Unexpected visit from Tantalus

Hello and welcome!

Earlier today… as I was writing in my journal … YES! don’t judge! I still write by hand on paper, in a notebook, not as much as I used to and my handwriting suffered for sure. That story is for another day though… ok… where was I? Ah yes! Sitting in my comfy chair, writing in my notebook …

Are you busy? A soft, melodious male voice flows through my mind.

I can tell whoever is contacting me hails from Tantalus, but I have never heard this voice before. I am curious to find out what kind of surprise awaits me.

I am never too busy for my friends. I respond.

I will be brining some special people with me, if you don’t mind. The voice returns.

The more the merrier. You do realize I will be asking questions when you do. I tease.

I can hear the smile in his voice as he responds, We would be surprised if you don’t. You may be even more surprised with some of our answers. There are many changes happening on Tantalus and, although we can’t fill you in on all of the details, we can leave hints about what some of them are. The voice teases me back.

I can feel whoever contacted me leave my consciousness and I shout, You can’t tell me something like that and then leave me in limbo, get back here.

There is no response. NONE! As I pace the room, I swear I can feel my blood pressure rise and I want to hit someone. How dare he leave me hanging like this? You wonder why I hate cliffhangers so much? This is a prime example.

When I think I am about to blow a gasket, I hear a soft rap on my door. He is here, I can feel him, and boy have I got a few words to say to him.

I open my mouth with the intention of speaking my mind as I fling open the door, and then freeze. DAYUM!!!

Hello Eniko, I am Kyran.

I am Kystan, and it looks like Trysuil was right about you.

Trysuil? Right? Okay, so I sound brain dead, but DAYUM …. great mounds of Angel flesh!!! They are Kyllan’s sons, I can tell they are, they look like a younger version of him. Somehow, I find my misplaced wits and ask. What is Trysuil right about?

Your reaction to our presence. He sent us to fly you up to the ship. Would you like us to hold you in our arms? Or, would you rather ride on the platform?

I can’t help but grin or stop the words that flow unchecked from my mouth, nothing new there, right? Your arms are for me. M.A. would have chosen the platform. She is such a scaredy cat 😛

Who would you like to fly you?

Do I get to choose? I ask. Perhaps I could be the one in the middle, I think I would like that.

Interesting byplay on words, considering what you are thinking. Kyran snickers.

So bite me, right here, I don’t even think as I motion towards the spot I am thinking of with my hand. I am not even aware of the fact that I have spoken aloud, or that I am already blurting out the rest of my thoughts, Can I lick you, to see if you are real or if I am dreaming?

I thought that phrase was pinch me, to see if I am dreaming, Kystan wrinkles a brow as he considers the matter.

It is and I am willing if you are. I answer with a grin. All right, so I am flirting outrageously, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

Within moments Kystan whisks me into his arms and we are off to… who cares where… I am clinging tightly to his shoulders OH MY!!! I hope it will take long. A small opening appears ahead of us and we land inside their ship where Trysuil is waiting to greet me.

Welcome to Tantalus, Eniko.

Damn, he is hot. I allow my thoughts to flow through my mind and watch as he smiles slowly enough to make my blood heat up. He spreads his wings wide, so flames can ripple freely amongst them. I watch and give an excited squeal of delight. I can’t believe the Adjudicator has come to see me. Where is Alena, his lucky mate? I wonder if the Tantalarian Females realize how good they have it. They not only have men that are handsome enough to make a gal drool, but they are treated like precious dolls. I want one for my own.

Can I go back to Tantalus with you? I ask.

Trysuil shakes his head as he answers, You have important work to do here, but we have heard so much about you from Kyllan that we felt we should come see you for ourselves. We also have brought someone to show you, although this part of the story has yet to be told, as is Kystan and Kyran’s.

So far I am not complaining about a thing, I reply.

I would introduce you to my mate, Alena, Trysuil speaks, as he turns slightly to wind a wing around someone approaching him. There is so much love and pride in his face as he speaks that I can’t talk past the lump that forms in my throat. This is how love should be between two people!

Alena is covered by one of Trysuil’s wings as she comes forward. He unfurls it and I can see she is holding a small bundle in her arms. She is also glowing with happiness in a way that makes me glad I am wearing sunglasses. She is so beautiful. Are there Tantalarians that are not drop dead gorgeous?

