Spotlight on #ParanormalRomance: Georgia Lyn Hunter's BREAKING FATE

Hi Everyone!

 Summer is almost here, hurray! My vacation time is coming soon, but at the moment I'm prepping ORIGINS, the third installment in the Tranquilli Vampire Series, for a late summer/early fall release. My publisher is giving the series a design makeover, too: new covers for HAVEN, DESTINY, and ORIGINS, woot! Stay tuned for a sneak peek later this summer. Meanwhile, if you'd like to read an exciting paranormal romance series featuring sexy alpha warriors and kickass women, check out my author-pal Georgia Lyn Hunter's FALLEN GUARDIANS series. A while back I posted the scoop on the first book in the series, ABSOLUTE SURRENDER, so here's a look at the second book, BREAKING FATE.

Title: Breaking Fate (#2) Author: Georgia Lyn Hunter Genre: Paranormal Romance Series: Fallen Guardians Release Date: September 2015 Formats: e-book, print, audio Available at: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Audible An immortal without a soul is bad enough. But when his only tether to remaining honorable is his addiction to bone-crushing pain, it makes Blaéz a dangerously loose cannon.i> A Guardian sworn to protect mortals from supernatural evil, Blaéz straddles the edge of darkness as his needs grow. When a good deed brings him to the doorstep of a female unlike any other, one whose touch ignites emotions long lost in the hellish pits of Tartarus, he’s determined not to lose her. She belongs to him. But she’s human. Forbidden. And bringing her into his life may just destroy them both. Darci Callahan has given up on love. But when a lethally handsome stranger suddenly appears late one night, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the captivating man with the pale, empty eyes—a man who awakens in her a desire she never believed possible. Except Blaéz brings more than unexpected passion to her life, he brings danger. In this treacherous new world of gods and demons, Darci soon discovers a heart-shattering truth and the twisted games the gods play. Caught in the crosshairs, she’s forced to accept that, sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you have to love them enough to let them go…

EXCERPT

(PG) Excerpt: A scene between Michael, the Guardian’s leader, and Blaéz after he’d deliberately missed a meeting. (He went after the heroine)

Michael strode inside, circled the heavy equipment, and sat across from Blaéz on a workout bench. The old tee he wore looked like the moths had had a great time feasting on it. It didn't surprise Blaéz that the archangel was still here when he rarely stayed at the castle. It was expected after Blaéz had missed the “chat” last night.

Well, he’d been busy...stalking. He couldn’t make the meet.

Michael’s eerie blue eyes settled on him. They appeared like shattered sapphires, as if he’d lived through a brutal torture. The jagged pieces never quite fit anymore, allowing a strange silvery glow through.

“What’s going on?”

Time for his grilling. With no way to escape this one-on-one with the snarly male, Blaéz said, “You know what I am. Why the questions now?”

Michael picked up a three hundred pound weight and began his arm curls. “For centuries, every few months you disappear for days at a time. I gave you space, understood you needed it. But that time in Tartarus has long passed. You’re losing all your cognitive skills, ones that make you a Guardian. Sure, you do the job, but there’s a lack of care now.”

Blaéz heard the unasked question. Maybe he should have felt guilty that he cared so little about his own health, his life. After all, Michael had given up more than his status as the leader of the archangels, lost something irreplaceable to free him--free all of them from that hellish hole. And he’d chosen to stay on as their leader. Why anyone would want to take charge of moody, temperamental fallen ex-gods, Blaéz had no idea.

Still, he could never reveal the reality of what he’d done...still did, or where he disappeared to every few months. Days he could never speak off. The truth would crush the warriors.

He functioned on autopilot in his role as a Guardian. Nothing more than an automaton. It’s why meeting Darci, and the emotions that had unfurled so briefly, yanked him by the balls.

“You're becoming self-destructive,” Michael snapped.

He was way past self-destructive.

He reeked of Hell.

Couldn’t the Arc smell it on him?

