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What the heck is #Paramystery?

Tomorrow the first book in my new series releases. It’s called DEATH FRICASSEE, and I’ve said its genre is paramystery.
What does that mean? Well, these books are paranormal. Their world includes vampires, death brokers, advocates to both light and dark. . .witches, QuestMarknecroloquitors, psychics. . .but there’s also an element of mystery in each book that may or may not have anything to do with the paranormal element.
These books are not deep, dark or tragic. They’re lighter. A little more fun.
They’re also not books about teenagers or young adults, or even new adults. Jackie and Lucas are both in their thirties. Love and romance look a little different at that age, but never fear, there’s just as much passion.
DEATH FRICASSEE may leave you with a few questions. It’s not a cliff hanger, but not everything is revealed. Some of the mysteries will unfold over several books. . .so stay tuned.
Here’s a sneak peek of Jackie and Lucas. . .

“So what do you write? Jackie O’Brien. . .I don’t know your

name off the top of my head. Or do you use a pseudonym?”

“No, I don’t. And I haven’t actually published a book. Not

yet. I’m a columnist for Food International.”

“Oh.” Understanding dawned on his face. “So the cooking.

. .” He pointed down to the basket. “The writing and the cooking

go together for you?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of my thing. I review cookbooks by making

a few of the recipes in them, and then I talk about how easy or

difficult it is for the average cook to translate the meals in their 

own kitchens.” I grinned. “Full disclosure: your meal tonight is

going to show up on the magazine’s web page next week. You

know, two birds, one stone.”

“One chicken, in this case.” Lucas smiled, too, and I had

to get a grip on myself to keep from melting into a puddle right

there on his front porch. I struggled for something witty to say.

“Sorry about my dog this morning. He’s never taken off like

that. At least, not first thing in the morning. I usually keep him

on a leash if we’re outside, but I’m not used to anyone being

over here. No one has lived here for a while.”

He nodded. “No big deal. I like dogs. Just glad he didn’t get

run over by the moving men.”

“Nah, only crushed by their derision.” I smirked when Lucas

tilted his head. “You know, they said he wasn’t much of a

dog.”

“Oh, did they? Well, those two weren’t exactly the Westminster

Kennel Club. Hell, they weren’t even the greatest movers.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You 

should

see how much broken crap I have now, thanks to them.”

“Moving sucks.” Standing on the stoop was getting awkward,

and I shifted to lean against the railing that ran along the

edge of the porch. Lucas started to say something, but before

I could hear him, the wrought iron creaked and gave way. My

balance gave way with it, and for one moment that would be

burned into my mind forever, I struggled to keep from falling,

arms wind-milling in what must have been a cartoon-like fashion.

I lost the battle and tumbled ass-first into one of the overgrown

bushes that surrounded the porch.

Love this cover! THIS SPELLS TROUBLE

This Spells Trouble (2)It took some work, but Lynlee Lincoln has finally found balance between her life as a witch and her relationship with Beck Hale. A human boyfriend with two kids wasn’t something she ever planned, but their new arrangement lets her have her cake and eat it, too. Just when she’s getting comfortable, puzzling visions of impending danger at home begin to haunt her dreams.

And if personal issues aren’t troubling enough, Lynlee and the entire organization of Neutralizers go on alert when a phantom creature begins staging magical episodes on live television. If they can’t put a stop to the sensational events, all hell will break loose in the human world. Can Lynlee keep both her new family and the world safe without getting swallowed up in the process?

PREORDER NOW!

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

And be sure you’re caught up on all the other stories before this one drops!

Trolling for Trouble- Olivia Hardin (2)FREE! Magical and undead creatures can get into plenty of sticky situations. Lynlee Lincoln loves her job as a neutralizer, but she needs a break from the supernatural chaos after an ultra-busy Halloween night. Coming home, she’s ready to collapse into her bed and forget the day… until she discovers two children scavenging through her refrigerator. One look at the pair and she feels a tug on her heartstrings, then she learns their father is the man she spent years trying to forget. When Beck pleads with her to help save his daughter, Lynlee gets thrust into a heap of trouble.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000032_00020]Lynlee Lincoln isn’t just a witch, she’s also a Neutralizer. Her job is a juggling act to keep magical and undead clients out of trouble. But getting back together with her old flame throws one more ball into the mix and romance with a guy who has two kids can get complicated. When her old mentor asks her to investigate the goings-on of a dark witch, things turn messy. The witch is stalking supernatural creatures to collect ingredients for a potion that Lynlee can’t seem to figure out. To keep those closest to her from becoming the next victims, she may have to confront the demons within herself.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Trouble with Holidays (3)And get the prequel to the series in A Christmas Yet to Come Anthlogy: Falling for a human who doesn’t believe in magic was the last thing Lynlee Lincoln needed. Beck Hale was a young architect and she was a Neutralizer-in-training—they were drawn together, but worlds apart. When Beck’s apartment gets flooded, she invites him to her home for Christmas. Lynlee tries to ignore the pull of the mistletoe, but after all, ‘tis the season.

