Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Long Live The Gothic Novel.


Shades of horror, the paranormal, unnatural deeds done in the dark, magic and mystery are embodied in that one word: Gothic. All that is uncivilised, unnatural, macabre, grotesque and even eccentric belong in the world of the gothic novel.

Some of the most well-known classics belong to this genre.

Think Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights - untamed Cathy and wild Heathcliffe rushing headlong into a doomed relationship among the misty moors of Yorkshire. Or, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre with the eccentric Mr Rochester and a gloomy house hiding a strange secret. Every page is heavy with suspense and sexual tension, capturing readers' emotions as no other books of the time did.
And people loved it.
Couldn't get enough of it.

But the Bronte's did not create the gothic genre. Two-hundred years earlier, Horace Walpole wrote The Castle of Otranto (1765), which became an instant sensation. By the close of the eighteenth century, two more gothic novels were written - The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Monk. So sensational were they, that even Jane Austen succumbed to the trend. But her novel, Northanger Abbey, parodied the genre rather than emulated it.

Over the next century, more gothic novels were published: Frankenstein (1818); and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831), set among the soaring arches of a gothic cathedral, the sad and misshapen figure of Quasimodo swinging from the gargoyles to stare at the inhabitants of Paris below him.
In 1847, Varney the Vampire: or The Feast of Blood was published, which predated the epitome of all gothic novels - Bram Stoker's Dracula, in 1898.

These books were the best sellers of their day, and still are.

My own books, the Dantonville Legacy series, embody those characteristics of the gothic - the mystery of a cursed family waiting two-thousand years to be redeemed.
Love live the gothic novel!




 






Monday, 22 August 2016

Sunday Showcase: Paranormal Mystery Author Pamela Winn



1.How and why did you choose your book covers?
I try to find covers that are linked to the story without revealing too much. For the books “Viewings”, “At Hidden Lake”, and “Wings to Whispers”, I drew the covers myself. Some day I may go back and do that for all of the 40 books.
2. If you had to choose a recipe that reflected one of your books, what would it be?
Definitely I would have to find a recipe for the short story collections “Visitations” and “Wings to Whispers” A heavenly dessert, because the books are both collections of loved ones who have passed away and are trying to reach us from the other side.
3. If you had the chance to spend the day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
I would say Joshua in the book “Obligations”. He had a near death experience that took him to the other side and back again. Something evil followed behind. Now, Joshua can see spirits and people’s auras. I am fascinated by auras and think it would be amazing to be able to see them and decide what they truly mean. If we could see a person’s aura we would have an idea about what makes them tick. I think sitting down with Joshua as he learns about not only auras, but communicating with spirits, or angels, would be fascinating. I hope readers feel that when they read the story.
4. What do you find the most challenging thing about being an author?
That would have to be promoting. Trying to get your book out where others can find it and grab it to read is a challenge. I am not a salesman and had no idea how to even do this. Luckily for me, I had other authors to help and a son that is computer savvy. A skill I lack. If I didn’t have to promote I would be happy to just write. After 40 in 45 months, I think that part of this journey has gone well and I love the amazing reviews I have received.
5. If money was no object and you could travel to any place in the world for your dream vacation where would you go and what would you do?
I have two places I would love to see, first Ireland and then Australia. Both places seem to me to be fascinating and rich with scenery. I would love to sit and write books in either place. I think the scenery in the books makes the story interesting. I am lucky to live in North West Montana filled with Lakes, Trees and Mountains and use the landscape in a lot of the books. I also have lived in Utah and Idaho and add those locations in a few. In the book “Tunnels”, the group travels down a highway from Montana to Idaho, a road I have traveled often. In the book “Mystic Valley” the location is a place in Utah I know the government did a lot of hiding of secrets. So, I used that location to set up the sci-fi conspiracy. In “At Hidden Lake”, I used Montana because I watched a TV special about how Hitler may have hid gold and treasure near Glacier Park, Montana, where I live.
6. Tell us about your publishing experience. Did you always intend to be traditionally published or indie published?
I thought about traditional publishing, but because I write books so quickly, I decided to indie publish. It seems to be the best for me. If I had to wait for a traditional publisher to get back to me, I would probably still be on book one and my nerves would be shot.
I am just blessed to have great readers who will read one book, like it, and then go back for another. That is such a compliment and repeat readers have a special place in my heart. I have been very lucky with reviewers. With over 360 reviews, only 4 have been below a three. Five have been threes, and the rest four and five stars, that is awesome and inspiring.  If readers would like to see the 40 books, they can find them on Amazon