Blaéz brushed the sweat from his brow and pounded harder on the fast moving belt. A slow burn started in his thigh muscles, followed by a trickle of pain. “It’s been three and a half millennia, you think I'm a loose cannon, then take me out.”

To read the Prologue and the entire first chapter visit Georgia Lyn Hunter's Website -->

FALLEN GUARDIAN SERIES LIST Absolute Surrender, #1 Echo Mine, 1.5 Breaking Fate #2 Tangled Sin (standalone) Guardian Unraveled #3 For You, I Will #3.5 Heart's Inferno #4

Have a great June, Dear Readers, and I'll see you back here on June 30th with a sneak peek at ORIGINS!

xo,
Celia

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In The Spotlight: Albion Moon, a #ParanormalRomance by @MLMastran

Happy New Year, Dear Decadent Diva Readers!

I hope you had an excellent New Year's Eve and a good first month of this new year. Let's start 2019 with some new reads, shall we? Here's a new series by Champagne Books author M. L. Mastran. It's a little bit mystery, a little bit paranormal, and yes, there's romance, too.

 

 

Title: Albion Moon
Author: M. L. Mastran
Genre: Mystery, suspense, paranormal romance
Publisher: Champagne Books
Date of Publication: August 2018
ISBN: 978-1-947128-36-1 (e-book)
ISBN: 978-1-947128-37-8 (print)
Page/Word Count: 171 pages / 94,000 words
Cover Artist: Creative Paramita

Stand up and fight or lose everything.

Evaline's brother is missing. She's desperate to find out what happened to him. As she digs deeper into his disappearance, the mystery reveals an ancient family secret carried through the bloodline that began centuries ago in the Scottish Highlands. As this secret from the old world closes in on Evaline, she tries to sort through her disconcerting feelings towards the mysterious Mason. He not only seems to always know when she is in danger, but he is insistent on protecting her, no matter the cost.

As the old world collides with the new, Evaline discovers she must choose to stand and fight or risk losing everything, and everyone, she holds dear.

Champagne Books | Amazon | LuLu | B&N

Albion Moon Excerpt

Over the next couple days, I picked up applications from the couple of banks and other places in town as well as in Shasta, the next town over. On Thursday, Kristy, Lizzy, and I hung out and went for ice cream downtown. We hit a couple of stores as Kristy wanted to get some clothes. I loathed clothes shopping. I peeked at the racks while Kristy tried stuff on and Lizzy weighed in. She got a text. One of the other servers had called off, and Mason needed her to come in.

“I have to get to work. Sorry, Kristy,” Lizzy said.

“That’s fine,” Kristy said. “Can we get some lunch there when we take you in?”

I shook my head slightly at her scheming.

“Absolutely,” Lizzy said, looking at me. “Let’s go.”

We piled into my car and headed out onto Old River Road. It was a great day for a convertible ride. The late summer sun beamed on us as we drove down the road. I had AC/DC blaring, and as we rounded a curve, I heard a siren. Peering into my rearview mirror, I eyed the red flashing police lights atop one of the town’s two SUV police units.

Kristy glanced back. “What the fuck? You weren’t speeding.”

I looked down. I was just below the speed limit. After I pulled over, I got out my registration and insurance. The cop approached my door, and what I saw caused a huge lump to form in my throat. Campbell had a smug look on his face as he spoke. “License, registration, and proof of insurance please.”

I handed them over without making eye contact.

He examined my license, which still had my Sacramento address on it. “A little way from Sacramento, Miss Bennett, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

“Where are you headed right now?” His tone turned from mocking to icy.

“I need to get her to work,” I said, indicating Lizzy.

He eyed Lizzy, who appeared annoyed by his questions. “Oh, a Cowan sister. How fitting. Tell your brother I got a nice cell waiting for him.” She didn’t say anything as his attention moved back to me. “So, are you here on vacation?”

My blood boiled as the dream I had with Jimmy came back to me. I glared at Campbell. “I’m visiting family for a while.”

