Lia Davis's Blog, page 2
April 28, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: Melissa Bell
Amazon: https://amzn.to/39NLGGb
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-bell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/peekaboo2u2
I live in Brisbane, Australia. At a point in my life where I felt I needed something just for myself, I discovered the pleasures of writing. My most frequently used comment to myself is there’s not enough time in a day. I enjoy good food and good company when I’m not trying to concentrate on my writing. I also love to laugh and most of the time, I crack myself up. I am hoping that this is the start of something amazing and one day aspire to be listed amongst those blessed with the title of being on the New York Times and USA Today Best Seller lists. When I’m not writing I love to read books, many of which I have read over and over again while listening to my favourite Australian bands – Birds of Tokyo and Karnivool.
What genres do you write?Paranormal Romance is my first choice but I am a multi-genre author.
How many books have you published?25
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?I generally have strong alpha males and sassy female leads to give them a run for their money. I like a little mystery in the mix to keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.
What were your inspirations for Wild Springs?I love wolf shifters so I wanted to go back to my roots with this one and write a story that would capture the hearts of romance readers all around the world.
Please share your setting for Wild Springs. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?The setting for my story ‘Wild Springs’ is a fictitious place that could exist anywhere.
How did you research or prepare?I drew pictures of the layout of the land and surrounding area. I found pictures that I felt depicted the lead characters.
I tend to go for Karnivool or Birds or Tokyo as I can use the music as backing to the images in my mind as I write.
When did the writing bug first bite?I guess I always wanted to write but never really got into it until about 2012/2013.
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?Luarann Dohner’s New Species Series is always at the top of my list. Closely followed by Lora Leigh’s Breeds Series
What is your most favorite childhood memory?When I was in elementary school – Grade 7 I discovered reading for the first time and found it so engrossing that I was hooked. The book I read was ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird.’ I then went on to read ‘Flowers in the Attic.’
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?I love to make my own swag, I think it has a personal touch to it.
Boxers, brief or commando?Commando
Favorite eye color?Hazel
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?When I was in my early 20s, I house sat for my sister when she went away for the weekend. The house was haunted by a nasty old man who didn’t want anyone there. He used to move stuff around and hide it.
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?I’m one that just writes when the flow is happening. I have a degenerative spinal condition that stops me from sitting for extended periods of time. So I have to make the most of it when I can. If I have to lay down I use my notes section of my iPhone to write out plots and stuff to use the next time I sit down to write
Describe your perfect alpha hero.A perfect Alpha male is a guy who treats a woman with respect. He also draws strength from his female.
Thanks, Melissa! Get more paranormal themed stories like Wild Springs in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
April 21, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: Rebecca Hefner
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2N01woz
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-hefner
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebhefnerauthor
Website: https://www.rebeccahefner.com/
I’m a voracious reader, as most authors are, and had a successful career in corporate America before I left to become an author. I grew up in Western North Carolina but now live right outside New York City. I love karaoke, wine and UNC college basketball, in no particular order!
What genre(s) do you write?Paranormal and Sci-Fi Time Travel Romance (I also write Contemporary Romance under the pen name Ayla Asher)
How many books have you published?20 between both pen names
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?I really like to create fantasy worlds that can whisk a reader away for a few hours. I make up a lot of character names and locations in my books, which is really fun! Since I’m a huge JR Ward fan, I write a lot about vampires, as well as demons, sorcerers, goddesses and other mythical creatures. Also, I love steamy stories, so you’ll always find some pretty intimate scenes in my books.
What were your inspirations for the story?
For Garridan’s Mate, I was inspired to write a love story between a general and his soldier. Garridan is tough on Siora because he sees her true potential but she sometimes thinks he’s just being an ass. Neither of them can deny their attraction and when they finally get together, it’s explosive!
Please share your setting for Garridan’s Mate. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?Garridan’s Mate is set in my Etheray’s Earth world. It’s a parallel universe to our own that has many similarities to our Earth–except for the fantasy creatures who live in the Immortal Realm.
How do you research or prepare?The fun thing about fantasy is that it doesn’t take a ton of research. I’d say most of my research comes from reading other fantasy books or watching fantasy movies. I love The Lord of the Ring, Star Wars, and JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series to name a few.
When did the writing bug first bite?I’ve written stories forever but never thought I’d publish them. When self-publishing became more prominent, I began seriously considering leaving my corporate America job and starting my own indie publishing company. That was in 2018 and, now, here we are!
Who are your favorite authors/books/series?JR Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood Nora Roberts – The Circle Trilogy Kit Rocha – The Beyond Series Lisa Kleypas – The Wallflowers Series and the Hathaways
What is your most favorite childhood memory?I’m a huge science dork and went to Space Camp when I was 14. My love of science inspired me to write my steamy sci-fi time travel romance series (the Prevent the Past series).
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
Wine tastings, karaoke and watching college basketball.
Boxers, briefs, or commando?Hmmm. Boxer briefs maybe?
Favorite eye color?Green
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?How about 2020 as a whole? LOL
What were your inspirations for writing?I just love being whisked away to other fantasy worlds. And, of course, I love happy endings in romance novels.
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?It’s so hard to balance writing and all the other things you have to do as an indie author, but I do try to spend several hours per day focused on writing. Sometimes, I even accomplish that goal!
Describe your perfect alpha hero.Oh, man. I love a reformed anti-hero. Someone who’s brash and might seem nefarious at first but who eventually turns to mush when he meets his soulmate. And if he looks like Henry Cavill, even better!
Thanks, Rebecca! Get more paranormal themed stories like Garridan’s Mate in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
April 14, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: Skye Jones
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3puWqxO
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/skye-jones
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skyejromance
Website: www.skyejonesauthor.com
Welcome, Skye! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I’m a lass from northern England and I love to read and write romance. I’ve been obsessed with vampires since being a teenager and reading The Vampire Lestat. I live with my husband, my mum who I care for, and my two dogs. Starbucks is life. That is all.
What genre(s) do you write?Paranormal romance as Skye Jones and contemporary, dark romance as SR Jones.
