jj's Spice and Humor

Create your own holiday!

2012-01-26T09:29:00.001-05:00

Kendra, a friend, and I decided to create a holiday. She is a wonderful upbeat woman who has had some challenges and overcame them. Kendra gets the most happiness out of each day... and celebrates.

We've come across some unusual holidays and enjoyed celebrating them in some form or fashion. Then we came across a website that allows you to create your own national holiday.

With great glee we decided to create an international holiday.

This takes a great amount of consideration.

It's not easy coming up with an idea.

I'll keep you posted.

Sagittarius-Telepath?

2012-01-24T10:53:00.001-05:00

I'm a Sagittarius...and tomorrow looks to be an exciting day.

You could also pick up telepathically on the thoughts of others. Books and articles about people who have had similar experiences could increase your understanding of them.

Should be fun!

Photo borrowed from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(astrology)

Hot Writing Contest

2012-01-04T12:03:00.003-05:00

The First Annual Lyrical Press How Lyrical is Your Romance? Contest opens on Monday, January 16th. This contest is open to both published and unpublished authors.

Entries must be complete works, ranging in word count between 15,000-100,000 words, any heat level, and fit into one of the following subgenre categories:

* Contemporary romance
* Historical romance
* Paranormal or urban fantasy romance
* Romantic steampunk
* Romantic Suspense

Prizes:

1st Place: $200 advance and digital publishing contract (advance payable as $100 upon finalized contract and $100 upon publication).

2nd Place: $100 advance and digital publishing contract (advance payable as $50 upon finalized contract and $50 upon publication).

3rd Place: Top-scoring contestant in each genre category will receive an acquiring editorâ€™s critique of synopsis and first 50 pages of manuscript.

Guidelines:

* File type: .rtf, .doc, or .docx only
* 12pt black font (Times New Roman, Cambria, Courier or Georgia preferred)
* Line spacing: 1.5
* Margins: 1" all
* Page-breaks between chapters

Please include a title page listing the following information:

* Legal name
* Pen name
* Email address
* Contact phone
* Working title (include series name and details if applicable)
* Word count
* Genre/category

Entries will be accepted from January 16, 2012 through February 5, 2012, and must be emailed to contest@lyricalpress.com. Entries sent to an email other than the aforementioned will be ignored. Please include book title and contest in subject line thusly: Booktitle â€“ How Lyrical Is Your Romance?. Attach full manuscript, and 2-5 page synopsis in .rtf, .doc, or .docx format (Booktitle_MS and Booktitle_SYN as file names--your book title replaces â€œBooktitleâ€ ). After February 5, the contest will close, but weâ€™ll still be accepting submissions as always at our submissions@lyricalpress.com address.

No entry fee required. Judges reserve the right to Decline to Judge any entry if it does not fit our lines, level of writing is not acceptable, or submission guidelines are not followed.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: Hook, Pacing/Plot, Characterization, Dialogue, Mechanics, and Author Voice.

Winners will be announced on March 12, 2012 via our blog http://lyricalpress.blogspot.com/ and direct emails to winners.

Beckon the Dark by Ericka Scott

2011-11-29T15:08:00.001-05:00

Will falling in love break the curse…or fulfill it?

Ten years ago, Kya Washington and Ben Yamamoto were caught up in a series of tragic events at the Hopes Peak Lighthouse. After the deaths of their classmates and the incarceration of their professor, they went their separate ways. Kya vowed never to set foot on the site again until a mysterious client pays her too much money to say ‘no’. Ben is now the host of a popular paranormal television show. He, too, received an invitation he couldn’t refuse.

For these two paranormal investigators, hauntings are nothing new. Falling in love is. Are their feelings real or the result of an ancient curse? Will they live long enough to discover the difference, or are they next in line to be permanent residents of the most haunted lighthouse in California?

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105676
November 2011
ISBN eBook: 9781466100183

Order eBook:
Barnes & Noble http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940013487000

Excerpt:
Crescent Cove, present day

Kya Washington took one look at the Hopes Peak Lighthouse and almost drove away without looking back. What in the world had she been thinking when she had agreed to conduct this investigation?

She let the car idle in the small parking lot reserved for the lighthouse keepers. Weeds grew in a wild riot in the cracks of the pavement, testament that no one had lived here for fifty years, not since the lighthouse had been automated. Right now, the sun shone brightly. Too brightly. The reflection from the large lens inside the structure gave the illusion that the beacon had already been lit. Dark clouds skulking along the horizon warned of an impending storm. Kya shivered.
A quaint, two-story Victorian, known as Beacon House, squatted at the base of the one-hundred-seventy-five foot obelisk topped with a glass-encased room housing the Fresnel lens. Since the lighthouse was currently unoccupied, Kya honestly thought both structures should be demolished. However, every few years, the lighthouse served its purpose and kept a ship at bay off the coast. Public opinion held that as long as the lighthouse operated automatically, it was harmless. Or so people thought.

Last year, the Crescent Cove historical society had petitioned to have the structures declared a national treasure. Now, as part of the state’s historical preservation act, they couldn’t be destroyed. Nor could they be restored, for no renovation crew would set foot inside the lighthouse or the house…twice.

A small black sedan occupied a front space in the lot, but its driver was nowhere in sight. Kya’s customer could already be inside either structure. Damn. She’d wanted to get the jump on him, literally. Arriving early, in her experience, almost always resulted in surprising hoaxers in the midst of preparing a false haunt. Of course, that probably wasn’t the case this time, for the house next to the lighthouse was well and truly haunted.

So, now what? Did she dare go into it? She closed her eyes and felt around inside her psyche for a sign. There was no vision, no small voice whispering, not even a glimmer of a premonition to indicate what to do.

Damn it.

With a heavy sigh, she realized her only course of action was to unload her equipment from the car. She popped the trunk. A sudden wind whipped hair into her face. Aggravated, she pulled it back and secured it in a pony tail with the black scrunchie she wore on her wrist. Her bright pink duffle bag containing a change of clothes and a few necessary toiletries sat beside a large, hard-shelled black suitcase containing an EMF meter, a digital camera, a tape recorder, and a digital thermometer. The well-known trappings of a paranormal investigator. Also tucked into the case were a couple of items unique to her own investigations: a chemical test kit, a crystal ball, and a Ouija board. She hefted both bags out and slammed the trunk.

The noise should alert her anonymous client of her arrival. The unknown customer who had paid in advance, and very generously, too.

Normally, she wouldn’t grouse. Money was money. For once, she’d been able to pay the rent on the tiny office housing K&S Psychic Investigations on time. She’d also shipped off a chunk of cash to the credit union for her car payment. And to her astonishment, money had still been left over to allow her to purchase other necessities like the ramen noodles she subsisted on these days. No, she couldn’t back out now.

Carrying her cases, she walked toward the door. A gull cried overhead and the sound made her jump. Everything looked exactly the same as it had ten years ago and, for all she knew, it could have been the same damn bird that had greeted her that afternoon.

Oh, she had a really bad feeling about this.

Amazon Buy

Top Ten: Jewel Heist

2011-11-23T08:01:00.000-05:00

Jewelry designer Mary Keefe has been robbed--of a million dollars in diamonds belonging to her grandfather--by her own boyfriend, Conrad. Besides recovering the jewels, she's got to conceive a baby within 5 days, to save her family's legacy. Her friends have a plan, a singles cruise so Mary can find a sperm donor with the best qualities. The first mate could be the right choice--he rates a five on the Donor List. Then there's John Wang, her neighbor in the adjoining room. Attraction sizzles between them and they've become friends, but he doesn't act interested. Could be, she's not his type.

For John Kajiyama, posing as Wang, Mary Keefe is just his type. She's beautiful, funny and sweet...but is she innocent? Diamonds are missing and he must recover them for the insurance company. How far will he go to maintain his cover in this investigation?
Excerpt:
Chapter 1

The bag of uncut diamonds fell from the safe and poured into Mary Keefe’s palm. She gaped in wonder. A million dollars’ worth of Canada’s finest, freshly mined from Whip Lake near Yellowknife. Slivers of ice appeared in the sharp edges, indicating what lay beneath the cool surface. She ran her finger and thumb over one of the chalky exteriors, anticipating what brilliant masterpiece she could create, devising a cut plan while envisioning a beautiful engagement ring.
“Mary, I’m taking off,” Lisa said from the doorway leading into the sales room. “Dental appointment, remember?”
Mary sat at her desk and glanced at her part-time sales associate. Lisa’s bejeweled hand perched on her slender hip, and in the bright lights of the cutting room, all of her sparklers came out to play. Mary had fashioned at least two of the baubles. Unable to resist, she tore her attention away from her co-worker and focused on the rough natural diamonds. “Oh. Okay, Lisa, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Do you want me to put the closed sign on the door and lock it?” Her tone held resignation. A silvery blond eyebrow lifted. “Andre wouldn’t mind having a bit of freedom from guard duty.” Mary laughed, fingering the soon-to-be resplendent stones. She must return them to their velvet nest. “You knew I’d be fascinated with the goods.”
Lisa chuckled and glanced at her watch. “Sorry, it’s too late to cancel the appointment.”
“No, don’t worry. I’ll put these away and sketch designs between waiting on customers in the lobby.”
“You’re sure?”
Mary nodded to the door. “Yes. Please, go.”
Lisa took a step. “Good night. I’ll see you after you return from your trip.” She strode to the exit, her wide handbag flapping against her narrow side.
Mary sorted through nature’s mysterious stones one more time. At the click of the door, she stashed the rocks inside their dark blue bag.
The shuffle of feet drew her attention from the sack’s drawstring. Lisa must have forgotten something. Instead of her assistant, a tall thin man completely covered in black from his ski mask to leather shoes, swayed inside the room.
Her heart beating as fast as the second hands on the clock collection at the south side of the jewelry store, Mary moved around the desk, intending to stuff the pouch into the safe and slam the door. “Who are you?”
The intruder didn’t deter her. However, the metal safe seemed farther away than it had appeared a moment ago. She crept forward, keeping the dark opening in sight. “My assistant will be back in a second.”
An arm came out of nowhere and wrapped under her breasts, preventing her upper body from moving. Despite her breaths expelling fast and in short bursts, she hurled the stones and threw her head back, connecting with the chin of her attacker.
“Shit!” a man snapped. A familiar voice. Please, it couldn’t be him.
The bag hit the rim of the safe with a thunk. As with all things earthly, the jewels fell.
She screamed loud enough surely her grandfather, in his office two stories up, would hear the vocal alarm. Where was Andre? God, she hoped he was okay. One huge hand completely covered her mouth and the other twisted her arm. Deep breaths brought scents, a mixture of plant fertilizer and pungent Axe cologne into her nostrils. Beneath the soft wool, she bit her lips, trying to keep them from trembling.
“Go!” he shouted, releasing her mouth. He reached for the dark blue bag of a million dollars’ worth of jewels resting on the cream and gray tiled floor. His partner shuffled out into the lobby, and soon breaking glass rippled through the silence. Smoke billowed into the office. Damn, her new glass display cases, destroyed. Surely her grandfather heard the explosion and would come running.
Her teeth clung to her attacker’s wrist as he bent, until his hand flipped and covered her nose and mouth, forcing her to relax. He stood straight, easing the tension of the hold. Velvet rubbed against her stomach where the blouse had come free from her slacks. They had made love once, on this very floor. An image of him placing a few minor gemstones on her belly and moving them around with his tongue flooded her mind. She resented the intrusion of a romantic tryst now that Conrad Peabody’s true character had been exposed.
His gloved fingers continued to press against her mouth, jamming her teeth into the soft tissue. She finally got relief from the force when he moved his hand and used his teeth to pull off the glove. He stuffed the leather into his pocket, then transferred the bag of gems to his unencumbered hand. His breathing increased, pushing his chest against her back, as his fingers worked open the yellow binding of the casing.
Mary drew a sharp breath. There it was--the mole shaped like molar tooth--at the apex of his right thumb and index finger, confirming the identity of her attacker and thief—a dishonest, unfaithful, and untrustworthy lover. Conrad’s sigh was followed by a sickly sweet scent, which tossed her into darkness.

JEWEL HEIST: purchase at any e-book vendor of quality books.
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=cjf37oal8ahe5j4go7iunqga97
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-jewelheist-615544-149.html

jj Keller
Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYtNMciTB34

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA
LOVE HURTS & Undercover Housewife: http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller
Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book. www.thewildrosepress.com print and eprint.
All rights reserved.
Diamonds used to be this girl's best friend.

Bonded by Crimson

2011-11-03T13:49:00.003-04:00

My friend and crit partner, Zrinka Jelic will be published for the first time. Here is a teaser.

Bonded by Crimson
Blurb:
Love isn’t in the cards for Kate. After her short failed marriage she’s trying to rebuild her life and soon finds herself nursing the three lovely boys of Mr. Zrin. A man, whose idea of fatherhood is non-existent. Her efforts to bring the best out of this reluctant father are mysteriously supported by a being, she cannot grasp. It needs a trip to Croatia, her hometown, and a afternoon full of coffee-reading with her old friend, to find out that there’s an earthbound spirit attached to Kate.

For the past six years, Matthias Zrin has been trying to follow his dead wife’s urging to change his ways and become the father she always wanted him to be. Not an easy task for a three centuries old immortal. His search for the ultimate nanny ends when Kate Rokov stumbles to his home and into his arms. The immediate attraction he feels for Kate sets him off. He isn’t prepared to let go of the love he harboured for one woman for over three hundred years. But when Kate offers him her loving smile, everything he clung to in the past begins to tumble and break down on him.

Zrinka Jelic

http://bondedbycrimson.blogspot.com/2011/04/bonded-by-crimson.html?zx=565c22b31e6c9757

2011-11-01T08:02:00.001-04:00

I've had twelve books published in the past and with those came a few spectacular editors, ...Mary Murray is one of those.
Check out her blogspot.

http://bigbluepencil.blogspot.com/2011/10/jewel-heist.html?showComment=1320148687163#c6337029941646087631

2011-10-22T14:55:00.001-04:00

I'm blogging at felllow author, Cristal Ryder's blogspot

. Join me! Click here!
(http://www.cristalryder.com)

Release day for Jewel Heist

2011-10-17T08:53:00.001-04:00

For John Kajiyama, posing as Wang, Mary Keefe is just histype. She's beautiful, funny and sweet...but is she innocent? Diamonds aremissing and he must recover them for the insurance company. How far will he goto maintain his cover in this investigation?

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

The bag of uncut diamonds fell from the safe and poured intoMary Keefe’s palm. She gaped in wonder. A million dollars’ worth of Canada’sfinest, freshly mined from Whip Lake near Yellowknife. Slivers of ice appearedin the sharp edges, indicating what lay beneath the cool surface. She ran herfinger and thumb over one of the chalky exteriors, anticipating what brilliantmasterpiece she could create, devising a cut plan while envisioning a beautifulengagement ring.

“Mary, I’m taking off,” Lisa said from the doorway leadinginto the sales room. “Dental appointment, remember?”

Mary sat at her desk and glanced at her part-time salesassociate. Lisa’s bejeweled hand perched on her slender hip, and in the brightlights of the cutting room, all of her sparklers came out to play. Mary hadfashioned at least two of the baubles. Unable to resist, she tore her attentionaway from her co-worker and focused on the rough natural diamonds. “Oh. Okay,Lisa, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to put the closed sign on the door and lockit?” Her tone held resignation. A silvery blond eyebrow lifted. “Andre wouldn’tmind having a bit of freedom from guard duty.” Mary laughed, fingering thesoon-to-be resplendent stones. She must return them to their velvet nest. “Youknew I’d be fascinated with the goods.”

Lisa chuckled and glanced at her watch. “Sorry, it’s toolate to cancel the appointment.”

“No, don’t worry. I’ll put these away and sketch designsbetween waiting on customers in the lobby.”

“You’re sure?”

Mary nodded to the door. “Yes. Please, go.”

Lisa took a step. “Good night. I’ll see you after you returnfrom your trip.” She strode to the exit, her wide handbag flapping against hernarrow side.

Mary sorted through nature’s mysterious stones one moretime. At the click of the door, she stashed the rocks inside their dark bluebag.

The shuffle of feet drew her attention from the sack’sdrawstring. Lisa must have forgotten something. Instead of her assistant, atall thin man completely covered in black from his ski mask to leather shoes,swayed inside the room.

Her heart beating as fast as the second hands on the clockcollection at the south side of the jewelry store, Mary moved around the desk,intending to stuff the pouch into the safe and slam the door. “Who are you?”

The intruder didn’t deter her. However, the metal safeseemed farther away than it had appeared a moment ago. She crept forward,keeping the dark opening in sight. “My assistant will be back in a second.”

An arm came out of nowhere and wrapped under her breasts,preventing her upper body from moving. Despite her breaths expelling fast andin short bursts, she hurled the stones and threw her head back, connecting withthe chin of her attacker.

“Shit!” a man snapped. A familiar voice. Please, it couldn’tbe him.

The bag hit the rim of the safe with a thunk. As with allthings earthly, the jewels fell.

She screamed loud enough surely her grandfather, in hisoffice two stories up, would hear the vocal alarm. Where was Andre? God, shehoped he was okay. One huge hand completely covered her mouth and the othertwisted her arm. Deep breaths brought scents, a mixture of plant fertilizer andpungent Axe cologne into her nostrils. Beneath the soft wool, she bit her lips,trying to keep them from trembling.

“Go!” he shouted, releasing her mouth. He reached for thedark blue bag of a million dollars’ worth of jewels resting on the cream andgray tiled floor. His partner shuffled out into the lobby, and soon breakingglass rippled through the silence. Smoke billowed into the office. Damn, hernew glass display cases, destroyed. Surely her grandfather heard the explosionand would come running.

Her teeth clung to her attacker’s wrist as he bent, untilhis hand flipped and covered her nose and mouth, forcing her to relax. He stoodstraight, easing the tension of the hold. Velvet rubbed against her stomachwhere the blouse had come free from her slacks. They had made love once, onthis very floor. An image of him placing a few minor gemstones on her belly andmoving them around with his tongue flooded her mind. She resented the intrusionof a romantic tryst now that Conrad Peabody’s true character had been exposed.

His gloved fingers continued to press against her mouth,jamming her teeth into the soft tissue. She finally got relief from the forcewhen he moved his hand and used his teeth to pull off the glove. He stuffed theleather into his pocket, then transferred the bag of gems to his unencumberedhand. His breathing increased, pushing his chest against her back, as hisfingers worked open the yellow binding of the casing.

Mary drew a sharp breath. There it was--the mole shaped likemolar tooth--at the apex of his right thumb and index finger, confirming theidentity of her attacker and thief—a dishonest, unfaithful, and untrustworthylover. Conrad’s sigh was followed by a sickly sweet scent, which tossed herinto darkness.

JEWEL HEIST

http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=cjf37oal8ahe5j4go7iunqga97

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.

http://www.jj-keller.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYtNMciTB34

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s puretemptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm

Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA

LOVE HURTS & Undercover Housewife: http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller

Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book. www.thewildrosepress.com print and eprint.

Glee: Harry Shum Jr – Mike Chang... a hidden treasure with a voice.

2011-10-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

Glee, Michael Chang aka Harry Shum Jr can sing! He is such a talented man. He has a wonderful voice and can move!

Lyrical Press: Motivation for creating a story.

2011-09-15T08:48:00.001-04:00

Other than the fantastic people associated with Lyrical Press, I love that they take a different approach to the process of creating the best possible book and marketing said book.

If you've purchased one of their fine publications you'll see, toward the back, "About the Author". Many publishers plop in the little snippet of the author's life which can be found on any marketing site or the author's website. Lyrical takes a different approach.

They present the option of writing a page or two about how the story went from a gem of an idea to a full manuscript.

Here's my author's page on Jewel Heist....to be released in October 2011.

Deeply moved by a niece’s heartbreaking story of her inability to conceive a child and other stories of couples who experienced difficulty getting pregnant I wrote Jewel Heist.

Conception problems can be distressing, not to mention destructive to a marriage and a woman’s self-esteem. Sometimes the condition has a simple solution, while some require medical hi-tech involvement.

As I listened to my family members discuss the process and their success and failure rates I became more intrigued.

The story began to form as I worked with glass and jewels to create works-of-art or “crafts” as my husband would claim. For the heroine I used my background knowledge about jewelry design to give the character depth and an occupation. Suspense is a given in all of my books, so toss a bag of uncut diamonds and a story has taken root.

Mary’s plight is heart wrenching, and John’s desire to do what is right as he falls in love-- sympathetic.

If you finish a book after "The End" ...with a Lyrical Press edition go further...see what inspired the author.

JEWEL HEIST

Jewel Heist Trailer

2011-08-16T11:40:00.003-04:00

It's up and I'm excited.
Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYtNMciTB34.

Or click here: JEWEL HEIST

Jewelry designer Mary Keefe has been robbed--of a million dollars in diamonds belonging to her grandfather--by her own boyfriend, Conrad. Besides recovering the jewels, she's got to conceive a baby within 5 days, to save her family's legacy. Her friends have a plan, a singles cruise so Mary can find a sperm donor with the best qualities. The first mate could be the right choice--he rates a five on the Donor List. Then there's John Wang, her neighbor in the adjoining room. Attraction sizzles between them and they've become friends, but he doesn't act interested. Could be, she's not his type.

For John Kajiyama, posing as Wang, Mary Keefe is just his type. She's beautiful, funny and sweet...but is she innocent? Diamonds are missing and he must recover them for the insurance company. How far will he go to maintain his cover in this investigation?

Buy:JEWEL HEIST

Or:
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=cjf37oal8ahe5j4go7iunqga97

Diamonds were her best friend, until....

2011-08-09T14:34:00.002-04:00

Jewel Heist...suspense that sparkles

2011-07-21T09:23:00.003-04:00

Before the actual conception, Mary Keefe's chosen baby daddy robbed her grandfather's jewelry store stealing a million dollars in diamonds. To save her family’s legacy , she must bear a child. With time running out, her only recourse is to take a previously scheduled cruise and find a suitable sperm donor.

