R.W. Buxton on creating the fictional world in Beverly Hills Torture

 

Welcome to the book tour for Beverly Hills Torture by R.W. Buxton! Today, he is taking us behind the scenes into his fictional world, plus sharing an excerpt. Be sure to follow the tour for even more information and extra chances to enter the great giveaway as you leave questions and comments along the way.

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Beverly Hills Torture isn’t necessarily an entirely fictional world, it takes place in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. But there aren’t vampires in the actual world so I had to create a world they could live in.

There is a vast amount of vampire fiction. All with conflicting rules and abilities. From the dark shadows of Bram Stoker to the glittering vampires in Twilight. I’ll be honest I’ve read more than my fair share of vampire novels. But my favorites are those where there are limitations on the vampires. They can’t survive the sunlight and if they can there is an excellent reason for it.

So when I created Erin, I looked at all the bodies of work I had read. Even referred to a vampire encyclopedia (yes there is such a thing) that summarized all the myths, legends, books and movies. Then I thought about what I wanted my vampires to be.

I wrote the rules. What they could and couldn’t do. If they did something outside of those rules, there had to be a reason. Then I figured out how they fit into the modern world. How they made money, how they changed their identities and how they avoided detection. For example, in my world it’s against the vampire law, if you will, for a vampire to kill a human. Drinking blood is okay, but not killing. This causes colossal problems for Erin in Beverly Hills Torture.

Even though Beverly Hills Torture takes place in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Hollywood I had to create all of my establishments in and around those places. I spent a lot of time on Google Streets looking for areas that looked like they would work and then just set my locations there. Then blended them in with the actual sites and buildings around them.

World building for urban fantasy or paranormal romance isn’t nearly as difficult as it would be for Sci-Fi where it’s up to you to create everything from the planet to the political system and currency. I could work my novel into the threads of reality we are all familiar with, and just bend the rules a little to allow for the existence of vampires.

A frantic middle of the night call jolts Gerry from his quiet, but lonely life, back into a world fraught with dangerous creatures of the night. Erin's frenzied call leads Gerry across the country where he finds himself immersed in the luxuries of Beverly Hills and the seedier side of the Hollywood strip.

Sadness and longing grip him as he finds a blood-spattered room and Erin is nowhere to be found.

Alone in a strange city with nothing to go on can Gerry find and save Erin? Or is this the end of something never meant to be?

Her past has caught up with her and he's her only hope.

With a group of trusted friends Gerry takes on the impossible and gives everything to save Erin.

Beverly Hills Torture is the second novel in the Erin Kingsly series. Be sure to check out Capital Thirst.

Read an excerpt:

Nicolas walked back to the door. He turned and said, “This is a mistake. Mark my words.”

Erin watched him go, then sank to the bottom step of the grand stairway. Her head fell into her hands. This wasn’t the last she’d hear of the High Priestess. More messengers would come. Maybe they wouldn’t ask politely. Maybe they would try to force her. Maybe it would just be more groveling fools like Nicolas. Whatever happened, she wouldn’t give in to them. She wandered back up the stairs into her bedroom. The room she never slept in. It was her retreat though. She picked up the picture of her and Gerry again. He was so happy, and so was she. She saw it in both of their eyes. Honest and genuine happiness. Something she lost. It had been a year since things fell apart. It still felt like the first night alone.

She set the picture down and flopped on the bed. She lay back and tried to forget. But she couldn’t. It was still too real, too raw. Tears rose again and slid down her face. They were lost in her hair, and she stared at the ceiling. There was nothing she could do about her past decisions.

The only way to go was forward. Unfortunately, it would be a painful path.

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I love a good paranormal read, something about the un-dead haunts the fringes of my mind. Mix in romance, love, loss, and you have a great story.

I voraciously read everything, fiction, and non-fiction but always find myself turning back to the darker stories. I’ve always wanted to write and the dream became a reality with Capital Thirst, and the remainder of the Erin Kingsly novels.

I spend most of my days designing and building websites, but my free time is devoted to my wife, family, and cats. Yes three grown children and three cats. Things can be hectic.

For fun you might find me driving winding roads with the top down or out photographing nature.

Website RWBuxton.com

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https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-w-buxton

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19658320.R_W_Buxton

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48481089-capital-thirst

https://allauthor.com/author/rwbuxton/

R.W. Buxton will be awarding $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

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Jeny Heckman chats with characters from The Warrior's Progeny

Welcome to the book tour for The Warrior's Progeny by Jeny Heckman! Today's post is a lot of fun, as she imagines a conversation between her characters that would have changed the entire story. Enjoy that and an excerpt from the book. Follow the tour for even more. And then be sure to enter the giveaway!

Colton Stone is a newly traded tight end whose reputation is as battered as his football helmet. When he receives a vacation invitation from his new teammates, he accepts. There he collides with Dr. Lillian Morgan, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, and doesn't know what to think.

A widow with two children, Lilly travels to Kauai to attend the wedding of a friend and witness the union she lost three years prior. When she meets Colt, she struggles between letting go of her perfect past for an uncertain future.

Strange events begin to occur, out of the realm of normal consciousness. Black energy touches their world and the couple become pawns of the immortal Greek gods. Is the love between them real, or part of a larger prophecy?

