Hey, everyone, I’d like to hand the floor over to my friend Kally Jo Surbeck!  Her high fantasy, romance, action adventure release: Whispered Promise, Book II Yadderwal Balance hits the shelves this week!   Check out www.Samhainpublishing.com or www.Amazon.com

Lord Fiontenhal Banaghal Gellert, the thirteenth Marquis De LaRounge, heir to Numarea helped save Yadderwal proper, but can he save the world for one woman?

Lord Fiontenhal Banaghal Gellert, the thirteenth Marquis De LaRounge, heir to Numarea is a gifted alchemist who has just helped save the planet.  Tannah ust Nairn, merchant’s daughter, mercenary who is held captive by the vile soul stealer Keegan is his soul mate.  Keegan has promised Tannah her freedom if she does what she is told, give herself to him, become his possession.  Linked through their dreams, Fionn goes in search of Tannah, to save her from a fate worse than death.  But will their love be enough?  Can he find her in time and keep his Whispered Promise?

Here’s an excerpt:

“Do not be afraid.” Keegan stopped her. He clasped her shoulder, sliding his hand from the loose fabric of her blouse to the exposed flesh of her neck and then to her chin. His cold fingers feathered across her cheekbone. “My men will not harm you…not unless they are ordered to do so. I’m certain you would not do anything so foolish as to make that necessary. Now, would you?”

She hated to speak. Any movement on her part made his touch feel more of a caress instead of empty stillness. With as little change in her facial expression as possible, she murmured her reply. “No.”

“No.” His smile did not even make it fully past his lips. “Of course not.”

She stepped back from him, turning on her heel. Distance gave her confidence, clarity of mind. No, his men wouldn’t harm her. They would not even look at her and it had nothing to do with Keegan’s perceived power. She was the princess of the EtherWorld. She could only imagine what they thought she could do to them if they but lay a single finger on her precious skin.

“Do not walk away from me.”

Tannah, no matter how brave she would like to consider herself, would not have disobeyed that order if the Joint World Treaty had depended on it. Enchantment and true authority radiated in his command.

Keegan pursed his lips together in a distinct frown. When he did, it made the scars on his face seem angrier, more intense. He folded his bulging arms over his chest. Today he wore dark green and black. She’d seen these, his colors, proudly displayed on his banners and uniforms, but until she had been brought out of the cell, she’d thought the colors just differing shades of black. The tailored lines of his vest accentuated the finely sculptured planes of rippling muscles. He flexed.

Tannah blinked. She could not believe Keegan stooped to such levels. He flexed again. She was certain many quaked in fear of his display of brawn, but to her it seemed vastly amusing and rather juvenile for such a setting. An inappropriate burst of laughter bubbled in her throat. Several men glanced at her from under the brims of their caps. By the expressions on their faces, they did not see anything amusing in her situation. Tannah shook her head. They imagined her a sorceress. Perhaps evil. This was unique considering their profession and associates. She knew they imagined terrible deeds, but the crew’s imagination was nothing compared to what she could do to them once she regained her full strength.

“They do not scare me, Keegan. But, if I am to be a guest here, I would feel more comfortable if they treated me as someone who belongs among them.”

Keegan slid his heavy silken over-tunic over his head, revealing a short-sleeved shirt of the same distinctive coloring—dark green and black. The colors layered together. His hair snagged in the massive folds of the material, the static kept it floating free in the breeze. “I would feel more comfortable if they showed you the proper respect a woman of your station deserves.”

“Which is?”

“A hands-off policy is always best. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She couldn’t agree more, but was not about to tell him this. As a woman of her station, she wanted to tell him that, he, too, should adopt the policy. Yet she knew it was not the appropriate course of action to ensure her continued freedom and relative safety. She took the steps up to the next deck two at a time, daring a taunt. “Hmm. You question your own men? ‘Tis never a good sign.”

