by Emily Bybee
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 2019
Wild Rose Press
Summary:
Someone wants Sydney dead. Only problem is, she has no idea who. Pushing her off a cliff, thinking the deadly ocean waves will finish their dirty-work, was their first mistake. The near-death experience opens channels of uncontrollable magic, which Sydney is told should have remained dormant. As if finding out magic is real and hit-lists aren't enough, Sydney discovers her family lied to her. They were witches too. But they're all dead. And she's left to fend off the psychos after her blood with only Luke, her childhood crush turned steamy college student, on her side. Turns out being a witch isn't as awesome as you'd think, especially when your magic has fatal consequences.
Purchase Links:
Book One:
Release Date: October 31st 2018
Summary:
As the world’s worst witch, Maddie is mistreated by her own kind. She was born a Defect. Most of her spells blow up in her face, literally. While witches search for the long-lost power of the earth, Maddie spends her time in the science lab. There, she discovers a clue to the lost power. The only other witness is Jax, a smokin’ hot college bad-boy, who Maddie can’t decide if she wants to kiss or kill.
When she fails her magic final, the council orders her magic stripped. Maddie’s only chance to keep her brain intact is to find the power with the hope that it can fix her. Jax is her one true ally on the journey. The two of them must use their smarts to stay ahead of the witches while they follow a two-hundred-year-old trail to the power of the earth and the truth behind Maddie’s defect.
Fatal Magic Excerpt
I
turned to face the water and slipped my cell phone from the pocket of my silk
skirt. The contact for Rowan was top on the list. I tapped the screen and put
the phone to my ear. Her voicemail picked up.
turned to face the water and slipped my cell phone from the pocket of my silk
skirt. The contact for Rowan was top on the list. I tapped the screen and put
the phone to my ear. Her voicemail picked up.
“Hey,”
I said. “I’m going to book a flight for tomorrow to come home, there’s nothing
left for me here. See you soon.” I hung up. Calling my boarding school in New
York home felt oddly right. Over the last six years, I’d only left school for a
two-week vacation each summer, sometimes with Pete, sometimes on my own.
I said. “I’m going to book a flight for tomorrow to come home, there’s nothing
left for me here. See you soon.” I hung up. Calling my boarding school in New
York home felt oddly right. Over the last six years, I’d only left school for a
two-week vacation each summer, sometimes with Pete, sometimes on my own.
A powerful
blow between my shoulder blades knocked me off balance. The cell phone flew
from my hand. I teetered on the edge of the cliff, fighting to stay alive.
Every muscle tightened, and my arms spun through the air. My heart seized, a
quivering mass inside my chest. I battled with gravity to keep from going over
the cliff’s edge. Gravity won.
blow between my shoulder blades knocked me off balance. The cell phone flew
from my hand. I teetered on the edge of the cliff, fighting to stay alive.
Every muscle tightened, and my arms spun through the air. My heart seized, a
quivering mass inside my chest. I battled with gravity to keep from going over
the cliff’s edge. Gravity won.
I
fell head-first into open air. “No,” the strangled cry flew from my lips. I
flailed, as if somehow, I could learn to fly or stop gravity, if I just tried
hard enough. I couldn’t die this way.
fell head-first into open air. “No,” the strangled cry flew from my lips. I
flailed, as if somehow, I could learn to fly or stop gravity, if I just tried
hard enough. I couldn’t die this way.
I
hurtled toward the rough water. My attention focused on the rocks rushing
toward me. Too fast.
hurtled toward the rough water. My attention focused on the rocks rushing
toward me. Too fast.
Instinct,
and years on the dive team, took over. With the forward momentum from the push,
I twisted and got my feet under me.
and years on the dive team, took over. With the forward momentum from the push,
I twisted and got my feet under me.
I
might as well have landed on cement. Sparks flew through my vision. Air burst from
my lungs. The water swallowed me, but for one split second I swore I saw the
outline of a figure leaning over the cliff.
might as well have landed on cement. Sparks flew through my vision. Air burst from
my lungs. The water swallowed me, but for one split second I swore I saw the
outline of a figure leaning over the cliff.
A vice griped my lower limbs. With a
tendon-snapping jerk, the undertow yanked me down before I could break the
surface for a breath of air. My fingers clawed at the water. Life-saving oxygen
drew further away from me. With what was left in my lungs, I couldn’t hold my
breath for long.
tendon-snapping jerk, the undertow yanked me down before I could break the
surface for a breath of air. My fingers clawed at the water. Life-saving oxygen
drew further away from me. With what was left in my lungs, I couldn’t hold my
breath for long.