How many books have you published?Nearly forty
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?Alpha heroes, sometimes bordering on being anti-hero, who will melt your kindle. Dominant, headstrong, but always somewhat tortured.
What were your inspirations for the story?I wanted to write about a world hidden from humans where vampires and shifters are mortal enemies, and what would happen to one female shifter if she fell under the spell of the leader of the vampires.
Please share your setting for Dragan’s Fate. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
It is set in Scotland and I don’t live there, but I have visited there. I love the mystery of the Highlands. The stunning scenery and the fact it is still so remote. It’s one of the remotest places in Europe, which is quite astonishing for an island as small as the UK. The myths and tales of Scotland (and also of Wales, which I also love) have always intrigued me, and I love setting paranormal stories in particular in these locations.
How do you research or prepare?I read a lot of myth, folklore, and history of the places where I set my novels.
When did the writing bug first bite?When I was really young. My father bought me a picture of a girl in the woods, facing away from the artist, with the sun setting in the trees so I could get inspiration as he knew I loved to write.
Who are your favorite authors/books/series?I am utterly in love with the Four Horsemen series by Laura Thalassa. I also adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And Gideon Cross and the Crossfire series. There are so many. My favorite two books of all time though are Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice. I love Jane Austen.
What is your most favorite childhood memory?My dog, who I loved so much. Just spending time with her. She was so sweet.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?I write. Read. And that’s it. Writing isn’t only my work, it’s my obsession. I write almost every day. I feel strange if I go too long without writing.
Boxers, briefs, or commando?Commando.
Favorite eye color?
I love them all, but if I had to choose, I’d probably say blue eyes on men with dark hair.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?One day walking with my sister in the cemetery near where I live, this strange rush of wind came up through the valley and the trees. It was a still day and this was a roar of wind. it felt very strange. We looked at one another, and just ran. We ran all the way back to the house. it was very spooky, and just had an odd, dark energy to it.
Describe your perfect alpha hero.Mr. Darcy, and all and any of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Thanks, Skye! Get more paranormal themed stories like Dragan’s Fate in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
April 7, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: Theresa Hissong
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2N4y2py
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/theresa-hissong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorTHissong
Website: https://authortheresahissong.com/
When I’m not writing, I travel the country with my best friend’s rock band. If I get free time to myself, I’m usually camping, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.
What genres do you write?Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, & Romantic Suspense
How many books have you published?26
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?Alpha males and even stronger females.
What were your inspirations for Sacred Shift?Music inspires most of my stories.
Please share your setting for Sacred Shift. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?Sacred Shift will be set in southern Missouri, and yes, I lived and attended college there before moving to Arizona my sophomore year.
How did you research or prepare?I tend to look at maps and research the landscapes. Most of the places I use in my books, I have either lived there or visited at one time.
When did the writing bug first bite?When my husband was at war in Iraq back in 2009. I’d always liked writing here and there, but I had never written an actual book until he was gone that year.
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?JR Ward, Teresa Gabelman, Holly Roberts, Maya Banks…I’ve read everything they’ve written
What is your most favorite childhood memory?Fishing with my grandfather.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?Fishing and attending as many rock concerts as possible.
Boxers, brief or commando?Commando
Favorite eye color?Green
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?I tour with a rock band, and all of that is confidential LOL.
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?I try to stick to a schedule, but mostly, I write all day (unless I have errands to run).
Describe your perfect alpha hero.Jason Momoa….enough said!
Thanks, Theresa! Get more paranormal themed stories like Sacred Shift in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
April 1, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: C.D. Gorri
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3avSEyo
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-d-gorri
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cgor22
Website: https://www.cdgorri.com/
Hi! My name is C.D. Gorri, I write steamy, fast-paced Paranormal Romance & YA Urban Fantasy.
Most of my books are set in the same paranormal world and mainly take place in my home state of New Jersey. I call it the Grazi Kelly Universe in honor of my first heroine, Maria Graziana Kelly aka Grazi (grah-tzee). Characters and creatures overlap, but each series can be read alone.
Sometimes, I get to play in other authors’ worlds and each experience has been unique and has enabled me to write a broader cast of characters and scenarios. My thanks to those wonderful authors who opened the doors and let me in! You can find me in MT Worlds, EveL Worlds, Purely Paranormal Pleasures, and Crimson Moon Hideaway shared worlds. I like to write sizzling Shifter romance books that are sexy and fast-paced with epic heroes, sassy heroines, and guaranteed happy endings for all! 
I write steamy, fast-paced Paranormal Romance & YA Urban Fantasy.
How many books have you published?Over seventy and counting.
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?If you enjoy sassy heroines, epic heroes, and fast-paced, steamy, insta-love stories featuring supernatural characters (mostly Shifters but there are a few Witches and Vampires in there as well) then my books are for you. No cheating and no cliffhangers, each story is a complete tale. Characters and creatures may overlap, but each series can stand on its own. My heroines tend to be curvy and my heroes possessive. When they fall, they fall hard and it lasts forever.
What were your inspirations for Shifter Mountain?Shifter Mountain is book one in a new series I am writing called the Hearts of Stone series. My hero’s name is Keeton Grey, and he showed up when I was writing another story for another boxed set. He was so intriguing and insistent, I knew he needed his own tale and a chance for his own HEA.
Please share your setting for Shifter Mountain. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?Like with many of my stories, Shifter Mountain is set in New Jersey. The inspiration is Panther Mountain, yes this is a real place and I chose it because my hero is a Mountain Lion or Panther Shifter. I have not had a chance to visit, but it is on my bucket list.
How did you research or prepare?I spent quite a lot of time studying the geography of several hiking routes, the more isolated the better in New Jersey. I have also read some blogs and articles centered around encounters with mountain lions and lost hikers.
When did the writing bug first bite?I’ve wanted to write since I was a child. I picked up a marker at around three-years old, much to my mother’s dismay, and wrote my name on every available surface in our living room. I think that was the start.
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?Too many to possibly name, I love them all. From Shakespeare to King to Tolkein and Martin, Nora Roberts, Patricia Briggs, JR Rain, Milly Taiden, Eve Langlais, and every single author in this set with me (yes, I have read and stalked you all).
