Exciting News...

My newest work, The Vampire's Hope, is to be released September 11, 2012!   I am so glad to bring this work to your e-book reading shelf.  This novella has been an incredibly fun pet project as it has taken me over a year from start to publication.  I've always loved Vampires and couldn't resist the urge to write a Vamp book for all of my loyal fans.  I hope you enjoy The Vampire's Hope as much as I have.In The Vampire's Hope, Ellie Smith, an emotionally stunted dancer, finds more than she bargains for after her human life is taken by the vampire, Master Liam.Once inside the Vampire’s underground lair, the Keres Den, she meets Ian, an immortal Viking warrior, who is infiltrating the soulless prison. As Ellie begins her training, she learns that the dark tunnels around her are filled with even darker secrets.As the truth of her existence come to light, she is faced with a choice—does she let her past dictate her future, or can she begin to feel again?Excerpt from The Vampire's Hope:

CHAPTER ONE

The couple in front of her stood under the bar’s lopsided mistletoe, their lips pressed against each other in a gesture of Christmas spirit.  On the man’s lapel was a white rose, smashed against the woman’s full breast. The sight made Ellie Smith laugh.  Ellie was the same age as the two lip-locked party goers, yet they were so much younger.  They wore the white rose of hope—probably hope for love that would undoubtedly turn bad, or hope that the holidays would bring them the gifts of eternal bliss… those naïve fools.The couple parted and their cheeks glowed with the pink twinges of arousal.  The sight was more than she could handle and she looked away.  They were luckier than they knew.  They probably did not have any idea what it was like to be without a bed for the night, without a home, without purpose, and without hope.To her left a thick-set, redheaded man approached.  His shoulders were erect and he walked with a stride that conveyed power.  Catching Ellie’s eye, he smiled the grim smile of subtle manipulation.  Whatever he wanted, he wouldn’t get it from her.  A blonde man with an arched smile stepped out from behind the threatening redhead and sat down at the table.  “Hello, Elpis.  Welcome to The Ravena.”  The way he said her name made her skin crawl.  The blonde waved his hand at the rows of booze and the surly bartender.  “I hope you like the bar.”The bar was like any number of others, just another stop in her constant travel through the dark world of the forgotten.  “Thanks.   I have no idea how you know my given name, but I’d rather you called me Ellie.”“Sorry, Ellie.”“Are you the owner of this place?”  The blonde motioned to the dangerous-looking redhead behind him.  She knew she should fear them, but there was nothing inside of her heart.  “I need a job.  Are you hiring?  I can dance.”The blonde laughed. He looked over his shoulder at the red-headed man.  “She doesn’t have a clue.”He turned back to her as if he had said nothing to the man who was clearly his boss. “My name is Ian.  And this is Master Liam…”  He pointed at the rigid redheaded man. “What are you after?”The club’s music filled the silence between them.  Ian smirked.  “Master Liam would like a dance.”Ellie gazed over Ian’s blonde hair and his features—his eyes were the same blue as the sea, and his face was wide and rugged.  He looked like a portrait of a Viking.  Master Liam extended his hand in a silent command to dance.  She looked back at the handsome Viking.  Liam was a threat, but so was Ian.  Was it better to go after a powerful man who she wasn’t attracted to in hopes of getting a job, or was it better to forget her chance of getting hired and stay with the handsome Viking?  For once Ellie wondered what it was like to feel something—anything. If she was normal, would she blush? Would her lust move her nearer to him?  Instead, she only felt the dull emptiness inside of her breast.  Was there truly life without emotion?  Ellie slipped her hand into Master Liam’s. He led her to the dance floor, but she could sense Ian’s eyes upon her.Master Liam moved in a stiff, archaic way and his hands never strayed from her waist.  Not that she minded.  It was nice not to be groped.  What kind of dancer would Ian be?She looked back at her table.  Ian stared at her with a hunger in his eyes. She dropped her gaze.  If he wanted her, he didn’t act the part.Master Liam said nothing to her as she looked up into his face.  His eyes were filled with lust and they slowly danced their way to the farthest recess of the dance floor.  His cold hands forced her head back and she stared up at the ceiling.    He pushed her against the wall.  He slowly bent down, taking each movement in his own unhurried time.  He inhaled and blew his chilled breath against the skin of her neck.  He wasn’t the man she wanted, but a job was a job—however she had to get it.  Liam leaned in, and instead of kissing her lips, he pressed his face into her neck and caressed her skin with his icy lips.  She drew in a breath and her pulse quickened.  His teeth pierced her skin, and she started to shriek, but his hand clamped down over her opening lips.  She struggled but as he drained her, weakness won.  A fire burned where his teeth dug into her flesh.  Acid filled her veins.With her last thought, she envisioned the white rose on the stranger’s lapel.  No emotion, no hope… 

Introducing Caroline Mickelson

This week I have the honor of hosting Caroline Mickelson.  Her book, From Mangia to Murder,  A Sophia Mancini Mystery--Book One, is available free on your Kindle device, the weekend of September 5th-9th.  Hurry and get your copy!

Book Synopsis

Little Italy, 1946 - Sophia Mancini would have enjoyed the grand opening celebration of her family’s private detective agency if the volatile chef at Vincenzo’s Ristorante had actually survived the meal. But before Sophia’s chilled spoon hit the spumoni, someone plunged a knife into Vincenzo’s back and the word on everyone’s lips went from mangia to murder.Sophia soon finds herself trailing crime boss Frankie Vidoni, chatting with his mouthy mistress Maria, and dodging henchman Mooch DiMuccio. She’s suspicious of Vincenzo’s widow, Stella, and his assistant chef, Eugene, because they don’t appear the least bit dismayed by Vincenzo’s passing. There is no conversation Sophia won’t eavesdrop on, no question she won’t ask, and no danger she won’t face to find the killer.

