********FEATURE FRIDAY********

Check out this new emag that features many of our Indie friends. I'm in it with my short story, Moxie, and a blurb for Dark Lycan, my latest release. This link will take you to a page where you can download the emag. It's beautifully done.

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediafire.com%2Fdownload%2Fsln6s7ffduusvjh%2FFantasy_Worlds_emag_April_2016.pdf&h=8AQEdXQP-

Here's a link for the blog for Fantasy World emag, where you can see past issues and sign up to receive email notifications and/or posts. This, too, is a treat for the eyes.

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fwemag.com%2F&h=ZAQGVPDJ5&s=1

Subscribe today.

Peace,

Barb

Welcome to Manic Monday

PROLOGUE


Dreaming is supposed to be pleasant, isn’t it? At least that is what I thought. It may have started after seeing “Little Red Riding Hood” with my mom at a local theater. Later, she laughingly told me that I had hidden under the seat after the wolf appeared, and had remained there for the duration of the movie. Nonetheless, the dreams were terrifying. Chased by a pack of ravenous wolves, I would run, only to be overcome. Their teeth would tear me apart, bit by bit, and every bite would be felt. I would wake, screaming. These dreams continued for years, and mom, being the person she was, would often stand at the bottom of the stairs and howl, and there would be one scared, shaking daughter. I slept in the upstairs room which was my refuge, supposedly. Funny now, not so, then.

When I moved away, after graduating college, the dreams lessened, although every now and then, one would creep in, leaving me shaking. Then one night, for no apparent reason, the dream was quite different and rewarding. As I opened the front door, standing here in a suit and hat with a bouquet of flowers and a box of candy was a wolf. No more frightening dreams after that, and I became enamored with wolves, learning everything I could about them.

Now that I am much older, I can look back with a smile at what frightened me so badly when young. Recalling the morning, a few years ago, when I looked out my window…a large, white wolf was in our neighborhood, walking through as if he/she owned every inch, sniffing the wind, and pausing to inspect a clump of bushes. A truly gorgeous creature, it took no notice of the insignificant human, and continued on its way.

And most recently, a few nights ago, half asleep and on the way to the bathroom… a sudden vision of a white wolf, only the head, with wise eyes. Appearing in the blackness, it said something odd… “We will be together soon.”

There has to be a connection somehow….from the dreams when small, to the liberating one when older, to the sighting, and finally to the vision. Was I a wolf in a past life? No answers come, but I feel as though the wolf is my spirit animal, having been with me all my life.

*******LAST DAY*******

*********FREE BOOK ALERT*********

What's a faerie to do? Find out what has everyone chanting 

NEKKID DRAGON, NEKKID DRAGON!

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Lair-Collection-Erotic-Fantasies-ebook/dp/B00U7QD9J6

Eros has done it now. 

After a fight with Psyche, Eros went on a drunken rampage shooting his leaden arrows at perspective lovers. On Valentine's Day, no less! Now that he and Psyche have made up, Eros is scrambling to find some way to save his victims.
Where does cupid turn for help?
To none other than his ex-flame Aine, Goddess of the Faeries. Aine has things well under control until she realizes three names were left off her list of victims.


Now Candice Lipton, Samantha Porter, and Marissa Garcia are in need of a little majickal help from Aine, Queen of the Faeries, and her fey trainees.


In this first installment, we meet Candice Lipton, a woman having one helluva time, both professionally and personally. Alone in the city, she lost her job a few days before Valentine's Day. If that wasn't bad enough, on the most romantic day of the year. she walked in on her boyfriend, Ethan, in bed with his best friend, David. Oh the heart ache. Now Candice is trying to get her life back on track. Is it possible all she needs is a little help from Sheridan, a Pixie Faerie in training, and Drake Fallen, a smokin' hot Dragon with a few problems of his own?

******FEATURE FRIDAY******

Thanna A. Setliff

In her own words:

Hello, I’m author Thanna A. Setliff, and I have the first novel in a Paranormal Vampire Romance series completed, Defying Darkness (Worlds of Darkness Book One). First, I’ll tell you a little bit about me, then I’ll tell you about my Worlds of Darkness. I have held a variety of jobs from waitress to manager of a race shop. I have nine cats at home and four are mine. I am a romantic at heart, and live in a dream world as often as I can. I am now sharing those fantasies with readers, thanks to great mentorship from Barbara Chioffi. I have a love of all things fantasy and vampires in particular.

