Wednesday 22 May 2013

Release Day! Comment for a chance to win a free copy of "Dark Days"


I'm smiling, I'm dancing, I'm celebrating…

Today isn't just the release of another story. "Dark Days" (which I'm giving away a free copy of to a randomly picked reader. All you have to do is comment on this blog, below for a chance!) has a very special meaning to me, because I wrote the majority of it nearly two years ago; when I was just starting to write after an eight-year break.

Two years ago Regan and Wyatt created themselves in a dream. I saw a young, beautiful girl dancing around a pole for a dark stranger in a cowboy hat. When the world shifts, demons crawl onto earth, only for the two to realize they are both Hunters. Most who know me will tell you I'm a "panster"—writer's term for someone who 'writes by the seat of their pants', or more simply they write without knowing where and how it will end. So, two years ago I wrote 60% of the story, and stepped away from it. I couldn't see the end…

Then one day recently I was sitting in my office, looking out the window, when Regan suddenly made herself apparent again. She started whispering in my ear about her family and soon I was back into the manuscript, fingers flying across the keys. I finished the last 40% in a matter of two days and with a huge sense of achievement. I had almost given up hope that I would never see the end for Regan and Wyatt, but then again…have we really? ;)

Without further ado, here is a little tease from my quirky southern horror story. I hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do.

Regan Steele is a young stripper who has gone through life assuming she's the only one who can see and annihilate the demons that have plagued her since childhood. She certainly doesn't expect to meet another Hunter, let alone fall for his insufferable ass. 
Wyatt Recker has walked the earth for most of his life. Alone. When he stumbles across Regan he knows his attraction to the girl can mean only one thing—trouble. But, he soon realizes that no matter his rules and regulations, he cannot deny her for long.
 When the demon world shifts, stakes are higher than ever. Can Regan and Wyatt come out of it alive, or will their love for one another endanger them further?

Excerpt: 
The dull beam of the spotlight shone down on the small stage in the middle of the room. The glow of her long chocolate hair and crimson lipstick caught their attention first and then her arms and legs wrapped seductively around the pole.
"Gentlemen, Regan Steele." Beau introduced her over the microphone.
The music started. The low, gritty, sensual drone of a guitar consumed the room. She swiveled her ankle and twirled herself slowly up the pole. The thin material of her grey shawl dropped from her shoulder. She turned her head, just enough to tease the men with the allure of her eyes.
The man sitting before her seemed to enjoy what she was giving, but she didn't recognize his face. Regan had been working at Armadillo Lounge long enough to know every regular from this po-dunk town. There was something different about him. He was certainly robust, and she could practically smell the sweat and dirt from his skin.
Hello, cowboy...
His dark brown eyes were just visible under the low sitting Stetson. His black hair, dirty and full of grit, matched his unkempt beard. Regan found herself entranced; determined.
She slid down, twirling around the pole on her five inch ankle boots, and dropped the shawl.
The stranger shifted his weight in the chair and gulped the entire contents of his glass in one swallow, before moving his attention to the floor.
I don't fuckin' think so.
Rejection was not a word in Regan's vocabulary. She kicked the shawl at him using the tip of her boot.
Without lifting his head, his velvet eyes connected with hers, and she smiled. He gripped the shawl in his hands and lifted it to his face. He breathed in her scent and allowed a smile to creep up the corner of his mouth.
That's more like it!
She turned around, holding the pole with both hands and bent forward, giving him the best view of her finest asset. Holed fishnets travelled the length of her legs, blending in with the black, studded thong that left very little to the imagination.
Just when he leaned forward, she snapped back, pressing herself hard against the pole. She parted her lips against the cold metal and moved her hand across her right breast, cupping it, before unfastening the strapless bra. She bit her lip and, still covering her chest, she lifted herself on to the pole. Using her legs for balance, she bent backwards and threw the bra at him.
He bowed his head, lifting his eyes to hers and then to the silver ends of the bars in each of her nipples.
He's not like every other redneck in this joint. A decent man is few and far between in this fuckin' town. The simple fact that he isn't howling at me like a dog is driving me wild. Male attention is what I'm good at and I'll be damned if I let the new guy shun me!
She pulled herself back up and stood freely from the pole. She spread her knees and dropped to the ground, grinding her hips to the music. She ran her hand down her face, dragging the black eye make-up and lipstick with it and tossed her hair behind her shoulders. Teeth gritted, she raised her hand high on the pole before twirling around it again, lifting her legs high and flipping her body upside down. She rolled her ribs and chest to the slow rhythm.
Her vision flickered for a moment. Her heart started to hammer against her chest plate. She scrunched her eyes tight, praying that it was just her contact folding over.
Shit...
The music stopped and a low buzzing sound consumed her ears. Even with her eyes closed she could tell the dull light that shone on her was now gone.
God dammit! Not now! Why is it always at the most inconvenient fuckin' times?
Still upside down, she reached her free hand for the .44 magnum lying in the crumpled mess of her leather jacket on the floor.
At least I got good ol' Carla...
She cocked it with one hand and flipped her body back over until she stood. The world, oblivious to all of this, had paused in time. Now all that existed was her and them...
A hundred tiny, gleaming white eyes stared back at her. Her gray eyes seemed pale in the darkness as she stared at her reflection in the mirror ahead, before looking down at them; not a single weak bone in her body. They squealed like slaughtered pigs and crawled on all fours towards her. Just the reflection of the moon against their wet reptilian-like skin was all she could see of their grotesque bodies.  A smile crept across her face and she said, "C'mon, you slimy sons of bitches. Show me your worst."
One leaped at her, claws extended, ready to rip her flesh apart. She aimed and squeezed the trigger. The bullet landed between its beady little eyes. Blood splattered and the creature exploded in a puff of smoke. The rest moved closer and she cocked the magnum once more.
Why didn't I bring the sickles? How am I going to take them all on when I have to reload?
But soon the eyes were no longer upon her. They stared directly below, where the stranger was sitting.  He stood from his chair and Regan nearly called out in shock.
Wait a minute...how in God's hell?
She heard a faint ruffling and they all leapt at once. The reflection from his weapon flashed before her eyes, gutting every demon as they sprang at him from all angles with such speed and accuracy that she felt she had to be dreaming.
Well, shut my mouth!
The lights came back as well as the music. Regan stood, aghast, on the stage with the magnum still firmly in her hands. She ignored the quizzical looks from the patrons, even the glass shattering when it fell from Beau's shaking hand. She dropped her arm to her side.
The stranger's already dirty, floor length coat was covered in blood, as was his face. His profile showed a crooked nose and heavy bags under his eyes. He smiled at the corner of his mouth again, rolling a cigar between his award winning teeth. He struck a match and puffed until the smoke created a thick white trail, blowing smoothly until the ceiling fan sucked it up.
"Howdy, sweet cheeks," he said, and winked.
****
Buy Links: 
***PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE COPY!***

