Shadow Island, Goodreads Book Giveaway

New from Carrie Olguin and KeriOkie Entertainment, Book One of the Urban Fantasy/Romance - "Shadow Island, The Nuhu Saga"

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Shadow Island, Nuhu Saga Book One

by Carrie Olguin

Giveaway ends June 04, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Back of the Book:

Available in ebook or print on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JTHOBC

Brent Cambers’ life is good. Finally free of his forced tenure as a Man in Black, he’s starting a new position with The Agency whose mission is to identify the members of The Group, steal the designs for their advanced technologies and uncover their long-term plans.

• His job description: deep undercover ops, license to kill, no partner, no rules, and a lucrative paycheck.
• His target: a suspected Group operative, the elusive Emily Shadow.
• His assignment: locate her and establish a long-term relationship.

The intelligent and sensual Emily Shadow can actually see the energy parasites feasting on people’s emotional energy, knows how to defeat the necrozontos, and owns technically advanced toys. The woman definitely hides deep, dark secrets. She’s unique enough to suggest that one of her parents evolved on a different planet.
Claiming she’s a pro-victim, freelance adventurer, she plans to infiltrate a secret island facility, where the lab rats are human and the researchers are not. Once there, they will capture the non-humans, rescue the lab rats, and destroy the facility.
Sounds like his type of fun.
But can he trust the woman to watch his back?
Or does she have a secret agenda?
Precisely who, or what, is Emily Shadow?

Excerpt:

The man approached Emily. “I hate eating alone in restaurants. May I join you?”

His rumbling tenor stroked her skin. Inwardly, she hummed approval for the melody while admiring his eyes, like deep and warm tropical seas, the surfaces sparkled, the depths burst with life.

He was a rare human specimen, a biological work of art. She should scare him away for his own safety. But Curiosity ruled her base code. And whined like a pup yearning for more of this special treat.

Without waiting for her reply, he slipped into the seat opposite her. She glanced at the front door for Mike who had not yet arrived. Well, she could give this pretty man a few moments.

He extended a hand. “Brent Cambers.”

When she gripped it, prepared to provide him with one of her insignificant aliases, his touch blasted through her, which halted the noise in her head, along with all thought and breath. The silence was bliss. Dormant sub-routines launched and merged into the suspended queue. When her mind ground forward, screams filled her head again. She turned up the masking noises.

Who was this Key? Her wonder queue filled with questions that had no answers. Fear skittered into her mind, tail between its legs, whimpering, tugging on her to flee.

Her grip snapped around his hand like a mouse trap. “Emily Shadow,” tumbled from her mouth. Why had she given him that name? What code had he spawned? She released his hand thankful she hadn't felt or heard any of his bones snap thereby giving away her superior strength.

He pulled his hand away, slipping it under the table, probably to shake off the sting he'd feel for a week. “I don’t usually eat this late. What about you? No weenies at home?”

Oh, of course, he meant a penis, attached to a man, at home, waiting for her. How very male. “Not suitable for consumption.” None of them were, except maybe this one. Fear yowled. She dismissed the thought, which must have come from one of the awakened sub-routines. She swallowed uncertainty.

Like a reward for answering his question, tingles danced on her skin. Emily cocked her head, paying Fear no attention, giving it no reward. This man affected her as no human or non-human ever had. Curiosity chased its tail. After completing her mission tonight, she would unlock this puzzle-box. “Are you seeking excitement?”

Brent shook his head. “I’d prefer witty conversation.”

She leaned forward, chin in hands. “Sorry. Don’t have the time.”

Before he could reply, the front door burst open. A sandy-haired man shuffled in, agitated and breathing hard. A brown shirt clothed the young man’s chest under a bulky olive jacket. He looked like one of the homeless with his grimy exterior.

A massive, black daemon shrouded him, feeding off his paranoia. It raised an ugly dragon-like head and snapped inky teeth.

Tipping his dark sunglasses down his nose, revealing a scar down the left side of his face – the identification she’d waited for – Mike surveyed the restaurant interior. Per the plan, he recognized her by her photographer's vest. He caught Emily’s gaze, nodded, and then sat in a booth near the front.

“Nice to meet you, Brent. Excuse me.” After walking away, Emily sat across from Mike and his daemon.

* * *

Softly, Brent cursed. His physical appearance usually guaranteed a woman’s phone number, even if hastily scribbled on a napkin. At least he’d obtained a name. What little was known about Emily Shadow proved she was an illusive target. With a name, could he track down a birth certificate or driver's license? Definitely not if she was a member of the elusive Group. Shadow? No doubt, the woman gave him an alias.

