Monday, December 22, 2014

Holiday Hop Winners For This Blog

I am happy to announce the winners for my daily giveaways during the Holiday Hop!

  • Monday         -    Jean Patton      -  Spa socks, Gloves and hand lotion
  • Tuesday         -    Melissa Weeks - Hot Chocolate and the Trimmings
  • Wednesday    -    Michelle Mendoze  -  Body wash and Body lotion
  • Thursday        -    Vanessa Nieto  - Planner, Notepad and Pens
  • Friday            -     Debra Guyette - Signed copy of Mating the Enemy and Believe bookmark

I want to thank everyone for participating and making this a fun event.  I enjoyed reading your comments.  And for those lucky enough to have won the Holiday Hop gift cards remember my newest in the Paranormal Wars: Juarez series Talon's Prey is available Jan 3.  


Shea

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Winter Solstice

Today we celebrate the winter solstice, which happens to be the shortest day of the year. So why do people celebrate it when it is the darkest day?  Well, instead of looking at the glass half empty our ancestors chose to look at the positive side of things.  From this day forward the sun will be extending its time each day.  It's a unique way of looking at things.  A day that is dark and gloomy is instead called the Holiday of Lights.


It's a day when we look forward to the future and the good things still come.  So enjoy today and remember sunnier days are coming.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014

Holiday Hop - Day 5

HOLIDAY HOP

WELCOME TO THE SIREN AUTHOR'S HOLIDAY HOP

Join us as we celebrate the holidays with you by sharing our upcoming/current releases. 
You also can enter on the Holiday Hop site for a chance to win one of these prizes:

$100 Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$100 Amazon gift card International reader
$50   Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$50   Amazon gift card International reader

To enter go to the Holiday Hop link for contest rules.   You can enter to win daily Dec. 15-19 to increase your chance to win.

My word:
NEW




I will also be giving away prizes each day.  So come back and visit this site every day from Dec. 15 - Dec 19. Make a comment with your email address for a chance to win today's prize:


  Friday:  Signed copy of Mating the Enemy, the book that started the Paranormal Wars Series.
              Believe bookmark

SNEAK PEAK FOR TALON'S PREY

Here's a sneak peak for the Talon's Prey, the newest book out January 3, 2015 in the Paranormal Wars: Juarez series.

Gibson Martin has always loved two things, to cook and to sing.  One of them he excels at, the other, well his motto is if you don’t like it, leave.  When he meets Alpha, Talon Ramirez, who happens to be his mate he’s overjoyed the man doesn’t grumble about his voice, which others compare to an animal dying.
Talon Ramirez thinks his mate’s off-key singing is adorable.  He especially likes the way Gibson’s loses himself to the music while shaking his ass and singing his heart out while cooking the best food Talon has ever tasted.  Now he just needs to find a way to keep his mate safe while the rebels plan an attack against Juarez that will devastate the city.
 Will they be able to overcome the danger in store for them?  Will Gibson’s singing get any better? 
Or will Talon’s men need to buy earplugs? 

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Holiday Hop - Day 4

HOLIDAY HOP

WELCOME TO THE SIREN AUTHOR'S HOLIDAY HOP

Join us as we celebrate the holidays with you by sharing our upcoming/current releases. 
You also can enter on the Holiday Hop site for a chance to win one of these prizes:

$100 Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$100 Amazon gift card International reader
$50   Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$50   Amazon gift card International reader

To enter go to the Holiday Hop link for contest rules.   You can enter to win daily Dec. 15-19 to increase your chance to win.

My word:
NEW




I will also be giving away prizes each day.  So come back and visit this site every day from Dec. 15 - Dec 19. Make a comment with your email address for a chance to win today's prize:


    Thursday:  2015 Planner, notepad and pens

 

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

In case you haven't turned on your radio or been in any store in America since Thanksgiving, Christmas music can be heard no matter where you go.  No matter your mood there is something for everyone.  Everything from country to pop or opera to rock can be found to help get you into the Christmas spirit.

