New Release - Markaza Mystic Book Six

Happy Thursday, everyone! If you're reading this, I'm assuming you survived Wednesday. *grin* What a long week it's felt like, huh? Wow. My brain keeps screaming, "It should be Friday!" Haha! Anywho, I have some super exciting news for you all today. Grab a cup of coffee and let's get going!

Markaza has been launched on the world! I'm not doing a big, huge release for this book (I'm saving that for the next novel - M). So, I'm just gonna put it up here on my little blog and announce it to the folks I hope are vested in the series. Those who've read the first five books will be on the lookout for this one. It's been a long time coming, but we're finally there!

As a bonus, you can pick up the first five books in a box set for your Kindle for just $3! Get them here.

Bronya, book one, is always free. So, you can try the series out with zero risk. Grab that one here!

Without further yammering on my part, I give you links!

Amazon: Kindle $3.99
Smashwords: $3.99
Paperback: $16.99

Blurb:
Markaza Turner isn't your average seventeen-year-old. She can see the future, the past, and has an eerie propensity for getting people to do things.

But what she sees is the obliteration of mankind. Worse, her visions tell her it's gonna happen on her eighteenth birthday, December 21, 2012.

All six of the ladies forming the elite group, known as WSTW, are finally together under one roof. Bronya, Lily, Shelia, Melody, Coralie, and Markaza must now figure out how to use their strange powers before an evil being rises from the ground in Central Park and destroys the world.

But Markaza's own past is dark and riddled with secrets she'll need to unearth and come to terms with before she can go to war.

In this exciting finale of the Mystic series, the women come face-to-face with a truth that will change their lives forever.

Our fate is in their hands.

Wanna see the full wrap paperback cover? Yeah, buddy!! Here ya go!

Interior matches the individual novellas (not the collection five in one).

What the heck are you waiting for? Go grab some new reads :)

What do you think? Like it?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Introduction to the Mystic Series

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna do something I don't usually do: Talk about my books. As you all may remember, I did a post not too long ago with my writing updates on M and Markaza. I'm still working on M (37k in, and I'm feeling we're a little past the halfway point), but Markaza is already in the hands of my fantastic editor, Tia Silverthorne Bach. We have round one revisions, another edit, then a proofread, and we'll be good to go. So, publication date is set for the beginning of June.

I can't think of a time in the world where the message in these books was needed more than right now. All the riots and hate spewing out of people makes me sick to my stomach. Read. Love your fellow man/woman. We're all in this together.

That being said, if you haven't read the first five books in the series, you might wanna get started. I have them individually, and in a box set (which saves you money). I'm gonna give you links, blurbs, and covers. Ready? Let's go!

First up, Bronya! No risk here; it's free everywhere!

Paperback $8.99
Kindle FREE
Paperback - DRD Edition $5.99 (this is a dyslexic friendly paperback)
Smashwords FREE
iTunes FREE
Nook FREE

Blurb:
This is book one of the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that speak out against issues faced in the world today, showing how strong women can overcome anything.

Bronya Thibodeaux is a senior at Houma High School whose life is about to be changed forever. She's always felt like an outcast, but thinks she may have found a friend when a strange, new girl named Markaza who has blue hair, a number of tattoos, and a strange way of dressing appears.

Bronya's life choices make her a pariah in her small town. After getting thrown out of school, not being able to find a job, and being subjected to ridicule and cruel treatment, Bronya chooses to leave her old life behind forever when she receives a compelling invitation from a mysterious company named WSTW.

What Bronya doesn't know, is the mysterious company is owned by Markaza; a mystic who knows the end of the world is coming and is gathering together the only people who can stop the evil that's threatening to take over. Bronya is just the first. But going to New York is only a baby step toward her true journey. As Bronya races against the clock to unlock a power she never knew she had, Markaza races to collect the others: Lily, Shelia, Melody, and Coralie.

Lily:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $0.99
Smashwords $0.99

Blurb:
This is book two of the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that discuss the ugly truth of things happening in the world all around us, showing how strong women can make a difference.

Lily Conyers is a twenty-year-old who has it all going for her. One wrong decision changes her life forever. When she meets a strange young woman named Markaza, Lily begins to re-build with encouragement from her new friend.

One rough night, Lily finds a letter on her step from a company called WSTW; promising her a new life.

Lily packs her bags, bids Markaza goodbye, and sets off for the city. But going to New York is only the first hurdle Lily must jump. She must learn to use the power inside herself to help defeat an evil that is threatening to destroy the world. Once in New York, she meets a girl named Bronya and the two help one another re-build what was so negligently broken.