“Oh, Beautiful One, I believe you intentionally misunderstand me. I do not question them. Not for a moment. They would sooner die than betray me, and that is a lesson you would do well to remember.” The threat in his voice was not lost on her. His gaze chilled her even further as he directed the quartermaster to deliver two chairs up for their comfort. “You are a guest. You are here by my request. However, you are also my property. That is a fact. One you must face sooner or later. I care not, except sooner will be easier on you. This undeniable truth accompanies one other undeniable fact.”

A muscle in her jaw twitched. “And that is?”

“No one, and I do mean no one, would dare question my ownership.”

The image of Fionn sprang to mind. So similar in build the two men, Keegan and Fionn. Both tall, standing a good head above most men. Both broad-shouldered. Both men possessed long, flowing black hair. Beautiful black hair. Fionn’s, though, was layered and she more often than not saw him with tribal braiding interlacing the healthy strands. It was so simple, so plain, it was the most beautiful sight she remembered seeing. Keegan’s chilling blue eyes had nothing on Fionn’s endless obsidian pools. His eyes were so dark she saw herself there, reflected back. Fionn would dare challenge Keegan…if only he knew where she was.

She accepted the offered seat. As she sank into the chair, her breath actually caught. It felt as though someone grabbed her lungs and compressed, as though she were pulled into a dark vat. The urge to bolt from the chair overpowered her. Something in the material imprisoned her. She couldn’t move. She blinked, smiled and tried to appear natural. “I am at your disposal.”

“That you are.”

Oh, she did not like the sound of that.

Kally Jo will be hanging out, so feel free to ask her about her books or this crazy writer’s life we’ve chose!

K*

Hey, goils, I’m over at Murder She Writes today! Actually, hubby is, he wrote a sceery, sceery poem.

But, stand by, I have a guest today and as soon as I can get my act together, I’ll be posting her blog

Ciao for now, and have a ghoulishly devine day!   

K*

Officially releases Tuesday!  And the reviewers love Kim and Ricco’s story!!!

Here’s what they have to say:

Fresh Fiction: 

“I loved the story of Kim and her “boy toy.” She and her hotty hunk bring some real spice and descriptive sex to keep you wide-awake and waiting for more. This read will definitely whet your sexual appetite and put you in a warm and fuzzy mood. For a woman named “Woman of Steel” by Forbes magazine, Kim’s hotter than a pistol when her libido is turned on. A must read!”

cata.com:

“Stories by Karin Tabke draw the reader into every engaging moment, as there are always plenty of fervent scenes where feelings are expressed with genuineness. All through HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA, the inner sentiments of the characters are vividly described and let the reader know exactly how each individual feels at a certain time. Although there is an abundance of fiery sexual escapades between Ricco and Kim, the more emotional aspects of their lives is just as stirring. These two will find themselves delving deeply into the reasons behind their behavior, and Ms. Tabke lets them convey these usually unspoken feelings with much earnestness. Anytime this couple comes together intimately, the moment is enthusiastically lusty as Ricco and Kim had no trouble communicating their yearnings while in bed. The town of Evergreen is enthrallingly depicted, as the holiday spirit comes to life from the way it is decorated to the warm responses of its residents. It was exceedingly heartwarming to see how this town which loves Christmas responded to the ruthless methods of one greedy man. Seasonal stories are a favorite of mine and I like seeing them emphasize the true meaning behind all the celebrating, and Ms. Tabke cleverly works this into her story. HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA is magically enchanting and brimming with red-hot passions and memorable characters.”

Wild on Books: 

“Every now and then I read a book that makes me wonder why in the world it took me so long to find the author and galvanizes me into shopping for their entire backlist.  That is what happened for me with Karin Tabke’s HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA.  What I expected from this book was a sweet and sexy little holiday themed tale.  What I got was that and much more – a story that comes to life on the every page, tweaking the readers’ emotions along with the characters and leaving you feeling that you’ve experienced the story yourself.Both the hero and the heroine are people who have been emotionally damaged in their youth, leaving them with strong walls built around their hearts designed to keep them safe from that dangerous thing called love.  Kimberly handles her fear of love by brokering a relationship for business purposes only; Ricco simply runs at the first sign of commitment altogether.

