Tagline: Sent away because of her feelings for a girl, she discovered a birthright of magic at her aunt’s lake house.
Book Description:
Thirteen-year-old Zinnia is about to turn fourteen when her life is flipped upside down. With her parents on the brink of a divorce, Zinnia is sent to spend the summer with her eccentric great-aunts on their lake house away from her home in Manhattan. Zinnia arrives at her aunt’s massive Victorian house, with a heavy heart.
After a recent falling out, she had with her best friend Charlotte, who betrayed her trust by showing the meanest and most popular girl in school a letter Zinnia wrote confessing her feelings for Charlotte. The aunts rely on practical magic, acceptance, and old family friends to help heal their great-niece in more ways than one.
But what no one expected that summer was for Zinnia to meet Billie, another girl who was more like Zinnia than she would have guessed.
Rebecca Henry is an American author living abroad in England. She is a devoted vegan who gardens, practices yoga, crafts, travels the world, and bakes. Rebecca’s favorite holiday is Halloween, and she is obsessed with anything and everything witchy! Besides writing fiction, Rebecca is also the author of her vegan holiday cookbook collection and green living lifestyle book. Her love for animals, baking with her family, having a plant-based diet, and cruelty-free, green lifestyle inspired her nonfiction novels. You can find all Rebecca’s books on Amazon and Goodreads.
Somebody needs to tell Donnette Smith that I’m not a happy character. I’m Jenna Langley by the way, and you wouldn’t believe the terrifying ordeals she has put me through.
In book 1, Killing Dreams, she decided to turn my clairvoyant abilities into a fight for my life. That’s right. What made her think I’d enjoy witnessing a madman strangle the life out of random women by way of out-of-body experiences?
Furthermore, what gave her the hair-brained idea that having a seriously demented serial killer stalk me would somehow be a satisfying pastime?
While you’re at it, ask her why she had to turn up the heat in book 2, Buried Alive, and stick me in a grave to rot. As if she hadn’t put me through enough.Hmph. She’d be furious if I let the cat out of the bag right now and told you how the story ends. Believe me, I’m tempted.
The only reason I won’t is that I’m grateful she gave me a second chance at love with my high school sweetheart, Cole Rainwater. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
I’ll confess, from the moment I laid eyes on him after ten, long years, he was even sexier than I imagined. He wasn’t a teenager any longer. He was tall with longer hair than I’d remembered. But when his grey eyes slid over me, I knew he hadn’t forgotten anything. He was pissed that I’d abandoned him, and my heart sank. And I…
Never mind. I don’t want to talk about it. Just chalk it up to another one of Donnette’s torture tactics. At least she’s got that going for her. The art of suspense and all that. Moving on. Now I get the stage. How do you like me now, Donnette?
This is my chance to tell everyone the story she couldn’t be bothered to tell you. This is the tale of me and Cole before that psycho writer lady decided to nearly kill us off. Like, who does that to decent folks anyhow?
So…me and Cole met when we were fifteen years old. I’ll never forget the expression on his face when I turned to stare at him after he purposely bumped into me while me and my best friend Barbara stood in line in front of him at the rodeo concession stand. Yeah, he was smug, alright. So sure of himself. As if nudging me from behind was somehow going to impress me. He asked for my number, and I told him to bite me.
That didn’t deter him. He kept after me the whole night. I finally gave him what he wanted to get rid of him. Okay, okay…so I thought he was a little hot. And I admit, his lopsided grin did this fluttery thing to my stomach.
The next day when he called, I reluctantly agreed to go to a party with him. It was then, on the tailgate of his truck, under a moonlit blanket of stars, that he made his move. He swept a stray curl away from my face and pulled me toward him. I knew when he kissed me, my life would never be the same.
I swear that boy had me from the first brush against my cheek. We spent the next two years together. I can only describe it as heaven. Then Donnette tore us apart when she invented that horrible thing Cole’s father had done. My parents found out and tore me away from the only boy I’d ever loved with all my heart. They took me to another state just to ensure I’d never see Cole again.
Now you know what life was like for me before Donnette threw a wrench in everything.
I shiver to think about what new disaster awaits me in book 3, The Stolen. Donnette isn’t finished writing it yet. But I hear she’s got it all plotted out. I fear what she has in store for me this time might be worse than being chased by a crazed killer, and possibly more frightening than being placed in a casket six feet under the ground. Whatever happened to a good, old-fashioned love story?
Buried Alive
Spirit Walker Series
Book Two
Donnette Smith
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: 3/14/2022
ISBN: 978-1-5092-4082-1 Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-5092-4083-8 Digital
Number of pages: 250
Word Count: 65,142
Cover Artist: Kristian Norris
Tagline: When your sixth sense speaks, believe it.
Book Description:
As a clairvoyant, Jenna Langley has foreseen her fair share of murder. But the night she is haunted by visions of a woman buried alive in a makeshift casket, nothing prepares her for the chilling reality that the victim she saw in her vision is herself.