What is your most favorite childhood memory?I grew up next door to my grandfather’s Italian bread bakery in Hoboken, New jersey, and I still love the smell of fresh baked bread. It takes me back.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?I write, I read, I cook, I take care of my family, LOL. I don’t know if any of that counts as a hobby though.
Boxers, brief or commando?All three at one time or other.
Favorite eye color?Hazel, because they can be anything.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?Strangest thing I have ever seen is, hmm, I don’t know I am still waiting on this one.
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?Go with the flow. I have too many things going on with my kids, pets, and of course the husband, to do otherwise.
Okay, my perfect Alpha is smart, funny, loyal, strong, sexy, and loves his woman like no other can. Everything else is just extra.
Thanks, C.D.! Get more paranormal themed stories like Shifter Mountain in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
Character Interview
Today we’re going to hear from Keeton Grey, one of the main characters in C.D. Gorri’s Shifter Mountain.
Welcome, Keeton. Please tell us about you: job, hobbies, special talents, and anything else you want to share.My name is Keeton Grey, I’m an Eastern Mountain Lion Shifter. There’s something in my past that is keeping me isolated in a mountain cabin far away from the civilized world. I’ve been working as a Guard for the Ruling Heads of the Council of Triads, but I’ve decided I’m too volatile to be around others. Sometimes being alone is best.
Where did you grow up?In South Jersey.
Tell us about the first time you met. Was it love at first sight?The first time I saw her, she was covered in dirt and limping from her accident. My beast knew who she was to me before I did, but I fought it. Like hell I fought it.
What drew you to each other?Fate.
What is your favorite thing about her?Everything about her is fascinating.
Do you love a challenge? If so, how do you handle it?My whole life has been a challenge. Do I love it? Not sure about that.
Favorite childhood memory?I will always remember my mother’s smiles. She was a beautiful woman, she deserved better than she got.
Favorite color?Blue.
Care to share future plans?Nope. What can I say? Now that I’ve met her, I need to claim her. But will she accept me after she learns what I’ve done?
Want to learn more about Keeton? You can find his story and more than 20 others in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
March 25, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: Amy Pennza
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CjJ6WL
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-pennza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyPennza
Website: https://amypennza.com/
Like a lot of romance authors, I used to be a lawyer. I don’t know why there are so many of us, but it’s an interesting phenomenon. Maybe because lawyers tend to read a lot? Anyway, I’m a mom of five, so life is never boring around my house. I’m also an Army veteran, which really comes in handy when you need to get five kids out the door fast.
What genres do you write?Paranormal romance and contemporary romance. I also have a sci-fi romance out there, as well as a women’s fiction novel.
How many books have you published?I think I’m at 15 now, which six releases planned for this year.
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?Very steamy stories (no closed doors here!) with strong heroines and ultra-possessive alphas. No cliffhangers, ever, and happily-ever-afters always.
What were your inspirations for Feral Protector?One of my first books was a sci-fi space opera romance set on a post-apocalyptic prison planet. Think Mad Max but heavier on the romance. I love that kind of worldbuilding, and I really wanted to write a shifter romance in a dystopian world. I like putting a different twist on the lycan myth.
Please share your setting for Feral Protector. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?Feral Protector is set 70 years after The Fall, which is how the characters in this world refer to the collapse of human civilization after the Lykos-D virus infected the population. There are some subtle climate change themes in the book, because the virus probably spread due to melting glaciers, which released an ancient “werewolf” virus. There is actually some scientific basis to this, as scientists today worry about long-dead viruses and bacteria getting released into the modern world. We don’t have an immunity built up to some of these nasty diseases, so there is a great deal of concern about warmer temperatures melting the ice.
How did you research or prepare?The heroine, Eden, is a doctor, so I wanted to make sure I got all the medical terminology she uses correct. I also write about werewolves in many of my books, and I’ve done a lot of research on wolf behaviors. There are some really interesting facts about how wolves communicate with each other and how they arrange themselves in their pack hierarchy.
When did the writing bug first bite?Like a lot of authors, I started writing very young. I used to make books out of construction paper. My youngest son does this same thing now, which is really cute to see.
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?I read just about everything! I love Anne Rice, whose books first got me interested in paranormal romance. She also has some incredible historical fiction books, including one about castrati in eighteenth century Italy. I’m also a huge science fiction and fantasy reader. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read The Lord of the Rings.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?My kids play a ton of sports, so we’re usually on the go.
Boxers, brief or commando?Boxer briefs!
Favorite eye color?Hazel
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?I can get a lot of writing done if I wake up several hours before my family lol.
Describe your perfect alpha hero.A man who’s strong and protective without trampling on the heroine’s rights or personality.
Thanks, Amy! Get more paranormal themed stories like Feral Protector in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
March 23, 2021
Read the first chapter of Rune of Passing (Immortal Keeper)
Happy Release Day!
I’m so excited to share my new vampire romance novella with you. It’s part of the multi-author series, Immortal Keeper. Each book in the series is a stand-alone. You don’t need to read them in order. But I encourage you to pick them all up because they are AMAZING!
Rune of Passing is Available at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pUVoeK
Today, I have the prologue for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
Prologue
Natasha
There were way too many vampires in one place.
I was ready to leave the moment I arrived, but since it was my father’s remembrance reception, that would’ve been rude. Right? Of course, it would be. Besides, it wasn’t like we could have an actual funeral or burial. There was no body to bury since vampires turned to dust when they died. So, the reception was a way for my father’s closest friends and associates to pay their respects.
My father, my vampire guardian since I was an infant, was murdered right in front of me. That was months ago. I hadn’t wanted this little gathering at all, but Caitlyn insisted.
The demon who killed him was still out there, and I’d rather be hunting him down than standing under the scrutiny of a roomful of vampires. I was sure they were there to see which one of them would step up as my new guardian. Not that I needed one. I was twenty and legally an adult. I didn’t need supervision—vampire or otherwise. I had Caitlyn. She was a vampire and my father’s best friend. She was like a mother to me.
