Celia’s Comic Review at I Smell Sheep: INKBLOT
Hello my Dear Readers!
Hope you’re having a wonderful summer. I’m busy working on a few new Fae paranormal romances but I’m sneaking in reading time, too, including “Inkblot” from Image Comics. What a fun read! Check out the full review of Inkblot over at the awesome I Smell Sheep Blog.
Happy reading!
xo,
Celia
A powerful sorceress must attempt to correct her greatest mistake—the creation of a magical cat that can travel through time, space, and the seven realms of reality. The cat threatens to unravel the fabric of the universe, doesn’t care, and just won’t listen!
Celia’s Review
As a total cat person, it was my utmost pleasure to read Inkblot, Volume 1. Kubert and Gladd do an excellent job of setting up their world, delivering the backstory in an engaging and visually stunning manner, and providing a fun inciting incident with the creation of the cat, after which the time-travelling adventures begin. Their blurb nicely sums up what’s what, so let’s talk about my favorite bits of the volume.
1. The Cat!
What can I say? I love this mischievous, time-travelling, reality-bending critter. A simply drawn black cat, the dark color has it leaping out at you from the panels while at the same time it continually explodes with personality… Continue reading at I Smell Sheep!
Missed My First I Smell Sheep Review?
Immerse yourself in this new dystopian series: Nocterra.
Celia Reviews #Comics at I Smell Sheep
Hello my Dear Readers!
I’ve started reviewing comics for the awesome I Smell Sheep Blog. I’ve been reading comics since I was a kid, so this is a fun new activity to add to my writer life. First up: a review of a new dystopian series by Scott Snyder: Nocterra.
Happy reading!
xo,
Celia
Ten years after the world is plunged into an everlasting night that turns all living creatures into monstrous shades, the only way to survive is to stay close to artificial light. Enter Valentina “Val” Riggs, a skilled ferryman who transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads with her heavily illuminated eighteen-wheeler.
Celia’s ReviewWelcome to a world cloaked in darkness. One day, the sun set midday and never rose again. Then people, animals, and even plants began to mutate into…something else. Something dangerous. The survivors are also at risk of mutating if exposed to the dark too long. The solution? Artificial light. But is it enough? There are so many good things about this new series from Scott Snyder… Continue reading at I Smell Sheep! |
New Release in #Romance: Summer Singles Anthology
Hello Dear Readers, Looking for some quick and steamy reads for your TBR? Here’s a look at new romance anthology from multiple authors, including my writer pal, Georgia Lyn Hunter. Details below. Happy reading!
xo, Celia
Title: Summer Singles Anthology
Author: Dorothy Ewels, Sophia Karlson, Stella Blanche, Pippa Lux, Pravina Maharaj, Georgia Lyn Hunter, Amanda Holly, Sevannah Storm, and Andie Patrick
Genre: Romance
Release Date: March 18, 2021
Cover Design: Raven Designs
The Romance Writer’s Organisation of South Africa brings you an anthology of steamy stories that will leave you hot under the collar and your Kindle melting. These stories are brought to you by our authors, both published and unpublished.
Welcome to a collection of bite-sized, Kindle-melting stories that will leave you salivating for more from these authors. Each story is a short, standalone, and ends in a HEA or HFN. This is a limited time anthology, so grab it before it’s gone for good!
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | GoodReads
Spotlight on #YA #SciFi: Replaced Parts by Stephanie Hansen
Hi Everyone! Author Stephanie Hansen is here today with her new release in Young Adult Science Fiction. Please enjoy the excerpt and be sure to enter her book tour giveaway. Details below. Happy reading!
xo, Celia
Title: Replaced Parts
Series: Transformed Nexus, Book One
Author: Stephanie Hansen
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Release Date: 02/23/21
ISBN: 9781953735027
ASIN: B08RZB9PXL
# of pages: 232
Word count: 67,770
Cover Artist: Caroline Andrus
When a clopil named Vex warns you of danger… Listen!
In the year 2163 a corrupt World Government controls everything on our planet and beyond.
Sixteen year-old Sierra has been so caught up in her own world of saving animal test subjects and her father’s disappearance, she hasn’t paid much attention. When she finally finds his location, she and her friend set off on a covert interplanetary mission to rescue him, she begins to see the corruption first hand.
