Blurb & excerpt for Hunter's Moon Magic

Continuing with the Halloween theme today, here's an excerpt from a ghostly Halloween tale called Hunter's Moon Magic. This is available at every major e-book retailer.

Blurb:

Judith Goode, wrongly accused of witchcraft during the trials in 1600 Massachusetts, casts a spell on the black velvet dress she intended to wear for her lover’s return. If she can’t realize true love then she wants to ensure that any woman who wears the dress will but fate has other plans.

Even though Judith is now in ghost form, her quest to unite her soul with her lover’s burns strong. The enchanted dress has survived for two hundred years and is now in the hands of Carolina Cox who wears it to a masquerade where she meets Paul Brown. Love blooms and is realized yet life’s problems prevent a perfect match.

Disheartened through the years, Judith gives the attempt one last time in modern day Indianapolis by putting the dress in the hands of Jacob Howson, one of her last living ancestors. He’s a computer programmer looking for love and finds it by literally running into Lexy Brown at a dry cleaner.

Sometimes the love worth waiting for can be found under the light of a Hunter’s Moon.

Excerpt from Chapter One


October 29, 1692 Ipswich, Massachusetts

Brilliant moonlight streamed through the window, competing with the weak glow from the candle on the worktable. Judith Goode snipped off the last thread and placed the scissors into a basket near her elbow.

Finished.

Standing, she shook out the length of black velvet pleased with how the dress had turned out. A round full skirt fell to the floor in elegant waves with faint glimmers of silver thread gleamed in the folds. The bodice was a masterpiece of scooped neck trimmed with runic symbols in the same silver thread, designed to catch an admiring gaze.

Needlework perfection.

Black satin ribbons crisscrossing under the neckline would lend the dress structure and matched the tiny stain bows on the tops of the fluttered, capped sleeves.
The ideal gown to wear for a romantic tryst, especially since the fabric had been given to her from her lover when he had returned to port from his last trip.
Unfortunately, she would never be allowed to wear the dress--unless they hanged her in it.

Hearing an angry assortment of voices just outside her modest cottage, Judith folded the gown and placed it into a reed basket. The tinkle of breaking glass sounded, followed by a scuffle and several loud shouts for the ‘Devil’s Follower. They’d branded her a witch, and she didn’t correct them.

It wouldn’t have mattered.

She was different from the others in the village. A healer, and not disposed to spending hours on her knees in the church, Judith was automatically dubbed a follower of the occult.

The gray streak down the middle of her black hair didn’t help matters. Nor did her affinity for bathing naked at the shore on the nights of the full moon for no other reason than she admired the silvery light.

To these people, if you looked and talked differently from them, you must be evil--bad--not worthy of redemption and no amount of explanation would change their narrow minds. She’d tried twice before to plead her case. Now luck had abandoned her.
Judith wanted no part of the religious bigotry, their interpretation of salvation for the sake of public cleansing and a way to gain land and property.

Their way was not the only way to live a life.

Outside, shouts from men and women alike drew closer. Her breath quickening, Judith opened a carved trinket box on her worktable and withdrew a small sachet of cloth. A secret smile curved her lips. If she couldn’t wear the gown, at least she could ensure the women who did would have a happy life. Tucking the sachet between the folds of the dress, Judith nodded in satisfaction. The herbs were good and would not fail.

A few sprigs of basil for love, a couple dried fruits of the cayenne pepper plant for the fire of the sprit, chamomile flower heads for relaxation and protection, and cinnamon sticks to lure a male; Judith knew the basic ingredients for a love spell would have far reaching implications as much as the words she muttered over the fabric.

“May the women who wear this dress find their true love. May desire overcome them in such a way they cannot deny its call. May the women whose lives touch this dress be happy throughout all eternity with the men of their dreams, the mates of their hearts, and the keeper of their souls.”

After she recited her spell, Judith’s attention wandered to her absent lover. He’d been away, along with her brother, on a fishing ship for months and this time when he returned, she and Percy planned to be married. After three years of courtship and clandestine meetings, he’d offhandedly asked for her hand one evening over dinner. Judith agreed and the small, private ceremony was planned. Now, a few days shy of their reunion, the elders of the village were hell bent on ferreting out witches.
Not that they would even know a real witch if they bumped into one at the market. Hysteria reined in the small towns and anyone they couldn’t understand was immediately suspect.

