Today’s theme is first paragraphs.  Since that’s a pretty short snippet I have opted to give you several. I hope you enjoy and be sure to check out the rest of the snippety authors.

Pentacles of Magick: The Bonding

The vision of a woman filling the screen took his breath away. The tumble of blonde hair cloaking her shoulders and back surrounded an oval ­shaped face with wide set, deep green eyes. Perfect white teeth nibbled on the lower edge of ruby lips. It was her, the woman he’d been warned about. The one he’d been waiting for. He’d known she would be beautiful and difficult to resist. What he hadn’t expected was the sudden surge in his power at the mere sight of her. Every cell in his body sparked when he first spied her on the security camera, and with seductive power rushing through his veins he couldn’t turn away.

Pentacles of Magick: The Healing

Raven’s back bowed up and away from the bed as she fought desperately against her restraints. Her cries of anguish tore from her mouth as Denn watched her helplessly.  Night after night she’d suffered nightmares to the point he had to restrain her for fear she might hurt herself.  She should have awakened by now. Physically her body was ready, but something—some mental anguish, he would guess—kept her asleep.

Pentacles of Magick: The Revealing

The guard pushed Jessie into her cell far harder than he needed to, and her head slammed into the wall.  Beyond the point of physical pain, anger bubbled instead.  She had to find a way out.  She had the will, she just needed a plan.

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Kelly Maher
Jody Wallace
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Jaci Burton
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Vivian Arend
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
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Ashley Ladd

It’s that time again and we’re doing another fight scene, in particular with the heroine. So back to the witches we go. The time it’s book three of Pentacles of Magick with Raven. Raven is hardly a good girl and has honed her fighting skills well. Even then though, sometimes everyone has to accept a little help.

Excerpt from Pentacles Of Magick: The Healing

“Raven my dear, it’s about time.” A cold chill snaked down her spine as she lowered her gaze from Severina.

“Scott?”

“I see you got your magick back. You can thank me in person shortly.”

“Thank you? You’re the one that broke the binding? But how?” Like she even needed to ask.

“Actually, Raven, I think I’m the one who should be asking questions. You have a lot of explaining to do.” The dark tone of his statement was unmistakable. There would be hell to pay for her fucking up. Death or sacrifice, she wondered.

“I can—”

“Not now, Raven. Right now you need to head outside to the alley and meet my associates, who will bring you to me. So hang up the phone, say goodbye to the Voodoo bitch, and go outside.”

The tension in Scott’s voice rose with each uttered syllable, and stark fear ran rampant in Raven. She couldn’t let Scott or his goons near her or she could forget it. She closed the phone and looked around the tiny shop. “Do you have a rear exit?”

“Yes, but what you need to do is call Denn and tell him what is going on. He can help you.”

“Severina, you’re wrong about that.”

“No, Cherie, Severina is never wrong. Here take this, it belongs to Denn and I believe he is finally ready for it now.” She held up a rolled scroll of parchment paper sealed at the edges with a waxy looking substance. “Take it, Raven. You came to me for help, now trust me. Go out the backdoor and make sure this gets to Denn.”

When Raven reached for the paper, Severina grabbed her hand and locked gazes with her. “Stop being afraid of what you are to him. It is meant to be, it is what you were created for. Trust in him. Trust in them both.”

Raven stared at her dumbfounded. Despite her own abilities and the many things she had seen, she would never understand the gift of sight and how eerily accurate it could be.

“Go now, Raven, Go!”

Raven stuffed the parchment into her back pocket and ran behind the counter. Through the dingy back room filled with beads, herbs, doll parts and an altar that took up an entire wall, She burst through the metal door marked Fire Exit Only.

Swiveling her head left, she saw one of the Rev’s “associates,” and in his dark tee, black jeans, and shit kickers he did not look friendly. She took off in a dead run in the opposite direction, raising her magick as she went. She listened to the pounding feet of her pursuer not far behind, knowing she didn’t have much time.

What am I doing? Why am I running from them? She whirled on the balls of her feet, casting her arm out at the same time, releasing the power she’d called. The hired muscle had just enough time to throw up a partial shield, blocking some of her magick. The rest knocked him back several steps and doubled him over. When he stood and howled in pain—or maybe frustration, she couldn’t be sure—she ran toward him, launching herself onto his wide back. His body was hot and smoke came from his hands.

