tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129661532024-03-07T10:20:01.544-08:00Leigh Wyndfield's RantsIf you have something juicy to say, sit next to me!Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-64783525973261859302014-07-14T17:57:00.000-07:002014-07-14T18:11:34.772-07:00Dark Heat!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"></span><span style="background-color: #ccccff;">After taking off almost four years while dealing with some personal issues, I've finally got some things happening on the writing front! First, I have two old anthology pieces that are re-releasing. The first just came out - DARK HEAT! See below for the first chapter.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">Second - I have some new stories releasing by the end of the year. I still don't have release dates, so stay tuned for an update.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">Hope you've been having a fabulous summer,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">Leigh</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">DARK HEAT</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapter 1 </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
bloodred, heavy velvet on the walls made the massive throne room stifling. The
bold, swirling pattern on the hard tile beneath her knees bit into her skin
through her healer’s robes, adding to her urge to leap to her feet and run. But
it was the man Caelan prostrated herself before who had her attention, even as
she tried not to stare at him, fearful of drawing his notice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No
matter what the consequences were, she couldn’t lie. She could, however, evade
the question with other truths. What mattered were the words that left her
mouth. This gift, which had saved lives in the past, now led her into a
situation where her own was in jeopardy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whatever
she said, she would either betray her only friend or enrage her King. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caelan
bowed her head deeper, hoping to delay the inevitable, knowing King Useph
wouldn’t hesitate to crush her if he suspected even a fraction of how much she
really knew. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standing
to her left, Brianna sobbed silently, her body shaking, blood sliding down her
cheek, along her chin, to puddle on the skirt of her golden angel’s gown.
During her beating, her kind blue eyes had filled with anger and a stubbornness
Caelan would never have guessed possible in her sweet, gentle-natured friend.
As delicately beautiful as Brianna was, as fragile as she appeared, even after
they’d terrorized her, she had lied. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You
dare to defy me. Me, your King!" Useph had been their friend long ago. The
three of them, all related through the vagaries of noble birth, had grown up in
this castle together, running wild, playing in the gardens, and laughing
together. In the five years since he’d ascended to the throne, he’d turned from
a lost, gentle boy into a power-hungry ruler Caelan didn’t even recognize,
crushing anyone who got in his way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Righteous
anger marred his handsome face, but it was the fisting hand on the arm of his
throne chair that had everyone in the room flinching. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
calculating gaze swooped down on her. "But you, Caelan, you cannot
lie." His voice turned knowing, dripping like honey, his eyes full of satisfaction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No,
she couldn’t lie. Falsehoods of any kind eroded her ability to heal. There was
a reason her magic was called Speaking. She healed with words, a gift bestowed
by the Goddess at her birth. If she lied, her words lost their power. So she would
not lie. But that didn’t mean she had to tell the complete truth either.
"Please, Sire, I have never seen Brianna with him." </span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that was true. She’d
never actually seen them, but knew without a doubt that they’d been together.
Brianna had told her they’d spent the last month lying in sunbeams and
laughing. And Radley’s face, as Caelan shoved him aboard a ship to safety that
had left port only hours before Useph had them dragged to the throne room, had
been filled with grief only a lovesick fool could experience. They’d been
playing with their very <i>lives </i>and they’d known it, yet they’d fallen in
love anyway. And their foolish behavior now involved Caelan, putting her in a
position where she risked her healing power. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He’s on the edge, Caelan. Keep your head down, your voice
respectful. Don’t anger him, or he’ll lash out at you with more than a fist to
your face. You just need to make it through this interview unscathed. He won’t
kill Brianna. He loves her, he always has.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Useph
settled back into the plush, red silk of his ornate throne chair, stretching
his legs out in a deceptively lazy action. "You have never seen them
together. How carefully worded, Caelan." He tsked. "So <i>close </i>to
a lie."</span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caelan
reeled in her temper. She could not, <i>not</i>, treat him with anything but
the utmost respect, or he’d go into one of his rages. He’d be sorry later, but
if he killed her, the damage would be done. "Carefully worded or not,
Cousin, I am telling the truth." </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"If
you are so insistent on hiding Brianna’s secrets, perhaps you would like to
take her punishment as well. Cousin." He spat the last word, obviously
displeased that she’d called attention to their family connection. Leaning
forward, he stared at Brianna while drumming ring-laden fingers on his knee. "Would
you let your best friend take your punishment to protect your lover?" </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brianna
pulled her chin up, her eyes briefly begging Caelan’s forgiveness, then her
face turned hard. "I am not Radley’s lover, my King, so I cannot tell you
where he has gone." </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Radley,
a common soldier, a farmer’s son. And the love of Brianna’s life. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the shadows behind the throne, Useph’s advisor, Sneed, snorted in disbelief. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brianna
glared at Sneed with a contempt they all might feel, but no one dared to
express. "If you punish Caelan because of your incorrect suspicions, her
blood is on your hands, not mine." </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caelan
barely stifled her moan. Had Brianna’s love for Radley turned her insane? Was
she mad? She must be, to bait Useph like this. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Only by denying it and sticking to her denial can she save
Radley’s life. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Useph had promised her
lover’s death, but Radley had disappeared. Their King knew Radley could not
have escaped the castle unless someone aided him. The magical locks surrounding
the area Brianna had been seen in could only be opened by those who had been
blessed in ritual. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Only
one person could tell him what he needed to know, and Caelan knew it would take
luck she’d never had to keep her involvement secret. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
just wished Brianna hadn’t fallen in love in the first place. No man was worth
risking your life for under any circumstances. Why did first her mother and now
Brianna have to make that mistake? </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Useph
lunged to his feet. "Don’t you <i>dare </i>talk to me like that!" In
two steps, he was before Brianna, the crack of his open palm on her face
ringing through the room. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caelan
kept her head bowed, trying not to flinch. Her heart ached for her friend, but
she didn’t want to be caught in the middle of this battle. She was a peacemaker
and had never been one to flout the rules or engage in confrontation. Her only
mistake had been to help a friend in need. </span></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
a moment of panic, she’d let Radley out of the castle and bargained with a boat
master to secure him a space on a schooner setting sail for the New Worlds.
Caelan had broken the rule she’d lived her life by, and now the consequences
could be deadly. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Your
chaste body was intended for a marriage alliance and well you knew it, Brianna.