For me there is only one song that gets me into the Christmas mood.  It hardly matters who sings it, although at the current moment the version from Glee is my favorite this year.  The song - We Need a Little Christmas.  No matter my mood as soon as the song starts it lifts my spirits and I'm ready to take on any Christmas task.  But if I'm trying to just relax after a day of shopping, my song of choice is O Holy Night, again my favorite version is from Glee by Lea Michelle.

Let me know what your favorite holiday song is when you leave a comment.  Don't forget to put your email address for a chance to win Thursday's prize.


PARANORMAL WARS: JUAREZ


Get Book 1 of this exciting new series.


Forest Bradford is a coyote shifter who has always fought against his parents’ need to control him.  So when he met his mate, Blade Castillo, a black panther and an elite soldier in the Alliance Army, he refused to let the man order him around.  He’s disconcerted when he has to face his own needs when it comes to his mate but he fights the urge to submit even though it’s what he and his coyote want.

Blade’s need to keep Forest safe was confusing him.  As the second to his team leader, Blade has usually looked out for the others, but with Forest it was much more than that, it was nearly an obsession.  When Forest was almost killed by the traitor they were hunting, Blade was forced to face that Forest had become a distraction that Blade couldn’t ignore.

http://www.bookstrand.com/blades-distraction

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Holiday Hop - Day 3

HOLIDAY HOP

WELCOME TO THE SIREN AUTHOR'S HOLIDAY HOP

Join us as we celebrate the holidays with you by sharing our upcoming/current releases. 
You also can enter on the Holiday Hop site for a chance to win one of these prizes:

$100 Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$100 Amazon gift card International reader
$50   Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$50   Amazon gift card International reader

To enter go to the Holiday Hop link for contest rules.   You can enter to win daily Dec. 15-19 to increase your chance to win.

My word:
NEW




I will also be giving away prizes each day.  So come back and visit this site every day from Dec. 15 - Dec 19. Make a comment with your email address for a chance to win today's prize:


    Wednesday:  Holiday body wash and Holiday body lotion
    

CHANUKAH

I would like to wish all my Jewish readers a Happy Chanukah.


PARANORMAL WARS: STONE HAVEN

GET THE ENTIRE SERIES.



Siberian Tiger shifter, Aleksi Rykov was amused to watch the enemy chasing one of their own, psy, Seth Tilton, until he realizes it’s his mate.  Rescuing Seth isn’t difficult for the powerful Alpha but keeping his mate safe from the war raging between their races may be more difficult.


Seth Tilton is taking a chance running to the one man he knows can keep him safe, Aleksi Rykov.  Seth knows the psy’s secrets and they will do anything to get him back but with Aleksi’s help Seth can help turn the tide of the war and uncover the truth.  The question is will Aleksi be willing to help the enemy?

Both sides are against their mating and doing their best to tear the two apart but they are determined to stay together against all odds.  Can they manage to find happiness by mating the enemy?




Jason Jachovich never dreamed he’d be sold to the psy only to be turned into a monster from an old Hollywood movie.  When the psy try to use him and the other humans they had changed in a war with other paranormals, Jason manages to get free but only to watch as the others like him die in a war they didn’t want to be part of.

The Alliance is stunned to see what the psy have created in an effort to defeat the Alliance. In order to defeat the were-creatures the psy have sent to fight, the Alliance must kill them but one managed to survive.  Dr. Adam Pratt is sent to study this were-creature in hopes of saving any more they come across.  What he hadn’t expected was to find his mate and become willing to do anything to save him.

http://www.bookstrand.com/mating-the-beast


Maui Knight can’t believe he’s found his mate when he saves Ian Carmichael from the psy labs.  The need to keep his mate safe has Maui denying Ian’s request to go get his sister away from Ian’s father.  Maui hadn’t counted on Ian’s determination to save his sister from their father’s dishonorable intentions.

Ian runs from the safety of the Alliance Territory in order to bring his sister back with him.  From the moment he entered his childhood home things go horribly wrong.  He saved his sister but managed to get recaptured by the psy.  The last time he’d been imprisoned by the psy they had tortured him, this time they took that torture to a whole new level.  What’s even worse is they’ve changed him.