Above everything else, Judith vowed never to reveal Percy’s name to the elders for fear an appointment with the gallows would await him, too. The only reason she embraced her destiny with calm was she knew Percy would live to tell her tale. A twinge of regret tickled her stomach. They’d talked at length of this very occurrence. It was always a risk, but she wished she could see him one last time.

With a sigh, she gave the plush velvet one last loving stroke then scattered a few red clover flowers for good luck and two dried hibiscus flowers for attracting love on the top. A folded quilt completed the contents of the basket and hid the gown from view.
It was all she could do.

A prayer that the frock would find its way into good hands escaped her lips shortly before an insistent pounding rained on her front door. With a gasp, Judith scooped up the basket and padded across the simple wooden planks of the floor to her kitchen window. Releasing the catch, she swung the casement out. “Hide it well, Jenny. Make certain my brother receives it and cares for it. Someday, somehow, Percy and I will be reunited, even if it takes two lifetimes to accomplish.”

“Yes, ma’am.”The melodious whisper of her apprentice seeped in from the darkness beyond. “You needn’t worry. I will take care of it. Godspeed”

Another round of hammering on the door brought Judith’s attention to matters at hand. She wiped her sweaty palms on her humble white apron. Her heart raced in time tohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif the blows. She swung the window closed and pulled the curtains. Then, with a deep breath, she tied the strings of her bonnet beneath her chin, crossed to the door, and unlatched the locks.

Time to usher in her fate.

Judith straightened her spine. She would not meet death with tears.

Publisher’s website:

Random commenter will receive book swag.

Blurb & excerpt for Courtesans and Thieves (plus giveaway)

Also coming your way this month is a historical Halloween romp called Courtesans and Thieves. This novella will release on Halloween from Liquid Silver Books.

Blurb:

Audrey Harper wants nothing more than to experience life before she consigns herself to taking care of everyone else in her family. A Halloween masquerade fits the bill. As a French courtesan she intends to lure an unsuspecting man into her bed, find a few moments of bliss and leave before the clock strikes midnight.

Justin Redding’s life as a junior accountant is as far from exciting as he can get. As a result, he supplements his income and thirst for adventure by stealing jewelry from the area’s wealthy upper crust. He’s admired Audrey from afar and convincing her father that he’s good enough is uppermost in his mind. Disguising himself as a masked avenger is the only way to win her heart.

What happens next is a heady jaunt through a crowded 1880s ballroom, a shadowy pumpkin patch and perfumed sheets. But unraveling lies and secret identities might trap the pair in a sticky web, dissolving the moonlit love affair before love’s bloom can take root.

Excerpt from Chapter One:

1880 Noblesville, Indiana

“I am not a child!” Audrey Harper resisted the urge to stomp her foot as, once again, her father ushered her from his office and closed the door behind him, leaving her in a smaller, outer reception area, staring at his door. A soft snicker filled the air and a heated blush crept into her cheeks. Justin Redding, her father’s junior partner in the bookkeeping business, was undoubtedly watching every moment of her humiliation.
Well, he could choke on his own tongue for all she cared. She wouldn’t give him the time of day let alone the satisfaction that she heard him. There was one thing she wanted in the world and it did not involve him.

In spite of her resolve, she cast a glance over her shoulder and gave him the tiniest eyebrow arch, daring him to say more. A conservative, brown-tweed suit fit his lean frame to perfection with the collar of his linen shirt so starched she was surprised he could move his neck at all. When he caught sight of her gaze, he stood, and the strong morning sunshine winked off the links of a silver watch fob on his waist coat. An expensive trinket on an accountant’s salary. She tore her focus from the accessory to his face.

“Did you need something further, Miss Harper?” His voice, deep and smooth as her father’s imported brandy, flowed over her and was just as warming. A mocking grin lifted the corners of his lips and one of his eyebrows quirked in query. “I believe your father has asked you to go along home.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m aware of what he asked, thank you, Mr. Redding. The last time I checked, I wasn’t deaf, nor am I dumb. I can decipher commands, especially if they come from my parent.”

Justin chuckled and the rich notes tickled places deep inside she’d rather not give life to--at least not here. Maybe in the privacy of her room. He’d ignored her awkward teenaged advances when she’d been a stupid girl of eighteen and him a young man of twenty-three. Granted, he probably didn’t remember her as that shy, slightly overweight, freckled girl. She kept close to the house much of those years, especially following after her brother’s death. Now, Justin didn’t deserve a response to his casual flirting--yet he never missed an opportunity and she always looked forward to his attempts.

