Witch Books for the Snarkology Halloween Hop #bloghop #witches

Halloween is nearly here! One of my favorite two holidays of the year! To celebrate, I've joined 2 spooktacular blog hops! The Snarkology Halloween Hop (Oct 26-31) & the Haunting Halloween Hop (Oct 24-31). So, you have double the chances of winning fantastic prizes by checking the blogs on each hop. Be sure to check the other blogs on this hop at the end of this post!

In my last post, I shared my favorite vampire movies of all time. In this hop, I'm going to share my favorite books about witches. These are must read books! I always recommend them to anyone who wants a riveting, supernatural read.

Eternity by Maggie Shayne (Kindle version is FREE! Get your copy!)

Three hundred years ago, Raven St. James was accused of witchcraft...Only one man tried to free her from the hangman's noose--Duncan, the town minister, who died trying to save her. Three hundred years later, the accused witch still lives and longs for her love...At last, after centuries of loneliness, Raven has found her precious Duncan. But as he awakens to the passion of his past life, so too does the evil that tore them apart. Now Raven and Duncan must prove their love for all eternity...









Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge- an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil... and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder- and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party... and to feed. Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining - and it's Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized. A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead... or undead.

Karma by Nadine Nightingale

People call me all sorts of names—bad girl, black sheep, and my all-time favorite...Satan’s bride. I could blame the fact I’m a witch for my behavior, but the truth is I’m infuriating, arrogant, and stab-worthy. Alex Remington is a hunter and everything I’m not—righteous, honest, caring. We used to have a thing, but that was before he learned I’m a witch and tried to kill me. Eighteen months later, he’s back in my life and we have a deal; I’ll help him save his brother and he’ll disappear from my life for good. But karma can be a real bitch…

Have you read any on my list? 

What books about magical witches would you recommend? 

I'm always excited to begin reading a new series!

* * * * *

Now, I'll share a little about my books, The Merriweather Witches. The series (which can be read out of order) begins with...

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 of her own. And what she's running from is not far behind...

Read an Excerpt...





The Witch and the Vampire

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.

Read an Excerpt...

 The Witch's Thief

To save her sister’s life, Julia Grey seeks a spell hidden somewhere within Merriweather Manor. Her position as a lady's companion affords her the freedom to search the house. But time is running out. The necromancer she's bargained with is growing impatient. And an unexpected appearance of a man from her past makes matters worse in an already complicated situation.

Basil Merriweather returns to England after ten years abroad to discover his childhood sweetheart living in his home. But, he's no longer the carefree man of his youth and she's hiding something--deadly secrets Basil vows to uncover even as he hides a dark secret of his own.

While neither Basil nor Julia will trust in the other, their hearts speak a truer language.  In a grand attempt to save Julia's sister and Basil's life, the two must finally confess sinister truths. Will their admissions help or hinder any future they may have together? Or will the necromancer destroy all in a vile attempt at revenge.

Read an Excerpt...

The Witch's Kiss

Marianne Grey is a ghost.

But, she's not dead. Cursed by a necromancer, Marianne searches for the elusive spell needed to merge her spirit with her physical body. She's not alone in her search. Her neighbor and best friend, Sage Merriweather, has vowed to help her break the curse.

Sage suffers from his own demons. Literally.

After surviving a horrific attack, a demon has bonded with him, mutating Sage's magic so he can only conjure fire. Until he can break the bond, he is a danger to everyone near him, including those he loves.

From the glittering ballrooms of London to eerily dark graveyards, Marianne and Sage battle forces of evil destined to claim their souls for eternity. Though their newfound love for each other may be the toughest battle of all.

Read an Excerpt...

I'm giving away 2 prizes for this hop!

Your choice of book from the Merriweather Witches series 

and a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card!

For more information about my books, check out my website or my publisher. 

Newsletter Sign-ups!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Reading!

