I feel like the last month has FLOWN by, and the idea that we’re only a week away from seeing everyone for the 5th annual Coastal Magic is a bit mind boggling! It’s awesome, and also I&…
Source: Coastal Magic Convention 2017… One Week Away!! (AAAHHHHHH!!!)
Copyright: mikhaylovaelen / 123RF Stock Photo
Our special guests joining us today for coffee and crafts by the beach is not one but two “Featured Authors” for the upcoming Coastal Magic Convention, B.A. Tortuga and Julia Talbot.
B.A. and Julia are here to share their latest books with us and their part in the special craft project Kiernan started last week to raffle off at Coastal Magic for charity. So hang around to see what they’ve been up too.
B.A. Tortuga is texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head
Connect with B.A. Tortuga:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Instagram
Check out her websites.
Rednecks and Romance | Rednecks and Romance Blog
Find B.A.’s Books on:
You can also find B.A. and Julia on the Evil Plot Bunny website.
Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia has been published by Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, Resplendence (as Minerva Howe), Changeling Press, and Samhain. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe.
Connect with Julia Talbot:
Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Goodreads
Check out her website.
Find Julia’s Books on:
You still have a chance to join B.A., Julia, and more awesome authors as well as some of your fellow readers for beachside bookish fun! Single Day and Combo Registrations are now available, but are limited! Choose the day (or days) that work best for you! We’d love to see you by the beach!!
B.A. & Julia shows us their contributions in the shared project they and fellow Club Raven author, Kiernan Kelly created to be raffled off for charity at Coastal Magic this February.
In case you missed Kiernan‘s video. You can view it here
Patrick’s loss is Remy’s gain.
After his twin dies in battle, it’s Patrick Daniels’ duty to marry his brother’s fiancée. Too bad he can’t make himself do it, and in his distress, he manifests a psychic talent that’s stronger than the tornadoes in his native East Texas. Then a mysterious man from a place called Club Raven steps in and sweeps Patrick off to the booming East Coast city of Baltimore.
Club Raven veteran Remy Blanchard sees Patrick and knows, even though Patrick is very ill, that this is the challenge he’s been waiting for. He nurses Patrick back to health, and begins to teach Patrick to control his talent. His methods might be unconventional, and Patrick might be new to the kinds of sexual games Remy knows best, but the two of them find something in each other that might be just as magical as the gentleman’s club where they meet.
The sheets were drenched, the world a violent place filled with tremors and waves of agony. Patrick twisted, trying to drive himself up, away from the sea of bites that covered his skin. He groaned when skeletal hands reached up from the depths to pull him back down. No. He wouldn’t go back.
Bébé. Bébé, you are a fighter, aren’t you? So strong.” The voice was soft, melodic, welcome. It had a lilt to it that pleased him, soothed him.
“Sing to me?” That voice could draw him up.
“Oh, bébé. I haven’t been asked that in a long, long time.”
“Please.” He couldn’t see the face that went with the voice but he knew it. Hot golden brown eyes, a strong jaw, wicked mouth. Hair like a raven’s wing. It made promises of things that were simply phantasms, but the sounds… Oh. The voice began to sing, a simple French lullaby, but so sweet. His tortured brain held onto the song, the melody a salve.
The grasping, bony hands clawing at him withdrew, and a kinder, warmer pair of hands began stroking his skin with a cool, wet cloth.
“It will be better soon, bébé. Mark my words.”
“They’re trying to drown me. I won’t let them.” Not when he could stay here. “Don’t stop.”
“You are safe from drowning, mark my words.”
“Am I?” He laughed, but the sound was dry as dust.
“I swear to you, by all I hold holy.”
Patrick opened his eyes, relieved to see the face matched his memory, blurry as it was. “You’re Mister Remy.”
“Very good.”
“I don’t feel well. I feel awful and guilty somehow.” He felt as if he’d gone and done something wicked and evil.
“Guilt is not for men like us, bébé. Let it be gone and you will feel better.” Remy stroked the cool cloth over his burning skin again.