Read an excerpt:

Lilly looked down at the football, lying prone and guilty in the sand, as realization hit her.

“Oh my God, Que! Are you okay?”

She examined Que’s head and neck checking for injuries, with rapid authority. A small goose egg already formed just above her right temple. A tiny cut opened in her eyebrow, from her broken sunglasses now laying in the sand, causing a small bead of blood to well up.

Used to the recklessness of her son and his friends regarding the sport, Lilly turned, gearing up for an impressive tongue lashing to teenagers.

“What in the hell...” she bellowed, turning around and smacking her face into the sweaty muscular chest of a massive redhead. Refusing to let the fourteen-inch height difference and the hundred and sixty pounds of additional weight intimidate her, Lilly balled her small fists on her hips, shifted her gaze up, and narrowed her eyes.

“What in the hell is the matter with you? You’re on a crowded beach with a bunch of young children and families. You’re a grown-ass man. Can’t you catch a football?” When he stared down at her in fascinated disbelief, she continued. “There is a wide-open park just over there,” she said, stabbing her finger in the general vicinity. “Maybe you and your little friends”— she looked over at all the massive men in his group, but continued undaunted—“should go over there and pull your heads out of your asses.”

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In the Heaven & Earth series, the Titans have fought the Olympian Greek gods and lost. Cronus, ruler of the Titans is locked away in Tartarus, in the underworld, while Zeus, ruler of the Olympians rocks his golden throne and has a lot of sex. Cronus decides to manipulate some key people to create a prophecy dooming the gods and releasing the last plagues upon mankind. Themis, an Oracle of Delphi, gets wind of it and inserts a caveat that allows the modern-day descendants of the gods to go on a quest to save the Olympians.

I feel like the whole thing could’ve been avoided if Zeus and Cronus got over themselves and each other and talked it out. I envision something like this.

“Hey dad,” Zeus began, “I know we’ve had our differences, but mom was really angry you ate all her children, and Grandma was super angry you re-imprisoned, the Cyclopes uncles, and the Hecantonchieres clan. Everyone wanted a new ruler, and I stepped in. Can we at least try to figure out some common ground, and make this work for the family’s sake?”

“No, I’m pissed off,” Cronus spat. “This was my kingdom. I had to cut off my father’s penis, to get it for chrissake, but I did it for the family and I was a good leader. I won my place here fair and square.” Cronus ran his thick wrinkled fingers through his hair causing it to stand on end. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“Okay, I totally hear what you’re saying, but try to look at this from my point of view. You have to admit you were getting completely paranoid.”

“Because my dad, said you were going to take over my kingdom!”

“You didn’t have to eat everyone! I mean come on, how would you have liked that?” Zeus looked at his father with large pleading eyes. “I know we can work this out. Heaven and earth are all chill again. The people are happy. These could be the greatest years of your life, relaxing by the pool, playing with your grandchildren.”

Cronus looked out into the dark murky depths of Tartarus. Water dripped somewhere pinging echoes off the rock walls. “I don’t know. What would I do? Could I get out of here?”

Zeus brightened, “Absolutely! I’ll tell you what, how about I give you the Elysium? The only people that get in there are the heroes and other gods. It’s absolutely beautiful there. You can rule the place without any interference from me, at all. Plus, it’ll be way easier on your joints with all that sunshine.”

“It would be all mine?” Cronus eyes his son suspiciously.

“All yours, with just three conditions.”

“What are those?”

“You get on some medication for your depression and psychotic tendencies,” the young ruler counted on his fingers. “You go see a therapist to get out all those unresolved issues, and you don’t second guess my decisions in public once I’ve made them.”

Cronus remained silent, trying to come to a decision.

“Come on, dad,” Zeus said softly, placing an arm around the old ruler’s shoulders. “All this fighting isn’t doing anyone any good at all. Can we move on?”

Cronus looked into his son’s eyes, and recognized the truth in them. “Okay, you have a deal, but if I think you’re doing something wrong, I’m going to tell you.”

“As long as you do it in private, I’ll listen to every word and take it all under consideration.” He raised a hand. “That’s a promise.”

Cronus extended his own hand, but thinking better of it, drew his son in for a hug. Zeus patted the proud old man gently on the back, then leaned into the embrace and closed his eyes.

Thank you so much for joining me today! I truly appreciate your time and also a big thank you to Andi and Books to Light your Fire for hosting me. This was a lot of fun!

Award-winning author, Jeny Heckman, was born in Bellingham, Washington, and was the youngest of two daughters. She met her husband, Jeff, in August 1992, and eloped three months later, at Magen’s Bay, on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

She wrote her first book, the Catch, in a few short months but took several years before she gained the courage to self-publish it at her son’s urging, and her love for writing began.

In 2018, Jeny knew her next project would be a series that showed adults could have adventures in the paranormal-fantasy genre too. So, she created the Heaven & Earth series, a story of doomed Greek gods and their only salvation, their modern-day descendants. Her first book of the series, the Sea Archer, was immediately picked up by the New York publishing house, the Wild Rose Press, and won, “Best in Category” from the 2018 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

In the year 2020, Jeny released, Dancing Through Tears, a short story from the anthology, Australia Burns: Volume Two, highlighting the Route 91 massacre from the perspective of one family at the concert, and at Mandalay Bay. She also intends to release, the Warrior’s Progeny, and Dee’s Cornucopia, in 2020, continuing the Heaven & Earth Series.

