Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Someone To Come Home To by Zanne Sweeney [Book Blitz & Excerpt]








SYNOPSIS:

A romance novel packed with suspense and intrigue. Placed into Witness Protection, Kit Taylor, formerly Karen Sue Murphy, now a self -imposed loner, slowly pieces her shattered life back together in beautiful Steamboat Springs Colorado. Jess Ryan, a firefighter and Explosive’s Expert just back from Afghanistan, is haunted with demons of his own. When they meet the attraction is undeniably.  However, unwitting influences jeopardize their new relationship. Separate and equally dangerous undertakings lead them into perilous situations that test their courage and ultimately their love for each other.

This romantic thriller is offered in two versions. The Uncut Edition contains adult content and is intended for mature readers. The Abridged Edition is a milder in content.

EXCERPT:

As the sun slipped lower in the pristine blue sky, Kit snuggled into Jess’s warm chest. She’d worn a lightweight skirt and Jess covered her bare legs with the ends of the blankets as they cuddled and watched the glowing colors cascading across the sky. When the sun had set a sliver of natural light cast a glow on their picnic spot giving it a romantic atmosphere. Jess picked Kit up as if she were light as a feather and turned her so she was straddling his hips and they were face to face. A thick aspen tree bolstered his back. Kit placed her hands on his wide shoulders, her thumbs grazing gently along his neck. Kit was closely watching his face and Jess was studying hers, neither of them moved. 
Jess took the initiative and leaned in to taste her delicate lips. She returned the gentle kiss and softly stroked his lower lip with the tip of her tongue. Kit heard him stifle a small groan. One small, almost ticklish lick later and he opened for her, welcoming her warm tongue as it wreaked havoc on his libido. His cock fought for space, so Jess lifted Kit’s little body slightly off his lap so he could reach down and adjust himself.
Their kiss started as a sweet, exploration but exploded into a hot, wild, ‘can’t get close enough’ surge of passion. Kit ran her hands through Jess’s thick hair and suckled him with her lips. Jess played with her, nipping and stroking inside her warm mouth until moving to taste her neck. His hands were everywhere, first her hips then roaming her back, and then, hesitantly, moving to fondle her small breasts through her thin tee shirt. Her nipples were aching as they pushed outwards and Jess swept over them roughly with his thumbs sending delicious waves throughout her system. 
Jess placed his hands on her hips and encouraged her to move on him. Kit needed no further prompting as she rubbed her wet cleft up and down his thick cock, trapped and full in his jeans. The friction she was feeling on her clit, through her satiny thong and the way Jess was rubbing her breasts sent the heady whirl of a pre-orgasm racing towards her core. Kit moaned into Jess’s mouth and leaned her forehead on his as the sensation became too intense. The feeling was so foreign, so forgotten, she became timid. Jess felt her stiffen and knew she was nervous about letting go in front of him.
“Give it to me Kit, let it go baby. I want to feel it.”
Kit’s head fell back exposing her delicious neck and Jess leaned in to erotically suck on her soft skin. The massaging of her clit, his hands rubbing her breast and the gentle sucking of her neck sent her over the edge. Her back bowed and an epic orgasm crashed through her, causing her hips to buck uncontrollably. Kit moaned out Jess’s name in such a husky voice Jess almost came himself. Kit collapsed, boneless against his heaving chest. Jess held her tightly rubbing his hands up and down her back and softly kissing her hair and shoulders, anywhere he could reach without disrupting her.
Kit regained some semblance of coherent thought and sat up pressing a soft, shy kiss to his lips. “Jess... That was...it was...thank you.”
She felt the hard ridge of his jeans pressing against her damp thong and realized he was stone hard. She stuttered, unsure of how to continue. 
“You didn’t... You’re still...hard. I...”
“Kit, relax.” Jess said tenderly.  “I loved making you come. I’m hard because you are such a sensual person it’s a turn on.”
“Yes, but don’t you want to... I mean... Can I please you now?”
Jess tucked a stray hair that had fallen on her flushed cheek behind her ear.
“Not tonight baby. Tonight was all about you.”
“Sure?” She asked quietly too boneless to argue.
“Sure.” He confirmed. Then he pulled her gently into his chest, her cheek using his strong shoulder as a pillow, his cheek resting on her forehead. Jess would have loved to relieve the powerful throbbing of his cock but for some reason he knew it was more important for Kit to know she was his priority and not his sex drive. They sat content just holding each other, his dick finally softening. 