For investigator, John Kajiyama, the mounting evidence against Mary Keefe is insurmountable. Yet, how could the beautiful woman falling into his bed be the jewel thief? In search of the truth, he embarks on an escapade that could unknowingly lead him to fatherhood.

Look for it in October at Lyrical Press.

A trailer will be coming soon.

jj

Dark Shadows...hot romance even in the darkness.

2011-07-19T07:27:00.004-04:00

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CVIN2O

In Cyan, Indiana, Dark Shadows is a pub filled with unique characters. The bar is a draw for the unusual, the wicked, and a place where even a Guardian defining justice can’t depart.

Henri Chambers is tired of immortality. A Guardian squad member of heaven and hell, he is on a new mission…to find a recruit for the team and hopefully his replacement. He finds his quarry in a pub called Dark Shadows. Unfortunately, the target is the brother of the first woman to ignite a fire inside Henri in centuries.

Tori Kepler, half owner of Dark Shadows bar and grill has been diligent in her efforts to subdue her fire starting abilities. That is, until she meets Henri Chambers, then uncontrollable sparks fly. When her brother sees the ghost of their mother and a prophecy is given via two tarot cards, The Hierophant and Seven of Swords, he decides to sell the pub. The decision about what path to take in her life is taken out of her hands and Henri’s.

Will the two lovers find heaven on Earth in each other’s arms or will their paths take divergent courses?

Excerpt:
Henri stood outside the bar, knowing she’d be walking along the sidewalk any minute. A schoolboy pleasure rumbled deep within his chest. She’d accepted his invitation. Anticipation coursed through him. Despite longevity and the sheer number of women he’d entertained in his past, a fresh intoxication infused his senses.
He leaned against the rough bark of the oak tree and waited. He’d changed suits at least twice before he settled on the casual attire of polo and trousers, but scoffed at his appearance. He preferred the pomp and circumstances of the ornately detailed clothing of his century, the garments of a knight immediately indicated his status. However, Tori said she’d be taking a break from work and she always dressed informally, he wanted to make her feel comfortable. Oddly enough, he enjoyed the soft cotton feel of the pants. He could move around without constriction, and they kept the cold air out.
Her black tight fitting V-neck top and solid skin tight black pants enhanced her perfect figure. Her portfolio didn’t note exercise, like common people did working out with weights at the gym or running as fast as possible on the street. No, she perfected her skills with sword fighting and the training kept her fit.
She gracefully walked out from the Dark Shadows entrance and his gut twisted into knots.

This is what Rachel Nial had to say: There was so much passion in DARK SHADOWS that I thought my head would explode. I LOVE THIS BOOK!! In fact, I love this book so much that I nearly blew off finishing my day's work so that I could finish it in one setting. Duty called, however, and I got to it as soon as I could. And what a finish! DARK SHADOWS has it all: Good versus Evil; Love, Lust and Secrets competing for dominance; boundless love and those velvet ties that transcend even the strangest of circumstances.

jj Keller
Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com

Must Buy: Never a Princess, Always a Frog

2011-07-01T09:47:00.001-04:00

Tall Tales
By L.K. Below

I’m a tall woman -- five feet, nine inches. My sister, at six-foot-two, is even taller. I don’t know about you, but most of the women I read about in romances are in the five-foot-three range. Not that I have anything against petite women, but sometimes I want to read about a heroine closer to my height.

So I wrote one. Colleen from my newest release, Never a Princess, Always a Frog is five-foot-ten. She’s a gawky five-foot-ten, not quite comfortable in her skin. Let alone when she’s forced to wear it and nothing else. But her petite, curvaceous best friend Hannah is a force of nature, and when Hannah says to go to a Halloween party wearing nothing but green paint, Colleen obeys.

I’ll let you in on a secret. Colleen isn’t the only tall heroine I’ve written. In fact, my heroine for my next release, a suspenseful urban fantasy called Stalking Shade, features a five-foot-eleven heroine. But Lori and Colleen are as different as night and day. Literally -- as a goth, Lori sticks to nocturnal habits.

I connect with all my characters, even the petite ones, but I have to admit, I take satisfaction in writing a tall heroine every now and again. And in giving her a hero even taller than she is.

Trust me when I say, a tall man is hard to find.

Do you enjoy tall heroines in your romantic tales?

Here's the blurb for Never a Princess, Always a Frog:

Has this frog finally found her prince?

From the moment Colleen confesses her deepest desire -- to experience the same passion she’s read about in books -- she is swept away on the most daring escapade she’s ever experienced. Dressed in nothing but green paint, she attends a Halloween party searching for the man of her dreams. She finds him, but then fears she won’t be able to give him up.

Since the death of his wife five years ago, Dan’s life has been on auto-pilot. But from the moment he meets Colleen, he starts to feel alive again. And he knows he can’t let this would-be princess stride out of his life…

Buy the book or learn more at http://bit.ly/NeverAPrincess.

Want to win this book? Be sure to visit L.K. Below's blog for her Week-After-Release Party on Monday, July 11th 2011. One lucky commenter will win this book! Visit http://lbelow.blogspot.com and leave a comment on her party post on Monday to enter.

L.K. Below writes romance and speculative fiction. Under her full name, Lindsay Below, she pens young adult novels. Visit her online at www.lbelow.net.

Jewel Heist...what is a true jewel?

2011-06-23T12:21:00.006-04:00

Mary’s world is filled with conception angst and then disloyalty. She must ride the waves to seek Mr. Right—sperm donor.

Will Mary run from or to true love?

John hates field work. If he wasn’t a specialist in gemstones, he’d have refused the job. On a singles cruise with aggressive women poking their tongues in his ear is a nightmare come to real life. Karma was kicking his ass. Of course the one lady causing his heart to thump against his ribs had to be a suspect in the diamond heist he’s investigating.

Book trailer coming soon. Watch for it.

Only you will know by reading Jewel Heist! Available October 17, 2011, Lyrical Press.

http://twitter.com/jjKellerauthor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/JJ-Keller/263353331459?v=wall (fan page)

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jj-Keller/726141978

http://jjkeller.blogspot.com

Woman photo donated by Dreamstime.com

Filters: Why do we use them?

2011-06-10T15:23:00.003-04:00

I’m taking a computer science class and in the last session the topic was filters, applying them to Excel sheets, Access and even PowerPoint. The feature is a simple drop down box. Sometimes a benchmark is needed, but overall quite easy to use.

I quickly applied this concept to my personal life…as I’m sure most of us do. We filter out the negative aspects of people in our relationships and focus on the positive. Loud obnoxious friends are seen as people with lively personalities. Soft-spoken timid friends are seen as behind-the-scenes supporters. Natural groups form because of common interest, but what if you hadn’t met the people and only knew them from electronic submissions?

Needless to say recent political figure Weiner should have filtered more.

My on-line critique group met at a writer’s conference for the first time a few months ago. When face to face I found that I didn’t filter very well. Each previously overlooked tick became alive and jumped all around removing the rose-colors. People I previously liked and used as heroic characters in my books became gossipy hurtful villains.

How easy is it to filter out the negatives when face to face with someone you like, admire, respect or thought had similar values as you?

How much should a person filter before they lose their sense of character and/or alter their values?

Do you think we should use filters or see each person as a hero?

Coming in October, Jewel Heist

2011-06-02T08:27:00.004-04:00

Greetings! I'm taking a course at Ball State University and it is knocking me out of the ballgame. I seem to be spending all my time reading/studying/practicing, but it'll be worth it.

I'm excited about an October release with Lyrical Press, Jewel Heist. Before the actual conception, Mary Keefe's chosen baby daddy robbed her grandfather's jewelry store stealing a million dollars in diamonds. To save her family’s legacy, she must bear a child. With time running out, her only recourse is to take a previously scheduled cruise and find a suitable sperm donor.

For investigator, John Kajiyama, the mounting evidence against Mary Keefe is insurmountable. Yet, how could the beautiful woman falling into his bed be the jewel thief? In search of the truth, he embarks on an escapade that could unknowingly lead him to fatherhood.

Don't you think Ian Anthony Dale is the perfect hero?

Blogging at Lyrical Press

2011-05-15T11:27:00.004-04:00

Hi all, I'm blogging at Lyrical Press today. Stop and visit.
lyricalpress.com.

Gorilla Glue

2011-04-27T12:47:00.004-04:00

Showings have continued on the home front for selling our home. Nothing unusual until Saturday.

People wanted to see the place at noon. My sons are not morning people. My husband isn't an AM person either...so guess what I was doing at 9am. Vacuuming. Cruel maybe...

Our house has solid doors so not much gets through, but keep in mind we needed to be out of the house before 11:45. Laundry delivered, doors slightly ajar, the sweeper flooded the house with its joyful zoom.

Jump ahead to everyone up and ready to exit. I noticed a leg on a candle stick was broken. There had to be two on the table or the setting is not symmetrical. I grabbed the Gorilla Glue from the utility room, leaned over the kitchen sink and wouldn't you know it the liquid dripped onto the solid surface.

I don't know if any of you have used Gorilla Glue, but the adhesive is super strong. Once it sticks two pieces together, they do not separate.

Seconds before I'm to walk out the door I'm still using any product I can think of to get the now 4" by 6" spot removed. And after all of the commotion getting everyone out the door I couldn't reveal my problem.

I reached beneath the sink and got a rough and tough scratcher and got down and dirty on the blob.

Fortunately, I got the adhesive blob off in a last second shot...whew.

What next?

Show Remorse

2011-04-14T14:37:00.003-04:00

The next day was a Friday and in my mind I thought Friday would be a free day from showing the house.

Not so much.

My husband had taken a priceless day off work with the intent to seek a new house in the North. We got a call as we were leaving the digs...show it at 4:00?

We didn't have enough leeway to go North and return in time to get the dog. I considered housing her at Happy, Clean and Smart as she loves Bonnie, one of the owners. Instead we canceled the trip, went to get plastic tubs at Menard's and stashed a few items from the cloak closet which had become a dark isle for misfit gloves, scarfs and bags.

As with most changes one alteration generates another, etc. 3:30 rolled around and fortunate for me I had a strong handsome guy to hoist Bailey onto the rear seat.

I would post a photo from my phone, but you can't see her as she moved to the floor and she wasn't budging.

The rain prevented a nice walk in the park, so we drove...and drove....and drove.

What seemed like hours later we returned home to a clean house, but with show regret...an entire day lost. Bailey was pissed and went into her room. She didn't come out until dinner. Shetland Sheepdogs are brilliant and we are discovering...stubborn.

Selling a House: Flutter and Feathers

2011-04-13T08:07:00.005-04:00

The Rooster-ette (I know, not a word, but I'm using creative license. Remember from my website how ee Cummings is my role model? http://www.jj-Keller.com) trooped her forces into my home, clearly ignoring the barking.

Her entourage did not and the older lady (bones creaked as she climbed the stairs to the deck) shouted, "Is the dog going to be here? We've seen enough dogs today."

"No. I was just leaving." I rushed into the kitchen, pushed the button on the oven to shut it off, grabbed the sweeper from the guest bedroom (my start point) and shoved it back into the closet. I shh'd Bailey, hoisted her into my arms and waddled to my vehicle.

Which was conveniently blocked in by the Rooster-ette's Cadillac SUV. The dog secured in my car's rear seat, silent and crunched low with her head between her front paws, I ran into the house. The two sets of couples had disappeared somewhere inside.

"Could you move your bus please, I need to get out."

The real estate agent craned her red-haired head, pressing her beak into the kitchen windows as if to verify I could not move my vehicle without her repositioning her gas hog. Keep in mind our driveway took a full load from a cement truck to fill...it can adequately hold 8 vehicles, allowing mobility of said cars to come and go.

She navigated her car to be straight in the drive-way, glanced at me, then drove it into the cul-de-sac. I gave her credit for thinking clearly!

An hour at the dog park, then Bailey and I headed home. The home invaders had left and we heard nothing from our real estate agent nor the Rooster-ette.

The next day...

Look for Jewel Heist in October...an exciting adventure on the high seas.

Real Estate Agents $#**@!

2011-04-12T07:54:00.004-04:00

The first few days of preparing the house for a real estate agent to "show" was okay. I made sure the place was spotless and screamed at anyone daring enough to make a mess in the kitchen. Then Thursday came. Our agency called the day of and asked to see the place at 4pm. I work during the day from 8 - 5 and my husband is of course is working--several hours north. In order to prepare for a showing, according to HGTV, the place must be spotless and the warm scent of fresh baked cookies is always a best seller.

Having prepared a batch of cookie dough all I needed to do was take it out of the freezer shovel a couple of spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet, straighten the master bedroom, toss the towels from the rack into the laundry basket, vacuum, check for the left over bits of dust, grab the dog (keeping in mind our family pet absolutely hates riding in the car, the only way to get her to go in a vehicle is to carry her thirty-nine pounds and drop her in the backseat...I'm 5'2" petite) and head out. I delayed the showing until 5, hoping I could get off work early and drive the twenty-five minutes to our home.

First snag, we had a department meeting. Delay 36 minutes.

Second:Traffic was backed up on the main highway due to service vehicle. Delay 12 minutes.

Finally I arrived home, pushed the buttons to get the oven heating and removed the cookies from the side-by-side.

Dog running around barking and jumping thinking I could play, maybe take her for a walk in the woods.

Bedroom done, sweeper removed from its hiding place in the closet and going to shovel cookies onto the parchment sheet covered baking tin, I noticed five-six people milling around the pond.

What the hell?

I scooped a couple of dollops of dough on to the sheet and tossed it into the oven. The dog hearing voices, now frantic, barked and ran from the rear door to me making a fresh trail in the carpet.

I stowed Bailey in the utility room and walked toward the rooster-ette and obvious leader. The tall bone-thin woman with a coat made of chicken feathers flew toward me.

"I thought you weren't coming until 5?" She could have taken flight with the wind velocity out in the country and her brown/orange feathers blowing so fiercely.

Her long nose went into the air and dirt black eyes glittering she replied, "I know, it worked out that we could come early."

To be continued, I need to start work....

Selling a home in today's economy

2011-04-11T11:14:00.004-04:00

Changes are dynamic and ongoing. Sometimes they are welcome and sometimes they put a kink in our routines and way of doing things. Selling a house is one of those things.
My husband acquired a job way up north in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which means we sell our sweet little oasis out in the country and move.

Late last summer for the first time I felt comfortable using the massive lawn mower.

I just finished touching up the second story and the guest house had been completed last summer. Now I have to leave. Pack?
Stuff all of my belongings that took two years to get situated?
Damn. Not liking this one bit.
I named the fish, Big Orange, Calico, little Orange and White one two and three. Will the new owners want to feed them, in a spring fed pond?

So much to do.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about my experiences with the real estate agents arriving an hour early or blocking my car in the drive. How well is the family dog adjusting..not at all. She hates riding in a car.

More tomorrow.

Release date for Jewel Heist: October 17

2011-03-23T08:09:00.003-04:00

On the run, a jewelry designer sought only one thing, but what could be more precious than love?

Blurb and book cover coming soon! Release date October 17, 2011, Lyrical Press.

jj Keller
Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com

Jewel Heist http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller
Dark Sun: He's almost an angel and she's pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book. www.thewildrosepress.com print and eprint.
All rights reserved.

Finding a roll of film, this man searches for the owner

2011-03-09T15:41:00.004-05:00

This is such a sweet story. Watch the before video and what happens afterward. The guy is so shy and determined.
Film

or copy and paste into your browser:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110309/ts_yblog_thelookout/new-yorkers-mysterious-photo-quest-ends-in-paris

Keanu Reeves where are you?

2011-02-21T16:14:00.002-05:00

I read in Conde Nast today that Keanu Reeves recently stayed at St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel.

The man stole my heart with his suave manners and beautiful face, now ...well, lets just say I'd snuggle in the bed he slept in like Betty White did the Robert Redford chair at Jimmy Kimmel Live (see on Hot in Cleveland).

The Magic Three

2011-02-16T15:05:00.006-05:00

In the real world the magic of three relates to writing and to life. A second death in the family occurs, whispers abound about who will be the third...they come in threes you know.

In writing: "The rule of three is a principle in English writing that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things." (Wikipedia)

In both fiction and nonfiction three adjectives are often used. For example: "She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy hair, and rather large front teeth." (J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.)

When a reader is flowing through the narrative, how important is the magic of three?

Does a sentence sound so much sweeter to the ears if there are a trio of ing words or anaphora?

How important is the magic of three?

Why does the magic of three also relate directly to plant life?
Plant three bushes in order for all of them to be healthy. (Works with any plants)

Humm, curiouser and curiouser.

Trade Agreement...suspense maximum

2011-02-08T08:00:00.003-05:00

TRADE AGREEMENT
www.thewildrosepress.com
ISBN: 1-60154-491-X
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/jj-keller-m-450.html
Falling in love with the next door neighbor—impulsive.
Kidnapped by her ex-husband—startling.
Traded for contraband on the high seas—unbelievable.
Photo-journalist, Georgina Barrister, realizes she has little time left in this world when her ex-husband hands her over as partial payment for a shipment of illegal imports. Apparently being the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, and the perfect lover hadn’t been enough for him. What did he expect of her now, to be the perfect token? As a captive on a freighter, how will she escape?

Special Agent Jake Callahan believes love at first sight is impossible, until he meets Georgina Barrister Kaplan. However, his assignment on a high-seas trafficking case must overrule his feelings when Georgina becomes the prime suspect.

In search for the truth will they lose their one chance at happiness?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
Trade Agreement

Available in Print and eprint:
jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Excerpt:
Aleksandr's voice was oily and his smile-- insincere. "Kaplan, we've been comrades for almost a
year. Why the mistrust?"
"Do we really trust one another, my friend?"
Tristan took a sip of vodka.
From Georgina's viewpoint, Tristan's hand appeared to be trembling. Damn. There were some
underlying messages being sent back and forth that caused her alarm radar to go off. She glanced at Aleksandr. He was smiling. Like a crocodile.
Okay, Tristan, it's time to leave-now! You'll
have to drop me off at the next port.
"Are you calling me a thief?" Aleksandr's deep, heavily accented voice filled the tiny room like a
sonic boom. He bolted to his feet and his chair clanged to the floor. The angry red glow on his face, either from the heated argument or from the drink, accentuated his gray appearance. His lips virtually disappeared into the mass of black facial hair as he sneered.

Tristan's face remained calm. "Of course. Aren't we all? We take items and sell them for a profit. The buyers are not important, nor the nationality, nor the cause, nor how illegal the goods. We steal them for the thrill of making a deal. For money." His blond cropped hair, light crystal-blue eyes, and winsome smile widened, giving him the appearance of the boy next door.
Georgina stared at his devilish dimples while trying to get a grasp on the situation. She'd fallen in
love with his dimples, before she'd fallen in love with the man. Now she looked past the façade and wondered how she'd been so foolish.
"I've never cheated anyone in my life, and I resent the implication, Kaplan." Aleksandr nodded
his head to one of his henchmen at the door. Georgina's fight or flight urge was strong. She
tensed and glanced at the exit, calculating whether she could get to it before the goons caught her. What she would do after reaching the entrance, she didn't know. But she desperately wanted to go through that door.
"Please accept my apology. I meant no offense." Tristan calmly lifted his half-empty glass of liquid fire and held it out to Aleksandr, for a customary salute.
Aleksandr stared at Tristan, a long, intense, soul-searching glare. "Ah, none taken. However, I do
insist the whore be given to me as a fair trade agreement."
Aleksandr slid his black-eyed gaze down Georgina's body and came back to stare into her
eyes. His thoughts about her were as clear as the vodka between them: brown hair, heart shaped face, an ordinary body, and not worth his time. The brunt of his perusal landed on Kandi. Georgina's heart rate slowed from its marathon speed. Aleksandr lifted his chair and lowered to the seat.

Kandi gasped, edged closer to Tristan, and reached toward her diamond and jade bejeweled
bodice. She tossed her long auburn locks out of the way and pulled the limited blue silk material of the strapless dress higher, trying to cover her endowments as much as possible. Her nipples
protruded further as a result of her efforts. She folded her shaking hands at her waist.
"Consider it done," Tristan said, the words ice cold.
"Tristan!" Kandi screeched, her voice, shrill and full of shock. Her pale pink lips quivered, and her bare shoulders twitched back and forth. Tristan had offered her as a door prize.
Could this be happening? The scene was a Saturday B-movie event. People in real-life did not
trade off their friends or family to get a shipment of...of...of whatever obviously illegal thing they were exchanging. The goods had to be contraband to make Tristan sweat. Georgina knew him well enough after six years of living together to recognize the signs of his anxiety. Regardless of how calm he appeared, he wasn't in control of the situation.
Aleksandr's eyes glittered with dangerous ecstasy. He turned his cold, calculating stare onto
Tristan and leaned back in his chair. His jacket gaped, revealing an old fashioned .44 revolver in a
gray holster strapped to the side of his chest. Her father had one just like it in his gun cabinet. The
racketeer's don't-mess-with-me attitude made him the perfect bad guy for any mafia movie.
Georgina tried to ignore the chills running through her body. She pushed a dry wind-blown
strand of hair behind her ear. In an effort to appear to be in command of her emotions, she clasped her hands in front of her and waited.
Kandi's brown gaze turned toward Tristan. She reached over and grabbed his arm, spilling vodka
onto the table top. He peeled her fingers loose one by one.
"You can't do this!" Georgina didn't care how much she angered either man. Part of the reason she had filed for a divorce concerned Kandi and all of the Kandis before her. But she was still a human and Aleksandr, regardless of his designer suit, was scum.
"Shut up, Georgina," Tristan barked.
Aleksandr's glance took in the clear pool of vodka, and a scowl formed on his hairy face.
Apparently he valued his alcohol.
"How barbaric. Stop this right now, Tristan,"
Georgina reasoned, hoping he'd understand this was illogical and perverse.
The oppressive atmosphere grew weighty and thick. Sympathy coursed through Georgina. The
black Russian wouldn't give Kandi the spa treatment on this tub as she'd had on Tristan's
yacht. Tristan had to do something. Why didn't he act?
"It's done. Take her away," Tristan spoke softly, as if the words were for his ears alone. He lifted his hand to his mouth and sucked the alcohol off. The goons started toward the door.
Georgina glanced at Tristan and witnessed the truth in his eyes.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/trade-agreement-paperback-p-3581.html?zenid=1347880597c67c3e14ffa00999bd2df8

TRADE AGREEMENT
www.thewildrosepress.com

ISBN: 1-60154-491-X
Falling in love with the next door neighbor-impulsive. Kidnapped by her ex-husband-startling. Traded for contraband on the high seas-unbelievable.