Yet you sullied yourself like a whore with a farmer’s son." Useph trailed
a gentle finger down her face, shaking his head as if he was saddened by her
behavior. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
Caelan had long suspected that the King had put off marrying Brianna because he
wanted her for himself. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Did
you think that my love for you would keep you from feeling my wrath? Did you
think you could do whatever you wanted because I’ve always desired you?"
His hand </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">snarled
in her hair, viciously yanking downward until Brianna fell to her knees before
him. “I will kill your lover when I find him. You let him out of the keep,
Bree. You helped him escape,” he murmured so softly that Caelan could barely
hear the words from where she knelt. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“No,” Brianna moaned, and Caelan could tell from the agony on
her face that she’d finally broken. Tears and blood ran down her face, mixing
into a pink rain. Her body shook uncontrollably with fear. “I didn’t let him
out. I didn’t unlock the door.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">Caelan dropped her head into her hands. <i>She’s scared. She’s
thinking about the time we saw the King beat one of his commanders. </i>The
beating had gone on and on, until it was too much to endure. The sound of
Useph’s fists, then the whip Sneed had so helpfully provided, the spray of
blood, the never-ending cries the commander had uttered, pinned upright by his
arms between two of his own soldiers. Until his face had turned to just a slab
of meat with little specks of bone poking through. He’d lived—Caelan had been
able to save him—but the ruined shreds of his face still made her stomach
clench a year later. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">And all that had only been over an order not being followed
with enough speed. The commander’s sin was not nearly as monumental as Brianna
ruining a potential marriage alliance that would bring untold wealth and power
to their country. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“If you didn’t let him out, who did, Bree?” A stolen glance at
Useph showed his long brown hair had shaken free from its queue by the force of
his words. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“No—no one.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“She lies,” Sneed scoffed. “Radley can’t let himself out. He
hasn’t gone through the Keep Ritual.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“So who helped you, Bree?” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">Brianna whimpered, crumpling in on herself. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;">“Shhh,” Useph whispered. “Calm yourself.” He dropped to his
knees and cuddled her close, rocking her a little. “I need to know where he’s
hiding, Bree. Once I kill him, everything will be all right again.” He pulled
back to chuck her under the chin. “Just tell me where he’s gone.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“I don’t know. I swear it.”</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“She knows,” Sneed snarled, pointing a gnarled finger at
Brianna. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“I don’t think she does, Sneed. I don’t think she knows where
he’s gone.” Curling a lazy finger around one of Brianna’s curls, he stared off
in space for a moment while Bree sobbed great tears of pain and hopelessness. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Standing abruptly, Useph dumped her on the floor and turned in
half-time. “Who knows all her secrets, Sneed?” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Who, my liege?” Sneed asked promptly, ever there to play the
lackey. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Why, her best friend and constant companion, of course. And
to make things even more convenient, the only person in this whole castle who
cannot lie.” He crossed the room and stopped so close Caelan could see small
drops of Brianna’s blood on his otherwise perfect leather shoes. Feathering a
finger along her cheek, he whispered, “And you will tell, Cousin. You will tell
me where Brianna’s lover is hiding.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">The turn of events had Caelan gasping for breath. Nausea
welled up, her stomach twisting so sharply she would have burst into tears and
huddled in a ball on the floor if she didn’t think that would anger Useph more.
</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead she closed her eyes, trying to form the
prayer that might call the Goddess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
didn’t expect to be answered. Her deity was always so close when she healed,
but in other parts of her life, the Goddess had gone silent. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Behind her closed lids, Brianna’s shining face greeted her. “I
love him, Caelan,” she’d whispered months ago, sharing her precious secret,
unable to contain her joy. “He’s so gentle and sweet. And he loves me in
return. He doesn’t just want to possess me for my beautiful face, but really
loves me, Caelly.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Caelan had tried to warn her, tried so hard to talk some sense
into Brianna, but love clouded the air, making reasonable, well-thought-out
actions impossible. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Caelan, I’m waiting for the truth,” Useph said, the sharpness
of his tone saying he wouldn’t wait long. He confirmed it by whispering, “You
have until the count of five to tell me, or I’m throwing you into The Abyss.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Please,” she begged. Could she say the words that would lead
to Radley’s death? Could she live with that on her conscience? </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Yet the dungeon below the castle—called The Abyss because
people went in but rarely came out—scared her worse than anything. A deep pit
carved into natural caves where people could only leave if the jailors hauled
them up by ropes tied around their waists. She would be a lamb to the
slaughter. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Anger crawled up her body and almost shook free a set of words
she could never take back. How dare Brianna put her into this position? For
that matter, how dare Useph? She was a healer. She’d just wanted to help when
Brianna had come to her in tears and panic with the news they’d been seen. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“One,” Useph said gently. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“I am your Speaker, King Useph,” she reminded him in
desperation. “I’m valuable to your household. Please do not do this to me.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">No emotion passed his face at her plea. “Two.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">In the background, Sneed sighed. “If you can’t control two
girls, Useph, how can you control a kingdom?” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Do you think I won’t do this?” Useph fisted his hands in her
healer robes and hauled her to her feet. “Three.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“You will. You will. I know you will,” Caelan said, rushing to
reassure him. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Tell me, Caelan.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">If she told, she would save herself from the torture she knew
was coming. But how could she live with herself if her words led to someone’s
death? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Four.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Oh, Goddess,” she whimpered. She couldn’t tell, couldn’t
leave anyone in Useph’s hands. She could only refuse and hope Useph came to his
senses before his punishment killed her. “I cannot.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“Five.” Useph let her go so abruptly she tumbled backward,
falling onto her bottom, pain sh<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;"></span></span>ooting up her spine. “You leave me no choice.