PURCHASE LINKS:

Someone To Come Home To (Uncut Edition)




Someone To Come Home To (Abridged Edition)









AUTHOR BIO:

Zanne Sweeney a graduate from Kent State University is a teacher, and coach, who loves to write stories that she hopes her readers won’t want to put down. “That’s the ultimate compliment.”

When she’s not teaching, coaching, or writing Zanne loves to spend time with her family and fun loving friends. She is a novice photographer, a consummate sports fan, and is never without a book to read.

Other Zanne Sweeney books:

Neighbors
A Chance For More (A finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Contest in the category of Romance – Sizzle)


AUTHOR LINKS:

You can reach out to Zanne on Twitter @zanneweeney and on her Facebook like page: Zanne Sweeney - Author. https://www.facebook.com/zanne.sweeney.author?ref=hl


Chapter 1

With a fake smile and a hopefully cheery voice Karen Sue thanked her neighbor for the ride home. She opened the rickety gate that separated their backyards and the familiar squeak of the rusty hinges brought forth bittersweet memories.

Years ago she and her best friend Katrina had practically worn the hinges off that white, little gate as they ran from one house to the other seeking better snacks or newer toys.  The memories still stung even though an entire decade had passed.  Katrina and her family had moved to Ohio, leaving Karen Sue to bravely face her freshman year in high school without her best friend of 13 years. 

Not too long ago Karen Sue had been filled with pride and contentment when she came home to her cozy house. Now as she crossed her weed choked lawn, a small frown tended her lips as she noted that the grass, well dandelions now, needed to be cut again.

Wearily she walked down her short driveway towards the front of her house to get the mail. She sighed somberly knowing there would be bills with ‘Urgent’ red stamps marring the white envelopes. As much as she had been denying it she knew she was going to have to sell her beloved home to dig out from the havoc Ray had created to her once good credit. She knew she could get a good price for her house that would pay off her bills and leave her enough money to restart, if…if Rays lawyers didn’t try to claim any of it.

Three young boys that Karen Sue taught at school peddled past her driveway on their bikes, waving shyly to their beautiful art teacher. Karen Sue smiled and waved back as she juggled her computer case and purse to free a hand. A large black sedan parked in front of her house with the motor running drew her attention from the boys. She could see someone sitting in the driver's seat and he appeared to be talking on a cell. Her eyes caught his when he glanced up to his rearview mirror. Karen Sue figured the man was being responsible and had pulled over to talk on the phone, she wished more people did that.

She gathered the mail from the mailbox that she had painted flowers on just three years early, when life was good. Now when she opened the brightly painted box she was stung with how drastically her life had changed. Turning back she walked up the driveway and let herself into the house through the side kitchen door. Placing the mail down on the dull Formica counter without looking at it, she settled her computer bag and oversized purse on the nearby kitchen table. Coming home was never a good thing anymore. Karen Sue pulled her arms out of her lightweight coat and hung it on the wooden hook behind the door; it was then that she heard voices, angry voices coming from the adjoining room.

 Curious and slightly alarmed she headed towards the swinging door that separated the kitchen and living room. She heard Ray say. “Leave her out of this, she doesn’t know anything.”

