Wednesday 30 October 2013

Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott + Giveaway

Welcome to Day One of the Straight to Hell blog tour!

Keep reading for more about 
Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott
my review, an excerpt, and of course a fabulous giveaway!



Genre:  Urban Fantasy  
Published:  September 8, 2011  
Page Count:  179  
Buy Links:  Amazon UK     Amazon.com

The Devil Never Forgets a Deal

I, Lilith Straight, was the woman you always wanted to be. I was married to someone better looking than your husband, we lived in that house you always wanted. Within a year, however, all of that changed. My marriage dissolved, my house burned down, and my job hardly paid the bills. So when I was hit by a car and died, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. Boy, was I wrong.

Hell was not the place I imagined. It was worse. During my brief stay, I learned some disturbing truths about my family. Most worryingly my ancestor’s deal with the devil promising him every female descendent as a succubus.

So these were my options: Life on earth as a soul-sucking seductress. Or death and pass the succubus baton to my sweet little daughter. There was no choice. Welcome to hell on earth, Lilith. Mother, teacher, wanton she-demon.




Straight to Hell is a witty, engrossing read that grabs your attention from the beginning. The book is about Lilith Straight, a down on her luck divorcee, who is struggling to balance the strains of being a single parent plus the additional stress of an immature adult sister and a troubled niece living with her. Right after we are introduced to Lilith and have been given a chance to get to know her, she dies. Lilith knows she was not perfect during her short life, but she was not prepared for where she ended up.

I loved Lilith's witty, sarcastic personality. It was so much fun to be inside her head. Throughout the book we watch her struggle with what she knows is right and what she feels she must do. The tough decisions she makes are always for what she feels is the greater good…her daughter. This is not a story of good versus evil, but more like bad versus worse, and Lilith does the best she can with what she has to work with.




Excerpt

Note from the Author:  I love this scene because it’s the first time Lilith runs into William Benedict, her incubus counterpart.  What happens when two opposites attract?  Sparks fly!

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a man watching me from across the room. I didn’t remember him coming in, not surprising since the evening had been a blur of unfamiliar faces. He had one of those chiseled chins that belong on male models, and thick, dark hair that begged to be tousled. His conservative V-necked sweater and leather loafers looked out of place among the flamboyant hippies and club kids.

My cell buzzed again. Annoyed, I dragged my eyes from the visitor. This time, Ted’s message read, “Sorry. I forgot about your mom.”

The guy in the sweater came closer. I held my breath, hoping he’d stop by.

Once more, my cell vibrated in my pocket. I was tempted to ignore it, but if I did, Ted would continue to text until I answered. His message read: “I would have come to the visitation but had a med emergency.”

Medical emergency, my ass. Like I said before, Ted’s an orthodontist, so unless a kid’s rubber band snapped hard enough to put out an eye, I doubted there was much of a crisis. I quickly sent Ted another text (“Ok. See you later.”) as Mr. V-necked sweater approached. He was over six feet, and I had to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. Oh, there was such sadness in his eyes! No doubt, some of it was due to the funeral. Coupled with that, however, was something deeper. A bottomless well of world-weariness, perhaps, or the weight of a secret that was too much to bear.

I wanted to speak, but couldn’t. The guy rocked me like I was a teenager all over again. My knees felt watery, my cheeks hot, and I had that delicious, warm, tingling between my legs. I wondered if it was okay to put the moves on a guy I’d met at my mother’s funeral. Then again, Carrie would have done it. In fact, she would have leapfrogged over my casket to get at him.

The visitor didn’t take my hand, though I wished he would. Instead, he said, “Ms. Straight?”

And there it was: the killer British accent. Dear gods. I was ready to go up in flames. I dabbed at my sweating forehead and nodded.

“I’m Mr. Benedict.”

He waited, clearly expecting a reply. I uttered a strangled, “Okay.”

“Miss Spry sent me.”

Miss Spry? For a moment, I was too dazzled to remember the name. Then it came to me. Oh right, Miss Spry. The woman who had told me that I was not only dead, but a succubus to boot.

Mr. Benedict continued to look at me with his doleful, brown eyes. “May we speak outside?”