Having survived a recent tragedy, and now tasked with the duty of planning her wedding, everyone attributes Jenna’s disturbing dreams to stress. Even her fiancé does his best to convince her she is perfectly safe.
But someone wants revenge and Jenna is the target of that obsession. Her only hope for survival is if her fiancé, Detective Cole Rainwater, can root out who wants her dead before time runs out.
At the same time
a sharp intake of breath filled her lungs, Jenna’s eyes snapped open. Blackness
surrounded her; panic set in instantly as soft whimpers set off a series of
echoes. It took a moment for it to sink in the sounds were her own.
Raising both
hands, her palms struck a hard object not a foot above her head. She slid her
palms over a rough surface, searching, feeling across the top and down the
sides of what felt like a wooden crate.
That embodied
her like a tomb.
She let go a
shriek, crying out in agony, “No! no! please, no!” There was no doubt she was
in the very place that stoked the deepest fear in her heart. Just the way her
vision forewarned. She was buried alive.
About the Author:
Although not a native Texan, Donnette Smith has spent more than half her life living in the Lone Star State. She is an entrepreneur and former business owner of Tailor Maid Services LLC.
After spending a few years working as a journalist for the Blue Ridge Tribune, she realized her love for writing romantic detective novels. Her stories cover a wide range of genres, from horror, time travel, mystery, fantasy, paranormal, and thriller. But one theme stays the same, there is always a detective solving a crime, and a gorgeous victim he would lay down his life to protect.
Donnette’s biggest fascination is with forensic science and crime scene investigations. Her first mystery/suspense novel, Lady Gabriella, was published in 2008. Her second novel was a horror/mystery/suspense titled Cunja and debuted in 2012.
Her latest released novel, book 1 of the Spirit Walker Series, Killing Dreams is a fantasy/romance story and became available in September of 2021. Book 2 of the Spirit Walker Series, Buried Alive, is soon to be released on March 14, 2022.
The wonderful Alpha and Omega (Charles and Anna Cornick) series by Briggs has one of my favorite witches in this book. Moira is married to Tom, a werewolf and second in the Emerald City pack in Seattle. Tom and Moira help Anna battle vampires that attack while the three are shopping. Moira is wonderful because she is a true white witch. In order to defeat her evil father, she needed a blood sacrifice and used her own eye. Such a sacrifice! Briggs also wrote a short story about how Tom and Moira met. Moira now wears wrap-around sunglasses because her eyes are so badly scarred. Though this is all I’ve read of the witch, I find she stays with me as a compelling character.
The Witches of Eastwick
Though the book by John Updike is much darker, this movie, featuring Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher is dynamite. The three innocent young women don’t realize they have witch powers until Jack’s character helps them discover their hidden depths. Of course, you must have conflict, and the local devout Christian (Veronica Cartwright) wants their evilness revealed. It’s a fun movie with the dark side of magic. Like most movies, it drifts a long way from the book’s story, but I’d watch Jack Nicholson read a cereal box. Great movie for witch lovers everywhere.
Lily Ivory, The Witchcraft series by Juliet Blackwell
Lily Ivory is a powerful solitary witch. Abandoned by her father, given to her grandmother by her mother, and banished from her hometown in Texas, Lily spent most of her life traveling. Now she is settled in San Francisco, making friends, running her own shop, and solving murders. For a witch, Lily is wonderfully innocent and naive. She has an affinity for vintage clothing and has a lovely shop that attracts a variety of customers. She’s involved in so many murders that a local homicide detective, who believes in her powers, becomes a good friend. I like Lily because she always seeks the good in people but puts all her efforts into destroying the evil she finds.
Endora, Bewitched
The thorn in Darrin Stephens’ side is his mother-in-law, Endora. She’s the perfect nemesis because he has asked his beautiful witchy wife to live with him as a mortal. He wants her to leave her magic in the closet, as it were. Endora, clad in wonderful kaftans and scarves, Is the perfect witch, popping in and out of their lives at will. As Samantha’s mother, Endora resents her daughter’s desire not to be magical and spends much of her time casting spells on Darrin and generally bringing chaos to his workplace. What’s not to love? Add to that Samantha’s other relatives, you’ve got a great sitcom. I think of it often and always twitch my nose. Alas, nothing happens.
Brenna Connelly Burns, Awakening Magic by Neely Powell
Brenna is a young witch, full of rebellion and a desire to do more, with no definite goal in mind about what that is. She has returned to New Mourne after living in Atlanta. A gifted artist, she’s working on illustrations for a friend’s children’s book. She’s unaware her family has lived under the curse of the Woman in White for centuries. However, she and the four younger witches in the coven determine they will not just accept their fate as their ancestor witches have done. When she begins to feel the full impact of her power, she believes she can end this curse before another generation is damned.
Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of Oz movie, 1939
Many people don’t know that L. Frank Baum’s fanciful 1900 book is quite different from the movie. In the novel, the Wicked Witch of the West had one eye, flew by umbrella instead of a broom, and wasn’t green at all. Thank goodness they changed her. She may be the stereotypical, hook-nosed witch as portrayed by Margaret Hamilton, but she is magnificent in her wickedness. The way she buzzes Munchkinville on that broom and orders her monkeys to fly—oh my, it’s divine! She’s the first film character that gave me nightmares. Maybe not good for my parents, but she lit my imagination on fire.
Gillian Holroyd, Bell, Book and Candle movie, 1958
Portrayed by the gorgeous Kim Novak, Gillian lives in Greenwich Village, runs an art gallery and is really a witch. Her handsome neighbor, Shep, is portrayed by Jimmy Stewart at his charming best. Gillian is aided by her witch aunt and warlock brother in luring Shep away from his current fianceé It’s a lot of fun. For the conservative 1950s, the sexual chemistry between Stewart and Novak is off the charts. She’s like a cat on the prowl, and even when I was younger I liked how she owned her sensuous nature. Warning: this movie is well before Women’s Lib. However, it always gives me that happy “Awww” at the end.
Nell Channing, Dance Upon the Air, Book #1 Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts
On the run from a dangerous past, Nell is unaware of her magical abilities. But she finds her true self and her sisters of the heart on this enchanted island. It’s the home she’s sought all of her life. Nell’s quiet power comes from the strength and confidence she builds day by day. She’s found the courage to face her darkest fear and realize she deserves the greatest of joys. In this trilogy are three complicated and intriguing witches, but it’s Nell who drew me in with her gentle ways and core of strength.
Sally Owens, Practical Magic movie, 1998
In every family, there’s a practical member, one who throws the lifeline, rights the ship, and keeps a steady hand on the wheel. That’s who Sandra Bullock plays in this wildly entertaining movie. It’s Sally’s loyalty to her sister I love the most. Even though the women in Sally’s small town have ostracized her for being a witch, she sets aside her feelings and calls on them to help save her sister. I like Sally for being sensible, but it’s when she lets her hair down a little, I wish she was my friend. I defy you to watch the margarita scene and not want a tangy frozen drink of your own.
Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac song, 1975
Full disclosure: Rhiannon is not a witch, but a legendary Welsh goddess who chooses a mortal man instead of a god. She’s punished, of course. Songwriter Stevie Nicks didn’t know the full story when she introduced it as “a song about an old Welsh witch.” So Rhiannon lives in my mind as a witch. The image merges with Nicks’s own stage persona with her flowing black gowns and an air of danger and mystery. I really wanted to be Steve Nicks, wore feathered earrings and necklaces, and tried to convince myself I had the magical powers of Rhiannon. Sadly, I’m not a witch or as sexy as Stevie, but I can still dream when I hear this song.
Awakening Magic
The Witches of New Mourne
Book One
Neely Powell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 978-166-4926707
ASIN: BO8PPTZ2CJ
Number of pages: 332
Word Count: 65,001
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Book Description:
An enchanted town. A vengeful spirit. A powerful coven under siege. For generations the Connelly witches made a great sacrifice to protect their town. In exchange, New Mourne remained a refuge for humans and supernatural beings to live in peace.
Now Brenna Burns, or another chosen female of this generation, is next in line to die—unless Brenna can find a way to end the curse of the malevolent Woman in White. With coven protections breached, Sheriff Jake Tyler joins the battle. The witch and the shapeshifter search for answers to break the curse, becoming closer every day. Passion overrules reluctance as their romance intensifies. But how can love grow when murder and violence threaten their world? The time for sacrifice draws near.
The powers of the Connelly witches may not be enough to defeat the dark magic that holds New Mourne. As the demonic influence drains the small town of its peace, the coven struggles to break its deadly bargain with the Woman in White.
Connelly
land had been stained by death But Brenna was determined to vanquish any trace
of dark magic from this sacred clearing. “You’ll not take this from me.”
She
wanted the Woman in White to appear and answer her. She wanted to challenge the
spirit’s right to inflict misery on her family yet again. The only response was
the sudden, sharp screech of an owl.
Brenna
learned as a child that barn owls didn’t hoot. Their call was shrill, almost a
scream.
“You
feel it, don’t you?” she said to the bird. “This beautiful place is soiled.”
The
owl fell silent as Brenna set up her candles at five points. With a flick of
her wrist they flamed to life. Then she shed her clothes and shoes. Skyclad,
she lifted her hands, palms up, and chanted, “Dirt from the earth, wind through
the trees, water to cleanse, salt to set free. Banish the evil, honor my plea.
As I will, so mote it be.”
She
poured salt and water in a wide circle and repeated the cleansing spell. The
calm and beauty of her family’s land pushed against the darkness. The owl
called out another warning.
