Book Review of Tales From the Eerie Canal #anthologies #fantasy #horror

 4 stars

Dark and thought-provoking

This anthology of short stories fed the darker half of my soul. They reminded me of the Twilight Zone, of which I am a fan. Ms. Rein's talent is apparent in her ability to both scare and challenge this reader's grasp of the unknown.

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BH99QKJZ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Book Review of Through the Door: The Thin Veil Book 1 by Jodi McIsaac #Fantasybooks #Irishmyths

 

4 stars. A refreshing, contemporary take on the Tuatha de Danann myths.

Cedar’s life is about to change in ways she never imagined. One minute, she’s a single mom, then ext she’s meeting people who claim to be Irish fae. Plus, her daughter, Eden, can open doorways to other places.

Finn never knew he had a daughter when he left Ceder in order to protect her. Now, he must find a way to save his daughter from an evil Danann king.

I love stories of the Irish fae, and this one was a joy to read. Cedar fought bravely to save her daughter, and she handled it well. The secrets she learns about her true identity don’t scare her away from what she must do. The plot kept my interest, and there were some surprises at the end. Overall, this was a great read, and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

 

 

New Book Release: Genie and the Shadow Kings by Gina Manis #adventure #fantasy

Here is May 1st book release from the lovely, talented Gina Manis. Happy Reading!

Genie and the Shadow Kings is a fast-paced adventure from beginning to end. Jump in a new world and take the magic carpet ride.

https://books2read.com/Genieandtheshadowkings

Nothing ever happens in a genie lamp.

I get my kicks watching the parallel worlds that I am thrown in and out of as I serve my masters. All their wishes are the same. Wealth. Power. Fame. I give it to them and move on because my freedom is never their wish.

These newest three masters are different, and it isn’t because they are half Vampire. They did not mean to rub my bottle and have no desire to collect their wishes. Instead, they want to give them to someone else. Who does that?

They drag me through their world, and for the first time, I am in one place long enough to feel human. A desire for a true life awakens in me, and I can taste my freedom in their touch.

What would it be like to be claimed by three? I will use every trick I know to find out.

The five young women of Hecate's Fury are more than rock stars... #MFRWSteam

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PGKRZ3W?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks

Shadow-walkers

The five young women of Hecate’s Fury are more than rock stars.

They are Shadow-walkers, chosen to help the supernatural world.

There’s just one problem. No one trained them.

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Read all five books in this highly rated series:

Awakening, Book 1

Sometimes, the end is really the beginning.

More than passion ignites with Kate, rock star/scriptwriter, is trapped in a haunted cabin with the hot Scottish actor playing her hero.

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Awakening the Wolf, Book 2

She doesn’t believe in love.

Two charming, handsome werewolves vie for her attentions. Both are suspects. As the clues lead to a shocking discovery connected to her past, Cyn realizes she is tied to these werewolves by more than her mystical rune. Even if she opens her heart to love, werewolves are monogamous. She is not.

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Awakening the Vampire, Book 3

She protects supernaturals. He hunts them.

Witnessing a ritualistic murder thrusts Jessie into the arms of a handsome, mysterious hunter/dhampir and into the very destiny she has tried to avoid. When Jessie and Merrick team up to stop the murderer, neither can deny the rising passion between them. With Death stalking her, surviving won’t be easy.

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Awakening the Fae, Book 4

Time can’t separate them, but fate can.

Dina, the wild, strong-willed drummer for Hecate’s Fury and wearer of the Gateway rune, is thrust back in time where she meets a tall, handsome faery king. Beneath all the beauty of the aes sidhe city lurks a dark, menacing danger, and nothing is as it seems. Another covets her Shadow-walker and bruja powers. Past and present collide as both males vie for her. Only the power of love and sacrifice can unite her with her true mate.

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Awakening the Dragon, Book 5

She barely escaped his blade once, but not his passion.

Ten years ago, Mickey had a one-night stand with the dragon shifter. His ominous reappearance puzzles her, especially since it coincides with a recent string of unsolved murders in L.A. Whether his return is a coincidence or not, she can’t deny the powerful attraction between them. When the Council accuses Savic of the murders, she will defend him, to the death if necessary.

