Truth or Dare? available to pre-order!

I'm happy to say that my sexy short story Truth or Dare? is now available to pre-order.

This is a previously published title. The story hasn't changed just the fact that I have now self-published it; hence the new cover and the price.

The book releases on Tuesday 16th January and will be available to buy for 99 cents.

Blurb:

Do you dare tell the truth?

A tequila fuelled game of Truth or Dare is not Dani’s idea of fun, but when Cameron, the jerk who rejected her a year ago is the one provoking her into playing, how can she say no? Not that he’s giving her the option in the first place.

Bravado compels her forward, but when the dares get physical and their friends leave them alone, Cameron’s questions turn to her feelings for him, and unfortunately, lying is not part of the game.

Will a dare give Dani the courage she needs to tell Cameron the truth?

This title contains explicit language and graphic sex.

Note: This is a previously published title. No changes have been made to the story.

Length: 10,000 words/ 37 pages| Content: Erotic Romance| Publisher: Elizabeth Morgan

Excerpt:

“Well, if it’s finally just the four of us, I think it’s about time I gave Dani her house warming gift.” Cameron walked over to my TV cabinet and reached behind the television set.

“I’d say ‘how nice,’ but knowing you, this is probably going to be something that will end up in my bin.”

“Fine with me, as long as we get to drink it first.” Straightening, he turned with a bottle of tequila in his grasp.

“Way to go, bro.” Benjamin saluted him with his beer.

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “I think that’s more a present for you than me, Cameron.”

“It’s a present for all of us.” He walked to the coffee table and placed the bottle down. “I thought it would be a good idea if we christened your new place.”

Suggestion flooded his eyes. It took every ounce of sanity I owned not to squirm under his piercing gaze or let my imagination run away with how tempting such an offer was.

“What, with vomit?”

He fell back into the armchair. “I was thinking more along the lines of a little tequila-fuelled truth or dare.”

Kat giggled. “Oh, that sounds fun.”

“What are we, fourteen-year-olds?” I glanced between them all.

His lips twitched. “What’s the matter, Dani? Afraid you’re going to have to do something you might like?”

My stomach flipped. Every fibre in my body told me this was a bad idea, but no way would I let this jerk-off laugh at me over a stupid high school game.

“If you’re scared—”

“I ain’t afraid of anything.”

A slow smile crawled across his face. “I dare you to prove it.”

A string of “ohs” floated from Benjamin and Katherine, followed by more giggling.

God help me.

“Fine.” Pushing myself up, I collected some of the bottles from the coffee table. “I will go get the shot glasses, salt, and limes.”

He relaxed into the chair. “That’s my girl.”

“I’m not your girl, arsehole.”

Walking through the open doorway in to the kitchen, I dropped the empty bottles into the recycle bin, then grabbed a couple of limes from the fruit bowl.

What the hell was I doing? It was late. I had every right to kick them out. Ben and Cam would tease me, but fuck them. This was my flat. I could do whatever the hell I wanted. I didn’t have to play stupid games.

Taking a knife from the block, I halved each lime and then again until they were in segments before throwing them in a nearby, semi-clean bowl.

I wandered over to my glass cupboard and reached up on tiptoes to find the cluster of tumblers. A large hand landed on my hip. An incoherent squeak left me as every muscle in my body went skywards.

I gripped the cupboard shelf with a harsh curse. “What the fuck?”

Fingertips skimmed the band of my jeans. Solid muscle pressed me into the kitchen counter.

“Didn't mean to scare you.” Amusement lit Cameron’s voice. “Just wanted to see if you needed any help?”

Words seemed to escape me at the feel of his rough fingertips dancing along my waist. An involuntary shudder shook me at the thought of his palm slipping past my waistband and knickers, of his touch wandering lower until he found my swelling clit, pinching and rubbing the bundle of nerves until I broke against my kitchen counter. My nipples tightened at the idea. God, how many times had I imagined him taking me in such a way? Working me into a frenzy before coaxing my clothes off, spreading my thighs, and burying himself inside me…

“Not from you, I don’t.” The words were shaky as I forced them past my lips.

His husky laughter rumbled through my back. He was so hot and hard, I wanted to rub against him, melt into him—and I hated myself for it.

Soft lips pressed against my ear. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so impatient? Can’t a girl cut limes and grab glasses in peace?”

He slipped his hand round to my stomach, playing with the button on my jeans. My legs quivered.

“Are you sure you want to play?” His voice dropped to a soft growl. “I can think of so many other ways you and me could christen your new place. Starting right here, right now.”

A ragged breath left me. He slid his hand from under my T-shirt, walked his fingers up my arm, and then reached into the cupboard. He pinned me to the counter, and I had to cut off a groan at the feel of his impressive erection digging in to my arse.

“What do you say?”

I clenched my thighs together at the feel of moisture flooding my knickers. My eyelids fluttered shut. “I say the day I agree to such activities with you will be the day Hell freezes over.”

He laughed, low and rough. “You want to play the hard way, I’m game.”

My eyelids snapped open at the sound of glass hitting wood. Glancing down, I saw four tumblers in his grasp on the counter beside me.

“But who knows what I might ask you,” he continued.

“Ask whatever you want.” Lowering my arm, I glanced over my shoulder. “You don’t scare me.”

His lips twisted. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

Pre-order if you dare:
Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/2Fr94Yy
Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/2Frf3N9

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2CRLuTm
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/2mjoB3T
iTunes: https://apple.co/2AQU3M4

Happy New Year & What's New for 2018

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and have set some fantastic goals for 2018.

A lot of people are saying it, but where the hell did 2017 go? This year has just gone so quickly, it's insane.

