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Fabulous Friday Reads: On a Dark Tide
TGIF! Let’s kick off the weekend with Naomi Clark’s hot new Romance on the Go story, On a Dark Tide, now available from Evernight Publishing and other purveyors of fine online fiction. Take it away, Naomi!
Thanks for having me here today! I’m excited to share my latest Romance on the Go, ON A DARK TIDE, a story I constantly (and probably annoyingly) referred to as the Creepy Ocean Story whilst writing it. I’m a mermaid at heart. I love the ocean, whatever the season, whatever the weather. Nothing makes me feel as at peace or inspired as sitting by the shore. ON A DARK TIDE is one of several stories and books I’ve written with the ocean at its heart, and it won’t be the last.
ON A DARK TIDE also let me touch on something else I love – true crime and unsolved mysteries. I have a fairly long commute to work each day, and I usually pass the time by listening to podcasts. Delving into truly strange and puzzling stories of disappearances helped me shape the background of Piper and Cam’s story, and hopefully you’ll enjoy delving into the mystery of Dina Mackay with them!
True crime podcasters Piper and Cam have travelled to the sleepy seaside town of Findlay to investigate the disappearance of a woman nearly a decade ago. The theories are wild—everything from murder to mermaids, and Piper is determined to get to the truth.
Battling her fear of the ocean, Piper soon realizes Findlay has deeper, darker secrets than she could ever have believed. As she struggles to master her fear and deal with her unrequited love for Cam, Piper is lured into perilous waters. The truth waits beneath the waves—and Piper’s fate waits with it.
Story Excerpt
“Cam,” Piper said again, almost wailing it as Cam took off back up the shore toward the town. Piper started after her, got her feet tangled in those grabby strands of seaweed, and toppled over. She landed face-first in the sand, grit and water-worn stones digging into her palms. “Shit!”
She lay there for a few seconds, berating herself for being so stupidly tongue-tied. Then she picked herself up and hugged herself against the bitter cold wind rushing off the waves. She could fix this.
All she had to do was run after Cam and say … something. She didn’t know what, though. She still wasn’t sure what the hell had just happened. What Cam had expected to happen.
But she wouldn’t find out hanging around on the beach, would she?
She started walking, the distant lights of the town guiding her. She and Cam had come further than she realized, and night had swept in while they walked. She couldn’t even see Cam’s silhouette up ahead. But she couldn’t have gotten far, surely. Piper had only been down a minute. Piper cupped her hands to her mouth. “Cam? Cameron!”
There was no answer. The wind shrieked down the bay, suddenly wild, and Piper flashed back vividly to her dream last night. She wondered if that’s all it had been, a howling gale invading her dreams. She glanced out across the ink-dark waters of the bay, watching the white caps rise and fall as the tide drove in. It was too easy to imagine being tossed around in those wild waves, mouth full of salt, lungs burning, body sinking and rising at the will of the water. It was too easy to imagine Dina Mackay walking into the sea…
Piper shivered, unsure where the idea came from. The wind rose and fell in strange harmony, filling her head with shipwrecks and yellowed bones polished by centuries of sand and water. She stopped looking for Cam, entranced and disturbed by the song of the bay. It did sound like voices, eerily so. Sweet, inhuman singing as the wind ripped through hidden caves and over knee-high banks of marram grass.
Dina could have heard that beautiful, awful music the night she went missing. She could have walked out of the Lobster Pot, just like Piper had tonight, pleasantly buzzed, and thought she heard voices down on the shore, out in the water.
Piper didn’t remember moving, but the water lapped at her feet now, so either she’d moved or the tide had. She wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. The singing swirled around her, warming her where the wind had chilled her. The water washed over her canvas shoes, soaking in and anchoring her to the shore. The singing pulled at her, dragged at her, as inexorable as the ocean.
Where to Buy
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Evernight Publishing
About the Author
Naomi likes writing, perfume, fancy tea, and unfathomable monsters from the dark spaces between the stars, not necessarily in that order. She has been writing stories ever since she learned how to write, but is still trying to master the art of biography writing. When she’s not dealing with werewolves, demons, or sea monsters, she’s hanging out with her cat and probably watching a documentary about Bigfoot. If the cat isn’t available, she’s with her fiancé watching cookery shows and silently plotting her next book.
Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: Naomi Clark
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to Naomi Clark and her smouldering new shifter book In Cold Blood. Take it away, Naomi!