More information on Shadow-walkers and buy links: https://www.kelleyheckart.com/shadowwalkers.html

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Beauty may be the real beast, The Wolf Queen, #MFRWsteam

 

Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019HML564

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1519606249

Excerpt:

Lycaon hoped he could get Alara to be that pleased with him. Leaving them to their celebration, he searched and found the gray-eyed beauty sitting beneath a tree, her expression pensive. He swallowed hard before approaching her. “Alara.”

“I do not wish to share words with you.”

Taking a deep breath, he remembered Ena’s advice. “Alara, please. I thought you were going home with Denar.” He reached deep inside himself to find the true words. “I thought I had lost you.”

She watched him, one eyebrow arching. “Why did you think that?”

At least he had her attention. “I saw you kissing him. I thought I had no chance. Why would you want someone who looks like me when you can have someone like Denar? And he told me you were betrothed to him.”

She frowned and shook her head. “His impertinence is exactly why I decided not to go home with him.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “But you ran into Maia’s arms. Why? Do you love her?”

“No. No, it’s not what it appeared to be. Nothing happened other than some kissing. Nothing else. I swear it before Artemis. May one of her death arrows strike me if I am lying.” He cleared his throat. “I was unable to take it further because all I could think of was you.”

“I am supposed to believe nothing happened when I found you half-naked with a naked nymph? Why did you stay there with her?”

“Maia was naked because she came to me as a bird, and we used my tunic to sit on. She stayed with me because after I was…ah…,” he pinched the bridge of his nose, grimacing, “…unable to perform, I talked about returning to camp and ripping Denar’s head off. I can never be with anyone else. You…you have my heart, Alara. I am so sorry I hurt you.” He struggled to find the true words that wouldn’t make the situation worse.

She offered him a faint smile. “Please sit. You look as if you are going to fall down.”

He eased down beside her and stretched his legs.

“It hurt me to see you with Maia, even if all you did was kiss her, but I think I understand.” She gazed at him with affection. “You should know I do not pick my mate based on what he looks like.” She pulled his hood back. “And I think you are quite handsome.”

“You do?” He smiled. “Then you must be blind, Princess.”

“Denar may be handsome on the outside, but on the inside, he is arrogant and controlling. You are beautiful inside.” She pressed the palm of her hand to his chest. “You may think I am blind, but I think you are handsome on the outside, too.” She leaned in and kissed him.

Her bold move surprised him. He pulled her close and enjoyed her sweet-tasting lips. Alara’s kisses sent tingles to every part of his body. Lycaon wanted to be with her all the time.

She pulled away and smiled at him. “What made you change from angry to sensible?”

Her smile brightened his world. For the first time since the curse, he didn’t feel like an ugly, disgraced man.

He shrugged. “I just thought perhaps I was being too forceful.”

With a clever smile, she said, “Ena talked to you.”

Lycaon gave her a sidelong, rueful look. “She did. Do you forgive me?”

“Of course. It pleases me she was able to get through that thick skull of yours.” She laughed.

He stroked her cheek. Now that he had her, he couldn’t bear the thought of her endangering herself. “You do not have to try and link with those wolves. We can find a way to kill them.”

“I have to do it. It is something I feel inside.”

“What if it fails to work?” He cupped her chin. “I do not want to lose you.”

“I have to do it.” Her eyes glistened with tears.

At the sight of her tear-filled eyes, his senses tingled with foreboding. “What are you not telling me?”

“Do you want to be my mate?” she asked.

“Of course I do.”

She stood and grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

He rose and allowed her to guide him into a thicket.

She wore a seductive smile. “Claim me. And once we are mated, I am yours and you are mine.” Her eyes darkened with possessiveness.

His loins stirred, and the heat of arousal consumed him. He didn’t need any other invitation. Pulling her into his arms, he captured her mouth in a forceful, tender kiss, his body rippling with pent-up desire. Nothing else mattered to him at that moment except to claim her and bury himself inside her, to have her all to himself.

