VAMPIRE KRISTMAS Holiday Paranormal Released Today!!

I'm so happy to be able to share my light paranormal holiday read. At only 32 pages and no blood spilling involved, VK is a unique heartwarming story and I'm proud to have meshed a vampire with Christmas. Hope you find some time in you crazy December rush to sit back and enjoy this quick read!

Vampire Kristmas

By Donna Michaels

Holiday Paranormal

32 pages $1.50

Buy at The Wild Rose Press

Read Reviews

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Blurb

When vampire Jeremy Kristmas is awakened from his two century nap to trade places with his irresponsible twin—two weeks before Christmas, he discovers he has a fiancé who resembles his dead lover.

Pretending to love a cheating vampire is not on Lynette Stevens’ holiday to-do list, however, coming to her promiscuous cousin’s rescue, again is. But when she arrives at Kristmas Manor, Jeremy is different, more mature, handsome…crazy—insisting she’s his lost love.

Unable to deny the attraction, Lynette gives into her desire. But what if her cousin is Jeremy’s lost love? If so, who will he choose? His past love or new love? Join them to find out who has a Vampire Kristmas.

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Excerpt

“We’ve missed you, Jeremy. It’s been so long, too long; decades. I hope you’re done trying to hide from the world.” His mother drew back to caress his bearded chin, then tugged his long black hair. “Fitz is standing by to groom you to fit into this century. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. That’ll be fine.” He forced a smile. The family barber could shave him completely bald for all he cared. He carried no desire to attract a mate. The loss of his last one still cut deep.

Cordelia. With her waist-length, wavy brown hair and blue eyes…

“Good to have you back, Son.” His father shook his hand, then pulled him into a back-slapping embrace.

“Thanks, Dad. Maybe you can tell me why it was so important I switch places with Jared? What was so urgent?”

His father stiffened, then slowly stepped back. Alarm squeezed Jeremy’s spine. He wasn’t going to like the answer. What had his brother done this time? Surely, it won’t involve jail, again. Lord knows he’d done enough time for his twin.

“Your brother has gotten himself into a bit of a…dilemma, and we all agreed the best course of action right now was for you two to switch places.” His dad walked over to the corner bar and poured a scotch. “Why don’t you get cleaned up and we’ll discuss this at further lengths over dinner.”

Longing to demand an answer, Jeremy noted his father’s closed expression and swallowed his protest. “Fine. I’ll be back soon.” Three strides carried him across the Sixteenth Century Persian rug, past Elizabethan chairs, settee and table—all purchased brand new centuries ago—and into a familiar hallway.

The Kristmas Mansion had barely changed since his last awakening. At least, what he’d seen so far. Wood paneled walls, crimson runners on mahogany floors, large windows overlooking the tropical grounds of their south pacific island. Somehow, they comforted; unlike the voice in his head, questioning his decision to visit the barber. Why bother when he planned to eject his brother from stasis once their parents revealed this century’s dilemma?

Glancing at the heavy framed portraits lining the wall, Jeremy momentarily forgot his injustice and gazed at Kristmas’s past. Some he recalled, others… His steps halted.

“How?” He blinked and resisted the impulse to rub his eyes.

“How is this possible?” Hardly daring to breath, he ran a finger down one of the smooth, shiny and eerily lifelike portraits of his family. “What kind of technology could produce such a marvel?” He leaned closer. “Incredible. Truly incredible.” Rubbing his beard, he made a mental note to ask his father.

Snippets of excitement perked his curiosity. What other breakthroughs awaited his discovery? Still scratching his beard, he glanced out the window.

Air burst into his lungs at a painful speed, while his legs grew increasingly numb. It can’t be. His fingers curled around the aged casing for support.

Cordelia…

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Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

FATED HEARTS, the first novel I finished is released today!

My first attempt at writing--after all four of my children attended school all day--is released today!!

Fated Hearts was written for Harlequin and rejected by Harlequin but very nicely and I was encouraged to keep writing.

That was six years ago, and I'm happy to say this story is MUCH better now and it's a dream to be able to share FH with the world.

Fated Hearts
By Donna Michaels
Novel/Spicy
From The Wild Rose Press
ISBN 1-60154-300-X
E-Book Rel 8/22/08
Print Rel 2/20/09
View Trailer
Purchase

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BLURB

Thanks to fate, Jordan Mitchell-Ryan’s heart is tattered. Having kept her from the man she thought she’d always marry, the same fickle fate took away the man she eventually did. Thrown back into the path of her fist love, she finds hers is not the only heart fate has damaged.

Widower and software CEO, Cole McCall fills his days with computer codes and working the family ranch. When his visiting former neighbor sets out to delete the firewall around his heart, he discovers there’s no protection against the Jordan virus. Though she understands his pain and reawakens his soul, will it be enough for Cole to overcome his past and embrace their fated hearts?

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EXCERPT

“Wait up, Cole. I’ll walk with you.”

Broad shoulders rose and fell but stopped at the door and waited while she said her goodnights.

