Catch A Wolf by A Katie Rose Deleted Scene Guest Post & A Couple Giveaways (Kindle, $50)

About Catch A Wolf

Raine, Ly’Tana and the others escape Brutal’s trap, but with dire consequences. Kel’Ratan has been grievously injured, and Rygel must take him to safety to save his life. Yet, they are not out of danger. A monstrous storm called the Wrath of Usa’a’mah has halted their flight from Khalid and they must seek shelter within a remote monastery or die under the storm’s power.

But High King Brutal has allied himself with the deadly assassins, the Shekinah Tongu. The secretive clan has sworn out a Blood Oath against Rygel in retaliation for his leaving their brothers in the forest to die. With their hellish hounds and Brutal’s dark wizard, Ja’Teel, they track Raine and Ly’Tana through the devastation left by the storm. Raine leads them into the west, toward Ly’Tana’s home of Kel’Halla, with Brutal’s menace confronting them at every turn.

As he finds himself falling in love with the exotic Ly’Tana, Raine is plagued by a mysterious voice in his head. Is he going crazy? In Raine, Ly’Tana discovers the one man she cannot live without. However, an evil entity has targeted Ly’Tana, bent on her destruction. How can Raine, Rygel, Kel’Ratan and her griffin bodyguard, Bar, keep her safe from its vast, unseen power?

Hunted by Brutal and his evil allies, Raine, Ly’Tana and their friends discover a new, and very strange, force dogging their trail – a pack of enormous, cunning wolves. Mysterious wolves who call to Raine in the night, and bring alive the secret he’s kept hidden, even from himself. Taunted by nightmarish visions, Raine is forced to confront his own dark demon – the beast within himself.

Who will catch Raine and Ly’Tana first? Brutal and his pets – or the wolves?

Thus begins the second novel of the Saga of the Black Wolf series.

 

About A Katie Rose

A. Katie Rose is a Colorado native, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She enjoys riding, teaching and learning from horses, likes camping, reading novels, watching movies and, of course, lives to write fantasy books. She currently works as a photographer in San Antonio, Texas, and is a slave to her six cats and four horses. “In a Wolf’s Eyes” is her first novel.

Amazon UK : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Catch-Wolf-The-Saga-Black-ebook/dp/B00DNPQ6A2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391878969&sr=1-2&keywords=Catch+a+Wolf

Amazon US : http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Wolf-The-Saga-Black-ebook/dp/B00DNPQ6A2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391878969&sr=1-2&keywords=Catch+a+Wolf

“Catch a Wolf” Deleted Scene

For this blog post, I thought you might like to read a scene from “Catch a Wolf” I cut. Being a rather anal writer, I edit stuff out, but like to hang onto them. You never know: I might want to use it somewhere else. Besides, readers of my blog may find this entertaining. I certainly enjoyed writing it.

“All right, who volunteers to cook the rest of the meat for travelling?” I asked the room. “Tor deserves a well-earned respite.”

Witraz sighed. “Alun and I will.”

Alun rounded on him in a huff before glancing at me. He relented with a sigh of his own. “He and I,” he muttered.

“Left and Right, you’re on clean up duty.”

I didn’t bother looking around to witness their twin scowls. “Just do it,” I snapped.

Kel’Ratan and Rygel chuckled. Corwyn stared at me, a look of wide-eyed amazement on his face. He half-lifted his hand toward the twins behind me. “How did you -“

“My lord, didn’t you realize?” I said with wide-eyed innocence. “I know everything.”

“Back to business,” Wolf said. “If Ja’Teel can find Corwyn at any time, then he can find us. I refuse to put him in harm’s way, just to divert Brutal.”

“It probably won’t work anyway,” I said.

“How so, Your Highness?” Corwyn asked.

I smiled. “That lovely, inspirational gesture from you to him, my friend.”

Understanding flooded his puzzled face and Wolf’s voice. “No matter what, Brutal won’t let that insult pass.”