Discovering that her father has been on the front lines secretly trying to save human test subjects inspires her to join a revolution. But she is afraid of the collateral damage of hurting the people she loves. Will she find the strength to make a deal with the mad scientist Cromwell to save not just her friends and family but everyone?
Book Trailer | Amazon | BN | Kobo
REPLACED PARTS EXCERPT
To make a smoke bomb all you need is potassium nitrate, sugar, water and a fuse. Programming holograph messaging to be ‘smoke screen projection only’ is much more difficult. It’s a digital version of invisible ink and completely security cam resistant. I pull up Yesha’s incoming call. The smoke allows her image to take shape and it almost feels like she’s in the room with me.
“I can’t believe you talked me into this, you little gomer.”
Yesha frequently begins conversations in the middle, no introduction or formal interrogation into my life. I think that’s why I like her.
“It didn’t take much to convince you.”
“Did you receive the package?”
I hold up the box addressed to me, Sierra, but I’ve removed the contents.
“Yep, right here, see.”
Yesha’s laugh is like a chorus of toads with hiccups. Her image vibrates on the smoke.
“That’s only the box, you drone bug!”
“I know.”
I hold up the syringes that had been inside the box.
“Be careful with those. Check the labels.”
I roll a syringe in my hands like Kitchen, one of our home bots, does with pretzel dough.
“One says healing serum, which I asked for. Why does the other say anti?”
“Backup. You always need an emergency abort mission option.”
“All right. Thanks!”
Yesha interrupts before I collapse the projection.
“Just be sure not to give the anti if you haven’t given the original serum.”
After she’s gone, I look at my subject.
I shouldn’t be doing this, but I find the koala’s eyes drawing me in like a poli-magno crash about to happen. It’s impossible to turn away.
The Science Olympiad team’s going to put me on probation again, which stinks since they’re the only local, human friends I have.
Following protocol gets us nowhere, however.
Mom’s going to be agitated because this isn’t the first time I’ve broken the rules.
I guide the koala out of the cage, leaving her brothers inside. I have to shake off feelings of jealousy. I don’t have any siblings.
“Why ya look so sad?”
Uplifting experiments have given us animals who speak. “Why do you look so sad, Eucarpo?”
The koala glances back at her brothers and then her eyes look up at me past her round, stub nose, and adorable ears. The sensation of an infant wrapping tiny fingers around mine envelops me. I can’t let them endure more unethical testing just so we can have the best DNA combination. I was okay with the testing when the purpose was to help those that were sick and it was beneficial to the koala species, but I can’t stomach testing these sweet things just for superficial reasons.
“Hate leaving ‘em behind.”
“They’re going after you if this works.”
“What ya mean, if?”
“Healing adaptation experiments have just begun.”
“But ya aced the test?”
“Well, yeah, but that was just practice. This is the first time I’ve used it on a living being. Don’t worry, it should all go as planned. I’m just being paranoid.”
It would be nice if I could stop blabbering when I’m nervous. Sometimes you just have to go for it and see where the cards fall. That was something my dad used to say. Before he disappeared, he used to tell me lots of things. He’s been gone almost a decade, but I might as well as have “Missing Dad” tattooed on my forehead.
“Ya paranoid? Ne’er!”
As she raises the fur above her eyes, I scratch behind her ear, and she leans into it like a bear scratching its back on a tree trunk. Her fur is soft as manufactured silk charmeuse.
“Ah yeah, right dere.”
“You sure you’re ready for this?”
“It gets us closer to freedom, so I been ready a long time.”
She takes another glance at her brothers, and I pick up the syringe with self-healing serum. I begin the sedation process as no one wants to be awake when artery lining fortifies, muscles pull with new agility, and brain tissue encases itself with a biting, thin metal sheet. Another reason I’m jealous of Eucarpo is that she responds to sedation, and I don’t.