Could he speak with me? He could not only talk to me, he could take me to dinner. He could drive me to his place. He could soil me like a tissue if he wanted. Without a thought to the other people in the room, I floated behind Mr. Benedict like I’d suddenly left the real world for a place where dreams come true.

Once outside, I realized how dark it had become. And cold. I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. Mr. Benedict carried a coat over one arm but didn’t offer it to me.

When we were clear of the doors, he said, “Miss Spry has a task for you tomorrow morning.”

“A task? What kind of task?” I pictured myself picking up her dry cleaning or running to the store to buy milk.

His mouth tightened in annoyance. “I don’t know. It isn’t our job to ask questions. Just be ready to leave at 10:00 tomorrow morning.” He walked away.

“Wait, ten? That’s the time of my mother’s funeral!”

“That’s not my problem. Just be ready at ten. Wear something appropriate.”

I ran to catch up, tottering on my high heels. “Appropriate for what?”

“Your occupation.”

Occupation? Was he talking about the stretchy slacks and semi-dressy T-shirt that I wore when substitute teaching? But the hard look in his eyes said otherwise. 

Suddenly, I felt very stupid. Of course he didn’t mean teacher; he meant succubus. I needed to dress like a slut.

I’d been avoiding thoughts about my new job, but the fact I was expected to do the Devil’s dirty work made my stomach cramp. “I can’t do what Miss Spry wants. No way.”

“You don’t have a choice. It’s our job to follow her orders.”

Our job? What do you mean our, I wondered. Then it struck me. The smoldering gaze, the instant attraction. He was a male version of what I was. An incubus. No wonder I’d wanted to get naked with him in the backseat of my car.





About the Author:  Michelle Scott received her MFA from Wayne State University. Her stories have appeared in such places as “Tales of the Unanticipated”, “All Possible Worlds” and “Realms”. Straight to Hell, the first book in her Lilith Straight urban fantasy series, was released from Carina UK on Oct. 24. Michelle lives in southeast Michigan with her husband and three children.


To keep up with Lilith and the other members of the Straight to Hell cast, visit Michelle’s blog, Urban Fae.  








Tuesday 29 October 2013

Straight to Hell by Michelle Scott

The Straight to Hell book tour has begun!  

Straight to Hell, a book reviewers have called fun, addictive, and enjoyable, 
tells the story of one woman, one man, and one deal with the devil. 


 
The Devil Never Forgets a Deal

I, Lilith Straight, was the woman you always wanted to be. I was married to someone better looking than your husband, we lived in that house you always wanted. Within a year, however, all of that changed. My marriage dissolved, my house burned down, and my job hardly paid the bills. So when I was hit by a car and died, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. Boy, was I wrong.

Hell was not the place I imagined. It was worse. During my brief stay, I learned some disturbing truths about my family. Most worryingly my ancestor’s deal with the devil promising him every female descendent as a succubus.

So these were my options: Life on earth as a soul-sucking seductress. Or death and pass the succubus baton to my sweet little daughter. There was no choice. Welcome to hell on earth, Lilith. Mother, teacher, wanton she-demon.




Buy Links:  Only .99p on Amazon UK! Also available on Amazon.com




 
Michelle Scott received her MFA from Wayne State University. Her stories have appeared in such places as “Tales of the Unanticipated”, “All Possible Worlds” and “Realms”. Straight to Hell, the first book in her Lilith Straight urban fantasy series, was released from Carina UK on Oct. 24. Michelle lives in southeast Michigan with her husband and three children.


To keep up with Lilith and the other members of the Straight to Hell cast, visit Michelle’s blog, Urban Fae.  







Stop back tomorrow for the first day of the blog tour 
with an excerpt from Straight to Hell as well as my review!


Songstone by Lena Goldfinch

SongstoneSongstone by Lena Goldfinch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Songstone is a heart warming story full of adventure, magic, superstitions, tribal lore and a touching romance. Kita, who was abandoned in the forest as a child, was rescued by Noni and became an adopted sister. Kita with her pale skin, red hair and green eyes never felt like she belonged to the family that took her in or the tribe they were a part of. The evil medicine man takes her as his servant and uses her to perform his secret rituals. Kita longs for her freedom. Freedom may come at the hands of a stranger. Pono is a journeyman from a distant tribe who sees the brutal treatment of Kita. He will risk everything to save her from her evil master. They will have to learn to trust and depend on each other to survive.