“Even if it’s to convince us that Corwyn is on our side?” Kel’Ratan asked.

“Brutal won’t care,” I said. “He will command Ja’Teel kill him at the first opportunity.”

“If Ja’Teel can find him any time -“

“Rygel,” Wolf said quickly. “Break Ja’Teel’s spell.”

“I can’t.”

“What the bloody hell do you mean?” I snapped. “Are you the best or not?”

Rygel smiled sadly. “I would if I could, Princess. But one magician cannot break another’s spell without first findingthe signature.”

“What signature?” Wolf asked.

“Every wizard has his own very unique signature wrapped into his or her spells,” Rygel explained. “Unless one knows the signature, spells cannot be broken. It’s almost impossible to find someone’s signature. Especially when one is as smart as he is.”

I leaned forward. “You said ‘almost’.”

“I did, Princess,” Rygel said, his hands out palms up. “But it’s a daunting task. There’s another answer, though.”

Wolf raised his hand as though to clout Rygel upside his head. “Why didn’t you say so, you egotistical toad?”

Rygel flinched back. “I was getting to it, da*mit.”

I covered my grin with my hand. “I strongly suggest you step lively, Rygel.”

Rygel glowered at Wolf, miffed. “I can block the spell. That way Ja’Teel can’t find Corwyn and all will be, well, perfect.”

Wolf growled, low in his throat. “Then get on it before I rearrange how your head sits on your neck.”

Muttering under his breath, Rygel stood up and strode behind Corwyn as he sat next to Rannon. I didn’t have to see his blue eyes widen, or his shoulders suddenly tense, or the flesh about his mouth pale to know his fear. For I felt it myself. While Rygel had benign, even friendly intentions, his power took the breath away.

If he used much power, I didn’t see it. Standing behind Corwyn, Rygel lightly touched his fingers to Corwyn’s head and shut his eyes for a long moment. Corwyn blinked in confusion several times before Rygel stepped lightly back and shrugged.

“’Tis done,” he said, sitting back down.

“Done?” I asked, bewildered. “What did you do?”

“Set a block,” he answered, in his most irritating drawl. “As I said I would.”

I leaned toward Wolf, catching his eyes. “Can I shoot him? Please?”

Wolf glanced from me to Rygel, then back again. He sighed, a deep mournful gust of breath. “While I wish with all my heart I could say knock yourself out,” he answered, “we need him.”

I eyed Rygel with scorn. “I disagree.”

Wolf massaged my knuckles with his fingers. “I promise you this, my dear lady. Once we’re out of Khalid for good, I’ll hold your – er – coat.”

“And this is the thanks I get,” Rygel snapped. “Ja’Teel can’t find Corwyn or us because of me and I’m to be shot? I ask you!”

“Just ignore him for the next six months,” Wolf advised.

“Depend on it,” I replied.

Rygel huffed in righteous indignation. “I am so unappreciated in my time.”

“Oh, you are appreciated, braud,” Wolf said, amiably clasping Rygel’s shoulder in his huge hand. “We just, um, hate you.”

“That’s good to know,” he replied acidly. “I feel ever so much better.” Rygel buried his aristocratic nose in his wine cup, muttering under his breath.

 

Kindle Fire HD International Giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning a Kindle Fire HD, everyone who purchases either In A Wolf's Eyes and/or To Catch A Wolf and email proof of purchase to sylv@book-tours.com will be placed into the draw. Purchase one and get one entry, purchase both books and get three entries. In A Wolf's Eyes Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1d5W8VX Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1fSQhnl Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/MABToW Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1d5WzzD Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1ectGNP Catch a Wolf Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1bzjwa5 Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1iGVxdK Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/1jmgKNw Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/LI4xne Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1o4u0XD

This giveaway is international

One of $50 Amazon Coupon One of $30 Amazon Coupon

The winner will be announced at the end of the tour.