Jeny lives in Washington State with her husband of over twenty-eight years.


Website: https://jenyheckman.com/

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iBooks Author Page: https://books.apple.com/us/author/jeny-heckman/id1436374028

Jeny Heckman will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

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Marked By the Alpha by Natalie Aejaz

Marked By the Alpha

One night with her, and everything changed. I’d never needed a female until I met Angie, but now she’s taken over my damn mind.

Shaun, an unmated wolf shifter and property magnate, is interested in females for only one thing. Sex. But after a one-night stand with the human Angie, he can’t get her out of his head. He wants her, but there’s one problem. His latest property acquisition, which has come to him courtesy of the mob, also happens to be her family business.

That night with the hot shifter was just what Angie needed to get over a broken heart, and now it’s time to put her past behind her and focus on getting her family business back from the mob. After discovering that Shaun is the one standing between her and the property, she should hate him, but instead finds herself fighting her feelings for the shifter.

As the attraction develops into something that means more than sex, will they be able to get past their dispute and find a way to be together?

Welcome to the world of Blood Moon, full of sexy males, feisty heroines and hot romance. Don’t miss MARKED BY THE ALPHA, the first book in the paranormal romance series. This wolf shifter romance contains steamy sex scenes, a happily ever after and no cliffhangers. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

Read an excerpt:

If she planned to play the demure maiden, what was she doing at a club like this? “Relax. I won’t bite.” 

“I’ve heard that you guys do bite, when you—” She struggled with her words, staring at the carpet. It was supposed to be a bloody joke. His kind did bite during sex, but only when they wanted to mark someone as their own. In her case, no chance. “Sorry. It’s my first time—” 

“You’re not a bloody virgin, are you?” 

Her cheeks flushed pink, an unexpectedly cute look on her. “No, I don’t mean that. I mean…” She was so flustered, she was making him nervous. “I’ve never had a one-night stand before…and I’ve never, you know, with a shifter—” 

If she was so scared of his kind, what the hell was she doing here? Typical human, couldn’t help but come to take a look at the beast. But there was no way he would stick around to struggle with this weeping willow. “I don’t think this will work.” 

As he reached past her to the door handle, she placed her hand on his arm. “Please don’t go. I—I want to try this—” 

He sighed, turning to her. “Look, I said I’m not up for it—” 

But her lips landed on his, sending a jolt to his libido. The human…knew how to kiss. Her breathing was shallow as she pressed her body against his. Damn, but she tasted good. When she moaned, soft, he ached for her. 

Where the hell did this reaction come from?

Available on Amazon 

Part of Kindle Unlimited

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About Natalie Aejaz

I love making things up!

I am Natalie Aejaz, an author who enjoys travel and make-believe.

While managing a plethora of other activities, I focused on a series of social novels over the past few years. I wrote my first paranormal romance a few months ago, unexpectedly becoming addicted to the fun and freedom of creating universes. The opportunities for play were as limitless as my imagination and since then, I write in this genre.

Aliens, shapeshifters, vampires and witches … they are on their way in my future books.


CONNECT WITH ME:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/natalieaejaz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieaejaz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/natalieaejaz.writer

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Loved by the Beast by Anya Summers

This one is for my paranormal erotic romance lovers! Anya Summers has been featured here many times and today she is back with yet another scorching story to light your fire. Please enjoy an excerpt before you download your own copy. Be sure to leave her your thoughts in the comments. And then follow the tour for bonus chances to win the giveaway!

Loved by the Beast

Anna has plans for her life. This fall, she will be heading off to medical school, well on her way to becoming a doctor. But first, she and her besties head to Ireland to celebrate.

Nowhere did her future plans even include serious dating, let alone becoming mated to a man who can turn into a freaking beast with wings. Nor did she reckon with being sucked through a portal onto another planet while on her way home from a great night out.

Yet from the very first time her new mate touches her, Anna wonders if this could be the real deal – as in: the big L. The only problem is, her mate says his kind do not love; they protect, they pleasure, and they provide. Can Anna really kiss goodbye to all her plans for the future, and agree to spend the rest of her existence without love?

Publisher’s Note: This steamy paranormal romance, while the third in the Alcyran Chronicles series, can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Read an excerpt:

His nose caught a whiff of sweetness on the breeze. The potency and flavor reminded him of dragonsbane wine. Being surrounded by the foreign stench, his beast wanted to roll around in the familiar scent.

He scrutinized the pavement below.

Then he spotted his prey. The women walked three abreast down a deserted lane, swaying slightly as they trod. He inhaled a giant whiff, needing to be sure. His people needed him to finish this task and succeed. Rhiannon had been correct. Their scent held trace amounts of Clovis blood, mingled with that of the people of this planet. It confused his internal sensors, made him want to call them Clovis—but they were not. They had far too much of Earth inside them. Their Clovis scent was so faint and diluted, if he had not been searching for that in particular, he would have missed it.

