Michelle Clay

Awesome Author Interview: Hildie McQueen, author of Desperate Betrayal

2012-02-18T23:55:00.004-06:00

I've had the pleasure of "meeting" her through our shared publishing house, Crescent Moon Press and on facebook. She's fun and bubbly, a true gem and truly a talented author. Interview after the jump.

Desperate Betrayal:

Cynden Frasier (Cyn) is a member of a group of immortal warriors, the Protectors, assigned to protect humans in Atlanta, Georgia, the epicenter of a major uprising in demon activity. When Cyn is approached by a beautiful woman in a dirty alley, he is intrigued by the fact that she can see him for what he is, a terrifying demon slayer, and still dares to approach him.

Emma Blake, a half-demon, has to convince Cyn to help rescue her sister from powerful demons. Terrified that the Protector will kill her if he realizes what she is, she still goes against every instinct and approaches Cyn for help. Despite knowing that she is leading them both into territory so wrought with treachery, neither of them may survive.

Can Cyn and Emma overcome betrayal, the ancient rules that prevent Protectors from taking a wife, unless she is his one true mate? And if they do, will it even matter?

Purchase Print copy

Purchase Kindle copy

Check out Hildie's Blog

WINNER Romancing the Valentine Giveaway!!

2012-02-16T20:10:00.000-06:00

The winner of the Love is in the Air Blog Hop Giveaway is.....

Mary @ Sweeping Me!!!!

Congrats Mary!!

You won an eBook of "Bitter Black Kiss"

Thank you all for participating. :-)

WINNER of the Love is in the Air Blog Hop Giveaway

2012-02-16T19:50:00.000-06:00

The winner of the Love is in the Air Blog Hop Giveaway is.....

Renee Bennett!!!!

Congrats Renee!!

You won an eBook of "Bitter Black Kiss".

Thank you all for participating. :-)

YA Author Interview: Tara Fuller, author of Perigee Moon

2012-02-12T23:28:00.002-06:00

Tara Fuller's young adult novel, Perigee Moon, not only has a beautiful cover but a fascinating premise. Please take a moment to check out her book and read her interview (after the jump).

After a horrific fire claims the life of her mother, seventeen year old Rowan Bliss finds herself in the miniscule town of Ipswich, Massachusetts. It's here that she meets Alex, a deliciously mysterious boy who holds the key to unlocking her family's dark secret.

As Rowan falls helplessly over the edge for Alex, the secrets that he insists on keeping refuse to be contained. The truth that she uncovers challenges everything she has ever believed. Alex is a witch. And now he's awakened something within her she never even knew existed. But out of all of this, the one thing Rowan won't accept is the fact that Alex is destined to die.

Rowan must unearth the buried power she harbors within to escape a deadly prophecy, defy the very laws of time, and prevent the hands of fate from taking yet another person she loves.

Buy Perigee Moon
Tara on Facebook

Love is in the Air Giveaway Hop

2012-02-05T20:40:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the Love is in the Air Giveaway, hosted by Under The Covers Book Blog! I’m giving away an international prize, an ebook copy of BITTER BLACK KISS!! Please be sure to visit Under The Covers Book Blog for a complete list of participants.

~Comment below with your favorite Valentine's Day tradition or gift to be eligible to win.~ Winner chosen by Random.org ~

Former event planner Nicole Riley lost not only her job, but part of her humanity when a concert in L.A., fails catastrophically and the band attacks a rival werewolf pack. Now Nicky keeps her "inner beast" subdued by taking wolfsbane and refuses to become a monster. She's trying to rebuild her reputation and manages the nightclub, Bitter Black, where Brody Dunn is the dee-jay.

Brody Dunn, a former special crimes detective turned private investigator, plays on Nicole's sympathy by claiming to have just suffered a wolf bite. He keeps his past, careers, agenda and just about everything else from Nicole - except for his attraction.

They have bigger problems than Brody's lies. Nicole's boss is a ruthless druglord, determined to have Nicole for himself. The danger increases for everyone when he challenges the local Alpha. If they survive, and she can forgive Brody's betrayal, will she accept what they've become?

Read an EXCERPT of Bitter Black Kiss.

Can't wait to see if you win? Purchase now through Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Romancing the Valentine Giveaway Hop

2012-02-05T15:50:00.006-06:00

Welcome to the Romancing the Valentine blog hop, hosted by Reading Romances! I’m giving away an international prize, an ebook copy of BITTER BLACK KISS!!

~Comment below with your favorite Valentine's Day tradition or gift to be eligible to win.~ Winner chosen by Random.org. Be sure to check out Reading Romance's Blog to see a list of all participants.~

Siphoning Inspiration

2012-01-28T20:23:00.001-06:00

Generally after someone learns I'm a writer and we've had a discussion about what kind of novels I write, it is invariably followed with "Where do you get book ideas from?"

