Who Is Mistral Dawn?

Mistral Dawn is a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US but somehow never in the middle. She currently resides in the Southeast US with her kitty cats (please spay or neuter! :-)) where she works as a hospital drudge and attends graduate school. Taken By The Huntsman is her first effort at writing fiction and if it is well received she has ideas for several more novels and short-stories in this series. Please feel free to visit her on FaceBook or drop her a line at mistralkdawn@gmail.com

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Some #Kind #People Are #Featuring Me #Today!!! :-)


Hi Everyone!!!! :-)

Today is the day of my official #Facebook #BookLaunchParty for Bound By The Summer Prince, and some very nice people have been kind enough to feature me on their blogs!!! :-)  Please take a moment to check out these links and give their blogs some love while you're there:

Tracy St. John Interviewed Me!!! :-)

http://tracystjohn.blogspot.com/2015/02/interview-with-author-mistral-dawn.html

If  you're interested in learning more about Tracy, I interviewed her here:

http://mistralkdawn.blogspot.com/2015/01/special-interview-with-tracy-st-john.html


The most awesome beta reader in the WORLD, Michaela Goebel, talks about the beta reading experience:

https://coffeecupreverie.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/beta-reading-editing-2/


Lorenz Font was kind enough to feature my books as well!! :-)

https://lorenzfont.wordpress.com/lorenz-font-presents/bound-by-the-summer-prince-by-mistral-dawn/


Also, I would be forever grateful if you would consider supporting my Thunderclap Campaign to help get the word out about my new release. It's completely free!!!! :-)

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/22734-bound-by-the-summer-prince

And as always, thank you so much for checking in, and please stay tuned!!!! :-)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Jen Winters Invited Me To Her #Blog!! :-)














Hey Everyone!!!

Amazing Author Jen Winters invited me to chat!!! :-)  Please check it out and give her blog some love while you're there! :-)

http://wp.me/p5ysdD-4y

Thursday, February 26, 2015

#Bound By The #Summer #Prince #Status #Update


Hey Everyone!!! :-)

Just a quick note to let you know that Bound By The Summer Prince has been submitted to Amazon and Smashwords to be released!!!!! :-)  As so as the merchant platforms approve it, I'll provide the buy links. Smashwords will also disseminate it to B&N, Kobo, and iTunes, but it might take a few days before it shows up in those stores.

Thank you all so much for making this journey with me, and please stay tuned to this blog!  Soon, I'll be announcing a contest that will allow the winners to pick characters for my next short story! :-)  I just want to give people a chance to read Bound By The Summer Prince before giving any details. ;-)  And please, leave a review once you're done. I'd really like to know what you think!! :-)

Thanks!!!!
Mistral

Update:  It's up!!!! :-)

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Summer-Prince-Book-ebook/dp/B00U1QFOWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424992454&sr=1-1

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/522760


Now Also Available From:

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-by-the-summer-prince-mistral-dawn/1121299801?ean=2940046601107

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bound-by-the-summer-prince/id971849506?mt=11

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/bound-by-the-summer-prince

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ch'kara SilverWolf #Interviewed Me!! :-)














Hey Everyone!! :-)

Ch'kara SilverWolf was kind enough to interview me on her amazing blog!! :-)  Please check it out, and while you're there, give her blog some love!!

https://sheerak.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/author-interview-mistral-dawn-taken-by-the-huntsman-and-bound-by-the-summer-prince/

Also, check back next Wednesday to see my interview of her!! :-)

#Happy #HumpDay!!

Mistral

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

A #Thunderclap #Campaign For #Bound By The #Summer #Prince!! :-)


Hey Everyone!!! :-)

I've created a Thunderclap Campaign to announce the release of Bound By The Summer Prince, and I would be extremely grateful if you wouldn't mind supporting it! :-)  It's totally free, you just click on the link and then click on support and that's it. :-)  I have to get 100 supporters before 3/8/2015, or it won't go out, so I'd really, really appreciate your help with this!!! :-)

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/22734-bound-by-the-summer-prince

Thank you so much!!!! :-)
Mistral

Monday, February 23, 2015

Helen Treharne Interviewed By Mistral Dawn














Hi Everyone!

Today Helen Treharne has been kind enough to join us for an interview! Helen lives in South Wales with her husband, who is Irish, three cats, some other waifs and strays that think they live with them, and lots of stringed instruments!  Wow, Helen, it sounds like you have a really busy home! Can you tell us a little more about yourself and your books?

Helen:  I'm trying to learn the ukele, but not getting very far. My "day job" is in communications and media relations so I write by night and during weekends. Oh, and I volunteer for Cats Protection, a UK based charity that campaigns for the welfare of cats as well as rescue work.

I've written three books so far. The first was a collection of flash fiction called Off the Bench inspired by bereavement and by hope. I've also written a collection of 10 urban poems about growing up in South Wales in the eighties and nineties. They're both "quick reads", cheaper than a magazine, but you can read them during your lunch break.
The most significant piece of work is my urban fantasy series - the Sophie Morgan books. The first,  Relative Strangers, was released on ebook and paperbook in August 2014. The second, Death in the Family will be out in February 2015. 

