Beltane MagicMagic Seasons Book 1by Jacqueline PaigeGenre: Paranormal Romance347 pagesBeltane the season for renewal of life, love and danger…
Step into a world of magic and passion…
A group of friends come together to dance the Maypole
Take a dash of spice, a pinch of herbs
Soft candlelight and resonant drums
Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly
Toss in a killer that’s targeting women…To the outside world she is just Leena Duncan. A gentle woman with a troubled past, yet none know her full story. Her ability to control the elements and her knowledge of plants make her magic strong and unbreakable. It’s just too bad that she’s closed off her heart to not risk it again, having learned that horrors are possible, even with those who claim to love you. It only takes one man at the rainy Beltane celebration to change her outlook, and one killer to endanger her world.
Owen Grey, a well-known fantasy author, has returned to his childhood home to set down roots and reacquaint himself with old friends. Learning that magic is, in fact, possible, the second revelation is the one woman who calls to him: body, soul and heart. Even more surprising, he learns that with a simple touch he can relieve pain and lift emotional burdens, it just doesn’t help him deal with his own past. While he may write about happily ever after, he knows it only as fiction. Until her.
With a killer targeting celebrants at these small pagan gatherings, leaving two bodies in warning, this little group of friends who welcomed him with open arms, are at risk if they don’t find the killer.
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Excerpt From Book 1, Beltane Magic:The eight stood in a circle around the small fire pit. Outside the shelter, the rain poured so hard it was a steady, deafening sound. Cora stepped closer to the fire and stared into it. She glanced up and nodded to Leena. Taking Dade’s hand, she whispered, “Let’s hope the ancestors are available tonight.”Dade lifted her hand and kissed it before he let go. “I’ll make sure they are.” He picked up the instrument in front of him and gently began to shake it from side to side. His lips moved in a silent chant, and he closed his eyes.Owen watched as Leena and Steven both turned their backs to the circle, facing the pouring rain. Raising their hands, they lowered their heads in concentration. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he’d never have believed. As their heads came up, the wind circled the shelter and blocked out the pouring rain. He could no longer see, or hear, the heavy downpour. Not knowing what to expect, he looked at the others. Chris, Kasey, and Rachel were standing with their hands clasped and staring into the fire as the flames rose, flames that were nearly white now. He blinked just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.Dade’s motion with the shaker became faster and louder as he moved to stand beside Cora. Her head was thrown back and her eyes closed, she seemed to be shaking with the rhythm of the rattle. Her eyes flew open as she stopped moving and looked into the fire. He could see the sweat beading down her face, and her hands trembled. The look on her face told him she was afraid, but she said nothing. She reached empty hands toward the fire, and the flames flew higher. Not knowing what else to do, Owen went to stand behind her in case he was needed, hoping he would know if he was at some point.She stepped back and cried out in fear. He caught by the biceps and held her, as Dade instructed. Glancing over her shoulder and into the fire he saw, he blinked again, images. They blurred together and he couldn’t understand them.Cora cried out again and sagged back against him. He caught her tight against his waist and held her to his chest. His own chest began to burn. He didn’t know what was going on, but he felt compelled to stop it. “Stop now!” He said roughly.
Toss in a killer that's targeting women and add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...
Separated by two different life styles yet their passion and magic ignite sparks hotter than the Solstice heat. Can they work out a way to be together as they try to stop a killer from striking again?
Kasey is a woman that exudes energy and brightness; equally passionate when angry or happy. Her energy comes through in all her magic, and she often wishes she could rewrite her own story to become charming and sophisticated enough to be with a certain wealthy male lawyer she wants more than anything else.
Chris is a force of strength and experience carefully hidden behind the easy mannerisms he has adopted. There is nothing he cannot do with his magic and he has tried all of it, whether right or wrong. His fortune has left him wanting for nothing in life except the one thing money can’t buy, the woman he feels too unclean to approach.
