Tuesday Tea with RM Sotera ~ Vampires ARE among us ( @rmsotera @sirenbookstrand #SO )

Happy Tuesday everyone! Have your favorite beverage ready? Good! Can you believe the first month of 2012 is just about over? Time sure flies! Any-hoo... Please give a warm welcome to RM Sotera. I asked her here today to tell us a bit about her book Cassadaga Moon and its background since I know it has quite a story behind it. RM's been through some interesting times with it, and a few title changes too, but that's not the most interesting part. Read on to find out what is...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank C.R. Moss for spotlighting me once again. Sit back, grab a cup of java, and enjoy the story that brought me to the publication of Cassadaga Moon.

How did this book come about? I go through many different processes when I sit down to write, however, with Cassadaga Moon, I literally stepped into the world of ‘real vampires’, aka, sang and psy. I began to research the lifestyle or as some say subculture seven years ago. I was preparing to write my first romance novel, and wanted something different. I needed a great hook. I’d always heard about people, who’d believed they were vampiric, however, I thought it was a hoax that is until I started doing my research. I read every book I could get my hands on, specifically those written by Arlene Russo and Katherine Ramsland. Then I started sniffing around online. The vampire community, specifically the Atlanta Vampire Alliance, helped me in understanding the subculture through several different interviews. And then I was lucky enough to meet-up with a few sang vampires in the Las Vegas area who helped my understanding even further. They are a very private group, which is totally understandable, so I let them choose the times and places of our meetings.
     So, I took what I knew about the subculture and decided that I wanted to push the envelope further by bringing the fetish of bloodplay into my story. I learned through my research that there is a fine line between the two, and that many people confuse vampirism with bloodplay. They are not the same. However, many people who are vampires delve into that fetish on occasion.
     However, for my story, I wanted my hero to like bloodplay too. I wanted to up the ante as much as possible. So with a storyline that encompassed a good Catholic girl and a real vampire with a much darker side, I wrote the book. After several re-writes I felt it was finished and I was ready to find an agent. Not so easy.
     In April of 2011, I put my research experience into a journalistic article. The article was published in the Scorpion’s Tale. I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peak into the world I’d stepped into in preparation for this book. I'd love to hear your comments!
    Original article published in the April 2011 edition. Names have been changed to protect the participants.

~ VAMPIRES AMONG US ~

      In a dark alley away from the neon lights of the Las Vegas strip guests, by invitation only, filter into a private club. By day many of the patrons are lawyers, doctors, parents, teachers and college students. But by night, they enter the establishment with one common goal, to ingest human blood.
     As the guests mingle inside the small room cast against light and shadow, a woman dressed in a dark blue business suit approached the booth. Minus a formal invitation, with a flick of her wrist, she swept her dark brown curls over her shoulder and slid into the open seat.
     “Donor or vampire?” the woman who requested to be called Jazz asked. A ghost of a smile moved across her face before she nodded in understanding. “I see. Glad you’ve come.”
     Real vampirism is alive and well and a way of life for thousands of people all over the world.
     The Vampire Church, an organization designed for real vampires to obtain fellowship, argues on their website, www.vampire-church.com, that, “Vampirism is about the inherent ability to acquire unique needed life giving energy resources.”
     According to the Pennsylvania Vampire Alliance people practice the art of blood drinking in every part of the world. “Reality television celebrities like Don Henrie—The Vampire—have made our way of life suddenly seem acceptable,” Spade, an alliance member said.
     “Realizing you are a vampire is a very personal thing,” Jonathan Thomas admitted. “I realized I was a vampire when I could no longer satisfy hunger, my need for pranic energy, with food and thirst with drink.”
     Pranic energy is what sanguinarians (blood drinkers) argue they lack. This lack of energy in their bodies causes severe headaches leading into constant migraines, as well as chronic fatigue. No amounts of caffeine or stimulants help alleviate the pain. Emotional upset, wild mood swings, and depression are common occurrences in those that lack the energy.
     “For me, this all started years ago,” Melanie Merrick, a local college student said as she gently sliced into the pallid skin of her donor’s shoulder with a small razor. After surveying the area, she covered the cut with her mouth for a few seconds before she gazed up and continued.
     “I was having problems with constant headaches that the doctors couldn’t understand,” she said. “The blood is the only thing that helps. I’ve been a pin cushion for doctors and I thank God I finally found my answer to living a normal—well…somewhat normal life.”
     Merrick licked her donor’s wound a second time before re-focusing her big brown eyes on the conversation at hand. “The biggest things didn’t manifest until a little later. For about four years I had a specific desire…a hunger that I denied severely.”
     In another area of the club a tall man, who referred to himself as Zane slipped a cigarette from his jean jacket and placed it between his lips then lit it. He drew in a deep breath before he exhaled.
     “Realizing I was a vampire was miserable—physically, psychically, and mentally,” he said. “It takes a toll on ones life with the stress of being different, of being considered a freak. You worry what will happen when your friends and family learn that you drink blood. You’re a minority man, and it sucks.”
     For many real vampires the awakening process is described as a double-edged sword. They have finally found out what is physically wrong with their bodies, however, life as they’ve known it is forever changed.
     One of the biggest challenges for this unique group is securing donors willing to share their blood.
(end of snippet...)

Stop the press. I mean I knew that the subject matter of this book was dark, however, I didn’t realize how dark until the rejection letters began to pile up in my office. And most of them said the same thing, that the material was to dark, to the point I would most likely scare readers. But, I kept pushing because the story wasn’t about the vampirism (that just happened to be a really kick-ass conflict) it was about the love between a jaded and broken man with a different belief system and a Catholic girl.
     So, 350 rejection letters later, Siren Publishing picked up Cassadaga Moon. They felt the story was intriguing and very unique, and thus they took a chance on the book and my story came to fruition.
     At this point in time…the rejection stack is 351. I recently received another rejection, that I’ve inserted into my binder that reads – Books Rejected After Publication. It’s crazy…
     In closing I would like to say: If you have a story that you truly believe in, don’t stop until it finds a home. How many well-known authors have been rejected on stories that have turned out to be best-selling books? Do the research, you will find out that there are a ton of authors out there who just kept believing in their stories and pushing forward.

Cassadaga Moon ~ A Siren Erotic Romance ~ Blurb...
     In the quaint town of Cassadaga, Florida, life isn’t quite what it seems. For the strictly raised Catholic Mia Christini, life is nothing like it seems. There are only three things Mia is sure of—her best friend Cindi might just be crazy, her boss is losing control, and morals are overrated.
     Weary of existing by a moral compass, she is ready and waiting for a one-night stand. She’s twentysomething, and it’s about time. When Jordan De L’croix sets his sights on her, she finds out that her integrity isn’t the only thing she needs to worry about, especially from a man who gets, or takes, what he wants with ease.
     And what he craves isn’t just her virginity. He craves her blood, redemption, and true love.
Contemporary Erotic Romance ~ Note: Hero and heroine involved in acts of vampirism.

RM Sotera is a romance vixen stuck in the body of a prim and proper woman. A transplant to Las Vegas, by day she is a wife, mom, taxi driver, counselor, and psychologist to her wild and, at times, crazy friends. But when the family goes to bed and the house is dark, she seeks refuge in her office where her deepest desires take hold. And…ultimately a story is born. Read a story by RM Sotera

~Where Happily Ever After Is Just The Beginning~

RM is currently working on the next book in the Stiletto Sanction series – Vegas Moon. In the meantime, you can find her here:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Siren Bookstrand Author Page
Vice President - Las Vegas Romance Writers
Double D Ranch Tales

Thanks for joining us here today, RM, and giving us insight into the story behind the story Cassadaga Moon!

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Wild West Weekend ( #sixsunday @6_Sunday @rmsotera @evernightpub )

Six Sentences from Wild West Weekend

     She fingered the chain down to a ring looped on it and touched the piece of jewelry. A soft smile played at her lips. The boy who had lived on the ranch and given her the ring was probably married with children by now. It’d be too bad. From what she remembered, Dakota was a good looking guy.
     The one who got away.

For more, on Wild West Weekend visit Evernight Publishing & for other Six Sentence participants visit Six Sunday

Welcome special guest: author Danielle E. Gauwain

Today we have author Danielle E. Gauwain visiting. Usually found lost in her own imagination, Danielle, a native New Yorker, is an avid freelance writer of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and everything in between. She's inspired by New Wave Eighties music and all things gothic. Danielle resides in San Angelo, Texas with her husband and daughter, and when not busy writing stories in her journal, she spends her time as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

So, Danielle, what inspired you to become a writer?
I live, I breathe, I write. I cannot say that anything inspired me to become a writer; I am an innate writer. I am compelled to write. If I didn’t, I would go insane. However, my creative process is charged by eighties new wave and eighties goth music.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I was in high school. I can’t remember if I was a sophomore or junior. It was a ten page hand-written true story about how my Dad tried to chase down a Mylar balloon for me in our backyard that got carried away by the wind. I got an A!

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Too many to count, however I never tried to sell them. I wrote short stories, proses, and random thoughts or dreams that I would later turn into a story. They were all kept in journals and were more of a creative outlet. Bound is my first sold story.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write primarily urban fantasy and paranormal romances, which is also my favorite. It allows for an escape from the real world. I love stories with a dark undertone.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
I can actually say that I have not ever received any bad advice. The best advice I ever received was that I couldn’t please everyone, and to write from my soul.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
When I was working on getting Bound published, I only shared my journey with a few people that are very close to me because I was so afraid of failure. Then, I learned that the only failure is lack of trying. Now, I celebrate with everyone, usually with a few glasses of wine. I dealt with rejections by reading about famous authors who were rejected many times. When a publisher finally gave them a shot, their novel turned out to be a pivotal piece of American literature. I love that.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Liz Triest would be played by Christina Ricci. Isaac Ainsley would be played by Ryan Gosling.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
It’s part of a series. My characters go through a journey together, so a series was appropriate. Bound is the first book, and there will be three more to come.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Purple

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning person

*** About Danielle’s book/series… ***
I came up with the idea of my debut novel while rediscovering compilations of short stories and proses in journals, which I had written, ready to be boxed up and put in the attic. Inspired by my love for eighties new wave music, and Albany New York’s gothic architecture and rich history, the story of Bound was born.
Blurb:
Liz Triest just moved into a row house in an historic neighborhood of Albany, New York. After a break up with her fiancé of seven years, she is determined to make a fresh start, and most of all, never to fall in love again. But, even Liz’s self-protecting walls built from a broken heart are not strong enough to withstand the unrelenting force of the beautiful, mysterious, and supernatural Isaac Ainsley.
Danielle E. Gauwain leads us through a sensuous tale of love, obsession, and the struggle between fate and free will. A must read!

***Find Danielle here***
Friend her on Facebook
Learn more about her at her Website

Thank you for joining us here today, Danielle! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Tuesday Tea with Anna Keraleigh ~ A Taboo Subject

Happy Tuesday everyone! Please give a warm welcome to Anna Keraleigh. I asked her here today to tell us a bit about her book Seven Days in Jade, and this is what she had to say…

     Hi there, thanks for stopping by! Be sure prying eyes aren't around and you're not currently at work when you read this. I'd hate to make you blush when the boss is around or squirm in the chair when that creepy guy walks by. Or maybe the hot co-worker, now that could lead to something interesting. But I'm getting off topic and into the ' gutter mind'. *Wink* I'm about to introduce the first sneak peek into my hot novella - Seven Days in Jade. This is a sexually intense story about a unhappily married woman, Jade and the man that sweeps her off her feet, Ryan.
     It was hard to find a publisher as this story is about adultery. This is not an easy subject and usually cheating is frowned upon. However, I have a question. What if your husband was a horrible man? What if to him, you were nothing more than arm candy, a pretty face to be seen and not heard. Jade is in this predicament. She wants love! How she finds it is the naughty part. The excerpt below is from the first part of my novella entitled Taste Me Tuesday.
     Enjoy and stay naughty!
     Anna Keraleigh

Ice cream? Check. Handcuffs? Check. Curious Lesbian? Check. Find out how they all combine for nympho Jade and sexy P.I. Ryan...

Blurb:
     Jade is an unhappily married woman.
     Ryan is a sexy Private Investigator who loves her.
     He brings her secret fantasies to life, ice cream covered flesh, dominance, handcuffs and the ultimate desire of another woman. However, their wild sexcapade ends when Jade’s husband returns and their oasis returns to a desert. Can they survive apart now that they’ve tasted true love?
     These lovers have a one-week affair that will change their lives forever.

Excerpt: Taste Me Tuesday
     The door swung open and revealed a man, Ryan, in a pair of black jeans and a cowboy hat. Jade’s mouth dropped open at the sight; he appeared good enough to eat. His black hair reached his shoulders and eyes the color of the sea. She dove to her knees as he murmured hello and caressed his dick through his pants. She cherished his hardness. “Hi, baby.” She licked her lips and attacked the buttons.
     “Wait…wait.” He grinned.
     Jade wanted him so bad she was about to suck his penis with the front door wide open. “I’m sure your neighbors will love the view of my cock in your sweet mouth, but…”
     She groaned from below him, lifted her leg backward until it connected and the door shut with a thud. “Problem solved.”

Thanks, Anna, for joining us today & telling us a bit about your story! Readers, find Anna here ~
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Chasing Miss Kringle ~ 6 ( @evernightpub #sixsunday @6_Sunday )

#6 of Six Sentences over six weeks from 'Chasing Miss Kringle.'

     Even Vic was on the fence regarding whether or not what his wife’s team sought out was real. But love had a way of making a man concede to things he wouldn’t otherwise. I was just glad I didn’t have to worry about stuff like that in my own life.
     The paranormal, love, holiday cheer. All bunk in my book. Great myths people fought hard to believe in and bring to life only to be disappointed in the end.

For more, on 'Chasing Miss Kringle' visit: http://www.crmoss.net/ChasingMissKringle.htm & for other Six Sentence participants visit: http://www.sixsunday.com/

(Need to catch up on the Chasing Miss Kringle segments? Read Saturday's 'lead-in' post found below this post.)

Lead in for Six Sentence Sunday for Chasing Miss Kringle (wk 6)

For Six Sentence Sunday, I’m sharing an excerpt from my story ‘Chasing Miss Kringle’ (found within Evernight Publishing’s holiday anthology – Stockings & Suspenders) over the course of six weeks.
1 of 6:
     “You’re the only one left, Jack.”
     Victor’s request had to be some kind of joke. Yet the rigid set of his wide shoulders and straight face told me otherwise. Disbelieving what I’d just heard, I continued to stare at my PI partner and friend. What did Vic mean he wanted me to track down an elf? There were serious cases to work on, like helping my buddies in Metro track down a couple of high end thieves.
2 of 6:
     Suicides and thefts. The holiday season. What a great time of year.
     “I’m not in the mood to be toyed with, Vic. So, let me get this straight,” I stated with more calm than I felt. Being side-tracked from important matters was a pet peeve of mine.
3 of 6:
     “You want me to find a little dude in a pointy green felt hat and long red curly shoes with bells on the tips? Do I have to remind you I’m an ex-cop? That you hired me to catch bad guys and help find the missing? I work with you here at LVH-PI. Not with them.”
     I jerked my thumb toward a tan colored wall littered with stenciling.
4 of 6:
     The design and colors reminded me of the Native American beaded belts people sold at roadside stands. Vic’s wife, Malory, worked in the adjoining office. She loved her southwestern motifs, each room decorated to represent Arizona and New Mexico. Knickknacks and other items of the same colors dominated all our offices. The décor had too many colors and crazy patterns, made my head swim, but clients were comfortable when they came in due to the warm, earthy colors. And in our line of work, people needed to be put at ease and into a state of trust.
5 of 6:
     Malory loved what she did for a living. An ex-showgirl, who still had the body and beauty of a dancer, worked with her PI team, comprised of mostly women, in the office suites next door. There were a lot of girls against boys competitiveness in our outfit. The boys’ part of the business, headed up by Vic, was Las Vegas Hunters Private Investigating Services, real cops and robbers, cloak and dagger stuff.
     Lory’s side…Las Vegas Hunters Paranormal Investigating Services.
     Being a skeptic, it amazed me how many people were believers in the paranormal.

Stay tuned for the last six lines coming up in a few minutes.
Happy Reading!

Welcome special guest: author Tom Mach @kansasauthor

Today we have Tom Mach visiting! For his interview, I asked him three simple questions: How did he decide to become a writer? ~ What does he like most about being one? & What does he like the least about being one? Below is what he shared with me. Welcome Tom!

How I Decided To Be a Writer & What I Like Most & Least of Being One by Tom Mach
     I don’t think one normally wakes up one morning and says, “You know what? I want to be a writer.” The writers I know just naturally flowed into it, writing on the side while doing various jobs to earn a living.
     My penchant for writing first began when I was 17 and a junior in high school. I had been reading a book a week and I decided I would see if I could write a novel. I did—a 370 page manuscript called The Boss’s Son, which was typed on an old-fashioned portable typewriter. At the time I thought my novel was great but I received personally-typed rejections from top editors working for New York houses. I gave up writing for a while, although I attempted a few short stories while I was working as a chemical engineer. Then in my 30s, while I was a marketing manager for a major food company, I tried my hand at writing articles. I found success with that venue and soon I was pouring out an article a week for a newspaper chain. After that, I progressed to writing articles for magazines—including some biggies such as Writer’s Digest, Jack and Jill, Women’s Day, and others, all while I was working full time.
     Even at that point I never thought about becoming a full-time writer. It was drummed into my head that writers starve, and I was interested in eating—as well as feeding my family. I did have an interest in writing ad copy, which I taught at San Jose State University and in being an editor, which I did for a small magazine in Ohio. I also wrote a great number of industry marketing reports for an international market research firm. But the idea of writing what I wanted to write full-time didn’t strike me until I retired, and with no pressures to earn a living, I decided to focus on writing novels, short stories, and poetry—and I succeeded in all three areas.
     What I liked most about writing is that it gives me the same kind of exhilaration as if I were on vacation. I like it when my plot takes hold, my characters come alive, and the whole thing comes together. I am able to play God and see into the minds of my characters and enjoy the same things they feel, see, hear, touch, and smell. My very first novel after retirement was Sissy!, and I was surprised at the great reviews I received on it and, to top it off, winning the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award as well.
     What I like least about being a writer is huge amount of time I have to spend away from writing and doing marketing and promotion of my works. I know it’s important to try to sell your own books, but I wish I could just write and have someone else do the legwork on selling what I write.

Thanks for joining us here today, Tom! It’s a pleasure getting to know a bit more about you and your work. Readers ~ Please leave a comment here on this blog post and visit Goddess Fish Promotions to find the other blogs Tom has visited & comment there as well. The more places you visit and comment at, the more chances you have of winning a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

More info on Tom & his book…

Tom Mach’s Bio ~ Tom Mach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together, both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011. Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collection of short stories entitled Stories To Enjoy which received positive reviews. Tom’s other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.
His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition to several awards for his poetry, Writer’s Digest awarded him ninth place in a field of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog for writers of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com
Also find Tom here ~
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

The book ~ STORIES TO ENJOY — This unique collection of 16 short stories written by prize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters," which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive.... "Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face of temptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a time when women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make you think differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorable and intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise and entertain."

An excerpt ~
     The professor focused his entire attention on what Ford’s Theater looked like back in April of 1865. He imagined himself to be John Wilkes Booth’s friend and stagehand—Edman Spangler. After a long while he felt himself growing exceedingly tired, and when he opened his eyes he found himself in the real Ford’s Theater. There was no one in the presidential box and Wilson, who now believed he was indeed Mr. Spangler, ran his hand over the balustrade.
     “Spangler,” a voice called out to him from below, “are you still working on removing the partition of the box to make room for the President and General Grant?” It was John Wilkes Booth himself speaking to him!

Tuesday Tea with Alyssa Fox ~ Twisting a Hero’s Arm ~ @AlyssaFox99 @evernightpub

Happy Tuesday everyone! Please give a warm welcome to Alyssa Fox. She has a brand spanking new release out with Evernight Publishing. Congrats Alyssa! I asked her here today to tell us about how she came up with the idea for her book Bound to Protect, and this is what she had to say…

Thank you, C.R. for having me on your blog. Well, Chad and Katie we’re in my debut book in a small part. I never saw them as a big part or even getting their own book that’s until I got further into that book. There was one scene in the book where the main character from the first book, Erin, was talking to her best friend Katie, about work. And Chad and the hero in that book, Kyle, are talking in the same room before a meeting is to start.
     Something my readers didn’t see in that book, which I did and chose not to put in the book, that Chad kept looking over at Katie and longing to be with her. Him and I had a long argument about that, and I told him if he wanted his own book and a chance with Katie, he had better start talking. Well, he was a stubborn man which you’ll see in the book. He refused to tell me his back story.
     Yet he kept telling me he was the best choice for Katie. I just shook my head, and told him if he didn’t tell me, I’d go digging. Just like a man he chose not to believe me, and decided to take the hard road. Around this time Katie was talking to me and telling me her back story. Which let me tell you isn’t all roses and sunshine. She’s been through so much, so I sat down to write their first chapter after finishing the first book and waiting on its release. I got a little into it and after twisting Chad’s arm he finally told me his back story. Let me just say my heart went out to him, and I understand why he didn’t want anyone to know about it. The words just started pouring out, and I soon realized this wasn’t just going to be a medical romance as I had planned. I never ever expected that I would be writing an erotic suspense. I read suspense and watch movies with it in it. Some of my favorite shows are cop ones. That is how I came up with their story.

Don’t you just love difficult characters? LOL! I must admit I’m a bit intrigued in regard to Chad and what his background is. ;) Readers, below is a blurb and excerpt for Bound to Protect. Happy reading! & Thanks for stopping by Alyssa!

Bound to Protect — Blurb
     When Katie’s past comes back to haunt her, can she trust Chad enough, or will it be too late?
     Katie Thomas has been living a secret life for four years to keep safe. All of that is about to come to a crashing halt when the ex who tried to kill her shows up again. She’s scared and not sure what to do, until she moves next door to fellow doctor, Chad Davis. He’s the last person she wants to live next door to, but one sizzling night together has her yearning for more. The only thing that stands in her way is what he wants in and out of the bedroom; it’s a threat to everything she’s ever believed.
Can he help Katie unlock her hidden desires and show her that this is more than a fling for him?
     Chad Davis has always had a thing for the sexy doctor. Assigned to protect Katie, he is determined to bring down her ex to help him get on with his life, finally. His reasons are personal, but one sizzling night together in his bed is all it takes for his priorities to shift. He is not giving her up, no matter how much she insists she is not right for him.

Bound to Protect — Excerpt
     Katie Thomas stood in line waiting to get a grande mocha latte. She glanced at her watch: less than fifteen minutes to get to the hospital on time. In four years of working there, she’d always been punctual, and had no plans of changing that today. With an early shift in the ER, the better decision would have been to decline the invitation go out. Yet Katie had wanted to be there for her best friend, even if she didn’t believe in committed relationships. “Are you getting impatient waiting in line?” A deep voice rang out behind her, sending shivers racing down her spine.
    Looking over her shoulder, Katie met the deep, sea-green gaze of none other than Chad Davis. Her breath caught in her throat when his lips curled into a smile. The way the scrubs hugged his body had her wishing for a fan to cool her off. A hint of muscles peeked out from the form-fitting shirt he wore. She’d never noticed that he had a tattoo inked on one bicep as well. What she wouldn’t give to see it. A picture of it formed in her mind, and Katie wondered if it ran up his arm and down his muscular back, or if it were smaller and easier to hide.
     “Excuse me?”
     “It’s not like you can’t send your interns running in terror to get your coffee for you.”
     “I never do that to my interns. I’m not mean like you. Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m running a little late this morning.”
     Sure, he was good-looking, but that was about it in her book. His playboy ways were known all over the hospital. He’d dated half the nursing staff, leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. It seemed like he’d never date one girl too long before moving on to someone else. That had been her plan too, but she just hadn’t worked up the courage.
     With a roll of her eyes, Katie turned back around, just in time to move two more places in line.
     “What, had a full night of rolling around in the sheets with your lover?”
     Glancing over her shoulder, she leveled him with a glare. “That’s none of––”
     “Ma’am, what can I get you?” the blond-haired barista behind the counter asked.
     “I’ll take a grande mocha frappe.”
     Who did Chad think he was? If she weren’t such a lady, she’d punch him. Thankfully, they worked in separate parts of the hospital, for the most part, unless a bad trauma case came in and he was called down to help. Maybe today she’d get lucky and he wouldn’t be in her area at all. Katie paid for her drink and hurried out the door. “Since you didn’t answer my question, I’ll take it you haven’t gotten lucky in the past month. You still have a stick up your ass.”
     “Why don’t you go talk to someone who actually wants to talk to you?” How had he gotten his coffee so fast?
     Katie had hoped to be able to get on the elevator before he made his way out.
     “Believe me, if I’d been in your bed last night...” Chad brushed his knuckles against her arm as his lips came closer to her ear. His voice dropped to a sexy growl, “…you’d be so satisfied from the sensation of my cock inside you, you wouldn’t be able to walk or stop smiling.”
     Tingles swirled around where his knuckles brushed against her arm. Katie drew in a breath as images of them rolling around in the sheets danced across her mind.
     “I bet you liked the thought of that.”
     “Oh, please, I’d never be with you in that way. You’re not my type.”
    “You could have fooled me.”
     Chad winked as he walked away, and Katie’s heartbeat raced faster than before. Who was she trying to kid? She was attracted to him, and just her luck, he could tell that he had some kind of an effect on her. Lifting the cup to her lips, she smelled the sweet aroma and took a sip. Her arm still tingled from his touch as she stepped onto the elevator. Next time, she’d have to be careful to not let him affect her.
     The grey box jerked to life as it made its descent to the first floor. For the first time since working in the ER, she prayed it would be busy today to keep her mind off Chad, the sexy doctor who showed up in more than one of her midnight fantasies.

Find Alyssa ~
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Books ~
Road to Recovery ~ Kindle Barnes and Noble
Bound To Protect ~ Evernight Publishing Kindle
Her Seduction ~ Coming Soon from Evernight Publishing

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Chasing Miss Kringle ~ 5 ( @evernightpub #sixsunday @6_Sunday )

#5 of Six Sentences over six weeks from 'Chasing Miss Kringle.'

     Malory loved what she did for a living. An ex-showgirl, who still had the body and beauty of a dancer, worked with her PI team, comprised of mostly women, in the office suites next door. There were a lot of girls against boys competitiveness in our outfit. The boys’ part of the business, headed up by Vic, was Las Vegas Hunters Private Investigating Services, real cops and robbers, cloak and dagger stuff.
     Lory’s side…Las Vegas Hunters Paranormal Investigating Services.
     Being a skeptic, it amazed me how many people were believers in the paranormal.

For more, on 'Chasing Miss Kringle' visit: http://www.crmoss.net/ChasingMissKringle.htm & for other Six Sentence participants visit: http://www.sixsunday.com/

(Need to catch up on the Chasing Miss Kringle segments? Read Saturday's 'lead-in' post found below this post.)

Lead in for Six Sentence Sunday for Chasing Miss Kringle (wk 5)

For Six Sentence Sunday, I’m sharing an excerpt from my story ‘Chasing Miss Kringle’ (found within Evernight Publishing’s holiday anthology – Stockings & Suspenders) over the course of six weeks.
1 of 6:
     “You’re the only one left, Jack.”
     Victor’s request had to be some kind of joke. Yet the rigid set of his wide shoulders and straight face told me otherwise. Disbelieving what I’d just heard, I continued to stare at my PI partner and friend. What did Vic mean he wanted me to track down an elf? There were serious cases to work on, like helping my buddies in Metro track down a couple of high end thieves.
2 of 6:
     Suicides and thefts. The holiday season. What a great time of year.
     “I’m not in the mood to be toyed with, Vic. So, let me get this straight,” I stated with more calm than I felt. Being side-tracked from important matters was a pet peeve of mine.
3 of 6:
     “You want me to find a little dude in a pointy green felt hat and long red curly shoes with bells on the tips? Do I have to remind you I’m an ex-cop? That you hired me to catch bad guys and help find the missing? I work with you here at LVH-PI. Not with them.”
     I jerked my thumb toward a tan colored wall littered with stenciling.
4 of 6:
     The design and colors reminded me of the Native American beaded belts people sold at roadside stands. Vic’s wife, Malory, worked in the adjoining office. She loved her southwestern motifs, each room decorated to represent Arizona and New Mexico. Knickknacks and other items of the same colors dominated all our offices. The décor had too many colors and crazy patterns, made my head swim, but clients were comfortable when they came in due to the warm, earthy colors. And in our line of work, people needed to be put at ease and into a state of trust.

Stay tuned for the next six lines coming up in a few minutes.
Happy Reading!

