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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Blog Tour and Giveaway - Amanda Bonilla!


VENGEANCE BORNE Blog Tour!


Vengeance Borne
(Sentry of Evil #1)
Amanda Bonilla
Release: September 3, 2013


Thanks so much to Christen for having me as a guest today! One of my favorite parts of writing Vengeance Borne was exploring new supernatural creatures to write. I was able to incorporate creatures from different mythologies and put my own spin on their existence. The Dryad is one of my favorite characters in the Sentry world, and I’m glad she’ll be sticking around for future books. So I thought I’d share the scene from Vengeance Borne where she first makes her appearance. Hope you enjoy!

Excerpt from VENGEANCE BORNE
Amanda Bonilla

Micah stepped down from the truck and pulled a black hoodie over his head. The nights had become considerably cooler in the passing days and a chill raced down his spine. The soft glow of moonlight could be seen creeping higher on the horizon. It filtered through the trees where Jacquelyn led the way, her gait cautious as she sidestepped bushes and fallen logs with ease. Micah couldn’t help but watch in awe. Jacquelyn negotiated the dark landscape like she had night vision goggles or some shit. She stopped as if to listen and held up her hand. Micah cocked his head, searching for any sound to indicate the location of their quarry. Through the stillness, Micah detected a strange warmth, like love blossoming in his chest. His jaw dropped and Jacquelyn quirked an inquisitive brow, mouthing the word, “Where?”

Micah pointed toward an embankment that dropped off into a tree-lined meadow. The sensation of joy intensified and he increased his speed, almost running toward the clearing. He’d never felt anything so pure. He took in their surroundings, the moon shining down on them like a giant spotlight. Trees, both pine and aspen lined the meadow, the wind rustling the leaves like bits of tissue paper. The scent of cool water wafted to his nostrils, further helping to clear his damned drug addled brain. There must have been a spring or a creek further down the tree line. Large and small shadows quivered in the moonlight, like frightened creatures. Though what anything should fear in the presence of such warm emotion was beyond his comprehension.

“Hey!” Jacquelyn hissed. “You never go running out into the open like that! We have no idea what’s out here.”

“It’s not bad,” Micah said with wonder, his narrow gaze scanning the trees. “There’s not a trace of evil in what I’m feeling right now.” He looked to the sky, laughter bubbling up through his throat. The sound echoed around them. “It’s amazing!”

A rustling in the brush to their left drew their attention, and Jacquelyn pulled the .357, sighting it toward the commotion. “Don’t move, Micah.”

He heard her, knew the warning inherent in her tone. But he could do nothing to stop his feet from moving. One step and then another, faster he walked toward the trees, blocking the path of Jacquelyn’s shot. He felt compelled to do so, to protect whatever creature lingered under cover, filling his soul with riotous joy. A smile tugged at his mouth as he suppressed another bout of laughter and he peered into the darkness.

“Shit.” Jacquelyn called from behind him. “Micah, move out of the fucking way!”

But he couldn’t. He clutched his chest, wishing he could spread the warm sensation to every tiny part of his body, rub it in. Roll in it. This was bliss.

“Micah.” Jacquelyn came up behind him, her breath labored. “What do you think—”

“Merry meet, hunter,” a lilting voice called out from the woods.

“Show yourself,” Jacquelyn said in response.

Micah stared into the trees, his jaw slack as a soft white orb meandered through the branches casting a silvery glow. His mother had told him stories of willo’ the wisps, shimmering balls of light, the embodiment of wandering spirits. The orb floated to the clearing and hovered just a few feet from Micah before exploding in a bright flash. He shielded his eyes and waited for the burst to subside, when it did he found himself face to face with a woman in a flowing white robe.

“I’d like to say, when it rains it pours, but this is a fucking deluge,” Jacquelyn griped.

Micah turned to Jacquelyn, his eyes slow to move from the mysterious woman. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, is there some sort of supernatural convention in town that I don’t know about? The entire county is crawling with supernatural squatters.”

But the woman before him swathed in white couldn’t possibly be one of them. Not when she made him feel so—good. “No, she’s something else.”

“Hardly,” Jacquelyn scoffed. “Our girl here is a Dryad. And you’d best watch your ass, Micah.”

Dryad? He wracked his brain, searching for a myth to go with the name. Micah turned back to the woman, and she pulled the cowl from her head. White hair in long flowing waves drifted on the breeze. Her pale skin reminded him of the smooth bark of a birch tree. And her eyes, electric blue and icy crinkled at the corners when she smiled at him.

“Shall I sing you a song, Bearer?” she asked in a voice as smooth as churned butter.

“Not if you want to keep your vocal chords,” Jacquelyn snapped.

“You’re no fun.” The Dryad stuck her tongue out like an errant child.

“A Dryad is a tree spirit, Micah.” Jacquelyn came to stand beside him. She held the .357 with intent, aiming it at the woman’s head. “She’ll use her pretty voice to tempt the soul right out of you if you let her.”

“Calm yourself, hunter.” The Dryad inched closer to Micah but he didn’t bother to move. The sense of euphoria intensified, stealing his breath and making him a bit dizzy. “I have no intention of taking your pet tonight. Though I must admit,” she ran a long white finger down the center of Micah’s chest, “that he is a tasty-looking morsel. Yum.”


Amanda Bonilla
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmandaBonillaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandabonilla

Website: http://amandabonilla.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Bonilla/e/B004QPINKO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1363279448&sr=8-2-ent



Enter below to win an ebook copy of VENGEANCE BORNE!


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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Coastal Magic Convention Featured Author Spotlight and Giveaway - Rosalie Lario!


Coastal Magic Convention
Daytona Beach, FL
February 6 - 9, 2014

Rosalie Lario
Rosalie Lario is the award-winning, paranormal romance author of the Demons of Infernum and the Fallen Warriors series. Rosalie double majored in Anthropology and Classics as an undergraduate student, and briefly considered becoming an archaeologist before realizing they don’t actually live the life of Indiana Jones. So what was a classical geek armed with a lot of useless knowledge to do? Become a lawyer, of course!

After attending law school in Florida, she practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself that negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. She never imagined all the mythology she studied would one day make the perfect fodder for the paranormal romance stories she now dreams up!

When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family in their home state of Florida.



I want to thank Christen for inviting me here today. I attended this year’s version of the Coastal Magic Convention and had a total blast. It was the first targeted convention I’ve attended, and it was even more fun that I thought it would be! So what are the top five things I’m looking forward to at next year’s Con?

1. Talking Books. Of course this is the main reason we’re all going to be there. I love nothing more than to talk about my favorite books. It’ll be awesome to actually have a live person to talk to for a change.

2. Author panels. I’ve seen the preliminary list of panels and I’m super-excited for the topics that are going to be discussed.

3. Seeing old blogger and author friends again. I met some great bloggers and authors at the last Con and can’t wait to reconnect with them for some Daytona fun!

4. Character dating game. Because what’s more fun than talking book hotties while getting a little drink on?

5. Meeting more fans of the paranormal! More than anything, I’m looking forward to meeting more people who, like me, simply cannot get enough of the paranormal. There’s nothing more inspiring to an author than hanging with a group of readers who love the same types of books they write. It’s a given that I’ll come away with a ton of new books to read, some great recommendations, and a whole new perspective on the genre.

Thanks for sticking with me while I went over my list. As a reward, I’d love to give away one copy of my latest book, Mark of the Sylph (Demons of Infernum #2).

One Signed Paperback Copy (U.S. only)  
OR
One eCopy of MARK OF THE SYLPH (Int.)

Half-demon Taeg is desperate to free his pregnant sister-in-law, who is spellbound to an indestructible book that will create an army of the undead. He is convinced that an ancient sword can destroy the book and the spell forever, but this relic has been hidden for a millennia by a powerful glamour. The clock begins to run out on his search when an old rival goes after the book and Taeg’s family in his quest for revenge.
Librarian Maya Flores has a secret: she’s immune to magic and is well aware of the supernatural beings prowling the streets of New York City. Haunted by a brutal demon attack that took her family, she is on a one-woman mission to destroy the evil demons who did it—and any others who get in her way.
Maya is Taeg’s best hope for uncovering the sword.
Unfortunately, she wants nothing more than to kill him. As he fights for her trust and to save his family, she is forced to face the truth that not all demons are evil. And the worst part? She might be falling in love with one, too.

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