Kita and Pono are both strong characters. Kita perseveres through the persecution of her tribe and her master. Pono is brave to risk his life for Kita. Through their struggles we see their characters develop. I found this story to be interesting and entertaining. I would definitely recommend it.

View all my reviews

Sunday 27 October 2013

The Hag of the Wind by Laura J. Underwood


The Hag of the Wind
by Laura J. Underwood


Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Eggplant Literary Productions, Inc.

Date of Publication:
10/28/2013


Cover Artist: Roan Carter

Book Description: Ginny Ni’Cooley just wants a peaceful, quiet life. But quiet is hard to maintain when one’s mentor is a ghost who died a lush and a lech. And peace isn’t to be found when the locals expect their local mageborn to banish monsters and help infertile couples conceive.

It’s that last bit that is posing the most trouble for Ginny of late. Marman the pig-herder--once an unwelcome suitor--now wants Ginny to help him and his wife conceive, and doesn’t believe her when she says it’s beyond her powers.

When the couple try to solve their problem on their own, they manage to unleash a demon imprisoned years ago. Now, their actions have placed all of Connorscroft in danger and no matter how much peace and quiet Ginny wants, she’s got to find a way to defeat the demon before it destroys her village, the villagers and makes good on its threat to kill her.




Excerpt

        "The Hag of the Wind
            She makes such a din
            While blawing aboot the lea…

            She summons the gale,
            And the rain and the hail,
            And rattles the windows with glee…"