Me: Wow! Family, pets, charity, work, writing! When do you sleep? ;-) Can you tell us the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Helen: Relative Strangers, the most recent release, is a departure from the genre in some respects, yet a welcome return in others. I wanted to write a vampire book which was about relationships in the broadest sense - how we are all connected, how you can't escape from your past, about love falling flat on its ass. I didn't want sexy vampires. Nor did I want them sparkly. I imagine that if vampires existed they would be walking around like you or I just trying to get on with it, hiding their true natures and doing what they have to get by. Some of them are dark and viscous. Others are doing what they can to maintain their position and put dinner on the table (albeit human!). I wanted to read about a world where vampires were believable and I hope I achieved it. I also wanted to write a female protagonist who wasn't throwing herself at them, who is strong but can also be vulnerable. In that sense, it's inspired by real life. In fact, a couple of incidents in the book are inspired by situations I've found myself in - although it's heavily fictionalized of course. I've never ground a vampire into dust on my kitchen lino.

Me:  Sounds like a great read! What are you working on now?

Helen:  Death in the Family, the second Sophie Morgan book, was the book I really wanted to write as it's just as much about the family dynamic as it is about vampires. The first one was the thing I had to do beforehand! In this book, Sophie has returned to Wales following a series of unpleasant incidents with vampires while living in the West Midlands.  I don't want to give too much away for those who have yet to read 'book 1' but let's just say some familiar characters reappear, there could be a new man in Sophie's life, plus we find out what really happened to her long lost father!

Me:  Romance, drama, adventure! What more could a reader ask for!? :-) Are there any authors, or books, who have influenced you?

Helen:  My tastes are varied. This year, my favourite reads have come from Caitlin Moran and Lena Dunham, who I admire terribly. I like writers who write honestly, without overly verbose prose. I'm also a huge Terry Pratchett fan. I've discovered some great indie authors this year too. I always review and my blog www.helentreharne.wordpress is a good place to follow what I'm reading and what I think of their work - Goodreads too!

Me:  I love Terry Pratchett!! Almost as much as Douglas Adams! ;-)  What are you reading now?

Helen:  I'm currently reading Neon Blue by EJ Frost. It's awesome! A fresh new take on magic. 

Me:  I've got a couple books by EJ Frost on my to-be-read list (looks around for some spare time), you'll have to tell me how you like it! :-)  For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?

Helen:  If Being Human (TV show) and Bridget Jones (book / film) had a baby, and that baby was a book, then it might look like Relative Strangers.

Me:  Ha! Sounds like a hoot! :-) What is your favorite part of being an author?

Helen:  Building worlds in my head and getting to live in them occasionally. 

Me:  That is a fun part of writing, isn't it! :-)  Do you have a day job as well?

Helen:  I do, I'm in external communications and media relations. That said, can being on Twitter be classified as a full time job? I'm on there a lot!

Me:  Ha! Me too, I'm going to have to cut back to get on with the writing. ;-)  What would you say are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?

Helen:  I think most writers would agree that the hardest bit is PR and marketing. It's a huge amount of work and getting it right is something that requires a lot of effort and constant evaluation.

The easiest part for me is coming up with ideas. Honestly, I can't switch them off. Sometimes, it's hard for me as I have so many my brain can't fully form them. I have to constantly scribble things down to get them out my head so I can move on and finish something. 

Me:  Yeah, marketing can be tough, but it's definitely a big part of any indie author's job.  What genre do you place your book in?

Helen:  The Sophie Morgan books fall into the "urban fantasy" genre I guess, although my natural rebellion likes me to push against labels. The lead character is 23 though, just out of college and is navigating some pretty difficult life situations, so I guess it could fall into the new adult fiction camp too. Strangely though, the first book has proved really popular with guys.

Me: Aww... we knew the fellas had some romance in them somewhere! ;-)  Anything else you'd like to tell your readers?

Helen:  If you buy a book, mine or anyone else's, leave a review for the author on Amazon. It really helps them out, as well as inform the choices of other readers.
Also, if you want to find out more about me or any of my books, then check out the links:

Buy my books at Amazon http://bit.ly/Vu4Ve3 (Paperback and ebooks available)


 Me: Amen to the reviews! :-) And thank you so much for joining us Helen!!! :-)

Sunday, February 22, 2015

#BookLaunchParty For #Bound By The #Summer #Prince!! 2/28 :-)


Hey everyone!!!

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm hosting a Facebook Book Launch Party for Bound By The Summer Prince next Saturday! :-)  There will be games, prizes, and I'll be answering questions, so it would be awesome if you could join me! :-)  The link for the party is Bound By The Summer Prince Book Launch Party!

Thank you all so much!!! :-)
Mistral


Chapter One



Roni was in trouble and she knew it. This wasn't an unusual condition for her. As a con artist and petty thief by profession, she often found herself on the wrong side of the law; and thus in trouble. But this time the men who were chasing her wouldn't read her rights and lock her up if they caught her. No, this time the end of the chase would be far more violent, and Roni knew that because of this she had to make sure they didn't catch her. She was trying desperately to prevent them doing so, if only she hadn't put on the damn high heels when she left home earlier!

She had worn the heels because she knew how important it was to look one's best; especially for one with her vocation. Roni didn't even crack five feet tall in her stocking feet, and wearing the highest of high heels was just one of the ways she manipulated people's impressions of her. Besides, they made her legs appear longer and her butt look good. Unfortunately, none of that changed the fact that they were very difficult to run fast in!

It all started when she found herself short of money for her rent and had tried to throw a quick con together so she wouldn't be evicted from her rattrap apartment. She was new to the city and hadn't learned who all of the major players in the underworld were yet. She'd had to leave her last city of residence rather precipitously, and so she hadn't had time to do her usual amount of homework.

