Showing posts with label Beyond Fairytales story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beyond Fairytales story. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

A Dystopian Version of Sleeping Beauty


These tales aren’t the ones from your childhood, but adult-only reads with sexy heroes. Decadent Publishing offers a variety of twisted romance stories based on Grimm’s Fairytales. These stories are like none you’ve ever known.  

One of my favorite authors is Taryn Kincaid who has the uncanny ability to twist a fairy tale
and she has her own version of Sleeping Beauty.
A Beyond Fairytales story
By
Taryn Kincaid
A dystopian retelling of Sleeping Beauty




            Sleeping Beauty in a post-apocalyptic land…

            In a world gone mad, where little remains but a vast wasteland of sand, the leader of a troop of roving warriors welcomes a brave young woman into his midst.

            Much as he burns for her, Major Clay Worthington swears to keep his distance from the mysterious woman, so sensitive even the stinging rain can wound her.
Rosina Brierly is besotted with the formidable soldier and will gladly trade her life for one torrid night of blissful passion in his arms.

       But when sleep overcomes them, will true love prevail?

***********************

Excerpt:
            Does the major ever feel lust? Does he covet a woman’s touch? He never gave any sign he did. Too aloof and austere, too remote from the simple emotions of mere mortal men.

            He shook her again. “Wake up, princess. The rain will come soon.”

            The men looked forward to the rain. They hated the relentless sun blasting down upon them, as if they thought it would incinerate what was left of the earth beneath their boots, baking the soft sand into badlands as hard as concrete. They’d strip off their T-shirts and boots, their combat fatigues, and sometimes even their camouflage boxer shorts, and dance and play, naked or nearly so, in the slanting gray soup, laughing, tossing round balls or throwing saucer-shaped plastic discs to each other.

            For her, the showers had the opposite effect. The stinging rain sliced into her sensitive skin like acid, raising blisters and sores, sometimes bloodying her.

            She did not know why the major called her princess. Perhaps he didn’t know either. Whatever royalty once walked the earth had long gone, fled underground or died in battle or simply disappeared. The war engulfed every human on the planet, every inch of land, and had waged so long she doubted anyone remembered anymore. Well, maybe Nicodemus. At least he sometimes hinted he did in the stories he told. And she had seen him whisper into the major’s ear, unknown things that made the major pale beneath his weathered tan.

            Major Worthington did not treat her like a princess, though, except when she slumbered, when he knelt before her in her fantasy world, his head bowed, his fist over his heart, laying his sword at her feet and claiming the role of knight. Her hero. Her champion. When she awoke, he remained one of the elite warrior breed roaming the planet, bristling with weapons like the soldiers he led. He treated her as the translator she was to him, sometimes barking orders to her as if she were one of his men, only occasionally seeking her counsel.

            She came fully awake as he jerked her up from the ground and yanked her toward him. The glare of the setting sun broadsided her, hurting her eyes. Why was he so insistent about the impending rain? No clouds yet darkened the sky, although the hour sped toward evening dusk now. But no hint of shadow yet blotted the horizon.

            “I can smell it,” he muttered.






Monday, July 13, 2015

Author Alexa Bourne Talks About Writing


On a dark rainy night,
nothing is better than reading a thrilling suspense with a compelling romance to spice it up.

******************

Alexa Bourne is THE author to write such a tale. She has many books out including the fast paced and incredibly hot story Wake Me (Hidden Destiny) and Chasing Gold (Beyond Fairytales) from Decadent Publishing. During her spare time she even offers on-line writing classes!  How cool is that!

 


Alexa has stopped by to give us a look into her life as a writer.

Thanks for joining us today. Make yourself comfortable. 
Help yourself to some tea and chocolate. 

So tell us, how long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first “book” over 100 pages was when I was in middle school a LOOOONG time ago. I have 11 books out and I’m part of 1 anthology that just recently released.

A born writer! What genre and topics do you like to write? Is there a topic you would never write about?
My favorite genre is romantic suspense. After my 11th book came out I finally realized I love writing about people who are thrown out of their element and must find a way to gather their courage. As for something I wouldn’t write about….I’m not sure. At the moment, I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t try.

