Author's Favorite Quotes Young Adult, Merrie DeStefano

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

This is wonderful hearing Merrie talk of her book Fathom.  Really was a breath of fresh air with the Celtic legend mix to it and the selkies.

Telling a Story, Line by Line

By Merrie Destefano

First, I want to thank Melissa for featuring FATHOM today and for inviting me to write a post about some of my favorite lines from the book.

The interesting thing about writing a book is the fact that the story is told, line by line, concept by concept. Every book has a theme, even if the author didn’t consciously incorporate one. Line by line, a book should reinforce its central theme, it should drive the story forward, and it should reveal characters.

I have my five favorite lines from FATHOM listed below, as well as a brief description as to why these lines in particular mean so much to me and to the story.

SETTING/CONFLICT:
Something startled me awake, some shifting of our house, beam against beam, old wood crying out in the damp sea breeze. 

This line sets the stage for what will become the main conflict throughout the book: the fact that Kira is haunted by her past and what her mother did. Kira believes that she sees her mother’s ghost and this event triggers the deep emotions she will have to deal with on a daily basis.

PERSONAL LOSS:
When my grandmother’s voice rose and fell, her tongue thick from liquor, I imagined that I saw my sister and my mother standing just outside the circle of light cast by our windows onto the lawn.

Tragedy struck early in Kira Callahan’s life, when her sister was murdered by their mother who then committed suicide. In the line above, Kira is both mourning that loss and imagining a different ending to that incident. This loss helped shape Kira, making her a shy introvert and also making her a target for the mean girls at school. This on-going scenario will play into her coming of age when she is finally able to stand up against those girls, an act that will declare she is strong enough to fight her own battles and that she is different from her mother.

LOVE INTEREST:
I ran my thumb along my chin and my lower lip, wondering what it would feel like to kiss him. 

From the beginning, I wanted FATHOM to be a coming of age story, so certain elements had to be included. One of these is first love—this is the love that we’ll never forget, no matter how old we are, and it’s something most of us have in common. The line above comes from a scene where Kira realizes that her feelings for Sean, the boy next door, are no longer those of best friend.

COMING OF AGE:
The ocean was like heaven and the four of us, bobbing up and down, were like flesh and blood angels in our Calvin Klein briefs and bras. 

Another key element in a coming of age story is a ritual that symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood. Although the main character is oblivious to what is coming, the line above is the beginning of a ritual that will change her forever and change the way she views the world. As a result, Kira will have to confront the demons from her past if she wants to grow and survive.

CONFRONTING YOUR DEMONS:
A sigh rushed up from the basement, carrying the scent of dust and cobwebs and mysteries unsolved.

At this point, Kira is starting to look for answers on her own, no longer depending on her father or grandfather to guide her. She’s striking out on her own, trying to uncover family secrets that will help her understand who she is and what really happened on that day when her sister and mother died. Discovering this hidden truth is something she must do if she hopes to survive and if she wants to protect her remaining family members from a dangerous curse.



Author Bio:
CURRENTLY A FULL-TIME NOVELIST with HarperVoyager, Merrie Destefano’s second novel, FEAST: HARVEST OF DREAMS, released in June, 2011. In a previous life, she was the editor of Victorian Homes magazine, founding editor of Cottages & Bungalows magazine, and contributing editor of Romantic Homes magazine, and as such, she wrote for a combined circulation of approximately 250,000.

With 20 years experience in publishing, she worked for a variety of publishing/broadcasting companies that include Focus on the Family, The Word For Today, and PJS Publications (now Primedia). Besides editing and writing, her background includes print buying, writing/producing radio promos, directing photo shoots, developing new products, writing jacket copy for books, creating sales media packets and organizing direct mail campaigns.

Born in the Midwest, she currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies, listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time.



Find Merrie:
Site & Blog
Twitter: @MerrieDestefano
Facebook:  Merrie Destefano

Author's Favorite Scene's Urban Fantasy, Amanda Carlson

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.


I'm thrilled to have Amanda Carlson here to share a few of her favorite scenes as well.  Oh, her Urban Fantasy reads have taken off at a sprint and just picking up speed!  I love the action, characters, and love we find here.  Jessica is my kind of girl, and the legend that surrounds her....oh, she is something amazing!

Please welcome Amanda Carlson talking of Full Blooded and Hot Blooded:
Thanks for having me by the blog for your anniversary celebration! I'm so honored my books are included in your top reads. Four years is nothing to sneeze at, it's a big milestone. You are such a wonderful blogger, it's a treat to be a part of this!

When I think about my favorite scenes in all my books, they are usually humorous. I love to laugh. As much FULL BLOODED. When I think about him describing what happened to him in the apartment, it always cracks up. He's such a great character to write. He comes bubbling out of my mind, sometimes quicker than I can keep up with! Any scene with him always makes me smile. I hope it does for my readers as well.
as I love to kick some ass, I love to giggle until my stomach aches. One of my most favorite scenes, and one of the most fun to write, was Danny at the end of

Some of my favorite scenes in HOT BLOODED are between Jessica and Naomi. I had no idea when I started the story they would form such a tight bond. It was wonderful to see them grow together, two females figuring out their independence together. But, again, my favorite scene is one that always makes me laugh. I love Ray. I love that he pisses people off. I love that he's in your face, so naturally, I loved it when he threw a rock at Selene--and a squirrel conversation ensues. It makes me chuckle every time. I've gotten fan mail about that scene, so I know it resonated with fans as well. I hope I can keep people laughing with my books. Balanced humor is always a treat for me in any novel I read.

