Nicolette Snow is tired of self-gratification and decides to visit the Del Fantasma.  Who should show up but Jack Frost ready to cause some mischief of his own.  Is Cody serious when he thinks the hot blooded Nicolette should hook up with Old Man Winter?   There’s only one way to find out…the answer lies in Del Fantasma: Winter Break by Dawn Montgomery.

Excerpt: 

Jack strode back to the fire. The groan of leather and the crunch of snow under his boots were the only sounds he made when he moved. He knelt in front of her, his blonde hair and perfect smile filled her view. There was wariness in his eyes. “You’re immune to cold.” He touched her cheek and a tingle of warmth touched her skin.

She grinned. “So are you, obviously.” Her vision still blurred a bit around the edges, but her pussy was tingling with suppressed excitement. When he would have pulled away she touched his wrist, keeping his fingers against her cheek.

“Tell me, Jack Frost, does your touch always make a woman’s skin tingle, or did I have more to drink than I originally thought?”

“I think you’ve had far too much to drink.” His lips still smiled but she could see heat building in his ice blue eyes.

Sex and chocolate. That’s exactly what she thought of when she heard him speak. “I’m sure you’re probably right.” She slid a hand to his throat, feeling the jump of his pulse against her palm and smiling with wicked pleasure at her ability to give Mr. Frost a taste of his own medicine.

“So kissing you would be taking advantage.” He leaned closer and she could see flecks of crystal in his eyes, like snowflakes. Her thumb brushed his smooth cheek.

“Kiss me, dammit, before I knock you on your ass and kiss you.”

His mouth opened and she dragged him off balance. He caught himself before crushing her, but she couldn’t stop the slightly drunken giggle that escaped her lips. She touched his lips with her finger, slowly tracing the edge with her fingernail. His eyes darkened and she smiled, silliness vanishing in a moment. “Most men find that ticklish.”

“Any touch is a blessing.” No emotion tightened his features or rumbled from his voice. Just a statement, and that alone made her heart ache.

“That’s good, Jack.” She leaned forward and kissed him softly, letting her tongue taste his lips. Ice and fire, a deadly combination, and she wanted more. “I really like touching you.”

~*~*~*~*~

Del Fantasma: Winter Break is NOW AVAILABLE at Aspen Mountain Press.

Join editor Sandra Hicks and other industry professionals on March 2nd at Realms of Love as they discuss creating an effective, logical scene.  All scenes need to follow a thought out order of events.  The core of this unit centers on finding the motivation for a character to take an action and then the appropriate response.  Similar to the stimulus response you studied in high school biology, you’ll see how to apply this to what your characters think and do and craft a more logical, realistic scene.

Drop by and take a look at this YouTube video for The Long Way Home by Z.A. Maxfield.

Recently, Fallen Angel Reviews gave The Long Way Home a Recommended Read/5 Angel review saying: …the characters were deliciously built, flaws and all.”

The reviewer gave an accurate summary of the story stating, “When Kevin Quinn gets a phone call from his brother in law, he is reluctant to respond. After all the last case he worked on blew up in his face. But Kevin can’t live with himself if he passes it up. Teen boys are being abducted and with his psychic abilities he might be able to help. His only condition, no one can know what he’s doing there.

Connor Dougal is the new detective that is saddled with the job of babysitting Kevin. Since Kevin is there unofficially that means that there is no money for hotels or other expenses. Since Connor is also a friend of the family, Kevin ends up staying with Connor in his apartment as well. Connor is skeptical of Kevin’s “powers” and until he sees actual proof of them he won’t believe.

But Kevin has knowledge of things in Connor’s past that no one knows. How does he know about his best friend and what he meant to Connor? What does it mean that Kevin feels that the abduction of Connor’s best friend all those years ago and the abduction of the boys now are related? ” Hayley, Fallen Angel Reviews

Congratulations to Z.A. Maxfield for this awesome honor!

Be sure to stop by Aspen Mountain Press where you can select from a wide variety of e-books!

The Secret Service Agent went on sale this month and is already a bestseller at eReader! Click the banner above to check out the book or my picture below to stop by my official website.

Aspen Mountain Press and her authors garnered several awards from Love Romances Cafe this month.

We are pleased that we received an Honorable Mention as “Best Publisher” behind such companies as Loose Id and Samhain.

Author JM Snyder finished with top honors as 2008’s best GBLT writer, tied with AJ Llewellyn.

Sloane Taylor received an Honorable Mention for Teddi Turns On in the “Best All Around Book” category.

Jet Mykles (Del Fantasma: Unicorn) and Maura Anderson (Giving Thanks) tied for the “Runner Up” category for best Alternative Lifestyle Book and graphic artist and author Celia Kyle collected the same award for Best Cover Artist.

Lonnie Heats Up by Sloane Taylor received the Honorable Mention for 2008’s “Best Contemporary Book”.

