Celebrating our Mothers with Mother’s Day Magic

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Mae Clair

Mother’s are such an important part of our lives. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an extremely close family with parents who encouraged my love of reading and writing from an early age. My father, an artist and WWII veteran who dabbled with words, passed away from cancer when I was thirteen. I was a “late in life baby” for my parents, so by the time my father died, my older siblings were already out of the house, two of them married. My mother and I grew even closer and she became my best friend until her death in 2012 at the age of 89. I miss her and my father dearly.

It is with pleasure that I present my latest guest, Daisy Banks, a contributing author to a collection of stories honoring mothers. I hope you will discover your own magic in this boxed collection. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity, as noted below.

~ooOOoo~

From Daisy:

My thanks to you for showcasing the Mother’s Day Magic Boxed Set collection. I hope your blog readers enjoy the story tasters from this collection of stories.

Best wishes,
Daisy Banks

A message from Allyson R. Abbott.

READING TO HELP A CHARITY
I love to buy books as presents. I wanted to find a book that would let my mom know how much I appreciate her. As an author, I decided to write the story to say how much I love her. I told my friend what I had planned to do. Grace, also an author, wanted to do the same. We set out to write our two stories, but Grace suffers with MS and it became so bad she had to stop writing. I sent out an appeal to authors worldwide to write stories for Mother’s Day, and to donate 10% of every book sold to MS. My call was answered by 13 special authors and our Mother’s Day Magic box set was born. Read these beautiful stories and help stop a crippling disease––MS!

PURCHASE FROM:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

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Mae Clair Presents: Daisy Banks and Serving the Serpent #SweetRomance #FantasyRomance

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m pleased to have my dear friend, Daisy Banks, return to my blog with her latest release, SERVING THE SERPENT, a sweet fantasy romance.

I positively love the cover of this book! Just look at the beautiful blending of pastel blues. Isn’t it gorgeous? Oh, and did I mention it has dragons? But, perhaps it’s best if let Daisy tell you about it. . .

Thank you for offering to showcase my newest story Serving the Serpent published by Liquid Silver Books on 23^rd November 2015.

BLURB:
In Wales, Ceridwyn takes up her inherited duty to care for the dragons in the mountains. Awed by them and the huge book about them, she is determined to prove her worth.

Far away in Norway, Leif has growing concerns for his sick dragon. He discovers only one cure will stop his dragon’s suffering. The mighty Herensuge must journey to find his bonded mate.

When they meet, Ceri and Leif make combined efforts to aid the dragons and discover an astonishing surprise. The great lore book each of them protects tells they have a responsibility to the future. At this rare and magical time, not only the dragon pairing must occur.

Join Ceri and Leif as they work to keep the sworn silence and keep the dragons safe. Friendship is growing between them, but will it be enough? Can love blossom between two chosen to serve the serpent?

EXCERPT:

Frowning in his displeasure, Herensuge stared at the youth who sat at the edge of the cave. “I’m not in the mood for music, boy,” he snapped. “Olaf, he knew what he was doing. I wouldn’t be feeling like this if Olaf were still Derskijoar here.”

“Look, it’s no good going on about it. My uncle Olaf’s been gone these three years. I’m sick of you talking about it. Olaf left, it was his time to do so, and he’d probably had enough of you. Listen to the music. It’s meant to soothe and calm you down.” Leif pressed the button on his black machine, and the music with its rhythmic beat pounded in the cave.

Herensuge flopped down so hard the sandy floor juddered. He curled his upper lip above his longest tooth and sucked in a deep breath. Dissatisfaction poured through every one of his ruffled scales. “I wish you could read faster, boy.”

“Do you know how hard it is reading Old Norse? There are no helpful little translations in here. I don’t know which bit of the manuscript deals with this particular problem.” The lad sat cross-legged some way off, the huge leather-bound book across his knees, well out of reach of the splashes of the water cascading down over the circular hole in the limestone roof of the cave. “I’m sorry, Heren,” Leif said. “I’m doing my best. I swear to you. I don’t want you to get ill. Here, have a cloudberry.” He flipped one over.

Mollified more by the use of his close name than the small berry he snapped up, Heren eyed the lad. “I apologize too. I know you’re working hard to find the answer. If only I could recall the cure. But it’s all so long ago. Centuries of dreaming, and the world is a far different place.”

