I've been tagged: I've Got The "LOOK"

Hello, lovely peeps. I'm so thrilled to have been tagged by the magnificent Lynette Sofras with "You've got the LOOK." Lynette is not a magician, although some might argue (I'm one of those) that this is exactly what she does with her fiction.

The concept of this tagging is to take my latest work in progress or current manuscript and search for the word "look" then post some of the surrounding text/paragraphs and tag 5 authors.  
I chose Avenger, book 2 in my "sweet" paranormal romance trilogy, Unsettled.

In Avenger, Luke is the spirit hunter dispatching rogue spirits back to the Laymour. Laymour is the Northern Star in human lingo, it's also where spirits await judgement. They either go to Hell or get a second chance to rectify their errors through reincarnation. Needless to say, spirits destined for Heaven, never pass the Laymour.

Avenger is scheduled for a January release, and since I don't have the cover art yet, I'm sharing Luke's image as he will appear in the coming-soon-book trailer.

Blurb:

Luke has two purposes, hunting spirits and avenging his own death.

Pru has one goal, to return to her body, especially now that Luke is interested in her. Her memories of his shady past haunt her and keep her on guard around him.

Ignoring his teen infatuation with Pru, Luke looks for ways to exorcise her, while she must face the fact that she might never be united with herself again.

Amidst rogue spirits, ferocious drug smugglers, and unbendable celestial rules, Pru and Luke’s love demands a sacrifice that can snuff out their rekindled romance before it has even begun.

When Luke has to decide between his conflicting desires, which path will he choose?

And will the sacrifice be worth it?

Excerpt:

“Luke?” Pru blinked, not believing her eyes. Occasionally, memories of her teen crush pushed through her mind for no reason and she used to push them back. She couldn’t do that now,  those memories were in the front seat because he was standing right in front of her.

He just had to develop a voice that dripped awesomeness.

Pru shook her head. What’s wrong with me?

Luke gawked at her, his hands tucked casually into pants pockets. Pru had the impression he wasn’t as nonchalant as his appearance implied for meeting the girl who—according to him at the time—qualified to enter a mind-fuck contest.

“What are you up to?” He barked at her.

Definitely tense. She chose to ignore his rudeness. “You can see me?” She rushed toward him then halted as memories of previous attempts to touch others surfaced in her head. They were nasty experiences that left her reeling with emotions alien to her.

“Are you looking for a place to stay?”

She tucked a runaway strand of hair behind her ear and frowned. “What do you mean?”

Slowly, he said, “Are you up for a stay?” His voice had an edge to it, one she didn’t trust.

Eyes narrowed, she said, “I’m not homeless. Your hostility doesn’t make sense.”

He lowered his head and shook it. Perhaps if she explained her situation, he might know what she should do. “I guess I should be grateful for meeting someone. It’s been very lonely. No one to speak to—”

“And no one to possess.” A vein throbbed in his jaw.

She took a step back. “Possess?”

“Since I’m the only living person who can see you, I suggest you drop the innocent act.”

People gawked at him and changed paths as they neared him. It didn’t seem to bother him that others thought he was talking to himself.

Pru laughed, pointing a finger at herself. “You think I’m dead?”

“I know you’re dead,” he said through gritted teeth and pulled his hand from his pocket. “Time to send you home.”

Home was too far away, way beyond her lifeline’s limit. An ache pulsed in Pru’s chest and birthed a fury that paralyzed her with its intensity. Instead of facing her, Luke swiveled about, his gaze following a woman pushing a baby stroller. Pru ceased to exist for him and that infuriated her even more. She stomped a foot. “You don’t even know where I live.”

He kept looking at the other woman.

“I’m talking to you, Luke. Look at me.”

He tilted his head as though tuned to something else. Finally, he said, “Yeah, I see that.” His eyes flicked back to Pru. “I’ll have to give this one a rain check then.” Smirking, Luke lifted his hand and saluted her. “Catch you later, sunshine.” With that, he followed the other woman.