You can find Pamela Winn at Goodreads  Amazon Author Page 


A gift was passed down from her grandmother, all her life Andrea Moore has been able to see spirits. Now, her grandma has passed on, but Andi still talks to her. When Deputy Vaughn Walker asks Andi to help solve the mystery of four women who have disappeared, Vaughn, Andi and her friend Nate are going to find those from the other side influence this life and some spirits are pure evil. They also find themselves in the middle of the epic battle of good versus evil.

Buy it here:  Amazon 

 Paperback available at Barnes and Noble 

 
 

Sunday, 14 August 2016

Sunday Showcase: Paranormal Romance Author Maggie Anderson



1. What inspired you to write in your genre?
When I was fourteen, our English teacher asked us to read Dracula for a review. As we’d read a couple of Shakespearean books prior, I thought it would be just another unenjoyable book that I couldn’t get my head around. I was WRONG! I was seduced by Bram Stoker’s unorthodox, charismatic character and have loved all things Vampire ever since.

2. If you write a series, how many books can your readers expect?
I do write a series. The Dark Legacy urban fantasy series. At this stage, I’m writing book four and my continue to write more because I love the characters, but I’m taking a break after this book to focus on others I’ve had simmering in my head for a while now.

3. If you had the chance to spend the day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
If I had a chance to spend a day with one of my characters it would have to be Reece Daniels. He stepped up and took over Dark Legacy, when Andre was meant to be the lead character, and has continued to stand out in all of the books so far. He has morals and believes in treating people right. He also has a lot of courage. Some of which he doesn’t even realize he has.

4. Are there any books or authors you admire?
I love the Alex Cross series of books by James Patterson. They tell a thrilling tale and pull you into the story. I also love the Addison Holmes series by Liliana Hart. They’re quirky and Addison is a likeable, amusing character with a certain amount of bravado when she needs it.

5. What is one of the biggest misconceptions that you think people have about authors in general?
I think people tend to think authors have it easy and make a lot of money from their writing. Some do, yes. The lucky ones. But most of us are doing our best to get our books into the hands of readers and not able to make a living from what we love the most. Being an indie author is hard-going. People think writing is a hobby. I’ve had friends say that to me. It’s not! It’s long hours of researching, writing, promoting, marketing, social networking and more!

6. If money was no object and you could travel to any place in the world for your dream vacation where would you go and what would you do?
I’ve always wanted to visit Machu Picchu. To be able to stand on the landscape of a village thousands of years old would be incredible! I think it would be a spiritual journey, a place to connect with your inner self.

Maggie is the author of several books:

Dark Legacy
Once Bitten
Soul Chaser
Driving Me Crazy
Love's Twist of Fate
A Night of Passion
A Night of Passion: Clean Romance Edition

Her newest release is Soul Chaser, Bk 3 in the Dark Legacy series.

 
In the city that never sleeps, a gypsy has seen Reece’s future. Someone he loves will die!
A romantic Vegas getaway turns into another paranormal nightmare for Reece when Charlotte is kidnapped from the airport. Who has taken her and why?
The PI and his team work around the clock. Time is ticking. Sent on a wild goose chase across Sin City by the unknown assailant, can they find her? Is the unidentified body of a Jane Doe lying in the County Coroner’s Office Charlotte? Are they already too late?
A series of unorthodox deaths forces Sheriff Lozano to enlist Reece’s help. He’s heard rumors about the private investigator and wants to find out if they’re true. Can they work together to solve the mystery of the murders? Will Reece let the sheriff in on what has happened to his fiancée?
As the two cases collide, Reece takes matters into his own hands and enters the subterranean world beneath Las Vegas alone. What has he discovered? And what ancient evil is he hunting?

