Thanks for swinging by! 😉
Happy Hump Day, people!
I have a stellar sketch to share with you today! This wonderful piece was created by the very talented artist, Takeia Marie.
For those of you who have read The Dragon Queen Series, you know this sassy chick is Sharayna “Rayne” Piers, the all-powerful Dragon Queen. Takeia managed to expose Rayne’s saucy demeanor and hidden strength in this sketch.
Isn’t this beautiful?
This feeds my desire to see the Dragon Queen series as a graphic novel, or manga. 😉
Stay tuned! I have an absolutely wicked drawing of Maurisio Bithanos, also created by Takeia Marie, to share with you later. 😉
“Evil has the habit of nesting in the most unlikely places.” ~ Demetri Bithanos
Happy Friday the 13th, people!
Today is the start of my Winter Giveaway! Yeeyyy!
I’m doing this Winter Giveaway to celebrate the release of the paranormal romance novel, SHIFTING DARKNESS, Book 2.5 — due to release December 20th 2013!
This is how it works. I’m going to post 5 questions pertaining to the Dragon Queen Series. The first 3 people to drop the correct answers in my FB inbox wins!
Before I post the questions, check out the goodies that could be yours.
The 1st person to answer correctly will win:
The 2nd person to answer correctly will win:
The 3rd person to answer correctly will win:
Now, let’s get this party started!
**If you know the answers to the questions, don’t post them here, drop a message into my FB fan page inbox and I will reply to let you know I received it. https://www.facebook.com/yvonnenicolasfanpage
Now if you can’t answer them all, that’s okay, give a go anyway. I may take 4 out of 5. 😉 I will name the winners on Friday, December 20th.
Good luck!
How’s the Arctic Blast treating you? We are cold and soiled in rain here in Georgia, but it’s absolutely freezing in some other places here in the US of A. I hope you all are keeping warm. 🙂
Around this time of the month I usually participate in a Holiday Giveaway Hop with fellow authors, but because I’ll be moving during this month. As a result, I can’t offer my time to the hop like I’d like to.
However…
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to give the readers a chance to win some free stuff! Come on, this is the month of giving. And on a side note, it’s also the month of my birthday. Hint-hint. 😉 It wouldn’t be complete unless I made someone smile.
As most of you already know, SHIFTING DARKNESS—an extended short story to the Dragon Queen Series, releases this month. Well now I have a date to announce.
Shifting Darkness will release on MY BIRTHDAY, which is the 26th of December. That’s right! Right after Christmas, baby! Woot-woot!
CAPRICORNS RULE!
I’m going to have cake, ice cream and a ridiculous amount of booze. Won’t you come and celebrate my birthday with me. 😉
**Due to unforeseen circumstances, the release date has been moved to the 20th of December, Friday.**
Wait a minute, before that happens, let me fill you in on the giveaway.
On the 18th 13th of December, I will post 5 QUESTIONS pertaining to the Dragon Queen Series. If you’re familiar with the series these question should be super easy for you to answer. The first 3 readers who answer them correctly will be the winners! I will announce the winners on the 20th on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
The 1st person to answer correctly will win:
The 2nd person to answer correctly will win:
The 3rd person to answer correctly will win:
Now keep in mind this is not all of the prizes. I have some fabulous author friends who will most likely get in on this giveaway. So you could win much more than this!
I’ll keep you posted. 😉
SILENT SCREAMS is nominated for 2013 Book of the Year over at the Talent Cave Reviews! I still get a little teary-eyed when I think about it. *blush*
If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, the polls are still open!
CLICK HERE LINK TO CAST YOUR VOTE >>> http://thetalentcavereviews.weebly.com/
Torn between the whispering darkness and the divine light, can she save mankind from the rise of evil?
I want to take a moment to pass some love to a wonderful actor who raced his way into my heart years ago. He was taken from this world way too soon. 😦 My heart is sad. I will be in tears as I make this a Fast & Furious weekend by watching all of the films in the Fast & Furious franchise. I hope you’ll join me.