“So, what is the address you’re staying at in town?”

“What does that matter?” Kristy interrupted any response I was about to make. “What the f—?”

“Smart ass like your brother,” he said, cutting her off. “He’s a great bunk mate for Jonas.”

Now speechless, she sat there.

After opening my door, he indicated for me to move. “Please step out of the vehicle.”

Not wishing to cause a scene, I complied and stood by my car.

He turned me around. “Face your car, hands on the hood.”

Kristy found her voice again. “Are you fucking kidding me? We weren’t doing anything!”

Campbell flashed her a look. “Shut up and don’t move.” He then patted me down. “Do you have any weapons or drug paraphernalia I need to be aware of?” He spun me back to him.

Looking at him dead in the eye, I answered, “No.”

Holding my elbow, he walked me toward his vehicle as he eyed Kristy and Lizzy, who were clearly uncomfortable with what was happening. Despite my apprehension, I followed him. He took me behind his patrol truck and returned my license.

“I suggest you watch yourself, Miss Bennett. These back roads are dangerous, and if something were to happen, it could be quite a while until you’d be found.” My stomach churned as he leaned into me and whispered, “A woman like yourself, all alone, might entice trouble.” He reached for my breast, and I reacted quickly.

Shoving the bottom of my palm up into his lip, I knocked him back but didn’t wait to see his reaction. I returned to my car, got in, then took off. I was sure he was going to follow, but he didn’t.

Kristy turned to me. “We need to report him, Evaline. That was wrong in so many ways.”

Shaking my head, I said, “It will make things worse, trust me. Just forget it, okay?”

She gave Lizzy a concerned look, who then asked, “Why did he take you back there?”

I didn’t say anything as we drove into the parking lot, parked, then got out.

Kristy was still fired up. “This is such bullshit. He made a move on you, didn’t he?”

“Just drop it, Kristy, okay? It’s over. I wanna forget it.”

The dust kicked up in the parking lot as we made our way through the front doors. A few patrons were seated at the bar, and several booths and tables were occupied. We headed to an open booth as Lizzy returned to the back.

While still a bit shaken from the encounter, I pondered what had just happened. A knot was in the pit of my stomach as thoughts raced through my mind.

Does he know I know what he is? Will he try to hurt what family I have left? Will he hurt me to find out what I know? I thought of my dream again—Jimmy had warned me. Or will he kill me?

About M. L. Mastran

Nothing captures the attention of M.L. Mastran more than writing a good story with amazing characters and a history arc that made the history books. This is Albion Moon in every sense. Whether being told from a one character perspective or several points of view, her stories will unfold in your mind like a movie playing in your head. This is what pushes M.L to write her stories. It’s the thrill of the read and the drive to carry readers away that will make this trip to the literary world of imagination all the sweeter.

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M. L. Mastran's Rafflecopter Giveaway
M. L. Mastran is giving away One (1) signed copy of Albion Moon, open to US Shipping. To enter her tour's official rafflecopter giveaway, visit her Albion Moon Tour Giveaway Page.

 
............. That's all for now, Dear Readers. Have a great February! Since there's no 30th of February, I'll be back here on March 30th with some exciting news about my vampire series and other book fun! :-)

xo,
Celia

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Must-Read #ScienceFiction: Siren's Song by K. M. Tolan

Hello Decadent Diva Readers! Hope you had a wonderful November. I just crossed the Nanowrimo finish line this week, and now I have a sci-fi treat for you today. This also appeared on my own blog earlier this month, so for those of you who missed it there, I present the fabulous author, K. M. Tolan. I was K. M.'s editor for this fab story and let me tell you, it's one heck of a fun (and heartwarming) sci-fi ride. More info and excerpt below. Happy reading! xo, Celia

 
Title: Siren's Song
Author: K. M. Tolan
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Champagne Books
Date of Publication: July 4, 2016
ISBN: 9781771552424
Page Count: 270
Award: Finalist, Science Fiction category, 2018 Epic Awards

He was of two minds about everything, and one of them wasn’t human.