Thanks again for having me by the blog. Keep up the great work and here's to another four years!



*****

Now, I'm going to insert a few paragraphs to share with you these amazing scenes that Amanda mentions.

Full Blooded, at the end with Danny:
"Well, it's a very simple story actually," Danny started.  "I was minding my own business, convalescing as ordered by your father.  My wounds were quite severe, as I'm sure you were informed -- not to worry, though, all shipshape now -- when I heard someone sneaking into your apartment as bold as day.  He wasn't technically breaking in, you see, since he had his own key, but nevertheless he woke me out of a perfectly lovely sleep.  I'd been dreaming about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who are, for the record, a naughty lot of--"

"Danny," I said sharply.  "Please stay on topic."


Hot Blooded, the awesome scene with Ray throwing a rock at Selene:
There was a scuffle and then a thunk from the other side of the room.  "Did you just hit me?" Selene's rage tumbled around the cavern, making the room quake.  "With a rock?  What do you think I am? A fucking squirrel?"

"Lady, you're no squirrel, but you certainly have some anger issues.  I heard you bellyaching from on top of the damn mountain," Ray stated evenly.


Curious about Amanda's books?
Here is the reading order:
**Blooded: A Jessica McClain Novella, Full Blooded, and Hot Blooded are all available for purchase.  Cold Blooded is pre-order & will release October 8, 2013.  You do not have to read the novella before starting the first book, but is one of the best I've ever read.

Want to learn more of Amanda and her books?

You can find her:

Site:  Amanda Carlson, Urban Fantasy Author

(you can sign up for her newsletter to keep up with important scoop)

Twitter:  @amandaccarlson

Facebook:  Author Amanda Carlson

Goodreads:  Amanda Carlson

Favorite Quotes, from 9 Crimes and a bit special addition...

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.


Oh, this series is the top of my shelves.  I've loved all the books as I venture through this series, Demons of Oblivion.  I have to admit 9 Crimes is on my list as it eased my bruised heart a bit.  Skyla wrote so much emotion into Exhumed, I wanted this.  NEEDED this.  And reading these lines that Skyla picked...ooooh, I love them so much...

Skyla was gracious enough to add in bits from Exhumed to help explain what 9 Crimes is centered around and why.

Betrayal, Hurt, & Consequences

(Or, Wherein Skyla Turns a Request for 2-4 Lines into a Full-Blown Guest Post on “Behind the Scenes” with Exhumed and 9 Crimes)

9 Crimes is a bit of an odd novella, as it’s supplemental to the main series. It takes place during the fourth Demons of Oblivion novel, Exhumed, from the point of view of another character. It’s hard, then, for me to look 9 Crimes on its own; for me it’s a piece of a puzzle, integral to Exhumed, and every scene, every line is directly influenced by the novel it mirrors.

And so I give you my favourite lines that appear in both pieces:

“You hurt me! And there are consequences to breaking my motherfucking heart.”

Of course, they need a little context. So I’m going to look at the scene they take place in, along with a few words on each point of view.

***

(Now picture an argument/physical fight on a lawn at night; in this moment our heroine, Zara, is on her back, flipped over by our hero, Nate, and who is holding her down as she just had a knife to his throat—LOOK, I am not a romance writer, okay? Love is ugly in my books.)

Exhumed (Zara’s point of view):

“I am a fucking monster and don’t you ever forget it.”

He leaned in, not so much gripping my wrists as putting his weight on them, pushing me into the ground and I wished it would just fucking swallow me whole. His face was six inches from mine, hair near enough to touch my face, and this close, this near, I couldn’t handle it. Couldn’t handle looking at him, thinking about him, feeling anything. Panic clawed up my chest, emotion rising past the walls I had in place, strength draining as moments in this timeless dimension stretched on.

“What do I need to do?” he whispered. “Tell me what I can do to—”

“You can’t. There’s nothing left.”

“I love you.”

I flinched like I’d been slapped. “You hurt me!”

It was the last thing I expected to say—the very last thing I wanted to say—but there it was out on the table, the crux of the matter. The truth. My eyes burned but I didn’t blink because I felt like if I lost the battle and closed them, I’d open them again and be crying—and he’d lost the goddamn right to see me cry. I ground my teeth together, tried to calm my jackhammering pulse.

“And there are consequences,” I continued darkly, “to breaking my motherfucking heart.”

Exhumed, 07/2012

For me, these were among the scariest lines vampire Zara Lain has ever uttered.

Zara is a monster. She has always labeled herself as such from the very first book (Bloodlines). Sure, she’s snarky and funny. And she has damage a lot of people would understand—she was turned as a teenager, betrayed by her husband, lost a baby, etc. A lot of people felt she softened in Bloodlines by the end, calling her merely a wounded woman and suggesting her attitude was a front to keep others at bay.

In Exhumed, that assumption is proven rather patently false.

What happens when a three hundred year old vampire—who has killed for survival, killed for pleasure, and is adept at expressing her feelings through violence—finally lets someone close to her only to find herself betrayed? Zara deals with pain by inflicting it on others, exacting revenge in ways that will utterly annihilate her target on all fronts. And because I know precisely everything she is capable of, her admission that she’d been hurt and the consequences she plainly lays out for her former lover gives me chill every time.

