Wednesday 27 April 2016

Gust Post - by Ally Shields #Paranormal #romance #urban #fantasy




 
Ally Shields will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

This letter was written during the Elvenrude Trilogy book two, Cross Keys: Revelation:


Dearest Mother,

I'm writing to you from a dark dungeon somewhere in Cyrilia, a strange and desolate world beyond a secret portal. I'll not waste paper and ink by telling you about it, because it's unlikely you'll ever read this. If I get home, I'll tell you everything, except maybe about the fear and loneliness. And if I don't make it back to Elvenrude…well, writing this helps pass the time.

I made a terrible mistake in the months before and the very day I was kidnapped. I may not get a chance to make it right. And it breaks my heart he might never know the truth.

How could I have been so stupid, so blind?

He and I had a fight that day, parting with angry words. He'd been so protective for months, objecting to the constant secret missions, the risks I've taken, and I pushed back, shoving him away. The harder he tried to make things work, the more I fought him, protecting my so-called independence. When the entire time, he was really all I wanted. If only I had told him.

I begin to despair I will never leave these four stone walls. Never see my family or Elvenrude again. And never have the chance to prove to him that I love him more than life. Why did it take so long to know my heart so clearly?

I pray this won't be the end of us, and I cling to a spark of hope. If I get the slightest chance, I'll run or fight my way home.

Sweet fairy dreams. Your loving, if foolish daughter,
Kameo 

 

Cross Keys (Elvenrude Book 1)

When a common elf—forbidden portal travel to the human world—is spotted in New Orleans, Kameo Ryndel is ordered by the king to bring him home. Before she can intervene, he's shot and his body inexplicably stolen. Even more puzzling is Seth Lormarc's appearance at the scene. Although he's an Elite elf from a rival guild and the sexy, arrogant heir to the centuries-old feud between their families, she'd reluctant to believe he's a murderer.

As their paths continue to cross and a deadly plot unfolds, they struggle to set aside the past, deny the growing attraction between them, and root out a conspiracy hidden deep inside Elvenrude…a conspiracy threatening their entire way of life.

 
Cross Keys: Revelation (Elvenrude Book 2)

Kam and Seth's romance hasn't been smooth over the past six months. She's been on too many CIA missions; he's had to shoulder more of his clan's duties. Then invisible assailants attack an elven guild worker, and Kam and Seth pull together to track down the intruders. The CIA interrupts again, and she and Seth part on angry words.

Returning from the short CIA mission, Kam is kidnapped by the mysterious intruders and taken to a place she never knew existed—beyond the Louisiana bayou. When she learns a terrible secret and the intruders' deadly plans, she's desperate to get home and warn Seth.

He's searching day and night, not sure whether she's dead or alive…but knowing he has to have her back.

 
Cross Keys: Unity (Elvenrude Book 3)

Despite unrest in their Elven homeland, Kam and Seth have scheduled their long-awaited promise ceremony for the night of the Winter Solstice. But once again fate intervenes in the form of an elf captured by human authorities, an escalation of the local rebellion, and a widespread theft of ancient human artifacts that forces the Elven king to break an oath thousands of years old.

When a spirit woman predicts a world-ending catastrophe, Kam and Seth set out on a worldwide hunt to stop an old enemy, while back in Elvenrude, Rhyden (Seth's cousin) and Esty (Kam's sister) have issues of their own. If any of them fail, there may be nothing left…and tomorrow might not come.

Excerpt from Cross Keys (Elvenrude Book 1):
Caleb nodded absently at the departing couple, then returned his gaze to Kam. “I’m serious. It’s time you became more involved with trade matters. In fact,” he paused, “you have several decisions you should be making. When are you coming home?”

“I’m here now.” She clamped down on a spark of anger. Why did every conversation with him lead into demands about the future?

“You know that isn’t what I meant.”

She stiffened. “It’s too soon for any long-term decisions. I like where we are now.” A storm was gathering in his eyes, and she took steps to head off a fight. The King's Harvest Ball was hardly the time or place. She tilted her head and looked at him. “Are you about ready to leave?” A diversion was in order before she lost her temper and said something she’d regret. “I have to be back in the city by early morning, and I can think of better things we could be doing.”

“More than ready.” His smile held a provocative edge. “Shall we start our round of goodbyes?”

“I’m going to visit the ladies’ room, then I’ll catch up with you.” She ducked her head and hurried away, anxious to get out of sight before he realized just how annoyed she was. She shoved the door open into the hallway a little harder than was necessary and ran into a solid body. She stumbled, throwing out her arms for balance.

“Oh, I’m so sor—” Strong hands caught her, and she looked up into Seth Lormarc’s glittering green eyes. “You!”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Do I know you?”

A spark of unexpected awareness ran up her arms, and she tried to shake off his grasp. He held tight until she was steady. “No, but I know who you are.” She looked pointedly at his hands. “Take your hands off me.”