Hi there! Thanks for having me today and letting me share a bit about my new release, IN COLD BLOOD. This is a spin-off from my Urban Wolf series, set in the same world but featuring new characters. My goal with every entry in the Urban Wolf series is to open the world up a little bit more. SILVER KISS gives us a good, solid starting point with werewolves. BLOOD HUNT introduces vampires. PHANTOM FEARS teases the idea of ghosts, and COLD NIGHT MOON gives us fae creatures (or one, at any rate). With IN COLD BLOOD, my idea was that, well, someone had to be noticing all these weird and wonderful creepy beasties. And someone would be keeping notes…This will tie directly into the plot of the next Urban Wolf book, which will take us back to Ayla and Shannon. The circle of life, etc.
IN COLD BLOOD is the first of a planned trilogy about Phoebe, Aisling, and the Luporum. I already have book 2 mostly planned out (in my head, anyway), but my aim is write that Ayla and Shannon book first. So if you enjoy IN COLD BLOOD, rest assured that there’ll be more from my socially awkward werewolves in love – and the Urban Wolf series in general! – in the future 🙂 Happy reading!
You can find the complete Urban Wolf series, in reading order, at my blog here – http://naomiclarkwrites.blogspot.co.uk/p/urban-fantasy.html
Phoebe Fairley wanted to be a librarian. Somehow, she’s become a vampire hunter. Women are dying across the country and the police are baffled. Phoebe’s just supposed to be gathering information on the deaths, but as the body count mounts, she can’t help but break the rules and get involved. She knows what the killer is—and catching and containing it is vital. If she can persuade the police to believe her, and keep her secretive bosses happy, she stands a chance of capturing a very real, very deadly vampire. Not bad for a werewolf who can’t shapeshift.
Aisling is happy living as a feral wolf. She’s got no time for human affairs, until a mysterious creature attacks her and leaves her in human hands. Now, if she wants her life back, she’ll have to join Phoebe’s hunt. There are just a couple of snags. One, she hates humans. And two, she’s falling hard for Phoebe. With a monster to catch and her own past to protect, will Aisling trust her head or her heart?
Story Excerpt
The scene inside the barn was surreal. Two big floodlights overhead lit the barn in glaring white. Half the huge space was taken up with sheep, penned off from the drama but still hysterically bleating and milling together. A grizzled man in a tattered dressing gown and Wellington boots – surely the farmer – leaned into the pen, talking non-stop to the frightened animals. Bales of hay were piled high around the rest of the barn, looking to Phoebe like they might come toppling down any second. They formed a rough arena for the main drama. Two more men held down a naked woman. She thrashed in their grip, tossing her matted red hair and snarling with a viciousness that made Phoebe’s wolf cower. This was their victim, this mad, wild thing?
Spalding hurried over to the farmer and Gibbs ran to the paramedics. They had to be wolves, from the strength they were displaying, but the woman was making them work to keep her still. Phoebe hesitated before following Gibbs – at a distance. Observe, Spalding had said. That was fine. Observing was all she was meant to do. The question was, what exactly was she seeing? The victim of a vampire attack or a feral wolf gone mad? She couldn’t help but lean towards the latter. Perhaps the woman thought the sheep would be easy pickings, but something had gone wrong. Maybe she’d been startled by the farmer or a guard dog. Phoebe had noticed a kennel outside the barn, although there was no sign of a dog now.
As she got closer, she saw the woman’s hands and feet were caked in mud, and there were thin red scratches all over her pale skin. Dried blood on her chest, too, although her endless thrashing made it hard to see where the original wound was. She stopped a few feet away, watching as Gibbs crouched down before the woman and – daringly, Phoebe thought – gripped her chin firmly. She was surprised he didn’t get his fingers bitten off.
The woman growled but couldn’t pull free of Gibbs’ hold. He growled right back, with a force and venom that made Phoebe quake. Did they teach that in training?
For a minute, the pair seemed locked in battle, the woman struggling against all three men in vain while she snarled at Gibbs. He didn’t flinch or loosen his grip, and kept his own domineering growl rumbling on, rising in pitch. The sheep grew more frantic and both the farmer and Spalding yelled at them with a mixture of anger and desperation. Phoebe felt battered, all the noise and tumultuous emotion like an assault. She wanted to run. She forced herself to stay, watching as Gibbs tried to inflict his will on the woman.
As much as pop culture got muddled with myth, some things were always true, just as much for wolves as humans. Some people were simply more dominant than others. Gibbs’ laid-back, clownish persona was all gone now as he pinned the woman down with both his body and his eyes. Phoebe would have caved already, if she’d even had it in her to resist. The woman, whatever her mental state might be, was not so easily dominated. But after what felt like an age, she slumped, stopped fighting, and went still.
