Lorrie Struiff

Good Morning. As the sun is shining here today and it's quite warm for a change, I've orbed Lorrie Struiff away from the snow and over to my lounge today to have a cup of tea and talk about about her thoughts on life.



Buy Splat

Morning everyone. It's nice to be here in the warm sunshine. I've forgotten what it's like!

Do you need a short breather from real life? Some time to just relax, escape into another world? Concentrate on one thing instead of multi-tasking and doing a million things at once?
Don’t we all deserve that little bit of “me” time?

You may think of long bubble baths while sipping a glass of wine. Or perhaps you like taking long walks alone to enjoy nature. Or locking yourself in the bedroom and sticking your head under a pillow to shut out the world. Yes, we all need some “me” time.

I hope you’re like me and like to take that little breather by reading a novel or a short story.

Step out of your busy world for a few moments and come along with John May who is part of Bug’s Malone’s gang in the late Twenties, the time of prohibition, Capone and flappers. He gets a Valentine gift history doesn’t forget in “A Bloody Valentine Day.”

Or, you may prefer to dance with Lisa and Eduardo as they go for the gold and make forbidden plans in “Paso Doble.”

Oh, then of course, there is Winnie, the poor dear. She tries to do something special, like parachuting in tandem with her husband for their anniversary. I have to say it doesn’t turn out well for her when she goes splat. But her revenge is sweet in the humorous short story-- what else but, “Splat.”

All have been previously published in anthologies. I do hope you’ll take that little “me” time and download a quick breather just for you.


Buy A Bloody valentine





Buy Paso Doble

Welcome Cara Marsi

Good Morning. Today in my lounge I have Cara Marsi the author of Curse Mates, which is the book I have just reviewed. Today she is talking about her fantasy's. So pull up a seat, grab a coffee and join us.


Click the book to buy.

Good Morning Margaret and thanks for having me in your home today. So lets chat.

ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE AND DANGER
Did you ever have one of those days? Or a lot of those days? Days when you thought your head would explode at the monotony of your life? You rise at the same time each day, go through the same morning ritual, then it’s onto your job. Maybe you’re a corporate drone and cubicle dweller as I was. Mind-numbing. Boring.
Many a morning as I drove to work, I’d fantasize about something extraordinary happening to relieve the boredom. I don’t mean any earth-shattering event, or anyone’s getting hurt. Just something different. Like I’d come upon a bank robbery in progress and be taken hostage by one of the robbers. Oh, wait, I could get hurt. I didn’t want to escape my cubicle-dwelling world that badly. Maybe the robber is really a sexy undercover FBI agent. That led to other kinds of fantasies I won’t go into. But you get my drift.
Escape, romance, danger. Don’t we all need a little of that in our lives? My life isn’t altogether boring, and of course, I’ll take mundane over dangerous. But isn’t it fun to escape once in a while?
That’s where reading comes in. It gives me the escape I crave. As a child, I devoured everything I could find to read – cereal boxes, billboards, clothes tags. It didn’t matter. If it had words on it, I was hooked. Reading opened a whole new world to me and allowed my imagination to soar.
Within the pages of a book, we can be the FBI heroine fighting a deep secret from her past while trying to bring the bad guys to justice. Or we can be the ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances, caught up in international intrigue and murder. Or we can go back in history and be a young, unmarried daughter of a duke who wants freedom from the constraints of the rigid mores of her class.
And then there are time travels. I love them. Don’t you? I love fantasizing about going back to a time before all our modern conveniences and learning to deal with a more primitive way of living. I’d probably fall apart if I time-traveled, but the heroes and heroines in the time-travel romances I read always cope with their new environment. And they find love along the way. Pure escapism.
Paranormal books and movies are scorching hot now. There are the Twilight movies and books and Harry Potter and the vampire shows on TV. Some popular culture experts say the uncertainty in the modern world makes people gravitate toward the supernatural. Maybe they’re right. Or maybe the paranormal taps into that dark part of us that civilization can’t completely suppress. I enjoy reading paranormal romances. I love witch stories and shifter stories and fallen angel stories. Vampire stories - not so much. I’m afraid of vamps and believe they exist.
Regardless of what sub-genre I read, a good love story is central. I crave happy endings as much as I crave escapism. If, in addition to the romance, the book also has twists and turns, a mystery, maybe a murder or two, and a ghost, werewolf, or witch, that’s even better.
Do you sigh when reading a hot romance and imagine yourself in the arms of that handsome rake of a duke, that sexy tortured werewolf, that pirate who wants to plunder your charms? Then you know what I mean.
Do you ever fantasize about escaping your routine world? And when you do, do you pick up a book and allow it to fly you to exotic places? I hope you do.
I feel like going to Regency England today so I’ll read that book about the duke’s restless daughter. Tomorrow I might want to meet a sexy werewolf. And after that, I may just meet that hunky FBI agent who’s working undercover and takes me hostage.
What about you? What are you reading?


