Only In Her Dreams by Christina McKnight (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Title: Only in Her Dreams
Series: Oneroi #1
Author: Christina McKnight
Publisher: La Loma Elite Publishing
Release Date: September 30, 2012
Buy Link: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback)

Blurb:

When Lucessa Sarcona awakes from a recurring dream, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. A stranger, familiar to her dreams, shows up in the flesh, and Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.

A war ensues between three demigod brothers.  One, trained to rule Erebos, is violently replaced. One forced to return to his homeland and lead the dream-gods of the Oneiroi. And one is charged with the impossible task of protecting Lucessa. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?

Will Lucessa’s dream man have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?

Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend--the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods.

Chapter 1 Excerpt

Lucessa stared at her bed. It was time to sleep again, but it was getting harder to succumb to it. She started to think the day would never come when she could abandon herself to sleep without the feeling of being watched. He was always there--haunting her dreams. Her dreams hadn’t been her own in such a long time. He was always there. Never talking but always watching. Intently. As if he knew her. Security, even in sleep, eluded her. She’d lost her father and her husband. Her mother was slipping away, battling a memory loss that was progressing daily. Her dreams were the only place she could remember a family, someone who cared. But he insisted on intruding. Every happy memory and every nightmare included his presence. Why did he always show up? How could she get rid of him? Lucessa tried for the millionth time to find a solution as she climbed under the covers. Who am I kidding? There was nothing she could do. He was a dream! A figment of her imagination. She sighed and resigned herself to another restless night. Lucessa was a child again. The cold, pine-scented wind tangled her hair as she descended the mountain path in front of her parents. Her family’s annual summer camping trip to Yosemite National Park was in its third day, and that meant they’d conquered Half Dome for the third year straight. Ever since her parents deemed her old and skilled enough for the challenge, they hiked it together. As a family. She looked back at her smiling parents as they held hands and strolled down the path after her. Her mother, Marie, looked casual in her jeans and the blue “Keep Lake Tahoe Blue” shirt that hugged her frame. Her father wore a San Francisco Giants baseball cap, a wisp of salt and pepper hair showing through. They looked like a couple out of the travel magazine that Lucessa had seen in her father’s study weeks ago. “Dear, watch where you’re going!” Lucessa turned back to the trail, nearly colliding with a man lounging against a tree just off the path. Dressed in a thigh-hugging pair of dark pants and a billowy tunic that had to be from at least a century ago, he pushed off the tree trunk and tipped his hat. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief in the evening twilight, letting off a faint glow. The man looked eerily recognizable. She looked back to reassure her mother that she was okay. Lucessa scanned the woods behind her. But they were gone. Only the familiar stranger remained.

Guest Post

Top 5 Signs You’re Dating a Beta Male and Why He’s a Keeper!

5. He’ll let his woman pay the tab every once in a while.
Beta males don’t always feel the need to be in complete control and they’ll willingly relinquish said control to make their woman feel empowered! Take Maxim for example, he’s new to Earth and not afraid to let Lucessa take the lead. He’s happy to eat anything, as long as Lucessa’s sitting next to him.

4. He’ll admit his mistakes and apologize.
Beta males aren’t afraid to say, ‘I was wrong and I’m sorry.’ They will then go on to correct the problem, no hang-ups. Maxim initially lied to Lucessa about his origins. When it was time, he came clean and apologized, although he wasn’t such a sissy that he tried to justify his reasons for doing and saying whatever kept Lucessa safe.

3. He doesn’t need the approval of his ‘pack’.
The typical beta male is a lone wolf, he answers to no one. Maxim may be an Oneiroi, one of many Greek demigods, but make no mistake he works best alone. His eldest brother’s approval is important but does not stop him from claiming what he wants.

2. He doesn’t bulldoze people to get his way.
Beta males aren’t scared to fight for what they want, but they also understand the consequences of their actions. Maxim knew there were many pawns in his twin brother’s bid to have Erebos. As a beta, Maxim wasn’t willing to claim any pawns of his own. In his mind a fair fight is the only way to win.

1. He’s not afraid to admit when he’s fallen in love!
Women…listen closely here! Beta males usually fall hard and fast for the women they love. Where Alpha men will try and deny their feeling, the Beta male embraces their emotions and are likely to be the first to proclaim the L-word! Maxim knew he loved Lucessa from the moment he set eyes on her. Now he has eternity to show her his love!

So, ladies…whether your beta man is in the flesh or among the pages of a good book, hold tight to him and never let him go!

Author Bio:

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. 

In college, Christina took many courses to help develop and enhance her writing skills. She completed a seventy-page dissertation on the need for community policing in American society. Now, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance. Her debut Urban Fantasy novel, Only in Her Dreams, will be released on September 1, 2012.

Christina lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, two boxers, two cats, and a Beta fish named Marmaduke.  If she’s not behind a computer screen or book, she’s busy leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She is very active in several writing groups and a local book group.

Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

Giveaway

Tell me in the comments below which of the five reasons you like the most and WHY. Make sure to leave your email! No email, no entry! Winner will win an ebook copy of Only In Her Dreams. This giveaway is international and will end October 31, 2012.