Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 8

A Bewitching Friday

A Bewitching Friday


A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


Release Day Blitz Dark Shadow of Guilt by TM Smith #Romantasy #PNR #Fantasy
https://roxannesrealm.blogspot.com/20...


Green Tips With Eli Rainwater #GreenTips #bewitchingbooktours
https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...


Release Day Blitz Dark Shadow of Guilt by TM Smith #Romantasy #PNR #Fantasy
https://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com...


Release Day Blitz ~ Dark Shadow of Guilt (Winged Assassin Series, Book One) by TM Smith #FantasyRomance #ParanormalRomance #PNR
https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/2025/...


INTERVIEW WITH ELI RAINWATER (Welcome to Jessie's) #bewitchingbooktours
https://supernaturalcentral.blogspot....


Author Interview- Haunting Joy by A.L. Hawke #SupernaturalRomance #bewitchingbooktours
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...


Release Day Blitz Dark Shadow of Guilt by TM Smith #Romantasy #PNR #Fantasy
https://www.abewitchingguidetohallowe...


Haunting Joy Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours
https://lshadowlynauthor.com/2025/04/...


Anna Koray is back with another chilling case in Bayern County. When mysterious drownings grip her small town, the detective - haunted by her serial killer father - must unravel whispers of witches, curses and revenge. But something darker waits in the water, and it’s out for blood. 🌊🩸
Book 2, The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic
Now available for PRE-ORDER! bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #thehuntersdaughter #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillebook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #annakoray


Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads

Release Day Blitz Dark Shadow of Guilt by TM Smith #Romantasy #PNR #Fantasy

Dark Shadow of GuiltWinged Assassin SeriesBook OneTM Smith
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal RomancePublisher: Evernight PublishingDate of Publication: April 18, 2025ISBN: 978-0-3695-1163-8ASIN: B0F2XZZ55KNumber of pages: 377Word Count: 96,146Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Book Description:  
Dominion, a guilt-ridden Immortal who is the black-winged assassin of the OneCreator, rescues Madeline, a mortal who has been thrust into a world she never existed knew. Kidnapped, she was brought to Angor in OneWorld and tortured. As her path intertwines with Dom’s, she grapples with her evolution and newfound gifts. 
Theirs is a tale of doubt and forgiveness, forbidden love, sacrifice, and conflict that threatens the existence of OneWorld. 
Packed with puzzling occurrences and twists and turns, this is a story that will mesmerize readers from start to finish. Amidst chaos in OneWorld, their love is put to the ultimate test against looming threats that threaten the fabric of existence.

Amazon       Apple     Smashwords      BN     Goodreads     Books2Read

Excerpt:

 

Madelinedragged a fork through her potatoes, eventually shoving a bite into her mouth.When she finished chewing, she broke off a piece of crisp bacon and popped itin, licking her lips. “I was thinking about going home, but when you came intothe kitchen, I realized how much help you need around here. You probably don’tpay enough attention to yourself. Like eating regularly. Your laundry. Cleaninghouse. I could organize stuff. Take care of your place.” She winked again. “Andyou.”

Shetilted her chin, a strand of hair feathering across her cheek as she slippedhim an irresistible smile. He followed the sweep of her tongue across her lowerlip again.

Damn.Things were taking a definite turn toward strange.

Finished,Dom pushed his plate away. He gripped the handle of his coffee mug, taking asip. Good. Brewed just right. He cleared his throat, searching for something tosay. Conversation wasn’t part of his skill set.

Madelinescooted closer, thigh to thigh, a hand caressing his shoulder, floating down toclasp his bicep. “Don’t you like having me here? I could be very convenient tohave around.”

Whenher breast brushed his arm, his heart pounded against his ribs. She was comingon to him.

Domescaped her grip and moved out of boob range. “Be careful, little female.”

Asshe leaned close, her whispery breath puffed across his ear. “I’m not solittle.”

“Uh-huh.”He swallowed hard. What the hell was she doing? She’d gone from scared todistrusting to cautious acceptance. Now this? Was this typical human behavior?

Sheinched nearer again, heat radiating off her body. He never turned down an offerfrom a female, and this one was cooking more than breakfast. But Dom wascautious. He didn’t like not knowing the game.

Madelinetilted into his chest and crushed her lips to his.

Tohell with caution.

Notabout to allow her to control the situation, Dom yanked her onto his lap, herlegs straddling him. He took over, forcing her mouth open and caressing hertongue with his. As she melted against him, his cock got with the game.

 

About the Author:
T. M. Smith is the award-winning author of the Blood Coven Series paranormal romance novels and the spin-off Blood Coven World novellas. Her current release is a new romantasy, in the Winged Assassins Series, Dark Shadow of Guilt. She draws upon her imagination to craft stories about strong women and powerful but flawed men in a richly detailed magical world. After retiring from a career as an educator, Smith settled in to write something more creative than lesson plans on split infinitives and inner-school memos on noise in the hallway. She is now living in the Pacific Northwest with vampires, demons, ylves, mages, and winged beings who keep her awake at night with their tales of love and adventure.

Website— https://www.tmsmith.net/
Facebook— https://www.facebook.com/tmsmithauthor
Instagram— https://instagram.com/tmsmith12
TikTok— http://www.tiktok.com/@tmsmifun2ju—
Newsletter sign up— http://eepurl.com/h8rQVL 
Goodreads— https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23836674.T_M_Smith

Welcome to Jessie’s by Eli Rainwater #UrbanFantasy

Howdid you come up with the title for your latest book?

To becompletely honest, titles and names are my Achille’s heel. I am the worst atthem. It took four friends and about a week of sending ideas back and forth tosettle on the name.

Doyou title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

It depends. Onthe first book, I had the title before I finished a rough outline. On thesecond, I got it halfway through. But for the third, the book was finished,laid out, and the cover done before I figured out the title.

Isthe book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someoneyou know, or events in your own life?

The heroine isbased on my lifelong best friend, and I based her “sidekick” on me. I think Idid a good job capturing our dynamic and all the ways we support each otherwhile keeping each other in check. I tried to show her loyalty, intelligence,quirkiness, and wit, and I was pleased when our friends recognized her in thecharacter.

Isthere a genre that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?

Mystery! Iloved reading my dad’s crime novels and mysteries growing up, and I have arough outline of a book I want to tackle in 2026 or 2027.

Ofall the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

LaSalle. He’sa Nain Rouge, which is a Native American and French fae related to dwarves whohails from Detroit. He is curmudgeonly, deeply loyal, and loves his neverending goblet of beer he “borrowed” from the local foe court. Everyone writescharacters who are nuanced, but he’s not. He’s exactly what you expect him tobe, and that makes him refreshing to write.

Whatbooks/authors have influenced your life?

SeananMcGuire, David Eddings, Jane Austen, Tanya Huff, James Patterson, JeffreyDeaver, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Tasha Tudor, Mary Tanner, AlexanderDumas, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, and Mercedes Lackey to name a few. I read mywhole life, and I have way too many authors and books to count that have gottenme through good times, hard times, and worked their magic on my world.

