Thursday, January 29, 2015

Cover Reveal: Eire's Devil King by Sandi Layne

 
cool TWCS logo
PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal for

Éire's Devil King
Book 3 of Éire's Viking Trilogy
by Sandi Layne

EDK-Hi-Res-Cover

Release Date: April 2 , 2015


~~SUMMARY~~

A man of ability and ambition, Tuirgeis Erlingrson has nurtured the desire to carve a place of leadership for himself on the Green Island, Éire, that he has raided multiple times. After the death of his wife in Nordweg, he takes his surviving son to Éire. Having connections with his adopted brother, Cowan, and Agnarr, his former countryman, Tuirgeis feels he has the support he needs to make his claims strong.
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Agnarr is torn. His promise to Aislinn to remain with her on Éire is still in force, and he resists Tuirgeis’s requests to join the conquering forces from Nordweg. He desires above all things to maintain a safe home for his wife and children in Dal Fíatach. Charis encourages Cowan to do the same, though this makes for tense moments between them.

After initial disastrous attempts to achieve his ambition, Tuirgeis comes to learn that there is more to claiming a kingship than merely overpowering the locals. Tuirgeis finds himself at odds with the very people he had hoped would reinforce him. In addition, he wants to establish his father-line. He has one son; he wants another to be born of Éire. Will the woman of his choice accept and support him?

At length, Agnarr and Aislinn—though she is heavy with child—sail with Cowan and Charis to join Tuirgeis as he battles over one final summer to attain the High Kingship of the island.

Tuirgeis knows he doesn’t have long to make his claims; the Danes are coming in greater numbers than before. As he wins men of Éire to his cause, he has to maintain the relationships he has already fostered with Agnarr and Cowan. Charis finds that her Otherworldly gifts are needed by a man she considers her enemy.
 
~~EXCERPT~~

EDK-3D-Paperback-1It was dark in the langhús, save for the glowing of the coals banked in the fire ring. Agnarr enjoyed his wife’s responsiveness to him, and when they made love, he never forgot to thank his new God for letting her live through the births of the children their bodies made together. Before the sun crept under the door and through the shutters over the new windows, they were smiling and silent and relishing the moments—he knew there would only be moments—before the children stirred in the bench-bed they shared. Later, as their son and daughter began shifting restlessly prior to awakening, Agnarr sat up and blew out a breath. “Wife.”

 “Yes, husband?” She joined him, finding his hand with hers in the shadowy enclosure of their private area.

“We need to be ready. You need to be ready. You and the children.”

She sighed and shifted on the blankets so that she was looking directly at him. As was her habit, she continued to touch him with her fingers as she spoke. “I can fight. And you gave Dow a real knife at the Christ Mass.”

Discomfort tightened his stomach as he shook his head. “You need to be able to escape, just in case.”

He knew far too well what would happen if someone found his attractive wife. Someone whom he didn’t know. Someone who would find her dark hair appealing and the tatú on her cheek mysterious and alluring. Someone who would want to take her as their leman, as he had once taken Charis. Someone who might take his son as a slave.

Jaw tightening in anger, he shook his head again. Hard. “You know what can happen to you.”

Her eyes were on his face, and he met their steady gaze. “And the children. You need to be able to get away. We should find a way to make you safe.”

 
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

95366-sandi
Award winning author of short Celtic fiction, Sandi Layne is the creator of the Éire's Viking Trilogy, as well as works of contemporary Christian romance.
She began by self-publishing her novels in 2000, garnering a loyal group of readers whom she continues to appreciate to this day.

Married for more than twenty years to a fantastic man, she has two sons, no pets, and a plethora of imaginary friends. Her interests range from ancient civilizations to science fiction. With degrees in English and Ministry, she also claims Theology’s crimson Masters collar which she has been known to don on rare occasions.

If you drive by her window before dawn, it is likely she’ll have a light on for you. Or at the very least, she’ll be alert on twitter. She invites you to visit her online space at http://sandyquill.com.
 
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
 
~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~
 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Being A Submissive Makes You Less of a Man or Woman

Did you read the title of this blog post and think 'hell no!'?

Good. I hope so. It means you have at least a decent understanding of BDSM and that being submissive has nothing to do with being weak or less than. It, in fact, means just the opposite. Being a submissive takes courage and a good Dominant knows, understands, and values that.

What I find most interesting however, is that there seems to be a double standard when it comes to BDSM fiction. In the vast majority of books, women take on the role of submissive with the male being the dominant partner. Whether vanilla (non-BDSM) readers or those who live the lifestyle, very few blink an eye at this. When it comes to male submission, however, it's a completely different story.


