Guest Post by Mina Lobo, author of That Fatal Kiss

Hey, minions!  I have fellow author, friend and Goth babe extraordinaire, Mina Lobo visiting my blog today.  She just released her debut novel, That Fatal Kiss this week and is doing a special post for my minion fans.  Pretty awesome, huh?  Please welcome, Mina...

Hello, fans.  Below is a small excerpt of my new fantasy romance, That Fatal Kiss.

Persephone glared at him. “You might put yourself to good use rather than just standing there, laughing at me.”

Hades was before her in an instant, swooping down to pick up the pin and gathering the folds of her gown up on one shoulder. “But it affords me such pleasure,” he said, clipping the folds together before twirling her around so that he could arrange the other shoulder.

“Then mock me, if you must,” Persephone said, swatting at him when he stole a peek down her neckline. “You aging degenerate.”

“Madam, you wound me,” Hades stated crisply, giving the newly pinned cloth a final tweak. He turned her around once more and shoved her so that she was forced to sit down on their bed.

“Have a care, Hades!” she admonished without heat. A smile broadened her lips as the Lord of the Underworld played Lady’s maid. He solemnly took her foot and placed a sandal upon it, lacing it quickly. “You’ve done this before, have you?” Persephone asked, and then squealed as he tied the lace too tightly. “Gently, you brute!”

“Really, Persephone, you might address me with the respect due to your King,” he pointed out, taking her other foot in hand.

“Yes, I might. But what joy would there be in that?”

“Very little, I should think,” Hades acknowledged, rising to his feet and grasping both of her hands to pull her up. He stared down at her for a moment and then noted, in a warm and hushed tone, “You’re really quite lovely, you know.”

* * *

That Fatal Kiss, is set in a mythical Greece. In it, Persephone and Hades, Queen and King of the Underworld, engage in a bit of teasing as they prepare to meet with the half-mortal son of a fellow god, who's come to request a really big favor. Throughout the book, Persephone breaks Hades' chops over the difference in their ages, while Hades "kills her with kindness." Beneath the raillery, however, is a growing affection which always turns up to take the edge off the silly taunts.

Some folks do more than gently tease, of course; they launch wicked barbs under the guise of wit and expect their significant others to take it all in stride. OK, I agree that it's a generally favorable characteristic to be able to laugh at yourself, but I really don't want to spend the majority of my time dodging the sarcasm of the person who's supposed to love me best. Of course, if that sort of put-down "joking around" works within your relationship's dynamic, then rock on. I guess.So, when does teasing cross the line? Maybe never, for some couples? What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

About the Book
In That Fatal Kiss, life-giving Persephone seeks a mate but the goddess' mother frustrates her plans. Then Hades, King of the Underworld, spirits Persephone away to rule with him below, as his bride. Yet, even as she awaits rescue, Persephone aches to be consumed by the fire in the dark lord's immortal soul.  

Get your copy here!

About the Author
Mina Lobo writes dark and whimsical romances, dodges the slings and arrows of her outrageous college-aged son, and feels compelled to do things in threes. She digs comedic horror, alternative rock, and Belgian chocolates. 

GIVEAWAY!  
Visit Mina's Web site, Some Dark Romantic, from September 24 - 29, for your chance to win an e-book copy of That Fatal Kiss!
Blog: Some Dark Romantic
Facebook: mina.lobo.1
Twitter: @GothMomLite
GothMomLite Will Tumblr For Ya

Thanks for stopping by, Mina.  What do you think?  Isn't that excerpt delish?

Mina B.

A-Z Character feature: Khal Drogo

If you're like me, then you'll love my A-Z Challenge / character feature for the  letter "K."  It's Khal Drogo from George R. R. Martin's riveting and New York Times bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire series.   I chose this character to feature since the Season 2 of HBO's Game of Thrones started up only a couple weeks ago.  The show is pure and raw awesomeness, just like Khal Drogo.  I love this character and this scene just blew me away. 

What do you think?  Have you read the books?  Do you like Drogo in the book better or in the Game of Thrones?

Mina B,

Guest Post by Author, Donna Galanti

I've been screaming through the blogosphere for some time now: "Dark is coming!" Well, minions it's here! Donna Galanti's debut novel, A HUMAN ELEMENT released last week on March 15th! Woot! (Note: If you want to know more about this unique paranormal thriller, check out my book review here.)

This week I'm happy to participate in her dark tour and host Donna as she guest posts on my blog and interviews her unearthly villain, X-10. Please welcome Donna!

Thanks, Mina! I thought it would be fun to give all your blog followers exclusive insight into the sick mind of one of my characters. Are you ready? Dare to meet X-10, the villain of A HUMAN ELEMENT...

Did you have a happy childhood? 
What’s happiness? A word you people use when you have nothing else to say. An empty word representing your pitiful emotions. I didn’t have a childhood. I grew up in a room, alone except for pathetic doctors who made me take tests over and over. And then I killed them all. That was a day I felt happy. Killing takes away the loneliness.