Isthere anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding timeto write while working a full time job and marketing myself. I had to learn notto put it off and that at the end of the day, writing was more important thatsocial media posts, website updates, and newsletters. If I don’t have contentfor my readers, then all of the marketing won’t keep them interested.

Doyou have any advice for other writers?

Find yourwriting style and make it work for you. You will see thousands of posts,newsletters, books, zines, everything telling you how you “should” write. Butmy way won’t necessarily work for you, and your way won’t work for the nextauthor. Are you making progress? Are you tracking continuity? Do you like whatyou wrote? Congratulations, your process works!

Whenyou’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

I am an avidTTRPG player and run and play in five campaigns. I’m always on the lookout fornew indie games! I love gardening, cooking, and knitting, although arthritis ismaking knitting harder to do these days.

Whatis next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works inprogress?

I have a newseries I want to release in late spring, and the fourth book in The Witch’sBar Chronicles will be out in late fall/early winter. I’m also working on astandalone novel I hope to release at the end of the year about a therapistturned pub owner who finds herself in the middle of a supernatural bodysnatching ring. 

Welcome to Jessie’sThe Witch’s Bar Chronicles Book OneEli Rainwater
Genre: Urban FantasyPublisher: Eli Rainwater BooksDate of Publication: August 8, 2022ISBN: 979-8-218-05342-0ASIN: B0B8YMLBRMNumber of pages: 340Word Count: 82.981
Cover Artist: Photo by Juliana Finch
Tagline: A vampire, a ghost, and a fairy walk into a bar
Book Description: 
When Jessie, one of the oldest and most powerful witches in the world, joined the Witch Council over a thousand years ago, she was embroiled in politics, saving the world, and trying to keep the supernatural world a secret from humans. 
Now supernaturals are out in the open and a tentative alliance between the fae, cryptids, humans, and witches is underway. Jessie finally gets to leave the intrigue and drama behind to own a bar in a small town north of Atlanta where the most annoying thing on her plate is making sure the vampire groupies don’t wind up as someone’s dinner. 
Then a gargoyle is killed in her bar. It‘s not just any gargoyle though– he was the secretary for the European cryptid ambassador to the Alliance. Finding herself in the center of an international– and interspecies– nightmare, Jessie has to rally her allies to stop a power-hungry cabal from starting a war and destroying life as she knows it.

Author Website       Amazon       BN      Apple      Smashwords      Kobo

Excerpt:“Noone will ever love me again. I shall die alone with naught to mourn mypassing.”

JessieMacCaverty stopped wiping down the bar top to raise an eyebrow at the chestnutcurls belonging to the adorable and devastatingly handsome yet extremelyannoying, melodramatic vampire who flounced through the door in a swirl ofearly autumn air and leaves before dramatically collapsing on a stool in frontof her. Her bartender and apprentice Caroline rolled her blue eyes before goingback to pouring beers for the amused regulars at the other end of the bar.

“Getyour head off the bar. I just wiped that spot,” Jessie tucked a long,silver-gray curl behind her ear, completely unsympathetic to her friend'splight, whatever it was this time.

Nicodemusshot up on the stool, outrage and wounded betrayal reflected in his honey goldalmond shaped eyes. The younger of two vampiric siblings, he was as beautifulin death as he had been in life as a long dead king’s military advisor andmember of a noble family.

“You!You who are supposed to be the one I hold most dear, the most treasured of mybosom companions, have you no mercy on my poor soul? My wounded heart?”

“Notwhen you start talking like the bastard child of a Hallmark card and Harlequinromance, I don't.” Jessie was extremely unimpressed-- and unsympathetic.

“Sobe it,” he huffed, slumping back down to prop his elbows on the oak bar topthat had been lovingly polished over the decades until it gleamed forever.“Take away my poet's soul. See if I care.”

Jessiebeamed. “See, isn't that better? Now, do you want a drink while you calmly andsensibly tell me what's going on without all the histrionics?”

Hescowled before relenting. “Fine. But none of those weird, fruity, sweet thingsthe kids are drinking everywhere! Those colors should never have been put intoanything consumable,” he shuddered in disgust.

“Caroline,make him a Manhattan, will you?” Jessie called over her shoulder.

“Surething, boss,” Caroline replied cheerfully, tossing her long, blonde, curlyponytail over her shoulder as she deftly flipped a martini glass over andgrabbed the bottle of rye.

Nickystudied Jessie as she settled down next to him. She was tiny. Long gray curlsframed a slightly oval shaped face, high cheekbones, and huge, piercing blueeyes. She lived for broken in jeans and obscure band or bar t-shirts that wereso soft and well worn, they were one stitch away from falling apart. Like allwitches, she stopped aging in her mid forties and was eternally in that stageof beauty when the laugh lines enhanced the late summer glow of youth.

“Now.What happened this time?” she asked, settling in for the long haul.

Heheaved a melancholy sigh that sounded like it came from his toes. She resistedthe urge to follow Caroline's eye-rolling example.

“Ithought I met the one. He was so perfect. The gargoyle of my dreams!” Jessiechoked on her tea.

“I'msorry, the what of your dreams?”

Helooked affronted. “Gargoyle! I told you about him last week!” ”

Jessiebarely managed to hide a guilty look. To be fair, when he started on the loveinterest du jour, it could get a little... repetitive. It wasn't her fault ifit was easier to tune him out and concentrate on inventory. Bits and pieces ofhis hours-long recitations of adoration started to come back to her.

“Oh,right! That gargoyle!”

Jared,Jessie's other apprentice and barback, a tall, young man with impeccable styleand skin the color of dark chocolate and who had lined up a promising career inrole playing game production, stopped with the ice bucket in midair to stare atNicky.

“Dude!How does that even work?” He demanded, fascinated.

“Well,if you must know,” Nicky drew himself up haughtily, “Gargoyles are only stoneby day when they revert to their... less attractive but more widely knownvisages.”

“So,what, at night they're hot?” Sometimes talking to Jared was like talking to theblunt side of a hammer and about as subtle.

“Ifyou must put it that way, yes, they can be. Are. Usually are.” Nicky would haveblushed if blood pumped through his veins. Jessie realized that he hadn't fedrecently. He must really be enamored with this guy.

“Didhe ghost you?” Caroline asked with a sympathetic glance. “No offense, Charlie!”

“Nonetaken.” Charlie was the bar's resident ghost. When Mary Jo Sutton, who wasstill the town’s most beautiful and seductive succubus at the age of fifty, hadpropositioned him in the bathroom, he had neglected to mention that he had aheart condition. He swore the resulting heart attack was worth it. She stillfelt guilty about the whole thing.

“Ghostme? Ghost me??” Nicky was stunned, floored, flabbergasted that anyone couldeven consider such a thing. Jessie gave in to the urge to roll her eyes. Tryingto hold back was exhausting.

“Focus!”she slapped her hand on the bar harder than she planned and instantly regrettedit. “Where were you supposed to meet?”

“Well,here, tonight actually. I wanted him to meet you.”

Jessieblinked at him.