“Don’t call me that,” Pru shouted and dashed after him. After few strides, her breath caught and her steps faltered. Like a lasso, the invisible lifeline tightened around her mid-section, constricted her chest, and snatched her back.

She had overstepped her boundaries.

I hope you like the excerpt. 
It's time to pass on the torch to 5 authors who I believe do possess The Look. They are:

• Jenny Twist
• Tori L. Ridgewood
• M. Allman 
• Cheryl Yeko
• Alicia Dean

Review of His to Possess (an oldie but a goldie)

In her review of His to Possess on Goodreads, Molly Allman said:

"When I give a book the full five stars, it means I couldn't put it down. I read it all in one sitting.

The story is a sweet romance with a spiritual element, which Ms. Halfwerk uses to tell a beautiful, touching story of a destined and lasting love.

From the very first page, my heart went out to Jeremy, who is a ghost in love with Stacy, a flesh and blood woman. He is bound to a mansion where Stacy is working as a book appraiser. She is unable to communicate with him…at first, but then she conjures him, which allows them to meet. But, other circumstances still stand in the couple's way.

I found myself reading, eagerly taking in each chapter; I had to know if Jeremy and Stacy would be together, and if so, how?

I don't want to give away the ending, so I'll just say it was perfect. I was not at all disappointed.

I look forward to reading more from this talented author."

Thanks, Molly for your kind words and highly appreciated opinion.
Link to the review on Goodreads is: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/331334912

His to Possess is available Here:

Devine Destinies   |   Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble  

Book review: Mind Game by Christine Feehan

Mind Game by Christine Feehan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When I finished reading book 1 in the series, I hoped book 2 would be about Nico, and it is.
Nicolas Trevane is a cold and efficient killer, a good killer at that. He lives by his own code of right and wrong, and a big wrong is crossing people he cares about.
It is natural then, that he would go after the people trying to kill Dahlia LeBlanc, in whom he has an unusual interest that borders on obsession.
I like dark, silent, and strong men, and Nicolas is exactly that. However, Dhalia came across as too clingy at times. She has suffered a lot, her gifts are dangerous and out of control, and she has been betrayed...still, the way she needed Nicolas' undivided attention whenever she was close by(and she always was) was irritating at times.
These are all minor annoyances, the story itself is a good one. I especially loved the banter that went back and forth between Nico and Dhalia when they were in a good mood.
Ms. Feehand didn't need to repeat herself to make sure we got the point, the complexity of Nicolas and Dhalia's affair is very obvious.
I wonder, who would be in book 3?


View all my reviews

Book Review: Shadow Game by Christine Feehan

Shadow Game by Christine Feehan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In this first book of the GhostWalkers series, we are introduced to men of power and stealth experimented upon by Dr. Peter Whitney to enhance their psychic abilities and make them into the perfect weapon for deadly missions.
We're also introduced to the love story between Dr. Lily Whitney, who was a victim of her father's obsession with psychic enhancements, and Captain Ryland Miller. Ryland is a man committed to serving and protecting his country, even if that involved volunteering for this experiment along with his men.
We experience the romance, the danger, and suspense wrapped in this intriguing story. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Ryland expressed his love and total devotion to Lily.
Lily is educated, rich, intelligent, and in love…all of this is shown and not told. She never stepped out of character.
I would love to read more from this series as I'm curious about the other Ghostwalkers mentioned in this book and their possible matches.



View all my reviews

A review of His to Possess

It's a nice surprise to stumble across a good review of a book that's close to your heart. His to Possess was published in 2010, and though I didn't forget it, I admit this review warmed my heart all over again. I think I'll be re-reading it :-)
This is the full review: http://novellynice.blogspot.com/2012/04/review-his-to-possess-by-su-halfwerk.html
But I can share a tidbit here:

"His to Possess is such a sweet and heart-warming paranormal story. I found myself tearing up by the second page, but that's me.