Excerpt of Cursed mates.
Prologue

England, the outskirts of York, 1530

The ancient witch began her chant. They were sacred words, passed from mother to daughter through the centuries since men had claimed this mystic ground. Her song vibrated through the small hut as the smell of burning peat filled her nostrils, and the iciness of the winter night burned her skin.

"Wood spirits, come to me, I beg. Hear the plea of your servant. Help me take my lord's pain as my own." Wisps of blue smoke curled around her, changing solid walls into mere shadows. Without warning, a sharp blade of pain shot through her veins. She welcomed it, had begged for it. His pain. Nicholas Radford. Her liege lord. Her body convulsed, and she cried out.

She lay over him and closed her eyes. "I beg you, mighty powers, keep my master from death, and show me the way to undo the Demon's curse."


Chapter One


Present Day

There was nothing angelic about Heavensent, Maine. Kyla Yaeger felt evil all around her, watching, waiting. A hell of a lot more was going on here than one werewolf. Her stiletto heels clicked on the sidewalk as she hurried up the street, but she couldn't outpace the feeling of malice. She had to block it out. Nothing could distract her from her mission. As an elite were-hunter, she had one job—slaughter the werewolf haunting this strange little town.

Anticipation of the next hunt pulsed through her. She hungered for it as an addict craved the next hit. Maybe someday she'd find the peace she longed for . . . but not until she had vengeance.

The fresh smell of pine from the surrounding woods wafted by on the slight breeze. The aroma brought the memory of that hunt in the Adirondacks. Foreboding chilled her. Her breath caught. Would she meet the black wolf again? This time, she wouldn't miss.

Quickening her steps, Kyla reached the homey-looking restaurant, a welcome touch of normalcy in this place tainted by wickedness. As she grabbed for the door handle, someone on the other side pulled the door open. Losing her balance, she wobbled in the entrance as a hand cupped her elbow, steadying her. An electric charge coursed up her arm.

"Sorry." The deep voice was definitely male, with a trace of a British accent, and so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath. She inhaled his scent of spice, familiar, yet exotic.

The timbre of his voice ignited a spark of recognition in her. She was eye level with a very masculine chest covered by a black T-shirt that stretched over hard muscles and defined biceps. Slowly raising her gaze, she met deep topaz eyes—eyes touched with sadness that spoke of pain and unbearable loss. Thick, black hair framed the rugged beauty of his face. The large, jagged scar on his neck saved him from being too perfect. She didn't know him, yet she felt as if she did.

How odd.

He stood holding the door, not moving. The awareness in his eyes gradually changed to shock, then fear. Rooted to the spot, Kyla couldn't look away.

A roaring noise filled her head, and pain stabbed her temples, signaling a vision. The man, the restaurant, the street wavered. Disjointed scenes flickered before her. A tall man, his face shadowed, his long, black hair blowing in a rush of wind, stood before an empty grave. She felt his crushing grief as if it were her own.

She blinked, and the vision left her. And so had the mysterious stranger. The restaurant door closed slowly behind her, leaving her alone on the sidewalk. She looked both ways down the street, but the man seemed to have disappeared.

"Hey, I thought you were going to get us a table. I found a parking spot a few blocks away." Todd, her best friend and business partner, sauntered toward her. He frowned. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost, or maybe a werewolf."

"I don't know what I saw." A shiver ran through her. Had the man with the topaz eyes caused her vision?

REVIEW

It has taken me sometime to get through this book as I have been slammed with so much work recently. Anyway, I've managed to complete it and here is the review for

Cursed mates, by Cara Marsi






In Maine strange things are happening. People are being attacked and killed by wolves. One problem. There shouldn't be any wolves in Maine. It's sherrif isn't the most agreeable person, mix that with an NYPD detective, a witch and a few Vampires give it a good stir, and the North Woods becomes impregnated with all sorts of supernatural goings on.

Kyla Yaeger is a feisty werewolf hunter. Although her cover is the owner of a thriving video software company, with her foster brother Todd, in reality she works for Hunter-Wolf, an organization whose one aim is to wipe-out any supernatural’s who pose a threat to human life. Kyla is on the trail of a black wolf, whom to her is more than just any old werewolf. It's a demon destructive in any shape or form.
The final ingredient to the mix is Nick Radford. A 500 year old werewolf intent on freeing himself from the curse that has blighted his life. He has never killed a human – yet. But as the monster within him grows stronger, he is deeply afraid of losing the little bit of humanity he has left. To stop the nightmare, he needs to
kill the one who sired him.

When he meets Kyla – phew the attraction is instant, but so is a deep suspicion. Each want the other, but Kyla is reluctant. Men and her just don’t seem to gel well. When Nick finally realises what Kayla is and what she is hunting, he is resigned that he will meet his death at her hands. When her foster brother, Todd disappears everyone looks at Nick as being the one responsible. Kyla armed to the hilt with werewolf killing paraphernalia, begins to hunt him down. Refusing to acknowledge that she loves him.

My Thoughts.s

Cursed Mates is a Story between two people, each carrying separate curses. I found it to be well written, but I would have liked the cover to be more passionate. I don't feel it reflects the emotion cleverly written into this story. The characters felt very real. Kayla is the feisty woman in all of us, but she is out for vengeance. A powerful driving force.

Their endless struggle not to unite makes you feel like you want to bash their heads together sometimes. Their goals are really the same at the end of the day. I found myself edging them on, while in the back of my mind wondering if it would all end in tears.

The dialogue was a bit of a letdown in part. It seemed very awkward in places. BUT, overall this is a real page turner. I enjoyed it.

Rating 4 stars.

Valentines Day

Opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day vary. Some say that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". I’d like to think that was true. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. He wanted to make it a day to celebrate love and affection. But did that happen? I’m a true romantic but I think over the years I’ve become a little jaded about Valentine day. People seem to think it’s what you give, rather than what you do for someone, that makes the difference. Now don’t get me wrong, do I want something nice and sparkly on valentines, of course!! BUT, would I prefer soft words, candles, music and a cosy night in doing...whatever takes our fancy more...you bet!

My question to cast out there into the ether is...who thinks Valentines days has become too commercialised? What’s your idea of the perfect Valentine or Valentine’s day?

The best comment will win a valentines surprise from me.

I know of about 10 authors who have half finished novels sitting idle on their computers. Holds hand up slowly...I have three myself! So what can be done with them? Ask yourself WHY did you leave it. Was there something about the setting that just wasn’t quite right? Because that can make or break a good story. If so, change it. I once wrote a book based around the Victorian era. Being less that great at my research I shelved it as being too time consuming. A year later I went back to it and changed the time period to modern day. It did mean that I had to change the characterisation and a lot of the points of view from which the story was told, but it worked much better this way. Suddenly it became a whole book and a few months later was published. It’s called Abigail Cottage. It took 25 years to surface. I hope you don’t leave yours that long.




Stories need to be told. Don’t let yours sit idly gathering dust. I’d love to hear other people stories. Did one of your idle books finally see the light of day and publication? If not, are you thinking of revamping it?

Kiki Howell

WARNING
This blog is PG rated usually, but just for today please be advised that Torn Asunder has adult Content, Explicit Graphic Language and Violence.


Today I’d like to welcome Kiki Howell to my blog. The day is cold, the rain is trying hard to make the day miserable, but with us in the house today, it’s going to be great fun. Firstly, here is a bit about Kiki and don't you just love her fabulous hair!







Ever since she was young, Kiki Howell has loved to listen to a well-woven tale with real characters, inspired plots, and delightful resolutions. Kiki could spend hours lost in a book, and soon she knew that creating lives, loves, and losses with just words had to be the greatest thing that she could do. To that end, she pursued her study of literature and writing, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She then followed in a Master’s program in Creative Writing.


“After a long break having my boys, I finally just had to write again. And, as soon as I gave the stories the space, they entered it. It’s both awesome and humbling to find the words in my mind become characters on a page and create their lives.”

She has now had over twenty stories published between five different small presses. She could not be more thrilled or grateful to see her creations polished and out in the real world. Please look around. Although, a bit of caution, most of her stories tend to hang out on the graphically sexy side of town.

Kiki resides in the Midwest with her incredibly handsome and talented, singer/songwriter husband and two children. When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family, reading, baking or knitting.


So with the tea poured, the scones warmed, lets get on with the interview.
Kiki, can you tell us why you write?

First and foremost, to escape the stress and hype of everyday life. Reading has always been an escape of mine since I was a child, and the more I read the more I wanted to write. Now, the two have become interchangeable. However, most of the time, I really like to escape, thus my love of paranormal romance. I want my heroes bigger than life, otherworldly with all the complications and blessings their gifts and abilities can be.
I think that’s why a lot of people read fiction. I know my days are filled with a ‘to do’ list that never ends. Can you tell us what’s next on your writing agenda?
This summer I finally got to visit Salem, MA. So, right now, I am finishing up a paranormal novel which takes place in Salem. The novel is more mainstream than my usual, and the paranormal elements I am dealing with are all new to my writing. I am very excited about it. I even found my name on the Salem Patch website in January, A Literary Shout Out about my being inspired by the city. I don’t know how they found out, but it was really cool!

Wow how fabulous. I tell you what. Why not pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.




Aubrey Griffen. She is a witch back in Regency England. She was brought to London to study with her cousins, Lord and Lady Sanderly who are descendents of the notorious Pendle witches. However, their magic must be kept a secret. So, she is brought under the guise of being a poor relation who is to come out in proper society. Her plan all change however when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. I found her to be strong and admirable in the face of relentless obstacles, although her fiery passion and ease of magic does get her into some trouble a time or two.

EXCERPT:

The roses, elegant in their refinement, fell from one another with little grace as she undid the paper around them. Staggering back a few steps until her back met with the wall, she slid down to the floor letting the wrapping and flowers fall where they may. Aubrey wrapped her arms tightly around her midsection. Her chest ached more with each beat of her heart as she swallowed hard, blinked away the mistiness over her eyes, and remembered. It had been the beginning of the season, a bit over a fortnight ago, when she first encountered Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. Although she rolled her eyes still at the title, she felt impelled to live through it all again--through the days of fantasy in which she had allowed herself to participate. Love at first sight didn't always give way to rational thinking. It did, however, make possible even the wavering delusions of believing impossible dreams could come true. She had just come to London to live with Lord and Lady Sanderly, her cousins who had paid for her travels under the guise of giving a poor relation of marriageable age a chance to find a good husband.Whereas, the truth of the matter was, she was a relation who had shown a great aptitude for learning of the magical powers she had inherited. The good Lord and Lady, while holding the public title of Earl and Countess, were actually descendants of one of the notorious Pendle witches. They were to teach her to harness and utilize her innate talents in secret while flaunting her about from various parties and balls in the public eye.She recalled with a weak smile the first ball Lord and Lady Sanderly had thrown to immerse her into proper society. At the time, she had consciously gripped her hands before her waist to resist fidgeting while trying hard to fix to memory all of the titles of those to whom she was being introduced. Her level of discomfort had increased, however, as an unsettled awareness of someone in the room, a haunting premonition of sorts, had made her heart race and her mouth dry. She had paid mind to ignore the successive shivers which rushed the length of her spine until they pooled as heat in her tightening stomach. Reminded she was holding her breath only when forced to speak, her ribs had begun to ache. When a chill more pervasive that any she had ever known even in the drafty county cottage she had been raised in permeated her shoulders, she had turned in the direction of the source, and her eyes had met with a man standing just across the room looking back at her. She had immediately felt challenged to not look away from the gaze of his dark eyes. They radiated a raw energy unlike anything she had ever encountered before even among those with her own esoteric abilities. A connection was made. Her heart beat at a frantic, uneven pace like a horse racing over shoddy roads. At the same time, a vague forewarning had made her break out in a glistening of sweat while she fought the urge to escape as well the need to move toward the man. She had given merit to her reactions based only on the fact she had captured the glance of an aristocratic gentleman with a lady in a lavish satin gown on his arm of obviously higher circumstances. Engrossed in his fine manners, she watched as his hand removed the one holding onto him from his arm with a slight nod of his head. The lady in return had given him a slight curtsy but glorious smile before turning back to her other acquaintances which Aubrey recognized to be a duke and duchess she had recently met. His tempestuous form fit in posh attire spun on the heel of his expensive footwear to find her again with his haunted and hungry eyes. He seemed an odd mix of rugged and refined. She had felt the thrill and danger of being pursued by a beast which lurked inside of the man.
I loved the excerpt and the sound of this book. Mainly because I like historicals. Where ladies are ladies and men are cads lol. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out?
Find you voice, and stay true to it. There will always be nay-sayers whenever anyone tries to achieve more than they have, and there will always be the ones who tell you to change. Don’t! Your story is best when it is from the heart, in your true voice. The trick is finding that person that loves and believes in your work as well. Just don’t take any rejection to heart. Not everyone will like what you do. So, when you do succeed, you know it is not because you conformed, but because you were true to yourself. This was said with passion, not preachy-ness. I understand that need in the face of rejection to want to change, to try to do things as you are told. Only in this business, or any creative business for that matter, those rules are constantly changing depending on who you talk to.

Before you go, don’t forget to tell us where your followers can find you.

My website
Twitter

I often ask this question. The replies I get either make me laugh ior cry. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?

Me! I am so grateful for my life, for my family and my career. I have fought hard through two high-risk pregnancies, depression, etc to be the person I am now, one who is still learning, growing and healing everyday. But, I am excited about the path I am on. And, getting to write for a living, again, it has been a hard road at times, but so worth the trials to get to feel so accomplished and to see your dreams lingering out there before you as well.

Thanks for popping by today. Good luck with your books.