He swooped down near the trio. His senses were on high alert. He homed in, soaring near their location. One of the women, a black-haired wench with hair that fell to her waist, glanced skyward, lifting her face toward his position, and emitted an ear-piercing scream.

That face. Even in the dark he could discern her beautiful porcelain features, the arched brows, slim upturned nose and pouty lips that were presently drawn in abject terror. A lightning bolt of energy struck D’Vorak’s system. His wings stretched. His dick woke like a sleeping giant, straining against the confines of his leather britches. His entire being bellowed: mine. That, at long last, he had found his mate.

The urge to rut until his seed emptied into his mate’s sex and his staff became flaccid surged through him. It overrode his every thought. He had to claim her, bind her life force with his and plant his offspring in her belly.

The thought of being with his mate after believing he was doomed to walk alone made his head swim. He was exultant. Desire thundered through his veins. His blood roared.

And then his mate and the other two women sprinted away. D’Vorak snarled. How dare she run from him? She belonged to him, now and until the end of their days. Like they could outrun him.

He shot after them, weaving his great wings between buildings as he flew, speeding closer and closer. He grinned when they took the dead-end with the entrance to the portal. Rhiannon had said the women would be drawn to the magic of the vortex, that their blood would recognize the magic and it would act like a tether, leading them to it. The trap had been executed to perfection.

D’Vorak looked at the woman, his mate. She was a sprite of a thing, lush where it counted, and he felt himself nearly coming out of his skin at the sight. She was his mate, all right. His body and being exhibited all the signs. His feet touched down upon the firm, stone ground. Not breaking his forward momentum, he stalked forward. Voracious need battered his every footstep. He wanted to shake himself. It had been hundreds of years since any of his kind had found their mate. They slaked their lust on their harems full of concubines to quell the rising madness within. Every aspect of his being bellowed that he must take her, bind her to him at once.

Available on Amazon 

Should you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!

About Anya Summers

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. (http://www.maggiemaegallagher.com/) A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.


Visit her website here:  www.anyasummers.com

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Don’t miss these exciting titles by Anya Summers!

Dungeon Fantasy Club Series

Her Highland Master, Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Master-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01E9UB8SO/

To Master and Defend, Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/Master-Defend-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01FNG23HI/

Two Doms for Kara, Book 3 https://www.amazon.com/Doms-Kara-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01GXGOAK0/

His Driven Domme, Book 4 https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Domme-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01IIUY8Y2

Her Country Master, Book 5 https://goo.gl/YWhLqm

Love Me, Master Me, Book 6 https://goo.gl/QlTE9u

Submit To Me, Book 7 https://goo.gl/Or8pYr

Her Wired Dom, Book 8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRJY9TF/


Pleasure Island Series

Her Master & Commander, Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/Master-Commander-Pleasure-Island-Book-ebook/dp/B06Y5SVVB9/

Her Music Masters, Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711R9D1H/

Their Shy Submissive, Book 3 https://goo.gl/ufyJLn


Her Lawful Master, Book 4 https://www.amazon.com/Lawful-Master-Pleasure-Island-Book-ebook/dp/B073SRDNNT

Her Rockstar Dom, Book 5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VSGP8Q

Duets & Dominance, Book 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075TG9RYC

Her Undercover Dom, Book 7 https://goo.gl/HKhVba

Ménage In Paradise, Book 8 https://goo.gl/qce2BD

Her Rodeo Masters, Book 9 https://goo.gl/HDZw6v


Cuffs & Spurs Series

His Scandalous Love https://www.amazon.com/Scandalous-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B079GBB57Z

His Unexpected Love https://www.amazon.com/His-Unexpected-Love-Carter-Beginning-ebook/dp/B07C2NBGLQ

His Wicked Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B661RP1

His Untamed Love https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07D9ZDHMH

His Tempting Love https://www.amazon.com/Tempting-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07HYT1GVQ

His Seductive Love https://www.amazon.com/Seductive-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07KXP3MMF

His Secret Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKN5Y2S

His Cherished Love https://www.amazon.com/Cherished-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07SBDTVMV


The Alcyran Chronicles

Taken by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYNT21L

Claimed by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/Claimed-Beast-Alcyran-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07Q3HNP26/

Loved by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3QFLJW/ref=sr_1_1

Anya Summers will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Take On Me (Cursed Kin #3) by Kyla Riley

Take on Me

Vanessa Stafford had a life any woman would wish for… wealthy, pampered, with a beautiful home and marrying her father’s protégé. Her direction in life had always been planned for her by either her parents or her fiancé- but their ideas never allowed her be herself. A stolen moment of blissful happiness was like pulling a veil of disillusionment from her eyes. She knew deep down inside that it was time for her to break free of their grasp… but was she running straight into the arms of another man who would treat her the same?

Fiacha Cael spotted the stunning woman surrounded by others at the bar. Centuries had passed and his friends had slipped away over the years. He was now mourning the latest passing of a companion- and the pretty bachelorette at the bar was supposed to be celebrating. They were both surrounded by people but alone… so different, yet so alike. He felt a staggering depression swamping at his soul and saw the same expression in her eyes- driving need to comfort her. He had his own issues to sort through first… and the years had not been kind to his ironic phobia.

