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Title: Warriors Gone Wild Anthology Author: Tina Gerow, Linda Wisdom, Dakota Cassidy, Brit Blaise Publisher: Triskelion Publishing Genre: Contemporary, Mythological, Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Paranormal Publication date: August 2006 ISBN: 1-60186-010-2 Pages: 163 Series:  Knights of the Magic Realm   Heat Level:     Rating:  There are four and a half lips here, but when I copied the half dropped off…4 !/2 lips

Fantasy Quest by Tina Gerow

Astiria Petrey needs a vacation and when the opportunity for a free one pops up, she takes advantage of the opportunity.  Fantasy Quest is a beautiful Caribbean resort where the oddest things keep on happening such as room service arriving with exactly what it is she wants to eat without her ever ordering it.  It’s enough to make a girl wonder if she’s losing her mind.  As a self-proclaimed computer geek, she’s more than happy to play video games while a storm brews outside. 

Lord Lerik is a strong and powerful master warrior that lives in Verrath, an alternate universe to Earth.  He’s been waiting for the mate that the Seer foretold would arrive when the time was right.  

Tina Gerow is an absolutely delightful author.  If you’ve read either book in her Maiden series, you’re in for an immediate chuckle as soon as you start Fantasy Quest.  I was completely captivated by the characters in Fantasy Quest and amazed by Ms. Gerow’s creativity.  Astiria’s insecurities and Lerik’s ability to alleviate them brought balance to their relationship.    

Guarding the Hellion by Linda Wisdom

Brad Hayes is hired by Shar, the Lord of the Underworld to keep an eye on his baby sister, Raven.  Raven is not to know he’s there to protect her while she’s on vacation. 

Raven convinces her half-brother, Shar, to let her go on vacation.  Shar doesn’t know that her main purpose is to spend the time trying to come up with a way to have to return Below. 

Guarding the Hellion is a lighthearted romp with several serious moments.  It’s a nice balance and both Brad and Raven are likeable characters.  Their private thoughts and interactions were entertaining.  Their chemistry was hot and exciting.  I enjoyed reading Guarding the Hellion.  

Mac To the Future by Dakota Cassidy

Jaynie Renfro is the Editor-In-Chief of That’s Amore’, a magazine owned by her mother.  She hosts the annual cover model contests yet is not impressed by man-girl vying for the coveted role. 

Cormac of Anglesey, or Mac, is from the year 1450 and is on a quest to find his magic sword. 

Mac To the Future is fantastic.  Jaynie’s interaction with the cover models was hilarious and her inner ramblings pure entertainment.  Mac is truly a sexy man with a rapier wit and his bantering with his sword is absolutely delightful.  Dakota Cassidy really “owned” these characters and made sure that they lived up to their potential.  I wish this had been a full-length story, as I didn’t want it to end!

Time Thieves by Brit Blaise

Colonel Daken Parker is a Borka, and head of Shadow Team Ten.  He’s been sent with his team to catch Korin, individuals that wreak havoc throughout time and space.  When a security guard attempts to stop his team, they try to erase her memory and when they fail, are forced to take her with them. 

When Jenny Bender came upon five men breaking into a storage unit, she didn’t know it would save her life by altering the future.  When one series of events leads to another, she offers her assistance and her loyalty to these men and their quest to save the future.

Brit Blaise is a master storyteller.  The characters in Time Thieves jump off the pages and the storyline is both action packed and exciting.  The love scenes are so hot you’ll be challenged to catch your breath.  I hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful new series because I would love to hear Peck’s tale.  Or Lawzard’s.  Or….

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Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I bought bags of candy to give away and have loaded up on decorations to put out to spook the neighborhood kids. Todd is enjoying the candy I bought. I’m scared to go see how much he has swiped. The dude has a wicked sweet tooth.

How about a Halloween Contest and you can win a download of Eye of the Storm. How do you enter? Click on the link below and solve the puzzle and you will find out how to enter.

http://www.jigzone.com/z.php?i=56127625971

So what do you do on your sundays? I take the day to mess about the net. Want to see the things I find to entertain myself?

