Brigid's Flame is FREE for Imbolc

River is a struggling author who is depressed about his failing career and his strained relationship with his girlfriend. On the sacred night of Imbolc, he looks to the Gods for inspiration. The goddess Brigid answers his prayers. In her arms, his passion is rekindled. 

Also included with this short story is a sneak peek at Falling Star, A Jersey Girl Novel.

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Valentine's Day Special - Get all Three Jersey Girls Books for Under $3!

Drew DiPalma feels like he's living a lie.

He's had it with his Hollywood persona, the high-maintenance women, and his sleazy agent. To escape the madness, he flees to a tourist town he'd often visited as a child. He never expected to find love on that little island. Then he stumbles upon Lainey alone on the swing set of a deserted beach.

After a dozen internet dating disasters, Lainey Riccardo has given up on romance--until she meets a West Coast hunk who has no trouble winning her heart. But Lainey only knows him as Drew, not the Oscar-nominated actor who's constantly scandalized in the tabloids.

When she learns the truth, will the small town Jersey girl be able to accept Drew's fast-paced life? Or will the truth drive her away forever?

Erin Conway swore off men completely after her last boyfriend left her to raise a child alone.

Ravi Dawes is a musician running from the grief that nearly destroyed him.

When the two meet on an internet dating site, sparks fly and they both believe they've found the perfect match. Unfortunately, Erin’s influential family doesn’t approve of Ravi or his career. And Ravi knows his shady past could destroy their relationship before it begins.

Can two people whose lives are marred by sorrow and regret find healing in each other’s arms? Or will the past sour their perfect harmony?

 

Elisa Manna gave up on romance after a string of abusive relationships. She comes off as a brusque biker, but beneath her rough exterior she longs for something more.

Scott Heron is a Marine veteran trying to cope with the residual effects of war. His art is his only refuge from the dark memories that haunt him. 

When fate nudges them together, they can't deny there's chemistry, but Elisa is terrified of commitment and Scott's physical and emotional scars make him abrasive and unpredictable. Can these two wounded warriors overcome their damaged past and paint a new future together?

Al three books are available exclusively on Amazon! 

Player is FREE on Amazon

Joshua Hanover had it all. He was handsome, rich, athletic, and had always been popular with the ladies. Yet, until he gets paired up with his beautiful but shy lab partner, Rosa, he never allowed himself to fall in love. As the chemistry between them grows, Josh realizes that his player days have come to end. But it seems his change of heart has come too late. Not only is Rosa leery of his bad boy reputation, he has four vindictive ex-girlfriends who are on a rampage. At first he doesn't take their threats seriously, but then his tires are slashed, someone tries to poison him, and one of the girls turns up dead. Josh doesn't know who to trust, but one thing is certain. It definitely isn't worth the price he's paying to be a player.

Available exclusively on Amazon. 

Thunderstruck is FREE on Amazon

Taranis, the Celtic god of Thunder, has spent an eternity longing for the touch of a single mortal woman. He has followed her through incarnations, but always his powers were too much for her to bear.

Tara is a deaf woman, struggling to fit in the hearing world. She hides a gentle heart behind a tough exterior. Will she let down her defenses when a handsome mute tries to win her heart?

And even if she does, can Taranis’ love come without a death sentence?

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Look Beyond the Facade and Meet the Real People who Inspired the Characters in Hyde

The third book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, Hyde, was inspired by the musical Jekyll and Hyde. In the musical, the Dr. Jekyll isn't the only one with two faces--everyone has a few secrets. As they say in their signature song, everyone hides behind their facade. Today I wanted to give my readers a chance to look beyond the facade and meet the real people who inspired some of the characters in Hyde.

Lord Justyn

If you've read the whole series, you've probably met him before, but the real Lord Justyn is definitely worth another mention.  It was his unique personality and remarkable acting abilities that inspired the series more than five years ago. Don't let the leather and fishnet fool you. Lord Justyn is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met and like his namesake he's super talented. An actor, a musician, and a writer, he has it all in one swoon-worthy package.