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

 


olivia hardin pic b&w.jpgAbout the Author:
When Olivia Hardin started having movie-like dreams in her teens, she had no choice but to begin putting them to paper. Before long, the writing bug had bitten her, and she knew she wanted to be a published author. Several rejections plus a little bit of life later, she was temporarily “cured” of the urge to write. That is, until she met a group of talented and fabulous writers who gave her the direction and encouragement she needed to get lost in the words again.

Olivia has attended three different universities over the years and toyed with majors in Computer Technology, English, History and Geology. Then one day she heard the term “road scholar,”’ and she knew that was what she wanted to be. Now she “studies” anything and everything just for the joy of learning. She’s also an insatiable crafter who only completes about 1 out of 5 projects, a jogger who hates to run, and she’s sometimes accused of being artistic.

A native Texas girl, Olivia lives in the beautiful Lone Star state with her husband, Danny and their puppy, Bonnie.

Connect with Olivia and Get information about releases, contests, news and more here:

Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook

What Are You Reading This Week?

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Writers read. We might have as much time to do it as we’d like, but most of us always have something waiting on the Kindle, the Nook or the iPad.

Since I am knee-deep in a new book under deadline, I shouldn’t be involved in any book, but. . .I’ve wanted to read this one for a long time, and I finally just said heck with it.

HannaCoverThe good news is that this book is excellent, and I’m so enjoying it. The bad news is that I can’t just sit and read it, since I’m only allowed to read before bed or when I’m in a situation where I absolutely cannot write (think: in line at the drugstore, sitting the car waiting on a kid. . .)

But this shouldn’t stop you from running to pick up Myndi Shafer’s HANNA, HANNA, ONE AND TWO. It’s on iBooks and LPN11CoverAmazon, AND it’s also included in the amazing eleven book box set LOVE POTION NO 11, which includes eleven full-length novels for only 99 cents.

 

 

Twenty-two year old Johanna Cochrin’s world is broken. Eating mists ravage the plains, and wilder-than-most hunt and kill in all but the most protected lands. Sickness shadows the populace, and the minds of men are slipping. And even though there’s something she would do about it, she can’t. She’s a prisoner.

After witnessing her brother’s brutal murder, she’s spent the better part of the last decade in self-imposed silence, hell-bent on taking his secret to the grave. Even if that means living the rest of her life confined in a remote government compound.

But when she is kidnapped from that compound, her silence becomes a liability. Annabel Haier, the ruthless dictator of a fragile government, will stop at nothing to see Johanna back in her clutches and sacrificed to a time-altering Device. If Johanna is to survive, she must learn to trust people she has never met and share the secrets she never meant to share. And if she is to discover her place in the world, she must come to terms with her own mortality – a thing that has the power to save, or condemn her broken world.

Want to see what others are reading? Go here and check out the Wednesday Meme.

Love Potion No. 11: Heroes Who Don’t Fail. Damsels Who Don’t Distress

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What do you get when you take eleven awesome paranormal authors, toss them into one box set, and turn up the heat?

Why, you get Love Potion No. 11, of course.

This box set contains ELEVEN full-length novels from eleven authors. And right now. . .for a limited time. . .it’s only 99 cents.

Talk about a bang for your buck.

Eleven full length paranormal novels celebrating strong women, sizzling hot heroes, and all the things that go bump in the night. 

Secrets by Liz Schulte: While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the Abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that could destroy everything she has ever known or loved. Olivia is about to find out there is a lot she doesn’t know and sometimes what you don’t know can kill you.

The Charmer by Autumn Dawn: Jasmine didn’t realize her friend Wiley was special until they were drawn into another world. Here Wiley is betrothed to the ruler of the Haunt, a wererace both dangerous and proud. Keilor is the master of soldiers, a man few would cross, yet he’d never met a menace like the little brunette his princess calls friend. Will Jasmine find the portal home, or will she find a werewolf of her own?

Forever Fae by L.P. Dover: He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect … We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae. According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.

Stronger Than Magic by Melinda VanLone: Water can be deadly, in the right hands.  In a world of magic, hidden away from those who have no power, Tarian Xannon commands the natural forces of water, air, and fire. As heir to the Dolphin Throne, her job is to learn what it takes to lead—but she’d much rather forget the heavy weight of responsibility in the waves of the ocean.  When Tarian is brutally attacked, she faces the shocking reality her talent, while strong, is no match for the demon-like creature. This power play for the throne ignites the Succession Ritual, forcing Tarian to make hard choices about the future of her unborn child, House Xannon, and the very fabric of magical society.  As her defenses wane, his attacks grow bolder. All she knows and loves hangs in the balance.  Tarian fights not only to keep the throne she thought she hated, but to accept her true place in the world. Will her power be enough? Or are some things stronger than magic?

