Fantasy Pages: Grow up or go away

Fantasy Pages: Grow up or go away: Today was not one of the stellar days in my world, in business terms a lot was going on that should never happen in a solid publishing...

Spring Is In The Air

He walked from the line of trees as if the world belonged to him. Each step he had taken had reminded Ivy of a predator; stealth and dominance. This was her mate, a man who had shown her nothing but love and patience. Nyx had also opened up a whole world to her where he’d taught her passion as well. Ivy could feel his hands on every inch of her body. The slow caress of his knuckles against her cheek, his fingers kneading her breasts and tweaking her nipples, and what his hands done even lower made her close her eyes and lick her lips. Nyx was insatiable when it came to love making but Ivy couldn’t just roll over with her paws…er legs in the air, now could she? As he approached she slowly got up from where she’d been sitting and began to take off through the tall grasses in the clearing that was their favorite spot.

             Nyx smiled wickedly as he saw his mate running across the field. He’d been cooped up all day at the garage and hadn’t had much time to spend with his beautiful girl which suddenly he came to a halt-she was carrying his young and running across the field. Immediately he shifted and took off after his careless mate who was already laughing at him in his mind. He playfully howled after her and she kicked it into high gear as she sped across the field sending dandelion fluff and white and yellow butterflies into the air in her wake.

             Ivy continued to run until she came to where a stream from the falls had formed a lake. Without even a thought she glanced back at the large black wolf trailing on her heels with the clear blue eyes that seemed to glow even in shade of the trees before launching herself into the air shifting before she hit the ice cool water. Nyx shifted before diving into the water after Ivy.

             Ivy broke the surface of the water and looked around while treading water. Nyx was no where to be seen. She could have sworn that he was right behind her. God the water was cold. Then just as she started to swim towards the shore to look for him, she felt a hand clamp her ankle. She turned and there he with jet black hair slicked back, smoldering eyes framed by thick dark lashes, and the lips she’d kissed a hundred times and more.

             Nyx spit a stream of water as he pulled her by her ankle towards him. Even though the water was cold since spring had just started, he couldn’t deny there was a pat of him that hadn’t lost all feeling in the frigid water. He pulled her close and smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Nyx loved the feel of her body against his, even more so now that she was carrying their babe.

             “Ivy, my love, I think you have a penchant for trouble.” He mused as he nuzzled the side of her neck which made her giggle.

             “Yes I do. I’ve decided I like being naughty rather than nice after all. Besides, its spring Nyx and even your sister Khloe said that exercise is a good thing.”

             Ivy shrieked as she felt him pinch her bottom for that last remark so she in turn nipped him on his chin. They began to frolic like two water sprites as they swam and swirled around each other. Ivy tried to dunk Nyx but he was too quick in the water and when they couldn’t take the chill of it any longer, they made their way to the grassy bank only to spend the next few hours with more carnal activities.

             The sky had finally gone from shades of gold and pinks to dark blue with stars dotting its canvas. The two of them lay beside each other watching the few clouds go by. Nyx had only left her briefly to retrieve a stash of clothing nearby. He looked over at her as she looked up and placed a hand on the slight bulge under the sweat shirt.

             “Ivy? Baby, are you okay?” he asked suddenly concerned.

             Ivy closed her eyes tight to try and keep the tears back. She tried to roll over so he wouldn’t see but he wrapped his arms around her and it was that moment that Ivy knew she couldn’t keep up her charade any longer. The tears wouldn’t stay back any longer.

             It broke his heart to see tears but when she began to speak he couldn’t help the overwhelming need to hunt up that bastard and kill him all over again. It all made sense the more she talked, all those times when she’d seemed so distant and far way in her thoughts. How many times had he thought she wasn’t happy? Countless. How many times had he blamed himself for putting so much on her when in many ways they were still getting to know one another? Countless. Ivy mourned the child she lost and feared for the one she carried. Nyx held her; he held her until her tears were spent.

             There was a stillness; only the sounds of the night with the wind blowing through the trees and tall grass. He struggled with what he was going to say to her.

