Wednesday, December 19, 2012

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP!



THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP
 


The wonderfully awesome Aisling Mancy invited me to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop and I couldn't resist this ongoing game in which authors talk about their favorite thing: their work, more particularly, their Work in Progress.

The ten questions are:
1. What is the working title of your book?

A MOST WANTON WOMAN

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was reading one day about  the Jacobite uprising and thought how sad it was that so many people lost so much.  I delved a bit deeper and thought...hey what if I wrote a story about a strong woman who ended up indentured because of the uprising.

3. What is the genre of the book?
It's an historical romance that takes place in colonial America.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Looks wise, Nora is very similar to Katy Perry...can she act though?  And the male lead, Matthew Remington,  I think of Brad Pitt as he was when he played Louie in INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE--minus the creepy eyes and teeth!
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
OMG! That's tough.  How about...Losing everything is just the beginning?
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
I haven't decided yet.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I'm still writing it and it's in it's 3rd incarnation.  So far it's taken like 25 years...Maybe this time it will take!
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I can't think of one!
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
No one...but history!
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Oh, did I mention that Matthew is a not so reformed pirate?
Here’s an awesome author I think you should check out:
Thanks for lookin'!
Hugs,
Harris.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Free book, a new release, and a contest!!!!!


Free book, a new release, and a contest!!!!!

Free Kindle Download for a short time.... His For The Taking by Harris Channing  HURRY! http://www.amazon.com/His-For-The-Taking-ebook/dp/B008WA517C/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

WIN A DOWNLOAD OF In Sarah's Shadow, An American Historical Romance!

Just visit my blog and leave a comment to be entered.  Here's the link to the post:

http://harrischanningauthor.blogspot.com/2012/11/wanna-be-winner.html

What's the new book about?  Well, take a look below!

 Mother Nature plays matchmaker...

Frostbitten Roberta Shallcross is a woman in need of a hero. David Henderson is far from that. He's a drunk who can't get past the murder of his wife, Sarah.

When David grudgingly saves Bobbie's life from the
Rocky Mountain wilderness, she intends to return the favor. But will their burgeoning affection be powerful enough to overcome his grief?

 How about a little excerpt?

      His eyes flew open at the shrill, panicky sound that the wind offered. It almost sounded human. He pulled off his woolen cap and raked his fingers through his matted hair. He stared at the now empty flask. What had Henry put into the brew? Whatever it was had him hearing things.

"Please, help me!"

An ungodly chill raced through his body. Had Sarah come to take him with her? He welcomed death, for living had become unbearable. Rising from his chair, he waited, straining to hear the call, the call that would lead him home. If he heard it again, he would stumble out into the cold and lie down atop the snowy earth.

At the sound of banging upon the wooden door, he leapt forward and pulled it open, ready to see her, to welcome her.

The sight before him had him recoiling. There she was, dressed in rags, frozen blood leaching through a yellow scarf. Her hair hung in icicle laden strands. She lifted her eyes and his heart sank. It wasn't a snow angel, but a human.

Gray, bloodshot eyes, not loving brown eyes, pleaded with him. "Let me in…p-please. I'm dying."

He stared at the creature, his disappointment giving way to his duty. Pulling her inside, she fell into his body, leaning hard against him. She was alive and yet he'd never felt a live being that was so cold. Not one bit of warmth rose from her snow covered essence. He shoved the door shut, fighting the wind that pressed and fought to be allowed entrance.

She shivered against him, her arms remained at her side, and yet she clung to him without moving a muscle.

He knew he should say something, but no words came. How long had it been since he had spoken to anyone but himself? Yes, he saw Henry from time to time, but he drank and Henry spoke.

"I-I'm scared to die. Please don't let me die." Again the gray eyes searched his face for answers. He had none. Death was something that came whether or not you were scared.

Pulling her further into the room, he brought her nearer the fire. Taking action, he grabbed the blanket from the bed, shaking out the dust before wrapping it around her narrow shoulders.

She stood stock still, her face cast forward, her eyes suddenly unmoving. She would go into shock if he weren't careful. Grabbing up his now lukewarm cup of coffee, he refreshed it from the pot that warmed by the fire and laced it with whiskey before offering it to her. She didn't move, but looked at him.

"My hands. They don't work. Nothing works."

He set the cup down on the rugged makeshift mantle and slowly unwound the scarf from her face. He expected to see fiery red frostbite and feared she would lose her nose. To his surprise, a split lip seemed to be the worst damage done. In fact, his heart clenched at the youthful beauty before him. The large, honest eyes were but only part of the gloriousness that God had bestowed upon her. Her cheeks rosy with the cold, her nose pert and upturned, her lips…well once healed would be very suitable for kissing.

He stepped back. He hadn't seen a woman in the five years since Sarah's death. That was what attracted him. She could have been polecat ugly and his body would yearn for hers despite the fact that he would never be unfaithful to his wife.

He growled and took up the cup, bringing it to her. Her jaw trembled as she opened her mouth and allowed him to pour the liquid past her frozen lips. He carefully measured his pour and when she pulled back, she sputtered and coughed.

"What's in that? Is there whiskey in there?"

He ignored her protests. "Drink it. It will warm you."

"I-I've never had the drink."

"It won't hurt you in this minuscule amount." He brought the cup up again and despite the uncertainty in her eyes, she did as directed and gingerly took in more of the coffee.

A visible shiver raced across her body and he took the cup away. He cleared his throat. "You'll need to get out of those wet things." He pushed the blanket from her shoulders and reached for the top button of her ragged and tattered coat.

What the hell was she doing on the mountain, dressed for late spring? But he didn't ask, for he knew the answer. People never took the warnings seriously. Never believed how unbelievably fast a blizzard could rise up and whiten the world. Yes, it was only October, but sometimes winter came early. You always had to be ready because when it came, it overstayed its welcome.

He unfastened the top button and then another and she still just stood there, her eyes cast forward. She was a trusting soul, one that could be easily taken advantage of. Lucky for her she had found the only mountain man in Colorado who wouldn't ravage her, iced over or not.

 
It's available at AMAZON.COM

                       BARNES AND NOBLE

                       and SMASHWORDS

Thanks and happy reading!

Hugs,

Harris.


harrischanning.comShow More


 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Wanna be a WINNER?



Hello!  To celebrate my latest release IN SARAH'S SHADOW, I'll be giving away a download to one lucky commenter!

What do you need to do? 

Leave your name and email address and you're entered.  Simple as that. Winner will be announced next week!

So what are you waiting for?  COMMENT away!!!

But before you do, why not read a little bit about the book....

Here's a blurb and a an excerpt:


Mother Nature plays matchmaker...

Frostbitten Roberta Shallcross is a woman in need of a hero. David Henderson is far from that. He's a drunk who can't get past the murder of his wife, Sarah.

When David grudgingly saves Bobbie's life from the
Rocky Mountain wilderness, she intends to return the favor. But will their burgeoning affection be powerful enough to overcome his grief?

 How about a little excerpt?

      His eyes flew open at the shrill, panicky sound that the wind offered. It almost sounded human. He pulled off his woolen cap and raked his fingers through his matted hair. He stared at the now empty flask. What had Henry put into the brew? Whatever it was had him hearing things.

"Please, help me!"

An ungodly chill raced through his body. Had Sarah come to take him with her? He welcomed death, for living had become unbearable. Rising from his chair, he waited, straining to hear the call, the call that would lead him home. If he heard it again, he would stumble out into the cold and lie down atop the snowy earth.

At the sound of banging upon the wooden door, he leapt forward and pulled it open, ready to see her, to welcome her.

The sight before him had him recoiling. There she was, dressed in rags, frozen blood leaching through a yellow scarf. Her hair hung in icicle laden strands. She lifted her eyes and his heart sank. It wasn't a snow angel, but a human.

Gray, bloodshot eyes, not loving brown eyes, pleaded with him. "Let me in…p-please. I'm dying."