In this digital age, every citizen left behind footprints. But not her, except for a blurry, black and white photo, and an anonymous tip about where she’d be tonight.

Her deep green eyes had probed him with aloof cunning. Shoulder length hair of ebony, with several broad streaks of mahogany, framed her oval face. Dressed like a tourist, she wore an ivory, multi-pocketed vest. The lapels swelled over her generous breasts, a white scooped-neckline shirt revealed the dark hollow between and hugged her slim waist. Relaxed blue denim covered her heavenly hips and ripe rump.

She wore white running shoes but moved as if she wore spiked heels. He savored the view of her walking away from him – not a good sign this early in their yet to be established relationship. After he got everything he came for, then he could savor the inevitable parting.

If she slipped away from him tonight, she would again become a shadow lost in the dark of night. This was his chance to make permanent contact. Who was she meeting and why? Though she’d resisted his flirtation, and dismissed him without looking back, she’d unwittingly left him an opening.

Brent strode to the pair and tapped Emily on the shoulder. “I am seeking excitement tonight.” Using his darling dimples and baby blues, he oozed the charm he’d perfected. This particular look put men at ease and made women swoon.

The brief instructions in the file had been clear: establish a long-term relationship, observe, and report. All relationships began somewhere before evolving. He offered a hand to the blond man and added a soothing lie. “I’m her brother, Brent.”

After a brief and weak handshake, the young man shifted in his seat and white-knuckle gripped the table edge. His wild-eyed glare landed on Emily. “Is he okay?”

She didn’t swoon. Her emerald gaze pointed at Brent like two barrels of a loaded shotgun. “If he’s not, I’ll kill him.”

She might be bluffing.

The woman had perfected stealthy living. A public scene would attract unwanted attention. Brent hip-pushed Emily deeper into the booth and sat next to her. Her warm thigh pressed against his. The contact zinged a pulse of desire to his prick. He forced the smile to remain. Brothers shouldn’t lust for their sisters.

She put an inch of space between them. Turning her head, she sniffed him. Was she offended by the hotel’s soap selection?

The young man squinted and his eyes darted between them. “You don’t look related.”

“Different parents,” Emily quipped. “Mike, we don’t have much time. Please continue.”

The sandy-haired man took a deep breath. “I brought these as proof.” Mike removed the sunglasses and slid them across the table to Emily. “I took them from a man they sent to kill me. He’s in the trunk of my stolen car.”

Emily donned the glasses and stared straight ahead for several quiet seconds. “Finish your story.” She placed the black frames on the table.

Brent grabbed the Ray Bans, like the Men in Black wore. Nice guys. Who took their jobs way too seriously. One of the many reasons he’d quit their team. He wore the spectacles and closed his eyes. Silent streaming color video appeared in his mind, which properly tuned would allow him to take a nap and watch TV at the same time. Yep, standard MIB issue.

The Mythical Hymen Revealed

As a romance author, I read romance novels, with a particular fondness for the historical sub-genre. But one of those roll-my-eyes moments is when the Hero breaches the mythical maidenhead in a mythical way. 

Correct location of the hymen:

• At the entrance to the vagina, between the labia minora. You can see it with a mirror by parting the labia majora.
• It is not located deep inside or near the cervix. If anything way up there rips and bleeds during sex, please see your doctor immediately!

Shape of the *mature* hymen:

• The most common shape is a crescent located toward the anus, and not a complete barrier across the opening. It is not like the seal over a new aspirin bottle!
• Even if the membrane covers the entire opening, there are one or more irregular shaped holes for menstrual drainage.
• Some women are born without a hymen - about .03%.
• On rarer occasions, the hymen is a solid barrier without these necessary perforations and may require minor surgery to create them.

For those interested in illustrations of normal and rare hymen shapes, visit Healthy Strokes:
http://www.healthystrokes.com/hymengallery.html

Changes with age:

• From infancy through up to ages two to four, the hymen is thick, pale pink and redundant (sleeve-like, folding over on itself and my protrude).
• Once a girl reaches puberty, the membrane becomes thin, smooth, nearly translucent and elastic (about the thickness of plastic wrap) and can be sensitive to the touch.