This moment was the culmination of a long, heartbreaking exchange, where two people who loved each other found out there was an extreme, insurmountable disconnection between what they thought they knew and reality. Zara is cut deep and raw, and admitting her pain—admitting she let someone in enough to hurt her like this by declaring “You hurt me!”—is the moment shit gets real.

(Bonus: I had “So Cold” by Ben Cocks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga94wVeFBac on repeat for Zara’s POV scene.)

Now let’s check in with Nate...

***

9 Crimes (Nate’s point of view):

“I am a fucking monster and don’t you ever forget it.”

This couldn’t be it. This couldn’t be her, couldn’t be me. I couldn’t deal with this again—couldn’t stand to be left, again, wondering what the hell happened to the girl I fell in love with. She was hurt, yes, but she couldn’t be serious.

I had to fix it. Had to...fix us, somehow. Had to get her to a place where we could talk and she would actually listen. I learned closer, staring in her eyes, trying to find some semblance of my Zara there—the one who hated my father for hurting me, who came back for me when I was bleeding in Peter’s house, who was so patient while insanity gripped me and I tried to hurt her over and over again. That Zara had to be real.

She still had to be in there somewhere.

“What do I need to do?” I whispered. God, anything, please... “Tell me what I can do to—”

“You can’t,” she said harshly. “There’s nothing left.”

No. “I love you.”

She flinched, tears brimming in her eyes, and she screamed, “You hurt me!” Her voice pitched lower, darker, chilling me through. “And there are consequences to breaking my motherfucking heart.”

And I ached, then, because I knew it was over.

Whatever walls she’d let down for me were back up. Whatever part of her that had softened, had laughed, had loved me was gone. Whatever had been there between us was dead. And it didn’t matter that whatever she’d thought had happened didn’t, didn’t matter that I would do anything for her.

It was over.

Over.


So for Zara, her admission that he’d hurt her was more of a “Duh!” moment. Like you’d have to be a moron to not know what she was capable of—to not know there are consequences to crossing someone with her history and violent tendencies (incidentally, it always reminded me of Kill Bill Vol. 2, where Bill’s all like “Of COURSE I shot you in the face, what the hell did you expect?”).

9 Crimes, 8/2012

For Nate, this is all “OMGWTFBBQ.”

Because he loves her. He thinks he knows her. He thinks beneath everything she’s still human. He can’t comprehend why she won’t talk to him, how she reacted so badly without even speaking to him first, how what was an ugly argument and misunderstanding from his point of view was the tail end of a situation already broken from hers. He doesn’t understand this side of her, or that there’s an entirely different person suddenly staring back from her eyes. He saw the good in her without seeing the bad. Now the bad has risen to the surface, which he must reconcile with his previous view of her. He made the mistake of thinking she was more bite than bark.

He’s angry, but he still wants to fix things—he’s stubborn and has trouble believing it’s possible for anything to be so badly broken that they can’t survive it. The man has a bit of a White Knight Syndrome—he comes from an abusive childhood and domestic violence situation, and he wants to Save Everyone. Especially her—like if he can just love her enough, that’ll somehow fix her damage.

Of course, you can’t fix damaged people. Either they repair themselves or things just eventually implode—and when she screams “You hurt me!” it is the precise moment when he realizes that.

(Bonus: His scene ended up with a lot of Damien Rice, specifically “I Remember” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fqdeR_f9-8.)

***

As a writer, these scenes were extremely challenging and rewarding to write—especially with 9 Crimes, to take the same dialogue, the same scene, and flip protagonist to antagonist. I’d been deep in Zara’s head—her pain, her vulnerabilities—and to switch that perspective to his was just as heartbreaking. Both people have valid points of view, despite seeing their entirely opposite perspectives, and it drove home for me just how subjective “truth” often is. And that there are consequences to breaking the motherfucking heart of a monster.



Author Bio:
Award-winning author Skyla Dawn Cameron has been writing approximately forever. Her early storytelling days were spent acting out strange horror/fairy tales with the help of her many dolls, and little has changed except that she now keeps those stories on paper. She lives in Southern Ontario where she dabbles in art, is an avid gamer, helps the helpless (as long as they’re four-legged and furry), and watches Buffy reruns. If she ever becomes a grown-up, she wants to run her own Irish pub, as well as become world dictator. Currently she’s being held hostage by a houseful of cats.

Send tuna before they eat her alive.

You can visit her on the web at www.skyladawncameron.com.

Find Skyla:
Twitter:  @SkylaDawn

Author's Favorite Quotes Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy, Joseph Lewis

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.


This was a pleasure for me to read this year.  One thing that caught me was that there was a blend of Steam/Clockworks and Fantasy to the world.  Also, the main characters are a married couple, and they are a health married.  Yes, they have disputes, but their marriage isn't at it's end.  I found this rather refreshing.

Joseph Lewis caught my attention for this whole story and so much more in The Kaiser Affair:

“I can decide for myself whom I deserve to be with, thank you very much,” Bettina said. “Not that I have an intellectual equal, but if I did, I sincerely doubt she and I would be able to tolerate each other for more than five minutes’ time.”