Guards, take her to the dungeon and ask her tomorrow and every day after that
if she’s ready to tell where he’s gone.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Two men grabbed Caelan’s arms. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;">“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Caelan!” Brianna sobbed from where
she sat crumpled and broken on the floor. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="background-color: #ccccff;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“So am I, Brianna,” she said, right before the doors
to the throne room closed behind her, maybe forever.</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-43544832278403331972008-06-07T10:35:00.000-07:002008-06-07T10:36:58.968-07:00Susan Grant Returns!!<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514Ay5Ag9BL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" height="223" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514Ay5Ag9BL._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant<br />HQN Books, June 1, 2008<br /><br />PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.<br />And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.<br /><br />WARLEADER. PIRATE.<br />Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.susangrant.com/books/moonstruck.htm">Read an Excerpt Here!!</a><br /><div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-70759111782897544362008-05-04T19:21:00.000-07:002008-05-04T19:27:52.833-07:00New Books!<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511Dij-UhmL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" height="165" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511Dij-UhmL._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>THE DARKEST NIGHT by Gena Showalter<br /><br />His powers – Inhuman<br />His passion -- Beyond immortal . . .<br /><br />All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man cursed to die every night, only to awaken the next morning knowing he has to die again.<br /><br />Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . . .<br /><br />Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful . . . Don’t miss this incredible new paranormal series from Gena Showalter! </div><div> </div><div>*****************<br /></div><div>LADY AND THE VAMP by Michelle Rowen<br />April 2008 – Forever, an Imprint of Grand Central Publishing<br /><br />She fights.Janie Parker’s a supernatural assassin—not by choice, but what’s a girl gonna do? The only thing standing between her and decapitation at the hands of her hellish boss is a magical artifact called The Eye. To get it, all Janie has to do is find a dark, broody vampire named Michael Quinn and take it. Easy, right? Except if Quinn keeps kissing her that way, she just might lose her head...in more ways than one.<br /><br />He bites. Former vampire hunter Michael Quinn is determined to become human again. If he grabs hold of The Eye and makes a wish—then boom, everything’s good with the world. But now Quinn has a sassy tagalong with a long, delectable neck and orders to stake him on sight. He just hopes his first bite won’t be Janie’s last moment on earth...<br /> </div><div>*******************<br />Chris Marie Green also writes as Crystal Green for Silhouette Special Edition and Harlequin Blaze. MIDNIGHT REIGN is book two of the Vampire Babylon series, following NIGHT RISING, Book One. </div><div> </div><div>Reviews:<br /><br />“An exciting, high tension horror thriller with enough unresolved trust and family issues to make it credible, a hint of romance for spice and a bit of black humor to lighten up the often dark tone, this is a nicely conceived modern vampire tale that will keep readers guessing. The conclusion is certain to leave fans anxiously awaiting the final installment.”<br />- MonstersandCritics.com<br /><br />“MIDNIGHT REIGN VAMPIRE BABYLON BOOK 2 is a powerhouse of emotions and revelations…. This story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go until I finished it. Now I have to find out how it all ends. Don’t miss this one. You won’t be sorry. “<br /><br />- Chere Gruver, PNR</div><div> </div><div> </div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-18111869252167365192008-01-31T12:56:00.000-08:002008-01-31T12:59:09.594-08:00Oops! Forgot one!<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41b%2BhZW2M8L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" height="211" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41b%2BhZW2M8L._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />HEAT OF THE NIGHT by Sylvia Day<br />ISBN: 978-0061231032<br />HarperCollins Avon<br />January 8, 2008<br />Bad boys are her weakness and no one is as wicked as Connor Bruce…<br />He is the realization of every woman’s erotic fantasies. Existing in the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, Connor brings them decadent pleasures, fueled by their sexual energy. But violence and strife now tear apart both worlds, and Connor must embark on a perilous quest into the mortal realm … and into the arms of one intoxicating enchantress.<br />Stacey Daniels has always been attracted to the wrong type of men – and the muscular, Viking-like champion on her front doorstep is no exception. She can hardly believe the wounded warrior is from another world, a world where erotic dreams are needed to survive, a world of terrible danger that has followed him to her home. Connor finds solace in her passion, but only time will tell if he can defeat the dark foe who hunts them … and if Stacey can surrender to the promise he offers with every electrifying touch.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardiannovels.com/novels/heat">Read an Excerpt! </a><br /><div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-90653241616818313042008-01-31T11:58:00.000-08:002008-01-31T12:53:48.462-08:00New books out!!<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DERqxvq2L._SS500_.jpg"></a><div><div><div><a href="http://a1055.g.akamai.net/f/1055/1401/5h/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14540000/14547358.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" height="341" alt="" src="http://a1055.g.akamai.net/f/1055/1401/5h/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14540000/14547358.jpg" border="0" /></a>KEEPERS OF THE FLAME by Robin D. Owens<br />Luna<br /><br />Twin sisters Bri and Elizabeth Drystan each have a special gift for healing, but they've taken very different career paths. While Elizabeth has pursued a medical degree, Bri has taken a more unorthodox and holistic path. Both of their gifts are sorely needed in the world of Lladrana, as the Dark has launched a deadly new plague. Abruptly summoned to this alien world by desperate sorcerers, Bri and Elizabeth discover they are the fourth such summoning of Earth-born women, or Exotiques. The situation in Lladrana is dire, and Bri and Elizabeth are immediately thrown into the fray. To save the lives of many, one twin may place her own life in dire risk.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.robindowens.com/reads/KeepersOfTheFlame.pdf">Read an Excerpt Here!</a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>ALSO!!! </div><div><br />SOLAR HEAT by Susan Kearney<br />(TOR Books, February 5, 2008)<br /><br />Is she an indispensable ally. . . or his worst enemy?<br /><br />When Intersolar Mining entrepreneur Derrek Archer rescues Azsla from her emergency sleeping pod, he's confounded by his desire for her. An inexplicable desire. An irresistible desire that causes Derrek to wonder if he's been drugged or hypnotized.<br /><br />Is she better off with him . . . or without him?<br /><br />Azsla's attracted to the sexy asteroid miner, but she fears getting close to Derrek might compromise her mission and reveal her secret. A secret that she's an enemy spy and her facade hides a complex and powerful woman—one capable of enslaving Derrek and destroying everything he holds dear.<br />Will Azsla's devastating secret destroy them . . . or save them?<br />When a cataclysm of deadly proportions threatens Derrek's world, they must overcome their distrust, suspicion and opposing loyalties. But while uniting forces might save a planet, working together might tear them apart or bring them together. Forever.