Psychonaut Release Day Blog Buzz - March 12

Psychonaut is the second book in Carmilla Voiez’s Starblood series. It’s a relaunch of the novel by American indie Vamptasy Publishing. The series contains four books and follows the lives of a group of friends: Star, Satori, Freya. Donna, Raven and Ivan, who are young Goths living in Bristol, England. 

In the first book, Starblood, Star breaks up with her lover, Satori, but he is unwilling to let her go. Satori is an adept Chaos magician and decides to cast a spell to keep Star by his side, but because of competing forces Lilith, mother of demons, uses this moment to come to Earth and enter their lives. The result is a tangled web of murder, madness and betrayal. 

The first book can be found at Amazon and other retailers – http://smarturl.it/Starblood

Psychonaut takes us beyond the urban lives of these ill-fated Goths and into other worlds full of demons, gods, magic and monsters. 

Psychonaut is available from March 12 and can be found at – http://smarturl.it/PsychonautVoiez 

Summary:

Satori is caught between two worlds. There is something he needs in one, but the other keeps drawing him back. However, he is in love and he isn’t going to let a little thing like death get in his way. To reach his goal, he must face unimaginable horrors, not least of which is his true self.
Star’s tortured and broken body awaits Satori, but does she really need him to save her? His rival, a rage-filled young woman, grows more powerful and becomes as twisted as the ribbons in her hair while the demon, Lilith, draws each of them inexorably towards her. Who will survive the coming battle?

Full of sex and magic, “Psychonaut” is an exploration into the human psyche and the second book in Voiez’s “Starblood” trilogy.

"Carmilla Voiez is more of a singer than a writer. She tells her compelling story in a hypnotic, distinctive voice that brings her eerie world vividly to life." Graham Masterton

“Psychonaut is a book of mad impulses, inner vision, sadism, escape and belief. You feel uncomfortable reading it, like Alex strapped to the chair in Clockwork Orange being taught to feel sick at atrocity. Rather than leave us crippled by response, though, Psychonaut bears you through the hurt towards the only paradise we can be assured of...a love past fault.” Jef Withonef, Houston Press.

The Amazing Author: Carmilla Voiez

Excerpt:

‘What do you need me to do?’ Freya asks.

‘I need someone to guide me through the planes. I thought Ivan would help me, but I think you probably know more about it than he does,’ Satori answers.

‘I doubt it.’

‘You’ve been up there though.’

Freya nods. ‘Yes.’

Satori blushes. ‘It was my first trip today. That’s where I was when you rang the doorbell. I’ve found where to start. But I have no clue where to go from here.’

‘What’s it like?’ she asks.

‘Huh?’

‘Your sacred space, at least that’s what Ivan calls it. What’s yours like?’

‘Oh, um …’

‘Haha, you’re embarrassed. What, does it have some huge tower like you’re compensating for something … oh shit, it does doesn’t it?’

Satori shuffles in his seat. ‘No. What have you got in yours then?’

‘A tree,’ Freya says.

‘And …’

‘Just a tree.’

‘What kind of tree?’ Satori asks.

‘A weeping willow,’ she answers.

‘How Gothic.’

‘Indeed, tower boy.’

‘I … okay yes I have a tower.’ He laughs. ‘But I’m not compensating. I like … towers. So your willow tree …’

‘Yes.’

‘Is it as beautiful as your hair?’

‘What the fuck, Satori? Where did that come from?’

‘Sorry. I’m just saying …’

‘And I’m just saying, forget it. There’s no way that’s ever gonna happen. The people you seduce have a habit of ending up dead.’

Satori looks away. His mouth moves as if he’s about to speak, but thinks better of it.

Freya watches the colour rise in his cheeks and feels embarrassed for him, embarrassed and awkward because she rejected him. Maybe he was simply being friendly, paying me a compliment? Did I misunderstand? Something clicks inside her and the awkwardness grows into nervousness, which morphs into anger. Why would he say that? Is sex all he wants from women? Perhaps he looks at me and all he can see is a pretty thing for him to pet? Am I not his equal? Of course I am. What then? Confused, she shakes her head and decides to change the subject. ‘So are we going to try to find your way tonight?’