Humans call the crystalline creatures Sirens. They can kill with a scream. Decapitate with a single slash of their cutting fins. The aliens are the most vicious life form Earth has ever encountered, and Scott has one trapped in his mind. Her name is Water, and her hatred for Scott’s species is only matched by her desire to be free of him.

Scott couldn’t agree more, but neither of them understand the cost of letting her out. In order to save their sanity, Scott and Water have to save her people.

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

 
 
 
 
Siren's Song Excerpt

The mountain lion snarled, baring yellowed fangs. It should be running for the high country, not swishing its tail at him.

Swallowing back his growing dread, Scott eased two big knives from their holsters on his pant legs. “Get out while you can, kitty. I seriously don’t want to do this.”

Kitty didn’t understand the message. The animal’s shoulders bunched.

Fear rose in Scott’s throat. He edged closer to a red fir next to the cabin, knowing how nature intended these issues to resolve. Nature, however, didn’t figure on his particular madness. The source of his twisting guts had nothing to do with the cougar. It was already dead. He reached into a part of himself a legion of psychologists had failed to lock down. The imaginary fishbowl in his head. Scott shoved the lid back with a shudder. He saw her clearly, coiled up in a crystalline ball. He always saw her, thanks to those damn crystals stuck in his skull.

Water.

His personal demon stirred much like a snake rising from a lethargic torpor. Snakes didn’t sing, though. Nor did they look like a murderous sea angel rendered in crystal, fins rippling with bioluminescent menace.

Why do you wake me, thief? Her reply was a melodic vibration through his skull, serrated with venomous undertones.

“Something for you to kill.”

 

About the Author

K. M. Tolan is a science fiction and fantasy author with seven books published through Burst Books (Champagne Books SF/F imprint). His first two novels in the “Blade Dancer” series were both finalists in the EPIC E-book Awards for Science Fiction. “Blade Dancer” was accepted into the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives at Texas A&M. “Rogue Dancer” received his publisher’s award for best novel of the year, as did his first fantasy “Tracks” (which also made the EPIC E-book finalist list). Mr. Tolan is a software engineer, a combat veteran, and lives near Austin, Texas.

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That's all for now, Dear Readers. Have a great December! I'll see you back here on December 30th!

xo,
Celia

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An interview, or a plot

I recently did something a little…different.  I organized a meeting  between the characters in my books, Awaken the Demon (Draco and Missy) and The Naughty Angel (Ariel and Edison) because I felt they had a lot in common. Edison and Draco are both demons, and Missy and Ariel being very similar in personalities as in being more passive, yet being strong determined women. Because Edison and Ariel are wanted by heaven and hell for treason, this encounter had to be cloaked for their safety. The meeting took place at Draco and Missy’s mansion, which Draco equipped with plenty of guards for their protection.

Because I secretly recorded them, the discussions below are written down,  so you will have to use your imagination as to what they are doing as they speak. Here is a rundown of what occurred.





