I’m so excited about this book! The great Mysti Parker and I have teamed up, and in September, we’re bringing you an exciting new series!
Wren has a dark obsession—to find her mother’s murderers before they find her. Every new singing gig brings her closer to crossing their names from her list.
When a detective shows up with a new lead, she jumps at the chance with fangs bared.
But to get the info they need, they’ll have to bust someone out of jail.
Sure. No problem.
Ashe has just been framed for high crimes against the Southern Vampire Clan—but he’s not exactly innocent either.
While waiting for his fate, a five-pointed star tattoo appears on his wrist, similar to the tattoo of a stunning platinum-haired vampire. The sudden attraction between them is undeniable. Better yet, she’s just offered to free him.
Sounds like a great deal. So what’s the catch?
Turns out, as their enemies close in, the catch could very well be their lives.
Deleted Scene from The Girl with the Red Balloon:
Kai heads back toward his room and I’m still sitting on the sofa. I don’t want to humor him. I want to be left alone. But part of me is tired of being alone. Part of me wants to follow, to listen to him. I drag myself off the sofa, leaving the quilt behind on the floor. I wrap my arms around myself and follow him down the dark hallway. He stops at his open doorframe to his room. My hands fall to my sides.
Books. Hundreds of books. They’re stacked as high as the radiator on one wall, and they serve as a bedside stand next to his bed. They’re spilled on the floor, and spilling out of shelves. They are paperback and hardback, dusty, open, new, old, all colors and all sizes, and there are so many of them. I step past him into the room, squatting by the floor to touch the top of one of the books. It’s an Isaac Asimov short story collection. My step-dad had it at home. I recognize the aliens on the cover. There’s a musical theory book, all sorts of books.
I look up at him and whisper, “Some are in English.”
“Most, actually,” he leans on the doorway, arms crossed.
“If you were ever caught—“
“The books are the least of my concerns.” He turns his hands slightly as if to show me the sun and moon inked on the backs of his hand. “Pick out a book. It’ll give you something to do other than sleep and cry.”
I want to be offended but I’m in a room full of books and I kind of want to kiss Kai right now. Not because he’s being particularly sweet or hot or cute or kind because he seems to be doing this with a laissez-faire attitude. But these are books, he’s giving me books, and given the state of his room, the piles of books around them, I suspect that he doesn’t often lend out books. It would be dangerous, I reason, my fingers running over the worn backs of the books. He couldn’t let people know that he had amassed a small library of science fiction and classics, mostly by American authors or written in English. I finally sit down on the floor and cross my legs.
I tug out a book with a black cover, and the title coming up like smoke from the base of the page. I read it aloud. “SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury. Oh man. I didn’t know he wrote anything other than FAHRENHEIT 451.”
“Ah, that’s here too, if only for the irony of keeping a book about banned books amongst banned books.” He smiles a little bit, sliding to the floor next to me and crossing his legs, his arms draped easily over his knees. “Read it. You’ll like it, I think.”
I open up the book and run my fingers over the title page. “I didn’t read much, at home. I used to, but then…I stopped reading except for school. Friends, and boyfriend, they just took up a lot of time.”
“I don’t get to read often that much.” He picks up a few books. “Between the job and friends and trying to sleep. It’s nice to just have the books, though. Here, it’s a bit of subversion too. My own rebellion.”
Thank you, Katherine, for sharing!
Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of books by me, Katherine Locke, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 333. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the red team and you’ll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!
You made it to stop number 94 of the YA Scavenger Hunt! You must be exhausted! Take a rest, grab your favorite beverage, and I’ll make this quick!
My co-written YA book with the amazing Natasha Larry, Daring the Devil, is now available! Snatch it up for only 99 cents or FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Also, my YA book The Grave Winner is FREE!
When you’re finished putting all your words together, enter the grand prize here! If you get lost, here are the rules and treasure map of participating authors.
Farah Cook is number 95. Click here to take you to her site for the next word! Good luck!
“I have had someone ask me in all seriousness if I ever met a werewolf because he “had an experience once.”
I might write some freaky things now and then, but trust me, you don’t need the paranormal in your life to experience genuine weirdness. I can’t be sure of this audience, but if you’re feeling daring, ask me sometime to link you to some of the odd news that has rolled across my social media timeline at one point or another. Never underestimate the crazy out there.” – Jess Haines
I’m a displaced New Yorker with a penchant for the silly, the obscure, and the fantastical. I’m a connoisseur of crappy horror movies and good coffee. Tampa, Florida is home for the time being. I’m currently working on the H&W Investigations urban fantasy series and the Blackhollow Academy young adult contemporary fantasy series. Find out more about my books, drop me a line, or join my mailing list at www.jesshaines.com!