Tricia

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Movie Vampires in A Haunting Halloween Hop #bloghop #books #prizes

I've joined a group of amazing authors to celebrate one of my favorite holidays of the year...Halloween! Be sure to check out the other authors in this blog hop for a chance to win some spooky treats, books and other great prizes!

Vampires have been one of my favorite supernatural creatures since I was at least 4 years-old. I remember watching re-runs of the 1960's gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows, with my mom every night after supper. Barnabas became my favorite vampire from that moment on!

Here are some of my other favorite vampires in cinema:

• Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) - Gary Oldman plays the title role of Dracula in this heart-breaking version where he seeks to be reunited with his beloved Elisabeta (Mina).
• Lost Boys (1987) - Two brothers discover that not all is what it seems after moving to a new town. The angst of teenage vampires! This movie stirred up a lot of vampire dreams when I was a kid and remains one of my absolute favorites!
• Interview With a Vampire (1994) A vampire tells his story to a reporter, allowing viewers to relive his birth into this dark world and witness the trials of his immortal life. A sensational movie based on the novel by Anne Rice. 
• Underworld (2003) This is the first movie in a series about vampires and werewolves. There is a war between the two species. This is a seductively dark, adventurous movie with the beautiful vampire, Selene, and the human, Michael, with whom she falls in love.
• Dracula 2000 (2000) Dracula is released from his decades old entrapment to take revenge on his nemesis, Van Helsing, by seducing the man's daughter. Gerard Butler plays a handsome and hypnotic Dracula in this movie. I love the vampire origin story that we discover at the end!
• Van Helsing (2004) This movie has more than just vampires! Van Helsing is a monster hunter assigned by the church to capture supernatural creatures running amok in society. He's sent to Transylvania where he discovers Count Dracula is up to no good. This movie has an incredible cast with Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, David Wenham, and Richard Roxburgh who plays one of my favorite versions of the famous vampire.
• Dracula (1931) Bela Lugosi is the classic vampire in this tale of seduction. Count Dracula has come to England and finds Mina.
• Nosferatu (1922) This is the grandfather of all vampire movies! Count Orlok is the kind of vampire described in folktales told all around the world, before the handsome, seductive versions became popular. This is a creepy and horrific tale!
• Shadow of the Vampire (2000) This movie is the fictionalize re-telling of how the movie Nosferatu was filmed. 
• Dracula Untold (2014) Prince Vlad's only solution to defeating the invading Turks is to become a monster to save his people and his family. I just watched this movie for the first time a few weeks ago. It was not what I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
• Dracula Dead & Loving It (1995) I had to include this amusing parody in my list! Mel Brooks' version of Dracula with the talented Leslie Nielson remains one of my favorites to enjoy a good laugh. Silliness at its best!

That's my list! Have you watched any of them? 

What are your favorite vampire movies?

 

Here's my version of the vampire written in 

The Witch and the Vampire. 

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.

Excerpt:

"You are Sebastian Collins? Of Caldwell House?” she asked. Had she made some horrible mistake? Who knew how old this letter might be? There had been no date written on any of them. Could this have come from a previous owner of the single address she had managed to discover leading her here? But, no, it could not be possible. Her dreams never misled her.

“Indeed, I am,” he answered, relieving her fears. He paused briefly, and then continued, “But there is no Mrs. Collins.”

Comprehension dawned. The blush of embarrassment and dread crept up her neck. To her surprise, Mr. Collins stiffened in agitation.

“I-I am truly sorry,” she stated, suddenly understanding his reaction. At least, now it made sense why Mrs. Collins never entered her dreams. “I had not realized she had passed. I apologize for the grief I have surely inflicted on you.”

“No, no,” he said, with a shake of his head. He appeared to have difficulty speaking for a moment until at last, with a deep breath, he reclaimed his composure. Still, he kept his eyes cast down, toward the fire. “You fail to understand. I have never married.”

Melora stared at him. Confused, she looked again at the letter in her hand. “But the letters…?”

This time, his head snapped up, and he looked in her direction. She inhaled sharply at the sight of his light blue eyes staring at her. Into her. Through her. Sharp. Piercing. As if he searched her soul for the answers to his questions.