             “Ivy, you still believe that the loss of your son was your fault, but it wasn’t. You have got to see that baby, that it wasn’t your fault.” He said softly as he looked into those sad eyes.

             Ivy couldn’t say anything. It hurt too much to go back to that but that baby had meant the world to her. She had felt that baby move within her body and then all those weeks and months to have it all taken from her tore her apart. Nyx stood up dragging her with him. He turned her so that her back was facing him. He kept his arms around her.

             “Ivy, listen to the night. The wind as it blows through the tall grass and trees, the insects that buzz and chirp, the low hoot of the great gray owl that takes its flight, the mouse that scurries to get to its home, and even the small fish who are trying to out jump the older and much bigger ones. This is life Ivy-all around you is life. There are seasons for everything and your season to be a mother has only just begun. Your son, our son, is all around us in everything bright, beautiful, and alive. See that, and accept that the child that was lost to you is found all around you and in here,” he kissed her hand before placing it over her heart, “Our baby doesn’t replace the son that was lost, but a hope for a new beginning Ivy, not one cursed as you think.”

             Ivy couldn’t help the torrent of tears that started once again. She knew everything he was saying was true. Nyx and the child she was carrying was love she deserved to have and letting go didn’t mean she was forgetting. Her son, her little Damien who would have been named after a famed priest she’d read about that sacrificed his life to save a leaper colony. Funny, she’d always viewed living in the Shepherd’s Flock as a leaper colony seeing as everyone was sick and the only way out was death. She hadn’t been able to see him and Lorna had taken care of all the arrangements. Damien had been buried with a simple stone with his name and date of birth at a beautiful cemetery over five hundred miles away so that no one would ever discover him or her. All that was in the past now, Nyx and this baby was her future.

             Nyx didn’t need to hear her thoughts. He knew the internal struggle she was going through. The wind picked up and he kissed her cheek and stepped away from her and began to call out into the night.

     “Little one; Damien, my son that I never got to know I want to tell you that I love your mother. I love her more than even the sun loves the sky. I promise you that all your brothers and sisters will love her and we will never let a day pass that you are forgotten little one.” And with that he wiped a tear from his face before turning towards his mate.

             Nyx held out his hand and Ivy took it. He looked at her and gently urged her to call to her son on the wind. At first she was apprehensive about doing as he had done but it warmed her heart that he claimed Damien when no other would have. She took a moment to grieve the life her son would have had with her and Nyx. Nyx would have loved him and taught him so many things. Damien would have grown up happy and would have never known an unkind word or an angry touch. Then she opened her eyes and spoke the words from her heart.

             “Damien, my sweet boy, I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect you better. I’m sorry you never got to live life.” She had to struggle to choke down the grief that had lumped itself in her throat. Nyx gave her hand a squeeze and she got through it. Her voice trembled but she got the words out, “I love you. I never stopped loving you my son. I wanted you more than anything! You can be at peace my little snuggle bunny. You will never be far from my heart or thoughts.”

             Nyx tucked her into his side and wrapped his arms around her as the wind blew over them and then suddenly went still. Ivy looked up at Nyx and pulled his face down to hers, “I love you Nyx Wahpeton.” And then she smiled as he kissed her.

             Spring was definitely in the air and with it would come rebirth, renewal, and love.

             Read Nyx and Ivy’s story in Cursed Awakening but if you leave a comment you could be the lucky winner of your own copy of Cursed Awakening by Nikki Noffsinger, published author through XoXo Publishing. You MUST leave your email address to be eligible for the Grand Prize, and Nikki's personal prize. Thank you.

Fantasy Pages: When The Bullshit becomes Bullying!

Fantasy Pages: When The Bullshit becomes Bullying!: I was going to let this go, despite my “it’s not fair that he gets away with this” attitude. That is until the key phrase was said. “He...

Come One, Come All, Join In The 2013 XoXo Publishing Scavenger Hunt

Going on right now is the 2013 XoXo Publishing Scavenger Hunt hosted by Sensual Promotions.

