Hunted is here!

How important is research in regards to different elements of your stories such as the use of Eskrima martial arts or medical issues for accuracy, and what resources do you utilize? Research is the singular most important aspect in telling a story. Unless the author is all of what his characters are, then a thorough study is necessary to deliver an accurate and believable story. In my Trilogy’s case, I watched videos and read articles about the martial arts form. It doesn’t hurt that all my kids have black belts in Taekwondo and have competed nationally many times, so I have seen action up close. This excerpt is from Wikipedia to give you a little idea of what Kali-Eskrima is. Eskrima, Arnis and (in the West) Kali are umbrella terms for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines that emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons. It also includes hand-to-hand combatant weapon disarming techniques. In Hunted, I used hybrid movements, mixing all other martial arts I can get my hands on. Grappling is possibly the best form of all, since most fights almost always ends up on the ground anyway. As far as the medical issues, it’s all made up. As I stated in the book, IncomisSippanus’ symptoms is a cross between Aids and Leprosy. Since the disease is nonexistent, I took the liberty of basing the vampire’s make-up from their human counterpart and just creating elaborate symptoms and side effects. My research tool has been Web MD, Wiki (just for added reference), YouTube (to watch the martial arts exhibition) and various online discussions about each topic to support my ideas.

Hunted, Book One of The Gates Legacy

Deep in the heart of New York City’s underworld, a horrible disease is ravaging the vampire community. The Vampire Council is on a crusade to obliterate those infected, and Harrow Gates is target Number One. The unwitting source of the plague, he suffers from the same nightmarish symptoms as his victims. The world he'd been thrust into was cold, cruel, and intent on eradicating him, and the legions of afflicted vampires he created with his bite.

 A bounty hanging over his head, satisfying his hunger has become an enormous challenge for Harrow. The less he feeds, the more hideous and painful his lesions become. Constantly running for his life and learning new tricks to survive, Harrow is in no position to refuse when Pritchard Tack offers him a unique opportunity. Pritchard not only gives Harrow a new beginning, but also a purpose and a chance to rectify the chaos he created in the vampire world. However, the multi-billionaire has an agenda of his own.

Jordan is a reluctant new vampire and a woman on a mission. After the demise of her family and her own transformation at the hands of Goran, the ruthless leader of the Vampire Council, her only focus is revenge. Constantly faced with one frustrating dead-end after another, a stroke of luck leads her to an underground facility that she suspects is the lair of the monster for whom she is looking.

Upon learning more about the truth behind the secret bunker, Jordan must fight against her growing feelings of friendship and concern for the facility’s inhabitants. One man in particular threatens to pull her heart away from her sworn mission. There is something behind Harrow’s dark lenses that unsettles the hardened female. Once again, she trembles and hungers for something other than red-stained revenge. Is love strong enough to override her hate-fueled thirst for vengeance? We have two excerpts for you to pick from, or you can put them both up!

Excerpt from Hunted: 

“There really isn’t a second scenario, we’re dead set and conceptually right about the first one.” Pritchard chuckled. Harrow hissed under his breath, unable to control his hunger any longer. “You need to feed. I know Tor rudely interrupted your dinner. Intel confirms that needle in your pocket, meant you’re not advocating the spread of the disease, am I right?”
Harrow shuddered before nodding. His could feel his strength fading and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. This human, in all of his infinite wisdom, should give him his neck and be done with.
“I know what you’re thinking Harrow,” Pritchard laughed without humor. “I’m not the enemy here, or your dinner. I will take you to a cell for now, where you will be fed donated blood until we find a cure for that ailment. Neither of you are prisoners here, but until we are certain that you’re not a threat to us humans, you will not be allowed to move around freely.”
Pritchard rose to his feet. “Follow me,” he told Harrow.
“What about these damn cuffs on our leg, we’re not animals you know.” Tor said and his voice thundered through the room. He was already up on his feet and facing off with Lambert, who was sporting a push dagger, notably of Dangeran material.
 “They are trackers, in case you are out there,” Lambert motioned with his hand. “We will know how to find you.”
“Just like we’re dogs, right?” Tor said distastefully.
“Yes, but very special dogs,” Lambert said, taunting as he grabbed Tor’s elbow and shoved him forward to follow Pritchard and Harrow. They were already walking down the long corridor that eventually led them to a windowless suite. The furnishings were top-rated, lavish to be exact. There were two king-sized beds, a state of the art sound system sitting next to a giant television, expensive looking art adorned the wall, and plush carpeting to boot.