“No problem.” He released her and stepped back, a smile parting his lips. “Are you always so charming?”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Ally Shields grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River, still considers herself "a river rat," and currently resides near Des Moines. After a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time fiction writing in 2009. Her first urban fantasy, Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch #1) was published in 2012, and she currently has ten published novels. She loves to travel in the US and abroad and incorporates many of those settings into her books. Ms. Shields welcomes reader contact through her website and can frequently be found on Twitter.

Web links:
Website:  http://allyshields.com  


Cross Keys (Elvenrude Book 1):


Cross Keys #1 Official Trailer: http://youtu.be/cGyK6n-f8F4

Cross Keys: Revelation (Book 2):


Cross Keys: Revelation book trailer: http://youtu.be/F00BOGU125g

Cross Keys: Unity (Elvenrude Book 3):


Cross Keys: Unity book trailer:  https://youtu.be/QfCB76_RwQs


58 comments:

  1. What books have most influenced your life?

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    1. Too many to mention them all! :) I was the kid who went to the library and came home with an armload of books every week. If I had to pick those that most influenced my writing, maybe Tolkien's Trilogy, Harrison's Hollows series, and the early Anita Blake novels by Hamilton.

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  2. I love paranormal romances! What was it about paranormal romances that made you want to write about?

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    1. Hi, Angela! Writing paranormal fantasy allows an author full control over the fictional world. There are no limits except the author's imagination. Who doesn't love having control? :)

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  3. Thanks so much for hosting my Elvenrude Trilogy! It's a bright spot on a very rainy spring day in the Midwest. :)

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  4. I love paranormal romance! Thanks for the giveaway!

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    Replies
    1. It's also fun to write. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Thanks so much for giving us this opportunity to win

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    1. Nice to have you participating. Good luck!

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  6. Exciting and interesting excerpt.

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    1. They are an interesting pair. :) Thanks for reading it.

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing this giveaway with us.

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Sounds like an awesome series! I'm looking forward to checking it out :)

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  10. I really enjoyed reading the excerpt, thank you!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!

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  11. Happy Thursday and hope it's a great one for you. Thanks for the giveaway and opportunity to win.

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  12. Thanks for stopping by and participating in my giveaway! Good luck.

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  13. Here we are at the start of another weekend. Thanks for the chance to win and have an enjoyable weekend.

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  14. I really enjoyed reading the excerpts and learning more about this book series. These books sound like such interesting and intriguing reads! Looking forward to checking out these books!

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  15. Hope you have an awesome Sunday and thanks for the giveaway

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  16. As we start the week I want to say Happy Monday and thank you for the opportunity to win

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  17. Where is your favorite place to read?

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  18. I appreciate the chance at winning the great giveaway you brought to us, thank you

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  19. I am grateful you have taken time to bring us this great giveaway, thank you.

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  20. Thank you once again for the giveaway and have a fun Friday!

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  21. Have an amazing fun filled Saturday and thank you for this giveaway

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  22. Happy Mother's Day to all the terrific moms out there and thank YOU for this giveaway

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  23. We're at the beginning of another great week and once again I thank you for this giveaway

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  24. Thank you for taking the time to offer us this giveaway

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  25. Thanks for the opportunity to win, you're awesome! Happy Friday!

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  26. Have a fun filled Saturday and thank you for the giveaway

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  27. Wishing you a blessed Sunday and thanking you for the giveaway

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    Replies
    1. I admire your persistence! Thanks for entering.

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  28. Good Morning, have a terrific Friday and thank you for the chance to win this giveaway.

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  29. Thanks for the terrific giveaway and hope you have an outstanding weekend.

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  30. Sunday blessings and thanks again for the chance to win

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  31. Happy Monday and thanks so much for the giveaway

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  32. I appreciate you bringing us this giveaway, thank you

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  33. Thanks for hosting this giveaway, have a great Thursday!

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  34. Good Afternoon and thanks for the great giveaway

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  35. Good Afternoon and thanks for the great giveaway

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  36. Wishing you a great Memorial Day weekend. Be safe and enjoy and would like to salute all those who have given their lives in defense of this country. Thank you for this giveaway as well

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  37. Stopping by and thanking you for giving us the opportunity to win. Have a great Sunday!

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  38. Happy Memorial Day and saying thank you to all our military men and women who served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless our Military men and women and their families.
    Thanks for this opportunity to win this giveaway

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  39. Good afternoon! I am appreciate of you giving us the opportunity to win this giveaway, thank you

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  40. Good Afternoon, Happy Friday and thank you for this giveaway

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  41. Hope your weekend is great and thanking you for the giveaway

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  42. Sunday blessings to all and thanks so much for the opportunity to win

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  43. Monday so soon? Hope you have a great week and thank you for the chance to win

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  44. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win, I appreciate it

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