KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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BLOOD LIKE RAIN
Possessed by Passion Collection
BY TRACY BALL ETAL
Crazy Ink Publishing, LLC is pleased to present a USA Today bestseller list-aiming dark romance and paranormal romance collection boxset for release on March 16, 2021. Featuring stories from USA Today and International Bestselling authors, this set includes more than twenty romantic novels and novellas aimed to ignite your passions and make you fall in love with the characters. Pre order your copy today!
Collection Blurb
Passions pulsate.
Destinies collide.
Humans, angels, and demons alike are possessed with a common bind—desire.
Experience exquisite and sultry seraphs, demonic witches, a hellfire phoenix, a vengeful gargoyle, ordinary humans with dark sides, vampires, werewolves, ghostly spirits, and other creatures of the night, who will whet your desire for romance and seduction. Travel with them into their worlds as they lust for love, romance, and pleasure.
Will they find what they are searching for? Will you?
Find out in this twenty-plus, limited time paranormal and dark romance collection by USA Today, international bestselling, and award-winning authors.
Experience the passion.
Readers of Anne Rice, Debbie Paterson, Linda Howard, Dean Koontz, Kristen Ashley, and Paul Tremblay will love this dark collection! One click now to become POSSESSED…
Featuring the works of USA Today and International Bestselling Authors:
Bella Emy – USA Today Bestseller – For Better or For Cursed
Alyssa Drake – USA Today Bestseller – For Better or For Cursed
Cora Kenborn – USA Today Bestseller – Cast Stones
Catherine Wiltcher – Amazon All Star – Cast Stones
Erin Lee – USA Today Bestseller – Blank Slate
Olivia Marie –USA Today Bestseller– Blood Bound
Lorah Jaiyn – USA Today Bestseller – The Immortal Stone
Murphy Wallace – International Bestseller – Death in the Flames
N Isabelle Blanco – International Bestseller – Malice
Rena Marin – International Bestseller – The Arisen
Rita Delude – International Bestseller – Driven by Desire
M W Brown – International Bestseller – Under the Moonlight
Diana Register – International Bestseller – Electric Man
Stephanie Ayers – International Bestseller – Blood White
Yolanda Allard – International Bestseller – Gargoyles: Stone Curse
Sian B. Claven – International Bestseller – Neutral Ground
LJC Fynn – International Bestseller – Blank Slate
John Watson – International Bestseller – The Hollow-Eyed Girl
Tiffany Carby – International Bestseller – Meet Cut(e)
Michelle Edwards – International Bestseller – Demonic Destiny
Tracy A. Ball – International Bestseller – Blood Like Rain
Eve Corso – International Bestseller – Spellbound
Marie Ahls – International Bestseller – Villainous
Rheanon Nicole – International Bestseller – His Soul to Keep
Cloud S Riser – International Bestseller – Queen of Stone
Editor’s Note: Look for **Spring Madness** spotlights through March and April for authors included in this collection, a deeper look at the individual authors and their books, including Excerpts, Author Interviews, and Character Interviews!
BLOOD LIKE RAIN
Possessed by Passion Collection
BY TRACY BALL ETAL
Included in Possessed by Passion Collection
Blurb
Dylan would do anything for his brother. Even if it means riding his motorcycle into hell… Or Rain, a town with a terrible past and a dark secret. They say the trouble is in the water, and that’s partially true. There’s poison in the ecosystem. But, the trouble is in their blood.
Nile could solve his problem. She could save them all. But, she doesn’t want to.
When mercy’s a sin, falling in love is not an option.
…Not that it matters.
BLOOD LIKE RAIN
Possessed by Passion Collection
BY TRACY BALL ETAL
Included in Possessed by Passion Collection
Excerpt
“What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Dylan asked. The sky was clear, the air was crisp, and the trees around them were vibrant with color. It didn’t feel like the world was ending.
“Mob rule,” Nile said. “They lose their minds and try to intimidate us. Or, worse, punish us. We’d be forced to retreat until everybody gets sick. But the toxin is like cancer…it’s worse than cancer. People are in different stages. A lot of innocent people could die. If we’re shut down for any significant length of time, the original mission of eliminating us, might happen.”
“Wow.”
“The next worst scenario is a town war, which mom’s declaration might take us to. Our roots are deep and entangled. If you go back far enough, everybody is somebody’s third cousin or family friend for fifty years. People are going to come down on one side or the other. If they think we’re abusing power, or the opposite, not strong enough, that will add to the chaos.”
“Every time I think I understand, there is more, and it’s dark. This is crazy.” Dylan couldn’t see the fall colors or the blue sky. He was too numb to feel the air.
Her eyes were sad. “That’s not the heartbreaking part.”
He already knew the heartbreaking part. It was breaking his heart. “Jake and I are going to fall on different sides of this.”
She nodded. “You might. You and I might fall on different sides of this.” She wiped a tear.
He put his arm around her, for her comfort and his.
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I have the ability to save lives, but the reality is, I’m going to let some people die.”
“Circumstance gave you a gift, Nile. But, you’re not God. You’re not picking and choosing. Circumstance is.”
She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arm around his chest, being careful of his wound. “Thank you.”
He kissed her hair and for a while they let the quiet soothe them.
When he could talk again, he asked, “What’s the best we can hope for?”
She thought for a moment. “That Maya is completely innocent. At that point, it would be best to let her go.”
“That’s great for Jake, but what about me?”
“You don’t live or work here, Dylan. Whatever happens, you’re leaving anyway.”
Nothing logical, sensible, or reasonable made his heart beat the way she did. “I never got that dinner date.”
“Let’s go eat. It could be the last chance we get.”
Dylan thought it best not to point out they were in different places. She was preparing for goodbye. He was contemplating ways to stay. He stood up behind her and appreciated her ass as she climbed out of the boat.
Meet Author Tracy A. Ball…
Made entirely of rum and snacks—International Bestselling Author, Tracy A. Ball is a native Baltimorean and veteran West Virginian, whose family is a mashup of cultures. She writes real and raw interracial romance with an intensity that burns because she has been busting stereotypes while teaching interracial/generational healing for more than a quarter of a century.
Tracy engages with folks from every twist of fate and all manner of experience. She has hung out with murderers and dined with people who have dined with the Pope, which is why she needs the rum…and a nap.
Her published works include: Blood Like Rain, Welcome to BBs, The Other Shore, “Mercury Chain Thomson” Death’s Desire, Big Guns & Bullsh@t,“Imogene’s Flowers,” “Thorns,” “Black’s Magic” “Truly, Madly, Kiss Me,” “Cumberland Christmas,”Civil Warriors, Dragonfly Dreams, “An Angel with Dirty Wings,” “Tsarina,” KAYOS: The Bad & The Worse, The Tiger & The Snake, The Right Way to Be Wrong, “Left on Marriottsville,” “The Train Ride,” Mail Duty, White Russian Lies.
Interview ~ Tracy A. Ball
Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full–time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.
I’m a Ninaw! My grandkids are 4 yrs and 3 months old. That’s several full-time jobs. Besides writing and my grandbabies, I love all forms of creativity: Reading, painting, music. My husband is a musician. He’s also a truck driver. He’s also a priest. Which would make him my biggest hobby.
1. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Character interactions/ dialogue. I love hopping into my characters’ heads and discovering why they do what they do.
2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis. I would love to help stupid people hit themselves (jk). Seriously, getting things for people (myself included) without having to stop what I’m doing would cut my day in half.
3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?
I think everyone does. I use one of two tricks to deal with it. I either do nothing. I take it as an indication I need rest and/or a diversion until my head clears. My other method is to go back to the part of the story when I wasn’t stuck and retell it from there, because clearly, where it went isn’t where it needed to go.
4. What is your least favorite part of writing?
I think most writers dislike marketing. Beyond that, I hate the time between stories. I have to disconnect from a world I love and it takes me so long to recover.
5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
More than likely something with baked macaroni and cheese as a side dish. It’s always a favorite (probably because of the insane amount of cheese I use). Incidentally, I don’t like macaroni and cheese, so I’ve never tasted it. (That might be the reason I use an insane amount of cheese lol.)
6. What do you wish you’d done differently when you first started the publishing process?
That I would have jumped into the indie world sooner. There is still so much I don’t know, I may never catch up.
7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?
Conflict. I worry the hurdles I give my characters aren’t big enough.
8. A penguin walks into your office, right now, wearing a sombrero. What does he say to you and why is he here?
“I know what you said, but this time it was not my fault.”
He’s a warlock who I call Jev–I’m unable to pronounce his full name correctly. (Secretly, he likes it.) A few months ago he was awakened from an 800 yr old curse. His magic doesn’t work as it should. As a result, I am always cleaning up his messes.
9. If you could wave a magic wand, what ill in the world would you solve and why?
Supremacy (It’s kind of what I do anyway) The path to peace, health, and love has to go through the roadblock of hatred. Humankind is too precious to belittle and waste.
10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published? Please provide links to your website, blog, books, etc.
My next book, Mail Duty, is part of a multi-author series entitled Crazy Town. Each story is about a member of the world’s most outlandish community. Mystery, romance, paranormal, anything goes in CT.
Blurb:
Captain Dustin Reed escaped from an understaffed psychiatric hospital. Three years later, he was Justin Rowe, the Crazy-Town mailman—a lovable, eager to please, nerd. He knew his customers: when their bills were late, when their adult-toys arrived, when they went on vacation, and when their cars were parked at the church, while they were at the bar or motel.
He knew them, but they did not know him.
They didn’t know he was an ex-soldier whose untreated PTSD forced him to relive missions. They didn’t know he broke into their homes, touched their things, and invaded their lives.
Cheyenne Taylor was just getting used to her new life in Crazy-Town and welcomed a visit from her sister, Sage, who needed to get away from a bad relationship. But, someone was stalking them. Yet, every time danger got close, Justin was on hand to save the day. Only, he couldn’t explain how he knew so much about them.
With the town under scrutiny, protecting the girls could get him arrested. Not protecting them wasn’t an option.
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Links to Possessed by Passion & Stephanie’s website, blog, books, etc.:
UBL: https://books2read.com/POSSESSEDBP
Amazon: mybook.to/PBP
Apple: https://apple.co/3kqjj3e
Nook: https://bit.ly/33GUjhw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35FXys0
Like our page:
Possessed by Passion facebook.com/PossessedbyPassion/
Join our party room:
facebook.com/groups/PossessedbyPassion/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PossessdPassion
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/possessedbypassion/
Website:
http://www.possessedbypassion.com/
Find and Follow Tracy
https://mailchi.mp/dcc40b02b5e6/ball-books
https://www.amazon.com/Tracy-A.-Ball/e/B00JH7R8XY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
https://www.facebook.com/groups/601509103800290/625996514684882/?
https://www.facebook.com/Tra3Ball/
tra3ball@gmail.com
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracy-a-ball
Pre-order POSSESSED BY PASSION for only $.99!
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SPECIAL GIVEAWAY: Tracy will give away one of her Kindle historicals, CIVIL WARRIORS, one paranormal, DEATH’S DESIRE, one contemporary, THE OTHER SHORE, and one spicy-hot, WELCOME TO BBs: A Sex Shop Series Novella, to four different lucky readers who comment on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. To enter the giveaway, comment with your preferred genre.
READ more about your book choices at these links:
https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Warriors-Tracy-Ball-ebook/dp/B07RV4FS7W/ref
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B522JLT/ref
https://books2read.com/u/4NQYwN
https://www.amazon.com/Other-Shore-Tracy-Ball-ebook/dp/B08LHG2MQK/ref
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Thanks, Tracy, for sharing your story with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thank yours much!
Well, now…between you and your husband, Tracy, I’d say you have a lot of fodder for your stories!
Interesting excerpt and love the interview.
Thanks, Karen and Tracy.
Hi, Kathleen.
Something he says or does is in every one of my stories!
Thank you!
Wow that collection has a lot of authors in it… thanks for sharing
Good morning, Tracy, and welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench. What a great introduction to both you and your book inside this collection. Can’t wait to read it to see how it all shakes out. I also love getting insights into other authors and their writing journey. Between you and your husband, how do you fit it all in a day? LOL Thanks for sharing your book and collection with us today!
HI Karen,
It’s great to be here. I feel like I’ve found new friends! Matt and I are very weird people, which makes it all fun. I am his dark side so we stay balanced. lol.
nice interview, paranormal
Thank you so much!
I love reading anything Tracy puts together. She’s so much fun. Thanks for having my buddies on your blog, Karen.
Great interview, Tracy, and that excerpt? Wow!
I just try to hang out in your shadow!