Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Cover Reveal for the Lovely Airicka Phoenix

I am so very pleased to be part of the Cover Reveal for a good friend of mine, the illustrious Airicka Phoenix!

Her new book, Betraying Innocence is set to release on October 31, 2013 and she kindly asked me - ok, she bribed me with some delicious cookies of her own - to post this for her and give all my lovely readers a sneak peek at the book.

So, without further ado...here we go:





Book Name: Betraying Innocence

Author: Airicka Phoenix
Publisher: Fire & Ash Publishing
Release date: Oct 31, 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Horror Romance

Warnings: Language.
Formats: ebook, paperback

Synopsis
 
Roseanna - Ana - French was happy with her life. Sure she had to move to a strange new town and live in a creepy new house that had inexplicable cold spots, but she could live with that. What she couldn’t deal with was the relentless tapping inside the walls at night, the sinister shadows in the halls or the spirit crawling its way beneath her skin.



 
Author Bio
 
Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of The Touch Saga, Games of Fire, Octavian's Undoing & The Lost Girl Series with short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. She also writes adult paranormal & contemporary romance under her alter ego, Morgana Phoenix.

For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit her website at: 
http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/


Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AirickaPhoenix
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AirickaPhoenix
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/airicka-phoenix/40/432/74
Fanpage:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/100193
 
As always, thanks for stopping by.
 
Until next time.
 
Margaret Taylor

 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Sunday Shenanigans

And folks, we're back with another episode of Sunday Shenanigans!!!!!

YAY! The crowd goes wild...

And before I forget, no I didn't forget, life has just been crazy busy this last week so I was a bit delayed in drawing the winners for the Super Duper Secretly Cool Swag Packs! I apologize but sometimes life steps up and tries to kick your teeth in. It almost succeeded this week, but I'm a tough old bird and, well, I kicked back.

Anyhoo...

I did get a chance to draw two very lucky names and they are:

Samantha Alvey

and

Missy Goodsell

I've emailed both but if they don't respond in 48 hours, I'll draw two more and go from there.

But, while we're waiting, I thought I'd share a couple of good things that managed to override the otherwise bad.

I won a Kindle Fire H.D. this week from the lovely J.S. Scott! Whoo hoo! I love it too. It's awesome! And, she's giving away another 15 too. If you haven't entered, get your happy little behinds over and do so!!!!!

 
I also picked up several eBooks which I'm looking forward to reading and I managed to get the print cover for A First Love Never Dies up and ready thanks to the lovely R.A. Mizer over at Shoutlines Designs I won a discount from them, so I used it and I must say the cover looks awesome! I'm gonna reveal it as soon as it's finished and I'll let you know when A First Love Never Dies is available in Print...YAY!
 
And, even better news, Book 2, Saving His Love is almost done. With the week being what it was, I just didn't get enough time to put the finishing touches on it like I wanted.
 
Oh, and one final thing, I've sent another Paranormal off to be formatted. Love's Prophecy will be out later on this week...
 
If you missed the cover before, here's another little sneak peek! Enjoy...
 
 
 
And just because I'm sure you want to know...here's an exclusive excerpt:
 
-----------------------------

The bell above the door jingled, echoing across the empty magic shop. “May I help,”
 
The words died abruptly in Marla Cortside’s throat. Her fingers clenched, crushing the day’s receipts as her eyes locked into twin pools of shadowed, mossy green. The dream she’d been having for months slammed into her mind. She saw him as he had been then. Dirty, bloody and terrified. He was anorexic with hunger, and desperately in need of her help.
 
But now he stood in the doorway, holding it open as if he wanted to turn and run instead of stay. He was tall, nearly 6’3”. Broad shoulders stretched his t-shirt, threatening to rip the seams. Blue jeans hugged a trim waist. Golden brown hair fell to his shoulders. Her fingers burned to stroke it, feel it slip through her fingers like newly spun silk. The same heat of connection she felt in her dreams sang through her veins.
 