“Is it so easy?”
“No, but then again, it doesn’t need to be difficult, either.” The cloth disappeared, and Remy held a glass of water to his lips. “If you practice, it becomes easier.”
The cool water eased him, splashed deep in his belly. He breathed deep for the first time since he’d awakened. “Better.”
“It is.”
The cloths were changed, the cool rags making him gasp. He clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to adjust.
“I know, bébé. I went through just this before I left San Francisco. Unlike you, I did it to myself, no?”
“Why? Why would you?”
“I was feeling guilt. You see? Totally useless emotion.”
“Indeed. Guilt is…” He had so many reasons for it—Henry, Caroline, his father’s eternal disappointment.
“We’ll work on it together. After you heal.”
“Soon? How long can this linger?”
“Not long.” Remy smiled, one hand resting on Patrick’s chest. “Not as strong as you are.”
A tingle made his muscles twitch and he pulled away from the wicked thoughts the dark hand on his chest drew forth.
“Did I hurt?” Remy asked, concern clear.
“No. No.” No, that was a comfort, down deeper than skin.
“Ah, good.” Remy began to hum again, that voice smoothing over every rough nerve.
The peace made him blink, made his eyelids heavy. All he did now was sleep and dream, but he was so tired. Remy was there watching over him.
“Be at ease, bébé.”
You help.” The words popped out, and he tried not to worry about saying them.
“Good. I want to, hmm?”
“Thank you.” He blinked again and again, but couldn’t focus, so he finally let his lashes fall since they were so heavy.
“Easy. Easy, bébé. Breathe.”
“Stay with me.” He shouldn’t ask, but he did. He needed Remy with him.
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Andrew is out to debunk Max as a medium, not make love to him…
Max Bellame is working his way through 1870s Baltimore as a medium, even if he knows nothing about spirits. He uses the power of his mind to move objects, convincing his clients he’s the real thing. He’s making a living, but sooner or later he always has to move on. Something always happens. Usually a disaster.
Andrew Meechum works for Club Raven, a gentleman’s club that doubles as a paranormal research facility. He sets out to debunk Max, only to be fascinated by the man. Can Andrew convince Max to take a chance on love, and to find his true calling as a medium, or will their personal demons force them apart?
The low gaslight in the creaky old parlor cast the perfect glow on the round table, lending atmosphere to the cheap crimson cloth Max had draped over it. A candle or two would complete the look, but he wouldn’t light them until immediately before the family assembled in the room.
He surveyed the seating. Seven chairs.
Max blinked, then frowned. He’d been told five family members and himself. Where had the extra chair come from and why?
He ducked back across the hall into the men’s parlor, where he’d asked the family to allow him to be alone to prepare for the séance. Max took a deep breath, rubbing his fingertips over his watch chain, which hung across his waistcoat. Changing the plan was against the rules. The Marsten family should know that. He’d been incredibly clear. After another inhalation, he knelt beside the large carpet bag holding all his tricks and pulled out a piece of white cheesecloth and a small glass orb. Those would serve as his floating spirit. The glass orb would be far more mysterious than the rubber balls some of his contemporaries used. He needed these and a picture of the deceased.
Many men had tried to debunk the Mesmerizing Maximillian and failed. That was because, while he might not be able to talk to the dead, Max didn’t have to resort to wires and dressed up actors for his tricks. He rubbed his fingers against his thumb, feeling his calluses slide together. Then he stopped, glaring at his hand. No tells. No nervous habits. Get this over with, get the other half of his payment, and move on.
Closing his eyes, he rubbed his hands on his pants, then nodded sharply. Time to set up. Max grabbed some tallow candles scented with a tiny bit of sage, the orb and cloth, and a few other tricks from his bag.
Thank God the parlor was still empty. The family waited in the dining room for his signal, sipping port or brandy in an effort to steel their nerves, no doubt. Contacting a dead relation always gave people pause, and for good reason. Inviting such things into your home, finding out information you didn’t want to know, was always a risk. Even with a charlatan like him, there was a chance of summoning something real. When that happened, if it did, his only backup plan was to run.