However, I was a Chosen—someone the vampires of the Ouroboros Society thought exceptional—but I didn’t feel so special at that moment.
I only felt anger.
I damn sure didn’t need a new guardian, which I was sure why half the vampires were there. They were looking for a Chosen with gifts they could mold into whatever they wanted. Some vampires who agreed to take on a gifted ward only wanted her for her gifts. Hell would freeze before I allowed a vampire to use me for their own personal gain or a weapon.
Scanning the room, I saw Caitlyn mingling with the guests. Her red hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and a tightness about her violet eyes was the only hint of her grief. Outwardly, she projected a cool, calm demeanor that permeated the room. We were holding the reception in her house since mine was destroyed in the attack.
No father. No home. That damn demon took everything from me. He would pay with his life if it was the last thing I did. Maybe anger was an understatement.
Tingles of awareness skittered up my spine—I was being watched. I looked around for the source and saw him. Between all the black suits moving around, one caught my eye. My breath hitched, and my heartbeat increased. I hated my reaction to him, so I squashed the spike of heat flooding my body as fast as it appeared.
He leaned against the far wall, watching me openly as opposed to the more discrete peripheral stares I got from everyone else. His hair was as black as his suit, eyes nearly as dark, and I could see the muscle in his lean build through the jacket he wore. Gorgeous, but I didn’t recognize him. Did he even know my father? Caitlyn?
Or did he come to learn what gifts I had?
Glancing around the room again, I caught sight of Caitlyn’s red hair disappearing into the kitchen. Maybe she would know who the tall, dark, and stalkish was. The others, I was at least vaguely familiar with, but he was entirely unknown to me. That bugged me.
I weaved around a couple and caught Caitlyn’s arm just inside the kitchen, turning back to find the mystery man was now gone. Standing on my tiptoes didn’t give me enough height to see over the crowd. He’d disappeared.
Yeah, that wasn’t suspicious at all.
“Everything okay, Nat?” She searched my face.
“Yeah.” I shook my head roughly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Caitlyn’s eyes went from worried to sympathetic. “How are you really?”
I sighed and ran my hands over my hair, tugging the ends. “Would it be awful if I just wanted to leave?”
“You’re going after that demon.” It was a statement. She knew me too well. Before I could answer, she slipped me a vial of something dark—her blood. “Keep this close and only drink it if your injuries require it or you need a power boost.”
She was letting me go? At the very least, I’d expected her to offer to go with me. I wouldn’t complain; it just caught me off-guard. Caitlyn pulled me close and kissed my head as though I was a kid again. For a moment, I closed my eyes and allowed emotion to fill me, the grief I suppressed since watching my father die.
“Be careful,” she said. “Call if you need me. I’ll cover for you here, don’t worry.”
I smiled for her sake, but in my head, I was already on the hunt. With one last look around for the stranger—who had vanished as if I’d made him up—I ducked out through the back door. In the weeks leading up to the reception, I’d searched for the culprit—the demon.
Klaus.
The one who took everything from me.
I followed my latest lead to an old abandoned industrial park building, a well-known hideout for paranormal criminals. As soon as I reached the industrial park, I sensed the low hum of dark power. The familiar demon magic washed over me, fueling my anger. He was there. I was sure of it.
I didn’t bother sneaking around. I was there for answers. Besides, he probably already knew I was there. He thought I could give him what he was searching for when he killed my father—the Rune of Passing.
I didn’t know where the rune was, but Klaus didn’t know that. It was tricky letting the demon believe I could give him the information he sought because he could torture the information out of me. I wasn’t about to let him get that close. I had a few tricks up my sleeve.
“Come on out, Klaus!” I yelled, my voice echoing back to me in the stillness as I moved through the area, following the dark power like a beacon. “I know you’re here somewhere, hiding like a coward.”
I got a lot of subtle glances and outright stares as I marched toward the building, hopefully looking braver than I felt. Fighting was almost second nature to me by now, but there were a lot of vicious fuckers who hung around this area. One wrong move and I would wind up biting off more than I could chew. Guys like these didn’t believe in a fair fight. It was a good thing I was trained to fight from a young age by a vampire.
The door to the warehouse, where I felt Klaus’ energy the strongest, was unlocked, and thankfully, no one messed with me on the way in. Then again, Klaus could have made sure no one would touch me except him. That thought wasn’t as comforting as it was meant to be.
Okay, breathe, Nat. You have a job to do.
Inside was an open space lined with tables and catwalks along the second floor. Around one of the tables, a small group of guys sat chatting, most likely Klaus’ minions. They were huge, bulky security-types, probably my welcoming committee. Well, wasn’t that nice of the bastard demon?
“Hey, guys,” I called nonchalantly while palming my knife inside the hidden pocket of my jeans. “I was wondering if you could tell me where to find Klaus. You know, big guy, black eyes, very demony, weird sigils on his arms.”
The four guys got to their feet silently and stalked toward me, spreading out as if they recognized my tiny ass was a threat. There was something distinctly not-human about them, but whatever they were, I could handle them. Probably.
Oh, they’re going to kill me. Well, they could try.
Hopefully, not before I got something I could use. Then again, Klaus wanted information from me, so he would lure me into a death trap. I braced myself, rooting my stance, waiting for the first swing to come.
“You could just tell me, and I’ll be on my way,” I suggested, shrugging my shoulders. “I won’t even tell anyone you’re here. There’s no need for you to get hurt today.”
The first fist came from behind me, but I saw it coming. I dropped to the ground, rolling between another guy’s legs, then popped back up. Instantly, pain exploded in the center of my back, and I went flying into a table. Fuck. Fighting four guys at once wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Not that it sounded easy in the first place.
I needed to narrow the playing field—pick them off one at a time. My small size allowed me to be quick and limber. Living with a vampire my whole life taught me to be fast and silent, and whatever was inside me, which gave me my gifts, made me a little harder to kill than a normal human.
The welcoming party spread out again, so I picked one and ran, concentrating on what I wanted. My slight frame only pushed him back a step, but it was enough. I threw up a hand and created a portal right behind him. His eyes rounded as he fell through into another dimension. I didn’t care where because it didn’t matter. I just needed to get rid of them. With a wave of my hand, I closed the portal, then ducked and spun under another assault.