Jess is the author of Smoke and Mirrors:
A girl who uses her illusions to fool the world into thinking she’s just like all the other magi.
A dragon who sees through her lies.
Together they just might survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.
Kimberly may wield ultimate cosmic power, but even a mage has to pay the rent. No one will hire her for her magic talents until she’s got the credentials, so she’s stuck in a crappy rent controlled apartment with her mother, yearning for treats she can’t afford at her part time job in a café, counting down the days until she graduates the secret Blackhollow Academy school for magi. Only then will she have the certificate she needs to land her dream job in a coven.
The problem? She needs a familiar to graduate.
As an illusionist, she doesn’t have the ability to summon or create a familiar of her own. Her only option is to convince a supernatural creature to let her bind it instead. Since having a powerful Other at her beck and call would guarantee her a place in a coven after she graduates—and legendary treasure hoards are an added bonus—she thinks binding a dragon as her familiar will solve all her problems…
Because sometimes a girl needs a dragon, not a knight.
A. Payne & N. D. Taylor are a lovely, talented writing duo, so let’s learn a little more about them, shall we?
A. Payne loves to read and has always had a fondness for creative writing. She started with poetry and moved up to short stories, before eventually writing novels with her friend Nicole. She enjoys a whole range of genres and authors from Tolkien to James Rollins, and blames her love for reading on her mother, who introduced her to the worlds of Pern and Xanth at an early age. Alisha is a former Petty Officer of the United States Navy, which is where she met her wonderful husband. They have two children and now call Virginia their home.
N.D. Taylor enjoys writing as an outlet for her creativity. She is a video gamer by nature and enjoys watching movies and reading novels by Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Scott Lynch, Tolkien and Michael Crichton among others. If it’s good, she’ll read it whether it’s suspense, thriller, fantasy, horror, or illustrated storytelling. She also enjoys the outdoors, jogging with her dog, riding horses, and going to renaissance fairs. Nick is currently working as a nurse and is the mother of two beautiful children ages eight and ten.
You can find out more about this writing pair and about their books here. Their book The Regent’s Gamble is included in the Haunted by Magic box set!
When wizard Addison Rhydderch goes out on a New Year’s Eve date, he doesn’t expect to end the night saving Manhattan from the undead. Afterward, he’s tasked with the duties of Regent – protector of the fragile balance between the mundane and supernatural realms. The job is easier said than done, even with the aid of Saraia, a half-dryad who’s as sultry as she is compassionate and strong. The attraction between them is immediate, powerful, and forbidden, but malevolent forces are threatening Saraia’s nature spirit kin.
Boundaries are tested as the new ruler and his companions are swept into a treacherous game of loyalty and betrayal. Addison’s office is hounded by the shadow of a dark magician who seemingly kills without rhyme or reason, a man who consorts with devils and always keeps one step ahead. Addison and Saraia, assisted by new allies, must face the demonic uprising while resisting the sparks flying between them.
“I was lying in my bed, waiting for sleep. My bed faced the window, and I often slept with the blinds open because I was twelve and didn’t know any better. A bright light hovered outside the window, orb-shaped and growing closer. I wasn’t scared, just…curious. I listened for a motor or something to explain the light, but there was only silence. It grew closer and closer still, soon filling the entirety of my window. I pinched myself, but I wasn’t dreaming. Then, I blacked out. About a year later, the light revisited me, and once again after that. The final time, it zipped away like a deflating helium balloon, moving much too fast to be natural. When I tell people this, they look at me with skepticism written all over their faces, but I believe something otherworldly visited me those three nights. Was I abducted? I have no idea, but the truth is out there. *cue X-Files music here*” – Lindsey R. Loucks
Lindsey R. Loucks is a former school librarian in rural Kansas. When she’s not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she’s dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she’ll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate-induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to re-energize. You can find more about Lindsey at her website.
“I was ten and it was the night of my birthday party. After the party when I entered my room, I thought I saw a pair of glowing eyes. I screamed and ran to my mother who had just put my baby sister to bed.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I think there is someone in my room,” I said.
My mother shook her head in frustration. It had been a long day of arranging for my party, catering to screaming children and then cleaning up all the mess we made. She could have just yelled at me, instead, she chose to accompany me to my room. She turned on the light.