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Accused by Yasmin Shiraz Guest Post, Deleted Scene and Giveaway! 5 Winners!!!

Title: Accused – A Retaliation Novel #2

Publication Date: January 9, 2014

Publisher: Rolling Hills Press/ Still Eye Rise Media

Author: Yasmin Shiraz

An easier and more peaceful life seemed to be destined for Ahmed and Tashera when they left Washington, DC and entered Georgia Atlantic University.  But when Ahmed is accused of a crime that he didn’t commit and begins to be tried in the media, his popularity plummets, his self-esteem suffers, and his dreams of playing college basketball disappear.

Meanwhile, there is a serial rapist on campus who has been attacking freshman girls at record numbers and forcing them to keep silent. As Tashera learns about the girls, she begins to close in on the rapist. But is the attacker too crafty to be caught? Will the state prosecutor ignore key evidence to instead focus on the fame that comes with convicting a high profile basketball star?

Tashera is beyond stressed as she divides her time between trying to find enough evidence to clear Ahmed while at the same time stopping the rapist who roams the campus of Georgia Atlantic.  Ahmed and Tashera’s journey into a new life away from home is more challenging than they ever thought that it would be.

ABOUT YASMIN SHIRAZ:

Yasmin Shiraz is the author of The Blueprint for My Girls as well as The Blueprint for My Girls in Love. She is an empowerment speaker and program developer who has delivered programs and keynotes based on her books.

She is the author of the ALA's Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers selection, Retaliation. She has spoken at over 100 colleges nationwide on topics such as empowerment, black history and hip hop culture.

She is an award winning film director as her film, Can She Be Saved? won 4 film awards including Best New film.

When not writing books, she produces documentaries for her company, Still Eye Rise Films.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  | Google +

Link to the Tour Schedule:

http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-accused-a-retaliation-novel-2-by-yasmin-shiraz/  

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20814525-accused?from_search=true  

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Giveaway Information: –

Blogs participating in the tour can each offer the following giveaway:

·        Four (4) winners will receive an ebook copy of Accused by Yasmin Shiraz (INT)

·        One (1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Retaliation by Yasmin Shiraz and an ebook copy of Accused by Yasmin Shiraza (US/Canada)

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Guest Post:

I've never been asked to share a deleted scene from a book that I've written and to be honest, I never kept a deleted scene until Accused. You asked and I actually had one. The scene below is when Ahmed is arrested and charged with rape. In the book, he's arrested differently.

A Deleted Scene From Accused.

Stepping out of the shower at the newly renovated athletic center at Georgia Institute University’s campus, Ahmed wrapped the towel securely around his waist. He had just finished practicing with the basketball team and smiled to himself about how good his game had improved over the summer. 

                Leaving Washington, DC early was the best thing Tashera and I could have done for ourselves, he thought.

                It was already November, but it felt like he’d been on campus for two years already.

Slipping on his flip-flops on, he heard a deep male voice call his name.

                “Ahmed Warner? Ahmed Warner?”

Ahmed looked up as he grabbed a smaller towel to place around his neck.  He left the shower area and in the immediate hallway were four police officers, batons drawn, standing in front of him.

                “Are you Ahmed Warner?,” a burly cop who had arms busting out of his uniform asked.

                “Yes, I am.”

                “Well, you need to put your clothes on. You’re coming with us.”

                “For what? I was just playing basketball. I haven’t done anything,” Ahmed said.

                Three of the officers began to crowd Ahmed.

                “We can do this easy or we can do it hard,” a pint sized, muscle bound cop said.

                A few of Ahmed’s basketball teammates walked over and stared at Ahmed and the officers.

“Okay. Okay.,” Ahmed said while sweat began to form on his forehead.

                “Can I at least know what I’m being charged with?”

                “4 counts of rape,” the lead officer said.

                Ahmed’s knees buckled and he fell into an officer.