“Soyou're telling me that you just waltzed in here and immediately went intohysterics without even bothering to see if he was here first? I mean, we're notexactly balls to the walls over here, but it's not like we're dead either! Nooffense, Charlie.”

“Nonetaken,” Charlie replied with a burp. One of Jessie's neatest (in his opinion)little pieces of spellwork involved creating a mug that acted as a portal thatgave whatever it contained the ability to exist on the spiritual plane. At themoment, that happened to be beer. No one was entirely sure if the belching wasnecessary, but not even Jared was willing to ruin Charlie's contentment byasking and possibly ruining the experience.

Nickylooked faintly abashed. “I don't see him though! That's understandable, right?I mean, I even came late on purpose!”

Jessiedropped her head in her hand and shook it with the long suffering patience ofone who realized a long time ago that their friend genuinely did not have aclue how personal relationships should go.

Nickysquirmed on his stool.

“Well...it seemed like a good idea at the time. But he didn't stick around, so itdoesn't matter! And besides, I was only about fifteen minutes late!”

Jaredshook his head as he walked toward the back to put away the ice bucket.

“Man,even I know better than that, and I can't keep a girl around to save my life.No offense, Charlie.”

“Nonetaken,” Charlie replied with equanimity. He had never realized how many turnsof phrase involved life or death until he himself switched from one side to theother.

“Hey,Jared, check the bathroom for trash and toilet paper on your way back, please,”Jessie called before turning back to the matter at hand.

“Admittedly,I don't really remember seeing a stranger hanging around tonight. What does helook like? And what’s his name? Also, have you tried calling him or do you havea picture, she asks, knowing that of course you didn't, you just immediatelybroke down into hysterics and started talking like you came off the cover ofthe best selling romance novel of the decade?”

NowNicky rolled his eyes. Jessie felt herself get twitchy as she resisted the urgeto pop him on the arm.

“Ido not talk like that,” he protested.

“Well,no, not when you remember what year it is,” Jessie replied. Nicky pulled outhis phone.

“Hisname is Warsaw, and unfortunately, I can't take a picture. Gargoyles turn intostone in front of a camera,” he showed her a picture of him kissing a stone...lion? dog? on the cheek while gazing coquettishly at what was obviously a phonecamera perched at the end of a selfie stick.

“Youcarry a selfie stick? Of course you do. Why do I even ask?” She snorted inamusement.

Carolinesnickered, grabbing the phone,“You're such an adorable couple! Do you thinkyour kids would have your eyes or his density?”

“Haha!” Nicky glared as he snatched the phone out of her grasp. “You're so funny.”He tried-- and failed-- to regain some control of the conversation. By thispoint, Caroline was giggling uncontrollably, and Charlie laughed himselfthrough his stool.

“Okay,okay, let's calm down,” Jessie grinned. “Try to call him. See what happens.”

“Fine,if it will get you all to stop cackling like a pack of hyenas,” Nicky huffed ashe hit a button and held the phone to his ear.

“Wait,did you hear that?” Caroline switched from hilarity to alert in seconds. Jessiewas way ahead of her.

Shemet Nicky's eyes with a growing sense of dread. Out of nowhere, a phone hadbegun to ring, a muffled sound that could only come from behind a closed door.

Atthe same time, they heard Jared's scream and the thud as he fell overbackwards, scrambling away from the bathroom. Inside was a lifeless body thatonce belonged to a shy, love struck creature who had, for one brief, shiningmoment, thought he could have everything his heart, which would never be stone,had ever longed for and found in the deep, deep love of a whimsical, sometimesoverly dramatic, slightly narcissistic vampire.

About the Author:
Eli’s love for reading started at an early age when her mother taught her to read almost as soon as she learned to talk. She discovered the fantasy genre and fell hard for it when her brother let her sit in on his D&D sessions and then lent her his collections of Dragonlance and David Eddings books while he was away at college.
Eli wrote short stories and poetry in school, but like so many of us, she never really pursued her passion as an adult. Then, COVID hit. After two years of being in “go mode” while she managed a pub, she spent a week reading in a yurt in the mountains. When she came home, she wrote and self-published her first book.
Now, Eli gets to write stories she loves and travel to conventions and events where people are nice enough to let her talk about her books and the world she created for hours on end.
Website: https://elirainwater.com 
Newsletter: https://elirainwater.com/join-my-mailing-list/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elirainwaterbooks/ 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/elirainwater_author 
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/eli-rainwater
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22663793.Eli_Rainwater 


Giveaway 
Sign up for Eli’s mailing list between April 15 and May 15 and receiveprints and stickers based on the most popular characters and bookmarks 
The first 20 subscribers will receive a signed paperback of Welcome to Jessie’s 
https://elirainwater.com/join-my-mailing-list/

Haunting Joy by A.L. Hawke #SupernaturalRomance

Haunting JoyA.L. Hawke
Genre: supernatural romancePublisher: Phantom Heart, LLCDate of Publication: March 19, 2025ISBN ebook: 978-1-953919-77-9ISBN paperback: 978-1-953919-80-9ISBN hardcover: 978-1-953919-78-6ISBN audiobook: 978-1-953919-81-6ASIN: B0DZMNPQHLNumber of pages: 204Word Count: 53,000Cover Artist: Mirella Santana
Tagline: Peace ends in the spirit of joy.
Book Description:
Alec was seeking a respite from city life. He thinks he has discovered it on Plymouth Crest, a manor overlooking the forest and a beautiful lake, golden in the sun. But Alec was warned the house is haunted by a murdered pop singer and Hollywood star.
Footsteps and howling winds soon disturb his sleep. One night, he finds an intruder, Joy, standing barefoot among broken glass in the kitchen. He chases her out. But she returns, enchanting him with laughter and boundless energy. It’s not long before Alec falls in love.
Joy ends when a belligerent character shows up and claims ownership of the house. Alec and Joy have a plan to evict him and bring some resolution to past horrors. If they fail, Alec’s dreams will crumble, and Joy might be subjected to a fate worse than death. But if they succeed, Alec and Joy might be separated forever—and so may end joy. To save Joy—and also have hope of being together—they need a bold plan, bringing them face to face with evils buried in the past, and finding a path to a shared future.

Amazon    BookFunnel

Excerpt:

Withthe sun’s rays shining between the green leaves of the trees surrounding thewindows of his glass house, Plymouth Crest was enchanting. Gilded light shonethrough the leaves and branches creating yellow prism-like effects. And withall the green moss and thrush, it was enchanting—as if Alec lived in an Englishfae forest or Camelot, which he loved as a writer.

Thatwas what happened during the day. But upon nightfall, all those large windowsturned black. And then those same leaves and branches that covered the sunraysblocked moonlight. Then his house became very dark.

Butnot so quiet…

Bythe second week, he started hearing noises. At first, it was just stray creaksand cracks from the wood, and Alec figured it was simply the sound of an oldfoundation. But as time passed, he heard unexplainable things. Stray shouts andscreams that sounded as if they were coming from the terrace outside. Doorsopening and slamming shut downstairs. Kitchen cabinets left open. Plates andglasses being rearranged on the kitchen table. Doors left open all night. Onemorning, he even found the couch in the living room had been moved a couplefeet. That was the creepiest. On yet another night, he awoke shivering. Theglass balcony door of his bedroom was wide open. He was certain he had lockedit.