‘Have you got somewhere else to be?’ he asks.

‘No, I’m good.’

‘All right then,’ Satori says, refilling the glasses. ‘But I haven’t left my … tower yet. Where should we meet?’

‘I haven’t left my Gothic tree. Shall we follow our paths and think of each other? Maybe our feet will lead us there.’

‘It’s a better plan than any I’ve come up with,’ Satori says.

‘Where?’

‘Mum will be home soon. Is … my bedroom okay?’

‘Well, I don’t actually need to be here, do I?’ Freya asks.

‘I thought it might help,’ he says.

‘It probably won’t. Not with the mood you’re in tonight,’ she answers.

Satori sighs. ‘I guess so. Ten o’clock then. That gives you an hour to get home and get ready. Will Ivan pick you up or shall I walk you home?’

‘How many fucking times? I don’t need your protection.’

…

Psychonaut is a story of redemption. In it the main characters learn their flaws and find ways to rise above them. Star, Satori, Lilith and Donna are all changed in profound and positive ways during the narrative. In this way Psychonaut is an uplifting book, especially after the desperate pain and suffering of Starblood.

Starblood was written during a difficult period of my life. I had given birth to my second daughter and was struggling to bond with her while keeping some sense of my own identity at the same time. In addition the business I had been running (with my then husband) for over a decade was failing, and my marriage was on the rocks. 

Star’s struggle to discover who she is, when all the layers of what others want her to be are stripped away, was very much my struggle. I was in a state of depression and suicidal. I honestly believe that writing the Starblood Trilogy helped me answer the questions that haunted me at the time and saved my life (although not my marriage).

I was shocked and surprised by the overwhelming positive reception the first three Starblood books received. It is a frequently painful read and more than a little “out there”, that it resonated with others amazes me. What I have realised over the years is that my story is far more common than people would like to admit.

Since writing Starblood I have read work by people like Thomas Ligotti, which has taught me that part of the appeal of Starblood is that many of us never feel as though we fit comfortably in this world. We all flounder about at times trying to find a way to fit in without compromising what makes us who we are. I realise that my instinctive feeling that the world is both cruel and insane is far from uniquely mine. 

On the flip side the message, I hope, that people get from the stories is one of self acceptance. So what if we don’t fit in? We are still important. We have value. Our dreams mean something, and as Lilith says in the first book, “There is no shame in love, only completion.” I hope people can see that Lilith is not only talking about romantic love at this point, but also love and acceptance of self and the multi-faceted, unique and marvellous people we have in our lives. 

The Starblood Series books 1 and 2 are also available as graphic novels with art by Anna Prashkovich.

Graphic Novel 1 – Starblood – http://smarturl.it/sgnebook

Graphic Novel 2 – Psychonaut – http://smarturl.it/Psychonaut 

Phoenix Unbound (Fallen Empire #1) by Grace Draven

This review was written by: C

Received: ARC from Publisher

Date of Publication: September 2018

Rating: 4.5/5

Official Summary:

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses. 

But this year is different. 

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.

My Thoughts:

It's not every day that I come across an adult fantasy novel that's capable of taking my breath away. In fact, I wasn't even sure if I was going to enjoy the book at first. I've never read any of Draven's work before, so I was eager to see what was in store for me when this gem arrived at my doorstep. The book's summary seemed interesting enough and the cover is gorgeous. I didn't think I had anything to lose so I figured I'd give it a try.

The world that Draven created truly drew me in. I have to admit that I am an avid lover of fantasy novels, but I tend to stick to the YA end of that spectrum. I don't know why, but I feel that sometimes adult fantasy novels build magical worlds that can be confusing, especially with their magic systems, fabricated cultures, and complex societies. Some authors just don't do a superb job of easing the reader into unfamiliar lands and things get confusing very quickly, especially when there are a ton of characters or rules of the world to keep track of. Consequently, I was so happy that I was capable of easily diving into the world of Phoenix Unbound! Heck, I was hooked from the first page.