Damn. Fire witch. They sure weren’t going to get very far in a fight.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, wrenching with all her strength, trying to choke him. He staggered backward, slamming against the wall of the building with her in between. The force squelched the air from her lungs, loosening her arms from their grip, giving him the opportunity to drive his elbow into her ribs. Pain erupted in her body, her vision wavering, and she vaguely saw reinforcements surrounding her. With sheer will she fought to regain her strength and magick despite a new and unfamiliar magick wrapping around her and pinning her to the wall.

She frantically looked around for another idea or weapon as whatever was cloaking her was also dampening her power. The air shimmered around her as she sensed a solid blast of earth magick coming their way. Lucky for her it provided enough of a distraction that the magick coursing through her chest broke free from their bindings. With no time to waste she ran again, straight into Denn. Momentarily stunned, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

They only needed to make it to the end of the alley and they would be back on busy Bourbon Street where she was certain they could get lost in the crowd. About to turn the corner to freedom, or at least a better chance at it, a black SUV screeched to a halt, flinging its back door wide.

Denn pushed her with his solid strength. “Raven, get in. Now!”

Knowing at least with Denn she wouldn’t become a human sacrifice stripped of her power, she jumped inside, sliding along the bench seat.

“Go, Jake, go!” Denn yelled into the front of the vehicle as Raven lay sprawled across the floorboard, her breath sawing in and out of her heaving lungs. The car surged forward, pressing her back against the ridge of the seat. She closed her eyes, focusing on controlling her breath.

This isn’t what I wanted.

Lot’s more snippety goodness when you follow the snippet trail below!

Jody Wallace
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Ashley Ladd
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Lauren Dane
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle
Sasha White
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro

THE ROARING TWENTIES
A Romance Treasure Hunt!
20 authors, over 20 prizes, 20 chances to win. Read below to learn how to enter.
September 16-30

World War I is over, jazz music is blossoming, the flapper changes the definition of modern women, Art Deco is peaking, and the Great Depression looms! Go back to school (just for a few minutes) and learn about this fascinating era through photos. You’ll have a chance to win one, or perhaps several, prizes donated by some of your favorite romance writers!

Here’s how it works: Find one image (it won’t be hard) on each of the following websites. They could be Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie, a well known image from the Dust Bowl, or perhaps a flapper! You’ll know it when you see it. The more images you find (each author has only posted one image), the more chances you have to win. Find one image, you are entered once! Find twenty, and your name is entered twenty times!
One you have danced your way through the sites, email your answers to ciarcullen@gmail.com

NB: If you want to opt out of being put on any newsletter lists, please just tell us so in your answer email. We will NOT be offended! We promise that if you opt out, it will NOT affect your chances of winning.

Here’s how to answer: “I found a flapper on Betty’s new release page.” No links, please!

Easy? You bet. Want to get started? Here are your links! Contest opens 9/16 and closes 9/30 EST. Good luck. Now, 23 skidoo, scram. And have fun!

Pam Champagne
Prize: Two winner’s choice ebooks!

Michelle Pillow
Prize: Ebook Divinity Warriors: Lilith Enraptured

Imogen Howsen
Prize: Ebook Heart of the Volcano

Shelley Munro
Prize: Winner’s choice of download from her Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen or Samhain backlist

Catherine Wade
Prize: Her latest release, Another Time Around

Debra Parmley
Prize: Ebook A Desperate Journey

Sharon Cullen
Prize: Ebook Obsession

Juniper Bell
Prize: Ebook The Extremist

Debbie Mumford
Prize: Ebook The Silver Casket

Leslie Dicken
Prize: Ebook Beauty Tempts the Beast

Carolan Ivey
Prize: Choice ebook or print A Ghost of a Chance: Legends, Book 2

Vivian Arend
Prize: eBook winner’s choice of backlist

Ciar Cullen
Prize: Ebook winner’s choice

Renee Wildes
Prize: Paperback Duality

Mychael Black
Prize: Ebook Blood & Fire

Eliza Gayle
Prize: EBooks Rope Dreams and Watch Me Hide

Skylar Kade
Prize: Ebook Maison Domine

Janna Lee Hayes
Prize: Ebook Drive Me Crazy

Sydney Somers
Prize: Winner’s choice download from backlist

Ella Drake
Prize: Ebook Scent of Cin

Pamela Fryer
Prize: Punch Studio Tiny Book

Meg Benjamin
Prize: Ebook Wedding Bell Blues

Today’s theme is World Building. I debated amongst witches, faeries, shapeshifters and vampires and finally settled on the short vampire story I wrote loosely based on the mythology, Dark Bond.

