NEW RELEASE: Elemental Magic 8

The final book in the Elemental Magic series is now available!

After finally discovering her birth name, Natalie West travels to Stanislaus National Park to track down an old friend of her parents who might be the only living link to them. Unfortunately, the man is a recluse and isn’t keen on talking.

To complicate things, a wildfire starts raging in the park, one that Andre Romero suspects has a supernatural origin. Nat’s only recently learned of her elemental heritage and feels completely out of her depth, but she’ll stick with him as they venture deeper into the forest. Their investigation turns deadly, however, when they discover not only is a feral firebird on the loose, but also some hunters who specialize in “exotic” prey. And a group of elementals might just make the best game yet.

Get it on Amazon and B&N

Drabble 4—Josh

Prompt: Josh — “It wasn’t every day he could leave his half-sister speechless.”

The moment Josh stepped through the front door, Sylphie was storming out from the kitchen.

“Where were you?” she demanded.

He froze in the entryway, hands clutching the strap of his backpack. “What do you mean?” he asked tremulously.

Sylphie scowled and crossed her arms. “Don’t play dumb. We were supposed to walk home from school together. Only you never showed. So where were you? That Travers kid giving you trouble again?”

Josh dropped his gaze to the floor and shook his head. “No.”

“Are you sure? Because I will go over there and—”

“I was in detention,” he blurted.

Sylphie froze, blinking owlishly. “You?”

Josh scuffed his sneaker on the hardwood. “For rigging a bucket of molasses over the door of the boys bathroom…when Dustin Travers was ready to walk out.”

Sylphie’s mouth moved soundlessly, disbelief and something akin to pride flickering across her face. Josh felt the corners of his mouth twitch. It wasn’t every day he could leave his half-sister speechless.

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If you have a prompt you’d like to see, just tell me the character and a brief sentence, and we’ll see what I come up with! ^_^

Drabble 3 — Sylphie

These prompts continue to be quite a challenge, but really fun too. Now we’re getting a glimpse into a character’s childhood.

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Prompt: Sylphie (Elemental Magic books 5 and 6): “Mascara? What’s that?”

“Look what I swiped off my mom’s dresser.”

Sylphie took the proffered black stick from her classmate and hopped up onto the edge of the sink counter in the girls bathroom. “Mascara? What’s that?”

Heather gaped at her in stupefaction. “It’s makeup! To make your lashes look long and voluptuous.”

Sylphie arched a dubious brow. “Oh, this is the stuff that gives women raccoon eyes when they cry in movies.”

Heather snatched the tube of mascara back and uncapped it. “No, it’s supposed to be sexy.” She lifted the brush coated in black goop to her eyelashes, but then the bell for third period blared, and her hand jerked. Heather yelped as she hit her eye, which caused it to water and smear the dab of mascara that had painted her cheek.

Sylphie grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser and quickly handed it to her. Yup, raccoon face.

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Drabble 2 — Andre

Prompt: Andre — “Not that he cared. This was what he lived for.”

“You destroyed another company car.”

Andre turned to his partner. “The alchemist blew up the car.”

Emily scoffed. “You didn’t have to antagonize him.”

“One more nail in the coffin. You know how the agency prefers undeniable proof.”

“If the company refuses to issue you another vehicle, I am not bringing my own car on cases with you.” She started walking away, past the still-smoking scrap of metal that had once been a Buick. Hardly a model to weep over.

“And don’t even think about me riding on the back of your motorcycle,” she called over her shoulder.

Andre merely shrugged. The SPA could deny his claim. Not that he cared. Watching the handcuffed alchemist get shoved into the back of an agency van, he felt nothing but satisfaction. This was what he lived for.

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Drabbles

Hello blog, it’s been a while. I know I’ve been woefully absent for the past year++…and if there is anyone who comes back to read this, then virtual cookies to you for being so loyal.

One way I thought I might get back into blogging is to start writing drabbles based on reader prompts. Hopefully it would be a neat way for people to request things they’d like to see with some of their favorite characters beyond the books, and a fun challenge for me.

Here’s one a lovely reader sent me:

Aileen — “She didn’t ordinarily do this kind of thing, but this was no ordinary day.”

“Are you done yet?”

“No. And stop asking; you’re changing the contours of your facial features.”

Aileen almost scowled, but remembered to bite it back at the last second. She didn’t normally do this kind of thing, but this was no ordinary day, not when an up-and-coming local artist wanted to theme his next collective project on environmentalism and the sea. Aileen just didn’t know why she had to be the inspiration for his current painting. Live, in person. For almost an hour now.

And the bubbling commentary from the peanut gallery in the aquarium nearby was not helping. Especially since she was the only one who could hear it.

“Lift your chin.”

“This way.”

“Other way.”

“I wanna be in the painting!”

“Shut up,” she muttered.

The artist huffed. “Hold still!”

