The Write Reads Blog Tour Spotlight ~ The First Sin by Cheyenne Brammah

In the sweeping expanse of the Årdrakin Empire, the people fight and die for honor as elite warriors of the galaxy. But long ago, a prophecy was spoken that presaged the apocalypse. Everyone knows and fears the truth: one day, the empire will fall.

Tårik is a guard for small, independent Clan Tsinna. Instead of pondering the end of his civilization, Tårik’s greatest concern is maintaining his honor while escorting a group of impertinent dignitaries across the treacherous Barren Gale. When the Mother Goddess speaks a passage from the prophecy to him, he has the good sense to be frightened, but he doesn’t heed the significance of Her visit.

Then disaster strikes, and Tårik is branded as an exile, leaving him with no home, no honor, and no future. Forced into a desperate struggle for survival, all Tårik can focus on is living just one more day until luck—or maybe fate—gives him the opportunity to join a new clan. But even this is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and it takes him to an inhospitable world far from the empire where survival seems all but impossible.

Faced with new challenges, including trying to navigate first contact with the low-tech locals, Tårik believes the prophecy can’t reach him. Yet it continues to loom, signaling that his fate and the fate of the empire are irrevocably entwined.

This is a dark, spicy, adult science fantasy set in a world that includes war, violence, and other mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. Reading guidance can be found at the beginning of the book or on the author's website.

Charity Anthology ~ Shades of Pink Volume Two

*Book source ~ A review teaser was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Of the 22 short stories in this wonderful anthology I have read the first five. And if these five are any indication then the rest of them are going to be delightful! I would offer to pick my favorite of the five, but I'm not sure I can. Maybe...just maybe, Pure Rose edges the others out by a sliver of tourmaline, but don't quote me on that.

1. SEAL It in The Past ~ Natasza Waters (Military Romance – sexy)
2. Pure Rose ~ Vivien Dean (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
3. No Crayons On The Frontline ~ Kallysten (Epistolary Romance – sweet)
4. Paint It Pink ~ C. Deanne Rowe (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
5. Tattooed Hearts ~ JJ and TA Ellis (Military Romance – sexy)
6. The Right Decision ~ Cynthia Sax (Contemporary Romance – sexy)
7. A Study in Pink Anteaters ~ Angela Yseult (YA Romance – sweet)
8. Blood Lost ~ DJ Shaw (Paranormal Romance – sweet)
9. The Gesture ~ Sabrina Garie (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
10. Faith and Trust ~ Catherine Bowman (Shifter/BDSM Romance – spicy)
11. The Long Road Home ~ Nina Day Gerard (Contemporary Romance – sexy)
12. The Broken Highlander ~ Laura Hunsaker (Highlander/Vampire – sweet)
13. Blush ~ T. Hammond (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
14. Touch Me ~ Zoe York (Contemporary Romance – sexy)
15. The Pink Bookmark ~ Gill Taber (Contemporary Romance – sexy)
16. The Wordsmith ~ Deelylah Mullin (BDSM Romance – spicy)
17. Imperfectly Pure ~ Ashley Suzanne (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
18. Plucked ~ Alice Stark (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
19. Brekkah ~ Alicia J. Love (YA Sci-Fi – sweet)
20. A Country Christmas ~ Mitzi Calderone (Contemporary Romance – sweet)
21. Flying Free ~ Susan Harris (Shifter Romance – sexy)

22. Gabriel’s Rose ~ Amara Lebel (BDSM Romance - spicy) 

Shades of Pink Charity Anthology

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, the first Shades of Pink event raised over $10.000 through more than 1300 donations!

For our second year, 22 authors have allied for 1 cause: fundraising for research. Their gift to everyone who makes a donation? A romance anthology (ebook) titled Shades of Pink (volume 2), totaling almost 150.000 words / about 400 pages as a PDF.

The suggested donation is $5. Funds are raised via Stayclassy.org and all proceeds go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Readers can also donate to the charity organization of their choice (with a focus on breast cancer) and email their receipt to receive their copy of the anthology in either PDF, ePub or mobi (kindle).

Who: Catherine Bowman, Mitzi Calderone, Vivien Dean, JJ and TA Ellis, Sabrina Garie, Nina Day Gerard, T. Hammond, Susan Harris, Laura Hunsaker, Kallysten, Amara Lebel, Alicia J. Love, Deelylah Mullin, C. Deanne Rowe, Cynthia Sax, DJ Shaw, Alice Stark, Ashley Suzanne, Gill Taber, Natasza Waters, Zoe York, Angela Yseult

When: Now through November 15th.

What: 22 short stories, including…

·      4 paranormal, 1 sci-fi, 11 contemporary, 1 historical, 2 military, 3 BDSM, 2 YA (some stories have more than one genre)

·      3 spicy (ménage or kink), 7 sexy (explicit sex scenes), 12 sweet (no sex)

·      A couple of vampires, about three dozen humans including soldiers, geeks, teachers, librarians, writers, survivors, bosses, rock stars, teens, mages, wives, husbands and fiancés, 1 succubus, 1 genie, a few aliens, some werewolves and other shifters.

·      Pink, pink and more pink, including tattoos, plenty of flowers, precious stones, jewelry, a bookmark, a drawing, ropes, lingerie, a car, a bag, a vase, various clothes, an anteater and a squirrel.

Where: Kallysten’s blog

Here you’ll find links to teasers for the stories, interviews of the authors and blog posts during all of October, a FAQ, and of course the link where you can donate and help this worthy cause.