dropped the petticoat and its contents into her open, waiting carpetbag. She opened the window and grinned at the weight of her bag as she hefted it onto the roof. “The lady, got lucky tonight.” 

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And the winners are.....

The blog hops have come to an end... until the next one that ins :) Now it's time to draw prize winners!

First up is the Firsts Hop sponsored by Marketing for Romance Writers.org. If you haven't heard of this awesome organization and are a writer click that link and prepare to be amazed at the fantastic world of marketing and education offered. Two people will be drawn out of the 21 commenters for this hop to win a copy of Don't Touch on its re-release the first week of March.

The winners of Don't Touch are...... 

Celina K and Shadow kohler 

Congrats!

Next we have the Vampires for Valentines Giveaway Hop hosted by Felicity Heaton, Caris Roane, and HD Thomson. Be sure to click on the link above to explore more great vampire stories and goodies from the hop. *All giveaways have now ended* Two lucky commenters will get an ecopy of HALF book 1 of the Torn Soul trilogy.

The winners of HALF are.....

Krysta B and Alisson nog

Congrats! 

All winners I will be in touch by email shortly to give you the details of your prizes.

Thank you all so much for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. Keep an eye out Don't Touch is coming soon and there will be a release day contest along with special pricing! You can purchase HALF on Smashwords or Amazon. Just click HERE and choose your buy link.

Travis' First Drink

Today we're celebrating Vampires for Valentine's Giveaway Blog Hop with an excerpt from HALF book 1 of the Torn Soul Trillogy and giving away an e copy of the book to one lucky commenter! 

Setting the scene: Travis Criton, works for Black Knight Securities and has been a little in love with his boss Valeska Gorsteff for years. Over the last week his life has turned upside down. The love of his life is a damphire and falling hard for their client Alex Blazen. To complicate things Travis is now one of the undead. The following excerpt takes place when Travis first wakes in his new form and shares an intimate drink with Valeska. Enjoy! Don't forget to leave a comment with your email for a chance to win HALF.

Excerpt: 

Travis opened his eyes and took a breath.  He lay there still for so long Valeska approached him. “Trav?”

He sat up on his elbows and looked around his eyes glowed in the dark. “V? What is happening?”

“Do you remember what happened?” He nodded slightly so she continued. “You’re still changing. It will be over in a day or two. How do you feel?”

He laughed a nervous laugh, it was still Travis. “I’m dead; I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

She sighed with relief. “Look around, sniff the air, feel the blankets, listen. You need to acclimate to your more acute senses.”

Travis sat up on the cot and swung his feet to the floor. The sound was like a loud stomp. He could see perfectly even though there was no light in here except a little window high in the wall.  It was as if he could feel his muscles and veins in his arms.

That brought about a new sensation. An aching need, he looked up questioningly to Valeska. He could hear the beat of her heart; he could see the pulse in her neck.  She reached up and her nail grew sharp as she made a small cut on that pulse. The scent of fresh blood filled his nostrils. He felt the pull of it as his teeth elongated.

“V?”

“Come to me Travis, you need to feed.”

He shook his head. “No I can’t … not to you.”

She smiled and went halfway to him. “Yes you can. Feeding doesn’t have to kill. I feed from Alex.”

He moved a step closer her jumping pulse calling to him. “But I don’t want to hurt you.” 

“We’ll work on it. Right now you need to feed before the bloodlust takes over.”

“Bloodlust, that’s a good name. What do I do?”

She smiled and put his arms around her. “Use your instincts.”

He tried to look at her face but was drawn to the trickle of blood on her neck. He leaned her head over a little and licked at the wound. It wasn’t enough.

Travis moved one arm up her back to support her as he kept the other at her waist. He had dreamed of touching her this way. He kissed her neck and felt the tap, tap, tap, of her pulse.

He wanted to be gentle but the need was building. He placed his teeth over the small wound and started to bite slowly. Valeska flinched in his arms. He pulled back and looked at her face worried.

“I’m okay, bite quickly. Like pulling off a band-aid.”

He nodded then as if being pulled turned back to her sweet throat. “I can feel your heart beating faster.”

“It’s because you will it to. We have that kind of power Trav. When you drink, you’ll understand.”

He pulled her close and sank in his teeth in one stroke. She didn’t make a sound or flinch though he knew it had hurt her. He felt the urge to suck like drinking through a straw. As the first trickle of blood came into his mouth, he felt a strange tingling of power.

Her power was coming to him. His feelings for her came to the forefront as he held her so intimately. He felt his heart begin to beat in time with hers. He felt the blood in his veins hydrate and flow. It flowed low in his body. He held her as he would a tender lover.

He knew she had given him enough blood he stopped feeding but didn’t let go, not yet. She stood in his arms her head resting on his shoulder as he touched her. He knew she was aware of him, his desire.

HALF Blurb
Guarding CEO Alex Blazen during a charity gala was an easy job for Valeska Gorstef...until all hell breaks loose...literally. Forced to face her own darkness, Valeska may lose her only chance to live a human life. Two sides of her soul will be at war. Which HALF will win? 