As Eucarpo drifts into a peaceful sleep, I look out the school windows and see only the steel and glass of surrounding buildings. Their reflections mirror the sky. Today the unending blue gives the impression of being in the middle of the sea. On gray days, it’s as if I’ve been swallowed by thunderclouds. I can only imagine how green fields would look. People used to love the smell of fresh-cut grass. That was before an asteroid broke through the atmosphere damaging our ecosystem and killing all plants, causing our world to work together to save Earth and its remaining, limited vegetation. The only vegetation left is kept in guarded areas and labs.
I think I can hear the machines used to keep the atmosphere from collapsing but the sound isn’t right. Instead of a hum, I hear iron clanging. The serum glides through the syringe into Eucarpo and her breathing intensifies as the cells within her body multiply. No, that isn’t the machines. It’s locker doors slamming, followed by footsteps of someone coming down the hall. No one should be here now. They should all be at the assembly that I’m skipping. I must finish before anyone else arrives. I look at the oxygen and pulse readings, cringing with every spike. It feels like an hour passes as I look at the screens, but I know it’s only been seconds. I count breaths and clock ticks, staring at Eucarpo’s oxygen and platelet numbers rising.
“Come on, the science minds keep refreshments in here.”
I think I recognize the voice coming down the hall. Every muscle in my body wants to stiffen, but I can’t freeze now.
Luckily, the serum is fast acting and Eucarpo’s readings are settling. I inject the awakening treatment and then I throw the syringes and all remaining evidence into the incinerator. The burning and sanitizing process will turn these things into energy or something else useful. Eucarpo stirs a little when I hear the door sensor click.
As the voltball captain and visual arts queen walk in, I step in front of Eucarpo.
“Look, we found someone avoiding the assembly,” Milcah says as she nudges Danver in the ribs with her elbow.
About Stephanie Hansen
Stephanie Hansen is a PenCraft Award Winning Author. Her novella series, Altered Helix, released 2020. Her short story, Break Time, and poetry has been featured in Mind’s Eye literary magazine. The Kansas Writers Association published her short story, Existing Forces, appointing her as a noted author. She has held a deep passion for writing since early childhood, but a brush with death caused her to allow it to grow. She’s part of an SCBWI critique group in Lawrence, KS and two local book clubs. She attends many writers’ conferences including the Writing Day Workshops, New York Pitch, Penned Con, New Letters, All Write Now, Show Me Writers Master Class, BEA, and Nebraska Writers Guild conference as well as Book Fairs and Comic-Cons.
She is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | GoodReads
Replaced Parts Book Tour Giveaway
– $20 Amazon gift card & a signed copy (US shipping only)
Enter Stephanie Hansen’s Rafflecopter giveaway –> .
Bewitching Book Tour, 2/15-3/1: A Demon’s Embrace by @CeliaBreslin
Hello My Dear Readers!
Happy New Year and Happy Valentine’s month! I’m on tour for the next two weeks with my second story for the Cupid Dating Agency series. Here’s the schedule, in case you’d like to visit. And be sure to enter my giveaway for a chance at an Amazon(US) e-gift card!
xo,
Celia
A DEMON’S EMBRACE TOUR SCHEDULE
2/15 The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom (Guest Blog: Breakfast Recipe)
2/15 Fangtastic Books
2/16 Jazzy Book Reviews
2/17 Sapphyria’s Books Book Review
2/18 JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder
2/22 Westveil Publishing
2/23 Serena Synn – (Interview)
2/24 Sadie’s Spotlight
2/24 Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
2/26 Supernatural Central
2/26 Roxanne’s Realm
2/26 Midnight Musings
3/1 Paranormalists (Guest blog: Celia’s Top 10 Angels/Demons)
A Demon’s Embrace Bewitching Book Tour Giveaway
$20 USD Amazon(US) e-gift card
Enter the A Demon’s Embrace Book Tour Rafflecopter Giveaway.
Happy Holiday Excerpt: A Demon’s Embrace by @CeliaBreslin
Hi Everyone!
I’m headed offline for the rest of the year to spend some quality holiday time with my family. Before I go, I have a bit of Christmas-related cheer for you. Here’s a look at my snarky demon hero Stryker’s year-round holiday store, aptly named Christmas & More, as he shows it to his love-interest Zara for the first time. Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Happy holidays and see you back here in the New Year!
xo,
Celia
A Demon’s Embrace Excerpt
… she came to an abrupt halt. A gasp escaped her. He strolled around to catch her expression. It was her first time here in his holiday store, and yep, as expected, she gaped, gaze flitting up, down, right, left, repeat, repeat. Throw in a few rapid blinks, a couple slow eyelid squeezes, and a little head shake…
He chuckled. “My place has this effect on people. And apparently on angels, too.”