When these people meet, the attraction is instant and explosive.  Good thing for them, too, else neither might have stuck with it long enough to find there was something much more real and lasting underneath all that passion.  As they both realize how much they have come to love each other, each must heal the wounds of their past so they can come together in a healthy way for their happy ending.

HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA is a beautiful love story about two people who find the strength together to heal themselves.”

Romantic Times: 

“You’ll never look at Santa Claus the same way after reading Tabke’s erotic tale set in the quaint, Christmas-themed town of Evergreen. The heat between a sometime-Santa and a workaholic sizzles on the page, while family troubles and a developer with few scruples keep the book moving at a fast pace… This is a holiday story that is as sweet and spicy as gingerbread.”

 And last but not least! Ck2 S K2 gave NAUGHTY a Recommended Read!!!!:

“What a beautiful story of love versus greed! Karin Tabke pens the perfect tale for the holiday season, one particularly relevant in today’s world. In fact, this modern day Scrooge tale has much to offer as Ms. Tabke incorporates modern day lessons that would make Charles Dickens proud.

Kim and Ricco are flawed characters, both afraid to love. Each has been deeply hurt by their past and it’s going to take a true Christmas miracle for them to commit to their emotions. Physically, the sex between them is steamy, but it is the emotional angle that is so heart wrenching. And my, oh my, what a HOT HOT HOT romance it is!

HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA is a tale that is sure to warm even the hardest of hearts. Seeing love overcome corporate greed is particularly enjoyable this Christmas season. Karin Tabke is a new-to-me author but if HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA is any indication of her talent, then she’s found a new fan in me!”

J And if you are looking for a stocking stuffer?  I can’t think of anything better then a sexy Santa!

Happy Holidays!

K*

My house is quiet.  The kids are off on their honeymoon and having the time of their life, the guests are gone, and hubby and I have jumped back into our lives, and though we are busy and all is right with our world, we, along with my in-laws have been moping around.

I guess because we have been so busy planning the wedding and all that goes with it for so long now that it’s over we feel like the wind has been taken from our sails.  And it isn’t like I don’t have enough to do!  I’m working on a proposal plus finishing up MASTER OF CRAVING. I have a release next week, HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGTY LITTLE SANTA, which is getting really nice reviews.  Then MASTER OF TORMENT releases next month followed by the First Line Contest then the holidays, but despite all of that, I just can’t shake this stillness in me.  Maybe it’s hormones, maybe it isn’t, maybe it’s just the recuperation period after such a crazy time in my life.  Whatever it is, I wish something would give soon. I don’t like feeling so out of it.

So, bear with me until I get out of this funk.  I’ll be back, I never go away for long. 

Here’s a picture of the wedding party.  Don’t they look fabulous?

Until W day!  And this week is going to be crazy busy. Monday and Tuesday I have to slam jam write.  And do it on the stiffest damn keyboard in the world! I hate hubby’s PC!!  Wednesday day is the spa, hair and nail day. Wednesday night all of the girls are coming over to do favors and we’re going to tackle the seating assignments.  Argh! Thursday all of our out of town guests will be arriving.  We have folks staying in every available bedroom on both sides of the family.  Thursday afternoon all of the guys have go try on their tux’s. We goils pick up our gowns. Friday I take everything I need to over to the country club for the reception (cake topper, votives, candles, cake cutter, bride and groom champagne glasses, guest book, some portraits, favors, envelope box, yanno that kind of stuff). Friday night we have the rehearsal at the church, big dinner following (no I am not cooking for 32! people) then the guys are getting kicked out and going to the local hotel and the goils are gonna be here.  The next morning the stylist comes bright and early and does all of the wedding party, and the MOB!  The guys will be over at the grandparents suiting up, then to the church we go!  I really cannot wait for them to be married.  They cannot wait to be married.  

Sunday we’re going to have an intimate champagne brunch for just a few family members and watch the kids open their gifts.  Monday morning we drop my bro’ off at one airport then the kids off at another.  I suspect Monday night I will crash and burn.  Oh, but wait!  I have a book to finish and the kids have an offer in on a house and if it’s accepted guess who will be lining up and supervising the inspections?  Oh, mom and dad coz the kids will be drinking lave flows on the beach!

