It’s been hectic around here recently. I just got hired to a new job and going through the orientation and training process. I’m excited and still a bit nervous until things feel more comfortable. I do like my co-workers and the position I got. It’s taking up more of my time so I’m sorry if I’ve been somewhat absent with visiting and commenting. Things will settle down shortly and I’ll be back on my game!
I did manage to read a few more books and finished watching Gilmore Girls and The Umbrella Academy. And I watched a favorite romance movie, The Notebook. I cried and cried. Such a wonderful story.
Why do I love books and movies that make me cry? Crying, the really deep down kind, is actually physically painful for me. It’s like I try so hard not to cry that it hurts. I was thinking about this and the different ways I cry. There’s the nostalgic, my eyes water a bit. There’s the slow building, my face gets warm, my chest gets tight, and the tears well up and overflow. Then there’s the real thing. I feel like I can’t breathe, the tears pour down my face, and my nose runs before sobs burst out. To think that this can be evoked by a powerful story, whether read or watched, is amazing! Do you love it when a story makes you cry?
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
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My new books this week.
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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.
Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.
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Books reviewed this week. Click on the covers to read them.
This is my stop during the book blitz for Louisiana Latte by Rebecca Henry. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 25 till 31 March. See the tour schedule here.
Louisiana Latte By Rebecca Henry Genre: Chick Lit Comedy Age category: Adult Release Date: 28 February 2019
Blurb
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Deb hadn’t flown in over 20 years. In 1989, at the age of 22, Deb was enrolled at Griffiss Airforce Base to become a commercial pilot. Somewhere between dating her yuppie fiancé and planning their wedding in Chicago, Deb developed claustrophobia, a fear of enclosed spaces. I blame the yuppie. Deb couldn’t get on a plane for love that day, but she could do it twenty years later for money. Money was worth dying for.
I moaned rolling off the bed. I could hear the shower running and figured Deb needed me to get her a bottle of shampoo out of her overnight bag. I walked into the open bathroom. Why doesn’t Deb shut the door, I wondered. “Deb, you need something?” I asked, leaning against the granite counter.
“Oh, Becky, there you are! Yes! I need help.” I blinked, confused. “Okay, like you need some shampoo or something?”
“No, Becky, I need you to come here.” I blinked again. “Like to the shower?”
Deb was submerged in water as it cascaded down her tan body behind a white shower curtain. Her silhouette perfectly outlined. I checked the rings to see if maybe the shower curtain was coming loose and that’s the help she needed.
“Yes, come here, but don’t look at me, I’m naked.” I shook my head, completely bewildered. “Okay…I’m here, right outside the shower now,” I said skittishly.
Deb placed a tan leg on the ledge of the tub. A stiletto was strapped to her foot. “Do you need me to take off your shoe, Deb?” I inched a little closer to the stiletto. “Did you forget you were wearing them?” I asked.
“Oh God no. I never shower in hotels without wearing my shoes, you can catch athlete’s foot!”
“Why didn’t you just borrow my flip-flops?” I asked, astonished, extending a finger at her stiletto. “Because I don’t do flip-flops. Becky, listen, I need you to hold out your arm.” I took a step back, staring at her soaking wet stiletto. “For what?”
“I can’t shave my legs on one foot in these heels, I’ll fall over and break my neck! Please just stick out your arm so I can grab onto it. I’ll be super-fast.” I didn’t respond, staying perfectly still. Maybe if I don’t move, she will forget I’m here, I thought. “Becky! Please! I’m going to injure myself if you don’t help me. It will only take a minute I promise!” Reluctantly, I slowly placed my arm inside the shower curtain, never taking my eyes off her soaking wet stiletto. “Becky, make sure you don’t look, okay?” I cocked my head. “Remember, I’m naked,” Deb said through the curtain.
“Okay” was my only response. There I was having my arm being used by my older sister as a human guard rail while Deb shaved her legs wearing six-inch designer shoes. Who knew a business trip to Louisiana would require so much diva work.
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About Author Rebecca Henry
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Rebecca is the author of The Lady Raven A Dark Cinderella Tale, and her latest novel, Louisiana Latte, a chick lit comedy. Rebecca Henry is also a world traveler, living abroad. She is a serious vegan, gardener, crafter, and practices yoga.
You can find and contact Rebecca Henry here:
– Website
– Goodreads
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GIVEAWAY
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Louisiana Latte. One winner will win a swag bag. US Only.
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
Welcome to my stop on thevirtual book tour for Lowcountry Incantations organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
I have a fun excerpt to share with you and would love to hear what you think of the gorgeous cover.
C.J.Geisel will be awarding a paperback copy of “Lowcountry Incantations” to a randomly drawn winner (U.S. Only) via rafflecopter during the tour. So don’t forget to enter!
Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Lowcountry Incantations
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by C.J. Geisel
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Synopsis
Quinn Riley has just had her life turned upside-down. Life is about to get worse…and weird.
After losing her job, Quinn Riley goes on the hunt for another boring, nine- to- five when a split- second decision to save a dog turns into a nightmare. The ghost of a stunning young woman in a blue dress starts to follow her, she is forced to move in with a stranger named Caleb, and events in her life have her questioning everything she thought she knew. With the help of Caleb, a new Psychologist turned friend, and a magical root doctor, she navigates the blessings and dangers of her new life.
Read an Excerpt
Sirens wailed all around me and I was well aware something was terribly wrong. Maybe my first clue should have been that I couldn’t feel anything; everything was numb. It was as if I had suddenly become weightless, and everything was pitch black. Convincing myself it was time to open my eyes, I summoned the strength to peel my eyelids back to realize I was staring down at my own contorted body. I heard my heart beat loudly in my ears. Panic overwhelmed me as I tried to process what I was seeing. Thunder continued to clap loudly overhead while the rain splattered the lifeless version of me, as well as everyone else looking on. Paramedics were rushing to my aid in what seemed like slow motion. I could hear muffled screams from police officers telling the crowds to move back.
I felt a firm tapping on my shoulder, and turned abruptly (although, without a body, I’m not sure how) to see a stunning, albeit pale young woman in a tattered royal blue dress. She was soaking wet, and the pained expression in her sapphire eyes and blue coloring of her skin and lips told me we were both dead. I was wondering if she had been hit, too, if we had both tried to rescue the dog. I saw no other body around other than my own. Where was her body? I opened my mouth to speak, to ask what on God’s green Earth was happening, but no words would form. I studied her meticulously, noting how delicate her features appeared. She seemed pixie- like, even though she was dripping wet.
Just as I was beginning to feel mesmerized by her, she turned to leave. The back of her snowy white hair was encrusted with mud and leeches. My mouth was agape in horror, and the screams I tried to form wouldn’t project from my throat. Darkness descended upon me as the radiant girl standing before me faded with it.
About Author CJ Geisel
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CJ Geisel is the author of the paranormal crime thriller “Lowcountry” series. She lives in Florida with her boyfriend, family, and dogs. She is an animal advocate, especially for those who are misunderstood or disabled. She also loves baking, photography, and travelling.
Historical Mystery with Supernatural Elements Published by: Vesuvian Books Publication Date: January 17th 2017 Number of Pages: 295 ISBN: 1944109242 (ISBN13: 9781944109240) Series: A Magnus Blackwell Novel 0.5 Purchase Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
My Review
I knew I had to read this after my eyes settled on the magnificent cover art and I read the blurb. I’ve also read other books by this writing team and enjoyed them.
How would I classify this? Historical thriller with a twist of naughty. It goes beyond the bedroom door a bit and I read those parts really fast. LOL They were necessary to really get to know Magnus.
Magnus? I wanted to like him in the beginning. Didn’t take long for that to change. He wouldn’t let me. Wouldn’t let anyone care for him. His own worst enemy. While in New Orleans, he meets the wild and somewhat depraved Oscar Wilde and thus begins his undoing. A warning to change his ways from a woman who practices voodoo doesn’t slow him down and his path is set.
Who I did like? Jacob. He was from the other side of the tracks. Not wealthy or privileged. His friendship with Magnus was a challenge. They couldn’t be more different and I hoped some of the goodness of Jacob would rub off on him. But, something came between their friendship and it was not to be.
As I drew closer to the end of the story, the tension grew, my dread of what might happen built. I wanted to slow things down, urge the two men to think first. They teetered on the brink of no return.
An explosive ending to a highly entertaining reading experience. Will I be continuing with this series? Surely.