There is no easy answer to it and just short of seeing their eyes glaze over, I normally answer that life in general is filled with all sorts of amazing inspiration be it in movies, music, news or even that hot dude at the mall, etc.

All of this is true, however, recently I've found my day job has been a source of inspiration. Now, the type of job I have could provide the basis to write true crime/drama/inspirational novels daily, but I'm not all about that. Normally I'd say those 8+ hours impede my writing time, and it does at times, but the type of career I have enables me to see a wide variety of people and situations. Another perk, I am based out in the middle of nowhere. To get to the next client or meeting, oftentimes, I have to drive 1 to 2 hours. That's a lot of time to reflect on the story I'm currently working on, dialogue that's not working out and even scenes that refuse to flow. When I suffer the dreaded writer's block, I grab the keys!

What do you do to get that creativity in gear? Where do you find YOUR inspiration?

It's been a few days since I've written ... I feel a road trip coming on! :)
Until next time, Write On!

Bitter Black Kiss review by Sizzling Hot Book Reviews.

2012-01-25T17:50:00.001-06:00

Bitter Black Kiss by Michelle Clay

Nicole Riley is the club manager at Bitter Black. She turned it around from a dying neighborhood dive and made it one of the premier places to be. Bitter Black is one of three clubs owned by Sean Stone that Nicole manages. Nicole needed to be successful, her last job of managing a band turned into a nightmare where at the concert people were attacked and infected with the Lycanthrope virus. As the person that set up the concert and security, Nicole was the one who ending up being blamed, even though she had been infected also. She is still trying to put the pieces of that life in the past. Nicole does not want to be associated with Werewolves, and is taking the street drug wolves’ bane to keep from turning. To make matters worse, her ex-husband Aaron was the one who infected her and he has been stalking her since. Nicole is constantly looking over her shoulder, scared to trust any man after what Aaron did to her.

Former event planner Nicole Riley lost not only her job, but part of her humanity when a concert in L.A., fails in catastrophic proportions as the band attacks a rival werewolf pack in attendance. As one of the infected, Nicky has been keeping her “inner beast” in check by taking wolf’s bane, trying to remain in denial, and refusing to become a monster. She’s also slowly begun to rebuild her reputation after the L.A. massacre and has deep respect for Sean Stone because he took a chance on her when no one else would. Now she is in charge of the entertainment for all of Sean’s nightclubs and her life is as close to normal as it gets. Then Brody, the dee-jay at Bitter Black, plays on her sympathy by claiming to have just suffered a wolf bite and she can’t turn him away. She’s very attracted to Brody, but is it wise to mentor him when she can’t even accept what she is? Things take a dark turn when she finds out he’s been lying to her all along.
Brody Dunn is a former police detective in special crimes, a unit that deals with werewolves. When a stripper is found in an alley with a lethal dose of BST (street name: Beast) in her system, Brody poses as a dee-jay at Bitter Black. He’s convinced Sean Stone is the one bringing the drug into the city and his employee, Nicole was the last one in the dancer's apartment. Brody also knows that Stone has laid down a challenge to the local Alpha and wants to become Pack Leader himself. A change in leadership that Brody is dead set against. In order to get close to Stone, he uses Nicole and pretends to be newly infected by the werewolf virus. He knows that she’s a bleeding heart and will do what she can to help him. What he doesn’t count on is the way Nicole affects him by merely walking in a room.
Stone is used to having his way and getting what he wants. He now wants Nicole whether she’s agreeable or not. He’s more than happy to expose Brody’s secrets to her while hiding his own. Will Nicole be able to navigate the dark and treacherous path between the two men? For it’s not just a choice between her career or her heart, but her humanity hangs in the balance. Which will she choose?

Brody Dunn is a hottie of a DJ at Bitter Black. He is an ex-cop, now a PI. When testing for lycanthropy became required, he was found out. Brody had been born with the virus. Shortly after that, he was framed and thrown off the force. He is on the trail of his man, regardless that he is no longer a cop. The man he is after is Nicole’s boss, Sean Stone. Brody is determined to do everything he can to catch him as he knows Stone is one of the biggest drug dealers around, but he has managed to evade all of Brody’s attempts to prove it. Brody is almost positive that Nicole, the hot little blonde that manages the club, has to know something. Nothing will stop Brody from taking Stone off the streets.

Nicole can’t help but fantasize about Brody. He sets all of her nerve ends tingling. There is a no dating policy among workers in place so all she will do is dream. When Brody lies to her and tells her he just got infected, she gives him her number so he will have someone to call if he needs to. The more time Nicole and Brody spend together, the more they can’t resist each other. To make matters worse, Stone starts coming onto Nicole and she is too scared of losing her job to totally shoot him down, but lets him know that she is involved with someone else and hopes he will not make any more advances. Stone however plots to get what he wants and he wants Nicole. He doesn’t mind playing dirty.