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COVER REVEAL: Dancing with Flames

Apocalyptic suspense mixed with dragons–both the man-eating kind and the ones that shapeshift into handsome hunks–this is a book to watch for. Also, I love this cover. Seriously, the author gave me permission to use it as my iPad screensaver. 😀

Credits to cover designers:

Cover design by Jeff Brown (background) and Claudia McKinney. Photography by Teresa Yeh with model Isabella Capri.  Typography by The Font Diva.

EXPECTED RELEASE DATE- June 24th, 2016

SUMMARY:

Four months ago, fire-breathing dragons invaded Earth from an alternate dimension, wreaking havoc on modern civilization. Bailey Monzac has been training to kill them ever since discovering she was impervious to their flames, but when some of the beasts begin targeting children, she can’t hold back any longer and must hunt them down.

Her ally, Aidan, would help, except the shape-shifter has his own troubles. His clan is battling for territory against the pure dragons and his father—their leader—is dying. As the shifters fight for the pendragon position, fierce rivalry takes over. Aidan’s own brothers aren’t above blackmail and murder if it will get them to the top. He must stay one step ahead if he is to survive and keep his clan safe from the pure dragons who threaten them all.

Bailey and Aidan may be natural-born enemies, but working together might be the only thing that saves them from the danger that lies ahead.

 

Add to your Goodreads TBR list here.

There’s also a huge giveaway happening over on Susan Illene’s blog with some pretty cool prizes. Check it out and be sure to leave a comment in order to enter the giveaway!

New Release! Scorched Magic

If you didn’t get a chance to pre-order it, Elemental Magic Book Seven is now available for immediate purchase on Amazon!

Natalie West thought her ability to manipulate fire was a genetic aberration straight out of a Marvel comic. Orphaned at age three, she’s spent her life hiding what she can do. But like any secret superhero, she also uses her powers for good, investigating fires for the San Jose Fire Department.

When a series of arsons marked with pentagrams brings her into Andre Romero’s sphere, however, Nat discovers she’s not as alone as she thought. Who is this man who also wields fire? An ally? Or one of the arsonists? As Nat delves into a world of elementals, witches, and magic, learning more about her heritage in the process, she’ll have to watch her back or risk getting burned.

 

I hope you enjoy this next installment of the series. Please let me know what you think!

Coming Soon: Scorched Magic

Getting this book done had its grueling moments, so I am so happy it’s finally reached this stage. Major kudos to Shelley at Spittyfish Designs for another stunning cover.

Natalie West thought her ability to manipulate fire was a genetic aberration straight out of a Marvel comic. Orphaned at age three, she’s spent her life hiding what she can do. But like any secret superhero, she also uses her powers for good, investigating fires for the San Jose Fire Department.

When a series of arsons marked with pentagrams brings her into Andre Romero’s sphere, however, Nat discovers she’s not as alone as she thought. Who is this man who also wields fire? An ally? Or one of the arsonists? As Nat delves into a world of elementals, witches, and magic, learning more about her heritage in the process, she’ll have to watch her back or risk getting burned.

Release date April 18th 2016

Pre-order on Amazon

Newsletter subscribers will be getting an exclusive sneak peek of the first chapter later this week. So sign up if you don’t want to miss it!

NEW RELEASE: Family Pride

FBI agent Tracy Spears has worked undercover for months trying to gain the trust of the Davenport crime family. And now she’s finally gotten it. When the eldest prodigal son returns to Boston, Tracy is assigned to his protection detail. Ronan doesn’t want anything to do with his family though, so why is he back and willing to submit to an arranged marriage? One that is apparently putting him in danger?

After a failed hit, Tracy discovers the Davenport family secret—they’re werecat shapeshifters. With her life and investigation on the line, Tracy will have to tread carefully as she tries to navigate pride politics and help prevent a war. But the more time she spends with Ronan, the more her heart may end up as collateral damage.

Available on Amazon

Available for Pre-Order: Family Pride

Hey everyone! I know the blog’s been quiet, but even though I haven’t been writing here, there’s been plenty of words flowing behind the scenes. And my next work is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Get ready for a brand new adventure with shapeshifters and mobsters.

FBI agent Tracy Spears has worked undercover for months trying to gain the trust of the Davenport crime family. And now she’s finally gotten it. When the eldest prodigal son returns to Boston, Tracy is assigned to his protection detail. Ronan doesn’t want anything to do with his family though, so why is he back and willing to submit to an arranged marriage? One that is apparently putting him in danger?

After a failed hit, Tracy discovers the Davenport family secret—they’re werecat shapeshifters. With her life and investigation on the line, Tracy will have to tread carefully as she tries to navigate pride politics and help prevent a war. But the more time she spends with Ronan, the more her heart may end up as collateral damage.

Click here to pre-order for Kindle! Official release date is November 2nd.