Oh Goddess!
 
What the hell? What was going on?
 
Who was this man and why did he look healthy?
 
They stared at one another. She looked for some sign, some indication that he was the one from her dreams. But aside from the uncanny resemblance, there wasn’t the slightest hint he’d been hurt recently, much less tortured. She blinked and broke the contact through sheer effort of will.
 
He cleared his throat and spoke. “I understand you might be able to help me.”
 
His tone was blunt, despite the unease that had been just on his face. He shut the door, his long legs eating up the distance to the counter in three fluid strides. He propped a hip against it and crossed his arms over his wide barrel of a chest.
 
She untwisted the receipts and smoothed them out. This man, unlike his dream-state counterpart, made her nervous, something she wasn’t used to. It was one thing to be powerless to help in her dreams, quite another to be face-to-face with him looking healthy and virile.
 
By the Goddess, how many times after waking had she fantasized about the aftermath of his rescue? In them, he’d come to her, weeks or months later, fully recovered and looking like he did now. All man and very dangerous to her libido!
 
No, she was awake now and wouldn’t let her night time indulgences interfere with business.
 
“It depends on the nature of your situation Mister?”
 
She let the hint trail off, waiting on him to give his name. Maybe she’d get some answers. If she knew who he was, she could help him either prevent what was to come, or help him get over whatever it was he’d been through in the past.
 
“I thought all you Witches could read minds.”
 
Oh great, a non-believer
 
That wasn’t going to help! She shrugged indifferently. “Some do, some don’t. I could cast a spell that would tell me exactly who you are, but it would be far easier if you just told me.”
 
He tossed his wallet onto the counter. It flipped open and a gold Atlanta Police Department badge winked in the beam of sunlight filtering through the skylight above them. “Tygris,” he said. “Detective Austin Tygris,”
 
She scooped it up, checked the picture against his face and handed it back. “Well then, what can I do for you, Detective?”
 
Maybe this wasn’t the man from her dream. But the resemblance was uncanny. Granted Dream Man, as she’d come to think of him in the last months, didn’t have any hair, was probably fifty pounds lighter due to starvation, and his flesh looked like it had been stripped to the bone in several places but still. It had to be him.
 
Past, present or future she just wasn’t sure…yet.
 
“I need your help on a case.”
 
Ok, while it wasn’t uncommon for Paganites to help the police, he hadn’t gone through the official channels. If he had, she wouldn’t be talking to him at all. Ellenair, her Coven’s liaison to the Council would be standing here, not the all too sexy, deliciously handsome Detective Austin Tygris. The instant connection she felt disturbed her, cracking through the hard shell she’d spent years building. She smoothed out the stack of receipts again. “Did you petition our local council?”
 
“No.”
 
Confirmation! That meant he wasn’t officially here for her help. It was personal.
 
She checked his finger for a wedding ring. Nothing. Ok, so it wasn’t the cheating wife. Could be a girlfriend? That thought didn’t sit well in her stomach. She tossed it aside and looked up into his eyes. It was a mistake.
 
She drew in a breath and his scent wafted over her mind, invading her senses like nothing else ever had. Her heart tripped, slamming to a painful halt. The manly smell of Stetson cologne triggered an image of well-worn leather and jingling spurs. An image of this man in tight chaps, a white cowboy hat centered low over his eyes and little else came to mind.
 
She blinked, pushing the fantasy back. Not now!
 
“Why haven’t you? Petitioned the Council, I mean. That is standard procedure for the Atlanta Police Department, is it not?” she managed to ask.
 
“It is. But this is personal.”
 
Another confirmation. Yeah, it’s getting personal, real fast. The shell cracked again. It was only a tiny fracture but more than enough to unnerve her further. She prided herself on being a professional--cool, calm and unshakable. But this man, in a matter of minutes, had managed to agitate her. “Well then, let’s talk in my office.”
 
