Character Spotlight: Malena Troutman

Hi. My name is Malena Troutman and I’m a mage-shifter. Gee, that sounds like a twelve-step program starter. Though that’s not a bad idea for my kind. It seems that there are a lot more of us than I ever thought.

Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. Lion’s Choice is a story about me and the alpha who saved me. You see, where I grew up—in the canyons of Washington state—mage-shifters were not accepted. Covens didn’t want us—meaning me—because I could shift. Shifters didn’t want me because I could do magic. I was an unpure hybrid, abandoned when I was a baby and tossed from one family to another, never belonging.

Then I met Stefan Wyemore and wow, did things change. He was the new alpha of the Northwest territories and he was making some changes—changes that some people didn’t like. So he had to fight. A lot. But most people liked his changes. He was bringing prosperity to the prides and packs. He was making it so hybrids were accepted. Felines could fall in love with canines (didn’t happen often, but it did happen). And he not only accepted my abilities, but he told me he loved me. And I fell for him. Hard. He is amazing. He’s not only a powerful alpha from an even more powerful family, but he’s a mage-shifter too. 

Anyway, this story is about how Stefan and I met and what happened with the prides when he took me as his mate. Though it’s just the beginning of our story. I can’t wait to see what comes next for us. It’s sure to be exciting. I hope you enjoy our story.

BLURB:
Stefan the Black, alpha of the northwestern territories, needs a strong mate. It’s the only way the prides and packs will continue to follow him, but he hasn’t found the right one yet. Then Dr. Malena Troutman literally runs into him and he and his beast know that she is the one.

The problem is convincing her.


EXCERPT:
“Is there a problem?”
Malena looked up—something that didn’t happen too often—to find a man with raven hair and eyes the color of deep sapphires looking down at her. She immediately recognized him. She could never forget that face or his scent. Her lion grew restless, and Mali fought to stay in control. He wore cut-off jean shorts and a deep blue tee, exposing impressive muscles, but not body-builder bulk. These were the lean, long ones of a lethal animal.
“Oh! Alpha Stefan, it’s nothing. Just a computer mix-up with Miss Troutman’s reservation. I’m sure we can find someone who will take her in.”
Alpha Stefan? Damn. Of course he would be the alpha. “That’s Doctor Troutman, and I’d rather not be crammed into someone’s family room with screaming kids running all around.” Mali let a little of her irritation show in her voice.
“What about a separate bedroom with a private bath and no screaming kids?”
She hesitated the briefest of seconds before nodding. She wondered if he had orchestrated this glitch, along with the invitation. “That’s what I was hoping for.” Not only did her lioness approve, but so did the witch side of her. That in itself was odd enough for her to pay attention.
“Where are your bags, Doctor Troutman?” He smiled at her, a grin of both invitation and consideration.
“Just this.” She indicated a regulation-sized pull-along. “The rest are still in my truck, though I have no idea where that is at the moment.”
“In the parking area. I can have one of the valets retrieve your things for you if you wish.”
“Thank you. They’re rather important, and some need to be handled with care. I’m teaching a class here tomorrow. If you could show me my room, and where my truck might be, I’ll get them myself.” She hesitated. Damn. She’d given orders to the alpha. Could she stuff her foot any further into her mouth? Her face grew warm. “My apologies, Alpha Stefan. If I’d known—”
“If you’d known, I think you would still need to handle your bags with care. Shall we?” He offered his arm and took her bag in one hand.
“I can carry that myself,” she said, not wanting to put the alpha out any more than she already had.
“I’m sure you can. I was merely being polite.”
She blew out a sigh and took his arm. “Thank you, Alpha Stefan. I appreciate the help. So where is this room I can have?”
He stepped into the elevator and punched the button for the fifth floor. “My apartment.”
 ***
Stefan enjoyed the look of pure shock on the woman’s face. As soon as he’d told her where they were going, she’d dropped her hand and stepped away from him. This was not a woman who used feminine wiles to capture a man. She wanted nothing to do with him. It showed in her stiff shoulders, crossed arms, tight mouth, and narrowed eyes. He kept a neutral look on his face but smiled inwardly. She intrigued him on many levels. He discovered he was actually looking forward to the challenge she offered.
Malena Troutman. The lion within him was practically purring, and so was the man.

Available from Liquid Silver Publishing, Amazon, B&N, and other fine sellers
Where to find me: http://burkholv.wordpress.com 
http://thewholeshebangsite.wordpress.com

Discover the world of Jere' M. Fishback

Please give a warm welcome to Nate Ziegler from The House on Fremont Drive by Jere' M. Fishback today as we sit down and see what makes him tick.