Newsletter

I decided last year it was time for me to start a newsletter as I often wonder if people are actually seeing my facebook or blog post etc. the way social media is sometimes, well, posts can be missed and that's not fair on you. At least with a newsletter it is going straight to your email accounts and you have the option to hold on to any of them.

So, the plan is that I shall be sending a newsletter out every 3 months; January, April, July, and October. Unless something super exciting comes up or I naturally have a release due then there might be the odd sneaky one slipped in, but those main 4 will be updates.

As a thank you for subscribing to my newsletter you will automatically be added into my subscribers giveaway. With the help of Random.org a name shall be selected every 3 months from the list of my subscribers and the winner will be announced in the next newsletter.

So the winner of this months prize will be selected in April and announced in the April newsletter.

The first prize I'm giving away is themed on my debut novella, Razel Dazzle. It only seemed right this being my first newsletter. The selected subscriber will receive a book quote tote bag, a signed copy of Razel Dazzle and a custom made bookmark.

If you're interested in signing up to my mailing list just click here: http://eepurl.com/dfYVAP

~ * ~

WIP & Releases

2017 was a slow year for me when it came to writing. Actually scratch that, it's been my slowest year as in I published nothing at all. It doesn't make me feel good. I feel rubbish about it, but it is just the way the year went and I can't do anything about it now.

Just because I haven't published anything new this year it doesn't mean that I haven't been writing. I go into some slush pile projects every now and then and add bits, and since I published Blood Secrets back in April 2016, I have spent a year and a half chipping away at Cross My Heart: Blood Book 1.5. The reason it has taken so long is because of stuff that's been going on in my life and where my head has been at, but I don't like the fact that yet again there has been a huge gap between the last and next release in this series, but I also dont want to write any old rubbish just for the sake of getting the book finished and released.

So I apologize for the delay of the next Blood Book and once again, thank you all for your patience.

Needless to say my biggest priority this year is finishing AND publishing, Cross My Heart. I can't set a date yet. I set the word goal for 30k. I'm already over 15k, but as with all of my goals I will probably go over 30k so for no lets just say I'm aiming to have this book finished by summer and for release in Autumn at the latest.

In other news for 2017, I received the rights back for two of my stories; Truth or Dare? which is a 10k short story, and my novella Stepping Stones. I will be re-releasing both of these books in 2018. For those of you that have already purchased them please note that the stories haven't changed. The main change is to the pricing.

Update on why I'm so silent

So it has been a long time since I have done an update post. I think the last one I did was after Blood Secrets (Blood Series: Book Two) was released?

At the time of Blood Secrets release back in April 2016 I had applied for a job, which I was offered and accepted; the first six months - my probationary period - was a little nerve wrecking as all probationary periods are, but needless to say, I passed with flying colours and went in to 2017 knowing I had job security.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I think you all know by now that I have always had a day job; those jobs I do full time and although I wish it were different, writing is a part-time/side "job" for me. I enjoy my new job; I'm a supervisor and I have very flexible shifts, but due to the nature of my job - working evenings in to the early hours of the morning - and being in charge of organizing events etc needless to say that my time for writing has been squished down to "when I get a chance to, I will."

This might not sound surprising to you as you all know by now I'm not one of these authors that is publishing a book every month - god I wish - and although I know I don't have to explain myself since I have a life outside writing, but also all authors work differently and can take anywhere between weeks and years to write, complete and publish a book; I like to keep you in the loop, and also I like to apologize for the delay and to thank you for your patience and ongoing support. I know some of you are eagerly awaiting the next Blood Series book and I hate to keep you waiting. It may not seem like it, but I want it finished just as much as you do; the good news is I have started it and I am hoping to finish and publish it this year, but it dawned on me the other day that it has already been a year since the last book, Blood Secrets, was released and I felt sad about it - and freaked out by how quick this last year has flown.

I apologize from the bottom of my heart for the delay with the next book, but please know, I am 2 chapters in already and I do keep posting teasers on the Blood Series Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBloodSeries/

So the silence is due to not having much to really update you on at present; at least not in the book sense.

What else is happening/in store for 2017?

My website has been freshened up: www.e-morgan.com

I recently received the rights back for my contemporary erotic romance, short story, Truth or Dare? which I plan to slap a new cover on and re-release this summer.

I will be getting the rights back for my sweet contemporary romance novella, Stepping Stones, which I will be re-releasing before Christmas in paperback as well as an ebook.

If you live in the UK and would love to attend a free Author Signing Event I've organized - affectionately known as SASE - on Saturday 23rd September 2017 then check out the details here: www.booksigning.co.uk 

Lastly, I'm writing the next book in the Blood Series, Cross My Heart (Blood 1.5). At the very least I aim to finish it this year; at most I hope to publish it around Halloween, but if not then it will be early 2018. So send me creative energy and good vibes. :)

I shall aim to update y'all a little more often and with happier news.

Thank you once again for being awesome and supportive readers!

Elizabeth x

Heading in to 2017!

I can't believe how fast 2016 has gone, but unlike 2015 which saw huge changes and stress; 2016 has been different. There have been equally big changes; they have been better and smoother, but they have only just caught up to me this month.

This year my family welcomed a new addition; my beautiful little nephew who is a ray of sunshine and by far the best gift we have all had this last year.

I have had two job positions this year; this second one a position I didn't ever see myself in, but is proving to be both interesting and fun. I am very thankful for this job as it has meant the worries I had last year are behind me now, but it was a position that I had to prove I could do in order to keep the job. Thankfully I did prove myself and I can breathe a lot easier in 2017.