“See, there is no one here,” she said with a smile. “You have such a wild imagination. Now go to sleep.”
Feeling much better I allowed my mother to tuck me into bed. I felt myself drift into sleep as she closed the door and turned off the light but as soon as I was alone I felt a prickle on my skin as if someone was watching me.
Too afraid to open my eyes I remained in the sleeping position hoping that whoever it was would go away. Suddenly there was a sound of rattling chains and I opened my eyes and screeched at the pair of glowing eyes staring back at me.
Lights of my room turned back on again and the eyes vanished. My mother stood there, this time looking furious and exasperated. That night I slept with my parents and the eyes never showed back again but the memory has been etched in my brain forever.” – Pamita Rao
Pamita’s book blurb:
Demons and Gods have been at war since the beginning of time. Demons want their rightful place in Heaven and the Gods will never let that happen. When every effort fails, the Demons decide to use all their powers to attack and destroy the dearest creation of the Gods–planet Earth.
After losing her parents at the age of ten, Patricia Kimwell moves from one foster home to another finally ending up being adopted by the NYPD Chief of Police Ben Garrison, who along with his son, provides her with a home she desperately needs.
Now a cop at NYPD herself, Patricia is determined to serve her country and begins taking up tough cases that challenge her at every level till the day she comes face to face with the inevitable–her destiny. She feels an energy within that she cannot understand or control. She sees demonic creatures that others are unable to see driving her into fear and self-doubt. All the chaos in her mind is put to ease by a guardian angel who is sent by the Gods to help her realize her true powers and fulfill her destiny.
She learns that she is an incarnation of an ancient warrior princess blessed by the gods with great powers to defeat Demons in their quest for total Apocalypse on earth. She is now faced with an ultimate choice–reject her destiny and doom the earth into total apocalypse or accept her true self and rise against the demons.
“When I was a teenager, a friend of mine had six brothers and sisters who all shared bedrooms. One time, I asked him why no one used one particular bedroom that sat empty. He told me that none of them liked it, and didn’t elaborate. Years later, his mother told mine that the house was haunted by the ghost of a woman. All of the kids had been able to see the ghost as children and would know when she was in the room. Over time, they all grew out of it. My friend’s mother alone could still see the ghost move about the house. And, yes, she favored one bedroom, in particular.” – J. S. Malcom
J. S. Malcom is the author of the Realm Watchers urban fantasy series, of which Autumn Winters is just the beginning. J. S. lives in Richmond, Virginia, a town full of history and ghosts (not to mention, many other supernatural creatures, including Autumn and Cassie). Learn more by visiting http://www.jsmalcom.com/
Autumn Winters has a secret that could get her killed. She just doesn’t know she’s keeping it.
Autumn Winters doesn’t realize that she’s come into her powers as a protector of the veil. All she knows is that her world suddenly looks onto another, one full of ghosts and other supernatural beings that can’t possibly exist. But another window has opened within her, bringing memories of when her sister, Cassie, also displayed magical abilities. That was just before Cassie went missing. She hasn’t been seen since.
Autumn believes there must be a connection between what’s happening to her now and what happened years ago. Determined to finally rescue her sister, Autumn sets out with the mysterious, and psychic, private investigator Ian to track down who committed her sister’s abduction, as she struggles to accept her own legacy as a veil witch and master her newfound magic. What she doesn’t realize is that, when the powers of a realm watcher awaken, there are those who’ll be waiting. Getting closer to the truth only means getting closer to danger.
Autumn Winters is the first book in a dark, thrilling urban fantasy series journeying into the place where our world converges with that of ghosts, vampires, magical creatures and other trans-dimensional intruders—a world humans were never meant to detect.
Here’s what people are saying about the Autumn Winters Realm Watchers series:
“Could not put this down! The action moved fast and the characters are so well-developed!”
“Love the way J. S. Malcolm presents the supernatural as if it is natural. Maybe it is! The author definitely makes it feel that it might be.”
“Start at the beginning and read them all. You’ll be addicted in no time!
“Every time I thought I was good and understood what was going on. Bam! A new twist.”
“I’m totally addicted to this series. It’s just so refreshing to find a character as real as Autumn.”
“This series gets more and more riveting!”
23 New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors bring you 21 novels of magic, adventure, suspense, and romance.
With over one million words of magical fiction from the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, this omnibus will provide over one hundred hours of reading, including some BRAND NEW material!
