Monday, September 17, 2012

Happy Book Birthday to Goddess on the Run and The False Gwenevere!


Two new Crescent Moon Press books are being released today! Happy book birthday, Marne Ann and Suzanne!

Goddess on the Run by Marne Ann Kirk

All Fomorian Hells are about to break loose on earth, making human souls the daily special, if the Tuatha de Danaan can’t stop it.

Teagan, a Celtic demi-goddess hiding from her destiny in small-town Colorado, wants nothing to do with her mother’s forgotten realm or the drama of a battle of the gods. And Merric is forbidden fruit she’s too smart to taste.

Merric, leader of the Tuatha de Danaan warriors, has other plans. Teagan holds the key to salvation, for both him and their worlds, whether she wants to or not. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her of her duty.

But can he find the key to her heart?

About the author:
Marne Ann Kirk lives in Western Colorado, where her husband, children, grand-children, and a herd of small animals ride roughshod over her or at least she lets them think they do. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, which she uses a bit as a writer and much less as a wife and mother. When she isn't escaping into the worlds her imagination creates, Marne can be found trying to get the last three of seven children safely through their teen years, playing with her grand-babies, baking, daydreaming in her garden, or learning to blog. Her favorite authors, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lyndsay Sands, and Kresley Cole, inspire her. Marne is a member of Romance Writers of America, and its Future, Fantasy, & Paranormal chapter. She is the Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers for 2011, of which she's been a member since 2002.

You can find Marne hanging out with some close friends and fellow writers at: 
Cowboys and Dragons at the Cafe.



The False Gwenevere by Suzanne Shanken

Imagine living with hundreds of people in a large fortress, but you are practically invisible. This is the life of Gaenor aka Nora, an outcast fey child rejected by her mother and abandoned by her father. After her twin sister, Gwenevere, marries King Arthur, Nora journeys to Annwn and is now the center of attention for the first time in her life. For everyone but Nora believes she is part of a long awaited fey legend.

Merlyn sends Lancelot after Nora fearing that she is in danger. But Nora's not like the other damsels Lancelot's known. They were merely a means to an end; damsels rescued at Merlyn's behest in order to uncover the mysteries of his own lost past. However, Nora possesses courage and determination, compelling Lancelot to break his rule about avoiding romantic complications.

Once in Annwn, the pair must unite against an evil sorcerer who threatens everything.

About the author:
Suzanne received a university scholarship by winning a short story contest and earned bachelor degrees in both British Archeology and Ancient Religions. Her love of writing found a home in the university newspaper and while student teaching creative writing classes. Suzanne studied Arthurian legends extensively in college. Her goal was to write tales where the Arthurian women are good and not depicted as villains.

She is currently working on another fantasy romance about Morgana le Fey. In this story, Morgana is the protagonist, instead of the usual plots with her being an evil sorcerer.

As a history buff, Suzanne enjoys attending Renaissance Faires where she participates in battle reenactments and archery competitions. She lives 7,000 feet up in the mountain community of Big Bear Lake, California where primitive nature is a constant inspiration for expanding her metaphysical studies.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Happy Book Birthday to Fairyproof and Demons of the Sun!


Two of the talented authors at Crescent Moon press had their books released this week. Happy book birthday, Constance and Cindi!

Fairyproof by Constance Phillips

When Monique finds out her brother, Kieran, is planning her future with the one fairy she wants nothing to do with, she seeks refuge in the human world. Now Kieran fears she will be the next victim in a string of murdered fairies and is determined to bring her home.

Hiding should be a breeze. She can control any human with a flirtatious smile and an attraction spell. Until she meets Daniel Elliot, the only human who's immune to both.

A year ago, Daniel's fiancée disappeared with the engagement ring, an Elliot family heirloom. He's ready to move forward with his life, but his mother's obsession with retrieving the ring makes that impossible. Then Monique walks into his office to apply for a job.

Daniel and Monique can't deny their attraction, but will the reason he's Fairyproof be too much to overcome?

About the author:
Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff. When she's not writing about fairies, shifters, vamps, and guardian angels, she's working side-by-side with her husband in their hardwood flooring business.

Constance is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter (MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look for the pink Converse high tops).



Demons of the Sun by Cindi Madsen

Persephone didn't ask to be the guardian of Hades Dagger, an artifact Hades forged to turn demons into daywalkers and wants back. She didn't ask for the demon blood running through her veins that allows her to touch the thing, either. And she definitely didn't ask for Jax, a cocky Warrior, to barge into her life and proclaim himself her bodyguard. Suddenly, she has to deal with all three, along with an increase in demon attacks and the fact members of the Order of Zeus keep turning up dead.

When demons tell Persephone that she's one of them, she's appalled. And a little intoxicated by the power she feels when they call her their queen. Telling Jax about her demon side might turn him away from her forever, but something bad is brewing, and if Persephone doesn't figure out something, and soon, she'll be responsible for unleashing Hell on Earth.

About the author:
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she'd be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they're sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Cat Who Hates Me


I’m a cat person. Some of my friends even jokingly call me the Cat Whisperer because I pretty much get along with all of them. I love cats and they love me… mostly.

My dad’s cat, Katie, does NOT love me. She hates me. With a passion. Now to be fair, she pretty much hates everyone with the exception of my dad. She tolerates my mom, but probably only because Mom feeds her.

Katie - Can't you just see the disdain for me on her face?

It still kills me though, every time I visit them, I try to play with her, try to feed her, try to pet her, all with no joy. If I get within two feet of her cat tree, she starts to growl! If I get too close, she swats me.

As for my dad, he gets along with most any animal, especially, of course, his rotten cat. My cat, Luna, however, doesn’t like him very much… but he has been known to spit gum at her occasionally… don’t ask!