There are so many interesting cultures and lands to explore. However, I have to admit that this book isn't filled with rainbows and unicorns. There's quite a bit of dark content -- slavery, murder, and rape to name a few. I mean, the entire plot starts off with Gilene leaving her village to be sacrificed yet again for the Empire. She endures it every year and suffers the physical consequences of using her ability to survive and the mental anguish knowing that every other girl won't be saved. They're given to the gladiators to be raped the night before they're burned alive, so there is definitely a heavy atmosphere to this book.

Aside from Gilene, we have Azarion, the prime gladiator and one of the empress's favorite play things. He's capable of seeing straight through Gilene's magic, and he may know more about her origins than even she does. The two of them must face the odds of standing against the Empire and bring a new era. From this alone you kind of get the gist that there's definitely a romance in this book, and I loved how the author expertly brought the two together. Watching their romance unfold was spectacular, and I loved every second of it. Plus the banter was superb.

Overall, this book has a bit of everything for everyone -- magic, rebellion, love, and impossible odds -- all great aspects of a plot that culminates into a worthy read.

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:

     

Greyson Fox by T.L. Travis

This review was written by: C

Received: Ebook from Author

Date of Publication: September 2018

Rating: 4/5

Official Summary:

Greyson Fox, the man, the myth, the legend. The highly sought after, self-proclaimed permanent bachelor. Or so the rumor mill goes. Sure, I’ve heard it all – but the one that stung the most was being called a heartless bastard. Love ‘em and leave ‘em, that one in particular I found to be the most humorous since only one man had ever shared my bed more than once, and he’d long since passed away. 

I wasn’t the heartless bastard they all proclaimed me to be, but life had a way of kicking me in the teeth…Repeatedly, so I shut my heart off. 

For years I thrived, building my empire and living by my own rules. Until one day, the walls came crashing down around me. 

Potential trigger warning: 

This book contains brief descriptions of human sex trafficking, as well as two mentions of sexual abuse, including a brief description of oral abuse and an attempted sexual assault. There is some physical abuse by the syndicates hands and a drug overdose so if those are trigger points this may not be the book for you. 

My Thoughts:

I think everyone enjoys watching a romance unfold through the most unlikely of circumstances. You're simply drawn to the seemingly impossible situations, the drama, the twist of events that result in one spectacular miracle -- meeting the one person you feel you're destined for.

T.L. Travis' most recent publication follows the past and present of Greyson Fox -- a man who once lost it all, gained a precious person in his life, and then lost everything yet again. I appreciate a character's journey when it's filled with challenges -- life's never easy and I think Travis illustrated this perfectly. I also particularly love how Travis' work often delves into a character's history, allowing the reader to experience how it unfolded and get a grasp of who the characters are in the present due to the life they've lived. Thus, it's possible to follow Greyson on his journey through life and witness his growth as a human being. Greyson starts as a loving young man but becomes an individual whose heart has been closed off from truly loving another person in a romantic fashion. He's a fighter who hasn't had a smooth ride through the decades, but he's come out as a stronger person who perseveres through the worst life has to throw at him, until he gets thrown a curve ball he may not be able to dodge.

I was particularly drawn to the darker aspects of the story and the sad turn of events that Greyson went through in his youth. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved watching Greyson make something from his life and soldier on despite all that occurred. You're rooting for him the entire time, perhaps a bit sad that he doesn't value romantic relationships after a devastating loss, but you're also proud that he's made it to where he is.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. You can see the hard work and love the author put into the story. And most importantly, you'll be able to witness a journey that you shouldn't pass up.

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:

    

Bruja Born (Brooklyn Brujas #2) by Zoraida Córdova

This review was written by: C

Received: Borrowed from Library

Date of Publication: June 2018

Stars: 4/5

Official Summary:

Three sisters. One spell. Countless dead.

Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister's newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula's bruja healing powers can't fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. Thank the Deos for Maks, her sweet, steady boyfriend who sees the beauty within her and brings light to her life.