 About the Author:

Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.Learn more about Caroline at: www.carolinemickelson.com

Excerpt:

“Murder looks like our best option.” Sophia Mancini pushed her plate of cold uneaten pasta away. Murder was on her mind, not marinara.“I’ve been over this in my mind a million times, Angelo. We definitely need to add murder to our list.”Her older brother let out a slow sigh and rubbed his eyes. “Murder is so complicated, sis. There are so many details to keep track of and you know it’s going to trip me up.”“I’ll be right there with you.” Sophia reached over and squeezed his hand. “I can handle the details and no one will be the wiser.”“So you’ll be the brains of the operation? And what does that make me? Just a pretty face?” He pushed away from the table, frustration etched on his.Sophia poured more Chianti into her glass and then refilled her brother’s glass. “Don’t sell yourself short. Before the war you were a fine police officer and everyone here in Little Italy knows that.” She took a sip and quickly replaced the glass on the table. The wine tasted bitter but she knew it was just her own gnawing worry that was ruining an otherwise fine bottle of vino. “The Nazis are to blame for your injuries, not you. But you’ll be to blame if you don’t sit down, get serious and help find a way out of the mess we’re in.”She waited while her brother settled himself across from her once again. He drained his wine glass and poured another, a sure sign that he was as worried as she was. Her brother wasn’t a drinker.“Remind me what we’ve got so far, Sophia.”“Theft, burglary, blackmail - the usual. But if we throw murder in I think it will really boost our reputation.” She met her brother’s gaze and winked. “It will give everyone something to talk about anyway.”Angelo didn’t respond to her attempt at humor. This serious, sad man across from her was altogether different from the young, happy, confident man who’d shipped out to fight with the Allied forces three years ago. Home four months now, he was struggling with a head injury that had obliterated his short term memory and ability to retain details. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’d shipped out a married man with a beautiful young pregnant wife he loved beyond reason. He’d come home a widower to find that Luciano, his toddler son, didn’t know him from the milk man. Added to the pile of worry and stress, Angelo’s memory problems made returning to work as a police officer impossible. In turn prompted his in-laws, who had never approved of their daughter marrying an Italian-American beat cop, sued for custody of little Luciano. What little Angelo hadn’t already lost, he now stood to lose. The judge granted them thirty days to prove they could start a viable business.“Face it, Sophia, the Burkwaites have more power and more money than we’ll ever have.”Tears pooled in Angelo’s eyes.Anger burned in Sophia’s heart.She grabbed her brother’s arm and shook him, desperate to snap him out of his sad state. His helplessness scared her more than her own rage did.“Listen to me, Angelo, Charlotte’s family has all the money and power they need to threaten us. But we can give Luciano all of the love and devotion he needs. He’s your son, Angelo. He needs you to fight for him.” She held her breath and waited for an answer. A single tear slid down his cheek. The only sound in the room was her brother’s heart breaking.“Okay, Sophia, you win.” Angelo squared his shoulders. “I’ll do anything to keep Luciano at home with us.” He refilled his glass and raised it.Sophia grinned and raised hers.“A la famigilia,” they toasted in unison. To the family.“You’ll be with me every step of the way, Sophia?”She nodded. “Just like always, Angelo. I’ll be right next to you or-” her spirits restored, she couldn’t resist teasing him, “a step ahead.”“And with your plan the Burkwaites will never get custody of my son?”“If they do, it will be over my dead body.”“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He flashed her a smile that reminded her of the carefree pre-war brother she’d always counted as her best friend. “Now let me hear your plan again from start to end.” He reached for a notebook and pencil. “You talk, I’ll write.”Sophia smiled. “You know, Angelo, this murder business could actually be kind of fun if we do it right.”  Please feel free to leave Caroline Mickelson comments below!    

What I'm Working On...

This week marks the near completion of summer.  Schools are about to start, life is about to slow down and take a turn down the road of routine.  I welcome the change with open arms.  This summer has been filled with such incredible events; I've signed with an incredible literary agency, I've had my debut novel released in paperback (To learn more about the book or purchase please click here.), I've finished my second Veela novel, I've sold a novel and novella, and I've just finished writing the rough draft of the first book in my next series (though edits are still in order).I've been so consumed with the events of the summer that I'd like to give my readers a view into the life of my work-in-progress.  This new series is centered around the lives of Irish Travellers and their trials as they come to terms with the cultural and social changes that are occurring within their lives, while also dealing with paranormal activities.  I can't express how fun this book has been to work on.  It's dark, gritty--with unexpected twists and turns, and above all Exciting! (I'll say no more.)The Irish Traveller Series is set in Adare Village, Limerick Co Ireland, which is said to be Ireland's most picturesque village.  Below is a cottage in Adare.  One can easily see why the village would be given such a title.Near the village there is a cryptic, mystical, and enchanting Adare Manor, where the majority of the first book takes place.  I fell in love at first glance.Today, I've been working on a particular scene in Lady Caroline's Room, which is said to be the most mysterious and symbolic room of Adare Manor, as it's filled with angels and secrets.From the pictures, I hope you can tell why I have been a whirlwind of writing this summer--with settings like these it has been easy to be inspired and to fall in love with the Irish Traveller Series.   I hope to bring it to you soon!  And I hope you enjoy the last bit of summer.Slainte!   (Cheers!)