 

EXTRACT

 
The dark tunnel seemed endless as Reece raced along it, peering over his shoulder wondering if the creatures were still in hot pursuit. He had to find a place to hide until the sun came up. The stark white beam of his flashlight app bobbed against the graffitied walls as he ran, but within seconds the glow faded, flickered and died, leaving him in total pitch black. Reece lurched to a stop and smacked his phone against his hand hoping it would jolt a few more seconds of life into the battery. It didn’t. “Shit!”
His heart rose in his throat and he sucked in a strangled breath, unable to inhale a full ribcage of air. The claustrophobic atmosphere was thick around him and he felt like he was suffocating. How did they find me so fast? He thought he’d have more time.
Manic laughter resonated out of the deep shadows in the underground drains and Reece’s eyes darted around the gloom. They were almost on top of him.
He broke into a panicked run, stumbling over broken concrete, cans, bottles and other rubbish strewn along the fetid, damp passage. He tripped on something soft and landed on top of it, the small amount of oxygen he’d managed to inhale whooshing out of him with the heavy thud. Feeling around, unable to see, and his brain making the connection, Reece felt buttons, material, a hand, a face… a sticky wet crater where the nose had been. Another face… holes where the eyes should have been. Bodies!
Bile gushed up his throat and he staggered to his feet, his heart beating so fast it felt like butterfly wings against his ribs. He spat the bitter liquid onto the ground and rushed into the shadows. He had to find a way out or somewhere to hide before they reached him or he’d be another rotting corpse amongst the body count. 

Want to read more?  Here's where you can find it:

Thursday, 4 August 2016

Would You Attend a Vampire Masquerade Ball?

Courtesy of Gothic and Enchanted Music by Derek and Brandon Fiechter
The other day, while browsing online for some gothic music I could listen to while writing, I came across this beautiful and haunting melody titled, Gothic Waltz Music on youtube - Enchanted Ballroom. It reminded me of a little girl's jewellery music box, one I always wanted as a child but never received. 
(Yes, I've always had a gothic streak, and in my childish imagination the music box dancer wasn't a ballerina, but an enchanted princess waiting to be released from a curse. I guess that's where BloodGifted had some of its genesis.)
The music was so audibly mesmerising - as was the image with it  - that I stopped everything to listen. It's underlying dark tone sent visions of immaculately dressed vampires gliding across a dazzling ballroom, their faces covered in bejewelled masks hiding not only their faces, but their dark secret.
Humans enter at your own peril. 
I knew that one day I would have to include such an otherwordly setting in one of my books. And the opportunity came while writing, BloodVault, Bk 3 in my Dantonville Legacy Series. 
How could I resist? 
I simpy had to include a gothic ballroom scene - the annual New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball.

Click the youtube link above and listen while reading. I dare you :-) 

In the driveway, fairy lights blinked on the trunks and leafless branches of the trees, while a million tiny bulbs twinkled in the windows and the front doors of the chateau. The candelabras in the entrance hall had been polished to a mirror sheen, the candles' flames dancing and swaying on the ebony surface. Illuminated garlands twisted their way up the staircase that led to the ballroom.
We took our seats on the dais next to Luc and Judy. Swathes of entwined green and lavender silk - the D'Antonville colours - hung from the canopy and pooled on the floor. Five gold sashes lay draped across the arms of my chair. I knew their purpose, as Alec had briefed me earlier.
My mother, resplendent in a rich jade-green dress, acknowledged each guest as they were announced. Her silver-streaked auburn hair was caught back in a chignon and crowned with a white-gold tiara of intertwining leaves and flowers adorned with a single emerald. Her eyes shone behind her butterfly shaped mask.
She leant across and whispered in my ear. "You looking stunning, dear."
"As do you. Nice bling." I grinned at her tiara.
"Your father's gift at your birth." She beamed and placed her hand over his. Luc drew them to his lips and kissed her fingertips.
... The ballroom was a sea of colour. Elegant women in dazzling gowns of electric blue, silver-grey, apricot, sunny yellow and turquoise swept the room, greeting friends and chinking glasses. Lavender eyes glinted behind feathered, lace and rhinestone masks shaped like butterflies, cats and flowers, some covering only the eyes, others half the face. The men, likewise, many in tuxedos with long-nose masks or in traditional costume, added to the magnificence of the occasion.
... Alec led me from the dais, and we swayed to the romantic strains of a Strauss waltz, weaving in and out with the other couples. I floated on an idyllic cloud beneath the blue and gold rococo ceiling that gleamed in the light of crystal chandeliers. The troubles of the last few days forgotten as I lost myself in his arms and was drawn into the lavender depths of his eyes.