Dorian is a 2,700+ year old Scottish Vahmpyr Ranger, who fights the Vydi. Maire is a Vydi over 600 years old and running from Overlord Prince Vydi, Sergei. Sired by an Ohn’vydi, Sergei wants his favorite, escaped toy back and has acquired mysterious powers to obtain them.
Vahmpyr: A hybrid of human and Vahmpyree. Also a child of two Vahmpyrs. Plural is Vahmpyrs.
Vahmpyree: A blood drinking race of Extradimensional travelers native to Nekhylm and possessing many psychic, transformative and manipulative abilities. Plural is Vahmpyreen.
Ranger: an elite hunter of Vydi.
Vydi: Damned. Refers to spiritual state of humans recreated a vampires by a satanic pact.
Ohn’vydi: First-Damned. Originators of satanic vampire creation pact.


Máire is being stalked by her Sire, a serial killer unequaled who is using new, otherworldly powers. She, and her former pack, is also being hunted by Vahmpyr ranger, Dorian, whom she mistakenly thinks is an Archangel sent to punish them. Dorian is rapidly attracted to and perplexed by Máire; how does a Master damned retain its soul?--or is it a ploy to capture him? When she leads Dorian into an ambush, he thinks he has his answer, but then the starving vampire uses precious energy to save him. Now she won’t survive teleporting, necessary to elude her Sire, unless Dorian feeds her. Could that make him damned? She’ll die if he doesn’t.

Just a glimpse at Dorian and a Vahmpyr's powers

From Thanna:

I’d like to talk about a nearly completed project now, the prequel in the World’s of Darkness, In Darkness Shining. It starts out with Nikolandui Antonis Verus, a Vahmpyr doctor and head scientist to the Vaelyzohn arriving for a prearrange marriage. Renée Celia D’Atrio is the Pyreen bride. Dorian returns as best man, and goes by Áengus while his brother, Antoni goes by Niko. Julie Nicholls will be doing the cover. She also did the one for Defying Darkness. Vaelyzohn: Leader of Vahmpyrs, Vahmeen, and Pyreens Pyreen: A human that mutates from drinking Vahmee, Vahmpyr or Vahmpyree blood. They also donate biochemicals and blood to Vahmpyric individuals. Vahmee: A Pyreen who mutated that somehow has powers very similar to Vahmpyrs. Plural is Vahmeen.

Available at myBook.to/DefyingDarkness and https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/611219, You will find my 4.8 rated debut novel, Defying Darkness for sale. Please read Elle Klass’ review of my book at http://thetroubledoyster.blogspot.com/…/defying-darkness-by…. Excerpt of interview: This story is more than a paranormal romance. The intrigue and suspense levels are off the charts. It's an amazing start and a fabulous debut for Thanna A. Setliff.

*********RELEASE DAY*********

DARK LYCAN

by

Barbara Chioffi

Tara Bentley has experienced much in her life. Losing her father while still in high school, she finds herself with a stepfather a year later. Rapid developments threaten to unravel her existence.

Attending dinner with her parents, she meets a young man who proves to be treacherous. She awakens in the woods, remembers being kidnapped, but the rest eludes her. Found by a handsome shifter, Tara is taken for treatment, returning home soon after.

Jared, her rescuer, begins to court her, and soon, they are in a loving relationship. Revelations come to light involving her true heritage. These bring joy but also danger to her, as well as to Jared and his family.

Faced with the knowledge that her attacker is still at large, Tara must decide to embrace her true nature to protect those she loves, or risk losing them.

18+ due to adult situations.

She had many questions, but one consumed her. “If I am a wolf, why haven’t I changed? What will happen when I do?”

Jared smiled. “It is different for each of us. You will choose the time and place.”

Wanting to know more, but at the same time afraid, she asked, “What will I look like? Will I be one of those horrid werewolves from the movies?”

Jared laughed. “No, Tara. You will look like a wolf, only a little larger.”

Knowing what a wolf looked like, she couldn’t imagine herself as one, and not being able to resist, she asked, “Please show me your wolf so I will have some idea.”

Jared took a deep breath. “I’m not sure you’re ready.”

“Yes, I am. Please.” She held her breath in anticipation, partly from fear, but mostly from curiosity.

He stood, moving to the middle of the room. His breathing became deeper, and his head went back. Closing his eyes and almost faster than she could see, he seemed to melt, flowing down and reforming. Tara’s mouth fell open. Standing where he had been was a large, black wolf with golden eyes. He was staring at her, making no movement.

Tara rose slowly and walked around the end of the sofa. Knowing Jared would never hurt her, she wasn’t as sure about this creature. She kept her motions slow but steady, stopping several feet away. He was magnificent, a true wolf, only much larger than she thought he would be. He glared at her, and she experienced a moment of panic.