Brenna
opened her eyes and locked gazes with a white tiger. Huge. Predatory. Standing
like a statue just beyond her charmed circle. His tongue flicked around his
mouth and displayed gleaming, sharp teeth.
Brenna
expelled a deep breath. “God, shifter, you scared me.”
Haunting Magic
The Witches of New Mourne
Book Two
Neely Powell
Genre: Paranormal romance
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Date of Publication: 2/15/2021
ISBN: 978-166-9617143
Number of pages: 286
Word Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Book Description:
Fiona Burns, a witch who sees dead people, meets Hollywood producer Bailey Powers, who sees her as the next cable star—and a fake. Even so, she’s tempted by the dynamic producer in more ways than one. But she has a big distraction—a vicious curse on her family coven. The ghosts of New Mourne warn of the return of the Woman in White, a vengeful spirit who claims the life of a Connelly witch from every generation.
During the battle, Fiona unwittingly fuels the demonic forces, and black magic brings death and heartbreak to her family. Initially a skeptic, Bailey is soon caught up in her supernatural battle with forces of evil. He’s also beginning to think Fiona can help him escape his haunting past.
With magic and mayhem at war and survival on the line, the Witches of New Mourne face a new challenge from their ancient foe. They discover that not all dark deeds are borne of the Woman but a demon who is bent on gaining the Woman’s powers for his own. Will another generation fall? Or does the curse end here?
Overgrown
weeds covered the back of the cemetery. In the deepening gloom, Fiona stumbled
over a stump. The baby’s screams filled her head. She had to help this child.
The
grave markers in the back of the cemetery were the oldest ones. Some of them
were so weathered it was impossible to read the names and dates on them.
When
they reached the back corner, Fiona knelt. All she could hear was the baby’s
cry. She dug through the weeds and scruff in front of her, ignoring the sting
of thorns on her hands.
Bailey
dug with her, and soon she touched the cool stone of a broken grave marker.
“Baby
MacCuindliss” was carved in uneven letters deep in the stone.
“This
is the Woman in White’s baby.” Fiona traced the name on the marker with tender
fingers. “Please don’t cry,” she whispered. “I’ll try to find your mother, I
promise.”
The
baby’s cry faded to a whimper. The mist blew away, leaving Fiona and Bailey
under a canopy of threatening clouds.
“MacCuindliss,”
Fiona breathed. “The Woman’s name.”
Lightning
streaked over the mountains, and the ominous stink of sulfur infused the air.
Leigh Neely and Jan Hamilton Powell are the writing team of Neely Powell. They met working at a rock ‘n roll radio station, discovered they’d both rather be writing fiction, and have been close friends ever since. Their path to cowriting paranormal romance took some detours. Leigh’s resume chronicles a diverse career as a disk jockey, newspaper reporter, advertising copywriter, magazine writer and editor.
Jan wrote 24 romance novels as Celeste Hamilton for Silhouette and Avon Books and then built a career in corporate communications and public relations.
Neely Powell became a successful team when they turned their attention to shifters, werewolves, witches, ghosts, fae and all things supernatural. Their first novel was TRUE NATURE from The Wild Rose Press, followed by AWAKENING MAGIC, HAUNTING MAGIC, and HEALING MAGIC.
Their rules for maintaining a partnership are simple: be honest, be kind, and bring Diet Coke and chocolate.
Damian Hunter was a handsome, half-human half-demon creature with an alluring quality about him. If Samara would have known how much thisCambion could make her give in with every word he uttered, she would have pelted him the secondshe laid eyes on him. It was no secret that Samara was the most guarded and isolated female demon anyone had ever met. Whenever she interacted withmembers of the opposite sex, she became tight-lipped in order to avoidrevealing too much about herself. But her determinationcrumbled the momentDamian’s fingertips brushed her shoulder; it was like tiny sparkstouchedher skin, keeping her from replaying her act as the brave, unaffected hunter.
Whenevershe was around Damian, Samarawas no longer independent.She wanted, no needed, to have him nearher—to have him hold her and whisper endearing words in her ear. She died for his touch, for his fingers running through her hair and his soft lips pressing against hers.He would ask her a question, a simple question, but it consisted of a dark secret she hadn’t told anyone. She would move backa foot away from him, avoiding his piercing hazel eyes.Then he would stand up. Her heart would be hammering because she knew her willpower wouldvanish the second he touched her.But she couldn’t find the strengthto leave him and never come back.Instead, she merely turned away.
Damian stood behind her.His large, soft palms cuppedher shoulders as he ran them gently down her biceps. His chin rested against her neck and his blond hair brushed her cheek.His warm breath fanned down her collarbone, head dipping as his soft lips met her skin. Her head lulled back, his magic already working on her as he sucked deeply on her neck, creating a markto show she was his. Then his lips trailed alongher jawline in a series of warm, mind-bendingkisses.