“Wow,” she breathed, gliding forward. “I mean…wow.”
She spun in a circle, then trailed her fingers over the golden garland and silver lights twined around his two-story artificial Christmas tree, the lighted angel topper of which hovered near the balcony of the wrap-around second floor and gleamed with luminous light, casting the space in a warm glow.
Christmas tchotchkes—nativity scenes in wood, porcelain, and marble, gaily painted nutcrackers both large and small, cheery metal holiday tins filled with treats, figurines of Santa and his merry little elves in various sizes, and more—adorned table after table on the first floor, and Zara moved in an otherworldly blur now, touching, lifting, and inspecting item after item. Her soft delighted laughs and squeaks pleased him, and he rubbed at a sudden tight spot in his chest. He loved the happiness beaming from her right now, so sincere and unrestrained.
“Snow globes, I love snow globes!” She stopped her whirlwind of activity by the checkout counter, brandishing a globe in each hand, fake snow swirling around little snowmen encased in the clear glass.
“Best sellers. They’re yours, free of charge.” Hell, he’d give her his entire Christmas collection simply to see this exhilarated expression on her face, cheeks pink, blue eyes aglow, lips curved in a genuine, real smile. And she aimed all this positivity at him.…
“Oh, I couldn’t.” She shook them both, seeming fascinated by the whirling glitter inside.
“You can and you will.” He opened up the store app on his phone and booted up a surprise for her. “Behind you.”
A cheery whistle sounded from the front window display. Zara’s eyes widened, and she twisted toward the source of the sound. Another delighted gasp. Jesus, joy oozed out of her every pore. Bloody brilliant.
She set the globes on the counter and hurried to the window display to watch the train and its attached red, green, and black cars chug lazily through the picture-perfect model town he’d set up. Mini pine trees, snowmen, and picturesque cottages dotted the entire snowbound landscape. Lights glowed in the windows of the quaint stores on Main Street. At one end of the street, tiny children figurines in winter gear skated on a mirrored faux pond in the town’s park. At the other, the train station and town hall teemed with holiday shoppers.
“Santa!” Zara clapped her hands when Santa in his sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer glided in a gentle circle over the town thanks to invisible wiring attached to a near-silent motor fixed and hidden in the ceiling of the display window.
Stryker’s face ached from all the smiling his happy angel had him doing, her glee as intense and endearing as that of the human kids who visited his store. “So, you like Christmas.”
“Who doesn’t?” She glanced at him for a millisecond before returning her attention to the scene.
Available at: Amazon | BooksToRead
Want more Stryker and Zara? Read another excerpt here –>.
New Release in #ParanormalRomance: A Demon’s Embrace by @CeliaBreslin
Hello my Dear Readers!
I’m excited to announce the release of another story I’ve written for The Cupid Dating Agency! This is the second in the quartet I’ve planned for this multi-author series. You briefly met snarky demon Stryker in A Warrior’s Kiss. Now watch him woo his heart’s desire, angel warrior Zara, in this Enemies to Lovers tale.
xo,
Celia
Title: A Demon’s Embrace
Series: The Cupid Dating Agency
Author: Celia Breslin
Genre: Adult, high-heat paranormal romance
ASIN: B08Q8JRLWN
ISBN: 9781393692881
Word count/pages: 30K/124pp
Cover Artist: Brantwijn Serrah
Release date: December, 2020
She believes him the enemy. He’s determined to prove her wrong.
Former relic-hunter and soldier for Hell, Stryker spends his days of redemption running a holiday store in a cheery little town in the California wine country. He’s not complaining. The gig puts him across the street from his one and only heart’s desire—a blue-eyed angel with a clever brain, a hot bod, and the wickedest right hook this side of Heaven. Too bad his delectable Angel Cake won’t give him the time of day.