                “Captain, let’s arrest him right here. Towel and all,” the pint-size protector said.

                Ahmed began to slowly blink his eyes.

                “Rape,” he mumbled and shook his head.

                I’ve never raped anybody, Ahmed thought to himself.

                “Do you know where your locker is?” the police captain asked.

                Ahmed pointed, took a few steps and collapsed on the bench in front of his locker.

                “We don’t have all day. Unless you want to go out of here butt-naked, “ the short-statured police said, “You better hurry up.”

I chose to delete this scene because I had another scene in which Ahmed was in the locker room and I didn't want to over-use the locker room scenes. 

The Seer Ariel MacArran Deleted Scene and Giveaway

Title: The Seer Author: Ariel MacArran Publisher: Here Be Dragons Publication Date: February 19, 2014 Genre: Science Fiction Romance 18+ Event Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.  

Synopsis

Discovery means death but Arissa risks everything to save Fleet officer Jolar's life. Repaying this telepath means saving her from execution and Jolar strikes a bargain that will spare her life. In return, Arissa must join him on a dangerous mission and use her telepathic abilities to help him uncover hidden forces that threaten the Tellaran Realm. Jolar will do whatever it takes to clear his life debt to Arissa. The only thing he absolutely cannot let himself do is fall in love with her . . . Note: The Seer is a stand-alone novel but it takes place in a universe (The Tellaran Realm) where one already published book (Stardancer) takes place.  

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 Deleted scene from The Seer

This scene, ‘Arissa’s Escape’, was the original Chapter 4. It took place in the story between when Jolar makes the bargain to spare her life and the scene with Arissa and Jolar in her cell.

I like the scene very much, especially how Arissa gets out of the medical building and didn’t decide to cut it until, literally, the last minute.

Chapter 4

Arissa concentrated on Doctor de’Sar ensconced in her office next door as she touched the door control. The door to the hall slid open but inside her office the doctor’s calm, intent focus remained unbroken.

Paperwork. Reading a scholarly paper maybe. Or writing one.

The brightly lit hallway would have active security eyes and even at this quiet hour someone would probably be monitoring them. So Arissa was going to make sure they didn't see anything interesting.

She was just going to walk out of here like it was no big deal.

The offices she passed were shut down and quiet and she didn’t sense anyone else on this floor. She didn't look around furtively. She didn't have to. The stairs were next to the lift and she remembered her way back there.

Arissa held her breath and gave the stairway door hard push to open it. No alarm. Still, her heart was hammering as she went down the institutionally bright white stairs. She fought the urge to run, keeping her pace steady, her hand skipping the rail.

She glanced at the floor marker. Four more to the ground floor.

Her footsteps echoed loudly in the stairwell.

Three more.

The door to the second floor banged open as she went past. Arissa spun and her breath drew in sharply.

"Oh!" the woman in the stairwell doorway said, blinking at her. "You startled me!"

She was young, dressed in the blue shirt and pants of a medtech. She had a rounded, freckled face, and gentle, brown eyes. Her warm brown hair was smoothed up very much like Arissa remembered her mother wearing hers to her job as director at the medical arts center in Galt-Apovia.

"Sorry,” Arissa stammered, giving her a quick smile, her heart racing with fright. She offered a half-shrug. “Didn't want to wait for the elevator. They always seem to take forever."

The woman gave a laugh, her vibrating nervousness starting to calm. "I know what you mean.” 

Arissa continued down the stairs, the woman at her heels. “I hope it doesn't rain again tonight," she said over her shoulder. “Seems like it's been raining on and off all month.”

The medtech gave a short laugh. "Yeah, the weather has been crazy lately!”

One more. She couldn't sense any suspicion from the woman but having someone right behind her had her completely rattled.

She still had to get past the medtech at the desk; he would recognize her instantly. She seized on an idea and on the ground floor opened the door and held it for the woman. "After you."

