Guest Blog: Author Jeannie Lin with giveaway

Thank you so much for having me here! The Taming of Mei Lin is my very first publication, which feels sort of odd since of all the stories that are scheduled to be released, I actually wrote it most recently. In a way, it’s a practice run for the October debut of my full-length novel, Butterfly Swords. If my current state of nervous excitement is any indicator, I’m going to need a padded room next month.

Just to say a little bit about the story, I’ve always loved action adventure stories and have been an avid fantasy reader. When my best friend introduced me to historical romance novels, I was completely hooked! Here was the sort of travel and adventure I liked to fantasize about, plus there were handsome brooding heros to spar with, verbally and physically.

Lately, the trend in historical romances has been veering toward the witty banter and seductive games of the Regency ballroom, which I adore, but I’m also happy to see that the genre seems to be branching out once more into unusual settings and adventurous plotlines. I’m hoping readers will find the Tang Dynasty as fascinating and romantic as I do.

Jeannie Lin writes historical romantic adventures set in Tang Dynasty China. Her short story, The Taming of Mei Lin from Harlequin Historical Undone is available September 1. Her award-winning debut novel, Butterfly Swords, will be released October 1, also from Harlequin Historical. Join the launch celebration at http://www.butterfly-swords.com for giveaways and special features. Visit Jeannie online at: http://www.jeannielin.com

Blurb and Excerpt

Blurb:

Faced with a proposal from a man she despises, impetuous Mei Lin makes a daring declaration: she will only marry the man who can defeat her in a sword fight. She has bested everyone who has so far tried to teach her a lesson…until a handsome stranger comes to her village. In captivating swordsman Shen Leung , Mei Lin finally sees a man she wants to marry. A man she’s willing to surrender to in every way….

Excerpt:

Tang Dynasty China, 710 A.D.

Mei Lin could feel the strands of hair slipping from her knot, tickling against her neck. Uncle made her stand outside during the hottest part of the afternoon, even when there were no customers. She wiped her brow and looked over at Chang’s tofu stand at the end of the street with envy. He at least had the shade of a tree to duck under.

If she planted a seed today, she reckoned she’d still be here selling noodles by the time the tree grew tall enough to provide shelter. And Uncle would still be growing fat, napping in the shade.

A tingle of awareness pricked against her neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone had stopped just beyond the line of the wooden benches. The stranger wore a gray robe, but that was the only thing plain about him. He had the high cheekbones of the people of the north and stood with his shoulders back, lean and tall. Unfortunately the town riffraff stood just behind him, grinning and poking at each other over some boyish joke only they found humorous. Mei Lin ignored them as she always did.

“Little Cho.”

The boy came eagerly running at her call. Her little cousin was not yet corrupted by his father’s laziness.

“Fetch the tea,” she said and he went running to the stove.

She turned back to the intriguing man. He remained at the perimeter watching her. He had a pleasant expression and seemed particularly still, as if supremely comfortable in this heat and in this world. She stood there with sweat pouring down her back wishing her hair wouldn’t keep falling over her face like it did. It was so rare that strangers came to their village.

He bowed. “Wu Mei Lin,” he greeted formally.

Even rarer that strangers came who knew her name. The smile she was about to give him faded into a frown.

“Little Cho.”

He had just returned with the teapot.

She blew a strand of hair away from her face impatiently. “Fetch my swords.”

Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Copyright © 2010 by Jeannie Lin
Permissions to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® and ™ are trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and/or its affiliated companies, used under license.

The Taming of Mei Lin

Harlequin Historical Undone

ISBN-13: 9781426852923

Available Now from eHarlequin, Amazon, B&N.com

GIVEAWAY 

I have one copy of The Taming of Mei Lin to give to one Minding Spot Reader.