Q: So tell us about yourself. What got you in the crosshairs for your author?

I'm a chance-taker, always have been. I'm talking sexually, spiritually and especially in my sport: cross-country running. I'm not easily spooked, so when I'm confronted with multiple challenges, whether they involve my romantic life, my distance running, or even my encounters with the spirit world after my family moves to Florida during my senior year of high school. I think Jere' Fishback chose me as his main character because I have both heart and courage, even if I am a skinny gay boy.

Q: What was it that drew you to your mate?

My boyfriend's name is Riley Jamieson; he's eighteen like me, a neighbor and classmate. I met him the first day we moved into our house in Florida. If you saw Riley, you'd know why I fell for him almost instantly. Here's how Jere' Fishback described Riley on the day I met him:

"He was a little taller than I was. He wore boardshorts, flip-flops, and a Florida State University t-shirt with the sleeves hacked off. The shirt showed off his sinewy shoulders and arms. His dark hair grew to his shoulders; it covered the tops of his ears and fell into his deep-set hazel eyes. When he smiled, his big teeth gleamed. His skin was deeply tanned and stubble glistened on his cleft chin. A bruise the size of two postage stamps marred his temple, and I wondered if he'd brawled with someone recently."

And here's another passage that beautifully describes Riley on an evening when we swam in the pool at his house:

"His body was like a gymnast's: broad shoulders, narrow in the hips, lean and muscled. The pool light's glow reflected in his eyes. A thin line of hair spilled from his navel—the line dribbled into the waistband of his boardshorts—and I kept gazing at it while my mouth grew sticky with lust."

See what I mean? Riley's like…a total babe.

Q: A little naughty fun, where was the wildest place you seduced your partner(s)?

Actually, Riley seduced me the first time, and it was completely unexpected. Not long after I moved to Florida he invited me to go camping with him in a county park not far from our neighborhood. We were sharing his tent in the park's campground, and there were campers all around us in tents, all of them bedding down for the night. When Riley made a pass at me in the darkness of the tent he got me so excited I thought I'd pass out. During our sex, people kept walking past the tent and making conversation—they were only maybe fifteen feet from us—but of course they didn't know what we were up to. It was sexy as hell, to tell you the truth, almost like we were having sex in public. Does that sound perverted or what?  

Q: Boxers, briefs or Commando on a man?

Do I really have to answer that? Okay, I mix it up between boxer briefs and traditional boxers. I'm a slender guy 'cause I run cross-country, and I think boxers add a little bulk to my appearance, but then Riley prefers me in boxer briefs if I am wearing anything at all. (Grins and winks …)

Q: If your partner wants to seduce you, what's one sure fire trick he can do to seduce you?

Oh, all he has to do is nuzzle my ear, and then whisper "Lover Boy" to me and I am instantly boned. Okay, I'm a horny little bastard—I'm easy—but like I said if you could see how beautiful Riley is then you'd know why he gets my heart pounding so easily.

Q: What is the one place on your partner's body that you know will drive him wild, in and out of bed?

Riley's armpits are very sensitive and sexy; the hair in them is soft and dark, and he goes nuts whenever I lick him under his arms. Some people might think the whole armpit thing is kind of nasty, but I don't, even when Riley hasn't showered in a while. In fact, I kind of like it when he's a bit stinky. Does that sound weird?

Q: What was one of the most embarrassing things your author did to you in The House on Fremont Drive?

Oh, god, this one incident was terrible. I had a stash of gay porno magazines I kept in the crawl space above my walk-in closet. I would put them to use most every day. Now, in the beginning of the book my parents didn't know I was gay. But I stupidly left one magazine tucked between my bed mattress and box springs. When my mom was changing my sheets, she found the magazine, and then she confronted me with it when I came home from school. I had to confess to my parents that I was gay, and also that I'd had gay sexual encounters in the past. If you've never gone through something like that, I can tell you it's truly embarrassing as hell. But thankfully my parents were accepting, and everything worked out okay.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Yeah, a few things. Anyone who's considering reading The House on Fremont Drive should be forewarned: the book is long, about 120,000 words, or about 300 pages. The story contains elements of the supernatural. It explores the worlds of astrology and neo-Nazism, and it even gets into the nuances of cross-country running. In other words, it's kind of a crazy stew where I encounter some very different characters and live through events both inspiring and weird. By the book's end, my world view has completely changed.