Strength of a woman's hymen:

• Varies depending upon the thickness and elasticity of this piece of female anatomy. Some women are born with durable hymens that remain even until childbirth. After childbirth, small pieces of the hymen can still remain attached.
• Yes, though extremely rare, a "virginal" birth is possible -- if people equate purity with the presence of a hymen.
• The membrane can be eroded (stretched, damaged, or torn) by normal daily activities such as running, walking, horseback riding (astride), bike riding, wiping deeply, and tampon use. In an historical context, this might help explain why a noble woman's accomplishments were sedentary (thighs-together type activities) and why they rode sidesaddle.
• Masturbation, finger or tongue penetration can also stretch or damage the membrane.

When the fictional Hero assures he can provide the Heroine pleasure without damaging her maidenhead, then he inserts his tongue or a finger or two, he's either ignorant or he's lying.

First penetration bloodletting:

For tips on how to avoid the first time pain and bleeding, visit:
http://www.vaginismus-awareness-network.org/hymen.html

• Historically, virginal bloodletting was proof of a woman's worthiness as a wife and the marriage bed sheet was put on display.
• Today, 43% of woman report they did not experience bleeding their first time.
• There aren't any reliable historical statistics that I could find. But considering that in many cultures this ritual sheet stain could mean life or death for the woman (if she didn't prove to be untouched, she could be cast out, disowned, sold as a slave, or killed), I suspect very close to 100% of the "virginal" brides found a way to bleed on their wedding night.

Did historical mothers pass along secret tips to their daughters to make certain she produced the required sheet stain to save her life?

Did a virginal bride secretly cut herself or have a small container nearby in case if she didn't bleed the required way?

Did she inserted a small device (like a piece of saturated sponge) for her new husband to breach? Is this where the myth of the deep maidenhead came from?

I wonder… Further research is required unless someone out there knows a few sources.

I know women don't want too much reality in their fantasy, but we should at least understand female anatomy. My favorite authors "write this wrong" including Moning and Boyle! But I forgive them.

I'll keep you posted

Dreamsayer Print Book Giveaway on Goodreads

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dreamsayer

by Carrie Olguin

Giveaway ends January 14, 2012.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Dreamsayer - Released Today!

Available on Amazon, "Dreamsayer" The Five Worlds series. "On the Five Worlds, Jewel and Wolfe fight for love and survival as pawns in a political game."
"In protected isolation in a castle on planet Damal, Jewel dreamed her own ending with the same gift she uses to save the lives of the people of the Five Worlds. With a choice between  burning or continuing in desperate loneliness, she chooses to burn.

Married when she was five, to form a political alliance, she was widowed before the Unification at age fourteen. Five years later and she's destined to live her 300 year lifespan as the pure and chaste Dreamsayer. No other living man is deemed suitable as her mate.

Wolfe, born of Jorandal heritage on the planet Majien, has the tiger stripes and eyes of a forest hunter. He sees Jewel crying in solitude and decides he must save her. Make her his own. He has the right. She's his wife. Everyone thinks he is dead.

He steals her away from her castle prison without telling her who he is. They must hide from the powerful forces that tried to kill him before their Unification. Those same unknown persons seek to use Jewel's gift for their own political gain.

War is brewing between the Five Worlds. Can the Dreamsayer stop the conflict in time?"

Heat rating 2, 58K words

Available here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JPNE8A

The Ultimate Alpha Female

When the Alpha Female meets her Alpha Male, the sparks fly. In fiction, she is the kick-ass female, the one who gets things done.

Alpha Females exist in real life, but historically society has forced women to hide their Alpha tendencies. All women have some alpha female characteristics, but not all and not to the extreme.

The Alpha Female is physically different. For most women, the ring and index fingers will be the same length. On about 10% of women – those exposed to higher levels of testosterone during pre-natal development – have longer ring fingers. Although heterosexual, the brains of these women are neurologically wired to think like men – but they do so with feminine flare.

How is she different from the other women?

• Task focused. Single minded.
• Athletic, more physical than other women.
• She is determined, bold, and a competitive high achiever.
• Career is part of their identity.
• Does not want to be tied down to family. She is not primarily interested in children and may not want children.
• Higher sexual libido. Can enjoy one-night-stands with no regrets.
• Emotionally self sufficient.
• More aggressive. Actively pursues power and status. A risk taker.
• Enjoys recognition but doesn’t need approval from peers.
• Gets straight to the point without social chat (a trait expected in Alpha Males, but makes the Alpha female seem rude, abrupt, aggressive, arrogant, a bitch).
• Closer relationship to father than mother.
• Tend to be left handed.
• Fiercely independent – not looking for a man to take care of her, she takes care of herself.
• She may outright reject social conventions like marriage, religion, and government.