Ian’s only hope is that Maui will once more rescue him.  Even if he does Ian isn’t sure Maui can love who Ian’s become.  

http://www.bookstrand.com/mating-forged-in-fire


 Zeke Torres was always picked on because he was a scared mouse shifter.  When his mother married a hawk shifter he had to suffer through his stepbrother’s cruelty on a daily basis.  He fought hard for his independence and vowed to never be under the control of anyone else.

Rangi Ku is an eagle shifter and Director of Communications for the Alliance’s Northern Territory.  Working late one night he was shocked when his computer was hacked with a message asking for help.  He saves the man who hacked into their network, a feat that no one has ever done, and is surprised to find Zeke is his mate.


When Alek, their Alpha Primus accuses Zeke of being a traitor Zeke must find the courage to put aside his reservations and trust Rangi to protect him.  A predator mating prey may not seem plausible but Rangi is determined to show his little mouse he is more than just his animal.



Wolfe Koa grew up only knowing pain.  As a newborn wolf shifter he was placed in a lab where every experiment known to man was inflicted on him.  When he was finally freed he vowed to destroy every lab the humans had built to torture paranormals in the name of science.

Caleb Reid was a scientist who loved helping others.  When his own race, the psy, kidnapped him and forced him to create a breed of super soldiers, humans that were infused with animal and shifter DNA, Caleb rebelled.  His act of defiance had his father’s finger cut off with the threat of the same happening to his four-year-old sister.  Not having a choice Caleb did the unthinkable and gave in to the psy’s demands.

When Wolfe realizes Caleb is his mate, he fights the need to be with his mate.  Can Wolfe overcome the mate pull or will he end up mating his worst nightmare? 



Dasan Toomre is a water mystic who is having a rough day.  Then he meets his mate, Jalin Black, a shark shifter and things start to look up.  But before they are barely introduced, a bomb rips through Stone Haven killing nine residents.  Dasan’s father was one of those residents.  Devastated he throws himself into his work in order to lessen the pain.

Jalin couldn’t believe his good fortune in meeting his mate.  When his Dasan loses his father, Jalin does his best to comfort his mate but it seems as if Dasan would rather be alone.  Too hurt to stick around, Jalin goes to the only place he finds solace, the ocean. 

Once Dasan realizes he’s pushed Jalin away he chases his mate to the Pacific Ocean.  As he looks out at the vast body of water he can only hope he’ll be able to find his mate in order to beg for a second chance.





Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Holiday Hop - Day 2

HOLIDAY HOP

WELCOME TO THE SIREN AUTHOR'S HOLIDAY HOP

Join us as we celebrate the holidays with you by sharing our upcoming/current releases. 
You also can enter on the Holiday Hop site for a chance to win one of these prizes:

$100 Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$100 Amazon gift card International reader
$50   Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$50   Amazon gift card International reader

To enter go to the Holiday Hop link for contest rules.   You can enter to win daily Dec. 15-19 to increase your chance to win.

My word:
NEW



I will also be giving away prizes each day.  So come back and visit this site every day from Dec. 15 - Dec 19. Make a comment with your email address for a chance to win today's prize:


     Tuesday:  Hot chocolate and all the trimmings.
     

CHRISTMAS MOVIES:

One of my favorite things about this holiday season is the many new and old feel good movies.  No matter your feelings about the holidays there is a movie out there for you. Everything ranging from half-hour TV movies to full-length movies can be found for whatever mood you're in this holiday season.

There are movies that will make you laugh like Elf and The Santa Clause.  Or maybe you're saying "Bah humbug" and would enjoy How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Scrooge.  If sentimental is what you're after Its a Wonderful Life or Miracle of 34th Street.  For me I tend to stick with the classics, animated ones like, Santa Claus is Coming to Town or  Frosty the Snowman.

In your comment leave your favorite Christmas movie along with your email address for a chance to win today's giveaway.