Leif nodded. “I know. Now, you relax, listen to the music, and I’ll keep reading. Try to stay calm. The last thing we need is a big burn-up.”

Resigned to the music and his continued suffering, Herensuge lounged. He tapped a claw in time to the drums and watched his diamond and gold claw ring send brilliant sparkles of light dancing on the cave walls. All very well, but the tingling itch remained. The uncomfortable itching got worse every day and forced him to roll and writhe against the thick rock pillars or lie with his belly submerged in the cool of the turquoise water, and yet even the icy chill of the pool didn’t soothe the heat. A fresh rumbling growl rose from his stomach.

Leif glanced up from the book. “Not again.”

“Sorry.” A cloud of smoke wafted from Heren’s open mouth, followed by a flash of red fire that licked toward the youth. The lad yanked the book away and grabbed the fire extinguisher he’d insisted on bringing into the cave for the last month.

“Loki’s balls! Please, Heren, I want to keep mine. Breathe the other way if you must flame.”

Purchase SERVING THE SERPENT FROM:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Liquid Silver Books

Connect with Daisy at the following haunts:
Blog
Twitter @DaisyBanks16
Facebook
Pinterest

Daisy Banks is the author of:
Serving the Serpent
Christmas Carols
Marked for Magic
To Eternity
A Perfect Match
Timeless
Valentine Wishes
A Gentleman’s Folly
Your Heart My Soul
Fiona’s Wish
A Matter of Some Scandal
Daisy Banks writes a regular monthly story in the Sexy to Go compilations.

Mae Clair Presents: Christmas Carols by Daisy Banks #SweetRomance #VictorianRomance

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Mae Clair

I’m delighted to welcome Daisy Banks back to my blog with her newest release, CHRISTMAS CAROLS. I positively adored this sweet romantic tale set in the Victorian era. A great read at anytime of the year, not just Christmas, I can easily see myself reading this book over again, revisiting characters I fell in love with. You can find my 5-star review for CHRISTMAS CAROLS on Amazon. In the meantime, please welcome Daisy Banks, as she takes her lovely book on tour!

~ooOOoo~

Thank you, Mae, for your kind offer to help me celebrate the release of my new book Christmas Carols, published by Liquid Silver Books on the 10^th of August.

I know readers might think it a little odd to be thinking about Christmas in August but in Victorian England, where my story is set, people were used to starting their Christmas preparations early. Many projects were begun a full year or more before a specific Christmas. I think that’s an idea many of us now find very strange. With twenty-four hour shopping available in many ways the necessity of advance planning is no longer important. Yet part of the joy in an important event is the planning of it and for it.

In the UK we are at the turning point of the year with many seasonal fruits ready for harvesting and here is a recipe for a lovely wine that utilizes berries from the harvest. This is one of my favorites. I hope if you make it you will enjoy it too.

Damson Wine

This recipe makes about a gallon.

4lb’s of washed and de-stalked damsons
1 gallon of boiling water
4 fl oz of red grape concentrate
1 teaspoon of yeast nutrient
1 teaspoon of tartaric acid
1 teaspoon of pectin-destroying enzyme
2lb of sugar if you want to make a dry wine, or 3 and a half lb’s of sugar if you want a sweet wine.

Make up your yeast starter mix 2 or 3 days before you begin your wine.

6oz of water
1 dessertspoon of malt extract
1 desert spoon of sugar
A pinch of citric acid
Pinch of yeast nutrient
Use Burgundy wine yeast for this recipe.

Put water, malt extract, sugar and citric acid in a pan. Stir over heat until it boils and then turn off the heat.

Let the liquid cool a little then pour into a sterile clean half pint bottle. Plug the bottle top with cotton wool. Cool until the liquid is 70F or 21 C and then add your yeast. If it’s liquid yeast culture shake before putting it into you half pint bottle. Put the cotton –wool plug back in and leave in a warm place. The yeast will ferment fast and be ready in 2 to 3 days.

When your yeast mix is ready:

Chop damsons, remove stones, and put your fruit into a fermentation bucket. Pour on your boiling water, stir in 1 lb of your sugar, keep the rest back, and allow the mix to cool before you add your other ingredients, and the starter yeast mix. Stir and then cover with a cloth or lid and let the mix ferment for 4 to 5 days. Remember to stir the liquid twice, daily as it ferments.