Then a bus crash turns Lula's world upside down. Her classmates are all dead, including Maks. But Lula was born to heal, to fix. She can bring Maks back, even if it means seeking help from her sisters and defying Death herself. But magic that defies the laws of the deos is dangerous. Unpredictable. And when the dust settles, Maks isn't the only one who's been brought back...

My Thoughts:

Zoraida Córdova has truly been an author whose work I have fallen in love with and cherish. I first stumbled across The Vicious Deep series shortly after the first book was released way back in 2012. I instantly had to get my hands on it once I discovered that it revolved around a teen half-merman. I mean, come on, how much YA fantasy is out there that focuses on that kind of character? Mermaid YA is already a pretty bleak selection, so amazing mermen stories are almost nonexistent. From the first chapter, I couldn't put The Vicious Deep down. I'd never come across a story quite like it. I became enamored with the plot, action, great characters, deep emotion, and pure fun. The world she built was spectacular, and I waited with bated breath for every installment that came out. Honestly, when the final book in the trilogy was published, I was so sad that I would never get to return to this amazing world that Córdova had created.  Little did I know...

I was ecstatic when my younger sister told me that Córdova was coming out with a new fantasy series. I'd been waiting three years since the Vast and Brutal Sea for another fantasy/urban fantasy series from one of my favorite authors. I ate Labyrinth Lost up as soon as I got my library copy! And let me tell you, when they mentioned Tristan (the main character from The Vicious Deep series), I practically lost my shit. I couldn't believe that Córdova had decided to expand her existing universe. I was ecstatic, I was elated -- I just couldn't handle this reveal.

I was so thrilled with my discovery that I even released a Tweet. And guess what?!! The author commented on it! I have proof:

Look at that reply!!!! I couldn't wait! Two characters from The Vicious Deep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you feel how palpable my excitement is??!!!

Once I knew that I would be getting more interaction between the bruja and paranormal worlds established in both the Brooklyn Brujas and The Vicious Deep series, Bruja Born couldn't come out fast enough. And I couldn't believe it when my library set it on the shelf a few days before the book was officially released. I snatched that baby up and cracked it open as soon as I got home, and I was able to finish it in just a few days. I was kind of in a reading slump, and this brought me right out of it.

Before I go any further, I just want to mention that I really enjoyed Labyrinth Lost and the introduction to the world of brujeria and a whole new cast of great characters. However, I didn't love it as much as The Vicious Deep series. Maybe it was just the fact that most of the book took place in an entirely different realm, but regardless, I knew that I would be continuing the series.

Additionally, each book in the series is from the perspective of a different Mortiz sister and the adventures and trials that they face. Labyrinth Lost focused on Alex (the middle child) and her coming to terms with her magic, Bruja Born focused on Lula (the oldest) and her mistake of breaking a taboo of magic, and I believe the third will focus on Rose (the youngest). Perhaps I also wasn't able to connect with Alex as much as I did with Lula, which may be a reason as to why I enjoyed the second book so much more. Plus, I guess I didn't really like the love triangle.

In terms of Bruja Born, we follow Lula as she tries to get past what happened to her in Los Lagos and the mental and physical scars that resulted from it. To add salt to the wound, she's been pretty distant from her boyfriend, who decides to break up with her. As her life continues, she's involved in a fatal bus crash that's also carrying the soccer team, and she ends up being the sole survivor. In a desperate attempt to save her ex-boyfriend, Lula cheats death and sets off a chain of events that have dire consequences.

I think what I enjoy most about this series is the focus on family (both blood and non-blood related)  and how far you are willing to go to help, save, or support those whom you love. The Mortiz sisters remind me a bit of my own siblings - we're there for one another through thick and thin, even if one of us does make a not-so-great decision.  They're there to love and support one another. Of course, the author doesn't only show the love that family shares, but Córdova also demonstrated the fights that can occur and anger that can arise. She shows all aspects of family -- the good and the bad.