+1 Follow JeannieLin on Twitter @jeannielin

+1 "Like" JeannieLin on Facebook

+1 Sign up for JeannieLin's Newsletter

+1 Follow Minding Spot on Twitter @spunnsugarz

+1 Follow Minding Spot on Networked Blogs

+1 Follow Minding Spot on Google Friend Connect

+1 Subscribe to Minding Spot Email

+1 Leave a comment/question for Jeannie Lin

That's up to 8 entries!! USA Only! Winner announced September 23rd.
Make sure to leave your email 

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED.

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Giveaway: Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love

In 2002, Larry Levin and his twin sons, Dan and Noah, took their terminally ill cat to the Ardmore Animal Hospital outside Philadelphia to have the beloved pet put to sleep. What would begin as a terrible day suddenly got brighter as the ugliest dog they had ever seen--one who was missing an ear and had half his face covered in scar tissue--ran up to them and captured their hearts. The dog had been used as bait for fighting dogs when he was just a few months old. He had been thrown in a cage and left to die until the police rescued him and the staff at Ardmore Animal Hospital saved his life. The Levins, whose sons are themselves adopted, were unable to resist Oogy's charms, and decided to take him home.

Heartwarming and redemptive, OOGY is the story of the people who were determined to rescue this dog against all odds, and of the family who took him home, named him "Oogy" (an affectionate derivative of ugly), and made him one of their own.

Thanks to Hatchette Books, I have two (2) copies to give away to a Minding Spot reader.  Winners will be announced September 20th.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED.

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Me, Myself, and Why? by MaryJanice Davidson Review

Cadence Jones is a valuable asset to the FBI. So is her sisters, Shiro and Adrienne. Did I mention they all live in the same body?

Cadence Jones works for the FBI, and she is very good at her job. Cadence has a gift that is very valuable on a crime scene. Cadence has multiple personality disorder, and when Cadence can't put the puzzles together, sometimes it takes one of her "sisters" to help her out.

Shiro, one of Cadence's alternate personalities, is the tough one. When someone needs to be brought to their knees, Shiro is the one who comes through. She's direct, bold, and has no qualms about getting what she wants. Adrienne is the other personality, but Adrienne doesn't come out to play often. Adrienne tends to leave very big messes to clean up. She's very violent and physical.

When Cadence and her partner George are called to a crime scene, they realize it is the work of the Threefer Killer, thus named because he kills in threes. But Cadence finds something off about the scene, almost like the killer is trying to leave her a personal message. Her other sisters scope out the scene as well, but all they find is newspaper clippings and Shakespeare sonnets, but no hard evidence.

When Cadence meets her best friend's brother, she is awed by how handsome he is, but speechless when she finds out her knows about her gift and he still wants to date her. He likes the unexpected and has no problem taking any of the "sisters" out. Cadence wants to run far far away, but her heart keeps tugging her back.

Cadence has to see a psychiatrist regularly but lately he has been wanting to integrate the sisters and the idea of it terrifies them. Cadence watched her mother murder her father when she was young, and since that time, the sisters began to develop. To live her life without them is senseless and wrong and she refuses to do it.

ME, MYSELF, AND WHY? is the first in a new series by acclaimed best selling author MaryJanice Davidson. At first, I was very confused as the sisters switched in and out, but Ms. Davidson does such a terrific job of character development, that I knew who was who quickly. Laugh out loud funny with a twist of suspense brings this story to life. Cadance, Shiro, and Adrienne are compelling, yet entertaining characters that I look forward to knowing better in future works. Absolutely delightful!

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Hell, Yeah Winners

What great fun with author Carolyn Brown visiting!! If you haven't picked up your books, you should! Definitely worth the reads :)  Thanks to Sourcebooks for sponsoring this giveaway.  Winners have 48 hours to reply to email, or a new winner will be chosen.

mbreakfield - CONFIRMED

Tore - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!!

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In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a time for everyone to share what books they acquired over the course of the week.


The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.
Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

Here's what I received this week!