Strain carefully and don’t squeeze the fruit. Return the liquid to the fermentation bucket.

Over the next 4 or 5 days add the rest of your sugar about a lb at each time. Stir so the added sugar dissolves.

Siphon off into a 1 gallon jar and fit an airlock.

Leave the brew in a reasonably warm place.

At 3 or 4 month intervals you can rack the wine (siphon off sediment) until the wine is clear and ready to drink which can take up to a year.

Once you broach (open) the jar for a jug of wine bottle the rest and seal the bottles so the wine doesn’t go off.

In Christmas Carols Stephen and Alice mainly drink tea but wine is mentioned later in the story.

Excerpt

“Right ho, sir. Enjoy your tea both, and my Rosie will be out with a bowl for Blue in a moment.”

“May I ask if you will pour, Mrs. Broadbrace? I often ask Mrs. Brown or the girl Rosie to do it. I’ve tried myself, but the experience has sometimes resulted in a blister or two on my fingers. Not a good thing when I want to play well.”

“Of course. Blisters, my goodness me. Forgive me for prying, but Mr. Grafton, may I ask who looks after you?”

The soft swish of sound told him she stirred the pot. A few seconds later, he smelled the rich fragrance of the tea as she poured it into a cup. This was followed by the distinct dribble of milk.

“Sugar?”

“No, thank you.”

“Shall I put the cup and saucer by your hand?”

“Place it by my hand on the table, that’s fine. Now, as to who ‘looks after’ me. I have to say Blue takes much of the work.”

“I didn’t mean to offend, Mr. Grafton.”

“Of course you didn’t, I know. I am no different from many single men, ma’am. I have a woman who comes to clean in the house, a manservant who attends to my clothes and other household details such as the ordering of coal and so forth. Does that answer your question?”

Her cup rattled on the saucer as she put it down. “Thank you, yes it does. I’d wondered who had tied the green bow tie you wore for the recital.”

“Ah, yes. David, my manservant, assists me with such things when necessary. He also attended to Blue’s collar for the evening. A little affectation of mine.” He reached and found the biscuit dish, picked up a biscuit and snapped it in half. “I have learned the audience at the recitals enjoys such things.”

“Yes, of course they do. It makes you seem…”

“What, Mrs. Broadbrace, makes me seem what?” She gave a tiny cough. He wasn’t the only one with little affectations. He reached out, sliding his hand across the lacy tablecloth until it met the coolness of the tips of her fingers. “Do tell me?”

“I think the audience likes the things like Blue’s bow, because, well, because it makes you seem human, Mr. Grafton.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’m glad to hear it. Please, Mrs. Broadbrace, my given name is Stephen I would be honored if you would use it.”

“Thank you for telling me, and yes, Stephen.” She near whispered the word. “I’ll be happy to call you by name when we are alone as we are now.” She paused and the click of her cup leaving the saucer sounded as she lifted her cup before adding, “My name is Alice. As a friend, I would welcome you using my name.

Blurb

Stephen Grafton, the blind organist at Holy Trinity Church, is gaining a reputation for his fine playing and compositions. Alice Broadbrace’s initial venture back into society after years in deep mourning brings her to the notice of the talented organist, and he offers her the opportunity to sing a solo carol to his accompaniment. His courage convinces her to find her own, while her charm entices him into thoughts of romance. A difficult walk in a snow storm is only the beginning of Stephen and Alice’s journey to happiness. Enjoy this sweet Victorian tale of talent and love blossoming.

Thanks for reading,
Daisy Banks

You can find Daisy Banks at the following haunts:
Blog
Website
Twitter @DaisyBanks16
Facebook
Pinterest
Tsu
Amazon

Purchase CHRISTMAS CAROLS from:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Kobo

Daisy Banks is the author of:
Soon to be available with Liquid Silver Books Serving the Serpent
Christmas Carols
Marked for Magic
To Eternity
A Perfect Match
Timeless
Valentine Wishes
A Gentleman’s Folly
Your Heart My Soul
Fiona’s Wish
A Matter of Some Scandal

Daisy’s books are available from:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iTunes

Daisy Banks writes a regular monthly story in the Sexy to Go compilations

The 777 Writer’s Challenge by Mae Clair

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Mae Clair

The 777 Writer’s Challenge is making the rounds again. Love this one, as it’s a lot of fun and gets us refocused on our WIPs.