Aside from the family values, I love the Latina culture that's shown. Books aren't always capable of flawlessly expressing a culture, making it understandable to an outsider, and showing the amazing aspects of it. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Córdova also has flawed characters, and Lula is far from perfect. Lula is a physically beautiful person. However, scars now mar her face from events that occurred in the previous book. Consequently, she has her sisters charm her face to hide them. I don't want to say she's vain, but it is mentioned that she was once told that beauty is power. Thus, she has to come to terms with the fact that she views this "disfigurement" as ugly even though she is still beautiful. I also found it very touching when her youngest sister was told to transform into the most beautiful person she can imagine, and it was Lula, scars and all.

I think a significant lesson was self-love. Some books really go into the whole boyfriend breakup and how people don't know how to be their true selves unless they aren't in a relationship, and how people don't need a significant other to find purpose, etc. In Lula's case, she was a bit afraid of being alone and her boyfriend (Maks) left her after being in a relationship for two years. I think that she truly did love him. Why would she complete an illegal spell to save Maks if she didn't love him? I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book did focus on self-love and how you need to love who you are. Yet, you also don't need a significant other to find worth, but that relationships are also good for you (I predict Lula will definitely be marrying that Hunter in the future :) ). Don't mind my rambling, but I appreciate how the author went about self-love and getting past traumatic events in one's life.

You're might also be wondering who the two characters were from The Vicious Deep. In all honesty, I really hoped at least one of them would be Tristan. After all, it was mentioned in Labyrinth Lost that Lula had dated him and got her heart broken. So, I figured he could potentially enter the story. Plus, Tristan's mother was mentioned several times because Lula's mother went to go and help deliver her new baby. However, Tristan did not make an appearance, which slightly disappointed me, but I will not lose faith, because there will be at least one more book and you never know what could happen. I also don't want to reveal who showed up, because I don't want to spoil too much. Just go read the book and find out for yourself!

It's a spectacular read and you won't be disappointed!

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Book Birthday: Day of Execution (Paranormal Detectives #7) by Lily Luchesi

The penultimate book in the award-winning series is available now for only 99c for a limited time, and FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Blood is not thicker than water.

The Undead are restless, and the Empress feels powerless to heal the rift within the vampiric empire. As tensions rise, Angelica and Danny must hold a crumbling paranormal world together. But a knocking from the portal into Hell makes for a dark distraction. What horrors will the new Lieutenant of the Underworld heap upon them?

The whole series is on sale January 1-6. Seven books for $6!

EXCERPT:

Danny was walking through the PID offices, but it wasn’t the PID he knew. Not anymore. Corpses were strewn across the floor, all people he recognized, most of them humans. He went to touch one, an older man with white hair, to see if by chance he was still alive, but he couldn’t. It was then he knew what was happening: he was having a vision.

But how? When he turned into a vampire, he had knowingly given up his psychic powers and hadn’t had a vision for over twenty years now. Despite his uneasiness, it was like riding a bike as the vision unfolded. He simply followed it to see it to fruition, knowing that he had no control over it now.

It was vivid, much more vivid than his visions used to be, which was saying something. The smell of blood was everywhere, but there was something wrong with it. It was sour, and made him cover his nose and mouth with his jacket so he wouldn’t gag. He’d never smelled it before, but when he saw the needles on a table filled with red liquid so dark it looked black, he knew: it was dead man’s blood.

Deadlier than garlic and more lethal than holy water to a vampire, dead man’s blood could kill a vamp nearly instantly. It had to be from a corpse that was dead for at least twenty-four hours, and the older the blood, the quicker the death of the vampire. Angelica had been testing out a new weapon which fired arrows filled with dead man’s blood and holy water, to better fight against any other possible Undead defectors.

He gave the table with the needles a wide berth, walking further down the hall to the training room. He wanted to stop, to turn and run, at least to wake up. But like any good nightmare, vision of the future or not, he could only keep walking at a steady but slow pace.

He could hear screaming and crying from the other side of the training room door, and his stomach rolled when he realized it was Angelica he heard crying. It didn't sound like she was in pain, exactly. She sounded angry and desperate and … sad?

He pushed open the door with a shaking hand and saw a bloody corpse pinned to a pile of workout mats, eyes wide in horror. He had no idea who the man was: he was in his sixties with greying hair and wide, hazel eyes. He’d been killed via vampire bite.

Danny turned the corner around the pile of workout mats the corpse lay on and saw another body, this one so far into decomposition that it was unrecognizable save for the fact that it wore male clothing. Angelica sat before it, blood leaking from her eyes, nose, and mouth as she sobbed.

Before his eyes he watched as his wife, the woman he loved, began to deteriorate and decay, turning into a skeletal corpse just like the one on the floor.

He tried to call out to her, to run to her, but he was still and silent.

From behind him, a voice slithered into his ear. He usually couldn’t hear voices clearly in his visions, they sounded like they were underwater. However, this one was as clear as a bell, and damn familiar, though he couldn’t place it.

“The time for revenge is upon us, Detective. Are you ready to see your world crumble before your eyes?”

About The Author

Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.

Her Coven Series has successfully topped Amazon's Hot New Releases list consecutively.

She is also the editor, curator and contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.

http://smarturl.it/LilyLuchesiNL

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https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/LilyLuchesi (have your e-books autographed!)
Facebook: 🦇🦇🦇 NEW RELEASE 🦇🦇🦇 http://smarturl.it/ExecutionBk7 Blood is not thicker than water. #99c until January 6th! From USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Luchesi Blood is not thicker than water. The Undead are restless, and the Empress feels powerless to heal the rift within the vampiric empire. As tensions rise, Angelica and Danny must hold a crumbling paranormal world together. But a knocking from the portal into Hell makes for a dark distraction. What horrors will the new Lieutenant of the Underworld heap upon them? Start the series for #FREE today: http://smarturl.it/PDSeries Published by Vamptasy Publishing Cover art by Rue Volley Edited by EAL Editing Services Twitter/Instagram: 🦇🦇🦇 NEW RELEASE 🦇🦇🦇 http://smarturl.it/ExecutionBk7 Blood is not thicker than water. #99c until January 6th! From #USAToday #bestselling author @lilyluchesi #onsale #Sales #vampires #paranormalromance #horrorfans

Book Birthday: Soul Syndicate by Lily Luchesi and Faith Marlow

AVAILABLE NOW, FREE VIA KINDLE UNLIMITED!

A soul is a heavy burden to bear.

There’s a gala celebrating the city and many notable celebrities are attending, including a rock star, a socialite, a baseball player, and an entertainment reporter. Each of them is notable in their own right, and each one holding a secret.

When they all get stuck in an elevator together after the gala is over, they think that that is the worst thing that could happen to them...until the doors finally open.

It’s a battle for the ultimate prize: their souls and the souls of everyone else on Earth. Can they save the world, or will these disparate individuals kill each other first?

The world as they knew it has gone, now they have poppies attached to their chests and are facing down soulless friends, family, and strangers, including a crotchety old woman and a former drag queen.

Excerpt:

Jake and Xander came up behind the women, and Jake then saw what the others were seeing.
Or rather, what the others didn’t see. It was the middle of the day on Saturday, just a week from
Thanksgiving in downtown Chicago. And yet the street was empty of people.

“Guys? Why do I feel like I’m about to be in an episode of The Twilight Zone?” he asked, gazing
around at the empty street and shops. It didn't seem like any of them had even opened that morning,
closed signs hung in every window.

“Is there a holiday we forgot about?” Xander asked.

Rachael scoffed. “Places stay open on Christmas these days. Trust me; there’s no holiday. But should
we check the news? Perhaps something's going on that we missed in the elevator.” She looked at
Lianne. “I’m going to guess you don’t have any news apps on your phone, do you?”

Without waiting for an answer, she rummaged in her purse for her smartphone, clicking on the local
news’ app. Jake looked over her shoulder as she flicked down, refreshing it. Nothing changed. It
stayed with the same report from eleven the previous night, about the gala.

“Maybe it’s broken,” Jake said. “Check Twitter.”

“Thank you, peanut gallery,” Rachael said, clicking on the other app. Jake saw that she followed
about eight thousand people. Yet there were no updates from anyone since eleven the previous night,
central time. “Is it my connection?” She typed out a quick tweet, “Hello, is this thing on?” and it
posted immediately. And why was Wifi working but not landlines or text messages?

She showed the phone’s screen to the other three who just stared.

“What could this mean?” Xander asked. “An empty street, no one online except for us, apparently...it
doesn’t make sense.”

Lianne shook her head. “I don’t get it. Let me call someone. See if anyone’s got an answer.” She took
out her phone and pressed a few buttons, holding it to her ear. After a few minutes, she hung up. “It
went to voicemail. But it’s my mom; she doesn’t always answer.”

Jake then recalled that he was supposed to be back home last night. His wife must have been worried
sick about him. Taking out his phone, he was dismayed to see that there wasn’t a single text or missed
call from her. Wasn’t she worried? Or even upset that he pulled an all-nighter while she was home
alone with their son? And what about his band? Didn’t they wonder why he hadn’t shown up for
rehearsal?

“Anybody hear from anyone?” he asked. “I mean, we’ve all got to have at least one person who would
have text messaged us.”

Rachael nodded. “My editor. I was supposed to turn in my report by noon, which means he would have
been hounding me by nine. But nothing.”

“Do you know how many notifications I get in an hour?” Lianne asked, preening a bit. “There’s not a
single one on here.”

Xander grinned ruefully as he said, “In the off-season, she’s the only one who nags me.”

“Why you little—”

“Cool it with the antagonization,” Rachael said. “Something’s wrong here. Seriously wrong. And we
need to figure out what.”

Lianne scoffed. “We’re not the police. Let them figure it out. I mean, isn’t that what we pay taxes for?”

Jake watched as Rachael cocked her head, a lock of dark hair falling across her forehead. “Huh. And
here I never would have expected you to know what your taxes went for or how to pay them.”

Lianne’s mouth dropped and she was about to retort when Jake gasped. A sudden pain hit him in the
center of his chest, like there was a little knife inside stabbing its way out. Everyone turned toward him,
but he couldn’t be bothered with their quizzical glances.

He unbuttoned his shirt partway, the pain making his hands shake. He gasped as the stabbing sensation
increased. Looking down, he saw that there was a spot on his chest, over his heart, that was bulging out,
the skin stretched taut around something. Fear mingled with the pain, and he felt his heart begin to beat
erratically.

“What the Hell is that?” Xander asked.

Something green poked through the skin on Jake’s chest and he screamed as the pain became nearly
unbearable. Blood trickled down off of the green stem, staining his skin. But the pain was receding as
he watched as the green stem began to...blossom? Like a nature film on fast-forward, a red flower
began to grow, budding and blooming until it was a small red poppy, the color matching that of the
blood that had been spilled.

Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling author of The Paranormal Detectives Series, #1 bestselling Coven Series, and other paranormal tales. You can reach her via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and her newsletter.

Faith Marlow is the USA Today bestselling author of the Being Mrs. Dracula series and other horror stories. You can reach her via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and her newsletter.

Both authors are part of Vamptasy Publishing, an imprint of CHBB Publishing.
Twitter/Instagram: #NEWRELEASE from #USAToday #bestselling authors @LilyLuchesi & @FaithMarlow! http://smarturl.it/SoulSyndicate #FREE via #KindleUnlimited! A soul is a heavy burden to bear. #Apocalypse #apocalyptic #horror #paranormal #amreading Facebook: NEW RELEASE from USA Today bestselling authors Lily Luchesi & Faith Marlow! http://smarturl.it/SoulSyndicate FREE via Kindle Unlimited! A soul is a heavy burden to bear. There’s a gala celebrating the city and many notable celebrities are attending, including a rock star, a socialite, a baseball player, and an entertainment reporter. Each of them is notable in their own right, and each one holding a secret. When they all get stuck in an elevator together after the gala is over, they think that that is the worst thing that could happen to them...until the doors finally open. It’s a battle for the ultimate prize: their souls and the souls of everyone else on Earth. Can they save the world, or will these disparate individuals kill each other first? The world as they knew it has gone, now they have poppies attached to their chests and are facing down soulless friends, family, and strangers, including a crotchety old woman and a former drag queen.