*****

“I’m smarter than you are, Peter, by far, so there’s no need for you to make any more noise on this subject. Arjuna is stronger than you, and more charming as well, and much better looking, besides. He’s the finest marksman with any weapon and has studied with sages on two continents. He’s also a talented artist, speaks four languages fluently, has a photographic memory, and performs like a raging stallion in the bedroom. I can’t imagine that a snide cretin in a cheap blue suit with the body of a prepubescent orangutan could really entice me to leave him,” she said.

*****

“Dashing across the station to tackle the fleeing criminal to the ground, and batter him with my fists? No, I did that last time. It’s my husband’s turn,” Bettina said.

*****

She turned to him with a stern look. “No, Arry. Oster will be driving, so Oster will have to hurry. You, darling, will be in the carriage with me, and you will take your time, or I’ll make you start all over again.” She smiled wickedly at him, and strode off across the lawn toward the inn and the driveway where their car awaited.

*****

“Oh yes, yes.” Bettina nodded. “We chatted up the locals and strolled through the countryside and shot at people. It was a lovely evening."

Author Bio:
Hi, I’m Joe (also known as Joseph Robert Lewis, Joss Llewelyn, and Jordan Lockhart). I write books. Lots of books. Mostly fantasy and science fiction.

More specifically, I like to blend history, mythology, and fantasy together to create exciting yet familiar worlds. I like to challenge tropes and stereotypes in subtle ways, to create rounder and richer heroes for my readers, and to imagine times and places that we might really want to live in or work toward. And I think a good story should be, you know, fun. Although it never hurts to learn something cool, too.

It’s also important to me to write about heroines that my daughters can respect and admire, characters who blaze their own paths with fierce personalities, bright minds, and unbreakable spirits, who live lives filled with freedom, wonder, and joy.

I enjoy archery when the weather is nice. And I have no idea what is for dinner because I am anosmic. Look it up.

Find Joseph:
Blog
Site
Facebook: Joseph Robert Lewis
Twitter:  @joseph_lewis

Quotes from Cecy Robson's books, BONUS from next book & Giveaway!

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Oooh, have I enjoyed these books.  These favorite quotes from Cecy will give you a little taste of what you are missing.  And that you HAVE TO HAVE this series!

Cecy has picked amazing lines for her two published books, and as an amazing SURPRISE! we have from her third, yet to be release!!! Cursed by Destiny!  Eeeep!


SEALED WITH A CURSE

Is he flirting? No, of course not. He’s probably just hungry. Men don’t flirt with me. They race away, screaming.

*****

“I came to see you.”

I stood in the doorway in the tank top I’d slept in and a pair of yoga pants that had been begging to go to the big laundry basket in the sky. My wild curls and I had fought. They’d won. I hadn’t showered, and I resembled something the wereraccoon was chewing on before he ran like the dickens. Yet Misha’s hungry gaze swept along my body, despite my hell-on-a-cracker appearance.

I leaned one arm along the doorway, my other rested on my hip in annoyance. “Why? Did you run out of virgins or something?”

Misha’s gray eyes flickered with stirring mischief. “If I had, should I expect to find one here?”

“Nope. We're all out, too.”

*****

Aric retrieved Taran’s shoe and handed it to me. It would have been an awesome Cinderella moment if my back claws hadn’t shredded through the leather and the heel didn’t have the wolf’s eye still attached.

*****

Aric’s strong arms wrapped me in a bear hug, his contact hard and gentle all at once. For the second time that night, his body heat encased me. My face fell against his muscular chest. My God, the aromatic blend of his scent mixed with musk from battle drove my tigress insane. Don’t purr. Don’t purr. Oh, Jesus, please don’t let me purr.

*****

Say something. Anything. Tell him you love him and want to have his puppies.

*****

I opened my robe and stared at the girls, mortified and convinced the universe hated me. If he had to see my breasts, why couldn’t it have been the perkier of the two?

*****

Luke Skywalker could suck it. He had nothing on Shayna.

*****

Koda’s butt cheeks were tight enough to crush wood with a single clench.

*****

“What troubles you, mutt? Flea prevention not up to par?”

“Don’t get testy, batboy. It’s not my fault you’ve run out of prom queens to de-virginize.”

“Wit is not your forte, dog. Stick to what you know―drooling, scratching, and licking body parts typically unreachable.”

“Damn, you are pissed. Did one of the angry villagers leave a pitchfork rammed up your ass, Drac?”

*****

Taran slapped his arm. “We all want to go home alive―well, you dead freaks know what I mean―so back off and quit acting like a little bitch.”

*****

“We need a phone. Or a working vehicle. Or a goddamn compass. Saving the world sucks donkey balls!”

A CURSED EMBRACE

A dead wereraccoon on your doorstep is no way to start the morning.

“I’m bored.”

Neither is a whiney vampire dressed like a naughty Catholic schoolgirl.

*****

“I flew in from Colorado last night.”

“Oh?” I sipped on my orange juice. “What’s there?” Besides the countless droves of weresluts you’ve bedded?

*****

“You act like I go out in search of danger.”

Aric counted off the error of my ways one finger at a time. “Vampire court. Storming a crazed vampire’s estate―twice.” He added two fingers on that one. “Consorting with the undead. Tracking an infected vampire in a stolen vehicle. And don’t get me started on getting trapped in a raging inferno.”

