Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Talisman by Colleen Charles @booksbycolleen @GoddessFish

Talisman

by Colleen Charles

GENRE: Sweet Paranormal Romance

BLURB:

Just one kiss to break the spell...

That's all she needs.

Cursed by a jealous witch, Penelope DeLacroix's spells are all going wrong and backfiring, creating havoc in town. The vengeful witch won't quit until she has all of Penelope's powers. And all it will take is one perfect, heartfelt kiss from Penelope's one true love to put an end to all this turmoil.

The only problem? Penelope has no idea that Dr. Lucas Collier, the compassionate local veterinarian, is in love with her. Nor does he know that she's in love with him. They're both too stupid to figure it out.

But I know.

And I have to do something about it.

But what can I do?

I'm only her cat.

What?

Every witch has a cat.

I'm hers.

I'm Talisman.

And I'm going to fix this.

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EXCERPT:

I trotted around the house as fast as I could and rang the doorbell before I realized I had forgotten an extremely important fact.  The most important fact of all.  When one morphs in to human form and they aren’t wearing any clothes, then they aren’t wearing any clothes.  That’s right folks.  Standing buck naked at the front door with Penelope three feet from swinging the door open and Amelia hot on her heels.  I was just going to have to go with it.  Just as Penelope flipped the dead bolt, I noticed the American flag flying proudly on the front porch. 

George Washington and all our founding fathers, please forgive a desperate cat for what he’s about to do.

I ripped the flag down and off its wooden pole just in time to wrap it around my waste so Penelope wouldn’t see my, er … assets.  I’d seen them before and they were spectacular.  Poor Dr. Luke couldn’t possibly be as well-endowed as I was.  It had to be at least five inches.

“Ami,” she said as she swung the door wide.  “There’s a present on the doorstep and it’s not even Christmas.”

Ami skidded up behind her and then peered at me through the space between Pen’s arm and rib cage.

“Hmm …,” she said as her brown eyes got as wide as saucers.  “It’s a great present and its wrapping is so unique, so … patriotic.”

Pen motioned for me to step over the threshold and in to the foyer as she spoke, “I think it’s time I know your name, mystery man.  Also, what do you want with me and why do you keep appearing at the strangest times.  Almost like you know when I need you.”

Shoot.  I didn’t have an answer to that question.  Because, I didn’t have an answer to anything.  I blew by both of them, not only because I didn’t have the gift of speech to make small talk but because I was on a time constraint. I’d already wasted five minutes getting clad in my USA team gear and using the front door. 

As I trotted in to the living room and picked up the book of love spells, I hitched the flag up around my flanks and made sure it was secure.  I didn’t want to flash them a glimpse of my perfectly round behind.  That view would ruin Penelope for anyone else.

I opened the book and slapped it down on the engraved coffee table.  The one that Pen adored because it had been handed down for generations.  Her grandma had just presented it to her for her twenty-fifth birthday.  As I shuffled through the pages to find the one I wanted, the one at the beginning, Ami reached me and peered around me.

I pointed, hard until my finger was white from the effort of pressing against the page.  She read it over a few times and then looked at me in confusion.

“Hot guy,” she said.  “I have no idea what you’re trying to tell me.”

Author Interview:

What inspired you to write Talisman?

I love cats and their quirky personalities. I thought it would be fun to write with a cat as narrator and this one is modeled after my own Ragdoll, Bingham. He’s a wise cracking smart-ass and this book is the most like me in personality and voice. It’s Colleen Charles on the page. I was so excited when I hit #1 and we stayed there for almost thirty days with this book!

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I still don’t want to be a writer. Just kidding. I have a degree in English and always wanted to be the editor. I still do editing for fun and editing my own manuscripts is my favorite part of the process. I fell into being an author.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

It’s a great story. I love reading and I’m voracious. My grandpa would read to me from the moment I could speak. I kept making him read the same books over and over and if he tried to skip even one word, I’d call him out!

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I’m a romance junkie but I also love self-improvement.

What is your favorite book?

Pride & Prejudice

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

Per above, my favorite author is Jane Austen. The way that woman uses words is a thing of beauty. I can quote her and often do to the annoyance of my mom.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

I would go to England in the Regency period. I love historical romance most of all.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

Some days, it’s easy. When I get lucky enough to have those days, I write until I can’t write anymore. I can write 10,000 words in a day if I’m inspired. On days when I’m not inspired, I don’t write. I have to have the creative juices flowing.

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Nigel and Ashby. I have two Ragdoll cats, Bingham and Finley. I have three Arabian horses, Sophie, Mac and Bic. I’ve shown horses on the National level for 33 years.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

Cheesecake but I don’t eat sugar or wheat so I’m always crabby :). I treat myself on my birthday.

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

It’s really hard work so don’t chase the dream unless you’re really passionate about it. Otherwise, you will lose steam. Like any business, it’s peppered with highs and lows. I’m always open to helping other authors and I answer every communication personally. Readers can sign up for my newsletter at www.colleencharles.com/free and learn how to get in touch with me via e-mail.

AUTHOR BIO:

Colleen Charles is the pen name of Tami Stark, #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon.

After 26 years in Corporate leadership at a Fortune 500, I discovered people within the organization lacked integrity. I'd always known deep in my soul that I was trying to fit a square peg in to a round hole since I'm the typical creative type. I miss my staff but I don't miss the corporate world. It's been said that the Universe will let you know if something isn't right for you. The first time, it will hit you with a pebble. Then a brick. Then a boulder. Let's just say that I got flattened. When my fifteen pound toy dog, Nigel, was threatened, I knew it was time to say goodbye.


It's sad but true.

Here's what I found within the first thirty days of being free. Writing stories from my heart that readers love means more to me than working myself in to an early grave for people who only care about their bottom line.


My heart has never been more full and my soul has never been more satisfied.

I've never worked so hard in my life but it doesn't even feel like work. It's worth it. All of it. Because it's about the joy that's found within the journey. The highs and the lows because I get to write stories for all of you.


Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, enjoying and recommending the stories that I write. When you share my work with others, nothing is more rewarding. Your word of mouth is my very best friend ... that, and your reviews. There is nothing more important to me than all of you.


I love to hear from my readers and answer all communications personally. You can find me at:

http://www.colleencharles.com/free  - VALUABLE STARTER PACKAGE for new subscribers

Facebook ~ Twitter

Giveaway:

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