My
laboring heart slammed against my ribcage. I battled to stay calm but tendrils
of panic gripped me. My oxygen ran out, and my brain struggled to rectify going
from safely standing on the cliff to drowning in a few seconds.
laboring heart slammed against my ribcage. I battled to stay calm but tendrils
of panic gripped me. My oxygen ran out, and my brain struggled to rectify going
from safely standing on the cliff to drowning in a few seconds.
Jagged
rock scraped my back. The last of my life-sustaining air exploded from my mouth,
and I sucked in water. The salt burned my airways and flooded my lungs. I would
die in this churning hell.
rock scraped my back. The last of my life-sustaining air exploded from my mouth,
and I sucked in water. The salt burned my airways and flooded my lungs. I would
die in this churning hell.
Instead of my life flashing before my eyes, all
the things I’d never experienced ran through my mind. It was a long list. Too
long. I couldn’t control my limbs. All I could do was drift. Darkness claimed
my mind and I slipped into unconsciousness.
the things I’d never experienced ran through my mind. It was a long list. Too
long. I couldn’t control my limbs. All I could do was drift. Darkness claimed
my mind and I slipped into unconsciousness.
As I let go, my heart stilled, and a searing
pain ripped through my head. Burning acid raced through my brain.
pain ripped through my head. Burning acid raced through my brain.
The pain forced the blackness of death out,
even as the undertow spit me out. I twisted and gave a feeble kick, extending
my clumsy arms upward. I struggled through the water, my brain on fire.
even as the undertow spit me out. I twisted and gave a feeble kick, extending
my clumsy arms upward. I struggled through the water, my brain on fire.
At last, I broke the surface. I sputtered and gulped
in the sweetest breath of air of my entire life, gobbling down oxygen in between
bouts of coughing. My neurons sputtered and fired, struggling to connect. I
should be dead. Relief spread with each breath, and I twisted in the water to
get my bearings. My exhausted limbs wouldn’t keep my head above water for long.
in the sweetest breath of air of my entire life, gobbling down oxygen in between
bouts of coughing. My neurons sputtered and fired, struggling to connect. I
should be dead. Relief spread with each breath, and I twisted in the water to
get my bearings. My exhausted limbs wouldn’t keep my head above water for long.
The
vortex had flung me out hundreds of feet from the cliff. With the current along
the coast, each wave moved me away from land, and safety. No way did I survive
the damn cliff only to be dragged out to sea and drowned. I kicked and hacked
at the water with protesting muscles.
vortex had flung me out hundreds of feet from the cliff. With the current along
the coast, each wave moved me away from land, and safety. No way did I survive
the damn cliff only to be dragged out to sea and drowned. I kicked and hacked
at the water with protesting muscles.
In my mind, my swim coach shouted for me to finish
the race. My strokes faltered, but I fought on, battling the current. Finally,
the waves tumbled me onto the shore where I collapsed face first at the edge of
the water and sank into darkness.
the race. My strokes faltered, but I fought on, battling the current. Finally,
the waves tumbled me onto the shore where I collapsed face first at the edge of
the water and sank into darkness.
****
Pebbles dug into my cheek and invaded my
consciousness. A mineral taste filled my mouth, and my stomach rolled, did you
mean rolled none too happy about the amount of water I’d swallowed.
consciousness. A mineral taste filled my mouth, and my stomach rolled, did you
mean rolled none too happy about the amount of water I’d swallowed.
I shivered as if my blood was transfused with
liquid nitrogen. I needed to get moving. Pain permeated my entire body, not
just my head. My frazzled mind could barely comprehend what happened.
liquid nitrogen. I needed to get moving. Pain permeated my entire body, not
just my head. My frazzled mind could barely comprehend what happened.
Someone
pushed me off the cliff. Half-formed questions tumbled through my thoughts. I
didn’t know the why but I damn sure would find out the who. My jaw firmed. I
squinted up at the empty cliff. Goose bumps ran up my arms that had nothing to
do with the cold.
pushed me off the cliff. Half-formed questions tumbled through my thoughts. I
didn’t know the why but I damn sure would find out the who. My jaw firmed. I
squinted up at the empty cliff. Goose bumps ran up my arms that had nothing to
do with the cold.
