Thursday, February 28, 2013

Happy Birthday TRR!

Jaxx Steele here to share my pirate book with you, A Day on Plunderer’s Pride.
I have always loved pirates and cowboys. They are usually tough ruggard men with work hardened bodies by their chosen professions in life.
Cowboy law is simple and just. “Don’t fuck with mine and I won’t fuck with yours and if you do...I get to kill you.” Simple and to the point. I love that! There are no misunderstandings when a man comes to you like that.  A pirate’s code however is a little different, but still I love the simplicity of it. If they want your shit they’re going to take unless you’re man enough to stop them and that includes your woman...or in my case your man! LOL
I finally had to write a book to show my love for these life hardened men. So, here is a look at my first pirate story A Day on Plunderer's Pride. I had Chris Hensworth in mind when I created Captain Hazard and L.L. Cool J in mind when I created Nigel, Julian's right hand man in all that he does.





"A pirate’s life is for me!"

Life is hard, but worthwhile on the pirate ship Plunderer's Pride. Follow Captain Julian Hazard and his band of ruffians as they go about their daily business. As you endure their daily struggles and nightly rewards you may find that a pirate's life may be for you, too. 

Excerpt:

“The men are on standby, Nigel?” he inquired as they walked along the pier.
Julian knew the answer even as he asked the question. Nigel was an exceptional quartermaster. He knew what Julian expected from him and his crew and he had not been disappointed since Nigel officially took the position.
“Aye, sir, waiting for my call.”
“Good man.”
The governor’s house was not far from the shoreline but away from the denser streets filled with taverns, homes, and the noise that filled the heart of small coastal city. In a short while they were on the stone pathway that led them directly to the door of his stately two-story home.
“Good day, Captain Hazard. You are expected,” a servant told him. “Please follow me.”
The governor was an Englishman with all the comforts his position afforded. The house was large and immaculately decorated. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, plush crimson carpet covered the floors, while the walls showed the succession of the men in his family in large golden frames.
“The governor will be with you shortly.”
The oversized room they were left in was scarcely furnished: a few cushioned chairs and small tables to separate them and a circular staircase leading to the upper level. The ceilings and walls were as bejeweled as the rest of the rooms they passed. Captain Hazard looked around the room, frowning before he turned his gaze to his companion.
Nigel stood unmoving, staring straight ahead. His sturdy legs were spread as he stood erect with his chest out and hands clasped behind his back. A light sheen of perspiration glistened faintly on his bald head in the light of the room. His wide chest rose and fell steadily under the tattered tan shirt he wore. Julian glanced at Nigel several times as he paced the floors, admiring his quiet patience. Luckily, before Julian’s intolerance for waiting wore too thin, he heard the clump of heeled shoes on the steps. He turned to the sound.
Sir William Pendleton smoothed the ruffles on his pristine white blouse as he descended the staircase slowly. Two large silver buttons on his abdomen closed the black satin overcoat that swayed along the back of his calves. He exaggerated each step, overextending his legs, causing his foot to hit the stair heavily.
“Greetings, Captain Hazard. So good of you to stop by.” His voice was light and jovial.
“I am here at your request, Governor,” he stated just as cheerfully, walking over to meet him.
“Quite so. Well, in that case, I thank you for answering my summons,” the governor amended, offering the captain a limp wrist handshake. “I am a blunt man, Captain. I will come right to the point of this meeting. You have a reputation of attacking other ships, taking whatever riches they have on board, the crew as well. Is there truth to this accusation?”
Captain Hazard wrapped his arms around his chest and raised a brow. “Aye. I take what I want and trade what I don’t need.” Irritation tinged his voice as he confirmed the allegation without faltering.
The governor raised his hands in surrender. “That is not a criticism, my good man, by no means. I ask because I am in need of such skills.” Governor Pendleton produced another scroll from a nearby desk draw. “This is a Letter of Marque. I would like you to stop a trade ship on its way back from the Americas. It is a Spanish galleon that makes birth out of Santa Domingo. It is said that they carry gold, silver, spices, silks, ivory, and the like. Whatever the cargo is I want it.”
Captain Hazard looked over the letter and nodded. “What is my cut?”
“Bring me half of the goods, and the other half is yours. That seems fair, does it not?”
Hazard thought on his offer. “What of the galleon’s crew?” he asked with a raised brow.
Sir Pendleton waved away his question. “Do what you will with them. Lay waste to whole lot for all I care. They are of no concern to me, only the treasure matters. Do we have an agreement?” he asked impatiently.
Captain Hazard looked over his shoulder at his companion. They had been sailing together for many years. He could read the man very well. Julian looked for signs of caution in Nigel’s handsome but blank expression, but saw none. Satisfied, he re-rolled the scroll and handed it over to Nigel before turning back to the governor.
“Aye, Governor, we have an accord.”
“Excellent! My spies tell me that the ship was due to leave the Americas just this morning in route to Santa Domingo loaded to the brim with my riches. If you leave with the rising sun you should be able to intercept them as they move past Cuba toward Haiti. I do not wish them to return to Hispaniola with riches I have already determined to be mine, Captain Hazard. Do not disappointment me,” Governor Pendleton added pointedly with an air of arrogance before turning on his heels to return to the stairs, abruptly ending their meeting. The captain and his mate left the room quickly.
“Gather the men and meet me on the ship, Nigel. We leave before dawn.”
“Aye, sir,” he said, lagging behind him, already in motion to do his bidding.