Now for the Giveaways! 

I have 2 prizes I'm giving away to one lucky winner! 

A digital copy of my paranormal romance, The Witch and the Vampire, 

and 

a coffin-shaped trinket box (check back for photos!). 

 Good Luck & Happy Halloween!

 

For more information about my books, check out my website or my publisher. 

Newsletter Sign-ups!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Reading!

Tricia

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If I Were a Mobster... I'd be a Reader #bloghop #booktour

To celebrate the release of Chrys Fey's new book, she's asked participating authors and bloggers to host her book tour with a unique twist. She's asked us to write something from the prompt...

If I were a Mobster...

Although this isn't a genre in which I normally write, it sounded like a fun idea. I thought about creating a brand new character, or a piece of short fiction, but when I told my kids what I was writing they suggested that I just write about myself as a mobster. Chrys supplied a practice profile to inspire our blog posts, so I decided to use that to determine if I could cut it as a mobster. 

Here's my mobster profile:

My Mobster Name: Tricia "The Daydreamer" Schneider

My Rank: Leader of the Schneider Minions (aka my kids)

Crime Zone: Pennsylvania coal region

My Look/Disguise: My Outside Disguise: Blue Jeans, high heeled boots & and a ponytail

My Inside Look: Comfy, super-soft sweats and a Supernatural t-shirt

Weapon of Choice: Pen (actually, these days a laptop) or a Kindle (for those days I decide not to smite any unlucky characters in my manuscripts)

Mobster Vehicle: Minivan for the minions (so we can make fast getaways from baseball practices & Cub Scout meetings)

What I’m Known For: Bringing a book with me no matter where I go. Also, writing or reading at any spare moment of the day. Even if it's 10 minutes parked in the minivan outside of the school while waiting to make a fast getaway with the minions after music practice.

My Catch Phrase: Tomorrow is another day. Wait. Is that taken?

The Name of my Mob Leader: Amazon

 I'm not sure that I'm mobster material, but I think I make a really great reader!

Check out Chrys Fey's exciting new book!

30 SECONDS BEFORE BLURB:

Blake Herro is a cop in the Cleveland Police Force. Ever since he was a child he wanted to do right by the city he loved by cleaning up the streets and protecting its citizens. Red, a notorious mobster, has other plans.

On a bitter December night, ten police officers are drawn into a trap and killed by Red’s followers. Blake wants to bring down the Mob to avenge his fallen brothers and to prevent other cops from being murdered. Except the only way he can do that is by infiltrating the Mob.

Every minute he’s with these mobsters he’s in danger. Around every corner lies the threat of coming face to face with a gun. Will he make it out of the Mob alive or will he be their next victim?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US / Amazon UK /  Amazon CA

NOOK / KOBO / The Wild Rose Press

To celebrate, 30 Seconds, the follow up story, is on sale for 99 cents!

Sale Oct. 21^st – Nov. 4th

SALE LINKS:

Amazon / The Wild Rose Press / NOOK / KOBO

BIO:

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series (Hurricane Crimes and Seismic Crimes), as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Death, and Witch of Death. Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Now please hop around to the other participants:

The Pirate's Lady is Available for Pre-Order #historicalromance

My historical romance debut, The Pirate's Lady, is coming soon! 

The release day is November 11, 2016, 

but you have a chance to reserve your copy today at the following retailers:

Amazon 

All Romance eBooks

Barnes & Noble

BookStrand

Kobo 

itunes/ibooks

or add it to your wishlist at The Wild Rose Press

Captain Marco Dante was captured and sentenced to hang two years ago, but he escaped before his sentence was carried out. Now he's come back to the woman who's memory kept him alive those long months in prison. Arianne had been his grand passion, but he failed to see how much she meant to him until it was too late. Can he recapture her heart? Or has he lost her forever?