 As she extended her arms to push open the door she heard three sounds, like wet snowballs hitting a wall, followed by an anguished low grunt. Without warning the door slammed back inwards forcing Karen Sue’s arms back against her body. Ray fell through the swinging door his back colliding heavily with her chest. The force that had propelled Ray through the door caused them to both to keel over backwards. She landed painfully on the kitchen floor with Ray sprawled on top of her. Their prone bodies acting as a door stop holding the swinging door wide open.  The jarring Karen Sue’s body took knocked the breath from her and she fought for air. The moment became surreal as Karen Sue noticed many things at once.

Two men were in her living room; a smaller man in a dark business suit holding a gun, and standing next to him was a larger man in dress pants, a collared shirt with gold chains surrounding his beefy neck. It was clear that the smaller man had just fired the gun, although she hadn’t seen it. Realizing that a man she didn’t know, held a gun in her living room and the gun had been fired, Karen Sue vainly struggled to push up on her elbows hoping Ray would move. Gasping for breath she peered over Ray's shoulder wondering why he wasn’t getting up. It was then she noticed Ray’s shirt was blooming with crimson wet circles, two in his chest and one in his shoulder.

Karen Sue tried to maneuver out from underneath his heavyweight but the floor was slippery. Rivers of blood seeping onto her body ran off her pooling onto the floor below them. A copper smell permeated her senses as she tried to suck in air. Her face was wet and she panicked realizing it was Ray’s blood that was splattered on her skin and soaking her clothes.

Ray was not moving, at all, his deadweight hampering her ability to regain her lost breath. She heard the smaller man say, ‘shit” as he looked at her. His head tilted to one side, as if he was in thought. Karen Sue watched him hand the gun to the larger man who was also looking at her. Her mind was slush, she couldn’t think, her survival instinct was urging her to get out from underneath Ray and run. She frantically pushed against the kitchen floor but the blood coating the floor had her hands slipping frantically, like Fred Flintstone's feet when he started his car. The front door burst open, momentarily halting Karen Sue’s attempts to escape.  A large, muscle-bound younger man dressed in a black tee shirt and dress pants appeared. His eyes darted over to Karen Sue and Ray, surveying the scene he had walked in on.

He then looked to the man in the suit and said; “Boss, we gotta go, scanner says cops are on their way.” Karen Sue was silently praying, ‘Go, please, go.’

“How the fuck are they on their way?” The smarmy thin man questioned.

“Don’t know but I think a neighbor called in a suspicious vehicle.”

Karen Sue was listening to this conversation as if she was watching a TV show that she was staring in. Her shocked, small body clenched tightly to Ray as if he could somehow help her. A gooey blob of wetness slid down her cheek jolting Karen Sue back into reality. Ray had been shot and he was currently pinning her down and three men, one wielding a gun were in her living room getting ready to do God knows what. Bile caught in her throat as she swiped what she knew was a bloody piece of her husband from her face causing her to whimper in distress.

The older man took the gun back from the gold- chained gorilla like man and handed it to the new guy. “Kill her,” he said. He then turned and walked out the front door. The gorilla remained behind guarding her front door. Karen Sue knew she was the ‘her’ that was about to be killed.

Try as she might she couldn’t lift Ray off of her and the blood had caused the linoleum underneath them to become so slippery she couldn’t even scoot backwards. She could hear sirens in the distance, but she knew there was no way they would get to her in time. Her mind slipped into a hyper focused state and her body trembled with terror. Her random thoughts were crazed as she thought about the many times she had watched horror movies and had laughed at the victims who had stood shocked and unmoving just before they were slaughtered. The muscle-bound man approached her; his large frame blocked her sight from the gorilla standing at the door.

She feebly lifted one arm palms out stopping gesture and garbled out, a lame “please, don’t...” The killer raised the gun, aiming it at her and Ray. She noticed his hands were not shaking in the least and she knew that only a monster could kill someone without emotion. She had a moment of bravado and decided if this bastard was going to kill her then she was going to be looking him in the face when he did it. She saw his mouth move without speaking and she thought he mouthed the words. “Play dead,” then he squeezed the trigger. Her last conscious thought was that the bullets silently firing from this gun sounded like the blow darts the natives would use in the old Tarzan movies. Karen Sue’s head hit the floor with a hard thump, her arm slipped limply to the blood coated linoleum as her eyes rolled up into her head. A welcoming blackness engulfed her.