“Thanks,” she told him as they began their ascent upstairs. Worried about his pallor and the fatigue slumping his shoulders, she put her hand on his arm when they reached the top. “What are you trying to do? Work yourself to death?”

“Drop it, Jordan.” He yanked his arm out of her grasp. “I’m not in the mood.”

She brushed his irritation aside and searched his face. “You have to stop doing this to yourself, Cole. You need to slow down.”

“And you need to mind your own damned business.”

She ignored him. “There’s more to life than just work. What happened to that mischievous boy I knew?”

“He died.”

Her hissed breath echoed down the hall. “Cole McCall! That’s a horrible thing to say and I refuse to believe it.” She gripped his shoulders, hard. “He’s still in there and I’m going to find him. And when I do…I’m going to kick his ass for letting you take over.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me, Jordan,” he scoffed. “I grew up. You should try it.”

She released him and laughed. “Yeah, you sure got me pegged, McCall. I’m very immature and not responsible at all.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. “Maybe you are as far as work is concerned, but you need to stop trying to change me, Jordan.” He dropped his hand and his gaze bore into hers, flashing a silent warning.

She hated warnings.

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“Just what I said. I won’t stop trying to change you because I don’t particularly like you. I want you gone and the old Cole back.”

He grasped her upper arms and sneered. “Too damn bad. This is who I am now. The old Cole might’ve put up with your antics but I won’t.”

Her heart raced out of control. Damn, his hands were strong…and big. They covered most of her upper arms. She drew in a breath. Not smart, her mind screamed while her nose rejoiced. Mmm…Was that fresh scent soap or body wash? Desire flooded her fluttering stomach and pooled between her legs with a sudden vision of Cole lathered and wet.

“Did you hear me, Jordan? I won’t put up with your nonsense.”

He increased the pressure on her arms, and the warmth amplified between her thighs.

Whoa. Back the reaction train up. I’m not the one who needs to feel.

She straightened her spine. “Oh no? Well, I’m not going to stop just because you tell me to, Cole. You’re way over due for an emotional overhaul and reality check. So, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Personality?”

“This.” He pinned her against the wall and pressed into her with his body.
Sensations—hot and frenzied, scorched a path to her core. The resulting shudder had her dazed, wide eyes staring up at him.

Triumph gleamed in his darkened gaze.

He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Apparently, you like me after all, Jordan.”

Anger erupted and cancelled her yearnings.

She pushed out of his hold. “Don’t try to turn this all around and put the focus on me, pal. It won’t work. I’m not one of your unsuspecting victims. But, you’re right. There is something about you I like. Your body. Or should I say Cole’s body,” she corrected, looking him up and down. “It’s grown up quite nice. But I still don’t like you.” Pivoting on her heel, she drew in a steadying breath and walked as nonchalantly as she could to her room.

His deep chuckle echoed down the hall and rumbled through her like a Southern California tremor. It was great to hear genuine amusement from him…although she could’ve done without the Me thinks she doth protest too much remark uttered with it.

Damn sexy Texan. Okay, so I’m not as immune to him as I’d hoped. That changes nothing. Shivers covered her skin. She ignored them.

Jordan Mitchell-Ryan never failed a case and Operation Heal McCall would be no exception.

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Thanks for reading,

Donna Michaels
Author of Romaginative Fiction
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Hero...inspiration...

Wild Rose Press Editor Guest Blogging Today!

Ever wonder what an editor looks for in a story?

Well here's your chance to get the inside scoop with one of the Yellow Rose editors from The Wild Rose Press, Stacy D. Holmes, Senior Editor of the contemporary cowboy line. Yeehaw!

I had the pleasure of working with Stacy on two Yellow Rose stories:

Ten Things I'd Do For A Cowboy - an LASR Best E-Book Short Romance 2007 Nominee

Fated Hearts (e-rel 8/22/08 Print 2/20/09) which just received a NOR Reviewer Top Pick

Thanks for helping me achieve them, Stacy!

So if you're interested in writing contemporary westerns (cowboys), check out what Stacy has to say:

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What draws us to a Cowboy?

Cowboys are one of the original Alpha males. They are hard, solitary, driven by the law of the land, rugged, strong, and mysterious. Whew....sorry, hot from just thinking about them LOL.

But! Not all cowboys are Alpha—and that’s what I love about the modern day westerns. Beta cowboys, those hunky ranch-hands, good ol’ boy neighbors and smiling, Stetson wearing two-steppers are just as big and adding a wonderful variety to cowboy stories these days.

In the Yellow Rose Line of the Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/) we look for both of these heroes....and the women strong enough to corral their hearts. First and foremost, we want a good story with a strong romance.

Fresh ideas with interesting plots will capture our attention as well as good solid writing. From an editor’s point of view, I can’t express enough how important it is to have someone else look over your work and proof it for the simple things like spelling and grammar. The story could be great but may be hard to find amongst a poorly proofed manuscript.

