Thursday, July 25, 2013

Hot Paranormal Nights Blog Hop with Tricia Schneider

Welcome Blog Hoppers!

I'm a fan of the paranormal. All the spooky things that go bump in the night and send shivers down my spine fascinate me. Add some history and romance to the mix and its a perfect combination.

That's why I love writing about the Merriweather Witches, a family living in Regency-era England. In this family, both males and females have inherited the magical skills of their mother. Since the death of their parents, the siblings have gone to live with their Aunt Petunia who cares and raises them as if they were her own children. They grow up under her tutelage, learning the magic she teaches and trying to find their way in a world where witches are still hunted and feared.

There are 7 siblings, each with a story to tell. They have adventures, learn valuable lessons, save lives and fall in love along the way.
____________________________________________________________________

Meet Lillian in The Witch and the Wolf...


Lord Jeremy North's curse is to become a werewolf during every full moon, turning into a bloodthirsty monster that kills with no remorse. When he finds a woman nearly frozen upon his doorstep, his sense of honor compels him to help her, even at the risk he might kill her himself.

Lillian Merriweather hadn't planned to get caught in a blizzard while traveling the English countryside. Nor had she planned on finding refuge in a house full of secrets. But Lillian has secrets of her own. And what she's running from is not far behind...

______________________________________________________________________

 
Melora Merriweather is searching for a fellow witch to protect her from a scheming uncle with plans of marriage. When her carriage overturns on her journey, she is rescued by a mysterious man whom she learns is the very person she seeks. But, he’s not the witch she thought he was…

Sebastian Collins should have left for London days ago. Now a snowstorm has trapped him with a woman who has come seeking protection, a woman who intrigues him like no other. And with each passing hour, his hunger for her grows…hunger for her kiss, her caress, and her blood.


______________________________________________________________________

These two Merriweather sisters have their stories told, but there are more to come! I love writing these stories and thrilled that readers have responded well to them and keep asking for more! 

Here's a sneak peek of the next Merriweather witch...

Meet Basil in The Witch's Thief...

Julia Grey is searching for a spell rumored to be hidden somewhere within Merriweather Manor. Taking a position as lady's companion to the elderly witch living there gives her the freedom to search. But time is running out. The necromancer she's bargained with is growing impatient with the delay, and the last thing she expects is a man from her past returning home....

Basil Merriweather returns to England after spending ten years abroad to find his childhood sweetheart now living in his home. But, things have changed between them. He's no longer the carefree man of his youth and she's keeping secrets...deadly secrets Basil vows to uncover.

Release Date: To be announced

______________________________________________________________________

More news! I have the first draft of Sage Merriweather's story completed. I'm in the process of writing Hyacinth's story now. I can't wait to share those with you, too!

And now to offer a prize to a lucky reader of this blog hop!

Comment to win a Kindle copy of your choosing... 

The Witch and the Wolf  
OR 
The Witch and the Vampire

Let me know in your comment which you'd prefer and an email where I can reach you.

And thanks to you all for taking the time to read about my family of witches!

Be sure to stop by the next blog on this hop! There are tons of prizes and great books to discover!


Thursday, July 18, 2013

Hot Summer Romance Give@way Hop ~ Beach Reads





One thing I love about summer is picking my list of Beach Reads.

I always look forward to stocking up on my summertime books. Whether I go to the beach or not, there's always summer vacation!

Reading is an all year activity for me, but I also read seasonally. I like to read summery books (involving stories with beach or island settings or those that take place at sea) during the summer and wintry books (settings that take place during blizzards or with Christmas themes) during winter. Makes sense, yes?  Well, I guess it makes sense to some. My husband doesn't agree. He thinks I'm...eccentric. Not quite the word he used, but that's what I'm going with. And I know I'm not the only one who reads this way. I worked 12 years in a bookstore; I've met other readers who do the same. I'm not alone!