 Another Excerpt: 

The loneliness gnawed at him hard. He had gone to visit his family several times over the course of the following years and had witnessed firsthand the sorrow in their faces when they thought they’d lost him. He watched his parents from the shadows and saw their hearts were broken, not knowing what had become of their son. Eventually, they passed away, and Harrow felt loneliness like a knife speared permanently in his heart.
He was indeed a freak, as he’d been branded by Tor, but not for the reason Tor had concluded. Harrow was a vampire with a conscience, a disease, and a shaky future ahead of him. He was fucked — as fucked as he could get.

 

Author Bio: 

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. Hunted, the first book of The Gates Legacy trilogy, is her debut novel. Written in forty-five days, the grueling writing schedule was a personal challenge, even though she thought it was madness at first. She enjoys dabbling in different genres with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories. She currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. Lorenz spends most of her free time writing while also working as a Business Office Manager for a skilled-rehabilitation hospital.

Tour Schedule: 

3/5: Sydney Logan-- www.sydneylogan.com
3/6: Jennifer Garcis-- itlnbrt.com
3/7: Wyndy--wyndydee.wordpress.com
3/8: Nails233-- http://nails233.blogspot.com/
3/9: Anna Crosswell-- martinitimes.com 3/10: Credoroza-- http://fandomfanatic.blogspot.com/
3/11: Faye--http:// freshfiction.com
3/12: Leslie-- www.storeybookreviews.com
3/13: Estelle Mars-- http://estellemars.blogspot.com/
3/14: Ali-- http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/
3/15: Lori’s Book Blog-- lorisbookblog.blogspot.com
3/16: Sarah Aisling-- www.sarahaisling.com
3/17: R.E. Hargrave-- http://www.rehargrave.com/
3/18: M.B. Feeney-- http://michbookreviews.wordpress.com
3/19: B.F. Betty-- http://bettybf.blogspot.com/ 3/20: Claire-- http://booktobookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/
3/21: I love Vampire Novels-- www.ilovevampirenovels.com
3/22: Laura Braley-- http://laurabraley.blogspot.com/
3/23:ChrisCarmilia-- http://chrisbookblogemporium.blogspot.com/
3/24: N. Wood-- http://nwoodstories.blogspot.com/
3/25: Nette-- http://nettebookshelf.blogspot.com/
3/26: Lisa Bilbrey-- http://lisabilbrey.blogspot.com/
3/27:Michele Richard—http://michele-richard.blogspot.com/
3/28: Nina Gomez-- www.beautybrainsandbooks.com
3/29: Tattooed Book Review-- www.tattooedbookreview.com
3/30: Ivy--http://manicreaders.com/blog/
3/31: Bridgette-- www.dreamin-of-jbone.blogspot.com

To Serve is Divine!

So . . . why am I so excited? R.E. Hargrave has brought us a truly divine book on a BDSM relationship.

You may be wondering how I know this? Easy, I read it. It reminded me of this song.




Why you may be wondering?

Too many people make assumptions about a way of life they don't understand. Anyone who lives the lifestyle knows that it varies from Dom and Domme to submissive on the way the relationship runs. Hell - there are some couples who live it without the kink or contracts. That doesn't make them anyless a lifestyler.

I know one submissive who traded her gold link collar for a wedding band years ago. It never changed the control she'd granted Him. After 25 years, their relationship is unchanged. she lives to serve Him and He lives to care for her.

*End rant*

Here's the summary:

Catherine O’Chancey is a reserved, demure, and graceful submissive. All traits she trained hard to enhance when she discovered the world of Dominance and submission in college. In an attempt to start fresh after the unexpected death of her last Dom, Catherine moves to Dallas, TX to escape the shroud of darkness he left behind in her life. She has tried to fight the need that resides deep within her to submit, but finally has to admit she can’t for it is not a choice, but part of who she truly is. After months of mental preparation, she ventures back into the lifestyle by attending a coveted open-night event at Dungeons and Dreams, an exclusive BDSM club.

Is it fate or coincidence that Catherine garners the attention of one of the club’s board members who happens to be on the hunt for the perfect sub – a partner who enjoys receiving pain and pleasure as much as he enjoys doling it out?

Jayden Masterson is many things: a firm Dom, a shrewd businessman, and a gentleman. What he isn’t, is someone who partakes in relationships outside of contractual ones with his multiple, un-collared, regular submissives. While he likes rough sex, he is not an animal, and can find pleasure only if it is consensual. What his harem is missing is a pain slut; could there be one in his future?

Upon meeting Catherine, Jayden feels an instantaneous spark inside him that has him wanting to know not just her body, but her mind. He wants to unravel her mysteries and discover her secrets. Through pain can they find the pleasure they seek? Can part-time pain lovers find full-time fulfillment when it’s not in their contract?