He stared at the creature, his disappointment giving way to his duty. Pulling her inside, she fell into his body, leaning hard against him. She was alive and yet he'd never felt a live being that was so cold. Not one bit of warmth rose from her snow covered essence. He shoved the door shut, fighting the wind that pressed and fought to be allowed entrance.

She shivered against him, her arms remained at her side, and yet she clung to him without moving a muscle.

He knew he should say something, but no words came. How long had it been since he had spoken to anyone but himself? Yes, he saw Henry from time to time, but he drank and Henry spoke.

"I-I'm scared to die. Please don't let me die." Again the gray eyes searched his face for answers. He had none. Death was something that came whether or not you were scared.

Pulling her further into the room, he brought her nearer the fire. Taking action, he grabbed the blanket from the bed, shaking out the dust before wrapping it around her narrow shoulders.

She stood stock still, her face cast forward, her eyes suddenly unmoving. She would go into shock if he weren't careful. Grabbing up his now lukewarm cup of coffee, he refreshed it from the pot that warmed by the fire and laced it with whiskey before offering it to her. She didn't move, but looked at him.

"My hands. They don't work. Nothing works."

He set the cup down on the rugged makeshift mantle and slowly unwound the scarf from her face. He expected to see fiery red frostbite and feared she would lose her nose. To his surprise, a split lip seemed to be the worst damage done. In fact, his heart clenched at the youthful beauty before him. The large, honest eyes were but only part of the gloriousness that God had bestowed upon her. Her cheeks rosy with the cold, her nose pert and upturned, her lips…well once healed would be very suitable for kissing.

He stepped back. He hadn't seen a woman in the five years since Sarah's death. That was what attracted him. She could have been polecat ugly and his body would yearn for hers despite the fact that he would never be unfaithful to his wife.

He growled and took up the cup, bringing it to her. Her jaw trembled as she opened her mouth and allowed him to pour the liquid past her frozen lips. He carefully measured his pour and when she pulled back, she sputtered and coughed.

"What's in that? Is there whiskey in there?"

He ignored her protests. "Drink it. It will warm you."

"I-I've never had the drink."

"It won't hurt you in this minuscule amount." He brought the cup up again and despite the uncertainty in her eyes, she did as directed and gingerly took in more of the coffee.

A visible shiver raced across her body and he took the cup away. He cleared his throat. "You'll need to get out of those wet things." He pushed the blanket from her shoulders and reached for the top button of her ragged and tattered coat.

What the hell was she doing on the mountain, dressed for late spring? But he didn't ask, for he knew the answer. People never took the warnings seriously. Never believed how unbelievably fast a blizzard could rise up and whiten the world. Yes, it was only October, but sometimes winter came early. You always had to be ready because when it came, it overstayed its welcome.

He unfastened the top button and then another and she still just stood there, her eyes cast forward. She was a trusting soul, one that could be easily taken advantage of. Lucky for her she had found the only mountain man in Colorado who wouldn't ravage her, iced over or not.

Hugs,
Harris.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Visit Cassidy Kingston's blog and comment to win a download of IN SARAH'S SHADOW!

Here's the link...what are you waiting for???

Hugs,
Harris.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Chance to win my new ebook--IN SARAH'S SHADOW

Yep, I'm at it again!!

NEW RELEASE!!! 

IN SARAH'S SHADOW!!


It's available NOW!
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Wanna chance to win a download from SMASHWORDS? Wanna know what it's about?  Wanna read an excerpt?

Tomorrow (Nov. 14, 2012) check out Cassidy Kingston's blog and leave a comment with your e-mail address and you'll be eligible to win!

SOOOO!!!! What are you waiting for?  David and Roberta are waiting for you!! :)

Have a great day!

Hugs,
Harris.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

HIS FOR THE TAKING!!!!

NEW RELEASE!!

Yep, I've been neck deep in designing covers but I've stuck my head out of my whack-a-mole hole long enough to release a new book!

It's called, HIS FOR THE TAKING.


What's it's about?  Well I enjoyed THE UNWILLING BARONESS so much I thought I'd continue with the Regency genre for a while.

Here's the blurb:

Lady Julianna loves Lord Jonathan Denbigh. But is he deserving? Julianna's grandmother, Lady Chesterfield certainly doesn't think so but wants her granddaughter happy.

When Jonathan refuses to marry Julianna, Lady Chesterfield puts a ploy into motion that will see her granddaughter engaged by the end of the season. To one man or another...

And here's a little nibble:

Julianna walked the path, the soft purple rhododendron blooms leaving her heart to ache. For when she returned to Oak Park, they would be gone, the camellias would be finished, the azaleas done for another year. She would miss her favorite season, trapped in the Whitcomb’s townhouse, surrounded by Constance’s things and not her own.

But she would enjoy them now and she plucked a purple bloom and studied it, still walking. Still trying to enjoy the moment despite the ache in her heart.

As she turned the narrow cobbled path that led deeper into the back garden and toward the orchard, she heard the soft thud of hooves on the packed earth of the drive just beyond the garden wall. Looking up from her blossom, her heart lurched. For just beyond the stone fence, atop his dark stallion was Jonathan, the sun glinting off his dark blonde curls.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before. There was no joy in his countenance. His intense gaze pierced hers and sent her heart in to a spasm of rapid beats. Dear Lord, what did he want? Anxiety skittered across her skin and left her feeling light headed.

Still, she lifted her chin and refused to look away. If he had something to say, he had better say it. You're a Chesterfield. That in itself has you deserving more…

Her grandmother's words encouraged her and she held onto the quaking pride with all the strength she could. It was now or never for them. It was time to move forward…together or apart.

In a swift motion Jonathan jumped from Arion's back and over the fence. Her heart fluttered again. My but he was as graceful as a Lynx.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, cursing herself for the quiver in her voice. "You said all you needed to say last night."

He didn't respond, just kept coming toward her, his shoulders squared, his gaze unwavering. She recognized that look. One that promised determination and a stubbornness that rivaled the barnyard's most obstinate mule.

"Why are you here?" she asked, taking a step back, her body colliding painfully with a Pipperidge bush. He came ever closer, a stealthy cat ready to pounce.

And still she stood there, wanting him to touch her, needing him to erase the pain his indifference had caused.

Now upon her, he set his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him, his mouth crushing hers as he drew her into a strong, heady embrace.

She yielded to his kiss, her mind spinning, all her senses sparking to life. She pressed herself against him, her hands upon his chest, her finger curling in the fabric of his jacket.

What was happening to her? Never in her life had she expected his kiss to send flames licking through her body. Her core tightened into an aching knot.

God knew she should push him away. She should slap his face and yet she opened her mouth wider to receive his probing tongue. More, damn him, she wanted more. Needed all of him. A low, deep groan slipped from her throat and she slid her hands up, up and around his neck, her fingers entwining the soft curls that brushed his collar.

His hands traced the length of her spine, urging her ever closer.

She felt her self falling, sinking into him, losing herself in the kiss she never believed would happen, but he pushed her away. With her vision still shrouded with lust, she looked in to his eyes, they were darker than she had ever seen them before. His broad chest rose and fell, his mouth a thin, angry line. "You see, we are nothing but friends."

There was a cold, callousness to his words and an iciness in his stare. "If you felt nothing, then you are right." Her heart threatened to burst but what shred of pride she had left, refused to give way. Lifting her hand she landed a heavy blow to his cheek, her fingers stinging as she pulled away. The look on his face one of utter shock, his mouth agape, his eyes alive with anger. "Now leave and don't come back." Tears blinded her. "And consider our bond of friendship dissolved. You are a cruel man."

Finally, her tears lost their battle with gravity and streamed down her cheeks.

"You can't mean that what your grandmother said is true." He sneered. "Surely, you're not in love with me."

"I said leave." She turned her back on him, shame and humiliation spiraled upward from the pit of her stomach. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Julianna—"

"If I ever loved you, I no longer do. You are not the man I believed you to be." She felt sick to her stomach, her entire body quaking with disappointment.

"I'm sorry, I thought…Damnation, I don't know what I thought!"

Lifting her skirts, Julianna rushed into the house leaving Jonathan behind. She didn't look back. She would never look back, it hurt too much. She determined with the slamming of the door, that he had most assuredly kissed her goodbye.


Where can you buy it?

Try these handy dandy links:

Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Thanks for stopping by and have a SMASHING day!

Hugs,

Harris.

www.harrischanning.com




Sunday, April 15, 2012

Welcome Cassidy Kingston!

Today I'd like to introduce you to Cassidy Kingston! She's a super nice person and a darned good writer! The cover art is my first ever cover for Whiskey Creek Press and Cassidy was so nice to work with.

Okay, okay, I'll stop gushing now and share the blurb, sample chapter and author info. about her first release with WCP Torrid...TASTE OF LOVE...


Blurb:

Laken is a strong willed woman who is tortured by the fact that being a vampire is not all the books and movies make it out to be. Her maker, Richard, is a controlling one hundred and fifty year old vampire that makes fledglings to do all of his daily shores for him. The only human contact Laken has is with her nightly donors, hers is a gay man named Eric. After Eric has to leave town she end up with a new donor, Hayden. She is so drawn to Hayden she fears her maker will find out. Soon she discovers she is forming a blood bond with Hayden she is scared once the blood bond forms and Richard feels it that he will be angry with her.

This is the first in a series of short stories based on the five senses.

Excerpt:

Laken finished showering and got dressed in a light pink silk gown. She pulled her hair back into a loose braid and sat on the bed waiting on her donor to arrive. There was a light knock on the door. Laken opened the door and gasped at the man standing on the other side. He was easily six foot-five two hundred-fifty pounds of pure tanned muscle. He had light hair cut short and emerald green eyes.

“Can I come in?” He asked

“Um, oh yeah come on in. I’m Laken, what’s your name?”

“Hayden, I’m Hayden. Where would you like me? This is my first time so I’m kinds scared.”

“You can sit right here,” She said pulling the chair out from her makeup table “Don’t be scared, I only bite,” She said with a giggle.

This seemed to make him relax a little. She watched him as he sat down and looked around the room. He didn’t strike her as a druggie so this made her feel better. She was glad to at least have such a sexy donor to drink from.

She walked and stood in front of him. “I’ll have to sit in your lap to feed, because you’re so tall, okay?

He nodded.

She straddled his lap and leaned down to his neck, she felt him tense up.

“Okay you have to relax. I’ll talk you thru this. First I’ll lick your neck. This will numb the area so it won’t hurt.” She leaned back down to his neck and closed her eyes, he smelled so good. She slowly took her tongue and ran it up and down his neck, feeling the rush of blood under his skin.

“Okay now I will gently insert my fangs into where I just licked, when I get thru to the blood I will retract my fangs and suck the blood out until I’m full, normal about ten minuets.”

She gently placed her fangs on his neck, she could feel his pulse, and she slowly inserted her fangs into his skin, feeling a slight pop when she punctured the blood vein. She retracted her fangs and closed her mouth over the two small holes and started sucking. Her mouth filled with his hot velvety blood, it was the best tasting blood she’d ever had. She had to make herself slow down. She really wanted to enjoy this. She shifted her body to get a better suction on his neck, when she did this she felt something hard beneath her bottom. She froze.

Hayden wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her body closer to him. She sucked even harder, drawing his blood into her mouth with a greedy pace, he moaned and his blood shifted flavor. It filled her mouth with a succulent and raw taste, she’d never tasted this before, but she needed more of it, she realized she was rocking back and forth rubbing herself on the rock hard object beneath her. She felt herself getting wet, she knew this was wrong but she couldn’t stop herself.

With her vampire speed, she flung herself out of his lap and stood on the other side of the room staring at him. She noticed he looked confused for a moment.

Bio:

Cassidy lives in Alabama and is a southern belle who happens to love writing about things that make other southern belle’s blush. She has multiple degrees in subjects that have nothing to do with writing. When she is not reading or writing she is chasing kids and animals.

My blog is CassidyKingston.wordpress.com
Twitter @CassidyKingston
Link to my publisher WWW.WhiskeyCreekPressTorrid.com

Thanks for stopping by, Cassidy.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

Hugs,