I made a list of summer books I'd like to read this year. I know I won't get to all of them (I have writing deadlines!). That's okay! I can bend the rules now and then to read them whenever I want! :)

  • Secrets of a Summer Wallflower by Lisa Kleypas
  • Summer Secrets by Barbara Freethy 
  • Midsummer Moon by Laura Kinsale
  • Swept Away by Marsha Canham
  • Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
  • The Shipwreck by Glynnis Campbell

****Are you a seasonal reader? Do you have any Beach Reads or Summer Vacation Books you plan to read this summer? Share with us! I'm always looking to add to my TBR! Comment for a chance to WIN a KINDLE or PDF version of THE WITCH AND THE WOLF.

Now, I give you fair warning. The Witch and the Wolf is not a beach read (for me). It's a winter time book. But,  maybe you aren't a seasonal reader. Maybe you like to read summer books in the winter and winter books in the summer. Either way, I hope you'll enjoy my historical paranormal romance. Even I can't wait to read some books! :)

If you can't wait to read my books (I adore you!) then you can purchase them from The Wild Rose Press or Kindle. There are two currently available in The Merriweather Witches series with the third to be released hopefully by the end of the year. More to come on that another day!

Here's a little about the The Witch and the Wolf:


Lord Jeremy North's curse is to become a werewolf during every full moon, turning into a bloodthirsty monster that kills with no remorse. When he finds a woman nearly frozen upon his doorstep, his sense of honor compels him to help her, even at the risk he might kill her himself.



Lillian Merriweather hadn't planned to get caught in a blizzard while traveling the English countryside. Nor had she planned on finding refuge in a house full of secrets. But Lillian has secrets of her own. And what she's running from is not far behind...

Excerpt:

There were several moments Jeremy North suspected he suffered hallucinations. Most of those times had been when he had first begun to change into the beast during the full moon. And now, as he answered the knocking he had at first imagined to be the pounding in his skull, he wondered if the brandy he had been drinking this evening was perhaps tainted. He could not quite believe his eyes.

A woman stood on his doorstep, covered in a layer of snow, her bright blue eyes silently pleading to him just before her eyelids fluttered closed, and she crumpled at his feet. He managed to set the candle down safely on a table in time to catch her before she cracked her head on the stone beneath her. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, brought her into the house, slamming the door closed with his foot. He hurried into the library with his unexpected guest. North had returned earlier seeking the warm oblivion of yet another glass of brandy. He grimaced at the memory of countless other sleep-deprived nights spent in much the same way. Sans an unconscious woman, however.

He placed the bundled woman onto the sofa, ignoring the fact that the snow was bound to create a water stain on the fabric once it melted. He leaned over her, pushing the curly brown strands of wet hair off her face and checked to see if she still breathed. Satisfied when he felt her breath on his hand, he went back to the corridor.

“Amery!” He roared.

Turning back to the woman on his sofa, he again felt the necessity to blink his eyes, wondering if they played a trick with his senses. He lit more candles to brighten the room and added more wood to the fire. Then he walked back to the woman and knelt at her side. He found her hand dangling over the edge of the sofa and took it gently in his, the digits frozen stiff. He inhaled a gasp. He cupped both of his hands instinctively around hers, hoping to lend her his warmth.

He heard the shuffle from the hallway and Amery’s muttering, then a noisy yawn.

“Bloody hell! What is this?” Amery bellowed from the doorway.

North ignored the query. “We need blankets,” he said, instead. “She’s frozen through.”

Amery nodded and left.

A muffled groan from behind drew his attention, and he turned to see the woman’s eyelids flutter open. He inhaled sharply as her bright blue gaze fell upon him.

She studied him for a moment.

And then, she smiled.


Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this hop! Lots and lots of cool prizes!  

This blog hop has two Grand Prizes
#1 is a Kindle Fire
#2 is a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate

Everyone who comments on this blog will be entered for a chance to win the Grand Prize as well as a chance to win a copy of  
The Witch and the Wolf!

Good luck!