He nodded. “Yes, let’s do that.”
 
--------------
 
So, there ya go. Love's Prophecy will be up and live as soon as I get it back from the formatter. Hope you enjoyed it.
 
Until next time.

Thanks as always for stopping by.
 
Margaret Taylor

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Wednesday's Wanderings...

And no, I didn't misspell the title.

In the Texas heat - 100 + today here in San Antonio - I'm just a touch scattered.

And since I had the lovely Ms. Ella Jade on the blog Sunday, and I didn't get a chance to do a Sunday Shenanigans, my week has felt a little...well, off.

Anyhoo...

With that said, I've actually had a pretty awesome week...so far.

On Monday, I got a lovely review from Novel Grounds for A First Love Never Dies

Then yesterday, I found this little gem on Amazon from the equally lovely Ms. Vampy of Vampy's Ramblings. http://www.amazon.com/review/R19YERHZXX7G8W/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00D5UWYC4&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text

If you haven't liked her page, you really, really, really should! (Don't make me hold the cookies hostage now! Go on. Click. It. You know you want too!)

And then today - the best day so far - I got *THIS* from the lovely Danielle of Danielle's Dazzling Designs! And again, if you haven't liked HER, you'd best get to clickin'. I'm serious now. I'm gonna hold these freshly baked Quadruple Chocolate Chip Cookies hostage if I don't see some serious likeage for these two awesome ladies!!!!!

 
 
I got the Keychain and the Dog Tag in the middle there today.
 
And I'll bet you can guess exactly what Imma do with them, can't you! Yep, that's right, you guessed it. I'm gonna do a middle of the week giveaway.
 
And not just any giveaway either. This ones gonna be special. *nod nod* And the reason it's going to be so special I only got FOUR of these. That's right four. And honestly, one is around my neck right now and it'sa gonna stay there too! *stomps a foot*
 
But, I'm going to giveaway two of the others and save the third for a very special occasion. (Such as the release of Book 2 - Saving His Love.) But, that's for later.
 
For now though, here's what we'll do. I'm gonna set a Rafflecopter up and it's gonna run for five days. Until Midnight on Monday.
 
Now, not only will you have a chance at this super duper - yes, SIGNED - swagage, but I'm also gonna throw in a $10.00 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N, your choice.
 
So, you're gonna have two chances to win here. Two sets of swag and 2 Gift Cards will be the prizes. *nods*
 
But, and you honestly didn't think I was gonna make this easy on ya, did you? Yeah, didn't think so. You're gonna have to work for it...
 
So, get to clickin' on the Copter below and have some fun!
 
Thanks as always for stopping by.
 
Until next time.
 
Margaret Taylor
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 12, 2013

Winners, Winners, Chicken Dinners

Ok, actually, I had Mac and Ham for dinner tonight, but you get the idea...

With that said though, I do have to pronounce the winners from Ella's Blog Hop this weekend.

And after a very scientific method of choosing from all the comments (I had exactly 40 Comments - which is good because I suck at math sometimes! - and so I used four 10 sided dice, separated said comments into groups of ten and rolled the dice! Ha, don't you just love science and stuff?!?! Honestly, I used Random.org...*giggles* But the other way sounded cooler and showed off my geekiness, yes?)

Anyway, so here they are folks!

All four are receiving eBook copies in their preferred formats of my latest release - All In The Name Of Love and I truly hope they enjoy it. My readers tell me it's pretty good...:D

 
 
 
So say a hearty congrats to:
 
Jacquelinesreads
 
Kathy Osborn
 
LaTayna Lawson
 
JR Carroll
 
I've sent them all emails, so hopefully they'll respond. If they don't, I'll go back and choose some new victims, erm, winners!
 
As always, thanks for stopping by and showing your support for a wonderful Author and Friend, Ms. Ella Jade.
 