“Damian,” she gasped, trying to keepherself from collapsing into a heap.
“It’s okay,” hemurmured, his hands sliding down her arms to lock with her fingers. “I’ve got you.”
Then Samara gave in. She turned around and wrapped her arms around the Cambion’s waist, burying her head in his chest as his hands stroked her back. She began tellinghim everything —like she didn’t have a stop button. It all came tumbling out, and Damian absorbed every word as he listened.
Once Samara had finished, Damian gave her a sweet smile and kissed her passionately. When his lips left hers, Samara felt empty again. She realized too latethat the mere touch of his hands and lips had coaxed her into spilling her deepest, darkest secrets, and the shame of it all overwhelmed her.
Annihilation
Gehenna
Book 2
Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9781685640569
ASIN: B09KMNBNQG
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
Publication date: February 3, 2022
Number of pages: 493
Word Count: 143,000
Cover Artist: Amanda Tomo Yoshida
Tagline: You can’t escape from what you are
Book Description:
With the death of Lucifer, Queen Lucinda assumes control of Hell, ordering her soldiers to prepare for a doomsday war with Heaven. Craving eternal power, she devours the souls of gifted demonic beings, acquiring their abilities to destroy her perceived political enemies.
Meanwhile, the Black Crows meet with the Knights of Darkness in their hidden headquarters, plotting against Lucinda in their efforts to maintain peace and the balance of power. Consumed by hatred over Crighton Daemonium's unrequited love, Lucinda is unaware of the secret conspiracy brewing, or that Lucifer's spirit has returned to Hell inside the body of a soul–trapped demon.
Reclaiming his throne, Lucifer punishes his daughter for her act of treason. However, his obsession with Samara, Crighton's beautiful daughter, leaves him incapable of controlling his stolen body. After forcing her into submission, he names Samara the new Queen of Hell yet continues his authoritarian rule. When an insurgency breaks out on Earth, he becomes distracted long enough for her to be kidnapped by Nexus rebel forces, believing her to be the prophesied savior of their planet.
Is Samara the Phoenix, destined to destroy Lucifer? Or is she his soulmate and the true Queen of Hell?
"Annihilation, the sequel to Kaylin McFarren's award-winning Soul Seeker, is a decidedly Shakespearean thriller. Amidst the supernatural world, the novel is essentially a classic story about love, betrayal and power between and among royal families. McFarren's blatantly "human" portrayal of Samara Daemonium's youthful obsessions set her up to be both victim, royal and a star in a wholly compelling coming-of-age story. To get this most out of Annihilation, readers are highly encouraged to read Soul Seeker first." -- Bella G. Wright, BestThrillers.com
"Get ready for the steaming, twisted plot of Kaylin McFarren's Book 2 in the Gehenna series - Annihilation—where nothing is as it seems, and enemies are closer than anyone may think. Recommended!" - Chanticleer Reviews
"Simply couldn't put this book down, even when every hair on my neck was raised. It's that good!" -- Angela Fox, Publisher, Clackamas Review/Oregon City News
"This story is dark and decadent, and fans of such fare should find it largely entertaining." -- Blue Ink Reviews
"Hell has a new ruler, Queen Lucinda. A thrilling venture into the depths of Hell offers unrelenting intrigue and fearsome characters, including timeless stories of love, friendship, sacrifice, and identity... plot twisting toward an epic battle." - RECOMMENDED, The US Review of Books
"Annihilation is truly absorbing, shocking at times, and virtually impossible to put down!" - Theodocia McLean, Book Marketing Global Network
"Left on a cliffhanger and ready for the next book in this fiery series, Annihilation is an intense, dramatic power struggle and like a jigsaw puzzle, lots of different pieces hide the bigger picture until the end. We are happy to add this book to the Indie Books We Love section of the LoveReading website." - Charlotte Walker, Love Reading
Excerpt: Chapter One - Annihilation by Kaylin
McFarren
Two regiments of
ram-horned, cloven-hoofed demons marched through the blazing corridors of Hell
in preparation for the Red War against Heaven. Their stomping feet and thumping
spears shook dust loose in the solid rock tunnels leading to twenty massive
cellblocks, each identified by their cardinal direction: north, south, east,
and west. Confined in one of the cells on the lowest level was Hecate, the
Woodland Goddess and Queen Lucinda's loyal friend. Within a month of assuming
control of Hell, word had reached her that Lucinda's new regime was responsible
for numerous beheadings, boiling demons to death, and implementing monstrous
atrocities against woodland creatures and outspoken opponents within her own
council.
Believing their
friendship would make a difference, Hecate arranged a meeting with Lucinda two
weeks earlier and pleaded with her to abstain from cruel acts against mankind.