Tuesday 7 May 2013

"Dance to a Different Beat" by Raven McAllan


Sean and Jane have a long way to go and a new dance to learn. Not ony that, they need to see if they like it.
Because their dance is no samba or disco… they are going to dance to a different beat…or are they?
 There's only one way to find out… by reading their story.

Jane has a decision to make. Meet Sean and face her demons, or hide. Can she allow herself to let go enough to give this experienced Dom the submission he demands?
Jane has always made her own way in life, and the thought of giving up that control scared her away once. Sean is determined to show her that true submission is a joy, and not something to be feared. He is not prepared to lose her again.
As they face her fears, can they reach their full potential, or will those demons just prove too much to conquer?
Excerpt: 


A thong. And no curls escaping around the sides. He couldn't stop himself sliding his finger under the lacy edge. She didn't bat his hand away as he expected. With a sigh that made pre cum gather at the head of his cock and had him checking it wasn't playing peek a boo over his waistband, Jane moved to rest her head on his shoulders.
"That's no toddler step, that's a strictly forbidden teenage one."
"You on top?" If she thought that then there really was no hope.
"No you moron, your fingers. You're revving me so fast I've missed the first two gears." She paused and the wicked twinkle in her eyes made him itch to turn her over his lap and use his favorite paddle on her enticing ass cheeks. "And do we really want to go into reverse 'cos we've missed the shift?"
Put like that, no they didn't.
He didn't answer but moved his questing finger further under the silk until his nail scraped the soft edge of her nether lips. "I think we can miss a few gears, you're ready, receptive, and know damn well how to put the brakes on and stop. Do you remember your safe words, Jane? Should we start from there?"
In answer she wriggled on his finger, and her breath came in pants. Her eyes were cloudy and a soft sheen of perspiration was visible on her skin. At any other time the sight would have him stripped and ready for action in the blink of an eye.
 "Just do it."
"Safe word." His tone was harsh, something wasn't quite right. "Safe words or I stop, Jane. This is a two way exchange, no way is the onus all on me."
Her eyes cleared and she stopped moving. She shuddered and lifted her arm to stroke his cheek with her fingers. "Oh shit."
 Sean dipped his head. "That's one way of putting it. What the fuck was going on then?" He didn't move his hand away from her pussy, and to her credit she didn't try to make him do anything else.
 "You're a mass of bloody contradictions, Jane. I don't know where I am with you. You want to take it slowly then you want me to take you. You're scared but you're telling me to ignore you. So not going to happen. So." He pinched her clit firmly enough for her to jump and try to move away. He kept the pressure on the soft skin hard enough to stop her. "Either you tell me what's going on in your messed up mind or that’s it. Experiment over, never to be repeated. It's up to you. I can get someone else to sub for me when I want. Will you get a Dom you want?"
A distant clock chimed the hour, and somewhere a siren screamed. Neither impinged on his mind to any degree. He concentrated on Jane who was a stiff as a board.
"Jane, look at me." He deliberately injected a note of command into his voice. "You have ten minutes to explain or that's it. We both have places to go and people to see." Would it work?