PARANORMAL WARS: STONE HAVEN  Book 1

MATING THE ENEMY

Get the book that started it all.

Siberian Tiger shifter, Aleksi Rykov was amused to watch the enemy chasing one of their own, psy, Seth Tilton, until he realizes it’s his mate.  Rescuing Seth isn’t difficult for the powerful Alpha but keeping his mate safe from the war raging between their races may be more difficult.

Seth Tilton is taking a chance running to the one man he knows can keep him safe, Aleksi Rykov.  Seth knows the psy’s secrets and they will do anything to get him back but with Aleksi’s help Seth can help turn the tide of the war and uncover the truth.  The question is will Aleksi be willing to help the enemy?

Both sides are against their mating and doing their best to tear the two apart but they are determined to stay together against all odds .  Can they manage to find happiness by mating the enemy?

Monday, December 15, 2014

Holiday Hop - Day 1

WELCOME TO THE SIREN AUTHOR'S HOLIDAY HOP

Join us as we celebrate the holidays with you by sharing our upcoming/current releases. 
You also can enter on the Holiday Hop site for a chance to win one of these prizes:

$100 Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$100 Amazon gift card International reader
$50   Amazon gift card U.S. reader
$50   Amazon gift card International reader

To enter go to the Holiday Hop link for contest rules.   You can enter to win daily Dec. 15-19 to increase your chance to win.

My word:
NEW




I will also be giving away prizes each day.  So come back and visit this site every day from Dec. 15 - Dec 19. Make a comment with your email address for a chance to win today's prize:


     Monday:  Two pairs of spa socks, Gloves and hand lotion.
    

BELIEVE

As the holidays approach I can't deny the thrill I feel when the Christmas tree goes up, the brightly colored lights turn on and the music of the season fills the air.  All around there is a feeling of good cheer and merriment bringing joy to all who choose to enjoy.

There is something magical about a holiday that encourages children to imagine that anything is possible if you just believe.  To me, nothing is more magical than seeing a child's face light up as they believe a man in a red suit will grant their fondest wish.

Even as an adult it's hard to deny that thrill at waking up Christmas morning with your family all around and the kids jumping up and down excitedly because Santa came.  But for me it is in that moment when the kids are tearing open the wrapping paper, their eyes going wide in excitement and squeals of joy fill the air as they run to you with the gift they had asked Santa for in their hand, I for one Believe.


PARANORMAL WARS:  MATING IN STORMY WATERS

Dasan Toomre is a water mystic who is having a rough day.  Then he meets his mate, Jalin Black, a shark shifter and things start to look up.  But before they are barely introduced, a bomb rips through Stone Haven killing nine residents.  Dasan’s father was one of those residents.  Devastated he throws himself into his work in order to lessen the pain.

Jalin couldn’t believe his good fortune in meeting his mate.  When his Dasan loses his father, Jalin does his best to comfort his mate but it seems as if Dasan would rather be alone.  Too hurt to stick around, Jalin goes to the only place he finds solace, the ocean. 

Once Dasan realizes he’s pushed Jalin away he chases his mate to the Pacific Ocean.  As he looks out at the vast body of water he can only hope he’ll be able to find his mate in order to beg for a second chance.





Thursday, December 11, 2014

Gingerbread House Day

The history of gingerbread dates back to the 900's A.D. in Europe.  It's believed a monk from Armenia went to France to teach priests there how to make the treat.  With it's soothing medicinal effects for stomach ailments the treat quickly spread throughout Europe.  Gingerbread was so prized in Germany it could only be made in Guilds.

For centuries the gingerbread was cut into shapes.  Everything from animals to people were created to the delight of many.  Requests for the treat to be cut into favorite pets were granted by the guild. Eventually the cookies were allowed to be made by the citizens and gingerbread cookies of every kind were created.

