Book Spotlight: Morgan D'Arcy: A Vampire Rhapsody by @Lnightingale #pnr

Welcome to fellow Wild Rose Press author, Linda Nightingale, to my blog today for the release of her newest book, Morgan D'Arcy: A Vampire Rhapsody!  

The Birth of Morgan D’Arcy

My favorite of the heroes in my books is probably Morgan.  He is charming, svelte, and handsome.  What’s not to like?  He’s a vampire.  What’s that little tidbit amongst friends?

I started writing Sinner’s Opera, the book of my heart and Morgan’s first starring role, in 1992.  I’d then titled my masterpiece of wonderment The Vampyre Effect because, in my vampire mythos, they are viral mutations of human DNA.  The blood-borne pathogens, transferred in a ritual blood exchange, attack the nucleus of the cell, making mortals immortal overnight.

This first book grew to over 1,000 pages.  Like a good reporter, I followed by subject everywhere but the bathroom!  Then I waited outside.  (Kidding, vampires don’t go to the loo).  So, sadly, I had to trim the less exciting details from the book to bring it down to publishing size.  Sinner’s Opera was published in 2014.

Today!!! Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody is being released by The Wild Rose Press.  Did I mention I love my editor? It’s from the Black Rose Line and is available at the usual channels, including TWRP website.  Rhapsody is a collection of short stories and a novella, detailing Morgan’s journey through the centuries in search of the woman of his dreams.

Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody

By Linda Nightingale

From The Wild Rose Press

Cover Artist:  Debbie Taylor

Editor:  Callie Lynn Wolfe

A titled lord, concert pianist, and … vampire, Morgan D’Arcy has everything he wants…except what he most desires…the woman of his dreams—the search is on.

Blurb:

The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D'Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers. Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality, of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation. However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless... you are Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?

“…Morgan…is a tour de force of egotism, wit, sensuality, and talent…” ~Author Toni V. Sweeney
 “Morgan D’Arcy is a class act and the most arresting vampire I’ve ever encountered in literature or films.” ~ Historical and Paranormal Romance Author Beth Trissel

Ω

Excerpt:

Art is passion.

Each of us, at some time, wishes to stand naked in passion’s temple and face deepest, darkest desire—to be an innocent victim to lust.  I knew all about lust.  Lust.  Bloodlust.  In the ecstasy of the Kiss and the rapture of the kill, the two fused.

I glided to the sofa, perching on the arm.  Mischief whispered in my ear.

My friend Lucien, head of the Council that governed the Vampyre, would be livid if I endangered our secret. I might even be punished. So what?  For a long time now, I’d faithfully toed the line, giving the powers that be no reason to slap my hand. No one was likely to nominate me for sainthood, and I was tired of being a good man.  Envisioning an outraged Lucien crumpling the newspaper, I laughed aloud.  For days, I hadn’t laughed. I was still chuckling when I dashed off a Men Seeking Women romance ad.

Vampires were no longer monsters, but fine seducers, purveyors of passion.  Victims abounded. As I sampled the replies, I was disappointed and left fifty beautiful women disappointed as well, thinking me another nut not a vampire.

I failed to find the thrilling vintage I sought and forgot about the ad.

**

“Hello, darlin’.” Her voice was lazy, honey-sweet and sensual.  “You look like you could use some company.”

I took a deep breath of the vintage I had sought. “I could.”

“You got it.”  Manicured red nails dug into my shoulders. “I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”

A first-class, round-trip ticket to the Turks and Caicos Islands dropped on the keyboard. Another fell beside it. One of the tickets was issued to Morgan Gabriel D'Arcy, the other to Fiona Allman. I had to admire her style, but she couldn’t have come from the ad. Names and addresses weren’t given.

Fiona was the given.

“What you waiting for? Your bags are packed. We’re leaving on a jet plane.” The enticing voice grew darker, duskier. “To sunshine. No more of this fricking rain.”

“Fiona, I presume.”

“It’s me, darlin’, the one you’ve been waiting for.” Soft, warm lips caressed my cheek, her fingers working magic on the tense muscles in my neck.

The scents of rain-perfumed skin, Italian leather, and blood laced with single malt whiskey teased my six senses.  I hadn’t fed in nights. The craving wrenched my stomach.  Saliva broke beneath my tongue. Her fingers stroking my neck awoke another, totally sexual desire. I threw back my head and laughed.  I was in trouble. At last!