Make sure you turn up the sound to scope out the viking kitties - http://www.public.asu.edu/~mharp/viking_kittens/VikingKitten.htm

http://games.yahoo.com/games/texttwist.html - I love playing Text twist

http://www.mondominishows.com/ - I especially love Thugs on Film

When I want to see what happening in the writing world I check out the following blogs:

http://www.misssnark.com/ - Miss Snark is an agent undercover. She answers tons of questions about writing.

http://www.mayareynoldswriter.blogspot.com/ A writing friend always has info about the industry.

http://alg.livejournal.com/ - The Senior Editor at Tor’s blog. It’s intersting to see into the lives of an editor.Especially one addicted to pistachio muffins
Places with helpful info for writers:

If you want to know about an agent you can always check their status at

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm

If you are wondering what type of advances the different publishing houses give authors, there is a list at - http://www.karenafox.com/money.htm

If you are a historical writer there is a big online writing contest going on over at avon fan lit site - http://avon.fanlit.com/index.htm?cid=00000020

And last but not least some author blogs I visit just to see what they are up to:

http://katiemacalister.livejournal.com/ - I admit it I go to Katie Macalisters blog to see what new hot dude photo she has up
http://lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/ - Latest interesting news, Lucy Monroe just sold a historical to Samhain Publishing.

That’s how I spend my Sundays. Messing about the net, reading a book from my huge To be read pile and generally goofing off.

Hope you find a link above to entertain you this Sunday. I am off to get another cup of coffee. Did I mention I am a coffee addict
Samantha Storm - http://www.samanthastorm.com/
Eye of the Storm - Available Now!  http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/eyeofthestorm.htm
Murder, Mayhem & Mistletoe - coming Dec. ‘06 NCP

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Four Fallen Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews

Knights of the Magical Realm: Warriors Gone Wild
In Knights of the Magical Realm: Warriors Gone Wild be prepared for action, adventure, lots of laughter, and plenty of heat.

Tina Gerow starts off the anthology with Fantasy Quest.

Astiria Petrey is on vacation at Fantasy Quest; however, the beauty of the beaches and sunsets seem lacking. The only man who appeals to her is within the confines of the resort’s online game. What happens when she finds herself standing next to her dream man?

Tina Gerow always delights with her ability to blend humor and romance. With unusual situations and witty dialogue, I found myself smiling throughout. The connection between Astiria and Lerik is passionate and romantic. What I especially enjoyed is how Ms. Gerow crafted an ending that captures Astiria’s personality to a “t”.

Linda Wisdom continues with her own type of warrior in Guarding the Hellion.

Brady Hayes owes a very powerful demon a favor. Fortunately, all that is asked of him is to guard said demon’s sister while she is on vacation in the human realm. Of course Brady is expecting someone hideous, not the vivacious and alluring Raven. The ideas running through his mind have nothing to do with protection.

Guarding the Hellion is a fun story. Raven is nothing like readers or Brady expects and thus begins the excitement. The instant chemistry between them delivers some wonderful scenes. Raven’s secret intent brings conflict and tests the bounds of their feelings, but also makes this a unique romance. The story flows well from start to finish with the ending being especially touching.

Mac To the Future by Dakota Cassidy is next and it continues the trend of sexy warriors.

Mac is not from our time and he is especially not your average cover model contestant. This warrior is on a mission and it does not include discovering the best hair gel and sleeping with a Prima Donna author. However, his quest is interrupted by lovely coordinator, Jaynie Renfro. Can this time traveling hero finish his mission and have the girl too?

Dakota Cassidy delivers plenty of raw wit and comical dialogue. Jaynie’s dilemma is enough to have any woman rolling their eyes and laughing at the antics of her charges. Mac is a wonderful counterpart to this often too serious woman. He brings her laughter and passion that are wonderful to experience. These two combine to create an unlikely, but well-matched couple.

Brit Blaise rounds out this anthology with her engaging story, Time Thieves.

Daken is on what should be his last mission. He and his team are supposed to stop the latest round of time thieves and return home. Only their mission hits a snag in the form of Jenny Bender. This twentieth-century cop can’t believe the bevy of sexy men before her; even more unbelievable is that she is stuck with them as they embark on a fantastic assignment. What’s a girl to do?