Could Fiacha understand the desire for independence that Vanessa had? Could she help a struggling vampire that fainted at the sight of blood? Both had their demons they fought against- yearning for more from this world… but would she be willing to take him on?

Available on Amazon

Yes, this is my affiliate link. Should you make your purchase through it, I earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thanks for helping to support my websites! 

About Kyla Riley

Kyla Riley is the secret pen name of an award winning, best-selling author. Dabbling in fantasy, Kyla gets to explore another world that brings her in contact with vampires, ghosts, werewolves and witchcraft. Please look around, explore and have fun as she brings you stories that will delight and set your blood pumping.

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this book. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Thank God for Jean - The Evolution of Beauty Within by Jae El Foster

Welcome to the book tour for Beauty Within by Jae El Foster! Do you know how important an editor is to the writing process? I can always tell when an author doesn't use an editor and when someone has a really good editor on their hands. Today, Jae El Foster talks about the importance of an editor and sings the praises of the one he uses. Find out what he has to say and then check out his latest book. Be sure to leave comments and questions all along the tour and download your own copy after you enter the giveaway!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Nothing is better than a good editor, and I have a great one. Without editors like Jean Watkins, our books would not see their potential.

The importance of an editor is extreme, and on my first attempt at a fairy tale, I needed an editor more than ever before. An editor’s job extends further than correcting a writer’s punctuation, grammar and spelling. They see things that we as the authors do not see, and they help us correct them, build on them, or eliminate them if needed. Some writers feel that an editor will rewrite their books, but they are so very wrong on that assumption. A good editor will guide your hand as your tweak your story to make it the best piece of fiction that it can be.

Beauty Within was a book that saw several incarnations on its road to publication. It was the first of several books to hold a clue in my Jae El Fandom Hardcore Easter Egg Competition, and that clue had to be worked seamlessly into the story and still point people in the right direction to the second clue (full details are at www.jaeelbooks.com/contests). I’d never held a contest before where I’d had to hide clues in my books, so this was a challenge for me, and my editor helped me make that clue flow along with the rest of the novel – like it should – but stand out enough to be noticed by participants in the competition.

When it comes to misspellings, sentences that don’t flow, and paragraphs that are too complicated, my editor spots what my own eyes do not see, and she helps me rework what needs to be reworked, and sometimes, that is all because of my dyslexia. In Beauty Within, Jean came across a typo – Sirpiece instead of masterpiece. Not only was Sirpiece – which is not a real word – capitalized, but it was used at least three times throughout the book. I don’t know what the word means or why I created it, but I’m thankful my editor questioned it.

There is a French hair stylist named Pierre that is introduced a few chapters into Beauty Within. His role is to provide my protagonist Natalie with a unique hairstyle for a ball. In the original draft, Pierre did not understand a lick of English and spoke only French, so every time he would speak in the book, his words were in French and poorly translated to Natalie via her nemesis Sarah. While I saw the humor in the conversational situation, my editor pointed out that the only people who would understand what was going on and would get it were me and people who spoke French. I hadn’t thought of that when writing the scene, and so Pierre became a Frenchman with a bad English accent that my readers still enjoyed.

Jean and I worked our way through two – maybe three – edits of Beauty Within until all corrections had been made and the story flowed without pause or loss of flow. Yet, on my final read-through, when the book was set for publication, I realized Beauty Within was not finished. It didn’t feel finished. It lacked something – something big – and it had to do with the ending.

The original ending of Beauty Within is still there, but it is no longer the ending to the book. I drafted a whole new ending, adding a few more chapters onto the otherwise ready-to-go manuscript, and dropped it back to Jean.

The new twist in Beauty Within was so unexpected that even she admitted surprise to it. Yet, even as these new chapters did not much affect what we’d already edited and corrected, they had to be fixed from errors and inconsistencies, and the book as a whole had to be reread as well.

My editor has seen the best of my writing and the worst of my writing. She is why Beauty Within evolved into the wonderful fairy tale that it is, and she is why most of my writing is seamless and makes sense. I do not make life easy on her – especially with my first drafts and sudden ‘hey I had a’ thoughts. Yes, she’s a trooper, and if I have one piece of advice for any and every author out there, it is to get out there and find an editor. And when you do, hope that he or she is as good as Jean Watkins.

By the way – you might be able to tell – I did not let Jean edit this Guest Post beforehand.

My thanks to Books to Light Your Fire for hosting me today! Thanks also to Goddess Fish Promotions and DCL Publications for making this possible. Also, to those of you who have swung by to see what’s up, I hope you enjoy what you see. Thanks for stopping by!

******************************

Beauty Within

An enchanted mask. A harrowing castle. A reclusive dark lord. With the helping hand of the village witch, these three ingredients form a spell that will warm your heart as much as it chills it. Madame Howell makes her second appearance in Jae El Foster’s literary universe in this fairy tale that puts a new twist on an old classic. When a village maiden finds herself in a forbidden castle, she discovers that its sole occupant might be less of a monster than he has been made out to be. However, dark secrets and black magic are afoot, and a ‘happily ever after’ could turn disastrous. Will true love conquer all, or will a dark power make their world come crumbling down?