Give Me by L.K. Rigel: A Romance Reviews top pick.  All she wanted was a vacation … but Dumnos offered a new life.  Lilith Evergreen has always lived in the California desert, but when she receives an antique ring as a gift, she dreams of a castle by the sea, a magnificent tree at cliff’s edge, and a mysterious woman who calls her to Dumnos, a land of mist and rain.  Cade Bausiney is the future Earl of Dumnos, but at present he just wants to bolster the local economy with a scheme to increase tourism. When he meets Lilith, a tourist from the other side of the world, his attraction to her is overwhelming ~ but are the feelings real or magically induced?

Taming the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson:  Attacked by a wolf while hiking, Anna Avery’s life just got a little hairier. Living in the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming, with a group of werewolves who are more animal than human, Anna must try to hold onto her human side. It’s not easy when the alpha continues to persuade her into his bed, while another wolf is chomping at the bit to become her mate. To top it all off, dead bodies are showing up and it just so happens that Anna was the last to see them alive. She’ll have to work to prove her innocence and taming the wolf who bites first and asks questions never.

Sweet Magic Song by Olivia Hardin: Belle Bittner was sold to the highest bidder when she was just a child, sought for the magic lying dormant in her blood. She grew up as the adopted daughter of a wealthy vampire couple, and serving the child-trafficking Org seemed her only option in life. But Belle has other plans, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her escape, even if it means betraying those who try to help her.  Desperate to stay free of an evil vampire who means to possess her no matter what, Belle decides she can use the protection of the flirtatious faery named Roon. The two of them flee to the faery realm where Rooney believes he can better protect her. What he doesn’t know is that taking the beautiful siren through the golden door will set off a cataclysm of events that will threaten the fabric of both the human and the faery worlds.  Separating myth from fact to decipher the truth about her powers could mean the destruction of the new life Belle’s trying so hard to build.

Enlightened by Melissa Lummis: Loti Dupree is about to learn that karma’s a bitch. After her husband’s sudden illness and mysterious death, ominous nightmares and psychic attacks have her running for her life—and straight into the arms of a dark and broody vampire called Wolf.  In his world of closely guarded secrets, every answer she uncovers leads to more questions. Sexy distractions teeter between dangerous and too good to quit, while Loti struggles with both losing and finding herself in the arms of this mysterious creature. When the attacks intensify and friends become casualties, she must face the truth whether she wants to or not.  Someone out there will stop at nothing to kill her and only the vampire named Wolf and a destiny she isn’t prepared to embrace stands between her and an early grave.

Undeniable by Tawdra Kandle: For Rafe Brooks, running from a broken heart means losing himself in alcohol and women. Lots of women, none of whom will remember him, since he has the ability to manipulate their minds and make them forget. Numbing the pain works until he meets an irresistible redhead with secrets of her own. She offers him the opportunity to join forces with an organization that will use his powers for good rather than his own amusement.

Jocelyn rocks his world with her unapologetic passion and makes him believe for the first time he just might survive heartbreak.

When a mission takes the two of them undercover to infiltrate a commune with suspicious activity, they discover it’s just the tip of a plot to cause world-wide anarchy. Hiding their extraordinary powers and real identities is crucial to staying alive.For Rafe and Jocelyn, when life is uncertain, love is undeniable.

Hanna, Hanna, One-and-Two by Myndi Shafer:  Twenty-two year old Johanna Cochrin’s world is broken. Eating mists ravage the plains, and wilder-than-most hunt and kill in all but the most protected lands. Sickness shadows the populace, and the minds of men are slipping. And even though there’s something she would do about it, she can’t. She’s a prisoner.  After witnessing her brother’s brutal murder, she’s spent the better part of the last decade in self-imposed silence, hell-bent on taking his secret to the grave. Even if that means living the rest of her life confined in a remote government compound.  But when she is kidnapped from that compound, her silence becomes a liability. Annabel Haier, the ruthless dictator of a fragile government, will stop at nothing to see Johanna back in her clutches and sacrificed to a time-altering Device. If Johanna is to survive, she must learn to trust people she has never met and share the secrets she never meant to share. And if she is to discover her place in the world, she must come to terms with her own mortality – a thing that has the power to save, or condemn her broken world.