We wanted you to be the first human to see our son, Alena’s voice is light and airy, and she unwraps the child from its little blanket.

My eyes grow wide, then misty as I see the perfectly formed little cherub being revealed. I reach for the baby and then stop. It is not my place to take a child from its mother. Besides, Trysuil might object and then he would fry my hide. Not a good thing.

Alena smiles wider and moves close, so she can place the baby into my arms. I feel tears running down my cheeks as I touch his soft skin and downy feathers. He smiles at me and I coo at him.

His name is Tyrell, Alena speaks while she watches her son with a tender expression. He is our miracle.

He certainly is that, as are all children, I agree, as he begins to fuss.

Alena is immediately there to reach out and hug her child to settle him. It is everything I can do to give him back to her, babies are so precious.

I look at Trysuil and ask, So what can we expect in the future?

Much! comes the answer Our world is coming into its own now and those that were hidden are almost ready to come back out into the world and out of their sanctuary. First, we must come to this world, so we can help those in need here.

When will we get to know more about the future? I want this information now, not in a couple of years from now.

Patience, Eniko. One story at a time, you have a much better idea now what to expect from us later, when People of the Phoenix releases. Until then, we will work to sever our ties with this planet.

Does that mean I will never see you again? I worry.

I give you my word, I will not forsake you, Trysuil promises wrapping his wing around his family.

I heave a great sigh as I watch him leave the room. I am already beginning to feel abandoned.

Kyran and Kystan wrap their wings around me and I am nearly smothered in wings and the heavenly scent of male Tantalarian bodies. I grin as I realize I forgot to even check to see what they were wearing. And here I am, sandwiched between Kyllan’s sons. I have to admit, I definitely don’t feel alone at this moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was bliss even though it was fleeting encounter and I didn’t get to ask many questions. We got glimpses of the distant future that I even didn’t know about, how cool is that? It was disconcerting at the beginning hearing the voices in my mind, but I like it! I would want that power too.

You get to meet Trysuil in The Phoenixes Choice, book 5 in the Tantalus series by M.A. Abraham.

Kyllan has come home to find several surprises waiting for him, one in the form of a man he had thought dead. Trysuil is most definitely not lost to their people, and he couldn’t be happier. His daughter, Alena, is ecstatic, for her love has been returned to her.

The Phoenixes saved Trysuil from what would have been a certain death, for he had more potential than anyone could have imagined. They kept him in a state of suspended animation, until the time was right, with the knowledge that their world was about to go through many changes in the future. In his new position of power, he will be known as the Adjudicator. He only answers to the Phoenixes; he is their judge and jury.

Those who have gotten to know Kyllan respect and admire him as a good leader of uncanny foresight and abilities. As they get to know Trysuil, they find out that he is fair, just and a man of vision. He will not abuse his position. He would rather help those who have come to live on Tantalus build a future for the generations that are to follow, but he can bring down the might of the Phoenixes to bear on them, if there is a need.

Read Chapter 1 here.

Releasing on April 17, 2018. Here are the buy links:

Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon UK • B&N • iTunes • Kobo • Smashwords

Did you know book 1 in the Tantalus series is out on audio too?

Book 2 is in production right now and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Brian Callanan‘s voice is perfect for the series.

To celebrate the release of the new instalment one lucky reader will get an ebook copy of The Phoenixes’ Choice, courtesy of Miss Abraham. Sexy Mr. Random will pick a name after 3 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Scott Bennett

Hello and welcome!

Today’s guest has a warm voice that is just right for story telling, it keeps my attention throughout the book, animated and rumbling at times, a pleasure to listen to.

Please welcome Scott Bennett !