Asdays passed, the noises only grew louder. One night a wooden chair tipped overdownstairs in the dining room. Then another night, a plant was thrown from oneof his tall cabinets in the foyer into the living room.

Hebegan to not sleep. He didn’t believe in ghosts, but he couldn’t deny thenoises.

Tonight,for hours, he had just stared at the white ceiling over his bed in silence. Hehad stared long enough for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. And after awhile, the darkness made the faint moonlight that shone through openings in hisdark mahogany velvet curtains seem bright.

Hisbody jumped. His muscles reacted mechanically before he recognized the noise.It was glass shattering. Something had broken into pieces downstairs. It was soloud that he leapt out of bed and his hands scrambled along the walls to switchon the light. But the light wouldn’t switch on. That was weird because his oldclock on the nightstand still read one-thirty-two in red digital letters, andthe clock didn’t have back-up power. Electricity was another quirky thing abouthis house.

Heopened the drawer in his nightstand by the bed. In his old house, he had alwaysleft a small flashlight by the bed. But the flashlight wasn’t there. It wasprobably still in one of the boxes in the garage. And he had left his cellphonedownstairs.

Therewas more opening and closing of cabinets and drawers. This time, it wasn’t juststray noises, it seemed to be every few seconds. This didn’t sound like theusual cracks and creaks of some phantom haunting his place. He was worriedthere was an actual intruder.

Herushed along the inner balcony. Most of his downstairs could be seen from here,but his furniture—his couch, end table, and chairs—were cast in shadows bymoonlight.

“Who’sdown there?” Alec cried. “Show yourself.”

Hewas answered by another crash. That made him move faster, darting across hisdark, empty living room and running straight to the source of the noise—in thekitchen.

Hewas wearing only underwear and felt a breeze before seeing the open kitchendoor. After doors being left open frequently over the past week, he was sure hehad checked the lock on this door before going to bed. He rushed over to shutit.

“Sorry,I didn’t realize anyone was home.”

Alecwhirled around. That made the intruder on the other side of the kitchen islandcover her mouth and snicker.

Theystared at one another. Then she drew the apple up to her nose.

“Whatare you doing here?” Alec snapped.

“Eatingan apple.”

“No,what are you doing in my house?”

 

About the Author:

A.L.Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch Series. Theauthor lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over loversagainst a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem.

 

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Trespassing Series by P.W. Creighton

Trespassing SeriesTrespassing 1 - 9P.W. Creighton
Genre: YA, YA Mystery, Detectives, YA RomanceDate of Publication: 2013 - 2025Cover Artist: For The Muse Design
Tagline: When the elite own everything and are immune to consequences, trespassing may be the only way to survive…
Series Description:
Cape Cod is a community divided between wealthy socialites who established the town and the working class responsible for running it. Every year it is getting harder for residents to even make a living.
Logan Harrison is an average student attending Nauset High School, he just wants his life to be something more, to mean something. As his sophomore year comes to a close, his world is shattered by a tragic suicide that fractures his friends. In an attempt to understand what happened and deal with the guilt, Logan uncovers a twisted secret that is subtly tearing the community apart with a deadly cost.
When the elite own everything and are immune to consequences, trespassing may be the only way to survive…

Amazon

Bad Reputation

Trespassing

BookOne

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 12-6-2013

ISBN:978-1492727859

ASIN:B00F0SM1YK

 

BookDescription:

 

It'sthe last day of sophomore year for Logan, just one more day until summervacation, and the whole school is buzzing. Someone called into the local radioshow with an alarming confession, and at Nauset High School it’s all anyone cantalk about.

 

Loganis more focused on just making it through the day. He has developed areputation, and it comes back to haunt him at the worst times, even for thosewho supposedly know him. He just wants to make it to the end of the year partyto kick off summer and ensure his girlfriend, Hailey, doesn't break-up withhim. Or his car doesn't breakdown.

 

Asthe night progresses, Logan learns that secrets will always be exposed, and thecost of those secrets can have a deadly price. Who was responsible for theconfession, and will they make it through the night?

 

 

Amazon

 

 

SunglassesAt Night

Trespassing

BookTwo

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 2-28-2014

ISBN:978-1495408649

ASIN:B00IQFF9NO

 

BookDescription:

 

ASenator's daughter is dead, Nauset High School and the Sheriff's Department areunder fire. They knew something was going to happen and failed to prevent it.

 

Loganis struggling with his loss, and the guilt that he now has to hide from hisfriends, along with the new secrets that turned the night into horror. As thefuneral approaches, more questions are raised that put him in the Senator’scrosshairs. Kayla, the dream girl he met by chance, believes that there issomething more going on, and pulls Logan into her world where privilege andentitlement are the norm.

 

CanLogan trust her? Is she who she seems to be? Logan is starting to learn that heisn't the only person who has secrets that he doesn't want revealed.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

CruelSummer

Trespassing

BookThree

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 12-17-2015

ISBN:978-1519207333

ASIN:B019I12EJ6

 

BookDescription:

 

Ascandalous party at the County Club has left Logan isolated and alone. Hisfriends, old and new, have fallen victim to the gossip that is now swirlingabout him.

 

Achance encounter at the beach helps him to realize that he's not quite as aloneas he thought, and his new accomplice, Devin, shows him that not everyonewealthy is untrustworthy. She has her own secrets and is willing to confide inLogan in exchange for his help. But trust does not come easy when formerfriends are involved.

 

Whenanother shocking confession hits the airwaves, Logan begins to suspect that thespiral of death and tragedy is only just beginning. And Logan and Devin mayhave their own role to play.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

Viewfrom a Bridge

Trespassing

BookFour

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 8-2-2024

ISBN:979-8334551107

ASIN:B0CWMW5592

 

BookDescription:

 

Summeris over, it's the start of Junior year but Logan and Devin can't easily moveon. Someone else is dead, and they were involved.

 

Loganis trying to protect his new accomplice, Devin, unfortunately, she is alsobeing blackmailed. Not only did someone assault her - they took pictures, andare distributing them through the school. And she isn't the only one. Whatfirst seemed like an isolated incident that caused their friend to commitsuicide, is now turning into a disturbing trend.

 

Asearch for answers leads Logan and his friends only to more questions and yetanother death. One that they may have caused. Summer may be over, but Logan'sproblems are just starting.

 

 

Amazon

EverythingYou Want

Trespassing

BookFive

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication:  8-24-2024

ISBN:979-8334900066

ASIN:B0DCSS7HT2

 

BookDescription:

 

Loganand Devin have confronted the classmate who drugged, assaulted, and humiliatedher. Unfortunately, he was murdered in front of them before Devin could get anyanswers or satisfaction.

 

Now,the Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a Nauset High Schoolstar athlete, and Devin is their only suspect. This puts Logan in a race toprove Devin's innocence, before she is locked up and he becomes an accompliceto murder.

