Please welcome author M.S. Spencer...

Thanks for having me, Sherri! I’d like to talk about my new romantic suspense/murder mystery Mai Tais and Mayhem.

In it, our heroine Tessa Diamond volunteers at Mote Marine, which is where she meets Cameron Mason and the adventure begins. Cameron has just been hired to help lobby for the Sturgeon Commercial Demonstration Program. He and Tessa visit the aquaculture facility run by Mote for breeding sturgeon, financed by the sale of caviar.

 

She learns that sturgeon in North America date back sixty million years, and in Asia two hundred million years. During that time they have remained relatively unchanged, which is why they’re often called living fossils.  Sturgeon live in lakes and rivers, and can reach 1200 pounds and 12 feet long—the Asian species grow even larger.

She also learns what tiger eyes can do to her.

Mai Tais and Mayhem

I Heart Publishing, 12/7/2015

Contemporary romantic suspense, M/F, 2 flames, Mystery

eBook 68,840 words; print 208 pp.

Blurb:

When Tessa Diamond rescued a baby pufferfish from a hungry gull, her good deed led her into a shady world of smuggling, Russian gangsters, and coded messages, confronting murder, attempted ravishment, parrots, sea turtles and sturgeon, only to encounter blossoming romances at every turn, including one of her own.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Smashwords

AllRomanceEbooks

Barnes and Noble

Excerpt (G): We Meet Cameron

“Excuse me, do you work here?”

Tessa jumped. “What the—”

A man stood next to her. His trim body and broad shoulders encased in a finely-made dark suit hinted at strength. He wore a nametag, but the writing was too small for her to decipher without getting up close and personal with his chest. Once her eyes traveled up to his face, though, she wanted to. Very badly. Talk about hot.

He reminded her of a dream she’d had a few weeks earlier, in which a stranger held her in his arms and crooned a love song. Here in the flesh was her stranger. Dark blond hair feathered with gold, the mysterious tawny eyes of a stalking tiger, gently tanned skin drawn taut over the arched cheekbones, a nose…well, the nose could use some work. It tilted at an odd angle, presumably due to a collision with a blunt instrument sometime in the past. Tessa found it endearing.

“I repeat, do you work here?”

“I…uh…no. I don’t.” She indicated the nametag. “Do you?”

“Technically yes, only not in this building. I’m hoping you can tell me which door I use to get out. I mean, now that the aquarium’s closed.”

“It is? Oh damn.” She checked her watch. Ten minutes after five. “I guess we’d both better leave.”

Together they made a circuit of the doors, finding them all locked. Finally, the door to the gift shop gave to the combined pressure of four hands. Feeling like mischievous children, they crept past the ancient man counting money from the cash register. At the main entrance, her companion grinned at her. “Shall we make a break for it?”

Tessa smiled back and legged it out to the parking lot. She was rooting around in her bag for her keys when he caught up with her. “Hey, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Well, catch your breath first.” She waited, thinking he didn’t seem in very good shape despite his physique. Good. Otherwise he might have been too perfect. She didn’t want any complications in her life right now.

“Sorry,” he puffed. “I guess I haven’t entirely recovered from that bout with pneumonia.”

Damn.

“So, are you going to tell me your name? After all, we’re partners in crime now.”

“Tessa Diamond. And you are?”

“Cameron Mason. At your service.”

“Nice meeting you.” Tessa turned to her car. He cupped her elbow with a big, warm hand.

“Say, Ms. Diamond, can I interest you in a drink?”

“I don’t think...”

“You see, I was supposed to meet with the Lab director at five and he called in sick. Since I live up in Bradenton I really don’t want to schlep all the way back during rush hour. It would be nice to while away some time.” His lips curled in a tentative smile and she knew she’d have to give in. “You’d be doing me a favor. How does Tommy Bahama sound?”

Tessa gazed deep into eyes in which greens and browns intermingled in a steamy rainforest of color. She woke up with a start when he touched her elbow again. “Miss Diamond?”

“Uh, sure. That would be fine.” Can you act any lamer, Tessa? But those eyes…

“My car or yours?”

“Er, why don’t I follow you?” She should at least make an attempt at keeping her distance. Anything to get away from that scent of his, a combination of dark rum and cinnamon. Very…tasty.