I was tagged by the lovely Susan Nicholls, a new friend who has a wonderful blog called My Brand of Genius. Pop over and poke around if you get a chance. It’s always great to make new friends in the world of writing and blogging and Susan has some great stuff to share!

So, per the 777 Writing Challenge:

Go to Page 7 of your work-in-progress, scroll down to line 7, and share the next 7 sentences in a blog post. Once you have done that, tag 7 other bloggers to do the same with their WIP.

I’m sharing a snippet from FOOD FOR POE, my upcoming Christmas novella (paranormal romance). In this scene my hero, Breck Lansing, is talking with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Sophie, who suffers from a debilitating illness:

A storybook picture. A storybook family.

He shoved the memory aside. “I’ll make s’mores tonight. We can sit in front of the Christmas tree and drink hot cocoa.”

“Okay.”

The lack of enthusiasm in her voice struck hard. Rolling onto her side, she scrunched beneath the blankets. All the Christmas gifts he’d bought wouldn’t make a difference tomorrow morning. She’d be gracious and happy, but he couldn’t give her what she wanted most.

~ooOOoo~

And now I’d like to challenge the following 7 writer/bloggers. Participate if you can, but no worries if you can’t!

Carmen Stefanescau
Flossie Benton Rogers
Stanalei Fletcher
Daisy Banks
C. S. Boyack
J. M. Goebel
Donna Cummings

I Remember the Mystery Machine by Mae Clair

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Mae Clair

In the world of blogging you make a lot of great friends. I am truly thankful for all of them and the support they have shown me. Today, I am super excited to be a guest on the blog of my friend, Daisy Banks. Daisy is a gal who makes her home across the pond in the U.K. She lives in a converted Chapel in Shropshire, England (how ridiculously cool is that?) and has a gorgeous garden. At least I’m convinced she does, because she blogs about flower folklore—among other things. Daisy writes in a multiple of genres including fantasy romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and sc-fi.

I invite you to pop over to her blog today where I’m sharing a post about—would you believe, Scooby-Doo and the uber-cool Mystery Machine? I hope you’ll drop in to see what it’s all about!

In addition, I’m also at C. A. Milson’s blog as part of my Pump Up Your Book blog tour, put together by Lyrical Press. I’m doing a Q&A interview there. It’s a good thing I don’t mind an occasionally hectic pace 🙂

Happy Hump Day!

Mae Clair Presents: Marked for Magic by Daisy Banks

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m happy to share in the celebration excitement for my friend and sister author, Daisy Banks. She has a new release, MARKED FOR MAGIC, which she’s dropped by to tell us about. Take it away, Daisy . . . 🙂

~ooOOoo~

Thank you so much, Mae, for helping me celebrate the release of my latest book, Marked for Magic, published by Lyrical Press, a Kensington Imprint, on the 28^th of April 2015.

I decided that as palmistry was the initial inspiration for this fantasy romance I’d offer you and the readers a little something on palmistry marks.

This image is of the main lines most people have on their palm:

1: Life line – 2: Head line – 3: Heart line – 4: Girdle of Venus – 5: Sun line – 6: Mercury line – 7: Fate line

These main lines above and their meanings are fairly well known, but the lesser lines are not quite so well understood and it was these I was studying when I got the idea for Marked for Magic.

For this post I have chosen the teacher’s square. You will find this on the Jupiter mount, the pad of flesh beneath your forefinger, or Jupiter finger. This is the sign of someone who is a teacher, it may not be a school teacher but anyone who tutors, or imparts and shares knowledge on any subject.

Thanks so much for reading. I’d love to know if any of you discover a teacher’s square in your hand. Let me know.

Blurb:
The witch mark on Nin’s hand is a curse. She has no magic powers, whatever the lore says. But the village believes. The old crone’s wisdom is to see her banished. Ragged and hungry, she must serve the Mage. Alone in his tower, she is his chattel. But Mage Thabit is not what Nin expected—the bright green eyes and supple form under his cloak are not the stuff of nightmares, and kindness hides in his brusque heart. Thabit senses that Nin is more than she seems, too. When true nightmares haunt the land, it is precisely her elusive powers that might deliver them…

Excerpt:
“After we eat, I will find you something clean to wear. The gown you have on is less than pleasant. What is your favorite color?”