 

Whena suspicious video surfaces that misrepresents the night of the murder, Loganand Devin realize that they are up against something more sinister than theyever suspected. Logan is determined to clear Devin's name, but his quest foranswers may put his own family at risk.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Here’sto the Night

Trespassing

BookSix

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 9-7-2024

ISBN:979-8335536738

ASIN:B0DFTQRZ2R

 

BookDescription:

 

Someonehas confessed to the murder of Nausett High School's star athlete, but aseemingly random accident has left the shooter critically injured, leavingLogan and Devin cleared of suspicion, but without answers.

 

Whenthey start to realize that other individuals involved with the murder andassaults have started to go missing, Logan and Devin feel compelled to digdeeper, pulling their new friends and allies along with them. As they discovermore connections, they start to learn that there is a mysterious figurecoordinating things behind the scenes.

 

Logan,Devin, and their closest friends are starting to learn that the deeper you go,the higher the extremes someone will take to protect themselves. The deaths atNauset High haven't stopped just yet and the worst is yet to come.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

NeverLet You Go

Trespassing

BookSeven

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 11-26-2024

ISBN:979-8337933115

ASIN:B0DP5G6F2F

 

BookDescription:

 

Loganis now starting to realize what he is up against. He is facing some verypowerful and wealthy opponents, and even the Sheriff's Department is complicit.When you can't rely on the people hired to keep you safe, who can you rely on?

 

Afterthe drive-by shooting deaths of his friends Logan and his allies have decidedto take matters into their own hands. They don't want justice for their lostfriends, they want payback. The Sheriff's Department refuses to investigate,but consumed by guilt and anger, Logan will not stop looking for answers.

 

AsLogan continues to uncover the secrets of the Cape's elite, he begins torealize the depth of corruption in the community. Exposing secrets to the lightcan bring answers, but it can also lead to more deaths.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

IfYou’re Gone

Trespassing

BookEight

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 12-11-2024

ISBN:979-8342060714

ASIN:B0DQ6MHCHL

 

BookDescription:

 

Loganand Devin finally are starting to feel like they have answers to some of theirquestions, but corruption in the Sheriff's Department continues to block themfrom truly understanding what is happening.

 

Finally,fully recovered from their injuries, Logan and Devin decide to dedicate time totheir growing relationship but find themselves in the right place and the righttime to prevent a deadly car accident. When they learn the identities of thevictims, they realize that they are closer than ever to uncovering some of thesecrets that led to Scarlett's death and started them on this path of tragedyand murder.

 

Scarlett'ssecrets take them to the elite and foreboding Nausett Academy - former schoolto Scarlett, Devin, and Hailey - and the home of their elusive opponent. WhatLogan finds will give their opponent a name - but will show who can be trusted,who has ulterior motives and what that cost will be.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

GoodGirls Go Bad

Trespassing

BookNine

P.W.Creighton

 

Genre:YA, YA Mystery, YA Romance

Dateof Publication: 2-13-2025

ISBN:979-8307541609

ASIN:B0DX55J69L

 

BookDescription:

 

Afterthe traumatic events at Nausett Academy and discovering that evidence wentmissing after it reached the Sheriff's Department, Logan and Devin have decidedto go on an extended Spring Break. What's the point in having your own boat ifyou can't just take off? They are done with dealing with murder, lies, andcorruption. They are ready to start a new life, one where no one knows who theyare, or their history.

 

Whenthey discover that their friends are being investigated for murdering theno-longer elusive mastermind behind the drugging and blackmail of their peers,they realize that you can't outrun your problems. Logan and Devin are confidentthat their friends are being framed for murder and are determined to catch thetrue killer.

 

Loganand Devin may have a name and a face for their opponent, but they are learningthat they are always steps ahead of them, and not even death can stop theirdevious plans.

 

Amazon

Excerpt Good Girls Go Bad – Trespassing 9

The thirty-minute drive from Ocean View down to thegallery had taken less than half the time. It was surprising that no one hadcomplained to send the Sheriff’s Department our way. We had jumped curbs, cutacross lawns, and even taken an insane drive through the park to shave off asmuch time as possible but it still felt like an eternity. Orange streetlightsflickered past us as I was able to put my foot down on the straightaway.

Every minute Hailey was flipping between calling andtexting without a single response. Even Liz wasn’t responding to her. Icompletely understood her paranoia. I had felt the same thing when Haileytexted me out of nowhere to apologize. I would’ve ignored it entirely if Scarhadn’t changed my thinking. If things were large enough for us to notice, thenthere was infinitely more that was hidden.

Last year Jen was just a princess, pretty and bitchywith too much attitude. Everything was beneath her. No matter who she washanging out with, the attitude never changed. She was miserable and I just keptout of the way. After Scarlett, she had changed, like all of us. She actuallywas nice and funny. The world was different. I actually cared about her. Shewasn’t the closest of friends, but she was a friend now.

The headlights swept over a large gray clapboardbuilding on the corner. The black shingle roof and white trim kept with theCape-aesthetic, but it was a strange design split between a Cape home and alarge boathouse. Serenity Sea Gallery was Jennifer’s burden. Her mom’s gallerywas dedicated to local artists and seascape style art, she had opened it agesago, but it never really was her priority. Much like Jen, it was just anafter-thought for her mother.

I took my foot off the gas.

“No!” Hailey snapped at me. “Around back. She uses thebackdoor.”

“Right.” I put my foot down again making the enginegrowl.

The tires screeched as I cranked the wheel to turn usaround the corner of the gallery. We swerved through the narrow space betweenthe building and a privacy fence. Standing on the brakes, I cranked the wheelagain to spin the Bronco around and face the back cinder-block wall of thegallery. We slid to a stop with a pair of black steel fire-doors directly inthe headlights.

Hailey didn’t even wait for us to come to a full stop.She had the door open and was out and moving by the time I took my foot off theparking brake. I didn’t bother shutting it off, instead I copied her andjumping out to sprint for the door.

“Jen?” She called out as she reached the doors tryingone side without luck. “Jen?” Hailey called out again as she pulled the seconddoor open. She ducked inside and I was a half-step behind.

“Jennifer?” I called for her.

We entered a darkened area of the gallery filled withmetal shelving and wooden crates. Once the door closed to shut out theheadlights it took a moment for our eyes to adjust to the room. Somewhere offto one side, the darkness wasn’t nearly as bad.

“Jen?” Hailey tried to hurry through the space butkept bumping into things as she made her way down the aisle. “Jen? Ow. Jen?” Ijabbed my hand out in front of her to keep her from banging her head on a cratethat was sticking out.

“Jennifer?”

“Jen?” Hailey let out a shriek when she reached theend of the shelves. “Jen!” She darted forward and I kept pace with her. We hadreached a prep area with a couple of long counters, tools, and a small officejust beyond. There was just enough light from the office to reveal a long shapenear the center of the space. “NO!” Jennifer was hanging from the exposed metalrafters. Her bare feet lightly brushed against a work stool that had beenknocked over.

I couldn’t manage a sound as the world slowed. Haileyscreamed. I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around Jennifer’s legs. Liftingwith all my strength had her roughly sitting on my shoulder.

