Forbidden Destiny Available Today. #NewRelease

Forbidden Destiny by Raebeth McGee-Buda
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Releasing: October 1, 2017
Cover Designer: Emcat Designs

ABOUT:

We dream of our future and what we want to be when we grow up. These dreams are who we come to be: unless our destiny has other plans. Sophie Hathorn stumbled upon her destiny through her love of books. She learns she's part of a legacy of the most powerful witches, but with a twist. She's also part Wizard, which makes her the first and only Hybrid.

Struggling with her newly found life, Sophie must prepare and train for the biggest fight of her life. Eros, a Shapeshifter, and Succubus plan to overtake Sophie's hometown and call it his own. He's created an army of Cambion to help him fight. In the midst of the threat, the Wizard's Council comes into town to help Sophie prepare for the fight of her life when she finds herself romantically attracted to Mason; the son of the most powerful Wizard. However, the law has been set for centuries by the Goddess, Pax that no witch or wizard shall be involved romantically.

Not only is Sophie pressured to become the best Hybrid, but she's also fighting the internal battle of the feelings she has for Mason. Will she be able to handle the physical and emotional battle she's about to face or will she fall short?

***

Three days passed in a blur and Sophie was on edge. The Blackguard was due to arrive anytime during the day, which made her nervous. Time was ticking away, getting closer to the inevitable. Soon she would find herself making the journey into the Underworld and using the abilities she'd trained hard with Mason to perfect flawlessly. Today wasn't any different. Mason had her up right before sunrise and they were out the door to watch the beauty of the sun taking over the heavens, while birds dashed around graciously through the skies.

The past few days had been such a learning experience for Sophie. She learned exactly what she was capable of and learned more about the man who had, not only her heart but was connected in spirit. Surprisingly, he was a bit of a nerd under the tough outer side. He enjoyed some light reading and relaxing. Photography was his passion and he loved romance. He was a hopeless romantic. Three days of being alone with him, he had managed to fully win Sophie's heart and vowed to do whatever he had to while she was gone to change the laws of the land. They were meant to be together and he was destined to change anything that stopped it.

"What's on your mind?" Mason asked since Sophie was missing each power hit he knew she easily could have avoided.

"I'm an anxious mess," she replied.

"What else is new?" Mason joked.

"Hey, I may be a mess, but I'm a hot mess. Plus, you would be too if, in a matter of a few days, you'd literally be going through hell." Sophie rebutted.

"True. Wanna sit? Take a break?" Mason asked, motioning toward the large rock Sophie came to know well.

"Sure."

They walked hand in hand over to the rock and sat down. Nothing felt as good as being with Mason and knowing he had her back. "I seriously have no idea why I volunteered to do this. I mean, I do, but I don't. My gram is there, waiting. However, I have no idea what I may face and I'm not looking forward to the overly hot and nasty environment. The stench is enough," Sophie rambled.

"Shhh, let's not focus on that. You're doing what you are meant to do Sophie. Take pride in that. There are people out there who are fighting to find out their true purpose. Yours found you, not the other way around." Mason said.

After taking a deep breath and exhaling, "I know but not everyone is fighting Lucifer in Hell," she finished looking off in the distance.

"I can't tell you how to do this. Nor can I tell ya how to succeed, but what I can say is that I'm proud of you for trying. It kills me knowing you'll be doing this without me."

"It's what I was born to do...right?" Sophie asked, giving an unsure, yet questioning looks toward Mason.

"It's pretty messed up that you're in this position, but I think it's admirable for you to take a stand and do what needs to be done. Fear has nothing on you."

"Riighhhtt!" Sophie rolled her eyes.

"Let's get back to practice. Don't wanna waste what time we have left. The Blackguard should be there by the time we get back." Mason said, standing up.