To Fetch A Thief by Spencer Quinn
For Review
From Amazon - When Peanut, the elephant star of the Drummond Family Traveling Circus, goes missing, along with elephant tamer Uri DeLeath, Uri's tearful clown partner, Popo, seeks the help of canine detective Chet the Jet and Chet's human partner in cracking crimes, Bernie Little of the Little Detective Agency, in Quinn's terrific third Chet and Bernie mystery.  I LOVE this cover!!

A Geography of Secrets by Frederick Reuss
For Review
From Amazon - Two men: One discovers the cost of keeping secrets, of building a career within a government agency where secrets are the operational basis. Noel Leonard works for the Defense Intelligence Analysis Center, mapping coordinates for military actions halfway around the world. One morning he learns that an error in his office is responsible for the bombing of a school in Afghanistan. And he knows suddenly that he is as alone as he is wrong. From his windowless office in DC to an intelligence conference in Switzerland, and back to his daughter s college in Virginia, Noel claws his way toward a more personally honest life in which he can tell his family everything every day. Another man learns that family secrets have kept him from who he is and from the ineluctable ways he is attached to a world he has always disdained. This unnamed narrator, a cartographer, is the son of a career diplomat whose activities in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and then in Europe during the Cold War may not have been what they were said to be. He, too, travels to Switzerland, but his quest is not to release himself from secrecy it is to learn how deep the secrets in his own life go.

Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson
From PBS
From Amazon - Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor is having a tough time getting through the Book of the Dead-until the Devil strikes a bargain. She offers Betsy a chance to finish the cursed (literally!) thing, and finally discover all its mysteries. There's just one catch...

Betsy and her half-sister Laura have to go to Hell long enough for Laura to embrace her dark heritage (after a rebellious youth of charity work) and finally make nice with her mother, aka Lucifer. That means interacting with their family's past. In doing so, they're impacting the future in ways they never anticipated. Of course that's what Mother wanted all along. Damn her.
 
 
 
 
 

Jealousy by Lili St. Crow
From PBS
From Amazon - It’s a good thing Dru Anderson is fast. Because the sucker chasing her isn’t slowing down—and he won’t rest until he has tasted her blood and silenced her heart . . .


Dru’s best friend, Graves, and her strange and handsome savior, Christophe, are ready to help her take on the ultimate evil. But will their battle for Dru’s heart get in the way of her survival?




What did YOU get?

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New Austen Authors Blog Launching!

I wanted to let you all know about a new blog launching September 6th!! Tomorrow marks the official launch of AustenAuthors.com, a labor of love started by two Sourcebooks Landmark authors, Sharon Lathan and Abigail Reynolds. Noticing the success of group author blogs in the romance genre, they decided to gather up some of their fellow Jane Austen Fiction comrades and start a group blog!

After putting together some initial plans in August, Sharon and Abigial began to contact Austen authors from all publishers and the final list of 20 contributors is very impressive:

   

¨ Susan Adriani
¨ Marsha Altman
¨ Marilyn Brant
¨ Skylar Burris
¨ Jack Caldwell
¨ Carolyn Eberhart
¨ Monica Fairview
¨ Regina Jeffers
¨ Cindy Jones
¨ Sharon Lathan
¨ Kara Louise
¨ Kathryn Nelson
¨ Jane Odiwe
¨ C. Allyn Pierson
¨ Abigail Reynolds
¨ Mary Lydon Simonsen
¨ Heather Lynn Rigaud
¨ Victoria Connelly
¨ J. Marie Croft
¨ Lynn Shepherd

Staring on September 6, daily blogs posts will be put up, celebrations of new books going into stores will be had, and for the launch month of the blog, many giveaways and contests will be held!

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All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgans

Calliope "Callie" Grey has been in love with Mark since she was a young girl.  He even gave her her first kiss in a dark closet when they were young.  She's always loved him, but he was her friend.  Years later, Mark hires Callie at his advertising agency.  When they  have to go to a conference, Callie goes with Mark, and the two start a whirwhind affair.  Callie is sure Mark is going to be her happy ever after, so she is confused when Mark tells her it isn't the right time in his life for her.  She can wait, but then Mark tells her he is serious about Muriel, the daughter of their biggest client -- someone he has been seeing for months.

Callie is heartbroke, but she figures the quicket way to get Mark back is to make him jealous, to see another man.  There's a new vet in town, Ian McFarland.  He's easy on the eyes, but his attitude leaves a different impression.  Ian is very formal and stodgy, but so good with the animals, including Callie's dog, Bowie. But Callie soon learns Ian is a good man, and with him, she could get her happily ever after if she can put Mark in her past.

All I Ever Wanted is the first book I have read by Kristan Higgans.  I was pleasantly delighted! The writing is superb with some laugh out loud situations.  I really enjoyed the secondary characters - Callie's family and co-workers.  Their antics and advice really added to the story.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find that connection with the main character, Callie.  I wanted to like her, but I thought she needed more backbone.  The romance between her and Ian though was sweet.  Romance fans will devour this one!

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Enquiring Minds Want To Know

Lori at Dollycas's Thoughts has started a new meme, and it looks so fun that of course I want to participate too! It's supposed to be posted on Thursdays, but as usual, I'm running a day late and five bucks short.  So, this week, I'm posting on Friday. 

About the Meme

Each Thursday I will post 3 questions for you to answer that you can copy and post on your blog with your answers.  You don’t have to be a blogger to participate either.  I will be using a Linky List for the blogs to use to participate and follow each other around to get to know each other, but if you are not a blogger just answer the questions in the comment section following the post on your favorite blog.  This way we not only get to know other bloggers,  we get to know our followers too.

 

Here are the first three questions:

1. How many hours per day do you spend at your computer? Well, I'm on a computer almost all day for work.  I'm a Sales Director, and I spend alot of time talking to clients and building contracts.  Then, after the work day is over, I can get more time at home to catch up on other blogs I read, facebook, email and other gossip columns and news I enjoy reading.  So I guess I spend 10 hours or so a day, but it's not at once! If I did that, I would be all squinty eyes lol

2. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?  

Wendy Lyn Watson, author of Scoop to Kill, is going to be here next week (dollycas's thoughts) and I’m going to do my best to tally everyone’s answer to this question to include in the Welcome part of her post next week. 

I'm pretty basic and boring......sorry! My favorite ice cream is plain ole chocolate.  But it cannot be the cheap stuff, I like smooth, good chocolate!

3. Do you own an E-Reader, Kindle, Nook, etc? If yes, which one and how do you like it. Please give us the Pros and Cons. I don't own any of them.  I do have digital editions on my computer for when I need to review an ebook.  It's something I have thought about purchasing, but my TBR is so huge, I can't fanthom evening seriously considering one until I get it under control. 

 

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Once Wicked, Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley

Molly Madison is thrilled her parents are driving down to Florida to spend time with her and the family from Montana.  She has been lonely lately as her husband Phillip always seems to be working.  But then, her parents are killed on their trip and Molly and Phillip make a trip back to her home in Montana to settle the estate.  Phillip, a lead partner in a lawyer firm, thinks they should sell the farm.  The money would come in handy for his hopeful political career.  Molly thinks the new ranch foreman, Clayton Leatherbe, is one fine man to look at, but she doesn't agree to sell just yet.  She wants to think about it awhile.

Phillip has a secret life, and his lover wants him all to himself.  In order to do that, he knows he has to tell Molly about them, even though Phillip doesn't want him to.  But Molly takes the news better than expected, leaving Phillip everything but the ranch, and asking for a divorce.  She moves back to Montana and begins to find herself again and how to run the ranch. 

She'd like to get to know Clayton better, but he too has secrets, and is afraid to get too close just yet.  Then, someone begins sabotage the ranch.  Molly thinks she knows who it is, but is determined that the wealthy developers won't get their hands on her land.  Clayton learns a secret about Molly's family and is determined to take care of it so Molly doesn't have to get involved.  But the secret involves a sociopath who has come to town, as well as Phillips ex-lover.  The town isn't big enough for all of them, but the sociopath is determined to take a life, even if it is Molly's.

Once Wicked, Always Dead is a stellar romantic suspense.  The characters are vibrant, complex, and compelling.  The plot is sound -- I never did figure out who the sociopath was until it was revealed to me.  High marks for that! The killer is callous, cold, and calculated and quickly held my attention.  I was fascinated with the workings of their mind. The romance is more of a back story but does lend more substance to the storyline, but it was passionate and emotional.  I highly recommend Once Wicked, Always Dead to any mystery or thriller lover.  I will be looking for more work from this very talented author!

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She's Gone Country Winners

Winners have 48 hours to reply to email or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks to Hatchette Books for sponsoring this fab giveaway!

CrystalGB - CONFIRMED

Virginia - CONFIRMED

Connie - CONFIRMED

Congratulations!!

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The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

I think most of us have heard of the butterfly effect,  where it's said that the beating of a butterfly's wings can stir air modules that will then stir other air modules and so on and so forth until you end up with a hurricane half way across the world.

This small book may be thin but it is packed with a powerful message.  How Your Life Matters.  The story unfolds about how one school teacher made a decision over  a century ago that still affects our lives today.

It tells the story of other people's whose one action saved billions of people and are still saving lives today.

People prioritize their actions - for instance - You might say spending time with your family is more important than with your friends, and the conversaton you have with the butcher is at the bottom of the list.  But what if you live your life with a permanent purpose? Everything matters and every move counts,  then your success will  soar.

The Butterfly Effect is one of those small gift size books, but it's printed beautifully.  The images are bright and vivid, and the message is easy to understand.  It's a quick read (It took me 15 minutes), but it does deliver a powerful message.

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The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay - Pocket Tour

In the end of the previous book, The Better Part of Darkness, the town was left in complete darkness.  Now, that darkness is starting to take it's toll on the city and it's citizens.  Sun lamps are being ordered but the crazies get to play all the time, since it's always dark.

Detective Charlie Madigan is still learning about her new powers, but everything is starting to take it's toll.  She's strong, but watching her sister deal with an Ash addiction, her ex-husband's body owned by a reverent and her partner Hank's siren powers diminished are starting to get to her.  Add to that, her daughter thinks a hell hound is a pet, and wants to know what is wrong with daddy.

Then, the Adonai, angelic creatures, are being murdered.   After coming a hair's breathe from a dragon, she realizes that Hank is keeping something from her.  But, that is only the beginning.  Ancient myths, deep secrets, a sinister serial killer, and a world that wants total control will have Charlie questioning her beliefs, her friends, and herself.

The Darkest Edge of Dawn has a very unique, but fantastic world building.  The characters are realistic, diverse, and compelling.  Urban fantasy lovers won't be able to get enough of this series.  Ms. Gay - write faster! Charlie is a very likable heroine, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm just your average bookworm who likes to spend an embarrassing amount of time in make-believe places.

I've had many jobs from construction (I can drive a backhoe, tar and shingle a roof, and frame out a house) to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, managing horse farms, and selling men's underwear (a talent, I tell you!).

In the writing world, I'm a 2010 double RITA finalist, a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a recipient of an NC Arts Council Fellowship grant in Literature.

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Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
Release Date: Feb 2011

Description: Sixteen-year-old Liz is Photogirl—sharp, focused and confident in what she sees through her camera lens. Confident that she and Kate will be best friends forever.


But everything changes in one blurry night. Suddenly, Kate is avoiding her, and people are looking the other way when she passes in the halls. As the aftershocks from a startling accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself shifts out of focus. What happens when the picture you see no longer makes sense? What do you do when you may lose everything you love most? Told in stunning, searingly raw free verse, Exposed is Kimberly Marcus's gut-wrenching, riveting debut and will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Halse Anderson and Virginia Euwer Wolff.
 