Where To Buy
Evernight Publishing | Amazon US | Amazon UK
About Naomi Clark
Naomi likes writing, perfume, fancy tea, and unfathomable monsters from the dark spaces between the stars, not necessarily in that order. She has been writing stories ever since she learned how to write, but is still trying to master the art of biography writing. When she’s not dealing with werewolves, demons, or sea monsters, she’s hanging out with her cat and probably watching a documentary about Bigfoot. If the cat isn’t available, she’s with her fiancé watching cookery shows and silently plotting her next book.
Marvelous Monday Reads: Moon Dance
Hello, and welcome to Marvelous Monday Reads! Today we have Michaela Rhua on to talk about her sizzling new erotic romance Moon Dance, now available from Evernight Publishing and other online retailers of erotic romance. Here’s what she has to say about her book:
Thank you for having me on your blog.
I don’t know what the New Year has brought for you, but for me comes a new release. Moon Dance. So what’s the story about? It is the usual girl meets girl and love begins to bloom. The problem is Raya and Amari are from opposite sides of the community and mistrust has always been a key factor between the two sides. What do you do when you are attracted to your enemy? After all Love is love, whatever shapes, colour or gender it comes in. It’s one of those times when you have to hold onto what you have just found – the chemistry between the two is strong but will it withstand the discovery related to Raya’s past? The finger points to her new love. So what next?
I will leave you with a teaser.
A quick pick up and a night of sex was just what Raya was looking for. Only meeting Amari set her insides on fire and she had to have more of this Indian beauty. Witches and shifters aren’t meant to bond only Raya and Amari can’t ignore the chemistry flowing between them. Trouble strikes the lovers when a past trauma hits Raya and Amari’s mother could be to blame. Finally Raya has a chance to get even with the old witch, who destroyed her life. When that revenge reveals that Raya’s past holds secrets she wasn’t aware of, it throws into question everything she believes in. Can the lovers unite to help Raya find her true self or is it all too late?
Story Excerpt
“My mom practices a lot of the traditional methods she learnt as a child in India. People here call it the Craft, some use Wiccan to describe how they live.”
Raya was momentarily surprised, and then came to her senses when she thought about trying to explain her own background.
“Did that shock you?” Amari asked, stopping by her car.
“Not at all. I can trade your weird for my weird any day.” Raya smiled at Amari and was straight away captured by her brown eyes, reminding her of her orgasmic fantasy. Her pussy clenched just thinking about it again.
“Hey, I’m up for a trade anytime.” Amari giggled.
Raya watched her brown eyes sparkle as she giggled. It was beautiful, even the sound of her voice was like music to Raya’s ears. She reached out and stroked Amari’s cheek.
“Hmm, silky soft.” Raya leaned forward and met no resistance.
Amari’s pink, plump lips looked inviting. Raya brushed hers lightly across Amari’s who parted them slightly and her hand went to Raya’s waist. This was the green light that Raya wanted. She didn’t hesitate but continued to brush her lips against Amari’s until she felt Amari’s hand squeeze her waist. Then she deepened the kiss. She tasted and possessed as she let her tongue delve into Amari’s mouth, where she was met with equal enthusiasm by Amari’s tongue. Raya captured the tongue being offered and sucked, enjoying the wetness and the way Amari’s hands grabbed at her waist, bringing their bodies closer. Raya stroked Amari’s hair then fisted it in her hand. Her other hand stroked Amari’s breast, which was just as she imagined, full and overflowing in her hand. Raya’s pussy tingled, wanting in on the action.
A buzzing noise interrupted the moment. It was Amari’s phone. Raya stopped and Amari reached into her bag to pull out her phone to answer the call.
Where to Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon
Amazon UK
All Romance eBooks
About Michaela Rhua
Michaela Rhua always dreamed of writing but this never happened until she met the lovely group of ladies known as UCW. Their passion for writing and encouragement inspired her to see if she could do it too. Now she is multi published and loves writing!
She has teenage children who also keep her busy. However, it is whilst travelling into work that she has time to create her characters and imagine other places in which they exist as her world skims by the window. Conversations overheard often lead to the birth of new ideas that she scribbles down in her trusty notebook.
Where to find Michaela Rhua
Nicola’s Sunday Shoutout: Naomi Clark
Today’s Sunday Shoutout goes to Naomi Clark, whose hot new Romance on the Go story The Beast of Birch Hill is now available from Evernight Publishing and other retailers of fine erotic romance. Enjoy!