*****

"I remember the first time I read a book. It played through my head like a movie. It wasn't even like I was reading the words. It pulled me in, and I felt like I was in another world. The book's world. That is.. hands down... what you accomplished with this book! The detail was amazing, and the way you created this whole world is just... amazing. That's really the only way I can describe it. It is so enticing! I could not put it down! And I am so excited for book number 2!!!"

~~~~

"Raebeth Buda book takes us on an exciting journey with Sophia and her family and friends while she faces new and major challenges in her life. Between fighting things she never knew existed to fighting her self over feelings. The book takes us through an exciting journey of new magical species and the challenges she has to face as a hybrid. I couldn't put this book down. If you are a fan of supernatural, this is one book that needs to be added to your library."

The Dating Games (Author Edition) by C.L. Matthews (Cover Reveal)

Forever Valentine PR and More proudly presents the cover reveal for The Dating Games: Author Edition by C.L. Matthews!

The Dating Games: Author Edition by C.L Matthews

Cover Design: Marisa-rose Robyn from Cover Me Darling 

Model: Steffy Rogers

Release Date: October 19 2017

How many frog kisses does it take to get to the center of a hunky-man lollipop? The world may never know...

But I, Rebel Payne, am determined to find out.

For my next bestseller, I'm willing to go to any length to motivate my stubborn characters.

What better way to inspire them than a real-life Dating Games?

I'm Coen Kidd, and I like my women like I like my bikes: thrilling, dangerous, and ready for a ride.

When Rebel trapezes into my life, my small world implodes right in front of me.

She’s desperate for a happily ever after for her characters. I just might be willing to be hers.

Too bad others don’t share our happiness. Even worse, they’re dead set on destroying us.

But they don’t know me. They don’t know the lengths I’ll go. Our love will survive…I hope.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35140998-the-dating-games

C.L. Matthews resides in Utah, the state with the best snow on earth. She is not a fan of the snow but loves her state just the same. She is known for her swag business and creative pieces. C.L. Matthews is a swag maker, reader, and a fairly new author, it isn't an easy task but she wants to succeed in many things. Her hobbies consist of crafting, drinking coffee until she can't consume any more, and reading until she falls asleep with books in her lap. C.L. Matthews is married to her childhood best friend, she got her happily ever after.

AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/C.L.-Matthews/e/B01N3PAMJY/

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/clmatthewsauthor/

FB GROUP

https://www.facebook.com/groups/858074374226482/

GOODREADS

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10784774.C_L_Matthews

WEBSITE

clmatthewsbooks.com

Hosted By

Mother's Day Special: Author Interview w/ RaeBeth McGee-Buda

Author Interview with

RaeBeth McGee-Buda

I'd like to take a moment to introduce today's special guest, RaeBeth. She's a Christian author who has five published works on Amazon and various sites. She's currently working on several more VERY interesting books. RaeBeth writes from several genres and loves what she does. 

****

AUTHOR BIO:

Rae-Beth McGee-Buda resides in the rolling hills of Fairview, West Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son.

She’s been writing in some form her entire life, but her loving young sister, Audra McGee noticed her talent and gave her the reassurance she needed to start her writing career. After many months of deliberation, Rae-Beth decided to trust her sisters' word and expand her short story into what we all know and love as The Silenced Series.

Rae-Beth is a mother to an angel in Heaven...Miss Dakota, whom she honored in Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello. Her goal for her books is to inspire and give hope. She is a Christian author, who firmly believes in God and incorporates her faith into some of her work.

****

QUESTION AND ANSWERS WITH THE AUTHOR

What advice would you give someone who is wanting to step foot into the writing world?

- Personally, I recommend seeking out a reliable editor, book formatting, and cover designer. These are very important parts that we don't want to skip out on. A well put together book will go far.

What is the hardest part about being an author?

- I believe the hardest part about being an author is becoming an established author. However, we must remember the WHY to the reasons for the writing. If we focus more on how many "followers" we have on a given media site or how many "reviews" our books have, then we will be aiming to please the want for more instead of focusing on what matters, which is writing.

What has been the happiest moment so far for you in your journey through being an author?

- The happiest moment so far in my journey was when I was selected for three awards for my daughter's book, Saying Goodbye without Saying Hello. This book was written to raise awareness of pregnancy and infant loss. As well as, telling the world that my daughter did exist. This book was directly from my heart and I poured my soul into the pages.  After learning that her book had touched so many lives, I couldn't have been happier.

What is a question you’ve always wanted to be asked during an interview but never have been?

Honestly, I don't know. I welcome each question as honestly as I can providing it's within reason.

What can we expect from you in the next year?

At this time I am focusing on two different books. One is a paranormal romance called Forbidden Destiny which is wayyy out of the normal for me.  However, I'm having a blast writing it. The second one is a contemporary Christian read called Losing Hope. Readers can find out more about these books by looking me up on Facebook and following the page. I'll be revealing more information as time passes and each book is finished.