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.susankearney.com/solar_heat.html">Read an Excerpt Here!! </a></div></div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-80320305945696418082007-12-29T17:17:00.000-08:002007-12-29T17:19:43.571-08:00SAVOR ME SLOWLY<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand" height="199" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>by Gena Showalter<br />(Pocket) December 26, 2007<br /><br />Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .<br />From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.<br /><br />Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg<br />SAVOR ME SLOWLY by Gena Showalter<br />(Pocket) December 26, 2007<br /><br />Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .<br />From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.<br /><br />Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg<br />SAVOR ME SLOWLY by Gena Showalter<br />(Pocket) December 26, 2007<br /><br />Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .<br />From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.<br /><br />Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg<br />SAVOR ME SLOWLY by Gena Showalter<br />(Pocket) December 26, 2007<br /><br />Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .<br />From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.<br /></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-82016233957119565492007-12-29T11:08:00.000-08:002007-12-29T11:10:13.205-08:00THE LURE OF THE WOLF<a href="http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LyoPLAR7L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" height="231" alt="" src="http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LyoPLAR7L._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>by Jennifer St. Giles<br />Pocket, July 31, 2007<br /><br />Mighty warriors sworn to protect humanity, the shape-shifters known as The Shadowmen move between two worlds. Now their dark leader has exiled himself from the spirit world, opening the door to the forces of chaos...and to the power of love.<br /><br />Half wolf, half man, Aragon has abandoned his brethren to repay a debt of honor; he is sworn to kill a rogue Blood Hunter, though exacting revenge will doom him to a ghostly existence trapped between two worlds. But when a mortal woman unexpectedly calls him to her side, the heat of her soft flesh arouses a hunger in him that threatens to complicate his mission.<br /><br />Dr. Annette Batista, a dedicated healer, is determined to find her missing sister. With the amulet found at the site of her sister's disappearance, she unwittingly summons a shadowy warrior. She wonders if she can trust this powerful male named Aragon, who claims he can vanquish her sister's captor -- the very monster he's vowed to destroy. Or is Annette blinded by her shocking passion for the most alluring, mysterious man she's ever seen?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=534706&agid=2">Read an Excerpt!</a> </div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-946494797875049762007-12-29T11:07:00.001-08:002007-12-29T11:08:32.097-08:00FANGED & FABULOUS<a href="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12690000/12694229.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" height="357" alt="" src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12690000/12694229.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>by Michelle Rowen<br />Warner Forever, July 1, 2007<br /><br />Just stake me now.<br /><br />My name is Sarah Dearly, and I've got major problems. Last month, I was turned into a vampire by the world's worst blind date. Then I may have, totally by accident, started a war between the mostly peaceful bloodsuckers and a bunch of sociopathic vamp hunters who have nicknamed me the Slayer of Slayers. Now I'm being used as bait to draw out the hunters' bad-ass leader, while my gorgeous 600-year-old boyfriend Thierry seems to be blowing me off, and my sizzle-hot, fanged friend Quinn is trying to turn my self-defense lessons into make-out sessions. So you know what? I'm done. I've had it. There comes a time when a vamp has to just suck it up and go after what she wants. And as soon as I figure out what that is, that's exactly what I'll do...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.michellerowen.com/ff_chap1.htm">Read an Excerpt!!</a> </div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-41144556496026187662007-12-29T11:05:00.001-08:002007-12-29T11:06:41.454-08:00Another from Robin Owens!!!<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/516KHCTX11L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" height="237" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/516KHCTX11L._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>HEART DANCE by Robin D. Owens<br />Berkley Trade, July 3, 2007<br /><br />DuFleur Thyme is a scientist who's secretly experimenting with time. She'll allow no distractions from her work-not even from a HeartMate. Meanwhile, Saille T'Willow has sent his HeartGift out into the world in hopes of finding his HeartMate, who, it turns out, is DuFleur. Still, DuFleur wants nothing to do with Saille, especially when she discovers that it was his grandmother who brought about her father's ruin. Unfortunately, her body can't help but submit to the passion he stirs in her. But when a scandal threatens Saille's position as head of the family, will DuFleur stand by his side?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.robindowens.com/reads/01Heart%20Dance.pdf">Read an Excerpt!!!</a><br /></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-57126370961459664622007-12-29T11:03:00.001-08:002007-12-29T11:05:00.133-08:00PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT<a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0061230987.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_V23154607_SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" height="242" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0061230987.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_V23154607_SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>by Sylvia Day<br />ISBN: 0061230987<br />HarperCollins Avon, April 24, 2007<br /><br />In the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, a battle rages between Dream Guardians and Nightmares. Captain Aidan Cross is a legend, as skilled in fulfilling erotic dreams as he is with the glaive that kills his enemies. Women see Aidan as part of their fantasies...except Lyssa Bates. Exquisite, desirable, enigmatic Lyssa perplexes this immortal seducer because she sees him as he really is. And as he attempts to unravel her secrets the unthinkable occurs: Aidan Cross falls in love.<br /><br />Lyssa has been having the most incredible dreams about a man whose blue eyes hold the promise of decadent pleasures and tempting intimacies. And then he appears on her doorstep! This intoxicating stranger is just as irresistible as the man of her dreams...but with her surrender there is also grave danger...<br /><br />Because Aidan is on a mission, and the passion that consumes them body and soul could have dire consequences. Loving the mortal woman prophesied to destroy Aidan's world is not only impossible...it is forbidden.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardiannovels.com/novels/pleasures/aidan-ii/2/">Read an Excerpt!! </a> </div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-37815360855117439492007-12-29T10:57:00.000-08:002007-12-29T11:02:47.822-08:00DAMSEL UNDER STRESS<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51U-Ccbk-4L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" height="256" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51U-Ccbk-4L._SS500_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>by Shanna Swendson<br />May 1, 2007<br /><br />To-do: Stop the bad guys. Rescue the wizard. Find the perfect outfit for New Year’s Eve.<br /><br />At last, Owen Palmer, the dreamboat wizard at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., has conjured up the courage to get Katie Chandler under the mistletoe at the office holiday party. But just when it looks like Katie has found her prince, in pops her inept fairy godmother, Ethelinda, to throw a wand into the works. Ehtelinda’s timing couldn’t be worse. A plot hatched by MSI’s rogue ex-employees, Idris and his evil fairy gal pal Ari, threatens to expose the company’s secrets ­ and the very existence of magic itself. Even worse, it could also mean the end of Katie’s happily-ever-after.