I pulled my knife from its hiding spot and slashed my arm out, slicing one guy in the stomach. He hissed out in pain and stumbled back. I conjured another portal and kicked him through it.
Then there were two.
I smiled at the glares they sent me, trying to hide their surprise I could create portals.
“What’s wrong? Don’t want to take a trip with your friends?”
They didn’t comment as they charged at me, but I was ready. I threw up the portal just as they reach me, then closed it fast.
As the charge in the air from my power settled, I saw Klaus near the back of the warehouse, opening his own portal. There was only one place he could go—the Underworld. Well, I could go there, too. In fact, there wasn’t a realm or dimension I couldn’t enter.
When I created the next portal, I focused on Klaus’ energy, so I could pop in near where he landed. Since the age of ten, when the power first showed up, I’d trained to perfect my sense of direction when it came to seeing and jumping to other realms. My father had made sure my power was at its strongest, so I wouldn’t accidentally get lost in another world.
As soon as I stepped into the Underworld, hot pain seared the back of my head, and I went down. Fucking demon. My vision blurred, and my skull ached. Breathing in and out slowly, I pushed the pain away and regained my bearing.
Lifting my head, I made eye contact with Klaus. He looked smug as he watched me, proud of himself for some reason. I was looking forward to punching that smug right off his face.
I still had my knife in my hand, so I threw it, hitting the asshole in the chest. He frowned and stumbled back. Laughing, I stood.
“Yeah, fucker, it’s silver-coated iron.”
Some demons’ weakness was silver, others was iron. Then there were the select few not affected by either. I was hoping Klaus wasn’t among the select few, but of course, he was. The demon glanced down at the knife and pulled it out of his chest, then tossed it to the ground. Damn.
I charged at him, slamming into his middle with my shoulder. The force sent us flying a few feet behind where he stood. He landed on his back with a grunt. Instantly, he punched me in the jaw hard enough I fell to the ground. My face throbbed, and I felt it start to swell, but I ignored the pain and pushed to my feet.
He stood at the same time, and I didn’t hesitate when I pulled a larger dagger from the knee-high boot and thrust it forward into his gut. Then I jerk it to the side, cutting through him.
Klaus doubled over and growled. “Bitch.”
He shot forward and had me by the throat faster than I could track, holding me off the ground.
“You will pay for that once you tell me where the rune is.”
“Never,” I choked out. I drew my foot back, then slammed it home, connecting the tip of my boot with his balls.
He roared and crumpled to the ground, releasing me. I coughed as I tried to suck in air. My throat was sore. No doubt I’d have bruises around my neck. Standing, I moved to him and kicked him in the side. As soon as my foot touched him, he grabbed my ankle and jerked. I fell to the ground, hitting my head on the gravel under us.
Pain exploded in my head. Klaus was on his feet instantly and standing over me. He kicked me in the ribs, making me cry out. A few ribs cracked. I picked up a handful of gravel and threw it at his face. He was too strong, and I was stupid for thinking I could defeat him.
There was only one thing I could do before he killed me, something I’d never done before, but in theory, I could do. I just never had the chance to test it out. Pushing away the sharp pain in my chest and the throbbing in my head, I shot forward, grabbing Klaus’ leg with one hand. Extending my other up with my palm facing him, I focused on creating his new home for eternity.
“Go to hell,” I gritted out and opened a portal underneath him.
He screamed at me as he fell into his own personal hell dimension—his prison for the rest of his life. One he could never escape from because only I held the key.
I coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and fought to a sitting position. Digging Caitlyn’s vial out of my pocket, I downed it. It wasn’t much, but energy returned to my muscles, and the pain in my chest and head eased. The next portal I opened dumped me out into my apartment. Crawling to my bed, I passed out.
Read More about the Immortal Keeper series.
Get your copy of Rune of Passing (Also available in Kindle Unlimited)
March 18, 2021
Hearts Unleashed Author Interview: L.A. McGinnis
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3t0iC4P
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/l-a-mcginnis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LAMcGinnis1520
Website: https://lamcginnis.com/
Perched on the edge of a national park, L.A. McGinnis spends her days writing sexy urban fantasies filled with brooding heroes and smart, bold heroines. A life-long fascination with mythology inspires her to weave these contemporary tales of legendary fated mates set in gritty, urban settings like New York, Chicago and London.
What genres do you write?PNR, UF, RH
How many books have you published?15 so far, with more on the way!
What can a reader expect when picking up one of your books for the first time?Lots of sass, some snark, tons of steam and plenty of character development.
What were your inspirations for Black Heart?I’ve always been interested in how creatures who live for hundreds of years would govern themselves, and it made sense that they’d retain some of their learned behaviors from when they were human. so I incorporated a royal class structure into the story, which serves as a background theme, and drives certain character’s behaviors.
Please share your setting for Black Heart. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?New Orleans and the surrounding area. Sadly NOLA was on our travel list for 2020, but the trip never happened. maybe this summer once things calm down we can make it down!
How did you research or prepare?I usually do a deep dive into setting, including food, weather, famous local sites, colleges, businesses and anything specific to the region. (Past disasters is always an interesting rabbit hole.) Then I take my two main characters and set them loose!
When did the writing bug first bite?I’ve been writing since 2007, but seriously since 2016. I was always interested in the power of stories, and took lots of college courses in mythology, Old English and Shakespeare. It wasn’t until my kids were older, I could steal the time to actually write!
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?Karen M Moning, JR Ward, Darynda Jones, Larissa Ione…the list goes on and on.
What is your most favorite childhood memory?When I got to give the homecoming queen her flowers during halftime when I was five. I got a new dress and shoes, and got to ride in a convertible (this was 1968, people) around the football field and go to the bonfire afterwards. I still remember everything about it!!!
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?I’m a lampwork artist, using a torch and a kiln.
Boxers, brief or commando?Commando, of course
Favorite eye color?Green
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?I once did a perfect 360 on an icy road around a semi truck sliding the other way. It was the scariest dance I’ve ever done, and we both missed each other by inches.