Traits She Shares with Alpha Males

• Self-confidence - comfortable in her skin, loves her body, takes car of herself, works out and eats right.
• Always dresses to impress. She is properly groomed, clean and smells sexy.
• Doesn't spend time in front of a mirror. Not vain. Knows she looks good.
• Her eyes speak for her. If she wants you to know what she is thinking or feeling, she will show with her eyes - but also won’t hesitate to tell you in words.
• She leads and expects everyone to follow.
• She doesn't care what people think of her.
• Gives her opinions - doesn't wait to be asked.
• Intelligent, well informed, resourceful.
• Not afraid of the unexpected or unknown - she knows she can handle any situation. Fights for what is hers.
• Honor, integrity, and loyalty - demands the same qualities in those she considers her friends/allies.
• She's busy, has a full life, enjoys a variety of activities (many considered male), finds pleasure in everything she does.
• Recognizes others - she remembers the people she's met, laughs at their jokes, acknowledges their ideas, makes them feel important.
• Self-focused but not selfish.
• Well-developed sense of humor - laughs at herself and the rest of the world, makes others laugh.
• Sucks people into her world; she's interesting, charismatic, makes people feel comfortable and welcome.

The Protector of Pack and Home

• Tend to “run in packs” with other Alpha females.
• Fiercely protective of herself, her family and everyone she loves.
• Nature created her to lead her family and community.
• She is selective about who she invites into her private life.
• She is well prepared for her own survival and for those she loves.
• Cares about others and all her relationships. Enjoys the comfort of close friends
• Looks for the best for others.
• She won’t allow others take advantage of her or those she loves
• The leader in the workplace and in her community.
• Prevents others from trying to take advantage of her, her family and her friends. If anyone should try, the alpha female will shun them, leave them, find ways to eliminated or hurt them. She will hurt those who mess with her and her pack.

Other Alpha Female Characteristics

• Good at persuasion. She asserts herself. Can use intimidation elegantly until others agree or close their mouths.
• Charisma; charms others into getting her way and accomplishing her goals. Pleasing personality; warm, friendly, and emotionally strong. She knows how and when to move from charisma to intimidation.
• Tough and ready for whatever threats may come. Uses her personal power.
• Intelligent, blessed with wisdom. Doesn’t neglect her common-sense.
• Knows she is unique; she is sure of herself.
• Feels she deserves the best in everything.
• Strong and brave in all she does. She is fearless. Oozes self-confidence.
• Knows when to be a lady.
• She has her own style, uniquely herself and guided by her own values.
• Her ideas are most important; she’s at the top of the food chain.
• She can hold her own in the boardroom, bedroom, or on the street. She commands respect.
• She is dynamic, has presence and doesn’t blend in with the crowd. She’s charismatic and can work a room.
• She knows what she wants/feels/needs and expresses her desires.
• She’s easy-going and doesn’t throw tantrums, whine, bitch or nag. Doesn’t act like a child. She isn’t needy.
• She is comfortable with herself. She has a sense of humor and smiles and laughs, even at herself when appropriate. She enjoys life. Knows when to admit her weaknesses.
• She is a good conversationalist, not about gossip or daytime TV. She has opinions, interests and passions.
• Actively purses dreams or goals; building her own empire to rule.
• Solitude nourishes her.
• She gets what she wants, when she wants it.
• She follows her feelings and reasons for those feelings.
• She was the childhood buddy that went on adventures with boys who morphed into the vixen who gives a man adventures in the bedroom.
• Has a hint of masculinity, i.e. likes sports, sex, politics, intellectual interests.
• Revels in her femininity.

The Alpha Female and Male Relationships

• Alpha females step over non-Alpha men if they let her.
• May select men who are at her beck and call.
• She doesn't doubt she has the ability to get any man she wants.
• She draws the attention of the available men in the room.
• She isn't always the most beautiful or the one with the best personality. She is mysterious, interesting, a challenge.
• Pays close attention to the signals of males around her. Yet she knows how to put them off if she isn't interested in them.
• She will not beg for expensive gifts.
• This woman likes to have fun, especially with men.
• She wears the things that make her look pretty.
• She moves her body in ways that make men think of sex.
• She openly flirts with men.
• She may anticipate a future in which she dies alone, without a partner or children.
• She may not realize that the characteristics that bring her success in the outside world may undermine her romantic relationships.

How Men See Alpha Females

• Men find Alpha females intriguing – women tend to hate them.
• Men find them a challenge and love the thrill from the competition to gain her attention.
• Men want to capture, tame and dominate her. She knows and won’t let them.
• Chasing an alpha female is intriguing but also exhausting for most men.
• She can be seen as an Ice Queen.