“Well-spoken as always. No wonder your father is about to tear his hair out keeping you in line.” Slowly, as if he prowled the outer office like a panther, he came around the polished, cherry wood desk.

“I don’t need any man to keep me in line, thank you.” Swallowing hard, she turned around, her hands behind her back and resting on the cool metal of the doorknob.
“Be that as it may, isn’t your father planning to match you with an unwilling victim, I mean beau, at the Halloween party this evening?”

“How can you know that?” Even though it was true, she held his limpid brown gaze and dared him to contradict her.

“Your father becomes chatty during lunch.” Justin’s grin flashed even white teeth. “He also invited me to the bash should I wish to attend.” Another few strides brought him close enough that she felt the heat rolling from his body.

“Will you come?” Her voice sounded breathless to her ears and she wondered how she came across to him. Did she appear a desperate twenty-seven-year old woman, on the edge of a trapped life yet wanting so much more?

“I haven’t decided, but I am considering it.” He edged another foot forward until his knee bumped hers, so close the tiny gold flecks in his eyes danced in amusement at her. “I don’t have a costume.”

“Ah, that is a problem.” Her heart thumped against her ribs, trying to escape, beating out a warning, yet even as it did, gooseflesh rose on her arms. Her chest clenched and tiny pulses of pleasure curled in her belly to be in such proximity to him. The doorknob slipped under her suddenly sweaty palms.

“Indeed.” A tiny trace of a Southern drawl clung to his words, but he didn’t possess the consummate charm of a gentleman. He was a rogue to the core.

Another step brought him so intimately close a mere inch of space separated their bodies. Audrey couldn’t breathe. It felt as if the confining corset would snap her in half. She greedily swept her gaze along the strong cut of his jaw, the rugged face that spoke of hard work and secrets, the dark, sloping brows. His raven black was kept short and held rigidly in place by slick pomade. As a rule, she didn’t care for beauty products on men. Why couldn’t they embrace their masculinity and be confident in it? A thought niggled its way into her brain that he’d be much more handsome if that hair were allowed to meander over his head in gentle waves, free so she could run her fingers through it.

Stop dreaming, Audrey. He works for your father and is no good besides.

“Do you want to know what I think, Miss Harper?” His warm exhalation caressed her lips like heated silk, recalling her attention to the conversation.

“I’m not sure.” The common sense part of her mind urged her to slap his face for his intrusion, but the part of her that begged for adventure compelled her to hold her ground.

His grin was slow and sensual, and very much that of a jungle cat on the hunt. “You don’t need a man to keep you in line. You need a man to be your equal, one who will give you as much as you’ll take and demand you give just as much.” His eyes darkened to the hue of black coffee. “You need a man who will satisfy your every desire, even those locked away in your heart of hearts--the ones you never tell a living soul.”

“What makes you think I have hidden desires?” It was all she could do not to throw her arms around his neck.

Comment for a chance to win book swag and a $5.00 Amazon gift card.

Blurb & excerpt for Tail on the Moon (plus giveaway)

First up today in my bag of offerings is a blurb and excerpt from Tail on the Moon, which is the sixth and final book in the Holiday Magic series. This will release from Lyrical Press on October 17th. Settle in a revisit with Crystal Falls...Things aren't exactly good...

Blurb for TAIL ON THE MOON

Finding herself is harder than she expected.

Rosemary Nickles is stressed out. She has no knack for magic, and lives in Crystal Falls, where that just won't do. It's not easy being a plain old human in a town full of magic makers, especially when her sister is incredibly talented in the paranormal department.

Part-time firefighter, full-time hottie Luke Nolin harbors a secret. Every month he turns furry and howls at the full moon. Even living and working in Crystal Falls, he's not comfortable being a werewolf. Years earlier he nearly killed someone, so devotes his energy to hiding his inner lycanthrope.

If Luke can learn to embrace his true self, then Rosemary might just discover there is more to her than even she knows about. Their path to true love isn’t easy—the town is a mess, the resident witch and order-keeper is gone, and a gang of thugs has taken over Halloween. But this is Crystal Falls, where through acceptance and love anything is possible...just remember to watch out for things that go bump in the night.

Excerpt:

Rosemary needed the magic she knew lurked deep within her. If Zoe had it, then common sense dictated she did, too. Maybe, if she coaxed it out, she could make a difference in the town.

Patience.