“Okay. I’m the tropical blue hybrid over there. The one sporting the I Love Caviar bumper sticker.”

“And I’m…” she stopped.

“The red Porsche. I know.”

Shut up, Tessa.

Contacts for M.S. Spencer:

Blog: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com OR

http://bit.ly/1aBzraT

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance

Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/

About.me: http://about.me/msspencerauthor

Tsu.co : http://www.tsu.co/msspencerauthor

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/msspencerauthor

Remember: If you read a great book, please be kind to the author and leave a review. 

Happy reading, everyone!

Sherri

Visiting with Iryna K. Combs about her writing, movies, and her release Black Wings.

Hello everyone, please welcome Iryna K. Combs. We're going to get to know a little about Iryna with a short fun interview, and then I'll let Iryna introduce her release, Black Wings, with her new publisher Roane Publishing.

First, here's a little bit about Iryna.

Originally from the Ukraine, I am still considered a new face to America. Speaking three languages including English, that have become just as natural to me as my native Russian.
​
I grew up in a town on the south of Ukraine doing the same things that other kids my age did: dreaming, hoping and wishing. Growing up, I spoke absolutely no English and never even saw myself somewhere abroad. Nevertheless writing a novel in another language!
I went to the local school that brought mostly negative experience in my life. But it shaped me throughout the years. My college life was much more pleasant. I was known to study well and to go out partying as much as possible.

Now - owner of bachelor degree in finance/economic and enterprises.
In my first year of college I began to work in the marriage agency and met my future husband. We dated and traveled to most of Europe along with Egypt.

Now on to the interview:

1. When did you realize you wanted to be an author?

     

    When I saw a dream and thought about it for a few months I did not really think about writing it down for a while. Until one night it just hit me. I thought that I had a great story line and I wanted to share it with people. When I began writing, I still was not sure what is going to come out of it. When my husband read the very first part, he really liked it and suggested that I continue and do not give it up. I think when my manuscript was accepted by my first publisher – is when I realized I am an author!        

2. What was the last movie you watched, and did you enjoy it?

Unfortunately, I rarely watch movies since I do not have much time. But only about a month ago I watched Hunger Games - Catching Fire. I loved it. Looking forward to see others.

3. How do you get your story ideas? Do you people watch or do the ideas come to you at odd times?   

Ideas come to me in the odd time. Usually it is after reading something or deep thinking about something. It took me a few months to decide to write Black Wings, so a long time of thinking and developing the story line. When I was writing, some things would just come to me as inspiration. It was amazing!          

4. What do you like to read in your free time? Your genre only or do your tastes vary?

Some will be surprised but actually, I am not a big reader. There are not many books that I have read yet. However, I do like to read most everything: from psychological books to fantasy and mystery!              

5. How do you eat your popcorn, buttered to the hilt or plain?

I like it with butter or cheese. 

Thank you, Iryna, for taking the time to talk a while and thank you, readers, for spending some time with us.

Here is Iryna's book, releasing today. Go grab a copy, it'll be a great way to end the day.

A new time. A new planet. A new world. New technologies. Two new humanoid species. A new war. The two species separate, but in the removal, some of the best are left behind among the worst. Captured and held as slaves, they are treated cruelly for entertainment. Torture. Pain.

Annabel, endures a year of such cruelty, kept alive only by way of syringes which, while healing, cause a greater agony. She discovers a secret held by their leader, and decides to help her own kind by escaping–even if it means a final death, preferable to the life she has endured. Her escape succeeds, and she joins her own kind at the other end of the planet. Among her new friends she meets many who help her adjust to their happier life. 

Will Annabel find romance? Or will another war break her down?

Buy links: Roane Publishing

Excerpt:

Annabel stopped at the end of the pier, and covered her face with her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks. That emotional moment had triggered memories from the Old Land and the Varkins. She remembered Kate, and how she had promised her freedom but was not able to keep that promise. She remembered her family she had lost, and her boyfriend who’d betrayed her. She wished the Big Change had never happened and she was still a human, with her family and friends. She thought she missed the Old Land, even the Varkins. She would never have thought she would think again about that dark place. Annabel stood at the pier and cried as the wind was blowing her tears away. She heard footsteps approaching her from behind.