If you'd like to read more just click here.


There are some family secrets that should stay hidden.

***BLOODVAULT***
Bk 3 in The Dantonville Legacy Series
  “Battle scenes, action, adventure, mystery and a fiery romance.”

Amazon 

Apple 

Kobo 

Nook 


 

Until next time ...




Thursday, 7 July 2016

Thirsty Thursday - BloodVault Extract

It's been a while since I've added an extract from any of my books, especially from my latest release, 'BloodVault', Bk 3 in my Dantonville Legacy Series. It's been eight months since its release and since then it has sat regularly in Amazon's Top 100 in Gothic Romance. 
Thank you to all my readers who made that happen. Because of you and your enthusiasm for Dantonville, my books are doing so well. 
At the moment I'm working on Bk 4, 'BloodWish,' and hope to release that in time for Christmas. So, in the meanwhile, curl up with a little something spooky and mysterious.
Enjoy.

* * * 

EXTRACT
     That's when I heard it -  a shrill keening, like a soul in torment. It made the hairs on my arms stand on end. It didn't seem to be coming from anywhere within the chateau. A night bird? I stuffed another mini-baguette into my mouth and padded to the window. Tree branches obscured most of my view, but there appeared to be a solitary figure, in white, standing on the boundary wall at the far end of the estate.
     Mesmerised, I watched. Was it a ghost, or some local nutter who liked to climb walls in the dead of night to wail at the half moon? I peered closer, but the wind whipped up the tree branches, and I lost sight of the figure. When the wind dropped, the figure was gone. Every nerve ending tingled. If vampires existed - I'd only learnt of their existence a couple of weeks ago - then why not ghosts? This chateau was hundreds of years old, maybe more. Who knows how many more people had died here in that time? Vampires weren't the only inhabitants.
     I continued to stare out the window. There it was again - arms upraised, the same high-pitched wailing. A chill shot through me, and I jumped back drawing the curtains together, tightly bunching the folds of fabric.

* * *
Want to read more? Here's where you can find it - Amazon (US) Amazon (AU) Amazon (CA) Amazon (UK)

Until next time, 
Happy Reading

Friday, 27 May 2016

Meet Young Adult Author, PJ Byer

It's always a pleasure to showcase a new release, especially when it's from my lovely critique partner, PJ Byer. Book 2 in her engrossing young adult Trial Bay Series is now available on Amazon at the sale price of 99c. Go get it.




This book is the much anticipated prequel to Collision, Book 1, in the Trial Bay series.

Collision traces the arc of runaway Stella and her father Paul Lawson’s fractured relationship, to their tentative reunion in Trial Bay, on the Australian mid-north coast. Their story hints at the many lies buried at the heart of their family history.
Now this new book in the series, Corrosion, set between 1958 and 2008 in Sydney and Trial Bay, explores this generational secrecy in alternating chapters. It unravels the story of Stella’s father, Paul, and his mother, Mary.

Paul, a lonely, confused teenager, is desperate to avoid being sent to boarding school by his elegant, career-driven mother. He’d rather risk living with his unreliable, irresponsible father and attend the local high school, than let his mother decide his future for him.
Mary has striven all her life to overcome her desperately unhappy childhood. Born illegitimate, Mary is raised by her grandparents to hide the scandal. She experiences bitter rejection, and is determined her son will never lack the opportunities denied her. Unfortunately, her wealth, ambition and steely control over her son form only a thinly-veiled veneer to hide devastating secrets.

In their final showdown, what does Paul discover? And will it destroy him, and her?

 

    PJ Byer is the Young Adult writer of the Trial Bay series, Collision and Corrosion, Books 1 and 2 respectively. Collision is a finalist in the Teen section of the International 2015 Wishing Shelf Book Awards, as well as chosen as the 2016 Year 10 novel study at MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale, NSW.

    The series is set in Sydney and the mid-north NSW coast, Australia. Collision, Book 1, is a fast-paced, coming-of-age mystery about teen runaway Stella Lawson, who is disturbed by her flashbacks to Trial Bay gaol a century before.     