Arianne never imagined she'd see her notorious pirate lover again. Though her heart sings with joy at his return, she knows he hasn't come back for her but for the treasure he left behind. She agrees to help him find it, but can her heart withstand one more adventure with him?

Excerpt:

"I have a life here now."

"There's nothing for you here. Your place is by my side. In your heart, you 'tis true."

She looked away, turning her gaze to the ocean’s waves pounding the beach with hypnotic rhythm. A few moments ago, she sat here, mulling over her life’s misfortunes and attempting to reach a decision about her future.

Her fate.

Arianne shook her head. “I no longer travel your path. You sail without me, my friend.”

She pushed her bare toes into the grainy sand and stood, brushing the remaining sand that clung to her petticoats. In the silence of the crashing waves, she turned and walked away.

Inside, her heart bled. Yet, she deserved no better. Her life led to this heartache. That she walked away from this man now, after all this time only confirmed it.

“Arianne, you’re coming with me.”

His serious tone warned her of his intentions. She spun to face him, unsheathing her sword in time to block his attack. The sound of metal striking metal pierced the moonlit darkness. Her ears rang with the sound.

They stood, neither moving. She stared into his eyes. “You would take me by force?”

“Never by force,” his voice lowered to a growl. “You will come willingly.” And he
smiled, that knowing one she hated.

She let out a howl of outrage and swung her sword. He easily blocked. They stepped
a deadly dance of striking blades, until again they were trapped by heated gazes.

Her breathing was heavy, labored, filled with excitement. She looked at his lips, wanting to taste them but knowing she dared not. Her will was never strong around him. With one touch she might lose herself and want him again for forever. But that dream would never be achievable with Marco.

With him, she’d always be alone.

“Come with me, Arianne.”

“No.”

She pushed away and again they danced. Her feet moved lightly as she sprang, her petticoats swirling with each movement though she hoped they would not entangle her legs. Her arm swung with lithe movements as she fought. She equaled him with skill and grace. Each time their swords clashed, the noise pierced her soul. That she fought him was a testament to her determination to escape his tyranny over her heart. She could not succumb to him again.

As they battled, a sheen of sweat appeared upon his brow. The exposed skin of his chest glistened in the moonlight. His arms flexed as he swung his sword. His grace, his power, his energy seduced her.

Her heart pounded. Her skin ached to touch his. The heat in her lower regions grew to a fiery inferno. She trembled.

Again, they locked blades.

They stood a moment, staring. His gaze burned into her soul. She licked the salty sweat from her upper lip, and his eyes followed the movement with utter fascination.

He pushed their swords away. With his free hand, he grabbed her shoulder, pulling her tight against his chest. Arianne tilted her head to look into his eyes. The blue depths called to her, like the ocean’s waves licking at her feet. The yearning to go to him was too great. She hadn’t the will to fight.

Happy Reading!

Tricia

Ready or Not? #IWSG #writers #writingprocess

IWSG Asks: When do you know your story is ready?

That is an incredibly difficult question to answer. I know each writer will have a different answer and there is no right or wrong one. It all depends on the individual writer, their personal experience and knowledge, how much writing practice was involved before writing this particular story and so on.

For me, each individual story varies. I write in stages.

First stage…The rough draft

Sometimes, the words flow with ease and other times I have to practically bleed upon the page. Some first drafts can be written extremely fast. My personal record is an 80,000 word novel in a week. I've only ever managed that incredible feat once in my life and that was before I had kids or even a job! I had nothing but time back then, in my younger days. Yeah, I was a teenager when I wrote that one. No actual skills or expertise, just gut instinct and nothing to do all day but write. We didn't have cell phones back then either! 

More recently, I did manage to write 30,000 words in a week. That was incredible fun! I was on such a writing high which I hadn't experienced in a really long time. However, my family didn't appreciate me ignoring them for hours. They kept interrupting me to complain about dirty dishes and filthy laundry. And, please, could someone just tell me, why do people need to eat every day, all day long? My family insists on being fed, like 3 times a day! And they expect me to cook for them! I could probably live on take-out or cereal for every meal for at least a week, but my husband frowns upon that sort of thing. 