            Auld Liam sat on the steps of Talon's Tavern, singing that song at the top of his lungs as Ginny Ni'Cooley walked briskly past on her way to the baker's shop.
            "Howt awa," Manus MacGreeley wind whispered to her ears.  "'Tis not even noon, and Auld Liam is already deep in his cups."
            Ginny frowned and ignored the mage spirit of her former mentor.  She knew better than to answer him when there were so many about.  The folk who lived in Conorscroft thought that she had banished Manus' spirit long ago.  And while he was wise enough to stay invisible, she just wished he would not speak.  What if someone heard him?  It would do her reputation as the protector of this small hamlet no end of ill.
            For that matter, she wished that Auld Liam would stop his off key wailing.  Thistle howled along bouncing up and down enthusiastically on the end of his tether.  At least Thistle and I are alike in mind that Auld Liam has a voice like a crow, she thought.
            The old man grinned, revealing his one remaining tooth, and howled back, causing a number of the folk in the market square to turn and stare.
            Ginny winced and hurried on, dragging Thistle.  She should have left the moor terrier locked in the cottage while she traded her eggs for bread, but the last time she did so, he found her store of dried beef and ate until he looked like he would pop.  Thistle snapped fiercely at the old man who just laughed and shouted, "Yer dog has nae ear fae good music, Mistress Ni'Cooley."
            Ginny wanted to say that neither did Auld Liam.  Instead, she sought distance in the hopes of getting Thistle to calm down before they reached the bakery.
            "Uh, oh," Manus whispered.  "Better make haste, lass."
            "What?" Ginny said before she thought better.  She looked over her shoulder expectantly.
            Two figures were practically running across the square towards her now.  One was a tall, willowy young man with pale hair, dull squinty eyes and a pocked, pasty face streaked with mud.  The other was a short stocky woman with a florid face who heaved so much  her breath fluttered the ragged strands of salt and pepper hair.
            Horns, Ginny thought.  It was Marman MacSty and his wife Wycie Ni'Clachan, the last two people in Conorscroft that she wanted to deal with at the moment.
            Ginny tried not to catch their eyes, but it was too late.  Marman waved an arm and shouted loudly, "Ginny, Ginny!  Wait!"
            She grimaced, crossed her arms as she stopped, and turned to face them fully, wearing her sternest frown.
            "Yes?" she asked stiffly, hoping they would remain downwind and save her the trouble of having to use magic to change it.  Marman mucked pigs for the young Laird MacFarr, and the stench of the sty was always on him.  And since he and Wycie had wed over a year ago, the odor clung to her as well.
            "I need that potion I asked ye about," Marman said.
            Ginny frowned.  "Marman, I don't make potions.  I have told you this before."
            "But, we wants a baby," Marman said.  "A little-un ta carry on me name.  I know you can help us.  Master MacFarr says that's what mageborn do best—help folks with things they need."
            He reached for Wycie's hand as he spoke.  Wycie glared at Ginny as though measuring the mage woman's worth in a fight.  Ginny could not help but wonder what she had done to make Wycie despise her so.
            It was on the tip of Ginny's tongue to say that some folks should not have children, but she stopped short of speaking those thoughts aloud.  Without softening her expression, she looked at Marman and shook her head.
            "Marman, I have also told you that I cannot make an infertile woman or man fertile.  That is something that only the gods can change.  Now, I really must be on my way."
            "But you have to help us, mage woman!" Wycie suddenly snarled.  "You have to, you have to, you have to!"
            "Wycie," Marman said as though trying to sooth her.  "Wheesht, woman, don't be so rude to Mistress Ginny…"
            Wycie jerked free of Marman and fixed Ginny with such a fiery stare of rage that Ginny took a step back, uncertain as to what Wycie might do while angry.  Thistle growled a warning.  Wycie made fists of her hands, pumping them up and down like a small child having a tantrum.
            "You're mageborn so it's your job," Wycie added.  She stopped pumping her hands to cross her arms and glare.
            "It is not a matter of obligation, of which I have none," Ginny said.  "It is a matter of ability.  I cannot help you, Wycie.  I'm sorry, but no magic can."
            "She lies!" Wycie said, and with a shout, she stooped down and scooped up a clod that resembled horse droppings.  "Mageborn can do anything.  She lies because she doesn't think we're worthy!"  Wycie flung the clod at Ginny and shrieked.
            "Adhar clach!" Ginny hissed, barely in time.  The clod smacked into a shield of air just inches from Ginny's face and splattered harmlessly.
            "You have to make me a baby!" Wycie screamed and flung herself at Ginny.
            Thistle lunged at the woman, snapping his jaws.  It was all Ginny could do to hold the moor terrier back, much less cast a spell in her own defense.  Fortunately, Marman must have realized that attacking the only mageborn for several leagues around Conorscroft would not be wise.  He threw his arms around Wycie's middle and stopped her flight.  She continued to scream like a beansidhe and flailed the air with her fists.  Ginny saw small stones at her feet jumping up and down as though reacting to Wycie's rage.  She flicked mage senses at the pig man's wife and felt a faint hint of latent mage essence laced strongly with the element of stone. She can't be mageborn, Ginny thought, though in truth, many Keltorans possessed a hint of the blood in them, left over from ancient time.  It just did not always manifest when they matured.
            "Stupid, stupid, lying bogie woman!" Wycie shrieked.  "You will make me a baby or I'll…I'll…"
            Ginny turned on her heels and fled through the thickening crowd of onlookers.  She had not expected so many to be in from the fields this early in the day, but there they were, gathered like carrion crows watching a carcass for signs of life.
            "I'll make you pay!" Wycie wailed.  "Make her pay!  Liar!  Bogie woman!  All mageborn are liars!"
            Ginny made a mental note to herself to take the long path back to Tamhasg Wood to avoid another confrontation with Wycie.




About the Author: Laura J. Underwood has been writing and publishing as far back as she can remember. Her earliest stories were selected by Marion Zimmer Bradley for the SWORD AND SORCERESS anthologies, and her first novel ARD MAGISTER came out in 2002 from Yard Dog Press. Since then she has seen the publication of nearly 300 short stories, novels, novellas and other stuff. She currently lives in East Tennessee where she works as a librarian.

Facebook: Laura Jean Underwood

Livejournal: http://laurajunderwood.livejournal.com/

Website: http://www.sff.net/people/keltora



 
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