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Chris came out of his library to see the three men sitting in his living room. He paused and looked around. “Did I forget about a meeting?” Where were the women? “Where is everyone else?” Dade leaned forward and rested his elbows on his legs. “We were instructed they were coming here after work and they have been locked in your little magic broom closet for the last hour.” Chris raised his eyebrows. “Doing?” Owen lifted his hands. “Won’t say.” Steven slumped down, wishing for a nap. “They’re not too pleased being driven to and from work.” “I see.” Chris turned and started down the hall. “Let’s see what they’re up to.”The men got up and followed him. He tried the doorknob to find it locked. “Kase, unlock the door.” “Soon.” She called to him through the door. He stood there glaring at the door. They’d locked him out of his own room in his own home! We’ll see about this. He stepped back and slapped and invisible command at the door. Sparks flew off it and the door remained closed. “What the…” Dade grinned. “Quite the little witch you have there, Larkin.” Steven whistled out a breath. “Just how much trouble can they get into with all your stuff in there?” Chris still scowled at the door while he answered. “A lot!” He tapped the door with his hand. “Kassandra unlock the door.” A gentle breeze blew over all four of them. “That would be a polite no.” Dade said quietly. “Like hell, I’ll be locked out of my own temple room.” Chris hissed. Stepping back, he stared at the door, the handle shook. When he thought it was going to open it started to pour rain on the four of them. He waved a hand to stop it and looked at the men beside him. Dade’s long hair was soaked and the expression on his face was similar to how he himself was feeling about the whole thing. “And that would be a mind your own business.” Owen said sticking his hands in his pockets. Chris looked at Steven. “You have any ideas?” Steven shook his head trying to get the water to stop dripping in his face then took a step away from the door. “Oh no. I’m plenty happy enough to wait until it opens on its own. You might like lighting striking you but I’m not too open to trying that.” Chris shook his head. “Are you all afraid of them?” Dade nodded. “I’ve seen what each one can do alone – especially your little innocent there my friend; the four of them together scare the hell out of me.” Chris sighed and looked back at the door. “Kasey?” “Yes Christopher?” Her voice came through the door again. “You’re making me angry and I don’t want to do something I’ve promised you I wouldn’t.” A wind breeze ruffled his hair. “I know you won’t Chris. Now go away I’m trying to concentrate here.”His jaw dropped. Sighing he looked at the others. “Beer?” They nodded and followed him down the hallway.“Seems you’re a bit afraid of their wrath too councilor.” Dade mumbled behind him.“Shut up.” Chris growled and walked into the kitchen.
Harvest DreamsMagic Seasons Book 3267 pages
Step into a world of magic and passions....
Take a dash of spice, heat it a pinch of herbs.
Soft candlelight and resonant drums.
Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly.
Toss in a killer that's targeting women...
Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again. And Steven will, with a plan of his own, persuade Rachel that they are meant to be together.
Will the magic allow them to start anew? Rachel is a woman that lives carefree with a buoyant recklessness. She loves being a flirt and has spent many years indulging that side of her personality. Her energy draws others; her character is to protect all those that cannot protect themselves. When she’s not riding on life, she is helping children less fortunate then herself. Steven is man that gives more than his energy usually allows. He is a highly-respected pediatrician that always goes that extra step to ensure all in his care are receiving his utmost attention. He often sacrifices sleep to spend time with his friends, and he can’t seem to help affably chasing the skirt of the one woman that breaks his easy-going charm and makes him forget he’s supposed to be the jovial. He hides his strength in body and magic, never letting others know that he is more than the carefree man with everything he needs.
Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again. With a plan of his own, Steven decides he’s done waiting for Rachel to see that they’re meant to be together and takes things into his own hands.
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When they were well out of sight Steven stopped and looked back towards the cabin. Chris hissed out a breath as he looked around. “This should be far enough.” He looked at the trees overhead and then to the ground. “How do you want to do this?” He sent him a wary look. “Who are you going after?”Steven rubbed his jaw. “Not Kasey, she’d just zap my ass and I’d probably have burn marks.” He noted the pride in Chris’s eyes as he tried not to smirk. “I’m going to aim for Rachel or Leena, definitely not Cora. If she so much as made a sound, Dade would thump me into the ground.”Chris grinned. “And you don’t think Owen would?”Steven shook his head. “Leena wouldn’t let him.” He let out a deep breath and then held up his hands, palms facing Chris. “Here goes nothing.” He closed his eyes and took slow breaths as he reached deep inside to the magic he held tightly within his body. He felt it climb through him and warm his skin. When Chris’s finger tips touched his, he felt a powerful boost to the magic gathering. He pictured Rachel inside his mind and focused on her for a few seconds, testing. A heat spread through him as he felt the connection to her aura pass over his own. He searched for the way into her thoughts and felt her mind click open as if he’d turned a lock. Taking a deep breath he concentrated harder. His hands shook until he felt Chris funnel some of his own power into the sight he was trying to grasp. He could see all of the women and a multitude of colors as they moved around inside the cabin. He could feel nervousness and anxiety. Furrowing his brow his held onto the link as it started to change. He couldn’t sense what it was now, it had somehow changed quickly. It was as if …A blast of power shot through him and sent him sprawling to the ground. His hands were burning suddenly and it felt like he’d been hit across the head with something made of stone. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at the leaves on the trees above him. Lifting his head carefully he looked around and spotted Chris lying flat on his back as well.“We are in a lot of trouble, Doctor.” Chris sounded out of breath.“Yeah,” he agreed and then turned his head towards the steps coming from the direction of the cabin.