I crossed my arms defensively. “I do not consort with the undead.” He tightened his jaw. “Much.”

*****

Aric paused behind me, his voice a soft rumble. “Are you okay?”

No. I wasn’t okay. I’d fought a demon child following the discovery of four carcasses and a half-eaten woman. And now there stood Aric in all his hotter-than-hell glory making my female parts tap-dance to “Eye of the Tiger.” “Yeah. Totally.”

*****

For a woman in her eighties, Mrs. Mancuso was quite agile. She chased after our car all the while flipping us off. Emme clutched the headrest of the backseat. “Oh my goodness. Celia, slow down before she breaks a hip.”

I didn’t care what Emme said. A glance at the mirror told me slowing down ranked up there with mooning a weregator. We might as well have kicked our own asses. Mrs. Mancuso was a woman possessed by fury and ill-fitting support hose.

*****

The demon’s skin shone lime green. Like his brother, he bore wings the size of sails and clawed hands and feet. Except he had four arms, and four legs, and a tail as thick as a baseball bat. A white stripe of fur covered the top of his wrinkled and turtlelike face. He grinned with four very long and extra-pointy teeth. His tongue slurped across them as if he could already taste our livers. Somehow I thought we’d gotten the short end of the demon stick.

*****

“I want to be inside you,” Aric murmured between intakes of breaths. “I want to wake up with you naked in my arms.”

BONUS:

CURSED BY DESTINY

Misha had recognized Aric’s snarls just as I had. I’d heard them a thousand times out of fear for my safety. Misha had heard them on the receiving end of Aric’s wrath. I’d definitely experienced the cuddlier side of that werewolf.

*****

“Where the hell are you going?”

Vampires weren’t the friendliest of creatures. I muttered a curse and veered toward where Hank stood in the driveway. His black hair was mussed and his white-collared shirt spread open from the cold breeze. All the buttons were missing and lipstick marks ran the length of his excessively tanned torso. I raised my chin and adjusted my cream-colored sweater over my skinny jeans. “Go back to your room, finish deflowering whatever co-ed you managed to dupe into thinking you know Rob Pattinson, and leave me alone.”

*****

I jumped out of my seat when my sisters boarded Misha’s private jet. They smiled and waved, and apparently had been shopping. They slipped off their long coats to reveal matching camouflage tanks and cargo pants. They even wore army boots. I think they were trying for military chic, but the results were more like Special Forces Barbie. Taran, sat down like she owned the plane, tossed back her dark hair and started applying more lip-gloss. Because God forbid we take on demons with chapped lips.

*****

Maria held someone’s leg and waved it as she spoke. “Whose foot is dis? Oops—sorry, Celia,” she said when blood from the severed limb splashed me in the face. “Hello, I’m trying to sort here.”

*****

A jeep skidded to a halt next to us. Two sexy males stumbled out in their tighty-whities. Their dark skin glistened with perspiration despite the cool night air and they panted like they’d run with the bulls. Edith pulled the emergency brake, crawled across the front seat, and yanked each to her. She kissed them like her diamond earrings had fallen down their throats and only her tongue could retrieve them. The men staggered back when she released them. “Adios, Edeeth,” they both chimed.

Edith waved to her fans. “Addy ose!” She adjusted her thong beneath her tiny plaid skirt, snapping the back against her butt cheeks. “You freaks coming?” She asked without bothering to look up.

This was the vamp assigned to keep me safe from death. I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yup. We’re coming.”

*****

Genevieve was the Tahoe region’s head witch. A position I helped her secure, though it hadn’t been my intent. She was a beautiful woman with dark brows, waist-length ebony hair, and blue eyes that glowed like melted sapphires. When she walked into a room and raised her arms, I could swear doves and butterflies flew out of her armpits. When I raised my arms it was usually in defense of the evil creature trying to chew them off.

*****

Misha glanced at her breasts, just long enough for her to notice he did so. I looked, too, just to see if he affected them like mine. He did. Bastard. And although he wasn’t even looking at me, mine tingled slightly. When the powers that be handed out the vamp mojo, I didn’t understand how or why “capable of stimulating nipples” needed to top their superpowers list.

*****

Misha’s eyes never left mine. He stooped in a crouch and charged. He was fast, but not fast enough. I spun him past me and sent him face first into a dirty pile of snow. The vampires gasped. Misha rose surprisingly slow and turned to shoot me a death glare. Slush dripped down his perfect face to stain his white silk shirt.

“Not as fast as you thought, are you, old man?”

The vamps jumped at my words with their mouths covered. Misha seemed oddly amused by my comment and laughed. However, it wasn’t a “golly, aren’t you funny” kind of chuckle. It was more like an evil scientist laugh complete with thunder crackling above us. Like shot from a gun, Misha attacked.

*****

It must have been a beautiful and magical place inside Emme’s head. I almost told her to give Tinkerbell a shout out for me.

*****

I had a major freak out. I had to admit, it was downright embarrassing. Misha cleared the solarium. Everyone regarded me like the slow village girl Dracula had unwittingly been stuck with.

AUTHOR BIO:
Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is an author with Penguin's SIGNET ECLIPSE. She attributes her passion for story-telling back to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Her dad unwittingly encouraged Cecy's creativity by kissing her goodnight wearing vampire fangs. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing her Urban Fantasy Romance Series, Weird Girls, in May 2009. THE WEIRD GIRLS, SEALED WITH A CURSE, and A CURSED EMBRACE are now available. A CURSED MOON releases Dec. 3, 2013, Followed by CURSED BY DESTINY The second novel in The Weird Girls Series, A CURSED EMBRACE, releases July 2, 2013.