I received feedback from a blogger earlier this week on my upcoming book, Burning For Her Kiss. She enjoyed the writing and the story, but she rated the story with only two and a half stars. Why? By her own admission, it was because she felt my hero, Drew, was weak and feminine because he chose to submit to a female dominant.

Hopefully this stereotype upsets you as much as it does me.

In the seven years I've been writing BDSM fiction, I've had the opportunity to meet many submissives, male and female. None of them were weak. They all knew what they wanted and were going after it. To me, that's something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

What do you think? Do you view male submission differently than female submission, why or why not?

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Sneak Peek Sunday: Pros & Cons by Sydney Logan


On February 21, Sydney Logan will be releasing her fifth novel, Pros & Cons. The cover won't be revealed until February 2, but in today's Sneak Peek, she's sharing an excerpt from the book. She's also giving away three advanced copies of the ebook, so be sure to enter to win!

 


Con artists Jenna York and Ethan Summers always seem to cross paths during their travels around the world. With their partners in tow, the cunning criminals wreak havoc across the globe, stealing from the rich and giving to the richer. While Jenna tries to convince herself that she sees him as nothing more than a professional rival, Ethan finds it a little harder to fight his attraction to the beautiful thief.

When tragedy strikes, Jenna and Ethan join forces, but are the stakes too high? Can they escape this last job with their lives—and their hearts—intact?

Cover reveal: February 2, 2015
Book Release: February 21, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Mountain Media


As I slip quietly out of the suite and rush toward the elevator, I can’t deny I’m feeling a little better about Vegas.


That is, until the elevator doors open.



Standing there, leaning against the stainless steel wall with a cocky smile on his face, is the one person I really didn’t want to see this weekend.



With a miserable groan, I step inside the elevator and furiously stab the button.



“Are you following me, Summers?”



“I’d follow your dimples anywhere, York.”



Ethan Summers is infuriatingly charming and handsome. Both assets have proven to be beneficial to his career and detrimental to mine.



“Well, these dimples just lifted Bradley Jones’ credit card numbers.”



“Impressive. Although, one might argue that a more superior con artist would be capable of accomplishing such a feat without showing a little skin. Really, Jenna, I’m disappointed.”



He rarely calls me by my first name. Last names have always been our thing.



“Were you watching me?”



“Every heterosexual man in the casino was watching your little performance. Nice legs, by the way.”



Crap.



“Not good,” I mutter.



“No, but I enjoyed it.”



Ethan grins as the elevator doors open. I don’t protest when he grabs me by the elbow and leads me toward the nearest exit. It’s not brightly lit, but there’s a very nice bouncer that Ethan greets by name who allows us to walk right out the door and into the starry Nevada night. He doesn’t let go of my arm as we hurry toward a black SUV.



“Why are you helping me?”



“You drugged a millionaire and stole his credit card info. I think it’s best we get you out of town.”



That doesn’t really answer my question, but I can’t argue with his logic.



Ethan opens the passenger door and helps me inside.



“Nice stilettos.”



I glare at him, and he shoots me a sexy smile before slamming my door.



It’s really too bad that I hate his guts.



Ethan Summers and I have crossed paths many times throughout the past couple years. It’s unavoidable, considering we’re two of the finest criminal minds in the world.



That’s what the news says, anyway.



“Let me guess,” Ethan says as he pulls the SUV out onto the highway. “You used Rohypnol on Jones?”



I roll my eyes. “I’m a thief, not a sexual predator.”



“Well, you obviously slipped something into his drink.”



“Sleeping pill.”



Ethan hums his disapproval. I can’t argue with him. Slipping Bradley a sedative is so amateur.



“I was desperate. The entire weekend has been a complete waste of time. When did the Viper install dome cams?”



“A few weeks ago. The casino’s hosting the U.S. Poker Championship next month. Ceiling cams are a requirement.”



“Super.”



“I know.”



“So, if you knew about the cameras, what were you doing at the casino?”



“Let’s just say a little birdie told me you were hitting the Viper tonight. I had a feeling you might need my assistance.”



“So you’ve been talking to Abby.”



He remains silent and keeps his eyes trained on the freeway, giving me the chance to study his profile. Ethan has a mop of unruly dark hair and deep blue eyes that make most girls go weak in the knees.


Not this girl. Nope.



“Like what you see?”



My face heats. I hate when he catches me ogling him.


“You’re an ass.”



He laughs. “Someday, Jenna, you’re going to stop fighting this attraction between us. I’m really looking forward to that.”







Amazon bestselling author Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of three novels - Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, and Soldier On. Sydney has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

Visit her website at 
www.sydneylogan.com
. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.