<br /><br />Now Katie and Owen must work side by side (but alas, not cheek to cheek) to thwart the villains’ plans. Braving black-magic-wielding sorceresses, subway-dwelling dragons, lovelorn frog princes, and even the dreaded trip to meet Owen’s parents at Christmas, Katie and her beau are in a battle to beat Idris at his own sinister game. All mischief and matters of the heart will come to a head at a big New Year’s Eve gala, when the crystal ball will drop, champagne will pour, and Katie will find herself truly spellbound.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.shannaswendson.com/damselexcerpt.html">Read an Excerpt!<br /></a><br /></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-73665309509501648292007-09-09T13:09:00.000-07:002007-09-09T13:10:28.138-07:00LOLOL!!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9IacjxH3lY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ethemidnighthour%2Enet%2F">Check this out readers!</a>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-72979066233663838022007-07-24T08:21:00.001-07:002007-07-24T08:40:49.510-07:00RT Drama<div><a href="http://www.vivianna.net/blog/wp-content/shomiauthors.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand" height="464" alt="" src="http://www.vivianna.net/blog/wp-content/shomiauthors.jpg" border="0" /></a>There were some people who reportedly got upset at Marianne Mancusi and Liz Maverick’s costumes during the booksigning at RT this year. I think they're really fun and I say good on you ladies! I'm posting this as a show of support.<br /><div></div><br /><div>It constantly amazes me that we as authors can get so heated up about things that don't really matter. They look cute as buttons and not even that crazy. Yes they are showing some thigh, but anyone wearing a short skirt will show the same region. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For those of you who called me from RT to share in some of the fun, thanks for the calls (sorry I missed those ones after mid-night - LOL!) I'll most likely see you all in 2008!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0505527251.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V41968999_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0505527251.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V41968999_.jpg" border="0" /></a>OH! While I'm at it - let me go ahead and promo Marianne's new book.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>MOONGAZER by Marianne Mancusi<br />Dorchester, August 2007<br /><br />Imagine every night entering a nightmare world you can't escape and being told your life is a dream. Skye Brown has it all: the cool job, the hot boyfriend, the apartment on New York's Upper West Side. But lately she can't enjoy any of it. She's having dreams of a post-apocalyptic world. Of a bleak futuristic wasteland. Of a struggle against oppression. And she's been told she's a...<br />MOONGAZER<br />But what is that? And what is reality? In her dreams, she's not Skye Brown at all, but Mariah Quinn. In her dreams there's Dawn, the beautiful yet haunted soldier, and Skye is but the empty shell of a girl he once loved. And there was a betrayal, a great betrayal. Ripped between Dark Siders and club kids, the mundane and the mystic, Skye must discover who she is, what she wants and who wants her. And why. But in the glow of the moon, it's not always easy to recognize the face in the mirror. </div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-35543219387215263812007-07-24T08:07:00.000-07:002007-07-24T08:18:44.593-07:00New Books!<div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0446618381/ref=dp_image_0/102-1632731-2872900?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/045122096X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46055133_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" height="215" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/045122096X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46055133_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>PARALLEL SEDUCTION by Deidre Knight<br />Signet, April 3, 2007<br /><br />The author of Parallel Attraction unleashes the next novel in a series about an alternate world, where treachery can destroy the strongest of allies, the most loyal of friendships, and the fiercest of passions...Warrior Jake Tierny travels back in time to stop a traitor in his beloved king's camp. But when a twist of fate proves the mission unnecessary, Jake is trapped in a time not his own, with friends who cannot learn his true identity.Scott Dillon may be the king's trusted lieutenant, but he is also a man at war with himself, a human hybrid who refuses to succumb to the Antousian nature he abhors-and that Jake Tierny embodies.FBI linguist Hope Harper refuses to let near-blindness keep her from joining the Refarians in their war to defend mankind. Yet her sizzling attraction to both Scott and Jake, and the strange memories they share, force all three to question the core of their beliefs. As their enemies surround them, Hope knows she must choose one man for all time.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>SIGHT UNSEEN by Samantha Graves<br />Warner Books; April 1 2007<br /><br />Raven Callahan doesn’t do it for the money. She does it for the thrills. As a consultant for API, an art recover company, she gets to steal—legally. But when her colleague is kidnapped during an assignment, Raven is forced to steal a priceless master painting to save his life.<br />David “Dax” Maddox was the perfect street cop—until a botched burglary raid cost his partner his life and Dax his ability to see color. Now, with his world gray, Dax has only one mission: to take down the murderer. And he’ll use anyone—even a sexy thief with questionable ethics—to get justice.<br />Soon Dax and Raven are forced together as pawns in a madman’s scheme. From the heart of Cuba to the New York art world, they find themselves in a race against time to stop the ultimate revenge. </div></div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-35953564369989526492007-03-18T21:19:00.000-07:002007-03-18T21:23:01.594-07:00New Books!<div><a href="http://www.nalinisingh.com/images/Visions.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px" height="296" alt="" src="http://www.nalinisingh.com/images/Visions.jpg" border="0" /></a>VISIONS OF HEAT by Nalini Singh<br />Berkley Sensation / March 6, 2007<br /><br />Go deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future-a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind... Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her. Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12000000/12007453.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px" height="379" alt="" src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12000000/12007453.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>NEW MOON by Rebecca York<br />Berkley Sensation; March 6, 2007<br /><br />It's in one man's true nature to remain by the side of the woman he loves, rather than live without her in his own universe...<br />Landscape architect Logan Marshall is out for a jog—in his werewolf form—when a trap catches his paw. As it saps his strength, he is saved by another werewolf, who—to Logan's amazement—is female.<br />Female werewolves aren't supposed to exist. But Rinna is a shapeshifter from another dimension who's traveled through a portal to this world. And the trap that ensnared Logan was set by her former captor, and meant for her...<br />But as soon as Rinna and Logan touch, an electrifying bond forms between them. Unable to resist his desire for Rinna, in all her many forms, Logan will have to earn her trust, and travel through both dimensions to save her—and earth—from the wrath of her enemy... </div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-36527584329155831002007-02-28T17:42:00.000-08:002007-02-28T17:48:44.777-08:00Night Whispers Has Released!!!