    Corrosion, Book 2, is a warm-hearted yet poignant story of Stella's father Paul as a teenager, and his fragmenting relationship with his mum, Mary. She is desperate to keep family secrets hidden from him, until an ultimate showdown threatens to destroy their relationship. PJ began to write the day after she retired from English, History and Drama teaching. Inspired by the stories of Trial Bay gaol, where hundreds of World War One Germans were interned, her series has evolved to delve into family generational secrets, and the fall-out from these. Happily married with two adult daughters, PJ lives on the Central Coast near the beach, an hour north of Sydney. 


Book links: Amazon (US) 

                    Amazon (UK) 

                    Amazon (AU)  

                    Amazon (CA) 


 

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

First Reviews Are In For BloodVault - And They're Brilliant.

BloodVault, book 3 in my Dantonville Legacy series, had a fantastic reception on its first day in the world. Both pre-orders and sales soared. Readers from America, Britain, Europe and Australia, and even from as far away as Brazil, raced to get their copies.
I owe a big thanks to all who attended and made the day such a grand success.
Thank you.
Now, only three days later, the reviews are coming in. As with birthing a baby, there is pain and joy and you want everyone to love and fawn over your precious offspring. And that's what my books are to me. So it's with some trepidation I peek through my fingers to view those dreaded reviews. But so far, they've been only positive.

"I loved it and I want MORE. I laughed, I cried and I was gripping my kindle with anticipation."
                                                                                                                                            Tracy

"BRILLIANT!! A whirlwind of emotions ran through me … Happy, sad, mad, heartache ugh I cried. The whole series is a must read for anyone who likes pnr."                                          afranhammond

"Tima has left me speechless with this amazing read!!! I have laughed, cried, got mad through this book. I love the other books in this series but I believe she has outdone herself with BloodVault."
                                                                                                                                               Lisa

"I absolutely love author Tima Maria Lacoba! I absolutely love her books! Especially this one. I cried, I swooned, I got upset, I swooned some more, I cried some more and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!"       LadyViki

And thank you to Nook Books and More Blog for this fabulous review.


Amazon US
Amazon AU
Amazon UK
Amazon CA

Until next time, happy reading :-)




                                                       

Wednesday, 5 August 2015

A Tasty Little BloodVault Teaser.

Yes, it's Teaser Tuesday, and what better excuse to provide my readers with another little snippet from BloodVault. My word count is growing daily, so hopefully book 3 of The Dantonville Legacy saga will be completed by the end of this month.
In the meantime, enjoy.


My stomach growled. Through the open door, I spied the tray of delicacies Madame Thierry had prepared. The mini baguette I had earlier had been delicious.
The bed bounced as I bounded toward the tray. That’s when I heard it—a shrill keening, like a soul in torment. It made the hairs on my arm stand on end. It didn’t seem to be coming from anywhere within the chateau. A night bird? I stuffed another mini-baguette into my mouth and padded over to the window. Tree branches obscured most of my view, but there appeared to be a solitary figure, in white, standing on the boundary wall at the far end of the estate.
Mesmerised, I stood there. Was it a ghost, or some local nutter who liked to climb walls in the dead of night to wail at the half moon? I peered closer but the wind whipped up the tree branches and I lost sight of the figure. When the wind dropped the figure was gone. Every nerve ending tingled. If vampires existed—I’d only learnt their existence a couple of weeks ago—then why not ghosts? This chateau was hundreds of years old, maybe more. Who knows how many people died here in that time? Vampires weren’t the only inhabitants.
I continued to stare out the window. There it was again—arms upraised, the same high pitched wailing. A chill shot through me, and I jumped back drawing the curtains together, tightly bunching the folds of the fabric.
The Serpent Ring on my finger glowed scarlet. Whatever the figure was, it posed no threat. I took a deep breath and slowly peered through the curtain again. The ghostly form was still there.
I slipped on my boots, threw on a coat and stepped out into the empty hallway. All the lights were on and I could hear voices, none familiar. It was probably the Brethren servants. I paused at Jenny’s door. She slept, her slow heartbeat and steady breathing was quiet and peaceful. I didn’t have the heart to wake her. Other human heartbeats came from different ends of the house. I assumed the sleeping one, directly above my room, belonged to Judy. But there was another, slightly faster, heartbeat also coming from above, so close to Judy’s they could’ve been in the same room. Who? One of the staff? But there were no human staff on duty yet.