R.E. shows in her book just one way it could be set to transpire. The tale of Jayden and Catherine will have you on an emotional ride whether you like to read BDSM or not. This book is purely about how they form their relationship. And for you sex lovers in the house there is more than enough to go around. Let's be honest if you're paying for erotica you want it to be there.

My rating for this book is 5 whips.

For a chance to win a signed copy visit Goodreads
Biography/About:

R.E. Hargrave is a fledgling author who has always been a lover of books and now looks forward to the chance to give something back to the literary community. She lives on the outskirts of Dallas, TX with her husband and three children.

Social Media Links:

Facebook – Website – Twitter – Goodreads – Smashwords

Thank you for visting today!

Sincerly,
Estelle Mars

To Prime or Not to Prime?

As a trial run, I allowed my novella: My Summer Marriage to be part of the Prime lending on Amazon. I've decided the benefits weren't worth keeping from nook and other sites that could sell it. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't feel I recieved much for the restriction. But one nice thing was it allowed for fee days. Today is the last free day. So if you'd like to grab it while you can here's the link. Click the cover to go to the free copy.

Have you tried Prime? Leave a coment on what you think of Prime on Amazon! Pros and cons are all welcome here.

A sneak peek into My Summer Marriage

My Summer Marriage

Chapter 1

For the first time in three years, Hayley Martin woke to silence and gleaming sunshine warming her face. Stretching, her body ghosted over the pastel sea-green, silk sheets. She’d dropped into the king sized bed without even having a look around once the bell hop had dropped her off in the private bungalow last night. Resort Cabo Pulmo dealt with celebrities all the time, so she didn’t have to worry about being discovered. At the suggestion of her publicist, Jackie, she’d flown to Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, for a long-overdue vacation.

Until now, her life had been living in the beautiful but busy and overly-crowded Boston, Massachusetts. She’d grown up there, the only child of two workaholic parents. Their brownstone overlooked the Boston Commons. In her youth, she had spent many hours there with her various nannies. From the Swan Boats to the skating on the frozen frog pond, Hayley had always found something to do there. It had become a haven.

Slipping out from beneath the covers, Hayley padded to the oak-paneled kitchenette in just her pale pink chemise. There was only one neighboring bungalow, so she wasn’t worried that there might be a Peeping Tom type outside. It took her a moment to figure out the coffee pot. While it percolated, she gazed with wondering eyes out at the wide stretch of white beach before her.

Hayley had never seen almost-white sand before. Crystal clear teal-colored water ebbed and receded on the shore. The only shade visible came from the palm trees surrounding the beach house she’d rented for the next month. A sigh slipped from her lips at the memories wending through her mind.

She’d been born to late-in-life parents; building their careers had come before anything else. Even once Hayley had arrived in their lives, they had been too busy to be overly involved. Now that they’d finally retired to Europe for the last five years, Hayley felt even more alone. 

It had been a long road to getting to this point in her life. One year out of college, Accelerator Publishing House had grabbed up her first manuscript. Six months later, the book could be found on every bookshelf. The sudden sensation left her boggled but eager to continue with the saga of the BDSM couple she had created.

By the time the second book in the series was released, Hayley couldn’t leave her brownstone without being accosted by her fans. Still, she smiled and signed anything they asked her to. Her fans were what made her who she was.

Milling around the kitchen, Hayley searched out and memorized where everything lay hidden. After grabbing a mug from the cabinet over the sink, she poured her coffee and headed out the door. A blast of already-heated air breezed by, the waves flittering up on the shoreline filled the air with tranquility, and she could smell the exotic aromas radiating off every flower and palm tree. Her tension from years of stressing over her work tugged at her shoulders. For too long the muscles had been one giant knot.

By now, everyone should have figured out that she’d slipped away. Only Jackie knew where Hayley planned to slinked off to. Everything had been plotted out between the two to get Hayley away without even her bodyguards knowing. Of all the men in the security details, Trevor would be the most upset. He had headed her security team from the very beginning of the chaos.

Sighing, Hayley stepped out onto the warmed soft sand. At that hour, she doubted the occupants next door would still be in bed. The sand weaved between her toes as she made her way closer to the turquoise water. Her body soaked up the sunshine and warmth. This had been a fantasy; still, a sadness filled her soul. Shielding her eyes, she furrowed her brow.

With the third book hitting the store shelves next week, her life had officially ended. Hayley had become a total recluse. Anyone wanting to see her needed to make an appointment, bodyguards covered her every move, and she lived to do as she was told. No one asked for anything; everything was demanded.

