Today I am so pleased to welcome Dahlia Donovan to Joyfully Jay. Dahlia has come to talk to us about her latest release, A Curse for Samhain. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Exclusive Excerpt
Mortar was sitting on the rug by the front door when Hyde pushed it open. She immediately stood and flounced over to rub against their leg, leaving a trail of wispy silver hairs everywhere. A plaintive yowl was followed by the cat sauntering over to the empty treat dish on the shop counter, only to be joined by Pestle soon after.
“You’ve had breakfast.” Hyde caved under the pressure of their stare and fished out a packet of treats from one of the cabinets. “There. You’ve had your post-breakfast snack. That’ll tide you over until dinner.”
With the two furry menaces sated momentarily, Hyde turned their attention to their daily tasks. October tended to be a busy month, particularly towards the latter half. Between the Leaves carried a fair number of esoteric tomes; someone from within the village or nearby towns was always looking for something.
Combing through the shop messages, Hyde jotted down a list of books to find. They kept a detailed inventory, but sometimes, it was more enjoyable to search through the stacks. It made the day seem like a treasure hunt instead of work.
The day passed quietly. Hyde lost themselves in the older books in their collection. They only popped out when someone came in for a browse or a delivery.
“Anyone up for tea? I’ve got tacos.”
Hyde set the book in their hand back on the shelf. They peered around the corner to find Teresa beset by cats. They paused to switch the sign from Shh to Hello, for Teresa’s sake. “You always have tacos. What time is it?”
“Lost track again, did you? It’s late in the afternoon. You’ve got about an hour before the coven descends on you.” Teresa held the container up and away from the scrambling cats. “These are my family version of Taquitos de Moronga. They’re essentially blood pudding tacos. A little pickled onion, lime, chilli, and seasoned with my special blend. Think you’ll love them. I’ve just been waiting for my supplier to come up with the perfect blood pudding.”
Hyde blinked in surprise at the container pressed into their hands. “Thank you.”
Teresa leaned in to brush a quick kiss against their cheek. “Anytime. Now, where’s this box? I want to inspect it.”
“Over there.” Hyde pointed to the box and then opened the food. It smelled divine. Their senses were heightened both by the nature of their being a vampire and autistic. A double whammy. The food was a distraction from the sudden overwhelming shyness at the kiss. “No opening it.”
“Fine, fine.” Teresa waved off their concern.
Pestle followed Teresa over to the box in question. They carefully inspected it. Hyde took a bite of the first taco while watching the cat and witch stalk around the offending item. They poked and sniffed, doing everything but lifting it and shaking it.
“How’s the taco?”
“Delicious is too mild a word.” Hyde had inhaled the first one, barely having time to process how much they’d enjoyed it. “The best thing you’ve ever made me. Careful. He’ll get ginger fur everywhere.”
Pestle scowled back at Hyde as if personally offended by the accusation. Teresa plucked him off the floor and nestled her chin between his ears. They both returned to their observations of the box.
“I believe we’ve lost them to cardboard and mystery.” Hyde offered a tiny sliver of the corn taco to Mortar, who’d deigned to move off the plush cushion by the window to join them. “I’m sure we’ll figure out what’s inside eventually.”
Blurb
The Skeleton Crew Paranormal Cozy Series, Book 1
Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strong brew.
Gender fluid, autistic vampire Hyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store. Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the two cats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weekly knitting group called the Skeleton Crew.
When one of the leaders of the village coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hyde finds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side with their long-term crush, Teresa Vega.
Suspicion immediately falls on other members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to find answers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the more difficult when the killer has them in their sights.
Can working together spark the romantic flame within them?
Will they solve the mystery before death comes too close?
Bio
Dahlia Donovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream about shifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour and unconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, her life wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massive collection of books and video games.
Connect with Dahlia:
Website: http://dahliadonovan.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108750876162947/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dahliadonovan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DahliaDonovan
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dahlia-donovan
Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/Q0n0X
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8184061.Dahlia_Donovan
Publisher Website: https://www.hottreepublishing.com/book-author/dahlia-donovan/
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Dahlia-Donovan/e/B00KFNZFHU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadonovanauthor/
Giveaway
To celebrate the release of A Curse for Samhain, Dahlia is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!
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- Void where prohibited by law.
Welcome, Dahlia, and best wishes for the success of A Curse for Samhain!