He pulled up the layers of her deerskin tunic, kneeling with some difficulty. Using his lips and his tongue to kiss her breasts, he savored the softness of her skin as she moaned and squirmed against him. Moving lower, he tasted her. She smelled of flowers, her skin clean from her ritual cleansing. Flicking his tongue along her pink nub, he cupped her backside. He could smell her innocence, a pure, unblooded scent that incited his passion. No other man had ever had her. She tasted like the fresh morning dewdrops on a newly born day untouched yet by the drying rays of the rising sun. Her innocence raised his eagerness. A low, excited growl rumbled in his chest. The beast inside wanted to ravage her, but the man forced himself to hold back and be gentle.

Her fervent moans grew louder. She arched her hips, moving in rhythm to his strokes. Her body tensed up then shuddered beneath his tongue. She muffled her cries by pressing her mouth against the top of his head.

“I never imagined something so wonderful,” she said between panting breaths.

“I am not finished yet.” He gently laid her on the soft ground and removed his leggings.

She smiled wide-eyed at the sight of his erection. “It is so big. Will it hurt?”

He grinned proudly. “I promise to be gentle, Princess.” Careful not to crush her, he mounted her and eased himself inside, concentrating on taking her with care and not too roughly in his eagerness to claim his mate. His body shuddered at the feel of her tight, unconquered, warm sheath squeezing around him. It was pure bliss. Lycaon kissed her. “Just relax.”

She moaned, the vibration against his mouth sending shocks to every part of his body. His muscles tensed and coiled. Moving beneath him, she raised her hips to capture his length.

Groaning, he thrust deeper. Every part of his body burned with arousal and the anticipation of the blissful ending. “Gods, woman, you are perfect,” he whispered in a voice hoarse with emotion and excitement.

She surprised him by playfully biting his shoulder and digging her fingernails into his back, intensifying his arousal to a growing ache, building into a towering flame. Her gray eyes flashed with passion and fierce desire, her red lips parted in elation. He smiled and let out another growl. Alara possessed the spirit of a wolf in the bedchamber.

His thrusts quickened, and his body tightened in anticipation of release. Grunting loudly, he orgasmed, his body rocking with uncontrollable shudders. Beneath him, she quivered, her loud cries muffled by his loving kisses.

After their tremors ceased, he eased down beside her and held her against his chest. Recalling how she had been cold and lifeless in his arms a short time ago made his throat constrict and his eyes burn. He squeezed his eyes shut, tightening his hold on her.

He couldn’t lose her again.

*

Do you like werewolf tales with magic, intrigue, and mystery? The Wolf Queen will captivate you. This is a standalone story.

A tormented wolf man. A mysterious girl with a terrible secret.

Alara, a princess from a foreign land, is forced to wed the sorcerer-king Aramon, a power-hungry warlord, who discovers her dark secret and wants to use her to create an invincible army. When she meets Lycaon, she must decide if she should trust the cursed, tormented half-man half-wolf who might be her enemy or her true mate.

Lycaon, once a great king until he was cursed by Zeus to be a werewolf, is drawn to the mysterious princess. He is torn between helping Alara escape and using her to gain power over those who despise him.

Secrets abound and old enemies are reunited to battle Aramon before his terrible plan is unleashed. Time is running out as the dark moon approaches. Soon, Arcadia will be overrun with an unstoppable, vicious army unless Aramon can be defeated. To prevent his victory, the cost is high. As Lycaon’s affection for Alara grows, it becomes more difficult for him to decide which to save: Arcadia or her.

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Book Review: Warlord by Miriam Newman

https://www.amazon.com/Warlord-Miriam-Newman-ebook/dp/B088P8N6TB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NWWFI4EQK978&dchild=1&keywords=warlord+by+miriam+newman&qid=1592700762&s=books&sprefix=warlord%2Caps%2C215&sr=1-1

I gave this 5 stars on Amazon. Beautifully written and compelling

I have been a fan of Ms. Newman's stories for a while, and this one doesn't disappoint. Ganina has been sold by her warlord father to a man old enough to be her grandfather and when he dies, his other wives want to kill the younger, prettier wife. Senec, son of the deceased chieftain, claims her as his. I felt for Ganina because she never gets to make her own choices, but she learns to be a survivor, so she isn't weak. Senec is a complicated character. He is a warlord and doesn't show emotions, but his actions speak for him. Ms. Newman's words are magical, and her storytelling is captivating. Highly recommended!