Do you have a nickname?
Not since my days in high school. Between my junior and senior year, I went to a summer camp called Boys’ State, sponsored by the American Legion, where I was the coach of our group’s football team.  Other boys said I was trying to act like famous Alabama football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, so they dubbed me “Teddy Bear.”  Other than that, I’ve never really had a nickname… that I’m aware of… though I’m sure I’ve been called a few behind my back by students in the school where I teach.  Haha

What is one word best describes you?
As a person, in general, I would hope it would be something like kind, friendly, or sincere. As a narrator of audiobooks I recently had to narrow it down, upon request of my coach Sean Pratt, to four:  affable, astute, relaxed, and folksy.  And in case anyone wonders, many audiobook narrators who aspire to improve seek the advice of voice acting coaches, and Sean, who does have a nickname: the Ginger Yoda, is one of the best in the business, having narrated close to 1000 audiobooks.

What makes you laugh out loud?
Many things:  cat/dog videos, good jokes, my own audio outtakes, sometimes I can’t believe the things that come out of my mouth when I try to narrate! … my granddaughter, my students, and I could go on.  I once made the mistake of having my wife listen with me and give feedback as I was trying to edit a somewhat spicy scene in an audiobook I was recording.  She had a fit of giggles and we both got tickled. Needless to say, I only let her listen to finished product now.  LOL

What is your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
I like the smell of bread baking, bacon frying, a campfire on a fall evening, honeysuckle, when I’m riding on my motor scooter I love to ride in the country for this reason alone, and hickory smoke.  When I lived in Kentucky one of the best smells in the world was farmers who were “firing” their tobacco in the barns.  It makes me quite nostalgic.

Favourite place to spend time in.
Well, one of my favourite places to spend time is in my little 4 X 4 booth where I record audiobooks.  I really do enjoy the solitude and reading there.  If you mean where – away from home – I’d have to say in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in a little cabin in the woods.  Gatlinburg is one of the places my wife and I enjoy going to on holiday.

What is your fave genre to read in your spare time? Do you have any spare time?
If I’m reading just for pleasure, not work related – and yes, I make myself carve out time for that, I most enjoy action/adventure and horror.  I’m a fan of authors like Lee Child, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, to name a few.

Audiobooks! What started them?
I enjoyed listening to audiobooks long before I ever attempted to break into narrating them.  I would read aloud to students all the time when I taught reading and English.  One summer, during break from school, I got involved with narrating books for Librivox.org which is a free service to listeners, pubic domain works.  From there, I decided to branch out into books for pay via Amazon’s ACX.

Is there a genre that you would not narrate?
I’m willing to narrate most any genre.

If you could choose another career what would it be?
Audiobooks IS my other career.  If I could do it exclusively, I would probably choose it over teaching – though I have enjoyed it quite a bit. Beyond that, if I could be a full time audiobook listener… that wouldn’t be so bad.

Does your work convey a specific emotion or message?
I try to always capture the emotion or message of the author and convey it.

Who is your intended audience and why should they listen to your audiobooks?
Again, my intended audience is that of the author.  She (or he) is the one who usually has fans and followers.  I just hope I don’t get in the way of them enjoying their favorite author’s work.

What is next in your narrating work?
I am currently recording a book by author C.F. Waller titled Waypoint: A Game of Drones.  It is a thriller and I am excited to be recording it.  The book Tourists of the Apocalypse I recorded is also one of his books and it has been one of my best selling audiobooks.  As well, it was recently named a finalist in the Audiobookreviewer Listener Choice Awards for 2018 in the Sci-fi category. I have a queue of about 5 other books beyond that – most from authors I’ve worked with before.

Congrats on the nomination! Looking forward to more of your audios. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for joining us and I hope you enjoyed the chat.

If you hear Mr. Bennett’s voice I know you will agree with me when I say he has a great story teller’s voice. I listened to a few already, among them “Grady Judd” by Ciana Stone and “But Not Forgiven” by BJ Bourg and they all got 5 stars on the performance. Have quite a few on my TBL list: “But Not Forgotten” by BJ Bourg, “Breathe” by  Christine Grey, “The Sorcerer’s Quest” by Rain Oxford are some of them.

I NEED MORE TIME!!! I better buy tickets this weekend, quite a few mills in the jackpot tonight and tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me 😉 then I’ll become full time audio listener!

I am confident you will find something you like to listen to in Mr. Bennett’s growing list in a wide range of genres. Here are links to find out more and keep up to date with his work.

website • Facebook • Twitter • Audible

To start you on your journey Mr. Bennett is gifting two codes (US or UK) and winners can choose from his backlist, GOOD LUCK there are so many choices! Sexy Mr. Random will pick the names after 3pm EST on Monday, April 16, 2018.