Roni wasn't classically beautiful, and was far too voluptuous to be fashionably beautiful, but she'd found that there were always men who would follow her wicked curves around anywhere she cared to lead them. Her tits and ass coupled with her unusual complexion served to keep men guessing; which, of course, kept them interested. Roni's parents had both been of mixed race, though they had refused to disclose what exactly those races were; even to Roni.

She, herself, had no idea what parts of Earth she owed her genetic heritage to, but she knew that the unusual mix of features and the indeterminate skin tone she had been blessed with made it possible for her to be a veritable chameleon. A simple change of clothing and slightly different shades of makeup and she could change her appearance dramatically. Was her skin a lovely creamy cocoa a la Halle Berry? Or was she a tan Malibu beach bunny? Or perhaps she was a descendant of the place that had once been commonly referred to as 'the Orient?' Her appearance would never give away any secrets. Throw in some hair dye or a wig and she could be a completely different person.

Her current predicament stemmed from her most recent mark. He had seemed like any average Joe, and she had picked him out almost immediately from all of the possible suckers who had been at the club she'd ventured into earlier to ply her trade. He hadn't been very attractive, but he hadn't been impossibly ugly either. He'd obviously had money, but hadn't seemed rich enough for the money to be a problem later. In short, he'd seemed perfect and had responded beautifully to the scam she'd run on him. How was she supposed to know he was the local crime boss’s brother?!?

He hadn't dressed with the ostentatious flair that most successful criminals favored. He hadn't seemed to have an entourage or any 'security' with him. His face had been open, and rather guileless; not the hardened, cynical expression most people who spent time with the less-than-pure-as-the-driven-snow elements of a city usually developed. He hadn't had any of the normal signs that would have warned her away.

She had given him a professional evaluation before she'd even approached him, and he'd seemed like a very safe target. The only thing that would have made him more perfect would have been for him to keep his wallet in an easily accessible pocket. Then she would have dispensed with the whole charade and just light-fingered herself into solvency. Unfortunately, he'd been savvier than that and had kept his wallet buttoned up in an inside pocket at the front of the sport jacket he'd been wearing. She'd been able to see the outline of the wallet from across the room, but knew she'd have to get up-close and personal to have a chance at relieving him of it.

She'd begun by dancing through the crowded club; slowly heading towards him. She knew the second he noticed her; she had felt the way his eyes caressed her body. Once he'd finished studying her breasts in the low-cut dress she was wearing, he'd raised his eyes to her face and she'd met them with hers. The 'come-hither' smile she flashed had him following his dick straight to her side and from there it had been easy.

He'd bought her drinks, which she'd pretended to drink, and she had acted progressively more intoxicated as the night progressed. As she swayed her body in time to the music, she had clung to her target more and more. And when she suggested they find someplace more private to get to know each other he'd been all too willing.

Once he'd taken her to his apartment, it had been easy to get him out of his coat and to convince him that she just had to have one more drink to calm her nerves. After all, the thought of being with someone as handsome as he was just had her poor, little head in a spin. He'd swallowed it hook, line, and sinker and had left the room to get a bottle of 'the good stuff.'

Naturally, he hadn't put his jacket back on just to go to the kitchen and she'd been able to nick his wallet out of his pocket and silently depart via the window and fire escape. That's when she'd realized her mistake.

As she'd climbed down the fire escape she'd noticed that the outside of the building was crawling with just the type of 'security' that had been notably absent from the club. Fortunately, she'd seen them before they saw her and she'd been able to slip away. As she’d skirted their location, she heard them talking about their chief, the city's top crime boss, and how they hated babysitting his brother. She'd known it wouldn't be long before they'd be on her trail.

Before she even made it back to her tiny apartment she'd noticed them shadowing her. She had considered just making a break for it, but she'd wanted to collect some personal items before she skipped town (again) and had thought she'd be able to give them the slip. After making it back to her place, she’d managed to throw most of what she wanted to take with her into the duffle bag she kept packed for emergencies.

But before she'd had a chance to change clothes and alter her appearance she'd seen them circling the building. Not wanting to be trapped in her apartment, she'd made her way to the roof and (after briefly removing her stiletto heels) had been able to jump the short space between her building and the building next to it.

Roni had been able to make her way back to the street and away from her apartment, but the part of the city she was in didn't give her many options for losing herself at that time of night. The streets were deserted and the few businesses in the area had long since closed and locked up tight. Even the clubs and the bars had closed down and the local drunks had made their ways home to escape the winter chill. Everything was still and silent. It all seemed deceptively peaceful.

The cold winter wind cut through her thin club-wear like a knife, and the click-clacking her high heels made against the pavement was painfully loud in her ears; she felt horribly exposed out on the open street. Convinced she was being watched, she ducked down a side street and hurried through the narrow alley as quickly as she could. When she'd reached the other side she turned and saw the outlines of four men following her. Knowing she'd been right and that stealth was pointless, she'd run as fast as she could and had zig-zagged through a number of smaller streets and alley-ways.

She finally found a building with an unlocked door and ducked inside, closing the door just before the men who were chasing her turned the corner. She knew they were right behind her and she looked around desperately for a place to hide. The room she was in seemed to be some kind of warehouse and there were boxes and equipment stacked around at what seemed to be random intervals. She dashed into the maze of odds and ends and found a small, concealed space that she thought she could hide in.

Just as Roni crawled into her hiding space, she heard the door open and the footsteps of the men following her. They knew they had her cornered and didn't seem to be in any hurry as they split up to search through all of the junk scattered around. It would only be a matter of time before they found her; there was nowhere for her to go.

