Spotlight: Thunderstruck By Laura DeLuca

Thunderstruck
by Laura DeLuca

Blurb:

Taranis, the Celtic god of Thunder, has spent an eternity longing for the touch of a single mortal woman. He has followed her through incarnations, but always his powers were too much for her to bear.

Tara is a deaf woman, struggling to fit in the hearing world. She hides a gentle heart behind a tough exterior. Will she let down her defenses when a handsome mute tries to win her heart?

And even if she does, can Taranis' love come without a death sentence?

Excerpt:

Taranis watched Tara climb onto her moped. She ran her fingers through her short black hair before pulling on her helmet. Mortals would never have been able to see so clearly, but even from across the street he could make out every detail of the art that was etched across her muscular yet feminine arms. They were drenched in color from the corner of her shoulder to the tips of her elbows. On one arm he saw a frog and a crow alongside the Puerto Rican flag, which was the heritage she had chosen in this new life. There was even a flamenco dancer adorned in a pink and green gown, forever frozen in her graceful dance. The other arm displayed a garden of colorful flowers- roses and lilies in blue, black and orange. Taranis imagined the fragrance of those flowers would be more intoxicating than any within the earth because they were drenched in her natural scent. He also noticed that mixed in among the tattoos that spoke of her Latino heritage; there was also a Celtic tribal band wrapped around her left ankle. Taranis knew it was a sign that a part of her was still drawn to the life she had lived before-the life he had been a brief but traumatic part of.

Taranis pushed the negative memories away. This was a new era. A new world. One where anything was possible. There were times when the magic of technology seemed to dwarf the powers of the gods themselves. First sign language and then computers with their artificial voices had made it much easier for Taranis to blend in among the mortals. Taranis especially loved the women of the twenty-first century. They were so bold and fearless, unafraid of demanding equality from their male counterparts. Tara was a prime example of that feminist drive. It seemed in each life time, she grew even stronger and more durable. He admired her strength and perseverance, but he also saw the sad and lonely woman she hid beneath the tough and snarky façade.

For two years he had watched her, yearned for her, but he was biding his time and building her trust. He had interacted with her in his human guise. Yet, he hadn't given into the temptation to pursue anything more than a casual friendship, even though her smile insinuated she was open to more. He knew it was fear that restrained him. Each time he thought about romantic innuendos, he remembered Calista lying dead in his arms with blood dripping down her pale neck. Still, he hungered for Tara with a passion unlike anything he had ever known. He had waited centuries for her to return to him after his failure with Calista. He was sure that in this new world where their paths had finally crossed again, he would find a way to make her love him. He didn't want to risk her life, but Taranis had a secret hope. He believed the very characteristic that she considered her greatest flaw would be the one thing that ensured their happiness in this life and all that followed.

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A few words from the author...

Short stories have never been my forte. Just like in real life, I am a little long-winded. When my publisher announced they were doing an anthology called For the Love of the Gods, I didn't really plan to participate. Then while I was standing in the shower, I was struck with inspiration. But I can't take full credit for it and neither can my muse. Thunderstruck only exists because of my friend, editor, and fellow author, Tara Chevrestt. She is not only the person who my main character is based on. She's also the beautiful model on the cover of the e-book!

It's no surprise that Tara is an inspiration to many. She is an amazing writer, a no-nonsense editor, and an active feminist. She has a spunk and fire few people can claim and she's never afraid to tell things how they are. Tara is also deaf, and while she's faced a lot of discrimination because of her lack of hearing, she's never let that stop her from getting what she wanted. More importantly, she doesn't let it stop her from being happy with who she is, imperfections and all. This was the image I wanted to convey when I wrote Thunderstruck. Tara's colorful vocabulary and the fact that she can kick some serious butt are only a small part of the story. The most important lesson I wanted people to take away with them is that, like Tara, we should all embrace who we are, including the imperfections that make us unique.

Tara's motto is "Strong is Sexy" and she proves those words every single day. My fictional Tara could never do justice to the real lady, especially not in only thirty-five pages, but it gives you a little piece of the fire that drives a strong woman forward. Get to know Tara and you'll have no trouble believing she could capture the love of a god.

About the Author:

Laura "Luna" DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Laura is giving away an eCopy of Thunderstruck during her tour.

For a chance to win please fill out the Rafflecopter below.

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Release Day Blitz: Brass Stars By A.G. Carpenter

Brass Stars
A.G. Carpenter

Genre: SF Western

Publisher: Eggplant Literary Productions, Inc.

Date of Publication: 11/18/2013

ISBN: 978-1-932207-49-1(Nook),
ISBN: 978-1-932207-50-7 (Kindle)

Word Count: 21,000

Cover Artist: Paul Alexandrescu

Book Description:

Tashndelu Sand has wandered the known universe on a mission of vengeance. She's spent years tracking down the gang who murdered her mother. And, with the help of Snyder-a psychotic cyber-horse with an agenda of his own-she's killed all but one: Brannigan.