"Think of your legacy...the positive impact you could make." The
briskness she put into her voice was belied by the unshed tears glistening in
her eyes. She shifted her position in the high-back chair and drew a deep
breath. "Lucifer was brutal throughout his rein...up until the day he
died. You've always made brilliant choices, Samara. I know that better than
anyone. Lucifer made the worst decision of his life by sending Crighton to
England, and only the Sovereign Sector is responsible for the consequences that
followed. I'm just grateful that Lucifer didn't survive after that nasty battle
with his brother, Castiel. If he had, who knows what would have happened?"
The Queen rested
her chin on her fisted hands. "Indeed. But you need to remember that my
name is now Lucinda. I changed it after meeting with the Knights of Darkness
and taking control of Hell."
"Yes, of
course. I'll never forget the day before that happened. I was in the old arena
when Crighton's mother stabbed your father repeatedly," Hecate said
somberly. "I understand she was welcomed into Heaven along with her
soulmate, though I don't understand why..." She let her voice trail off,
shaking her head. "I guess we should thank them for your justly-deserved
position."
"I already
have...thanked Crighton, I mean. I offered him a more substantial token of my
gratitude as well, but he turned it down."
"Politely,
I hope?"
"I was
afraid to sit on the throne," she admitted. "That's why I waited so
long to make changes. Tyrus helped Crighton escape from Hell, and Lilith played
a large part in saving Ariel. But I was responsible for saving them all by
agreeing to take my father's place."
"True
enough, Lucinda." Hecate felt her eyes burn once more. She drew another
deep breath before adding, "I'm sure your generosity will never be
forgotten and will be celebrated for years to come."
"Since I
managed to keep them alive, I suppose it's time for the three of us to assume
our rightful responsibilities."
"Three of
us?"
"That's
right. Crighton, Tyrus and myself. We have a lot of unfinished business to
resolve."
"Of course,
Your Majesty." Hecate smiled at her, believing she was making progress.
"But
first," Lucinda said, "I'd like to discuss your view on the way
Tyrus' allies are likely to respond to our meeting. Especially with them
opposing me at every turn. Then I'd like your personal impression on how the
loyalists in my council will interpret your views on diplomacy in the
woodlands. After that, there are a couple of treasury issues I promised to
investigate. It's past time that my advisors and I established a tax structure
and common currency. And now that we have the Imperial chambers remodeled and
relaxed rules in place regarding horns, tails, and bat wings, we can start
thinking about other things like enforcing appropriate punishment where it's
due."
"Since you
brought it up, don't you think it's a bit extreme...the way punishment is being
handled? I thought you wanted to be a just ruler...the exact opposite of your
father. If that's true, then why are you taking extreme measures with outcasts,
human souls, and defenseless creatures? They would sing your praises if you
allowed them to– "
"–run rampant and refuse to obey my
laws?" Lucinda growled. She stood up with her eyes blazing red hot and her
thin lips frowning. "So, that's why you're here. Not to support me but to
oppose me like the rest of the ingrates in my kingdom. Leave and never come
back here again! Your deception will not be forgiven or forgotten. Is that
understood? I want you out of here...NOW!!" she screamed.
About the Author:
Kaylin McFarren has received more than 60 national literary awards, in addition to a prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award nomination for FLAHERTY'S CROSSING - a book she and her oldest daughter, New York Times/USA Today best-selling author Kristina McMorris, co-wrote in 2008. Prior to embarking on her writing journey and developing the popular THREADS psychological thriller series, she poured her passion for creativity into her work as the director of a fine art gallery in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon; she also served as a governor-appointed member of the Oregon Arts Commission.
Her award-winning time-travel adventure, HIGH FLYING, asks challenging questions that will linger long after the final twists are revealed. Jumping to the supernatural-horror genre, Kaylin's clever GEHENNA series leads readers into the pit of Hell, through the mechanisms of secret societies, and across the Earth’s crust, ever raising the stakes for her leading duo—a wicked demon and guardian angel presented with shocking revelations.
With each story she writes, this author delivers unexpected twists and turns and keeps her readers on the edge of their seats, leaving them guessing and thoroughly entertained. When she's not traveling or spoiling her two pups and three grandsons, Kaylin enjoys giving back to her community through participation and support of various charitable, medical and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and divides her time between her homes in Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California.
FUN TIDBITS
Kaylin is proud of the fact that her great aunt Bessie B. Cordell, an evangelistic missionary during WWII, was instrumental in opening an orphanage in Tientsin, China and also wrote two published novels, Precious Pearl and Blossoms of the Flowery Kingdom, documenting her dangerous, harrowing experiences.
She keeps a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on her desk while writing heart breakers, and has been known to empty a box of chocolates when she's completely stumped.
A consummate "pantser" and perfectionist, she writes and edits as she goes, and uses photographs of models and actors from tabloid magazines to visualize her characters.
She loves her husband of 48 years dearly. However, if Josh Holloway, Hugh Jackman or Ian Somerhalder came knockin', well... their marriage just might be put to the test.