Book Review: The Burnt Watcher--Suspense, Horror, Fantasy, Magic

https://www.amazon.com/Burnt-Watcher-Fear-Book-ebook/dp/B08964Q14H/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+burnt+watcher&qid=1592441340&s=books&sr=1-1

I gave it 5 stars on Amazon/Thought-provoking and suspenseful.

Five hundred years ago the old world burned and Fear rose from the ashes and Glass. Master Grey is a Watcher, chosen to seek out and fight the Fear. He is retired now but is called back to investigate strange happenings in a small village in the west of England. The story keeps a good pace that kept my attention with suspense and conflict. We gradually learn more about Master Grey and how his life as a Watcher ended in tragedy. When he comes out of retirement, he is met with suspicion since most of those in the village don't believe there is any danger. I liked the world the author created and how the Fear is an entity seeking something, possibly vengeance or power. Maybe both. There is also a strong main female character who I liked a lot. If you like a bit of suspense, horror, fantasy, and magic, then this is for you.

Monday Musings: Game of Thrones Season Seven Finale

This one fell a little flat for me, but maybe nothing could compare to the awesome season six finale. My expectations were too high. Anyway, there were still some bright moments in the final episode of season seven.

The Starks finally got to put an end to the person who started everything, the person who got their father executed. I kind of felt sorry for Littlefinger, but not too much. My only gripe is that it felt forced and rushed. The writers had the viewers thinking Arya and Sansa were going to go against each other and then, wham, Littlefinger is getting his throat slashed. I’m all for twists and surprises, but it seemed like we were deliberately misled. It could have been handled better.

This whole season, ever since Jon Snow and Daenarys met, I’ve been bothered by them getting together. At first I thought it was because of the incest factor, but I realized it’s because now that they’ve consummated their relationship, they are doomed—star-crossed lovers. There are no happy endings in Martin’s world. I like both of these characters and now I’m sure they will both die after they do what’s necessary to save the world. I get the feeling Daenarys is fated to die giving birth just like Jon’s mother. Jon will probably die in battle. I doubt they will live happily ever after. They are destined to save the world so others can live happy lives.

There’s a lot of talk online about the identity of Azor Ahai, The Prince Who Was Promised. Everyone thinks it’s either Dany or Jon, but I have a different theory. That’s too obvious. I think it’s Jaime Lannister. He’s not the obvious choice, but he’s gone through major changes since season one. I hated him when he pushed Bran out the tower window, but then the Starks captured him in battle and he lost his hand. With Brienne’s help, he changed, he grew a conscience. I’ve liked him ever since then. And now at the end of season seven, he finally had the balls to leave his treacherous harpy sister. It looks like he’s headed toward the North to fight the whitewalkers, which fits the prophecy. He’s is also probably fated to kill his coldhearted sister/lover Cersei. I know it’s a farfetched theory, but that’s what I’m going with. I’d like to see him become the hero. I’m a fan of redemption.

My other gripe is we only got to see one brief flashback of Rhaegar and Lyanna. It was cool seeing their secret wedding, but come on, I want more.

I sure hope the final season lives up to what we expect of Martin’s world. Please do not give us some cheesy happy ending. There must be sacrifices at the end of this tragic story, even if it means the death of some favorite characters.

Kelley Heckart

Otherworldly tales steeped in myth, magic & romance.

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy movie trilogy

Favorite fantasy movie trilogy
Lord of the Rings

This needs no explanation. If you don't know about this fantasy trilogy, you have been living in a hole. :)

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

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Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite fantasy book: The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

Amazon.com book description:

Tolkien considered THE SILMARILLION his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his other writing. The story of the creation of the world and of the the First Age, this is the ancient drama to which the characters in THE LORD OF THE RINGS look back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. THE SILMARILLION is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy.

I know I may get some hate emails for this, but I like this better than the other books. lol I loved reading about the history of Middle-earth and the collection of legends that led to The Lord of the Rings. Highly recommended! I need to get the Kindle version.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

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My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1341885749&sr=1-2-ent

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite fantasy book: Song of Unmaking

Blurb:

Stubborn, single-minded and steadfast . . .