Photo-journalist, Georgina Barrister, realizes she has little time left in this world when her ex-husband hands her over as partial payment for a shipment of illegal imports. Apparently being the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, and the perfect lover hadn't been enough for him. What did he expect of her now, to be the perfect token? As a captive on a freighter, how will she escape?

Special Agent Jake Callahan believes love at first sight is impossible, until he meets Georgina Barrister Kaplan. However, his assignment on a high-seas trafficking case must overrule his feelings when Georgina becomes the prime suspect.

In search for the truth will they lose their one chance at happiness?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
Trade Agreement

Available in Print and eprint:
jj Keller
Voted LASR best of the best.

Ready for Spring?

2011-02-07T11:50:00.003-05:00

A story that will freshen those boring days!

Title: The Tarot Card
Author: jj Keller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Line: Contemporary Champagne Rosebud
Review: Rating: spicy
ISBN: 9781601544377

Blurb:

A stalled elevator. A sexy gypsy. A straight-laced CEO. Fate has a sense of humor. Kerry McClure must secure her future as head of her father's corporation. She simply needs to sign a contract with Rune Technologies to ward off a hostile takeover. When Kerry's mistaken for a gypsy fortuneteller, she plays along, but could one night of fun jeopardize her CEO confirmation? Stein Laxdale needs the business deal with McClure Ventures or he'll lose control of Rune Technologies. He must decide if Kerry is his biggest threat or his greatest hope for a happily ever after.

Here is a review:

FullReview by It left me with a smile on my face and a real sense of satisfaction. I’d say this is definitely a story I’d like to share with my friends –well worth a read. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Vasiliki Scurfield
WRDF Review

Baby it is cold outside

2011-02-02T09:40:00.003-05:00

Blizzard bites my bonnet.

Yep, cold and snowing, but the most painful part of this wintry blitz is the ice.
And I’m not talking ice, ice baby, this is the cold crap that makes you slip and slide.

Checking out for now, losing the satellite.

What would you do if....

2011-01-27T13:38:00.002-05:00

You loved someone so much you let them go...and they didn't return. Isn't the proverb "
If you love somebody, set them free. If they return, they were always yours."

LOVE HURTS
978-1-61650-189-1

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in
Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second
fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now,
unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up
enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only
home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana.
Financial struggles don’t make her lose hope, although her optimism
wavers. Will a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her
son - ever become a reality?

Morgan Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s
heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s
abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she
announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.

“It had to be done.” Lena said, "JJ Keller created a story of one woman just trying to survive in a world where not many survive without succumbing to another life." Lena, Happily Ever After.

"I kept reading I realized that it could very well be a true story. These people are just trying to do the right thing." Terri Hawk, Night Owl Romance

Brandi Sedgewick, Diva Chef and owner of Dark Shadows

2011-01-07T11:04:00.006-05:00

by Ramona Bauchert.

I had the opportunity to interview Brandi Sedgewick, a brilliant chef with Dark Shadows restaurant the day before All Hallows Eve. Sitting at a white linen covered table for two we discussed her current life, which was far different from the previous interview when she’d purchased Dark Shadows from Tori Kepler.

An older waitress with a big hair and a mole that seemed to trail a little to the left, as if drawn and the pencil slipped, carried a serving tray with coffee and cookies. Jittery hands placed the cup and saucer on the table. I moved a bit as she poured the coffee, fearful she’d splatter it. The shaky fingers didn’t faze Brandi in the least, she thanked BJ. Brandi’s cockeyed smile widened as she lifted the steaming pot from burning a ring on the white tablecloth, and placed it on the bamboo tray.

A brilliant white gold ring on her left finger sparkled in the dim restaurant light. “Cookie?”

“Yes, thank you.” I took one of the scrumptious gingerbread creations and placed it on the bread plate to my left. “Thanks for meeting with me, Brandi. Near the holidays business is usually fast paced, so I appreciate your taking the time to chat.”

“You’re welcome, Ramona. Besides, I always enjoy positive press for the restaurant.” She glanced at the fireplace.

The original structure, with tumbled odd shaped red bricks, was there but the pit had been filled with new perfectly shaped squares and a flat screen television currently had a fire flaming. Blazes so real, Ramona heated. “Our readers want to know how difficult it was to transform Dark Shadows, average bar, into Dark Shadows five star restaurant.”

“I didn’t think I had a chance when all the fires started, but then it was if an angel had landed in my world. He guided the way.” A quaint half-smile formed on her pretty pink lips. Ah yes, the new husband. She’d come around to that subject later, when Brandi loosened up. Her shoulders were as tightly wound as a rubber-band car.

“Did you have business training as well as graduating from the Chef’s Academy?” The fragrant cinnamon and ginger cookie drew Ramona. As she waited for Brandi to answer she took a bit of the sweet, enjoying the riot of flavors.

“My father taught me the ins and outs of business. Sometimes no amount of schooling can teach you as much as real life experiences.” Spoon in hand she flipped it, over and over.

“Your father owned a restaurant too?” I quickly scribbled a note in my journal.

“No, he owned a hardware store, but business operates about the same whether you’re peddling nuts and bolts or soufflés and steak.” She took a sip of the steaming coffee. Either her posture was excellent, or she wasn’t relaxing in the least.

I devoured the last of the treat. “This cookie is very tasty. Do you cater?”

“Have another. We’re not catering at this time, but sometime in the future we might have a party planner and catering venture.”

“Please do. I brought my husband here last weekend, and we didn’t want to leave.” Ramona patted her stomach. “We certainly left with our bellies full.”

Brandi’s shoulders unwound, and she leaned on the arm of the chair. “Great. I like to hear about a satisfied customer.”

The Dolly Parton waitress refilled my barely touched coffee.

“Speaking of husband…” Ramona touched her iPad, until she reached the newspaper reference. “When you purchased Dark Shadows you were dating a firefighter and declared yourself to be a confirmed bachelorette. Yet, in the newspaper a few weeks ago I noticed a legal notice regarding a marriage to Niall Howard. Who is Niall Howard?”

Brandi’s brown eyes dripped with love as sweet as the cookies still tantalizing Ramon’s tongue. Clearly something had changed in the past month or two. “Niall is fairly new to town. Love at first sight and all that. As a consultant he travels quite a bit. However, he’s due to arrive any minute, perhaps you’ll meet him.”

Heck yeah, she wanted to meet him. The hunky firefighter was calendar-model gorgeous. Ramona couldn’t picture Brandi’s husband being anything but handsome. “I hope so as well. What type of consulting does he do?”

“He’s more of a mentor, helping new employees learn the trade.” Brandi shoved the plate of gingerbread cookies closer to Ramona. “Did you try the halibut when you dined here?”

“Yes, delicious, the seasoning was perfect, the fish moist.” Hum, doesn’t like to chat about the guy. Ramona would definitely hang around until the trainer slash newlywed came along. “Tell me about the rooms upstairs, they’re for private dining right?”

“Yes. The first one is for a smaller group, five to six people, the second room can hold up to twenty. Come and we’ll take a look.” Brandi rose from the chair.

Not hesitating, Ramona stashed her notebook in her purse and rose. Tossing the padded bag over her shoulder, she gasped for air. Sex in the form of a Greek god held Brandi in a loose hold. Brown hair, almost matching the restaurant owners, hid his face from her view. An obvious hello-I’m-ready-for-sex kiss was going on.

Ramona’s chair squealed as it awkwardly slid under the table. You’re married, she recited. Mr. Howard’s back spanned the length of her arms from fingertip to fingertip. Built. Perfect V shape. Hot!

The couple drew apart, but one lean arm remained anchored to Brandi. Bright green eyes glimmered and a dimple grove formed on his handsome face. God was he a mind reader or had her face given away her thoughts again? Instantly, two groves formed on his dark angelic face. Oops, poker-face, better keep the x-rated thoughts hidden.

He chuckled. “Hi, I’m Niall Howard.”

“Yes, I gathered. I’m Ramona Bauchert, Delaware County Reporter.” She extended a hot, slightly wet hand.

“Ramona’s the reporter I told you about. I’m going to show her the rooms upstairs.”

“Great. Good press is always wanted here.”

Much to Ramona’s dismay, he let go of her hand. Warmth flooded her entire body.

“Fantastic. I’m going to collect the kids from school. Nice to meet you, Ramona. I’m sure you’ll have a delightful afternoon.” He nodded, kissed his wife’s cheek and long legs took him to the entrance.

The rest of the interview went swiftly, then I found my own angel who ignited his own type of fire.

End of interview.
Ramona Bauchert, Muncie, Indiana
Delaware County Reporter

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm

ADULT CONTENT
Dark Sun
by jj Keller

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to
be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,
organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Dark Sun
Copyright© 2010 jj Keller
ISBN: 978-1-60088-589-1
Cover Artist: PJ Edwards
Editor: Devin Govaere
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in reviews.
Cobblestone Press, LLC
www.cobblestone-press.com

Dark Sun by jj Keller
Chapter One
Niall leaned against the cement statue of one of the founding
fathers of State University and observed the newest Guardian Squad
recruit, Mark Kepler. Mark prepared to send Charles Janes to Hell.
Three centuries had passed, and in all that time, Niall had met few
humans who deserved to go to the first level of Hell as much as this one.
Janes worked in higher education, influencing students with his wicked
ways, intimidating his staff to the point that two out of three were on a
depression drug. Niall didn’t drill into the professor’s mind to find out
what methods Janes used to mistreat his wife and children. Although
Mark had searched Charles’ past.
Janes was a tall, white-haired, gray-skinned perp. As he leaned
against the brown wall of the university’s library, his frayed gray and
black hound’s-tooth jacket and dark gray trousers didn’t stand out in the
night. He’d chosen an excellent location, behind the statue, with limited
lighting.
Scratch…hiss…scratch…hiss added a sick melody as his rough
hands scraped the brick. Scratch, up slid his hands. Hiss, down slid his
hands. And, in cadence, Janes pumped his cock in and out of the lovely
co-ed. The scent of salty musk from pre-ejaculation caught in the midnight
breeze, filtering into Niall’s nose, making him want to gag.
Groans and moans came from beneath the instructor of misdeeds.
He had the young woman locked between his diseased penis and the hard
concrete of the wall. Janes stopped pumping and peeked behind him.

Even in the presence of a higher being, Janes’ cocky attitude continued.
Mark glanced into the man’s left eye, the only one visible from their
viewpoint. “Charles Janes, this will be the last time you’ll exchange sex for
grades and psychologically abuse the only people who by God’s grace
care for you.”
Janes continued to bump and grind.
Niall wanted to laugh at Janes’ audacity. Didn’t he realize he was
eyeballing a messenger from the highest deity?
“Miss Zico Newman, grab your book bag and leave.” Mark
nodded.
Miss Newman shoved the pimping professor, pulled her jean
mini-skirt down and wiped her mouth. She jerked her canvas sack onto
her shoulder and softly padded along the cement path toward the parking
lot.
A zipper’s grinding teeth disturbed the silence. Janes fastened his
trousers and turned to face them. His lips twisted into a smirk. Mark flung
out a pointed finger.
“Evil seeps through your pours. But no more. He who bewitches,
the malevolent, and the evil eye. The sorcery of evil conjure it. Spirit of
Heaven, conjure it. Bite the fire, bite the fire. ‘Tis between the Father of
thee, the Son with me, and the Holy Spirit. So mote it be.” Mark’s vow
came with a snap of lightning.
There wasn’t a chance of pleading or repentance. Charles Janes’ red
soul went deep into the blazing pits of Hell and nothing but the pungent
scent of sulfur and a few flakes of ash remained, blowing in the fall
Arkansas breeze.
“You changed the incantation a little.” Niall unfolded his arms and
shoved away from the long coat of the cement statue.
“Hope that’s okay. Henri never said anything, and I think Holy
Spirit is more age specific than holy ghost.” Mark wiped his face where
ashes had splattered on him and mumbled, “I know, keep up wind.”
Niall shrugged. “It works for me, evil twice, bite, fire and now
spirit, kind of balances it out.”
He wasn’t surprised Mark had a strong streak of independence.

According to his mentor, Henri Chambers, Mark had been able to delve
into his psyche. Mark’s intuitiveness was the main reason he had been
selected for the Guardian Squad. However, prying into the mind of one of
God’s troops was unheard of—until Mark Kepler accepted the position of
scythe-wielding grim reaper.
All American in appearance and only thirty years old, Mark was an
infant. He made the correct decision to send Janes to Hell, and he got the
transmission correct, but he wavered. A Guardian had to judge and
charge justice in a moment’s time. If Mark had been prepared and had
considered the facts using his mind instead of his heart, there wouldn’t
have been a delay.
Niall shook off a smidgen of ash. “You hesitated for a second,
which bothers me. When you created your Roll Call list, and you printed
each name, did you delve into the mind of the person determining their
true character?”
“Yes, of course. How else would I know their spirit?”
“Mark, sometimes their evil natures make me wonder how humans
co-exist. The preliminary character analysis should be sanctified later as
you approach the person, and at that time, their true character would be
determined. If a change has occurred in their nefarious activities from the
time you wrote his or her name to incineration, you need to discuss—”
“The process of retribution. If the individual had a desire to wash
away his or her sins, I’d give him or her a moment to think about which
way they want to go, Heaven’s Weigh Station or Hell.”
“Right. The key is in preparation. You need to look deep into each
soul and it’s difficult with some. Older people are easier to make a
judgment with, but evil is taking over earth, and the dark sides are being
exposed at a younger age. Ten-year-olds are killing their parents or a
neighborhood kid who disagrees with them. The world is changing and
I’m afraid our job will become more complex, which means you cannot
hesitate.”
“I understand. Prepare, no hesitation, and stay down wind,” Mark
said with a straight face.
Was he being funny or serious? Niall couldn’t read the guy. More

amazing was that Mark could block his thoughts as if he’d been a member
of the Guardian Squad for centuries instead of a couple of years.
“The final phase of your certification is to approach family
members and friends for recognition. We’ll visit the bar you and your
sister, Tori, owned and operated and then stop over with Tori and Henri.
Hopefully, all of their memories of you will have been erased. She won’t
remember she had a brother. None of your friends will recognize you. Are
you ready?” Niall disliked this part of the testing for a new recruit. The
most difficult aspect of becoming a member of the Guardian Squad was
leaving your loved ones behind. Critical to the success of a Guardian was
being able to abandon people he cared about and not seek them, or any of
his descendants, in the future. Heartbreaking was how he’d describe the
ceremonial visit. Many times the chat with loved ones made a grown,
logical man weep, as all humans seek acknowledgment.
Niall thanked his mum and da for not having genes of an empath.
To observe the separation of Guardian from his family was difficult
enough without feeling the emotions of loss, betrayal, and anger. Having
the abilities of an empath would just about kill him—if he were alive.
“You mean I’m to see and talk to Tori?” Mark asked, hope igniting
his blue eyes.
“Yes, you’ll see and talk with her. Next we’ll go to Dark Shadows.
Two years have passed, and it may seem like only two days in our time,
but it’s a long time in the human experience. Changes have occurred. If
Echo was successful in wiping your friends and acquaintances’ memories,
they will not recognize you. It is important to understand, if you hadn’t
chosen to become this elite member of Heaven’s core, they would know
you. They would express their love for you. Do not lose your faith because
someone you hold dear sees you as a stranger and turns away.” The entire
time Niall was eulogizing this key element of becoming a member of the
Squad he thought of his family he’d left in Ireland in 1849. They had been
poor, dirt poor. He became a Guardian in order to help them. He missed
his kin more, instead of less, through the years. No doubt others felt the
same way, and he hoped to prepare Mark for the reality of not existing to
people he’d known his entire life.

“Henri made the point very clear. I get it.” Mark swiped evil dust
off his shirt. “How long will it take?”
“Forever. You never stop thinking about the ones you love, even if
they’ve forgotten you.” Niall failed to prevent his voice from seeping with
sadness. He shook his head. Why did he feel so melancholy? Kepler
wasn’t his first fledgling. “Your recruiter, Henri, experienced a rare
occurrence. One doesn’t become a member of the Guardian Squad, then
return to human life. Despite how much time has passed.”
“Why was Henri allowed to return to Earth, in human form, and
age alongside my sister?” Mark crossed his arms at his chest. Standing at
six foot, he was taller than Niall. But in his business, size wasn’t relevant.
Niall might not have the height, but he could kick ass if needed.
“Exceptional as a swordsman and knighted by the King of France
himself, Henri had gained the favor of the ancients. Despite the lack of
blood flowing through the council members’ bodies, their souls continue
to have hope, and they dream the dreams of mortals.” There it was.
Although he displayed no outward body language, Mark blocked a piece
of his thoughts, a spark of something that urged Niall to search the
recruit’s mind. He was hiding an element of himself that might affect his
abilities to perform as a true Guardian. “So, Henri was granted life. He
retains his memories of his years of being a Guardian. The occurrence
happened on a whim of the esoteric council, and they will more than
likely never grant life to an immortal again.”
Mark finger combed his bright blond hair. “Could we do the bar
first? I might need to recover once I see Tori, and she doesn’t remember
me.”
“Yes, of course. Midnight here in Arkansas, one in the morning at
Dark Shadows.” Niall held out his hand. “Lead the way.”
They teleported to Cyan, Indiana. Mere seconds had passed. Niall
enjoyed the rush of his molecules shifting from place to place. He never
felt the heat others complained about, just a melody of dynamic lights and
pleasant tingles. Mark, on the other hand, arrived a little unsteady. His
face was pale, marked by the blush of red staining his cheeks.
“Accelerated pulse, heightened awareness?”
“You’d think after two years I’d be used to the reconfiguring.”
Mark rubbed his thighs.
“Usually the heat and fatigue enters the fragile part of your
foundation. Your thighs must be the weakest area of your body.” Niall
rubbed his chin. “When we get back to the office, I’m going to add a
regimen of calisthenics to your training.”
“Do you mean weightlifting or running?” Mark lifted an eyebrow
and then swiped a lock of hair from his forehead.
Niall thought he was in tune with the current language, but
apparently not. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. You’ll have time since your
powers are stronger than most. You won’t need to go through the
additional training to learn how to project items into space or discuss
issues with spirits.”
Mark inhaled. “Both then. Smell that? Yeast, fried foods, the sweat
of a hard-working man. Dark Shadows hadn’t changed. I’ll re-experience
all the things I loved about the bar.”
“I’m hoping they’ll have a dark, thick beer,” Niall replied and held
open the heavy, rounded oak door. “Your tavern looks a little medieval in
nature. Your interests and tastes always seem to lean toward antiquity. If I
didn’t know better, I’d think you were blood kin to Henri.”
“Yes, Henri and I are alike in many ways. Let’s get a sandwich.
Brandi makes the best grilled burgers in the state.” Mark rushed into the
bar.
Niall entered the tavern. He adjusted to the humidity, the scents of
fried onions, spilled liquor, and the beautiful sight of attractive women
wearing short skirts. The servers wore tight black shirts with Dark
Shadows embossed in silver calligraphy. Americans were his favorite of
all the humans. They knew how to live life to the fullest, no holds barred.
Niall jingled the coins in his pockets and grinned. This would be fun.
Mark found a vacant stool and rested an elbow on the brass railing.
He chatted with a thin older woman with white hair piled high on her
head. She gave him that hospitable customer greeting smile and moved to
the tap to fill a mug with draft beer.
Niall sidestepped a robust man. By the odor coming from his
breath, he’d consumed a vast amount of alcohol. The inebriated boob
stumbled, slamming into people and chairs.
“Tom, you need to wait on the cab I’ve ordered. You are not, I
repeat not, to drive.” A tiny black-haired beauty slipped behind Tom.
“Ah, Brandi love, dump that fireman and come live with me.” He
ended the platitude with a belch.
“Boxer, come escort Tom to the curb and wait for his ride.” Brandi
dragged the waddling man forward a few steps.
A balding Goliath took hold of the drunk’s arm and, nearly lifting
him, rushed him to the exit.
Niall didn’t need to see the woman’s face to recognize her soul.
She pivoted, coming toe-to-toe with Niall and threw out a tiny pale
hand. “Hi, I’m Brandi Sedgewick…the owner of Dark Shadows. May I get
you something to drink?”
Niall took a deep breath. His heart hurt. His lungs must have
collapsed because he could not release the air. Shake her hand, nimrod. With
trembling fingers, he tugged his hands from his pants pocket. Coins
splattered on the floor.
She gave a brief laugh and dropped to the floor. Niall joined her,
picking up bits of copper and brass.
“Here you go.” Brandi handed him a few pieces of silver. Her touch
sent quivers through him. She must have been equally affected, as her
fingers shook. Time had passed, so much in fact, he wasn’t sure he’d
recognize her if he chanced upon her. But he had. The woman in front of
him causing his disabled heart to thump was his true soul mate, his wife.
Brandi clutched her hands together, and Niall evaluated the coins
in his palm.
“I have one coin missing.” Niall had to find the worn gold piece.
She looked at him as if he were a member of the lowest class. “It has
sentimental value. Passed down through generations of Howards. The
queen’s head is barely visible, but …”
“The coin is like a security blanket.”
Bam! Her words crushed him in one devastating blow…

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm

David Boreanaz angel or demon, does it matter?

2011-01-05T09:56:00.005-05:00

David Boreanaz
He went from a vampire in Buffy to ANGEL in his own series.