Time Thieves is an action packed story that brings this anthology to a wonderful close. I was impressed with the level of character development and storyline details Brit Blaise conveys in this short story. Not only are Daken and Jenny fun to get to know, but the additional characters have this reader hoping we will be seeing more of them.

Knights of the Magical Realm: Warriors Gone Wild is winning combination. The four distinct stories combine to create a composite piece of work well worth reading.

Reviewed by: Amanda
  http://britblaise.com/blog/?p=22

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Well, Antoinette, you’ve just convinced me to take the plunge.  I was hesitant to post any excerpts of my books because I’m not yet published, but here goes.  This is from a contemporary romance that I wrote years ago.  I really enjoyed writing this.
 
     Suddenly, the door opened.  Stumbling back, Clarisse just missed being hit by inches.  Jennifer slipped into the room and closed the door behind her.
     “Did he leave?” Clarisse asked.
     “No, he’s still out there–no doubt pacing the floor and wanting to wring my neck.  I don’t think he likes me anymore.” 
     “And I wonder why?  It sounded like you were yelling at him from the top of your lungs.”
     Jennifer’s lips twisted into a wry grimace.  “Yes, well, I did manage to convince him to take you to California.  Though, I think I should’ve let him walk out of here.”
     The frown puckering Jennifer’s brow rattled Clarisse’s nerves even further.  “Why?”
     “I’m sorry, Clarisse.  When I heard John was going to San Diego I thought it a perfect opportunity for the two of you to get together.  I’d always thought you were meant for each other.  We were all shocked when everyone heard you’d broken up–”
     “Jennifer, get to the point.  What are you trying to tell me?”  Clarisse didn’t like the anxiety in her friend’s hazel eyes.
     “His girlfriend’s in the car.”  When Clarisse didn’t immediately answer, Jennifer frowned in concern.   “Didn’t you hear?  He’s got his girlfriend with him.  He never mentioned someone else coming along–never mind a woman!  You’ve got to believe me.  I would never have set it up if I’d known.”
     “I heard.”  Clarisse shoved down her panic and gave Jennifer a wobbly smile.  She was beyond shock.  “I really have no option now, do I?  I need to get to my sister’s wedding on the fourteenth.”
     She’d been a model once.  The occupation had required some form of acting.  Today and for the next several days, she would have to use that ability to show John that she was over him.  And maybe, if she pretended long enough, she would convince herself that he didn’t have the power to hurt her.
     With shaking fingers, Clarisse feathered her hair back from her face.  Then she tossed the cane on Jennifer’s bed and brushed the creases from her pants.   “But I’ll be damned if he’ll see me as an invalid.”
     “Are you crazy!”  Jennifer’s hand came up and rested against the wall between them, barring Clarisse’s path to the door.  “You can’t go out there without your cane!”
     “Just watch me.”  She waited, meeting Jennifer’s determined gaze.
     Jennifer backed down first.  She pulled away from the wall and muttered, “God, you can be so stubborn.”
     “Don’t worry.  I’m not that crazy.  Believe it or not, I can live without the cane.  It’s just that I’ve become so used to it that I’m having a hard time putting it aside.”  Clarisse gave her a cocky smile, though inside, she felt far from confident.  Her knee still hadn’t completely healed from this last surgery, and acting as if nothing was wrong for the next couple of days might drastically delay her recovery.
     Straightening her shoulders, Clarisse inhaled deeply and opened the bedroom door.  She stepped across the threshold, then stopped.  John stood in the center of room.  He appeared taller, bigger than she remembered, dwarfing the small living area and furniture within it. 
     Clearing her throat, she murmured, “Hi, John.” 
 
Carol
 
www.carolwebb.net
 
 
 

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Hello everyone. I hope you’ve had a nice Wednesday.  Isn’t the weather lovely?  I had my windows open all morning while I played,er,worked and the breeze felt so good.  It’s days like this that remind me why I live in AZ.  And my neighbor was baking pumpkin bread. The smell drifted in through my open window making it really feel like fall. October is my favorite month.  