<a href="http://www.scarletpublishing.com/whispers/images/covers/night_whispers_1.jpg"> <img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" height="325" alt="" src="http://www.scarletpublishing.com/whispers/images/covers/night_whispers_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Night Whispers Volume I<br />by<br />Myla Jackson, Vivi Anna, Delilah Devlin, &<br />Leigh Wyndfield</div><div> </div><div>Available in paperback only</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Whispers-Delilah-Devlin-Jackson/dp/0978536886/sr=1-1/qid=1171408925/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6121823-6313620?ie=UTF8&s=books">Amazon.com</a><br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780978536886&itm=4">Barnes & Noble</a><br /><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=3714091179141&isbn=0978536886">Books-a-Million</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>Dark Heat by Leigh Wyndfield</strong></div><div><br />What would you do in the dark heat of a dungeon when a man offers his protection in exchange for passion you’d never dreamed possible?</div><div><br />When healer Caelan angers her King, she’s thrown into prison where she bargains her body to a warrior awaiting execution for a crime he didn’t commit. Garron’s very name means protector, and he’s willing to trade protection to get his hands on a woman who smells like freedom and tastes like passion. <br /></div><div>But their special powers unite, turning lust into something unforeseen. Soon they are forced to choose between freedom and their growing love in the dark heat of the night.<br /><br /><strong>Sanctuary by Delilah Devlin</strong><br /></div><div>In the post-Apocalyptic future, a woman rancher runs a last refuge for human survivors of a nuclear winter in West Texas. When the security of the sanctuary is breached, she must place her trust in one of the creatures freed by perpetual darkness.<br /><br />In a post-Apocalyptic future with cities decimated by man-made disease and nuclear winter, people have fled to rural areas to become the prey of criminals, werebeasts, and vampires. Rancher Kate McKinnon runs "Sanctuary"-- a last refuge on the western frontier. While driving her surviving wranglers and integrating refugees into their self-sufficient refuge, she escapes her responsibilities the only way she has left--via Hamm radio to pockets of other survivors. One man, Ty Bennett, is her confidante and she thinks she might be falling in love with him. Although they've never met, he seems to know her heart.<br /><br />On a patrol to siphon gasoline to run the ranch's generator, Kate and her cowboys are surrounded by a werepack. After she's rescued by a small band of militaristic "brothers" she brings the wounded home only to discover she's brought vampires into the refuge. Ty is the man she's poured her heart to on the radio. Already half in love with the human woman, Ty offers added muscle to her defenses. Fighting his own nature and appetites, he seeks redemption for his many sins.<br /><br />Can Kate get past her prejudice and choking responsibilities to trust him with their lives, even as she succumbs to his seduction?<br /><br /><strong>Tempting by Myla Jackson</strong><br /></div><div>Sisters and elite members of the Paranormal Investigative Agency (PIA) use themselves as bait to discover who’s kidnapping beautiful young women. When one of the sisters disappears, the other turns to a vampire, a breed she’s sworn to kill, for help.<br /></div><div>Elite Paranormal Investigative Agent, Reggie Gallagher, hates vampires. After dozens of beautiful women are kidnapped off the streets of Houston, Reggie and her sister set themselves up as bait to catch those responsible for the disappearances. The mission goes sour, her sister vanishes, and Reggie is surrounded by a rabid pack of vampires only to be rescued by another one of the long-toothed creatures of the night. Forced to accept his protection, she bides her time with the sexy beast until she can get back out on the streets to find her only living relative and bring the bad vampires down.<br /></div><div>When the woman he thought he loved turned Nicolae Kovac into a vampire over four hundred years ago, he swore he’d never trust another woman with his heart. Then he saved a hell cat from a band of vicious vampires only to find himself falling for her hot temper and fierce love for her family. Together Nicolae and Reggie must find the missing sister and deal with the evil threat behind the disappearances while fighting their growing attraction for each other.<br /><br /><strong>Awakening by Vivi Anna<br /></strong></div><div>Branlyn Carmichael has been having dreams. Sensual, hot dreams about a stranger with long, blond hair and pale eyes. A stranger, yet, he is somehow familiar. Nightly he visits, awakening not just her body, but also her memories. Memories of her childhood home and the horrible tragedy she witnessed there.</div><div><br />After fifteen years of running, it is time to go back to face her past. She can no longer deny the events she has seen or her connection to them.</div><div><br />When she returns, she finds her dream man waiting for her not in her mind but in her bed. He is flesh and blood, claiming to be her protector, sent to shield her from a dark seductive power that wants to possess her body.<br /></div><div>The closer Branlyn comes to the truth, the further she races from reality. Soon she is spiraling down into a place of darkness where vampires are real, and a battle is raging between two factions of the same world. Caught in the middle, she finds safety and passion in her guardian’s arms. She is drawn to him like no other. It is within him that she discovers the secret to end the war. However, there is a price to unlock it…her soul.</div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-64257994164358490652007-02-28T17:25:00.000-08:002007-02-28T17:40:29.631-08:00New Books!!!<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373771924.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704388_.jpg"></a><div><div>MOON AWAKENING by Lucy Monroe<br />Berkley Sensation February 2007<br /><br /><a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0425214265.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V40879991_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand" height="183" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0425214265.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V40879991_.jpg" border="0" /></a>An enthralling new romantic tale that pushes the boundaries between love and hate, passion and pain-and man and beast... When Emily Hamilton's family is ordered to send a woman to the Scottish highlands for marriage to the laird of the Sinclair, Emily volunteers in order to save her younger sister from such a fate. But at her new home, the only friend she finds is the laird's sister-especially after Emily's stubborn streak causes the laird to cancel the marriage. And though her plans have gone awry, she refuses to return home...Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...<br /></div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>BLOOD SECRETS by Vivi Anna<br />Silhouette Nocturne<br /><br /><a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373617585.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704448_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" height="200" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373617585.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704448_.jpg" border="0" /></a>A young human woman is found ritualistically murdered in a downtown Necropolis hotel. It is up to Caine Valorian, a 200-year-old vampire, and his Otherworld Crime Unit to solve the unusual crime, and quickly before the human press can jump onto the story and cause a panic. To add to their already tough case, a new member, Eve Grant, transfers to their lab at the request of the mayor. Not only is she green and eager to impress the boss, but she's human. The first human ever to work in an Otherworld unit. The mayor thought it would be great press especially now with the strange human murder. Caine has his work cut out for him, especially with his unruly team who don't appreciate any help from a human. Not only is this the toughest case of his career, but he's unusually attracted to the new girl, which can only cause trouble for them all. However, as they sink deeper and deeper into the workings of the case, Caine and Eve become closer and closer. So close that neither of them can see past each other and at the real happenings behind the scenes. The more they poke and prod at the case, the more they realize that something is going on, that this murder is only one step toward a greater purpose. Someone in the Otherworld community is calling on dark forces, in a plot to wipe out the entire human population.