Much Love! RIP Paul Walker
“If one day the speed kills me, don’t cry because I was smiling.” ~ Paul Walker
Earlier this week I was gifted with a glorious ★★★★★ review from Brandi at the Talent Cave Reviews for SILENT SCREAMS ~ the first book in Dragon Queen Series.
Thank you for the review, Brandi! I’m so glad you loved it. 😀
This morning I received an email from the Talent Cave Reviews stating that SILENT SCREAMS is nominated for book of the year. WOW! Book of the year? OMG!
That made me so very happy! Being nominated is an honor in itself.
Now I’m trying to win, baby!
Want to help me win?
If you haven’t already, please, please, PLEASE swing by and vote for Silent Screams! I will love you forever, my friends and fellow readers.
CLICK THIS LINK TO VOTE >>> http://thetalentcavereviews.weebly.com/
Find out what the all the buzz is about and get your first taste of The Dragon Queen Series.
Thank you and have a fabulous weekend!
Friday night was the premiere of the highly anticipated NBC thriller, Dracula, and I was tuned in, with many other vampire lovers. I must say I was not disappointed.
**WARNING: This post contains spoilers.**
The show opened up with the vampire hunter Van Helsing resurrecting our beloved Dracula from the dead. His reason for bringing the dark prince back to the realm of the living was simple. Balance. There’s a dark order of puppet masters running things in London—the Order of the Dragon—and the only one who can stop them is Dracula, aka Alexander Grayson.
Dracula also has his own agenda. Revenge. But he’s thrown off course when he meets Madam Mina Murray, a woman who happens to be the splitting image of his late wife. His wife was murdered by the Order of the Dragon, hence his need to bleed them all dry.
Right after his blood-consuming resurrection, we were gifted with smoldering body shots of the insanely gorgeous, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. This man oozes sex appeal. Many of us were reminded why we tuned in, and why we watch the seasons of Tudors over and over again. Plainly put, JRM is freaking hot! He brings a dynamic sexuality to the character, one that’s difficult to ignore.
The direction of the story was a little choppy and slow at points, but Mr. Meyers makes it easy to overlook those things. His eyes, the way he gazes, the way he speaks, his body language… Even the way he crossed his legs is sexy. He draws you into the moment, making you wish you were there with him. He is a master of seduction.
I like the fact the writers didn’t shy away from the old vampire myths. Because of that, it gives the show a classic flair. Also, I like that Dracula is not invincible. Aside from the natural vampire weaknesses—like sunlight, garlic, crosses, etc—he can be hurt, both mentally and physically.
If you watched the show, hopefully you noticed the steampunk elements within the storyline. That was a brilliant touch. It gives the show a bit of an edge over the other time period shows.
Now, I’m dying to get to the sexy scenes, and I know you’re dying to hear about them.
When he approached Mina after she walked out of class, I was holding my breath. He eased up on her so smooth-like with that I want to eat you look in his eyes and she didn’t even know he was there! Even when he circled her, like a lion stalking his prey, she only felt a whisper of his presence.
That was epic smoothness!
I don’t think anyone else could’ve pulled that scene off like JRM. He nailed it!
Oh, and the oblivious women who gave him the flirty smile afterwards. She had no idea how worked up he was, or that he was the prince of darkness. Nevertheless, she was the meal to calm the beast, and from the looks of things, she loved it.
Next, the opera scene… DAYUM. We all know that scene was definitely too hot for TV. When he put his hand up her gown, I knew we were in for a treat. She moaned and I moaned. Seriously, it was a special moment. JRM seduced me through the television as he stroked Madam Victoria to a panting orgasm, as I’m sure he did many women across the US. *grin*
I’m still shuddering from that scene.
Given the reputation of the writers who spun the show Tudors, and Jonathan’s special talents, we’re going to get more of that too hot for TV action. I can hardly wait.
Hey there, fellow bloggers and readers!
It’s now time for the Trick or Treat giveaway. 😉 There are some wonderful authors joining me on this Trick or Treat adventure.
Before filling you in on the fantastic prizes, let me tell you how to play.
Just choose an item from my goodie bag list below, send me a message on my Facebook Fan Page with your selection. Then move onto the next author on the street.