She knew why the books were so popular among the fetish community: they were authentic and written from the perspective of a submissive. What remained a mystery was what everyone else liked about them. Even mothers were reading it in their office cubicles, on the playgrounds, and in the checkout line at the supermarket.

Hayley stopped when the tepid waters washed over her bare feet. Staring out at the crystal clear waves, she could almost envision living here and never going back. A sigh hummed in her chest. That was a pipedream.

Dillon McGraw stood in the shadows of his beach house watching the surf rolling in. At his mother’s suggestion, they’d left L.A. for an impromptu vacation. In reality, he knew Jillian McGraw was trying to hide him until the newest round of ‘Dillon McGraw is Gay’ rumors subsided. At this point in his career, it could bring his acting to a complete standstill. He had an image to maintain as a ladies’ man, and Dillon knew his sexuality better than anyone. ‘Gay’ and what he really was — those were two very different categories. The world wasn’t ready to know the real Dillon McGraw.

Taking one step back, he tilted his head and hid further behind the curtains. It would appear a new guest had arrived overnight in the neighboring house. His attention instantly shot to her breathtaking form. Covered in nothing but a shimmering, silky chemise, she sashayed toward the water, her coffee cup locked in her hands. Her long, straight, chocolate-brown hair flowed with the breeze. A low whistle slipped from Dillon’s lips. Try as he might to turn his eyes away, the new arrival captivated him and held his attention hostage. Even his mother stomping around the kitchen couldn’t distract him from the breathtaking view.

They’d arrived a week earlier and had had the beach to themselves until today. Now he’d have to worry if the new guest would recognize him and sell him out to the tabloids. It wouldn’t be anything new if she did. His shoulders tensed at the thought.

He also wondered what she could have been searching for as she stared at the water that was nipping at her ankles. Whatever it was, it kept her mesmerized for over half an hour before she turned and walked halfway up the beach. Turning back, the pretty thing settled into the sand and continued to search the sea for her answers.

Dragging up the chair from the tiny desk behind him, he spun and straddled it, positioning himself to watch the young woman. Something about her told him he should keep an eye on her. When his mother delivered another cup of coffee, she also peeked out at the new guest.

“Think she’ll sell you out when she spots you?” There was a snip to Jillian’s tone, which he ignored.

“I don’t know. We’ll find out soon enough.” He shrugged his shoulders, accepting the coffee cup.

Since his big break, being accosted by his fans had become a constant worry to him. There were so few people he could trust. Who could have known that one small walk-on part on a kid’s show would lead to his own series, followed by nonstop movie requests? Dillon hadn’t, that was for sure. Back then, he hadn’t even been sure if acting was what he wanted to do with his life. Now the choice had been taken out of his hands.

Dillon hated not being in control of anything in his life. The studio dictated his every appearance. His mother ran the personal side. He had no doubt that she believed the gay rumors, but he couldn’t tell her the truth either.

Only one person knew his secret: Gina Lesalle. Gina had been gagged by a non-disclosure agreement. She couldn’t let out Dillon’s secret without it costing her everything she owned.

He sighed, resting his forearms along the top of the chair back. Jillian stroked his spiked, blond hair. “Plan on watching her all day?”

Cocking his brow in question, he retorted with amusement lacing his voice, “Maybe. Why? Do we have plans today?”

“No, I just thought you might want to go and see if she goes all fangirl over you.” His mother laughed at the little joke. He just shook his head.

Dillon had considered leaving the business and finding some small ranch back in Wyoming to live out his life in peace. He knew that wouldn’t fix his problems, though. Sure, he’d made more than enough money to never have to work again; however, it wouldn’t stop his fans from finding him. The days of his carefree youth living on the farm were a thing of the past.

The coffee he was sipping sucked. His mother was no cook. A huff rushed from his chest. So much had changed. At one time, she’d taken care of their family. Those days were long over, as well.  

He preferred the easier life back where he’d been born. Now he was stuck living in overly-crowded Los Angeles. The constraints of working in show business had already worn thin. And it was a business. Everything revolved around the impression everyone had of you. Who you really were didn’t matter, as long as you had an image that could be packaged and sold.

Hiding in the shadows would forever be his only escape. His dreams had died long ago. He’d let his career path take control of his life, and now Dillon couldn’t change it. Or could he?

Shaking his head, he let go of that train of thought. His gaze fell back to the young woman on the beach. Her sleepwear left very little to the imagination; however, it hid just enough to leave you craving more. The longer he watched her, the more he wondered about her. Even from that distance, he could see her beauty. Her pale complexion spoke volumes of her lack of exposure to sunshine.