LINKS:
Website: www.cecyrobson.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cecyrobson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cecy.Robson.Author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCecyRobsonAuthor

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/cecy-robson?store=allproducts&keyword=cecy+robson

Amazon: Cecy Robson on Amazon

As I talked to all the authors of their books and quotes, Cecy was gracious enough to add a copy of Sealed with a Curse for giveaway in the festivities this year!

Thank you Cecy!!

This is to a US resident, but if you are International, take a look at my Paranormal Romance giveaway. ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author's Favorite Quotes Fantasy, Colleen Helme

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Oh this was a fantasy duology I loved.  I loved the blend of a few elements that Colleen added to this fantasy story.  I loved the flame as well.


Colleen Helme is sharing a favorite from The Relic:

I would like to thank Melissa for inviting me to share a few sentences from my book, The Relic. I was so excited and honored that she rated my Flame of Destiny – The Relic fantasy duo as one of her top five fantasy books of last year. She asked me to share a few of my favorite sentences from The Relic, and I found it difficult to decide what to share, so I will do my best!

In The Relic, the main character Callista, is caught between two forces of incredible power. It is always a struggle to control this power, and something she must resolve before it is taken from her and used by others with plans to destroy everything she loves. These few sentences portray that struggle:

“Callista jerked awake, feeling a current of energy spin around her before dissipating into the early morning darkness. She felt for the small bag holding the relic and loosened the strings. The smooth, stone crystal tumbled into her hand. A red spark of power flared briefly before fading into the depths of the crystal. This was the fourth time in the last few weeks the power had called to her. Sudden coldness seeped into her skin and burrowed deep into her bones, filling her with foreboding. When would she ever be in control of the relic’s power? How could she bend it to her will and assure herself that she was the master?”

Thanks again Melissa, and best wishes to you all!

~Colleen Helme

Author's Favorite Quotes Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy, S.A. Huchton

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.


Aaaah, this is a new one.  New author and new series to me.  And I have to say I fell in love with this little Romance gem.  It's set underwater and has a touch of Science Fiction to it, but nothing that will leave you out in the great wide open lost.  No, this was a great pleasure to read and I can't wait for more.

S.A. Huchton shares a few of her favorite quotes from Maven:

"There are few things that will drive a man to change his life so completely. Hate and revenge are two of them, but love is far more powerful and permanent."

(I really love this quote. It completely speaks to the entire tone of book one, and, really, the series overall. All the characters are changed by their powerful emotions and it drives them to alter the world around them.)


"It doesn't matter where you've been nearly as much as where you're going."

(This is probably my favorite line of the whole book. It's something I personally take to heart and I love that I got to use this advice in a way that fits so wonderfully in the story.)


He swallowed, then exhaled in frustration. "Honestly, you scare the crap out of me, Lydia. I've never... I mean, you're the first and last thing I think about every damn day. I'm physically ill when I think I might not ever be the kind of person you deserve to be with. You make me want to be better at everything I do. I'm terrified whenever I screw up because I think I might never get the chance to kiss you even once, and if that were true I... I don't know if I could deal with that."

(Oh, Daniel. This is his moment where he admits defeat and puts it all on the line. It's a huge risk for him, opening himself up like this, and Lydia consistently elicits this response in him.)


She lifted her head and looked at him. "So now that you've got me, Mr. Brewer, what do you intend to do with me?"
Daniel swallowed and met her gaze. He set his glass down and cupped her face in his hands. "Keep you," he said and kissed her softly.

(And of course I had to include this one. Can you even imagine someone saying this to you? Gawd. *giggle*)

Find S.A. Hucton at:
Author website:
http://www.starlahuchton.com

Author Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starla-Huchton-Author-Page/255657227797465

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/riznphnx


Find Maven:
Print:
Createspace
Book Depository

Print & eBook:

eBook:

Smashwords

Barnes & Nobles

Author's Favorite Quotes Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy, Frances Pauli

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Aaah, today I have Frances Pauli back with quotes from Dimensional Shift, that I have classified in my Top 5 Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy.  This book took me by surprise.  I loved I had NO IDEA where Frances would take the story next.  Or what would walk around the next corner.  Amazing to get to know the Dimensional Shift with Chloe, and meet her someone special. ;)

Dimensional Shift:
It is such a treat to be mentioned here on the blog. Melissa has not only supported my books over the years, but she’s giving me a chance today to go back and revisit one that I haven’t focused on in quite awhile. It was fun to dig back into the Shift Happens series to find some of my favorite lines, and it gave me some great ideas for book four! Thanks so much for everything you do on My World.

One of my favorite characters is Chloe’s kooky neighbor, Doreen, who frequently calls up to announce:

“There was a spaceship right over your house last night.”

*****

The next line is Chloe’s. Ever practical Chloe. Once she works out that the multi-dimensional job is for real, her first thoughts are for compensation:

Eaten by sea monsters was a job hazard she’d expect to be well paid for.

*****

At her orientation, Chloe meets Terrel, the gelatinous and multi-limbed klutz who is jealous of the humanoids’ ability to grow hair:

“I’d give half my limbs for hair like that.”