“Get something to cut her down!” I commanded, butHailey wasn’t moving. “Hailey! Get something! NOW!”

Hailey darted around and came up with some form ofwire-cutters. She frantically circled around us before she scrambled up ontothe closer workbench. Teetering overhead, she stretched out to cut at the cordabove Jen’s head. There were a few seconds of her trying to cut it before Jenfell into my arms.

Jennifer Maack was a Pack girl, pristine, flawless,and small. Not quite as small as Devin but as soon as she fell into my arms,she felt heavier than any of the girls. She was a ragdoll, limp, and hard tobalance. I shifted her around until I could carry her in my arms to a clearspot away from anything. As gently as I could, I set her on the cold concretefloor.

“Call 9-1-1,” I said and leaned in to check her.Glancing up, I saw Hailey was a complete wreck crying but still not moving.“HAILEY!” I shouted to get her attention. She finally looked at me. “CALL9-1-1!”  She gave a quick nod and pulled out her phone.

Leaning in close, I couldn’t see Jennifer’s chestmoving and I couldn’t hear her breathing. I untangled the noose to give hermore space before I placed my hand on her neck. She was still warm. I fumbledaround and thought I felt a pulse, but it was hard to tell.

 

About the Author:
Born in California, P.W. has spent most of his life traveling throughout the US. P.W. draws inspiration from many adventures, turning his strange reality into fiction.
Over the years, P.W. has found himself in many unusual situations, ranging from hanging off an 80 foot cliff-face in New York, to sailing off the coast of Salem, Massachusetts. P.W. has hosted archaeological excavations, and have even reported from the middle of a police stand-off.
When a teacher asked in the second grade what he wanted to be when he grew up, he didn't have an answer. He lets the characters make that decision for him.
https://www.pwcreighton.com/ 
https://twitter.com/RavenRequiem13 
http://instagram.com/ravenrequiem13 
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorPW/ 
https://www.pinterest.com/ravenrequiem13/

A Bewitching Wednesday

A Bewitching Wednesday


A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


Guest Blog with Author Eli Rainwater - Creative Costumes for Halloween
#bewitchingbooktours https://www.abewitchingguidetohallowe...


Haunting Joy by A.L. Hawke #bewitchingbooktours
https://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/202...


Rantings of a Witch- Character Confessions from Welcome to Jessie’s by Eli Rainwater #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...


Please Welcome A.L. Hawke as She Tells Us About Her Supernatural Romance, Haunting Joy
https://lindamooney.blogspot.com/2025...


Anna Koray is back with another chilling case in Bayern County. When mysterious drownings grip her small town, the detective - haunted by her serial killer father - must unravel whispers of witches, curses and revenge. But something darker waits in the water, and it’s out for blood. 🌊🩸
Book 2, The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic
Now available for PRE-ORDER! bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #thehuntersdaughter #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillebook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #annakoray


Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads

Interview- Haunting Joy by A.L. Hawke #SupernaturalRomance #bewitchingbooktours
https://serenasynn.blogspot.com/2025/...


Some Places Are Just Evil
Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto
There is something frightening about the mill.
As the disturbances grow more vicious and her husband more secretive, she realizes that she and her child are in danger.
https://amzn.to/4i2FA4r
#Horror #HistoricalHorror #Gothic #GothicHorror #NewRelease

A Bewitching Tuesday

A Bewitching Tuesday


A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


Rantings of a Witch- Character Confessions from Welcome to Jessie’s by Eli Rainwater #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...


Juggling Kids and Writing
Release Day Blitz The Third Ring by A. N. Horton #UrbanFantasyRomance
#bewitchingbooktours #writingwithkids #jugglingwritingandfamily
https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...


Please Welcome A.L. Hawke as She Tells Us About Her Supernatural Romance, Haunting Joy
https://lindamooney.blogspot.com/2025...


Author Advice with AN Horton
Release Day Blitz The Third Ring by A. N. Horton #UrbanFantasyRomance #bewitchingbooktours
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...


Welcome to Jessie’s by Eli Rainwater #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours
https://serenasynn.blogspot.com/2025/...


Anna Koray is back with another chilling case in Bayern County. When mysterious drownings grip her small town, the detective - haunted by her serial killer father - must unravel whispers of witches, curses and revenge. But something darker waits in the water, and it’s out for blood. 🌊🩸
Book 2, The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic
Now available for PRE-ORDER! bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #thehuntersdaughter #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillebook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #annakoray


Haunting Joy by A.L. Hawke ~ @alhawkeauthor ~ Supernatural Romance #BewitchingBookTours
https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/2025/...

Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads

Author Interview with AN Horton
Release Day Blitz The Third Ring by A. N. Horton #UrbanFantasyRomance #bewitchingbooktours
https://roxannesrealm.blogspot.com/20...


Some Places Are Just Evil
Sanctuary by Valentina Cano Repetto
There is something frightening about the mill.
As the disturbances grow more vicious and her husband more secretive, she realizes that she and her child are in danger.
https://amzn.to/4i2FA4r
#Horror #HistoricalHorror #Gothic #GothicHorror #NewRelease


RELEASE DAY - URBAN FANTASY - THE THIRD RING (The Sanctum, #1) by A. N. Horton
https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blog...


Ten Trials. Two Oaths. One Chance.
Check out The Third Ring, a spicy, enemies to lovers urban fantasy with trials
#bewitchingbooktours https://authoranhorton.wordpress.com/...