What exactly is an XoXo Publishing Scavenger Hunt?

        The Scavenger Hunt is for all of you wonderful lovers of books to get a chance to not only meet all of us XoXo authors but to have some fun and win some great prizes. For authors, it's a chance to meet new ones as well as see what great services both XoXo Publishing and Sensual Promotions can do for them. It's a WIN WIN for everyone! So you're probably wondering WHY one should participate?

Again, many of the authors are throwing some great prizes out there like FREE BOOKS. We all can agree that there is nothing wrong with free books.

Who wants to just read romance novels? Okay first off, not all of XoXo's authors write romance just like not all XoXo authors write contemporary fiction or inspirational stories. There is something for just about everyone within the XoXo family. Secondly, if you're an author like myself, Sensual Promotions is a promotional company that specializes in promoting authors and has a menu of services that can fit any budget. Who knows there could be a chance to WIN free promotional services. Who knows, right, so what do you have to lose?

Begin the HUNT here and join the fun!

PRIZES and FUN!! A Scavenger Hunt is on!!

It will run through 11:59 p.m. EST on February 25th. PRIZE packages and fun, so jump in and start hunting!!

The HUNT begins HERE 

Coping With That "Cowel" Rejection When It Comes To Writing

      You have spent hours and days with a story in your head. Sacrifices have been made that would rival even the fall of the Roman Empire. As an author, you have birthed your characters and breathed life into them (now that is a God complex, isn't it?) and you have worked the courage to write countless query letters and sent your manuscript after weeks of edits to the publisher. Stop right there and realize that no matter where you go from here you have accomplished something that believe it or not it is a something that not everyone can do. Just like not all of us were born musical geniuses or with the talent to sing (I'm sure my bathroom walls have been traumatized enough by my own singing) and not all of us were born to be great painters-I am very proud of my stick figures even if they are crooked. However, for those of us who can tell a story and then write it-that is our gift. Not everyone can sit down and write even a page. That is not to say that people are not able to tell a story but some actually are more able to do it vocally than to actually write it down let alone write a whole book that centers around one central idea and involve the dynamics of more than one character. So STOP at this point and pat yourself on the back. You did it! However, saying that I want you to realize that not everyone outside of your close friends and loved ones will like what you have written or publish your story. This can be disheartening. We've all been there. I know I've been there more times than I can count.

         If you are lucky, you'll get publishers or agents that will reject you but will also give you things you might want to try to improve upon your story. Remember, even Indie publishers have people that come from all walks of life that read submissions all the time and are unbiased. If they don't get your story or they dislike it, there's a reason for it. This does not mean to give up but you should take their critiques seriously. Not all places or people will give you any sort of feedback. Some will just give you a Simon Cowel like resonse, "Sorry, we're not interested", or "It was horrible" and that will be the end of it. Cherish those who do give you feedback. It has been my theory that if a publisher or agent will give you constructive feedback that means that there is the prospect that you can work on that and they may give you a shot. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT THROW A TANTRUM because you get rejections or bad reviews on your work. Again, being a writer means never having to close your mind to those who may be potential readers. As we all know, being a writer is a competitive world and publishers as well as agents have to be able to market and sell your book in the world wide markets. They have to be able to turn a profit as well because every signed author is an investment. If you burn your bridge with every publisher or agent that has given you a rejection then where or who do you have when you do write something that is worthwhile? You will have destroyed your reputation before you've even gotten started.