I had the opportunity to organize and hold an author signing in November this year, and it went great. So great that I'm doing it again next year. It's very rare that I am able to go to signing events, but when I do I always feel elevated. Being around other authors and so many readers.... It is a huge reminder that despite my day job I am an author and I am so grateful that I get to write and share stories with well, the world. Every signing is a reminder that writing is important to me even though I usual feel like a bad author because I'm not writing or producing enough books a year. I love writing. I love creating. And even if it is just a book a year; i am still writing and sending one book a year out into the world.

I have made new friends this year - fellow authors included - and by doing so these friendships have opened up new opportunities for me. I'm very thankful for all the new people in my life.

I continue to gain and meet new readers, which I am unconditionally thankful for, because you're all awesome.

This year saw the release of Blood Series: Book Two, Blood Secrets. (Finally!) Those of you who have read the second book, I do hope you enjoyed it. Thank you to those of you who have reviewed it, your thoughts are always appreciated. I have already had a couple of readers ask about the third book and how they hope it wont take two years to be released. This is my hope also. All writers are different; we have different lives, we write differently, think differently. I wish I could write a book a month; it would be fantastic, but that is not how it works for me. In saying that, I want to have the book finished as soon as I can because I don't want to leave you all hanging, but I can't make promises because I have no idea what this next year will hold. Plus, I have a novella to write before Book 3 will be written and released.

So the plan for 2017 is to write the Blood Series novella: Book 1.5, which has the working title Cross My Heart. I also plan to re-release/self-publish two previous titles this year, and then make a start on the third and final book in the Blood Series which will be titled Souls Blood. The aim is for Book 3 to be released in 2018 at the latest.

You can find more details/hints on what projects I am hoping to work on across the next couple years on my website: www.e-morgan.com

Other than that I have no idea what next year has in store. My aim is just to be healthier, happier, and now I am in a securer position - in all senses - do what matters most  to me; write more.

I hope you all have a fantastic night whatever you may be doing and I shall see you in 2017!

Happy New Year!

Elizabeth xx

My World Guest Author: D.A. Lascelles

Strong female protagonists in fiction

Unless you have been completely cut off from the world for the past year or so (or doing nothing except play Pokemon Go J ) you are probably aware of a lot of changes in fiction recently. Well, I say recently as this has been ongoing for decades but over the past year or so things seem to have reached a head.  A crisis point, perhaps. Certainly a time of great conflict.

Over 2015 and 2016, a number of films have come out with strong female protagonists in them and these have caused a significant backlash from certain areas of the geek community – whether they are Mad Max fans bemoaning the perceived loss of centre stage for their hero in Fury Road* or Ghostbusters fans who think, against all the evidence, that changing the gender of characters makes a film unwatchable. While those two films are possibly the most prominent, they are by no means the only ones. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is another example of a strong female lead in a major Hollywood production as is Jupiter Ascending and the change is not limited to film – series such as Agent Carter have also been flying the flag. The controversies kicked off by some of these have been shaking the internet and demonstrating that, maybe, the so called war of the sexes is not as much in the past as believed. Regardless, it is a sign that the role of the female character is changing and for the better.

In genre fiction it is sometimes hard to define what a ‘strong female character’ actually is. For example, it is easy to think that the traditional ‘kick arse babe’ so beloved of fantasy is a strong character but that is only the case if the character has other facets to her personality. Without the depth she is merely the stereotypical ‘girl with spirit’ who is merely there to pander to male fantasies. She needs to have what is commonly referred to as agency – an ability to control her own destiny – as well as a host of other traits.

I have always tried to make my female characters believable. It is not always an easy thing to achieve for a male writer and was a challenge I set myself while writing Transitions. That led to the character of Helen who was a mix of the personalities of several women I knew. As a way of creating a believable character, I like to think it worked reasonably well. I see Helen as the creation I am currently most proud of and I especially enjoyed writing her appearances in both Transitions and the sequel to it Transformations, which appears in Lurking Miscellany. In both those stories she is also the main protagonist in that she actively sets out to solve the plot and does so with intelligence and a strong will.

By the time I came to write Gods of the Deep, I had spent even more time thinking about this issue. Discussions online in places such as the Absolute Write forums regarding the roles of any character other than a straight white male brought up the concept of Ripley from the Alien franchise. According to one rumour, Ripley was originally written as a male character and was changed when Sigourney Weaver was cast. However, all they changed was the gender of the character – very little else changed. This may be the secret behind writing believable female protagonists – don’t try to write a female protagonist, simply write a protagonist. In fact, it is largely considered to be good practise when writing to look critically at all the characters you have and ask yourself ‘does this character absolutely have to be that particular gender or ethnicity? If I changed it would it change the plot?’ If the answer to those questions is ‘no’ then a change should certainly be considered.

This was the method I applied to one of the stories in Gods of the Deep – Heart of the City. Originally this had been intended to have a male protagonist and a significant chunk of characterisation and story had been laid down when I basically ran out of steam and failed to find a way to progress the story. For some reason the male protagonist was not managing to be interesting enough. As I reflected on the story some more, it occurred to me that I could answer both the above critical questions with ‘no’ and change the character. So I did this and the character of Sir Anthony De Berg woke up one morning to find that he was actually a she - Lady Catherine de Berg. Which didn’t change any of the character’s personality in any significant way and gave the story that extra little something it needed.

The role of female protagonists in fiction in the 21^st century should not be a controversial issue and it is surprising that something like an all female Ghostbuster’s cast can cause such a reaction as it did. Nevertheless, it did and that shows that there is still a battle to fight. However, like it or not, writers and fans need to be aware of these issues and respond to them positively.