As Lily is boarding the plane, Markaza gets on another headed to Tennessee so she can collect the next young woman on her list: Shelia. 

Shelia:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $0.99
Smashwords $0.99

Blurb:
This is the third book in the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that uncover issues faced in the world, showing how strong women can make a difference.

After a horrible accident takes the lives of her parents, Shelia Morgan is placed in the care of her Aunt Ivy and Uncle Melvin.

When she turns nineteen, her world is flipped upside down. When a girl named Markaza shows up and tells Shelia she's part of a group of young women destined to save the world, Shelia begins to dream of a new life and true freedom from her personal demons.

She boards a plane destined for New York and her new life. Once there, she meets Bronya and Lily: Two other young women with special powers they must learn to harness in order to fight an evil that will rise on December 21, 2012, and destroy the world.

Markaza heads toward Atlanta to save the life of a young lady named Melody before her mind destroys her from the inside out. As Markaza fights for Melody's life, Shelia, Lily, and Bronya throw themselves into their studies and learn that even power from within can get out of control.

Melody:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $2.99

Blurb:
This is the fourth book in the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that uncover issues faced in the world, showing how strong women can make a difference.

Melody Acworth sounds like an angel. If she's not careful, she'll become one soon. Enrolled in  singing lessons at age seven, she took to the stage and began to get fan letters. Some were good,  some were detrimental to her psyche.

By the time Markaza, a mystic with purple hair and tattoos, shows up, Melody's on her last legs.  Markaza works furiously to try and repair the mental damage done so she can get Melody to New  York; where she must learn to use a power hidden deep within herself to save the world.

They're running out of time. As December 21, 2012 approaches at an alarming rate, Markaza's  visions turn dark and foreboding. The creature grows stronger every day. Soon it will rise and  destroy mankind unless all six women band together to fight it.

Just one lady left to recruit: Coralie. But she's in a world of trouble.

Coralie:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $1.99

Blurb:
This is the fifth book in the Mystic series. These new adult paranormal novellas deal with social stigmas, judgment, and hate.

Coralie Meyers is struggling to find her footing as an actress in New York. A malicious attempt to thwart another girl's career ends in catastrophe and Coralie soon finds herself in a precarious situation.

As the sixth and final member of Women Save the World, a company created by Markaza Turner, Coralie possesses all the cunning the young ladies will need to defeat the evil that's rising under Central Park. If the women fail to save her, evil will rise and destroy the world.

Now that Markaza has gathered four of her chicks: Bronya, Lily, Shelia, and Melody, all that's left to do is bring in Coralie, train her, and go to war. But the ladies are struggling with their powers and their personal demons. Will they find the power within themselves in time to destroy the monster and save the world? Only time will tell; and that's one thing they're short on.

This fifth installment of the Mystic series is a lesson in what lies, hate, and judgment can do to the world when left unchecked.

Box Set:

Paperback: $24.99
Kindle: $3.00

Blurb:
This is the first five novellas in the Mystic series. If you buy them individually, they're $44.95 for the paperbacks and $4.96 for the Kindle versions. Now, you can get all five and save!

And, if you purchase the paperback, you get the Kindle copy FREE.

 ~

Last, but not least, the final installment of the series in a full-length novel. We tie things up in a pretty bow and answer a lot of questions raised throughout the previous five books. You'll get paranormal activity, meet the creature Markaza has been having nightmares about, and meet some nameless, faceless characters only mentioned in passing.

Releasing in June!

Markaza:

Blurb:
Markaza Turner isn't your average seventeen-year-old. She can see the future, the past, and has an eerie propensity for getting people to do things.

But what she sees is the obliteration of mankind. Worse, her visions tell her it's gonna happen on her eighteenth birthday, December 21, 2012.

All six of the ladies forming the elite group, known as WSTW, are finally together under one roof. Bronya, Lily, Shelia, Melody, Coralie, and Markaza must now figure out how to use their strange powers before an evil being rises from the ground in Central Park and destroys the world.

But Markaza's own past is dark and riddled with secrets she'll need to unearth and come to terms with before she can go to war.

In this exciting finale of the Mystic series, the women come face-to-face with a truth that will change their lives forever.

Our fate is in their hands. 

~

Get started now so you'll be in shape for the finale!

Which story was your favorite?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Markaza and M - Writing Updates!