BOOK BLITZ HOSTED BY:


Take a Bow by C.J. Wells [Cover Reveal]



TAKE A BOW (THE PERFECT PLANS SERIES- BOOK 2) SYNOPSIS:

Sometimes, dreams come true.  
And, sometimes…
They seem too good to be true.

So many questions, one affirmation…I am in love with Alexander Tate.  Everything I’ve ever dreamed of was standing right in front of me. My ultimate fantasy come true.  My more.  So, why am I running?
Alex and Aby’s story continues in the powerfully sensual sequel in The Perfect Plans Series, Take a Bow.  The final installment of their story is wrought with jealously, endless desire, sinfully decadent sex, betrayal, humour, empowerment and, of course, love.  
PREORDER LINK:
C.J. WELLS BIO:

Co-Authors, and sisters, Christa Gibbs and Jill Syed reside in Ontario, Canada. Born and raised on da’Rock [a.k.a. St. John’s, Newfoundland], their laid back personalities and eclectic sense of humor is indicative of their native roots. Although fluent in Newfinese, both are quite eloquently spoken, showing no remnants of an accent unless alcohol is involved.

Fluent in air-guitar [she trained in Europe], Christa, by day, transforms into her Executive role in the Property Management World. This wonderful position lends credence to her altruistic life experiences lived vicariously through the many residents within her keep. This translates beautifully to her evening endeavors, which include creating lovable characters and interesting storylines [when she’s not catering to her loving ‘Oooge’ — a.k.a. biker hubby]. An avid reader of erotic romance [upwards of two to three novels per week], Christa decided to give her own incessant fairytale sex-capade fantasies a voice.

When she is not behind the camera in her Photography Studio, Jill spends portions of her days mentally cataloging all the reasons why she shouldn’t become an indulgent drinker at the helm of her three young children during the absences of her Pilot husband [though you will hear her undying love and devotion for them often: “blessed”]. Passionately creative, Jill spent many years capturing life moments on film, canvas and even paper. Having dabbled in the writing of many children’s books, all of which ended up covered in dust and never carried through, clarity hit once she collaborated with her sister: “Ohhh, the steamy sex was the missing ingredient”.



SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:







Lords of Sin: Redemption by Angel Payne [Release Day Blitz]

RedemptionRBBanner   redemption_72dpi_500x750 (2) 
  5399e-goodreads-badge-add-plus_zpsa971cb04  
  Synopsis   
  A damned dream… He watches her every night, rehearsing alone in his theater, her beauty aglow in the gaslights. With every hour that passes, Marcus Stafford is more entranced with the passionate Gabriela Rozina, and the dream she refuses to give up. His obsession is dangerous and he knows it. She can never know who—or what—he is, and why he can never step nearer than the shadows. But her heartbreak is his undoing. Sorrow is a currency he’s traded in for two hundred years. A breathtaking stranger… Gabriela is moved by the stranger with the silver eyes who emerges from the darkness yet brings brilliant light to her world. Soon, she wants something more from Marcus than his mentorship with her acting. She begs for his touch, his body and his heart—but more than anything, to share his dark secret by giving him her blood. A doomed love? As the night draws near of Gabriela’s most vital performance ever, she is in danger of never making it to the stage—unless Marcus fulfills her wish and shares his life force with her. But in the doing, he risks everything, including both their souls. **This title is a reissue of a 2006 release.​ Buy Links  