Jeremy is a ghost who is haunting a mansion that Stacy was hired to appraise the valuable collection of books within its library. Jeremy has been dead for seven years and Stacy is the first person he really felt connected to..."

An inteview with Magda Olchawska

Magda Olchawska is interviewing me today on her blog: www.magdaolchawska.com/entry/264
She's asking me some interesting questions about my books and writing. Please join us and leave a comment if you like, we'd love to hear from you.

Book Review: Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the story of Leigh Gerard and Lucian Argeneau. It follows the same formula Lynsay Sands has been using in her Argeneau series. It's a clever formula that I know yet still buy more of her books :-)

There were a couple of books where the formula was forced, here it wasn't. Love took its time to develop between Lucian and Leigh and when it did, Lucian was so cute. I love a cute hardass.


However, having read other Argeneau books and have known what a hardass Lucian was, I was disappointed toward the end where I expect more aggression from him in a hairy situation. I missed any Lucian dialouge at that quickly-wrapped stage.

Still, it was a very delicate stage of the story and Leigh needed proof that he believed in her.

I would recommend this pleasant read to all paranormal romance lovers.



View all my reviews

And the Winners are...

• LadyVampire won the $25 Amazon Gift Card

and

• Julie Witt won a PDF copy of Seeker.

Ladies, thank you for taking part in the giveaway. I will be in touch with you shortly via email.
Congratulations

Seeker's tour is over, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in it. I came across lots of love and positive feedback, and for that I'm grateful.
*Sniffle sniffle*

Seeker Tour - Final Stop

This is it, the final stop. Today I'm interviewing Adoria, Andrew's love interest in Seeker, over at Dark Angel's Writing Tools:
http://www.darkangelwritingtools.com/2011/10/character-interview-and-book-giveaway.html

Follow me on Twitter, my blog, and leave a comment on these stops for bonus entries in the draw and you might win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or a PDF copy of Seeker.

If you haven't been following the tour, here's a chance to visit the stops. 

• Stop 8
• Stop 7
• Stop 6
• Stop 5
• Stop 4
• Stop 3
• Stop 2
• Stop 1

Winners will be announced here on October 12th.

Seeker's Tour: Stop 8 - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Today's stop is at http://madmoosemama.blogspot.com/2011/10/spotlight-su-halfwerk-author-of-seeker.html

I'm talking about the Northern Star and its major part in Seeker.

Fill in the form and follow the instructions for bonus entries in the draw and you might win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or a PDF copy of Seeker.

Seeker's Tour: Stop 7 - Halloween themed post

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Seeker Tour - 3rd stop

Today's stop is at Coffee Beans and Love Scenes:
http://coffeebeanslovescenes.blogspot.com/2011/10/giveaway-seeker-by-su-halfwerk.html

Fill in the form and follow the instructions for bonus entries in the draw and you might win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or a PDF copy of Seeker

Bewitching Book Tour

To celebrate Seeker's release, I'm starting a one week tour at the end of which I will announce a winner of a $25/- worth Amazon electronic gift card and another winner of an e-copy of Seeker. Follow my tour, fill in the form, and follow the instructions to enter the draw…you might be one of two winners.

1st stop:

October 3rd --> Getting Naughty Between the Stacks: http://gnbstacks.blogspot.com/2011/10/su-halfwerk-guest-blogging.html

I'm talking about greed and envy, and how we need a tinsy-winsy bit of them in our lives.

I will post here all direct links to my stops so that you can participate. Last stop is on October 10th, winners will be announced on October 12^th on my blog.

Good luck. 

Interviewing Adoria

To celebrate the release of Seeker (book 1 of the Unsettled Series,) author Fiona Dodwell interviewed Adoria.
http://fionasfiction.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/su-halfwerk-interviewed-on-the-day-that-seeker-is-released/
Adoria Hall is movie star, Andrew Taylor's, personal bodyguard.

A lot of her personality shows in this interview. Please join us, and if you will, leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.



Till next time
Su

The Birth of Para

Horror was a lonely being by nature.