Warrior-class angel and restaurateur, Zara keeps busy designing interesting foods and beverages for the eateries and gym she owns with her celestial teammates. She certainly has zero time or interest in the annoyingly sexy, darkly bronzed demon who drove her bonkers for eons while working for the other side.
But then a freak storm complete with hell beasties rampages their hometown, and God and the cupids order the pair to team up to investigate. Frustrating news for Zara. Fantastic for Stryker. His new mission? Show his feisty angel their partnership is meant to extend far beyond this one job for Heaven…
Join The Team
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Vivlio (FR)
A Demon’s Embrace Excerpt
(Stryker and Zara’s First Kiss… location: Charon’s boat, River Styx, the Underworld…)
…The boat heaved upward as if struck from below, sending her airborne. Before she could conjure her wings, Stryker shot up and snatched her around the waist, hauling them both to the deck.
Flat on his back with her sprawled atop his hard body, he grinned, much too pleased with himself for her liking. “Told you it gets rough,” he shouted over the rush of water. “I never lie to you, Angel Face.”
“That in itself is a lie,” she shot back, wedging her fingers in the gaps between the bone flooring and gripping tight while the chopping river tossed their ride. She could list thousands of his deceptions. Fine, they were revisiting his loathsome past behavior. “What about the time you stole the Ark of the Covenant? Or the Holy Chalice? The Vatican heist? Or when you took Joan’s sword and—”
“Aw, c’mon, she deserved it. She cut off the tip of my wing.”
“It regenerated, and you had no right to bother her in the first place when she was busy saving—”
“Hey, I gave it back.”
“I made you give it back, demon.”
He laughed but the sound was lost in the great roar of the river. Its turmoil increased, waves thrashing over the bow as if their presence angered the river.
“Buckle up, baby.” Stryker held her tight to his chest. The boat bucked upward and bashed down, again and again. Freezing water sprayed everywhere, drenching them in seconds. Zara shuddered, chilled to the bone, half expecting ice to form on her frame.
Cheek to cheek, Stryker clutched her close with a hand cupping her head and one massive arm banded around her torso. “Hang on Angel Cake, I’ve got you.” Warmth slid into her quivering body, a soothing heat wafting from the demon. “Nice trick, right?” he murmured into her ear, lips grazing her skin.
Teeth chattering, she didn’t reply, too caught up in the sensation of his surprisingly soft lips on the shell of her ear, and his spicy scent, an intriguing blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and earthy, masculine musk.
Desire danced through her, followed fast by denial. No. Please, no. Eternal enemy. Archnemesis. He’s the bad guy. But her libido didn’t seem to care one bit about their battle-filled past, or even their more recent clashes. Her treacherous body relaxed against his, basking in the continued warmth emanating from him.
“Yes, baby. That’s it.” His hand slid to her nape, and he exhaled against the sensitive skin of her neck, setting off a flurry of butterflies in her stomach.
Trap. This has to be a trap, right? Nothing good could come of a tryst with a demon. It didn’t matter how loudly the hum chimed in her, or how wonderful his hard body felt under hers, they couldn’t possibly—
Oh, no, now his clever fingers kneaded the knots in her muscles, massaging the tension from her neck and shoulders, making her melt.
His warm lips brushed her ear once again. “Angel…”
She should stop him. Really, she should. Then he nuzzled the hollow of her shoulder, and his soft kisses eroded her superego’s usual iron will. I mean, there’s nothing else we can do at the moment. Maybe, if she explored the cosmic hum trying to call them together instead of running from it, she would discover it meant nothing at all. Maybe, she could simply kiss him and move on.
She turned her head. He stilled, one hot palm planted between her shoulder blades, the other lounging on her lower back, his mouth so close their breath mingled. Goose bumps tracked over her and not from the cold since she had Stryker as her personal space heater.
Zara didn’t dare look into his eyes, instead digging deep one last time to stop this insanity, dredging up reasons this was a bad idea. Demon. D’uh. Longtime foe. Brash, blunt, devious, conniving, opinionated, manipulative, flirtatious, and yes, flirting was bad, so very, very ba—
[…] Lord help her, she wanted him too. Her gaze clashed with his. Such pretty eyes for a demon, like black onyx flecked with amber. He went statue-still beneath her, seemed to be holding his breath now, waiting for her to…
Make a move?