Years later, he continues to spin my world as an FBI agent in Bones. Will the man ever age?

Hot forever, thank you for the magic, David Boreanaz.

Photos:
http://www.wallpaperbase.com/celebsm-davidboreanaz.shtml

Coffee Time Romance

2011-01-03T08:52:00.009-05:00

Jan.10
• Lisa Marie Wilkinson
• Lisa Fox
• Mocha Memoirs Press

Jan. 11
• Paige Tyler
• Deanna Jewel
• Zumaya Publications

Jan.12
• Kay Dee Royal
• Jackie M. Smith

Jan.13
• Charlie Cochrane
• jj Keller
• Lyrical Press

Jan. 14
• Nicole Gestalt
• Tracey Kitts

Jan. 15
• Aline de Chevigny
• Lissa Matthews
• Wild Rose Press

Jan.17
• Lindsay Below
• Elizabeth Black
• J. H. Bográn

Jan.18
• Rebecca Goings
• Diana Castilleja
• Evernight Publishing

Jan.19
• Denysé Bridger
• Madeleine Drake
• Annie Marshall

Jan.20
• Judith Rochelle
• Kaily Hart
• Amy Ruttan

Jan.21
• Stacey Kennedy
• Stacy-Deanne
• White Rose Publishing

Jan.22
• Alison Chambers
• KS Augustin / Kaz Augustin

Jan.24
• Ingela F. Hyatt
• Piper Denna
• Autum Piper

Jan.25
• Missy Jane
• Janice Seagraves
• Moongypsy Press

Jan.26
• Sandra Cox
• Hywela Lyn

Jan.27
• Ellora's Cave
• Karenna Colcroft, Nina Pierce,Ashlyn Chase, Cindy Jacks, Ann Jacobs, V. J. Devereaux, Paige Tyler, Shoshanna Evers, Madelle Morgan, Katalina Leon, Dee Brice,Berengaria Brown, Paris Brandon,Julia Devlin, Chloe Cole, Tracey Kitts, Tara Nina, Calista Fox, Jean Hart Stewart, Haven Isley,Kaily Hart, Missy Jane, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Tory Richardson,

Jan.28
• Rhonda Print
• Samantha Gentry whose Harlequin/Silhouette backlist was written under the name of Shawna Delacorte
• JMS Books

Jan. 29
• Avon Authors
• Avon Books

Jan.31
• Liam Stalls
• Champagne Books
• Carnal Passions

Feb.1
• Savannah Chase
• Tina Donahue
• Decadent Publishing

Feb.2
• Sarah A. Hoyt
• Joyce DiPastena
• Sapphire Blue Publishing - Missy Jane, Virginia Nelson, Buffy Christopher, D.L. Mains, J.S. Nichols,

Feb.3
• Diane Parkinson
• Annie West
• Highland Press

Feb.4
• Sandra Sookoo
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• Amber Quill Press

Feb.5
• Linda Mooney
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• Brenda Whiteside
• Untreed Reads Publishing

Feb.7
• Justine Elyot
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• Killarney Sheffield

Feb.8
• Simon & Schuster

Feb.9
• Amber Scott
• Leila Brown
• Wendi Zwaduk
• Gail Pallotta

Feb.10
• Kari Thomas
• Gianna Bruno
• Choc Lit Team

Look for this icon on each author page for GRAND prizes to be given away each day!

Coffee Time Romance Link

Names and angels

2010-12-15T09:52:00.001-05:00

I inherited my name from my paternal grandmother, NJK. As many know, when you inherit a name it’s not always lovely. Although I’m not a fan of my name, I loved my grandmother dearly. She was a sophisticated creative woman, who taught me much about life like making rock gardens from stones (i.e. lemonade from lemons) and artistic endeavors as well; for example, angels from milkweed pods.

Milkweeds grow along country roads and are tenacious enough to take root in corn and bean fields. If you’re not familiar with this weed the shell resembles two angel wings merged together, about one inch in length. Feather fluff webbing with seeds attached at the ends of each was inside the casing. When the husk is ripped from the stem a glue-like substance bleeds from inside. I love them.

When Dad went to the far forty to check the fields I went along. More than once we had to chase away a camp of gypsies settled near the river as they’d pick the field corn and treat it as sweet corn. He was always nice and non-threatening, which provided me an excellent role model and insight into people I wouldn’t have encountered if I’d have stayed at home. If no excitement occurred, I often grew bored.

To satisfy the boredom, I’d sit on the gate of the rusty blue pickup and entertain myself using my imagination and whatever plant life I could find nearby. One particular Saturday, late in the season, as the stalks were taller than the cab of the truck, I plastered myself on the hot metal while my dad carried on boring conversation with the renter/caretaker of acreage with lots of low spots. They discussed how rain was causing mold to grow on the corn.

Snooze!

I spied a particularly large milkweed out of the corner of my eye. Jumping from the tailgate, I tugged and twisted the pods until they came off. I could create Christmas ornaments early this year.

With at least ten snug inside my Purdue baseball cap, the creamy sticky substance smeared across the black cotton, making the hat unusable afterwards. The mix of elementary school white and instant glue stuck to my fingers and didn’t come off my hands regardless how many strokes I took across the grassy surface of the ground. The grasses added to the mess on my hands with a fine coat of white and black fuzz.

Back on top of the time-worn tailgate I glanced at my padre, he didn’t appear to be near the end of his conversation. The renter glanced at my pod filled cap and smiled, showing his tar stained teeth, which I took to mean have fun. I supported my back against the rough metal railing, crossed my sneaker clad feet and proceeded to rip open the pods. Using a short thumbnail at the seam; trying to keep the two pieces joined at the back so later they could be attached to a dowel rod to represent angel wings, I pried them apart. Astute enough to realize if I plucked the angel hair out with my hands it would adhere. Nothing would get accomplished and I’d have hairy fingers. I cracked the shell and blew the glimmering bits of fluff, imagining tiny little angels floating through the air.

Until my father shouted, “Stop!”

As if with ears, the fuzz quickly fell to the ground hiding beneath the truck bed.

“What are you doing?”

“Going to make angels, like Grandmother taught me.” I’m not in the least bit shy, but by my soft spoken voice the renter probably thought I was a very bashful and backward child. My father’s frown didn’t diminish by my linking the act with his mother.

“Those are weeds and we don’t want—“

“Weeds in our fields,” I piped.

Dad smiled. “Right. Ready to go?”

“Yes, sir.” I picked up my cap and gathered as much angel fluff on my fingers as possible, then moved inside the cab.

A slight autumn-scented breezed whipped across my face. I glanced out the open passenger window. Several angels had escaped and were flying on the winds, looking for a place to settle and produce new plants for other imaginative young girls to pluck their seeds and create wonderful works of simple art.

Angels have been an inspiration for me in all of my writing. Check out my latest: Dark Shadows sequel: DARK SUN from Cobblestone Press.

Dark Sun, He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation.
(Link to: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm)

The path to heaven is riddled with roadblocks.
One hot human might sway Niall from his heavenly goal.

Brandi's simple goal is to open a restaurant, except a twisted fire starter is destroying her building. A mysterious man enters her life and might be the culprit, but she desires him.

Dark Sun
ISBN: 978-1-60088-5891
Buy: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/comingsoon.htm
Or: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Cover Artist: PJ Edwards
Editor: Devin Govaere

Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA

Excerpt:
Chapter One

Niall leaned against the cement statue of one of the founding fathers of State University and observed the newest Guardian Squad recruit, Mark Kepler. Mark prepared to send Charles Janes to Hell.
Three centuries had passed, and in all that time, Niall had met few humans who deserved to go to the first level of Hell as much as this one. Janes worked in higher education, influencing students with his wicked ways, intimidating his staff to the point that two out of three were on a depression drug. Niall didn’t drill into the professor’s mind to find out what methods Janes used to mistreat his wife and children. Although Mark had searched Charles’ past.
Janes was a tall, white-haired, gray-skinned perp. As he leaned against the brown wall of the university’s library, his frayed gray and black hound’s-tooth jacket and dark gray trousers didn’t stand out in the night. He’d chosen an excellent location, behind the statue, with limited lighting.
Scratch…hiss…scratch…hiss added a sick melody as his rough hands scraped the brick. Scratch, up slid his hands. Hiss, down slid his hands. And, in cadence, Janes pumped his cock in and out of the lovely co-ed. The scent of salty musk from pre-ejaculation caught in the midnight breeze, filtering into Niall’s nose, making him want to gag.
Groans and moans came from beneath the instructor of misdeeds. He had the young woman locked between his diseased penis and the hard concrete of the wall. Janes stopped pumping and peeked behind him. Even in the presence of a higher being, Janes’ cocky attitude continued.
Mark glanced into the man’s left eye, the only one visible from their viewpoint. “Charles Janes, this will be the last time you’ll exchange sex for grades and psychologically abuse the only people who by God’s grace care for you.”
Janes continued to bump and grind.
Niall wanted to laugh at Janes’ audacity. Didn’t he realize he was eyeballing a messenger from the highest deity?
“Miss Zico Newman, grab your book bag and leave.” Mark nodded.
Miss Newman shoved the pimping professor, pulled her jean mini-skirt down and wiped her mouth. She jerked her canvas sack onto her shoulder and softly padded along the cement path toward the parking lot.
A zipper’s grinding teeth disturbed the silence. Janes fastened his trousers and turned to face them. His lips twisted into a smirk. Mark flung out a pointed finger.
“Evil seeps through your pours. But no more. He who bewitches, the malevolent, and the evil eye. The sorcery of evil conjure it. Spirit of Heaven, conjure it. Bite the fire, bite the fire. ‘Tis between the Father of thee, the Son with me, and the Holy Spirit. So mote it be.” Mark’s vow came with a snap of lightning.
There wasn’t a chance of pleading or repentance. Charles Janes’ red soul went deep into the blazing pits of Hell and nothing but the pungent scent of sulfur and a few flakes of ash remained, blowing in the fall Arkansas breeze.
“You changed the incantation a little.” Niall unfolded his arms and shoved away from the long coat of the cement statue.
“Hope that’s okay. Henri never said anything, and I think Holy Spirit is more age specific than holy ghost.” Mark wiped his face where ashes had splattered on him and mumbled, “I know, keep up wind.”
Niall shrugged. “It works for me, evil twice, bite, fire and now spirit, kind of balances it out.”
He wasn’t surprised Mark had a strong streak of independence. According to his mentor, Henri Chambers, Mark had been able to delve into his psyche. Mark’s intuitiveness was the main reason he had been selected for the Guardian Squad. However, prying into the mind of one of God’s troops was unheard of—until Mark Kepler accepted the position of scythe-wielding grim reaper.
All American in appearance and only thirty years old, Mark was an infant. He made the correct decision to send Janes to Hell, and he got the transmission correct, but he wavered. A Guardian had to judge and charge justice in a moment’s time. If Mark had been prepared and had considered the facts using his mind instead of his heart, there wouldn’t have been a delay.
Niall shook off a smidgen of ash. “You hesitated for a second, which bothers me. When you created your Roll Call list, and you printed each name, did you delve into the mind of the person determining their true character?”
“Yes, of course. How else would I know their spirit?”
“Mark, sometimes their evil natures make me wonder how humans co-exist. The preliminary character analysis should be sanctified later as you approach the person, and at that time, their true character would be determined. If a change has occurred in their nefarious activities from the time you wrote his or her name to incineration, you need to discuss—”
“The process of retribution. If the individual had a desire to wash away his or her sins, I’d give him or her a moment to think about which way they want to go, Heaven’s Weigh Station or Hell.”
“Right. The key is in preparation. You need to look deep into each soul and it’s difficult with some. Older people are easier to make a judgment with, but evil is taking over earth, and the dark sides are being exposed at a younger age. Ten-year-olds are killing their parents or a neighborhood kid who disagrees with them. The world is changing and I’m afraid our job will become more complex, which means you cannot hesitate.”
“I understand. Prepare, no hesitation, and stay down wind,” Mark said with a straight face.
Was he being funny or serious? Niall couldn’t read the guy. More amazing was that Mark could block his thoughts as if he’d been a member of the Guardian Squad for centuries instead of a couple of years.
“The final phase of your certification is to approach family members and friends for recognition. We’ll visit the bar you and your sister, Tori, owned and operated and then stop over with Tori and Henri. Hopefully, all of their memories of you will have been erased. She won’t remember she had a brother. None of your friends will recognize you. Are you ready?” Niall disliked this part of the testing for a new recruit. The most difficult aspect of becoming a member of the Guardian Squad was leaving your loved ones behind. Critical to the success of a Guardian was being able to abandon people he cared about and not seek them, or any of his descendants, in the future. Heartbreaking was how he’d describe the ceremonial visit. Many times the chat with loved ones made a grown, logical man weep, as all humans seek acknowledgement.
Niall thanked his mum and da for not having genes of an empath. To observe the separation of Guardian from his family was difficult enough without feeling the emotions of loss, betrayal, and anger. Having the abilities of an empath would just about kill him—if he were alive.
“You mean I’m to see and talk to Tori?” Mark asked, hope igniting his blue eyes.
“Yes, you’ll see and talk with her. Next we’ll go to Dark Shadows. Two years have passed, and it may seem like only two days in our time, but it’s a long time in the human experience. Changes have occurred. If Echo was successful in wiping your friends and acquaintances’ memories, they will not recognize you. It is important to understand, if you hadn’t chosen to become this elite member of Heaven’s core, they would know you. They would express their love for you. Do not lose your faith because someone you hold dear sees you as a stranger and turns away.” The entire time Niall was eulogizing this key element of becoming a member of the Squad he thought of his family he’d left in Ireland in 1849. They had been poor, dirt poor. He became a Guardian in order to help them. He missed his kin more, instead of less, through the years. No doubt others felt the same way, and he hoped to prepare Mark for the reality of not existing to people he’d known his entire life.
“Henri made the point very clear. I get it.” Mark swiped evil dust off his shirt. “How long will it take?”
“Forever. You never stop thinking about the ones you love, even if they’ve forgotten you.” Niall failed to prevent his voice from seeping with sadness. He shook his head. Why did he feel so melancholy? Kepler wasn’t his first fledgling. “Your recruiter, Henri, experienced a rare occurrence. One doesn’t become a member of the Guardian Squad, then return to human life. Despite how much time has passed.”
“Why was Henri allowed to return to Earth, in human form, and age alongside my sister?” Mark crossed his arms at his chest. Standing at six foot, he was taller than Niall. But in his business, size wasn’t relevant. Niall might not have the height, but he could kick ass if needed.
“Exceptional as a swordsman and knighted by the King of France himself, Henri had gained the favor of the ancients. Despite the lack of blood flowing through the council members’ bodies, their souls continue to have hope, and they dream the dreams of mortals.” There it was. Although he displayed no outward body language, Mark blocked a piece of his thoughts, a spark of something that urged Niall to search the recruit’s mind. He was hiding an element of himself that might affect his abilities to perform as a true Guardian. “So, Henri was granted life. He retains his memories of his years of being a Guardian. The occurrence happened on a whim of the esoteric council, and they will more than likely never grant life to an immortal again.”
Mark finger combed his bright blond hair. “Could we do the bar first? I might need to recover once I see Tori, and she doesn’t remember me.”
“Yes, of course. Midnight here in Arkansas, one in the morning at Dark Shadows.” Niall held out his hand. “Lead the way.”
They teleported to Cyan, Indiana. Mere seconds had passed. Niall enjoyed the rush of his molecules shifting from place to place. He never felt the heat others complained about, just a melody of dynamic lights and pleasant tingles. Mark, on the other hand, arrived a little unsteady. His face was pale, marked by the blush of red staining his cheeks.
“Accelerated pulse, heightened awareness?”
“You’d think after two years I’d be used to the reconfiguring.” Mark rubbed his thighs.
“Usually the heat and fatigue enters the fragile part of your foundation. Your thighs must be the weakest area of your body.” Niall rubbed his chin. “When we get back to the office, I’m going to add a regimen of calisthenics to your training.”
“Do you mean weightlifting or running?” Mark lifted an eyebrow and then swiped a lock of hair from his forehead.
Niall thought he was in tune with the current language, but apparently not. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. You’ll have time since your powers are stronger than most. You won’t need to go through the additional training to learn how to project items into space or discuss issues with spirits.”
Mark inhaled. “Both then. Smell that? Yeast, fried foods, the sweat of a hard-working man. Dark Shadows hadn’t changed. I’ll re-experience all the things I loved about the bar.”
“I’m hoping they’ll have a dark, thick beer,” Niall replied and held open the heavy, rounded oak door. “Your tavern looks a little medieval in nature. Your interests and tastes always seem to lean toward antiquity. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were blood kin to Henri.”
“Yes, Henri and I are alike in many ways. Let’s get a sandwich. Brandi makes the best grilled burgers in the state.” Mark rushed into the bar.
Niall entered the tavern. He adjusted to the humidity, the scents of fried onions, spilled liquor, and the beautiful sight of attractive women wearing short skirts. The servers wore tight black shirts with Dark Shadows embossed in silver calligraphy. Americans were his favorite of all the humans. They knew how to live life to the fullest, no holds barred. Niall jingled the coins in his pockets and grinned. This would be fun.
Mark found a vacant stool and rested an elbow on the brass railing. He chatted with a thin older woman with white hair piled high on her head. She gave him that hospitable customer greeting smile and moved to the tap to fill a mug with draft beer.
Niall sidestepped a robust man. By the odor coming from his breath, he’d consumed a vast amount of alcohol. The inebriated boob stumbled, slamming into people and chairs.
“Tom, you need to wait on the cab I’ve ordered. You are not, I repeat not, to drive.” A tiny black-haired beauty slipped behind Tom.
“Ah, Brandi love, dump that fireman and come live with me.” He ended the platitude with a belch.
“Boxer, come escort Tom to the curb and wait for his ride.” Brandi dragged the waddling man forward a few steps.
A balding Goliath took hold of the drunk’s arm and, nearly lifting him, rushed him to the exit.
Niall didn’t need to see the woman’s face to recognize her soul.
She pivoted, coming toe-to-toe with Niall and threw out a tiny pale hand. “Hi, I’m Brandi Sedgewick…the owner of Dark Shadows. May I get you something to drink?”
Niall took a deep breath. His heart hurt. His lungs must have collapsed because he could not release the air. Shake her hand, nimrod. With trembling fingers, he tugged his hands from his pants pocket. Coins splattered on the floor.

Other titles:
The Watcher
Believe
Melody's Song
The Ghost Inside
The Tarot Card
Trade Agreement
Undercover Housewife
Love Hurts

jj Keller
Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA
LOVE HURTS & Undercover Housewife: http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller
Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book. www.thewildrosepress.com print and eprint.
All rights reserved.

WIN! A prize is almost guaranteed on Sunday, December 12, 2010

2010-12-10T12:13:00.003-05:00

You are cordially invited to THE EVENT of the Season when Destiny Blaine and all her friends take over the LR Café Loop for a fun filled day of books, gifts and more.

It’s time for Destiny Blaine’s and Friends Annual Favorite Things Christmas Giveaway

DATE: December 12th, 2010
TIME: 9 AM EST start time till ???
WHERE: LR Café Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe)

Some of Destiny’s Friends popping in this day and giving away a few of their favorite things are:
JJ Keller
Gianna Bruno
Giselle Renard
Melody Layne
Sayde Grace
Natalie Acres
Addison Avery
Christina James
James Hatch
Sam Cheever
Bethany Gaines
Skylar Sinclair
Lex Valentine
Ariel Tachna
Eternal Press
Damnation Publishing
Realms of Fantasy Magazine
Sandy Sullivan
Selena Illyria
Lizzie T. Leaf
Whispers Publishing
Selena Kitt
Cammie Eicher
Trinity Blancio
Tess MacKall
Cynthia R. Arsuaga
Secret Cravings Publishing
Dark Castle Lords
Changeling Press
Samhain Publishing
Siren-Bookstrand
Manlove Romance/Passion In Print
Aspen Mountain Press
Evernight Publishing
Tabitha Shay
Michele Hart
Laura Tolomei
Jenika Snow
Kiki Howell
Jennifer Campbell
Desiree Holt
Ginger Simpson
Jessica Freely
Nicole Morgan
Jillian Chantal
Barrie Abalard
Christie Gordan
Missy Martine

Plus over 100 more authors and publishers will be around this day as well.

Readers, authors and publishers are giving away their FAVORITE THINGS and you’re invited to come on out and see what you can win because a lot of winners will go home with their arms loaded down with prizes. If you aren’t a member of Love Romances Café, go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe/ and join now.
So come on over to the LR Café December 12th and party with Destiny and her friends. It looks like Christmas will be coming early for her readers. Will it be one of you?

Stars a plenty by The Romance Studio.

2010-11-10T12:40:00.001-05:00

Dark Sun as reviewed by The Romance Studio
"This was a powerful, paranormal erotic romance of good against evil. I enjoyed that this story of right versus wrong not only introduces the readers to angels and demons but also mentions sirens, elves and sea nymphs while it weaves the threads of fate and reincarnation."
Theresa Joseph

Full Review

D.A.M.M blog

2010-10-20T17:01:00.003-04:00

If you haven't visited Eliza Gayle's blogspot....do!
Frightening fun...

D.A.M.M.
http://elizagayle.net/thedammblog/

Dark Sun: He's almost an angel and she's pure temptation.

2010-10-08T08:12:00.003-04:00

The path to heaven is riddled with roadblocks.
One hot human might sway Niall from his heavenly goal.

Brandi's simple goal is to open a restaurant, except a twisted firestarter is destroying her building. A mysterious man enters her life and might be the culprit, but she desires him.

