Married for the Good of the Tribe - Prophecy's Bride

She was the hope of her peoples. The portents named her the future queen and prophetess - a divination Jessamin fervently resists. Forced to wed a man she’s never seen, Jessamin’s prospects appear bleak and without hope. Can Tabor’s presence at the altar transform her grim imaginings?

Free Read from The Wild Rose Press

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=180&products_id=1012

An Unwilling Bride - Songbird

An unwilling bride, an unwanted husband and a future too bleak to contemplate.

She'd run, fleeing from a past too painful to bear, in search of a new beginning. What he offered wasn't what she wanted – or was it?

Free read from The Wild Rose Press.

Songbird by P. L. Parker

Link to download: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=180&products_id=3899 

Take a Hot Ride on the Sinful Sirens Blog Hop!

Take a hot ride on the Sinful Sirens Blog Hop!

For links to the blog hop, check out either link:
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/

or http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/

My international giveaway will be a $15 gift certificate to Amazon and an e-copy of either Beyond Tomorrow or The Chalice.  

“Bride Kidnapping” is the basis for my sexy steamy novel, The Chalice.  It also forms the basis for my latest release, Beyond Tomorrow!

In secret dreams, women imagine being taken by a handsome, dashing warrior who whisks them away to a life of passion and overwhelming love.  But in reality, being kidnapped by a desperate male isn't what romance authors make it up to be.  From a historical standpoint, women were considered highly valuable. They brought with them their tribe/clan's customs and new blood to add strength to the tribe.

“Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice throughout history and around the world in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry."

History is replete with tales of kidnapped women, their tribulations and quite often sad endings.  Laws were enacted to protect women from such a fate, but even today, bride kidnapping is alive and well in many countries throughout the world.  

The Chalice  - the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYriTtD72zI


Excerpt:

Ahh! So she wanted to discuss the upcoming ceremony. Some of his excitement waned. He could breathe again though his groin still ached with need.

“How?” Her look was questioning.

This isn’t going to be easy. Keep my mind off the delectable curves of her mouth would take greater concentration.

He pointed to himself and then to her. “Tegan. Kara.” He struggled to find the right words. “Join Mordaq. Hanna.”

Forget Mordaq and Hanna! He wanted to tell her about himself. Tell her what was in his heart. All his hopes and dreams—and those secret ones he harbored of her.

He wanted a life for himself. He wanted Kara. Not because Kormak chose her for him, but because everything about her was exquisite and compelling. Each moment in her presence only served to make that yearning even more deep-seated.

Of its own volition, his hand reached across the table and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, lingering on the delicate curve of her temple. Her skin was so soft, silky.

She froze, only her eyelids moved, flaring in response.

He couldn’t bring himself to move his hand. The feel of her heartbeat pumping beneath his fingers, fast and erratic, was a soothing balm to his battered soul.

She turned a slight degree, lips caressing his palm. Warm breath heated his sensitive skin. A trembling started in the pit of his stomach, spreading outward as she nuzzled and—did she press a kiss? ‘Twould seem so. She reached up, cupping his hand as she nibbled and tasted. The feelings evoked by her touch were both erotic and disturbing. He forced himself to stillness, breathing held in check, enraptured by the feel of those velvety lips pressed against his skin. If he died at this moment, it would be enough.

Okay, big boy, Kara thought. Let’s see if you’re interested!

She pressed one last kiss to his palm, stood up and edged slowly around the table, like a cat stalking prey, careful to avoid any unexpected movement and frighten the victim into flight. If she was right—and she suspected she was—Tegan was a virgin and, like most virgins, uncomfortable in sexual encounters until they got past that first time. Not that she planned an all out seduction, but being ignored by a hot guy—and especially this guy—didn’t set well with her.

I just want him to notice me! Yeah, right! She wanted him to do more than notice her, at least not run whenever she was nearby.

For a list of the participants to the Giveaways, here's the link:

http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/2013/03/heat-up-your-summer-sinful-sirens-giveaway-hop-sign-up-now-2.html

  

Buy Links:

The Chalice:

http://newconceptspublishing.com/p.l.-parker/the-chalice/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Chalice-ebook/dp/B007PRQO5Q/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335899385&sr=8-1-spell

Beyond Tomorrow:

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Tomorrow-ebook/dp/B00CHD0DXM/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368495195&sr=8-1&keywords=beyond+tomorrow+by+p.+l.+parker

http://www.willowmoonpublishing.com/scifi4.html

Patsy

P. L. Parker

http://www.plparker.com/

http://www.plparker.blogspot.com/

Beyond Tomorrow Releases on Wednesday, April 24

For all of you who've been waiting, Beyond Tomorrow releases on Wednesday, April 24, from Willow Moon Publishing.  Very excited!

http://www.willowmoonpublishing.com/

Patsy

My Cover Art for Beyond Tomorrow

Got my cover art from Willow Moon Publishing for Beyond Tomorrow - the third book in the Riley's Journey series.

Blurb:  

The vicious and predatory Cros are amassing in ever growing numbers in the foothills above the travelers’ temporary encampment.  Facing inevitable attack, the tribe hastens to prepare for the last leg of their journey—the perilous voyage across the Bering Strait to the shores of the Americas.  But time is in short supply.

          Kidnapped by a band of marauding Cros, Rachel’s fate as a slave is preordained. Females are few, the tribeswomen the ultimate prize and better off dead the reality.  But fate is capricious and unsettled. When the savage warrior, Hawk, overpowers her captors and takes her for his own, Rachel’s destiny takes a new direction.  