Wildlife photographer and cryptozoology blogger Emma Jordan came to Birch Hill expecting to find another urban legend. The rumours of a big cat stalking the woods around this quiet town surely had to be just that – rumours. But when the evidence starts to pile up that Birch Hill really does have a killer cat on the loose, Emma finds herself caught in a confusing game of cat and mouse. And her blossoming relationship with Abi Blakely might just be pushing her further into danger.
Story Excerpt
Emma awoke in a tangle of sheets to the sound of running water. She sat up, finger-combing her knotted hair, and looked around for Abi. The door to the en suite was open and she could just make out Abi’s silhouette behind the frosted glass shower door. Her pussy throbbed, an almost Pavlovian reaction, and for a second she contemplated slipping in there with her.
Then her phone, discarded along with her jeans last night, started ringing. Cursing, but unable to ignore it, she leaned over the side of the bed to grab it. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.
“Hello?”
“What happened last night? Where were you?”
It took her sleep-hazed brain a second to recognize the voice, and a second longer to realize Jed wasn’t asking her about her sex life. “Something came up. I couldn’t make it out there. Why do you care anyway?” she asked, realizing she sounded rude just a little too late. “I mean, we hadn’t planned to go up to the woods together, after all.”
“No, but I went anyway. You city folks, you think you know the woods, you think you’re gonna be safe, but you don’t know shit, so I went to keep an eye on you. And guess what?”
“You wasted your night? I’m sorry, Jed, but—”
“There was another kill!” he said, almost triumphantly.
Emma stilled. “A cat kill?”
“That’s right. Big old deer, just slaughtered and left on the trail. If you’d been out there with your camera like you said, you’d have caught it all.”
“There’s no guarantee of that,” Emma said. “But I’d like to come and have a look now, see if there are any more paw prints or anything.”
“Well, the deer isn’t going anywhere,” Jed said. “Meet you at the trail’s start in an hour, if you can make time for it.”
He hung up without waiting for her reply. Emma swore softly and tossed the phone across the bed just as Abi emerged from the shower. The sight of her wrapped in a mint green towel, her dark hair dripping water down her cleavage, was briefly distracting.
“What’s up?” Abi asked.
“Jed just called. He found a deer kill in the woods – the Beast strikes again, I guess. He’s annoyed I wasn’t out there to capture it all on tape.”
Abi frowned. “That can’t be right.”
“What can’t?”
“The Beast, the cat – I mean…it can’t…didn’t you just go see a kill yesterday? Cats don’t hunt that often, surely?”
“This one seems to be killing for fun,” Emma said, climbing out of bed. “So I guess I should go take a look.”
Abi clutched at her towel, expression worried. “If you did find it, or get it on film or whatever, what then? What would you do?”
Emma shrugged. “I wouldn’t do anything except blog about it. I’m not out to capture the Beast or kill it or anything. But if I do get proof of an alien big cat out here, I want to talk about it!” Her initial lack of enthusiasm at Jed’s call was fading away. The thought of uncovering a mystery, even a small one, and sharing the answer with the world, was irresistible. And sure, there would be a mundane explanation – escaped zoo animal, abandoned exotic pet – but it would still be part of the bigger puzzle. That was worth getting excited about.
She went to kiss Abi as she passed to use the shower, but Abi barely seemed to notice. She was still frowning, staring at the bed they’d shared last night as if it suddenly just materialized there.
“Abi? You okay?” Emma touched her arm lightly and Abi jumped.
“No. Yeah, I mean, yeah, I’m fine. I just…hey.” She looked up at Emma, chewing her lip. “Could I come with you?”
“You wanna come see a dead deer?”
Abi smiled. “Sure. Maybe I can make it into dinner later.”
Emma laughed, but a touch of unease crept over her. The feeling didn’t make sense, so she tried to ignore it. “I don’t see why not. It’s probably not going to be any fun though, with Jed there.”
“That’s fine. I never expect dead things to be fun.”
Where To Buy
Evernight Publishing
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks
About Naomi Clark
Naomi likes writing, perfume, fancy tea, and unfathomable monsters from the dark spaces between the stars, not necessarily in that order. She has been writing stories ever since she learned how to write, but is still trying to master the art of biography writing. When she’s not dealing with werewolves, demons, or sea monsters, she’s hanging out with her cat and probably watching a documentary about Bigfoot. If the cat isn’t available, she’s with her fiancé watching cookery shows and silently plotting her next book.
Nicola Cameron Writes 