Almost thirty years…

Boy meets girl. Almost three decades later they’re still together and still friends & lovers with each other.
Nope, I’m not talking about one of my books. I’m talking about my story.
Tomorrow is my 18th wedding anniversary. My husband and I met in middle school and became friends. We lent each other books—he’s the one who got me hooked on Stephen King—and cassette tapes (I had borrowed a Heart tape from him in high school and forgot to give it back to him before we graduated. He got it back eventually. After all, my stuff became his and vice versa.) We had a handful of classes together in high school—honors Bio, physics, gym classes, and a history class he remembers me cutting a lot of in our senior year. After he received his driver’s license and car, he would pick me up and take me to school. We’d have lunch together on occasion with the guys. Needless to say, we were good friends. I felt comfortable talking to him and sharing aspects of my life.
Then there came the one moment in my life I sometimes wish I could go back and change, but in retrospect am glad I can’t, otherwise I may not be where I am today. He asked me out in our senior year, wanted me to go to a hockey game with him and some of his friends. I was dating someone at the time and for some reason told him that I was invited to a hockey game with my guy friends. My boyfriend didn’t like the idea of me going out with a bunch of guys, even though they were just friends, so I turned down the hockey date. Things became strained between my future husband and me. The guy I was dating ended up cheating on me several months later, which is why I sometimes wish I could go back and tell him to F-off and that I didn’t need his permission to go out with friends. But I also know that if I dated my husband in our senior year we probably wouldn’t be together today. So high school ends, DH and I go our separate ways.
Five years later, I’m in a restaurant waiting for a friend of mine and up walks this other man who wonders if I am who he thinks I am. Turns out it was my friend from high school. We started dating that weekend. Nine months later we were engaged. Three months later, a week shy of our one year of dating, we were married. (No, it wasn’t shotgun. He was in the military and due to be stationed in Texas in preparation for duty in Korea. So we wanted to get married before he went on tour.)
It was a hell of a winter, too. Snow storm after snow storm battered the northeast from November to March that season. I’m thankful the day we got married it didn’t snow. Actually, it was quite beautiful with the sun and blue sky, but damn cold! Good thing my girls and I wore tuxedos. Yes, I wore a tux. Hey, I was in college and poor and I couldn’t see spending money on a dress I was only going to wear once, especially when I hate to wear skirts and dresses. Since I had five in my party renting tuxes, I got mine for free. Plus, I planned to drink and didn’t want to deal with all the fabric of a dress in a stall at the reception hall.
So, we’re married, we move to Texas for a couple of years then back to the northeast. (He never did go to Korea.) Now we live in the southwest where we have to deal with the white stuff only on rare occasions.
Even after all this time, he’s still my best friend. I’ve grown to love him more and more over the years. He knows me better than myself. Sometimes that’s not good, but most times I am grateful for it—keeps me from getting in trouble. He’s seen me at my worst and my best. We’re each other’s biggest fans and staunchest supporters—though after reading a couple of my stories he’s mentioned he wonders about where my mind goes and I wonder how he can do marathons and iron-distance triathlons. We read each other’s minds a lot and have weirded out our friends when we do it around them. We laugh at the same stuff and have close viewpoints on the world around us. Don’t get me wrong, we aren’t tied at the hip and we still have our ‘differences’ and ‘discussions.’ But we know how to be on our own, continue to pursue separate interests to keep our sense of self and to communicate so ‘discussions’ don’t blow up into WW3 arguments. It’s just a matter of trust, of love and of being friends and I’m looking forward to the next thirty+ years of being with him.
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Reading!
C.R. Moss

A Special Visit with Shannan Albright ( @nae0309 @evernightpub #SO )

Hi Shannan! I understand you have a couple of series at two publishers, and a little birdie told me you have book number two of one of those series in the process of being published with Evernight Publishing. Could you tell us the name of the series, the titles of the two books and give us a bit of background on the series?
     Yes, C.R., Your little birdie chirped correctly. I am very excited about my Dark Breed Series. The first, Dark Passion Rising: A Dark Breed Novel, released through Evernight Publishing in March 2011. The second, Passion’s Flight, releases in February 2012. The first book introduced the reader to the Dark Breed—supernatural beings that exsist secretly amongst mankind and live within laws dictated by a Tribunal and carried out by their warriors known as Enforcers. Through a brutal betrayal, the Dark Breeds are discovered. All their laws and way of life is wrenched from the Dark Breeds who now must find a way to live in peace with humans. With Dark Breeds turning Feral and attacking humans a group of Enforcers led by Marcus Valerian and his Consort ex Metro Cop Tambra Ellis must find a way to adapt to their new and dangerous world or be destroyed.

Oooh, sounds interesting! How many books are you planning on writing for this series?
     I have four planned for sure. After Tegan’s book there is Zeke and Cody. I will continue the series as long as they remain popular.

Good to know that we can look forward to more. :) How’d you come up with the idea for this series & ideas for each of the books that you’ve written so far?
     The idea of a group of supernatural beings who lived with amongst humans and were answerable to a code of behavior came to me out of the blue really. The idea of what would happen if all our legends were true and mankind was forced to suddenly deal with the reality of them piqued my interest. The chaos it would cause as both sides tried to find some kind of common ground, the parallels between Enforcers and human cops, love, sacrifice and honor. I wanted to illustrate the best and worst of both Dark Breeds and Humans. How fear and greed would translate when put against survival of the different species.

Where are your books set? Why did you choose this locale for the stories?
     I chose a contemporary setting and picked Las Vegas, NV. This is a 24/ 7 city where anything goes. In Las Vegas anything can happen, any fantasy can be attained if you have the money. Most importantly Las Vegas is famous for its night life. This city begged to be a part of the Dark Breeds home.

Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

     Tegan Murin is one of my favorites. He is a prickly Were-panther who has a nasty habit of challenging the leader of his group. Marcus Valerian has his hands full with Tegan, yet the mutual respect is there and quite frankly Marcus relies quite a bit on Tegan’s advice when things get dicey. Tegan is complex. He’s standoffish, argumentative and a loner, yet underneath that is a very loyal caring person. Once you have his friendship he will move heaven or hell to be there for you.

Tegan sounds like a great guy! What actors/actresses would play the parts of your characters if your books were made into a movie?
     Boy, that’s a tough one!  For Marcus Valerian I picture Gerald Butler. Tambra would be Uma Thurman. Tegan Murin I see Ian Somerhalder from Vampire Diaries and for Kyra Navarone a young Angelina Jolie.

Do you plot out the books or are you a pantster or a combination of the two?
     At one time I was a plotter all the way, now I am finding I am inclined to be more a combination of both. I plot only the bare essentials and then let my muse have at it.

Can we have a peek of the book two?
     Sure! Here’s the blurb for Passion’s Flight ~
     Tegan Murin has his hands full these days. Feral attacks are increasing, targeting humans, and now he is ordered to find and destroy a deadly artifact known as Oman’s Seal, deal with his estranged step-father and find a missing archeologist. He’s a bit irritable. Add into the mix a recurring dream of one sexy seductress leading him to his death… well, you get one very pissed off were-panther.
     Kyra Navarone is more than what she seems. Escaping from the ferals who captured her, she ends up running into a brooding, irritating man who makes her blood run hot just with one look. Her life depends on the betrayal of this compelling man, but how can she live with herself afterward?
     More than their lives hang in the balance. In order to survive they must learn to trust one another before the world they know and the one hidden beneath the waves are destroyed forever.

How about a look into book one?
     Of course! The blurb and excerpt for Dark Passion Rising follows. :)

     Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down! Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire guy and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.
     Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeh. And a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.
     As leader of the Tribunal’s enforcers it’s up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra’s life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of old deceits and a betrayal that will change the world forever.
     Will Marcus and Tambra’s love survive or will it be too late.
 ~ Excerpt ~
     Marcus moved to the door in a burst of speed, and stopped with his arms folded across his chest, lips compressed into a thin line as he glared at her.  He drew his brows low in a scowl.
     “W…what the hell are you?” she stammered, unable to mask her unease.
     “I am not here to harm you.  I have been the one tending to you as your body adjusted.”
     “You haven’t answered my question,” she pushed.
     “That’s because it’s not relevant to the situation.”
     “Like hell, asshole.  If it affects me then it is my business.”
     Marcus liked her toughness, finding it remarkably refreshing.  Her strength was impressive, not many could make it through the beginning stages of the change when turning from human to Were, yet she had fought through it.  She had overcome it all, despite how badly she had been injured.
     He used his most reasonable tone to calm her, knowing that the next few minutes was crucial to keeping her receptive to what he had to say.  He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, making his tone as calm as he could manage.  “At this time the only thing we need to focus on is your change.  You are not out of the woods as of yet.  There are too many things that could go wrong.”
     Her eyes widened in horror as she took a shaky step backward.
     “Oh, God.  This isn’t happening.  It can’t be real.  Werewolves don’t exist.”
     “Believe me, they do exist.  Denying what you have seen will be foolish and dangerous, for you and everyone you’re around.”
     “No.  I don’t believe this.  I won’t believe it.  There has to be some logical explanation for what I saw.”  The sharp edge of hysteria rose in her voice.  “I will not turn into a dog.   I don’t even like dogs.”
     That made him smile despite the seriousness of the situation.  She was absolutely adorable and he was in deep shit because of it.  Yet, he couldn’t seem to make himself care. “Wolf, not dog.  You were bitten by a Lycan, not Lassie.
Where can we find you and where can we buy your wonderful stories?
Evernight Publishing will be releasing Passion’s Flight: A Dark Breed Novel in February 2012 & book one, Dark Passion Rising, is available right now at www.evernightpublishing.com
It can also be found through…
Amazon Kindle
1place for Romance
Barnes and Noble
Book Strand
Sony E Reader
I can be found at http://shannanalbright.weebly.com/

Thanks for stopping by today Shannan! Readers, want to know more about her? Visit her interview from last year, here: http://crmoss.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-special-guest-author-shannan.html

Tuesday Tea with @AdonisDevereux ~ A look at 2012

Well, another Tuesday is upon us. Do you have your beverage ready? Yes? Then sit down and join Adonis Devereux’s discussion on looking at 2012. Welcome Adonis!

     What does 2012 hold for us? I wonder how many blog posts are popping up all over the place with that question. Do I really want to go there? Probably not. I live in Japan, and on New Year's Day, we were hit with a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. No damage, really. No tsunami. But it was a grim reminder of the March 11, 2011 disaster in northern Japan where the ocean rose up and washed away entire towns, swept commuter trains out into the sea, and buried thousands of people under debris. Don't get me started about the nuclear crisis and the government's lies to cover up what is either their laughable ineptitude or their diabolical collusion with the power company. New Year's Day told me one thing: Mother Nature isn't done with us yet. The entire country of Japan shifted eight feet to the east as a result of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck us last March. The quake destabilized the entire fault-line deep in the Pacific. Experts say Tokyo is due for one. And where do I live? In a suburb, just north of Tokyo.
     And so we run, we move? Nope. Our home is here. Even though we're American, we've made a life for ourselves here. My wife and I (we write together under the pen-name “Adonis Devereux”) had all our six daughters here. This is where we stay. This is where we write, come what may.
     Our publisher, Evernight, has been good to us. From the summer of 2011 when we started our first draft of Worth His Freedom, until now with the release of Bride for the God-King, we have received unstinting support from people around the world, but especially from loved ones and friends back home in the USA. Evernight took a chance on an unpublished, unknown married writing team, and I have to thank them for giving us our shot. Both our releases have climbed the rankings at various e-book retailers. We cherish every review, whether positive or negative. We are thrilled with every piece of fan mail. Our heads are still spinning from this wild ride that started in November 2011 and seems like it is just about to really take off.
     So, I'd rather not focus on the negative, about what disaster might lie before us. Everyone here in Japan is worried about the next big one. Worldwide, people are freaking out (partially tongue in cheek, partially not) about the Mayan calendar and the end of the world. But you know what? The world ends every day, and the world is born every day. Every time a person dies, the world ends. Every time a baby belts out its first cry, the world is born. Worrying about tomorrow will not change tomorrow. Tomorrow is an illusion. There is only today. Live today. Love today. Write today. I certainly will. Peace for the new year to you all!
     Thank you, C.R. Moss, for letting me step into your blog!
~AD

Blurb for Bride for the God-King by Adonis Devereux:
     The telepath Elemia has spent her whole life training for her chance to marry the god-king in his far-away capital, but then she meets Abbas—and everything comes apart as they fall for each other.
     As a half-breed, Abbas is barely tolerated by his own people, and Elemia is cast out of her order of novices for being with him. As punishment, Elemia is to be sold in marriage to Abbas' older brother, though her mind has already joined with Abbas'. The lovers would do anything to avoid this untenable situation, but even if they escape, they will still have to deal with the god-king.
~ Excerpt ~
     Abbas laid out the pieces of clothing: first a thin, white smock, then a tight, blue bodice with laces that he laid on top. He also showed her two skirts, one slightly longer than the other. They were woven in red and blue patterns. “And, of course, your riding boots. You will find yourself ahorse more often than on foot.” Abbas was thrilled that he could teach Elemia about his ways. “I'll step outside. When you've tried these on, call me back in.” He did not want to go. He wanted to stay and admire the lithe body she had hidden under her robes.
     “Thank you, Abbas. Yes, I will call you back in.” But she did not move toward the clothes. She simply stood and gazed at him.
     Abbas tore himself away, not trusting himself to study her body further, and his head spun as he closed the door behind him. Ahketh was standing there scowling at him, and Abbas's euphoria evaporated. The Ausir knight represented everything that separated him from Elemia: the Order and its absolute control over her life, and the enforced marriage to Cathal.
     “I hate you,” Abbas growled.
     Ahketh chuckled. “I am not too fond of you, either, half-breed. The sooner we are away from each other, the better.”
     Abbas brooded until he heard Elemia calling his name, more quickly than he had expected.
     “What's the matter?” he said through the door.
     “I need help. I am not sure what to do with this–this thing.”
     Abbas's gaze darted to Ahketh's face. What would the knight think of him helping Elemia with her clothes? But Ahketh did not seem to care. He was staring off into the space before him.
     Abbas re-entered the room, wondering if he might find Elemia half-naked. Instead, he found her fully dressed in the shift and skirts. In her hand, she held the bodice.
     “Not bad for a first try.” He laughed a little louder than he felt, trying to cover his surprise. Elemia's breasts were round and full, larger than he had anticipated. He could make out little else save the slim curves of her hips. He cleared his throat, approached, and took the bodice. “This goes on before the skirts, and part of it tucks under them. May I?”
     Elemia spread her arms out wide and looked wonderingly into Abbas's eyes. “Please.”
     Her innocence and trust both aroused Abbas to fever pitch and hardened his resolve to abuse neither. “Here, let me.” Abbas reached out and loosened Elemia's skirts, untying them and letting them fall to the floor. The shift went to her knees. He admired the shape of her leg, strong and lean, as it disappeared up into her smock. But then he saw the tattoo, and the creeping ivy across her ankle brought him up short.
     “The chieftain said my ivy will never bloom.” Elemia must have read his thoughts, or, more likely, his disappointment was plain on his face.
     Abbas took what comfort he could in that promise and continued his work. He clasped the bodice around Elemia's waist and laced it from the bottom up. He worked slowly. He wanted to take his time and enjoy the feel of her flesh beneath his hands. With each pull of the lace, Elemia's form became more defined, more visible to Abbas's appreciative eye. Elemia was slender and small, but the fullness of her breasts reminded him that she was not a child. The bodice stopped short under her bosom, leaving them covered only by the shift. As he tied off the lace at the top, his gaze traced the outline of her firm breasts. Her erect nipples were visible through the thin fabric.
     “Is it too tight?” Elemia asked. “I cannot really breathe.”
     Abbas knew that the bodice was not too tight. “It's fine. It just takes some getting used to. You've spent your life in a flowing robe.” It pleased Abbas to think that Elemia was becoming as aroused as he, for if anything was too tight, it was his breeches, straining to contain his erection. He slowly knelt and picked up the skirts, raising them around Elemia's hips, letting his hands brush against her buttocks.
     Elemia sighed and reached out to tuck a stray braid back behind Abbas's ear. As he wrapped the skirts around her waist, Abbas could feel Elemia moving against him. She was reacting the way her body wanted her to, but she was ignorant of the ways of sex. He realized had she known, she would have kept a tighter rein on her physical response. Abbas smiled to himself and tied the skirts in place, looping the belts through the bodice according to Rolador fashion. He stepped away from her then to appraise her, but he made sure he kept his hands folded in front of his straining breeches. “I have never seen a lovelier chieftainess.” He had never seen a lovelier woman. It still amazed him that others did not see Elemia's beauty.
     “You flatter me.” Elemia smoothed down the bodice. “It is kind of you to think so. You are the perfection of two races, more beautiful than either alone.”
     Abbas was glad to hear the voices of Volshaden and Jhaleed in the antechamber. He could not trust himself any longer in the room with Elemia, for he wished to seize her, rip the bodice from her breasts, and lick her rosy nipples. He wanted to throw her on the bed, tear off her skirts, and thrust his throbbing phallus into her. He knew that her body would accept him; surely it had already prepared itself. She would wrap her legs around his hips and pull him in deeper, all the while devouring his mouth with her own.
     “They are calling us.” Elemia brought Abbas back to reality.

Where we are:
Blog – boundlessasthesea.blogspot.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/adonis.devereux
FB author page – www.facebook.com/pages/Adonis-Devereux/250061305038584
Twitter – twitter.com/#!/AdonisDevereux
Amazon – www.amazon.com/Adonis-Devereux/e/B0067XK2CU
Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/adonisdevereux
Email – adonis.devereux@gmail.com

How to purchase:
Evernight Publishing
All Romance eBooks ~ Worth His Freedom
All Romance eBooks ~ Bride for the God King
Bookstrand
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
1 Place for Romance ~ Worth His Freedom
1 Place for Romance ~ Bride for the God King

Six Sentence Sunday ~ Chasing Miss Kringle ~ 4 ( @evernightpub #sixsunday @6_Sunday )

#4 of Six Sentences over six weeks from 'Chasing Miss Kringle.'

     The design and colors reminded me of the Native American beaded belts people sold at roadside stands. Vic’s wife, Malory, worked in the adjoining office. She loved her southwestern motifs, each room decorated to represent Arizona and New Mexico. Knickknacks and other items of the same colors dominated all our offices. The décor had too many colors and crazy patterns, made my head swim, but clients were comfortable when they came in due to the warm, earthy colors. And in our line of work, people needed to be put at ease and into a state of trust.

For more, on 'Chasing Miss Kringle' visit: http://www.crmoss.net/ChasingMissKringle.htm & for other Six Sentence participants visit: http://www.sixsunday.com/
(Need to catch up on the Chasing Miss Kringle segments? Read Saturday's 'lead-in' post found below this post.)

Lead in for Six Sentence Sunday for Chasing Miss Kringle (wk 4)

For Six Sentence Sunday, I’m sharing an excerpt from my story ‘Chasing Miss Kringle’ (found within Evernight Publishing’s holiday anthology – Stockings & Suspenders) over the course of six weeks.
1 of 6:
     “You’re the only one left, Jack.”
     Victor’s request had to be some kind of joke. Yet the rigid set of his wide shoulders and straight face told me otherwise. Disbelieving what I’d just heard, I continued to stare at my PI partner and friend. What did Vic mean he wanted me to track down an elf? There were serious cases to work on, like helping my buddies in Metro track down a couple of high end thieves.
2 of 6:
     Suicides and thefts. The holiday season. What a great time of year.
     “I’m not in the mood to be toyed with, Vic. So, let me get this straight,” I stated with more calm than I felt. Being side-tracked from important matters was a pet peeve of mine.
3 of 6:
     “You want me to find a little dude in a pointy green felt hat and long red curly shoes with bells on the tips? Do I have to remind you I’m an ex-cop? That you hired me to catch bad guys and help find the missing? I work with you here at LVH-PI. Not with them.”
     I jerked my thumb toward a tan colored wall littered with stenciling.

Stay tuned for the next six lines coming up in a few minutes.
Happy Reading!