This aloneness amplified his need for carnage, and he fed it by biting, slashing, and tearing through anything that passed his way. He held no scruples about it, for he had understood the disposition of the wilderness and creatures around him. They all served to satisfy his impulse to inflict suffering.

One night, he chanced upon a weak-looking, yet mesmerizing, creature sleeping by the river. Her peaceful slumber under the moon confused him. Wasn’t she aware of the creatures of the night?

He spent the whole night observing how she breathed, and sometimes even smiled, during her sleep. At the rise of the sun, she laughed and twirled around with happiness. Her joyfulness flabbergasted him. More than anything, he wondered why he hadn’t attacked her yet. It could be because he couldn’t comprehend how a creature could be so carefree.

He decided to delay his attack until he developed an understanding of this very confusing being.

Days passed. Horror spent every moment watching her every move. He was consumed by her simplicity, and couldn’t fathom her disposition. She was the opposite of everything he stood for. He struck fear, while she evoked love, a concept so alien he shivered. Where he was active at night, she usually slumbered out in the open without a fear of the night and its creatures. Animals approached her while they fled from him.

Horror needed more information to understand her, because he believed he must do just that before doing away with her.

Time for a different approach, a direct one.

On that day, she was sitting by the river, playing with a rabbit while she twirled her feet in the water.

Horror took short stealthy steps toward her, determined to speak to her, but had to make sure she wouldn’t flee upon his approach. All creatures did that, she wouldn’t be any different.

She half turned toward him, her lips parted in a bright smile that reached her twinkling eyes, and she patted the ground next to her. Confused by her lack of fear, Horror plunked close by.

Had he lost his touch? Was he this observable?

“You’ve sensed me?” He frowned.

She laughed, her delicate, weak looking hands covering her full lips. “You’re silly, you know? You’ve been watching me for sometime.”

His frown deepened. “You knew?”

She nodded. How could eyes smile at him? He was used to eyes opening wide in his presence.

Watching the ripples her feet caused in the water, Horror was consumed by shame for losing his skill. “And you said nothing?”

She patted the rabbit’s head and shrugged. “I figured you’ll come to me when you’re ready.”

Her logic defied everything he stood for. She believed in chance, while he left nothing to it.

He eyed her. “What’s your name?”

She fed green leaves to the rabbit, now terrified and hiding behind her. “Roma, but I like Romance better. Has a certain powerful ring to it.”

Powerful? What was so powerful about Romance?

She was certainly a being worthy of investigation, if for nothing else, to satisfy this strange sensation of curiosity that surged through him. As days and then weeks passed by, he admitted that she was bewitching, and then even surrendered to the fact that she was charming. Until the day came and he acknowledged that he simply needed and wanted her for no explainable reason.

Despite all his wicked ways, Horror had allowed no harm to come to Romance, and she respected his dark streak, letting him go and do what he did best; terrorize other creatures. Same creatures came to her complaining, and she soothed and took care of them. In spite of all that, she never questioned his habits, giving him the space he needed.

But his night brawls were affected nonetheless, for Horror had a weakness now, and his enemies knew it. Little by little, his time became dedicated to guarding, protecting, and watching over her. There was something else growing as well; a certain desire to have her had ignited his veins with coursing lava.

One night, that desire took hold of him, and she welcomed him with open arms. Romance showed him on that night how deeply she felt for him. Over and over she displayed her willingness to be his mate, without changing neither herself nor him.

Nine months later, they had a baby girl, and they’d named her Paranormal Romance.

Para was a marvelous mix of both worlds. She was beautiful and appeared delicate, but when the going got tough, her talons would appear, and her fangs were deadly. All the creatures in the forest fell under her spell, for she had inherited her mother’s ethereal beauty, and her father’s viciousness, and being the crafty creature she was, she knew when to use which.

She had inherited all their strengths and none of their limitations.

Paranormal Romance reigned over the land, and there was no stopping her.

Cheers!