Dark Sun
ISBN: 978-1-60088-5891
Buy: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/comingsoon.htm
Or: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Cover Artist: PJ Edwards
Editor: Devin Govaere

Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA

Excerpt:
Chapter One

Niall leaned against the cement statue of one of the founding fathers of State University and observed the newest Guardian Squad recruit, Mark Kepler. Mark prepared to send Charles Janes to Hell.
Three centuries had passed, and in all that time, Niall had met few humans who deserved to go to the first level of Hell as much as this one. Janes worked in higher education, influencing students with his wicked ways, intimidating his staff to the point that two out of three were on a depression drug. Niall didn’t drill into the professor’s mind to find out what methods Janes used to mistreat his wife and children. Although Mark had searched Charles’ past.
Janes was a tall, white-haired, gray-skinned perp. As he leaned against the brown wall of the university’s library, his frayed gray and black hound’s-tooth jacket and dark gray trousers didn’t stand out in the night. He’d chosen an excellent location, behind the statue, with limited lighting.
Scratch…hiss…scratch…hiss added a sick melody as his rough hands scraped the brick. Scratch, up slid his hands. Hiss, down slid his hands. And, in cadence, Janes pumped his cock in and out of the lovely co-ed. The scent of salty musk from pre-ejaculation caught in the midnight breeze, filtering into Niall’s nose, making him want to gag.
Groans and moans came from beneath the instructor of misdeeds. He had the young woman locked between his diseased penis and the hard concrete of the wall. Janes stopped pumping and peeked behind him. Even in the presence of a higher being, Janes’ cocky attitude continued.
Mark glanced into the man’s left eye, the only one visible from their viewpoint. “Charles Janes, this will be the last time you’ll exchange sex for grades and psychologically abuse the only people who by God’s grace care for you.”
Janes continued to bump and grind.
Niall wanted to laugh at Janes’ audacity. Didn’t he realize he was eyeballing a messenger from the highest deity?
“Miss Zico Newman, grab your book bag and leave.” Mark nodded.
Miss Newman shoved the pimping professor, pulled her jean mini-skirt down and wiped her mouth. She jerked her canvas sack onto her shoulder and softly padded along the cement path toward the parking lot.
A zipper’s grinding teeth disturbed the silence. Janes fastened his trousers and turned to face them. His lips twisted into a smirk. Mark flung out a pointed finger.
“Evil seeps through your pours. But no more. He who bewitches, the malevolent, and the evil eye. The sorcery of evil conjure it. Spirit of Heaven, conjure it. Bite the fire, bite the fire. ‘Tis between the Father of thee, the Son with me, and the Holy Spirit. So mote it be.” Mark’s vow came with a snap of lightning.
There wasn’t a chance of pleading or repentance. Charles Janes’ red soul went deep into the blazing pits of Hell and nothing but the pungent scent of sulfur and a few flakes of ash remained, blowing in the fall Arkansas breeze.
“You changed the incantation a little.” Niall unfolded his arms and shoved away from the long coat of the cement statue.
“Hope that’s okay. Henri never said anything, and I think Holy Spirit is more age specific than holy ghost.” Mark wiped his face where ashes had splattered on him and mumbled, “I know, keep up wind.”
Niall shrugged. “It works for me, evil twice, bite, fire and now spirit, kind of balances it out.”
He wasn’t surprised Mark had a strong streak of independence. According to his mentor, Henri Chambers, Mark had been able to delve into his psyche. Mark’s intuitiveness was the main reason he had been selected for the Guardian Squad. However, prying into the mind of one of God’s troops was unheard of—until Mark Kepler accepted the position of scythe-wielding grim reaper.
All American in appearance and only thirty years old, Mark was an infant. He made the correct decision to send Janes to Hell, and he got the transmission correct, but he wavered. A Guardian had to judge and charge justice in a moment’s time. If Mark had been prepared and had considered the facts using his mind instead of his heart, there wouldn’t have been a delay.
Niall shook off a smidgen of ash. “You hesitated for a second, which bothers me. When you created your Roll Call list, and you printed each name, did you delve into the mind of the person determining their true character?”
“Yes, of course. How else would I know their spirit?”
“Mark, sometimes their evil natures make me wonder how humans co-exist. The preliminary character analysis should be sanctified later as you approach the person, and at that time, their true character would be determined. If a change has occurred in their nefarious activities from the time you wrote his or her name to incineration, you need to discuss—”
“The process of retribution. If the individual had a desire to wash away his or her sins, I’d give him or her a moment to think about which way they want to go, Heaven’s Weigh Station or Hell.”
“Right. The key is in preparation. You need to look deep into each soul and it’s difficult with some. Older people are easier to make a judgment with, but evil is taking over earth, and the dark sides are being exposed at a younger age. Ten-year-olds are killing their parents or a neighborhood kid who disagrees with them. The world is changing and I’m afraid our job will become more complex, which means you cannot hesitate.”
“I understand. Prepare, no hesitation, and stay down wind,” Mark said with a straight face.
Was he being funny or serious? Niall couldn’t read the guy. More amazing was that Mark could block his thoughts as if he’d been a member of the Guardian Squad for centuries instead of a couple of years.
“The final phase of your certification is to approach family members and friends for recognition. We’ll visit the bar you and your sister, Tori, owned and operated and then stop over with Tori and Henri. Hopefully, all of their memories of you will have been erased. She won’t remember she had a brother. None of your friends will recognize you. Are you ready?” Niall disliked this part of the testing for a new recruit. The most difficult aspect of becoming a member of the Guardian Squad was leaving your loved ones behind. Critical to the success of a Guardian was being able to abandon people he cared about and not seek them, or any of his descendants, in the future. Heartbreaking was how he’d describe the ceremonial visit. Many times the chat with loved ones made a grown, logical man weep, as all humans seek acknowledgment.
Niall thanked his mum and da for not having genes of an empath. To observe the separation of Guardian from his family was difficult enough without feeling the emotions of loss, betrayal, and anger. Having the abilities of an empath would just about kill him—if he were alive.
“You mean I’m to see and talk to Tori?” Mark asked, hope igniting his blue eyes.
“Yes, you’ll see and talk with her. Next we’ll go to Dark Shadows. Two years have passed, and it may seem like only two days in our time, but it’s a long time in the human experience. Changes have occurred. If Echo was successful in wiping your friends and acquaintances’ memories, they will not recognize you. It is important to understand, if you hadn’t chosen to become this elite member of Heaven’s core, they would know you. They would express their love for you. Do not lose your faith because someone you hold dear sees you as a stranger and turns away.” The entire time Niall was eulogizing this key element of becoming a member of the Squad he thought of his family he’d left in Ireland in 1849. They had been poor, dirt poor. He became a Guardian in order to help them. He missed his kin more, instead of less, through the years. No doubt others felt the same way, and he hoped to prepare Mark for the reality of not existing to people he’d known his entire life.
“Henri made the point very clear. I get it.” Mark swiped evil dust off his shirt. “How long will it take?”
“Forever. You never stop thinking about the ones you love, even if they’ve forgotten you.” Niall failed to prevent his voice from seeping with sadness. He shook his head. Why did he feel so melancholy? Kepler wasn’t his first fledgling. “Your recruiter, Henri, experienced a rare occurrence. One doesn’t become a member of the Guardian Squad, then return to human life. Despite how much time has passed.”
“Why was Henri allowed to return to Earth, in human form, and age alongside my sister?” Mark crossed his arms at his chest. Standing at six foot, he was taller than Niall. But in his business, size wasn’t relevant. Niall might not have the height, but he could kick ass if needed.
“Exceptional as a swordsman and knighted by the King of France himself, Henri had gained the favor of the ancients. Despite the lack of blood flowing through the council members’ bodies, their souls continue to have hope, and they dream the dreams of mortals.” There it was. Although he displayed no outward body language, Mark blocked a piece of his thoughts, a spark of something that urged Niall to search the recruit’s mind. He was hiding an element of himself that might affect his abilities to perform as a true Guardian. “So, Henri was granted life. He retains his memories of his years of being a Guardian. The occurrence happened on a whim of the esoteric council, and they will more than likely never grant life to an immortal again.”
Mark finger combed his bright blond hair. “Could we do the bar first? I might need to recover once I see Tori, and she doesn’t remember me.”
“Yes, of course. Midnight here in Arkansas, one in the morning at Dark Shadows.” Niall held out his hand. “Lead the way.”
They teleported to Cyan, Indiana. Mere seconds had passed. Niall enjoyed the rush of his molecules shifting from place to place. He never felt the heat others complained about, just a melody of dynamic lights and pleasant tingles. Mark, on the other hand, arrived a little unsteady. His face was pale, marked by the blush of red staining his cheeks.
“Accelerated pulse, heightened awareness?”
“You’d think after two years I’d be used to the reconfiguring.” Mark rubbed his thighs.
“Usually the heat and fatigue enters the fragile part of your foundation. Your thighs must be the weakest area of your body.” Niall rubbed his chin. “When we get back to the office, I’m going to add a regimen of calisthenics to your training.”
“Do you mean weightlifting or running?” Mark lifted an eyebrow and then swiped a lock of hair from his forehead.
Niall thought he was in tune with the current language, but apparently not. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. You’ll have time since your powers are stronger than most. You won’t need to go through the additional training to learn how to project items into space or discuss issues with spirits.”
Mark inhaled. “Both then. Smell that? Yeast, fried foods, the sweat of a hard-working man. Dark Shadows hadn’t changed. I’ll re-experience all the things I loved about the bar.”
“I’m hoping they’ll have a dark, thick beer,” Niall replied and held open the heavy, rounded oak door. “Your tavern looks a little medieval in nature. Your interests and tastes always seem to lean toward antiquity. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were blood kin to Henri.”
“Yes, Henri and I are alike in many ways. Let’s get a sandwich. Brandi makes the best grilled burgers in the state.” Mark rushed into the bar.
Niall entered the tavern. He adjusted to the humidity, the scents of fried onions, spilled liquor, and the beautiful sight of attractive women wearing short skirts. The servers wore tight black shirts with Dark Shadows embossed in silver calligraphy. Americans were his favorite of all the humans. They knew how to live life to the fullest, no holds barred. Niall jingled the coins in his pockets and grinned. This would be fun.
Mark found a vacant stool and rested an elbow on the brass railing. He chatted with a thin older woman with white hair piled high on her head. She gave him that hospitable customer greeting smile and moved to the tap to fill a mug with draft beer.
Niall sidestepped a robust man. By the odor coming from his breath, he’d consumed a vast amount of alcohol. The inebriated boob stumbled, slamming into people and chairs.
“Tom, you need to wait on the cab I’ve ordered. You are not, I repeat not, to drive.” A tiny black-haired beauty slipped behind Tom.
“Ah, Brandi love, dump that fireman and come live with me.” He ended the platitude with a belch.
“Boxer, come escort Tom to the curb and wait for his ride.” Brandi dragged the waddling man forward a few steps.
A balding Goliath took hold of the drunk’s arm and, nearly lifting him, rushed him to the exit.
Niall didn’t need to see the woman’s face to recognize her soul.
She pivoted, coming toe-to-toe with Niall and threw out a tiny pale hand. “Hi, I’m Brandi Sedgewick…the owner of Dark Shadows. May I get you something to drink?”
Niall took a deep breath. His heart hurt. His lungs must have collapsed because he could not release the air. Shake her hand, nimrod. With trembling fingers, he tugged his hands from his pants pocket. Coins splattered on the floor.

Other titles:
The Watcher
Believe
Melody's Song
The Ghost Inside
The Tarot Card
Trade Agreement
Undercover Housewife
Love Hurts

jj Keller
Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com

Dark Sun: He’s almost an angel and she’s pure temptation. http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/jjkeller.htm
Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA
LOVE HURTS & Undercover Housewife: http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller
Trade Agreement, LASR Best Book. www.thewildrosepress.com print and eprint.
All rights reserved.

**** for Love Hurts by Night Owl Romance

2010-10-05T08:32:00.005-04:00

"...Morgan. What an amazing and selfless man! And sweet little Justin is all that a three year-old should be - cute, funny, loving, and stubborn. When he calls Morgan "Daddy", the reader knows what it means to Morgan. That love is never in doubt"

Four Stars by Terri Hawk at Night Owl Romance Reviews. Full review.

Can you ever really trust in love?

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now, unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana. Struggling financially, she wonders if she’ll ever have a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her son - will become a reality?

Mark Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.

Love Hurts
$5.50 To Buy: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=dk4jpqhij49plp18u0fg037dp6

Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-189-1
Length: Novel
Digital Publication Date: September 6, 2010
Cover art by Valerie Tibbs
Formats: .epub, .lit, .pdf, .prc (Kindle and Mobi), .lrf (Sony Reader) and pc and raw .html

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Love Hurts....sometimes

2010-09-21T08:16:00.000-04:00

Love Hurts
Dreaming of a marriage, or a wedding, is a sign of a death in the family. An old wives tale…or is there always some truth to words of yore?

“Can we really trust in love?”

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now, unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana. Struggling financially, she wonders if she’ll ever have a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her son - will become a reality?

Mark Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.

Excerpt:

He fidgeted with the blue tie while glancing out the church’s chancery window. Her rusty four-door jerked to a stop in a yellow zone of the parking lot. Shania jumped out of the SUV.

Morgan’s heart pounded against his rib cage. Strands of brown hair caught in the wind fell from the knot at the nape of her slender neck, as she ran to the other side. The baby “everything” bag flopped against her side as she lifted Justin out of the car seat in the rear. Using tight fists, Justin rubbed his eyes, and then wiped his nose on her shoulder. While massaging his back, she kissed his plump baby cheek. There was no denying Shania Miller was an excellent mother.

A teenage girl wearing pigtails, jeans and a white t-shirt met Shania on the sidewalk near the bell tower. A quick transfer and Justin’s mouth opened wide as he struggled to grab his mother, kicking his feet in rebellion. Shania handed the bag to the tiny bit of female, and then kissed Justin’s forehead. Smoothing his hair, Shania said something to the youngster. A quick bob of her head toward the chancery window, then the overburdened teen pivoted to walk along the cement path. Shania glanced up and smiled. Love for her exploded inside him.

What had she wanted to say last night at the rehearsal? Her perfect lips drew his attention, making him miss most of her words. Unable to resist, his fingers had caressed her bare shoulder as he released her. He chastised himself for giving in and making the contact. Sometimes doing what was morally correct hurt.

“What are you staring at?” Tom asked from behind him.

Hesitant to look away from the scene below, Morgan glanced at his best man, who was tugging his shirt at the neck. “Shania just arrived.”

Tom stared at him, reading him as he always did, and nodded. Morgan could never keep his thoughts hidden from him. “Are you sure you want to go through with this wedding? It’s not too late to call it off.”
Morgan grimaced. Was he that obvious? A few seconds later Shania rushed through the door and stood stock still, gathering her breath. His plebeian attendants hovered, mouths open, gawking at her. Granted, her sexy body was sheathed in a thin form-fitting dress.

“Leave us alone,” he ordered. The guys stopped their incessant ribbing for the first time in two days and dragged their feet toward the door.

Shania took his full attention. Though beautiful before, after giving birth to Justin she’d matured into a sexy voluptuous woman. Unlike her normal jeans and sweatshirt, she’d dressed in a revealing outfit and looked stunning. He’d been falling in love with her since the first day they met.

Should he call off the wedding as Tom had suggested? No, he and Shania could never be together, too many missed opportunities to become lovers. They would be buddies for life and remain simply friends. He tried to think mundane thoughts and proceeded to recite the Ten Commandments, waiting for her to speak her mind.

She dashed forward and halted within an inch of him. The scent of mint surrounded him, rushing out of her mouth, as she licked her perfect pink lips.

“Don’t marry her,” she demanded.

“What?” Commandments forgotten, he shook his head in disbelief and wonder.

BUY LOVE HURTS

Love Hurts
$5.50 To Buy: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=dk4jpqhij49plp18u0fg037dp6
Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-189-1
Length: Novel
Digital Publication Date: September 6, 2010
Cover art by Valerie Tibbs
Formats: .epub, .lit, .pdf, .prc (Kindle and Mobi), .lrf (Sony Reader) and pc and raw .html

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Dark Sun Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KBQOdBSQA
Coming at Cobblestone Press on October 1, 2010
All rights reserved.

Dark Sun Book Trailer

2010-09-15T12:11:00.007-04:00

Love Hurts receives a fantastic review.

2010-09-10T09:26:00.004-04:00

Love Hurts was released on 9.6.10. Romance Book Review has rated it four hearts.

This is what Roni had to say..."Love Hurts is a well written contemporary romance filled with real life characters, with good dialog and a cute little tyke who steals the attention of readers."

To see the full review:

RELEASED: Love Hurts...sometimes

2010-08-18T09:32:00.003-04:00

Love Hurts
$5.50 To Buy: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111&zenid=dk4jpqhij49plp18u0fg037dp6
Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-189-1
Length: Novel
Digital Publication Date: September 6, 2010
Cover art by Valerie Tibbs
Formats: .epub, .lit, .pdf, .prc (Kindle and Mobi), .lrf (Sony Reader) and pc and raw .html

Can you ever really trust in love?

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now, unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana. Struggling financially, she wonders if she’ll ever have a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her son - will become a reality?

Mark Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.

Excerpt:

He fidgeted with the blue tie while glancing out the church’s chancery window. Her rusty four-door jerked to a stop in a yellow zone of the parking lot. Shania jumped out of the SUV. Morgan’s heart pounded against his rib cage. Strands of brown hair caught in the wind fell from the knot at the nape of her slender neck, as she ran to the other side. The baby “everything” bag flopped against her side as she lifted Justin out of the car seat in the rear. Using tight fists, Justin rubbed his eyes, and then wiped his nose on her shoulder. While massaging his back, she kissed his plump baby cheek. There was no denying Shania Miller was an excellent mother.
A teenage girl wearing pigtails, jeans and a white t-shirt met Shania on the sidewalk near the bell tower. A quick transfer and Justin’s mouth opened wide as he struggled to grab his mother, kicking his feet in rebellion. Shania handed the bag to the tiny bit of female, and then kissed Justin’s forehead. Smoothing his hair, Shania said something to the youngster. A quick bob of her head toward the chancery window, then the overburdened teen pivoted to walk along the cement path. Shania glanced up and smiled. Love for her exploded inside him.
What had she wanted to say last night at the rehearsal? Her perfect lips drew his attention, making him miss most of her words. Unable to resist, his fingers had caressed her bare shoulder as he released her. He chastised himself for giving in and making the contact. Sometimes doing what was morally correct hurt.
“What are you staring at?” Tom asked from behind him.
Hesitant to look away from the scene below, Morgan glanced at his best man, who was tugging his shirt at the neck. “Shania just arrived.”
Tom stared at him, reading him as he always did, and nodded. Morgan could never keep his thoughts hidden from him. “Are you sure you want to go through with this wedding? It’s not too late to call it off.”
Morgan grimaced. Was he that obvious? A few seconds later Shania rushed through the door and stood stock still, gathering her breath. His plebeian attendants hovered, mouths open, gawking at her. Granted, her sexy body was sheathed in a thin form-fitting dress.
“Leave us alone,” he ordered. The guys stopped their incessant ribbing for the first time in two days and dragged their feet toward the door.
Shania took his full attention. Though beautiful before, after giving birth to Justin she’d matured into a sexy voluptuous woman. Unlike her normal jeans and sweatshirt, she’d dressed in a revealing outfit and looked stunning. He’d been falling in love with her since the first day they met.
Should he call off the wedding as Tom had suggested? No, he and Shania could never be together, too many missed opportunities to become lovers. They would be buddies for life and remain simply friends. He tried to think mundane thoughts and proceeded to recite the Ten Commandments, waiting for her to speak her mind.
She dashed forward and halted within an inch of him. The scent of mint surrounded him, rushing out of her mouth, as she licked her perfect pink lips.
“Don’t marry her,” she demanded.
“What?” Commandments forgotten, he shook his head in disbelief and wonder.

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Dark Sun will tingle your backbone on October 1, 2010. look for more to come.

Killer Recipes

2010-08-13T10:57:00.002-04:00

L&L Dreamspell announces the release of cookbook, Killer Recipes. Susan Whitfield invited mystery writers to submit recipes for the cookbook in exchange for promotion underneath each recipe. The proceeds will go to The American Cancer Society.

Books may be purchased from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ or in quantities from the publisher at http://www.lldreamspell.com/

Available in paperback and ebook and soon in Kindle format

(Amazon will post it shortly and I'll have it on http://www.susanwhitfieldonline.com/ site for Pay Pal orders soon.

Please spread the word and ask your local stores and book clubs to order a few for a worthy cause.)

(Look for mine under Soups... it's a demon!)

Undercover Housewife receives 4.5 divas

2010-07-30T10:17:00.004-04:00

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Undercover Housewife by JJ Keller
Undercover Housewife by JJ Keller
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Erotic, Romantic Suspense
Length: 98 pages

Review Copy Received from Publisher

Summary:

Detective and housewife meet undercover for passion, danger and tainted ecstasy.

Her ex-husband is opening a sex club, her friends are dying after using ecstasy, and Nikki Yadon needs to take action and rediscover her self-worth. She's got the courage to infiltrate the tainted drug nest, but she wasn't expecting who she found there.

Detective Josh Cerberus promised to protect and serve, so he accepts the assignment to go undercover as a member of a gay couple and investigate the drug deaths. Now he has no choice but to let his old flame help out on the case.

A new blaze of passion is kindled in their hearts, but drugs, death and danger stalk the two of them, and mistrust may lead to tainted ecstasy.

Warning: Explicit Sexual Content

Shelly's Review:
+++
This one gives you a lot of bang-for-the-buck…no pun intended.

In addition to the suspense, Undercover Housewife is all about the romance, with the added bonus of tastefully written sex scenes. You gotta love that…and who doesn't love a hot police detective who's there to protect and serve? (Or is that protect and service?-oops, sorry!) lol

Rated 4 1/2 Delightful Divas by Shelly!
To see the full review: http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/undercover-housewife-by-jj-keller.html

THANK YOU, SHELLY!

PJ at Cobblestone Press created a masterpiece

2010-07-08T14:01:00.003-04:00

Her work is perfect:

DARK SUN

2010-06-24T08:06:00.001-04:00

Devin is the editor for my urban fantasy Dark Sun...we're going to rock. Be prepared America, England, India, Japan, France, China, and Spain, Dark Shadows was the tip of the iceberg... Dark Sun will blow you away.