Striving to save the Aurelian Empire, Valeria reached for too much power too quickly and a darkness has rooted inside her. Unable to confess the truth, Valeria turns to Kerrec, her former mentor, one of the elite Riders from the Mountain, home of the gods. But Kerrec, too, is deeply wounded and his darkness may be even deeper than hers -- and he is refusing to face it. Until his weakness nearly destroys the Riders and their immortal white stallions . . .

As Kerrec is sent from the Mountain on a desperate quest for healing, Valeria is forbidden to follow. But compelled by a power she cannot understand and encouraged by her own stallion, she shadows Kerrec on a perilous mission.

The patterns of deception and secrets have been woven, the threats of war and unrest spread throughout the land, the barbarian hordes return and once more it is Valeria -- and Kerrec -- who must gather their strength and their wounded magic to protect all that they believe in . . .

But who will believe in them?

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

http://www.goodreads.com/kheckart

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy TV show

Favorite fantasy TV show: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

With magic long since lost to England, two men are destined to bring it back; the reclusive Mr. Norrell and daring novice Jonathan Strange. So begins a dangerous battle between two great minds.

Stars: Bertie Carvel, Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren

This is set during the Napoleonic Wars in an alternate England where magic exists. I like stories that mix history with fantasy and this one has my interest so far. It’s based on a book series by Susanna Clarke.

   

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

http://www.goodreads.com/kheckart

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1341885749&sr=1-2-ent

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite fantasy book

Favorite book—Clash of Kings, Book Two in the Song of Ice & Fire series. This is the book behind season two of Game of Thrones on HBO. Highly recommended for fans of this series. The books expand on the characters and intricate storylines.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

http://www.goodreads.com/kheckart

My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

http://www.amazon.com/Kelley-Heckart/e/B002BMOQ3C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1341885749&sr=1-2-ent

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite book

Favorite book: Game of Thrones

I’ve been a fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones and decided to read the books. I’m reading the first one titled Game of Thrones and love it. It is so well-written and engaging, it’s hard to put down. The characters are very vivid. I can see why they decided to make a cable series.

Book description on amazon.com:

A NEW ORIGINAL SERIES, NOW ON HBO.
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A GAME OF THRONES
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

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Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite book

Favorite book: The Horse Goddess by Morgan Llywelyn

Book description:

Troy is in crumbling ruin and Athens is rising far to the south. It is a time when mortal men and women are becoming gods and goddesses as news of their extraordinary adventures sweeps across the land. In this world, Epona, a woman whose life is celebrated in legend, meets Kazhak, a Scythian warrior and prince. Their stormy love affair sends them sweeping across eighth-century Europe, pursued from the Alps to the Ukraine by Kernunnos--a mysterious Druid priest known as the "Shapechanger."

Ms. Llywelyn has been a huge influence on my writing. She has a magical way of blending history with mythology, breathing life into these characters we read about in legends. Highly recommended to fantasy fans and fans of Celtic mythology.