The Dating Game for Alpha Females

• She dates more than one man at a time.
• She sets up the dates and will often be busy when HE asks.
• She pays for the movie tickets, to get into clubs, and for food.
• She won’t put herself in a position where she owes a man.
• Men have to use more than charm, smile, or her flowers to appeal to an alpha female; they need to be creative.

When She Finds “The One”

• Sparks fly when they meet and learn about each other. “The immovable object (him) meets the irresistible force (her).”
• They constantly fight (with great make-up sex) in their struggle to find a compromise.
• Her Alpha Male has the courage to take the lead in the relationship.
• He will NOT be someone she needs to mother.
• Her femininity makes a man feel like a man.
• He appreciates her for who she is, doesn't attempt to change her.
• She may choose to submit to his dominance (for the most part) because he allows her to be herself.

Body Language

• Smiles with her eyes and her lips.
• Radiates the goddess within.
• Enjoys her body and the way it moves.
• Stands tall, head up, shoulders back.
• Deliberate movement with grace and elegance.
• Walks with confidence, accentuates hip sway.
• Doesn't scan the room. Knows she is the center of attention.
• Maintains a comfortable stance, doesn't shift positions.
• Stance accentuates curve of the waist and/or lower back
• Hand gestures are slow, deliberate, and animated.

In fiction, Ultimate Alpha Females are often used as antagonist, blocking character or fem fatal due to their aggressive (not seen as feminine) behavior and thought patterns.

But the Alpha Female has become the heroine of choice in paranormal/fantasy stories. She is the kick-ass vampire hunter and the ardent adventurer.

Written with the correct mix of female charm, charisma, and athletic ability, the Alpha Female makes for a complex heroine, one who is as intelligent, strong, and determined enough to safe herself from the villain and earn the everlasting love of the Ultimate Alpha Male.

Characterization: Age Five Philosophy

I'm rewriting a my very first WIP, an urban fantasy, working title for the series The Nuhu Saga.

Today, I'm working on character development with The Age Five Philosophy, which helps define and set the unconsious behavior of the characters.

According to psychologists, every person makes a decision about life based on what they experienced in the first five years. This philosophy (not a conscious one), colors every decision and action a person makes.

Age 5 philosophy: “Life is a place where ______ and the way I can best fit into it is _______.”

Here are a few examples from characters in "Shadow Need" part one of the Nuhu Saga:

• Emily Shadow (Heroine) "Life is a place where powerful people make up the rules and the way I can best fit into it is to pretend to be human, watch, learn, and wait until I can take away their control."
• Brent Cambers  (Hero) “Life is a place where the people you love hurt you and the way I can best fit into it is to never love anyone.”
• Chaos (Antagonist) “Life is a place where I am the most superior being to ever exist and the way I can best fit into it is to force people to worship my greatness and punish those who refuse.”
• Mr Red (blocking character) “Life is a place where grief is the only real emotion and the way I can best fit into it is to rage against those who cause me grief.”
• Filo (sidekick) “Life is a place where I can experience exciting adventures and the way I can best fit into it is to seize the moment and live life on the edge.”

When I first started writing, I was panzer all of the way. But the more writing tools I discover, the more of a structuralist I become, especially for complex works like this one.

 I'll keep you posted.

Carrie Olguin

Dreamsayer, Cover Art

Fantastic design by Dawné Dominique for the next Five Worlds novel currently in production.

Book Blurb: (Word count aprox 57K – ebook or print, heat rating 2 of 5)

“In protected isolation in a castle on planet Damal, Jewel dreamed her own ending with the same gift she uses to save the lives of the people of the Five Worlds. With a choice between burning or continuing in desperate loneliness, she chooses to burn.

Married when she was five, to form a political alliance, she was widowed before the Unification at age fourteen. Five years later and she’s destined to live her 300 year lifespan as the pure and chaste Dreamsayer. No other living man deemed suitable as her mate.

Wolfe, born of Jorandal heritage on the planet Majien, has the tiger stripes and eyes of a forest hunter. He sees Jewel crying in solitude and decides he must save her. Make her his own. He has the right. She’s his wife. Everyone thinks he is dead.

He steals her away from her castle prison without telling her who he is. They both must hide from the powerful forces that tried to kill him before their Unification. Those same unknown persons seek to use Jewel’s gift for their own political gain.

War is brewing between the Five Worlds. Can the Dreamsayer stop the conflict in time?”

Release Date To be announced.

I'll keep you posted.