We also had a tie in the Best Western category with two of our authors receiving Honorable Mentions; Brenda Williamson for Her Savage Lover and Terry O’Reilly for Walking in Two Worlds.

Aspen Mountain Press is especially thrilled to have WON the Best Series category for DEL FANTASMA!

We are thrilled and honored to have such talented people associated with Aspen Mountain Press.  Thank you so very much for your hard work, and thank you Love Romances Cafe for recognizing them.

Well, it’s nomination season and the gods have been good to me again–so good that I’m still reeling.

You remember last year when The Reckoning of Asphodel was a Top Ten finalist in the Preditors and Editors Annual Readers’ Poll as Best Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel of 2007? This year has surpassed last year and I am literally gobsmacked.

 The Gift of Redemption has been nominated by P&E for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel of 2008.

The Temptation of Asphodel has been nominated by P&E for Best Novel of 2008.

I have also been nominated in the Authors Published in 2008 category!

I’m am completely overwhelmed by the honors that have fallen upon my books and myself.  Just the fact that this is a readers’ poll, where readers nominate and vote for the books, makes it very special to my heart–and those of the other authors nominated as well.  There are quite a few of them from Aspen Mountain Press also nominated, plus AMP was nominated as Best E-Publisher! If you wanted to vote (and of course you do, why wouldn’t you?) go to http://www.critters.org/predpoll/. You can find The Gift of Redemption under Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels and The Temptation of Asphodel under All Other Novels.  You can vote for me under the Authors category.
Then…hold on…it gets better. I have something to show you–twice:

The Gift of Redemption was nominated by Love Romances and More Cafe as Best Sci Fi/Fantasy novel of 2008 AND Temptation of Asphodel was nominated for Best Cover Art of 2008–that wonderful bit of work done by Renee’ George! Voting opens at LRM on January 5th, and I’ll post more about that later.

Until then, please allow me a moment to thank all of the great readers and devotees of Aspen Mountain Press for your continued support and love for our product.  We work very hard to bring you quality literature, and judging from the love we’re getting through various awards organizations our hard work is paying off.  I wish you all a very Happy New Year with all of the blessings and joy you deserve upon you!

Hey there!  I’m completely excited–Temptation of Asphodel, the third book in my epic fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle, has been released today by Aspen Mountain Press. I was pretty flabbergasted to find this blog entry about Tempation’s release today –http://jpscribble.blogspot.com/

 ”…I should tell you that I am not, generally speaking, a fan of epic fantasy. Summers’ offering, however, is just head and shoulders above the other books I’ve read in the genre. Her characters are complex, fully-realized people (or gods, as the case may be), rather than coming across as something a fanboy might have worked up on a D&D character sheet first …”

 Dang.  I love blushing first thing in the morning.

I’ll be hanging around on Facebook all day for a book release event.  Feel free to drop by my Temptation of Asphodel Release Party and leave a note on my wall there–I’ll be giving away copies of Asphodel books all day! I’ve got an excerpt up and live on my blog and my website in case you want to check those out.

Hope you American folks had a great Thanksgiving. 

The Temptation of Asphodel

Author: Celina Summers
Artist: Renee George

Tamsen has learned to sacrifice everything as she plays the game of the gods but as she nears the end of her quest, everything changes again.  The hunter becomes the hunted, the ally becomes the foe and behind it all lies the hand of a third, unknown god who tries to lure her from her destiny. Can she hold firm against the temptations that are thrown in her path, or will she fall into failure as generations of Elves have done before her? As the rumbling memory of an ancient war settles over the realm of Ansienne, Tamsen’s faith falters. When she is drawn into conflict with immortal enemies, she discovers that the line between obedience and temptation is much narrower than she thought. Temptation can be dangerous, but obedience can kill.

For those of you following my fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle,  I have good news!  Tamsen and Brial will be back in the third installment of the series, Temptation of Asphodel,  on November 28, 2008.

This is my favorite cover to date!  Renee George is the artist and she did a fabulous job.

The Asphodel Cycle 3: Temptation of Asphodel

Tamsen has learned to sacrifice everything as she plays the game of the gods, but as she nears the end of her quest everything changes again. The hunter becomes the hunted, the ally becomes the foe and behind it all lies the hand of a third, unknown god who tries to lure her from her destiny. Can she hold firm against the temptations that are thrown in her path, or will she fall into failure as generations of Elves have done before her? As the rumbling memory of an ancient war settles over the realm of Ansienne, Tamsen’s faith falters. When she is drawn into conflict with immortal enemies, she discovers that the line between obedience and temptation is much narrower than she thought. Tempation is dangerous; obedience can kill.

If you want to know more about The Asphodel Cycle, check out my website Shoot The Muse!  The prologue is up and live for Temptation of Asphodel plus you can find out more information about the world of Asphodel and the previous two books in the series.  You can check out reviews, awards, and my own strange little world there–and don’t say I didn’t warn you! The book trailer for Temptation is also up if you like that sort of thing. ( I do; I’ll admit it.)  You can also find out more about the first two books, The Reckoning of Asphodel and The Gift of Redemption  at the Aspen Mountain Press website.