*Yes, gamers, Dark Sun.

Love Hurts

2010-05-27T15:09:00.003-04:00

Mark your calendar, you'll want to purchase an exciting new story, involving broken promises and real family life.

Love Hurts bursts upon the world on Monday, September 6, 2010.

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in
Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second
fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now,
unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up
enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only
home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana.
Financial struggles don’t make her lose hope, although her optimism
wavers. Will a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her
son - ever become a reality?

Morgan Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s
heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s
abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she
announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.

Undercover Housewife

2010-04-26T10:16:00.004-04:00

Undercover Housewife
Available now: Lyrical Press.com (http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=111)

Her ex-husband is opening a sex club, her friends are dying after using ecstasy, and Nikki Yadon needs to take action and rediscover her self-worth. She’s got the courage to infiltrate the tainted drug nest, but she wasn’t expecting who she found there.

Detective Josh Cerberus promised to protect and serve, so he accepts the assignment to go undercover as a member of a gay couple and investigate the drug deaths. Now he has no choice but to let his old flame help out on the case.

A new blaze of passion is kindled in their hearts, but drugs, death and danger stalk the two of them, and mistrust may lead to tainted ecstasy.

EXCERPT:
“How’s what’s-his-name?” Josh tugged her close. She hoped his acceptance of the body slam wasn’t for show. Nikki leaned into his caress and pressed against him.
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask his new wife,” she answered.

His hands skimmed lower, more personal. Her breath caught.

“So, you’re single?” Two fingers moved and lifted her chin. He wore an expression filled with curiosity. An instant later, his eyes narrowed and his mouth formed into a thin line. “And in a place like this.”

“Yes, and in a place like this. Could we go somewhere private and talk?” she asked. His roving hands made her skin sizzle; the sudden heaviness of her breasts urged her to foolishly rub against him. Panic settled deep in her stomach. She held her upper body away and rubbed the leather strap of her purse, finding comfort in the repeated movement.

Nikki had hoped for insider information about the drug dealer, but meeting Josh in the Lifestyles Choice Club was a welcome surprise. The coincidence convinced her that she was destined to help save the women before more perished from the tainted pills.

She focused on his face. Faint lines fanned the corners of Josh’s perfect lips and eyes―eyes that were the color of the irises blooming on her patio. The brilliant blue contrasted with the black of his soft hair. She had planned to search for Josh in Cyan to ask for help, but hadn’t expected to see him here. Even more surprising was the instant lust assaulting her.

Josh glanced at the door. “Let’s go outside.”

“I’ll go with you anywhere.” Her assertiveness shocked her. She licked her lips and lowered her glance.

“Good, I’ll meet you at the exit in a few minutes.” Josh nudged her forward.
She stopped at the other side of the dance floor and glanced back. Josh talked to a tall man wearing a fuchsia shirt and sipping an umbrella drink.

He nodded in her direction and the man took a step toward her. Josh grabbed his arm, and they turned their backs to her. The man had to be Josh’s partner. Nikki wanted a closer look and moved toward them as Josh turned. He waved a finger in the air, pointing her toward the exit. With a huff, Nikki pivoted and made her way through the throng of plushies to the entrance. Ready to leave the smoky interior, she felt an arm weave through hers.

“Nikki.” Josh held the club’s heavy double doors.

She inhaled his spicy cologne as he whispered into her ear and then led the way into the crisp fall air, strong perfume and the pungent scent of alcohol remaining behind. Nikki gazed into the sky. Dusk had turned into an inky moonless night. No stars would cast their lights on the merrymakers exiting the club. Her hands trembled as she held her purse, heavy with a gun inside, close to her side. Could he see her nervousness? Would he inquire if she participated in the activities of the club? Question her integrity and morality? God, she hoped not.

“Where’s your car?”

“Over there.” She nodded to a Mercedes a few feet away.

Josh grabbed her arm and twirled her into a snug embrace. He lowered his head, molded his firm lips to hers. His tongue traced the seam of her mouth, demanding entrance and she wanted to allow it. Greedy for a taste of him, she opened, vaguely wondering why they’d never kissed in college. She tasted beer and savored his lips as they devoured hers.

She moaned, enjoying her fantasy coming to life after all of the countless sleepless nights over the last couple of months. The persistent erotic visions of her and Josh skin to skin, limbs entangled in the throes of passion had catapulted her to this point in time. Her sexual cravings had nothing on the reality of being in his arms at last.

He broke the kiss and smiled at her. “I’ll meet you at…a coffee shop, in a few minutes. Will you meet me, Nikki Yadon?”

Her heart went ping. She lowered her spiked heel to the ground, her foot having lifted like that of a woman passionately being kissed in an old fifties movie. She struggled to get control of her desire, wanting nothing more than to go into one of the rooms upstairs and continue the heat and angst of foreplay.

Nikki blinked. Oh my. A cool breeze caressed her heated skin, and her gaze fastened on Josh’s expectant expression. If the tingles and throbbing were a prelude, she anticipated he’d be an exceptional lover. His body remained in tight muscular form, his lips were perfect, and he had strong lean fingers which she couldn’t wait to have stroking her body. She shook her head, trying to clear her unruly erotic thoughts.

“Yes, I’ll go to the coffee shop. Josh, I have to tell you about a drug dealer who’s selling tainted ecstasy around Cyan.” Her voice sounded shaky. She reached to twist the ring on her finger, but the band was gone, as was her past life.

http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller

Trailer

LOVE HURTS
(Fall 2010)

Falling in love with her fiancé’s best friend is wrong—right? Not in
Shania Miller’s case it isn’t. The man she vowed to marry has a second
fiancée and failed to remember her after returning from Iraq. Now,
unable to trust in love, she answers lonely hearts calls, saving up
enough money to attend a university three hours away from the only
home she’s known.

Broken hearted, Shania and her son move to Briarwood, Indiana.
Financial struggles don’t make her lose hope, although her optimism
wavers. Will a complete family – one with a mommy and a daddy for her
son - ever become a reality?

Morgan Hardwick stood silently by as his friend broke Shania Miller’s
heart. His faith allows him to help Shania, especially after she’s
abandoned by her fiancé and family. Why then, did he hesitate when she
announced her broken engagement and love for him on his wedding day?

Content warning, explicit sex scenes and violence.
Preorder

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Undercover Housewife: Detective and housewife meet undercover for passion, danger and tainted ecstasy.
All rights reserved.

PS: I’ll be in Columbus, Ohio on April 28th through May 1 at the RT Booklovers Convention. Let’s chat…I’ll be at both e-print and print book signings. I’d love to meet you.

Lux Zakari's fabulous interview!

2010-04-13T16:13:00.002-04:00

Interview with Lux Zakari, erotic writer of The Girl with the Red Coat, Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike and Coercion.

1.) Tell us a little about Lux Zakari, the lover, fighter and writer.

Well, Lux Zakari the writer was telling stories before she even knew how to write. As a kid, I’d draw pictures—primarily of mermaids—in notebooks while talking to myself, narrating what I was coloring. My grandma helped me out too; I would relay my story to her and she’d transcribe it. I don’t think anyone expected those humble origins to result in writing erotica, but everyone starts somewhere!

In terms of being a fighter, this isn’t to say I romp about town with my dukes up, although that would be a fun sight. But I do fight for what I want and will do all I can to ensure I get it, provided the timing’s right. And as for the lover part, I will leave that up to the readers’ vast imaginations!

2.) What type of poetry do you write?

Truthfully, I don’t write much poetry these days; by far, I consider myself more of a fiction writer. But every now and then, a phrase or image that just won’t do as a story will spring to mind. I definitely don’t pretend my poetry is deep or meaningful—if anything, I just try to have fun, keep a sense of humor about the whole thing. For example, in my poem O, I liked the idea of playing with certain sounds to get a certain sensual point across. And one year, I attempted a month-long project of writing thirty Shel Silverstein-esque poems. Less than half were any good but the experience entertained me.

3.) In your trailer for Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike, you have a line, “If you don’t crash you’re not doing it right---” Give us insight to what you mean by this statement.

It’s definitely an innuendo! I wanted to end the trailer on a sassy note. It’s a play on the Albert Einstein quote, “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

4.) You have an upcoming release through Lyrical Press, titled Coercion. Tell us about your adventurous characters. Did you base them on someone you know? How did you think of the plot? How did skimming the sex scenes in your mother’s books help you develop the love scenes in the story?

Skimming those sex scenes once upon a time indirectly inspired Coercion because reading them made me want to write about relationships. That is primarily what my work is and will always be about—not necessarily erotica, not always romance, but relationships. I want to read about a relationship that feels real to me, for better or worse, something that gets under my skin and makes me think, “That is so true! I’m so glad someone else in the world thinks like me!”

However, it felt like most of those aforementioned scenes/stories just weren’t doing it right. Of course, a lot can be said for indulging in escapism, but I like to gain something applicable from a story that insinuates, “This could easily be me—so what do I do?”

That being said, the plot to Coercion came from a desire to write about a realistic relationship and an undeniable attraction between people who aren’t right for each other. From that, along with a lingering idea about being seduced in a parking lot against a car (in my personal favorite scene) and my inexplicable obsession with the 1970s, a story bloomed.

The characters in Coercion were bred from circumstance. I knew I wanted a love triangle plagued with far more complex problems aside from just the fact everyone’s stuck in a love triangle, and the personalities came about by necessity in response to the question, “What kind of people would be susceptible to this situation?” The answer is the protagonist, Valerie; the anti-hero, Michael; and his tempestuous girlfriend, Breeze.

5.) What is your work in progress, Lux? What’s on the horizon for such a talented author?

I’m greatly looking forward to the release of Coercion, which is slated for August 2. In the mean time, I am writing several short stories, one of which will be in the soon-to-be-released anthology Racy Pages’ Surprise. In between juggling my editing gigs and getting my master’s in library science, I’m working on two other novels regarding fame and—what else?—love and sex. I’ve even toyed with the idea of doing something completely different, e.g., write a sci fi novel. But that another goal for another year entirely!

If you want to contact Lux, send her an email at http://luxzakari.com/contact

Lux's other vital information:
http://www.paper-bag-press.com/ebook/love-side-nj-turnpike
http://luxzakari.com/about/
http://luxzakari.com/body-of-work/
http://luxzakari.com/contact/
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=149
http://theeroticwoman.com/sex_stories/girl-red-coat

Thank you, Lux, for sharing with us. You're a fascinating person, and I look forward to reading more of your work.

Thanks for the votes!

2010-02-18T12:52:00.003-05:00

My book, TRADE AGREEMENT, ranked third in the Best of the BEST Books of 2009 by Long and Short Reviews. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for you kindness,consideration,and for your votes!

I love to hear from readers...drop me a line.

Voting begins today: Trade Agreement

2010-02-01T08:16:00.002-05:00

Please consider voting for Trade Agreement (contemp. Suspense), Nominated for the Long and the Short of Its Best Book of 2009 limited to those books and stories which our reviewers rated as "Best Book" in a review posted in 2009.

The polls for both LASR and Whipped Cream will be active beginning Monday, February 1, at http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm and will continue until Sunday, February 14.

Please vote for Trade Agreement: LASR Best Book

2010-01-27T09:17:00.004-05:00

Nominated for the Long and the Short of Its Best Book of 2009
Every year, The Long and the Short of It likes to reward the best of the best, and this year your story TRADE AGREEMENT is eligible to participate in our "Best Book of 2009" poll. Entries in this annual poll are limited to those books and stories which our reviewers rated as "Best Book" in a review posted in 2009.
The polls for both LASR and Whipped Cream will be active beginning Monday, February 1, at http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm and will continue until Sunday, February 14.

Coffee Time Trailers

2010-01-27T09:16:00.002-05:00

Hi! Coffee Time is having a fantastic promotional. You can watch exciting trailers to introduce you to a story. Go, experience, enjoy!
The URL is: http://ow.ly/ZBhB

Undercover Housewife released...

2010-01-17T12:45:00.002-05:00

UNDERCOVER HOUSEWIFE
By jj Keller

Genre:
Contemporary/Mystery

Digital ISBN:
978-1-61650-115-0

Length: Short Novel

Price: $4.50

Digital Publication Date:
January 18, 2010

Cover art by Renee Rocco

http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller

BLURB:
Her ex-husband is opening a sex club, her friends are dying after using ecstasy, and Nikki Yadon needs to take action and rediscover her self-worth. She’s got the courage to infiltrate the tainted drug nest, but she wasn’t expecting who she found there.

Detective Josh Cerberus promised to protect and serve, so he accepts the assignment to go undercover as a member of a gay couple and investigate the drug deaths. Now he has no choice but to let his old flame help out on the case.

A new blaze of passion is kindled in their hearts, but drugs, death and danger stalk the two of them, and mistrust may lead to tainted ecstasy.

EXCERPT:Chapter 1
“Hell,” Josh muttered, swiping his hand through his hair. “This totally sucks.”

His partner, Calvin Stewart, ignored the comment and slurped his fruity drink. Josh swept his glance over the crowded room one more time, looking beyond the stylishly dressed men and women, searching for that one snippet of body language, something that would provide a clue to the person dispensing death in a tablet. Years of training kept him alert as he watched a biker, complete with leather chaps, flirt with a woman scantily dressed as a kitten. Her pert breasts pebbled against the sheer cream fabric of her blouse. Under the dim light, thick black lines drawn upward from the corner of her eyes created a dark creepy appearance.

Josh cursed his fellow detectives for arranging this assignment at the Lifestyles Choice Club. Old fashioned, Josh preferred heterosexual monogamy. As he’d found in the past few weeks, the trend in this place of ill repute was a mixing of sexes and piles of furry creatures―not his thing.

His sentinel duties had him leaning against a bar, keeping an eye on the sedate business men turned cannibals and older, nearly naked, loose-skinned women gyrating to seductive music. Mirrors had been strategically placed around the room and even in the rafters of the converted schoolhouse. The irony of a primary school used as a place for adults to play salacious games hadn’t gotten past him.
Josh Cerberus had fulfilled the implications of his mythological name and currently guarded the gates of hell.

The main level had been sectioned off by flooring into a dance area with wood as the base, a bar with tile underneath the swivel stools and a conversation grouping complete with soft chairs and sofas strategically arranged on carpet. Dim lighting created intimacy. His gaze traveled from the muted lamps to each person, appraising them―a vigilant watcher among a horde of sinners. He needed to find the drug dealer and distributor of the tainted ecstasy before more needless murders occurred. The Lifestyles Choice Club held the key.

He scanned the faces of the club members sitting at one of the furniture groupings.

She came into view. For a second, he wondered if the weak illumination played tricks on him because a smaller woman looked like his old secret flame from college. Blond hair with perfectly shaped white highlights swung to and fro as she moved her head. His heart skipped a beat, it was her.

The siren was Nikki. Although he couldn’t see the color of her eyes, he knew they were hazel, more green than brown. He focused on her mouth and his heart rammed into his lungs as he looked at her smile. She hadn't seen him, so he continued to stare, appreciating her beauty. Nikki’s hands were flapping in the air as she talked to another woman of similar age. Her face, though beautiful, had acquired a few lines since he’d last seen her, more than a decade ago. He had to be mistaken; his angelic Nikki wouldn’t be in a sex club.

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Undercover Housewife: Detective and housewife meet undercover for passion, danger and tainted ecstasy.
All rights reserved.

You could win a copy of the e-print book, a set of handcuffs, or book thongs. Send me an email at justjkeller@yahoo.com, enter Contest in the subject line.

Maid-Rite

2009-11-20T09:07:00.004-05:00

I've had a couple of much needed vacation days! My husband joined me and yesterday he sweet-talked me into driving nearly two hours to Greenville, Ohio. A town reputed to be flooded with antiques.

Most of the antique shops have closed down. Due to the recession?

Anyhow he wanted to take me to a fantastic restaurant he'd been introduced to last year. Excited about a nice country-style rickety floored bistro I skipped my protein shake in the morning and left the stomach empty.

The entire side and front of the brick had been plastered with ABC Gum. The colors made a pretty collage, but the thought--alone--made my muscles tense. This wasn't going to be the cute little gingham blasted cafe.

However, they served hamburger meat mixed with onions and stewed in beer batter. Although not a fan, the sandwich was quite tasty. The tea was very good and the floor, although not squeaky nor wooden, was clean.

Overall, the time we spent together was worth the drive.

Blogging at TRS...Monday, November 16th

2009-11-13T10:05:00.002-05:00

http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com/

I'll discuss exercise and self-esteem and introduce my new 2010 release, Undercover Housewife.

Undercover Housewife coming soon...at Lyrical Press

2009-10-19T11:28:00.002-04:00

Her ex-husband is opening a sex club, her friends are dying after using ecstasy, and Nikki Yadon needs to take action and rediscover her self-worth. She’s got the courage to infiltrate the tainted drug nest, but she wasn’t expecting who she found there.

Detective Josh Cerberus promised to protect and serve, so he accepts the assignment to go undercover as a member of a gay couple and investigate the drug deaths. Now he has no choice but to let his old flame help out on the case.

A new blaze of passion is kindled in their hearts, but drugs, death and danger stalk the two of them, and mistrust may lead to tainted ecstasy.

http://www.lyricalpress.com/jj_keller

Book club Chat tonight: Yorktown Public Library

2009-10-13T11:21:00.002-04:00

Tonight I'll be discussing Trade Agreement and whatever else this vocally active group may want to unravel. Yorktown Public Library, Yorktown, Indiana...6 pm.

LASR review of Trade Agreement

2009-09-16T11:18:00.002-04:00

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Trade Agreement by jj keller

LASR Best Book - For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you're not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise - and reserved for only a few.

Trade Agreement by jj keller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary/Thriller/Suspense/Action
Length: Full (242 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Larkspur

Falling in love with the next door neighbor—impulsive.Kidnapped by her ex-husband—startling.Traded for contraband on the high seas—unbelievable.

Photo-journalist, Georgina Barrister, realizes she has little time left in this world when her ex-husband hands her over as partial payment for a shipment of illegal imports. Apparently being the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, and the perfect lover hadn’t been enough for him. What did he expect of her now, to be the perfect token? As a captive on a freighter, how will she escape?

Special Agent Jake Callahan believes love at first sight is impossible, until he meets Georgina Barrister Kaplan. However, his assignment on a high-seas trafficking case must overrule his feelings when Georgina becomes the prime suspect.

In search for the truth will they lose their one chance at happiness?

JJ Keller gives us an explosive thriller in Trade Agreement as she exposes us to international crime, kidnapping, high seas adventure, murder and an electrifying romance. Meet Jake and Georgina who fall into lust at first sight, can they survive the danger, the lies and the secrets and find true love in the end.

Ms Keller throws you right into the heart of her plot then keeps our attention riveted while we hold our breath to find out what happens next. I loved her method of storytelling by giving readers snippets of how the tale evolved in alternating chapters, while using the other chapters to fill us in on what’s happening now. If she doesn’t get you with her edgy characters she will with her thrill a minute dynamic dialogue. You get to know her players intimately and you want to because her characters are so well defined. She makes you cheer for the good guys and hate the evil ones. She is a first class storyteller with a unique way of telling it. Her love scenes are evocative, sensual and sizzle on the page, while her romance between our hero and heroine is sweet and sensual.

Trade Agreement rocks and rolls with action, suspense, thrills, chills and romance. It’s a gutsy read and should come with a physician’s warning. If you like to bite your nails to the quick while sitting on the edge of your seat, this read is for you and if you, like me, love your romance on the sizzle burner, well don’t wait another minute go out and get this book.

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/trade-agreement-by-jj-keller.html

Chills ran through me when I read Larkspur's words. Thank you! I was biting my nails waiting for a review...you made me very happy and filled with joy. Thank you, Larkspur.

Book signing 9.10.09

2009-09-10T10:14:00.002-04:00

I'll be signing copies of Trade Agreement tonight at Wilson Wines.

http://www.wilsonwines.com/

Stop by if you've a taste for a fine wine and an even finer suspense story.

Suspense sails....Trade Agreement

2009-09-09T08:11:00.003-04:00

Spicy suspense continues to be on the best selling list!
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/suspense-c-137.html?zenid=e542e6830ee4ba38d23b523b36a64446
1. Finding Hope
2. Trade Agreement
3. Betrayal
4. The Stranger Behind the Kiss
5. Midnight Cove
6. Mr. Charming
7. A Christmas Stalking
8. Ashton's Secret
9. City of Secrets
10. Foxfire
http://www.thewildrosepress.com
1. His Ship, Her Fantasy
2. Diner Girl
3. Cynthia And Constantine (paperback)
4. Trade Agreement (paperback)
5. The Priceless Gift
6. Dog Nanny (paperback)
7. Finding Hope
8. Enemy Of The King
9. His Weekend Proposal (paperback)
10. Alex

Buy this exciting adventure today:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/trade-agreement-paperback-p-3581.html?zenid=1347880597c67c3e14ffa00999bd2df8

TRADE AGREEMENT
www.thewildrosepress.com

ISBN: 1-60154-491-X
Falling in love with the next door neighbor—impulsive. Kidnapped by her ex-husband—startling. Traded for contraband on the high seas—unbelievable.

Photo-journalist, Georgina Barrister, realizes she has little time left in this world when her ex-husband hands her over as partial payment for a shipment of illegal imports. Apparently being the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, and the perfect lover hadn’t been enough for him. What did he expect of her now, to be the perfect token? As a captive on a freighter, how will she escape?

Special Agent Jake Callahan believes love at first sight is impossible, until he meets Georgina Barrister Kaplan. However, his assignment on a high-seas trafficking case must overrule his feelings when Georgina becomes the prime suspect.