He thought of what had happened in Philadelphia and shuddered.
Max couldn’t think of that now. Candles, drunkards’ matches, the orb hidden behind the biggest chair. He placed a few atmospheric touches about, then lowered the gas lamps in the chamber.
Time to go get the family. He needed to lead them in, sort them out so they sat where he needed them to.
He strode to the dining room and knocked on the door, which swung open easily. Clearly the portal was meant to allow servants easy access with trays. This had been a proud house once, beautiful. Now it was run down and sad.
“I’m ready, Mr. Marsten,” Max murmured in a low, respectful tone.
“Thank you.” The gentleman of the house rose, his moustache twitching with distaste. Clearly he was indulging his wife with this séance; the lady in question still wore deep mourning rather than the gray and lavender sported by the other family members, so even though the death had been some time ago, she was unwilling to let go.
A man Max hadn’t met rose from the table with the daughter and two spinster aunts. Tall, broad through the shoulders, he had the carriage of a soldier, not a bit of slouch about him. He held his hat in his hand, and his hair, cut too short for fashion, shone bright gold under the gas lamps. His handsome face creased in a smile, lines crinkling up beside his blue eyes and his mouth.
“I hope you don’t mind that Miss Marsten invited me to attend,” the fellow said. “Andrew Meechum, at your service.”
“Maximilian.” He nodded curtly, noting that Mr. Meechum didn’t specify which Miss Marsten had asked him along. Both spinster aunts and the daughter went by that designation, so the ruse was a clever one, since all three ladies wiggled and fluttered when Meechum said the name. “I wish I had been informed ahead, but no matter if you come with an open mind.” Max gave a strained smile.
“I do.” Meechum spread his hands, apparently trying to look harmless. He managed about as well as a fox in the henhouse. “I am entirely at your disposal.”
“Mmm.” Max turned on his heel and left the room, the ladies preceding the gents as they all trooped over to the parlor. He stopped to light matches, touching them to the candlewicks. One of the spinsters, he could remember neither name, lowered the gas lamps even more, and the atmosphere changed immediately.
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Thanks for sharing with us B.A. and Julia. I look forward to seeing you both in Daytona.
Thanks to everyone who joined us today. I always want to know what you think.
What do you do with the swag you get from conventions and book signings? Have you ever used them in a craft? We’re going to be playing “Swag Bingo” or something of that nature at the convention next weekend. Sounds like fun. I’ll be sure to tell you about everything after I return.
Please feel free to leave a comment and a picture of anything you’ve made with some of your author swag.
Copyright: mikhaylovaelen / 123RF Stock Photo
Our special guest joining us today for coffee and crafts by the beach is another “Featured Author” for the upcoming Coastal Magic Convention, Kiernan Kelly. I’m so excited she accepted my invitation to join us today.
Kiernan’s a very gifted author and crafter and has come up with a very special craft project to share with us later.
Kiernan Kelly lives in Florida among the alligators and palmetto bugs with her husband and a Shar Pei-Labrador puppy who thinks she’s a person (the dog, not Kiernan. Kiernan knows she’s a person. At least, she is after she’s had her daily dose of caffeine).
Kiernan spends most of her time writing gay erotic romance while chained to a computer in the dark recesses of her office, which her children have dubbed, “The Gay Cave.”
Her stories of gay romance envelop diverse themes, varying from paranormal to fantasy, and science fiction to contemporary romance, with thirteen novels currently in print and ebook, and over sixty shorter works available in both mediums. She has published with a variety of houses, including Torquere Press, Dreamspinner Press, MLR Press, Loose-Id, Starbooks Press, Cleis Press, and Circlet. Her horror short story release, “Cletus,” appears in the Coscom Publishing’s book “Bits of the Dead.”
Connect with Kiernan:
Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Goodreads
Check out her website.
Find Kiernan’s Books on:
You can also find Kiernan on the brand spanking new Evil Plot Bunny website. Today is it’s debut so be sure to go by and check it out.