As Roni scrunched down into her hiding place, she wished, not for the first time, that she could just give the wretched wallet back, but she knew that would be pointless. Roni knew exactly what type of men she was dealing with, and she knew they would not be willing to just forgive and forget. If they caught her, she'd be lucky to escape with her life; if they did kill her, she was sure she'd be wishing for her death long before it came.

One of the men passed close by the place where Roni was hiding and she tried quietly to snuggle deeper into the small cavity. As she did, she realized she was sharing the space with a half-grown, black and white, shorthaired kitten. The animal was regarding her with wide eyes and just as she started praying it would remain silent, it let out an ear-piercing yowl and jumped into her arms.

Roni jumped up out of her hiding place with her duffle bag slung across her back and the small cat still in her arms, and ran as fast as she could for the far side of the room. The men all started to converge on her position as soon as the kitten gave her away, and were close behind. As she ran for all she was worth, Roni tripped over some debris and began to fall towards a dark spot on the wall.

Expecting to hit the wall hard, and unable to put her hands out to catch herself without dropping the cat, she turned to take the impact on her back instead of on her face. She was astonished when she kept falling, and falling, and falling. She looked back up to see that the light from the warehouse seemed to be getting very far away and that the four men who had been chasing her were falling down the same hole she seemed to be in as well.

It seemed to Roni that she had been falling for quite a while, and she was beginning to wonder when she'd land, and if she'd survive the landing, when she was suddenly caught in a vortex. The cyclone took her breath away and ripped the kitten from her grasp. She had just long enough to worry about the poor creature before the lack of oxygen stole her consciousness and everything went black.



...



Roni slowly came back to herself, and the first thing she realized was that the air was no longer cold and biting; it was warm and wet. She opened her eyes and discovered that she was lying on a leaf-strewn ground and that it was daylight instead of nighttime. She wondered how long she'd been unconscious.

Taking stock of herself, Roni found that her limbs all seemed to be in working order and that her duffle bag had miraculously remained strapped to her back. She looked at her surroundings and saw that she seemed to be in the middle of a jungle.

There were trees all around her, which seemed to disappear into a sky that she could only catch glimpses of through the green canopy above her. Close to the ground, the trunks of the trees were as big around as a small car and there also seemed to be quite a few bushes, vines, and creeping vegetation scattered in the places where there were breaks in the towering foliage.

Roni stood up and slowly dusted herself off, continuing to stare in amazement at the verdant wonderland around her. The cat was nowhere to be seen, but the four men had also made the journey to wherever they were. None of them appeared to be awake yet, fortunately, and as she continued to look she saw that one of them would never wake again.

One of the men was lying next to a tree that seemed to be oozing a golden, viscous substance from its roots. The man's head and shoulders were already encased and the ooze was slowly making its way down his body. It almost looked like he was being encased in amber, but Roni had no interest in moving closer for a better look. It was clear the man was dead, but she still had three more to worry about and they were starting to stir.

Looking around for the cat one more time, and failing to find him, Roni quickly started off into the jungle; seeking to put space between herself and her pursuers. She had to be careful about how she placed her feet in order to keep her heels from sinking into the soft, moist ground. More than once her shoes got stuck and she had to stop and free them before she could continue. Because of that she made much slower progress than she'd hoped and she began to worry that it wouldn't take long for the men to catch up to her.

As if to confirm her fears, she heard her pursuers crashing through the underbrush and moving closer to her. She started to panic and looked around for somewhere to hide. Unable to help herself, she turned and looked over her shoulder and saw that one of the men was nearly upon her.

Roni tried to stretch her legs to run faster but one of her shoes caught again and she went sprawling on her face. The man chasing her missed his grab at her when she fell, but turned to take advantage of her helpless position. As she looked up, expecting to feel his hands on her at any moment, she saw a blur of motion approaching him from above.

While Roni looked on, a vine whipped out from the tree above and severed the man's head. She gasped as his head flew off into the underbrush and a second vine dropped down to grab his body and quickly haul it up into the tree's branches. The whole procedure had happened between one breath and the next and left Roni blinking in astonishment.

Scrambling to her feet, Roni desperately tried to avoid looking at the place where the man's head had disappeared. She kept a wary eye on the branches overhead as she scuttled underneath them to continue her flight from the remaining two men. She could still hear them not far away, and she didn't have time to contemplate the fate of the man who had nearly caught her. She'd have to think about that later.

As she ran, she tried to keep an eye on the surrounding forest as well as behind her for signs of pursuit. Her caution cost her speed, and it wasn't long before another one of the men caught up to her. She looked around for something to use as a weapon as he advanced on her. This man seemed to have learned from the examples of his two unfortunate companions and kept part of his attention on their surroundings, which slowed him down somewhat.

Roni picked up a stone she found lying on the ground near a tree, intending to use it to defend herself, and was startled when it suddenly sprouted a plethora of legs and began squirming and chittering at her frantically. With a yelp, she threw it away from herself, and it happened to land on the leg of the man who was chasing her. They both watched in astonishment as the rock-creature quickly climbed to the top of the man's head and latched all of its legs around the man's cranium.

The man started screaming as if the rock-creature were burning him; Roni, unable to help herself, raced over to try to help him. The man was running in circles and waving his arms around hysterically, and he knocked her several feet away from him with his frantic flailing. Before Roni could gather her feet under her again, she saw that the man was bleeding badly.