If you were to take a vacation anywhere in the world (Family can come too) where would you go?

My family and I would love to take a trip to the beach. This has been something that each one of us has talked about, however, circumstances have prevented us from achieving this goal. I'd rather do something I can repeatedly return to instead of a one time opportunity. This way we can make memories for years to come.

What are 3 things we can always find in your grocery basket?

Coffee, Cereal, and Pepsi <3 p="">

 Are any of the characters in your book based on real people you know?

Most certainly. Each book I've written that has characters in it have been based upon those around me. For an example, Amber from Silenced is based upon a friend of mine who I met through an online game called Fiesta. She traveled across the country to attend my wedding and when I saw her, I knew right away she was the face of Amber.

 What is your morning routine like?

I wake up around 6:45 in the morning to get my daughter off to school. Around 8ish, my daughter heads off to school and I get my son ready for his day. (Breakfast, fresh diapers, dressed, etc.) Once he's done, I grab a cup of coffee,  check my social media, read emails, and plan my day.  By 11ish, my son's speech therapist shows (depending on which day of the week it is). If she's not scheduled to come, I clean up the house and prepare for an afternoon of writing.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It honestly depends on what book it is. For example, it took me a few months to write Saying Goodbye Without Saying Hello. However, I have been working on Forbidden Destiny since 2012.

 Are you a morning, afternoon, night writer?

I'm an all day writer. Every chance I get, I sit down and type out some words on the screen, especially during nap time. It's a bit challenging to write when taking care of two of my children full time. Therefore, any opportunity I have to write... I'm on it!

 Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

The idea's come from all sorts of places. Small tidbits in other books or movies will spark an idea. I've had some dreams turn into books. Some come up in general conversation.

When did you write your first book (doesn’t have to be published) and how old were you?

The very first book I wrote was titled, The Miracle. It was about this young lady who was part of an "escort service" and ended up being held captive while being raped. When she was free, she found out she was pregnant. From that point on she had the internal battle on whether or not she should have an abortion.  I'm in the process of rewriting it. When I wrote this, I was 17 and it is unpublished at this time. Most tend to believe that Silenced was my first book. While this is true when it comes to publication, The Miracle was my first actual novel ever.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I really enjoy being with my children. They are such a joy and I love spending time with them. Wait.. whom I kidding.. haha... I love my kids but I LOVE taking time for me. That's by doing crafts for my books, coloring in adult coloring books, photography, or basically anything that brings my soul joy.

What does your family think about your writing?

My husband is SUPER supportive. He is the person who sits and runs ideas with me. I know I can count on him for a beta read. He's always ready to help me with the costs of publication or promo.  Next, is my daughter. She's always been rather supportive of my work, especially with Forbidden Destiny. She constantly asks me when it'll be finished because she can't wait to read it in its completed form.  Therefore, my immediate support lives with me and I love it.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I CAN hit deadlines. I tested myself with my book, The Gracious Wife. This was the first book out of five that I set a release date. I worked my butt off to hit the deadline.  I plan to do this more in the future because it was so empowering to me as an author.

As a child what did you want to be growing up?

A teacher. I used to line my stuffed animals and baby dolls up like they were sitting at desks in the classroom. Then, I would teach them from the papers I did in school. This helped me with my studies and I prepared for tests this way.

What is your favorite thing about where you live now?

Oh my gosh, what don't I love?  My house isn't in the isolated woods, but we are surrounded by many trees in the bottom of a holler. I know most of my neighbors and we talk. I absolutely love the fact that my closest neighbors are very friendly and caring, which carries on throughout the area. In all honestly, this town is a community out of a book. It's awesome!

What was something you loved doing during the summer growing up?

I grew up in the town of Bobtown, PA. This is a small coal town that is in a country setting. I absolutely loved when all the kids in town gathered around to play "manhunt". For those who don't know what this is...it's hide and seek at dark with flashlights. The memories I made during these nights will last me a lifetime.

What is something you love doing during the winter now?

I love cuddling up on the couch with a fresh cup of coffee while reading a book.  When we get a decent amount of snow, I love taking my camera in the woods to take nature pictures.

Is there a message in your novels that you want readers to grasp?

Silenced & The Overtaking: Yes, just because one suffers from depression and chooses to self-harm, they are not alone. Of course, we have services here but God will always be there to help them through. All they have to do is ask.

Saying Goodbye: Stillbirth happens and those who it happens to... you're not alone.