The sparks fly off these fantasy and action-driven pages, carrying you away into parts of the world you’ve only ever dreamed of!
If you want a collection packed with witches, vampires, shape shifters, faeries, aliens, ghosts, and more, then you’ve found what you’re looking for with LEGENDS OF THE DAMNED!
Pre-order today to find out where these legends will lead you, and for a special treat, enjoy this sample excerpt from one of the authors in LEGENDS OF THE DAMNED.
DAWN OF THE INFECTED by EILEEN CRUZ COLEMAN
Never Surrender. Not Now. Not Ever.
For twenty-three-year-old start-up tech company CEO Selena Martinez, it was just another uneventful early morning bus commute from her cottage in rural Southern Maryland to her office in Washington, D.C. But when her bus is suddenly attacked by a horde of crazed savages, Selena becomes immersed in a world of terror and confusion, where she must learn to survive on her own using smarts and skills she never dreamed she possessed.
Selena is a fighter, but even someone as strong-willed and determined as she needs a little help during an apocalypse. That help comes in the form of a mysterious man who seemingly appears from nowhere and saves her from certain death. Selena will soon learn that she was saved for a very special reason, and that she may, in fact, hold the answer to saving the world.
Perfect for fans of angels, witches, vampires and fae.
Dawn of the Infected is an urban fantasy prequel novella to the Hybrid Chronicles.
Enjoy this excerpt…
March 2
It’s been six months since it all began. We’re still fighting and some days I’m not sure if we’re winning or losing. I’m getting stronger and learning to use my power more and more. I can control it now and I’m teaching others like me how to control and use their powers. I’m hopeful that one day I will know what to do with what’s written inside the journal. I still don’t know who left it for me. There are many things I still don’t know. Like who I really am. In time, the answers will come, I’m sure of it. But until that day, I will continue fighting the darkness that has overtaken the earth. It wants me to lie down and die. But I won’t. Not now. Not ever. I have decided to document as much as I can so that if I do die, and someone finds this, it will help him or her continue the battle. If you find this, don’t give up, keep fighting. Never surrender.
This is how my story begins…
A spider crawls on my leg, trailing the blood that is now trickling down my thigh. I brush it off, but a second spider engorged with another passenger’s blood, climbs on my calf and speedily ascends to my thigh. I flick it off with my finger. It lands on an old woman’s bruised face and then jumps onto the floor, scurrying down the aisle as if insulted that I thought it had any interest in feasting on the dead.
I rest my head on the back door and stare at the carnage in front of me. Body parts are everywhere, scattered on the floor and seats. The scene looks like the aftermath of a detonated grenade. My stomach turns, threatening to erupt if I don’t look away. I cover my face with my hands and scream, hoping to rouse anyone who may still be alive.
I sit very still, listening for any replies, a whimper, a moan, a whisper, anything that will let me know I’m not the only one left.
I hear nothing but my own breathing, heavy and rapid.
I know I should get up and out of this catacomb bus, but I’m petrified. They could be out there hiding in the veiled light of dawn, waiting to strike me down like a lion on a zebra foal that has strayed from his mother.
I bite at my nails, grinding my teeth as if I’m chewing a hard piece of jerky. If I was religious, I’d get on my knees and pray.
I lie on my stomach and clamber underneath a seat. I’m not hurt or bitten and the blood on my leg is from an open scab, the result of a bike accident a few days ago. If only I was in the city and had ridden my bike to work today.
I rub my forehead and temples, hoping to conjure clarity about what to do next. I bring my knees to my chest and hug my shins tightly. I slow my breathing, attempting to calm my nerves long enough to give me the courage to stand and flee.
I scream again. Somebody has to be alive. I listen, my ears perked like an eavesdropper who’s suddenly heard mention of her name.
I close my eyes in defeat. It’s true. I’m the only one alive. Okay, time to accept it and make a plan. I’ll exit the bus. I won’t be afraid. I’ve never been afraid of anything.
About the author…
Eileen Cruz Coleman was born in Washington, D.C. to an immigrant El Salvadoran mother and a Puerto Rican father. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in History. Her award-winning short stories have appeared in numerous literary journals both online and in print. Before venturing into the indie world of publishing, she was represented by two New York Literary agents.
She is an optimist and believes that no matter how bad things may seem, there is always a happy ending coming around the corner. When she’s not writing, you can find her gardening, cooking, or watching movies with her family.
She is fluent in Spanish and English. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. Visit Eileen on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/eileencruzcoleman