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite supernatural creature

Sexy Centaurs
When deciding on a romantic lead for my nymph in The Bear Goddess, I knew he had to be a follower of Zeus, and he had to be an enemy of Artemis and her nymphs. At first I was going to make him human, but that didn’t seem exciting enough for such a popular Greek myth. After some brainstorming, I decided to make my hero a centaur but this posed a problem—centaurs are known for their savagery, not to mention they are part horse. So, how was I going to create a likeable centaur and not have uncomfortable romantic scenes? After giving it some thought I came up with an idea—my hero, and a few other centaurs, could take human shape.
This worked for a number of reasons. The centaurs who could take human shape were viewed as outsiders within their centaur community and due to their unusual parentage, had milder personalities than their brutal relatives. This also made a romance between a nymph and a centaur more believable and not weird when it came time to write sex scenes. Plus, it added a level of sexiness for my hero to be something as exciting and dangerous as a centaur but also able to transform into a hunky human. In his centaur body, Kasin is powerful and formidable with a pure black horse body and in his human shape, he is still intimidating but striking and handsome with long black hair and war braids.
As a follower of Zeus, Kasin is a warrior above all else, but he also has some favorite activities he keeps hidden from the rest of the centaurs. One of these is singing. Music, unless it is a battle horn, is not allowed among the fierce centaurs. My hero also likes to take scented baths; another activity frowned upon among the hygienically challenged centaurs. I had to make him attractive to a nymph who bathed often, and I’m sure readers appreciate a clean, well-mannered hero too.
Not all centaurs have to be savage and some can be downright sexy.
****
Short excerpt:
Everything had happened so fast—being caught with Kasin, being bound with silver, Kasin changing into a centaur—Callisto hadn’t had time to absorb the shock of discovering the man she loved was a centaur. Weakened by the silver chain still binding her hands, she couldn’t escape. All she could do was lay helpless in his arms while he galloped with her off into the night.
He came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a steep plateau, searching the darkened forest lit by faint beams of moonlight. The fierce set of his handsome face made her breath catch in her throat. His arms held her in a confident, strong grip. With some hesitancy, she admitted to herself that she found him exciting. He was a centaur, her enemy who she was supposed to hate, but he had never mistreated her and he saved her life once again. She could only stare at him, stunned.



The Bear Goddess on Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P74X0WY
The Bear Goddess Trade Paperback Buy Link on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Goddess-Book-Arcadia/dp/1502982684/ref=asap_B002BMOQ3C_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415503605&sr=1-7
To read an excerpt from The Bear Goddess, visit my website: http://www.kelleyheckart.com/TheBearGoddess.html
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Multi-published author Kelley Heckart lives in Arizona with her musician husband, dog and a number of backyard “pets,” including Godzilla the desert iguana. Her stories reflect her passion for ancient and medieval time periods, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, otherworldly creatures, magic and romance. When not writing, she works as an editor/proofreader and practices target archery. She can be found online at http://www.kelleyheckart.com/
To sign up for my newsletter and receive special notices like new book releases and giveaways only for my subscribers: http://kelleyheckart.com/Contact_Kelley_Page.html
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
Website: http://www.kelleyheckart.com
Blog: http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CelticChick
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kheckart

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite book

Favorite book: Night Calls by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel

Book description:

"When you have the Gift, your life is not your own."
I was born to a family that harnessed the winds and could read futures in fire and water. Yet my mother kept her secrets.
Then the werewolf came, sharing his madness.
Now it's my turn to keep secrets....
Descended from powerful magic-users, but ignorant of her heritage, young Alfreda Sorensson learns magic and wisdom from her extended family in an alternate early 1800s Michigan Territory.

 

This is Little House on the Prairie with werewolves, vampires, witches and magic. Alfreda is born into a family with special powers and lots of secrets.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

New Release!

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite cable series

Favorite Cable series: The Game of Thrones

Oh my god, I love this series. I don’t have HBO so I had to wait for it to be available on Netflix. I can’t believe I haven’t read George R.R. Martin’s book series that is the basis for this Game of Thrones. He writes the type of fantasy I like to read and write. I love everything about this series, the characters, the political intrigues, even the music. It’s hard to pick a favorite character, but so far I like Daenerys and how far she’s come from a timid girl abused by her brother to becoming a strong queen. But I also love Peter Dinklage’s character and have a soft spot in my heart for the young Stark girl who doesn’t want to be a lady but wants to wield a sword—she’s exactly how I was at that age.

Highly recommended for fantasy fans.

 

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: The Mabinogion by Evangeline Walton

This is a reinvention of the Welsh myths and not to be confused with an actual translation of the myths. What I really like about this version is Ms. Walton manages to bring the people and stories alive in a way not possible in a translation. She has turned The Mabinogion into a masterful work of fantasy fiction comparable to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Her poetic writing style resonated with me, her descriptions of ancient settings and rites made me feel as if I stepped into the pages. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday

Favorite book

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This is one of my favorite books based on the King Arthur legend. What I really like about it is the story is told from the point of views of the women in Arthur’s life, which gives us a different perspective. This is mostly a fantasy tale with magic, focusing on the mysterious Isle of Avalon. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Highly recommended.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604