Synopsis
“… an intriguing, dark tale complete with vividly drawn characters, and a uniquely compelling character in Magnus … seamlessly blends mystery, magic and matters of the heart to create an enthralling read. Readers will be engaged from the start of the story to its climactic ending.” ~Melanie Bates, RT Book Reviews
“A dark story of passion and revenge … A guilty-pleasure read that kept me captivated knowing something sinister is looming in the plot and over the characters.” ~New Orleans Magazine
In the late 1800s, handsome, wealthy New Englander, Magnus Blackwell, is the envy of all.
When Magnus meets Jacob O’Connor–a Harvard student from the working class–an unlikely friendship is forged. But their close bond is soon challenged by a captivating woman; a woman Magnus wants, but Jacob gets.
Devastated, Magnus seeks solace in a trip to New Orleans. After a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde, he becomes immersed in a world of depravity and brutality, inevitably becoming the inspiration for Dorian Gray. Armed with the forbidden magic of voodoo, he sets his sights on winning back the woman Jacob stole from him.
Amid the trappings of Victorian society, two men, bent on revenge, will lay the foundation for a curse that will forever alter their destinies.
Enjoy this peek inside:
“Last night, I saw someone or something coming out of that bayou. Madam Simone stopped it from getting close to me. I remember she said something about the creature I saw being a messenger of the dead.”
“When did this happen?”
“When I left the bonfire and went to the water’s edge, I thought I saw a woman. Madam Simone claimed it was a spirit.”
His eyes lit up, and Oscar edged forward to the table. “What do you think you saw, Magnus?”
Magnus tried to picture the woman he had seen, her tattered nightdress and her empty eyes, but the only image he could conjure was that of smoke and dust. “What do you think happens to us when we die, Oscar?”
Oscar tossed up his hands, appearing as if he were at a loss for words. “I wish I knew, my friend.”
Magnus ran his finger around the rim of his coffee cup. “I know where we go, and it isn’t heaven or paradise.”
“What kind of end do you envision?”
Magnus raised his green eyes to Oscar, grinning with a profound certainty. “That’s just it. I don’t see death as an end. For me, it’s turning into a whole new beginning.”
About the Authors
Alexandrea Weis
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes mysteries, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, action, historical, and romance. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers Association.
Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.
Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.
He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.
Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.
One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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The Deep
by Nick Cutter
Genre: Horror
Synopsis
From the acclaimed author of The Troop—which Stephen King raved “scared the hell out of me and I couldn’t put it down.…old-school horror at its best”—comes this utterly terrifying novel where The Abyss meets The Shining.
A strange plague called the ’Gets is decimating humanity on a global scale. It causes people to forget—small things at first, like where they left their keys…then the not-so-small things like how to drive, or the letters of the alphabet. Then their bodies forget how to function involuntarily…and there is no cure. But now, far below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, deep in the Marianas Trench, an heretofore unknown substance hailed as “ambrosia” has been discovered—a universal healer, from initial reports. It may just be the key to a universal cure. In order to study this phenomenon, a special research lab, the Trieste, has been built eight miles under the sea’s surface. But now the station is incommunicado, and it’s up to a brave few to descend through the lightless fathoms in hopes of unraveling the mysteries lurking at those crushing depths…and perhaps to encounter an evil blacker than anything one could possibly imagine.
I’ve had this on my shelf since November 2014. I really enjoyed Nick Cutter’s book, The Troop, and I’m sharing The Deep today so I will remember to get to it.
The above cover is the one I won. Here are some alternative covers.
Dead friend. Free fall. Girl Scouts. Can Uncle Marty untangle the mystery before things really get out of control?
Juggling a budding relationship, demanding job, and mischievous nieces, Marty Golden struggled to keep his head above water — even before his friend’s death. Trying his best to be a good boyfriend and fun uncle, Marty had his own ideas for the weekend until his cunning sister tricked him again.
Convinced his friend’s death was no accident, Marty tries to summon superhero powers but merely manages to bumble along as an amateur sleuth. When Marty’s cousin shows up, she wreaks havoc with his plans and pulls him into yet another mystery.
As threats blossom, Marty doubles down now that his family’s involved. Besides, it’s poor manners to let your friend’s death go unsolved.
Can Marty figure out what happened before a killer, or his imagination, gets to him?
Chutes and Ladder is the second novel in a refreshingly modern mystery series set in Silicon Valley. If you like clever humor and wacky side characters, you’ll love this twisty mystery.