*****

And of all the dimensions and locations we visit in the Shift books, I think the Teringian Sulfur Spa is the one I’d most like to visit. There’s just something about the green, minty atmosphere:

She sniffed stupidly, considering she had no idea if she could breathe here, but failed to asphyxiate herself.

*****

Thankfully for Chloe and Drew, and assorted alien guests, the spas are non-toxic.

You can find Frances:

Blog:  http://francespauli.com/

Twitter:  @Mothindarkness

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

Author's Favorite Quotes Paranormal Romance, Kate SeRine

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Oh my goodness!  If you've not read these books, I don't know what you are waiting for.  This author and series is on auto-buy.  Must be auto-buy!  Really!  And these quotes. *sigh* Goodness do I love these, do I need to gosh any more?

Kate SeRine with favorite lines from Red and The Better to See You:

Red (Transplanted Tales #1):

I’d always imagined that I’d come up with something clever and pithy when it came to my last words, but as I stood there staring at those horrifying green eyes, I settled for a little startled profanity.

How embarrassing.

***

I was hardly a fan of being berated like a child even on a good day, so seeing as how the last few days had pretty much buried the needle on the suckometer, my ability to quietly take my lumps was rapidly evaporating.

***

As I watched [Nate] in stunned silence, he moved with a kind of mesmerizingly sinewy grace, his lean muscles bulging and rippling in a carefully choreographed dance. Adding to the breathtaking beauty of his movements were the black flames I’d noticed on his neck and scalp. I was surprised to find they didn’t end there but, in fact, started there, fanning out across his shoulders to engulf his biceps, then dancing down his back in intricate designs, licking his skin with fiery sensuality.

The Better to See You (Transplanted Tales #2):

“I’ll f***ing kill you for this, Lavender!” he screamed, his voice cracking. “You’re going down, you half-assed fairy!”

“Bring it on, half-pint,” I called back, emphasizing my lack of concern with a syrupy sweet smile and a one-finger salute.

***

He was dressed only in jeans that sat low on his hips, giving me a good look at his lean physique. His beautifully sculpted bare chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm. He was on his guard all right, but he was in perfect control of every muscle, his body a potent weapon he could unleash the moment he perceived a threat.

***

And I knew he’d be coming for me. My knight in shining armor. My slayer of monsters. My Big Bad Wolf.

Author's Favorite Quotes Fantasy, Frances Pauli

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

I'm thrilled to share this Fantasy story from Frances Pauli, Unlikely.  There is magic and wonderful creatures to experience here.  Oh, reading these quotes again, I really need to get to reading the second book!  I enjoy this world so.

Frances Pauli for Unlikely:
Thanks for selecting Unlikely! Kingdoms Gone is my newest adventure, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the first book. These are my favorite lines from the story, and some of my favorite moments too.


When Marten and Satina first meet, he catches her fiddling with one of her magical devices:

“Nice night, lovely moon, a little magic.”

And during an argument, Henry sides with his goodmother friend by providing a little stony support:

I have a gargoyle, the gesture said. What do you have?

Villainous Vane steals a kiss from Satina to show Marten who is boss. She flees to the pocket to fume:

And if he ever tried it again, goodmother or not, Granter be damned, she’d kill the son-of-a-bitch.

After she delivers Hadja’s decoy to Vane, and he mistakes it for a powerful magical item:

Hadja had sent Vane a child’s toy, and he’d seen in it exactly what she’d expected him to.

I really enjoyed messing with Satina. Vane gives her a dose of Death Mushroom spores, which she believes are fatal:

She’d ingested death, and it was so beautiful.

You can find Frances:

Blog:  http://francespauli.com/

Twitter:  @Mothindarkness

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

Author's Favorite Quotes Young Adult, Collin Earl

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

One of my Young Adult top picks is The House of Grey by Collin Earl.  I've read the first three volumes and can't wait to get to the remaining ones.  This is one creative world with a bit of everything in it.  I think there are many who would enjoy this story, even ones who enjoy the Harry Potter series.

Collin has shared a snippet for us:

"Well, that’s just silly,” said Monson amusedly.

“Don’t try and stop me, Grey,” said Casey dramatically. “I have no intention—”

“Casey.”

“Of allowing their artistic repression—”

“Casey!”

“To dampen my poetic spirit—”

“CASEY!”

Casey abruptly stopped talking. “What?”

"I don’t plan on stopping you.”

“What?”

“I said, I don’t plan on stopping you.”

Casey looked baffled at this. “What do you mean, you don’t plan on stopping me?” Monson sighed. “If you want to throw yourself from the top of Mt. Rainer, I don’t plan on stopping you. I was just going to say that any of the buildings here would suffice for a venture of that type. You only need a couple of stories to fall from, especially if you go headfirst. Going all the way to Mt. Rainer would be a waste of gas; you should be more worried about global warming."

******

“I maintain that life would be a great deal more interesting if people broke out in random song and dance, supported by a laugh track.”

******

You sure are pissy today. Do you need a hug?”

“From you? I think I’ll pass.”

“Your loss. I give great hugs"

Do remember the first book of House of Grey if free in all ebook formats!  (even Volume 2 is free on Amazon!)