*If you want a theory that may (or may not) shock you consider this one shared by a friend on Facebook. Max is never the main protagonist in any of the films. He is merely a catalyst who kicks the story off and helps it along, The story itself belongs to someone else and in at least one case (the third film) that is a female character.

~ * ~

Gods of the Deep

by D.A. Lascelles

Synopsis:

Professor Everyn Crowe is just a harmless academic with an interest in the Theological and Ethereal Sciences. He’d expected his life to consist of quiet hours in the library and tinkering with his newly invented etheric compass. He is therefore surprised when his studies into the quaint anthropological practises of some isolated villagers living on the coast of his native Creatha result in him being unceremoniously thrown into the sea.

Luckily, Captain Rachel Drake of the Neptune’s Wing is on hand to supply a rescue. If Everyn can avoid being cast overboard by her crew for being a witch, she may have a use for his unusual academic specialities.

A collection of tales of pirates, swashbucklers, demons and adventure.

Amazon Links:

Gods of the Deep (paperback): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gods-Deep-Mr-D-Lascelles/dp/1535260599/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468622921&sr=1-2&keywords=Gods+of+the+deep

Gods of the Deep (Kindle edition): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gods-Deep-D-Lascelles-ebook/dp/B01IFM258O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1468622849&sr=8-7&keywords=Gods+of+the+deep

 ~ * ~

Author Bio:

D.A Lascelles is a former clinical scientist turned teacher. He writes in his spare time and his first short story, Gods of the Sea, was originally published in Pirates and Swashbucklers Anthology by Pulp Empires (pulpempire.com/mag/). His novella Transitions, a paranormal romance novella, was later  released by Mundania Press (www.mundania.com/) and he has also released a collection of short stories under the title Lurking Miscellany.

Reports of a Blur/Oasis style rivalry between himself and R.A Smith are always hotly denied as are the almost non-existent rumours that they are one and the same person. They have on a number of occasions been seen standing next to one another at Steampunk fairs which proves both theories wrong. He is also, despite claims made by his students, neither Australian, Hungarian, John Travolta nor Chucky from Child’s Play.

Links:

E-mail: dalascelles-writing@yahoo.co.uk

Twitter: @areteus

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

Little Update

Hey folks, I want to drop in and apologize for the silence; this last month has been crazy. I applied for a new job in April and a month ago I was offered the position. So, I have been training, while continuing the job that I currently had, while formatting Blood Secrets for print, and I've been wrapped up in family stuff etc. So, needless to say lots of changes - good and wanted changes - are taking place and every minute I have had spare I have been trying to catch up with bits and pieces.

As you know Blood Secrets (Blood Series: Book Two) was released on April 22nd, and it is also available in paperback for those of you who prefer books:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Secrets-Book-Two-2/dp/1532946074?ie=UTF8&keywords=elizabeth%20morgan&qid=1462643384&ref_=sr_1_8&s=books&sr=1-8
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Secrets-Book-Two-2/dp/1532946074/ref=sr_1_45?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462643435&sr=1-45&keywords=elizabeth+morgan
Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-secrets-elizabeth-morgan/1123777759?ean=9781532946073
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/6227618

I recently got the rights back for my f/f erotic paranormal short, On the Rocks, which will receive a brand new cover and be self-published/re-released at the bargain price of 99 cents this summer. So keep a look out for news and links on that.

I'm in the midst of organizing an author book signing, which will take place on November 5th. So far 26 authors have signed up, plus one cover model. We are all very excited. So once I have the press release, details, and posters I will be talking a little more about that.

Now that I am all caught up - and that tomorrow is the first day of my new job which means no more dancing between two positions. Yay! - I will start outlining the next book in the Blood Series. It is a novella which will feature a heroine we have heard about since book one, and a brand new hero. I plan for the story to be around the 30k mark - so a novella - but that is only a guideline. There is always a chance the story will be a lot longer. I do have a title picked out, but that shall be released along with the book cover once I have gone past the 15k mark.

So, keep your eyes peeled folks and stay awesome ^_^

Release Day!

Blood Secrets
Blood Series: Book Two

Blurb:

When your life is messed up to begin with, how much worse can it really get?

Heather Ryan's life has never been simple. The latest in a long line of descendants who have made it their mission to hunt down and slay the Ancient Vampire, Marko Pavel, she is also the first born Infected. Up until recently, the biggest downside to living with the Vampyrric Virus was simply that she craved blood, but after receiving a DVD from her deceased Grandmother Sofia and being kidnapped with friend and so called guardian Werewolf, Brendan Daniels, she quickly discovers that she is also the inspiration behind the Vampires’ attempt to create a whole new breed of super monsters—Hybrids.

The truth comes at a cost, but how much does one have to sacrifice to gain success?

Following the breadcrumbs left by her psychic Grandmother, Heather and Brendan find themselves in new territory. Venice is where Heather hopes to find Marie, the second Bloodling of Marko, along with Brendan's three taken Pack members. But an old Peace Pact between the Italian Pack and the Colony means they are left hunting blind, and due to the Italian Alpha's reluctance to believe their story of kidnap and experimentation on Loup-Garous, time is running out. So when help comes from an unlikely source, they have no choice but to accept.

All families have secrets, but blood can't lie.

Caught up in an intricate and complicated scheme spun by the one she trusts the most and the friend of her enemy, Heather soon discovers that she is the pawn in a plan she would never have been able to conceive. But how many of her new allies were in on the game, to begin with?

This title contains explicit language, violence, and some scenes of a sexual nature.