Thank you, Nate Ziegler,for joining us on 'Meet the Character' day here at Dawn's Reading

Welcome Author Mindy Hardwick and meet Rylee Harper from Sweetheart Cottage

Please give a warm welcome to Rylee Harper from Sweetheart Cottage by Mindy Hardwick today as we sit down and see what makes him/her tick.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not saving (the world, clients, your mate)? I love to sew with the gals in the sewing circle. We’ve been working on vintage aprons and I’m using gingham material I found in my grandmother’s sewing room.

What is it about your love interest Bryan that makes you crazy in a good way? Bryan Shuster used to work on cars with my Grandfather when I visited my Grandparents in the summer. I had such the big crush on him! Finally, the summer of my junior year he asked me out. Bryan knew me “when” and that can be both good and bad!

Do you sometimes want to strangle your writer? Thrash her/him to within an inch of their life? Make them do the stupid crap they makes you do? Ah….you know Mindy isn’t so bad. She gave me a great setting—Cranberry Bay is such a fun small town on the north Oregon Coast. And I love the cast of characters I get to play with—especially sixteen-year-old Maddie who is helping me find fun vintage treasures for the river front cottages!

Favorite food? Anything from Sasha’s bakery!!!

Tell me a little bit about your world. What are your greatest challenges in that world? Cranberry Bay is a small river town. As a child, I visited my Grandparents every summer and always felt safe from Dad’s gambling problems. The hardest thing about living in Cranberry Bay is it’s hard to keep secrets and my family has a big secret! (I can’t tell because that would destroy your reading experience!)

Describe yourself in four words. Independent, determined, creative, and hopeful

What do you do for a living? I am a decorator. I owned a very successful business in Vegas but my partner ran off with my fiancé and bankrupt the business. Now, I’m helping Bryan Shuster stage a set of six vintage river cottages and trying to get my feet back on the ground.

What do you fear the most? My father’s gambling debts which could lead him to prison or death.

Blurb: Can a bet to save a dying town bring two high school sweethearts together for a second chance at love? Self-reliant and determined never to fall in love again, Rylee Harper is traveling with her dog, Raisin, to Cranberry Bay, a small Oregon Coast town. Rylee intends to make friends with no one least they discover the family’s long-held secret. But when former high school sweetheart, Bryan Shuster, offers her a job staging his vintage river cottages, Rylee finds her guard softening. However, when Bryan’s plan threatens to unearth Rylee’s shameful family secret, will Rylee run away or will she trust Bryan with her heart and stay?

Genre: Sweet Contemporary romance

BuyLink:http://www.amazon.com/Sweetheart-Cottage-Cranberry-Bay-1/dp/0692542825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452010134&sr=8-1&keywords=Sweetheart+Cottage

Excerpt

“Can you grab that bracket?” Rylee pointed to the windowsill as the ladder wobbled.

“I’ve got it.”  Bryan picked up the hook, handed it to Rylee and wrapped his fingers around the steel ladder. His fingers brushed against her ankles, and he inhaled the familiar scent of her perfume, jasmine vanilla. He was transported to the summer nights they had snuggled in each other’s arms and listened to the summer concert series in the park.

“I’m just about done here.” Rylee placed the drill bit against the wall. As she stretched forward, her foot slipped, and she slid down two steps of the ladder toward Bryan.

“I’ve got you.” He wrapped his arms around her.

She squirmed around to face him. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. But she didn’t try to move out of his arms. 

“That was a close one.” He drew light circles on her back. Bryan stared into Rylee’s eyes and swirled with emotions he’d spent years pushing away. 

Rylee parted her mouth, and without thinking, Bryan lowered his face to touch her lips.  But before he reached her, someone said: “Anyone here?”

Startled, Bryan broke away from Rylee.  “Hey Dennis.” Bryan cleared his throat and tried to pretend he hadn’t just been caught kissing the girl of his long-ago summer childhood dreams.

Raisin shook himself and stood. He wandered to Dennis and nosed against his palm.  

Dennis petted the dog and grinned. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

“You’re not.” Rylee stepped away from Bryan. She smoothed her hands over her jeans. “What can we do for you? Would you like to see the cottages? They’re not quite ready, but we’d be happy to show you one or two.”

Rylee was talking so fast, Bryan couldn’t help but think she was just as nervous about being caught with her lips near Bryan’s as he had been. They were both grown adults, and yet something about kissing Rylee Harper made him feel sixteen again. 