***Please take some time to look around at each site. Some of the authors will be providing fun tidbits and free stories for your reading pleasure! If an author looks like someone you’d like to read, consider signing up for his/her newsletter.***
On Halloween night at Midnight, I’ll choose a winner from the emails sent to me and send the names to the fabulous Sam Cheever, the grand house keeper. 🙂 On November 1st, Sam will choose two winners from those 13 “house” winners who will each win a Grand Prize basket.
So you could be a double winner! Whoo-whoo!! 😀
The grand prize baskets will include an assortment of the following.
The person who wins at my house will get these Halloween goodies:
Rules:
You can only take one trip down the street and you must be at least 18 years of age to play!
(Note: this contest is for US contestants only.) Sorry. 😦
Now that we’ve got the rules out of the way, let’s have some fun!
Select from my goodie bag below and send me a note to tell me what you picked!
Read this spooky passage from Scarlet Moon Book 2 of the Dragon Queen Series and answer the question at the end.
For as long as she could remember, the water demon tribe despised her kind. In the war between good and evil, the finned creatures were neutral, not leaning toward either side. At least that’s what she’d been told as a child.
Regardless, they still held their dislike for the dark side.
She couldn’t blame them for that really. The water demons were known to be peaceful creatures. However, she’d never met one who didn’t try to viciously take her life.
In that moment, a thought came to her. If she could rile the water demon soldiers, just a little… they would lash out and destroy Doshar as soon as he stepped foot onto the beach.
But will I lose my life in the process?
Glancing back at the portal, Imrie eased toward the shore. The tiny granular rocks gently dug into her knees and palms as she crawled closer to the beckoning waters.
Doshar hadn’t come through the gateway yet. Foolish warlock. Instead of focusing his energy on inflicting pain on her, he should’ve allowed her to heal him. Traveling through the portal would be all the more damaging to his injuries.
This might just be to her advantage, because it would take him a while to pass through.
Only inches from the sparkling ocean, she placed her trembling hand over the waters. The shift of the wind paused. There was no movement or sound. The reflection of reddened moon glared at her from the still surface. She gulped back the lump in her throat and tapped the unwavering water with a single finger.
A gentle ripple spread out and multiplied into spiraling rings across the ocean’s plain.
In the midst of the serene moment, a scaly hand shot out of the water and latched onto her wrist.
She shrieked and tried to jerk back.
The creature only tightened its biting grip. Her flesh painfully seared beneath its scales. A lashing stream of water vaulted from the surface and coiled tightly around her neck, relinquishing her healing power.
What was liquid felt like a thousand tiny blades slicing through her jugular. The fresh outpour of her blood spilling into the sand assaulted her senses and sent a rush of panic through her. Constantly digging into her flesh, the razor-like water whip severed her arteries. If she turned her head to either side, it would come completely off, and that would be end of her.
Truly, this wasn’t one of her brightest schemes.
“Please,” she gasped. She went limp, refusing to struggle against the watery restraint. To do so would only increase the pain.
Three heads emerged from the water at nose level. Large black fins splashed wildly behind them. Luminous droplets rolled off bright golden hair as six angry eyes, the color of onyx, peered at her.
In a harmonious unison, three masculine voices shattered the shelter of her mind. “You dare disturb the great domain of Arna.”
This wasn’t their normal behavior. They’d never spoken to her before.
“Dear warriors, I am parched, and I only wish to take a drink of your purifying water.”
“Lies! You attempt to use us as pawns to rid you of your mate. You will die along with him, Hargist.”
Sheeki! She squeezed her eyes shut and braced for the attack that would surely end her life. Seconds passed and none came. Deep murmurings drifted around her. Hesitant, she opened one eye, and then the other.
The soldiers were gathered together, staring at her palm with their eyes stretched in wonder.
What are the creatures who attacked Imrie?
If you know the answer, send me a message on my Facebook Fan Page inbox with your selection and move onto the NEXT HOUSE ON THE STREET.
Follow my blog for special treats during the contest, and to find out if you are the winner. 😉
Happy Halloween, my lovelies!