      Like our children, we all want to believe that our hard work and stories are works of art; perfect in every way but I will tell you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if you put your rose tinted glasses on, you'll fail miserably every time. It hurts-it even stings to have your work critisized and to be told what is not working or that it's a story that is just not "there" yet. Get over it. Pull up your drawers and lift your chin and go back to the drawing board. I loathe editing. I loathe having to really change anything-every author does. It is frustrating, heart wrenching, and just opens the flood gate to all those negative nasty feelings we get. DO NOT LOSE HEART! Go back through your manuscript and see what you can change. Put it down and work on something else if you have to. If you are the only one who will enjoy your story then no one else is going to enjoy it. No one will buy it thus the recognition and earnings will never be yours. You will find that rewrites are not as God awful as it makes you feel. Read through your story and keep in mind the critiques and reviews. Monet's hay stacks would never have been as priceless as they are now had he not added a flower here, and a brush stroke there. Sometimes less is more and sometimes you need to add a pinch of flavor here and there. Talk to other authors and if you are lucky publishers will speak to you and give you some pointers-but don't always expect them to. Remember they get hundreds of submissions a day. I have found that speaking to other authors and even editors that give out free advice on blogs and what not has been invaluable. However advice is just advice unless you decide to take it. Take it!

       What about if you can't do anything more, when do you just give up? That's a hard pill to swallow isn't it? Do you know there are well known and mass published authors everywhere that have had to just "scrap" a book because well they just couldn't do anything with it? Just about every well known author has been through something like this. They've spent and sacrficed only to see their creation fade. The human in us struggles to just "let go" of anything and so it's only naturally we don't want to let go of a story that we've entagled so much of our lives with. So what do you do? You let it go. If you've made corrections, you've followed every bit of advice, and you still are getting no where then you have to let it go. Save it for later-maybe someday you'll look on it with new eyes or inspiration will come. Who knows but you have to maybe face the fact that the book you've worked on was only a good idea to  you and a select few. Again, the book market is highly competitive. Look at it this way though, at least you accomplished something. You sat down and wrote a full novel and created a story. Take satisfaction in that. You have the drive, the motivation, but it just wasn't the right one that would appeal to others. It's okay, have a good cry and accept that you did all you could and feel a sense of accomplishment. It only means that there is another direction  you need to go in and as writer/author, you're going to go in many of those down the road of being a writer.

      Once  you are published, that means that a chance has been given to you. This does not mean that the publisher is responsible for the sales or for marketing. They put your name, your book, and handle that part of it but there is a lot of work to be done by the author. Yes, it would be great if we all could be like the authors from Random, Little Brown, St.Martins, and the like who would splash our pictures all over the net, commercials, and put us on tour busses to book signings across the nation or countries some of us live in. That is the dream, is it not? Sadly for most of us, we're starting at the bottom and we have to do a lot of the foot work. Posting on social networks, having your own website, blogging on several different blogging sites, and sometimes even investing in promotion firms such as Sensual Promos and media coaches like Tasha Turner Coaching are great tools but beware-there are many "firms" out there that are scams. Again, this is where talking to different published authors and gleaning their opinions on places to go through is invaluable. Publishers, once you are signed will no doubt add your book to their own catalogs, submit you to sites such as Amazon and other book chains and outlets, and online reviewers. Sometimes online reviewers will ask for a fee to showcase you on their site and that's not a bad thing. They usually hold a contest where readers can enter by visiting your event hosted by them. If they like your book they will most likely recommend you to others and that helps with the whole word of mouth thing and your fan base. If you are like me and write paranormal romance fiction you can try these places: Night Owl Reviews, Bitten By Books, Heartbreakers and Heroes, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance.Org, Smart Bitches and Trashy Books, and many more. Sometimes authors will feature you on their own websites free of charge. These are all good things when wanting to get your name and  your book(s) out there. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THEIR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES!!!

         In closing, if your book is not selling and you've done everything including investing money, again don't be disheartened. Just go back to the drawing board and come up with something fresh. As writers, we all have stories going on inside our heads. Don't be afraid to try something new out side of the box. Get out of your comfort zone. All it takes is that one book-that one story to make the break. Consider your failed attempts as stepping stones to making that break. No one ever climbed a mountain in just a few steps and let's face it, being an author we all know that moutain is as big as it is tall. It's not impossible but it's a lot of work. Do not give up! You'll reach the top, you'll just find that it may take a different route or more work than you ever thought. No idea is ever a bad one, sometimes it just leads to a dead end or needs to be saved for later. Never stop honing  your craft. No great artisan ever picked up a brush or a chistle and instantly created a masterpiece their first try or even their 100th. Sometimes we get authors like Stephanie Meyer or J K Rowling that have something so unique and have something that no one else has seen or something that is hot for the market that it instantly makes a world wide splash. We'd all like to be in that circle, wouldn't we? It's great to admire them and others like them but remember-not every writer breaks into the world of books the same way. What happened for them is one in a billion chances. It's like in all the sky there's going to be that one or few stars that shoot through the sky.