She wrapped a lock of his shoulder-length hair around her finger. Damp from the crashing river. Shiny, deepest black. Silky, and as warm as his body. She tugged on it.
A groan escaped him, and he kissed her.
Spotlight on #Historical #MM #Romance: Pink Triangle by @LeaBronsen
Hi Everyone!
I have a new release in the Cupid Dating Agency to share with you this week, along with some holiday cheer. First, let’s start the work week with Lea Bronsen’s latest release in historical romance.
Happy Reading!
xo,
Celia
Title: Pink Triangle
Genre: Historical, MM, Erotic Romance
Publisher: Writers In Crime
Date of Publication: October 2020
ASIN: B08KQGHVG8
Word Count: 146 Pages
Fearing and desiring the enemy… Sometimes you can’t choose who you love.
Oslo, April 1945
Paul is a handsome, free-spirited Norwegian in the prime of his life, but he doesn’t fit the German occupant ideology simply because he’s gay. And so, when the Gestapo catches him for producing illegal propaganda, he’s tortured and threatened to be sent to a German concentration camp with a pink triangle sewn on his shirt, the symbol for homosexuals.
It will take great courage and mind-blowing circumstances of luck, as the Führer commits suicide and the end of the war seems nearer by the day, for Paul to avoid his death transport to Germany.
And it will take the growing attraction of the Gestapo commander himself to regain his full freedom—and capture his heart.
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Pink Triangle Excerpt
The horse’s hairy muzzle appeared in the crack before the big animal pushed the door open and stepped into the shed.
Heimlich sat straight in the saddle, bare-chested, slim but muscular in all the right places, his uniform folded across his lap. Paul tried not to gape at the sight. With ease and grace, the commander dismounted and hung his clothes on hooks on the wall. Drops of sweat pearled on his forehead and temple and rolled down his firm chest and abdomen, making his skin shine. So, so very sexy. He took off his hat, uncovering his dark blond hair slick with sweat—but it only accentuated the sexiness.
He turned to Paul and caught him staring. “What are you smiling at?”
Oops.
Paul straightened and regretted having let himself be carried away. “I wasn’t smiling.”
“Yes, you were. You think I’m not aware I look like an office rat? You need to rub it in?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know very well I could use more muscle, and that I need to strengthen my stomach.” He tapped his six-pack, which was perfect in Paul’s world.
“Well, that hasn’t crossed my mind.”
An understatement.
“Really?” The commander raised a brow. “Do you honestly like what you see?”
Holy fuck, what a question…
Uncertain whether the man realized what he’d just said, Paul waited a bit before he asked, voice low, “Are you honestly asking a homosexual if he likes your body?”
The commander blinked slowly. “When you put it like that…” With a goofy smile, he turned to gaze out of the shed and shook his head.
Paul allowed him a moment to recoup. He was tempted to tease, but didn’t.
When the commander returned to Paul, he pointed at him. “Forget I said that. I didn’t mean it like that.”
Yeah, I’m likely to forget…
They held each other’s looks for a while, the commander inscrutable.
“Listen,” Paul said, emboldened by the awkward situation. “I’m going to be very frank with you. I hate you with all of my heart—”
No reaction.
“—But when you parade around me like that,” he pointed at the man’s naked torso, “you make it difficult for me to…”
“To what?”
To not like you.
About Lea Bronsen
Lea Bronsen likes her reads hot, fast, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and dark erotic romance.
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Pinterest | BookBub |
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Cover Reveal in #ParanormalRomance: A Demon’s Embrace by @CeliaBreslin
Hi Everyone!
The December holidays are almost upon us and I’m in the writing cave preparing the next Cupid Dating Agency story for release. I can’t wait to share Zara and Stryker’s story with you. In the meantime, you, my Dear Readers, get to see the cover first! Designed by the fab Brantwijn Serrah. Enjoy!
xo,
Celia
She believes him the enemy. He’s determined to prove her wrong…
Title: A Demon’s Embrace
Series: The Cupid Dating Agency
Author: Celia Breslin
Genre: Adult, high-heat paranormal romance
Release date: Soon! December, 2020
Former relic-hunter and soldier for Hell, Stryker spends his days of redemption running a holiday store in a cheery little town in the California wine country. He’s not complaining. The gig puts him across the street from his one and only heart’s desire—a blue-eyed angel with a clever brain, a hot bod, and the wickedest right hook this side of Heaven. Too bad his delectable Angel Cake won’t give him the time of day.
