Karin Tabke | The Holidays Are Here!

And I’m still full from my turkey induced coma of last week, have done no shopping and don’t plan to. What am I going to do this holiday season? Read. And read some more. Funny thing that. Thanksgiving night I was going a bit stir crazy wanting a good book. One with a hot alpha, who had hot alpha friends, and who meet up with a heroine who was like no other woman any of them had ever encountered. I was stumped because this story also had to have mad passion, conflict and angst. I looked over my to-be-read pile and still could not quite find what I was looking for. Then I looked down at the box that had arrived from my publisher Simon and Schuster the day before. I knew what was in it, and I smiled. There in that box was a true love story that still haunts me almost 8 months after I wrote it: MASTER OR TORMENT, book two in my Blood Sword Legacy series. This story is of Sir Wulfson and Lady Tarian Godwinson. It is without exception a story of my heart and soul, and it transcended the pages. Reviewers love this story, readers are panting for more, and well, I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed a copy, went downstairs and stayed up until 6 the next morning reading. I loved it more. While I love writing my contemporary hot cops, there is something different about the Blood Swords, something more primal. More is at stake and these brave proud men must fight not only their own longings for love and acceptance in an era where bastards were looked upon as less then whole men, but they must carve out a place for themselves and their lady love and begin a legacy that will transcend time. They always make me sigh. What is the Blood Sword Legacy?

The Blood Sword Legacy

Eight mercenary knights, each of them base born, each of them bound by unspeakable torture in a Saracen prison, each of them branded with the mark of the sword for life. Each of their destinies marked by a woman.

‘Twas whispered along the Marches that the demon knights who rode upon black horses donned in black mail wielding black swords would slay any man, woman or child who dared look upon them. ‘Twas whispered their loyalty was only to the other and no man could split them asunder, nor was there enough gold or silver in the kingdom to buy their oath. ‘Twas well known each of them was touched not by the hand of God but by Lucifer himself.

‘Twas also whispered, but only by the bravest of souls, that each Blood Sword was destined to find only one woman in all of Christendom who would bear him and only him sons, and until that one woman was found, he would battle and ravage the land...

If you love proud, handsome knights in black armor whose passion runs deep and swift and the ladies who bring them to their knees, this is the series for you. I love writing the stories of these eight Blood Swords. Each knight is unique but bound to the other by blood and suffering, and to their ladies they are bound by their hearts and souls. Set in the tumultuous time of William the Conqueror’s England the stories are gritty, hard hitting with passion woven throughout every scene and through the hearts of the heroes and the heroines who love them. I sigh each time I think of them and their stories. Whether you love contemporary or historical romances, the stories of each Blood Sword is a testament to love conquering all. I invite you to pick up a copy of MASTER OF TORMENT, and see for yourself.

I’ll also be giving away a signed copy of MASTER OF SURRENDER, book one that unleashes them all into your heart at my ONE DAY ONLY BLOG contest.

I also have a question: Does time period matter or do you always fall for the love story regardless of where and when?

And since ‘tis the season, I want to wish you all a safe and joyous holiday!

Karin

MASTER OF TORMENT, Pocket Star, Out Now!
HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA, Pocket Star, Out Now!
www.karintabke.com/

Amanda McIntyre | Time Keeps on Tickin

Is there ever enough of it? It seems our lives fairly leap from one moment to the next, barely allowing the time to savor the moment, sometimes even “taste” it! Parenthood, careers, schedules, social lives, volunteer work—it wraps us up so tight sometimes that we long to stand alone on a mountaintop and scream to release the stress! (Okay, that may be “my” vision and yours may be different.)

REALITY ALERT: (not for the faint of heart)

But in reality, I have to ask myself would I want it any other way? Here is a glimpse of my past week—Deadline of a novella, football game (away) Band contest (45 minutes drive each way) -parent-sponsored/served lunch, transporting grandmas to and from contest parade and field contest-sitting all afternoon waiting for your band to perform, drive home, launder kids clothes, pack to leave Sunday morning-them going to a two day choral festival, us to see oldest son on opposite side of the state. Pick up another son next day, and transport him back home to participate in a football game-where we sat most of the game watching him play in the pouring rain. (They won, that made it all worthwhile) Pick up other child who stayed for evening choral performance at around 1 A.M. form the school. Stave off severe colds for both sons so they can participate in State vocal auditions. Band marching contests each weekend in October, two football games per week. Early morning band/Show choir/All State rehearsals—after school Football/All-State/band lessons….oh and homework and youth group.

Get new editor (mild shock) meet friend for dinner (postponed to Thursday lunch as she missed her plane) prepare family and myself for my business trip Friday –Monday. Drive to St Louis and back on Monday—still have deadline and we pretty much start most of the above all over again…

Now I am positive many of you could rival that few short days without batting an eye. It’s the world we live in, isn’t it? But it surely makes those moments—seeing your kids joking and laughing with each other, having your oldest son and his friends around a table enjoying a meal together, the beauty of a sunset from the deck of a good friend’s house—even more special.