Stumbling toward Gratitude: Life is so much more enjoyable when we focus on the good instead of the bad.

The Gracious Wife: Being a woman of God, we should strive to put Him first and our husband second, while doing our godly requirements as a wife.

Are experiences and events in your book based on your own life?

Of course! Especially with the non-fiction works.  The story of Amber in Silenced reveals several entries to my journal I had as a teen.

Give us three "Good to Know" facts about you. Be creative. Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your writing, any fun details that would enliven your page.

1. I have major anxiety and panic attacks are a daily occurrence.

2. For my first job, I was the dishwasher at the truck stop in Mt. Morris, PA.

3. I have only ever been in two serious relationships in my life. I married the second.

How do you deal with Writer's block?

When I come across writer's block, I work on another work in progress. This is why you'll find about nine unfinished books on my thumb drive. Each one has been added to lately and I have a hard time within figuring out which one to work on.

What is your favorite marketing tool when spreading the word about your work?

I mainly use social media, but I LOVE when people spread the word by mouth. Nothing is greater than hearing that someone read my book because their friend told them to.

If you weren’t an author what do you think you would be doing?

I would be a massage therapist and nail tech. This is what I was enrolled in school for back in 2006 when I became pregnant with my first child.

Can we have an excerpt from one of your favorite books you’ve written?

Sure, this is from #loveyoumore. You can check out more of my work on my Facebook page. :) I hope you enjoy.

****

Excerpt

My heart sunk. I didn't want to think of him leaving. It was great having someone around who was spontaneous, fun, and carefree. My shoulders slumped and a knot formed in my throat as a response to the disheartening notion that I may never see him again after tomorrow. I felt as if we mad a strong connection over the past few days and forged a bond where I never wanted to let him go. This entire weekend felt as if it were a fairytale and I was the princess. It felt so real, even more, real than the blood pumping through my veins. Thinking of his going away left my lungs struggling for breath against my ribs. Before I met him, my heart was toughened to my past and protected from my future. Tyler was different. He had managed to make it feel extraordinary and vibrant, now I felt merely broken with sorrow of the impending departure.

"What's on your mind?" Tyler asked.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked, shuffling around the papers on the table.

"Anything."

"Will you come back?"

"Come back? Here?" He asked clearly confused.

"Yeah, are you going to come back to see me again?"

"How could I not? You're an amazing woman that I must get to know more. You're intriguing."

I left out the breath of reprieve. "How do I know if you're telling me the truth? I'm so used to those who were once close eventually fading away."

His eyes scanned the room and he looked as if he were in deep thought. Unzipping his hoodie, he reached for something under his shirt and lifted over his head. Hiding it in the palm of his enclosed hand, he reached for my hand. I willing obliged; palm up. He slowly opened his hand as a bundle of silver fell into my hand. Pulling it close, I took a closer look.

"What are these for?" I asked looking up from the set of tags in my hand.

"They're my dog tags. I'm supposed to wear these all the time, but I'll leave them here with you so you know I have to come back," he explained.

I didn't know anything about the rules and regulations the Marine Corp required of their soldiers, therefore seeing him present part of his require gear to me was unexplainable. My heart warmed as hope filled it. This man was serious and he was going to return. If not for me then for his tags.

"Won't you get into trouble?"

"Nah, I can get away with not having them for two weeks," he shrugged.

"Two weeks...that's when I'll see you again."

"You can count on it."

FIND THE AUTHOR HERE:

GUEST POST with Brittnay Lewis

I'd like to introduce to you another advocate for depression and anxiety, Miss Brittnay Lewis. She's here today to talk about her passion and spread awareness. 

How is depression different from feeling sad? What is it like to live with anxiety?

It’s much easier to go about your day-to-day life when you just feel sad. When I’m depressed I feel like I’m drowning. I cry a lot. I withdraw completely and don’t want to be around anyone. When you have depression and anxiety you battle your own mind. It’s like you are your own worst enemy, you’re fighting the feelings and thoughts you’re having, and you often feel like you’re losing.

What is someone’s day-to-day life like when they suffer from depression and/or anxiety?

            I can’t speak for everyone but I often feeling like I have difficulty breathing. I go back and forth between wanting closer relationships and not wanting to be involved with people, or wanting to get out of the house but not really wanting to at the same time. I worry a lot- about everything. I clean a lot when I’m anxious and when I’m depressed I just sit around and cry a lot. When it gets really bad sometimes people don’t take care of themselves very well. I lose my appetite and forget to eat. I either won’t want to shower or want to just sit in the tub for a long time. I will want to lay in bed but be too worried about whatever it is that’s causing my anxiety that I can’t rest. So to put it simply- life with depression and anxiety is hard. I feel isolated a lot of the time.

How old were you when you first started feeling this way?

            I can remember having these feelings as early as five years old. I would have really bad stomach aches and go to the nurse’s office at school every day. I was always extremely tired and lethargic but couldn’t sleep at night. I’ve never really slept through the night my whole life. My mind races at night and I frequently have anxiety attacks when I’m trying to settle myself down to try and rest.

How do you manage your symptoms?

I try different things. If I’m depressed and I feel like I have to cry, I start by just letting myself do that. Then I try to shower and straighten my hair and put on a nice outfit. Usually chocolate helps me feel better and talking to a friend. If I’m anxious I clean my house.  When my house is messy is makes my anxiety worse so that helps and I usually feel anxious when I have a billion things I need to do, so I make a to-do list. I’m sort of weird about that so then I’ll go through the list and number the things I need to do in order of importance and then re-write it on a new piece of paper so it’s neat. Sometimes my anxiety gets so bad that I can’t do any of that and all I can do is pace back and forth through my house praying and trying to take deep breaths. Chamomile tea helps with my anxiety also. Counseling has helped me a lot. It helps just knowing someone is there when you need them, even if there’s no crisis going on- someone to tell you that you aren’t crazy and help you organize your thoughts and brainstorm solutions to whatever problems you might be having.

I also strongly recommend writing. I’ve always been a very creative type of person and a big introvert. Writing has always helped me cope with my feelings- and sometimes escape them. If you don’t like writing, I suggest painting, sewing, quilting, and cooking. Creating something is relaxing and can give you a confidence boost when you need one!

What is life like for you now?

            In short- crazy, haha. I am a stay-at-home mom, mother of two. I have a seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son who is autistic with developmental delays. My husband is a Marine. I have multiple physical disabilities. My son has anywhere from four to five and a half hours of therapy a day and we usually have multiple adults at the house working with him. I am always working on multiple projects at once. Right now I am promoting my book of poetry, Shine Through the Darkness, which focuses on depression and anxiety and how I got saved (available as an ebook and paperback on Amazon), preparing my first YA novel Finding Freedom for publication, writing the second novel in that series and I began writing a children’s series targeted toward children with special needs to help teach self-help and daily living skills. My son is the main character. I also write articles for websites and ghostwrite books for clients. My depression is usually better because I’m busy, but lately, my anxiety has been through the roof. I’m a huge introvert, so doing interviews and going to bookstores and libraries to pitch my book is hard.

Have you felt embarrassed to tell people about your depression or anxiety?

            Sometimes I do but not always. I don’t usually talk to people I’m not close with. I’m a big introvert and don’t usually enjoy talking very much. That’s a big reason why I became a writer. J

Do you have any advice for women struggling with depression and anxiety?

Know that you ARE NOT alone. Get counseling. Reach out, even though you don’t want to. Find some way to force yourself to keep taking care of yourself and keep your relationships intact even if you don’t want to. And please, PLEASE if you EVER have thoughts of suicide- tell someone immediately!

Now let's talk more about poetry.....

When did you start writing poetry?

The first poem I ever wrote was when I was in middle school. I think I was in second or first grade. Ready for a laugh? Here it is:

The Rat Went Splat 

There once was a rat 

Who ran under a mat. 

A cat came and sat 

On the mat. 

Then, SPLAT! 

The rat was quiet after that… 

Why do you write poetry now?

To try to make sense of my feelings- to escape.

Do you have a process for writing your poetry?

Not at all. I write what comes to mind. I write what I feel.

Who are your favorite poets to read?

If I had to name some I would say Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Frost, but believe it or not, I don’t really read poetry.

Do you have any books to recommend on anxiety & depression?

This isn’t really related to anxiety or depression but I try to live by the Bible as best I can. It’s my guidebook for life <3 br="">
What other projects are you working on (that you can tell us about 😉)
I’m writing a YA series, I have one book completed that is getting ready for publication and I’m writing the first draft of the second book in that series, and I’m writing a children’s series. The children’s series is targeted toward preschoolers and special needs children/youth. I’m hoping to help

teach self-help and daily living skills. I only have one book that is written so far and my graphic artist is doing the pictures for it now. There are twelve books so far that I have outlined for that series and my son Jeremy is the main character. He has autism and developmental delays.

What is your blog about?

My blog is written with teens and young adults in mind. I have only done two posts so far as I have been busy with my books and I write articles and ghostwrite books for clients (I actually have a list of ten articles waiting for me when I finish here), but they are about recognizing unhealthy relationships and perseverance. I plan to write more on building strong support systems and self-esteem/confidence.

Where else can we find you on Social Media?

You can find me on twitter @BLewis and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/brittany.lewis.5055.

You can view my website at www.brittanynicolelewis.blog.wordpress.com and if you like you can email me at Brittany.lewis2008@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you!

Thank you, Brittnay, for hanging out with us today. It was a pleasure to have you here.