Thursday, January 30, 2014

#TNTConfidential Author Spotlight on Freddy MacKay and Horns & Halos

I’m am thrilled to have author Freddy MacKay here with me again! *dances* She comes with a collection of wonderful short stories (I can vow to that, I’ve read them) titled, Horns and Halos.  If you don't trust my criteria, then trust the other readers that have just voted the  anthology as best 2013 anthology in the Love Romance Cafe Group! *woot!* 

Now, prepare yourself to enter the mind of Freddy MacKay and discover the roots of Horns & Halos and Freddy's story Internment. 

Welcome Freddy, where did the idea for this anthology come from?
From our readers, actually. We were over at Dawn's LR Cafe and asked the readers there what they thought the next anthology theme should be. Angels & demons won.

Horns and Halos is in a way an anthology that explores the concept of good and evil. What is your perception on this? 

I think it is good to question what is good and evil, and different cultures have different definitions of what the two concepts. For example, in many Asian cultures, the term 'demon' does not necessitate that the demon is evil. To question ones beliefs mean a person has a open mind and are willing to look at themselves and their society and determine whether their values stay the same or change as their understanding grows.

What was your inspiration for writing Internment?
Um. I was floating a couple different ideas, and when my first one fizzled out I moved onto the kitsune. I am familiar with Japanese culture and have always found kitsune a fun and intriguing topic.

Two of the main characters in your story are rather unusual: a kitsune and a squirrel. Why this pair?

I started with the kitsune and decided he needed a 'pet'. Since Tadaki was in the US, what could possibly be a pet? Squirrels have been an ongoing joke with my friends and me so I figured, why not? Kou, the squirrel, became a force unto himself I had no control over as the story developed. He grew so much I ran with it.

Did you have to do a great amount of research to write Internment?

A fair amount of information I was already aware of due to various parts of my own interests, but I spent a fair amount of time researching kitsune so as to check what I already had bumping around in my head. Plus I had to remember what time period the majority of my piece was in (which was early 60s). I had to make sure not to go too modern.

Is there any chance that the stories in this anthology will be expanded into stand-alone novels?

All the stories in the anthology have been released individually. I know Toni has the next Hounds of Hell story in the line up for this year. Her story was a book 1 to begin with, as was Angel's. Angel's Brimstone series actually pops up in our third anthology, Hot Off the Range, with its second story, and she is currently working on the third story. As for me, Internment was actually a full-length novel already. It will eventually be released in paperback, which is exciting. As for revisiting Tadashi and Kou, I have no plans at the moment.

What are you working on next?

I am working on a steam punk story, Feel Me, that is taking place on a moon colony. I'm excited because I get to play with my dark side again. *Joyous laughter.

White January Snow Quickie questionnaire:

A book to read when it’s so cold: Down Among the Dead Men by Simon Green

A movie to watch when it’s freezing: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

A place to visit this month: Any place you can sled.

Something good to eat: Channa Masala

Something that makes you (and will make us) laugh: Watching the little kids roll down the snow covered hills and then wonder why they feel sick. It is cute. Really.


Demons and Angels have been among us for thousands of years, in many cultures and in many forms. What happens when you set the Mischief Corner authors loose on the vague prompt "Write a story about angels or demons?" The poor unsuspecting world is about to find out. 

From Toni Griffin - Archie's Accidental Kidnapping: Hounds of Hell 1

Hell may not have any fury like a woman scorned, but even that's nothing compared to a Hell Hound when you get between him and his mate.

From Freddy MacKay - Internment


From Angel Martinez - Hell for the Company: Brimstone #1


Buy Links:

MCB || AMAZON || BARNES & NOBLE || ARe and other 3rd party sites  such as Apple iBookstore, Sony, etc.

About Freddy


For more information on Freddy's work, please visit:

Website: Freddy's Stereograph

Would you like to meet Tadashi and Kou?


Part One - Monsters on the Mountain
Chapter One

Spring was alive and well on the mountain. Green buds covered the treetops, bushes bounced with the breeze, tulips and daffodils poked through the ground, and the smallest of forest creatures skittered about looking for their treasures from the previous summer and fall. Tadashi smiled as a familiar young squirrel scampered around his feet, chirping and squeaking at him furiously.

"I didn't take your nuts," chastised Tadashi, switching his broom to one hand. "You've forgotten where you've put them. Or they've decided to become wonderful new additions to the forest in the form of trees."

The squirrel stopped its angry barrage of noises and looked up.

"I'm telling the truth, Kou," said Tadashi. "I haven't hidden your nuts."

Kou chirped once.

"Look over there, by the arches." Tadashi pointed at the gate. "Why do you think a Black Oak is sprouting? I didn't plant it there."


"Aren't you even going to say you're sorry?" called Tadashi, shaking his head.

Kou climbed up his tree and went straight into his nest.

Tadashi chuckled and went back to his sweeping. "Little pest."

He didn't mind the forgetful little squirrel. The temple would seem big and empty without him. Company, in the form of the squirrel, was a welcome reprieve from his duties. Tadashi would have to remember to procure some of Kou's favorite treats. He had some hidden away. The spring was always a rough time of year for the small forest mammals like Kou, the poor squirrel could use a break.

Definitely not an easy time for the animals, their stomachs empty, and they were looking for a mate. Tadashi stopped sweeping the grounds and searched for the squirrel. No wonder Kou was so upset. He must be preparing to lure a female. Were there any around? Tadashi scanned the trees and the forest floor beyond the gates. He couldn't see them, but he could smell them. Quite a few in fact. All of them were scurrying about looking for food.

Kou knew what he was doing, wanting his nuts. Sneaky devil. But then, Tadashi raised him. He only had himself to blame for the squirrel's cheeky behavior and slight, oh, awareness.


"Be careful once you pass the gates," warned Tadashi. "It's not as easy to protect you once you leave the shrine."

Kou stopped and tilted his head, observing Tadashi.

"Here at the shrine, my powers protect you," said Tadashi. "Step off the sacred grounds, only my luck travels with you."

It wasn't the good kind though. Hadn't been for years, not since the Japanese engaged the Americans in the World War seven years ago. But Kou didn't need to know that. His happy aura was one of Tadashi's only lights. He didn't want to damper it.

"Go, have fun."

Tadashi faced the temple and bowed, asking a favor from his god, Inari. "I know you and I haven't been on the best of terms, but please, protect Kou."

Tadashi straightened then resumed his course to the small hut by the temple, ignoring the larger house behind the shrine. He ducked into the doorway and took several long steps to the dresser by his bed. Tadashi rummaged around the top of it. He had kept a stash of Kou's favorite nuts for an occasion like this one… somewhere. A small, brightly colored cloth bag finally peeked out from under a pair of socks.


He had used a little of his magic on the bag so it preserved and kept the nuts fresh. Tadashi grabbed the sack and stepped back. He gently placed it on the floor so he could grab it once he had shifted. Tadashi quickly pulled off his clothes, letting them drop to the floor.

Funny thing about real clothes, they wouldn't just disappear like the ones that formed when he used his magic. Getting tangled in real clothes was cumbersome and annoying. So was having to strip naked to shift.

Tadashi's view of the dresser top went from above it to eye level to not seeing it at all. He shook, adjusting to his new smaller size, and then picked up the cloth bag with his mouth. Tadashi trotted outside and over to Kou's tree. He leapt, deftly landing on the lowest branch.

Leaping from one branch to another, Tadashi quickly worked his way up the tree to Kou's nest. He dropped the bag into it for Kou to find then descended as fast as possible. Trees were a squirrel thing—foxes, not so much. Now if there was a den underneath, he could work with that. Tadashi made his final jump, the dirt kicking up around his paws when he landed.

Satisfied he had done his duty, Tadashi headed back toward his room when he stopped. The sun felt good. Birds chirped their favorite songs. The small animals chattered. Maybe... Maybe he could run around a bit, stretch his legs. It couldn't hurt to enjoy a fine spring day like this one. He didn't have to worry about intruders. The locals rarely came up the mountain.
Unsure of what to do with a 'Jap' or his shrine.

A subtle survey of the temple and its surrounding inhabitants put Tadashi's mind at ease. He wouldn't be gone long. His wards, however small, would be safe in his absence. They were happily shacking up with one another anyway. They wouldn't notice if he slipped away for a few hours.

With a turn, Tadashi headed toward the back of the property to an old and seldom used path. He was the only one who used it anymore, and the animals seemed to know to leave it alone. Bits of grass sprouted through the dirt, reminding Tadashi he'd have to weed soon. But that would be for another day. Today… today he'd run. Enjoy the sun and fresh wind blowing in from the ocean and let go for a little while.

Tadashi kicked, running along a path that led to nowhere but an isolated cliff, his tails swirling behind him as he traveled, the past and present haunting his footsteps as he raced to the one spot where he and Akatsuki once overlooked a sleepy California valley and its town.

A place he visited now by himself since Akatsuki died in the internment camps.

* * * *

Trotting back to his room, satisfied with his run and able to work past the ever-present ache inside him, Tadashi stopped suddenly. There was a smell on the breeze—an unfamiliar scent. No. Scents. He whipped around and stuck his nose into the air, breathing deeply. It wasn't right. He growled. Something was wrong. Even the forest had gone quiet as if all the life bustling about earlier hadn't happened.

Tadashi sprinted toward the cause of his unease. The new growth and small buds peeping from the ground bent as he ran by, his speed kicking up a small wind where he passed. There should be some noise. The forest hadn't been this quiet in years. The last time the animals were this quiet was… Tadashi stumbled.

Had humans returned to the mountain?

Most left his area alone due to the stories that developed after the war. He had let the tales proliferate, encouraged them, giving the tales a helping hand or paw periodically.
No one wanted to visit a haunted shrine.

He lifted his snout and tested the air again. Eyes closed, Tadashi tried hard to remember what humans smelled like. It had been so long. Nothing. He lost the scent. Tadashi shifted, turning and inhaling the wisps of smell the wind brought him. Finally, he caught the unfamiliar odor again.
His heart raced, the forest a blur as Tadashi ran to meet his intruders. His sanctuary would not be poisoned by humans, even if he had to drag them away by force. A low rumble settled in his belly the closer he got to the scent. His memory might not remember the general odor of people, but it was close enough to the one person he remembered best.

When the smell hung in the air like a heavy perfume, Tadashi slowed. Other animal smells mixed with the humans. Tadashi sniffed the ground and sneezed. Dogs. The hair on his back stood straight as he growled. Of course this couldn't be easy, but he would not back down. If he could scare whomever was stupid enough to visit the temple, that would be easiest. Less of his dwindling energy would be consumed. Tadashi tilted his snout back again, trying to locate the offenders.

Circling through the trees, he searched desperately. No noise was being made. If humans were around, the bumbling idiots should be making some kind of sound. Trampling bushes underfoot, breaking low-hanging branches and squished flowers in their path instead of stepping around. They destroyed everything they touched. Took what they wanted and hurt those not like them. Like Tadashi or, more importantly, Akatsuki.

Tadashi needed to find the intruders before they hurt something valuable.
Finally, he found a piece of cloth hanging on a bush. The material was rather large and kind of looked like a shirt. Tadashi sniffed at it. Yuck. It smelled horrible. He sneezed. Humans were foul.

As he tore the offending material away from the bush, one thing did register with him.
The animals were chatting away again. Tadashi took it as a sign the intruders were gone. He shifted and took the piece of clothing in hand. He stretched it out, taking a good look at it. A t-shirt. His heartbeat went into overdrive, the emotions barraging Tadashi making it awfully hard to keep his form. His tails slid out, and the need to hunt battered away any reason he had.

Humans had gotten awfully close to the temple. Closer than any in so long. Tadashi would have to check the seals and barriers. He wanted no unwelcome guests.

Angry he couldn't find the humans, Tadashi spun around and began to pace through the trees. He struggled with allowing his baser instincts to come out and hunt versus going back to the shrine and regrouping. If he got too close to town, people would notice, especially right now. He wanted to know if someone new had come to the sleepy mountain village but his showing up could create problems. Tadashi only went to town for supplies, and even then, his trips down were when he could control his different forms.

No. He was too upset to make the journey down. He'd have to go back to the shrine, regroup, and make a plan. Tadashi also wanted to find Kou. Maybe the little squirrel could tell him something.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

#WednesdayBriefs: Myths, Secrets and Love - chapter 10

Hello darlings and happy Wednesday!

Today's Brief is a little shorter than usual, but I hope you enjoy it regardless. My inspiration for this week's chapter was the two picture prompts below. 

Myths, Secrets and Love 10


Rodric groaned and turned to the side. A warm, gentle hand grasped his shoulder hesitantly.


Calloused fingers gripped his flesh a little harder. He shuddered as two digits slid down his bare arm in a caress.

“Rodric.” Warm breath fanned his ear. Rum and chocolate. Rodric’s body responded to the scent, his cock growing hard between his legs.

“Fergus?” he whispered.

Soft lips pressed themselves to his shoulder, his neck, his jaw.

 “Rodric.” Fergus’s husky voice sounded softly in his ear. “I’m waiting for you.”


Rodric groaned as Fergus’s mouth descended over his in a tender kiss that made tears prickle in the back of his eyes. Rodric turned around, reaching for the other man, desperate to cling to the soft taste of those lips and to feel the warmth of that solid body against his.

There was nothing there.

Rodric’s eyes snapped opened. Dazzling sunlight hit him and he cursed loudly as he scrambled into a sitting position. He blinked furiously, tears rolling down his cheeks. His heart pounded erratically, his dick throbbed and the unsettling feeling that something was very wrong clamored inside of him. After a few seconds, his vision cleared up. Another round of courses spilt from his lips. An ocean of grass surrounded him.  Wave after wave of the green blades swayed in the cool breeze. Drops of sweat started to gather on his forehead. Rodric glanced up at the sky. There wasn’t a cloud present and the sun was high up, exuding a sweltering heat that made his vision swim.

He swallowed drily, his throat suddenly parched. Where was he? Getting to his feet, he turned in a full circle in an attempt to see something else in the landscape surrounding him, but there was nothing there. Where was Arjä? The fairies? His men?

He licked his lips. Pain like he’d never experienced slammed into him, doubling him over. Fergus. Tears coursed down his cheeks as the realization that he was stranded and he’d never see the other man again kicked him in the gut. For years he’d ignored the attraction he felt for his friend. For years, he’d avoided touching him, being near him. For years, he’d been someone he was not. All for what? He was alone. Completely and utterly alone. He’d never see Fergus again. He’d never be able to tell him how he felt. He’d never be able to thread his fingers in his red hair, to kiss his soft mouth. He’d never be able to see Fergus’s dazzling smile. He’d never be able to be a part of one of his crazy schemes. He’d never hear his laugher again. Rodric fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands as the pain in his chest intensified. Fergus was dead. He’d never found him. He’d been so keen on pretending that he wasn’t searching for him that precious time had passed and now, there was nothing.

A tingling sound echoed behind him. Shivering, Rodric lifted his head. Darkness surrounded him. How long had he been crying? The intensity of the sound increased turning into the delicate chimes of bells. Rodric scurried to his feet and spun around just as the wave of colorful lights consumed him. 

Rodric woke up gasping for air. His eyes felt swollen and irritated and his chest ached as if he’d run for miles. He groaned and rolled to the side.

“About time.”

Rodric’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the familiar voice.


The unicorn princess sat in front of him, a warm smile gracing her features. She looked exactly the same as always, albeit there was a mystical glow in her eyes he had never noticed before.

“What,” he cleared his voice. “What happened?” 

Rodric started to sit up, when he noticed the piece of parchment laying face down on the sand beneath him. Wondering what it was, he reached for it and turned it over. Blood drained from his face as he realized what was in his hand. 

“Devil’s Island.” 

Eyes wide, he turned toward Arjä. The young woman beamed back at him.

“The fairies helped.” 

To be continued...


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

#TNTConfidential: Julie Lynn Hayes & When Will I see You Again

We're almost at the end of the  month, my darlings, but not yet. I still have two more authors stepping into the spotlight this week. The first one is the lovely Julie Lynn Hayes. She's right here with me and she brings a wonderful post about the moon (one of my favorite subjects as I find that orb in the sky deeply fascinating)  and her latest release, When will I see you Again. Welcome Julie! 

            William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Cold-hearted orb that rules the night 
Removes the colors from our sight 
Red is grey and yellow white 
But we decide which is right 
And which is an illusion?”
             Moody Blues, Nights in White Satin/Lament


What is it about the full moon that causes this phenomemon?







Available at: Amber Quill Press

~~ Excerpt ~~

The thought was both exhilarating and frightening.





About Julie



Follow Julie:

Sunday, January 26, 2014

#8Sunday #SexySnippets #WeekendWritingWarriors: The Alpha's Claim - Dance for me, Princess-

Hello my darlings! I'm totally swapping books today as I've just got release out and I'm excited to share! The Alpha's Claim Anthology (published by Evernight Publishing), saw the light early on Friday morning and is basically a ten author anthology full of love stories that star sexy shifters.

My story is titled Dance for me, Princess, and it features a businessman, Markus Topponiem and a stripper, Sophia.

#SexySnippets and #8Sunday Sentences  

“You really have to leave,” she murmured. 

He took a step toward her. Sophia shuddered. There it was again, the sweet scent, this time mingled with something else. His walked toward her slowly, the fluidity of his movements reminding her of a large cat. 

“You have to leave, too, princess.”

His gaze swept over her body, lingering in certain spots that made her neck burn and her pussy clench. He took another bold step, his grin becoming positively devilish.


Strength. Power. Domination. 


Lose yourself in these ten sinfully delicious love stories. After all, who could deny an Alpha's Claim? ||