Happy Thursday, everyone! I know, I know, my post is late! But I was working on something for a client, and I really wanted to get it to them before I took time to write my post. Now, it's a sit and wait game as I chew my nails and watch my e-mail to see if they like my ideas. I thought you might like to have an update on what I've been doing on the writer end. I have a snippet or two for you to check out, and I'm giving you updates for books that have been in the works for a while (in case you've been waiting for them -- yes, the e-mails and PMs about release dates can stop, because I'm gonna give you those, too!). So, grab a cup of coffee and join me!

First up, the sixth and final (maybe) book of the Mystic series, Markaza. Her story comes in at just over 56k words.

Update: Book is slated for release either end of May or early June. It's in the hands of my very capable editor now! EEP! In case you missed the cover and blurb:

Markaza Turner isn't your average seventeen-year-old. She can see the future, the past, and has an eerie propensity for getting people to do things.

But what she sees is the obliteration of mankind. Worse, her visions tell her it's gonna happen on her eighteenth birthday, December 21, 2012.

All six of the ladies forming the elite group, known as WSTW, are finally together under one roof. Bronya, Lily, Shelia, Melody, Coralie, and Markaza must now figure out how to use their strange powers before an evil being rises from the ground in Central Park and destroys the world.

But Markaza's own past is dark and riddled with secrets she'll need to unearth and come to terms with before she can go to war.

In this exciting finale of the Mystic series, the women come face-to-face with a truth that will change their lives forever.

Our fate is in their hands. 

~

And, here's a snippet:

He cleared his throat. “I think we all need bulletproof vests, personally.”

Markaza quirked an eyebrow at him.

“Well, you said that thing has claws, right? What if it comes down to an ability to puncture that wins or loses the fight?”

She snorted. “You haven’t seen the size of those claws. I think they’d rip through a bulletproof vest like a snake gliding through water.”

He blanched.

“Yeah. This thing is taller than The Clementine.”

He turned green.

“And all we have are our powers. I don’t think it has any weakness apart from love and forgiveness. With all our work with the shrink, we’re getting there; but I wonder if it’ll be enough. There are only six of us.”

“Eight,” he said.

She tilted her head.

“You have me, and you have Richard. Don’t count us out because we aren’t superheroes.”

~

Second, we have M. This is a standalone novel (you all know how I love those). It should end up around 60-70k words, but is sitting at almost 35k now.

Update: This title should be finished by the end of next week. Cover reveal will be June 1st, and release is set for June 18th. Here's a peek at the blurb and snippets:

In 2042, it finally arrives, the drug promising to make life easier for the masses. One dose of M and anyone can gain an ability. There are no promises made as to what the power could manifest as, but people are crawling over one another to take a chance.

There's a problem: One pill costs a million dollars. Only those with extraordinary wealth are afforded the luxury of cleaning house with a click of their diamond-adorned fingers or solving a puzzle by talking to it.

A knockoff is circulating that does the same thing as M. Hundreds of thousands of people have mutated for a mere fifty dollars.

Seventeen-year-old Griffin is a normal kid, who has a regular job, and dreams of going to college someday. When his girlfriend of three years succumbs to peer pressure, they break up. He believes the body is a temple not to be messed with outside of nature, and she wants to fit in. Once he meets the supplier, things take a turn for the worse.

He's left with nothing but pain in his heart and the desire to make them suffer when his plans for payback blow up in his face.

Thirst for revenge consumes him, and he finds himself locked in a battle he never anticipated with a merciless kingpin as they struggle to gain the advantage.

How far is too far?

~

Snippets:

Joey stuck his hands in his pockets and bobbed his head up and down. “Yeah, I get it. That’s what you have to hold onto; that’s what’ll help you do the hard things, the things you’ve been told you’ll go to Hell for, the things your mother would smack your face for thinking. At the same time, those are the things that have to be done.”

***

Earring Guy was sitting on the couch, his feet propped on what looked like an antique coffee table. No one said anything because they were at his house, and he could do whatever he wanted to the furniture. Not that anyone would’ve said anything either way. He picked at his teeth as he spoke. “I saw two people shift into lizards then back into humans—one male, one female—and a man who was winking a light on and off every time he blinked.”

Harry wrote the information down. “Well, that makes forty-seven different recorded abilities.” His eyes bulged. “How many possible manifestations could there be?”

“There’s no limit, H,” Ruby answered.

~ 

So, what do you think? Sound intriguing?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo