New Release: Destiny Calling by Maureen L. Bonatch

Destiny Calling

The Enchantlings

Volume 1

Maureen L. Bonatch

A Paranormal Romance from

The Wild Rose Press

Available on December 22, 2014

  

Hope Doesn’t Know If The Man She Can Touch Is A Dream Come True, Or A Nightmare Just Beginning.

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil's spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Drawn back to the hometown she vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn't know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld.

Time is running out, and Hope’s choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game played by a merciless ruler who doesn't lose.

Excerpt:

I strained to release my arm from Griffith’s vise-like grip while scanning the surrounding trees, trying to determine which was less of a threat, the beast of a man holding me or those who might be waiting for me in the woods.

“You will come inside, now.” Griffith spoke slowly and deliberately as if I were a small child.

I batted at the hand Griffith placed on my head. “I’m not a puppy, quit petting me.”

“I will protect you.” Griffith’s warm breath caressed my ear. “If for no other reason, to find out what I’m giving up and why she wants you so badly.”

I inhaled his masculine scent, like musky earth. It washed over my face, and the tension in my jaw released. I stopped struggling. “Are you the devil?” My tongue was thick and heavy so the words came out slurred.

“Not even close.” His words soothed and comforted, like having a weighted blanket cocoon me. Each movement was an effort. It wasn’t the same as the thing in the woods. This was more like the feeling after a long massage or bubble bath.

“It’s not safe.” Griffith wrapped his arms around me, and I rested against his broad chest.

“It’s not safe.” I nodded. My muscles relaxed and my eyelids grew heavy.

“It’s cold. We’re going inside.” Griffith kept his arm supporting me as he steered me toward the house.

“We’re going inside.” I parroted and walked up the steps, leaning heavily on him.

Out of the corner of my eye, something was cautiously moving at the edge of the woods. Branches snapped as whatever was observing us crept closer.

Destiny Calling is available at Amazon Kindle   Amazon Paperback  The Wild Rose Press

New Book Release: Drown, by Jennifer Rae Gravely

Today I am honored to host fellow author Jennifer Rae Gravely! Jennifer has two sweet romances published at Astraea Press, but recently she spread her wings a bit and ventured into the hot new genre called New Adult. These books are written for and about people in their 20s and early 30s, with edgier topics and situations. Jennifer’s newest book, Drown, is the first of three novels about a young lady named Andie and her struggles as she reaches adulthood. First, let’s learn a bit about Jennifer:

Born in Ohio but raised in Pickens, SC, Jennifer Rae Gravely graduated from Converse College with a triple major in History, Politics, and English before earning a master’s degree in education. Returning to her high school alma mater to teach English and coach volleyball, Gravely’s teams won five state championships and seven upper state titles in eleven years. Moreover, the SCACA named her coach of the year for the 2013 season.

Jennifer writes about the fictional Southern town of Keowee. The Astraea Press novels, Knight of the Dead and Set to Love, in addition to the short story, “Love and Diamonds,” deal with present day Keowee and are contemporary romances. The edgier Drown, published by Blue Tulip Publishing, takes place in the eighties and nineties and is best classified as new adult fiction.

She lives with her husband, daughter, seven beagles, and one rescued barn cat.

Now let’s learn a little about the book Drown:

Like a soldier at attention, the air stood motionless awaiting the orders of the sky. Drown, a Southern girl’s story of self.

When Andie Drown’s mother suddenly leaves them, Andie sees her athletic scholarship as the only escape from small town life. Then the local hero Stone Harrison finally notices her. Their torrid relationship, punctuated by booze, brawls, and betrayal, causes her to question what she wants for her future.

Will Andie follow in her mother’s footsteps and give up her dream, or will she make her own path and lose the soldier she loves?

Here's an excerpt:

I eased away from Katie and swam with long, lazy strokes. Muted by the humidity and the alcohol, the voices coming from the shallow area drifted away like the memories of childhood. After a time, I flipped over on my back and gazed at the sky. Clouds suddenly obscured the silver glow of the moon; the water and air merged. I lost my sense of direction and fear seized my body. I treaded water in a circle, unsure.

Finally a voice carried out to me. “Over here. Swim this way. You’re out too far.”

With renewed strength and direction, I swam toward the voice. At last I touched the muddy ground. After I waded out of the water, I collapsed on the shore.

“Are you all right?” He climbed out of the shallow water and lit the cigarette he had tucked behind his ear. “You were in the middle of the lake.”

“I’m a little winded.” I put my hand to my chest.

“And you call yourself an athlete.”

I opened my mouth.

“You’re Andie Drown, right?” His gaze raked over my body.

I nodded.

“I’m Stone.” He offered his hand and lifted me to my feet. “Stone Harrison.”

I swayed from dizziness and gripped his hand to steady myself. “Yes, I know.”

His smile bespoke the arrogance of reputation. The pinpoint of light from the tip of his cigarette sizzled.

“My friend Janet, her brother is Jon.” I sounded like an idiot.

His grin widened. “Aren’t you going to that liberal girls’ school to play volleyball?”

I dropped his hand and squared my shoulders. “Yes, I am. Then I’m going to law school.” He looked more impressed with my breasts than with my career aspirations. Despite an acute awareness of the cool air against my wet skin, I wasn’t anxious to join the others at the fire. “I leave for school in mid-August.”

“I’ll be home through the fourth of July. Let’s get—”

“Stone.” A shrill voice interrupted. “There you are.”

“Dry,” he said, as a petite brunette in a green bikini shimmied between us. “Let’s get dry.”

Drown is available at Smashwords.

Jennifer loves to talk beagles, balls, and books! Find her at her blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and her Amazon author page.