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

Cover Reveal – Keeping 6 by Freya Barker

Hello and welcome!

I am excited to be part of the cover reveal event for Freya Barker‘s upcoming book.

Keeping 6, book 1 in the Rock Point series, a romantic suspense is releasing May 2, 2018. Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

Cover Design: Rebel, Edit & Design

Bookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever. The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare. Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.

Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.

Here is a small excerpt…

Damian

“You?”

My head whips around at the sound of a woman’s voice.

It’s been a long-ass morning already with meetings I would’ve loved to have avoided. Since being put in charge of the Durango field office, it seems I spend more time in meetings than working in the field. I swear each week there are new task forces put together, and I can barely keep up. I stepped out of the office for a much-needed break to find that the coffee shop around the corner had a sign plastered on the door stating they were closed due to a family emergency. Desperate for my caffeine fix, I kept walking and bumped into Kerry’s Korner: Books & Brew. Something about the name is familiar. I push the door, which opens with the ring of a bell, when I hear her voice.

She’s pretty. The woman behind the counter looks like a seventies flower child, with wild, dirty blonde hair, some kind of flowy top leaving her collarbones and a goodly amount of cleavage exposed, and a pixie face. Something about her is familiar, and it appears she knows me, too. Fuck if I can’t place her.

“Got me at a disadvantage, sweets,” I tell her with a shrug.

“You’re FBI,” she says, propping her hands on her nicely rounded hips. “I remember you.”

I look at her a little closer. Not a hardship, there’s a lot to check out. Those pale gray eyes trigger a memory. “You’re Kimeo’s girl,” I say, remembering the case a few years ago when I first saw her for the briefest of moments. A case long since put to rest, but not before this woman was snatched and roughed up before we got to her. We’d been called in by Gus Flemming, a friend of mine who owns an investigation and security company in Cedar Tree. Kimeo, the wife of one of Gus’s guys, found herself in the middle of shady land deals and this woman, her best friend, had been kidnapped to ensure her silence. I may not have remembered her name until I saw her standing behind the counter of Kerry’s Korner, but I sure as hell remember her. I also remember the wedding ring on her finger, which is why I didn’t bother looking twice at the time.

The hands resting on her hips no longer sport that wedding ring, just a large knuckle ring on the middle finger of her left hand as a sort of fuck you to the world. I bet she flips that bird easily, judging by the attitude she throws off. I like it.

“Kerry,” she says, almost as a challenge.

“Right. You look better now,” I tell her, making her snort loudly.

“No shit. I’d just been used as a punching bag when you found me and shoved me into the back of a van without a word.” Yup, most definitely a challenge. She doesn’t like me much, I deduct from the slightly distasteful look on her face.

“Was a little preoccupied with my investigation. Sorry if I didn’t take the time to make nice.” Fuck me, I sound like a dick. Something about her attitude grates on me, especially when she rolls her eyes dramatically before placing her hands on the counter in front of her and leaning over.

“Damian. Right?” She doesn’t wait for my confirmation before she continues, “Well, Damian , what brings you to my bookstore?”

“Coffee. Straight up,” I tell her without blinking. She turns her back without a word and starts fiddling with the expensive-looking machine on the sideboard, and I take the opportunity to check out her backside. “Double shot?” she asks over her shoulder, catching me ogling.

“Good guess.” I smile at her, which only earns me another eye roll. Attitude in spades, this one. As much as it irritates me, it somehow turns me on, too.

She’s late thirties, maybe forty, if I had to venture a guess from the lines around her eyes. She obviously laughs a lot—something I wouldn’t mind hearing. I have a feeling with that slightly raspy voice of hers, her laugh will sound even sexier. She’s not wearing a stitch of makeup from what I can tell and seems totally at ease in her skin. Not usually the kind of woman I find myself drawn to, but this one has an appeal all her own. Most women I end up with are well put together: stacked, sweet, and sultry. Just the way I like them. This one, though? This one is like the fucking girl next door. Fresh-faced, with a hippy vibe, barely enough tit to fill my hands, but an ass that should be framed, it’s that lush. Always considered myself a boob man, until I just got an eyeful of her backside.