As if to reassure her, the wolf reclined with its paws before him. Tara sank to her knees and moving closer, she calmed herself and put out her hand, palm up, allowing him to become used to her scent. Instinctively knowing this wolf had a mind of its own, she stayed still. Then he licked her hand. It tickled and Tara giggled. The wolf turned his head to one side as if he enjoyed the sound. Moving closer and looking into his eyes, she put her hand on his side. The fur was thick, and her other hand followed until both were lost in its softness. She closed her eyes and he licked her face. Laughing, she said, “That tickles.”

A growl sounded which caught her off guard, and leaning back, she blinked. The wolf was gone, and Jared was kneeling before her. "You taste like strawberries and spice.”

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D2BPMHE

FEATURE FRIDAY

Julie Nicholls

Today, our spotlight is on Julie Nicholls. I became acquainted with Julie online last year and found her to be smart and kind with a wicked sense of humor. I had seen her videos on youtube and was impressed with what she produced. I watched her demonstrate how she used photoshop, amazed to see her talent come to life as she drew from a model. 

Julie inspired me so much that I began to write, something I had always wanted to do. She took an interest in my first story, giving me much needed advice. I count myself blessed to have her as my friend and sister of my heart.

Julie Nicholls was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England. Her love of writing didn't fully develop until she moved to Bulgaria after retiring from work at the age of 42. Living in a small village in the South of Bulgaria with her husband and two dogs, Julie enjoys country-life and the freedom retirement brings.

Besides being an amazing artist, Julie is also a talented writer.

January 2016, she received AUTHORSdb. FIRST #1 Author award.

Julie has written the Fallen Angels series as well Blood Ties, the first installment in her Blood Trilogy.

http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Within-Fallen-Julie-Nicholls-ebook/dp/B00PV4K8P2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UCL1JB6

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NND63Q


You can also purchase the series in a box set.

http://www.amazon.com/Box-Set-Fallen-Angels-Ascension-ebook/dp/B015NP07KO


Blood Ties, the first in her Blood Trilogy

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Ties-Urban-Fantasy-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B019QTBI6U

Her talents don't stop there. Julie is a cover artist as well.

She designed and made covers for her books as well as many other authors, including myself. 

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjulienicholls.com%2Fbook-covers%2F&h=zAQFVfqkW

http://julienicholls.com

WORDY WEDNESDAY

PART THREE - THE WHISPER by Barbara Chioffi

Part 3

With a silent gulp, Anne asked, “What kind of story do you want?”

Without hesitation, the clown answered, “One where I get to kill.”

“Oh,” was the only reply Anne could muster. “I’ll see what I can do. Is that all you want?”

“Yes,” the clown replied with a sinister grin.

Anne shuddered. “What is your name?”

“You can call me Thomas.”

Anne swallowed. Her mouth was dry and closing her eyes, she rested her head on the table.

Sitting up suddenly, she looked around. Had she been dreaming? There was no clown, no chair suspended in the air. Shaking her head and laughing at herself, she decided it was definitely a dream. It was late, and she’d fallen asleep. That was it. She rose, wondering why her table was in the corner. Too sleepy to think about it, she walked her tired ass to bed.

Almost asleep, she heard it. “Anne.”

Opening her eyes, she looked around. The glow from the bathroom night light showed nothing. She rolled over and curled up under the cover.

“Anne.”

Shit, shit, shit. Sitting up suddenly, she screamed. Sitting on the end of the bed was Thomas. His face was the same . . . slits for eyes, two holes for a nose, and that hideous toothy grin. This time, however, a halo of red hair surrounded his head. “Have you started my story yet?” He asked in that ‘fingernail on a chalkboard’ voice.

Gathering her nerve, Anne answered, “I need my sleep. I don’t write well when I’m tired. If you want me to include you in my story, you’ll have to let me rest.”

The slits blinked, and Anne had an impression of solid black eyes, if only for a second. Grumbling, she rose, put on her robe, and made her way to the kitchen. She could feel him following her, a slight clicking sound accompanying them both. A large cup of strong coffee was called for if she was going to make it through this night.

Purposely facing away from Thomas, Anne made her coffee. “Would you like a cup?”

“No, I’m afraid I can’t eat or drink anything. I have no sight for the most part and no sense of smell. Nothing interests me . . . except for…”

A chill went up Anne’s back. “Except for what?”

“Blood.”

Part Four next week...

Peace,

Barb