The bleeding started underneath the rock-creature, from the top of the man's head, but the man quickly began bleeding profusely from his eyes, ears, and nose. Horror-struck, Roni continued to watch as the man’s insides appeared to melt. First, his head seemed to deflate and sink into itself, as if his skull had ceased to exist, then his neck sunk into his chest and his chest seemed to run down towards his feet. Mercifully, the man's gurgling screams ended quickly, and it was only Roni who was left to be horrified as his bones seemed to liquefy and what had once been a human being turned into a skin sack leaking red, viscous fluid.

Once the man was a puddle of skin and goo on the ground, the rock-creature settled in the middle of it and extended what looked like a straw to Roni. It inserted the end of the straw into the puddle and began making slurping sounds. Fighting her rising gorge, Roni ran off into the forest.

Out of breath, Roni soon had to stop her headlong flight; plus, it occurred to her that running blindly through the forest might not be the best idea. It was clear to her that she was either dreaming, dead, or someplace far from home. She immediately decided to operate under the assumption that she was still alive (and not dead and in Hell), that she hadn't lost her mind, and that she was awake.

This decision wasn't made because she was sure that all of these things were true; she'd just decided that on the off chance that she was alive, awake, and sane the best way to remain so was to act as if the dangers she perceived were real. If it turned out that her mind (either awake or asleep) was manufacturing nightmares for her to navigate she didn't see how acting as if they were real would harm her in anyway, and if she were dead she supposed she'd be beyond harm.

With that resolution in mind, Roni decided she needed to find her way out of the forest (and hopefully to somewhere safer) and/or find people who could help her. Considering what she had seen, climbing the trees to try to find out where the edge of the forest was didn't seem like such a hot idea; so she decided to just pick a direction (away from the last place she had seen the man who was still chasing her) and go in as straight a line as possible. She couldn't hear the last of the men who had been chasing her and she thought to wonder if he might already be dead, but erring on the side of caution seemed the better part of valor in this situation and she started off into the forest again.

Just as she began to think she might be putting some real distance between herself and the place where the third man had died, she heard a plaintive mewing from nearby. Sighing, but knowing she'd never be able to walk off and leave if the kitten was near and needed her help, she started looking around; after all, she considered herself at least partially responsible for the kitten being in danger in the first place. It didn't take her long to follow the crying and find the kitten. It was entangled in what appeared to be a web of long, thin leaves.

On the ground in front of her, was a plant that looked like a giant, mutated tulip. It had long, thin leaves and a central stalk with a blossom at the top; but instead of standing up straight the leaves were woven into a cage, at the center of which was a very frightened looking kitten. She crouched down to get a better look. The kitten didn't appear to be injured, just trapped.

Given what she had seen of the potential for violence among the flora and fauna of this forest, Roni was rather reluctant to just stick her hand into the tangle of leaves and try to pry the kitten out, so she began looking around for something to use to move the leaves. First she had to be sure that whatever she picked up wouldn't suddenly decide to eat her; it was a nerve-wracking process. She finally found a stick that seemed both long and thick enough for the purpose, and also seemed to be relatively inert.

She picked the stick up, keeping a wary eye on it, and began to move back towards the plant that had trapped the kitten. It appeared as though the leaves were moving closer together, trapping the kitten in an even smaller space. Worried the kitten would either be crushed or smothered, Roni began to hurry but was stopped as the kitten let out an ear-piercing yowl at the same time something crashed through the brush behind her.

Roni spun, raising the stick in front of her, to face the threat behind her. She saw the last of the men who had been chasing her stumble out of the underbrush and fall, facedown, on the ground. He lay there, twitching, and then looked up at her, an expression of utter anguish on his face. The man seemed to be trying to speak, but no sound escaped his mouth. Suddenly, he opened his mouth even wider and looked as if he were trying to vomit.

Thousands of tiny, crawling creatures came scuttling out of his mouth. Distantly, Roni's mind tried to classify the creatures as insects; though she knew she had nothing to base that assumption on other than superficial appearance. The man gave her an expression of complete horror, and then his eyes rolled up into his head and he was still except for the movement of the creatures. Roni prepared to run, but the creatures didn't seem at all interested in abandoning their meal, and were busily encasing the man's body in some kind of web-like substance.

Trying to keep an eye on the mass of creeping creatures, she turned back to the plant that had trapped the kitten. No longer able to see the animal, she could hear his mournful cries from inside the bundle of leaves. Poking the stick into the center of the tangle, she found the leaves were difficult to move, and that they left marks on the stick as though their edges were sharp. That knowledge made Roni glad she hadn't just blindly plunged her hand into them, but she was able to use the stick to make a large enough opening to stick her hand in and grab the kitten.

As she pulled the kitten out, she found that there were small vines wrapped around its back legs. They didn't release it when she pulled it away from the plant, but she dropped the stick and let the leaves close back together and the sharp edges severed the vines. She was then able to unwind them from its legs.

Roni looked the kitten over, but other than some lost fur where the vines had wrapped around its legs, it seemed none the worse for wear. She did notice during the course of her inspection that it was a he. He didn't seem at all inclined to leave her arms again, and he snuggled under her chin and purred. Even with the threat of the men gone, Roni knew the forest itself was still a threat and she needed to get out of it as soon as possible. Turning to continue on her way, she found that she wasn't alone.

Between the trees, in the direction she had been headed before she'd been distracted by her search for the kitten, stood a very tall man with hair that was a blonde so yellow she doubted it was from nature. He was very well built and muscular, and the features of his face were stunning with large, purple eyes, high, sharp cheekbones, and full, bowed lips. Roni became lost in the beauty of his face for a moment, but soon realized that this man might be the help she'd been looking for.