If you enjoyed this snippet, catch up on the story by reading the first two books in the series before Book 3 is released later this year.  
Amazon Apple iBooks Nook  Kobo



 

Sunday, 7 June 2015

BloodVault Tasty Teaser


Yesterday I celebrated the cover reveal of BloodVault, the third book in my Dantonville Legacy series. Now to whet your appetite further, here's a little tasty teaser (unedited). Enjoy!

We skirted the edge of the subterranean lake when the ruby glow from the cubes the men carried began to glow more brightly. And from the pattern of stalactites hanging from the cavern roof, I knew we neared the vault. My hunch was confirmed when the eyes of the Serpent Ring on my hand flared.
Luc held up his arm and we halted before a wall of polished stone.
‘Let me take Judith’s key. You need both hands,’ I said. Three keys inserted simultaneously were needed to unlock the vault, and Luc, Marcus, Judith and I each possessed one—three and a spare. Until my transformation, Luc had kept the spare key in the library safe, hidden discretely behind Marcus’s decaying armour. It was later entrusted to me … until Rasputin stole it.
I would get it back, if it was the last thing I did.
Luc nodded, pressed Judith’s key into my palm and slid aside a camouflaged panel hiding three locks.
Marcus joined us. ‘How many centuries since I’ve done this?’
‘Too long,’ Luc answered.
We inserted our keys into the locks as Luc thrust his own green-eyed serpent ring into the stone. Silently the door swung open and the intoxicating scent of Ingenii blood hit us in a powerful wave. We inhaled; nostrils flared and the tips of our fangs protruded beneath our upper lips. I swallowed and sheathed mine, aware of my growing hunger and that I’d be living off those vials for the next nine months.
‘Unload.’ Luc stepped aside to allow the men to pass. We followed, and the door automatically sealed itself behind us.
Marcus whistled. ‘Deus! I’d forgotten the scale of this place.’
Thousands of thumb-size, ruby vials lay line-upon-line within recessed stone bays, illuminating the cavernous space in a haze of red. Like a wine cellar, Luc had grouped the vials according to name and numerical order of Ingenii. Those closest to the entrance were the oldest. Engraved bronze plaques above each group identified the subject, from Paulus in the early 4th century till now. Judith’s bay was the last. Beyond her the stone wall was blank, for Laura was the last of the Ingenii—the curse ends with her.
‘Line them up against that wall.’ Luc pointed to the furthest end of the cavern, where the once-smooth rock face was pockmarked with a series of small indentations, ready to receive the new stock of vials. He pressed a button on his mobile, and silently each cube unfolded and resumed its previous cabinet size. (Copyright 2015 Tima Maria Lacoba)

Want to read the first two books? Just one click here Amazon iBooks  Nook Kobo Smashwords  

Saturday, 7 February 2015

I'm in an Anthology! It's called Musings.

This year I'm thrilled to be included in an amazing anthology with thirteen other paranormal romance, urban fantasy, suspense and mystery authors. Among them are some well known, best selling authors with whom it's a privilege to be associated.
Check out the beautiful cover, created by the talented Patti Roberts.


Released earlier this week, Musings is already climbing the charts, reaching as high as Top 50 for Anthologies and Collections on Amazon in the USA and Australia. That's brilliant! Let's try and keep it at the top. Personally I'd love to see it reach #1.
Anthologies of this type - with a selection of short stories, novellas and novels - are a great introduction to authors you may have never read. That's how I discovered Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh and MaryJanice Davidson. Their books now line my shelves.

And, if you're looking for a perfect Valentine Day's gift - apart from the obligatory flowers and chocolates - you can't get better than this.

Happy reading.

Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
Amazon (AU)
Amazon (CA)
Barnes and Noble
Scribd
Kobo
Inktera


Thursday, 20 November 2014

Guest Post - Lilo Abernathy and The Light Who Shines


This week a dear writer-friend of mine, Lilo Abernathy, is being featured in the Amazon Kindle Daily Deal. Any writer whose book is listed on Amazon knows how hard it is to be chosen for this special type of promotion. Lilo's book, The Light Who Shines, has been on several best seller lists, and continues to climb the Amazon ranks for urban fantasy and paranormal romance. But it's also a mystery and a thriller that'll have you turning those pages and keeping you up into the wee hours of the morning. 
Today only, The Light Who Shines, is reduced to $1.99. Go to Amazon, press the Buy Now button and enjoy one good read.

The Light Who Shines
by Lilo Abernathy
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance / Mystery
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars
Regular Price: $4.99
Sale Price: $1.99 (One day only)
Kindle Daily Deal Sale Date: Thursday, November 20th, 2014 
Amazon Link: amzn.to/11sqD5Y
When Supernatural Investigation Bureau agent Bluebell Kildare (a.k.a. Blue) arrives at the scene of the crime, it's obvious the grotesquely damaged body of the deceased teenage boy was caused by far more than a simple hit and run; and she vows to catch the killer. Using her innate sixth sense, Blue uncovers a powerful magical artifact nearby. She soon discovers it acts as a key to an ancient Grimoire that was instrumental in the creation of the Vampire breed and still holds the power to unravel the boundaries between Earth and the Plane of Fire. 
Blue and her clever wolf Varg follow a trail that starts at the Cock and Bull Tap and leads all through the town of Crimson Hollow. Between being sidelined by a stalker who sticks to the shadows and chasing a suspect who vanishes in thin air, the case is getting complicated. If that isn't enough, Dark Vampire activity hits a record high, and hate crimes are increasing. However, it's Blue’s growing feelings for Jack Tanner, her sexy Daylight Vampire boss, that just might undo her. 
While Blue searches for clues to nail the perpetrator, it seems someone else is conducting a search of their own. Who will find whom first? 
Danger lurks in every corner, and Blue needs all her focus in this increasingly dangerous game or she risks ending up the next victim. 
PRIMARY CHARACTER PROFILES
Bluebell Kildare: Blue is a Supernatural Homicide Detective and a gifted empath who has a pure spirit and a will of steel. She was orphaned at a young age and has had a tough life so far. Yet, she continually picks herself up by the boot straps and fights to do what is right, regardless of the cost. Just how high will the cost be?
Jack Tanner: He's Blue's sexy boss, the head of the Supernatural Homicide Unit in Crimson Hollow. Jack is very old and powerful Daylight Vampire with many layers. He is driven a little crazy by his desire to protect Blue in the face of her independence. Can he keep his cool when Blue needs him most?
Varg: He is a great grey wolf who comes out of nowhere and decides to be Blue's companion. He seems to have some mysterious magical abilities and uses them to guard Blue's life. Can he keep her safe?
Maud: She is Blue's dear friend and mother figure. Maud used to visit Blue in the orphanage and read to her as a child. She can't cook but she makes awesome Southern beverages. What color is her hair today? Is it blue, fuchsia, scarlet, or peach sherbet?
Alexis: She is Blue's comrade and neighbor, as well as the sassy owner of a store called Herbal Enchantments. She is gifted in earth magic and if she isn't busy feeding her friends, she's telling them what to do. Does she have her hands on her hips right now, or is she waving her finger at Blue?
The Villain: Can he get any more evil? No. He is about as evil as they come . . .
AUTHOR BIO
Lilo Abernathy is a somewhat eccentric, deep-thinking, warm-hearted young woman of at least 43 years. She started out as a restaurant chain hostess and worked her way up to the exciting world of global mergers and acquisitions. She has enjoyed an on again/off again relationship with formal education and has been affectionately referred to as information hound. In the evenings, she fills her writing breaks by scanning the internet for answers to provocative questions, such as: "What causes diamonds to be formed in different colors?"
One thing that never changes is Lilo's ongoing love affair with books. A born bibliophile, by age ten she finished all the children's books in the house and started devouring the adult section. By age 15, she was working her way through grocery store book aisles and libraries. Just as Picasso had his blue period, Lilo had her own periods of readership--urban fantasy, paranormal romance, Gothic novels, etc. Now she's planning on creating a bookshelf for you to enjoy.