Author's Favorite Quotes Fantasy, Resa Nelson

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

This author got to share from two books from the Top 5 Fantasy list.  Resa Nelson has two of her books to share from.  Resa shared 5 different lines from the book that she really loved.  I have to agree, these lines are powerful!  Amazing picks Resa!

From The Dragonslayer's Sword:

Astrid knew she was a monster, and she didn't know what the world outside her isolated home would do to monsters.

***

Unwittingly, her breath began to match the rhythm of the dragon's panting.

***

So she threw a hammer at his face, as hard as she could.

***

"Blossom was the prettiest, sweetest horse I ever stole."

***

But her opinion of others still carried the power to change them, whether Astrid desired it or not.

From The Iron Maiden:

When she looked down and saw the mass of her long, dark hair on the ground, surrounding her like seaweed that had washed up on the beach, someone might as well have stolen her dagger and driven it through her heart.

***

"But there is more to life than being safe."

***

She had every faith that he understood the intention of a sharp blade, even when it belonged to the lowly head of an ax.

***

A woman made of strands of white and gray smoke turned to look at Vinchi.

***

He stood for several more seconds before he realized that if he didn't wipe the tears welling in his eyes, they might turn to ice before he could rejoin the men walking away from this ghastly place.

Author's Favorite Quotes Young Adult, Dina James

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

One of my Young Adult top picks is Time Heals by Dina James.  She share's a quick scene from the book that just makes me laugh as I read it, and I can read it over and over again as it's so much fun and brings back such great and relaxing memories of the characters I fell in love with.

She stood and followed the hellhound to a pile of bodies. One of the severed heads hissed at her approach. She sighed. “Oh, I hate this part...”

She found a spear and smacked the head like a golf ball, sending it rolling down the dark tunnel. Noth’s eyes brightened and he bounded after it. Rebecca stared after him, her mouth dropping open in shock as Nothlet retrieved the head and dropped it at her feet. His entire behind wiggled as he stretched out low before her, his tail wagging.

“Again!”

Nothlet, *sigh* I just love that hellhound.  And this was just one of those scenes I could visualize the thrill in him with Rebecca. *chuckle* So much love.

Authors Favorite Quotes Urban Fantasy, Philippa Ballantine

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

One of my Urban Fantasy top picks was Wrayth by Philippa Ballantine.  And she's shared two sets of lines that bring back such memories of the story for me.  The first one brings back the memory of who she finds in the company of her brother.  Oooo, that one!  You have to watch him.  Oh the second one!  Merrick...great power there. :)

Grand Duchess Zofiya did not like the company her brother was keeping. Not one little bit. She stood with her eye pressed to the peephole and observed the dark corridor with the intensity of an owl waiting for a mouse. Except, she was positive this man was far more dangerous than a mouse. The width of his shoulders leaned toward brawler rather than dandy, while his long strides spoke of a man on a mission. Zofiya felt something else about him— something that she was very well acquainted with. Danger.

----------

Merrick, scrambling to hold all the straining powers of the Conclave together, saw their rifles come up, and called again for Aydien. The blue fire ran widdershins around the Conclave, dancing off flesh and lancing out. Bullets zinged around them, even as the power of the rune pushed back against the guards, sending them flying like chaff in all directions.

Find Philippa Ballantine:
Site:  The Worlds of Philippa Ballantine
Twitter:  @PhilippaJane

Author's Favorite Quotes Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy, Philippa Ballantine

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Now this comes from a new category I started this year.  They really aren't fantasy of what fantasy some thing, and not really in any genre specific.  They fall into, Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy.  This is a field I'm growing to love more and more with each read.

One of the books that will be on my Top 5 list, The Janus Affair by Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris.  They have shared a few clips of their favorite quotes...Oh Alice, she is one special woman.  That is for sure.  I do enjoy her as a secondary character.  And Eliza, who doesn't love that woman's spunk?  I do!

“Alice,” Wellington shouted as he spun around. “Be—“

He could see the shadows stir and then abruptly stop when the maid stepped into sight; the shattered window frames painting dark, angry streaks across her body. She was still, but pistons continued to pop and hiss angrily while cogs and gears spun so fast they screamed a high-pitched whine that made Wellington grind his teeth. He wanted to believe what he was witness to was a trick of shadow, but he—and no doubt, the intruders opposite of Alice—knew it was no illusion. It all flashed by in a moment: a moment for Alice’s left thigh to burst open, a moment of hesitation on the intruders’ part, the briefest moment for Alice’s right leg to step back; and in the same moment for Alice to pull from her open prosthetic the forearm-sized firearm. Alice’s first shot thundered through the apartments, lifting one of the assailants off the ground while sending the other two scattering into the darkness. Another shot exploded from the shotgun’s second barrel, but Wellington doubted if it hit anyone.

“Careful as mice,” Alice shouted back as she fell back into cover.

-------------------------

“Right then,” Campbell began, his tone so civil it was offensive. “May I have your name for the record, Miss...?”

“Eliza Braun,” Eliza sneered. “Here, I’ll spell it for you—B-U-G-G-E-R-O-F-F.”

Bruce nodded. “That is a beautiful name, Miss.” He looked up from his notepad. “Very exotic.”

Find Philippa Ballantine:
Site:  The Worlds of Philippa Ballantine
Twitter:  @PhilippaJane

Find Tee Morris:
Site:  http://teemorris.com/
Twitter:  @TeeMonster