       

        Does that mean we must become complacent or let our dreams die? Heck NO! It simply means for us the road is going to be more work, but if we are willing and able to do the work and pay our dues, we'll get there. We might not get our books made into motion pictures or become iconic writers like them or even famed ones like Stephen King or Nora Roberts, but we can still have our own measure of fame and profit from it. If you have a publisher-work with them because it is their desire to make money. If a publiser isn't making money off their authors then they are not making money for themselves either. PUBLISHERS WANT THEIR AUTHORS TO BE SUCCESSFUL! That is why so many are very picky and only choose those books that they believe are marketable and profitable. It's nothing personal it is simply business. So do not lose heart. Do not abuse your publisher or agent. They've already taken a chance with you by signing you. Don't burn that bridge because being signed is better than not. Unless you are like me and first signed with a vanity press...then I say MOVE ON, RUN AWAY, GET THE HELL OUT OF DODGE and look for a reputable publisher. REPUTABLE PUBLISHER not vanity press. I would greatly like to hear your feedback if you are a reader, writer, or publisher. Please feel free to add any review and promotion sites too!

Keep reading, Keep writing, and Keep dreaming!

Nikki Noffsinger

Links:

http://bittenbybooks.com/

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/

http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/

http://sensuouspromos.webs.com/

http://paranormalromance.org

http://tasha-turner.com/

http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/

2013 and Vampires A Plenty

It's been four years since I sat down and wrote my first book from a simple short story from high school. It's been three years since I got a crash course in the pitfalls of publishing when I fell prey, no that's not entirely true; I swan dived into the black abyss that is vanity publishing. Renegade Night still is my baby and plans for the second book to follow it is definitely in the works, but not until I can get my rights back for Renegade and get it in the hands of a legit publisher. Just as I thought I would never find my way through the dark sewers of Publish America's nightmare, Lo and behold my dear friend and mentor, Denyse Bridger who is a phenomenal woman and author in her own right threw out the life preserver that led me to XoXo Publishing. My first project with XoXo was a feature story in an Anthology collection series called Lost To The Night with Denyse Bridger, Kayden Mcleod, Brigit Aine, and Sara Gonzalas Evans. In this collection, I wrote a short story about a very hot college professor that sported a nice pair of fangs and a shy but very determined no-nonsense kind of girl who had a few secrets of her own. Who hasn't had a crush on a teacher? I did, his name was Mr. Tucker Darby but I don't think he had fangs and he most definitely didn't notice me other than  he liked my Guns N Roses T-Shirt.

My first solo project with XoXo Publishing was an E-Book entitled, Cursed Awakening. Cursed was a labor of some sort because I got the inspiration from a news program and The Oprah Winfrey Show. I have to admit that because of the subject matter,someone might accuse me of trying to ride on the coat tails of a Team Jacob fad. Sorry, but no offense my loyal Twilight fans, but when I think of a man that shifts into a wolf-he's a man not a photo shopped and airbrushed teenage boy. My wolf man has to have more bite than bark. Or would that be howl? I also wanted to pay some sort of tribute to the Native American Culture which I think outside of romance novels has been lost. Native Americans were the first people of our country and their plight is something everyone should take notice of. I always loved Indian lore, and living in Indiana, our schools in the 80s required children to learn about the Miami and different tribes of Indians. In October my county has the Mississenwa 1812 reenactment that for one weekend not only is a historical re-enactment of the battle but brings the Miami Indian culture to center stage. One  of the great Native Indian nations is the Lakota Sioux and that was the culture I chose when I dreamed up Nyx and his family.