Amid the chaos of days like I’ve listed above, those moments are mixed in, sometimes barely detected if we aren't looking. Often times, when it’s least expected and I am reminded of one of my favorite movie scenes from the flick, Parenthood (Universal 1989) with Steve Martin and Mary Anne Steenbergen. This scene follows a myriad of confusion and chaos within the household and there is tension between the husband (Martin) and his wife (Steenbergen).

To me it exemplifies how one can choose to view whether the “grass is truly greener on the other side of the fence”-as it were…

Grandma: "You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster."

Gil: "Oh?"

Grandma: "Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride!"

Gil: "What a great story "

Grandma: "I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it."

What a wonderful POV and its one I hold dear, because in truth, would I want my life any other way? Nope, I just hang on and enjoy the ride!

A wild ride! Diary of Cozette (Harlequin Spice-Books) continues to do well and I am beyond thrilled! I received the cover art for my next SPICE book TORTURED (a medieval set in the Dark Ages! August 2009)

Until next time! Enjoy the ride!!

Amanda McIntyre

Wicked Historical ~Sexy Contemporary
MIRROR, MIRROR September/08
DIARY OF COZETTE October /08 / SPICE-Books Pre-order!
THE BOY'S CLUB Oct/eHarlequin FREE read
"An intoxicating read! I couldn't put it down!"~ Renee Bernard, USA Today Bestselling Author
"Beguiling! 4 stars!" RT BOOK reviews
www.amandamcintyre.net/ * lustintime.blogspot.com/* www.thefaerycourt.com/

Brenda Joyce | Masters of Time

Everyone fears the shadows of the night. No one likes walking down a deserted street after the sun goes down, not in 2008—and not in 1508. Of course, we think we’re being silly to start at every little sound we hear—when we know nothing is lying in wait for us out there in the dark. And violence and crime is on the upswing because our society has broken down—and not for any other reason….right?

Welcome to the world of the Masters of Time.

The Masters of Time are Highland warriors sworn to protect Innocence through the ages. They do not choose their destiny—it is chosen for them. The Masters are medieval men to the core—savage in war, ruthless in outlook, totally sexist in nature, and impossibly powerful—after all, they are descended from the old Celtic gods. And one of their greatest powers is the power to leap through time…

And then along comes a very modern and independent woman…

The romantic conflict is instantaneous. Imagine turning your street corner and coming face to face with the medieval hunk of all time—a Highlander who has more power than any mortal, a mandate to save the world, the knowledge he’s a cut above-- and he wants you, big time! Passions arise, worlds collide, cultures and ideas clash! This is romance the way it should be!

Dark Embrace is the third book about the Masters of Time, following Dark Seduction and Dark Rival. Aidan of Awe has fallen. Once a Master, he is furious with the gods and he has forsaken his vows, abandoned the brotherhood, turning his back on everyone— family, friends, and mankind. He walks alone and wars alone, lusting for power and revenge. He is a Highlander without a clan, feared by all and trusted by none. And the evil that he is hunting, the evil that destroyed his son, is now trying to destroy him…

By day, Brianna Rose fights evil from the safety of her laptop on the basement of CDA, a government agency. But she is a Rose, and the Rose women have been fighting evil with their gifts for generations. By night, Brie wages the war on evil with her two cousins, Tabby and Sam, using her vision to defend and save the innocent. But Brie has a little secret. She met Aidan once briefly, when he was a Master, and has had a mad crush on him ever since. Which is fine with her—a crush is really safe. Because Brie is a computer geek with no interest in a real relationship—men never look at her and she doesn’t expect them to. Brie is also highly empathic. And then one night she wakes up consumed with Aidan’s pain, hearing his screams of anguish—in spite of the gulf of centuries which separate them. And she knows he is in danger.

Brie is instantly obsessed. She has to find him, help him, and when she does, she is unprepared for the near immortal facing her—a man so dark, so heartless, he doesn’t think twice about using her. And it doesn’t matter. Brie finds a courage she never knew she had, and she will do anything she has to in order to redeem him.

Dark Embrace is a story of fury, desperation, loss, and revenge—and love, and the redemption that can come from it. It is a story of faith—Brie never loses her faith in Aidan. It is also Book One of the Rose Trilogy, because every Rose woman has a destiny, and Sam and Tabby have their destinies, too, and their destiny is not exactly what either woman is expecting! Dark Victory is on sale in March 2009, followed by Sam’s story in September, Dark Lover.

Welcome to the Masters of Time!