The
wood of the stairs leading up from the beach bit into my hands and knees. At a
sound from above, I jerked up. A figure stood at the top of the steps,
silhouetted in the afternoon light. My heart jumped into my nasal cavity and
accelerated into a manic rhythm.
wood of the stairs leading up from the beach bit into my hands and knees. At a
sound from above, I jerked up. A figure stood at the top of the steps,
silhouetted in the afternoon light. My heart jumped into my nasal cavity and
accelerated into a manic rhythm.
“Sydney?” Called the frantic voice of my
family’s housekeeper, and Luke’s mom, Mrs. Kimball.
family’s housekeeper, and Luke’s mom, Mrs. Kimball.
“Yes,” I croaked in a weak rasp. My heart sank
down to its natural position in my chest, resuming a semi-normal pattern.
down to its natural position in my chest, resuming a semi-normal pattern.
She pounded down the stairs. “We’ve been
looking everywhere for you. What happened?”
looking everywhere for you. What happened?”
“The
cliff,” was all I got out before my chattering teeth stopped me.
cliff,” was all I got out before my chattering teeth stopped me.
She
helped me stand, and we struggled up a few steps. More footsteps rattled the
stairs. The wood squeaked with the formidable weight of Mr. Smits. He rushed
toward me, focused as a bloodhound on a scent trail. Without a word he lifted
me into his meaty arms and carried me toward the house.
helped me stand, and we struggled up a few steps. More footsteps rattled the
stairs. The wood squeaked with the formidable weight of Mr. Smits. He rushed
toward me, focused as a bloodhound on a scent trail. Without a word he lifted
me into his meaty arms and carried me toward the house.
Pain
stabbed my torso as if a jagged blade tore through my ribs. I gasped and
clutched my side.
stabbed my torso as if a jagged blade tore through my ribs. I gasped and
clutched my side.
“We
mustn’t let anyone see her in this state,” Mrs. Kimball whispered to Smits.
mustn’t let anyone see her in this state,” Mrs. Kimball whispered to Smits.
I looked down at the dress I’d worn to
the funeral and tugged at a ragged tear that split the black silk up to my hip
then shoved my hair out of my face. Gritty sand covered every inch of my skin
and hair. Personally, I didn’t care if a houseful of people saw me. I had more
important things on my mind¾finding out who pushed me.
the funeral and tugged at a ragged tear that split the black silk up to my hip
then shoved my hair out of my face. Gritty sand covered every inch of my skin
and hair. Personally, I didn’t care if a houseful of people saw me. I had more
important things on my mind¾finding out who pushed me.
Smits carried me into a side entrance, away
from guests, and up the back staircase. The only people we encountered were a
few security men and maids. The shocked expression that crossed each of their
faces told me I looked about as good as I felt.
from guests, and up the back staircase. The only people we encountered were a
few security men and maids. The shocked expression that crossed each of their
faces told me I looked about as good as I felt.
We paused in the doorway to my room then Smits
set me down on the edge of the bed. I clutched my side against the pain and
glanced around. It was like a time-warp, nothing had changed in six years.
Still a twelve-year-old’s room. Although, now there wasn’t a speck of dust
anywhere and someone had unpacked my bags.
set me down on the edge of the bed. I clutched my side against the pain and
glanced around. It was like a time-warp, nothing had changed in six years.
Still a twelve-year-old’s room. Although, now there wasn’t a speck of dust
anywhere and someone had unpacked my bags.
Mrs.
Kimball spoke in a low voice to Smits.
Kimball spoke in a low voice to Smits.
“I’ll
talk to my guys.” He hurried from the room.
talk to my guys.” He hurried from the room.
Mrs.
Kimball turned to me. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.” She fussed, brushing sand
off my face. “I never thought you’d jump.”
Kimball turned to me. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.” She fussed, brushing sand
off my face. “I never thought you’d jump.”
“Jump? No, someone pushed me,” I croaked, then coughed,
my throat raw.
my throat raw.
Her
hand paused. “Who would do such a thing, dear?”
hand paused. “Who would do such a thing, dear?”
I
thought about the empty path behind me on the cliff and the flash of a
silhouette from the water. “I’m not really sure. I didn’t see anyone.”
thought about the empty path behind me on the cliff and the flash of a
silhouette from the water. “I’m not really sure. I didn’t see anyone.”