"Excuse me?" One of the fishermen was talking to her, a crying stranger. "Something happened? Do you need help?"

"No...Nothing," Annabel replied and turned away.

"I know we don’t know each other," he continued, "but I have never seen an Anlight with black wings crying on the pier, so I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Annabel couldn’t say anything to him as she knew she was not okay.

"My name’s Robin," he introduced himself. "I come here sometimes when I feel sad too. I very well know this..."

"Why would you feel sad?" Annabel whispered, not looking at him. "Isn’t this a paradise here?"

"It is what you make it to be," he replied. "But I have my sad days too...I lost my son before we Anlights came to the New Land and I didn’t know what happened to him. He just disappeared right before we had to leave the Old Land."

Annabel opened her eyes and her heart jumped as she turned to look at the Anlight who was talking to her. He was tall, wearing dark pants and a brown shirt, holding his fishing pole in his right hand. Annabel looked at him for a moment and her eyes widened when the moon appeared from behind scudding clouds and she saw his face in its light. He looked so familiar she was...she knew the reason for his son's disappearance. She turned away from him hiding her emotions.

"What was his name?" she asked quietly, predicting the answer.

"Markus!" he said. "I called him Mark. He looked a lot like me."

Annabel closed her eyes and took a deep breath, knowing exactly what had happened to him. She bit her bottom lip, trying to hold tears from washing out of her eyes.

"He was about your age..." the fisherman continued, happily talking about his son, "Very brave young Anlight. Sometimes even too brave for his own good."

Annabel stood quietly, trying to calm down. She took another deep breath. She knew his son was that brave Anlight who had been doing most of the talking when they were first captured by Varkins.

"I know what happened to him," she whispered, wondering if she should even tell him the truth. Her voice began to shake.

"Oh, you do?" The fisherman sounded curious—after all, how she could possibly know?

"I was there too...I was with him...and others..." Annabel spoke while catching her breath, trying her best to talk normally without giving in to her emotions. "Nobody lived..." she finished as more tears quietly ran down her face.

"Nobody?" he questioned, needing to be sure.

"Only me..." She finally could not take it anymore and burst into tears, sniffing and catching her breath.

The fisherman sighed and put his head down, in sadness for his son—even though he had already accepted his disappearance and possible death. He came close to Annabel.

"I knew one day I would know the truth.” He spoke calmly, and with sorrow. “Thank you for coming here tonight."

"I am sorry about your loss," Annabel sobbed harder with every word said. "He and others were in a lot of pain...and those who died…were the lucky ones. They are in peace now and will not feel any pain again."

The fisherman took a step closer and put his hand on her shoulder. He smiled slightly.

"Sometimes it’s hard to accept what happens to us. Sometimes the reality seems too much for us to take. But we would not appreciate the good if we did not know the bad. We are writers of our own lives, and we decide when to close a chapter, and when to start the new one."

Annabel wiped cold tears from her cheeks as she looked at him.

"Cheer up," he continued. "You’re the lucky one! You can continue writing your life." He paused for a moment. "And I need to get back to my wife...fish for dinner!" He laughed, picking up a small bucket full of fresh catch. He walked slowly back along the empty pier, disappearing in the darkness.

Annabel stood on the pier for a while longer, thinking about what he had said. She calmed down, as the wind picked up and she began to get cold. She returned to the car and drove back to her house. When she pulled up, nobody seemed to be there. She looked around as she walked to the porch door, hoping nobody was waiting for her. Annabel entered her house and locked the door behind her. She was just going to call her cousin about her visit when, again, someone knocked on the porch door. Annabel recalled what had happened before, and was not in the mood to continue talking about her own or Dexter's relations. She crossed to the door and moved the blinds to see who was knocking. However, as soon as she saw it was Dexter outside, she slid the door open.

I hope you enjoyed the interview and sneak peek of Black Wings. Go grab a copy today!

Remember: If you read a great book, be kind to the author and leave a review. 

Happy reading, everyone!

Giveaway Alert!

Leave Cindy McDonald a lovely comment for a chance to win a kindle copy of To the Breaking Pointe!

    I am so thrilled and honored to know that everyone loves and enjoys reading Into the Crossfire, Book #1 of the First Force Series. “An adrenaline rush of a thrill ride!”~Jersey Girl Reviews posted on Amazon.  “I loved this book. It had it all, action, love, and revenge.” ~K. Sowards said.