Divine Destiny by Joanna Grace: Avery McClain is normal. Or so she thinks.  Until her life is shattered and she is rescued by a Thracian warrior. He takes her to the Haven, a realm of safety for the magical race of Olympians. There she discovers her life was meant for a higher calling as the mate of an Olympian Prince.  Her choice will change everything.  Ryse Castille has one job: convince Avery to step into her role as a Divine Grace. As with any mission, there are obstacles to overcome. Including the fact he is captivated by her. Of all the gifts the gods have given him, romance was not included. But Avery belongs to him and he will stop at nothing to protect her.  The enemy might be closer than they think.  Can Avery find the courage to embrace her destiny? Or will evil separate them for eternity?

Buy the set now!

Amazon/iBooks/Barnes and Noble/Smashwords

Meet all the authors

and enjoy fun tidbits from the books by visiting a

different blog every day!

 



#Sunshine State Stories Blog Hop

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This week, Books Make Me Happy blog and a handful of UF/PNR authors are celebrating stories set in sunny Florida. The authors showcased have offered excerpts, written cool blog posts, and are all participating in a blog hop GRAND PRIZE giveaway full of books and other goodies. Be sure to click on the header above to see the complete list of participating sites. Check out each day’s excerpt and the Featured Author’s site for fun posts and chances to win!! Today is MY turn to be featured!! You can find my excerpt on Books Make Me Happy HERE. Be sure to check at the bottom of today’s post for the rafflecopter entry form for the Grand Prize AND a special added rafflecopter to win an ecopy of THE KING SERIES. Hop around and check out all the Florida authors participating: 

8/4 Books Make Me Happy kickoff post with full schedule: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12p

 8/4 Tawdra: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12s

8/5 KC: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12x

8/6 Armand: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12B

8/7 Heather: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12E

8/8 Christy: http://wp.me/pOeF4-12H

I’m a relative newcomer to Florida, having lived here only seven years. But the state will always hold a place in my heart, since it’s here that I realized my dream of writing and publishing.

My bio says that I’ve been a writer since the invention of the pen, and sometimes it feels that long. I have been creating characters and stories in my head since I was a child. I had never set any of them in Florida, but when we moved to a small town in the middle of the FLmapstate in 2007, and some of my characters had time to be heard, it turned out that living in Florida was part of their story.

Most of my inspiration for The King Series, my YA quartet, came via long drives or day trips. Tasmyn’s last name came from a nursery alongside SR-46 between Lake County and Sanford. The setting for Michael’s family nursery also sprung from that drive. The lakes in Fearless, Breathless and Restless owe their existence to the many lakes around Apopka and in (duh) Lake County.

The town of King itself is nearly a character in the books. I hadn’t realized how important it was until Michael began talking to Tas one day, and it all clicked. King’s physical manifestation is very close to that of Mount Dora, a small and lovely town in Lake County where I spent a good deal of time in our early Florida days. However, the history of King is closer to another famous Sunshine State burg–Cassadega. I had never been there when I wrote Fearless, and once I did visit, much later, I was surprised at how much the two towns–one fictional, one factual–have in common. Both were founded by men who chose the spot based on the idea that it was a place of spiritual congruence. Both maintain the reputation of being somewhat supernatural.

A few of my other books have also found their home in Florida. Of course, Rafe begins his journey in King, though he ends up traveling out of state. Nell also spends some time in the northern part of the state, near the fictional Perriman College (where Tas and Michael attend). THE POSSE, a contemporary romance, is set in a Florida beach town.

Since Tasmyn is a transplant just like me, we decided to play a little game of quick-draw Q and A. I’m interested in some of her answers!

Summer or Winter in Florida? Wait, is there a difference? Juuuust kidding. Winter. Definitely winter. 

Disney or Universal? I have to choose between Mickey or Harry? Well, Disney is the favorite of my heart. I don’t love roller coasters, and Disney gives me more options that don’t make me puke.

Sharks or Gators? Sharks, because as long as I stay out of the ocean, they won’t bother me. Gators can turn up anywhere. gatorpic<shudder>

Seminoles or Gators? The Perriman Pelicans will always hold my heart, but I guess the Gators, since I have friends who attend U of F. 

Boogie boards or surf boards? Boogie boards. Goes back to the whole shark deal.

Lakes or oceans? Oceans, because I have a bad history with lakes. 

Bike Week or Race Week? Again, is there a difference? Well, Bike Week. I’m not a Nascar gal.

Miami or Clearwater? Clearwater. Love the Gulf, love the small-town feel. . .good memories there, too.

orangedownloadSeafood or citrus fruit? Citrus. I’m especially partial to oranges. 

Dolphins or Bucs? Dolphins, all the way! GO Fish!

Everglades or Osceola Forest? The Forest. Love the history there, and less chance of gators.dolphinsimages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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