***********



You can purchase "Dance to a Different Beat" at…





About the Author:

Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.
She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge.
A lover of reading, she appreciates the history inside a book, and the chance to peek into the lives of those from years ago. Raven admits that she enjoys the research for her books almost as much as the writing; so much so, that sometimes she realizes she's strayed way past the information she needs to know, and not a paragraph has been added to her WIP.
Her lovely long-suffering husband is learning to love the dust bunnies, work the Aga, and be on stand-by with a glass of wine.

You can find out more about Raven here…

https://www.facebook.com/rmcallan        (my page)
https://www.facebook.com/ravenmcallan            (author page)



Thursday 2 May 2013

"Impulse" with Raven McAllan!


I did a little whine and oh you would like me to come on your blog and talk about Impulse wouldn't you, to Arya. Who looked somewhat startled and said "you don't need to whine, just bring wine." So I did
Cheers…

Impulse, noun—a strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
That about sums it up. Especially if you add the next description…Not premeditated.
Yes, perfect description.

Impulse is a book of Impulses, not just mine, but also my characters. Mia went to Isola Dei Sogni on an Impulse after her sister begged her to. Dylan only turned up to help. Neither of them expected what happened.

We all act on impulse on occasion. Oh yes you do, don't roll your eyes. Out of character, on a whim, for a dare. Do something so not expected. And then reap the consequences. They may be good, they made be bad, but whatever happens it's all down to… an impulse.

 Blurb:
Mia only went to Isola Dei Sogni as a favor for her sister. Her fantasy was a good book and a bottle of wine. Until she met Dylan. Then her sense disappeared and fantasy took over. Was it all worth it?
Dylan has arrived at Isola Dei Sogni to help out—with reluctance and just as a favor. Then he meets Mia. If she's the person he's supposed to assist, then maybe the visit won't be the waste of time he thought after all. His attitude has changed, and when he hears Mia wants to give him his fantasy? Dylan is never one to disappoint a lady…he hopes.
However, fantasies and dreams are all well and good, but even here, reality creeps in. Can Mia and Dylan overcome that to reach their happily ever after?

EXCERPT:
"Inside." His voice was hoarse. "Touch inside. In the way you'd like me to touch you. Show me, Mia. Show me."
Her body was on fire as she moved her hand. She'd show him, and rejoiced that she'd found a person who desired her so much.
"Like this?" With an insouciance she wouldn't have believed she had, Mia wet her fingers in her mouth and moved them to her pussy. Slowly, she pushed inside herself. The look on his face gave her courage to move them further inside. As she scraped the walls of her channel, her clit tingled and sharp arrows of pleasure honed in on her nipples. Her juices coated her fingers, and without conscious thought, she moved her hand to coat her nipples with her essence. She trembled as she returned it to her heated sheath. Her head fell back and she gave herself to the sensations that bombarded her.
"My turn." Dylan stood up and pushed his chair back. It fell over and hit the floor with a bang. Mia jumped at the unexpected noise and her hand moved out of her channel and dropped onto her lap. He lifted it to his lips.
"Ah, so good, it tastes of you." Goose bumps covered her skin as he put her fingers into his mouth and licked them one by one. "Now I can't wait, my lovely Mia. Are you ready?"
*****
You can purchase "Impluse" at:




About Raven:
Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.
She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge.
A lover of reading, she appreciates the history inside a book, and the chance to peek into the lives of those from years ago. Raven admits that she enjoys the research for her books almost as much as the writing; so much so, that sometimes she realizes she's strayed way past the information she needs to know, and not a paragraph has been added to her WIP.
Her lovely long-suffering husband is learning to love the dust bunnies, work the Aga, and be on stand-by with a glass of wine.
You can find out more about Raven at the following links:

ATTENTION READERS!!!
Be sure to comment below for your chance to win a FREE copy of Impulse! Two winners will be chosen. Also head over to the Just Ink Press blog and leave a comment there with links to any shares you might have to be entered into their Grand Prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card!
At the end of the tour, the Grand Prize winner will be announced on the Just Ink Press blog.

How does the Grand Prize contest work?
Comment = 1 entry (multiple entries possible; one per blog and one on the Just Ink Press blog)

Shares:
Twitter = 2 entries (multiple entries possible, but must show links)
Facebook = 3 entries (multiple entries possible, but must show links - if on profile, it must be public)
Winners will be chosen using Random.org.