Just as she was about to speak to him, an expression of rage contorted his beautiful face; he raised his hand to point at her, and shouted in a language she'd never heard before. Afraid that the man meant to attack her, Roni spun, intending to run away, but found that she was unable to move her feet!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

#SinfulSaturday #Excerpt From #Bound By The #Summer #Prince!!! :-)


When he was certain his Anamchara was ready to proceed, Uaine began to work himself in and out of her with shallow movements. He held her body back from his, to minimize the friction she was able to generate with her squirming, and maintained a slow and steady pace. She whipped her head back and forth, causing her hair to brush against him, and squealed into her gage with frustration, but he just smiled. "I'm doing you a favor, my love, you don't truly wish a spanking; do you?"

Becoming more and more desperate to feel her lover's body working against her own, Roni tried to use her legs to gain the leverage she needed, but the restraints at her ankles did not allow her the necessary range of motion. The cuffs were wide and padded enough that she could yank on them as hard as she liked without doing any damage to herself, but they had no give at all. She began thrashing as much as her bonds allowed, and screamed her dissatisfaction and lust out to the room.

Uaine smiled and said; "Your wish is my command, my love, but you still do not have permission to cum." With that, he pushed her back against the wall and altered his grip on her from her waist to underneath her thighs, which tilted her hips up. The change in angle allowed him to move over that spot, at the front of, and just inside of, her, with every stroke, and for him to grind his pelvis against her clitoris every time their bodies met. He rotated his hips as he moved in and out of her, and soon could feel the muscles inside of her gripping at him. "Remember darling, you will be punished if you cum without permission."

Roni threw her head back and closed her eyes, as the waves of pleasure built inside her belly. Now that he was finally fucking her properly, she could feel herself swiftly moving towards her peak. When she heard his words, they were like a bucket of ice water thrown over her. Snapping open her eyes, she glared at him in frustration, and growled into the gag.

Smirking he said; "No sweeting, not yet. You'll have to be patient."

Facebook launch party a week from today!!! :-)

Bound by the Summer Prince



Friday, February 20, 2015

#FlashBackFriday!!! :-) An #Excerpt From #Taken By The #Huntsman!




#TGIF!! An #excerpt from #Taken By The #Huntsman! :-)

He jumped to his feet and Cassie backed up a step. The look in his eyes was dangerous and she was suddenly unsure of herself. He walked towards her, with all of the liquid grace of the predator that he was, and she retreated until she found herself backed against a wall. She looked up into his face and saw that his green eyes were glowing. He leaned towards her and put his hands on either side of her on the wall. Unaccountably she found herself getting aroused and was horrified. How could she be turned on at such a time?!?

Cadeyrn scented Cassie’s growing desire and growled again. He opened his mouth to better catch the scent and Cassie saw that his canines seemed to have lengthened. She gasped and Cadeyrn lowered his head and inhaled deeply right beside her neck. Cassie felt her heart beating a mile a minute but she also felt an answering pulse for each beat from between her legs and she felt moisture begin to gather. Her breath caught and she raised her hands and put them against his chest. She didn’t push him away, but she kept them there as a barrier.

He gently ran his lips up the side of her neck from her shoulder to her ear where he whispered “This is what I mean when I say you enjoy being chased. You are excited to be pursued and aroused by being trapped. Do you dare deny this when the scent of your desire hangs so heavily on you?” He gently nipped her ear and then ran his tongue over it.

Cassie gasped and felt her knees wobble. She tried to swallow and found her mouth was dry. She cleared her throat and pushed against his chest. “I want you to stop. Please stop now.” Her voice trembled.


Also:

Two pictures from yesterday's post, A #Kitty #Thursday, have been captioned, but there are still three more.  Go ahead and check them out and leave your suggestions in the comments. Thanks and Happy Friday!!!! :-)

Thursday, February 19, 2015

A #Kitty #Thursday! :-)

Hi Everyone!! :-)

I have something a little different for you today.  I thought it might be fun to introduce you to one of the kitties who inspired the Mr. Spats character from Bound By The Summer Prince. :-)  I'll post the pictures below, and would love it if you would caption them in the comments. :-)

You there! Bring me noms!

Picture Two

Picture Three

Don't mess with me! I'm the boss!

Picture Five
Just refer to the picture by its number, and say what you think the caption should be.  If I see one I really love I'll change the caption in this post to your suggestion! :-)  Thank you so much for checking in today, and please check back often! :-)

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

#Awesome #BookReview For #Taken By The #Huntsman!!! :-)


Hi Everyone!!!  :-)

The wonderful #author, Jen Winters, was kind enough to #read and #review Taken By The Huntsman!!  Check out what she had to say, and please give her #blog some #love while you're there!! :-)

https://jenwintersne.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/review-taken-by-the-huntsman-mistral-dawn/

Thank you so much!!! :-)
Mistral

My #BookReview Of Seed By DB Nielsen


Seed, by db nielsen, is a charming YA fantasy novel that centers around a young woman named Sage and a Nephilim named St. John; together they have to protect the "seed."  I don't want to say too much more, because I don't want to give the story away, but I think fans of Twilight will love this book.  I'm giving db 5 stars for Seed, and would definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy stories. :-)  

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

#TuesdayTease!! :-)


#Excerpt from #Bound By The #Summer #Prince:

“I had meant to warn you about Fae wine; it is much stronger than human spirits.  The natural intoxication you would have experience may have made it easier for the spell-caster to take control of your actions.”
Roni thought about that and nodded. “I’ll remember to avoid wine in the future.”
Uaine smiled. “Then I’ll bid you goodnight. I’m sure we can both use some rest.”
As he started to leave, Roni called to him; “Wait!” He turned and she loosened the bodice of her dress, allowing the sleeves to slide down her arms and the top of the dress to pool at her waist. “You won the bet and I owe you something.”
Uaine sucked in a breath at the sight of his Anamchara’s breasts covered in nothing but the sheer half-cups of her bra.  He went to her, putting his hands to either side of her on the wall at her back, caging her within his arms.  Leaning down he buried his face against her neck, and inhaled deeply. 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Jacci Turner Interviewed By Mistral Dawn

Hi Everyone!