Step into a world of magic and passion…
Take a dash of spice and a flash of magic
Watch the sparks fly
With a handful of witches to stir it all together
In search of a killer targeting their kind. The Mabon gathering brings this group of special friends together to use their powers to unmask the killer and prevent more victims, before moving to the celebration of the season.
Coralee has always lived her life with a small remove: her ability to feel other’s emotions has kept her guarded and alone. After reeling from the killer’s emotional tumult, her friends are concerned and looking to protect – none more than Dade.
His ability to call emotions and reactions with his drums leaves Dade singularly placed to draw the killer forward, but his concerns is only for Coralee. Always drawn to her, his past history with women leave him wondering if she ever could take a chance on him. A gathering that could change everything by catching the killer just may bring a new love to light.
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Steven leaned over towards him. “You’re not going to ride a horse into Cora’s house are you…
Step into a world of magic and passion…
Take a dash of spice, heat it
Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly
Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...Patrick is a man that has lived a violent life undercover in all the wrong places, for too long. His light charm carefully keeps others from seeing the dangerous man that lies inside. He is the first for justice and will go out of his way to keep the innocent safe. He finds himself falling for the woman that was a victim of a sick and vile person and is caught between keeping her out of harm’s way and completing the job he needs to finish. Rhonda is a woman that becomes a victim to the vicious attack of a killer. Even though she survives, she will have to learn to live with the scars for the rest of her life. In hiding she has to rebuild the strength to get through it. She is forced to spend her days and nights in the company of a detective, that seems to have no other plan in life than to constantly aggravate her and make her want things she may never have again.
When Patrick’s cover is blown and he is badly injured, the group of friends pull together to keep him and the recovering victim of a killer safe. As a result, the group of twelve become targets of the criminals after Patrick and have to live together in a safe house for Yule.
Can twelve witches follow orders or will they take matters into their own hands?
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Walt looked around at the three women, then to the giant that stood in front of him. “Who the hell are you and where’s Blaine?”Dexter shrugged. “He’s not here.”Walt backed towards the door a bit, pulling Bob with him for cover. He pointed the gun at the large man. “We’ll be going then.”Dexter shook his head. “I don’t think so.” Walt shoved Bob as hard as he could toward Dexter, reaching for the door at the same time. He pulled it open only to have it jerked from his hand and close with a loud bang. “What the...” He spun around and pointed the gun at Dexter again. Bob was lying in a heap on the floor as if he’d fainted. Idiot.He pointed the gun at the longhaired woman and grinned. “Walk over here, real slowly.” Her eyebrows went up in a look of shock.“I don’t think so,” she said softly.The short blonde flung an arm up and growled. “I don’t like you pointing a gun at my friends.” The gun jerked out of his hand and floated toward the big man, who reached out and plucked it out of midair.He flipped the safety on and tucked it into the waist of his jeans. “You should listen to her, friend.”“What are you people?” Walt looked from the longhaired one back to the short blonde.“Sexy.” The black-haired woman said softly as she stepped from around the man who held his own gun directed at him now. “And slightly irritated that you barged in here.”Walt stared at her for a second then turned back toward the door.“Leaving so soon?” She purred. His back was against the wall, his feet not touching the ground. His shocked expression looked down at Rachel, as his heart tried to climb into his throat.
When Jacqueline isn't lost in her writing she spends time with her five children, most of whom are finally able to look after her instead of the other way around. Together they do random road trips, that usually end up with them lost, shopping trips where they push every button in the toy aisle, hiking when there's enough time to escape and bizarre things like creating new daring recipes in the kitchen. She's a grandmother to four (so far) and looks forward to corrupting many more in the years to come.
Also writes as J. Risk
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