It wasn't until the 1800's that houses were formed.  It is believed they were created based on the Grimm fairy tale Hanzel and Gretel.  No matter how you like your gingerbread there is a design for everyone.  Happy baking!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Tomorrow is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.  A day designed for those with bad taste in sweaters to let their peculiar fondness for bright colors and woodland animals show for all the world to see.  So get out those red and green sweaters with pictures of reindeer wrapped in lights and put them on.  Wear that sweater with so many colors swirled together its impossible to pick out just one with a moose with string of garland wrapped in its antlers.

If anyone makes fun of the way your dressed just tell them its in honor of this special day.   That you wear that ugly sweater with pride.

Shea

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Creating a New Series - Part 4

Now that the theme has been decided, along with location, it's time to understand the town regarding the types of shops, offices and of course, its citizens.  To get a better understanding of the town, I first had to create a map that would designate not only the basic layout, but also the actual size and various shops it will encompass.  Nothing is ever set in stone (well, until its published in one of the books) so I'll be able to change certain things.

My first step was to use a whiteboard to draw out the basic layout of the town.  To keep it small, I only put in two streets that go through the downtown area with the majority of the businesses on Main with only a few on the secondary street.  Using the town that has been the inspiration for this series, I have laid out the buildings in a similar fashion.

Lastly, I listed the types of stores and offices that would work to enhance the small town feel I'm going for.  While writing each story, certain stores have needed to be changed, sometimes in location, sometimes the type of of store.  All of that is easily accomplished with an eraser and a dry erase marker.  

With each book I hope to show the true heart of the series - the residents of the town.  I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Pearl Harbor

Today we remember those that died in that fateful attack on Pearl Harbor.  A day when our nation came under attack by Japanese forces in an all out declaration of war.  The reasons, especially in our current state of affairs is important to remember but on this day, we only remember those who died in a horrific attack.

Our military is the best in the world.  Those men and women who choose to serve should be applauded for their dedication to protecting this country.  No example better tells the tale of the heroics of our military personnel than Pearl Harbor.  As fire rained down upon them every effort was made to save as many lives as possible.

For those who endured this day, know we will never forget your sacrifice.


Shea

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Christmas Cookie Day

One of my favorite things about Christmas is cookies.  Each year I get together with my nieces and we spend the day making a variety of cookies.  To enjoy the experience we make a day of it  by mixing in movies, hot chocolate and of course Christmas music.

That's the thing about Christmas, I hear people complain about everything that has to be done but if you take time to step back and find a way to enjoy each project it makes Christmas as magical as it's supposed to be.  I don't worry if everything gets done "perfectly" just that the effort was made but most importantly fun was had.

So this year gather around your family (I recommend only those interested.  If I invited my son, he'd end up wanting to leave after a half hour and nothing would get accomplished.)  If family isn't interested ask your friends.  During the phase when the kids were in their early to mid teens where family meant "boring" I used to invite my girlfriends over and we'd make a day of it.  No matter who you invite just remember to have fun.

There are so many types of cookies I enjoy over the holidays but my absolute favorite would have to be the sugar cookie cut into my favorite Christmas shapes with powered sugar frosting.  Let me know which ones are your favorites.

Remember to have fun and enjoy this time of year by spending more time with family and friends.

Shea

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Giving Tuesday

During this hectic holiday season we are so busy shopping, running around to various parties and visiting loved ones that we sometimes forget there are those less fortunate.  There are a million ways you can give, from the Toys For Tots boxes in just about every store, to the food banks that many of your supermarkets package up meals you buy to help those who need it, to adopting a family or a child by granting their Christmas list.  If you find no time this year you can even go online and donate money to one of those charities or hundreds of others.

For those who would like to get more involved there are many charities you can volunteer at. Everything from food banks and soup kitchens, to toy drives and hospitals who need volunteers to help cheer up those stuck there for the holidays.

I know sometimes in the marathon of shopping and gift giving we forget what the spirit of Christmas is all about.  Believe it or not, it isn't about who gives the best gift (although it is something I strive for).  It's about reaching out and spreading a bit of joy, not just to those you love but everyone.  So do what you can, and maybe this year you'll help to spread the magic of the season.