We're back again with another author interview and today our guest is Jacci Turner.  Can you tell us about yourself and how many books you have written, Jacci?

Jacci:  I started writing five and a half years ago and have published seven books and one booklet. I have another book edited and ready to go! Funny thing about me, I only write on Tuesdays! I love writing. It feeds my soul.

Me:  Interesting! What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Jacci:  The last book I wrote is hot off the presses. It's called Shipwrecked and is for middle grade children aged 8 and up. My friend Dave Brown, invented this program called epifiction. Teachers sign up for it and the students are involved in deciding the direction of the story. I was his first author to try it out. I wrote the first three chapters and then gave the students three choices. They, of course, chose the direction I was least interested in! That went on for seven weeks! At the end, we had Shipwrecked. It was a wild ride. The inspiration, Dave said it had to be an action adventure, kind of melodramatic. That is not my normal style and was a stretch for me. But, I threw two sisters in a shark infested ocean and we were off! 

Me:  Sounds like a lot of fun for your readers!  What are you working on now?

Jacci:  My Finding Home Series has been popular with middle grade girls. They want more! So, what I thought was a trilogy is going on into the fourth book. It's a good thing I like the characters. Book four will be called Riley's Ride. Now I need to learn about horses!

Me: It's funny how writing always teaches us something, isn't it?  What authors, or books, have influenced you?

Jacci:  Too many to name! But I love Madeleine L'engle of A Wrinkle in Time fame. Her book, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, helped me get unstuck in the story line of Shipwrecked. All my books have been based in reality but she reminded me there there is magic in the world. So, suddenly the shipwrecked girls were on a magic island and THAT was a lot more fun! 

Me:  It sounds like fun!  What are you reading now?

Jacci:  I'm reading an author from my #indiebooksbeseen book group. Here book is called: Seed: Keepers of Genesis 1 and her name is db nielsen. That's how she spells it, without caps. She's cool that way and so is her book. 

Me: Dee is great, she's been a lot of help with connecting with the #indiebooksbeseen movement!  For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
Jacci:  I'm a character writer. All my books are studies on people and their relationships. Also, all my books are about social justice issue in some way, or at least about the deeper issues in the world. Expect to go deep with me! 

Me:  Cool! And what is your favorite part of being an author?

Jacci:  Something about writing fills my soul. I come away from it feeling like I have gained energy instead of expending it. It gives me great joy. And, I hope to change the world. There's that.

Me: Yeah, writing can definitely be a blast! :-)  Do you have a day job as well?

Jacci:  Yes, I'm a bereavement counselor for people that are dying and their families. That might tell you something...

Me:  Sounds like a hard job.  What would you say are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?

Jacci:  The hardest part is the marketing. It's great to connect to fans, hard to find them. When you find them, and someone actually reads your book, or tells you that they just read your book seven times and it's their favorite book of all time, then it's worth it.

Me:  Yes, it's an awesome feeling when someone tells you they enjoyed your work.  What genre do you place your book in?

Jacci:  I have four in middle grade fiction, three in young adult fiction and one on the way.

Me:  Great! Anything else you'd like to tell your readers?

Jacci:  You can find a free first chapter of Bending Willow on my website, it will give you a taste of my style. Bending Willow is on sale on Amazon for .99 and has been a fan favorite. It was chosen to represent Nevada at the National Book festival in Washington D.C. It is an Amazon Best seller in the  middle grade action adventure category. 

Me:  And so our lovely readers today can find your work, are there any links you'd like me to post?

Jacci:  Sure! You can find me at http://www.jacciturner.com/ and all my books at http://goo.gl/4xsfup. I'm on most every social media outlet under Jacci Turner and would LOVE to connect! 

Thank you so much Mistral Dawn for having me on today. You Rock! 

Me: Thanks Jacci. :-)

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Julie Nicholls #Interviewed Me!!! :-)

Hey everyone!!! :-)

Julie Nicholls at #Literally #Sensual interviewed me today on her gorgeous #blog!! :-)  Take a moment to see what we found to #chat about, and while you're there please give her blog some #love!  :-)

https://literallysensual.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/indie-author-mistral-dawn-joins-us-at-ls/

Thank you so much!!! :-)
Mistral

Saturday, February 14, 2015

#SexySaturday! #Excerpt from #Bound By The #Summer #Prince! :-)



