Friday, June 27, 2014

VIKING FIRE





Blurb Viking Fire: 856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.
Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?
Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?
With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.
Excerpt Viking Fire : Chapter One
Ireland 856 CE
“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.
“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.
“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.
Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor. Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages.


“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.
Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”


Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight. Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.


“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.
“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”


“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”
Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”
“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.
“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.

Reviews Viking Fire:

 “Andrea Cooper weaves a tantalizing tale of life in a not-too-civilized Ireland. Best of all she weaves in the unique thread of a courtship filled with fun, fury, and fighting that leads to a love that show how true loves are willing to give their lives to protect each other. Good entertainment.” --Long and Short Reviews

"The story is fast paced with almost constant action. The love story is sweet as Kaireen matures into an incredible and strong woman. Sinister plots and violent betrayals tell a compelling story. A very enjoyable story." --Night Owl Reviews


Andrea’s Bio: Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.
What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).
Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.
She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.
Viking Fire is her second forthcoming novel with Crimson Romance and is a historical romance. Her debut novel, The Garnet Dagger, is a paranormal romance and is now available.

Twitter: @AndreaRCooper
Buy Links: Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes
Viking Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/m1bPZ3nUyzs
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Thursday, June 19, 2014

REVENGE, THE COWBOY WAY


Title: Revenge, the Cowboy Way
Author: P.A. Estelle
Publisher: The Rooster & The Pig Publishing
Date of publication: April 14, 2014

Excerpt:

 Joanna busied herself by cleaning a big black kettle in the corner. She hung it by the handle and swung it over the fire. Then began the arduous task of filling it, one rain-filled bucket at a time. It was getting later in the day, and the rain still hadn’t let up at all. She was feeding the fire when Brian finally returned.


She jumped up and ran to help him take off his slicker. His hands were like ice and his lips were blue. His teeth were chattering so hard, he couldn’t talk. “Get over here by the fire. We need to get these clothes off right now before you freeze to death!” Her energy was zapped just undressing him. She wrapped blankets around him and laid him by the fire. He was asleep instantly.


He had brought in two burlap bags. Inside one were two rabbits and inside the other were vegetables and coffee. How did he come by these?  Remembering when Brian had shown her how to clean a rabbit, she set to work doing just that. She cut the meat into chunks, dropping them into the water, and then cut up the vegetables. It would take a long time for the rabbit to be eatable, but at least Pappy would have some broth when he woke next. She also found some tin cups and made herself a cup of coffee.


Joanna sat up long into the night, drinking coffee, leaning against the wall by the fireplace. She watched Brian sleep. She finally admitted it. She loved this man. She also knew he would never return her love. Should she leave? Should she stay with Pappy for as long as he would have her? At least she would be able to see Brian. Could she live that way, seeing him with other women—maybe marrying someone else? No, she couldn’t.
And what about Pappy? Since her grandfather had died, this was the one man she could trust completely, and she had come to love this gentle old soul. It was like a stab in her heart to see the two men she loved, lying on the floor, so still and vulnerable. How infinitely sad she felt! Everything in the world she wanted was right here, in this broken down shack, yet nothing was in reach.


“Joanna…”


She never hesitated, just went to Brian, hungry for his embrace, weeping quietly against his shoulder.
* * * *
Buy Links:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Cowboy-Way-P-Estelle-ebook/dp/B00JPK70QS
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revenge-the-cowboy-way-p-a-estelle/1119235016
Hi everybody!  Revenge, The Cowboy Way was written forty years ago.  I was in my early twenties and a new mother, also.  I read a few steamy romances and figured – “I can do this!”  I used my electric Brothers Typewriter and started in.  Five years later I was done and sure it was the “Great American Novel”.  I sent out a few queries, certain publishing companies would be fighting over my book, but to my surprise I received three, Thanks, but no thanks, responses.  I boxed it up and it has lived in my closet until about a year ago. It was such pathetic writing. LOL. I took it out and did LOTS of editing and polishing.  I was so excited when R&P offered me a contract.
I retired from public school five years ago.  I was the principal’s secretary!  I also write for the tween age kiddos.  How could I not, after gathering material for twenty-one years in the elementary scene?
To find out more about my books and/or me please visit the following links.  I love visitors and comments.
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82
If I get a few comments, I will draw a name and send that person a PDF copy of Revenge, The Cowboy Way. Be sure and leave an email address! Thanks for stopping!
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