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE *

Teaser   RedemptionTease2 RedemptionTease1   Excerpt  
Silence. Had she expected something else? He's not there. It was the same inner demon that delighted in tugging at her insecurities before auditions…and long ago, had heckled her each visitor's day at the orphanage. A voice she fought now with shaking fists. The heckler persisted. He told you to go away once. He meant it. You didn't listen. He's not there. "No." She secured her stance tighter. Blast it, she knew what she felt, despite the dark theatre answering her desperate gaze. Freezing fingers of sensation claimed her skin more boldly than they'd dared this morning. Her heartbeat pounded like a triple timpani with each passing second into the night. Worst of all, she couldn't shed this breath-catching awareness…this super real sensation that he still watched her, followed her, haunted her. She moved to the edge of the stage. Stopped when her toes jutted out into the dark—and tried not to liken the view to the unreadable abyss of her senses. "Coward!" she accused into the chasm. "Backing down from the challenge, now that I've figured out a little more than I should? Hiding in your precious shadows, Sir High and Mighty Theatre Owner? Enjoying the drama of the hopeless actress, going slowly insane?" As she backed off the edge, she shook her head in slow-burning fury. "I hope you like tonight's repertoire, Marcus. It's the last you'll get. I don't play to ghosts." She pivoted toward the wings. "Or thieves." As she marched across the stage, she refused to let the dry heat behind her eyes liquidate. She refused to let her shoulders sag or her step falter. She'd give in to her humiliation only after escaping those all-seeing silver eyes. Wherever the bloody hell they were. Two steps from the stage left wings, she gasped and skidded to a halt. Two black-clad, black-booted legs stepped into her path. Her journal and reticule hit the floorboards between those boots with a forceful thwack. They were tossed there from a long-fingered hand. Gabriela's stare connected that hand to an arm, the arm to an endlessly broad shoulder, encased in billowy black silk. Her sights continued up the cords of a taut neck, to the spiritual intensity of Marcus's face. If it were possible, the otherworldly force of him radiated even more potent impact tonight. He looked hewn of dark gold granite under the gas lights, his hair swept around his high forehead like onyx turned to velvet. But most of all, he looked furious. He glared at the purse and the journal, then back to her. "I am not a thief." Gaby didn't pick up the items. Not yet. She nudged one foot forward, her reticule on one side, his boot on the other. She raised her stare, issuing the same challenge to his eyes. "You took them without my permission. You stole them." "I borrowed them." "Borrowed?" She sliced out an incredulous laugh. "Oh, this is a new way to play the scene." "Gabriela—" "You mean to tell me you decided to borrow my reticule—" "Aye.” "Planning a big evening out and didn't have one of your own?" "Gabriela." "And my journal. That’s the worst of it, Marcus. Did you stop to think what you took from me—the record of my deepest thoughts and feelings? Did you consider asking before you violated my privacy, my life?" For a long moment, he issued no reply. But with the slightest motion, he’d pressed his boot against her foot—beckoning her sights up to his again. She cursed the thousand butterflies in her belly that lifted wing along with her gaze. "If I asked…where would your answer have lie?" Gaby compressed her lips, letting silence stretch again. "I rest my case." He dropped his gaze. But not before Gabriela glimpsed a flash of silver light beneath his dark lashes—his surrender to a moment of such intense pain, his eyes looked as if they really did glow… She shook her head. This was no time for such hallucinations. Blast it, he'd wronged her, not the other way around. She snatched her pity back from him, recognizing it for the dangerous emotion it was. But she held on to the anger. "Well?" She locked her arms across her chest. Marcus didn't look up. "Well what?" ​ She slid her foot away from his. Suddenly, her voice didn't come so strongly. "Well…did you read it?" He considered her question for what felt like hours. Finally, he looked up again. Slowly leaned toward her, appearing like a great beast used to watching every step for fear it would crush something. "Aye." Damn him. Damn him for saying it with such meaning, for looking penitent yet proud as he did. Again, as if he'd experienced every fear and feeling, every triumph and sorrow she'd expressed on those pages. "Bastard." "That will not procure you an apology." He towered closer. So mesmerizing. A fine wine in human form, dominating her senses, whether she liked it or not. "I am not sorry I did it." "Yes." She snorted. "I know." "Your words are beautiful." "Stop it." "I memorized them." "You think that's going to redeem you?" "Sweeting, nothing can redeem me." The night held its breath around them.
About Author 
   Hi there. I'm Angel: book lover, writing addict, hopeless romantic, pop culture geek and avid shoe lover. A bit about me... I've been hooked on books since I was a kid but it got worse in my twenties, when I discovered romances--the hotter, the better. Growing up in Southern California, with lots of surfer manliness surrounded me, was certainly a good boost for reading about delicious alpha guys and the women who adore them. When I learned I had a knack for telling these stories too, I guess you could say I was doomed--though my path toward romance novelist took a few detours via a concert-reviewing gig for my college newspaper (free show tickets...backstage passes...that was a no-brainer), artist interviews for a Beverly Hills dance music mag, personal assistant work for a record producer, dance club disc jockey, and a lot of fun in the hospitality industry.   These days, I still live in California, and have found an amazing alpha guy of my own who was brave enough to marry me. We live on a street that looks like Brigadoon, with our beautiful daughter. I have the best life ever, and never forget to thank the Big Guy Upstairs for it, either.

Author Links

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * WEBSITE *

Tour Host OUAA

SOLEIL by Lainie Suzanne [Cover Reveal]

Cover Reveal ~ SOLEIL by Lainie Suzanne
The Nexus Series #2

Coming November 25, 2014

soleil2.jpg

Synopsis
Divorced and settled into single life, Debra planned a "Girls Night Out" to rival all, arranging a visit to Nexus, a local BDSM club, for a her best friend Katherine. To their surprise, Katherine catches the eye of the club owner, Isaac, igniting a scorching hot connection that has led to their engagement.

Though she loved her visit to Nexus, Debra has shunned her friend’s invitations to become a member, feeling she would be a third wheel to the engaged couple. Then fate intervenes and Debra gets an invitation to Nexus from someone she can’t deny.

In her mid-forties, Debra is on the verge of experiencing a life she never realized she desired. Her new found erotic fantasies have her exploring life’s most taboo behaviors with not one, but two Alpha males who have stolen her heart. Throwing caution to the wind, Debra embarks on a journey to find love, which could ultimately lead to the destruction of her heart.

Believing she’s found the road to happiness, guilt and shame consume her when a tragic loss thrusts her ex-husband back into her life, dredging up regrets of the past.

Will Debra embrace the new life she's discovered at Nexus, or will she allow old feelings and close-minded ideals, to derail her happiness and a chance at love?

Author
Lainie Suzanne is from Atlanta, Georgia and makes her home in North Carolina. She’s married to her best friend and the love of her life. The mother of four, all flown from the nest, she and her husband share their home with their German Shepherd. She loves sports, listening to music, dancing, spending time with family, and of course…reading.


Purchase
Pre-order Soleil - http://bit.ly/KindleSoleil

Nexus ~ The Core of Erotic Desires - The Nexus Series #1

Apple ibooks - http://bit.ly/NexusAppleibooks

Supergirls by Mav Skye [Book Tour and Giveaway]



Supergirls
by Mav Skye


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Sisters Jenn and May have finally found their golden ticket out of the slums. Pervy sugar daddy, Frederick Bells, promises to be an easy score with a big payoff—millions are hidden within his mansion.

The plan is simple: tie up the pig, steal his cash, and skip town. But fate has a different plan, including a villain with a wicked imagination. The sisters resort to playing their childhood game SUPERGIRLS to battle their fears in Bell’s den of horrors.

Will the SUPERGIRLS find their prize or will their heads join the pile behind the black cellar door?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTS


Old folks say the world is simply made of black and white. There is no gray. How is that true? How does that sum up reality? Right now, this second, I could toss the dagger, grab May’s hand and escape through the white door, white like heaven, and what then? We’d have zip. Nada. We can’t return to the studio. Fat Bastard and Leroy know where we live. All we’d have is our miserable, crappy (and psychotic) lives.