Along with regular submission, we also have a special series that took off like a freshly branded bull! Wayback, Texas is a small town that hosts a rodeo every Saturday night and we’ve invited authors to write about the characters in this town. We’ve had some fantastic stories released already and a wonderful response—so much so that we had to create its own home at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/waybacktexas/ so that we could list the details of the town for easy access to potential authors of this series. If you want to write for this series, the best thing to do is join this loop and then read the available stories to really get a feel for the town.

One of the unique things about The Wild Rose Press is that we offer short stories. Those short enough to read over a lunchtime break to those that only take an afternoon in the sunshine. Personally, I would love to see more short story submission here in the Yellow Rose line along with the longer pieces.

Best of all, if you’ve ever wanted to sample a cowboy...er a cowboy story LOL, we have a Free Read available right now on our website at The Wild Rose Press. Marry Me, Cowboy, is a fun little story that you can get...FOR FREE! Free cowboys....could there be anything better?




Click HERE to download for Free!

While you're there, check out the other wonderful Free Reads and great stories from the terrific authors at The Wild Rose Press!

Thank you so much Donna for letting me share your blog today! If anyone has any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll be popping back to answer them for you!

Stacy D. Holmes, Senior Editor, Yellow Rose, The Wild Rose Press

Check out my FREE READ with The Wild Rose Press

Would you like to sample my writing? Are you new to E-books? See how painless they are and start your cyber bookshelf with my Free Read today!



Wayback When
by Donna Michaels

Way back when Kaydee Harper was young she fell for Jensen Ballard but he treated her like a kid sister. Now, years later, Jensen’s in Wayback for the local rodeo. Can the bull rider resist the stubborn cowgirl or will she bring him to his knees in under eight seconds?






(Wayback When is a little glimpse into TWRP's terrific Rodeo Cowboy Series set in Wayback Texas. Like cowboys? Then check out the wonderful stories in the Wayback Series at TWRP!)


Click HERE to download WAYBACK WHEN for free...right Now!!

Afterwards, have fun browsing the many romance genres and lengths at The Wild Rose Press. There are a lot of wonderful books from myself and fellow WRP Authors to stock your new cyber shelves. Let us keep you in the read.

And remember, Save a Tree--Read an E-book!

Please feel free to drop me a note at donna_michaels @ msn. com (minus the spaces) and let me know what you think of Wayback When. I'd love to hear from you anytime!

Thanks, and Happy Reading!!

~Donna Michaels

MY FIRST PRINT RELEASE!!

Meet Your Mate

By Donna Michaels

220 Pages Spicy

ISBN 1-60154-148-1

Buy Link for The Wild Rose Press

Buy Link for Fictionwise

Buy Link for Amazon

Buy Link for Barnes & Noble

Read Reviews

View Trailer

BLURB

Ex-Army Ranger Capt. Jack ‘Dodger’ Anderson would rather run naked through a minefield in the Afghan desert than participate in a reality television show, but when his brother Matthew begins to receive threats, Jack quickly becomes Matthew’s shadow. As if the investigation isn’t baffling enough, he has to contend with the addition of a beautiful and vaguely familiar new contestant.

Security specialist, Brielle Chapman reluctantly agrees to help her uncle by going undercover as a contestant on the Meet Your Mate reality show. Having nearly failed on a similar assignment, she wants to prove she still has a future in this business. But when the brother of the groom turns out to be Dodger, the object of her secret desire from an embarrassing prior undercover case, her job becomes harder. Does he recognize her? And how can she investigate with their sizzling attraction fogging her brain? Determined to finish the job, she brings the case to a surprising climax, uncovers the culprit and meets her own mate.

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Thanks for reading.

In honor of this print release, I'm holding a fun contest involving pictures of my Heroes being match to pictures of my Heroines. Click HERE for all the details and to view the prize: Genuine Garnet Necklace and matching Earring.

Donna Michaels

Author of Romaginative Fiction
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Multi-Author Contest: WISHING FOR A SPRING ROUND-UP

A hint of spring is in the air. In horsey circles, spring means it's time to kick up our heels and celebrate life. In keeping with the season, we've rounded-up thirteen authors with horses in their books. The Wishing for Spring Round Up is all about great books, romance, and horses. Come and celebrate spring with these authors and win free books.

To enter –
The list of questions is posted at each participating author’s website. Contestants must visit every website to find an answer to a question. Compile your list of answers in an email to contest@juliannastephens.com. The contest opens on March 1 and closes on March 16. Winners will be notified via email by March 20. One entry per contestant.

The prizes –
Each author will donate either a download or a print copy of her book. For print books, a snail mail address will be required. Winners will be randomly chosen from entries with the correct answers.

Enter today and win!

Here’s a sneak peek at my question:

What's the name of the ranch where wild mustangs transition in TEN THINGS I'D DO FOR A COWBOY?

Here's the Contest Link for the full details:

http://www.donnamichaelsauthor.com/springroundupcontest.htm

Good luck!!

Donna Michaels
Author of Romaginative Fiction
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com