Read an excerpt:

Hanging his head low, he sighed with a deep sadness, and in a bout of self-anger, he jerked his head up to the ceiling and cried out with an agony and a rage that he had never expressed with such intenseness. His scream ran long, and it echoed loudly throughout every hall and chamber of the castle and even into the blackened air outside. When this scream fell silent, he cried out once again, this time falling down to his knees in bitter self-loathing. His hands fell across his face, touching upon the scars that had sealed his doom. Running his fingers from his face to his hair, he grabbed two fistfuls of the golden locks and pulled hard, adding pain to his already crippling misery.

“Lest he who hath created his hell perish in his hell…” he whispered as the tears began to dry from his eyes. Then, with a leap, he rose to his feet and crossed the foyer to the staircase. With slow, steady movements, he began up the stairs, formulating in his thoughts what his next actions would be. His mind was hazy and in a fog, and thinking made his head only hurt more.

The stairs seemed to continue up for an eternity, but he was used to the climb and he made it to the belfry of his castle with practiced ease. There, he rushed past the old brass bell that had not rang in many, many years, and he forced his hands to brace him as he stopped abruptly at the stone encasing that prevented him from falling to his death below.

With tear-stained cheeks, he stared down at the foggy ground, barely able to see the dirt of the hill. He looked over just slightly and gazed at the village of Foliage, which was completely lost in the night and the thick of the fog surrounding it. The wind still blew with massive force, rocking against his chilled body but never once ringing the bell behind him. Had the bell decided to ring, it would have rocked up against him with enough strength that he would have been pushed from the belfry and down to the ground below, shattering every bone in his body.

This thought chilled him more than the powerful wind, and he held himself in his arms as he tried to find the cottage of the mistress with the mask. Even though he could see none of the buildings contained within Foliage, he knew now the exact location of the fair maiden’s home, and he stared in that direction for the longest of time.

“What I would give,” he whispered, releasing fog with his breath, “just to touch you… to hold you… to share but one dance with you.”

Available on Amazon 

About Jae El Foster

Jae El Foster is an author with whom you question going to bed with at night, but you dare to venture beneath the sheets with him anyway. As the venture concludes, you are perhaps romanced by it, or perhaps you are frightened by it. Don’t worry, because you are always satisfied by it. Despite the title or genre of the book, Jae El sets out to please you with climatic and unexpected conclusions that will make you tremble with emotion. Hop aboard the Jae El train and give it a good ride.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.jaeelbooks.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaeelbooks

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

Google+: https://plus.google.com/communities/105715668467648152419

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaeelfoster/

Amazon Author’s Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/jaefoster

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4540432.Jae_El_Foster

Blog 1: https://www.jaeelbooks.com/blog

Blog 2: https://thoughtsbyjaeelfoster.wordpress.com/

Jae El Foster will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Soft Clay (Celestial Mates Book 4) by Megan Slayer

Welcome to the book blast for Soft Clay by Megan Slayer, a contemporary paranormal erotic romance. If you follow Books to Light Your Fire, you've seen many of her other titles! I have an excerpt for you, plus there's a great giveaway. Be sure to leave comments and questions for Megan and then follow the tour for more opportunities and fun!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Soft Clay

Two souls trapped—can they find freedom in each other’s arms?
Nike, the goddess of speed can’t move. She’s the goddess of strength and she can’t shatter her curse. The goddess of victory has lost her weapons—her shield and spear. She put her faith in a human, only to be cursed. Can another human be the key to her salvation and freedom from the clay?

Charlie needs someone who can understand him. A person to cherish him. Male or female, he doesn’t care. He’s intrigued by Nike’s statue. Call him infatuated. But she’s a statue and they don’t come to life from true love’s kiss, do they?

Available on Amazon

Read an excerpt:

©Megan Slayer, 2018, All Rights Reserved

Nike wished she could move. She longed to shiver into his touch and lean into his kiss. She wished her heart could beat again and she could enfold him in her wings.

What he wore and his makeup didn’t matter to her. Men in women’s clothing could be pretty. He had the eyes and body to pull off the look. If being different made him happy, then wonderful. She wanted to make him happy, too. With the curse in place, all she could do was listen and watch.

Damn the magic. Damn her curse. She wanted to be free. Her brothers and sister were there, but they couldn’t hear her. Couldn’t they tell the human how to break the curse?

She stared at the human male. He reminded her of the servant men on Olympus. He was so pretty but masculine. He’d defer to her, wouldn’t he? He struck her as glamorous, yet off-limits like the servants. Not that she’d held back before. Her desire to sleep with the servants had gotten her into trouble so many times. When she found someone she liked, she wanted to sleep with them. So what if her father deemed her lovers beneath her?

She turned her attention back to the man. His kiss delighted her. She’d never tasted anything so delicious in her life. More than that, she’d been able to feel him. Her hope increased. If she could feel him, not just assume she could, then perfect. She wanted another kiss from the quirky man.

Could he break the curse? She wasn’t sure, but she wanted him to keep trying.

Please, don’t stop trying.

About Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj 

Website, http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

Blog, https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/

Fan Page, https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/

Amazon Author Page, http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC

Bookbub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/

Goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer

Megan Slayer will be awarding a Prize Pack featuring a Necklace made by the author and signed swag to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Read an exclusive excerpt from The Nefarious Series by Lucille Moncrief

Welcome to the excerpt tour for the Nefarious series by Lucille Moncrief. I have an exclusive excerpt for you today, plus there's a great giveaway at the end. You can read more about the book series and download your own copies. The first book is on sale for just 99 cents during the tour, so you can't go wrong! Leave Lucille comments and questions and then visit the rest of the tour for even more excerpts and opportunities to enter the giveaway!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help support my websites at no additional cost to you.

The Nefarious Series

A captured mermaid, two vampire hives on the brink of war, and a bored, sadistic king weave a tale of forbidden love in this spin-off from Moncrief’s Nefarious series.

Follow Hannibal Steele, chief alchemist of the Scion Hive, as he races against the clock to produce the coveted Bone Elixir. Will he finish the elixir in time before the Great King Abaddon murders Hannibal’s love, Emmeline, princess of the rival Minoa Hive?

Find out in this thrilling, fast-paced tale set in a steampunk world, where the sea rises in anger at the capture of her princess, wolves howl within the hoary swirls of a white potion, and mermaids join forces with a lonely alchemist in the foggy Georgia night.

Books 1-3 available in a box set

Nefarious Volume One: A Dark and Erotic Tale

Penny Dreadful meets Fifty Shades

Book 1 of 6 of Lucille Moncrief’s the Nefarious Series

Talcott Henderson, dead for over one hundred years old, wants to live again. Enslaved and abused, he longs to destroy his maker and return to the world of the living. But first, he must replace himself with someone else. Armed with only a silver tongue and a fuzzy sense of right and wrong, he sets his sights on Elyse Delafayette, a lonely melancholic. But Samuel Quartermaine, a vampire hunter with a dark past of his own, bears a grudge against Talcott's maker, and stalks Talcott from the shadows of the cemetery walls.

Will Talcott succeed in convincing Elyse to join the ranks of the undead before Samuel can stop him?

Fans of Dracula, steampunk, and gaslight fantasy will love this collection of dark and lurid tales. If you're tired of sparkly vampires and sickly-sweet romances, sink your fangs into the Nefarious Series and get a bigger bite out of the vampire world.

Available on Amazon

Nefarious Volume Two: Honor the Suffering

While the bombs rain overhead, Talcott Henderson and a group of fellow soldiers huddle in the cratered ground beneath the German front lines. Through the never-ending din of enemy fire, the voracious, blood-soaked machine of war haunts Talcott. Memories claw at him; kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. In the bowels of the earth a specter appears and offers him an eternal life free of guilt.

But what is the cost of an unmarred soul?

If you like dark and gritty tales, war stories and the supernatural, you'll love this installment of the authoress Moncrief's Nefarious series. Grab your copy today, travel through time, and escape into a breathtaking new world!

Available on Amazon

Nefarious Volume Three: The World is Our Exile

Can evil consume innocence?

Can the one who walks the line between both save it?

Elyse Delafayette, innocent yet darkly cynical, continues a naive flirtation with evil incarnate. Although goodness pursues her, she rebukes him. Although he seems sincere, she fears he is not.

Samuel Quartermaine, embodying darkness and light, races against time to save her from the clutches of the undead.

Will she let him love her?

If you are sick of sparkly vampires and love sarcastic heroines, brooding, secretive heroes, and exploring the stark contrast between good and evil, you will love this story. Get your copy now to experience a sensual, thrilling ride into vivid new world!

Available on Amazon

Nefarious Volume Four: The Dirigible Airship Disaster

Penny Dreadful meets Fifty Shades

Described as “captivating,” and “hauntingly beautiful,” the Nefarious series is a sophisticated, enthralling, and well-written tale of intrigue and devious desires. Set in a lurid, southern gothic world, follow the undead Talcott Henderson as he engages in a battle of wits with his intended, Elyse Delafayette.

But wait, what’s this? Half-ling dhamphyrs armed with hawthorn stakes, an energy-witch coven torn apart by infighting, and a corpse-like, ancient vampire king with an agenda of his own?

Enhanced with custom illustrations, this fast-paced steampunk series will leave you on the edge of your seat and hungry for more. If you are sick and tired of wimpy vampires and the flood of terrible books on the romance market, grab your copy today of the Nefarious series and relearn what a true escape into fiction is all about.

Available on Amazon

Nefarious Volume 4.5: The Heads That Rolled

Fans of Trueblood and all things dark and steampunk will fall in love with Lucille Moncrief's Nefarious Series.

In the fifth installment of this newest generation of vampire lore, go back in time to the savage heights of the French Revolution. Heads will roll as the story follows the series' anti-hero, Samuel Quartermaine, as he falls victim to the family curse and his father's betrayal.

Book 4.5 is a wild ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading long into the night . . . With the lights on, of course.

Available on Amazon

Read an excerpt:

Hannibal Steele and the Bone Elixir

Hannibal regarded her with pity. Her skirt was torn in places and stained. Dark circles fell beneath her eyes like the specters of poverty. Hannibal knew it all too well after centuries of stalking humanity. So many of them, and few ever had enough to eat. Bitterness struck at the deep hole in his chest where his soul had once resided. He wished, oh how he wished to have put his talents to good use. Instead they only lived to serve a greedy, covetous and bored king. Hannibal frowned, opening the basket lid. Bottles clinked inside, and the witch began to point at the different contents, her voice shaking with excitement.