Do you have a set writing schedule or do you just go with the flow of life and write when you can?I run an art business, so writing days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Describe your perfect alpha hero.Tough but sensitive, doesn’t take any BS, calls people out when they screw up, and always demands the best of his partner, supporting them so they can live up to their potential. Oh, and sexy, they must be sexy, preferably with dark hair and green eyes.
Thanks, L.A. McGinnis! Get more paranormal themed stories like Black Heart in Hearts Unleashed, a Limited Edition Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Collection of 20+ NEW heart-pounding supernatural fiction featuring sensual heroes and sassy heroines.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/355Dcal
Universal: https://books2read.com/hearts
February 26, 2021
A Cursed Midlife Excerpt
17 days until Witching After Forty Book 2 releases! LA Boruff and I are so excited and can’t wait for you guys to read it. So, We have a sneak peek for you.
Here is the first chapter for you.
Preorder it here: https://amzn.to/3bP4AMG
Chapter One
“Coming!” I called.
The persistent knocking on the door roused me from a dead sleep. I’d just settled into the deep bliss of dreamland. And my crazy house didn’t help. Every time whoever-was-about-to-get-an-earful-from-me-for-waking-me knocked on the door, the house echoed the sound upstairs, and I would’ve sworn it was doing it on purpose. Right outside my bedroom door. The last double tap was so loud I jumped out of bed. Literally landing on my buttocks on the hardwood floor, and then I understood why they were called hardwood.
Rubbing my behind, I stomped down the stairs, paying back the house for waking me. Whoever it was could have left a message and went away. I’d call them back, maybe. Eventually.
“Where is everyone?” I mumbled loudly. I’d told Alfred not to answer the door unless he knew who it was, but my son was here for the weekend, and Owen, my friend, roommate, and teacher, was hanging around somewhere. Apparently, neither of them was home.
As long as our new houseguest, the fully defleshed skeleton, Larry, didn’t answer, we’d be okay. It was way too fudging early to deal with the aftermath of anyone seeing him.
Alfred stood beside the door, dry-washing his hands. He shrugged at me, his eyes somehow looking worried even though he couldn’t move the skin on his face to convey that emotion. “It’s okay,” I said softly. “Just stand behind the door.”
As my ghoul, Alfred had become a beloved member of our family, even if he wouldn’t let me take out the strings tying his lips together. His vocal cords definitely worked, because he made grunting noises all the time. I’ve even caught him mumbling to Snooze once. So he could talk. I wasn’t sure why he didn’t want to. But I filed it under one of the many mysteries of life I didn’t have time to solve at the moment. There was something about him he wanted to keep hidden, but hey. Who was I to judge? I’d kept my necromancer side hidden for over twenty years.
Sometimes we suppressed part of who we were, and that was okay. So I wasn’t about to push him to share his secrets.
Peeking out the peephole, frowned. Nobody out there. “Probably some town kid playing a prank,” I muttered. We had the spooky old house on the hill. Well, spooky with fresh paint and newly renovated insides.
I’d been thinking about doing some major upgrades, but at the last minute decided to restore the old house and keep the historical value of it. Although the value may have been zero since the house was basically alive. It wasn’t possessed or anything, it was just… animated. My theory was the house had absorbed so much magic through the centuries that it formed its own spirit along the way.
I opened the door cautiously in case there really was someone out there. Couldn’t be too careful after the winter we’d had. Murders and Satanic Christmas parties and all that. It had been chaos. The neighborhood was going to Hell.
Or was that just my new devilish neighbor? Definitely was Luci because I was going to send him there. Hopefully soon.
Casting thoughts of the devil aside, for now, I frowned at the absence of a warm body—or cold body with my luck—standing on my porch. But instead of being greeted by a person, I stepped back when an envelope fluttered into the house and hung suspended in my entryway.
“Er, okay.” The envelope turned toward me when I spoke and froze in midair, leaving the front so I could clearly read my name written in a bold red calligraphy. Ava Calliope Howe Harper. Wow. They’d middle named me. I hadn’t been middle named since I was a teenager living here with Yaya and Aunt Winnie.
What the heck was I supposed to do now?
I plucked the envelope from the air as Alfred shut the door behind us. He moved closer as if curious to what it was. That made two of us.
“What’ve you got?” Owen walked down the stairs smoothing his long black hair back. He looked freshly showered, which explained why he hadn’t answered the door.
I lifted one brow, at least I thought I did. Usually, I ended up moving them in all directions while trying to lift only one. “Where were you? Did you not hear the door?” He was a morning person. I wasn’t. This was his time to be adulty.
“I was in the shower.” He studied me for a moment. “What’s wrong with your eyebrows?”
“Nothing.” I waved him off and focused on the envelope, then answered his question. “This floated into the house when I opened the door. I’m hoping it’s not cursed.” I laughed even though I was being serious.
We all walked into the large kitchen and sat at the table. I spied my son, Wallie, on the porch drinking coffee. We’d opened up the back wall of the kitchen to let in more light. Half of the back of the kitchen led into a large conservatory where we grew herbs and plants mostly for use in spells. The space was big enough, I could put in a small antique wood burning stove and a workstation for me to do my potions and spell casting. The ritual room in the attic was used for bigger magical things. Like accidentally conjuring Satan last Christmas.
Before we’d knocked down the wall, we had to go through the conservatory to reach the back deck, but thanks to a little elbow grease and a lot of magic, big French doors now also led to the porch from the kitchen.
I didn’t blame Wallie for having his coffee out there. We’d recently learned how to create heat bubbles around ourselves, something among the many things Owen had taught us. Since I’d rejected my necromancer side and strongly suppressed even my elemental magic all my life, I’d had to relearn all the things my mother, aunt, and grandmother had taught me as a child and teen.
Plus, there was a whole world of magic I’d never given them the chance to share with me. One of my biggest regrets now that they were all gone.
“Alfred, will you get Wallie?” I said studying the envelope. A hum of magic flowed from it, telling me another witch had sent it.
Alfie grunted and tapped on the glass in the door, making Wallie jump and turn with wide eyes. Then he laughed when he realized he’d been startled by the house ghoul. I chuckled softly.
