I just completed reading this magnificent Regency Romance by my fellow author, Patricia A. Knight. Full disclosure: she is a valued and trusted friend. But let me say this about that. If I didn't love this book, I wouldn't recommend it. 

Why do I love it? First of all, PAK has a wonderful way with words. To say that she can entertain a reader with her use of words is an understatement.

Not just that, she has adapted to the period dialogue, manners, and mannerisms seamlessly. Her research on the styles and social mores of the period is impeccable. 

And, the storyline. Oh, my. She creates tension and keeps it going throughout so that you never want to put it down. When she first asked me to read it, my workload held me back. She graciously told me to read it whenever I could. Well, I glanced at the first few pages and got hooked. I just threw everything else out the window until I finished it. Or, at least, almost.

I used to read Regency Romances as a younger woman but got away from them when work and life got in the way. Then, when I started writing in the paranormal genre, I stuck to those types of stories. But last year, I was at a Writers' Conference with PAK, and she asked me to read her first foray into Regency entitled, A Husband for Hire. Same thing. I read the first few pages and boom! Hooked line and sinker! 

​​So, whenever PAK writes a Regency Romance, I'll be on it like flies on rice. 

If you love romance of any kind, I highly recommend that you give both A Husband for Hire and A Destitute Duke a try. She is making them into a series, and I can't wait for the next one. A Destitute Duke isn't quite out yet, so I recommend you go and grab A Husband for Hire so you'll already know some of the characters, even though the books are easily standalones.

Bravo, Patricia, Bravo!

Until Next Time,
​Carol 

So sorry! I have been blog-absent. Just so much going on right now. 

We launched Moon Blood 2 on May 1st. Then I finished a somewhat polished draft of Moon Blood 3 and sent it off to the publisher. Then, in my excitement to continue the series, I perfected the outline for Moon Blood 4. 

In-between, I rode in several horse show competition with my beloved Okido and helped another author complete her great book. Whew! 

Then, my publisher and I are going to be doing what's called a "revitalization promotion" for Snow Blood Season 1. It's a lot, I mean, a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it. In addition for prepping for it, my publisher has re-produced Snow Blood 1's trailer. It's much more consistent with the brand, and I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think. 

Writers sometimes feel like they live in a vacuum. So, it really helps if readers and friends offer comments, encouragement, and support. Please let me know your thoughts on this new trailer. Don't hesitate to reach out and say hi, tell me what you've been up to, and any great plans for the summer.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Til Next Time,
Carol
​

I am so excited! My publisher just released the new trailer for Moon Blood Book 2. 

​Please check it out and tell me what you think. 

Thanks, 
​Carol

I don't know about you, but I always appreciate reading snippets or excerpts from novels to get the feel of the writing style and the storyline. So, today I decided to provide a taste of Moon Blood, Book 2. Let me know what you think, won't you?

Here goes:
I sniffed the ground as Kane inhaled the air to follow the pack’s scent. Using our vampire speed, we were upon them in mere minutes. Twenty werewolves, sworn vampire enemies, surrounded them.

Thor, Chase, Gaspar, Fergus, and Joker stood, hind quarters together, circling and growling, as their attackers hovered around them.

Kane leaped over several of the predators and landed in the circle next to Thor. I followed.

“For what reason do you threaten these innocent wolves on private property?” He crouched low as he spoke.

I snarled and glared, circling my wolf uncles, who had all given up their kindred status along with their master Snow Blood and Nova, my parents.

The largest of the werewolves stepped closer and matched my master’s height. He shook his black coat, and his yellow eyes glowed. His words filled my thoughts. I am Alemain, leader of this pack. Why are you here? Where is the master vampire, Brogio? I call upon him to fight me to the death!

Kane straightened and laughed. He spoke aloud so that our wolf family could follow along. “Well, Alemain, behind the times, aren’t you?”

The werewolf edged another step. What do you mean, bloodsucker?

Kane’s brown eyes turned a threatening red as he spoke. “Brogio and his family have been granted their humanness by God, the Father.”

Alemain’s yellow eyes widened. You lie, scum of the earth.

I stepped to Kane’s side and showed my fangs. Saliva dripped from my jowls. I felt my body beginning to transform into my inner demon. I enlarged. My shaggy white hair turned black and evil. My claws and fangs extended.

“Mess with him or his family, and you will die.” Kane’s face contorted and widened. His fangs dropped, and his red eyes glowed at Alemain. “Neither my kindred wolf nor I will let harm come to them. They are no longer of concern to you. I am the first blood son and the oldest living vampire and sire to the kindred line.”

Then, YOU will die. Alemain leaped at Kane, who with his lightning-fast speed easily avoided him.

His attacker swirled, and his werewolf pack moved closer. I ran around the perimeter of their circle, reached out, and bit the front leg of one of them. While I hadn’t inherited Snow Blood’s daylight ability, I did get his toxic bite that rendered anyone I attacked dead in seconds. The werewolf began to shake, white foam pouring from his open mouth, and he collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.

The rest of the pack backed away as I ran the circle snarling. None of them were willing to chance my bite after my demonstration and my terrifying demeanor.

I turned just in time to see the pack leader take a swipe with his claws, barely missing Kane’s face. Kane flipped backward and taunted his opponent. “What’s the matter, Alemain? Can’t keep up?”

The pack leader leaped at Kane again, and this time, Kane stepped aside and delivered a crushing blow to the back of Alemain’s head. Stunned, the werewolf staggered but swirled and went for Kane’s left arm.

Kane leaped over him and left long, jagged claw marks from Alemain’s stomach to his shoulder. The werewolf roared in pain.

Kane, who had the ability to transform into any creature, grew to ten feet and morphed into the largest grizzly bear I could imagine. One large clawed paw swiped Alemain’s head, taking off half of it. The leader fell in the new-fallen Nova Scotia snow. Kane the bear then picked up the werewolf’s body and tore it in half, throwing each half into the surrounding trees. Our wolves’ mates quickly sprang from their hiding places and tore the rest of the body to pieces.

The bear and I both turned and crouched at the remaining werewolf pack. I leaped forward and snarled, and they scattered and ran.

I let go of my anger and transformed back into my own body as I watched the bear become my master. His body shrank to his normal six-foot-five. His claws and fangs receded, and his face slowly brought forth his strong jaw and nose and handsome visage. When he had become the bear, his clothes had been torn to shreds. He stood naked, his muscular body reflected in the moonlight.

He shot a glance at me. You could have been killed, Moon. Werewolf venom is poison to us. What were you thinking running so close to them?

Even though I felt grateful he communicated telepathically and didn’t chastise me in front of my wolf uncles, I snapped back, If I hadn’t, you would have been overrun by all of them. I sat back on my haunches and licked a paw.

He ran a hand through his long, dark-brown hair and sighed. You’re right. I need to realize you can take care of yourself.

Before I could respond, Joker smashed into my side and knocked me to the ground. His yapping at me and licking my face brought the rest of the pack over to lick and roll me around.

Thor jumped up and washed Kane’s face.

They are expressing their thanks. Kane smiled as he spoke.

The pack left me on the ground and knocked Kane down, giving his face and arms a thorough washing.

Kane laughed out loud and waved his arms to rub a head, a leg, or whatever he could grab.

Even though they are no longer kindred and can’t communicate with us telepathically, Kane can read all their thoughts, as well as my parents’. I have yet to develop that ability thoroughly, only getting glimpses of thoughts.

I stood up and waited for him to rise from the ground. He continued to give each of the wolves a thorough petting.

I looked at him pointedly. Perhaps we should stick around for a while to protect our family?

He stroked his chin as he always did when he contemplated. We must wait for James, anyway. But, when he arrives, if it’s the actual vampire leader of our line they want, we should lead them away from here. What better place than Italy? Besides, I don’t know how long it will be before the police connect me to the explosion and deaths in Los Angeles and track me here.

I snorted the snow out of my nose. I thought that’s why we sprinted here so that we didn’t leave a trail for the authorities. In an escape from predators who wished to use us for evil, Kane had destroyed them in an explosion. One of them had been a famous rocket company’s CEO.

Yes, but why take a chance? He turned to go and noticed the body of the werewolf I had killed.

The dead werewolf had transformed into his human form. Kane whirled around to Thor. “Can you and your pack ensure that this body is unidentifiable?”

With a nod of his head, Thor and the rest of the pack and their mates tore into the body.

Come on, let’s go back to the house.
​
I followed as the sounds of gnashing teeth, growling, and the ripping of flesh littered the air with utter decimation.

That's it for now! Stay tuned for another one later. But, want to read more inside the book? go to Amazon here.

​Til Next Time,
​Carol

I’m celebrating the May 1st Amazon release of Moon Blood 2, the latest book in my First Blood Son series, with a wolf theme GIVEAWAY! The book pits two vampires against the werewolf nation. Hybrid-wolf “Moon” and her vampire master, Kane, fight for their lives against a stalking shifter network out to destroy them. Vampire teeth flash and wolf claws clash as supernatural beings fight for life, love and family.

One winner will receive this great t-shirt (L), a $10 Amazon Gift Card, and a Moon Blood 2 FREE download in preferred format.

How?

Go to https://mailchi.mp/f470cc3dbfe8/wolfthemedgiveaway and sign up for my newsletter with your name and email.

When you do you’ll get a FREE copy of Kane - the First Blood Son in digital format. It's the story of how Kane, Moon Blood’s sire, became a vampire. This story kicked off both the beloved Snow Blood Series as well as the Moon Blood Series. I promise not to use your email for anything other than my occasional newsletter. So sign up today!

Contest ends May 1st. Winner announced May 3rd 
at https://www.facebook.com/CarolMckibbenAuthor/

Til Next Time,
​Carol

I am proud to announce the cover selected for the latest book in my Moon Blood Series. 

It's special because my superfans voted on four separate covers that I loved and chose this one as their favorite. It was a close race, but this one took it! 

Thanks to my super readers for participating, and congratulations to Jane Geiger who won an adorable Kane Dragon Plushy in the cover contest!

What's the book about you ask? Well, here's a taste:

Two vampires battle against the werewolf nation. Hybrid-wolf “Moon” and her human vampire master, Kane, fight for their lives against a stalking shifter network out to destroy them. Each battle may be their last as vampires and werewolves edge ever closer to war. 

While Kane and Moon work to unravel the looming threat, more and more questions surface. But one thing is sure, the real motives behind the werewolves’ plot against them include destroying the vampire race.

Only an act of bravery and trust will stop the werewolf species from destroying what Kane and Moon love the most. Vampire teeth flash and wolf claws clash as supernatural beings fight for life, love, and family in this supernatural rollercoaster ride.

Want to read more and take advantage of the pre-order sale going on now until May 1st? Click HERE to get the Kindle version for 99 cents. 

To celebrate the new cover, Snow Blood Book 1 will be FREE on Amazon from April 12-14 only in Kindle format for you. Grab it by clicking HERE. It's what started all my vampire mystery thriller books! If you haven't read it, get it FREE now. 

AND, finally, if you want to join my superfan list, go to http://www.carolmckibben.com/free-ebook.html, provide your name and email address, AND get a FREE copy of Kane - The First Blood Son. It's the Prequel to both the Snow Blood and Moon Blood series!

Whew! I know that's a lot to digest in one blog, but there's a lot happening in my world right now. Come join me! 

Til Next Time,
​Carol

​How you say? Enter this easy contest! It's FREE, and you can win a  Kindle Paperwhite or up to 90+ Top Series eBooks! The Grand Prize "Gift Basket" includes ALL eBooks (90+ of them). Plus individual eBook Winners will be randomly chosen for selected titles.

Best of all, you can designate your favorite genres! So, all you do is go here:

https://authorsxp.com/win-ebooks

and enter today. Contest runs April 3-9, 2017.

 Get in on the action!

Til Next Time!

Carol

Living in the Texas countryside has its benefits. One of them is the friendliness that comes with living in a community with open-hearted people willing to lend a helping hand. The same goes for the dogs living at neighboring ranches.

Little Brown Dog is an example. We hadn't been here a week when the little guy pranced into our yard to welcome us. His name is actually Apollo (which is awesome because one of our dogs is Thor), and he is all about making friends and lending a helping paw (or nose) when we're working on projects on this 27-acre ranch. 

He's very indicative of all the neighbors. When we have a hard rain, one man has a commercial road grader and comes out and clears and smooths all the dirt roads making them quite passable. The other day, the local furniture store owner was out to deliver a purchase. When we told him that we needed a recommendation for two guys with a big truck to help clear away some debris, he offered to get a truck and help us get it done. 

Two total strangers that we met at the Dairy Queen welcomed us to the community and offered a lot of advice about how to take advantage of our livestock exemption. They've even called twice to see if we need help with anything.

One day while at the Chamber of Commerce, Mark (my husband) bumped into a salesperson at the Cameron Herald next door. During the conversation, he told her we were thinking about building a barndominium, and lo and behold she and her husband had just built one. The next thing you know, she invited us over to see it!

I could go on and on, but my point is that the spirit of brotherly love is alive and well in Cameron, Texas. I find it interesting that it seems easier to get to know the neighbors, who are spread quite far apart in Cameron, than it was to get acquainted with those living 25 feet from us in Los Angeles!

So, look around and see how many little brown dogs you can find in your area and reach out to them with a warm, friendly helping hand. You'll be so glad that you did.

Til Next Time, Be Kind,
​Carol

I know. I've been quiet, but there's much going on in my life. Moon Blood Book 2 is with an editor, and everything is changing. Mark and I are moving to Texas, away from Los Angeles.

This started several years ago. We went on a trip and fell in love with Texas. Another trip with our daughter Stephanie and her SO Donald had them enthralled. Before we could blink, Donald bought 27 acres in Cameron, Texas, about an hour from Austin. Of course, once they moved, the heat was on for us to move as well, on the ranch, of course.

So, we're building a house in a beautiful spot on the property. Mark took our dogs and spent six weeks there paving the way for the move. Donald bought a gorgeous RV that will be our home on the ranch as he and Mark supervise the building of our house. 

In the meantime, besides both of us working, my best friend, Debi, came to help me pack up the house. It's a 2,800-square-foot house, and we've been living in California for 37 years. So just imaging all the STUFF we've accumulated. I've become the Queen of "Throw that Sh*t out!" The new house will be  a bit smaller, sooo... the motto is... if we haven't used it in a year, toss it.

 Here's our empty den. Just need the TV. It used to be filled with art work, books, and the like. 

And, then boxes are stacked everywhere!

I have to admit. It's been difficult for me. Hard to let go of all the things that make up my past. The house, various possessions, friends, my wonderful trainer for Okido and me, and the way life was here. But not letting go of the past and the way things have always been is dangerous. It creates stress and forces us to not be open to what's in the future and how things can change, even for the better.

So, when I am on 27-acres in Texas, imagine this. Every morning I will walk with my daughter and our combined five dogs over the property. There's a nice gym 15 minutes down the road, and the days I can't walk, I'll head to there. It is so peaceful and quiet. Imagine the work I can get done with my clients and on my books.

Okido will arrive shortly after Mark and I do, so he will settle in at an equestrian center with a new trainer, white fences, green pastures, and a roomy covered in-and-out stall. We'll pick up our training once he's had a chance to catch his breath.

It's our plan to build a tree-house office in the cedar grove next to our new house where Stephanie and I can work and write. Not so bad, eh?

And, there's always social media to stay in touch with all my wonderful friends, whom I will never want to leave behind. Our son, grandsons, and granddaughter are still in LA, so we won't be strangers to California.

Why am I blathering on about this life change in my blog? Because I've held onto my past before, and it has slowed down my progress. Holding on to what has been is like carrying luggage, or better yet, baggage around everywhere you go. Makes things difficult and prevents you from enjoying the present and the future. 

If you are still clinging to the past, let this sink in. It's important for your psyche, your health, and your success. Think about it.

Til Next Time (from Texas),
​Carol