Kiernan shows us her contribution in the three-person project she and fellow Club Raven authors, BA Tortuga and Julia Talbot are creating to be raffled off for charity at Coastal Magic this February.
Summary:
Tony Brazzio, co-owner of Club Raven, Baltimore’s premiere men’s club in 1875, has a pocketful of cash and a chip on his shoulder. He’s out to prove to his co-owners — and himself — that he’s not a fluke, that anyone can be successful give the opportunity, no matter how poor his beginnings.
Bull O’Brian and Dandy Gilroy are two hoodlums from the rough streets of New York’s Five Points. They’re pickpockets by trade, and both possess psychic talents that make them two of the best. When Tony offers to bring them to Baltimore and give them the chance at a life of riches in polite society, they jump at the chance, if only to steal the members of Club Raven blind.
The best of plans rarely work the way they’re intended, and things swiftly go from bad to worse for Dandy and Bull. There’s murder afoot and a detective on their trail, and not even copious amounts of hot, sweaty sex can ease their fear or guilt.
As for Tony, he’s faced with admitting his experiment is a failure, something he’s loathe to do. It’ll take a great deal of persuasion, a little luck, and a lot of lube to make sure his plans for Dandy and Bull become more than just wishful thinking.
Excerpt:
Tony sat on a stool in Club Raven’s huge kitchen. A plate piled high with fragrant spaghetti Bolognese sat in front of him, accompanied by another dish holding an array of meatballs, sausage, and braciole. He held a tiny saucer full of grated cheese, and drizzled some over the top of the spaghetti with a delicate silver spoon.“Mama, it smells delicious.”
A very round woman hovered nearby. She wore a black silk faile mourning dress, and a long white apron. Her only jewelry was a simple gold wedding ring, a broach fashioned from human hair that was pinned to her ample bosom, and a pair of black rosary beads she kept in her apron pocket. Her gray-streaked black hair was neatly braided and pinned into a coronet encircling her head. She flicked her fingers impatiently toward his plate. “Si, si. Mangiare.”
Tony chuckled. “Si, si. I’m eating, Mama. You’re going to make me fat.” He twirled his fork in the pasta and lifted it to his mouth. His eyes closed in near ecstasy at his first taste. Nobody cooked like his mama. It was why he brought her to Club Raven as his private chef. She had a nice little apartment behind the kitchen. This way he could see to her needs, and didn’t have to worry about her living in Five Points, but she could still feel useful.
“Perché hai portatoquei due ragazzi irlandesi qui?” She made the forked sign of protection with her fingers. “Sono problemi.”
“I know the two Irish boys are trouble.” He smiled at her, then speared a piece of sausage on his fork. “I need to make them respectable. Rispettabile, you understand?”
“Stai andando a mettere se stessi in difficoltà, Antonio.”
“I won’t get myself in trouble, Mama. I told you—I’m one of the owners in this place.” He shook his head. Mama just couldn’t believe that her son, poor little Anthony Brazzio from Five Points, could co-own a magnificent building like Club Raven. It was as if Mama spent her days with one eye always looking for the trouble she was sure was coming. “I admit, though, I’m wondering if maybe I made a mistake bringing them here. They’re up to something, I can feel it.”
You can also get it from the Evil Plot Bunny website which offers a variety of book formats.
Thanks for joining us today, Kiernan. I look forward to seeing you in Daytona come February.
For those that can’t make the convention, you can still join in the fun by joining our 2017 Featured Authors Reading Challenge. It’s open to everyone.
Thanks to everyone who joined us today. I always want to know what you think.
What do you do with the swag you get from conventions and book signings? Have you ever used them in a craft? Please feel free to leave a comment and a picture of anything you’ve made with some of your author swag.
.