“This one here with the blue stopper is water from a white wolf’s paw print, and the one with the red stopper is a dried and crushed wolf’s brain, and . . .”

Her voice, light as the dulcet tones of a harp, faded out, and Hannibal felt his eyes begin to turn as she continued, oblivious to his hunger. His gums itched. He salivated, and all the while, the tropical, spicy masala smell that wafted from her warm, toffee-colored skin enticed him. The blood that ticked along in the vein of her neck teased him with its soft beats. His fangs snapped forth, and she spied him at once, gasping. She took a step back and he covered his mouth, not wanting to harm or frighten her, but he needed to feed. The pull of her essence upon his dark spirit was unbearable, and to deny it would be like ripping his own skin off. Her fear laced the air with a taste like copper pennies, and he heard a scream gurgling up in her delicate, delicious throat. Immediately, his eyes began to spin into black orbs, holding on to her gaze, and he lowered his hand and set the basket down at his feet.

Her eyes began to mirror the tar-black shade of his, and her pupils became huge disks as his hypnotism took over. She was foolish to not protect herself with some charm, for even though he was in dire need, and of greater empathy than most of the undead, he was still weak to his own blood-lust and depredations. The hunger clawed and scratched at his insides as his fangs elongated, and his voice washed over her, drowning out her reason.

“Bare your neck to me,” he whispered, closing the space between them.

About Lucille Moncrief

Lucille Moncrief, authoress of the steampunk and gaslight vampire series, Nefarious, was clearly a stodgy old librarian in a past life. She loves poring over history books and binge-watching PBS's Secrets Of series.

Join her mailing list by downloading the free book, Hannibal Steele and the Bone Elixir:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/9pmdoroswd

When Ms. Moncrief is not yelling at the kids to get off her lawn, you can find her staring out her window pretending to be pensive. She's usually in a good mood and readily accepts follows and friend requests to her Facebook page.

To contact the authoress Moncrief and for more information on upcoming and past releases, please visit her website, www.moncriefs.net.

Website – www.moncriefs.net

Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Lucille-Moncrief/e/B073MFT2CM

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16984216.Lucille_Moncrief

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/moncriefs.net/

Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/501377123571897

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lucille_moncrief/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/moncriefelle

Lucille Moncrief will be awarding a (US ONLY) signed paperback copy of Book 4.5 and a poster of the series (The series is illustrated) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Soft Marble (Celestial Mates Book 1) by Megan Slayer with Giveaway

Welcome back to Books to Light Your Fire, Megan Slayer! Today we're celebrating her book Soft Marble, a contemporary paranormal LGBT romance. As usual, please enjoy an excerpt before you download your copy. Be sure to leave Megan questions and comments and she'll respond. And then follow the tour for more chances to enter the giveaway below!

Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help support my websites, at no additional cost to you.

Soft Marble

One touch from his lover and this marble will come to life.

Kratos, God of power and strength, has been imprisoned in pure white marble for more than two centuries. His lover can break the spell—if only his lover would find him.

Andy Green knows his ancient artifacts. He spends his days restoring works of art. When the sculpture of Kratos enters his studio, he can’t hide his attraction. Will he be able to free the god or will forces beyond his control destroy everything he’s earned?

Available on Amazon

Read an excerpt:

©2018 Megan Slayer, All Rights Reserved

“When you are trapped underwater for two centuries, you do not learn much. I was rescued before in the nineteenth century, if the man who removed me from the water was telling the truth. He placed me in his studio and talked to me much as you have done. I might have stayed out of the sea if his studio had not collapsed. He liked to paint the water and the sunsets. I assume he is not the man who loaned me, as he would be dead by now.” Kratos rubbed Andy’s biceps. He’d stepped so close, his warm breath skittered across Andy’s cheeks. “I would very much like you to teach me about the world right now.”

Andy bit back a whimper. The tips of his ears burned and his skin itched. The dirty thoughts from his cleaning sessions came back. He wanted to do more than teach Kratos about the twenty-first century. He wanted to suck the man’s cock.

“You are thinking.” Kratos trailed his index finger over Andy’s bottom lip. The electricity snapped between them. Every nerve ending in Andy’s body sizzled. Kratos caged him in his arms. “I like you, Andy.”

“You hardly know me.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. That was the silliest thing to blurt out. Well, kind of. He didn’t know Kratos well at all.

“You do not understand.” Kratos walked Andy backward until he bumped into something. A desk? Andy wasn’t sure. Kratos fixed his gaze on Andy’s. “You spoke to me. I might not have been able to answer you right away, but I heard all the things you said.”

“All the things?” Like including the sexual things? His brain buzzed.

“Yes,” Kratos replied. “I did not understand every word, but I knew what you meant. When was the last time you fornicated?”

Fornicated? Andy fumbled for where to put his hands. He smoothed his palms up Kratos’s muscled chest. “I-It’s been a while.”

About Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

Social Media links:

http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/

http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC 

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer

https://allauthor.com/profile/meganslayer/

https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer

https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer

http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

Megan will be awarding a bracelet made by the author and a swag pack to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway