Mugs and Honey with Siobhan Muir

Posted on July 16, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

I’m a lucky girl to have Siobhan Muir back today. She’s brought her latest release. I can’t wait for you to see the cover, so pretty. First, she’s talking about something sweet and later she has a treat. Have fun. 😀

Thank you for having me back on your blog, SJ. 🙂

That sounds like a badly written commercial for a tasty cereal, doesn’t it? Actually, mugs and honey are two staples I have on my desk to make the writing go smoothly. The mugs often have coffee or tea in them, and the honey…Well, the honey is to make everything sweeter.

I like honey for a lot of reasons – it always made peanut butter taste better, and it also provides a delicious way of building up an immunity to local plant life that loves to plague people with allergies. And it’s better than sugar to sweeten tea. Did you know honey can soothe bee stings? It has also been used to treat wounds when antibiotics weren’t in use, and it has helped mitigate factors associated with heart disease risk.

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it?

In my latest release, The Beltane Witch, the heroine Sabrina Foxglove prefers tea over coffee and she drinks it with honey. She’s into homeopathic healing and really wants to start her own herbal remedy shop for just these sorts of reasons.

Here’s the blurb:

Magic, mayhem, and motherhood… a witch’s work is never done, but Sabrina draws the line at the Fae.

After almost two decades as a practicing witch in Cloudburst, Colorado, Sabrina Foxglove is done with men, magic, and the fertility rituals of High Beltane. She’s dealt with all three before and ended up with a young daughter and no partner. Twice. She’s looking forward to a magic-free May Day, with nothing more exciting than making brownies for a kindergarten class and decorating a May Pole. She definitely doesn’t have time for a handsome, Fae-touched man.

After almost two centuries as the human chamberlain to the Fae’s Summer Court, Darius Winterbourne is a man accustomed to getting his way. So when the Summer Queen tasks him with finding a witch to perform the annual rituals and strengthen the ancient warding magicks, he figures it should be easy. He doesn’t expect Sabrina’s hardheaded refusal, her untrained abilities, or his attraction to her. With less than a week to Beltane, he must gain Sabrina’s trust before he loses his home, his position…and his heart.

I’m giving away one PDF copy of The Beltane Witch to a lucky commenter who answers the following questions:

Do you use any homeopathic remedies around your home? What do you use?

Be sure to leave your email address or Twitter handle in your comment so we can notify you if you win.

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading. 🙂

EXCERPT:

Darius dismissed it with a wave. “No matter. It’s in the past. Today has been a good day. Thank you for including me.”

Sabrina chuckled. “Well, I couldn’t exactly exclude you when I didn’t feel very well this morning. And there’s no way I could’ve chopped the wood with my head pounding.”

“Speaking of which, how are you feeling now?”

“I’m fine. I think the swelling’s gone down, too.”

“Let me see.”

He rose and stepped behind her, his hands sliding over her scalp as he searched for the lump. She hissed when he hit a tender spot and he murmured an apology, tucking her hair behind her ears. She allowed herself to enjoy the tender gesture.

“It is much reduced,” he agreed, but remained behind her with his warm hands on her shoulders. “I’m relieved you’re all right.”

“Me, too.” Sabrina closed her eyes as his fingers caressed her shoulder muscles. “Ooohhhh, that feels great.”

“Why are your shoulders so stiff, Sabrina?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m a single mom in a dead-end job trying to make ends meet and periodically accosted by determined men with conflicting beliefs.” She shrugged. “Just a theory, of course.”

His seductive chuckle rumbled behind her. “Oh, is that all?”

His understanding of her sarcasm startled a laugh out of her. “Yes, that’s all.”

Darius gave her one last rub then trailed his fingers over her neck and shoulder as he moved to the counter to grab the teapot. Sabrina suppressed a shiver of pleasure and tried to concentrate on the heat of her mug rather than his hands. Your focus needs focus.

“And if you could do anything, Sabrina, what would you do in your dead-end job’s stead?” He returned to the table and refilled his mug before sitting down.

“I don’t know.”

“What?” He raised his eyebrows. “Surely you have dreams and aspirations.”

“You mean in a perfect world where dreams come true and happily-ever-after exists?” Sabrina laughed derisively. “There’s no such place.”

“Come now, don’t allow bleak reality to steal your hopes.” Darius grasped one hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb. “If you could do anything, what it would be?”

Sabrina sighed and closed her eyes, trying to remember a time when she believed in dreams. Long before Tommy Two-Faces and Merrilee Fuckstwice.

“I’ve always wanted to have an herb garden where I grow my own herbs and brew my own oils, creams, and poultices.” She pictured the whole set up in her mind. “I’d set up a shop where I could offer Cloudburst some homeopathic remedies for health and beauty using home-grown ingredients.” She bit her lip and opened her eyes. “I know it sounds hokey, but I’ve always wanted to do it on a larger scale than just for my kids.”

Darius grunted with thoughtful appreciation.

“Where would you choose to have this shop? In town?” He sipped his tea, hiding his expression.

“No, there isn’t any space for rent and I couldn’t afford it anyway.”

“Do you have another place in mind?”

She wished she could judge his thoughts, but he gave nothing away and she hoped he wouldn’t laugh at her outright. Sabrina rubbed the handle of her mug.

“There’s this old abandoned gold mine on Oro Creek two miles up our road from here. It’s got an old mill with a working waterwheel right on the creek.” She squirmed in her chair and refused to meet his too discerning eyes. “The bones of the structure are still sound and clearing there has great energy. My girls and I go up there every summer to pick wildflowers and herbs.”

“What’s stopping you from doing this?”

Sabrina snorted. “You mean other than not having the money to renovate, much less purchase the property?”

BUY LINKS

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329349

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thebeltanewitch-1225059-340.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beltane-Witch-Cloudburst-Colorado-ebook/dp/B00DL4INB0/ref=sr_1_1

BIO:

Siobhan Muir lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he’s never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good.

In previous lives, Siobhan has been an actor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a field geologist in the Aleutian Islands, and restored inter-planetary imagery at the USGS. She’s hiked to the top of Mount St. Helens and to the bottom of Meteor Crater.

Siobhan writes kick-ass adventure with hot sex for men and women to enjoy. She believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.

SIOBHAN’S LINKS

Website: http://siobhanmuir.com

Blog: http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/siobhan.muir.35

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SiobhanMuir

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5760938.Siobhan_Muir

Google Plus: http://plus.google.com/u/0/118081545120488658410/posts

@SiobhanMuir

Spotlight: A Hell Hound’s Fire by Siobhan Muir

Posted on April 5, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

A Hell Hound’s Fire

by Siobhan Muir

Published: April 01, 2013
Words: 17,609 (approximate)
Genre: Paranormal Romance

I fell for this book as Siobhan shared a snippet at a time on Sundays. I’m excited it’s finally out and did I mention this is a free read. Oh yeah. The blurb, excerpt, and all the details on Siobhan are below, along with the download link. Enjoy.

BLURB:

Love can be found in the most unlikely places, even the heart of a Hell Hound.

Alex MacLaren figures he’ll never find love again after his mate dies. As one of the rare Hell Hound werewolves, his chances are slim to none. And slim went home. When the local Morukai shaman calls on him to protect a lovely Irish werewolf and her young son from demons, he can’t help but take the job.

Sarah Flanagan is desperate to save her son Liam from the deadly monster trailing them, but she’s out of options and places to hide. She lost her mate the last time she encountered a demon, and with Liam depending on her, the stakes are far higher this time. After meeting Alex, she’s not sure about the Hell Hound, but she’s no fool. He’s their best hope for survival… and hers for another chance at love.

EXCERPT:

Sarah jerked her head around so fast she heard her neck pop. The man’s rich, rumbling voice offered comfort in ways she’d never experienced before. She inhaled to get more of an understanding of the salt-and-pepper haired man standing in the doorway. He carried the scents of alpine river and hot stone, but more importantly, he smelled like a Moon Singer.

Don’t be fooled, gel. The demon can pull off such trickery.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Alex MacLaren. Lt. Fitzroy called me to take you somewhere safe.”

She sighed. “Thank you, but I don’t think there’s anywhere safe from what’s following us.”

“Fitzroy says running water helps throw off the scents. I happen to own a house surrounded by the river. What say we get you there and then figure out an additional plan of action?”

“Are you west of left field, Mr. MacLaren?” The Moon Singer code popped out before she thought.

He gave her a half smile. “I haven’t heard that phrase in a long time. But, yes, ma’am, I surely am west of left field.”

Sarah hadn’t known she’d been holding her breath until it rushed out in a relieved sigh. More relief than required over his not being the demon. What’s that about?

“Do you think we’d be safe from…what’s coming?”

“Let’s talk about it on the way. The fewer people who know, the less likely someone might tip off your pursuer.”

Sarah wanted to ask more questions, but a sense of urgency made her rise and pull Liam up with her. Her son watched Alex with wide, blue eyes, clutching the book.

“Mama, can we bring the book with us?”

“It doesn’t belong to us, Liam.”

“Bring it. Fitzroy won’t mind. He keeps books just for that reason. We’ll just go out the back to my Jeep.” Alex gestured to the door. No one stood in the hallway outside and Sarah scented Alex’s relief.

He ushered them out to a cherry red Jeep Rubicon and helped them inside. He buckled Liam in directly behind him as if to protect the boy with his own body. The inside of the Jeep smelled like Alex. His strength, comfort, and power wrapped around them as he closed the doors. Old sorrow spiced the other scents and Sarah wondered what wounds he carried.

“I’m taking you to the River House. I don’t go there very much anymore, so most people in town won’t know about it.” Alex scanned the world outside the windows with careful eyes as he drove. “It may be a little dusty, but it’s quiet and safe.”

“Why don’t you go there much?” Liam asked.

Sarah hissed a warning and the boy frowned.

“My mate and I built it for relaxation. After she left, it just didn’t feel the same.”

“I’m sorry about your mate.” Sarah smelled his pain as he shrugged nonchalantly.

“It happened a long time ago.” Alex checked his mirrors and made a turn up a dirt road. “Let’s talk about what’s going on with you. Fitzroy told me you have a demon after you. Want to tell me how that happened?”

Sarah clenched her jaw and looked at her son. She hated revisiting the memories, but she’d come to the Morukai and he’d brought Alex in to help. Knowledge is power and I can’t do this alone anymore.

“Six years ago, demons attacked our village.” Alex raised his eyebrows and Sarah shrugged, pushing away fresh grief. “We’d just learned of my pregnancy and had gone out to celebrate. They killed my mate, Malcolm, and left me for dead.” She rubbed the ragged scar along her thigh under her jeans. “They killed so many people. If we’d stayed home, we might have escaped.”

Alex whistled with amazement. “They bit you?”

She nodded. “Bit, scratched. They left my body a bloody mess.”

“How did you survive the venom?”

“I don’t know. Sheer dumb luck? I wish I could explain.” She glanced at Liam. He met her gaze with love and trust.

“Why would the demons pursue you now?” Alex downshifted and slowed the Jeep, sparing her a thoughtful look.

Sarah sighed and clenched her fists on her legs. “They’re after Liam.” Alex only raised an eyebrow. “He must have incorporated some of the venom during his development because now he can smell and sense when demons are around. He has saved us from them many times.”

Alex’s expression softened. “That’s a mighty useful skill to have, Liam.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You can call me Alex.” He smiled. “What do they smell like to you?”

Liam didn’t say anything for a long time and the seconds ticked by with the growl of the engine. Sarah tried to forget the putrid demonic stench, but it festered inside her, engraved in her scent memory. At last, Liam glanced at her as if seeking permission and she nodded.

“They smell like rotten eggs and really hot rock.” He paused and hugged himself. “A little like you.”

BUY LINK:

Free ~~> Smashwords <~~ Free

BIO:

Siobhan’s upcoming release, Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin, is from Siren Publishing, and she has published Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack through Siren, and Her Devoted Vampire through Evernight Publishing.

Where you can find Siobhan

@SiobhanMuir