   I’d like to thank all the readers/reviewers who were kind enough to leave a comment about the book, and I find that everyone absolutely loves Jack Haliday, the handsome, sexy, dark-haired Navy SEAL—as do I! He’s got it all: great looks, great sense of humor, and a great sense of family. That said, I’ve had some reviews stating that To the Breaking Pointe was good but not the same as Into the Crossfire.

    Um, of course not.

  Each of the story lines from the First Force series follows one of the nine operatives through a dangerous mission that leads him or her to the love of their life. Don’t worry, Jack Haliday is in every one of the books! He’s an important member of team First Force, not to mention a main character. I would never leave him out, and he is featured in two of the books: Book #1 Into the Crossfire, which introduces you to Jack Haliday and team First Force, and Book #2 Into the Dark—coming in January.

      To the Breaking Pointe is a wonderful story about operative Grant Ketchum who let the love of his life, ballerina Silja Ramsay, go to follow her dreams of being a prima ballerina in Russia. Unfortunately, five years have passed and her dreams have turned into a full-blown nightmare! She turns to the only man who she truly trusts to help her—Grant. As you can already see, it is not the same story line as Crossfire—it has its own story filled with great suspense, wonderful romance that includes a hero to fall in love with, a heroine you’ll adore, and a villain you’ll despise! 

   “To the Breaking Pointe delivers a suspenseful, intriguing and heart stopping emotional roller coaster ride with all the thrills of a Jason Bourne story.” ~Sherrie Wilson posted on Amazon. Moonlight Reader Reviews had this to say, “I found myself completely encapsulated in the story.”

EXCERPT:

Yekaterinburg, Russia:

A crowd had gathered in the reception room in the basement of the Mockba Theatre. The room wasn’t particularly large, yet it was quite elegant with red velvet swags hung in the archways, gilded crown moldings, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. A bar was set up in one corner while a violinist played softly in another. 

“It is ridiculous! An outrage! Dominik Potrovic should be included in the auction!” Ivan Belsky bit out in Russian. “A choice, that is what the contributors’ should have! We spend a lot of money at these parties!”

Natalia waved at the bartender for a glass of wine. “I have already explained this to you, Ivan. Dominik is in a relationship with our choreographer, Edvar. He is not available for the auctions.”

“Several of the dancers are married! Yet here they are—to be auctioned as the rest. I understand why Silja Ramsay is not present—she is an American, but there is not excuse for Dominik!”

“I do not understand. You always choose from the box filled with the ballerina’s shoes, not the male dancers. So why do you fuss?”

“I enjoy the girls very much. But Dominik—”

“If you are not happy with our selection of dancers, pull your bid and be on your way.”

Red-faced with frustration, Belsky let out a loud harrumph, and then stalked into the party just as Ballard Crafton rounded the corner.

“Where is Silja?” he asked Natalia as he searched through the party guests. The room was filled with men, a few older women, and most of the dancers from the Novikov Ballet Company. Only one dancer in particular was missing...Silja Ramsay.

“As always, there are plenty of lovely ballerinas here to choose from this evening, Ballard. Forget Silja for now. I will keep working to make her come around.

“No. I am tired of spending time with ballerinas that I don’t want. I only fantasize that she is Silja. I want Silja!” Ballard said.

   

    So fire up that ereader and download To the Breaking Pointe! You’ll get smokin’ hot romantic suspense, guaranteed! Will it be the same story as Into the Crossfire? Of course not! But I know this for sure: You’re gonna love To the Breaking Pointe!

1-click today: amzn.to/1KLAIhs

**For more information, covers, book trailers, and synopsis’ of all the First Force books please visit my website, www.cindymcwriter.com

Hey! Join my newsletter and get the first chapter of Into the Dark delivered directly to you inbox free! No worries! I don’t share email addresses and I NEVER spam!

Don't forget to leave Cindy a comment for a change to win a kindle copy 

of 

To the Breaking Pointe!

The winner of the giveaway will be announced 

Tuesday October 20th at 10:00 a.m. (EST)

Remember: If you read a great book, be kind to the author and leave a review. 

Happy reading, everyone!

Check out M.S. Spencer's latest release, with a new title and new look...