"Thanks," the medtech said with a quick smile.

Arissa followed right behind. She trailed at the woman’s heels through the hall and toward the outside doors.

The woman waved to the medtech behind the desk that Jolar hadn't let scan her. He gave a wave in return, his glance going to Arissa.

The woman opened the door to the outside and nodded to indicate she should go first.

Arissa turned back to give the man a wave. She smiled inwardly as the disquiet ebbed from his mind. With the two of them walking out together it looked just like she was headed somewhere with the other medtech.

Arissa let her breath out as she stepped into the chilly night air.

The woman turned to the right, heading off for a group of buildings that way.

“Excuse me,” Arissa called. The woman paused, looking round at her, eyebrows raised, impatient to be on her way. Arissa gave a quick, apologetic shrug. “I’m a little turned around. Which way to the exit gate?”

“Oh, sure,” the woman said and pointed. “Go that way, turn left at the mess hall and you’ll see it about a half a kilometer down.”

Arissa glanced that way. She had no idea where the mess hall but any more questions might make the woman suspicious.

“Great,” Arissa said. “Thanks!”

She turned in the direction of the woman’s nod. The buildings all looked similar— white stone yellowed by the base’s streetlights, silver accents dull on darkened windows but the lateness of the hour could only aid her escape. 

She kept her eyes forward, her feet moving as if she knew exactly where she was going. The base was paved with stone, the landscaping neatly kept in well-contained green areas. Here and there she saw Fleet personnel walking in ones and twos but she was afraid to ask any more directions.

It would just take one of them curious enough to ask her what she was doing here, to call FleetSec . . .

She was beginning to think she would need to risk it when she spied a single floored structure ahead. It seemed deserted; she circled to the back of the building and glanced around the corner. A shuttle was parked outside, its design showing it to be a utility model, not meant for passengers. Under the glare of the parking lot’s lights, two men were loading an anti-grav unit with what looked like foodstuffs from the back of the shuttle.

Okay. Definitely the mess hall, so left from here.

Only she didn’t see anything in that direction that looked like an exit gate.

She chewed the inside of her cheek. The woman hadn’t said anything about walking past the mess. Arissa retraced her steps back around the building.

There.

The brightly lit gate was at least a half-kilometer off open to both land vehicles and foot traffic but it looked like there wasn’t much of either right now. She considered and rejected the idea of hiding in the back of the food shuttle. Even if she didn’t get caught in there she wasn’t sure it was actually leaving the base any time soon.

Once past that gate she could slip into the night and disappear back into the sea of humanity that was Xan-Tellar.

She was broke and still had nowhere to sleep tonight but Jolar and Jensah wouldn't tell anyone about her. They didn't dare. They’d be guilty by association for not reporting her.

But it wouldn't be a bad idea to relocate to another city on Tellar as soon as she could manage it . . .

Now I just have to get off the fracking base.

Arissa tried to control her breathing as she headed toward the gate. She hugged the edge of the walkway, ready to turn off quickly if she attracted any attention from the tan uniformed FleetSecs there.

She was too far away to get a sense of them but the guards’ body language was alert but not alarmed. The guardhouse was well lit and from the thickness and slight distortion the plexisteel windows were probably blasterproof. A roof extended over the gate openings on either side to the shielded fence that surrounded the entire Fleet installation.

As she drew closer her hopes soared. While the FleetSecs seemed to be stopping and verifying everyone coming onto the base, they didn’t seem to be paying the slightest bit of attention to anyone leaving.

Once on the other side of that gate she’d be all right. She’d get herself back to the marketplace even if she had to walk all the way. She’d find someplace to spend the night and once the morning crowds gathered she’d lift a few billfolds. With money in hand she’d choose a new name and find another rooming house where cash payments meant no questions and no need to provide ID.

And Jolar . . .

Well, whatever kindness he’d shown her, she knew he wouldn’t come looking for her. Why should he? She was a huge problem that had just vanished right out of his life.