While she doctors the elaborate coffee machine, I take the time to check out her shop. An older building, it has an old-fashioned facade with shallow bay windows, displaying an assortment of books, framing the door. Old wood floors that have been left bare to the wear and tear of foot traffic, resulting in a well-worn look more suited to an old saloon. Rows of rugged bookcases, jutting out from the back wall, with chalkboard display signs indicating the different genres. The counter is on one side in front of the window and on the opposite side, in front of the second bay window, is a small seating arrangement with an old, brown leather couch and two club chairs around a small, round coffee table. On the counter is a large, round, glass cake stand with pastries.

“Here you go. Anything else with that? A pastry to sweeten you up a bit or perhaps a book on appropriate social behavior? I have both.” I can’t stop the smirk tugging at my mouth. This one’s a handful, for sure. Too much of one. I pull out my wallet and slap a couple of dollar bills on the counter.

“Nah,” I drawl. “Not the kind of sweet I’m looking for, and as for the book, I’ll just wait until you get done with it. You’re probably due for a reread.” I snag my coffee off the counter, and with a wink, I saunter out the door, leaving her standing with her mouth hanging open and fire shooting from those pretty gray eyes.

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.

She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

To keep in touch with Ms. Barker and check out all her yummy books, follow the links below and if you chat with her, tell her I said hi 😀

• website • newsletter • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram •
• Amazon • B&N • iBooks • Kobo • Goodreads •

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!

My Chat with Lauren Blakely

Hello and welcome!

I am so excited to have this chat with one of my fave authors of contemporary romance whose books are like cookies, the more you have the more you want… wholesome, sweet with a bit of spice and melt in your mouth.

Please welcome Lauren Blakely!

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs.

With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 90 times, and she’s sold more than 2.5 million books.

Do you have a nickname?
I don’t 🙂

What is one word best describes you?
Dog-obsessed

What makes you laugh out loud?
Cat videos

What is your favourite smell? What does it remind you of?
Like Joy, I love honeysuckle. It reminds me of gorgeous summer days.

Favourite place to spend time in.
I love wine country in California, cobblestoned streets in Paris, and beaches in Hawaii.

Is there a genre that you refuse to read?
I don’t care for horror.

Writing! What started it?
I needed an outlet for all the voices in my head!

If you could choose another career what would it be?
If I could sing, dance and act, I’d want to be on Broadway.

Audiobooks! What started them?
I first listened to Curse Workers by Holly Black narrated by Jesse Eisenberg and that introduced me to the awesomeness of a well-narrated audiobook.

Does your work convey a specific emotion or message?
That’s a great question — I think each book is different, but ultimately they’re about the power of falling in love with a good person.

What is next in your writing?

My next release is COME AS YOU ARE, coming April 16. In it you’ll find a masquerade ball, a smoldering secret rendezvous, and a sexy, billionaire hero who will sweep you off your feet in this opposite-sides-of-the-tracks romance.

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Lauren. I know you are quite busy. Looking forward to more stories and finding new book boyfriends and girlfriends in your stories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for joining us and I hope you enjoyed the chat.

The latest book from Ms. Blakely I listened to is Wanderlust, narrated beautifully by Grace Grant and Richard Armitage, it is part of the Romance Package on Audible, but I bought my own copy, so I have it in my library and can listen to it anytime…. an aural masterpiece for sure, my fave so far, as are the many stories I listened to, they were all 5-star experiences. My review is here.

I urge you to give them a try, I know you will enjoy them. A few of the ebooks are free right now for a limited time ….

…. and there are quite a few of the audiobooks in the Audible Romance Package, narrated by some of my fave voices: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, Erin Mallon, some new-to-me voices Josh Goodman, Todd Haberkorn, Emily Durante, Samara Naeymi.

To keep in touch with Ms. Blakely and check out all her yummy books, follow the links below and if you chat with her, tell her I said hi 😀  Check out the videos posted on the FB author page! Some of them are quite funny… like “Show & Tell: How Big is Big” 😀

website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • BookBub • Goodreads
• Amazon • B&N • iBooks • Audible

Until next time read a book, listen to a book and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!