So that was 2012, what's new for 2013?
The question is, what ISN'T new for 2013!

I hope to add to Nyx's story, the story of his sister Lahni who is as wild as the wind until she finds herself mated to one of the most powerful clan leaders of their people-Shiloh. Shiloh is afraid of nothing and leads his clan in South Dakota with wisdom and strength. What he says is law and no one dares to oppose him except for Lahni Wahpeton who refuses to be a caged wolf to any man let alone the one man that broke her heart years ago.

Coming soon is the long awaited and 2012 NaNoWriMo winner, The Blood Courtesan. Once a beautiful Venetian Courtesan, Lia was sought after by men of state and even royalty. However one night one man would change her life forever when she awakens as a vampire. When fate would tear them apart, Lia decides to live her life on her own terms and when Darius returns into her life, will she deny her heart or will she risk being broken again for the one man who left her when she needed him?


I hope that you decide to visit not only my books at http;//www.xoxopublishing.com but check out the other fine authors like Denyse Bridger, Brigit Aine, Kayden Mcleod, Annette Bower, Audrina Leone, G.Mitchell Baker,and many more. There is something for just about anyone's book reading tastes!

So bring it on 2013!

Shannon Phoenix, Guardians of the Abyss: Giveaway and Much More!

   Come join Shannon Phoenix as she is guest hosted by Kay Dee Royal and leave a comment on Kay Dee's blog for a chance to not only win a copy of Guardian of the Abyss but also Minister's Paige. Here is one of Shannon's favorite parts of her story as courtesy of Kay Dee Royal's Blog interview with the author.

Shannon Phoenix

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Number of pages: 127

Word Count: 43,500

Book Description:

Buried at sea by the sorcerers who created him, Abaddon is unable to heal himself and unable to replenish his energy. He has lived here for longer than he can remember, with no hope of escape. Time is against him as the sea eats away at him, body and soul.

When her diving partner tries to kill her to take over her company, Sarah finds herself trapped beneath the waves and dying. Having brought light to Abaddon's dark existence at last, only she can grant him the courage to do what must be done to escape his watery prison.

Abaddon must sacrifice his wings to save her. Sarah must come to terms with being trapped with someone she has been raised to believe is a demon, and face the betrayal that nearly destroyed her and the company she built. Together, they must take on the ocean and their own fears. The consequence of failure is death.

Stop by Kay Dee Royal's Blog for your chance to win not only this selection but Minister's Paige and discover yet another wonderful author, Shannon Phoenix! 

http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com/2012/12/shannon-phoenix-guardian-of-abyss.html

http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com

http://www.naughtyreaders.com/kaydeeroyal.htm

Ghosts of Wives Past, A Curse, and a Time Traveler Determined To Save The Man She Loves: Loc Glin's Curse of Winford Manor Is A Must Read!

 Introducing Loc Glin's historical and paranormal romance tale is a must read for the holiday season. Available on E-Book format from Book Strand Romance, The Curse of Winford Manor will leave you wanting more. 

Blurb:

Leslie Braddock feels responsible for her husband's death. She is having trouble reentering thedating scene. Leslie travels back in time, where she meets Sir James. Sir James Winford is a three-time widower. He believes he is cursed, and is certain death to any woman he loves. He has vowed never to love again. Emily, the ghost of Sir James's first wife, has unfinished business, and still lingers at the Manor. She wants to see her husband happy, and she wants to bring her murderer to justice. Rose has loved Sir James since childhood. She must live with the unspeakable things she has done trying to make James see her as more than a child. She believes she is close to achieving that goal when Leslie shows up. Leslie and Sir James share the experience of losing a loved one. Will Leslie be the woman to break the curse? Or will she be just another victim?

A Siren BookStrand Mainstream Romance   [BookStrand Historical Paranormal Romance, Time Travel, HEA]

Tangie from Two Lips Reviews rates it 4 Lips and 1 Chile (after all it is a mainstream romance) She said, "I enjoyed The Curse of Winford Manor by Loc Glin." AND "I thought this was a sweet love story by Ms. Glin." For her entire review visit: http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8264&Itemid=36

Book Excerpt

                        Leslie searched for the road that led to the Gypsy camp. What was I thinking? When Stephanie canceled I should have just stayed home. "There it is. It's a wonder anyone can find it at all." She turned onto the dirt road. It was getting difficult to see in the fading light. Her small car found every bump in the road. Finally, she thought as the camp came into view. The bonfire in the middle of the camp and the music gave the place a mysterious and exotic feel. Darkness had settled in for the night.

"Excuse me," she said to a young boy running by. "Where can I find the fortune teller?"

The boy stopped and smiled, showing his missing front teeth. "She's in the blue wagon with the stars and moons." He pointed in its direction before he dashed away. She was glad he added the stars and moons, because there were three blue wagons, each wildly decorated. She parked the car and made her way to the wagon. The people around the campfire glanced up and then went back to their conversation. The music never stopped. She reached up and hesitated a moment. Maybe she should go home. She felt sort of strange. Oh well, she was here. She pushed her reservations aside and knocked on the door.

A middle-aged woman in Gypsy garb, complete with kerchief around the head, jewelry, and bangles, answered. "Come in," she said as she opened the door.

Leslie stepped up and entered a scene straight from the movies. Heavy curtains, beads, and ornate upholstery adorned the room. Two chairs and a table were in the center of the room. A crystal ball and a deck of tarot cards were placed off to the side on the table. Both sat patiently waiting for the fortune teller. Incense burned. Its fragrance added to the ambiance of the setting.

"Have a seat," the woman said. Her hand made a graceful but exaggerated gesture toward the chair. "I am called Madam Galina. You are here to have your fortune told. Yes?"

"Yes," Leslie said as she settled into the chair.

Madam Galina made a great show of rustling her skirt and clinking her bangles as she passed Leslie. She settled gracefully into her chair. She settled her skirt just so about her. "Let us get started. Give me your hands," she ordered. Her thick accent added to the mysterious allure of the moment.

Leslie put her hands onto the table. Madam Galina took first one and then the other. She examined each carefully. She rubbed her thumb across Leslie's open palm as if she were trying to clear away a smudge as she examined them. She squinted and frowned. It was a few minutes before she spoke. "You have had a loss in your life, and it makes you unhappy."

It doesn't take much to guess that. "Yes."

"One moment while I consult my crystal," she said as she moved her hands in circles over the crystal ball, now in the center of the table. Madam Galina's rings caught the light and sparkled. Her bangles slid on her arms, creating a rhythmless music all their own.

The music outside, Galina's bangles clinking, it all felt so contrived. How could Stephanie believe any of this?

"My crystal ball is of no use. All I can see is fog, nothing beyond that." Madam Galina wrinkled her brow. "Quite unusual and disturbing I must say."

I bet.

"Maybe the cards can clear up the mystery. May I do a tarot card reading?" Madam Galina asked.

"Sure."

"Please shuffle the deck." Frowning once again, she handed the cards to Leslie. Leslie shuffled the deck. "I've never seen fog in my crystal before. What could it mean?" she mumbled as Leslie handed the cards back to her. She then used a Tree of Life spread to read Leslie's fortune. 

* * * *

What can I tell this woman? Madam Galena thought as she looked at the cards. They point to no future, but not to death. Does that mean she'll be in a coma? The cards about her past are clear. I can see the lost love. As for romance, a love will come into her life, and soon, but even that is strange. Leslie fidgeted in her seat, bringing Madam Galina's attention back to her. "I am sorry it has taken me so long."

"That's okay," Leslie said politely. Her face didn't quite hide her agitation or her apprehension. "Stephanie said you were good. Maybe this is what she meant."

"I am sorry if I have frightened you," Galina apologized. "May I continue?"

"Yes."