Now Available: Fairy Kisses and Magical Dreams
Raine Delight
Paranormal Erotic Romance
11/7/08

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/fairy-kisses-and-magical-dreams/prod_181.html

Prince Aryan has searched his world for the one woman that is his destined mate but has just about given up when he is led to the human world. Even though it is forbidden to fall in love with a human, he finds Skye Andrews completely delectable and wonders if she is his chosen love.

Skye Andrews has had it with men. After another disastrous date, her aunt gives her a love potion to try. With a magic spell and a mysterious face haunting her waking days, will Skye find the love she is looking for?

In honor of my newest release from Aspen Mountain Press, Fairy Kisses and Magical Dreams, I am having a trivia contest and you can find all the answers right on my website.

Up for grabs is a small gift basket with custom made lotion from Jupiter Gardens with the scent of Moonlit Path, Fairy Dreams Incense sticks, a Rose scented candle and a some teas.

To enter, please email me the answers at rainedelight AT yahoo DOT com with “Fairy Kisses November Contest” in the subject line.Good Luck!

Trivia Quesitons:
1) Who are the main characters in Devon Falls: Red Hot Magic?
2) How many books in the Devon Falls Series are currently available from Aspen Mountain Press?
3) What kind of shifter is Rodrick Dracon in Devon Falls: Haunting Magic?
4) On my WIP Page, please tell me one works in progress I am currently working on (ths means writing, not plotted?
5) In Fairy Kisses and Magical Dreams, who gave Skye the magic potion to call her true love?

As a fantasy writer, I spend a great deal of time building the worlds that I write about.  It’s a unique tool of the speculative fiction writer and one of the most difficult things to do. How do you create a world that is completely credible? What elements do you need?  How much work is it really?

It’s a lot of work.  I’ve always approached world building with a single goal in mind: if someone asks me a question about my world, I already have to know the answer. The world of Asphodel, which I write about in my fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle, is complex and huge.  As a matter of fact, my world building file is as large as the first book. It’s crammed full of history, short stories that take place outside of the Asphodel plot, character profiles, maps, religous procedures and rituals and a long mythology.

But I’ve been developing Asphodel for years.  Recently, I got an email from a young writer still in high school, asking me how he could learn to build a world as complex as mine.  That was when I developed this short list for him to start off with.

World Creation For the Beginner

1. Physical - maps, climate, topography(Is your main town in the mountains? A port city? On the plains? Is it warm? Cool?  What are the borders? And always remember that rivers can NOT flow uphill–you’d be surprised at how many people forget that

2. History-this means government, military background, currency, the biggest trade product, anything that would have an effect upon the characters (Democracy or dictatorship? Standing army? Navy?  Agricultural or industrial nation?  Gold-based currency or paper?)

3. Mythology-gods, worship practices, temples, magic( Is this a monotheistic society or is there a pantheon? What rituals are used in worship? Big white marble temples or humble outdoor shrines? How does magic work?)

4.Time - calendar, units of measurement (Solar year or lunar year?  How long?  How long is a month?  Clocks? Sundials?  Hours, minutes, or some other sort of measurement?)

5.The current situation. Every world has a here and now.  What makes this time so unique?  Is the change to come or is it already here?  Who affects it and how?

and the most important….

6.How this world affects the protagonist–and how the protagonist reacts to it.

These basics can get anyone started. A quick note about magic for fantasy writers–

Magic is hard to write.  You have to make something that is inherently incredible into a believable action.  Wouldn’t it be nice if your protagonist could just wave his hand and change the world?  Unfortunately, that makes for boring fantasy, even if your protagonist is a god. There have to be limits established from the beginning: who can work it, how they work it, when they work it, what they need to work it, and what the consequences of working it might be.  Be careful when you’re writing about magic, folks–poorly defined magic can ruin the credibility of your ENTIRE story.

A quick caveat for sci-fi writers: your science had better be accurate.  Although you may love the spectacular explosions in space when you’re watching Star Wars, there’s not only no fire in space (no oxygen to feed it) but there’s no sound in space. Keep your science facts straight so that you can build your science fiction with credibility.

World building is the skeleton upon which you hang the flesh of your speculative fiction story. There is no such thing as too much world building.  Allow me to repeat that: there is no such thing as too much world building. However, for the fledgling writer these basic starting points should help you to kick off your own fantastic journey through the imaginary worlds that live in your mind.

The Asphodel Cycle is my baby and I’m very proud of it.  With the first two books already released and doing well (The Reckoning of Asphodel and The Gift of Redemption) the world I’ve created is thriving. This holiday season, Temptation of Asphodel will expand that world even more.  Although the world of Asphodel is immense, it all began with these six points and exploded from there.

Hopefully, these will help you as much as they have me.  Good luck and happy writing!