Sounds like you have a bit of an adventurous writer’s soul. Do you have a special place you like to write or a particular writing process?
I don’t have a specific place I write, but I do have a process. I start each story with only a vague idea of the plot and both main characters. The specifics of the romance, the people and the suspense all come through during the rough draft. The only habit I have is making a soundtrack for each book with at least 1 or 2 songs that specifically represent each couple. I usually listen to that soundtrack over and over as I write that book.

OMG… I do soundtracks too!!! Music always comes up with readers. Do you ever meet your readers?
I have met readers (and love it!). I’ve only had the opportunity to do 1 book signing so far but I look forward to doing more. When I’m able to go to conventions I love to do so. I hope to do more in the next few years.

I love meeting with fans. What is a question most people ask you?
The #1 question I get is “How much money do you make?” I don’t answer it or I might say, “I’m not going to tell you.”

LOL! Hey, summer time is coming fast. I’m sure you hope to find time to read. What is on your TBR pile right now?
The Lair by Emily McKay, Far Gone by Laura Griffin, The Hit by David Baldacci, a bunch of books by Jill Shalvis. Of course there are TONS more in a suitcase, on bookshelves, in boxes in storage….


Ooooo…. I love Jill’s Animal Magnetism series and the baseball novels. Would you say you are a daydreamer?
Not really. I don’t have time to daydream!




As a mom of 3 athletic boys, I don’t have a clue what spare time is. I don’t even have a chance to clean out my purse! Say…if we were to take a sneak peak in your purse, what would we find?
My wallet, promo cards, my headphones for my iphone, a pen & little notepad, tissues and lots of receipts. I know, boring.

I know about “lots of receipts”.  LOL

Time for some fun….

EBooks or Print? Both. I like to travel a lot and the Ebook works best for that.
Wine or beer? Beer, but I wouldn’t say no to a glass of white zin!
Coffee or tea? Tea. My mom’s from England and I grew up on tea.
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Enough said.

What is your biggest “girlish” vice? Earrings. I have more than enough to last me the rest of my life, but if I see earrings in a store when I’m shopping I always check them out. More than once I’ve had my friends help me NOT buy a bunch. I also can’t leave the house without earrings. I can be in sweatpants and makeup-free with my hair in a ponytail, but I have to have at least 1 pair of earrings in. (I have 3 holes in each earlobe.)

Romantic dinner at home or dinner out? How about a romantic dinner out? It’s not really a romantic dinner if you have to clean up after yourself!

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream? Chocolate chip cookie dough. Yum!

Yeah!!! Thanks so much for joining us today, Alexa. Let’s blow this pop stand. I know an ice cream shop that serves the best Choco-chip cookie dough on waffle cones.  My treat!

****************
Find Alexa Bourne
Website  http://alexabourne.com/
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne
Twitter https://twitter.com/alexabourne


Grownup Fairy Tales Boxed Set
 Amazon 


Tuesday, June 16, 2015

#TuesdayTeaser from Chasing Gold by Alexa Bourne

Chasing Gold is a book in the Beyond Fairytales series from Alexa Bourne and Decadent Publishing.  This exciting story is based on the Golden Goose fairy tale and takes place in contemporary Scotland. Check it out!