I’m always excited when I start a new cozy series and Uncle And Ants tickled my fancy on so many levels. Picture it. A man kind of full of himself and sure he’s the be all of investigations takes it upon himself to solve the mystery of who tried to kill his sister. She’s a widowed mother of two teenage girls and doesn’t seem likely to be on someone’s hit list.
Marty was determined to solve the mystery and protect his family. If only he had the slightest clue what he was doing. Good thing he didn’t take himself too seriously. I can’t count on two hands how many times I laughed out loud at his fun incompetence. And don’t even get me started on him coping with two teenage girls. The horror. LOL
Fun at every turn, a convoluted mystery with quite the list of suspects and characters you can’t get enough of. You can bet I’ll be following this series.
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Synopsis
Protect his sister. Solve a murder. Get his eye-rolling, pre-teen nieces to school. And that’s just how Marty Golden’s crazy week begins to unravel.
A mysterious crash hospitalizes Marty’s sister and a nearby murder puts her in deadly danger. Too bad Marty isn’t exactly hero material.
Working in Silicon Valley, Marty’s skills lie more in navigating technology and telling dad jokes than playing an amateur sleuth. Armed with special powers of self-delusion and the inability to leave a coherent voicemail message, Marty bumbles through investigating his sister’s zany HR clients, exposing dangerous secrets and suspects, all while becoming attracted to a suspect.
In the process, Marty stumbles into a drug gang, impersonates an IRS agent, tangles with an assassin, dodges a cantankerous school secretary and is frequently outsmarted by his two sly, yet vulnerable, nieces. This quirky, fashion-backward uncle must save his sister, solve the mystery and get his life back to normal — before it’s too late.
As his eight, or maybe nine, year-old niece would say, “Betcha, you’ll like it.”
In my family, I was born first — a fact my sister never lets me forget, no matter what milestone age she hits.
For most of my life, I’ve been inventing stories. Some, especially when I was young, involved my sister as the villain. As my sister’s brother for her entire life, I’m highly qualified to tell the tale of the evolving, quirky sibling relationship in Uncle and Ants: A Silicon Valley Mystery.
My writing skills were honed in years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley. While my high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, we called these marketing collateral, emails, and ads.
My family and friends would tell you that Marty’s character isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination for me, but I proudly resemble that remark.
Pinot Red or Dead? (The Wine Trail Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Lyrical Underground (March 26, 2019) Paperback: 206 pages ISBN-10: 1516108035 ISBN-13: 978-1516108039 Digital ASIN: B07F5XDH41
There’s a lot of noir surrounding this rare pinot.
As the vineyards in Seneca Lake, New York, prepare for the seasonal “Deck the Halls Around the Lake” festivities, someone is determined to keep pinot noir off the wine list. Hijacked trucks and sabotaged ingredients have made it a hard-to-acquire vintage for the six local wineries—including Norrie Ellington’s Two Witches Winery.
The case of the stolen and spoiled wines gets stranger when Arnold Mowen, owner of the company distributing the wine, is found dead, the apparent victim of a hunting accident. As Norrie tries to find the connections between the pinot’s problems and Arnold’s death, she uncovers a conspiracy among many locals whose hatred for the wine distributor was bottled up for far too long . . .
About the Authors
Ann I. Goldfarb
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, she has authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington) set for release in June 2017. In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit the websites at www.jceatonauthor.com and www.timetravelmysteries.com
James E. Clapp
When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. His first novel, Booked 4 Murder(Kensington) is set for release in June 2017. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching.
A Tale of Two Houses by Susan Harris
(Defy the Stars, #1)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: March 25th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis
Centuries ago, the royal house of witches in Vernanthia split into two factions: House Cambridge and House Montgomery. These two houses warred with each other for an age, causing widespread bloodshed and death. Those without magic—the Nulls—suffered the most. One day, a favored daughter of the Nulls was slain. With her dying breath, she cursed the covens to know no peace until love was possible between the houses.
That curse had long since been forgotten—until now.
Julian Montgomery is the reluctant Prince of House Montgomery and Rowan Cambridge is in no rush to become the Queen of House Cambridge. Both heirs long for freedom from their birthright obligations. When fate throws these two star-crossed lovers together, it sends them on a collision course with destiny that neither could have predicted.
Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet is reimagined in this compelling drama about two young people drawn by fate into an unwinnable situation. If you think you know how this story ends—think again!
“Go talk to her already.”
I jumped at the sound of Toby’s voice, who was grinning at me so much, I could see the white of his teeth.
“Go talk to her already,” he repeated, inclining his head toward the person I’d been staring at. “You’ve been standing there staring at her for quite a while. It’s starting to get weird.”
“I haven’t been staring,” I said with not much conviction as I took a large gulp of my ale.
“Yes, you have. Now is the perfect opportunity to go and ask her to dance. Considering she’s been eyeballing you when she thinks no one is looking, I do not think she will refuse you. Besides, I’m pretty certain the gorgeous creature beside her is the future queen of the Cambridge coven. You go romance her attack dog. Leave the princess to me.”
There was a hint of menace in his tone, a wolfish smile on his face. I put a hand on Toby’s arm. “We will not insult Ashbridge’s invitation by waging war here. It is horrid enough that we are stealing under his nose. Promise me, Toby. No bloodshed here.”
“Unless provoked, my Prince, there will be no bloodshed.”
I lift my arm from Toby’s as the seriousness fled his features. “Now, go get the girl.”
He pushed me forward and I almost stumbled in the dim light, causing me to glare at him for a moment before I rolled my shoulders and prayed that I don’t make an absolute fool of myself. My heart thundered like a drum as I made my way toward the girl, noticing that her eyes were the same color as her dress. My palms were sweating, and I licked my lips to try and rid myself of the dryness.
I stood a mere breath away from her when she turned in my direction, and I could not find the words to speak. Her companion, the girl Toby thought to be the Cambridge heir, giggled, even as Auggie chuckled, a dash of mischief in his eyes. But I blocked them out, my steely focus on the girl with the green eyes and a smile made of sunshine.
“I was wondering, M’lady, if you would dance with me?” I held out my hand, trying to ignore the tremble.
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Author Susan Harris
Susan Harris is a writer from Cork in Ireland.
An avid reader, she quickly grew to love books in the supernatural/fantasy and Dystopian genre. She writes books for young adults and adults alike.
When she is not writing or reading, she loves music, oriental cultures, tattoos, creepy snow globes, DC shoes, stationary, anything Disney, Marvel movies, psychology and far too many TV shows. If she wasn’t a writer, she would love to be a FBI profiler or a PA for Dave Grohl or Jared Leto.
I’m sure most of you have noticed how much I love horror, whether reading the books or watching the movies and shows. And I bet I catch you by surprise when I share a chick lit comedy or some romance. LOL The thing is, I love words. I love how an author puts them together and takes me away to places I’ve never been. I can time travel, venture into the future and outer space. Fly with dragons, and run with a pack of shifters. I can feel the first blush of romance and the agony of heart break. I could go on and on. To sum things up, no matter the genre, I’m always happy to be reading.
I spent this weekend outside. It was 70s and blue skies. No humidity and so glorious! I read 5 books! And got a little sunburnt. LOL I then continued reading inside and finished two more. I can see the numbers growing now that spring and summer are in the air. I will spend more time outside and less time watching the telly. Sounds fun, doesn’t it!
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
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My new books this week.
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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.
Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.
A collection of nine adventures: Buttons, The Restless Dead,
Retribution, Coffin Box, Wicked Dreams, Collector, Bad Memories,
Shadow Garden, and Spook House.
Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an
antiques and curios shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read
the history of objects by touching them and along with her business
partners Teag, who has Weaver magic and Sorren, a 600 year-old
vampire, they get rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the
world safe from supernatural threats. An extension of the Deadly
Curiosities book series.
Revised Edition 2, 2018. Includes an updated cover, minor edits
and the BONUS section with three stories chronicling Sorren’s early days:
Vanities, The Wild Hunt, and Dark Legacy.
“I don’t know why, but I’ve really got a bad feeling about that house.” I sat in the car parked at the curb near the big house on the Battery.
“Bad feeling like they won’t pay their bill, or bad feeling like there’s a hungry demon inside?” Teag Logan asked.
I shook my head. “Not sure, but if I had to put money on it, I’d go with the demon.”