 
What are YOU waiting for?

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Now's The Time by Larry Strauss

Billy Heron died in a horrifying car crash, leaving behind a wife and young daughter.  He played piano for the great jazz player Lonnie Baylor.  The night he died, he played a great gig, finally finding the music within himself.

Now, years later, Didi is grown and a trumpet player looking for a break.  Her boyfriend and her roommates keep letting her down in all sorts of things, and when a record company hears her play, it's not her they want, but the piano player.

But then Didi learns about a tape of her father's last recording, a recording said to be amazing.  This begins her search for the tape, and on her journey, she finds herself.

Didi is a remarkable character, complex and compelling.  Sultry and bluesy, Strauss pens a tale of warmth, loss, and balm for the soul.  The plot is sound, the mystery slowly unfolding, keeping you turning the pages quickly as the characters leap to life.  History and music buffs will enjoy this one!

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Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway

September 1 - 30, 2010

Cynthia Roberts, author of her debut historical romance, Wind Warrior has something pretty darn dynamic for all of Minding Spot visitors, friends and subscribers ... one of the largest blog tour promotional giveaways ever attempted.

Breaking into the world of romance fiction is a challenge unto itself but more so, when you’re a newly published author. Minding Spot is excited to participate in this venture with Cynthia and help introduce Wind Warrior to the world of romance readers. The bonus … every one has the chance to compete for not one, but five pretty extraordinary prizes which will include:

1. Romantic Two-lid willow picnic basket with deluxe service for two ~ $125.00 value

2. Succulent Godiva Chocolate Tier ~ $75.00 value

3. Exquisite Pearl & Crystal Necklace ~ $50.00 value

4. Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value

5. Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value

To view the gifts & read further descriptions visit her website at http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com/

Contest Rules Are As Follows

1. Leave a comment at the end of this post

2. Tweet the following text: Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts A story of longing, wanting & a love so strong it conquers human evil. On sale now at Major Book Retailers.

3. Post the same tag on your Facebook and/or Myspace Profile

4. Become a fan/follower/subscriber of the blog you visit

5. The list of participating blogs are registered on Cynthia’s website and you may enter to win on every one, however, only one family member may do so in a household.

6. Open to ALL not just the US & Canada

7. Each participating blog will randomly choose five entrants to compete for the grand prize pool where the final 5 winners will be randomly selected

8. Winners will be chosen on Sept. 30th and notified via email by Cynthia

9. All finalists must provide their email, name and official delivery address at the time of finalist selection to Minding Spot.

10. All prizes will be shipped no later than Oct. 30th directly from the distributor.

11. The steps above will be checked to determine your eligibility.

 

Wind Warrior - The Iroquois Series - Book 1



Leslie Michaels is a visionary, and only those close to her know of her special gift and the visions that come when her mind and body surrender to sleep. Fate has a way of righting many wrongs, and for Leslie it is a destiny that changes her life dramatically. But not before she is forced to flee into the wilderness to escape a murderous trapper bent on claiming her for his very own. Faith and a strong will to survive are her only companions, until she encounters Winnokin, the handsome Seneca war chief who first came to her in her dreams. Not only does he prove to be her rescuer and protector, he teaches her that tragedy can breed happiness and the passion to live and love deeply once again.


Wind Warrior plunges readers into the intimate depths of a relationship that unfolds like a live drama before their eyes while painting an insightful and intriguing portrait of Native Indian life in the 1800s. It is a story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds, and a love so strong it conquers human evil. Wind Warrior expresses with cunning words the simple, raw human emotions that hold readers spellbound and captivates their hearts.

On Sale Now at Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Nobel ISBN# 978-1-61663-162-8. Read more than a dozen reviews on her website at http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com.

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

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