He walked in followed by the skeleton, Larry, and our big, fat Maine coon cat Snoozle. Mr. Snoozleton, to be precise, but he was called all sorts of things.
“Good morning,” Larry said. “I hope you’re all well on this lovely winter morn.”
Good grief, the skeleton was a morning undead person. I didn’t do morning or morning people, undead or alive. Flesh or no flesh.
I had to force myself not to roll my eyes at the skeleton’s turn of phrase. Or the fact that it still creeped me out that he could speak so eloquently without the aid of any vocal cords.
“The doorbell rang,” I explained. “Then someone knocked until I answered, but nobody was there. Just this envelope.”
Larry leaned close and his head pulled back as the sound of sniffing filled the air. “Smells like magic,” he whispered.
How…? Nope. No, I wasn’t going to ask how the skeleton could smell. Nope, not asking. Just go with the crazy.
“Hello?” A voice from the front door made me turn my head, but I didn’t get up. I knew who it was before she spoke.
“Come in, Olivia!” I yelled. She came over all the time, but I didn’t mind. She’d quickly become my best friend and partner in crime, even though we’d been enemies in high school.
Times changed us all. Life changed us. “Get in here,” I called. “I got a mysterious letter.”
She hurried in the kitchen with her arms full. Of course, she’d cooked. I looked up at her and spied a big pink box. Nope, she bought donuts this time.
Her son, Sammie, scurried in the room, arms held out toward Snoozle. Nice to see how I ranked with the kid. Did he not know I was the closest thing to an aunt he’d ever have?
Snooze hunkered down, but he let Sammie pick him up and hug him. “Hello Mr. Snoozer,” Sammie said. “I missed you.”
The look Snooze shot me made me snort. There was real panic in his eyes.
“Okay, he loves you, too,” Olivia told Sammie. “Put him down.”
Alfred grunted and Sammie launched himself into Alfie’s arms. “Hey, Alf!” he cried. “I missed you too.”
Alfred grunted a few more times, which Sammie apparently understood because they ran out of the room and thundered up the stairs as Olivia’s husband and my lifetime best friend, Sam, walked in.
“You shouldn’t have given Alfred an iPad,” Sam said. “Now Sammie wants one. He’s been driving us nuts about it.”
I blanched and shrugged while hiding my smile. “Sorry, friend. I had to have a way to communicate with Alfred. I don’t speak grunts.”
“What is that?” Olivia asked, setting the donuts on the table.
“A magical envelope.” I smiled at her.
“Will you open that thing already?” Owen asked. “I’m dying to know what it is.”
“As am I,” Larry said pompously as he sat in one of the kitchen chairs. His pelvic bones clacked against the wood of the chair.
I closed my eyes briefly, hoping no parts fell off him.
Tearing my gaze away from the still-shocking sight of a skeleton at my kitchen table, I ripped the back of the envelope open.
The parchment inside was the thickest I’ve seen and probably expensive. I unfolded it and read the contents to the room.
Dear Ms. Howe-Harper,
The Shipton Harbor Coven cordially invites Ava Howe-Harper, Wallace Harper, and Owen Daniels to the monthly coven meeting on this Saturday at 8 pm. It will be held at the home of the Coven Master. Repeat the spell on the bottom of this paper when you are ready to travel, and the direction will be made clear to you.
With Respect,
Bevin Magnus
Recruiter
Princeps invenire pythonissam
“Is that the spell?” Olivia whispered. Her eyes were wide and excited as she bent over my shoulder. “Can I go?”
“Yes. It means something along the lines of Find the High Witch. And no,” I said evenly. “Because I’m not going. These people ostracized Aunt Winnie and Yaya because of my dad. No way.”
I crumpled the parchment and tossed it on the table. As soon as it landed, it started opening up from its ball. Within seconds it was smooth as when I pulled it out of the envelope. I pointed and said, “See? Cursed.”
Owen stared at it. “It’s not cursed.”
Yet he eyed it like it was going to attack him. Ha, not so sure, are we?
“I thought they invited your mom,” Sam said. “But I don’t remember the details.”
I sighed and looked around the table at my new family. “They invited Mom, but Winnie and Yaya always said it was because they wanted an in with a powerful necromancer. Which never made sense to me since they once hated my dad for that same reason. Back then, I wasn’t suppressing my power, and they sensed how strong I would be. When Mom died, Winnie withdrew from the coven, and I began to suppress my powers. Yaya and Winnie wouldn’t force me to use them, so the coven sort of shunned them. Yaya stayed in because of, as she said it, keeping her enemies close, but she was basically trolling them.”
They’d treated her like crap. We never got invitations to the witch parties, I was never invited to play with the other children of the coven, and once Winnie had pulled away and stopped being social after Mom died, her invitations dried up as well.
“I loved my coven in Nebraska,” Owen said. “It was like a big family. Maybe this one has changed.” He raised his eyebrows. “What would it hurt to go see?”
I tapped the parchment that wouldn’t die. “Bevin Magnus was one of the ones that could’ve made us feel welcome after Mom died, and could’ve tried to get us back in the fold. But no, he did nothing but stick his nose up at us. I’m telling you, they’re not good people.”
“I’d like to go, too,” Wallie said. “I’d like to meet other witches. This Magnus might be a jerk, but they can’t all be. And it’s hard to meet our kind without the coven network.” He grinned. “Michelle took me to meet her coven. It was awesome.”
Michelle, his witch girlfriend, had come home with him for Christmas. Some big exam had kept her on campus this past weekend, but she was a sweet girl.
I sighed and stared at Owen and Wallie’s hopeful expressions. “Fine,” I growled. “We’ll go. But mark my words. These witches are bitches.”
November 30, 2020
A Ghoulish Release Day Teaser
Happy Monday! Today is release day for A Ghoulish Midlife, the first in a new paranormal women’s fiction series I’m co-writing with LA Boruff titled Witching After Forty.
To celebrate the new release I’ll be posting some giveaways all week here on the blog. So be sure to check back each day.