She huffed in irritation. After weeks of dreaming about wolves howling at the moon and shadowy men whose faces she never saw, this voice had started flowing through her mind like a dark chocolate river. Deep and commanding, the voice only issued one- or two-word orders unless she was in a dream. Then it whispered all kinds of endearments, heavy with promise, until she woke up sweaty and warm all over.

But that wasn’t magic, was it?

She was going crazy. Maybe that was her special skill, the ability to conjure mystery men in her head and hold romantic conversations with them. One thing was certain. She wouldn’t be telling anyone about this particular problem.

She worried her bottom lip with her teeth, keeping a wary eye on the teens. The sad truth was, without her sister or Mrs. Wiggins to talk to, loneliness had set in, as well as constant confusion. Not even her job as a bank teller could fill the dead void she felt inside. Just once, she’d like to feel needed by someone else.

No magic, no romance, no future. Great. If it wasn’t for the rambling Victorian-style boardinghouse she was responsible for by default, Rosemary would have left Crystal Falls for bigger and better things. She couldn’t ditch the old house. Something about it drew her to it, kept her tethered as if it wasn’t finished with her--except she couldn’t figure out why.

She shifted to ease her aching muscles. Unfortunately, one of her knees pressed into a twig, snapping it. The sound echoed through the night like a slap.

“There she is!” The startled, pleased shout went up from one of the teens.

As a singular entity, the hooligans looked toward her hiding place. One crowed in triumph and pointed. The rest ground out their cigarette butts and surged forward.
“Get her!”

Run!

As if she needed the mystery voice to tell her what she obviously knew. She sprang to her feet, turned and ran. The muscles in her legs protested the sudden movement and burned as she bore down and darted through the trees. If she could somehow arrive in the town proper, she could easily find her way home. Besides, it would be safer with people around--relatively, considering she was streaking through a forest in her birthday suit.

The group behind her grumbled, anticipation thick in their shouts of encouragement to each other and their off-color taunts. Rosemary ignored them and concentrated on reaching the edge of the forest, suddenly visible to her as the moon emerged from behind a cloud bank. Silvery light filtered through the tree branches, causing the whole area to appear as if it had been touched by frost.

Almost there. She strained forward and, giving every last smidge of energy she had left, ran toward the opening in the trees. Beyond, the dark pavement of the road glimmered, bathed in moonlight. All she needed to do was follow the road into town, providing, of course, the boys didn’t follow.

Her heart felt stuffed in her throat. Behind her, a rifle shot broke the silence of the night. Rosemary took another step then faltered as a searing pain ripped through her right hip. Sticky wetness dribbled over her skin, tickling as it edged down her leg on gravity’s pull. In disbelief, she put a hand to the affected area and when she brought it up, blood clung to her fingers. She wondered why the boys had shot her, but not having an answer, she had no choice except to continue. Not paying attention, she tripped over a rotted, fallen log and pitched down a slight rise. Face first in the cool grass, she lay still, hoping the teens would get scared and leave her alone.

As soon as the hoodlums burst from the trees, the roar of a motorcycle droned into the silence, steadily increasing in volume the nearer it came. Rosemary risked a glance up. The teenagers scattered, cursing as they melted into the wooded area. Struggling to her feet, she staggered toward the road. She had to get home to be safe.

By the time she felt the rough texture of the asphalt beneath her toes, she was shaking and nearly in tears. Why had they singled her out? More than that, why didn’t they leave the town alone? She wrapped her arms around her torso. The white beam of the motorcycle’s headlight cut through the gloom, competing with the moon to illuminate the roadway.

She squinted, sucking in a breath of surprise when the machine rolled to a halt a feet few from her. Without a helmet, the man’s shaggy brown hair danced about his forehead in the breeze. Concern shone from glittering eyes while his stubble-covered jaw worked in amazement.

“Ma’am, are you okay?”

Rosemary stared at his wide shoulders and barrel chest. Her knees buckled and she sank to the chilly pavement. He sounded exactly like the voice she kept hearing in her head.

Leave a comment to randomly win book swag plus a $5.00 Amazon gift card.

Good morning! Ready for Halloween?

I don't know about you but I'm so so glad October is finally here! Why? Because fall is my very favorite season of the year and I love love love Halloween! Right now, I've got all the fake mums around my house, the pumpkins, the scarecrows the ceramic Jack-o-lanterns. I love lighting them at night and setting a "spooky" mood.

Later this morning I'll get up some blurbs and excerpts from a couple of Halloween books I have coming out this month.

Are you a fan of Halloween or just the fall?

Sandi Sookoo