Sarah Makela's THE WITCH WHO CRIED WOLF Blog Tour & Giveaway

A Little Denial for Perhaps?

Guest post 

by 

Sarah Makela

I’m so glad to be here today with all of you. The name of the blog “Vampires, Werewolves, & Fairies, Oh My!” captures my topic. 

In many paranormal books, we see the hero or heroine, a normal everyday human, have the big, “Surprise! There are real werewolves and real witches with real magical powers in the world.” Sometimes they shrug it off as if it is yesterday’s news, readily accepting the facts given to them. Maybe if someone told us vampires or werewolves truly existed, we would too. However, I’m more than willing to wager that it would come as a shock. Perhaps we’d even be in denial and tell the other person they’re crazy. 

Hmm... sounds familiar! Here’s one of my favorite excerpts with Ethan and Mia going through just that.

Excerpt (from Ethan’s perspective):

This was the exact opposite of how I’d imagined my return from deployment would be. Aside from seeing Mia. But she was off limits. Chasing after my best friend’s little sister was wrong on so many levels. I had a moral code to follow, even if she’d grown into a body that took my breath away. 

Our moment in the car had been a little too close, but I hadn’t wanted her to mistake my reaction for something creepy. The space between us had tempted me. I’d wanted to close the distance and taste her lips, but I’d needed just to back off of her.

I rested my forehead against the top of the car, taking a deep breath before I climbed into the driver’s seat. “Talk. If you’re not spilling by the time we leave the garage, I’m doing as I said.” I threw the car in reverse, backing out of the spot, then we headed down to the first floor of the garage toward the exit. “Do you understand me, Mia? I’ll take you home and leave.” Even in my heart, I knew I didn’t want to do that. Protecting her from harm was important. I wouldn’t stand back while she was in danger.

She nodded, keeping her gaze on her lap. Her denim skirt revealed long, milky white legs. “I...I don’t know where to start.” She tugged at the skirt’s hem, before smoothing it out again.

“What was that thing that attacked us? Why would some dog or wolf want to attack you? The animal seemed smarter than one you’d find in a zoo. What the hell is going on?” Anger surged in me, but more from helplessness than frustration with her. Why wasn’t she talking?

Mia jerked and slid lower in her seat. “It was a.... I don’t know how to say this.”

I turned the corner, getting closer to the exit. “Just say it.”

“Werewolf! That was a werewolf.” Her voice shook, and she clenched her hands into fists, keeping them on her thighs.

“What? Are you on drugs? There are no such things as werewolves or vampires.” I muttered under my breath, not wanting to believe her. “You always did have an active imagination as a kid.” However, it didn’t explain the fire.

“I’m trying to be truthful, even though it goes against my very being, since it’s not a good idea for you or anyone else to know about the supernatural community that resides all around you. You’re just going to get yourself hurt. More than you already have, at least.” Mia’s breath came out in gasps. “Please. Don’t press me, Ethan.”

While I knew Mia wasn’t one to lie, I couldn’t believe what she was saying, even though there’d been a wolf. Although, maybe it had been a dog with rabies. Weird things happened all the time. Maybe we were both delusional. I should’ve thought about the hospital sooner. Maybe she’d hit her head against the car a little too hard. That had to be it. Besides, she was getting pretty emotional and I hated seeing her cry.

     The Witch Who Cried Wolf

                                                               

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Kissa Press LLC

Date of Publication: December 2, 2013

Be careful what you wish for… 

A potion gone wrong: Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she’s being pursued by werewolves—that she didn’t even realize existed…
Hidden emotions: Ethan Parker, Mia’s brother’s best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia’s not only hiding from werewolves, she’s trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she’s been nursing a long-time crush…
The power of love: Things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he’s been denying what he really wants? Mia...

Available at: Amazon   B/N   Kobo

  Excerpt:

Jessa’s New Age shop—Eternally Magick—was empty. Usually, Jessa was around. But, right now, she wasn’t. I leaned against the front counter, resting my forehead against the cool glass. Athames, crystals, jewelry and really cute dragon statues were locked in the case beneath my fingertips. While I enjoyed hanging out at the shop and seeing what new potions were available, I wished Jessa had given me some kind of clue as to why she wanted me here. But she was my best friend and mentor; the reason had to be important, if for nothing else to spend much needed time together.

I glanced over my shoulder at the wall of ingredients lining the shelves, ripe for the picking. It had been a while since I’d made a new potion. Maybe if I could stock up on a few things...

“Not what you’re here for,” I whispered to myself. The urge to see what she had nearly drove me away from the counter, but I held myself in check.