Sybil Crewes, a curly red-haired vampire with a pale, freckled face, introduces herself as a part-time ATU (Anti-Terrorism Unit) agent. She fights evil to keep America safe.
Is she a superhero? No. But she’s awesome in her own peculiar way, and yet, she’s not pleased with the way writer Cynthia Fridsma describes her.
Sure, Cynthia writes about Sybil’s adventures being an ATU agent. But she’s so much more. Sybil is happy that she finally can have her saying as she takes a seat across from me in her office at hotel Nightbird.
“I’m a part-time ATU agent. Cynthia always shows how I keep America safe from the danger lurking around the corner. But I’m so much more. I’m also a hotel manager.” She sighs. “But Cynthia never tells how good I’m in running Nightbird. My hotel, I mean.”
Sybil takes a sip from a cup on the table, filled with a red liquid with a coppery smell.
“I’m great in running my hotel. Many tourists book a room,” Sybil’s eyes twinkle. “And I tell you. There’s more than one way to pay the bill.”
I frown.
“But Cynthia doesn’t mention this,” she complains. “All she writes is when I’m off fighting evil, save the day. But my other life."
Sybil takes a new sip from her cup. “… and another thing that bothers me is that she doesn’t give me a decent cell phone. All I have is a Windows Phone! For once I’d like to have a modern phone. I don’t want to be a digital dinosaur.”
She pulls up one eyebrow. “No, wait. Scrap that last part. I don’t mind being a digital dinosaur. And yes, she writes I love to ride my Ford Mustang and listen to Jimi Hendrix. But I like Mozart too,” Sybil says as she stares at the cup in her hand.
“Can I have some blood?”
I don’t know how to respond to this.
Sybil stands up and steps closer to me. “I said, can I have some blood?”
“I-I don’t,” is all I can say.
She shows her fangs. My heart pounds heavily in my chest.
“Cynthia writes I only drink pigs’ blood. But she’s wrong. Sometimes I want the real thing. I repeat my question. Do you have some blood for me?”
I don’t know what to say. This woman, standing in front of me. She’s a vampire and she wants blood. My God!
“It’s only fair,” Sybil says. “Because of this exclusive interview, you have with me. I tell you what I think of Cynthia, and you pay in blood. Just like some tourists do when they refuse to pay the bill. Cynthia doesn’t write about that. She doesn’t tell you I let people pay with blood if they want to spend the night in my hotel. No, she doesn’t.”
Sybil’s forehead almost touches my face and all I can see are her pointy fangs. She smiles and steps away from me.
“I’m only kidding. I don’t drink human blood. I hate being a vampire and Cynthia knows. She does. But what she doesn’t mention is my sense of humor,” she smiles.
Then someone knocks on the door and enters the room. A blonde-haired woman, athletic built, and good-looking. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. If she doesn’t…
“Sybil. Someone is here for the interview.”
Sybil looks up. “Who’s this guy?”
She points at me.
“That’s a visitor,” the blonde woman said.
“I see,” Sybil says. “So, you’re a tourist? Not a reporter. It’s a good thing Felicity knocked on the door.”
“What? Why?”
Sybil only smiles…
Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding
Cynthia Fridsma
Genre: horror/thriller/urban fantasy
Publisher: CynhiaFridsma.COM
Date of Publication: November 24, 2021
ISBN Paperback: 979-8773139225
ISBN Hardcover: 979-8779427166
ISBN Audiobook: 978-1669614173
ASIN: B09MJXPCMY
Number of pages: 280
Word Count: 67,415
Cover Artist: Cynthia Fridsma
Tagline: Since the pandemic, she stayed home. Then they kidnapped her friend.
Book Description:
Since the pandemic, Sybil Crewes hasn’t left home. She stopped her duties as an ATU agent (Anti-Terrorism Unit). But then, she got a disturbing phone call. Her friend, Harry Brown, has been kidnapped, and this forces Sybil out of her house.
While doing so, she uncovers an illegal lab where they created a deadly COVID-19 variant that turns its victims into skinned zombies. She contacts the ATU to resume her duties as an ATU agent to stop the new threat and save the world from its undoing.
Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is a fast-paced modern horror/thriller novel, and partly based on true events.
The cold air was
refreshing as she sprinted to her Ford Mustang in the parking lot. After she
sat down in the driver’s seat, she opened Windows Maps on her cell phone to
search for the address her evil handler had texted. Since Microsoft stopped
supporting Windows Phone, she couldn’t use her voice to enter the address in
the navigation app of her cell phone.
It felt weird to go unarmed, on a mission unknown, while the navigation
calculated the best route from her current location. Whoever captured Harry
held all the cards. At the moment, she had no other choice but to follow up on
their instructions. She started the car and drove off. Luckily, there wasn’t
much traffic on her way to the mansion.