Carmen

When I started writing Phantom, Carmen was supposed to be based on my friend Viv. That's where she got her ethnic beauty and her Cuban descent, but even in Phantom she started to develop a tough personality that wasn't anything like Viv, who I've never heard utter an obscenity. In Hyde,  Carmen got even tougher, and I think I was channeling another lovely Latina, my editor Tara. Carmen has the same grit and no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is attitude.


 Fernando

There are lots of new characters in Hyde. One of them is Fernando, who's based on my own stepfather. He owns the dinner theater where Rebecca and Justyn will be making their professional debut. In real life, he owns Duffy's On The Lake. If that name sounds familiar, it might be because the gang stopped there for dinner in the first chapter of Demon

Steve and Petya

You'll love to hate them in Hyde, but this real life couple are a lot nicer in reality than they are in my book. Meet Steve and Petya. They are servers at our family restaurant, but Steve is also an actor. The one true fact about them, aside from their physical descriptions, that you'll read in Hyde is that Steve really was in a few episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 when he was a teenager. He's hoping to play himself if the books are ever made into movies and he wanted a fun role, so I made him and his wife both have...colorful personalities.

Officer Weston

If you read Hyde, you're going to meet a pair of law enforcement officers. One of them is based on my fellow Pagan Writers Press author Andrew Paul Weston. He is retired now but was a cop in England for many years. Andrew helped me iron out some forensic details in Hyde.

Officer Cusella

And this is Officer Nino Cusella. He plays Andrew's rookie partner in Hyde. He was also my neighbor growing up. When we were kids, he helped me learn to ride my bike without training wheels and we used to try and catch to seagulls with homemade traps.  Today Nino is is patrolling the streets of our hometown of Wildwood. He helped me iron out the legal details of a few scenes in Hyde as well as appearing as a character.

Darlene & Matt

Darlene AKA Tempest, is Justyn's mother in the Dark Musicals Trilogy. The real Darlene was my High Priestess before she moved out of state. I also made her friend Matt into Justyn's hippie stepfather. While Darlene's personality in the series fits the real Darlene to a tee, the fictional Darlene also shares some of the traits of my friend Tempest, a professional Gothic belly dancer. Tempest is Darlene's stage name in the Dark Musicals Trilogy.

Sherry & Bruce

Sherrie is a little camera shy, so I don't have a photo of her, but I think I painted a pretty accurate picture in Hyde. She stepped into the role of Justyn's grandmother because her feisty Irish spirit, lust for life, and unique style seemed to fit perfectly into this non-traditional family. She is actually the mother one of my old high school classmates, and she's one of the wisest and most caring woman I know. She's has taught me many things, including he fact that your bra makes an excellent storage area. But with her flame red hair and her fierce protective nature, you can believe she's a force to be reckoned with if you get on her bad side. I also gave her husband Bruce a small part as Justyn's grandfather, and while I made his physical appearance similar to Darlene and Justyn, I stayed true to the quiet, conventional nature Sherry has always described when she spoke of her husband.

Dash

Last but certainly not least, there was a very special cameo appearance in Hyde. This little guy is Dash, and he is my publisher Angie's son. Of course, I had to age him a little to fit him into the story, but I  gave him his mom's red hair and a little of his father's personality.

Well, that about wraps up the real faces of Hyde. The story wouldn't be what it is with the help all of these wonderful people provided. This is their story as much as mine and I thank them all for the inspiration.  To get to know them and their alter ego's better, be sure to pick up your copy of Hyde while its on sale for $0.99.

Available on Amazon

Destiny is FREE on Amazon!

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabrielle and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabrielle and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabrielle and Darron both come to terms with who they really are and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.  

Available exclusively on Amazon.

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Her coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Also available on Amazon. 

Blackmailed is $0.99 for a Limited Time!