Thank you so much Sherri, for giving me the chance to introduce your readers to my new release, Dear Philomena: Love, Lust & Murder on Chincoteague Island.

Something crashed in the woods.  Was it a deer?  Or something more dangerous? Dagne didn’t care; she just kept running…

Dear Philomena: Love, Lust & Murder on Chincoteague Island

I Heart Book Publishing, October 12, 2015

eBook, 72,000 words, Print on demand, 209 pp
Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Mystery Romance

M/F, 3 flames

Blurb:

Dagne Lonegan, aka Dear Philomena, advice columnist, hoped that spending a year on the Eastern Shore island of Chincoteague would extinguish any feelings she had left for Jack Andrews, erstwhile lover and long-time jerk.  It’s just her luck that in her first week on the island she’s entangled in a murder. Only she doesn’t know it. Unfortunately, the murderer doesn’t know she doesn’t know.  Strange and dangerous things begin happening to her, disrupting her new romance with Aidan Ellis, the handsome manager of the National Wildlife Refuge. As if that weren’t enough, Jack arrives to take charge of the murder investigation.

Will Dagne stick with the tall, cool glass of a Ranger or risk falling back into the arms of the man who broke her heart?

Assateague, where the Body is found, and where much of the action in Dear Philomena takes place, is the actual island on which lies Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Chincoteague, just west of Assateague, is a wonderful small Eastern Shore island, rich in history and Chesapeake Bay seafood—the best in the world. Some restaurants, like Pony Pines and Memories, are gone now. Some soldier on as they have for generations—Etta’s, where Dagne and Aidan have lunch, and Bill’s, where Dagne scarfs down dozens of oysters, or Don’s. Then there’s Wright’s, where Dagne and Jack renew their…acquaintance in an unusual and sensual way.

Excerpt (R): Car Sex

   A young woman shuffled toward them, stopping to pick up two large, thick menus.  “Anywhere.”

   They took that to mean they had a choice of seating, and picked a table by the window. Dagne ordered the flounder and Jack chose crab cakes. They gazed out at the choppy gray water, avoiding each other’s eyes. The waitress brought glasses of wine. Dagne took a large swig, but still couldn’t think of anything to say. She didn’t have a clue where they stood or what Jack was thinking, not to mention how she felt about things. His profile was, as usual, sphinx-like. Impassive. Unreadable. And so handsome. She could see his long black lashes and the glint of cyan in his eyes. His scent, always fresh and clean, drifted across the table. He turned to face her, and she felt the blood rise hotly to her cheeks.

   Sipping his wine, he studied her. “I always forget how beautiful you are.”

   Dagne waited for her throat to open up, and finally emitted a squirrely “Thank you.”

   He continued to canvass her features.

   “Jack…”

   “Dagne…”

   A broad face, heavily made up, came between them. The words, “Crab cakes?” came out along with a puff of Marlborough.

   Jack accepted his plate with a wry grin. The waitress set trenchers of coleslaw and hush puppies on the table and slid a platter with a fish at least a foot long under Dagne’s nose. Chunks of crabmeat oozed out of its belly. It smelled wonderful.

   An hour later, Jack paid, and they walked arm in arm out to her car. Both Dagne’s stomach and heart were replete. Night had fallen. “The traffic should have cleared by now. Why don’t I give you a ride back to…I’ve forgotten where you’re staying?”

   “It’s a bed and breakfast in New Church. Not far. Thanks.” They got in. As Dagne searched for her keys, Jack’s arm settled on her shoulder. She backed out of the parking lot and headed down the dirt road. His hand rubbed her neck gently. She pressed back. It felt so good. She didn’t even mind when his other hand began to wander down toward her breast, but thought it prudent to suppress the urge to help him. His breath came huskily in her ear.      “Dagne, I want you. Now.”

   “Jack, we’re in a car!”

   “On a deserted road. Out in the wilderness.”

   “It’s a farm. Somebody’s farm.”

   “Yeah, I know. Perfect. Pull over.”

   Anticipation clouded her judgment. Jack pulled her out of the car, opened the rear door, and pushed her onto the back seat. His hot breath seared her belly where he’d pulled up her sweatshirt. A tongue tickled her navel, then licked upwards till it reached her bra. His hand moved on her back and an instant later, she felt the sweet release of her breasts from the underwire. They weren’t free for long. His mouth fastened on her nipple and began to suckle. Dagne writhed in ecstasy. “Jack, no. You are too bad. No, don’t.”