I mentioned earlier that I write paranormal romance. Several of you have asked that I post a sample of my writing. I thought today would be a good day to let you read a bit of what I’m working on.  I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Call Down The Darkness.

     The animal’s eyes glittered in the moonlight.  Taylor said a silent prayer that Joey and Ava had made it to the edge of the buildings by now.  His fourth step brought his right foot down on a grouping of loose rocks that had broken from a large boulder.

     The instant he stepped on them, a strange warrior-like cunning filled his body.  He smiled grimly and slowly bent.  Whatever happened next, at least he wouldn’t be defenseless.

   The mountain lion blinked, surprised by the demeanor change in its opponent.  The animal shifted slightly, then took a step backward.

     Encouraged by the lion’s hesitation, Taylor stood and brought up a jagged rock about the size of a large wrench.  “Make up your mind,cat.”  He slid the rock so the majority of it lay balanced in his hand like a weapon.  Reassured somewhat by the feel of the rock, Taylor spread his feet so his weight was evenly distributed.  “What’s it gonna be?  Attack or not?”

   The animal screamed and crouched low as if understanding the challenge.  In the moonlight, Taylor could see the powerful shoulder muscles ripple and bunch.

     Strangely calm, Taylor waited for the animal to make its move.  When the mountain lion shifted again, he smiled.  “Come on, cat.  I might not win this fight, but I sure as hell am not gonna go down easy.”

     Suddenly, from behind him, a sound floated into the valley.  Taylor blinked.  It was the howl of a wolf.  “What the hell? First a cat. Now a wolf? I thought both these animals weren’t around here anymore.”  Cautiously, while trying to keep the cat in sight, Taylor looked back over his shoulder.  From the tree line, a grey mist floated into view.

     The wolf called again, louder this time, and the mist responded by moving faster, heading straight toward Taylor.

     Seeing it come, Taylor swallowed and took a half-step backward.  He sensed that the two bizarre events advanced together, much like a bugle call and a soldier would do at the onslaught of a crucial battle.  Taylor tightened his grip on the rock and glanced back at the lion.  The animal appeared to tense as well.

     Either way, Taylor knew he was screwed.  There was nowhere to run.

     In less than a heartbeat, the greyish mist reached Taylor and wrapped itself around him.  As it rose up his body, the mist wavered, throbbed, then thickened with some sort of power or life.

     From afar, the wolf howled again.  Taylor sensed a tremendous surge of anger and revenge wash over him, almost as if the mist now claimed control of his body.

     The muscles in his upper arms moved, stretched, then tightened with a strength he’d never felt before.  His fingers curled around the rock with a vise-like grip.

     In his mind’s eye, he pictured himself with long black hair and a skin color darker than his own, almost sun-baked.  His nose broadened and felt heavier.  His blue eyes turned to the color of black coal.  Even the lines around his mouth sharpened and his lips straightened and thinned.

     As if controlled by another’s will, his right arm lifted the rock to the side of his head.  His choice of weapon no longer felt awkward or unnatural.  To him, it had become a razor-sharp dagger, familiar and deadly.  From the back of his throat, an unfamiliar word rolled upward and left his mouth.  “Eeeeewaaaah!”

     Instinctively Taylor knew it was a battle cry.  It reverberated across the meadow directly toward the cat.

     The mountain lion snarled in response, yet, for the first time since the cat appeared, Taylor sensed a fear within the animal.  It’s tail twitched violently, but it remained crouched in one place.

     More words left Taylor’s mouth.  This time the mountain lion backed away, nearer to the meadow’s edge.

     Seeing it move, Taylor’s hand tightened on his weapon as if controlled by another.  Invisible strings controlled his legs as well.  Taylor stepped closer to the lion, ready to follow it into hell.  Saliva rose in the back of his mouth and he swallowed hard.  Whatever had taken over his mind and body apparently wanted desperately to do battle with the animal.

     Once again he moved toward the cat.  He inhaled deeply and released a loud “Haaaaooooh.”  Though the cry left his mouth gargled-like and unintelligible, Taylor had no trouble deciphering the meaning.  It was a challenge of death to either the mountain lion or to himself.  

Antoinette Villa

Butterscotch Martini Girl

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