Warrior-class angel and restaurateur, Zara keeps busy designing interesting foods and beverages for the eateries and gym she owns with her celestial teammates. She certainly has zero time or interest in the annoyingly sexy, darkly bronzed demon who drove her bonkers for eons while working for the other side.
But then a freak storm complete with hell beasties rampages their hometown, and God and the cupids order the pair to team up to investigate. Frustrating news for Zara. Fantastic for Stryker. His new mission? Show his feisty angel their partnership is meant to extend far beyond this one job for Heaven…
Tranquilli Bloodline: Cocktails, Appetizers, & a Chat with Carina & Alexander
Hi Everyone! It’s Nanowrimo month, and I’m in the writing cave working on my third Cupid Dating Agency story, yay. For the blog today, I have a vampire character interview for you, plus recipes for a cocktail and an appetizer. Also, my Tranquilli Bloodline vampires have been on a month-long tour via Silver Dagger Tours, so be sure to check it out and enter my e-gift card giveaway (ends 11/7!). Details below the chit-chat with Carina and Alexander. Enjoy! 🙂
xo, Celia
Tranquilli Bloodline Series:
A Chat With Carina and Alexander, by Celia Breslin
“Hi Everyone! Celia here. Author of the Tranquilli Bloodline Series. My lovebirds Carina and Alexander have agreed to sit down and chat with me for a rare interview. Let’s get started, shall we?”
I smile at Carina and Alexander, who are seated across from me on a loveseat. “Hi, guys! Thanks for joining me on the Champagne blog.”
Carina grins. “Our pleasure. We always like hanging with you, Celia.”
“Aw, thanks! Easy first question: can you tell us where you’re from and what you like and dislike about your home?”
Alexander looks over the top of his sunglasses and nods at Carina.
She smirks at him than turns her attention to me. “Right, well, I’m originally from Italy. I moved to San Francisco when I was very young and that’s the place I call home. I love the weather, especially the fog, and there’s pretty much nothing I dislike about it.”
“How about earthquakes?” Alexander asks.
“Oh, yeah, hate those.” She strokes his arm. “Your turn.”
Alexander removes his shades and spears me with his sexy smoky blues. “I’m from San Francisco and like Carina, I’m a fan of the fog. For obvious reasons.” He winks.
I laugh. “Of course, being a vampire, fog is your friend. So…do you guys have a refuge? Some place you like to go to get away from it all? Where is it and why do you go there?”
“My refuge is wherever Carina is.”
“Aw, my man.” She kisses his cheek. “Ditto the love, but also, my dance clubs are our favorite retreats. I opened both my clubs, Haven and Destiny, so both humans and the preternatural community would have a safe place to party. No discrimination allowed. Everyone is welcome as long as they understand love is love is love. Bullies get bounced.”
I nod. “Sounds great. I guess this means you dance to relax right?”
“Yes,” they say at the same time.
I nod again. “I can see how that would be a great release after fighting evil all day. Speaking of your battle against Team Evil, is that what motivates you in life? What is your life dream and what do you do to make your dreams come true?”
A dark expression crosses Carina’s face. Alexander wraps an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. “Easy, baby,” he whispers, as power vibrates the air between us, and Carina’s dark chocolate eyes take on an eerie glow.
After several seconds, Carina sucks in a breath and exhales it slow. “Had to ask the tough ones, eh, Celia? Protecting my family and my friends is my top priority. And always will be. It’s my dream to keep them all safe. I’ll face down every single one of our enemies and take out anyone who dares hurt them.” Suddenly, she grins, and a fireball appears above one palm. “Thanks for the handy power, by the way. It rocks.”
I lean back in my chair, relieved the tension has dissipated. “Speaking of your enemies and your powers, anything or anyone standing in the way of happiness right now? And can you also tell us a little more about your abilities? Same question to you, Alexander.”