Length: 127,000 words | Content: Urban Fantasy| Publisher: Elizabeth Morgan

** Download your copy of Blood Secrets (Blood Series: Book Two) at the celebratory release price $3.49 until April 30th. Thereafter it will revert to the price of $4.49. **

Buy Links:
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1VwXVL0
ARe: http://bit.ly/1W9We4s
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Wb8S3b
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1MDoLxP
iTunes:  http://apple.co/1SyWjzp
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1VJCDJu
Barnes&Noble:  http://bit.ly/1Snlyzp

Blood Secrets will also be available in print from Amazon and Barnes&Noble in the next few weeks.

~ * ~

Excerpt:

The walkway appeared desolate... Darkness almost shrouded the passage, but the streetlights of Venice, which stretched across the seemingly black water of the Grand Canal, cast slithers of light through the tall stone arches. A gust of wind ran past me and I shivered, the small tremble causing drops of water to fly from my soaked clothing and stain the grey slabs beneath me.

A howl pierced the night sky, then another and another; a unison of agonizing cries echoing around the maze of buildings that made Central Venice so unique.

To say that Ken doll was going to be pissed that I had took off was an understatement, but I couldn’t lose this chance. I wasn’t going to lose Marie.

Pulling my sword from its sheath, I made my way towards the intricate iron gates which were open, held in place by chains that locked into two hoops that protruded from the grey bricks.

Moving past the rough metal, I peered into the square, outer foyer to find the main double doors to the nest stood wide open in invitation, giving me the perfect view of the long, quiet hallway. I inhaled deeply. The stench of ancient earth polluted the air.

With a steadying breath, I stepped through the doorway and past the two round pillars. Three large iron lanterns hung from the ceiling. A mosaic of stained glass caging the bulbs inside, casting fragments of multi-coloured light across the cream walls. The glow from them curled around the sculptures lining the walls, the shadows of their perfect forms stretched across the blank canvas, disfiguring as I moved past them.

My heart thundered in my chest, so loud that I was pretty damn sure it was drowning out the squelch of water in my boots as I tread lightly and swiftly across the coral and ivory diamond tiles. Droplets of water continued to travel down my skin and beneath my clothes, which already clung to me like a second skin. My curls were a drenched mess. Stray strands had escaped the bun I had shoved my hair in earlier, the wet chunks sticking to my face and neck.

I walked past the two sets of closed double doors which sat across from each other. My focus strayed to the enclosed, dimly lit stairwell on my right.... It was now blocked off by an iron gate similar to the one protecting the front entrance. Another set of doors sat closed to my left, but it was the archway at the end of the hallway that I was drawn to—the only other doors that lay wide open in invitation, and despite the light in the chamber being dim, I knew she was in there, waiting for me.

Oxygen burned my lungs. A stitch had claimed my right side, and the scent of blood from my weeping wounds had my senses peaking. Only this task remains.

Tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword, I moved into the large chamber. No furniture filled the space. All the curtains were drawn. The dark, thick material ran the length of the wall, indicating that the windows stood from ceiling to floor. The walls were painted in panels of patterns so fine, but I couldn’t make out the details. Not that the particulars of the interior of a nest ever really mattered. Although, this was by far the fanciest I had been in. My feet faltered as my gaze landed on him.

He stood like a statue in the centre of the room, his unseeing eyes, like white, misted glass, vacant and icy, focused on me. He could see me. He could see right through me....

The air caught in my lungs as pain seared through my lower back. I lurched, a scream lodged in my throat.

“You should have run while you had the chance.”

His voice sent a chill sweeping across my already frozen flesh.

I spun, sword loose in my grip, swiping at air. A delayed reaction, which only caused pain to ripple up my spine. Heat pulsed at the base of my back, a seeping warmth drawing the material of my damp T-shirt. The scent of my blood hit me once more. Shit.

“Brave of you to come back,” a female chortled.

Wiping the back of my hand across my eyes, I looked round the room. There was nowhere for her to hide but the shadows which claimed the corners. But why was she even hiding?

“What’s the matter, Marie? Are you afraid to face me one-on-one?”I straightened, gritting my teeth at the splintering pain stretching from my head to my toes. “I expected more from a first generation Leech, more from Marko’s Bloodling than peak-a-boo-attack.”

“You flatter yourself,” he said calmly.

I did. There was no reason for her to hide from me. Perhaps she wasn’t. Perhaps, this was just a game of cat and mouse to her, and she wanted to draw it out for as long as possible. Despite the fact she should be running for her wretched immortal life, despite the fact that she was no longer safe in her own territory, she hadn’t run. She was either egotistical or foolish, or maybe just clueless. One way or another, she was going to die before the sun rose.

“Face me, Marie,” I growled, tightening the grip on my sword. “Your son at least had the balls to—”

The air left my lungs as a weight barrelled into me.

In the back of my mind, I registered my sword slipping from my hand. A fact that was confirmed as the sound of metal clattering against marble echoed throughout the room. My head made impact with the wall. Pain exploded at the back of my skull. Stars burst behind my eyelids in a rush of glittering colours. I crumpled to the floor.

“Never speak of my son, puttana disgustosa.”

The words were snarled, but seemed distant due to the pounding in my ears. My eyes snapped open as blood coated my tongue. I rolled onto my side, gagging, wanting so badly to throw up, and yet, I had the urge to gulp, to swallow; to drink, and it was so damn strong.

“Pathetic.”

The word hammered at my temples, causing the pain that already cradled my head to stab sharper.

Pathetic. Perhaps I was pathetic. Perhaps I had been fooling myself all these years for clinging on to humanity when every primal instinct inside me hungered for blood, even my own. I was sick. I was no better than the monsters I killed, but I knew that already... Didn’t I?

“...you are not human, Heather. You have been lying to yourself. Thinking you can survive this way, lead a ‘normal life’ when you were born to be so much more...”