Today I have a teaser from A Ghoulish Midlife to share with you PLUS I’m giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. Just share this blog post using the share buttons at the bottom of the page and comment letting me know you did. I’ll pick one random commenter on Sunday, 12/6/20.
Now for your teaser. Enjoy!
© Lia Davis and LA Boruff 2020. All rights reversed
Do not copy and distribute any of the content below. If you which to share it with your friends, use the share buttons at the end of the post or copy the blog post URL.
It was a slow morning, so I got everything behind the counter organized and dusted before my first customer came in. When the little bell over the door sounded, excitement filled me, then died almost as fast.
Of course, of course my first customer was Olivia. Great! Just what I needed.
“Ava!” Olivia squealed as soon as she walked through the door and saw it was me behind the counter. Super.
“Hey, Olivia, how are you?” I checked my watch as I stepped up to the counter across from her. The woman was too perky. And way too happy that I was back in town. Had she not had anyone else to torture since I left Shipton? “Where’s Sammie?”
“He’s at kindergarten. Can you believe he’s old enough for school?” Olivia poked out her bottom lip and did a fake sniff.
I didn’t bother to hold in my laugh. We weren’t friends in high school and weren’t nice to each other so why start now? Her sudden interest in me was suspicious. I kept feeling that if I let down my guard and accepted that she might have changed like Sam said, I’d be the one who got crapped on. However, I trusted Sam and loved him like a brother. He’d asked me to give her a chance, and I would try. I just didn’t think that meant talking to her all the time.
Now that she knew I was working at Imaginary Homes Bookstore, there was no stopping her from hanging out when I worked. That was fabulous. Not. Studying her for a long moment, I asked, “Do you work?”
She grinned and shook her head. “Nope. My settlement from my divorce helps me stay at home with Sammie and all the things I couldn’t do with Jess and Devan.” Sadness passed over her face, but it was gone in a flash as she smiled at me. “I know Sammie is my third child, but it wasn’t any easier to send him off to school this year. It might’ve been a little harder. I miss that little guy during the day.”
I totally understood about sending a child off to school for the first time. Wallie was in college, and I’d still cried when I had to leave him at his dorms. I’d cried ugly fat tears all the way home.
However, Sammie wasn’t Olivia’s first child. She had two others, Jess—short for Jessica—and Devan, from her first marriage that were in college. I didn’t mention that she was a pro at this mother thing, even though it was on the tip of my tongue. A part of me wanted to tease her in a friendly way. What was that about?
I didn’t understand the urge to be playful with her. We weren’t friends. Plus, I was at work. It was just so hard to be nice considering I didn’t trust Olivia’s bubbly, happy-to-see-me personality at all. I was halfway convinced Olivia had married Sam out of spite. Or to piss me off.
That was how it had been when we were in school.
Olivia leaned against the counter and watched me for a long moment. Her gaze searched my neck and the surrounding area as if she thought she could see my witch mark. The most common area for the mark was on the neck or above the collar bone where it was easy to see or expose to other witches. Only those with magic in their blood could see the mark. Olivia had no magic. She was as human as they came.
It didn’t matter whether or not she had the Sight. My mark was not on my neck. It was on the inside of my right forearm.
“Sooo,” Olivia said, drawing out the small word as she gave up her search for my witch mark. I lifted a brow, waiting for her to continue. “Sammie’s teacher, you remember her. Carrie Treehill, she was a couple of grades behind us?”
I nodded as if I had any recollection of this person. I didn’t because I was terrible with names. And faces, sometimes. “Sure.”
“Well, she just left her husband, and everyone is saying he cheated on her. The jerk.” Olivia pursed her lips, then widened her eyes and leaned in close. “I was thinking,” she whispered. “If it’s true, can we curse him? Because I really like Carrie.”
We? Did she have a mouse in her pocket? I crossed my arms and glared at her. Olivia knew I was a witch. Well, she believed I was a witch like everyone else. No one but Sam and my family knew I was so much more. “First, cursing people brings you all kinds of bad mojo. Two, there is no we.”
She deflated a bit. “Maybe curse is too strong of a word. We could do something, a spell maybe, that would make him feel sorry for being a cheating butt face.” Olivia tapped her fingers on the glass countertop.
There she went with the we again. I didn’t come back into town to cast spells on people. “That answer is no. I’m not that kind of a witch.”
It was true. I wasn’t. Not really. If I wanted to, and I really didn’t, I could raise the dead, create undead creatures, and other dark magic that gave witches a bad name in the first place. Necromancers were good like that.
My magic was stronger than the average necromancer. Plus, I also had witch magic. I was a magical hybrid, one of a kind. It was a secret I planned to take to my grave.
She gave me big eyes and a pouty lip. “Maybe just a little something? Like give him ED for a month?”
I snorted then covered my mouth. The last thing I needed to do was encourage Olivia. “That is still doing harm.”
Cheating wasn’t a big enough offense for me to risk Karma paying me a visit. I wasn’t about to say that out loud because Olivia would take it and run. No doubt she’d dig up more reasons to make the cheater pay.
A customer came in, nodded at us, and moved down one of the aisles of books. Olivia shrugged. “It was worth a shot. I guess I can wait for Karma to catch up with him.”
Had she read my mind? “And she will. Eventually.”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “Do you know Karma? Maybe you can call her?”
I tried so hard not to laugh and failed. “No, I don’t know Karma. She might not be a person.”
Glancing toward the bookshelves, Olivia tapped her fingers on the glass countertop then checked her watch. “I need to go. It’s my turn to bake cupcakes for the kids today. We should do lunch tomorrow.”
I had a feeling that if I didn’t have lunch with her, she wouldn’t leave me alone. Then again, if I did, it was possible she still wouldn’t leave me alone. It was really a lose-lose situation. “Fine. Call me in the morning.”
I didn’t need to give her my number. She could get it from Sam’s phone.
She let out a small squeal and clapped her hands. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
Before I could tell her not too early, she was gone.
Great. If she called my phone before the sun fully rose, I would seriously reconsider my no cursing people policy.
Own it today: https://amzn.to/3nbYZ80
Also available in Kindle Unlimited!