Now she's come to Paradise, a lonely town on a desert planet. Here, Brannigan rules with a new gang. Here, the graveyard is filled with the corpses of gunslingers who have tried, and failed, to kill him.

Get in, kill Brannigan, and get out. That's the plan. And Tashn is determined to finish what she started. She'll not be stopped: not by Brannigan's army; not by her feelings for Johnny, an Extra sapien like her; not even by the darkness she sees in herself.

Excerpt:

I stand up, sway for a moment and catch my shoulder hard against the post. "Ungh. Damn."

Jackson is on his feet in a heartbeat, slipping his arms around my waist. "Easy."

My cheeks are hot. At least it's dark and maybe he won't notice. "I'm all right."

"You're certain?"

"Just tired." I try to shrug away from his hands. "It's been a long day."

"Yes." A pause. "Tashn…" He leans in and kisses me.

Warm as a spring afternoon. Intense as a lightning strike. His arms holding me hard and close. Pushing me back toward the house.

It's nice. Enjoyable, even. And also terrifying. There is no spark like there is with Johnny, no rush of blood in thighs and breasts.

This is energy of a different kind. I take a breath, trying to find something to say. "What the hell, Jackson." I thump his shoulder with my fist. "You think I'm easy?"

"No." His eyes are dark, serious. He pulls me in a second time, slower, but no less intense. My chest aches with it.

"Stop." My hands are knotted in the front of his shirt, caught somewhere between pulling him close and shoving him away. "Let go of me."

He takes a half-step back, leaning against the other side of the doorframe. Only inches separate us, but it hurts like a bruise.

I press both hands against my chest, panting for breath. This isn't lust, and I'll be damned if I think it's love. But I know this pain. The grief of separation, no matter how slight. The echo of connection, no matter how permanent the distance.

I felt this way when they put Mother under the sand.

I felt this way the day I left my father's village.

"Damn you, Jackson." I can barely whisper around the weight over my heart.

He cups my face between his hands. "Come inside, Tashn."

"I can't."

"John won't keep you safe like I will."

"Like you will. A gunner with no gun." I grin, bitter. "I think I'll take my chances with the one-eyed Extra."

He tips his head as though he will kiss me again, but this time I lean away from him.

Read another excerpt here: Eggplant Productions

What Happened to Earth? - Theories abound about the reported "loss" of Homo Sapien's planet of origin, but they boil down to three main ideas.

The most commonly accepted is The Navigational Miscalculation Theory. It claims there was an error in the navigational calculations much like the Mars Surveyor loss of 1998 AD. By the time the error was detected and rectified, the coordinates of origin had been so corrupted it was impossible to relocate Earth. (This would also explain the dozens of transports that missed their target worlds on this end.) The specifics of the type of miscalculation and the degree of error are the subject of heated debate especially at a university level.

The second major theory is the Deliberate Data Corruption Theory. Proponents hold that the navigational charts and data were deliberately corrupted in order to keep Homo Sapien from returning to a homeworld that was already damaged beyond the ability to support large quantities of life. "Nostalgia," one scientist was reported as saying, "can be more powerful than self-preservation."

The third theory is The Rich Bastards Theory. In this theory the wealthy decided to keep Earth for themselves and paid to have the origin coordinates destroyed or corrupted. The biggest flaw in this particular idea is the continuing presence of rich bastards in the colonies.

Leeland Snyder's Last Words

A tall man with thin hands and dark hair takes a seat opposite the recorder and smooths a piece of paper on the table in front of him. He clears his throat.

I, Leeland Snyder, now record my final words.

A pause, while he studies the paper.

My final words in this material form. If there is justice in the world, my brain will survive the planned surgery and I will be given a second-chance at life. A chance to prove that I am innocent of the crimes of which I have been accused.

He combs his hair behind his ears.

I know that many of you feel I am an evil man, guilty of the murders of seventeen women and one child, but I can only remind you that sixteen of them were my wives. I am as heartbroken as the rest of their families over their brutal loss. I can only hope that the true killer will eventually be brought to justice.

An unsettling smile turns his mouth up at the corners.

In the matter of Abigail McKinley and her half-breed daughter, I had no role in their deaths. Though I was witness to the real criminals who took that mother and child too soon. I leave it to you to draw the natural conclusion that my subsequent trial and conviction is merely the attempt to bury the truth that I am capable of revealing.

He folds up the paper and tucks it into his pocket.

For the others, my dear and departed wives, I can only mourn. And I pray that those powers that be will allow me to continue my existence in some form 'til I may bring the truth about their deaths to light. Well. All except for Martha Clemmings. That bitch had it coming.

About the Author:

A.G. Carpenter writes fiction of (and for) all sorts. She studied film-making in college, but quickly discovered that pen and paper are a less costly medium. She likes: movies where things explode, rainy days, strong tea with lots of milk and sugar. Her favorite color is black.

She lives in the South-eastern United States with her husband, their lively son and a herd of cats.

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