<br /></div><div><div><br /><div>MY FAVORITE EARTHLING by Susan Grant<br />HQN; March 1, 2007<br /><br /><a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373771924.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704388_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" height="183" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373771924.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704388_.jpg" border="0" /></a>Even a Goddess can have a bad day...Keira, warrior-queen of the galaxy, is as famous for her beauty as she is for avoiding marriage. But when an upstart little planet called Earth threatens her world with its fleet of spaceships, the fate of her people lies in her hands. She must bind herself to a barbarian from the rogue world...or face the destruction of her own!<br /><br />She's what he never knew he always wanted...Confirmed bachelor Jared Jasper knew the trick Earth pulled on the alien invaders wasn't a permanent solution. What they needed was a peace treaty. It just never occurred to him that he would wind up on the bargaining table. Playing the pushover groom to a mouthy alien babe who knows how to use a plasma sword is not exactly his idea of fun. But with six-billion people depending on him, he doesn't have much choice--sleep with the enemy...or bring on interstellar war.<br /><br />Strange bedmates? You bet. But this alliance may turn into a romance the likes of which this galaxy's never seen! </div></div></div></div>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1170887545752395832007-02-07T14:31:00.000-08:002007-02-27T23:41:47.320-08:00ISLAND HEAT by Susan Kearney<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/076535666X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46350350_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px" height="186" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/076535666X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46350350_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />ISLAND HEAT by Susan Kearney<br />Tor Romance February 6, 2007<br /><br />He dominated with an otherworldly seductive power . . .<br /><br />What was happening to her? Former screen siren Shara Weston lived on an exotic and private South Pacific island as a recluse . . . until disturbingly masculine and utterly captivating Cade Archer fell out of the sky and into her life. Now, Cade gives her no choice but to follow him down a sensual path that fulfills her every desire.<br /><br />Cade's on a mission to open a portal between Shara's island volcano and his world. But not everyone wants him to succeed. A powerful enemy has followed Cade to prevent him from sending the resources through the portal that will free his people.<br /><br />While Cade's mission is as compelling as his dominating sensuality, Shara must find a way to fight him . . . to stop his mission because the fate of every man, woman and child on Earth is at stake.Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1170887333301935082007-02-07T14:26:00.000-08:002007-02-07T14:28:53.303-08:00NIGHT RISING by Chris Marie Green<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0441014674.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36092462_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" height="232" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0441014674.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36092462_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />NIGHT RISING by Chris Marie Green<br />Ace, February 6, 2007<br />0-441-01467-4<br /><br />Welcome to Hollywood—after dark…<br /><br />Stuntwoman Dawn Madison is a girl with attitude—and a lot of issues, mostly about living up to the legacy of her mother, a world famous movie star whose untimely death left Dawn to be raised by her dad Frank, nobody’s notion of single-father-of-the-year. Now that she’s grown up, she and Frank aren’t on the best of terms, to say the least.<br /><br />Still, he is her dad, and when he vanishes while investigating the bizarre sighting—caught on film—of a supposedly long-dead child star, she comes home to Tinseltown to join the search for him. Working with his colleagues—a psychic short in stature but big in dreams, a beautiful Latina techno-geek, and the P. I. firm’s never-seen boss—she discovers an erotic and bloody underground society made up of creatures she thought existed only on screen.<br /><br />They are devious. They are deadly. And some of them are dangerously attractive…Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1170887081600371142007-02-07T14:20:00.000-08:002007-02-07T14:26:49.306-08:00Robin Owens pubs again!<a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373802641.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V47698873_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px" height="261" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373802641.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V47698873_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />PROTECTOR OF THE FLIGHT by Robin D. Owens<br />Luna February 1, 2007<br /><br />If horses could fly...<br /><br />Then Calli Torcher might ride again. But a devastating accident left her in such pain, she thought the chimes and chanting in her ears were a hallucination...until she found herself transported to another world, and met the Lladranans who had Summoned her.<br /><br />Lladrana was a parallel, magical earth filled with exotic creatures, noble humans and magic– all threatened by an encroaching evil.<br /><br />And when the might volarans stopped obeying the Chevaliers, the flying horses' unexpected rebellion had thrown Lladrana into an uproar. In desperation, the sorcerers had sought help from afar - and gotten Calli. If she could fulfill this mission perhaps she would also finally find all she had longed for – a mate, a home, a family. But against this great darkness she had no battle experience, no strategy plans. She had only a bond with horses...Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1168705657490627432007-01-13T08:25:00.000-08:002007-02-04T23:13:55.816-08:00SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND by Jaci Burton<a href="http://www.jaciburton.com/suvivingdemonisland_200.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 193px" height="373" alt="" src="http://www.jaciburton.com/suvivingdemonisland_200.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I looooooove Jaci Burton!!! She rocks not only as an author, but as a writer too!<br /><br />Check out her newest release!!<br />SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND by Jaci Burton<br />Bantam/Dell December 26, 2006<br /><br />She's all curves and combat boots.<br />He's six feet of lean, dangerous male.<br />Join them in a game of survival.<br />That's as real - and hot - as it gets.<br />What's America's top female action star doing on a tropical island shrouded in secrecy? To Gina Bliss, competing in a survival-type reality show is a nice change from fending off on-screen villains. Until she meets real-life action hero Derek Marks. A survival specialist in a tight black T and sexy stubble, he's arousing every bad-boy fantasy she's ever had...and testing her survival skills to the max.<br />Martial arts, jungle warfare - Derek's done it all. But his latest mission is more dangerous than a stick of dynamite. Try telling that to the sexy, adrenaline-pumped actress who's got his libido racing off the charts. As the heat rises between them and real-life violence erupts, suddenly Derek and Gina are on the run...and when they uncover a secret so explosive it could blow the lid of their so-called reality show, these two unlikely heroes are about to discover what surviving's really about....Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1168705518936799172007-01-13T08:22:00.000-08:002007-01-13T08:25:18.936-08:00Happy New Year!!Howdy all!<br /><br />Happy New Year to everyone!! I hope all your goals and dreams come true in 2007!<br /><br />I'm hoping to get back to regular blogging soon!! However, I've gone ahead and made it so you have to log in to leave comments here. I know that's a pain, but I spend a lot of time tracking down comments made by people who want to sell you a mortgage or a penis enlargement - LOL! And I've finally reached the end of my rope with that stuff.