His words echoed in my mind, taunting me even though he stood quietly at the centre of the room.

“It is almost laughable, the idea that you thought you could stop us, destroy Marko after all those before you have failed.”

Breathing fast and hard, I twisted onto my knees. My arms trembled as I tried to push myself up.

“Where is he?” I bit the words out.

Marie’s foot connected with my abdomen. A crunch met my ears. Another scream lodged in my throat. Fists clenched, I curled myself into a ball, sucking in sharp breaths through my teeth as I tried to fight past the pain pulsing inside me.

“Where. Is. Marko?” The words were broken and strained as I tried to lift my head to look at her.

Marie grabbed me by my hair. A strangled cry burst from my lips as she dragged me up, sliding me against the wall. Nausea exploded in my stomach. Numbness claimed my cheeks and neck. I kicked helplessly. My legs were deadweight, but pins and needles shot through my calves each time my boots scuffed against the brick. I couldn’t feel my fingertips as I wrapped my hands round her wrist, feebly trying to break her iron grip.

She grabbed me by the throat with her free hand and pinned me high above her head. My hands dropped to the arm now holding me against the cold wall. My eyes widened as she stepped closer, into the soft stream of light coming through the doorway. If I could have breathed, I would have stopped at the sight of her angular, almost amphibian features.

Sweet Jesus, so this is what a first generation Vampire in full form looks like?

Like all transformed Vampires, her head was void of hair, but the bones beneath her face were moving. Her skin looked pasty and brittle as it stretched across the sharp and unnatural angles of her jaw and cheek bones. Her nose had caved into her skull, but her nostrils were large and wide, bat-like. And her eyes—deep crimson, so fucking inhuman, so lifeless I might have shivered if I had the strength to. The skin wriggled across her face... She was still shifting?

How much uglier can she get?

I jolted as something razor-sharp punched into my gut. Blood flooded my mouth, leaking from the corners as I fought to breathe. Tears filled my eyes as I glanced down, noting her free hand had pushed against my abdomen, her fingers embedded deep inside me.

“In the last place you, or any of your pathetic family, would ever think to look for him.”

Reality slowed down, or perhaps it was my heartbeat. Perhaps I was blacking out, but despite the pins and needles that tingled from my fingers straight down to my toes, the numbness that claimed every part of my body, despite the only feelings I had left being pain as she squeezed every breath of air from me, despite that, at this very moment, the only thing I should have been thinking about was that I was about to die, that I had failed my family, my grandmother... Brendan... a bulb pinged in my mind, and I had never seen the light so fucking clearly.

Her tongue slithered towards me, flicking across the blood staining my lips. She shuddered. “You should not have murdered my son.”

A howl echoed throughout the building. Hope fluttered in my struggling heart.

“It is time to leave.”

His voice jolted me, so innocent and calm, completely un-fazed by the scene playing out before him.

I lurched as she pulled her hand from inside me. Through my blurred gaze, I caught sight of the length of her now blood-stained talons as she brought her fingers to my face.

“Die knowing that you have failed, like the rest of your feeble family.”

Bones cracked and her jaw dislocated, her mouth widened, as her fangs extended—

A mountain of black fur barrelled into her.

I landed on the floor. My body screamed in protest, but no sound left me. I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes. Hell, I couldn’t feel my body. Just the pain that resided in every point she had struck.

Dark shadows moved around the room, accompanied by growls and ear-splintering wails.

Another thundering howl rang through the building. I moved my focus to the doorway and found a copper-blond Werewolf standing in the frame. His golden gaze landed on me, widening.

My eyes fluttered, and the next thing I knew, he was beside me.

“I know where he is,” I rasped as Brendan’s flushed, sweat-slicked face filled my vision.

 “Shit. Heather?” Brendan’s hands fell to my stomach.

Searing pain exploded outward, stretching to my head and toes. An inhuman cry gurgled in my throat, the action causing more blood to ooze from my mouth.

“Christ.” Tears threatened to emerge in his emerald gaze. His hands moved to my face. “Why—What?” His jaw was tense. A growl vibrated in his throat. “God damn it, Heather. Why couldn’t you have fucking waited?”

A smile touched my lips. “Because, silly Wolf—” I closed my eyes. My brain felt as though it were churning in my skull, “—I now know where Marko is.”

Darkness took me.

  

Cover Reveal: Blood Secrets (Blood Series: Book Two)

So here it is folks the cover, blurb, and yes even the release date for the long awaited second book in the Blood Series. Don't you just love it? ^_^

Blood Secrets
Blood Series: Book Two

When your life is messed up to begin with, how much worse can it really get?

Heather Ryan's life has never been simple. The latest in a long line of descendants who have made it their mission to hunt down and slay the Ancient Vampire, Marko Pavel, she is also the first born Infected. Up until recently, the biggest downside to living with the Vampyrric Virus was simply that she craved blood, but after receiving a DVD from her deceased Grandmother Sofia and being kidnapped with friend and so called guardian Werewolf, Brendan Daniels, she quickly discovers that she is also the inspiration behind the Vampires’ attempt to create a whole new breed of super monsters—Hybrids.

The truth comes at a cost, but how much does one have to sacrifice to gain success?

Following the breadcrumbs left by her psychic Grandmother, Heather and Brendan find themselves in new territory. Venice is where Heather hopes to find Marie, the second Bloodling of Marko, along with Brendan's three taken Pack members. But an old Peace Pact between the Italian Pack and the Colony means they are left hunting blind, and due to the Italian Alpha's reluctance to believe their story of kidnap and experimentation on Loup-Garous, time is running out. So when help comes from an unlikely source, they have no choice but to accept.