Get your copy of HALF at Smashwords or Amazon  Comment for your chance to win a free ecopy. Be sure to leave your email or twitter in the comment below!

Firsts MFRW Bloghop

      Welcome to Firsts the first blog hop sponsored by Marketing for Romance Writers.org. Here on Gladiator's Pen I have an excerpt from Don't Touch coming to Amazon and Smashwords soon! For the first time Ryan finds an answer to what is happening to her, and she and Detective Jackson Prince meet for the first time. Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win an ecopy of this book when it's released the first week of March! 

Don't Touch Blurb:

Detective Jackson Prince has to find a serial killer before he strikes again. Reclusive ex forensic pathologist Ryan Reign is the only one who can help him. One problem, she can’t touch without experiencing sometimes frightening visions. Can Jackson find a way to touch her heart so they can stop the killer?  

Excerpt    

        It had been months since she had ventured outside of her lawn. Ryan didn’t understand what was happening to her at first. Since the incident on her last day at work, she has tried to make sense of it. Or at least find out what it was and how to stop it.

            She sat at the computer nursing a cup of cocoa February in Florida was the dead of winter. It would be up in the seventies in another week but right now it was in the forties. Ryan was searching the net for the gazillionth time. VISIONS, VISIONS BY TOUCH, PSYCHIC were the search words she used. The screen blinked and an all too familiar list popped up. Near the bottom of the page was something different. “The Circle.”

            Clicking the link she waited not expecting anything. The site came up and they had all the usual. Tarot, crystals, books, psychic readings. “Usual BS, I could have just gone to Cassadaga for that.”

            Cassadaga fancied themselves the psychic capital. Might be, the entire town was palm readers, mind readers, astrologists, numerologist, you name the psychic brand and there was a store front for it. In the past they have had to block the town off on Friday the thirteenth and Halloween due to all the traffic and weirdness.

            Just as she rolled over to exit the page she saw a flashing box. “Have a question about your gift? No, I have a question about my curse though.”

            She typed in a brief description of her problem. When I touch stuff I see things. Am I crazy? Hitting send with her email, attached Ryan sat back and felt the sting of tears. How much more can she cry? Every day for the last who knows how long now she cried. About to sign off her mailbox blinked.

Hi Ryan,

            My name is Barbara. I have a gift like yours, it is called psychometry. Or object reading. You can see bits of others lives by touching things they touched. Especially when the emotions are strong.

            Ryan blinked psycom-a what? Object reading? Barbara went on to explain the positive and negative hands, one leaves an imprint the other can read it.  She shook her head and clicked reply. “I don’t care how it works. How do I turn it off?” Send. A few minutes later.

            You can’t turn it off. You can learn to control it. Which hand is your positive hand? The one you “see” with. It is usually the hand you write with. Use the opposite one more until you get control of your gift.

            “Get control! I want it gone!” She screamed furious. She hadn’t been able to go anywhere or even touch her sister without some kind of vision haunting her. Angry, she signed off and paced the floor.

           

            They pulled up into the driveway of an old Victorian home on the lake. Not many of these homes lasted through the ages but this one had been kept pristine. The detectives walked up the porch and noticed the furniture was covered in plastic sheets. Maybe the good doctor was gone on holiday, or playing a round of golf.  Thomas knocked on the door. The door opened a crack, he held up his badge. “Good afternoon, I’m Detective Thomas Lord and this is my partner Jackson Prince, is Dr. Reign home?”

            Ryan stepped back and wiped her face then opened the door a bit wider. “I’m Dr. Reign, is there a problem detective?”

            Jackson stepped closer to the door. “Dr. Ryan Reign?”

            Her eyes narrowed a bit. “Yes, Dr. Ryan Reign. Want to see my drivers license, Detective Prince or should I give it to his lordship?”

            Thomas shot Jackson a look then turned back and smiled warmly. “That won’t be necessary, I apologize we were uh… under the impression that…. Well what we’re here for is to ask you about one of the last cases you worked on.”

            She tilted her head a bit and glanced at the folder. “Which case?”

            Thomas opened the folder where she could see. “The murder of Jillian Hilliard.” The men watched as every bit of blood drained from her complexion. Ryan swayed and caught the door to stay upright. Jackson reached a steadying hand and she jumped back away from him.

            “Don’t! Don’t touch me! I’m… I’m sorry I can’t help you.” She slammed the door. Ryan leaned against the oak and slid to the floor sobbing hysterically as the vision she saw that day replayed its self. Only now it was worse she had a name to go with the horror she had to witness.

            Jackson shook his head as Thomas headed down the steps behind him. “I don’t understand, Jack, you were only trying to keep her from falling.”

            “I don’t’ think that was it. Every drop of blood drained from her body when you opened that file. What ever happened to her that day has that lady terrified.”

            That night Jackson couldn’t sleep. He had the sinking feeling this was going to get much worse before it got anywhere at all. 

What happens next? Well, your just going to have to get your copy of Don't Touch and find out. :) Leave a comment for your chance to win a free ecopy of Don't touch when it's re-released! To visit other blogs on this hop you can click on the Firsts Hop button at the top of this post.