<br /><br />My apologies if it makes it harder for those of you who want to leave comments.<br /><br />Happy 2007!<br />LeighLeigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1167433961110055782006-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:002006-12-29T15:12:41.326-08:00My recent reads<a href="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0765315858.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V62234549_.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand" height="204" alt="" src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0765315858.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V62234549_.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hey all -<br /><br />First let me tell you about a book I've hear rocks - VENUS ENVY by Shannon McKelden!!<br /><br />Take one hunky firefighter, one stubborn "Cinderella," and one very reluctant fairy godmother and what do you get?<br /><br />Rachel Greer wants no part of Venus's scheme to land Mr. March as her Prince Charming, but Venus is determined to do just that. She's only a few love-life fixes short of returning to her former goddess status, and she's not letting one mulish mortal stand in her way.<br /><br />It appears the only way Rachel can get rid of the very un-Disney-like fairy godmother is to play along. So she follows Venus's plan to interview Luke Stanton's ex-girlfriends...which Venus believes will cure Rachel's relationship fears, but which Rachel knows will only prove her point that men are never what they appear to be.<br /><br />But, when Venus's plan appears to work, and Rachel and Luke fall in love, does Rachel dare set aside her fears about happily ever? Or will betrayal send her back into relationship seclusion...this time forever?<br /><br />And what happens when a goddess-turned-fairy godmother breaks the most important rule--protecting herself from human emotions?<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />The next two books I've read and LOVED them both!<br /><br /><a href="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0515142166.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_V61198443_."><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand" height="237" alt="" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0515142166.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_V61198443_." border="0" /></a>First, Christine Feehan's newest - CONSPIRACY GAME. I'm very glad that Feehan has gone back to writing stories I like. Her last couple didn't do it for me, but I really enjoyed this one. If you've given up on Feehan, as I know some of you have, this one is not only a great read but her craft has really smoothed and grown since she left Dorchester. Point of View is solid, the characters (which I've always thought she's done well) are great in this one. The plot is unbelievable but it's always unbelievable so check your internal nay-sayer at the door and enjoy this ride!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://robinowens.com/images/HeartQuest.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" height="204" alt="" src="http://robinowens.com/images/HeartQuest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The second book I recommend is Roben Owen's HEART QUEST. More good fun in this alternate world full of magic and soul mates!!Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1159892599297612232006-10-03T09:18:00.000-07:002006-10-03T09:24:38.486-07:00Two new must reads!!<a href="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11350000/11359440.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" height="346" alt="" src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11350000/11359440.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh<br />(Berkley Sensation, September 5, 2006)<br /><br />Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart…<br />In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….<br />Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nalinisingh.com/slave.html">Excerpt</a><br /><br />****I have heard NOTHING but great stuff about this book!! I'm picking it up this weekend!<br /><br /><a href="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11340000/11344383.jpg">SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray<br /></a>(St. Martin’s; October 3, 2006)<br /><br />DESIRE<br />Copper Ashcroft is an accomplished D'Anu witch, but the magic she wields is a potent force—strong enough to hurl her into a mysterious Otherworld when a spell backfires. Before Copper can escape, another being is pulled into her realm—Tiernan, a powerfully virile Tuatha D'Danann warrior. Blond, blue-eyed, and shamelessly seductive, Tiernan could be Copper's savior…and his touch sets her body on fire.<br /><br />DUTY<br />Like others of his kind, Tiernan stands alongside the D'Anu witches to battle the demons of the Underworld. Obligation to his cause and his people cautions against any entanglement with Copper, yet each second spent with this beautiful, uninhibited woman stirs an insatiable hunger. Desire explodes into carnal bliss, but the visions that haunt Copper's dreams are growing stronger, and they foretell a terrifying evil waiting to be unleashed…<br /><br />DESTINY<br />Saving the city will take more than brute strength…more than witchcraft. Only together can Copper and Tiernan find a way to overcome the dark forces—and seize a passion that has bewitched them both..<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/seduced-exc.htm">Excerpt</a>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966153.post-1155651785357899522006-08-15T07:20:00.000-07:002006-08-15T07:23:05.386-07:00Contest!!HIDE AND GO SEEK GAME<br /><br />To celebrate the upcoming paperback release of Night Whispers, Volume I, a spicy combination of four hot novellas, we want to play a little hide and go seek with you beginning August 15th and ending September 15th.<br /><br />The rules are simple: We've placed a small image of the upcoming Night Whispers anthology on each of the websites listed below. Search the websites, write down the page where you found the image, and enter using the form below. You have a chance to win some great prizes! It's that simple.<br /><br />Here are the participating<br /><br />websites:<br /><a href="http://www.whispershome.com">www.whispershome.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.way2kool.us">www.way2kool.us</a><br /><a href="http://www.devilishdots.com">www.devilishdots.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.delilahdevlin.com">www.delilahdevlin.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.mylajackson.com">www.mylajackson.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.leighwyndfield.com">www.leighwyndfield.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.vivianna.net">www.vivianna.net</a><br /><a href="http://www.moongladedesigns.com">www.moongladedesigns.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.crocodesigns.com">www.crocodesigns.com</a><br /><br />What you could win:<br />$10 gift certificate to Devilish Dots<br />$25 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret<br />Paperback copy of Night Whispers Premiere Edition, Volume I<br />Massage oil<br />Erotic novels<br />Lovers games<br />Candles<br />Movies that will steam up the windows<br />$10 gift certificate to Amazon<br />$10 gift certificate to Bath and Body Works<br />Customized mouse pad<br />Bombshell Lettle Box of Beauty from Shirley of Hollywood (this is a feather-trimmed gift box and includes hyacinth and lily scented 60ml bottles of Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Bath Crystals, a pouf and an inflatable bath pillow.<br />Two memberships to Moonglade Designs Greetings<br /><br />Restrictions:<br />Absolutely no one under the age of 18 can participate.<br />No employee, whether contract or salaried, of the above referenced websites may participate, including webmasters/webmistresses.<br />You may only enter one time.<br /><br />Winners will be drawn on or about September 30, 2006.<br /><br />To enter, log on to <a href="http://noveltalk.com/whisperscontest.asp">http://noveltalk.com/whisperscontest.asp</a>Leigh Wyndfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16509787484619795191noreply@blogger.com0