“Don’t
worry now. You’re not alone. We’ll get you the help you need.” She patted my
shoulder, her tone telling me that help
would include a psych visit and antidepressants.
worry now. You’re not alone. We’ll get you the help you need.” She patted my
shoulder, her tone telling me that help
would include a psych visit and antidepressants.
Having
your closest relatives die made adults think you were suddenly suicidal, as I’d
found out when my parents died. My mouth opened but I couldn’t find the
motivation, or the words, to argue.
your closest relatives die made adults think you were suddenly suicidal, as I’d
found out when my parents died. My mouth opened but I couldn’t find the
motivation, or the words, to argue.
“We’ll
get you out of these clothes. Then I’ll get Dr. Perry.”
get you out of these clothes. Then I’ll get Dr. Perry.”
I
nodded, sending bolts of lightning through my brain, and cradled my head.
nodded, sending bolts of lightning through my brain, and cradled my head.
She
helped me to my feet. I limped to the bathroom, pain shooting through my torso with
each step. Anguish still coursed through my head to the point of
dizziness. I sank into the tub. Fresh chills swept over me in response to the
warm water.
helped me to my feet. I limped to the bathroom, pain shooting through my torso with
each step. Anguish still coursed through my head to the point of
dizziness. I sank into the tub. Fresh chills swept over me in response to the
warm water.
“Will
you be okay for a minute while I get the Doctor?”
you be okay for a minute while I get the Doctor?”
“I’m not going to jump off a cliff, if that’s what
you’re worried about.” I couldn’t help the edge in my voice. I hated when
people treated me like I’d break.
you’re worried about.” I couldn’t help the edge in my voice. I hated when
people treated me like I’d break.
Her mouth formed a firm line at my snark. With
one last glance over her shoulder, she left. After she was gone, I realized
she’d taken my razor. I didn’t have the energy to do more than roll my eyes.
one last glance over her shoulder, she left. After she was gone, I realized
she’d taken my razor. I didn’t have the energy to do more than roll my eyes.
I
thought back to the cliff. There were three possibilities—I’d jumped, I’d
tripped, or someone pushed me. I ran through the events in my mind. No way I’d
tripped.
thought back to the cliff. There were three possibilities—I’d jumped, I’d
tripped, or someone pushed me. I ran through the events in my mind. No way I’d
tripped.
Emily grew up loving to read and escape into stories. She began writing her own at the age of twelve. In college she focused on science and graduated with a degree in Environmental Biology. After college she began writing again but quickly realized she had failed to take a single writing or grammar class. Luckily, she’s a quick learner. Emily now lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, three amazing children, and way too many animals. She still enjoys making up stories and can’t seem to leave out the paranormal elements because they are just too much fun.
Author Links:
My writing
process:
When I’m
getting an idea for a story it usually comes to me in flashes. I have a
character in mind or a situation and then a few scenes. I’m not really a
plotter but not completely a pantser either. I’m somewhere in between.
I like to think of it as connecting the dots. I brainstorm, usually with my mom, who is an amazing help and I don’t know what I’d do without. We come up with questions or twists. Once I have a rough idea I start writing and go from point to point, I usually don’t know what is going in the middle of those points when I start but some of my greatest twists and turns come from just free-writing.
It can be
interesting if I start writing without a full character developed in my head.
In Fatal Magic I didn’t know what Sydney’s fatal flaw would be until about a
third of the way through the book when I had her rushing into a situation again
without thinking things through. That was when I realized her flaw was taking
things on head first, without a plan and I used that to further deepen the
development of her character.
When I get
stuck, which does happen sometimes, I take a break from writing and let the
story percolate in my mind. It usually only takes a few days to come up with
where I want to go or what I need to change. With the story I’ve been working
on now, Book 3 in the series, I actually was pretty stuck on how I wanted to
end it and the grand finale scene. It took almost a month and several
unfruitful talks with my mom before one comment from her sparked the idea I
needed and I knew how I would end it.
After I have
a draft I take chapters to my critique group, who always have great input. Then
it is another edit and out to beta readers for a full read to look at
overarching plot and character development. After I get those comments back I
go through one more time and it’s off to the editor with fingers crossed that
she likes it!
Want to win a $10 Amazon gift card? Subscribe to the author’s newsletter and she will pick a winner! https://www.emilybybeebooks.com/
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