Brenda Joyce
http://www.brendajoyce.com/

Kimberly Killion | Curse it!

Let's talk about Expletives.

"God's Hooks"
'''Ods toes"
"Piss 'n nettles"
"Christ-all-bleeding-mighty!"

Little curses and habitual ticks can bring a character to life. As an author writing in the Medieval time period, I chose the above expletives for my debut book, HER ONE DESIRE. Let's start with the first one: GOD'S HOOKS: Derived from the hooks (or nails) used to fasten Christ to the cross. This particular expletive later evolved into "Gadzooks". Many of these "God's"expressions were reduced to 'od's or odds as in "'ods toes".

Of course, part of the fun is making up expletives. I used 'Piss 'n nettles' for one of the secondary characters in HER ONE DESIRE. I tossed words around for days trying to fit 'John' with the perfect expression. Not only does a character tend to use a favorite expression, but also favorite sayings, like: "Are ye wowf, man?" Simply from the way it's written, the reader might be able to guess its meaning. 'Wowf' was Scottish slang used to describe someone who might be insane, crazy, mentally ill or deranged.

Along with researching forms of speech, I often mull over a character's nervous tick before I ever start a book. (Sometimes for days at a time) I like to know as much as possible about a character before I write that first line. The heroine, Lady Lizbeth Ives, in HER ONE DESIRE is a bit skittish.(You would be, too, if you were the daughter to the Lord High Executioner.)'Lizzy' twists her sleeves and counts when she is nervous or afraid which adds to the humor of the book as well as the tension. In turn, a more3-dimensional character has been created.

Another bit of research I truly enjoy is coming up with creative words for particular body parts. While you might be able to guess what a pillicock is or maybe even a set of cullions, can you guess what a nock is? Or how about a twanger or tewel? I'll give away a signed copy of HER ONE DESIRE to the person who can reveal the answer at my -

ONE DAY ONLY BLOG CONTEST -

Since I'm in a celebratory mood, I'll be picking two more commenter's names at random to win a copy of HER ONE DESIRE. Thanks for joining me today! Now, tell me what's the most memorable expletive you can recall ever reading? Or, if you're an author, what curse words did you use for your characters?

If you would like to know a wee bit more about HER ONE DESIRE, here is the back cover blurb:

Astride a stolen horse, encircled by the shackled arms of Broderick Maxwell, a Scottish spy escaping certain death in the Tower of London, Lizbeth Ivesrides to the north, hidden by the merciful darkness. By stealth and by cunning, the daughter of the Lord High Executioner has undone her father's cruel work, compelled to save the innocent man with her. There is no turning back-they are bound as one in his iron chains. Consumed by mortal fear, driven by passion, they disappear into the night.

A single raven follows them. Is it an omen? Or only the first of those who would capture them? They must ride on. If captured, they will face death together. But if they reach Scotland, he will claim her for his own. forever.

Need more!!?! Watch the book trailer

If you'd like to read an excerpt, Click Here

For more on contests visit my websites at www.kimberlykillion.com/

Happy July!
Kimberly Killion

Heather Waters | A New Voice in Medieval Romance

I’m thrilled to be guest blogger here at Fresh Fiction today, and the excitement only expanded when I saw the impressive list of authors posting before me here (Gemma Holliday, Jill Marie Landis, Sabrina Jeffries…WOW!). Talk about a treat! With so many fantastic romance authors working these days, it’s mind-boggling to think my books are now going to be placed near them in bookstores.

Someone pinch me… wait, don’t. I bruise easily.

I was able to see my very first published novel, THE DEVIL’S POSSESSION, in the bookstore last Saturday during another first – my first booksigning. So far, the ride has been amazing, and the readers have been astoundingly gracious with their feedback.

So yes, I’m a brand spanking new author. I write medieval romance. But my love for the paranormal and magical things refuses to allow me the purely romantic story lines of ladies like Julie Garwood (my hero) and Johanna Lindsey’s medievals. Amidst all the romantic growth and amazing story-telling in their books that drew me to medievals so long ago, I acquired the seeds I needed to grow my own story ideas. But, from the staple plots of alpha man meets woman who tames him, my own stories always seem to get a bit wonky. Think, Alpha man meets woman who tames him, but woman is usually a witch or man has some insane power. So, what do I write? Medieval paranormal is how I would define THE DEVIL’S POSSESSION. Medieval fantasy is how I would define my December release DESTINY’S WARRIOR. I love the mystical, the magical, the dark, the sexy. Therefore, that’s what I write.

If you get a chance to read a copy of THE DEVIL’S POSSESSION, please drop me an email at HDW@Heatherwaters.net! I would truly love to hear your thoughts. As for what I’m working on now… well, something magical and historical, no doubt!

You can check out my website for excerpts of both my books at www.heatherwaters.net/!

Heather Waters