   For answer, he moved to the other nipple. When he lifted her skirt something cold and hard ground into her. The seat belt buckle gouged her naked thighs. Fortunately, his fingers distracted her from the pain as they pulled her panties aside—“Mmm, silk. You know what that does to me, Dagne”—and pressed inside her. A second later, they were replaced by a mouth that began to massage her labia, blowing softly on the engorged lips. She felt his tongue dart inside, licking and sucking, setting the tender flesh on fire. Her orgasm crackled upward and sucked all the oxygen out of the tiny space.

   “Jack…Jack…oh my God…Jack.” She fell to earth. As she lay panting she heard the sound of a zipper. Where his fingers had roamed, a most welcome, rough, hard cock beat up her thigh and entered her. It moved in and out, hardening with each thrust, faster and faster. She fell into the rhythm and they rocked, the car rocking in tandem with them.

   Jack’s voice came urgently, muffled in her hair. “Dagne, come with me, come with me.”

   “I will.” What else could she say? She rose to meet him and in a great whoosh they met and melded into one perfect creature, undivided. He let his body settle gently on hers, and they lay quietly. Just as Dagne began to drift off to sleep, a light hit her eyes and the sound of a truck engine broke the stillness. “Jack, Jack, get off me! Quick! It’s the tow truck!”

   Jack scrambled to the side, pulling his jeans up. He let out an oath and she heard a sucking sound. “Damned zipper.” Meanwhile she pulled both her sweatshirt and her skirt down, scrambled out the door, and dove for the front seat. In the same moment, the driver pulled off the road behind the Subaru.

   “You the one needing a tow, Lady?”

   Dagne thanked her lucky stars there were no streetlights, only a few bright stars and a sliver of moon. “No, not me. It’s the Miata, back in the restaurant parking lot.” Oh my God, I’m chirping like an embarrassed gerbil.

   Jack climbed out of the back seat and, shielding his eyes from the truck’s headlights, called, “It’s my car. She was going to give me a ride home, but since you’re here, why don’t I come along with you?”

   “Sure, hop in the truck and we’ll go take a look.”

   Dagne could barely see Jack’s outline as he crouched by the window. His lips brushed hers. “Gotta see a man about a car.” He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving behind only the crunch of gravel under his boots.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Createspace

Smashwords 

AllRomanceEBooks 

About the Author:

Although M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five continents, the last thirty years have been spent mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. She has two fabulous grown children and a perfect granddaughter, and currently divides her time between the Gulf coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.

Contact  M. S. Spencer here:

Blog: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com OR

http://bit.ly/1aBzraT

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance

Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/

About.me: http://about.me/msspencerauthor

Tsu.co : http://www.tsu.co/msspencerauthor

Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/msspencerauthor

Author Pages:

I Heart Book Publishing:

http://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/m-s-spencer.html

Romance Books 4 Us: http://romancebooks4us.com/Romance%20Author%20M.%20S.%20Spencer.html OR

http://bit.ly/1d6ehza

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Spencer/e/B002ZOEUC8/

A SPECIAL DEDICATION

by Cindy McDonald

If you read my bio it says that my life whirled around a song and a dance for twenty-six years. That’s right, I was a professional dancer/choreographer. I loved my dance school, and when I made the decision to retire from dance to write, it was a heart-wrenching decision indeed.

Over those twenty-six years I’d like to think that I touched a lot of young girls lives in a positive nurturing way. I’d like to think that I helped form them into the lovely young women that many of them became: mothers, lawyers, physical therapists, teachers, and the like. When I bump into my former students they throw their arms around me, kiss me on the cheek, and say things like: “Oh, Miss Cindy, I’m so happy to see you! I miss you so much and I miss dance so much. It was the best time of my life.”

The feeling is most mutual. But the very best part of choreographing was the ballets that we performed. I produced many: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Firebird which was my second favorite. But it was Coppelia that was my absolute favorite ballet that my dance school performed.