Excerpt:

From the direction of the camp a dog barked, a frenzied, excited yapping. She froze, her senses going on alert. The dogs only barked when something was wrong. The hair at the base of her skull stood on end. She shuddered. Chills raced up and down her spine. Pay attention! That’s what Jonas always said. And here I am outside the stockade without a frickin’ weapon to my name!

I wish Jonas were here right now! Her hand touched the leather sheath hanging from her waistband. No! Wait! I have a cutting knife! Poor defense against the vicious predators lurking outside the boundaries of the camp!

Slow and careful, she backed up, eased out of the water and crouched down. Breathing in tiny pants, her heart drummed a frantic rhythm in her breast.

I could make a run for it! The camp was not that far away but the path meandered through some pretty tall plant life. Plenty of spots for an animal or one of those crazy-assed Cros to hide! Adrenalin surged through her system. She drew a deep breath, readying herself.

“Rach! You out here?” Jeremy’s voice rang out nearby, sounding worried.

“Here,” she called, standing up and waving.

The tall reeds parted and Jeremy’s merry face poked through. “Dogs are fussing. Riley said you were out here. We need to get back inside.”

Her breath exhaled in a relieved whoosh! “Thank God you’re here! I was about ready to mess my drawers.”

His brow furrowed. “Did you see anything? Jonas’ll want a report when we get back.”

“No. I didn’t see anything, but the dogs are still barking. We need to move.”

He chopped at the tall grass with a wicked looking panga. “We need to clear this crap out and open up the pathway! Stuff grows like frickin’ weeds.”

He sliced through the grass, yelped in surprise and then tripped, falling as a monstrous saber-toothed cat sprang from the brush, huge mouth gaping in a screech of rage. He rolled to his side covering his neck as the cat landed astride his back.

Celebrate the new version - The Chalice

For about a month, The Chalice on Amazon in Kindle has been unavailable for some unknown reason, publisher uploaded it twice but finally available again. 

1,000 Women awaken 200 years in the future aboard an alien  ship bound for parts unknown.

Excerpt:

All heads swiveled as the panel to the females’ quarters slid upwards. Tegan’s hand froze, the bite of food forgotten.       

            “They’re coming out,” Shagal whispered, fairly bouncing with excitement. “Wha…?”

            The panel slid to an abrupt halt and then started back down, stopped by an object wedged underneath.

            “What are they doing?” Vaux exclaimed, bending over. “What is that?”

            Tegan leaned sideways, tilting his head. “They’re trying to see out,” he murmured, grinning in spite of himself. “They’re using a female stimulator orb to keep it open.”

            “Maybe they’re sending us a message.” Mordaq dropped down on his chest, angling for a better view. “Making it clear we’re unnecessary.”

            “That’s kind of disgusting,” Vaux snorted, lip curling. “Crude, really.”

            “I think it’s a simple matter of trying to see.” He sat back up, staring at his bowl, lips twitching. 

            Vaux sniffed, wiping his lips. “If they want to see what we’re doing without us seeing them, why don’t they use the viewing screens?”

            “I would guess it’s because they don’t know how.” Why would they? If Kormak’s logs were correct, the Chalices had only been awake for a short time. Without guidance, how were they to learn?

            “Access the ship’s computers and open a line to the viewing screen in the females’ chamber so they can watch us.” He laughed. “This is a perfect opportunity to prove we mean them no harm and we’re peaceful.”

            “I suppose you want me to do it,” Vaux grumbled, shoveling food into his mouth, “even though I’ve not finished eating.”

            “I suppose your stomach is much more important than the females.” Shagal’s snide comment stung the tech, causing Vaux to flinch in reflex. He studied his food, unwilling to meet Tegan’s eyes.

            “The Chalices and I would appreciate your prompt efforts.” Tegan spoke softly, his words easing the tension triggered by Shagal’s criticism. “I suspect they’re as curious as are we.”

            Vaux nodded, lips pressed in a firm line. He stood up, bending at the waist. “As you wish, Milord.”

            “I’m not your Lord,” Tegan murmured for Vaux’s ears alone. “I’m your friend asking for a favor.”

In celebration - one lucky commenter will win a copy of the new version of The Chalice.  Contest ends March 31, 2013. 

Buy link just in case:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Chalice-ebook/dp/B00BUDETUI/ref=tmm_kin_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364055619&sr=1-1

Patsy

Picking Just the Right Picture

As an author, I spend some time on Istockphotos or Big Stock Photos looking for those perfect pictures for book videos or perhaps cover art or sometimes solely for inspiration.  Along with the perfect, I do have more fun setting up search words and waiting to see what the results will be.  As an example, I often wonder why if I search for a handsome male, I'll get a picture of a 2 year old little girl.  What in all the mysteries of eternity would connect my search with a 2 year old girl?  There is also the return of a male who is so far from what I envisioned, I have to laugh.  This morning, in preparation for a book video, I set up the search "warrior woman bow arrow."  I hate to tell you what I got back.  There were possibly 3 matches out of a large number of pages.  Obviously, some of the models/poses are so contrived as to be ridiculous. A warrior woman with perfectly applied eye makeup, every hair in place and posing with her posterior poked out is not my idea of a warrior woman - okay, I'll give her the fact that she did have a bow and arrow in hand, about the size Cupid would cart around, and she was wearing fur......


I do have to say, there are those moments when the perfect picture just jumps from the page.  And then the fun begins. I found this one when I was looking for an alien woman who was a captive in The Chalice, and this one when I needed weird people on an alien planet.

The pictures are out there, just take a lot of time and patience to find a good one.  And then the search for music......
Patsy