***************************************************************
Draco: Welcome to our home. I hope your travels were uneventful?
Edison: Thanks to your guards and the cloaking spell. Wow, this place is incredible.  Bet you hold some pretty awesome parties here.
Missy: We’re really not much of the partying type. I must say, I’ve never been in the presence of an angel before. I’m quite…uneasy.
Ariel: There’s no need. I’m no different than you, really.
Edison: Don’t let her sweetness fool you. She can be a nasty bitch when she wants to. Ouch!
Draco: I must say, when Shiela came to me with the idea of having us meet I was quite hesitant.
Missy: “Hesitant. You threatened to disembowel her.”
Draco: As well I should. Just the thought of me being in the same room with an angle is preposterous.
Missy: Please forgive my husband. He can be a bit of an ass at times.
Ariel: I understand the concern. When I heard she wanted us to meet with the two of you I was very nervous. You are, after all, Draco, a descendant from Satan himself.
Edison: I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to meet you. I’ve heard all the tales about you, good and bad. It’s an honor to finally meet you.
Ariel: You’re drooling, Edison.
Edison: You would drool too, if you were in the presence of Jesus. Aw, fuck, I don’t mean to compare you to Jesus. That was stupid.
Missy: Relax Edison. We understand. Can I offer the two of you a drink?
Edison: Hell yeah. Scotch, neat.
Ariel: Water will be fine for me, thank you.
*Feet shuffling. *Glasses clinking. *
Ariel: I must admit, I really don’t understand Shiela’s motivation in having us get together. Thank you.” *Sounds of sipping.*
Missy: She is a baffling woman. I found trying to get inside her head and figuring out her motivations frustrating. She put Draco and I through so much, twisting our stories about, changing what actually happened to her liking.
Draco: I told you long ago, my love, that I could control her mind and have her tell our story properly.
Missy: “And I told you to leave her be. She’s entitled to her creativity even if it is—“
Draco:  Wrong. She made me sound so…passive.
Missy: She put the event in which you killed Vincent in the book despite my pleading for her not to.
Draco: And she made it seem so tame.
Missy: She wanted readers to like you, not fear you.
Draco: I am to be feared.
Missy: Yes, dear.
Ariel: She left out some key points in my story as well. Deciding to do a one night stand took a great deal of deliberation for me. She made it seem like it was nothing for me to turn on my beliefs and my loyalties and take a man to my bed whom I would never see again. I struggled for months with my decision.
Edison: And I am forever grateful for your decision.
Missy: Was it hard for you both to turn on your beliefs and leave your families behind in order to be together?
Ariel: You would know better than anyone what love can do. No, it wasn't easy for me to step away from my kind, but at the same time, I couldn’t deny my needs any longer.
Edison: Boy does she have needs. Let me tell you, this woman is a hell of a lover. The things she does to me— Ouch! Why do you keep pinching me?
Ariel: Because you keep saying stupid things.  I felt Shiela made me a little too slutty—and if you open your mouth to that demon I will strike you down.
**Snickers**
Missy: I wonder what she has done with her other characters.
Draco: I heard she created a bunch of vampires who fight on the good and kill their own kind.
Edison: Get out! That is messed up. Tame vampires. *Snorts*
Ariel: I could search them out. It wouldn’t take much time for me to gather them.
Missy: That’s an interesting thought.
Ariel: Isn’t it though.
Edison: We could gather everyone together, get their take on her and then write a tell all book. Shit, if she can do it, we can do it.
Missy: But how could we do this without her knowledge?
Draco: Leave that to me, my love.
Missy: You have wanted to control her since the first edition she wrote of you.
Draco: Damn straight!
Ariel: We don’t want her harmed, though.
Draco: I won’t harm her. But it might be fun toying with her a little.”
Missy: Draco, behave.
Edison: Why do you think it is that she likes taking the bad and making it good?
Draco: Human nature. They always want things to have a happy ending.
Ariel: Well, she did give us all a happy ending didn’t she. I mean, sure, she changed us a little, altered some of the facts, but in the end, she gave us what we most desired.
Missy: Love.
Ariel: Exactly.
Draco: Fine, she brought love into our lives, but come on, she tamed us. She made demons and vampires friendly. That’s just not right
Edison: You got that right. I suppose these vampires don’t drink from humans, do they?
Draco: Only from their mates.
Edison: That is sick.
Draco: So are we all in agreement that we should gather the others and write Shiela’s story?
Missy: Ariel: Edison: Let’s do it.
Draco: Then it’s set.

********************************************************************

Quite something, isn’t it? Here I thought getting a few of my characters together, ones I thought might benefit from each other was a good idea. Little did I know they would plot against me.  Sigh…If anyone knows of some good protection spells, please give me a call. I’m going to need them.

Check out Awaken the Demon, book 1 in the Demon series and The Naughty Angel, a 1 night stand book.

