The Cover Unveiled

Here it is, the gorgeous cover created for the book by bestselling author and amazing artist Rue Volley. The Queen of Swords, a paranormal tale of undying love, will be published in Kindle and soft-cover formats by Vamptasy Publishing on March 22. The book tells the story of a white witch who returns every hundred years to reunite with her soul mate--a Scottish nobleman earthbound by a dark wizard's curse. For a better sense of the story, watch the new trailer:

Tonight's the night!

The big Birthday Bash/Cover Reveal for The Queen of Swords, a paranormal tale of undying love by Nina Mason (yours truly), is taking place over at Facebook tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. I've got lots of fun games and activities planned and the prizes are fabulous. Handcrafted, author-signed spell boxes, pendant necklaces, tarot cards, and books. Don't miss out. To join the party, click here. Watch this space for the big reveal. I'll be posting the gorgeous cover Rue Volley created for the book along with the new trailer here at right around 9 p.m.

The Countdown to Cover Reveal Continues

Only four days remain until the big unveiling. Have you signed up yet? There will be games and prizes related to the themes in the book: vampires, witches, ghosts, Celtic creatures, and tarot cards. Here's a wee peek at the swag I'll be giving away to those who participate. It's not too late to sign up. And you don't even have to leave your chair. Just click on the banner.

Cover Reveal: Cursed Be the Wicked by J. R. Richardson

Jo Richardson

Today, it is my privilege to be one of the blogs unveiling the stunning cover for CURSED BE THE WICKED, a paranormal mystery romance by J. R. Richardson. The novel, to be released on March 5 in Kindle format by Soul Mate Publishing, tells the story of Cooper Shaw, who lives his life under a pen name and enjoys the anonymity it provides during his journeys across the globe as a seasoned writer for a travel magazine. When his job lands him in his hometown of Salem, Mass., to cover the famous Festival of the Dead, he soon realizes he can't stay invisible forever as he is finally forced to face the ghosts of his past. And maybe open his heart a little, too.

Jo Richardson is a self-described writer of stories and lover of
life. She grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents, and an endless number of cousins. Today she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband who shares her sense of humor and outlook on life. She's always loved writing, so, in her spare time, she wrote CURSED BE THE WICKED.

Want to know more about Jo and her books? Check out her stalker links:

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Another wee excerpt from The Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords,
a paranormal tale of undying love

Only a week to go until the cover reveal for THE QUEEN OF SWORDS, my debut novel to be published March 22 by Vamptasy. To mark the occasion, I thought I'd share another wee excerpt from inside the book. This is unedited, but not too rough, I hope.

“How long have you had that?”

“What?” Graham asked, the cigarette dangling from his seductive lips. “Oh, the lighter.” A strange expression came over his face as he studied it—a mixture of nostalgia and regret? “Since La Belle Époque. Catharine bought it for me. An engagement present.”

Cat felt jealousy’s hot lance, but quickly reminded herself there was no cause. She had been Catharine, after all. She studied the lighter as he lit up. It bore an engraving, but she could not make out the tiny, worn inscription.

“What does it say?”

He smiled at her, eyes twinkling with mischief. “It doesn’t speak so far as I ken.”

“Ha-ha.” She pulled a face, but liked that he had a sense of humor. “I meant the engraving, smartass.”

Something flashed in her mind. A moment in snapshot. Her giving him the lighter in a red box stamped Cartier. Then, she knew. The inscription, in French, read, “I will always love you.”

The next second, he said the words, sending a chill up her backbone. As the shiver snaked through her, he turned back to the window and looked out at the rain while he smoked. She wanted so badly to go to him, to touch him, to put her arms around him, to feel his arms around her, but she lacked the courage to initiate contact. What if he pushed her away? What if he didn’t? She was equally terrified of both possibilities.

Review: The Bad Wolf by Michelle Clay

The Bad Wolf by Michelle Clay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I downloaded this right after receiving my Kindle for Christmas. It's a YA about a girl named Chloe who moves to a small town in Colorado after her parents separate. (She walked in on her father with his girlfriend, so there's some residual trauma involved). She was popular in her last high school, but is teased and harassed by the new clique (pack) of popular kids at the new one. Only Jenna, a goth type, befriends her. Jenna's handsome, dark-haired cousin Ryan, to whom Chloe feels uncannily attracted, seems to run hot and cold toward her, which vexes and confuses. One minute, he's kissing her, the next, pushing her away. Chloe, who can sense the emotions of animals--a gift she hides from family and friends--soon learns the reason she's being treated so badly in Hunde...and why Ryan acts so mercurial toward her.

I like this kind of paranormal romance. Well, actually, I like this kind of paranormal romance with steamy sex scenes, but, given that it's a YA and Chloe is only 16, I didn't really expect her and Ryan to get it on. What I mean is that I like paranormal romances about a normal heroine (or hero) who finds herself in paranormal circumstances. So many paranormals these days have just gotten too weird for me. Guess that's why I write the kind of books I love to read; books like this one (only with steamy sex and adult characters); books about people falling in love and overcoming obstacles that are perhaps just a little more "out-there" than what human couples face.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those, like me, who just want a good, old-fashioned paranormal romance about a normal girl who finds herself falling for a handsome were or vampire. Kudos to author Michelle Clay for an enjoyable, compelling read with The Bad Wolf.

View all my reviews

Countdown to Cover Reveal

The clock is ticking on the Facebook Birthday Bash/Cover Reveal party for The Queen of Swords. Only a week to go. I can hardly wait. Have you signed up? If not, click on the poster below to do so.