Who are you opposing and why? 
Laura. She gets to live a life I never had. A life with a name. I want a name. Charlie. It’s a nice name, right? But I’m the freak while Laura looks normal. I hate her for that.

Do you think maybe medication could help you? This vengeance thing isn’t healthy.
Medication? Yeah, I’ve had medication. That decrepit doctor pumps me full of drugs to dull my powers. I feel powerless and weak. Like you humans. Like Laura will feel someday, and her stupid lover. You’re annoying me. I don’t like to be annoyed. I don’t need to be near you to kill you, you know.

Okay, okay. So what is it you plan to do once you reach your goal? 
When I escape for this pit I’ll kill that bitch, Laura. But I’ll never kill her from my mind’s eye. This one has to be done in the flesh. Soon her time will come. And she will know what I am. She will watch her lover die and then I will watch her die. I’ll squeeze her perfect limbs between my hands and hear her cry out in pain. Lovely.

What would your mother think of all this? 
I didn’t grow up with a mother, you idiot. I never needed a mother. Mothers are something you humans whine to. I killed my mother before she could have a chance to raise me as a human. Ripped her apart when I was born. I was more powerful then, as a child, than she would ever be. Serves her right.

Nice. So how would you describe yourself? 
Tall and handsome (laughs). More powerful than any one on Earth, with amazing powers of telepathy, telekinesis, and strength. I am the ultimate puppet master of you people. I’m invincible. You can’t kill me. I have the power to heal myself. I hate wearing your human clothes too. I enjoy being naked and admire my bulging muscles. See?

Hmmm, yes. So who are your closest allies? 
The people I kill. That fat guard whose neck cracked so easily. He was an ally. His truck got me far down the road until it ran out of gas. And the scientist who imprisoned me. He was an ally. When I ripped out his throat he left me his stash of food to gorge on for energy. He served his purpose. The doctor who delivered me and sold me to the government. He was my ally when he led me to Laura. But then he had to die for that.

And now...enjoy and EXCERPT WITH X-10:
X-10 hovered over the doctor’s body. His anger drained away and he felt relief. He returned his mind to his body in the car. He needed to rest before continuing north. Travelling with his powers expended such energy it left him weak. But he needed to leave the car and hide out. He walked into the woods, breathing deep of all the life around him. After heading half a mile into the woods away from the dirt road, he found a hollow and lay down on the ground covering himself in a mound of leaves.

Within a few minutes his body heat warmed him inside his cocoon and X-10 slept. It was his turn to dream of the girl. He chased her as he always did, toying with her before he shredded her throat. But this time she stopped running and turned to walk back towards him. He stopped in his tracks, amazed she would do that when she knew he would kill her.

"Charlie, come with me. I know what you are. We are the same.”

He shook his head, wanting to hate her. How did she know he wanted to be called Charlie? His mission had been to kill her. It had always been so. If it changed now what would he do? What would he become?

“Don’t give into hate.”

“What do you know about hate?” 

“I know hate. And it’s short lived. Love lives forever." She held out her hand. “Come.”

“No!" He rushed towards her but she disappeared and he was left alone, as he had always been.

About A HUMAN ELEMENT:

One by one, Laura Armstrong’s friends and adoptive family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next.

Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite–her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a mad man, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test.

With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices–redeem him or kill him.Readers who devour paranormal books with a smidge of horror and steam will enjoy A HUMAN ELEMENT, the new novel about loss, redemption, and love.


Reviewers are saying…

“A HUMAN ELEMENT is an elegant and haunting first novel. Unrelenting, devious but full of heart. Highly recommended.” –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of ASSASSIN’S CODE and DEAD OF NIGHT

“A HUMAN ELEMENT is a haunting look at what it means to be human. It’s a suspenseful ride through life and love…and death, with a killer so evil you can’t help but be afraid. An excellent read.” –Janice Gable Bashman, author of WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE, nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.

BIO:
Donna Galanti is the author of the dark novel A Human Element (Echelon Press). She won first place for Words on the Wall Fiction at the 2011 Philadelphia Writer’s Conference. Donna has a B.A. in English and a background in marketing. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group and Pennwriters. She lives with her family in an old farmhouse in PA with lots of nooks, fireplaces, and stinkbugs. Visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com

LIKE Donna’s Author Facebook page for news and updates! Her tour runs through April 11thh with book giveaways, more guest posts, and interview fun, and a chance to win the big prize giveaway! So pop over to her blog to see the full tour schedule.

Connect with Donna here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/DonnaGalanti
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor
Blog: http://blog.donnagalanti.com/wp/

Purchase A HUMAN ELEMENT via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords

ARC Review: A Human Element by Donna Galanti

Today I’m reviewing Donna Galanti's upcoming debut novel, A HUMAN ELEMENT.  Donna must have picked up on my weakness for Dean Koontz, because A HUMAN ELEMENT echoes the bestselling author in terms of creativity, the supernatural and overall dark allure. Add in a little paranormal romance and you've got one delicious literary paranormal mashup.

A HUMAN ELEMENT starts off with a bang, literally.  To the world, a meteorite has crashed near Coopersville's lake located in a remote region in New York state. To a secret government operative, something else crashed near that lakefront…something out of this world.  At the time Ben Fieldstone was only nine and lost everything in the destruction, including his parents.  From that moment on, his life changed miserably as he was then forced into the foster system.  Ben lived under deplorable conditions, always having to watch his back. With a life like that, no wonder he chose a solitary existence for the bulk of his life.  The crash not only caused devastation, it sparked life in a form of beautiful woman name Laura Armstrong.  Born out of desperation, she was adopted and lived a semi-normal, peaceful life with her family and neighbors near the crash site.  Laura is truly a remarkable heroine.  She represents happiness, love, forgiveness and above all hope.  But with her existence, lurks a dark presence; one that haunts her and eventually kills those that she loves.

With the government’s debauching schemes and a strange man in black always watching, does Laura have what it takes to battle the darkness, uncover the truth and save the ones that she loves, including Ben?  What type of a future can two misfits like Ben and Laura have together?  Are they only connected by the crash site or is there more?  Um…I’m not tell’n ya! You’ll just have to get A HUMAN ELEMENT and find out.  And boy let me tell you it is goooood!

Dark is coming my friends and it’s called  A HUMAN ELEMENT. This book peaked my interest from the start.  If you love adult sci-fi/supernatural novels (like a Koontz), but you’re looking for more romance...this is your book.  On my RIP meter, Donna Galanti's  A HUMAN ELEMENT is a 4.  The book releases March 15.  Visit Donna's website for more details.

Mina B.

Fridays with Fred: Alex J. Cavanaugh's CassaFire

There's a book tour going on and Fred and I are represent'n.  Alex J. Cavanaugh's 2nd book, CassaFire is out now! Woot!  It released this past Tuesday and fans are psyched and have waited patiently since Book 1, CassaStar (which happens to be an Amazon Bestseller.)  Pretty awesome, huh?

Anyway, we're want to make sure we spread the word.  Here's a quick rundown of Alex Cavanaugh's CassaFire:

CassaStar was only the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren's civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan's technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves, the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy… 

*** 
Sounds good, huh? I know.  Calm down.  You can get your copy of Book 1, CassaStar via Amazon here and then of course Book 2, CassaFire via Amazon here.  Or check it out via GoodReads here.


Congrats to Alex for all his hard work and success!

Looking for another classic pix of Fred? Check out Fred's "Wanted" Poster. Remember to stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Guest Post with Author Emily Devenport

Today, I have Emily Devenport writing a guest post about her latest novel, The Night Shifters. As a seasoned author, Emily has nine of her novels published as mass market paperbacks by NAL/Roc before she started publishing ebooks.  She writes under three pen names and was published in the US, the UK, Italy, and Israel. 

Please welcome Emily.

Author, Emily Devenport

Thank you for having me, Mina. I'm thrilled to be here to discuss my ebook, The Night Shifters. 

The Night Shifters is a cool, unique adult novel best described as Alice in Wonderland meets Inception -- with a light touch of romance. 

Want to know more? Here's a quick blurb:

"Hazel — Promise me you won't give up on your dreams."



"I won't, Mom!" Hazel swears, assuming Mom means that she should try to be whatever she wants to be, a doctor, or lawyer, or even a mermaid. Hazel is just nine, but she really means to keep that promise.



Seventeen years later, she wonders if she's broken it - or maybe just failed to fully realize it, because she hasn't become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a mermaid. Or anything much, really. Yet, in one way, she has kept her promise — because Hazel is a Grand Champion Dreamer. When she's asleep, she dreams a dazzling universe full of heroes and monsters, princesses and goddesses, cities and temples and gardens that make the most wonderful places on Earth seem dull in comparison.



During the day, she does what she has to do to pay the bills. At bedtime, she turns in, confident that she will dream, and that the sun will come up in the morning. So on the evening of her last day, she embraces the night wholeheartedly and drifts into the universe of her imagination.



But when the alarm goes off, she opens her eyes to darkness. The sun hasn't come up, the world outside has become a City of Night, and the dwellers there are Night Shifters — gods and elves, daemons and djinns, dreamers and wizards. All of them have their own agendas, all of them are chasing Hazel, and as she fights to understand this world of dreams and her place in it, she can't help remembering what her mother said.



And she wonders. All those years ago, when she swore to never give up on her dreams, did she really understand what she was promising?

***

The Night Shifters  is only $.99  and can be purchased via Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes and Noble.  

That's it!  I hope you enjoy.  For more information about me or my books, please stop by my blog:  http://www.emsjoiedeweird.com/ 

Thanks again.

Emily