"I see a man coming into your life." That much was true. "I see a promotion at work or possibly a change in your job. I see a change of residence." She saw these things, but they were jumbled, so she lied or guessed, depending on how you looked at it. "And I see car trouble."

"Everyone has car trouble sooner or later," Leslie whispered. "A tall, dark stranger?" Leslie asked sardonically.

"Actually, yes, I know it sounds cliché, but there will be a tall man entering your life very soon. I can tell you things about your past if you like. Some of the things I have mentioned may have already happened. The cards indicate they have, but also that they will. Your future is not clear enough for me to say." At least that is the truth.

"No, no that's enough. How much do I owe you?"

Madam Galina looked at the cards again. In all her years of reading fortunes, this was the first that truly puzzled her. "For that reading I cannot charge you. I usually receive more information from the cards. I am sorry." She shook her head. She was puzzled and could only hope that no harm would come to the young woman sitting across from her.

"You're not charging me?"

"Well, if you want me to…" she said as she stood.

"No, that's quite all right," Leslie put the strap of her purse over her shoulder as she rose from the seat and moved toward the exit. She opened the door. "Fog," she said as she stepped outside.

Madam Galina gasped and put her hand to her chest.

"Thank you," Leslie said. She carefully stepped down and out of the wagon.

"Be careful," Madam Galina said. She made the sign of the cross, blessing herself, and said a silent prayer.

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Unwrap This Read in Your E-Book Collection: Return To Love by Denyse Bridger

RETURN TO LOVE

Genre: Historical Western - sensual romance

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Blurb: Clay Butler is a man who rules the quiet town of Cedar Springs with an iron will, and a code of honor that defines all he is. But the past haunts him, and the loss of a woman who was his second chance at happiness weighs heavily on his over-burdened mind...

 

Excerpt:

 

The stage came thundering to a stop a short distance from the Lucky Star Saloon, and the driver, a man called Noah, shouted greetings, his laughter filling the air outside the carriage. Inside, the sole passenger fought down waves of nerve-induced nausea.

 

Amber Hamilton clutched her stomach for a second, and offered Noah a weak smile when he opened the door and held out his hand to help her to the street. The ground below her feet was hard, still frozen by winter. In a few weeks the road would be a mire of mud.

 

“Butler’s gonna be a happier man than he’s been lately, once he sees you, Miss Amber.”

 

Her smile brightened a little and she touched his arm in a gesture of appreciation.

 

“I hope you’re right, Noah,” she replied, though the knot of apprehension didn’t ease in the slightest.

 

“I know I am, ma’am,” he said with a grin.

 

Amber hesitated, stared up at the balcony that ran across the front of the club. Clay’s door should have been open. He should have been perched at the corner, smoking, smiling at the people who populated the busy street. The shutters were still down, and there was stillness about the place that was unnerving.

 

“He’s not out of town, is he?” Inside, she knew he was only a short distance away; she could feel his presence as keenly as if he stood next to her.

 

“No, ma’am,” Noah answered, then turned to shout at Walker.

 

Amber turned as well and saw guarded curiosity in Jesse Walker’s light blue eyes as he halted next to the stage. He hadn’t changed much in the past six months. Walker was still the scruffy, attractive, mysterious, outwardly hard man she’d always felt mildly intimidated by. Yet, there was a peace in his manner that had been absent before. She spotted the silver star pinned to his vest and inquisitiveness all but ran away with her.

 

“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Walker.” She smiled. “Sheriff Walker?” she corrected with enough surprise to make it a question. Jenny and Austin had always wanted him to be the Sheriff of the town, he’d never been interested. She admired Jesse, he was one of the few men who challenged Clay, and kept him from crossing lines from which there would be no returning.

 

“Butler know you’re back?” Walker acknowledged her greeting with a nod of his head, and ignored the query she hadn’t directly made.

 

 

Denysé

 

Denysé Bridger
"Live the Romance, Become the Fantasy..."
** Best-Selling Author of 2011 **
WEBSITE: http://www.denysebridger.com 
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Bound By Passion (adult content): http://boundpassion.blogspot.com