She sat opposite him. “Red.” She picked up the spoon.

“A bold choice.” He placed the porridge in front of her.

This should be easy. His charm on the cloth would show him how susceptible she might be to all manner of magic. While she ate, he went up to his room where he sorted out a long sleeved, knee length tunic he’d worn in his youth. One of the last his mother had made. A good quality cloth, decorated with a little embroidery at the collar. The only patches were on the elbows of each sleeve. Perhaps the tunic would be long enough to gown her small frame. He returned with it tucked under his arm.

She had eaten and sat worrying at the bandage.

“Here, Nin, as fine a red as you will ever see. You can wear this while you wash the dirty gown.”

Her brows drew together. A little wrinkle appeared on the bridge of her nose. She raised a questioning glance as she took the tunic.

Interesting.

“Thabit?” The soft whisper came again along with the down-swept lashes.

Things would be far easier had they not made her so afraid. He picked up the spoon, intrigued by her thoughtful expression. “Yes.”

“This isn’t red. It’s very nicely made, but this is blue. Is it what you meant me to have?”

He dropped the spoon in the bowl. Unless his skills had slipped, his little sparrow had seen through one of his simplest but most effective glamours. “By the gods of the waters, Nin, you may have a talent after all. I know the tunic is blue, but it should fit you well. You put it on.”

Purchase MARKED FOR MAGIC from:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
itunes
Kobo

About the Author:
Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. She is an obsessive writer and her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married with two grown up sons. She lives in a converted chapel in Shropshire, England. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing and she occasionally makes a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.

Connect with Daisy at the following haunts:
Blog
Website
Twitter @DaisyBanks16
Facebook
Pinterest
Tsu
Amazon

Mae Clair Presents: To Eternity by Daisy Banks

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m turning my blog over to my friend, Daisy Banks, who is celebrating her latest release, TO ETERNITY. Take it away, Daisy!

~ooOOoo~

Thank you so much for hosting me, Mae, and helping me celebrate the release of my new book To Eternity, the second book in the Timeless series.

I hope those of you who enjoyed meeting Magnus and Sian in Timeless will enjoy this next step in their story. I hope those of you meeting them for the first time in To Eternity will want to find out about their past in Timeless.

I am presently in the process of writing Out of Time, Book Three in the series and hope to have it completed this year.

One of the things I enjoyed most while I worked on To Eternity was the chance to deepen the relationship between Magnus and Sian into a partnership. As we all know partnerships aren’t always easy even when a couple love each other very much. At the beginning there are still things to discover, things we might not perhaps like about our partner.

In Timeless, Sian accepted the man she loves is a werewolf. The ramifications from that are huge, he has killed, he has lived longer than she might dream possible, he has qualities that are frightening, and yet she loves him. I tried to explore other elements of their relationship in To Eternity. I’ve chosen a short excerpt to give you an insight into one of the hiccups in their growing partnership.

I do hope you enjoy this little excerpt below.

To Eternity-wild beneath the moon- Book Two in the Timeless Series.

Blurb

For four centuries Magnus has lived according to the dictates of the moon, his heart isolated by the domination of his wolf nature. Now fate has brought the beautiful, independent Sian to his house at Darnwell and their irresistible attraction has exploded into a white-hot passion. Yet she is not wolf, and the time has come for her to embrace the change. But once she completes the ritual and claims her place next to Magnus, the rivals will appear on the horizon…

Excerpt

Sian might be hurt if he told her his suspicions, yet he couldn’t live his life refusing to share the truth with her. As time passed, it would destroy them. Due to their situation, they both had to accept unusual occurrences, some of them difficult. He looked up into eyes full of fire and ice. After a small cough he spoke. “Martha Raynalds’s grandmother, a delightful woman, Dorothy Fowler, worked in this locality for some time. I, er…” He paused.

“You slept with her?” She set her half-eaten sandwich down.

“A very brief liaison.”

“Did she know the truth about you?”

“No.”

“Did you love her?”