Blurb:
Grace McKay spends most of her time alone trying to convince the world she’s strong enough and smart enough to become one of the best treasure hunters. According to the media, though, all she’s managed to prove is she’s a frigid, narrow-minded woman who doesn’t have a chance to succeed in her current hunt.
Simon Andrews is tired of being a glorified secretary for his family’s treasure hunting business. As the youngest brother, he’s never had the chance to prove himself in the field, where his true interests lie.
When Grace’s uncle hires Simon on a whim to assist her with the search for an ancient family heirloom, he comes up against a woman determined to accomplish her goal without his—or anyone’s—help. But Simon, although captivated by her passion for her quest and her beauty, will not relinquish his chance to prove both to the client and his brothers that he has the family gift for finding valuables where others have failed.
Grace, frigid? Simon is sure the media met the wrong woman. He’s in danger of bursting into flames every time they are alone together. As they get closer to finding the heirloom, though, their growing passion for one another may distract them from the very real danger that threatens their lives and their possible future together. Whatever that might mean.
Excerpt:
After sipping her tea, she picked up another piece of pastry. Midway to her mouth, she stopped. A tall, thin man, glasses clinging to the end of his nose, strode through the doorway and scanned the room. A loose-fitting, faded T-shirt covered his chest, and khaki shorts hung on his hips. Kind of thin and bony for her liking, although the soft shade of ginger hair with a hint of blond in it grabbed her attention. It reminded her of her favorite movie star. Both hands were inside his pockets.
With a crooked grin, he walked straight up to her table. “Grace McKay?”
“Yes. Can I help you?”
He held out his long fingers. “I’m Simon Andrews.” He waited as if his name was supposed to mean something.
She didn’t shake his hand. “What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?”
He lowered his arm. “Your uncle said you’d be helping me on my expedition here.” From his New England accent, he could only be American.
Uncle Thomas sent him? Of all the crappy things he’d done, this had to be the worst. Did he not believe in her enough to allow her to handle the job? She stood, gathering her papers. “My uncle was wrong. I don’t need any help with my expedition. Good-bye.” She shifted around him and started for the lobby. Studying her paperwork in her own room would suit her better.
“Ms. McKay, wait.” He grabbed her arm.
She froze. Every muscle tensed.
“I realize you want to help in the search, but your uncle hired me to—”
She tugged herself free. “I know what he hired you for, but I’m telling you, you’re fired.” As she stalked across the pub, many pairs of eyes stared at her, some wide in question, some narrowed. Who cared? She hadn’t done anything wrong.
“That’s not your call, sweetheart,” he said.
She jerked to a stop just inside the door and spun around, gritting her teeth. Andrews stood waiting, as cocky as could be, with his hands on his hips.
“First, I am not your sweetheart. Second, I don’t need a partner.”
******************************

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Tuesday Teaser from Beyond Fairytales - Club Beam by Erzabet Bishop


Blurb:
In the Shadow World, nothing is as it seems.

Detective Sydney Marr is having a very bad day. Her boss is on the warpath, she’s being treated for a werewolf bite, and her current case has hit a dead end. When her friend Erika talks Syd into going with her to Club Beam, she jumps at the chance, even if it means spending an evening without her spell arsenal. A high-class vampire bar and fetish club, Club Beam is fantasy made real.

Club owner and Dom Gideon Raines spies the red-haired beauty and is transfixed. A fight against a skillful murderer brings war for fae and vampire alike. Sometimes when you play with monsters, the monsters play back.
****************

Release date: May 5, 2015
Pages: 106
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Line: Beyond Fairy Tales, Shadow World Series
Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Fairy Tale, m/f

*****************

I asked Erzabet Bishop where she got the inspiration for such an amazing tale. She told me the story behind the story and more.... 
When I first contacted Decadent Publishing to inquire about their fairy tale line I was assigned a story called “The Beam.” I looked it up and found out it was about a wizard who is bested by a woman and he exacts his revenge. Whenever I encounter a new project like this, I have to sit down and think about what all the moving parts mean. In this case, how to turn a story like this into a modern romance that readers would find appealing. Since I tend to write urban fantasy slanted pieces, I immediately laser beamed in on the wizard and witch part. I mean, how cool is that to have a ready-made story ripe for the picking? I just had to add some modern twists. What would be more modern than a witchy karaoke event and fairy tale fetish night? 

The process of writing for me is an organic one. It begins with a legal pad and a series of colorful sticky notes and a foam board. I start thinking about the chapters and what needs to happen to make the story move and there you go-plot points on sticky notes I can adjust as needed. It works too. Sydney had lots of thoughts on where she wanted to go and believe me, she is still in there talking. 

The second book in the Shadow World series is already writing itself (think dragon shifters and a psychic) and I can see the fireworks shaping up nicely.

 Stay tuned for a short story featuring Sydney in the upcoming Sci Spanks event (https://www.facebook.com/scispanks?fref=ts). You might just get invited for a session behind the Red Door. Master Gideon has a paddle and he’s ready to play.

I hope you will enjoy the introduction to my Shadow World series and return to Club Beam for many more adventures.

Buy links:


Excerpt:
“Once upon a time….” Erika sang and waggled her eyebrows. “Come on, Sydney. Live a little. This club is smoking hot, and you’ll love it.”