Making potions was one of my hobbies. I loved the creativity and excitement that went into building something from nothing, and the brief connection with my power.

Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the curtained-off backroom. Worry crept into my chest. Why wasn’t Jessa here? She never stood me up. This wasn’t like her.

“Jessa?” Usually she came right out when the bells on the door chimed. Biting my lower lip, I considered going into the back. Someone could steal things without her keeping an eye on the store.

“Coming,” Jessa called. The black-haired and blue-eyed beauty swept into the front of the store like a hurricane of flowing skirts. She always looked like she’d just come from a Renaissance faire.

I loved the way she dressed, but I knew that style would never be my thing. My parents would think I’d flipped my lid, and my older brother.... Shudder. Nolan would laugh at me, probably joking with his best friend—and my crush since forever—Ethan Parker.

“Where have you been? I was getting concerned.” Stepping around the counter, I wrapped my arms around her and she embraced me in a hug smelling of lavender and honey.

“Just in the back. I had to wrap up a call and I guess I didn’t hear you come in.” Jessa smiled, but something was up. She appeared a bit too eager to pretend everything was fine.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to be comforting.

The door chimed, and we turned in unison toward the shop’s new arrival.

I blinked in surprise.

The man towered in the doorway, over six feet of pure muscle. If his shirt were a little tighter, I probably would’ve been able to see six-pack abs through it. What was he doing here?

He strode in as if he owned the place. There could be no doubt: ladies would drop their panties at his command. If I didn’t have a boyfriend.... Stop it, Mia!

“I’m looking for the owner,” the man said, his deep voice as smooth and sinful as his looks. Yet beneath his delicious exterior, something about him put me on edge. The hint of arrogance in his eyes and the sharp flare of power as he walked in the room were instant triggers. This guy wasn’t a mere mortal. He was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. Aside from Jessa, I’d never met anyone else with this level of power.

Maybe I needed to get out more.

Jessa cleared her throat, as captivated by him as I was by the sound of it. “I’m the owner.” Her voice hit all the sultry tones and she swayed her shoulders. “Can I help you?” I wished I could pull her aside and tell her my feelings, but that would look way too awkward.

“We spoke over the phone. I’m interested in the potion.” He leaned his hip against the counter, standing only a couple feet away. Too close for comfort.

Since Jessa had business to take care of, I sidestepped toward the wall of ingredients, but Jessa grabbed my wrist, keeping me beside her. I cast her a dirty look, but she didn’t pay me any attention, focusing her gaze instead on Mr. Way-Too-Sexy.

“Right, I don’t have any of that in right now, but this woman makes some of the best healing salves I’ve seen.” Jessa nudged me forward, nearly throwing me into Mr. Sexy’s arms.

Glancing up his body to his eyes from so close strained my neck. My five-foot-six frame probably looked tiny beside him. An overwhelming sense of lust and intimidation washed over me.

“Hi.” I fought against a shiver. 

About the author:

Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she’s written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy...even a sweet contemporary romance! 

A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night-light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.

 Giveaway Prizes

GRAND PRIZE:  $25.00 Amazon Card

3 Runners-up:  will receive an eBook of choice from Sarah's backlist
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THE WITCH WHO CRIED WOLF 

Blog Tour 1/13 - 1/26

1/13 Night Owl Reviews (Spotlight)
1/13 ParaYourNormal (Spotlight)
1/13 Read More Romance (Spotlight)
1/14 Paranormal Romance author Honor James (spotlight)
1/16 Nicky Peacock Author (Spotlight)1/17 C&F (Spotlight)

1/17 Penny For Them… (Spotlight/Review)
1/19 Vampires, Werewolves, & Fairies, Oh My! (Guest Post)
1/20 Author Karen Swart (Spotlight)
1/20 Bookin’ It Reviews (Spotlight)
1/20 RomanceJunkies.com (Interview)
1/21 Book Monster Reviews (guest post)
1/22 Bitten by Books (Interactive event)
1/22 Toot's Book Reviews (Interview)
1/23 Crazy Four Books (Spotlight/Review)
1/23 Eclipse Reviews (Spotlight)
1/23 Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (Guest Post)
1/23 Where the Night Kind Roam (Spotlight)
1/24 Write Away Bliss (Spotlight)
1/25 Coffee Talk (Spotlight/Review)
1/26 Dalene K Rodman (Spotlight/Review)
1/26 Miscellaneous Thoughts of a Bookaholic (Spotlight/Review)
1/26 Reviews By Molly (Spotlight)