Master of Umbra by Poppet - your chance to win a free digital copy

I have a treat for you on the blog today. Below is an excerpt from the Master of Umbra, book 2 in The Valhalla series from the uber-talented author, Poppet.

For a chance to win a .mobi copy, please leave a comment below and I will select (lucky dip) and inform the winner by Friday 14th June. Good luck!

Title: Master of Umbra by Poppet

  

Genre: Paranormal Romance

 Book description:

Deliah is in grave danger, running for her life from a man who needs her dead, when serendipity plants her in the path of the Master of Umbra.

Inducted into the mysterious Eagle clan of the Scottish highlands, Deliah is torn between her fate and destiny when kin clash for her affections. Falling for the scandalous villain who heads the Berserkers of the Hebrides, her fragile hope is snuffed out early by revelation and impending war.

The only mantra she can cling to is the one uttered in heartfelt promise; that love comes back.

Because that's what love does.

  

Link on Amazon US

Link on Amazon UK

Excerpt:

“What do you want?” he snaps, in that impatient drawl.

“Er... I can't get confrontational in the dark,” I mumble, losing courage.

“I bet you're plenty confrontational in the dark.” Gripping my arm in the 'master is not pleased' grind, he marches me deeper into the darkness, muttering, “Dressed like that only reinforces the image.”

“What's wrong with the way I'm dressed?” I argue, wishing he'd slow down already.

He laughs, and it's cold, “Sweetie, it looks like you're either going to put me over your knee, or beg me to put you over mine.”

“Oh go get knotted–”

“Did you leave any beer in the vat when you finished sucking it dry? Ulfhednar head is white and frothy, just the way you like it.”

“I did not–”

“You're more baked than clay and you're going to be just as dehydrated come sunup. What the hell were you thinking?” he chastises, hauling me into a grotto ready to raise the dead. Candles and steam haunt the room like old lovers getting nostalgic.

“What the hell was I thinking?” Now you've done it mister twat. “I was thinking you require trepanning so you can deflate your fucking ego.”

He turns to scowl down at me, his chest embroidered with white scars which map bridges over his extreme musculature. I'm trying very hard not to gawk, but bleedin' heck, he looks like an action man who grew up on a uranium farm, except of course for the tortured gaze he pegs me with when he folds his arms and bursts veins out in wild rivulets. They ridge in the flickering candlelight, shadowing his bulk with a net of strength.

What was he doing here exactly, in just his baggies?

Fuck! Was he expecting his date to show up and I walked in where I'm not welcome?

Links to Poppet:

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Elle Casey’s Springtime Indie Book Giveaway

The wonderful Elle Casey is hosting a Massive SpringtimeIndie Book Giveaway, where you can sign up to receive FREE books.
Please share the link below with anyone you know who might like free books. There are 190 titles and 1,554 copies to give away!!

You can enter to win as many books as you like – BUT – we ask that you do one thing first:

Please check out the book’s description on Amazon before you enter to win it, to 

be sure it’s something you’d read.  All of the authors are sincerely hoping that 

you will read and review their books.  They’re giving you a free book, and in 

exchange, you’re helping them find new readers who will like their work.

Keep in mind we ask only for honest reviews!  If you win, we ask that you

please post any reviews to Amazon at least and Goodreads too if you’re able.

Thank you, and now on to the fun stuff.  Here is the link to the post on 

Elle Casey's page, where you will see the list of books participating and

the contest entry form. Springtime Indie Book Giveaway

A bit of Valentine's Day Fun

It's February 14th; the day for lovers. Do you celebrate? Or are you like me, and find it a teensy bit commercial? I have to admit, I prefer to be given flowers on any other day than Valentine's Day, (but I won't mention that to hubby if he should come struggling home from work under the weight of a giant bouquet!).

I am a sucker for a bit of cheesy romance though, so I thought I'd enter into the spirit of the day and spread some Valentine's fun...

I was browsing the internet the other day and chuckled when I came across the following, (link below). I've removed the actors' names, so how far do you get before you guess the movie?

1. Beautiful duck land
2. xxxxx's lipstick
3. xxxx's ugly beard, that still doesn't take away from his looks.
4. "What are they all doing here?"
5. She's psyched to feed these birds.
6. xxxx's totally thinking: "If you're a bird, I'm a bird."
7. He's so knowledgable about migration.
8. "You look different, too...but in a good way." Oh, go on.
9. "You know, you're kind of the same, though." xxxxx is waxing poetic.
10. "It's beautiful what you did."
11. "Well, I promised you I would."
12. It's thundering, and xxxx is rowing feverishly.
13. Her hair is down now.
14. And the rain.
15. And that laugh.
16. And her laugh!
17. "xxxx!" she exclaims, playfully throwing that small towel (?) toward him.
18. Oh, they're really loving it.
19. But a wave of seriousness washes over them.
20. She's stomping away.
21. While xxxx dutifully anchors his boat.
22. "Why didn't you write me?"
23. *Disbelief*
24. "Why?!"
25. And the line, delivered with the same passion as though he were ordering an ice cream cone: "I wrote you 365 letters."
26. "I wrote you everyday for a year."
27. "It wasn't over."
28. Music swells.
29. "It still isn't over!"
30. xxxxx opens her mouth to scream!
31. But instead...
32. The Kiss.

So, what number did you get to? This is one of my all-time favourite romantic movies. The original post is here:- Moviefone

I've Fallen In Love...

The Beach Hut at Widemouth Bay

... with a BEACH HUT!  True story.

This little gem is located in Widemouth Bay, North Cornwall.

If you've read the second book in the Soul Protector series, 'The Betrayal,' you will have seen the sneak preview of the third book at the end.

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't read The Betrayal, and you intend to, then you should avoid reading the next paragraph.

The sneak preview ends with the Soul Protector secret busted wide open, and Gracie and Dan going on the run. I wanted to send them into hiding at a remote cottage by the coast, so I searched online for inspiration. And look what Google threw back at me....

How gorgeous is this? I can just picture myself sitting on the deck wearing a nice pashmina. I'd be sipping my way through a bottle of Rioja and listening to the surf crash on the shore below while I stare thoughtfully at the waves for writery inspiration ;) Pure bliss!

Open plan living area

The website advertises it as the perfect location for a honeymoon, a writer's retreat or film shoot location.  Apparently Kate Winslet stayed at The Beach Hut on her Cornish holidays, and it was a shoot location for Demi Moore.

But priced at £1750 ($2730)  for a 4 night stay, I don't think I could justify it to hubbie: 'You stay home, work and look after the kids, while I go and find my muse at The Beach Hut.' Hmm, probably wouldn't go down too well.

It may be out of my price range, but if you're interested in checking it out further, you can click through here: The Beach Hut. And no, I'm not on commission. Shame.