All families have secrets, but blood can't lie.

Caught up in an intricate and complicated scheme spun by the one she trusts the most and the friend of her enemy, Heather soon discovers that she is the pawn in a plan she would never have been able to conceive. But how many of her new allies were in on the game, to begin with?

This title contains explicit language, violence, and some scenes of a sexual nature.

** Releasing 22nd April 2016 **

Cover created by the fabulous Mina Carter <3 o:p="">

Also I'm happy to announce that She-Wolf (Blood Series: Prequel) will be available to download for FREE from most online retailers. 

upset emoticon

And in preparation for the long awaited sequel, Cranberry Blood (Blood Series: Book One) will be available for the bargain celebratory price of $2.99 until April 30th.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1QO8eCm
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/219A5Tp
ARe: http://bit.ly/1VSFSLG
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/1Rsetwn
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1OsQOvE
iTunes: http://apple.co/1QnrEAS
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1RK9ZDO

Cliffhangers

The end of Blood book two is in sight and since I am drawing close to those two beautiful words, "the end," I decided I wanted to talk just a little about cliffhangers. And if you have read either or both of the books in the series you will no doubt understand why.

Cliffhanger n film, game, etc., that is tense and exciting because its outcome is uncertain.

That is the dictionary explanation for what a cliffhanger is.

Now for those of you who have read the prequel (She-Wolf) and Book One (Cranberry Blood) in the Blood Series, you will know that the endings aren’t clean cut and final; they are left open, or how I like to see it that section of the story is tied up but very loosely.

Since I am a chapter off the end of the second book in the series I just feel that I need to throw this out there - more so for those of you who are new to the series - just so everyone knows what to expect going in.

I suppose in a way the books - though all of them so far are 70,000 words + - are kinda like serials; they are instalments of one BIG story arc. Each book leads on from the other. Some overlap - for example the last chapter and epilogue of Cranberry Blood overlaps with the prologue in Book 2. Each sequel continues from where the last one left off, which is why you will find that the endings of the books aren’t so clean cut and are very much great big fat "to be continued" endings.

I realize that most books in series standalone - even though there is connections - so it might feel strange heading into a series that is almost in the format of television episodes, but this is just how the characters and the story showed themselves to me and this is just how this series is. I mean, I could have tried to write it all as one HUGE book but since She-Wolf is round the 70k, Cranberry Blood is 93k, and Blood 2 is currently 108k and rising - and I haven’t even started the final book or the two novellas that are also planned - I think that would be a rather over facing book for anyone.

So, the Blood Series is a series, but there are cliff-hangers and the books are more instalments of one story. So you have a beginning - Cranberry Blood - a middle - Blood two - and an end - Book three - but you also have a prequel to the main arc - She-Wolf - and then there are two novellas which will take place in between which cover situations and characters that run parallel and are entwined with the main arc, if you get what I mean by that?

I'm sorry if it's frustrating that the books end in such a way, but it is just the way the series is. I just hope that despite the open endings you do at least enjoy the story so far. J

I am a chapter off the end of Blood Book Two. I intend to finish it in the next four days, and after having one last read through I will be sending it off to my editor. I stated on the Blood Series Facebook page that on completion of the book I would release the title. The cover and blurb reveal will take place after my editor has finished her first round of edits and I will have a rough idea of a release date.

If you don’t want to miss out on Blood Series updates, or would just like to stay in the loop, do make sure you "like" the Blood Series Facebook Page as this is where I post all news and goodies first:

https://www.facebook.com/TheBloodSeries/

Heading in to 2016

2015 has been a year of much contemplation for me. I went in thinking things would be the same as 2014 and I was very wrong.

At the beginning of the year I had to make my mind up about a lot of things; both personal and professional. I went with what I felt was right, hoping everything would go smoothly and although I am still happy with the decisions I have made, these last seven months have not been smooth and not always easy. But hey, that's life.

What has cut me the most this year is that one of the reasons I made changes to my life was due to wanting to put more time into writing; i.e. I really wanted to have Blood Book 2 finished and published. Most of the book is done. I have a few chapters left to write, but pressure and worry from various sources have caused strain on my energy and therefore my concentration and unfortunately the book is still not done. I feel bad about that, even though I am the author and creations sometimes take longer than the maker would expect, and it was me who was setting the deadline.

I know I have said it many times, but I am sorry to all of you who are waiting for Book 2. The other reason it is taking so long - apart from what is mentioned above - is that the book itself doesn’t seem to want to end yet. As you may have guessed Heather and Brendan are the leads in this book - as it is a continuation from Cranberry Blood (Blood Series: Book One) - but there is also another 2 character POV; one character you know, the other is new. So there is more going on in this book. As my editor would say, it is meatier, which is hopefully something you will find to be good and enjoyable.

Blood Book 2 will be out in 2016.

In regards to other works I am planning on re-releasing one of my short stories, and after Blood 2 I will start writing Blood 1.5. That is all I am planning because I just don't know what 2016 has in store for me. So one release, one re-release, and the start of a new project.   

For those of you who may be interested as well as a personal page, I now have an Author Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElizabethMorgan/

Other than that I will be heading into 2016 tweaking - for want of a better word - the ideas and plans I originally had and I will be holding the hope that things will go a little more to plan this time.

Thank you all for continuing to read and enjoy my work. It means the world to me. Thank you for your support and your patience. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. I hope you all have a fabulous night tonight and I wish you all a very Happy New Year! My 2016 be full of wonderful gifts and opportunities for you all.

Love Elizabeth xxx

RBTL Tours: Forbidden Rain by LL Crane

Title: Forbidden Rain 

Author: L.L. Crane 

Series: Blue Spectrum Chronicles (Book 1) 

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Fiction

Publisher: Self Published 

Release Date: July 16 2015

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

What would be your Dream Cast if From Forbidden Rain made it to the Big Screen? Who Would You Choose To Play Your Characters and Why?

Rain - Victoria Justice   

She has that pale skin, dark hair, spunky attitude, and a beauty that is unmistakable.  She would have to get blue contact lenses for her eyes, though!  Still, when I look at her, I see Rain and the ability to pull off the changes that Rain encounters during the book series.  There seems to be a depth to her as well, which Rain definitely has.

Orion - Chris Hemsworth 

What can I say?  Those blue eyes and muscles.  I can hardly breathe just looking at him.  He could pull off Orion’s bigger than life personality as well.   Although he is a little older than Orion, I think he can be made to look younger.  Orion has experienced so much hardship that he carries himself older than what he is, so that could certainly work. 

Dove -  Kathryn Morris 

She has the sweetness about her that Dove portrays and is petite as well.  There is still a little bit of scrappiness under that sweet exterior that is vital to Dove’s part in the book series.  She also seems like she could be an excellent mother figure.

Snow - Jacob Miller 

Those blue eyes!  His hair must be darker, but he could definitely pull off  being Snow, both sad and happy, depending on where he is at any given time.  There is an innocence about him, yet he still has  this old man quality at times, like Snow does.  I love it when Snow ends up happy all of the time instead of brooding over being tossed back and forth between his parents.  

Ice - Andrew Miller 

This is Jacob Miller’s true twin, so the choice is only logical.  In pictures, he seems a little more serious than his brother .  He would have to play an autistic boy, but Ice is primarily nonverbal so it could work.  If one twin was better at a part, they could be switched!  The beauty of identical twins!

Garment - Neil Patrick Harris

He is tall and thin and could easily play the gay designer who later will mean so much to Rain and the rest of her family.  He has the ability to be funny and quirky, like Garment, yet he has a serious side.  In Forbidden Rain, he is a minor character, but in the next two books, he is a major character.

Pan - Chad Allen

He would have to be bald, of course, but he could easily play a multi-faceted character like Pan.  He could be a doctor who doesn’t have the best bedside manner, a thinker and a scientist, as well as a trained Rebel Fighter.  Pan is a pivotal player throughout the entire series and when he experiences the worst grief of his life, he still manages to be a good person and willing to care and tend to others.

 ~ * ~

Blurb/Synopsis:

Rain is forbidden.  As a matter of fact, any teen romance is quickly snuffed out by the Administration due to the high S.L.A.G. (symptomatic latent autistic gene) rate.   But that isn’t going to slow Orion down.  He wants Rain, and one way or another, he’s going to get her.  The problem?  She isn’t interested in the hunky new boy who struts into her Geography class right after an earthquake strikes Province A. New students are rare in the Provinces, and much to Rain’s dismay she must show him around for three long days.

But there’s much more to Orion than what meets the eye.  The cocky boy has secrets, not only about his family but about Rain’s as well.  When a romance finally develops, Rain and Orion must find a covert hiding place so the Administration’s prying eyes won’t find them.  But will it work?  The hedge gap seems the perfect place, until Orion mysteriously disappears, leaving only one cryptic clue.  The letter K.  Heartbroken, Rain feels the loss of Orion viscerally and is determined to find him.  Eventually, after giving up on Orion, Rain settles into a normal routine with her new family, trying to forget about him.

But Rain soon discovers that she has the biggest secret of all, and if the Administration finds out, there is more at stake than just a teen romance.  Left on her own, Rain must face the biggest decision of her life.  There are only two paths to follow.  Which one will she take?

Book 1 in the Blue Spectrum Chronicles will keep you tethered to your seat, waiting to turn each page to see what happens when a young couple bravely dares to fall in love at a time when it is strictly forbidden.

Book Links:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print

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Excerpt:

Smudge turned me around somehow, still holding me tightly in his arms.  I didn’t know how he did it with me kicking at him so furiously, but he twisted me around until our faces were just inches apart, his eyes hot blue smoke that seeped through every part of me.

I stopped kicking.

The lights from the teen center cast a shiver of orange light on his face, and I couldn’t help but stare at the pure perfection of it.

Smudge cocked his head to the side, and still holding me, his lips lightly brushed against mine.  I struggled to breathe, then, as his lips hungrily pressed harder, moving slowly and deliberately with such emotion and intention I couldn’t help matching his movements with my own, the blue mist of his eyes circling us together and swirling us around in a cloud that seemed about to burst.

~ * ~

Author Information:

L.L. Crane lives in a remote area of Northern California with her two horses, six goats, three dogs and two cats.  When she was a child, L.L. Crane dreamed of being a writer. She used the name, “Katie Bush” as a pen name for the famous writer she hoped to become, cranking out book after book on her mom’s old blue typewriter.

 As life often has twists and turns, L.L. Crane found herself becoming anything but a writer.  She graduated with a B.A. in Education, even though she was honored to begin her college career with the aid of writing scholarships.

After becoming a teacher, raising three children primarily on her own, as well as owning and operating a business, L.L. Crane finally pursued her dreams and began writing novels.  She brings her own experiences from teaching and her love of animals to her stories.

L.L. Crane is an avid reader and writer and loves children, animals, reading, riding horses, and gnomes.

Author Links:
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Website

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Other Works by L. L. Crane

Mark of Power Series

From the Mountain (Book 1)

To the Moon (Book 2)

Blue Spectrum Chronicles

Forbidden Rain (Book 1)

Vanishing Rain (Book 2)