The year was 2005. I struggled that year to produce my show. We had lost my father very unexpectedly on Valentines Day that year—he simply dropped dead in his chair after breakfast. Needless to say my focus was a little off. I had girls counting on me to put on a great show and I’m not one to let anyone down regardless of the circumstances.

I had chosen Coppelia to be our ballet production that year and I dug in with everything I had to choreograph the ballet. When the costumes arrived in March, they were fantastic! A good friend of mine, John, who directed many of the musicals that I choreographed locally, had agreed to play the role of Dr. Coppelius. John is an older man and he is fabulous with a fun sense of humor—the girls all loved him.

Coppelia was a great success and the ballet holds a special place in my heart as does the entire cast. To the Breaking Pointe is dedicated to that cast—the ballet is featured in the book. As I wrote the story—especially the parts where the ballet is mentioned—I could hear the music. I could see the costumes, and I could see the girls in my mind’s eye dancing about the stage. I could see John with a pair of faux bifocals parked at the edge of his nose, chasing Swan Hilda around the shop as Dr. Coppelius.

I have so many warm memories of my dance school, but this ballet was so very special to me and so is To the Breaking Pointe.

* For more information on To the Breaking Pointe and the other books from the First Force Series, Into the Crossfire, and coming soon, Into the Dark, please visit Cindy’s website, www.cindymcwriter.com  Hey! Join Cindy’s newsletter and get the first chapter of Into the Dark delivered directly to your inbox as a thank you!

Book Two of the First Force Series:

First Force operative, Grant Ketchum, let the ballerina of his dreams dance right out of his life. Silja Ramsay returned to Russia, to become the principal dancer for the Novikov Ballet Company.

Natalia Novikov has a dark secret: her ballet company is broke. Natalia forces her dancers to prostitute themselves to financial contributors at exclusive after-show parties. Silja has been kept in the dark about the parties—until an American financier offers to bail the failing ballet company out. His prerequisite: Silja must become his personal companion and fulfill his every desire. Against her will, Silja is taken to the American's mansion, but before she goes she manages to send a text to the only man who can save her, Grant: HELP!

Now Grant is on a mission to rescue his ballerina from this powerful man's subjugation. If they survive, will he let her chasse out of his life again?  

1-Click your copy today: Amazon 

Excerpt:

Yekaterinburg, Russia:

A crowd had gathered in the reception room in the basement of the Mockba Theatre. The room wasn’t particularly large, yet it was quite elegant with red velvet swags hung in the archways, gilded crown moldings, and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. A bar was set up in one corner while a violinist played softly in another. 

“It is ridiculous! An outrage! Dominik Potrovic should be included in the auction!” Ivan Belsky bit out in Russian. “A choice, that is what the contributors’ should have! We spend a lot of money at these parties!”

Natalia waved at the bartender for a glass of wine. “I have already explained this to you, Ivan. Dominik is in a relationship with our choreographer, Edvar. He is not available for the auctions.”

“Several of the dancers are married! Yet here they are—to be auctioned as the rest. I understand why Silja Ramsay is not present—she is an American, but there is not excuse for Dominik!”

“I do not understand. You always choose from the box filled with the ballerina’s shoes, not the male dancers. So why do you fuss?”

“I enjoy the girls very much. But Dominik—”

“If you are not happy with our selection of dancers, pull your bid and be on your way.”

Red-faced with frustration, Belsky let out a loud harrumph, and then stalked into the party just as Ballard Crafton rounded the corner.

“Where is Silja?” he asked Natalia as he searched through the party guests. The room was filled with men, a few older women, and most of the dancers from the Novikov Ballet Company. Only one dancer in particular was missing...Silja Ramsay.

“As always, there are plenty of lovely ballerinas here to choose from this evening, Ballard. Forget Silja for now. I will keep working to make her come around.

“No. I am tired of spending time with ballerinas that I don’t want. I only fantasize that she is Silja. I want Silja!” Ballard said. 

Remember: If you read a great book, be kind to the author and leave a review. 

Happy reading, everyone!

WHOA! THAT GUY ON MY COVER IS H-H-HOT!

by Cindy McDonald

   The response to the cover of Into the Crossfire has been nothing less than entertaining. Every time I show the book to any woman I get the exact same reaction. First their eyes widen—sometimes I think I’m going to have to pick their eyeballs off the floor for them, then their jaw drops open, they suck in a little air—let it out slowly, and then they all say the same thing: “Oh my God! He is sooo hot!”