Welcome author Raven McAllan and her hero, Phillip, Lord Macpherson

Please give a warm welcome to Phillip. Lord Macpherson from The Rake's Unveiling of Lady Belle by Raven McAllan today as we sit down and see what makes him/her tick.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not saving your lady?

Well as a Regency rake I suppose I should say, doing rakish things, and hell raising in the capital. *laugh* To be honest I prefer the country. Making sure my estates are run properly and... well let us say there's a lot more you can get up to in the country than most people ever think possible. *wink*

What is it about your love interest, Lady Belle that makes you crazy in a good way?

She is a fighter, a feisty, take no prisoner's lady. Someone I'd trust with my life. I want to cherish and protect and yes, sometime strangle her, when she doesn't listen. But then if she wasn't all those things she wouldn't be my Lady Belle.

Do you sometimes want to strangle your writer? Thrash her/him to within an inch of their life? Make them do the stupid crap they makes you do? 

Oh yes, what character doesn't? But then I think well without her showing me how difficulties can be over come, I'd not be where I am now. *Ponders* Mind you...

Favorite food?

Wood pigeon in a pie. and perhaps a curd pudding to follow. I prefer simple foods.

 Describe yourself in four words.  I'd say, loyal, loving, generous, and even-tempered. *snort* I've a feeling other's might say differently.

What do you do for a living? Hmm, That's one of those double edged questions. I run my estates, look after all the family business and yes, do all the normal things a gentleman of the ton would do.

Actually, no not any more. Ladies of shall we say, a forward deposition, are no longer on the agenda. Except my Lady Belle of course.

What do you fear the most?Apart from Napoleon and his supporters taking over France once more? *Looks around furtively*

Moths. *shudder* And losing my lady of course.

 About Raven McAllan's Lady Belle.....

Historical Romance

Carina Publishing

Release date: January 5th, 2016

The exquisite designs of mysterious dressmaker Madame Belle are the most sought after in the ton, yet only a few are trusted with Belle’s deepest secret – her name.

Lady Belinda Howells has gone to great lengths to disguise her identity, it’s the only way to protect herself from the ruthless demands of her scoundrel father…and to protect her heart.

Until Lord Philip Macpherson walks into her salon and his scorching kiss burns a memory onto her lips that she’ll never be able to forget!

Now it’s only a matter of time before the notorious rake unveils the truth, and when he does, Belle knows that she won’t be able to resist…

 Buy at:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rakes-Unveiling-Lady-Belle-ebook/dp/B0175WV0QI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448028985&sr=8-1&keywords=raven+mcallan

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Rakes-Unveiling-Lady-Belle-ebook/dp/B0175WV0QI/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450794075&sr=1-16&keywords=raven+mcallan

About the Author:

I live in Scotland, the land of mists, mountains and midges. The first two I can cope with, the last is well named as the scourge of Scotland.

Living on the edge of a forest, with wild life and tourists always about, life is never dull, especially when someone stops you on our lane and asks if it is the main road to Glasgow. (er no)

I share my life with my DH, and two cats. Our children have flown the nest, great to go visiting them!

Find the author at:

Amazon Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Raven-McAllan/e/B00694RHJI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1450794164&sr=1-2-ent

Website/Blog: 

Character Spotlight with Hypatios and author Kate Hill

Please give a warm welcome to Hypatios from The Red King by Kate Hill today as we sit down and see what makes him tick.

Q: So tell us about yourself. What got you in the crosshairs for your author?

As heir to the throne of Zaltana and leader of my father's southern army, it has fallen upon me to lead my army north (his general there is incompetent) and conquer the remaining free kingdoms in the Western Continent. King Areus of Lortia has been our strongest adversary, but I promised my father I will deliver his head on a pike.

Q: What was it that drew you to your mate?

I have no mate, but there is a woman who has sparked my interest. I owe her a great deal, actually. She saved my life after Areus and I nearly destroyed each other in battle.

Q: A little naughty fun, where was the wildest place you seduced your partner(s)?

I spent most of my youth in brothels. I have had neither the time nor the inclination for courting women. Mira is different, however. If I took her, I would want her again and again. I have dreamed of seducing her in the heart of the forest where she lives, or better yet in the royal baths in the palace in Zaltana's capital city.

Q: Boxers, briefs or Commando on a man?

I generally wear a codpiece. Make of that what you will.

Q: If your partner wants to seduce you, what's one sure fire trick they can do to seduce you?

At the brothel, the women usually kneel before me and make use of their skilled lips and tongues. With the scars I bear on my face, most women prefer to keep their gazes cast down, except Mira. I'm not sure what to make of her. My scars, both physical and emotional, don't seem to repel her.

Q: What is the one place on your partner's body that you know will drive them wild-in and out of bed?

Perhaps one day I will find out. Right now my main concern is conquering Lortia.

Q: What was one of the most embarrassing things your author did to you in The Red King?

Just one? The woman was ruthless when telling that story. The first incident that comes to mind is that she recorded in detail how I vomited in Mira's presence while recovering from near-fatal injuries.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Pay close attention to the scenes involving my snake, Beauty. She is a perfect example of a fearless ally.

Thank you Hypatios for joining us on 'Meet the Character' day here at Dawn’s Reading Nook Blog. You can find all of Kate Hill's books at http://www.kate-hill.com.

About 'The Red King'

Coming July 1st to Ellora's Cave

Torn from her beloved convent home, Delia is forced to marry Areus of Lortia. The contract states she must deliver an heir within a year or the marriage can be annulled. Delia vows to control her fate by ensuring there will be no child--until she is mesmerized by Areus, the proud, virile warrior king.

Areus agrees to marry Delia to gain her father's army to continue his fight against Hypatios, the mad prince of Zaltana. He doesn't expect to fall in love with a convent-reared mouse, but from the first, Delia rouses his lust and touches his heart.

Their life together hangs in the balance as the war with Zaltana advances and Areus discovers Hypatios is far more than just his sworn enemy. 

Character Spotlight Tour for Breaking Sky

Meet the Elite Teen Fighter Pilots of the United Star Academy

Full Name: GARRET POWERS

Call Sign: RIOT

Position: RIO (radar intercept officer)

Height: 6’1

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Blue

Age: 18

Originally from: St. Paul, Minnesota

Plane name and description:PEGASUS, Streaker Jet Prototype 2

Years in the service: 4

Personality strengths: Good kisser, and that’s about it

Personality weaknesses: Punching mirrors, loudmouth

A Teaser:

“Nyx!” Riot bounded through the rec room. He leaped over the rope and wrapped Chase in a crush of a hug.

“I went to your room to catch you. Pippin said you were in Kale’s office.” His face pressed to hers in a way that made her want to pull away, but she gave him a quick squeeze instead.

“We thought you guys were going to die,” he said. “Didn’t we, Sylph?”

Chase let go. “Not even close,” she lied.

Riot was the tallest in their class but on the thin side for flight crew. He had an annoying habit of putting his chin on the top of her head, and yet he was quirky cute with kissable, full lips. “We tried to fly back out to you, but—”

Sylph elbowed him out of the way. “Keep it in your pants, Riot.”

***

Breaking Sky

Sourcebooks Fire

March 2015 ● ISBN: 9781492601418

Hardcover/$16.99 ● Ages 14+

Fly to the last drop of fuel. Fight to the last drop of blood.

Showoff. Reckless. Maverick. Chase Harcourt, call sign “Nyx”, isn’t one to play it safe. In the year 2048, America is locked in a cold war – and the country’s best hope is the elite teen fighter pilots of the United Star Academy. Chase is one of only two daredevil pilots chosen to fly an experimental “Streaker” jet. But few know the pain and loneliness of her past. All anyone cares about is that Chase aces the upcoming Streaker trials, proving the prototype jet can knock the enemy out of the sky.

But as the world tilts toward war, Chase cracks open a military secret. There’s a third Streaker, whose young hotshot pilot, Tristan, can match her on the ground and in the clouds. And Chase doesn’t play well with others. But to save her country, she may just have to put her life in the hands of the competition.

CORI MCCARTHY studied poetry and screenwriting before falling in love with writing for teens at Vermont College of Fine Arts. From a military family, Cori was born on Guam and lived a little bit of everywhere before she landed in Michigan. Learn more about her books at CoriMcCarthy.com.

Praise for Breaking Sky:

“Strong characterizations, action, adventure, and emotion combine to produce a sci-fi novel that is more than just the sum of its parts.” —School Library Journal STARRED Review

“Smart, exciting, confident—and quite possibly the next Big Thing.” —Kirkus Reviews

“McCarthy deploys breath-stopping depictions of high-stakes piloting with enviable ease, and the in-your-face personal confrontations are nearly as taut.” —Publishers Weekly

Buy Links:

Great Lakes Book & Supply – Cori McCarthy’s Local Indie! Pre-order here and receive a personalized signed copy.

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