And each other, something whispers or does it whistle? I don’t know anymore. Through the white door—it’s running away. Running away from the one thing May and I have always wanted: peace.

No, the only way to peace is through darkness, the black door, through the cellar to the money.

I turn and face the black door, place my hand on the bolt. There is a monster in the dark to confront.

Perhaps I’ll die, perhaps May will. This is where the gray area lies, the future. Why can’t there be a clear-cut way of what to do and when?

The moaning creature pounds the door.

Fat Bastard. I grit my teeth and draw my eyes away from the tree with gems. Black, white or grey: if you want something you have to go for it, the consequences be damned.

The monster pounds the door harder.

May startles and turns to me.

I motion to her and breathe, “When I unbolt the door, I’ll drop to the floor and you shoot.”

She says nothing, but stands back and aims the pistol.

I say, “One, two, three…”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

When Mav Skye isn't turning innocent characters into axe murderers, refinishing old furniture, chasing around her spring ducklings, or reading the latest horror novel, she's editing at the almighty Pulp Metal Magazine.

She adores puppies, pirates, skulls, red hots, Tarantino movies and yes, Godzilla.

Especially Godzilla.

She is the author of Supergirls and The Undistilled Sky. Look for her wicked horror romance, Wanted:Single Rose, this fall and the second book in the Supergirls series, Night without Stars, early 2015.

Find Me: Website:  http://www.mavskye.com/

, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MavSkye

, Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/1qPcFVK

, and Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1mtblVa

Supergirls is available in print or ebook at: Payhip : https://payhip.com/b/ijUy (50% discount at Payhip if you "share" the book) & Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LWHA438, Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LWHA438?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Gateway to the Sea of Imagination:

Authors Who Have Influenced Me
by Mav Skye

I get antsy when asked to name my favorite books or authors. I feel like I should have an absolute favorite, but I can never choose between John Steinbeck or Shirley Jackson. King or Koontz. Patricia Highsmith or Flannery O’Conner. Christopher Pike or Madeleine L’Engle. Edgar Allen Poe or EF Benson. HP Lovecraft or Rudyard Kipling. Robert O’Brian or Charles Dickens. The Grimm brothers or Aesop. Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde were both game changers for me. It’s like asking me which kid is my favorite. It’s impossible to choose. What I can tell you about all these authors is the great influence they’ve had on me.

I can tell you I’ve read close to every single Koontz novel, then gave most of them to my sister as I moved around the country. I can tell you that my schizophrenic aunt gave me original hardback copies of King’s short stories. I read them over and over as a teenager. She got me hooked on King for life. When I started reading The Dark Tower series, it had a serious impact on me. The characters showed me the value of standing up for what I believed was right, and that there is always a price to pay for it. It taught me that what I believe to be true may change several times over my lifetime, and that is okay.

I can honestly say I don’t know where I’d be if there wasn’t a Robert Louis Stevenson to show me the two sides to a person’s soul. Or Harriet Beecher Stowe to show the depths of cruelty one race can carry out against another, and how innocence and selflessness can conquer even that. Or Ray Bradbury showing me the joy in every single moment despite fear, because of fear.

The awe I feel for these stories and their authors has led me down the path I walk today. These authors dove deep into the sea of imagination, catching glimpses of the things that dwell there, and passed on those images to me. I was captivated, enchanted, and I guess it just wasn’t enough for me to simply be enthralled with their tales. I had to go swimming myself. I don’t consider myself a writer, but a medium or gateway to the sea of imagination. I revel in the dark and the fantastic, and invite readers to join me. I wish to mirror the truth of others’ worlds, as the great writers of the past have done for me. I want to bring comfort, illumination, humor, horror and hope to my readers. And I’d love to have you along for the ride.

Giveaway

Mav will be awarding a $35 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner and a signed paperback copy of Supergirls (interntional) will be awarded to another randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. A $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

a Rafflecopter giveaway