Release Day Blitz The Third Ring by A. N. Horton #UrbanFantasyRomance

Do you write in different genres? 
I do, actually. While my primary focus is fantasy, at the moment, I have multiple published titles in historical fiction as well. In fact, I’ve won two awards for my historical mystery/romance A is for Arson as well as my historical romance A Promise Kept. For now, however, I remained focused on building my fantasy universe by expanding my titles in that realm.
If yes which is your favorite genre to write? Fantasy, by far. I thoroughly enjoy the act of world building rather than the research which accompanies historical fiction. Fantasy also happens to be my favorite genre to read. 
Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete? 
I wait until it’s complete. Generally, I stumble across an idea while I’m writing but put it on the back burner until I’ve completed the story. I want to make sure it matches the entirety of the tale rather than a particular moment in time.
Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life? As many of my ARC readers have already noted, there are a lot of thematic elements in The Third Ring that speak on the situation of today. I don’t always seek to make political statements with my writing but a dystopian tale is always a poignant commentary on society and I feel that the current state of our world is ripe for thought-provoking literary criticism. Outside of that aspect of the novel, there is always a bit of myself in each of my characters. I identify with Adrian’s overwhelming and somewhat self-destructive need to care for and protect her loved ones as well as Dante’s self-doubt and struggles with familial expectations. I like to think a part of myself lies with each of them and a part of them lives in me. 
Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why? 
This is so hard! I like all of my characters for different reasons. Some because they’re fun, some because they’re relatable, and many because they’re flawed. If I’m being honest, my current favorite character is probably one from book two of The Sanctum Series which hasn’t been released yet. So instead, I’ll say my favorite is Adrian. It may be recency bias but her tough, take-no-nonsense attitude paired with her unflinching loyalty to her family and friends make her a force to be reckoned with. And when though she’s flawed, even though she’s heartbroken and grieving, she has a strength that is both enviable and so undeniably sad. I love her the most because she makes me feel the most.
If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share? 
The next book of the Sanctum Series will be The Second Sanctum and I can’t share too much since book one ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger and I don’t want to spoil the result of it. But I will say that it’s already the longest book I’ve ever written and I’m still working on it. I am about 90% of the way done though and loving how it’s turned out. I can guarantee my readers new characters they’re going to love, a better understanding of Dante and Adrian’s world, more political intrigue, and an incredible magic system we’ve only scratched the surface of in book one.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 
I like to say that Victoria Aveyard got me into reading but Leigh Bardugo got me into writing. Her books were what showed me that I was fascinated with exploring the dark side of human nature. A villain can’t be a villain just because a writer says they are and the best villains are often complex. The best villains make you think, for a moment, you might understand them, make you almost root for them. And sometimes a character is the villain without you even knowing. That concept is something I’ve enjoyed toying with in my worlds and I have Leigh Bardugo to thank.
Do you have any advice for other writers? 
Write. The. Book. Forget the imposter syndrome, forget the doubt and fear of criticism, forget the probabilities of success. Just sit down and write. Lose yourself in your story, in your world. Even if it never makes it off your screen, it’s yours, and it’s something to be proud of. I’ve met so many writers who never finish their book (some never ever start) because of fear. Get words on the page. You can worry about what to do with them later.
When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures? 
I’m a mom of littles so most of my time is spent caring for them, the house, and working a full time job. Writing is my hobby. It’s become a second business lately but one I love. Outside of all that, I enjoy reading works by other indie and traditionally published authors, interacting with readers on social media, and binging some of my favorite tv shows. Right now, I’m rewatching New Girl for the millionth time and watching Wheel of Time with my husband.
What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress? 
I’m currently hard at work on book two of The Sanctum Series. I think my readers would riot if I wasn’t. I’m also working diligently on a companion novella for my completed Immortal Plane Trilogy from the POV of everybody’s favorite side character, Rook. Those chapters are being uploaded as a work in progress, as I complete them, on both Patreon and Substack. I’m also working on the fifth anniversary editions of The Langley & Porter Mystery Series. I’m hoping to re-release all four books this summer with new covers and an omnibus edition to boot. Other than that, the Immortal Plane Trilogy books are getting hardback editions so I’m always busy with something! As an indie author, I am my own marketer, publicist, graphic designer, and more for most things so I’m always working, but I love it, of course.

The Third RingThe Sanctum SeriesBook OneA. N. Horton
Genre: Urban Fantasy RomancePublisher: Veil and Valor BooksDate of Publication: April 15, 2025ISBN: 979-8-9911249-6-6 ASIN: B0DY949XBHNumber of pages: 404 PagesWord Count: 112,000Cover Artist: Adrian Păsărin
Tagline: Ten Trials. Two Oaths. One Chance.
Book Description: 
To Adrian, the gods were never anything to be worshipped, just tolerated. But in the walled city of Sanctuary, whether through the religious fervor of the elite or the quaking fear of the poor, the Geist have always been served. And now it's Adrian's turn.
Born into power and raised for greatness, Dante stands for everything Adrian has come to despise, but he may be her only hope of survival. When the two of them are bonded against their will and forced to compete together in the Trials, the god's ancient gauntlet of physical brutality and psychological torture, they have no choice but to set aside old prejudices and work together. Navigating religious zealots, a patriarch intent on breeding the pair for power, and the increasingly obvious cruelty of the gods, Adrian must come to terms with the fact that, whether Culled or Championed, we all serve the gods in the end. And, for her, betrayal has always been waiting just around the corner.

Amazon    AuthorWebsite

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZCgrRLlGQ

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Iwas in a vast, open chamber. The walls were made of solid, smooth gray stone,almost the color of charcoal, with thin veins of white running through them atodd angles. That singular, faint light shone down on a massive hunk of porousstone which took up most of the room. I approached it slowly, in awe of thesize. I’d always thought the Oath Stone was small, something you held in bothhands while reciting some vow the attendants guided you through or had writtenon the walls.

Iglanced around. There were no words. Not on the walls, not on the floors, noteven on the stone itself. There were no words written anywhere, noinstructions, no Oath. I spun around again and again, searching in vain as mypanic rose to the surface.

Howdo I know what to say?

Howpathetic. Utterly, depressingly pathetic. How was I ever to make it past asingle Trial if I couldn’t even figure out how to take my Oath?

Mypalms itched. I scratched them with my fingernails as I walked toward one ofthe walls. I narrowed my gaze, trying to discern a pattern in the white linesrunning through them. There was nothing.

Ihuffed, my nails continuously running back and forth on the sensitive skin ofmy palms. But the more I scratched them, the more they burned. I switched torubbing them as I approached the stone. I leaned down, staring at the hunk ofporous stone, tilting my head side to side as I inspected the bumps andcrevices until I hissed—the burning in my palms had become an inferno.

Frantic,I held up my hands, expecting to see inflamed skin, a rash even, but theyweren’t even red.

Still,they burned.

Floodedwith an overwhelming compulsion to find relief from the cool surface of theOathstone, I reached out and pressed my palms flat against the massive rock.The burning stopped, the itching soothed. I closed my eyes and took a breath.

ThenI heard it. A faint voice in the back of my mind getting louder and louder…

Ijerked back in surprise, but the moment my hands left the stone, they began toburn even worse than before. I hissed and stared at them again. I still sawnothing but my own skin. Shaking, I reached for the stone again.

Themoment flesh met rock, the voice returned. I twitched, uneasy, butconcentrated, frowning and pressing my eyes shut tight as if that would help mehear it. It spoke in a whisper and cycled through its message before I couldfinally make out the words.

“Repeatafter me.”

Iagain startled. The words echoing around in my head were coming from my ownvoice. I tried to pull my hands from the stone, but I couldn’t. My palms werefused to the rock.

“Ivow to obey the tenets of the Trials.”

Ihesitated. Did I truly want to go through with this? As confident as I’d beenthis morning, as resigned to follow through with Darius’s last wish of me, thiswas…something else entirely. Something I hadn’t expected.

“Makeyour Oath,” my own voice hissed at me.

“I-Ivow…to obey the tenets of the Trials,” I repeated. It seemed to be my only wayout of here.

“Ishall not speak of my experiences in the Trials, neither now nor upon theircompletion,” my voice whispered, then waited for me to repeat beforecontinuing. “I shall use my blessings in service to the Geist. I shall seek tokeep all knowledge and capability given as a result of my success betweenmyself and my partner. I shall train my body, mind, and soul to be a properreflection of the holiness of the Geist. For the duration of my candidacy inthe Trials, I forfeit all worldly obsessions and submit myself to the will ofmy gods.”

Again,I hesitated. It seemed a lofty price to pay in honor of a friend I’d never seeagain. A friend the Geist had stolen from me. The thought of Darius, in thismoment of all things, was like a punch to the gut. But it was a reminder aswell: I wouldn’t be swearing it for them. So I took a deep breath and made myOath. The words turned bitter on my tongue.

 

About the Author:
A. N. Horton is a two-time award-winning author living in Nashville, TN with her husband, children, and moderately chunky Corgi. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, baking more cookies than her family can eat, and plotting crimes against her characters. Best known for crafting characters that steal her readers’ hearts as much as they shatter them, A. N. Horton is a cross-genre writer focused mainly on fantasy and romance.
Website: http://authoranhorton.com/  
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ANHorton  Newsletter Sign Up: https://authoranhorton.ck.page/deebdc9b8c Instagram: https://instagram.com/authoranhorton 
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@authoranhorton X: https://x.com/AuthorANHorton Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ANHorton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089791555375

A Bewitching Wednesday

A Bewitching Wednesday

A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops


Last Words: A Supernatural Murder Mystery by Marty Roppelt #Supernatural #Horror #Mystery #bewitchingbooktourshttps://roxannesrealm.blogspot.com/20...


I'm so excited to support authors by being part of amazing book tours. Check out The Trespassing Series by PW Creighton. #bewitchingbooktourshttps://sites.google.com/view/the-des...


The Haunted Battleships of Buffalo #RealHauntedPlaces with PW Creighton #bewitchingbooktourshttps://www.abewitchingguidetohallowe...


Local Author Showcase
Saturday, April 12
1-4 p.m.
Grand Blanc-McFarlen Library
515 Perry Rd.
Grand Blanc, MI  48439
https://www.thegdl.org/libraryevents/...

Character Confessions from Last Words: A Supernatural Murder Mystery by Marty Roppelt #Supernatural #Horror #Mystery #bewitchingbooktours https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...


Meet the characters from PW Creighton's Trespassing Series #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/TVnWTPl

Anna Koray is back with another chilling case in Bayern County. When mysterious drownings grip her small town, the detective - haunted by her serial killer father - must unravel whispers of witches, curses and revenge. But something darker waits in the water, and it’s out for blood.
Book 2, The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic
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Last Words: A Supernatural Murder Mystery by Marty Roppelt #Supernatural #Horror #Mystery

Last Words: A Supernatural Murder MysteryHanson and Brewer Murder Mysteries Book OneMarty Roppelt
Genre: Mystery / Supernatural / HorrorPublisher: Dragon Breath PressDate of Publication: February 7, 2025ISBN: 979-8985349580 ASIN: B0D184PVWZ Number of pages: 151 Word Count: 36,241Cover Artist: Christopher Chambers
Tagline: Some cases cut deeper when the dead refuse to stay buried
Book Description: 
Last Words: A Supernatural Murder Mystery follows Chicago police Detective Myles Hanson as he navigates a world of crime and unsettling revelations. After a nighttime raid on a drug lab ends in a deadly shootout, Myles is convinced to transfer to another unit. His first case in Violent Crimes is unlike any he’s faced before. Maria Peski, a midwife with a quiet life, is savagely murdered.
But that’s not the only mystery haunting him. Myles begins experiencing chilling visions and inexplicable phenomena. He begins to hear the final words of the dead, fragments of unfinished thoughts from those who have passed. As the voices reveal clues no one else can uncover, Myles teams up with his streetwise and relentless partner, Tank Brewer, to piece together the secrets that the dead have left behind.
When a second murder rocks the city with startling similarities, Myles is increasingly pressured to accept that some clues lie beyond the realm of the living. As the line between the supernatural and the real begins to blur, Myles and Tank must untangle a web of deceit, violence, and spectral warnings before the killer strikes again.

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BOOKTRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lU-_D-vPnRU

Excerpt:

Mylespaused at the glass doors to the Area North police station. He checked hiswatch. Then he turned away from the entrance, paced roughly fifteen feet, addedseveral more steps and lit a Marlboro Light. He pulled his jacket collar up toblock an unusually crisp September breeze.

Along strip of grass punctuated by an occasional shrub next to the buildingattempted to soften the structure's strictly functional design. In thecourtyard, a few trees stood guard along with a twisting metal sculpture. Butthe shades in all the windows were drawn, keeping the occupants' minds focusedon their tasks. The parking lot spread far in every direction. Several squadcars waited there for their officers to climb in and begin their patrols.

Takingin his surroundings, Myles shook his head. The Nineteenth District Patrolstation held more appeal to tourists to Chicago than did this location. A blockwest of the Nineteenth on West Addison Street sat a busy elevated, or"L," train station, over a century old and still flaunting itsoriginal grid of iron spans and frames in the open. Another block further west,Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, buzzed with activity during homestands. Across from the Nineteenth on Addison, a row of shotgun style housesbutted up against each other like a knot of sentinels standing shoulder toshoulder. Some bore brownstone façades, some red brick. A thin sheen of grime,car exhaust mostly, the grit of a busy city, covered them. All the dwellingsneeded power washing or sand blasting.

Heknew that locale well, and it charmed even him.

Butno tourists visited this spot, the Area North station's locale. A massive tanand brown brick building, Area North dwarfed the Nineteenth. Built in acommercial and industrial zone, the station resembled a Big Box store in spiteof the unnaturally planted greenery. If not for the fleet of squad cars in thesprawling lot, visitors might enter the north side's police nexus expecting tobuy a hot air fryer or bed linens.

Mylesnodded to himself. Area North was all business.

Fromthe corner of his eye, in the window nearest him, Myles spotted the reflectionof two women, one short and slight, the other tall and slender. They approachedfrom the parking lot arm-in-arm. The window distorted their shapes, giving thema hot August day shimmer. Their pale complexions suggested a summer spenttogether indoors. They both dressed for summer, each wearing tie-dyed blousesbut no jackets, immune to the cool day. The shorter one put Marla Hines inmind. He recalled how she used to chide him whenever he sneaked out of theOrganized Crimes building for a quick smoke. As the pair neared him, theyopened their mouths, Myles assumed, to berate him.

"Sorry,ladies," the smoker said. "I'll just put this out." He turned inthe women's direction.

Theywere gone.

Frowning,he swung his head around, scanning the area. Nothing. The parking lot lay emptyof everything but vehicles. Two uniformed cops exited the building. But no onepassed them heading in.

"Comeon, Hanson," he muttered.

Hestubbed the cigarette out on the heel of his shoe, deposited it into a nearbytrash can and entered the station.

About the Author:
Marty Roppelt lives in Wauconda, Illinois, with his wife Becky. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, his family roots stem from Transylvania. Yes, THAT Transylvania, from where his parents emigrated in the mid 1950's. So of course, Marty enjoys writing in the supernatural / horror genre. In addition to his first novel, Mortal Foe, he has written a series of short paranormal Christmas stories to raise money for St. Herman’s House, a homeless shelter in Cleveland. He also has featured stories in anthologies, Tales from the Dragon's Lair and Holiday Hearth. Marty and Becky enjoy quiet time together with their cats Nala and Malik.
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