She smoothed the hair back from my forehead. “Come on, pretty baby, get up. We don’t have much time. Heathrow’s a good hour’s drive from here.”

“I can’t go,” I said, not believing my own lie.  I always did exactly as I pleased.  “CD to cut.”

The throaty laugh was as sensual as her touch.  “I’ve checked your schedule. No personal appearances. These poor bastards will wait until Lord D’Arcy returns. They have to. You are the show.”

“How did you find me?”  I liked the way she stroked my libido. An image of taking her on the piano heated my blood. “How did you know my name? And my schedule.”

“Does it matter?” She tucked my hair behind my ear and sucked the lobe into her mouth. “I want you to shaft my brains out.” (last sentence rewritten to bring to PG-17)

“Anytime.”  I was ready. Desire throbbed, hot, taut in my belly...

It didn’t matter how, only that she had found me.

Buy Link:  Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody

About Linda:

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston.  She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA.  She has two wonderful sons, is a retired legal assistant, member of the Houston Symphony League, and enjoys events with her car club (in her snazzy convertible).  She owns a piano she can’t play without the remote(it has a player system).  She loves to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LNightingale - @Lnightingale

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor

Web Site:  http://www.lindanightingale.com – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story.

Blog:  https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/ - Lots of interesting guests & prizes

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nightingale/e/B005OSOJ0U

Book Video:

Embed Code:     

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlbRLTFQUHE&feature=youtu.be

Other Reads by Linda Nightingale:

Gambler’s Choice

Love For Sale

Sinner’s Opera

Sinner’s Obsession

Cardinal Desires

Gemini Rising – Controversial Dark Fantasy with deep psychological undertones

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Book Review: Brook Street: Thief by Ava March #bookreview #Regency #mmromance

Thief by Ava March
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

London, 1822. It was only supposed to be one night. One night to determine once and for all if he truly preferred men. But the last thing Lord Benjamin Parker expected to find in a questionable gambling hall in Cheapside is a gorgeous young man who steals his heart.

It was only supposed to be a job. Cavin Fox has done it many times—select a prime mark, distract him with lust, and leave his pockets empty. Yet when Cavin slips away under the cover of darkness, the only part of Benjamin he leaves untouched is his pockets.

With a taste of his fantasies fulfilled, Benjamin wants more than one night with Cavin. But convincing the elusive young man to give them a chance proves difficult. Cavin lives with a band of thieves in the worst area of London, and he knows there's no place for him in a gentleman's life. Yet Benjamin isn't about to let Cavin—and love—continue to slip away from him.

My Review:
This book wouldn't let me go. I started reading it late one night. Just a few pages, I thought, until I fell asleep. Two hours later, at 2am I was still awake enjoying this captivating romantic read. I kept turning "just one more" page until I reached the end. I simply couldn't stop until Benjamin and Cavin found their happily-ever-after. And these two men definitely deserved it! After all that they'd been through, they deserved to find happiness in each other's arms.

This is an lovely erotic romance between two men during the Regency Era. One is discovering for the first time where his passions lie and another is finding true love for the very first time. Their encounter with each other changes both of them in different but significant ways. The rest of the story is about how they come to terms with those changes and what to do about it. I loved these characters! They were well-written and really drew me into the story.

I definitely enjoyed reading this book! This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'll be reading more from Ms. March if this is the beautiful, tear-jerking prose she is accustomed to writing. I've already added the rest of the Brook Street Trilogy to my TBR list. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a sweet, passionate, charming romantic tale.


View all my reviews

More About This Book:  

Amazon

Visit Ava March's website

Finding Time to Write #IWSG #writers #writinglife

IWSG Asks: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

This month's question from the Insecure Writer's Support Group neatly coincides with the topic I planned to write this week since my children have gone back to school.

Finding time to write.

Most writers don't write full-time. Rather, they have full-time jobs and writing is a passion the creative person cannot deny, so they eek out bits of writing time wherever and whenever they're able.

My own situation is both easy and difficult to find writing time.

I'm a stay-at-home mom.

Yeah, I can already hear the response from those who have day jobs. It usually sounds a lot like my husband...

"Oh, poor darling, having difficulty finding time to write when you're home all day long?" Add in the eye roll and the sarcastic sigh and usually a glib remark about watching soaps and eating bon-bons.

Sound familiar?