Although Erik Patko is still coming to terms with a heartbreaking tragedy, he begins his sophomore year of college with high hopes. He earns a headlining role in the drama club production of Curtain Drop, but while the musical is a comedy, the drama backstage is no joke. Scenery is tampered with, students are blackmailed, and four influential families are accused of bribing the dean. While his confidence is shattered and he struggles with his conflicting feelings for his roommate’s sister Priscilla, Erik must discover who’s behind the scandal before his Broadway dreams are derailed forever.

Available exclusively on Amazon. 

Sweeney Todd on Broadway - Get Demon free on Amazon

 

This week my son Frankie treated me to a special mother-son day in New York. We went to see Sweeney Todd on Broadway. I am a fan of this musical in all its incarnations from the 1982 version featuring Angela Lansbury to the 2005 revival with Patty Lapune, and who can forget the movie adaption with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Sondheim’s score is the perfect blend of humor and bone-chilling horror. This newest revival stars Josh Groban and his soulful baritone adds to the despair of a classic anti-hero. When he croons his heartbreak, you can't help but root for him even though he's slitting the throats of innocent men and baking them into meat pies. Annaleigh Ashford also deserves accolades in the roll of Mrs. Lovett. Her hilarious flirting provided plenty of humor, but also lets you see the vulnerability of a woman desperate for affection.

Going to see Sweeney Todd with my son Frankie was a special experience for me and not only because its rare for a 21 year-old to give his mom an entire day out of his busy life. When I was writing Demon, Book 2 is my Dark Musicals series, Frankie was only 11 years old and he requested that I name one of the characters after him. Even though I had to age him to fit him in with the college-age cast of  Demon, I was able to create a character loosely based on him. He became Frankie Wade, a young man whose baby face and short stature made him perfect for the role of Tobias in Sweeney Todd. Although he is a suspect in the mystery, he quickly befriends Justyn and Becca and goes on to make appearances in several other Dark Musical novels.

Although today my Frankie stands at just over 6 foot and is studying to become an airline pilot instead of an actor, Sweeney Todd has always been special to us. In fact, when Demon was first released in 2013, he made me a Mother's Day gift in school that was meant to mimic the cover. His art teacher must've raised an eyebrow when he painted "demon" on a hand-made vase for his mom, but its a gift I have treasured for ten  years. Now, I have a new memory to treasure -- getting to see Sweeney Todd live for the very first time with my son!

In honor of my visit to Broadway, Demon will be free on Amazon for the next five days! After that,  it will be $0.99 cents for a limited time. Grab a copy today and meet Frankie and the rest of the cast of Demon Barber in the Dak Musicals. 

Available exclusively on Amazon.

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren't in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn. It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus. Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd-both on and off the stage.

Illusion is FREE on Amazon

Rebecca Hope-Patko and her husband, Lord Justyn, are living their dream. After a successful stint on Broadway, the super couple are heading Down Under for a special showing of Phantom Returns, where their son Erik will join them for his professional debut.

As soon as their plane touches down, they discover that a serial killer is stalking Melbourne. At the theater, a strange series of accidents leaves Rebecca fearing for the safety of her family. Rebecca struggles to unravel the mystery while coping with insecurities about her career which cause tension between her and Justyn.

It’s clear a very real Phantom is lurking among them, but Rebecca is no kid anymore. She’s tired of the villain getting the upper hand. This time, Rebecca is setting the trap. This opera diva will put her life and her marriage on the line to shatter the illusions surrounding Queen’s Theater and stop the serial killer before they can strike again.

Available exclusively on Amazon.

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Erik Patko is living in the shadow of his celebrity parents. Returning to the family theater’s summer show is a constant reminder that he’ll never meet their expectations, but the seashore town of Cape May is the perfect setting to confess his love to his friend Priscilla and may give them an edge on the competition later when they audition for their college production of Renters.

Resident drag queen Curtis Hawthorne is thrilled to be cast in the starring role in Sexy Boots at the Ange du Palais, but not everyone wants the show to succeed. With protestors outside the door and a saboteur within, the curtain may fall on this performance before Curtis takes his closing bow.

Despite the growing tension, these two musical theater stars will join forces to face off against the Millsboro Church when the hateful leader targets the people they love.

Available on Amazon.