Mi vida loca.

Okay, so the laptop is still dead.  My computer dude did not come over Friday as I had hoped, and even had he and extracted my hard drive, I don’t have time to go look for another computer until after the wedding!  But I do have a prezzie I’d like to share:  A bound galley of MASTER OF TORMENT!  

So, the question posed for the week is, what has been the craziest time to date in your life? I can’t promise I’ll be by much to chit chat, but this time next week I’ll randomly select one lucky commenter and send you a bound galley of TORMENT!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that story!

Ciao for now, and wish me luck pulling this wedding off! 

K*

K*

Dear Karin,

If a person got an offer from an agent, and after letting all the other agents reading the manuscript know about the offer, another agent said she would give an answer on a certain day.  That day passed without a word, so the writer said yes to the first agent.  Right after the writer had that conversation, the second agent called and made an offer.  What would be the appropriate thing to do in that situation? 

Signed, Too Many Agents To Handle!

First of all I’m a little confused about the first agent, let’s call her Agent A, who offered representation.  Was this the agent the author wanted?  I’m getting the feeling maybe it wasn’t because she gave Agent B more time when she asked for it.  I’m making an assumption here that the author did not pounce at Agent A’s offer of representation so that she could give the other agents notice and the opportunity to make an offer.  If that is the case, shame on the author for settling.

If that is not the case and she wanted Agent A and was jumping for joy when she made the offer, at that time the author should have contacted all of the agents who had the submission and taken it off the table period.  Agent B was given an opportunity to read and offer in a specified time-frame, she dropped the ball.  Oh, well.  She who hesitates, well, we know what happens to those of us who hesitate.

Now, since I did not answer the question, I will now:  If the author is happy with Agent A, she needs to let Agent B know that since the deadline passed she went ahead and signed with another agent.  Ya snooze, ya loose. But I’m just wondering if the author is happy with her agent choice or did she accept from the first agent who offered.

K*

 

Okay, so if you are reading this on Monday, go on over to Murder She Writes and check out the new site and the new goils!  I’m so excited.  I am very happy to already call Rocki, Toni and Sylvia dear friends, and am so excited to get to know Debra Webb and Heather Graham!!  So, this means I will be blogging only every other Friday at MSW, which is cool, I’ll be sure to blog here on the opposite Friday.  

I’m really excited right now.  The wedding is coming along really nicely. The best part is I can pay for everything!  I was sweating it there for a few weeks, but despite the economy, I have pulled a rabbit out of my hat.  Whew.  I can’t wait to see my brother, and neither can the kids. My oldest son thinks his uncle is some kind of playmate.  All of the guys are getting kicked out of the house the night before the wedding and staying at a local hotel and well, I hope they show up in one piece the next morning!

I am sort of behind on MASTER OF CRAVING (the story lives up to the name btw) not so much in word count, I’m halfway there, but story wise I’m behind, and frankly, I’m going to need more room, like 10K more words.  My historicals always come in just under 100K words, and if I can con my editor into say 5K over that, I’ll be a vera happy camper.  The story has three very distinct acts and I want to give each its due.  And BTW?  The hot pic of the knight with the double swords? He bears a remarkable resemblance to Wulfson de Trevelyn, the hero in MASTER OF TORMENT.

So, life is chugging along at a nice clip.  Since at this point I don’t have any questions for It’s Just Business Tuesday I’m going to talk about reviews.  But if someone sneaks in a biz question by Monday night I’ll answer and post on Tuesday and chat about reviews Thursday.

So, now I am off to start a pot of Italian pork chops, a nice way to kick off the autumn menu and then back to the story.  I so want a nice glass of Chianti, Nozzole Classico, is my fave, but when I drink wine I can’t write.  I’m such a light weight!  

So what’s cookin’ in your kitchen?  Do you have any fave dishes you only cook when the weather cools?

K*

PS, those crazy chicks over at WriteMinded are giving away a crap load of books this week and next.  Go check them out!