Well, yes, it is true I'm home all day. Although, my stay-at-home status is my full-time job. I have 4 children between the ages of 16 months and 10 years, 3 rescued cats and a husband with more hobbies and social commitments than you can shake a stick at. Caring for my family and running the entire household falls directly onto my shoulders. Shoulders which I admit at times don't feel very capable. Did I mention my constant self-doubt with anxiety and depression issues?

Not to mention that writing is one of the least appreciated careers out there. If you have a family who supports your writing hobby or career, then consider yourself blessed. I'm happy for you. You are a lucky duck, indeed. Not all writers have the familial support that they so desperately need. In that case, this particular group is a salvation! The Insecure Writer's Support Group must have been established just for me! Actually, I'm guessing many of you are probably thinking the same thing yourselves.

But, I digress. Finding time to write is difficult…if you let the idea overwhelm you. It's not so much about finding time, but making time.

One of the things I constantly remind myself is that there are 24 hours in a day. All of us have those same 24 hours. What we chose to do with that time is what makes the difference. (Even Stephen King and Nora Roberts have the same 24 hours that you and I do! Yes, it's true! I looked it up.) If I manage to only write for 15 minutes a day, I feel that I've accomplished something. That's 15 minutes of writing that I don't have to do tomorrow! Although, I admit, I do make an effort to grab more time for my writing. But, in my world...with my busy family, each day presents new challenges and new situations.

During summer vacation, I found it quite easy to find time to write. With all of my kids home from school, it was a simple enough task to have them play with toys or games in the living room while I sat on the sofa, my playlist of writing inspirational music blasting into my headphones while I tapped away on my laptop. I wrote 25,000 words one week in July doing just that. Occasionally, I'd be pulled out of my writing zone to handle disputes between my kids. Okay, probably every day I needed to do that, but it was only for a moment. I'd settle whatever conflict had arisen and send them back to play...or to their room depending on if the situation called for it.

I know that scenario doesn't work for many people. And it only worked for a maximum of an hour or two each day for me. Since I've never had a babysitter or even family to watch my children (no, even my husband doesn't volunteer to watch my kids so I can go write), I've had 10 years of training my kids to play nicely while Mommy writes. Lucky for me, it's worked. Not easily. Not ideally either. But, I make it work. I've had to. If I waited for that perfect opportunity to write, I'd still probably be waiting. I know for certain, I wouldn't have any books published if I waited for free time. 

Ha! Free time. What's that?

 

Now, it's September and 3 of my children are back in school, leaving my 16 month-old home with me. And I've discovered how easy I've had it in the recent years with my older kids entertaining themselves while I write. Having them play together kept them occupied, but now my baby boy has no one to play with save me.

So, now I'm back to writing during naptimes for the first time in about 3 years. Those naps can range from 20 minutes to an hour depending on when or if the phone rings to wake him up (I always forget to turn the ringer off!).

At times, I do try to write at night when everyone is asleep, but honestly, since I've become a mother, I'm totally exhausted by the end of the day. My brain can't seem to focus on anything other than Netflix binging on Supernatural (for maybe the 3rd time round…or is it the 4th? Hmm…) and working on my newest craft project. I'm teaching myself to knit! Never thought I could do it and now I'm addicted, but that's another story!

So, how do you find time to write?

To be honest, that is one of most frequent questions that people ask me. Since I've been writing all of my life, the answer changes each year.

My advice to writers? Stay flexible with your writing time. Don't get bent out of shape if you can't write 5 hours a day or even 2 or 1. Whether you get up an hour early in the morning or stay up an hour late at night, or if you write for only 15 minutes on a pad of paper while you're waiting to pick up your kid at whatever extracurricular activity your sweet darling has chosen to inflict on your day…be flexible. What works for you now, might not work next year, or even next month.

A couple of years ago, I wrote during my lunch breaks when I was working full-time as an Assistant Manager.

Now, I write during my baby's naptimes.

In a couple of years, I'll write during preschool hours.

One day (sending out those positive manifestation thoughts now!), I'll write for a full 8-hours a day in my sleek brand new office that I plan to re-model a portion of my garage into. Until then, I've been known to bring my laptop into the kitchen to write a few lines of my story in between preparing and cooking supper. Hey, just finding my 15 minutes of writing time any way I can.

No, this does not explain why I burned the pork chops.

Stop listening to my husband.     

What about you? How do you find time to write? I'd love to know!

Also, be sure to check out the other writers in the Insecure Writer's Support Group!

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