Carina closes her hand, snuffing out the fireball. “Our enemies are many. Currently, a bunch of bad vampires have issues with my relatives. I’ll need to take care of these pesky fangy troublemakers. As for my abilities, well I can burn vampires. I’m also strong, fast, agile. Can chat with my vampire family in my head. Pretty good with a sword too, thanks to my mentor Jonas’s training. Your turn, Alexander.”
Alexander kisses her cheek then cocks his head at me. “My favorite ability is telepathy. Being able to talk to Carina mind to mind. As a vampire, I’m powerful, quick, and generally deadly. I’m fairly good at playing piano, too.”
“Good?” Carina scoffs. “You’re freaking fantastic.” She glances at me. “Next question?”
They are so cute together, I almost forgot this is an interview. “Hm, how about sharing your favorite and least favorite memories from childhood? And your biggest fears?”
Carina rolls her eyes. “Always with the dark stuff, Celia. Sheesh. Favorite childhood memory is flying with Jonas when I was a little kid.” She gives me a disgruntled scowl. “My least favorite would be the one where I witnessed a murder. While the victim was holding me in his arms. Yeah, not fun. And biggest fear?” She exchanges a long look with Alexander.
I suspect they’re chatting mind to mind, then Alexander says, “Our biggest fear is losing each other.”
“And the darkness destroying our loved ones,” Carina adds with a grimace. “Not that I’ll ever allow this to happen.” Once again power floods the room, raising the hairs on my arms.
“Thanks for answering the tough questions. I’m sure the readers appreciate it. Let’s end on a happier note, shall we? What’s your life motto? And are you happy with the person you are today?”
Alexander chuckles and dons his sunglasses, looking like the sexy rockstar he is. “Definitely happy. Carina makes me a better man. And vampire. My life motto would have to be ‘Love is the best medicine.’”
“Ohhhh, good one,” Carina says, patting his knee. “I’m happy, too.” Then she leans forward, gazing at me with eyes gone vampire black. “My motto is more a warning: The Chosen One is here to stay. Bad, little vampires beware.”
(Character Interview, copyright 2020, Celia Breslin, all rights reserved.)
Carina’s Halloween Cocktail and Snack
Carina Tranquilli, the star of my Tranquilli Bloodline series, owns two dance clubs and has been known to mix a wicked cocktail. Here’s one of her favorites, plus a savory appetizer she likes to eat with it. Enjoy while watching your favorite spooky movies or reading a spooky tale…
The Bloody Carina
* 1-2 oz. vodka (optional)
* 4 oz. tomato juice (Carina prefers V-8)
* ½ – 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce (Carina makes her own!)
* dash of celery salt to taste
* pepper to taste
* Tabasco to taste
* dash of lemon juice
* twist of lemon as garnish
Pair your tasty beverage with Deviled Eggs. Carina likes Mary Nolan’s recipe on the Food Network
* 6 hard-boiled egg yolks (set aside egg-white halves for later)
* ¼ c mayo (Carina uses Vegenaise for an egg-free, dairy free option)
* 1 tsp vinegar
* 1 tsp yellow mustard (or to taste. More, if you like it tangy like Carina)
* 1/8 tsp salt (optional in Carina’s opinion)
* black pepper to taste
* smoke paprika for garnish
Mix. Dispense into the egg white halves. Eat!
Sale!
Haven (#1) is on sale for 99 cents on Amazon.
Free Read!
Vampire Code, a prequel short story starring Jonas, The Executioner is free on Kobo and Champagne Books.
Series Book Tour & Giveaway!
Visit the Tranquilli Bloodline Series Silver Dagger Book Tour to read excerpts from all three books and enter Celia’s e-gift card giveaway!
About the Series
The Tranquilli Bloodline is an urban fantasy vampire series with high-heat romantic elements, and starring San Francisco dance club owner Carina Tranquilli. Hot, undead musician Alexander is her love-interest. Over the course of the series, Carina transforms into a kickass warrior while wading through abundant family drama, battling assorted enemies, and, of course, falling in love.
About Me
Follow My Blog via RSS- Celia’s Comic Review at I Smell Sheep: INKBLOT July 11, 2021 celiabreslin
Celia Breslin