He shook his head. He shouldn’t have told her, should have kept the secret. “I was home on leave. We met at the Highwayman’s Rest. The pub in Heathstoke. Dorothy was a marvelous darts player. I spent a little time with her during my leave.”

Her gaze held his, searching, but she didn’t speak.

“No, I didn’t love her, Sian. I have only loved twice, you know that.”

“Do I?”

“Yes, you do.”

~ooOOoo~

Thanks for reading.

Daisy Banks

Buy Links
Amazon
Amazon UK
ARe
Barns&Noble
Kobo

You can read Chapter One of To Eternity free on Daisy’s blog in the “My Books” section. Take a peek.

Connect with Daisy at the following haunts:
Blog
Website
Twitter @DaisyBanks16
Facebook
Pinterest

Mae Clair Presents: Daisy Banks and A Perfect Match #sci-fi #dystopian #romance

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Mae Clair

Today, I’m turning my blog over to my friend and sister author, Daisy Banks, who has brought along the characters from her newest release, A PERFECT MATCH. Sit back and enjoy as Daisy whisks us to a futuristic world and introduces a truly unique couple:

~ooOOoo~

Thank you so much for inviting me onto the blog, Mae. I am still celebrating the release of my new story A Perfect Match, published by Taliesin Publishing.

This is the longest story I have ever written and a step toward a new genre for me as it has a touch of sci-fi about it. I found this story very hard to classify into one genre. It is a kind of romance, a love story, set in a futuristic world very different from our own. There are elements of a dystopian society and a lot of political maneuvering happens to keep my lead characters safe. I had a lot of fun writing this cross genre story.

I’ve decided to post an interview with Anwell and Varon, the hero and heroine in A Perfect Match.

This interview takes place in the story, so this is an excerpt too. I hope readers enjoy it.

~ooOOoo~

Interview with Varon and Anwell.

Varon and Anwell sat enjoying the evening temperature and the sounds of the small fountain in the miniature lily ponds until Drimit announced their guest. Varon rose to welcome the reporter Nathan.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am, Commander. You’ve a beautiful home.” Nathan took a seat opposite them. His pale blue gaze locked on Anwell. He gawked to the extent he almost missed grasping the goblet of water one of the slaves presented.

“I’m sure you’ll find ample ways to show your gratitude, my friend. Would you like some images first, or shall we answer your questions?” He stifled a chuckle at the reporter’s rapt gaze on his wife.

“If you don’t mind.” Nathan took a sip of his water, coughed and found his voice. “I’d prefer images at the end of the interview, if that’s agreeable to you both.”

“Of course.” Anwell settled back in her seat.

Varon glanced over, and she wore the bewitching sweet smile he found so alluring. “This, Nathan, is my wife, Lady Anwell.”

Nathan shoved the carved crystal water cup down, rose and offered a clumsy bow.

If Varon hadn’t known better he’d have laid good coin on this male having Netherling heritage.

“Lady Anwell, it’s a great privilege to meet you,” the reporter said.

“Thank you, but do sit and relax, Nathan. Varon and I, we’re all yours for the next hour.”

“There has been much interest in you in the city, my lady, since the announcement of your marriage to the commander. I’m honored to have this opportunity to talk with you.”

“It’s a pleasure. Varon and I know there has been a great deal of interest. Under the circumstances, it’s not surprising.”

Her smile could have melted the ice dragons of the Tranquil Crest, the first cold world he ever found. “Anwell is a phenomenon, Nathan. A female who has given up much to offer the people hopes for the future.”

The reporter nodded. He made a dashed line of notes. “Has it been difficult for you to adjust to life outside the Temple, my lady? Many Astans believe it must have been a great shock to be removed from the Temple precinct at your age.”

“Yes, the first day or two were very strange. I’ve just begun to explore life in the city,” she said and placed her hand on Varon’s. “But my husband has helped me so much.”

The memory of their first conversation in the litter splashed over him. How could I have been so cruel? He lifted her palm and placed a kiss on it. “My wife, I wish I could have given you as much as you deserve.” His assessment of her response found no resentment.

Tonight, her hazel eyes glowed, shining like pools of water in the stone cliffs at the nuptial retreat. He turned back, but not before deciding he would find a way to make his wife forget he once threatened to send her to the house in the mountains to live alone.