In search for the truth will they lose their one chance at happiness?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
Trade Agreement

Available in Print and eprint:
jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Chapter 1
Atlantic Ocean
Shivers cascaded over Georgina’s body, the November cold penetrating her thin dress. She braced herself against the bumpy jolts as the speed boat hit rough water. The night was moonless, deep black ink surrounded them. The closer they got to the freighter, the faster her heart beat, a quick cadence to match the waves hitting the side of the vessel.
Georgina drew in a shaking breath and tried to lessen her grip on the rail of the boat as they pulled
beside the ladder. Her fingers ached with the chill of tension. She glanced at the freighter. It was oh-so tempting to simply fall into the water, but she’d freeze to death or get eaten by sharks. No, the only logical means of escape was catching a ride on the gray metal whale floating in the dark night, on a black ocean, surrounded by a mysterious fog.
She glanced at Kandi, her ex-husband’s current femme-de-jour, dressed in a sleek strapless azure
dress and spiked heels, then to Tristan himself. She’d loved him once, but now even looking at him made her colder. His fingers wrapped around the rail of the freighter’s ladder. He grabbed her hand and tugged her from the seat.
No.
Her spine tingled with dread. Tristan couldn’t be trusted. She knew better.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Georgina said. “You can let me off at the next port.”
Tristan gripped her hand tighter and pulled her toward the ladder. “Can’t.”
“Why not?” Georgina jerked Tristan’s arm, ready to throw him overboard. Did demons sink? Her
stomach tumbled. Getting on that freighter would be a mistake.
Kandi slid beside Tristan and snarled, “Just get on the ship, Georgina, or I’ll throw your spoiled ass overboard and you can swim back to Virginia.”
Shocked at Kandi’s language and the threat, Georgina glared.
“It’s too late. There’s no going back…not for Gemma either,” her ex-husband spewed.
Damn him for using her best friend as a pawn.
Georgina’s heart rate went tachycardia. She blew
slow breaths trying to slow the pace. She released
his forearm, sat down on the padded boat seat, and
crossed her arms.
“Georgina, climb the ladder.” Tristan’s jaws snapped together.
Kandi sighed and tapped her foot on the metal rail of the rocking boat.
Had Tristan really kidnapped Gemma? He had to be bluffing, but Georgina’s heart rattled against
her chest. What if Gemma wasn’t safe? She’d already lost one baby, she couldn’t lose another. “I
decline.”
Tristan gripped her arm and jerked her upright. She reached up with her other hand and dug her
nails into the tender skin of his palm.
“She’ll go,” Kandi said.
Georgina sneered at the two, pivoted, and clutched the nearest brass rung.
The three-inch heels clipped the metal, and she slipped on the third rail of the ladder. Determined,
she tightened her hold and stepped to the next rung.
Homeward bound. A precarious scramble on steps or fear of the unknown wouldn’t prevent her from returning to her little house and Jake. Thoughts of the sleepy little town of Nero intruded. She’d often complained about the boredom and photographing
nothing but dog and garden shows. Well, she’d trade her current situation for some of that routine any day.
Jake, her lover. Her heart clutched a little in her chest. Was he searching for her? She maneuvered up one more rung. In the back of her mind, she hoped Jake would come to her rescue.
A wintery breeze blew up her dress and she shuddered. She was beyond chilled in the clingy
little dress. She clutched a metal bar and pushed the hem down. Her foot slipped, and her spiked heel dug into Tristan’s fingers. She applied as much pressure as possible.
Tristan roared. He slapped her rear with such force she pressed flush against ladder. “Keep going,
Georgina. Move it.” Bastard. She stepped to the next bar, releasing his hand.

Finally, she reached the top. Two goons, heavyweight bookends with matching blank
expressions, hauled her over the rail. Tristan crawled on deck and helped Kandi onto the platform.
“Come.” One of the goons, with a melodic
Russian accent, motioned with his head.
It didn’t sound like a request.
The men led them down a staircase, through a
corridor, and into a square, frigid room. A stainless
steel table and two metal chairs were the only
furnishings. One seat was occupied by a man she
assumed to be Aleksandr Stypopas, the captain of
this fine vessel.
Like the gentleman he was, Tristan sat down on
the other chair. A bottle labeled IKON Russian
vodka sat in the middle of them like a referee. Kandi
stood behind Tristan, her hand resting easily on his
shoulder. Georgina stood to the side, as close to the
door as possible.
While the men talked, in Russian or Ukrainian,
Georgina deliberated how to convince Aleksandr to
return her to the States. He was as dark and
mysterious in appearance as the freighter. His
shaggy black beard seemed blacker as a result of the
elegant gray shirt and pants covering his thin body.
Would this nightmare ever end? It had to be a
dream, because Aleksandr was wearing Armani for
God’s sake, at midnight, on a freighter, in the middle
of the Atlantic Ocean. He didn’t look like a man who
did favors out of the goodness of his heart. Would he
want money? She didn’t have anything to offer. Or
did she? She shuddered at the thought. A raised
voice captured her attention. What had she missed?
There was a palpable sense of menace in the air.
Had they walked into a trap? Would they all be
killed?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/trade-agreement-paperback-p-3581.html?zenid=1347880597c67c3e14ffa00999bd2df8

jj Keller
www.jj-keller.com
All Rights Reserved

# 2 Best Seller, Trade Agreement

2009-08-14T10:30:00.005-04:00

AVAILABLE NOW! Trade Agreement is an early release and like rich sweet cream has risen to the top. Check it out today!

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/trade-agreement-paperback-p-3581.html?zenid=1347880597c67c3e14ffa00999bd2df8

TRADE AGREEMENT
www.thewildrosepress.com

ISBN: 1-60154-491-X
Falling in love with the next door neighbor—impulsive. Kidnapped by her ex-husband—startling. Traded for contraband on the high seas—unbelievable.

Photo-journalist, Georgina Barrister, realizes she has little time left in this world when her ex-husband hands her over as partial payment for a shipment of illegal imports. Apparently being the perfect wife, the perfect hostess, and the perfect lover hadn’t been enough for him. What did he expect of her now, to be the perfect token? As a captive on a freighter, how will she escape?

Special Agent Jake Callahan believes love at first sight is impossible, until he meets Georgina Barrister Kaplan. However, his assignment on a high-seas trafficking case must overrule his feelings when Georgina becomes the prime suspect.

In search for the truth will they lose their one chance at happiness?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
Trade Agreement

Available in Print and eprint:
jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Chapter 1
Atlantic Ocean
Shivers cascaded over Georgina’s body, the November cold penetrating her thin dress. She braced herself against the bumpy jolts as the speed boat hit rough water. The night was moonless, deep black ink surrounded them. The closer they got to the freighter, the faster her heart beat, a quick cadence to match the waves hitting the side of the vessel.
Georgina drew in a shaking breath and tried to lessen her grip on the rail of the boat as they pulled
beside the ladder. Her fingers ached with the chill of tension. She glanced at the freighter. It was oh-so tempting to simply fall into the water, but she’d freeze to death or get eaten by sharks. No, the only logical means of escape was catching a ride on the gray metal whale floating in the dark night, on a black ocean, surrounded by a mysterious fog.
She glanced at Kandi, her ex-husband’s current femme-de-jour, dressed in a sleek strapless azure
dress and spiked heels, then to Tristan himself. She’d loved him once, but now even looking at him made her colder. His fingers wrapped around the rail of the freighter’s ladder. He grabbed her hand and tugged her from the seat.
No.
Her spine tingled with dread. Tristan couldn’t be trusted. She knew better.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Georgina said. “You can let me off at the next port.”
Tristan gripped her hand tighter and pulled her toward the ladder. “Can’t.”
“Why not?” Georgina jerked Tristan’s arm, ready to throw him overboard. Did demons sink? Her
stomach tumbled. Getting on that freighter would be a mistake.
Kandi slid beside Tristan and snarled, “Just get on the ship, Georgina, or I’ll throw your spoiled ass overboard and you can swim back to Virginia.”
Shocked at Kandi’s language and the threat, Georgina glared.
“It’s too late. There’s no going back…not for Gemma either,” her ex-husband spewed.
Damn him for using her best friend as a pawn.
Georgina’s heart rate went tachycardia. She blew slow breaths trying to slow the pace. She released his forearm, sat down on the padded boat seat, and crossed her arms.
“Georgina, climb the ladder.” Tristan’s jaws snapped together.
Kandi sighed and tapped her foot on the metal rail of the rocking boat.
Had Tristan really kidnapped Gemma? He had to be bluffing, but Georgina’s heart rattled against
her chest. What if Gemma wasn’t safe? She’d already lost one baby, she couldn’t lose another. “I
decline.”
Tristan gripped her arm and jerked her upright. She reached up with her other hand and dug her
nails into the tender skin of his palm.
“She’ll go,” Kandi said.
Georgina sneered at the two, pivoted, and clutched the nearest brass rung.
The three-inch heels clipped the metal, and she slipped on the third rail of the ladder. Determined,
she tightened her hold and stepped to the next rung.
Homeward bound. A precarious scramble on steps or fear of the unknown wouldn’t prevent her from returning to her little house and Jake. Thoughts of the sleepy little town of Nero intruded. She’d often complained about the boredom and photographing nothing but dog and garden shows. Well, she’d trade her current situation for some of that routine any day.
Jake, her lover. Her heart clutched a little in her chest. Was he searching for her? She maneuvered up one more rung. In the back of her mind, she hoped Jake would come to her rescue.
A wintery breeze blew up her dress and she shuddered. She was beyond chilled in the clingy
little dress. She clutched a metal bar and pushed the hem down. Her foot slipped, and her spiked heel dug into Tristan’s fingers. She applied as much pressure as possible.
Tristan roared. He slapped her rear with such force she pressed flush against ladder. “Keep going,
Georgina. Move it.” Bastard. She stepped to the next bar, releasing his hand.
Finally, she reached the top. Two goons, heavyweight bookends with matching blank
expressions, hauled her over the rail. Tristan crawled on deck and helped Kandi onto the platform.
“Come.” One of the goons, with a melodic Russian accent, motioned with his head.
It didn’t sound like a request.
The men led them down a staircase, through a corridor, and into a square, frigid room. A stainless
steel table and two metal chairs were the only furnishings. One seat was occupied by a man she
assumed to be Aleksandr Stypopas, the captain of this fine vessel.
Like the gentleman he was, Tristan sat down on the other chair. A bottle labeled IKON Russian
vodka sat in the middle of them like a referee. Kandi stood behind Tristan, her hand resting easily on his shoulder. Georgina stood to the side, as close to the door as possible.
While the men talked, in Russian or Ukrainian, Georgina deliberated how to convince Aleksandr to return her to the States. He was as dark and mysterious in appearance as the freighter. His
shaggy black beard seemed blacker as a result of the elegant gray shirt and pants covering his thin body.
Would this nightmare ever end? It had to be a dream, because Aleksandr was wearing Armani for
God’s sake, at midnight, on a freighter, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He didn’t look like a man who did favors out of the goodness of his heart. Would he want money? She didn’t have anything to offer. Or did she? She shuddered at the thought. A raised voice captured her attention. What had she missed?
There was a palpable sense of menace in the air.
Had they walked into a trap? Would they all be killed?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/trade-agreement-paperback-p-3581.html?zenid=1347880597c67c3e14ffa00999bd2df8

Book signing tonight!

2009-08-04T13:22:00.002-04:00

I want to thank Liz at Yorktown Public Library for hosting a book signing for The Tarot Card tonight from 6 - 7:30pm in Yorktown, Indiana.

Anyone in the area....stop by and we'll have a good time.

THE TAROT CARD
SBN: 1-60154-437-5ard
ISBN 13: 9781601544377, May 6, 2009
A stalled elevator. A sexy gypsy.
A straight-laced CEO.
Fate has a sense of humor.
Kerry McClure simply needs to sign a contract with Rune Technologies to ward off a hostile takeover. When Kerry's mistaken for a gypsy fortuneteller, she plays along, but could one night of fun jeopardize her CEO confirmation? Stein Laxdale needs the business deal with McClure Ventures or he'll lose control of Rune Technologies. Is Kerry his biggest threat or his greatest hope for a happily everafter.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjtQV83j4X8 The Tarot Card

Some notable reviews of my writing:
The storyline grabs and kept me in suspense until the ending. I got lost in the pages, because jj Keller gives the audience a fast–paced entertaining read where the adrenaline rushes.
Linda L. (The Romance Studio) Believe

I have enjoyed every j.j. Keller book I have read and this one doesn’t disappoint! If you want a story filled with suspense, ghostly interactions, and romance, you will enjoy The Ghost Inside. Stevi B. (Manic Readers)

It's only through faith and courage do we step free and I congratulate J.J. Keller for portraying this struggle so believably with Melody Haney. Very, very well done. Recommended. Rachel Nail (Mystique Books) Melody’s Song

The book doesn’t rely only on spice for its power- there is a complex plot and a really good sort-of-twist at the end. It left me with a smile on my face and a real sense of satisfaction. I’d say this is definitely a story I’d like to share with my friends –well worth a read. Enjoy! Vasiliki Scurfield, (WRDF Review) The Tarot Card

You can see the entire review (s) if you click on the links to the right.
Thank you!

Betrayal

2009-07-29T07:42:00.002-04:00

I'm writing a story about betrayal. Not the man / woman betrayal, but females against each other.

In today's world who can you really trust? According to my spouse: Trust no one.

Rang true recently.

Share your betrayal stories in this safe forum. We'll commiserate!

I'm in the spotlight!

2009-06-02T08:25:00.001-04:00

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Romance_Bistro/

June 2, 2009...all day!

Win a prize!

Paranormal books on sale at Fictionwise

2009-05-28T08:14:00.004-04:00

Okay, all of the books are on sale until May 31, 2009, but mine are the best!
Check them out...get a discounted price. Experience the magic of jj's fantasies with spice and humor.

http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mwsearch

anywhere from $1.78 to $3.05...what a bargain.

Booksigning...May 23 in Logansport, Indiana

2009-05-21T11:25:00.002-04:00

The spicy book about mistaken identity remains as a best seller at The Wild Rose Press.
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/cont...1b5aae3f6859c9

And I'm having a booksigning at Bliss Spa in Logansport, Indiana on Saturday 5.23 from 10 - 3. If anyone is going to the Indy 500 stop by and we'll chat.

THE TAROT CARD
www.thewildrosepress.com
SBN: 1-60154-437-5ard
ISBN 13: 9781601544377, May 6, 2009
A stalled elevator.
A sexy gypsy.
A straight-laced CEO.
Fate has a sense of humor.
Kerry McClure must secure her future as head of her father's corporation. She simply needs to sign a contract with Rune Technologies to ward off a hostile takeover.
When Kerry's mistaken for a gypsy fortuneteller, she plays along, but could one night of fun jeopardize her CEO confirmation?
Stein Laxdale needs the business deal with McClure Ventures or he'll lose control of Rune Technologies. He must decide if Kerry is his biggest threat or his greatest hope for a happily ever after.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjtQV83j4X8 The Tarot Card

Excerpt:

Kerry stiffened as she smelled the scent of his familiar cologne. The sandalwood mixed with his unique male scent made her stomach muscles jump and jerk.

The lilt in his lovely Irish voice made her sexual awakening manifest. Moisture collected creating a tingle between her legs and glancing down at her breasts she found them swelled and pointed. The yearning to connect with him hadn’t been burnt off with the sweat from exercise. She couldn’t face him. Would he hate her for deceiving him?

If she turned around and saw him, she’d be lost. Yet, the desire to reveal her true self was paramount. What to do?

This riveting tale is hot...purchase only if you like spice!

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.
__________________
jj http://www.jj-keller.com

Mistaken Identity

2009-05-11T09:00:00.004-04:00

Mistaken Identity
by jj Keller
www.jj-keller.com

Tess glided home on a haze of euphoria, her research paper about the epic John Steinbeck was going to be published in the English Teaching Professional magazine. At lunch her roommate, Robin Deal, declared a celebration was in order and purchased box seats for them to attend a Russian ballet. Later that night they’d go to University Theatre…granted Robin had to write a report about the troupe for a recreation class, but it was the thought that counted.

Tess didn’t mind, the ballet would provide her the one opportunity to wear her grandmother’s mink wrap. A hand-me-down, the brown sable had a perfect blending of fur. The worn patches of silk on the backside didn’t bother Tess one little bit.

She showered, spread honeysuckle lotion all over the dry patches on her skin, and dressed as her Gram would say, “to the nines”. She selected an A-line gold dress, slipped on dark brown, above the elbow-length gloves, and forced her toes into clacker-heels. To top off the outfit, she swept her hair into a French Twist. A few days before, she’d watched a documentary on Audrey Hepburn and wanted to appear as sophisticated as she. The outfit was certainly over the top for a small town, but she so wanted to wear the mink and jeans didn’t seem fitting for the venue.

“Well don’t you look like a princess?” Robin rested her arm on Tess’s shoulder, rubbing the decadent mink. She wore a Caribbean-blue tight blouse and a lime green short skirt. Her floral perfume matched the outfit, pungent and striking. With flats, she stood a foot taller than Tess. Robin was the foil to Tess’s pixy-self― slim, blonde, and exuberant.

“Thanks, I think Gram would be pleased.” Tess glanced in the full length mirror, not recognizing the scruffy student she’d been two hours before, she now witnessed the image of a shorter young Audrey Hepburn. She rather liked how the gold in the dress highlighted her brown hair. Her nose was shiny as well, wishing it was more aristocratic in length and style. She shrugged and reapplied her lipstick, downplaying the peaks on her lips. “You’re not dressing for the thee..atre?”

Robin snickered. “Ah, no. But I think you should wear my mother’s ring.” She ran into her bedroom, clapped open her jewelry box and rushed to Tess’s side. “Here, this is my mom’s emerald ring. It’s rather large, so wear the ring on top of the glove.”

Tess shoved the large, square-cut, jewel onto her middle right finger, if nothing else she could use the digit to send a message about a bad performance. She didn't think she could "give the finger" to someone, but someday she’d walk on the dark side and find the nerve to use that key phalange in an obnoxious way.

“Oh, how pretty, the stone matches your eyes perfectly.” Robin smiled. “Let’s go, we’re already late.”

Although in walking distance, they drove to the theater, adding two extra blocks in order to enter Theatre Lane going in the correct direction. Robin illegally parked near a red door, marked private. Once out of the car Tess had reservations about entering through an obviously restricted entrance. Robin threw open the metal entrance and tugged Tess across the threshold, landing them near the backstage.

“Ah there you are. We thought perhaps you’d changed your mind about attending the ballet tonight. I’m Andre.” The young man wore a tux, and his hair was shinier than the brown heels pinching her toes.

Tess glanced behind her to see if perhaps someone else had entered the theater with them. Nope. She shot a look at Robin.

Robin smiled and smoothed a wayward curl behind her ear. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Please allow me.” He held out his arm, elbow kinked. “Baroness Oxonya?” He stared at Tess, waiting for her confirmation or denial.

Baroness, was he kidding? Despite not having a clue as to whom he was referring, she straightened her back and her chin notched higher. She’d deny the mistaken identity, with dignity, and admit entering through a private entrance. Tess quickly glanced at Robin. Her eyes glittered, indicating she knew what was afoot.

“That’s pronounced, Ox-ann-ya,” Robin spouted, confirming her prior knowledge. The night was a set-up. “I’m her assistant.”

“Ms.Paonce?” he asked and dropped his arm to his side.

“Robin,” Tess chastised.

Robin quickly covered. “You can call me Robin. We better get moving, the band’s playing.”

He bobbed his head and pirouetted to lead them down the shadowed hallway.

Tess grabbed her roommate’s hand, questioning how good of a friend she was. “I’m not Baronessa anything. What happens when she shows up?”

“She won’t. It’s a small production, at a university in Indiana. Think about it. We’ll get great seats, maybe champagne.” Her eyes glowed.

They had reached an elevator and Andre prevented the panels from closing. “Baronessa?”

Tess couldn’t say anything. Her throat had numbed. She pressed her fingers to her gullet, massaging the muscles, urging the words to come forth. Tell him, before this goes any farther.

Andre’s eyes widened. The enormous green rock reflected in his brown irises. Crap.

They boarded, and the elevator raised two levels. She exited what she’d come to think of as her cell. Doom waited. Several twists and turns later he opened a door and held out an arm, flagging them forward. Hopefully, they would be alone in a separate box. When the true royalty showed up, they would say oops, sorry, and run like Pegasus.

Robin slithered in front of Tess, moving to a table boasting shining crystal flutes and dark labeled wine bottles. Tess’s eyes adjusted to the lowered lighting straight ahead. Two other figures were outlined, one small wearing a hat and the other tall with wide shoulders.

“Baronessa Oxonya, it’s a pleasure to meet you. The Senator had a situation to handle and couldn’t make it. I’m his assistant, Murdock…Murdock Jameson, and this is my Grandmother, Julia Jameson.” He was tall, blond, chiseled cheeks, and a true smile, not just appearing on his perfectly shaped lips but in his sea blue eyes. Tess’s heart melted.

“Sea warrior,” Tess murmured, her voice gurgled in her throat, so she sounded foreign. A slight accent filtered through, an intonation she didn’t recognize.

“You’re right my dear, Murdock is Gaelic for sea warrior. My grandson is all that and more.” The woman’s aged blue eyes, so like her grandson’s pierced Tess, making her heart pound harder and not just because of lust for her grandson, but impersonation guilt.

Tess held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Jameson, Mr. Jameson.”

Each gave her a slight tug on the tips of her fingers.

“Please call me Murdock.” He took hold of the crook of her arm and his grandmother’s, and escorted them to the four seats located in the box.

Robin sat in the second seat, her small skirt suddenly shorter. One hand clung to the stem of a wine glass. She patted the chair beside her. “Hi, I’m Robin.”

“Murdock and Julia Jameson.” His voice tone resounded to the string section currently strumming in the pit and plucking away at Tess’s heartstrings.

Murdock assisted his grandmother into the single seat by Robin and Tess on the other side of her friend. He sat at the end. The two interlopers were sandwiched between lies. On the up side, Tess had Murdock all to herself.