2017 Schedule * Schedule is subject to change based on cancellation and/or other circumstances. Please refer back for any possible adjustments.* Thursday, Feb 2nd 4:00pm – 10:00pm Check-in / Welco…
Source: Schedule
The Schedule of the Coastal Magic Convention 2017 is up, and packed full of goodies! I’m counting the days. No really. Look on the right sidebar, there is a countdown. 👉🗓
Basic Timeline Of Events * Please check back this fall for our complete 2017 Coastal Magic Convention schedule * Thursday, Feb 2nd 4pm – Registration CheckIn and Bag Pickup begins (you will …
Source: Schedule
A BOY NAMED PAUL I knew a boy by the name of Paul, He went away late Summer or Fall. When he was little he played In the snow, These things I remember long ago. I think of the smile he had on his f…
Source: A BOY NAMED PAUL
Title: AWKwaRd, Victoria
Author: Emme Burton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Synopsis
Merde!
That’s exactly what Max Devereux’s former life was-pure crap.
He’s re-invented himself. Now he’s the Premier Danseur and Choreographer at the hottest ballet company in Chicago.
He’s also a premier player. All the dancers know it.
Moving from girl to girl. Bed to bed. No one has ever compelled him to be faithful.
No one has ever felt like home.
His stunning boss and artistic director, Mariette Gallant, bets him he’ll be in love in three months.
The prize if he doesn’t?
A night with Mariette. Max takes the bet-eagerly. This will be an easy win.
Enter Awkward.
Victoria Awkward.
The gorgeous, strawberry blonde ballerina with the unfortunate last name.
She is ANYTHING but Awkward and she can dance and charm as well as he can.
The best way to motivate Max to do something is to forbid him.
Mariette has put Miss Awkward off limits.
All bets are off.
Purchase your copy today!
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | IBooks | KOBO
Excerpt
The alarm on Victoria’s cell phone goes off. She’s set it to go off every night at eleven forty-five so she can get home by midnight. Tonight when it sounds, she groans and drops her head to my chest in frustration.
I lift her head with both hands and bring her gaze to mine. “I know you have to go, but before you do, one more lesson from the teacher.” I run a thumb across her soft, full lips and then lower my head to allow my lips to take its place. The kiss is soft and lingering, and just as I believe it to be ending, my awkward girl surprises me and opens her lips ever so slightly to allow me to taste her sweet mouth and tongue fully. She steps back even as she kisses me more.
“Mmm.” She breaks our kiss. “I don’t want to go, but I have to.”
“I understand.” I turn her toward her dance bag and give her a little nudge. The last thing I want to do is have her mother get upset and refuse to let her out at night to rehearse, or worse, tell Mariette.
She slings her bag over her shoulder and blows me a kiss.
I catch it. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, tomorrow. No boxing tonight.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Awkward. I have no desire to box tonight.”
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Fantabulously fun read. Which is surprising, since by the end of the first chapter I was thinking, “What the heck! This guy’s a total jerk! I agreed to review this, Why?” But I had promised to review the book. And I believe in sticking with it, and seeing a book through. Luckily in this case, I was rewarded. Without the author showing us what a total smuck Max Devereaux is. We wouldn’t be able to appreciate how much he has to grow to become worthy of winning the prize. As to what that prize is, you’ll have to read the book to find out what the true prize is.
Even though I couldn’t stand the hero at first, I was pulled in and held captive by the writing itself. As I shook my head over Max’s caveman like behavior, I eagerly kept turning the pages, waiting eagerly to see how Victoria Awkward would reactive to his antics, and what hoops she would make him crawl through to gain her attention and affection.
All in all. I came to love the main characters, and enjoyed reading about Max’s journey down the road of love. There are a few surprises, that give the story a nice twist as well.
I definitely recommend this book to contemporary romance and dance readers and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
About The Author
Emme Burton is the author of the bestselling Romantic Comedy/New Adult Novel, SNACK, the Better Than Series: BETTER THAN ME (Book 1), FIX IT FOR US (Book 2), and STILL INTO YOU (Book 3) and an author in the #1 bestselling anthology, HOOK & LADDER 69. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her amazing husband and sons, and her “fur boy.” Emme has never, ever been lost in a mall either as a child or an adult. Her mother, and now her family, have always known where to find her. At the bookstore.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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