   Yep, and that’s when the questions start. “Who is he?”

   They are always amazed when I say that I know who he is and that I have talked with him through Facebook, and made arrangements for the photograph through the same social network. That’s right, I found Stuart Reardon on Facebook. I also found Stuart Tomlinson—who will be featured on the cover of the next First Force book, To the Breaking Pointe, on FB as well.

   See? Social networking can be more than who’s cheating on who!

   Mr. Reardon is a professional rugby player in the UK. Over the past several years he has taken on another career (quite successfully) as a model. He has been featured on many magazine covers. Sorry ladies he’s engaged.

  Anyway, Stuart is always posting his latest modeling photos on his FB page, and when this particular picture came through my feeds I immediately thought it would be perfect for the cover of Into the Crossfire. FB has many photographers who feature male models on their page and I’ve found that they are a great place to shop for original photos to purchase that can’t be replicated on another book cover. Most of the photographers are negotiable on their prices.

   So, is the story within the pages of Into the Crossfire as hot as the cover? I think so. My first book series, Unbridled, has suggestive scenes within its story-lines, but for the First Force Series I have tossed my inhibitions into the wind to write those bedroom scenes that I’ve longed to pen but was too shy while working with my first series. The Unbridled Series will continue to have suggestive material for those who prefer the love scenes to be a little less descriptive, but in the First Force Series I won’t be slamming the bedroom door in the reader’s face. That said the story-lines will carry all the suspense, twists, and turns that I love to write, and characters that you will miss after you’ve finished reading the book, and have you clamoring for the next books: To the Breaking Pointe and Into the Dark—coming very soon!

   For more information on Into the Crossfire, To the Breaking Pointe or Into the Dark/First Force Series and all of Cindy McDonald’s books please visit her website at: www.cindymcwriter.com Hey! Join her newsletter and get the first chapter of Into the Dark delivered directly to your inbox as a thank you!

It had been four years since ex-Navy SEAL, Jack Haliday, had an explosive run-in with a biker gang wounding their leader, Gunner. During those years Jack had acquired everything he ever wanted: a beautiful wife, an adorable daughter, and a lovely home in the suburbs—everything was as perfect as it could get, until Gunner returned to twist Jack’s world inside-out with a vengeance that he could never have prepared for. Critically injured, he found himself surrounded in the security of First Force International and in the care of their head medic, Dr. Rayne Lee, a beautiful and compassionate woman who knows firsthand the sharp slice of loss and grief.

Now Jack has a score to settle and he’s got some new friends to help him, but in the end, can Rayne help to ease his grief and encourage him to start a new life with team First Force? 

1-Click your copy today: Amazon

Excerpt:

Closing her eyes, Rayne took in a braced breath. “My name is Rayne. And I know all about the nightmares where the ones that you love are murdered in front of your eyes and you are powerless to stop it.” Her voice fell away.

Jack’s head snapped toward her.

She busied herself cleaning up the implements that she had used to suture him while she spoke. “My husband and I were on a medical mission in Peru three years ago. The Peruvian government had taken down a guerrilla group known as the Glory Road near the Amazonian Valley. They had killed or arrested approximately one-hundred members of the group. Matt and I were part of a small medical unit that went in to care for the women that had been held as sex slaves. They were in terrible condition, dehydrated, starved, and beaten. Anyway, Matt, me, and my four-year-old daughter, Sierra, were housed in one of the tiny shacks in a camp. One night, the camp was attacked by the guerrillas they hadn’t captured. It was a slaughter.” Rayne’s voice hiccuped. She needed to catch her breath. She sank onto the edge of the bed.

Jack watched her intently while she fought to muster composure.

Finally, she continued, “They killed my husband and my daughter, but for some reason they spared me and several of the women who had been rescued. I wished that they hadn’t. I was their prisoner for seven horrible months. I prayed for death every night. Uncle Walt and his team rescued me. It’s been a long road back to becoming a functioning human being.” Hesitating, she wrung her hands together. She found the courage to look him in the eye. “So you see, Jack, I have a complete understanding of what you’re going through.”

  

Remember: If you read a great book, be kind to the author and leave a review. 

Happy reading, everyone!