The reporter flashed a glance his way. “And you, Commander? If I may ask, did you find it difficult to surrender a bachelor’s life for that of a married man? Some say twenty-eight is far too young to be married. How do you feel about such statements, sir?”

“Anwell and I feel we’ve been blessed by the gods,” he said. “I am luckier than other males, but the populace already knows this. Of course, I recognize such an experience can’t be guaranteed for all. I am honored to be entrusted with Anwell by the gods and Lord Chardel.

“As to twenty eight being too young, I don’t think so. Anwell and I will have more time together than most Astan couples. The pleasures of the life of a bachelor have their charms, but I’ve discovered being a husband is a superior occupation. Is that enough for your readers, Nathan?”

The reporter nodded with a gulp. “Yes, sir. My thanks for your candor.”

Blurb
Daisy Banks whisks you into a futuristic world, where you might fight for water, or offer up your freedom and become a slave for the promise of enough to drink. Passion and politics ripple through A Perfect Match where the enmity between the government leader, Lord Chardel and Commander Varon, head of the Astan water acquirement fleet, is at flashpoint.

The enforced marriage of Anwell Nastor, a young Temple adept, to Commander Varon, not only breaks Astan religious rules, but could break untried hearts. This cruel ploy meant to silence Varon’s opposition to current circumstances in the city-state brings unexpected results. Through careful manipulation of the news links, Varon and his bride become the city’s most adored couple, but danger shadows their steps.

Join Anwell and Varon as they discover the power of A Perfect Match on their perilous journey in a world full of dangers and political intrigue.

AUTHOR BIO
Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. An obsessive writer, Daisy is passionate about her stories. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married, with two grown up sons. She lives with her husband in a converted chapel in Shropshire, England.

Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing.

Connect with Daisy at the following haunts:
Blog
Website
Twitter @daisybanks12
Facebook
Pinterest

Purchase A PERFECT MATCH FROM:
Amazon
Barns and Noble
Taliesin Publishing

Seven Random Facts by Mae Clair

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Mae Clair

Recently, the lovely Alicia Coleman honored me with the Very Inspiring Blogger award. Alicia and I originally met when we took a Savvy Authors course together, and have remained friends since. She’s hard at work on an upcoming paranormal romance release that I know you’ll love. Thank you, Alicia, for thinking of me!

In accepting, I am required to

Link back to the person who nominated me for the award.
Display the Very Inspiring Blogger Award logo (isn’t it attractive?)
Reveal 7 things about myself
Nominate others to receive the award and continue the fun

So here goes:

My favorite book boyfriend is Aloysius Pendergast. I am in awe of authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for creating such a mesmerizing character. I would love to see some of their books made into a movie (especially Fever Dream which cries out to be filmed) but am afraid no living actor could ever begin to capture Pendergast. The man has no equal (well, maybe Gerald Tarrant, my other book boyfriend). In the meantime, I can dream. 🙂

I grew up in a small town and to this day dislike big cities. Probably why I have never been to—gasp!—New York City.

Rarely does a day past that I don’t speak to, or think of, God.

I detest any type of red meat and am “weird” about most other forms of meat, although I am not a vegetarian.

I would willingly give up chocolate before chips or bread.

I really enjoy talking with senior citizens, especially when they share their life experiences.

I am an introvert who dislikes being the center of attention, but I love to dance. On a dance floor, I have no problem being an extrovert!

And now to pass along the award. I nominate the following bloggers to carry the torch, should they wish to participate:

Emma Meade
Flossie Benton Rogers
Donna Cummings
Lorraine Paton
Cd Brennan
Gemma Brocato
Daisy Banks

Welcome Historical and Paranormal Romance Author, Daisy Banks

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Mae Clair

It’s always nice when I have a Pen Pal visit. Today’s guest is Daisy Banks, one of the most supportive authors I’ve met in my short time online in the writing world. Daisy has several current releases available which you can check out on her Amazon page, plus another release on the horizon.

Today, she dropped by to share some insight on her writing techniques.

Welcome, Daisy. First question: Do you have a favorite place and/or time of day to write?
I can and do write anywhere. I prefer using the computer to write but if I’ve not got it with me, ideas go down on the nearest thing I have. I write every day to some degree or other. If I’m not working on a story, I’ll be writing blog posts as a guest for someone or for my own blog. I am a morning person, I function best early. I tend to write heavily until lunchtime and then edit in the afternoons, unless the muse is on my back and then I write until I can’t do any more. I love those days.

I’m with you on that. I love productive days! Please tell us about your chosen genres and what attracts you to them the most.
I write historical stories because I love them. I enjoy the research that goes into them even if it is very picky. I get very irritated with myself if I make a mistake in the historical aspect of a story. The research and confirmation of my ideas means writing a historical always takes longer than any other kind of story.

I also write paranormal stories and enjoy them. Since I was very young I have enjoyed ghost stories, werewolf and vampire stories. I like myth and magic very much.

Fantasy stories are great fun but do demand a lot of effort in world building, pushing the reader to suspend belief and accept someone can find their landlord is and elf, that kind of thing. I think fantasy and paranormal are very closely linked as genres, which is why I work in both. I love the freedom fantasy offers in that anything can happen. I enjoy all kinds of legends and reading about them.

I know you have a new release coming up soon. Spill the beans!
My release in July this year with Taliesin Publishing is a step into a different genre for me. The story, A Perfect Match, is a love story set in a very different world, a dystopian society with many problems.

Ooh, I’m intrigued! Which character did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I enjoyed writing my hero Varon very much. He is a control freak whose world gets turned upside down by an enforced political marriage. His reactions to his bride and the changes in his life were great fun to write. The best bit was his inability to take any form of challenge to what he wants. No one in his world gainsays him, and to find his wife will, really blows him away.

Please share one sentence – – yes, only one! – – of dialogue or description you love.
“Modesty is for inside the Temple, mistress, out in the real world it can be a great disadvantage.”

Great line! When you’re not creating fantastic dialogue and writing stores, what do you do to unwind?
I enjoy antiques and going to antique fairs. I love rooting around the charity shops in the local area looking for things too. I usually spend one or two days each month searching for something that takes my eye.

Given your love of history and antiques, if someone gave you a working time machine tomorrow, where would you visit and why?
I’d zoom to several era’s. One would be Hastings in 1066 where I would scream, “Harold, don’t look up.”

The loss of the battle of Hastings was a close run thing and I happen to think Anglo-Saxon society had a great deal going for it. England would have had a different focus if Harold’s army had won at Hastings.

I’d love to drop in on ancient Alexandria and be first on the scene in the library as it caught fire. I’d love to put that fire out. So much knowledge was lost to us with the blaze in the library. It took centuries for some of the knowledge to be regained and the loss of some of the literary works can never be restored.

One last place I’d visit is the court of the old Bailey in the early eighteenth century. I’d want to meet the man who made the court notes for publication. I believe him to be Roger Le Strange. I owe him a debt you see, because it was his writing that truly taught me what an author’s voice means. I’d like to buy him lunch.

I want to go time traveling with you. What an experience it would be! Switching gears, please share your:

Favorite season:
I love the autumn. I find the way the leaves turn mesmeric, the softness of mists as they cloak the normal view makes me stop and stare in wonder. Silver frosted cobwebs on the hedges sometimes decorated with drops that sparkle like diamonds are almost too beautiful to be real. Yes, I love autumn.

Favorite type of music: Classical. I moved to classical music as a preference some years ago and listen to it daily as I write. I love the sound of the harpsichord it conjures so many images in my mind.

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Rum and raisin, a large scoop in a chocolate dipped cone. Heaven.

Food you never grow tired of:
Curry, I love spicy foods in general but a good Chicken Madras or Balti is a firm favorite. I enjoy making my own curries.

Pie or cake:
Pie, I prefer savory foods rather than sweet, but I do like apple pie especially when it’s served with cream. It’s a very homely dish and true comfort food.

Ah! If you ever get across the pond, we shall have a thick slice of apple pie and sip tea while listening to classical music. You would have loved the “Mozart parties” a friend of mine used to host every year.

Daisy, thanks so much for being my guest today. I look forward to your next release. In the meantime, I know eager readers can enjoy your current list of historicals and paranormals:

VALENTINE WISHES
TIMELESS
A GENTLEMAN’S FOLLY
YOUR HEART MY SOUL
FIONA’S WISH
A MATTER OF SOME SCANDAL