Most people would be kidding. Teag knew I wasn’t. I’m Cassidy Kincaide, owner of Trifles and Folly, an antique and curio shop in historic, haunted Charleston, SC. Neither Teag nor I are entirely what we seem, and that holds true for the shop as well.
I’m a psychometric, which means I can often read the history of objects by touching them. Teag has Weaver magic, an ability to weave spells into cloth and to weave data streams—like the Internet—making him an awesome hacker. He’s my best friend, sometime bodyguard and assistant store manager. I’m the latest in a very long line of relatives to manage Trifles and Folly in the 350 years the store has existed, but we’ve all had the same silent partner, a nearly six-hundred-year-old vampire named Sorren, and the same mission: to get dangerous magical items off the market and out of the wrong hands. Most of the time, we succeed. When we fail, people die and really bad things happen.
“How do you want to handle this?” Teag asked.
I drew a deep breath. “We go in, and see what’s what. Then we figure it out from there.” My magic is touch-psychic, not clairvoyance, so I can’t see the future, much as I would sometimes like to.
The house was large, old, and expensive. Most of the homes on the Battery hailed from before the Civil War. Many of the houses are painted in the muted pastels most people associate with places like Bermuda and Nassau. Some of the families who owned these homes had been here since the mansions were built. The houses are beautiful, and tourists flock to see them. But as much as I admire their beauty, I try not to spend a lot of time down at the Battery for the simple reason that it creeps me out.
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Trifles and Folly 2
A Deadly Curiosities Collection
Cassidy Kincaide runs Trifles & Folly in modern-day Charleston, an
antiques and curios shop with a dangerous secret. Cassidy can read
the history of objects by touching them and together with Teag (a
hacker and weaver witch) and Sorren, a 600 year-old vampire, they get
rid of cursed objects and keep Charleston and the world safe from
supernatural threats.
An extension of the Deadly Curiosities urban fantasy novel series, this
collection contains three full novellas and four short stories: The
Final Death, Predator, Fair Game, Fatal Invitation, Redcap,
Bloodlines, plus three bonus stories: Among the Shoals Forever, The
Low Road, and Steer a Pale Course.
I reached into the shipping crate. My hand closed around a newspaper-wrapped piece from a china dish set, probably a gravy boat from its contours. The warning tingle from my psychic gift was too little, too late. By the time I realized the danger, I was already immersed in a vision of tragedy and terror.
Images strobed in my mind, searingly clear for an instant and then suddenly dark. A dining room table set with holiday finery for a Thanksgiving feast. Eight people—no, nine—but the one person’s face was hidden. Dinner began with high spirits. The person whose memories I was experiencing was a man, the father of the family gathered for the feast, happy that he was surrounded by loved ones—and a guest.
Despite the high spirits, a warning tingled at the edge of my host’s senses. It had been a mistake to invite the stranger, he was thinking. They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
The stranger didn’t say much as the meal began. Everyone else laughed and talked as silverware rattled and food was passed around the table. His son, the youngest at the table, was the first one affected. He complained about his stomach, folded his arms across his midsection, and fell forward onto his plate. I saw the man’s hand set the gravy boat down on the table as he stood.
Everyone rose in alarm—everyone except the stranger. I couldn’t get a clear look at the guest’s face. The others were in sharp focus, but the one I knew was the stranger had blurred features, and the baggy clothing made it impossible to tell gender. The stranger stepped back as everyone rushed to the boy, who fell back, eyes staring blankly, unresponsive, into his mother’s arms as she screamed.
The others began to stagger, hands going to their heads or abdomens, faces frightened and worried. The boy’s mother collapsed across his body. Others crumpled to the floor or sagged from their chairs.
The person whose memories I shared tried to go to them, but his legs failed him. His heart raced but it was hard to breathe, and his mouth had gone dry. Vision blurred, and despite his panic, he was so utterly tired. Still, he dragged himself toward his family, but halfway across the room, his body no longer responded to his mind’s commands. He reached out to the stranger, one hand raised in a plea for help. The stranger only smiled.
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Gail Z. Martin discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy and
ghost stories in elementary school. The first story she wroteat age
fivewas about a vampire. Her favorite TV show as a preschooler was
Dark Shadows. At age 14, she decided to become a writer. She enjoys
attending science fiction/fantasy conventions, Renaissance fairs and
living history sites. She is married and has three children, a
Himalayan cat, a Maltese and a golden retriever.
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