Bitter Black Kiss had me on the edge of my seat. Fast action and fast paced, Bitter Black Kiss kept me involved in the story line. It is not your usual romance. The characters were well written and I felt like I knew them as the story progressed. I loved the idea that lycanthropy was a disease that infected people. I have not read a werewolf book that shows it that way before; laws and everything to keep werewolves in line and to protect them also. Bitter Black Kiss felt gritty and real. I felt for Nicole and what she is going through. I could feel Brody’s bitterness about his treatment from the police and the betrayal that both Nicole and Brody face in their lives. Bitter Black Kiss definitely needs to be put on your to be read pile, and if you want a little bitter amongst all the sweetness of a normal romance, this is the book to read. Bitter Black Kiss is a great change of pace while still being a great romance.

Reviewd by Beverly 4 out of 5 stars~

Exciting News!

2012-01-21T23:08:00.001-06:00

I just signed a contract for a second book with Crescent Moon Press!

More details to come soon...

Review: Passion of the Soul: Piper's Fury

2012-01-15T17:05:00.000-06:00

Today I thought I'd do something a bit different. I wanted to share a book I recently read with you guys.

Passion of the Soul: Piper's Fury
by Rachel Firasek
Published by: Crescent Moon Press
Buy Link: Amazon

Back of the Book Blurb:

It's an empath thing...

Using your "powers" to help the Dark Hills Police Department hunt down serial killers doesn't leave much time for dating. Not that Piper Anast is complaining. The last thing she needs is some guy brushing up against her and pumping his pornographic thoughts into her head.

When she meets Bennett Slade, a sexy, tormented vampire, Piper stumbles headlong into a telepathic connection with his missing daughter. She can't leave the kid to the evil surrounding her unwanted visions, nor can she resist her draw to Slade. He's the first guy she's been able to touch vision-free in, well, forever.

As she and Slade close in on the evil creature holding his daughter, Piper's powers morph into a deadly fury. To save Slade's daughter-and herself-Piper must face down demons she never knew she had and trust the one thing she keeps from everyone.

Her heart.

Michelle's Review:

Piper's Fury is an easy to read, fast paced story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning those pages.

Piper is everything you'd expect from a heroine: kick-ass, in your face, no holds barred kind of girl. Just don't make her mad because she has a little difficulty controlling all that fury.

Add sexy as hell Slade, who happens to be a vampire, to the mix and we've got fire! Things heat up between Piper and Slade while she helps him find his missing daughter. She has help though, because his daughter has established a connection to Piper through visions that just might lead her to where she's being held captive.

But things are rarely that easy! On her way, Piper encounters back stabbing vampires, dark family secrets, friends gone evil and one very bad-ass demon who stands in her way.

4 out of 5 Stars!

Plot or Character?

2012-01-07T11:42:00.000-06:00

Are you a character driven reader or do you prefer an outstanding plot?

Since I asked the question, I'll also answer it! :)

I have to connect with the characters. If I'm reading a book and just can't get in touch with the hero/heroine, it's over. I can't force myself to read further if I can't muster any sympathy for the heroine's plight or the hero's inner turmoil. If I'm actually hoping a vampire horde eats her snarky butt or a pack of rabid werewolves rip the hero to bite-size pieces just so it will be over, the book is probably not for me. To sum it up, characters are what keep me turning the pages.

That being said, I don't want you to think I can overlook a weak plot either. I can tolerate a less than sparkling plot if I absolutely love the characters, but those characters had better be made of pure awesomeness. And that plot had better be readable and make sense. LOL

Ten Things...

2012-01-03T22:29:00.000-06:00

10 things about me that you probably don’t know ... not in any particular order. :)

10. I like old movies.
9. I never wear white... ever.
8. I don't know how to dance.
7. I'm really not as mean as I'd like you to think I am... or maybe I am! :)
6. I'm self-conscious about my feet.
5. I never let anyone see me cry.
4. My threshold for pain if very high.
3. My tolerance level is at an all-time low.
2. I lie about my age.
1. I swear... a lot.

Fiction is FUN!

2012-01-03T13:31:00.000-06:00

You bet I do! And I enjoy ever moment of it.

Just so you know... this is my first blogging endeavor. I'm hopeful it will not only be fun, but maybe even insightful or informative. Ha! More likely it will be filled with random awesomeness like my head. :) I plan on talking about my books and writing in general at least once a week, but every so often my A.D.D will likely kick in and I just might wander off the beaten path. Maybe we'd better hold hands... o_0