Website: www.shielastewartsbooks.com
Purchase: www.champagnebooks.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Naughty-Angel-Night-Stand-Story-ebook/dp/B008P2NT8K/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516305742&sr=1-5

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Demon-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0051PDUG0/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516306098&sr=1-7

Never write while sleep deprived

**Yawns** forgive me if I ramble a bit today. I’m going on day three of having very little sleep. No, I have not been up all night writing. That would be nice.  I’ve had a few rough days and nights dealing with some personal issues. Enough said. Anywho…back to what I was talking about. Writing with very little sleep. Have you ever done it? Did you actually accomplish anything? Were you able to read it?

The reason I ask is that I have written while on little sleep. And trust me, it was not readable. But at the time, I had a great idea and it couldn’t wait. I had to write it now. Since I couldn’t sleep, I sat in my living room, laptop ready and began to type like a mad woman. The ideas rolled out of me in a flow I’ve never felt before. I couldn’t type fast enough, my fingers flew across the keyboard like lightning.  As I wrote I told myself this was the one that was going to take me to the top. Three hours later I had several chapters done and sleep was calling. I saved the document, then staggered off to bed. Despite being dog tired, I was hyped up about the epic novel I had just started. For the first time in days, I slept like a baby.

I should have stayed asleep.

Excited, I woke, ran to my laptop even before having breakfast and opened the document. I stared at the screen, blinking as if that would change what I saw before me. Nope, nothing changed. It was still crap.  There wasn’t a single sentence in the five chapters that made sense. I kid you not. Picture yourself, eyes closed, typing away. Now open your eyes. How well did you do? Probably better than I did while sleep deprived. My sentences looked similar to this.

Asdjoiefn gruhlasd ueoihas sa[ksdnkcfpos

Seriously! Yet in my mind, and in my sleep deprived vision I saw sentences of great writing. Paragraphs that were off the charts.

And do you think I could remember any of the idea when I woke? Nope, not a trickle came to me. How is that possible? People do strange things while sleep deprived. I wrote the greatest crap story ever written. I’ve learned my lesson. If I’m too tired to think, or I’ve gone days with little sleep, I don’t write.

Celia's Spooktacular #Halloween Story

Hi Everyone and Happy Halloween!

In the spirit of this holiday, I have a spooky tale for you today, based on actual events as recounted to me by my Irish grandmother. Yes, it really happened to her. Read on, my dears... :-)

Bumped By The Banshee

I lived in a large two-story house with my parents, sister and grandmother. It was a cold, winter evening, nothing special or out of the ordinary. The family dined together, then my sister and I cleaned up while our parents and grandmother drank tea. We joined them at the dining table to do our homework, but my grandmother said she was tired and went upstairs to bed. My parents followed shortly after that, but my father paused on the landing.

“Maeve, it’s going to be a cold night. Fetch us some coal, please.”

I abandoned my homework, grabbed the empty coal bucket from the kitchen, and went down into the cellar. I filled my bucket and returned to the stairs. I had one foot on the first step when the temperature in the cellar, already cold, dropped dramatically. Chills ran down my back. Behind me, someone moaned.

But how could that be? I was alone...

Terror rooted me to the spot. The keening grew louder. I dropped my bucket and covered my ears. A cold wind bumped against my back. I stumbled forward as the shrieking wind rushed over me and up the stairs.

But how could that be? The cellar had no windows...

Above me, the cellar door slammed shut. The sound broke me from my stupor. I screamed and ran from the cellar, through the kitchen and dining room, up the stairs to my room. My parents and sister found me under my bed, shaking like a puppy lost in a snowstorm.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” They asked me, while pulling me from my hiding place.

“I heard the Banshee wail.”

We stared at each other in silence, all of us reaching the same conclusion moments later. We hurried to my grandmother’s room.

She was dead.

Copyright 2017, Celia Breslin, all rights reserved.

Have a great Halloween, Dear Readers, and see you back here on November 30th!

xo,
Celia

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