This is a pretty short story but I was going for a dark and sexy romp and vampires can be so much fun to play with. Oh and it’s an m/m/f, just FYI.

Don’t forget to follow the trail to all the other sites and snippetty goodness.

Excerpt from Dark Bond:

Darken looked out over the sea, searching for the horizon knowing he wouldn’t find it. Nyx’s hideaway was located on the edge of the world on the thin line between the mortal and immortal worlds.  The sun didn’t shine here, giving Nyx and her kind  the freedom to keep any schedule they wanted.  Here there would be no hiding from the sun or anything at all.  This is what he would call a vampire safe zone.

He’d missed looking out from this balcony at the endless dark water and sparkling night sky.  It never failed to take your breath away with its beauty. It was a shame all the years he and Nyx had wasted because of pride but had it not been for that time  apart then he wouldn’t have met Ezra and he would never regret any of the time they had shared, even if that was about to change.

Would Ezra find his way to forgiveness after this?  He possessed a far more forgiving heart than either Darken or Nyx ever did but he couldn’t be sure it would be enough this time.  This was pretty damn big.

“Wow it’s beautiful here. Wherever here is.”

Darken whirled at the voice to see Ezra awake and standing behind him.  Taking in his appearance from the tousled dark hair, to the rumpled clothes he’d been wearing for more than thirty-two hours now.  His skin retained much of the golden hue from before but his eyes were different and the lips…the colors seemed richer and darker giving him an even more rakish appeal than before.  Where he’d been handsome before he now seemed devilishly
breathtaking.  The night suited him very well.

Darken moved tentatively towards him, anxious to take him in his arms. “I have a lot to explain. I hope you’ll give me a chance and listen.”

A sexy smile broke out on Ezra’s face. “Don’t look so worried Darken, of course I will although some of it won’t be necessary.”

“What do you mean?”

Ezra grabbed his hand and brought it to his lips, the warm breath tickling his skin. “You really did believe I was that naïve didn’t you?” He shook his head and dropped his hand. “You don’t live with someone as long as we have and not learn things about each other.  Despite your insistence on hiding from me, I’ve known you were a vampire for some time now.”

Shock swamped him as that statement sunk in. He’d known? He’d been so careful, always covering his tracks. “But—but how?”

“He always did consider himself far smarter than he is Ezra.” They both turned at the lyrical feminine voice. Nyx had joined them looking even more gorgeous than she had the night before in a green gown that hugged her body in all the right places before falling to the ground around her feet.

“I’m Nyx by the way; I think Darken is too shocked to remember his manners right now.”

“Who can blame him? I’m not even sure I can remember my own name right now.”

Her laughter came deep and powerful, sending shivers down his spine.  This all seemed far too civilized and calm considering the circumstances.  “Another sweet talker I see.  How will I ever keep up with the two of you?”

“Keep up with us?”

“Aww sugar, hasn’t Darken gotten to that part yet?” A smirking look passed between Nyx and Ezra that he didn’t know what to make of.  This all of a sudden felt entirely too surreal for his comfort.

“No, I haven’t.  He just woke up and I have yet to tell him anything.”

“Well, other than me admitting I already knew that Darken was a vampire and I would guess that it’s safe to say that you are too?”

“Not exactly Ezra.  Our gorgeous hostess is far more than a simple vampire.  May I introduce you to Goddess Nyx, creator and ruler of all things dark?”

“A Goddess, now isn’t that interesting?” His wide grin revealed a beautiful smile that Darken knew he would remember forever no matter what happened tonight.

“You don’t know the half of it.” He smartly retorted.

“Come now Darken, there is no call to be nasty here.  In fact I think that eventually you will both come to enjoy being in my service.”

“Service? What is that supposed to mean?” She stepped close to Ezra and traced down his chest with one of her long, painted nails.

“Exactly what it sounds like and anything I want it to be.” She tipped her head up to gaze at Ezra and that spurt of jealousy he’d felt earlier returned.  He wanted to keep the man all for himself.  He wasn’t sure he could bear sharing him with her.