Luna - The epitome of cute.

It occurred to me today that cats and readers have something in common. Not that they growl and swat me! But because what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another person… or cat. How many people love love love 50 Shades of Grey? Yeah, soooo not me. But I adore The Stand by Stephen King and I’ve found quite a few scathing reviews of it that I completely disagree with. Taste – and the love of a cat apparently – is subjective.

So the next time I get a less-than-glowing review, I’ll try to keep Luna and Katie in mind. And I’ll do my best not to growl at the reviewer.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The LOOK Challenge


Loni Flowers has asked me to join in the LOOK Challenge. Before I talk about the challenge, let me encourage you to drop by her blog and check out her debut novel, Taking Chances.

Now on to the challenge! Here are the rules:
  • Find the first usage of the word "look" in your work in progress and paste the surrounding paragraph(s) into your blog.
  • Invite as many people as you want to take part in the challenge with you.

I’m excited to share with you a brief peek at my work in progress, Gypsy Magick, a novella sequel to my first book, Magick Charm. This story is about Megan Beaty, the sassy police office who helped out the twins in my first book. Her ex-partner, Roberts, has spitefully spread nasty rumors around the department about her. She’s also been secretly dating Pete, the owner of Voodoo Pete’s, a bar in the French Quarter. A body showed up behind Pete’s bar and Megan has been called in to investigate:

            If she thought her reputation was bad now, it would devolve into horrors she couldn’t imagine if she admitted to dating a murder suspect. Oh my God, murder! she thought. It was easier to be detached about the situation when she wasn’t closely involved. No, Pete was no murderer, she was sure of it. The problem was, the gang of cops outside were itching to find the culprit. The murder was gruesome and the body had been seen by enough people that the department was certainly under pressure to arrest a suspect quickly. Someone like Roberts wouldn’t look any further than the surface.
            A murder, appearing to be voodoo related, occurred only a few steps outside a seedy voodoo bar. The proprietor has a well-known reputation for being a voodoo practitioner. Suspect number one could easily be railroaded.
            Megan shook her head at the thought. No, that would never happen if she was involved in the investigation. She wouldn’t allow it.

Here are a few authors whose current works in progress I’d love to check out! Want to play along?
  1. John Marani
  2. Amy Turner
  3. Kendall Grey
  4. Kinley Baker
  5. Louann Carroll
  6. Lindsey R. Loucks
  7. Jean Murray
  8. Katie O’Sullivan
  9. Shawna Romkey
  10. Patricia C. Lee

Monday, August 27, 2012

The Sunshine Award


The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blogosphere. I’m so pleased to have been awarded one by Loni Flowers, author of Taking Chances! Go check out her blog here.

Here are the rules for accepting this award:

  • Link back to the person who gave me the award.
  • Answer the following questions.
  • Nominate ten bloggers for the award.
  • Link my nominees to the post and let them know about the award.


On to the questions!

What is your favorite Christmas/festive movie?
Scrooge with Albert Finney. This is actually a musical version of this classic story, and it has long been a tradition in my family to watch it at the beginning of the holiday season each year. The songs are great too – “I Hate People” is darkly entertaining, of course sung by Scrooge himself. “Thank You Very Much” is catchy, plus it turns a funeral into a huge dance number. Not many musicals can boast that accomplishment!

What is your favorite flower? 
I love sunflowers because they’re so pretty and cheery! I also love purple flowers – for example, I had irises in my wedding.

What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?
Diet Coke! I swear, they must put crack in it or something, I love it so much!

What is your passion?
Aside from writing? I love biology, especially marine biology! Manatees and sharks are my favorite. Really, I’m a fan of virtually any kind of animal. I have three children who happen to have four paws and whiskers! I also enjoy sewing, making jewelry, and video games (especially The Sims 3 and Skyrim).

What is your favorite time of year?
I’m super psyched because fall is coming up soon! I think fall has all the best clothes – pretty autumn-y colors, sweaters, and boots. I love watching the trees change color, getting ready for Halloween (my favorite holiday), and letting the cool breezes come in through the screen door.

What is your favorite time of day?
Night. Let’s be clear – I am so not a morning person! The only thing that keeps me from being homicidal in the morning is coffee. At night, I get to curl up on the couch with my husband, my cats, and my laptop. I usually get my best writing done right before bedtime.

What is your favorite physical activity?
The words “favorite” and “physical activity” do not belong in the same sentence, in my opinion. But if I have to choose something, it would be what I call a zombie shamble. Let me explain! I have this great app on my phone called Zombies, Run! It’s an audio story that puts you in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. People in the story with you and some friends on the radio help you navigate around to pick up necessary supplies, complete missions, and essentially outrun zombies. The point is to help you exercise and keep you running. Well, I don’t run; I walk. So I’ve taken to calling it my zombie shamble when I do go out for some exercise.

What is your favorite vacation?
New Orleans! This city has so much soul, history, and life! You can either tour the city, seeing museums and the aquarium, shop, have a drink on Bourbon Street, or just relax at a sidewalk café, people-watching.

Here are some of my favorite bloggers and my nominees for the Sunshine Award:
  1. John Marani at Metaphysical Meanderings byJohnnieTwoBrows
  2. Amy Turner at Lyre’s Musings
  3. Samantha Harvey at Ask A Witch
  4. Marne Ann Kirk at Cowboys and Dragons at the Cafe
  5. Cindy Young-Turner
  6. Penelope Marzec
  7. Dottie Taylor at Tink’s Place
  8. Jenn Nixon
  9. Constance Phillips, A Writer's Musings
  10. Hildie McQueen, Writing by Moonlight