Tess removed her left glove. The theatre went completely black. The silky long mitt fluttered to the floor. She gripped the arm rest and leaned forward to retrieve the scrap of cloth. Murdock placed his hand on top of hers. His warm skin relaxed her. She snuggled into the padding of the seat, leaving the glove on the floor.

“The blackout took me by surprise.” How stupid. She sounded as if she’d never attended a production at a theatre before.

He whispered into her ear. “Your voice is so soft I didn’t hear you. Have your eyes adjusted to the darkness?”

Her heart was what needed to adjust. His perfect mouth touched her earlobe, and she had the strongest desire to turn her head a few inches, so her lips could connect with his. Sandalwood cologne scented the air around her.

His hand lingered on top of hers. She glanced into his eyes. Desire, or fear of being caught, heated her to the point of explosion. Tess had to get out of there.

“After the ballet, would you…and your friend be interested in going to dinner with my grandmother and me?” His lips were near her cheek. The orchestra played louder.

Doomed― Tess lifted her eyes to meet his. Her mouth a fraction of an inch from his. A brief touch, a soft kiss and she would be sunk.

“I des not cares who you says entered. I am ‘ese Baronessa Oxonya.” A heavily accented voice drowned out the beautiful orchestra music.

“Time to leave!” Robin shot off her seat and grabbed Tess’s arm.

“I’m sorry.” Tess removed her hand from under his, stood, and nodded to Julia. “It was a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Jameson.”

Murdock stood, his beautiful blues changing from calm seas to raging violent waves of emotion.

Robin jerked Tess toward the open door and a crow-headed harridan with a ferocious look on her face.

Tess didn’t want to leave. Her heart pattered as she considered taking a stand, apologize for the confusion and start fresh.

No time.

Robin grabbed Tess’s ungloved hand and pulled her across the threshold, shoving the empty flute into Andre’s open palm as they passed. At a run Robin flung open the stairwell door and shoved Tess down a flight of stairs.

Tess clackity-clacked all the way down two flights and stopped by the exit sign.

Robin, already with keys in hand, leaned against the bar on the exit.

Robin’s hand pressed against the lever of an emergency door, with a large sign declaring an alarm would sound if opened.

Tess plopped onto the next to the last stair and grabbed the rail with her gloved hand.

“What the hell are you doing? Get up.” Robin waved her free hand. “We’re going to get caught.”

“I’m not leaving. I’d rather stay and―”

“So help me, Tess, if you say face the music I’m going to leave your perfect little ass here,” Robin screeched. By the snarl on her face, she wasn’t kidding.

“Just as well, because I’m not going to run.” Tess pressed her hot face against the cool iron rail.

“F’ing fantastic. I’ll look forward to seeing your face in a different sort of print tomorrow.”

Humm, student arrested instead of student honored―definitely bad print. Tess had found her dark side and lifted the finger she’d been dying to use. The squeak of a door opening and closing, from above, rang through the stairwell.

Robin cackled and flung open the exit door.

Heavy footsteps trod on the stairs. Tess tilted her head to glance up, but a man in blue sporting a shield didn’t come into sight. She rested her cheek against the rail again, waiting for the gavel to fall.

“Tess?”

Lack of oxygen made her hallucinate because she thought she heard Murdock say her real name.

“Tess Kelour?” In her peripheral vision she glimpsed a pair of shiny ebony shoes and crisply pressed black pants. She closed her eyes.

A feather-like touch of silk brushed against her face. She opened her eyes and glanced at Murdock. He held her glove in his hand, a glimmer of mirth in his eyes.

“I don’t have my name sewed into all of my clothing.” Her voice sounded normal. No squeak, no odd accent, but simple shy Tess.

Murdock settled beside her and handed her the glove with the tag exposed, her name brilliant in its calligraphy text.

“My grandmother was a fashion designer. I was named after her and have inherited much of her signature clothing. Not really current for the times, but I like her style. Suits me.” Okay, babbling. First she couldn’t get two words to hang together, and now she couldn’t stop them from rolling off her tongue.

“Why did you pretend to be Russian royalty?” His baritone voice soothed her heated soul more than the cool touch of the iron rail.

She picked up the glove and flipped it over and back. “The spirit of adventure.”

“More than likely it was because of that skank you arrived with. Where did she go?” He glanced around Tess, touching her as he looked into the dark corner to her right. His closeness reawakened her desire to be near him. Sandalwood cologne mixed very nicely with her jasmine perfume. Perhaps a little rub to merge them.

Skank? Maybe his age was younger than the mid-thirty’s she’d originally thought.

“Left. She’s not really a skank, just a lover of a good time.” Tess put her glove back on and using the rail pulled herself to a stand, ready to reap the consequences of her actions. She glanced at Robin’s exit site, why hadn’t the alarm on the door blasted? Oh well. “I’m ready to talk to the police.”

“Why? Did she steal your car?” He took her arm into his and they ascended.

She glanced into his face. His questioning expression, a touch of humor rippling through his eyes, indicated his sincerity. “No. Ah, impersonation, although it was mistaken. I’ll talk to the men in blue and the Russian Baroness to apologize if necessary.”

“Ah.” His breath smelled like peppermint. Lips a mere inch away from hers.

If she had a non-vocal, non-appearing fairy godmother, now was the time to intercede. She’d hope for a kiss more than a lecture on morality.

He stopped on the staircase, and her breathing halted as well. Her heart pounded with such intensity surely he could hear the beat.

“The police were never called. We assumed it was a mistake. Baroness Oxonya huffed out the minute the door slammed shut. Obviously, she didn’t want to attend and I imagine she would thank you for providing her a reason to leave.”

As awkward as the stairs were, he slipped his arm from hers and around her waist. His other hand cupped her cheek, his thumb slowly ran around the curves of her mouth. She leaned into him and half-closed her eyes.

“If you’re willing, we could finish the ballet and attend dinner with my grandmother.” He lowered his thumb to rest under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze.

Not fighting the magic, Tess licked her lips and blessed her fairy godmother for giving her this boon. “I’m quite excited about the ballet, and I would enjoy talking with your grandmother.”

Murdock lowered his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and lifted her arms to rest at his neck. Enchantment surrounded her. Maybe the original Tess Kelour gave her more than labeled clothing, she’d cast a spell for a magical evening.

If you want to experience the sizzle, the desire of being with someone you’ve just met and are attracted too, purchase The Tarot Card.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-tarot-card-p-1231.html?zenid=d5fcdf1e88e270a00252668ae98b3b7c
PRINT? YES…go to website above and scroll down or directly to Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Amazon

THANK YOU!

jj

Mistaken Identity

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.
http://www.jj-keller.com
Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY
All rights reserved.

Cowboys Dream Too...Morgan O'Reilly shares inventive riding lessons.

2009-04-07T14:42:00.003-04:00

Even a cowboy can dream of a Celtic goddess... But is it just a dream?

From the first time he dreamed of his perfect woman, Gray Dunbar was no longer satisfied by his pre-ordained future on the family dude ranch. She's leading him on, away from Colorado and around the world, until he can't stay away from home any longer.

Reed O'Brien needs a vacation. Her boss's company is falling apart. When a proposed trip to a dude ranch retreat comes along, she jumps at the chance. A stop in Vegas gets the ball rolling -- especially when she meets the one man her boss would love to put out of business.

Is this destined to be war...or love?

Warning, contains explicit situations, carnal massages, and inventive riding lessons.

Gray Dunbar searched the world over for the woman who’s headlined in his dreams for years. The last place he expected to find her is beside a Vegas pool on the way home to the dude ranch he deserted.

Excerpt:

No, the man drooling over her friend wasn’t Reed’s type after all. She liked her brain-boys with a sense of style. This one apparently had nothing going for him, except the good taste to avoid a major fashion faux pas. Men should have to gain the written approval of ten women, not relatives, before wearing bikini swim suits. It should be a law. Especially in Vegas.

Reed hid her disgust by trying to coax an ice cube from the glass and into her mouth. Predictably, the ice clung to the bottom no matter how much she rattled it. She tried one last time only to have the entire mass let loose and spill across her face, over her chest and down inside her suit.

Typical, Reed snarled internally while her best friend hooted with laughter. Reed didn’t dare look up as she brushed the rogue cubes away.

“May I offer you a towel?”

The smooth deep voice and an undeniably male presence made Reed notice the man holding out a towel. Black hair, eyes hidden behind the mandatory sunglasses, bronzed skin, lean but bulging muscles and six-pack abs sliding into baggy swim trunks. He could have worn a Speedo—and how.

Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Length: Super Novel
Price: $6.50
Digital Publication Date: April 6, 2009
Cover art by Mina Carter

Check it out at Lyrical Press.

Morgan Q. O'Reilly

Get Some Tonight

http://morganqoreilly.com

Cowboys Dream Too ~ Available Today!

Also Available From Morgan

Frozen ~ ebook and Print

Chinook Wine and Sink Her ~ ebook

Halo In Her Pocket ~ebook

Four Tombstones for Dark Shadows

2009-03-16T08:55:00.001-04:00

Mar 14, 2009
The Hierophant: Dark Shadows by jj Keller
Review by Virginia
Categories: Adult Content, Book Reviews, Immortals, e-books

Tori Kepler is a bartender and half owner of Dark Shadows. She has to be careful because if she gets too emotional and unguarded, she tends to start fires. Her brother is protective of her and her powers and does what he can to keep Tori from being hurt. She has protected herself from relationships until she meets Henri Chambers. Henri is a guardian. His job is to track down those who do evil and deliver their souls to hell. He is sent to track down a recruit and falls in love with Tori along the way. The only snag is that due to his job, he cannot have lasting relationships. Will he choose his immortality or will he choose love?
I give this book 4 tombstones. I enjoyed reading it and the concept was unique. I would have liked to learn more about the guardian organization that Henri was a part of since it seemed to be so important to Henri when he was contemplating pursuing a relationship with Tori. The relationship between Tori and Henri was good to read since it was nice and simplistic. I enjoy reading a book where the characters do not fall into bed right away. The romance progressed at a reasonable pace considering the type of book I was reading. I really enjoyed Ms. Keller’s writing style. Her plot line has lots of room to write sequels and can be drawn in many interesting directions in future books. I do not know what Ms. Keller has planned down the road for this, but I look forward to reading any sequels she may write.
Book Excerpt: “In Cyan, Indiana, Dark Shadows is a pub filled with unique characters. The bar is a draw for the unusual, the wicked, and a place where even a Guardian defining justice can’t depart.
Henri Chambers is tired of immortality. A Guardian squad member of heaven and hell, he is on a new mission…to find a recruit for the team and hopefully his replacement. He finds his quarry in a pub called Dark Shadows. Unfortunately, the target is the brother of the first woman to ignite a fire inside Henri in centuries.
Tori Kepler, half owner of Dark Shadows bar and grill has been diligent in her efforts to subdue her fire starting abilities. That is, until she meets Henri Chambers, then uncontrollable sparks fly. When her brother sees the ghost of their mother and a prophecy is given via two tarot cards, The Hierophant and Seven of Swords, he decides to sell the pub. The decision about what path to take in her life is taken out of her hands.
Will the two lovers find heaven on Earth in each other’s arms or will their paths take divergent courses?”
Book Stats:
• e-book, digital format
• Publisher: Tease Publishing LLC
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-1-60767-005-6
To purchase an electronic copy of The Hierophant: Dark Shadows click here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
ShareThis
Tags: Book Reviews,Dark Shadows,Immortals,JJ Keller,Paranormal,Tarot,The Hierophant
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=1499

To Purchase:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook77922.htm

Juniper Iceglow

2009-03-10T12:48:00.001-04:00

Your fairy is called Juniper Iceglow

She is a bone chilling bringer of justice for the vulnerable.

She lives in clear-headed pine forests.

She is only seen in the light of a full moon.

She wears purple juniper colours. She has icy blue butterfly wings.

Get your free fairy name here!

The Tower: Fall into my Arms

2009-02-25T15:37:00.005-05:00

RELEASED... Tease Publishing is proud to announce Fall into my Arms!

Best friends...should they become lovers?

Veronica McKenzie failed a trust test with her boyfriend, quickly forcing the relationship to dwindle down faster than she wanted. Always her best friend and pillar, she runs to Nick who provides love and comfort.

Nick Flinn is tired of being the guy-next-door. He’d changed from Geek to Greek and yet, Veronica can’t see him as a love interest. However, as a result of Veronica’s recent encounter with a mystic and a tarot card reading things might have changed, in his favor.

Trust isn’t easy when you’ve been disappointed. Is it possible that the one person you know will catch you when you fall…can become your true love? Even if he catches you and walks away?

Available at www.allromanceebooks.com

www.fictionwise.com soon after

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAhMhY1OjEc

Dark Shadows, continues to be on top

2009-02-06T16:01:00.002-05:00

Tease top 5 at FW are just in
Bee Among The Clover Marguerite Labbe
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off Cara North
Dark Shadows JJ Keller
Leading Her To Heaven Kayleigh Jamison

Perfect Bianca D'Arc and Just For a Night Alexis Ke tied
Congrats all

DARK SHADOWS WAS #1 IN DECEMBER! IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED UP A COPY YET, GO TO WWW.FICTIONWISE.COM

Fairy tales exist....free story just for you

2009-02-04T08:26:00.003-05:00

Clarissa and Riley
Fairy tales exist only in children’s books, except when Clarissa meets Riley. Clarissa fears she’s brought her Frog Prince to life by wishing upon a cloud. Riley is unsure if he should run from the gorgeous sunbather, who believes he’s frog, or snuggle with her. Wishes are for real.
Rose Petal
(10 Pages) Rating (sweet)

Dark Shadows---OUTSTANDING

2009-02-02T16:56:00.002-05:00

Momma Mia! I need a cold shower and some aspirin. There was so much passion in DARK SHADOWS that I thought my head would explode. I LOVE THIS BOOK!! In fact, I love this book so much that I nearly blew off finishing my day's work so that I could finish it in one setting. Duty called, however, and I got to it as soon as I could. And what a finish! DARK SHADOWS has it all: Good versus Evil; Love, Lust and Secrets competing for dominance; boundless love and those velvet ties that transcend even the strangest of circumstances.

Mark and Tori are leading relatively normal lives, tending to the bar they inherited, the Dark Shadows. For all intents and purposes they are "normal" folks, except they have not-so-normal abilities. Tori is a "fire-starter" and Mark is a telepath. [Editor's note: This would be a handy talent to have when the beer has been flowing a bit too freely.] Life is as usual until a HOT guy begins to visit the pub on a regular basis. He catches Tori's eye. She catches his eye as well. Good?

Not really. He's not human. He's a "guardian," one of the entities entrusted to eternally walk the earth and locate black/evil souls and dispatch them to Hell. He'd been at his job for a while and was delighted to find diversion in the lovely Tori. But, he won't tell her his secret. It's the old immortal-loves-mortal complaint, (she'll grow old and die and I'll be left with painful memories), but author Keller wields her pen with skill and compassion. Love blooms and Henri, the guardian, decides it will be better to be mortal with his love than live forever without her after her life's natural span completes. The Powers That Be agree, but with one condition: "Locate your replacement, Dude. These dark souls are not gonna go away just cuz you're hitched." Luckily, there's Mark.

I won't tell more of the story line, out of respect for the author, but the story continues with enough plot twists and passion for this reader to be glued to her seat. What a ride! As I said before, I LOVE this story. Sure, it has the classic fairy tale ending, but the story is crafted with such skill that I didn't mind. Indeed, I wouldn't have been a happy reader if there hadn't been a Happily Ever After end. I mean, this is a romance books after all. Right?

Anyway, this book is fabulous and romantic and going on my Keeper shelf. If J.J. Keller has more books in this line, feel free to push them in this direction. Fan for Life!! That's me.

Five Mystique Moons. (Outstanding)
Class Three sensuality. (Standard Romance)

Rachel Nail, Reviewer
mystiquebooks@gmail.com
Tags: j.j. keller

PURCHASE THIS BOOK AT WWW.FICTIONWISE.COM

The Tower: Fall into my Arms release date is 2.15.09

2009-01-22T14:44:00.005-05:00

The Tower: Fall into my Arms

Tease Publishing

ISBN:
Spicy.

Tease Publishing, www.allromanceebooks.com, www.fictionwise.com

Veronica McKenzie failed a trust test with her boyfriend, quickly forcing the relationship to dwindle down faster than she wanted. Always her best friend and pillar, she runs to Nick who provides love and comfort.

Nick Flinn is tired of being the guy-next-door. He’d changed from Geek to Greek and yet, Veronica can’t see him as a love interest. However, as a result of Veronica’s recent encounter with a mystic and a tarot card reading things might have changed, in his favor.

Trust isn’t easy when you’ve been disappointed. Is it possible that the one person you know will catch you when you fall…can become your true love?

Even if he catches you and walks away?

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAhMhY1OjEc

jj Keller

Fantasies with spice and humor.

http://www.jj-keller.com

Trade Agreement, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxf1tPBXdSY

All rights reserved.

Celebrate: Dark Shadows # 18 at Fictionwise

2008-12-31T08:34:00.002-05:00

I'm dancing! Dark Shadows is ranked # 18 at www.fictionwise.com. The sizzling story is running with Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) and Charlaine Harris (Dead). How will I ever be able to thank you for reading my fantasies. My sincere appreciation...

The Tower: Fall Into My Arms

2008-12-24T08:35:00.003-05:00

I'm excited to announce a new Tease Publishing release slated for February 15, 2009.

Best friends...should they become lovers?

Veronica McKenzie failed a trust test with her boyfriend, quickly forcing the relationship to dwindle down faster than she wanted. Always her best friend and pillar, she runs to Nick who provides love and comfort.

Nick Flinn is tired of being the guy-next-door. He’d changed from Geek to Greek and yet, Veronica can’t see him as a love interest. However, as a result of Veronica’s recent encounter with a mystic and a tarot card reading things might have changed, in his favor.

Trust isn’t easy when you’ve been disappointed. Is it possible that the one person you know will catch you when you fall…can become your true love? Even if he catches you and walks away?

Available February 15, 2009 at www.allromanceebooks.com
www.teasepublishing.com
www.fictionwise.com soon after

Interview

2008-12-02T08:35:00.006-05:00

Hi, I've been interviewed (my first) about my upcoming release, The Tarot Card.

THE TAROT CARD

SBN: 1-60154-437-5ard

ISBN 13: 9781601544377, May 6, 2009

A stalled elevator.

A sexy gypsy.

A straight-laced CEO.

Fate has a sense of humor.

Kerry McClure must secure her future as head of her father's corporation. She simply needs to sign a contract with Rune Technologies to ward off a hostile takeover.

When Kerry's mistaken for a gypsy fortuneteller, she plays along, but could one night of fun jeopardize her CEO confirmation?

Stein Laxdale needs the business deal with McClure Ventures or he'll lose control of Rune Technologies. He must decide if Kerry is his biggest threat or his greatest hope for a happily ever after.

Interview:

Trailer

Dark Shadows Trailer

2008-11-20T08:18:00.000-05:00

2008-11-10T08:49:00.002-05:00

4 out of 5 Stars for Dark Shadows

Manic Reviews, Stevi B said:

Tori Kepler has an unusual “gift” that keeps her from forming close attachments unless the other person wants to be seriously burned, literally. Running a bar and grill with her brother seems like her only option and then her brother decides he wants to sell the bar and go off to save the world. Henri Chambers is a bar customer and the first man in a long time to interest Tori but Henri is much more than he seems. Henri is an immortal guardian and he has come to recruit Tori’s brother; he never counted on meeting Tori, the only woman to ever stir Henri’s passion. Can fate really be that cruel and dangle mates in front of each other only to deny them an opportunity to be together?

I love when a paranormal author can come up with new and unusual characters. Henri has the ability to damn the damned to hell with the touch of his finger – he is the ultimate tool for justice in the universe. Unfortunately that same fairness doesn’t seem to be offered to Henri. Why would he meet his soul mate when he has no option to be with her?

Tori is a strong independent woman who goes after what she wants only to have it torn from her grasp by fate. And to compound Tori’s tragedy, she must also lose her brother, her last living relative and best friend. This doesn’t sound like a fun story! But the strength of a determined woman is illustrated as Tori finds a way to make something good from her pain. Surely fate can find a way to reward such a special woman. Ms. Keller adds a twist to her plot that brings the story together at the end with a satisfactory solution!

I enjoyed The Hierophant: Dark Shadows, as I have other books I’ve read by Ms. Keller. Ms Keller remains a favorite author for me when I want an unusual story with a unique perspective!

Dark Shadows ‐ 4 out of 5 stars ‐ http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=1304

5 Sweetheart Winner

2008-11-04T08:23:00.001-05:00

5 Heart Sweetheart Winner 11/3/08 is...
Posted by: "Katie Raines" krraines@gmail.com krraines
Mon Nov 3, 2008 2:15 pm (PST)
Believe by jj Keller - reviewed for TRS by LInda L.

"Believe is an awesome, I mean awesome book. I was completely drawn into the
characters of Mikhail and Jensen. The storyline grabs and kept me in
suspense until the ending. I love how Mikhail and Jensen work together, not
to mention the way their budding relationship blossoms. Their sweet
chemistry pulled me deeper into this magnificent story. I wish I could give
it more than a 5, it is so spectacular. This is a highly recommended read I
think everyone would enjoy. I got lost in the pages, because jj Keller gives
the audience a fast–paced entertaining read where the adrenaline rushes.
This story consumes with vibrant characters, and an evil person that this
reader wanted to reach through the pages and stomp." - *Linda L.*

Buy it today: http://www.cobblest one-press. com/catalog/ books/believe. htm

Thank you!

--
Katie

The Romance Studio
http://theromancest udio.com

Thank you, The Romance Studio, for hosting the contest and for this wonderful honor.

Thank you, Linda L. for your fantastic review and the many heartfelt comments. I'm so glad you liked the story. I get goose-bumps each time I read your statements.

A special thanks to all of the romance readers who voted for this review. You are the reason I want to continue writing.

Sincerely,

jj Keller
Fantasies with Spice and Humor.
www.jj-keller.com