I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Until next time,
 
Margaret Taylor

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Ella's Turning 40 Blog Hop!





So a friend of mine has hit the big 40!

Yep, Ella Jade is turning 40 and to celebrate she's having a party and you're all invited!

And here you are at my stop along the way.

As usual, I have absolutely no clue what to post for these things but Ella suggested I give you a happy birthday memory from my past. Well, there's only one problem with that suggestion. I've never had a birthday party. Sadly, growing up as I did on the ranch, I had very few friends my own age and most birthdays I was usually working, so it just sort of slipped away.

Oh, my folks tried, they got me gifts and what not, but I never had a "party". And in my later years, after we sold the ranch and moved out of Georgia, I fear I just didn't make that many friends, so, *shrugs* as sad as it sounds, it just never happened.

But, I don't want to bring down Ella's big day...

So, let's celebrate her today and through the 11th (Sunday) and have some fun. Go peruse the other stops, see their fond memories of years gone by and celebrate with them.

And because I'm a good sport about it - I honestly usually just ignore the day if you must know - I'm going to have a little giveaway.

But, I'm gonna have to make you work for it!

So, here's what I want you to do. Go over to Ella's Facebook Page and wish her a Happy Birthday on her wall! Just for fun m'kay?

After you do that, come back here and leave me a comment down below. On Sunday, I'll draw four winners, that's right, four of you for an eBook Copy of my latest release: All In The Name Of Love

 
 
Adrian Hoyle, the Heroine of the story has a similar outlook on Birthday's and Holiday's as I do, so it's only fitting.
 
PLUS: Just because I'm cool and fun like that, one lucky winner will receive an Ultra Cool Swag Pack of stuff to include pens, post cards and bookmarks from the Spi-Corp Series - oh and a neat, nifty Dog Tag too!
 
So, go on, get to wishing people! Have fun with it too...*grins* And tell her I sent you while your at it...*laughing*
 
And don't forget to head over to the rest of the stops on the hop and enter to win the $100 Amazon Gift Card Ella is being so generous and giving away during the event! Oh and every comment here for my contest counts as an entry into the Grand Prize for that gift card. The more places you stop and comment the more chances you have to win it. So, go on now, get to clickin' people!
 
Until next time,

Thanks as always for stopping by.
 
Margaret Taylor

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Some Business to Attend to...

First off, an apology to all those awaiting results from my last Rafflecopter Giveaway.

I'm sorry. I'm usually very organized but somehow I misplaced the notebook that contained all my passwords. I'm sure most of you are like me, you're on a variety of social media sites like FB, Twitter, Linked In, BlogSpot and so on. As you know, each of them requires a log in and it's hard to keep those all straight, all the time. So, I'd taken to writing everything down and keeping that 'log' on my desk where I could find it anytime I needed it.

Smart right?

Sure, you'd think!

Well, somewhere in the midst of my roommate looking for something and me cleaning last week, said little black book got misplaced. Personally, I think the roommate or even me, might have accidentally tossed it in the trash - I doubt it was me, I know what it looks like and how important it is! - but anyway, I can not find it to save my life right now.

And wouldn't you know, one of the passwords in said book is for Rafflecopter. *sighs*. Now, when I discovered it was missing and knowing I needed to draw and notify some winners, I went and requested a new password from them, but it's taken them nearly a week to get back to me! Go figure.

So, earlier today I finally get a return email and a new log in and viola, I was able to get access to the last one I set up.

So, here are the winners:

$10 Gift Card to Amazon.com goes to: Shannon Aleene Romein

An eBook copy of A First Love Never Dies goes to: Cassandra Hicks

An eBook copy of Saving His Love (when available) goes to: Barrie Mac

And the signed Swag Pack goes to: Amanda Kalp DiDonato

Congratulations to all of you. You've been sent an email and I truly appreciate your patience!

Until next time,

Thanks as always for stopping by,

Margaret Taylor