Sydney grumbled under her breath and watched the club-goers parade past, each dressed like a fairy-tale character. The Little Mermaid trounced by in a see-through, diaphanous gown revealing too much in the way of personal attributes. Sleeping Beauty sashayed down the sidewalk with a leash around the neck of her Prince Charming. A woman in a way-too-short Red Riding Hood outfit approached. Her arm was wrapped around a seductress dressed in wolf ears, a tail, and a skimpy thong-style bikini. Red carried a basket full of what looked like pink fuzzy handcuffs and a can of whipped cream, which she swung into Syd.

“Hey!”

The red-cloaked vixen sent her a wink and traipsed on by, joined by a near-pornographic version of the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. Any shorter and the skirt would show her naughty bits. Or maybe that was the plan.

Syd had just gotten off her day shift as a detective, and the last thing she wanted to do was be around more people. Especially people with more skin showing than on late-night cable shows. Her head hurt from the lights and the pulse of the music, and her stupid witch costume was pinching her toes. Erika’s scant fairy costume hugged all her curves, her breasts bursting from the bodice. The skirt barely covered her backside, and the strappy silver sandals showed off her silver-glitter nail polish.

The building loomed next to them. A giant warehouse-like structure, it was large enough to house all manner of mischief, and Syd was itching with the desire to get inside and find out just what was going on behind its doors. The sidewalk was flagged by trees lit up with twinkly white lights, adding an upscale ambiance to the area. What in the daylight looked like an industrial area gone to the dogs had been transformed into an attractive and well-attended venue.

She didn’t have the heart to tell Erika she’d been here once already today for the case she was working on, but the entrance had been sealed up tighter than a drum. Sydney’s recourse was to infiltrate Club Beam by night as a patron. Her sergeant, Debra, would kill her if she realized Syd had even considered going in without backup. So would her partner, James. Erika had asked her to come so she wouldn’t be alone, and, despite herself, Syd couldn’t resist. To catch a vampire, you had to go out at night, and Club Beam was the hot spot. After last month’s fuckup, she had to do this and do it right, even if it killed her. James was on medical leave, and it remained up to her to get this guy before someone else got killed or turned furry.

I will not think about becoming one of the terminally furry. It’s over. Move on. Take the pills the doctor gave you and freaking pray.

“Oh look. I think I see Snow White.” Erika stood on her tiptoes and craned her head along the huge expanse of line they still had to navigate to get inside.

Syd peered into the crowd and grimaced. Hairy legs. More makeup than a Mac commercial. “Nope. That was a guy in drag.”

Erika narrowed her eyes. “God, Syd. You’re the world’s biggest wet blanket ever.”

Sydney shifted her weight and moved another two steps toward the door as the line inched forward. 

“I told you, I’ve had a hard day. We had a homicide case come in, and I’ve been out beating the street. I want to go home and bury my head under my pillow. But, no. Out of the kindness of my heart, here I am standing in line at a vampire bar with a bunch of overgrown kids playing dress-up in fairy-tale fetish wear.”
*********

About the Author:
Erzabet Bishop is the author of Club Beam, Sigil Fire, Written on Skin, Tethered, Fetish Fair, Temptation Resorts Jess and Marnie interactive choose your own adventure romances and more. She is a contributing author to The Big Book of Submission, Slave Girls, Hungry for More and many other anthologies. She is a finalist for the 2015 Goldie Awards and an active member of the Romance Writers of America. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and is often playing at local bookstores. Follow her posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.
Newsletter sign up: http://erzabetwrites.wix.com/erzabetbishop




Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sunday Surfing for a Good Book - RAIN by Taryn Kincaid

If you are like me, you are spending a lazy Sunday afternoon surfing for some good books to order or download. Let me recomend one that is top of my list.


Decadent Publishing offers a variety of twisted romance stories based on Grimm’s Fairytales. Beyond Fairytales are like none you’ve ever known.  Trust me… these tales aren’t the ones from your childhood, these are adult only reads with sexy heroes.

Taryn Kincaid has her own version of Sleeping Beauty coming June 2.


Blurb:
            Sleeping Beauty in a post-apocalyptic land…

            In a world gone mad, where little remains but a vast wasteland of sand, the leader of a troop of roving warriors welcomes a brave young woman into his midst.
            Much as he burns for her, Major Clay Worthington swears to keep his distance from the mysterious woman, so sensitive even the stinging rain can wound her.
Rosina Brierly is besotted with the formidable soldier and will gladly trade her life for one torrid night of blissful passion in his arms.

       But when sleep overcomes them, will true love prevail?

Pre-Order Now!