“I think I’m ready for that explanation now.” Ezra sounded breathless when he spoke.  A condition that always got Darken hard as a rock, like now.

“You died last night Ezra.  You got caught in the line of fire meant for me and died.  Only I couldn’t bear to lose you like that so I made the only decision I could at the time, I asked for Nyx to turn you.”

“I’m a vampire now?” Ezra’s question came out slow and thoughtful, making Darken cautious but hopeful about his thoughts.

“Yes, beautiful one.  Your lover bargained with me to save you and I did.  And now I have to say I’m really glad I did.  The two of you make quite a pair.”

“A bargain? Dare I ask?”

Michelle Pillow
Kelly Maher
Mark Henry
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Elisabeth Naughton
Ashley Ladd
Moira Rogers
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Lauren Dane
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle

Today’s post is emotional fighting and i’m sharing another scene from POM 1: The Bonding.  Grae’s twin, Cash is not happy about the bond forming between Grae and Rena and is concerned she is there to hurt him.

Enjoy!

“I take it you’re not to happy to see me here with Graelen.” She watched him roll his eyes.

“I think that’s an understatement.”

She peered at Cash’s face. If not for the slight shadowed growth covering the lower half of his face, it would be all but impossible to tell him and Graelen apart. Except for the eyes. Cash had a hard look about his eyes, probably born of the anger he carried around like a badge. It was difficult to see a face nearly identical to Graelen’s looking at her with such hatred.

“What are you doing here?” He glared down at her.

“I—” she fidgeted. Something about him just made her nervous.

“What do you want with my brother?”

“I—”

“Who sent you here? When are you leaving?”

She gave up trying to answer as his rapid ­fire questions continued. He was on a roll and she thought to let him finish, until his anger began to build to a painful level again. “Cash, stop!” He stiffened as though she had struck him. “You’re hurting me again.”

“Well, maybe if you would answer my questions, I wouldn’t be so upset.”

“Are you kidding me?” Her hands went to her hips in obvious annoyance. “I tried to answer your questions but you just steamrolled right over me.”

As their voices rose, so did the emotional level in the room. With his anger beating against her body, weakening her, Rena desperately began building shields in her mind, weaving them layer after layer. She imagined strong bands of steel protection wrapping around herself in a last ditch effort to stop the pain. He didn’t stop with his accusations and she watched his eyes darken, and energy begin to crackle around him. She was running out of time before she would collapse under the onslaught.

“Rena, are you even listening to me?” His voice came to her as if muffled in a towel. Her arms and legs grew weak. She couldn’t get her shields built fast enough and she was fading. It wouldn’t be long before she would be unconscious. The dark heavy feeling from Cash raked over her skin as she frantically worked to fend him off. When the tip of the darkness edged across her belly, she knew there were only seconds left.

With the anger and hatred oozing up her breasts she got the last of the shield complete, and with everything she had left she slammed it into place fighting off the wave of grim emotions.

When her guard crashed into place, shielding her from the hellish onslaught his emotions had become, all of his energy gathered and rebounded, slamming back into his body. He flew across the room, smashing into the wall above the fireplace. His body crumpled to the ground in a heap and Rena landed on her butt. “Holy shit! That was
new.” Her body spent but unable to leave Cash, she struggled back to her feet and staggered over to his limp form.

“Cash. Cash! Are you all right?” She moved his hair to check his pulse and found his heart thumping strong and wild. Oh, thank God.

He groaned in response before rolling over on to his back. “You forget to tell us something?” He winced when he sat up.

“Nothing like that has ever happened before.”

One eyebrow raised, he gave her a patent look of disbelief.

“Don’t give me that look, you’re the one who was beating me down with that hatred you harbor. Maybe you got what you deserved.” She moved back over to the couch. She didn’t want to fight with him anymore.

“That was an impressive display of power from such a tiny woman.”

“Don’t be such an idiot. That wasn’t my power. I don’t have power like that. That was simply you getting back what you sent out threefold. You know. Ever heard that saying before?”

He smirked. “Yeah, I might have heard that a time or two in my life.” Satisfaction pursed her mouth as she desperately tried to hold back her grin. “I still don’t trust you.”

“Cash, you don’t even know me.”

“Exactly.”

Be sure to visit all the Saturday Snippet authors for more great excerpts!

Lauren Dane
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Jaci Burton
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Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
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Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage