It's been a while since I put out a book teaser but I want to post some more scenes from the Tides series before book three comes out later this year.
Here, in Crystal Tide, Kay discovers an upsetting entry in one of her dad's old notebooks. It seems the stalwart scientist, Dr. Laurens, may have believed in paranormal beings.
This comes as a complete surprise to Kay but serves to send her down to the Bermuda Triangle where she runs afoul of an ancient cult, meets a sinfully hot stranger and learns that trouble is brewing in the mystic Tides of Poseidon.

Excerpt:
****
Cracking open the notebook, she leafed through a few pages trying to find something that made sense. At the back, her dad had written a passage letter style, which was unlike the normal notes and sketches he usually filled his books with. It was like a diary entry.
 
“They are among us…” It started out.
“…creatures, beings from other dimensions, not only outer space as I had once imagined. Some of them can not even be classified as alien because they have walked the earth far longer than humans.
I have made encounters while out in the field, unexplainable happenings, disturbing sightings and sometimes just hair raising feelings of an unknown presence. Supernatural, paranormal, extra-terrestrial ─ are these the correct terms to define what I have seen? All I can say for certain is that these beings are powerful. They have been around for a very long time, probably since the beginning. Once, they lived in concert with mankind but something happened long ago and they now have an acute contempt for modern humans.
Through my research, I found that many of earth’s geological and atmospheric disturbances may find their root not in seismic, climatic, or weather related occurrences but, actually, are being set into motion by these supernatural beings. For what reason I cannot conjecture, but judging by the increasing frequency and intensity, it can be assumed that their intent is not of a benign nature.
I’ve made plans to study the geological link. Many of the paranormal hotspots are located at earth’s vortexes. What was once a guilty fascination, a diversion from my actual work, has become a matter of dire importance as all evidence points to a rising insurrection coming from these powerful beings. Their presence has steadily increased over the past two or three decades, as I have noted on my charts. All my research suggests that there is a sea floor link to nearly every troubling account of man meeting with these destructive otherworld forces.
I fear for my wife and daughter. I have to gather more information but am assailed by the feeling that time may be running short before something truly harrowing occurs that will affect the entire world.
I leave for Miami tomorrow for a close study of the Bermuda Triangle ─ one of the world’s most hostile vortices…”
 
And there the entry ended though it was obvious that her dad had written more. Kay flipped the page but it was the last one in the notebook. Paper had been ripped out. He never did that, his notes could be chaotic and disjointed but he never mangled his pages. She had to know what else he’d written! She searched the bookshelf but that notebook was the highest numbered in its group. That meant that if Esmé had a journal in Miami, it was probably the next one.
Just as all her thoughts came crashing together, bright lights blazed into the windows then a car door slammed shut. Someone was coming.

***

Find out what happens next! Read Crystal Tide - available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

Devastated by the loss of both parents and running scared after a break-in at her home, Kay Laurens jumps on the first plane out of Denver heading south to Miami. There she meets up with, of all people, a love psychic for answers. On the tip of the Bermuda Triangle, she is swept up into the dark world of an ancient cult and sent on the ride of her life. Then her incense induced visions come to life in the form of an inter-world travelling, suspicious and sinfully hot immortal agent for Mt. Olympus.
 
Xieran has no memory of who he was before being stolen by Hermes. The Greek god uses him to enter Earth’s sphere under the guise of an affluent art dealer in search of an elusive artifact which, if he can find, will win him his freedom. When his latest mission is brought up short by a female grad student breaking into his complex travel system, he can’t help but be suspicious. It makes no difference that he finds her more and more irresistible with each encounter. With demon outbreaks, nefarious characters working in the Underworld and a power struggle of epic proportions going on, no one can be trusted.
 
As they are thrown into the Tides together, Kay and Xieran set out on a whirlwind adventure, racing through the streets of Rome, Miami and even Western Australia to chase down the answers that will win them their freedom from the overbearing gods. Will they come to terms with destiny and conquer the evil taking over the Tides, or will they succumb to the passion growing between them?
 
Join the forming crew of Poseidon’s defenders against the Underworld in book two of Amanda V. Shane’s Tides of Atlantis series!

Available on Amazon. Read free on Kindle Unlimited!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DYXVWHK

Happy Wine Wednesday everyone!
I know I missed last week. This time of year things get a little crazy. But I'm back with another 'perfect for each other' wine/book pairing. It's a little obvious, I know, I apologize for that, but when you have a story bout a cupcake and flower shop owner and a super hot, redeemed bad-boy then there's no question but to pair it with a Cupcake wine. Author Cassie Faber's Frozen Memories of her new Angelbay Harbor series and Cupcake Chardonnay are our lovely couple for this week's post. With thing's getting hectic as the season change really gets going and probably some spring fever setting in, if you're like me, these two make for a nice little world all your own to slide away into for an escape from all the busyness. So, nestle into your favorite reading spot for a while, grab a copy of Frozen Memories and have a sip of Cupcake Chard! Happy reading!

Redeemed bad boy Boh Mason has been running for all of his life to protect those he loves from the demons of his past. He ends up in the small coastal town of Angelbay Harbour, where young and talented Claire Forester literally falls into his arms.
The unworldly, innocent co-owner of Angel’s Cupcakes & Flowers, who is fighting to regain lost memories after a devastating car accident, finds herself inexplicably attracted to the mysterious stranger.
When his past pulls him into an inescapable web of corruption, he discovers for the first time in his life that running is not an option, and Claire realizes that the key to unearthing her memories is in the hands of the person who will change her world irrevocably…

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GM3KFW7

… in a land of winter’s tales, beyond the forest and the world we mortals know as ordinary, a maiden lived with hair of gold and snowy white, eyes of shining blue and lips to shame the blood, red rose.

A commoner and the outcast of her village...Nika is forced to flee her home to keep the dark secret of her birth. When she is hunted by a rugged Northman, she finds herself lost in a land of spells and curses. His kisses start to melt her cold, lonely heart, her secrets are laid bare and she finds herself in a magic war for the man and the kingdom she loves.
 
King of a cursed and ravaged kingdom...when Vasilli first lays eyes on Nika stealing bread at a fair, he knows he has to have the fair haired beauty. The legends surrounding his lands tell of a snow maiden who will break the curse of the Northern Kingdom but he wants Nika for his own.
 
From a land of winter, ice and snow comes a tale of enchantment and romance. Mages and sorceresses, omens and curses - this spellbinding grownup fairy tale is a story of magic in an ancient land and a legendary love that will heat up even the coldest winter night.
 
Inspired by the Russian fairy tale The Snow Maiden and legendary characters of The Nutcracker Ballet.
 
 This story involves some intimate scenes and adult situations. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

What readers are saying about Snow Maiden:

"...a classical tale of good versus evil with a magical, steamy slant." ~Linda, www.readingbetweenthewines.com

"Miss Shane is an extremely illustrative writer. She paints a story that is so seductive and enchanting." ~Angela G., www.whiskeyangellife.com

"The romance between Nika and Vasilli develops at a delicious pace..." ~Bianca, www.ismellsheep.com

"This book will pull you through its pages! This read is compelling and full of adventurous action and love!" ~Amazon reviewer

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RSCW61

Barnes & Noble, Ibooks, Kobo
https://www.books2read.com/u/md0ojw

Happy Wine Wednesday everybody! Okay, I know that I usually post romance novels for wine / book pairings on Wednesday buuutt... check out that amazing bottle!! When I saw Game of Thrones Chardonnay I knew it was going up on the blog. Timely too, considering the final season airs this weekend. Wine maker Bob Cabral has crafted a whole line of GoT wines so be sure to check out the website (link below). If you're at all a Fantasy lover / reader, I'm sure you already have the whole book collection in a hallowed display somewhere in your  home, but to keep with tradition here on the RR&W section of the blog, I'm including the book link for the series  and the description of famed Fantasy Author George R.R. Martin's masterpiece.
Have a wonderful rest of your week as the countdown to Season 8 continues. Be sure to grab your copies of the books and a bottle of Game of Thrones Chard. Happy reading everyone!

For the first time, all five novels in the epic fantasy series that inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones are together in one eBook bundle. An immersive entertainment experience unlike any other, A Song of Ice and Fire has earned George R. R. Martin—dubbed “the American Tolkien” by Time magazine—international acclaim and millions of loyal readers. Now this bundle collects the entire monumental cycle in the most convenient format available:
 
A GAME OF THRONES
A CLASH OF KINGS
A STORM OF SWORDS
A FEAST FOR CROWS
A DANCE WITH DRAGONS
 
“One of the best series in the history of fantasy.”--Los Angeles Times
 
Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season.
 
Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms.
 
Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.
 
“Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00957T6X6

Happy Wine Wednesday everyone! Hope you all are enjoying some lovely spring weather as we head into April. This week's wine / book pairing is brought to you by Author Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple's The Lady of the Glen and Muirwood Winery's Chardonnay. The Lady of the Glen is part of Deerwester-Dalrymple's The Glen Highland Romance series. It's a wonderful historical Highland romance and who doesn't love men in kilts in the springtime... er, or anytime for that matter. For a most pleasurable reading experience, be sure to grab a copy of The Lady of the Glen and poor yourself a glass of Muirwood Chard. Happy mid-week and, as always, happy reading!

Elayne MacNally knew one thing for certain:  Her reputation as the willful harpy of the highlands was well earned. 

As the spoiled daughter of the successful Laird MacNally, Elayne got whatever she wanted, until the man she thought she would wed rejected her.  Dejected and reconsidering her lot in life, her father comes up with an opportunity that could change the course of her life and perhaps her reputation as well.
Declan MacCollough also knew one thing for certain: He did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps as Laird of the reputed “Beast Clan.”
Following his father’s death, Declan had a lot of work ahead of him to reclaim any sense of respect for his people.  Families had fled; fathers would not permit their daughters to wed into the clan. Declan wanted, more than anything, to recreate his clan into one deserving of service to the King. The first step Declan must take is to find a wife with enough backbone to help him tame his clan, help it grow, and gain back respect. 
Learning of Elayne and her reputation, Declan offers to wed the lass – an arranged marriage of sorts.  With no other choices open to her, Elayne decides that the Laird of the Beast Clan is her best, if only, option.
What happens when she arrives is a strange and passionate meeting of the minds between herself and Declan.  Playing on each other’s strengths, they maneuver around those who attempt to prevent the marriage as a play for power. However, Declan’s past affiliations with the King are not welcome by all, and the challenges to their marriage become the least of their worries.

Can Declan and Elayne trust each other enough to face the threats to the MacCollough clan and their very lives?

Buy on Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KVQYWH6

A little teaser from Snow Maiden for Teaser Tuesday. Snow Maiden is  the first book to be published as part of the Enchanted Lands Romance collection. All of these fairy tale retells are based on characters out of classic ballet stories. There are currently two books in the collection, Snow Maiden and Odile, Legend of the Black Swan. Both books are complete, standalone stories available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Ibooks and Kobo.

~From a land of winter, ice and snow comes a tale of enchantment and romance. Mages and sorceresses, omens and curses - this spellbinding grownup fairy tale is a story of magic in an ancient land and a legendary love that will heat up even the coldest, winter night.

King Vasilli is the king of the rugged Northern Kingdom. Nikka is the runaway whose magic reveals itself to him and melts his heart.

~From a land of winter, ice and snow comes a tale of enchantment and romance. Mages and sorceresses, omens and curses - this spellbinding grownup fairy tale is a story of magic in an ancient land and a legendary love that will heat up even the coldest, winter night.

King Vasilli is the king of the rugged Northern Kingdom. Nikka is the runaway whose magic reveals itself to him and melts his heart.

***
She looked up at Vasilli sitting on the bed. All remnants of the healing freeze were drying up, and he bore no signs of having nearly died. In fact, he looked incredible. She shivered again. He held out his hand to her and she went.
When she placed her hand in his, he tugged gently and she knelt down beside him, next to the bed.
“I never meant for anyone to know,” she said.
“Little doe, didn’t I tell you this is a place where magic happens?”
She brought her eyes up to his, as wide and blue as an ocean and as open to him as her heart. She’d laid herself bare and now she waited for what would come next. Slowly, she nodded. Then his smile broke, bright and brilliant and Nika melted just a little bit more.
She smiled back because she couldn’t help it but quickly looked down again.
“Not all magic is good, as you know my king.”
He touched under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his again.
“No, of course not. Never was a kingdom more beset with dark magic than mine.”
His thumb pressed lightly in the center of her lips.
“But yours is not of that kind, fair one, and I won’t have you lamenting something about yourself that you were born with—something you cannot change.”
His face was serious, stern almost but his hand drifted to toy with her hair.
“You won’t?” Nika asked, attempting a small smile.
He shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.
“No, in fact, I command that you don’t.”
“Command,” she laughed.
“Don’t laugh, fair one, this is a royal decree.
His voice had risen but Nika couldn’t keep from giggling at his jest. He laughed with her and it was wonderful, that shared moment, so merry and full.
His hand still played in her hair.
“I knew there was a reason my heart leapt when I saw this,” he lifted the heavy lock, “when I saw you.”

***

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RSCW61

Barnes & Noble, Ibooks and Kobo:
https://www.books2read.com/u/md0ojw

New review from my book reviews page for Crystal Tide, Tides of Atlantis book #2. With Book three in the Tides of Atlantis series coming out later this year, be sure to get all caught up in the Tides world with Moontide and Crystal Tide - both available on Amazon or read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

M.S.
5 Stars - Perfectly balanced between mythical suspense and steamy romance

This second installment in the Tides of Atlantis series runs parallel to the first,filling in a whole other side of the story, giving us new characters and more excitement to fall in love with.

And speaking of love, the story revolves around Kay as she reluctantly pursues information about her parent's disappearance a year prior, only to find Xieran... a forbidding and gorgeous man who may or may not be her destiny.

While fate brings them together to unravel the mysterious happenings threatening the worlds of man and Olympian Gods alike, Kay's logical, scientific mind struggles against it all - the insane notion that otherworldly creatures and Gods exist or that she could be developing feelings for Xieran, who she perceives as her captor.

Better even than the first, both epic struggles between Kay and Xieran as they attempt to resist each other completely drags you in. I absolutely tore through this book, desperate for more as it all unfolded, all the way to its awesome conclusion. But oh, the story is just beginning. And I can't wait to see what happens next.
 

Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DYXVWHK