What had driven her here to hide? For all he knew, she could have been the spoiled child of a rich family. She didn’t seem like someone on her honeymoon. The sadness consuming her could be seen on her features. It was a look Dillon knew well; he’d seen it in his mirror’s reflection.

Resting his chin on his arms, Dillon tried to unravel her puzzle. The answer came in the way she carried herself. There were no bold movements. The subtle forward lean of her shoulders, her downward gaze, and the soft, sweeping motion of her hand over the sand all said one thing: submissive.

His breathing spiked, his body tensed, and his shorts tightened at the realization. Maybe it was time to take his life back after all.

Oblivious to the watching man, Hayley remained on the beach. The sun pivoted in the cloudless sky as it moved to its mid-day position. Hayley’s skin turned pink under the harsh rays, yet she stayed riveted to the shoreline. Wiping her brow, she realized she’d begun to sweat from the intense heat of the day. Even though it was still spring back in Boston, in Mexico the days ran at an average of eighty to ninety degrees during the day and a nicer sixty-five to seventy in the evening hours.

Lying back across the powder-like, blazing sand, Hayley closed her eyes and giggled. By now, her security team would have discovered her phone had been shut off to prevent them from locating or calling her. She knew ex-FBI agent Trevor Gilroy still had enough connections in the bureau to have her phone tapped and triangulated. He’d vowed to always find her, and she knew he meant it.

She didn’t know why, but Hayley just knew she was where she should be. Even though she considered this a vacation, she had packed her trusty laptop, knowing that she would need that outlet if ideas for a new novel struck. Writer’s block had dogged Hayley for months now, and deep down, she hoped this trip would help free her of it.

 The shadow cast by an approaching person had Hayley’s heartbeat racing. Though her eyes were still closed, the dark shade easily registered through her eyelids. She hadn’t dressed for any encounters.

“Your friends didn’t warn you to wear sun block?” The silhouette laughed.

Lifting her hand to shield her eyes, she opened them, and a smile crept across her cheeks. Hayley would know that face anywhere. It was no wonder why the newspapers and trashy tabloids called him a “pretty boy.” He truly was. His short, spiked, blond hair shimmered in the sunlight, and the brilliant smile of white teeth gracing his perfect face added to his cocky appearance.

“My friends aren’t here to warn me about anything,” she retorted with a giggle.

“I see. Here, you can borrow mine.” He extended the tube to her, grinning back.

Looking at how rosy she’d turned, Hayley accepted his offer with a nod. “Thanks. I probably should have put some on earlier, but this place just . . . sucks you in.”

Something in his baby blue eyes twinkled. “‘Sucks’ is such a provocative word. So you’re here alone?”

Sitting up, Hayley contemplated trying to cover herself, only to quickly dismiss the idea. A gay man stranded on a desert island with a single woman wouldn’t suddenly turn straight. This was no different. “Yeah, you?” A giggle trickled from her lips.

She opened the sunscreen tube with a pop of her thumb and began applying the soothing lotion to her arms and legs. Her luck ran out when she tried to reach her shoulders and back. He chuckled and squatted on his hunches.

“No. My mother’s here ‘til tomorrow, and then she’ll be back in a couple of weeks. So, what’s your name?”

Dillon snatched the sunscreen out of her grasp and started smearing it on to her shoulders. Her flesh molded to his will. It was a feeling she could definitely get used to. The thought was fleeting. She knew nothing would happen between them. What is it they always said? All the good ones were gay or taken.

“Hayley Martin.” She extended her hand over her shoulder, laughing. “Guess I don’t have to ask your name.”

Sighing, he took her small hand in his shaking it lightly. “I wasn’t sure if you recognized me.”

“I did, but don’t worry. Your privacy is your own. I can understand your need to hide. Fans can be brutal when they love you.”

Dillon nodded his agreement, releasing her hand after his fingers lingered for an extra second. “That they can be, but without the fans, I wouldn’t have much of a career.”

“That is the truth.”

“Dillon, phone,” Jillian called to her son.

Her lips curled down as she watched them. She could see that the two seemed very at ease with each other. Her son positively looked comfortable and happy for a change. His smile gleamed as he gazed down at the new guest; that wasn’t a sight she’d seen very often since her son had made the big time. With all the rumors of Dillon being homosexual, Jillian had to admit to herself they were probably true. Gina had been the only exception to his list of non-existent girlfriends. At twenty-five, he had girls as young as thirteen and woman as old as fifty throwing themselves at him, but Dillon just wasn’t interested. She’d done the motherly thing and tried to set up dates for him; however, he always came home miserable.

There was no ‘real’ reason for her trip back to Hollywood. This was just her way of separating to give him some time to figure out what he really wanted. Jillian would do anything for his happiness.