If I can manage about 50,000 words in a month, I'm thrilled! I'm lovin' stories like that! NaNoWriMo is great for these stories. Again, my family doesn't particularly like it. I broke the news to my husband the other day that I was planning to participate in this year's writing event. He wasn't pleased. I bowed out of the last few NaNoWriMo's because of the stress it sometimes brings, but this year I have a story prepared…ready and plotted…except for the…ehem…ending. Still working on that.

Those are the exceptions, however, for my typical writing. Usually, it takes much longer for me to write a story. Somewhere between 6 months to a year, sometimes even two years. Because I'm a panster, I don't have any idea where the story will end up. Or I'll have an ending, but not a beginning. It's normally one or the other. There are many times that I keep writing until the story fades in my imagination, where I'll come to a sudden stop and not have any idea what happens next. Either I work it out in some way, or I take a break from it and move on to either editing or writing another story. In this way, I always have two WIP's going at all times.

Second Stage…The Waiting Period 

(also known as the Cooling Down Stage)

Once that first draft is written (Hallelujah!), I take the family out for ice cream. It's a time for celebration. And since I need all the encouragement I can get, having my kids tell me what a great job I did writing a story they know nothing about so they can have an ice cream cone smothered with sprinkles is praise indeed.

Also, I need to set the manuscript aside and not even think about it for at least a month or two or three. I need to distance myself from my writing so when I come back to it, I'll read it with fresh eyes. Usually, I begin writing another story. Or I take some time to read someone else's books. I have an unbelievably long TBR pile that sits on my bookshelf taunting me with great adventures every time I walk by it.

Third Stage…The Edits & Revisions

Eventually, I go back to my manuscript and start edits and revisions. Depending on the story, these can take longer than the actual first draft writing. It can be frustrating work, especially if I've found a problem with the story that needs extensive fixing. Like I said before, each story is different, so the time from start to finish varies. It could take a month. Or it could take a year.

I think I'm finished when I've corrected all the issues that I can find in the manuscript. When I've gone over it several times, made all the adjustments that I think it needs. I've checked for plot holes, loose ends, grammar and spelling, made sure all the characters continue throughout the story with the same hair and eye color, stuff like that. I have a checklist of items that I go through with each manuscript. This is time-consuming and exhausting! Especially since I keep adding to the checklist, but I've found that it strengthens the writing and makes it look much more professional when I send it to my editor.

Fourth Stage…The Incredible Self-Doubt

After all of that, I think it's ready. Maybe. I might wait another month, then read it again. Could be I'll find something else that needs fixing. I'll imagine that I'm my audience, trying to see my story through their eyes. Mostly, I'll be so tired of reading it over and over again that I can't bear the thought of reading it again and I'll wonder why anyone else would want to read it. I'll question my sanity, or more...my decision to ever begin a writing career in the first place.

After a day or two of paralyzing self-doubt, I'll put my big girl pants on and tell myself to get over it. I've been writing more than half of my life, it would be time wasted to quit something like that now because of my insecurities. What's the worst that can happen?

Then I send it to my editor.

The next day, I take my kids out for ice cream again. I told you, I need all the encouragement and praise I can get.

Fifth Stage…The Publishing Process

There are 2 scenarios after I send the manuscript to my editor. Either she likes it and contracts it, or she'll send suggestions for revisions. As soon as I sign the contract, we go through rounds of edits where she'll find all the things I've missed. And no matter how many drafts I worked on previously, she still finds things that need to be addressed. We'll go through 1 to 3 rounds of edits before she declares it done and at that point my brain will feel like mush that I'll agree to anything she says.

Yes, I guess by then…it's ready!

Of course, that's just me. Every writer is different.

On the day of my book's release, my family and I celebrate with…you guessed it…a lovely and usually expensive meal at a local restaurant...

...and then ice cream.  

Be sure to check out the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia