Unspoken Sneek Peek...

Chapter One

If someone says the root of all evil is money, they’ve never met a witch. Hot on Tara Sobrantes heels, I hungered for a quick capture. But my past experiences with brimstone-users had taught me not to eat the candy house until Gretel had heated the oven. The permanent fireball scar on my right butt cheek reinforced the lesson.

Spotlight On...Celia Breslin!

It has been quiet around here for far too long. But between work and family, that 'wow' or 'zing' kind of post eluded me. So when my good friend and fellow urban fantasy writer, Celia Breslin, asked if I'd be interested in featuring her latest page turner on my blog, I jumped at the chance! Without further ado, I'm breaking my silence with a 'Spotlight' feature on "Destiny," Book Two in the Tranquilli Bloodline Series. (Which, BTW, if you haven't read Celia's books, you are really, really missing out!)

Book Description:

In HAVEN, San Francisco nightclub owner Carina Tranquilli survives a vicious attack by her vampire family’s longtime archenemies. Several weeks later, as she struggles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt, supervillain Dixon resurfaces and kidnaps two of her best friends. To save them, Carina must comply with the evil bastard’s unusual demands. The kicker? She must tell no one what she is up to.

Meanwhile, she has a new dance club to open for the preternatural community, a fated soul mate acting secretive and distant, and a sexy, new, undead friend who’d love to take Alexander’s place in her heart and bed.

Blackmailed, betrayed, tempted…sometimes destiny has a wicked sense of humor.

Buy Links:

AllRomance.com

Amazon.com 

Barnes& Noble 

Champagne Books 

GoogleBooks 

Smashwords

Excerpt:

     My day moved from ordinary to interesting when the deliveryman handed me a box that smelled of blood.

     The scent made my mouth water. Pungent iron mixed with, of all things, lavender. My thoughts flew straight to Tessa, my surrogate vampire mother. When she pulled out one of her specialty powers, the one I fondly referred to as vampire valium, this relaxing, floral herb scented the air and reduced friend or foe to a boneless, helpless puddle.

     I shut the front door on the retreating back of the deliveryman and wiggled the box. Nothing rattled inside. Not particularly heavy, less than ten pounds.

     A peace offering, perhaps? Tessa certainly owed me one.

     She’d commanded her minion, my boyfriend Alexander, to star in a two-month classical music tour of Italy, performing nightly for vampire dignitaries and their lucky minions. While I, the good little predestined, vampire apocalypse averting, Chosen One in training, remained behind in San Francisco to learn how to kick naughty vampire ass with my latent and rather unwieldy fire power.

     “Hey boys,” I called up to the second floor where my friend Adrian and his lover, my mentor Jonas, took their sweet time descending for breakfast. “Bloody prezzie just arrived. And I do mean that literally.”

     Silence answered my shout, followed by the whoosh of water in the master bathroom shower and a husky laugh from Adrian. Given that sexy sound, I could expect a delay. Jonas tended to make their showers last forever.

     A jolt of jealousy stabbed my stomach. Wish I could enjoy some fun and sexy time with my guy. I shrugged off the sensation and strode into the kitchen. “Fine. More for me.”

     I parked my ass in a chair and slid the box onto the table to study it. No return address or package info. Not that surprising. Vampires tended to aim for stealth and subtlety, to fly under the radar of the general human populace. One of Tessa’s minions probably compelled the delivery dude, or he belonged to the circle of humans already in-the-know.

     I ripped off the tape in one pull and peeked inside. No packing peanuts, but rather a nest of lavender branches speckled with droplets of blood, as if the branches themselves bled. Beautiful, aromatic, and so very vampire.

     A wine box large enough for two bottles rested in the nest. Cold to the touch, indicating recent refrigeration. I lifted it out, trailing my fingers over the gold latch, the dark, glossy wood, the Celtic knots carved into each end, and finally over the initials on top. My initials, C A T. Short for Carina Agostina Tranquilli.

     What a well-crafted and thoughtful gift. I bet the wine inside would be equally well-made.

     I flipped the latch and opened the lid. My brows collided. Not wine.

     Nine vials of blood about the size of my ring finger rested side by side in black velvet bedding. A stopper sealed with red wax and stamped with my initials secured the blood inside each vessel.

     I pulled one from its nest and held it up in the light streaming through the kitchen’s bay window. The liquid glowed a rich, ruby red like a shard in a stained glass window.

     “Beautiful.” And odd.

     Sure, I was a half vampire and could appreciate a fine bit of blood, but I was still a human female and for me, nothing says, I’m sorry for disrupting your entire life like high-end jewelry or better yet an all-expenses paid trip with my boyfriend somewhere secluded, luxurious, and far away from vampire politics. Hell, I’d settle for the return of my boyfriend to San Francisco.

About the Author:

Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for vampires, werewolves, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find her exercising, reading a good book or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/

Blog: http://www.celiabreslin.com/blog/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CeliaBreslin

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/celiabreslin/

New J.A. Garland Logo

What better way to ring in the New Year, than with a re-imagined J.A. Garland logo? Thanks to ParaJunkee Design, my 2014 couldn't have started any better! 
While I've been more than thrilled with my old logo, I felt the time had come to 'update' the design into a fresher, more polished look. Still, I didn't want to lose the basic elements of the logo-- the elf, the banner, the forest and the leaf circle border. Enter Rachel at ParaJunkee Designs. She worked her magic, managing to keep those design elements, and yet give them the professional shine I craved. Thank you, Rachel, I love the new logo!

Want to share in my excitement? Enter below for a chance to win a  J.A. Garland Books mug, mouse pad, or a tote bag, all items sporting the new logo.

Something Wicked Returns Guest Post

As an avid Department 56 -- Halloween house collector, I tend to go a bit crazy on decorations this time of year. My kitchen table completely

Are You Ready?

 I admit I can’t get enough of The Walking Dead. The seasons are too short, and too far between.

Sunset on Summer Fun Blog Hop

(ENTER BELOW)

Like a parent asked to pick their favorite child, it's impossible for me to declare my favorite season. 

I love spring for the new growth and warming temperatures, summer for the long days and bountiful fruits, fall for the spectacular array of colors, and winter for the cozy nights spent sipping hot chocolate.

Sultry Summer Reads Blog Hop

Phew, you made it! Welcome to the Sultry Summer Reads Blog Hop. In addition to the blog hop's Grand Prize Kindle Fire HD 7” loaded with ebooks (including my urban fantasy, Dysus Dreamer), and a Second Place Prize of a 100.00 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N,   I'm hosting some fun prizes below, so make sure to enter before powering off to the NEXT STOP. 

Frankie's Bookshelf

In celebration of our friend Frankie's new website, a few of us have come together to give away a Kindle Fire. Please check out her website, our fabulous books, and then enter the Rafflecopter contest below.

What's Your Favorite Health Tip?

One of my all-time, favorite topics is health. What a great coincidence then, that it's also Petra and Alex's, top chat subject. 

During September I'll be at their blog, Spring of Health, learning new ways to get and stay healthy--from you. So come, pull up a chair, and share your favorite health tips. While you're there, you might just win a gift card, or an ebook.

ENTER here, and stay healthy!

I've hijacked Lily Sawyer's Book Blog! I'm talking about books, blogging, and the writing process. All my favorite things, well, minus the coffee, chocolate and Zombies.

Enter HERE

The Next Big Thing -- Chocolates & Zombie Soap Giveaway

There I was, typing away on my current work in progress, when a message popped up on my computer screen from the ever-lovely, M.S. Spencer. She asked a few questions, then invited me to see her responses, which can be found: Link Here
Be sure to leave a comment below(with your email addy) for 5 chances to win Lula's Peppermint Bark and Ana Banana Bath Treat's -- Zombie Soap! Seriously, the stuff is 'to die for!'

1) What is the working title of your current book? Moon Marked. Yes, the lead characters are werewolves.

2) Where did you get the idea for that book? Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I always felt surrounded by magic--old world, time-less magic. I've wanted to write a book about fantasy creatures who were based in that area, for a long time.

3) What's the genre of the book? Urban fantasy.

Secret Santa Blog Hop

Does your holiday schedule leave you out of breath and scrambling for the time to eat something, anything? Well, fear not, this slow cooker oatmeal recipe will allow you to pre-assemble delicious ingredients, and have a nutritious meal ready when you're ready! Which might even earn you enough time to curl up with a good urban fantasy book.

Fantasy On The Bayou

Did I hear that right? The RWA Chapter of Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal(FF&P) authors picked New Orleans as the site of their first annual FF&P conference? 

Yes, indeed.

My love affair with New Orleans has gone on for nearly a decade. During which time I've repeatedly strayed from California's sandy beaches and fresh produce, to N.O.'s powdered beignets and smooth jazz. My decision to attend the conference was an easy one to make.

Who can resist buildings and bustling streets like this?

Or a Ghost Tour...

This tour took place in the French Quarter. Founded in 1718, I'm guessing quite a few folks have met their maker on these cobbled streets and behind these decaying walls, possibly leaving behind more than a few rattling skeletons who refuse to stay in the closet.

Or two?

The second tour took us to the Garden District, around the block and as the crow flies, to a home that once belonged to famed writer, Anne Rice.

All that walking was tiring. Rest and rehab was in order.

We recharged with an afternoon cooking class where dutiful students learned to make gumbo, jambalaya and bread pudding, while the less than attentive plotted ways to get to the food first.

After securing a 'healthy' portion for myself, I was able to successfully march with a jazz band in Louis Armstrong Park.

They were very patient as I learned the ropes and posed for my adoring public.

After the parade we watched a jazz band play at Cafe Beignet, over, you guessed it, beignets and chicory coffee!

Yes, it was all play. Even the conference workshops where I learned about Down 'N Dirty Plotting, Platform, Product & Promotion and many other engaging topics from such entertaining speakers as Bob Mayer and Staci McGothlin. Workshop groups were of a size we could ask as many questions as we wanted, yet product and delivery by the speakers was of the highest calibre.

Don't miss the fun, I highly recommend you attend next years conference!