Once he was completely naked, but for his shirt around his head, she just stood over him, looking at him.
“I can feel your eyes on me.” He said.
“I’m enjoying the view.”
“Ha! And do you intend to just look, or will you be finishing what you started.”
Grinning, she said; “I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.”
His cock jerked at her words, and she saw a drop of precum ooze from the tip.  Unable to resist, she dropped back to her knees, and leaned over to lick the glistening moisture from his body.
Uaine gasped and then groaned at the feel of his mate’s tongue on him.
After she had tasted the evidence of his arousal, Roni sat back and considered what part of her lover to attend to next.  Moving down to his feet, she lifted his right foot and, placing it on top of her knees, she began to give him a leisurely foot rub.
The prince groaned at the feel of his Anamchara’s fingers kneading the muscles in his foot and then his leg. When she put his right foot down, and picked up his left it was all he could do to remain where he was.  Somehow it felt as if every caress traveled from his legs to his cock, and he was growing desperate to bury himself in her.
Roni watched her mate as his breathing became ragged and his shoulders tensed.  Precum now oozed down his shaft in a steady dribble, and his cock jerked and twitched.  Reaching behind herself, she unhooked her bra and then tossed the garment aside.  She straddled his legs as she crawled up his body, and allowed her breasts to brush against his skin as she moved.
Gasping, Uaine arched up off of the ground, lifting his hips toward his mate.  The heat from her body radiated over his skin as she slowly moved towards where he wanted her.  When she finally did lean down and swirl her tongue around the head of his cock, the sensation was almost like an electric shock, and he shouted wordlessly.
Sensing her lover was on the edge, Roni decided to take mercy on him and moved her mouth over him.  Sucking, she bobbed her head up and down as she used her hands to caress his lower shaft.  With every stroke, she swallowed more and more of his cock into her throat, until her nose was nestled against the curls at the center of his body.  Holding her breath as long as she could, she flicked her tongue against the underside of him while maintaining a gentle suction.
His control snapping, Uaine sat up and dragged his shirt over his head so he could look down at the top of his lover’s head as she deep-throated him.  Groaning at the sight, it was all he could do to keep from thrusting against her.  If he hadn’t been concerned he would hurt her, nothing would have kept him from pounding into the wet warmth that enveloped him.
Needing air, Roni began to withdraw when she felt the prince’s hand on the top of her head.  Rolling her eyes up, she glared at him and he put his hand back on the ground.  Knowing he couldn’t take much more, she began to move her mouth faster and faster up and down the length of him while rubbing and flicking him with her tongue.
Feeling himself reach the point of no return, Uaine roared out a warning; “I’m going to cum!”
Roni continued to work her mouth on him, and felt the hot liquid of his orgasm hit the back of her throat.  Swallowing rapidly, she continued to milk him with her hands until she had captured every drop.  When he was done, she raised off of him, licking her lips.
Wrung out, Uaine collapsed back onto the ground and looked up at his mate in astonishment.

Bound by the Summer Prince



Friday, February 13, 2015

#Flashback #Friday!! :-)


#Excerpt From #Taken By The #Huntsman:

As she began to move away from him and prepared to sprint into the underbrush she found herself lifted off of her feet and into the air.  She squealed as he swung her around and over the log.  He was careful to lay her down gently but he came down on top of her, pinning her. 
Cassie moaned as she felt her lover’s weight on top of her.  She writhed beneath him and felt as his cock rubbed between the cheeks of her ass.  Cadeyrn ran his hand over the curve of her thigh, between their two bodies, and up between her legs.  He found her pussy sopping wet and when he ran his fingers through the moisture she gasped and squirmed.
“Oh god, Cadeyrn, don’t make me wait!  Just fuck me!  Now!”

He felt his breath catch in his throat at her words and he growled as he pushed her down over the log and used his thighs to spread her legs wide.  She groaned as she felt him position himself at the entrance to her body and bucked to try to slide him in further.  He growled again and slid his hand over the back of her head, gripping her hair and holding her firmly against the log. 
Slowly he slid himself inside her, drawing the movement out as much as he could.  She tried to buck and squirm against him but he used his grip on her hair to hold her down.  When he finally slid all of the way inside her she was panting and nearly sobbing with desire.  He stayed there, not moving, for several moments until she screamed her frustration and nearly tore her hair out in an effort to move.
“Move damn you! Stop teasing me and fuck me!”
Cadeyrn smiled fiercely and slowly began to withdraw.  Cassie’s scream of frustration echoed through the woods.  Finally he began thrusting into her steadily and she began to moan her satisfaction until he could tell she was about to cum and he stilled inside her.
As his Anamchara screamed and cursed him Cadeyrn grabbed ahold of the very last of his control and said “Say please.”
“Please!! Damn you, please fuck me noooowwww!” Her demand trailed off into a scream of pleasure as he began pounding himself inside of her.  

Thursday, February 12, 2015

A #Snippet For #Thursday! :-)


#Excerpt from #Bound By The #Summer #Prince:


When the morning light woke her, Roni opened her eyes to see Uaine gazing down at her with love in his eyes.  She smiled back at him, and slid her arms up his chest and around his neck to draw him closer for a kiss.
Uaine responded enthusiastically at first, but then drew back and gently disengaged. Smiling, he said; “As much as I’d love to see where this might go, I’m afraid we have to hurry and dress.”
“Why?”
“I sent word this morning to my mother of your return.  She wants to formally present you to the Court.  It’s not a coronation and it won’t officially make you queen, but it’s a clear statement that you will be queen in the near future and that she considers you heir to her position.  It will cement your place at Court and augment your authority as a judge.”
“So it’s a fancy, formal kind of thing, huh?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Then I guess we don’t even have time for a quickie?”
Smiling, he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.  Grinning against the back of her hand, he kissed it. “No, as much as I wish we did, we don’t.”
Roni sighed. “If you say so.”
“I do.”  

Bound by the Summer Prince