She winced as she trod on a pebble in her worn, thin slippers. It got far colder in Xan-Tellar than it did where she’d grown up on Apovia and winter was coming. She’d need warm clothes and sturdier shoes.

She decided she’d go back to see if any of the money she dropped was still there. There wouldn’t be many people wandering that section at night and she had the ability to evade any that might be. Tired as she would be when she got there, five hundred creds was well worth the time it would take to check. Any of it would help.

Two Fleet officers ahead went through on foot and they weren’t stopped.

Arissa clung to the edge of the walkway, skirting the circles of bright streetlights as best she could. In her dark green pants, tunic and light jacket she was obviously a civilian. Should she go back and try to find a uniform? She wished she’d thought to grab med-tech scrubs.

She could get a clear sense of the guards now. They were aware but at least one of them was bored, probably reaching the middle of his shift. She discarded the idea of disguise. That would mean turning around and she could get caught pinching something she might not even need. It wasn’t worth the risk.

Her breathing quickened when she saw a civilian woman go through without being questioned or stopped. No scan, no ID. The guards scarcely glanced her way.

Okay, head down, keep moving, almost there.

She was about a half dozen paces from the gate. She certainly had a sense of the FleetSecs now and their attention was definitely focused on people coming on the installation, not going out.

A pulse of surprise and disturbance drew her eyes toward the guard inside the guardhouse. Through the plexisteel she could see he was holding a comm unit. The other two guards were occupied with a groundcar on the other side of the gate.

The guard inside the gatehouse stood, frowning, his glance already darting about in search. In just that instant he turned and met her eyes.

His focus narrowed to her, intense and dangerous as a predator’s. Her throat tightened with horror knowing neither guile nor her stolen security pass was going to be of any use now. The guard was already reaching for something—the alarm, his blaster, she didn’t know.

Arissa ran for the gate.

“There! Stop her!”

Blinding floodlights snapped on and Arissa stumbled forward a few more steps as the FleetSecs rushed her.

One grabbed her arm and instinctively she twisted free from his hold. She clawed at the second as he caught her. The FleetSec gave a yelp as her nails raked his face and his hold slackened a little. Then a third caught her from behind, yanking her arms back and locking her wrists behind her with his grip.

“Is she armed?”

“I don’t know!”

Arissa’s kick connected with enough impact to make that FleetSec go down with a groan.

The one holding her swept her feet out from under her. He brought her to the ground, the duracrete hard and cold under her cheek as restraints closed around her wrists. One guard jammed his hand against her back, keeping her flat against the ground as another patted her down.

“Not armed. Should we get a scan?”

“No!” she cried, struggling.

The ranking officer hesitated then his mind hardened. "We’re entitled to know what we’re dealing with here. Hold her there. I’ll get it."

Arissa tried to twist away. "No!”

“Damn it, hold her!”

The guard behind her grabbed her hair painfully and held her head still.

She squeezed her eyes shut against the red light of the scanner.

"You festering little—! Danden, get her eye open!”

“Come on, girl, don’t make it worse.” One of the men gripped her eyelids and forced her lid open.

No! No! Oh, please!

The red light flashed in her eye.

"Got it!"

"Holy Goddess of—" the sergeant broke off.

"Who is she?" Danden asked.

"Kassar, Arissa. Apovia. Died fifteen years ago? At age five?”

Danden snorted. "She seems pretty lively to me."

They changed their grip and hauled her to her feet.

"Take her to a holding cell," the sergeant said, stepping back. "I’ll call it in and let them know we got her.”

About the Author

Ariel MacArran has loved books and writing since childhood. Growing up in New York City, her first self-published works (at 5) were made with construction paper and yarn and featured original stories and illustrations by the author. She holds a degree in English and a Masters in Counseling. Ariel lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her family.

Connect with the Author: Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

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