Since the pandemic, life
was slow. People had more time on their hands, working from home, distracted by
their kids and spouse. Eating more comfort food—watching TV all day, or in
Sybil’s case, spending time with her pet rabbit, Max, and trying to avoid the
news. She didn’t have a TV. Well, she did, but she used her 70-inch display as
a monitor. It was connected to a Windows 10 laptop with an external soundcard
attached to a Dolby digital surround set. Felicity installed the equipment and
showed Sybil how to use her dinosaur cell phone as a remote control for the
laptop.
The laptop offered her a
safe window to the world. She had online meetings once a week, on Sunday night
at eight, and sometimes she watched the news on CNN. Most of the time, she used
the laptop to binge-watch streaming media. Prime video, Netflix, Disney Plus,
and reruns of her favorite TV shows: Body of Proof, Buffy the Vampire Slayer,
and she loved movies starring Denzel Washington. My life during the pandemic.
She wanted to floor the
gas pedal, but then she noticed a police car and she slowed down considerably.
The police vehicle turned left at the intersection. She glanced over her
shoulder. A truck came into sight, and a few more cars appeared on the street
ahead of her. Morning rush hour was about to begin, even though she hadn’t
expected it.
Sybil reached her
destination in twenty-six minutes after she floored the gas pedal when she
reached the outskirts of Boston. She had some time to kill, but she didn’t want
to waste it by sitting in her car. So, she explored the area. The mansion
didn’t stand out by itself. It was a wooden, two-story building, Victorian
architecture style, late 1800s, set in a rural landscape outside Boston,
normally a thirty-five-minute drive if she hadn’t gone way above all posted
speed limits. Its shingles used to be white at some point.
She exhaled and contacted
Vanessa Dogscape—an ATU data analyst, and currently married to her friend and
coworker Felicity Walker. Perhaps Vanessa could help her—off the record. She
didn’t want to involve the ATU. It took a while before Vanessa answered the
phone.
“Sybil. You know what
time it is?”
“I’m aware of what time
it is. Look, I need your help. Harry’s been kidnapped by—I don’t know who.
Anyway, they want me to do some errands.”
“My God!” Vanessa replied
in a worried voice.
“I need you on this. But
please, keep it off the record. I don’t want to endanger Harry’s life.”
“Sure. How can I help?”
“Perhaps you can pinpoint
them somehow and get their location so I can kick some ass?”
“I need more intel before
I can do anything,” Vanessa said.
“They contacted me via my
cell phone and sent me a text message. Oh, and a picture of Harry’s battered
face.” She gritted her teeth at the thought.
“Send the text message
and the picture to me. And please activate the ATU app Felicity programmed
three years ago for your Windows Phone, so I can tap into each conversation and
perhaps ping their location while you talk to them. Are you sure you want me to
help you off the record? It’s better to make this an official ATU investigation.
At least, let me inform Jack.”
Sybil closed her eyes for
a moment. If the criminals found out she had informed the ATU, it’d complicate
things. Perhaps endanger Harry’s life. But then again, she sure could use all
the help she could get. Otherwise, she wouldn’t bother Vanessa with it. Taking
that into consideration, and the knowledge that Jack was a professional, Sybil
agreed to Vanessa’s suggestion.
Despite the sun in a
clear, blue sky, her body responded with a shiver that ran down her spine. She
did not know what to expect as she stood near the abandoned mansion with its
weather-beaten, cracked walls covered in pointless graffiti. But she knew she
had to go inside as she sat down on her haunches, studying the rusty sword
lying in the mud. She took a deep breath before she carefully touched its sticky
handle. Blood! Clotted blood.
Her stomach gnawed at the
sight. She smelled. It wasn’t human. She stared at the mansion as she heard a
strange sound she couldn’t identify. Immediately, her old instincts kicked
in—weird sounds coming from an abandoned mansion equals danger. She grabbed the
sword in both hands, jumped up, kicked the battered door wide open and ran
inside. It was time to act; this was no time to be cautious. Lives were at
stake.
The wooden planks creaked under her feet as she rushed into the dark
hallway. The sound of rasping breathing reached her eardrums when she entered a
dark room with just enough light to see the overturned furniture and the
bloodstained, fractured walls …
About the Author:
As far back as she can remember, Cynthia Fridsma has been listening to exciting stories told by her mother. She grew up reading books by Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, and Philip K. Dick, among others. It was Cynthia’s mother who inspired her to start telling—and writing—her own stories.
Ms. Fridsma’s writing career started after a handicap in 2014—she has a tremor in her right hand, numbness in the fingers, and pain in her wrist. She had to give up her other creative outlets, such as photography, computer programming, and gave up on juggling, so focused on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t do. Besides writing, she sometimes plays guitar—in Jimi Hendrix style.
Cynthia lives with her husband and pet bunny, Max, in Amsterdam.