Plunderer’s Pride is available now at Muse It Hot
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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Forbidden Love? HA! Not anymore!



Hi everyone!
Jaxx Steele here again to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day. I for one like Valentine’s Day. I have heard many reasons on how the holiday came to be. Some say the day is a conspiracy made by the candy company to suck money out of people. Others say its conception came from honoring a gruesome massacre that happened somewhere. I think that’s kind of creepy that you would buy gifts for your loved ones to remember a day where so many were killed, but *shrugs* to each his own, right?
Anyway, I don’t care where the idea came from. I like to think some extremely busy guy was slacking on putting in the time needed to keep his lover happy came up with a special day he could put on his calendar and have his secretary remind him to go big with the gifts. LOL Either way I love it.
I love it so much that I wrote A Year-long Valentine (inside Reflections of Love anthology available at Dreamspinners Press), Vegas Valentine (available at Muse it Hot) and Claiming Cupid. That’s the I’ll be focusing on today.
Claiming Cupid is a story is about that forbidden love. You know the ones that are on the off limits list. The best friend, best friend’s sister, your play cousin, brother in all but blood, yeah, all of those people. They’re too close to being family, right? Well, unfortunately you can’t tell the heart what to do. Even if you tried it’s going to do what it wants to do anyway.
Daniel and Max are best friends. Max is the lead singer in a band, a virtual rising star with all the groupies and drama that goes with it. Daniel is sick of hearing about the many episodes with the fly by night lovers, groupie sex and one night stands Max has had. After each one Max comes to him drunk and confusion expressing what he really wants and how hard it is to find it. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Daniel comes up with plan to shake some sense into Max. 
I wrote this book to show that sometimes what you want the most is right in your face, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get. You know, that whole trees for the forest thing. Here is a peek inside Claiming Cupid.   

Daniel was sick and tired of Max’s ‘boyfriends’ dogging him. He thought Max deserved better and wanted him to be his man so he could treat him better, but he was afraid to jeopardize their friendship by making any unwanted moves on. When Max broke up with his latest lover the day before Valentine’s Day, Daniel could take it no more. He put a plan of action in place to claim and protect the heart of his old friend.


Excerpt:
Max chuckled and shook his head. "Clearly you don't know how fine you are, Danny. You are one of the most handsome men I have ever seen. That lean swimmer's body of yours makes everything you wear look sexy. Even what you’ve got on now," he said, gesturing up and down at the simple blue pajama pants and white tee shirt. Then he leaned forward on the table and pointed at Daniel. "You know, I always thought you had the same kind of eyes as my mother's cat."
Daniel's eyes widened a bit before he laughed. "No, no I don't. That would be totally creepy."
Max grinned. "Oh, yes you do. Don't get me wrong: my dislike for cats and the fact I think they're sneaky doesn't extend to you just because your eyes are similar."
"Ooowee, what a relief!"
"Yeah, well, don't get cocky. Yours may be just as brown as your skin, but they're still feline-shaped. So instead of creepy they make you look…" Max's head tilted as he scrutinized Danny further. "I don't know… kind of exotic," he said finally with a shrug. "They look for tall men and you're just as tall as I am. If you wanted, you could have easily been in front of the camera instead of behind it." Max turned his attention back to the drawings.
Daniel was shocked. Max had never said he found him attractive. He didn't even know Max looked at him like that. This news thrilled him and gave him the encouragement he needed to put his plan into action.
"I have the outfits for you to wear on your tour. Whenever you're ready to pick them up."
"Thanks, man. I'll come by after lunch today." Max swallowed the rest of his cocoa and dropped the mug to the table with a soft thud. "Ahh, I love this stuff. Hey, I have a suggestion. Since we're both solo this Valentine's Day, what's say we just hang out together? Me and you, Danny. Just two crazy guys." He rotated his arms in a wide circular motion and bounced in his seat.
Daniel went to the kitchen and took a few deep breaths, then returned with a small pot to refill Max's cup.
"Umm, I may have a date for Valentine's Day."
Max's brows shot up. "Say what?"
"Uh-huh, yeah. As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask you for some advice."
"Advice?"
"Yeah, I need some ideas on how to nab him. I want to make him my boyfriend instead of just a friend."
Max's expression went blank. The color drained from his face, leaving his usually perfectly pink lips a bland pale shade. He lowered his drink to the table with a thud.
"Uh, yeah. Sure. I guess I can do that for you."
Daniel reached out to tap his friend's hand. "Thanks, Max. You're the best."
"Uh-huh. So who is this guy? Do I know him?"
He gave Max an exaggerated shrug. "I don't know. You might. You know lots of people, being a superstar and all."
"Whatever, man." Max leaned back, wrapping his arms around his chest. "Do I know this guy or not? I don't want you hooking up with some fool just so you can have a date for Valentine's Day."
Max's sharp tone and change in posture gave Daniel pause. During the course of their friendship, he had seen Max go through many emotions, except for the one he wanted to see the most. As he eyed his friend over the small wooden dining room table, Daniel saw something he didn't recognize. Max's ebony eyes flashed wildly. He couldn't help but wonder if those shiny black discs looked the same way when they danced with passion. Max's nostrils flared as his breath filled, and he emptied his lungs quickly. He was angry, for sure, but if Daniel didn't know better, he could have sworn there was jealousy underlining it. The thought almost put a smile on his face. He cleared his throat and averted his eyes.
"He's not a bad guy, Max. We've been friends for a while."
Max turned on him with a scoff. "What does 'a while' mean?" he asked with a raised brow. "We have been friends for almost ten years and—"
"And what?"
Max pressed his lips together into a tight line of defiance. "And— and I know all of your friends," he said, turning away.
"Well, not all of them. I meet a few people now and then. You know, from the fashion shows. And the fittings. You're not into all that, and—"
"Uh-huh. All right, I'll give you that. So what's his name?"
Daniel blinked as his mind went blank. "Reggie," he blurted out.
"What?" Max screeched, palming the table. "Reggie? That jerk that works at the warehouse you get your fabric from?"
Shit!
"No, no, not him. It's a different Reggie," Daniel retracted swiftly. "You don't know this one."
Max returned to his former position and rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh, and you want my help to snag him? This other Reggie guy?"
"Yeah. I just need a couple of ideas, maybe even a few position ideas that will take him over the edge when I do them. I want something more out of our friendship."
Max's neck turned slowly to land an icy glare that froze Daniel's blood. His voice lowered to a sinister level.
"You're fucking this guy already?"
"No!" Daniel said quickly, shaking his palms in the air. His heart thumped behind his chest at heart-attack rate. "No, nothing like that. Okay, forget the position thing. Just some advice is all I need."
Max's glare became less intense and Daniel released the breath he was holding. He felt dizzy with relief.
 available now at Silver Publishing  

Jaxx Steele is out!
 



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Read 2 Review (Kate) and GMTA UK:  (5 to 10 books that will be announced)

Danica Avet Winners: choice of backlist

Airicka Phoenix:   E-copy of Games of Fire, Touching Smoke, & Touching Eternity

Katie Salidas:  E-copy of Moonlight and Sweet Surprises! By her and Willsin Rowe which also releases on Feb 14!

Sara Trimble:  E-copy of A Woman's Revenge

Michelle Graham:  E-copy of Landing the Big Ones

Kim Mullican:  Yoder's Farm, Taking Control (Book 1 Control Series),Control (Book 2 Control Series), Immortal Decision

Cambria Hebert:  Ecopy of Recalled and a Winners Choice from the Heven and Hell Series Ecopy

M.L.  Stephens:  Ecopy of Love You More

J Kelly Acinni:  5 sets of paperback copies of Baby and Echo US only

Susan Griscom:  Reflections and Whisper Cape

MaryLynn Bast:  Heart of a Wolf Series

Susan D. Taylor:  Secret Desire

Tara Lain:  Beach Balls






A SUMMONER'S TALE: the vampire's confessor
BLACK SWAN 3

AUTHOR:                   by Victoria Danann
PUBLISHER:              7th House
ISBN:                          978-1-933320-67-0 ebook      Words: 107,000
                                    978-1-933320-80-9 print        Pages: 350
GENRE:                      vampire romance, paranormal romance, urban fantasy,  paranormal fantasy

RELEASE DATE:     February 14, 2013

This is the third installment in a serial saga intended to be read in order.
DESCRIPTION: A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.
Erotic quotient: A little steam. No menage. No BDSM.




 IMPORTANT: Black Swan Books 2 and 3 are available on Amazon.com exclusively as single titles. However, a The Order of the Black Swan COLLECTED TALES, Books 1-3 will also be released on or around Feb. 14th in e-book everywhere.   
This is the story as it was intended to be read - without interruption.
ISBN: 978-1-933320-70-0     313,000 words           
All three books for $6.99. 
INCLUDES:



 Book One - My Familiar Stranger: Romancing the Vampire Hunters (nominated for Reviewers Choice Best Paranormal Romance of 2012)   









Book Two - The Witch's Dream: A Love Letter to Paranormal Romance  









Book Three - A Summoner's Tale: The Vampire's Confessor  







Book Four - Moonlight: Big Bad Wolf  To release late Spring.

TWITTER: @vdanann


Author Bio: 
For the past fourteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners and written several non-fiction books on magickal arts. She lives in a town north of Houston known as The Woodlands even though the idea of the witch in the woods may be a cliché.

She owns 7th House Publishing and contributes to its enterprises. In addition to art and writing, she plays Classic Rock music (keys, rhythm guitar, vocals) and manages one of Houston's premier party bands. Married. Four children.