Here be Magic: Destiny Calling

Showing posts with label Destiny Calling. Show all posts

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Stop by The Last Call

Posted by: Maureen

Disclaimer: Scruff did not consume any actual wine ...he's more of a tequila man

By Maureen Bonatch

I hadn't realized there was a National Drink Wine Day, or that it was on February 18th each year. There is a day for almost everything anymore, so I suppose choosing a day in the dead of winter would be appropriate for curling up with a book and a glass of wine (or coffee—I won't tell since everyday is drink coffee day for me).

Drinking is often done socially. Whether it's meeting friends for a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or other beverage. I do enjoy a glass of red wine, although most of the places in my area don't offer much of a selection, and with COVID precautions, it's not something I've gone out to do much of lately.

If you're missing hanging out and having your beverage of choice, you can virtually visit the Last Call bar featured in my books Destiny Calling and Not a Chance—which both happen to be on sale now for $0.99 cents. (click here to grab your copies) So grab a stool and slide up to the bar.

Hope will get your drink—although she'll probably recommend the tequila. The Last Call doesn't have that great of a wine selection, but luckily you can visit this bar from the comfort of your home with your favorite drink.

On Sale Now for $0.99 cents

Destiny Calling (Book 1)

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil's spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Not a Chance (Book 2)

The last thing Hope Hallows wants is to become the latest headline. Living in a town that likes secrets, she prefers to keep hers hidden. Avoiding a nosy reporter’s questions about her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with a single touch, and those who crave this bliss, is nothing new. But having her brother’s annoying girlfriend, Berta, go missing is—especially when it makes Hope suspect number one.

Cheers! Whatcha Drinking?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line.

Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Can Organizing Help You Create Your Own Story?

Posted by: Maureen

by Maureen Bonatch

I started this year on a mission to organize stuff.

Those who know me may be a little surprised at this since I’m already a person who doesn’t like clutter and is constantly getting rid of things.

But this time it was a little different, this time it was personal.

Almost Anything Can Have Sentimental Value

Often many, or even most, of the things we seem to always be sorting through and putting back on the shelf or in the closet have a sentimental value. I use the term sentimental loosely because we can usually find sentimental value in just about anything. Ticket stubs, cards, gifts from someone all bring up a nice memory—or so we tell ourselves.

What happens when those ‘memories’ of yesterday burden us from making room for new ones? Or they feel more like an obligation to constantly move them around so we can’t find what we really need for today or make room for tomorrow?

It’s as if we have a book that we love and keep reading it over and over and never read something new. As if we think that nothing could ever compare to this book so we never pick up a new one.

Your Story Starts Today

At the start of the year I read Marie Kondo’s book about the magic of tidying up (it's always been magical to me) and one thing particularly stuck with me to help me realize and embrace letting go of things that may have become baggage instead of bringing joy.

It was to recognize that some things serve a purpose for a time in our lives, but that may not serve the person we are today. So it’s not that we didn’t appreciate and love something, we’re just ready to move on to find new joy. (Although I can’t fully support Marie’s beliefs on how many books we should keep—that’s where I draw the line.)

These concepts also connect to the characters I love to write and read about. If a story only ever focused on the past, and the characters never moved forward, the story may not be as interesting. We want to see our characters break out of their shell, make progress, and discover new things. So why don’t we apply these same principles to our own lives?

Live Through the Characters- or Become One

It’s comforting to hold onto the past, but sometimes it’s more exciting to see what the future might bring—even if it’s just the joy of having a closet that we can open and know what’s in there and where to find everything.

I did take this a step further this year and changed my job after working in a position for 16 years. This decision was both terrifying and exciting. It wasn’t something I would normally do. It’s something I would make my characters do in my stories.

But I thought perhaps it was time that I faced that inciting incident and let a new adventure begin. While other times, it’s enough to live vicariously through a character in a book and enjoy a quiet, organized space of my home.

How Are You Writing Your Story?

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazonand/or signing up for her newsletter

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Bring it Back(list): Destiny Calling

Posted by: Maureen

Are you ready to go back to the woods? Before Not a Chance releases on October 31st (Happy Halloween!) It's your chance to grab the first book of The Enchantlings series, DESTINY CALLING.

Get it right here for .99cents for a limited time!

Magic, mayhem and a little bit of madness

Is he a dream come true, or a nightmare just beginning?

Drawn back to the home town she vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn't know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld.

Time is running out, and Hope’s choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game played by a merciless ruler who doesn't lose.

P.S. Stop by my blog right here for a ton of contests, giveaways, and prizes to celebrate the paranormal season and the upcoming release of NOT A CHANCE.

Preorder your copy of NOT A CHANCE right here.

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Thursday, April 26, 2018

The Waiting Game

Posted by: Maureen

By Maureen L. Bonatch

I was a reader long before I was a writer. There was nothing more exciting than finding an new author, or series (there still isn’t). However, when I discover my latest favorite author, one book is never enough.

Like a bag of potato chips, I have to fight the urge to devour them all. So when I would go look for the next book in the series and discover it wasn’t ready yet, I’d become impatient.

I wanted to demand, How long until the next book? More like—Why is it taking you so long to write it?

I need to know what’s happening with these characters that have become part of my life!

Then, I became a writer and realized that sometimes the birth of a book takes longer than anticipated, or the delay might be out of the author’s control.

Book 2 Where Are You?

My series, The Enchantlings, has one book available (DESTINY CALLING), and I have the next two books in

the series in draft. Book #2 is with my editor, and book #3 is just waiting in line for it’s turn to be polished and produced. (Sorry, to my dismay, no cover to share yet! So I'll share the cover for Book #1.)

The wait for Book 2 (NOT A CHANCE) to finish can be just as frustrating for me as an author, as it is for readers. The difference is that I know there are so many steps from writing the book until it’s available for reader consumption.

Editing, creating the blurb, cover, tagline etc. etc. They all take time, and a small tribe of people involved in the process.

Patience for Perfection

Part of me understands the delay because I want to create the best book possible and striving for perfection takes time. Yet, another part of me wants it done…yesterday.

I want to continue the story. But alas, I must wait. So until then I temper my impatience by working on other stories, reading fabulous books—and repeatedly checking my email for my editor.

Thus, I’m a little more patient as I wait for the next delicious installment from my favorite author. A little, but not much. I still want to devour all the books in one setting. So I must remind myself that taking time to savor can be a good thing.

How Well Do You Wait?

Friday, December 22, 2017

Writing A Book Is Like Decorating A Christmas Tree

Posted by: Maureen

By Maureen L. Bonatch

Everyone has their own way of decorating a Christmas tree. Some like white lights, while others prefer multi-colored. A few may coordinate specific decorations, while some choose ornaments with a special story or memory behind them. Still some hang whatever ornament catches their eye.

We always put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving—during the last week of National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWri). Once we had our tree complete this year, I sat and watched it move on the rotating base and considered how decorating the tree was comparable to crafting a story.

An Outline, or An Idea

You start with the bare bones. It’s just a tree. Beautiful in it’s own right, but displaying the potential for so much more. Perhaps it sits in your yard for months, or years, as you consider just how you want to mold it for the end result. Then you find the place of honor in your home where the tree gets the best attention. (Environment)

Main Characters

The lights go on first. You decide if you want just one color (First Person POV) or more than one color. You know what catches your eye and enthralls you. There are people who will tell you they prefer one over the other, it’s your job to convince them why your color(s) is just as beautiful, if not more.

Secondary Characters

You add the ornaments. Each one serves a purpose to enhance the overall effect so it’s pleasing to the eye. A few have a really special story to tell about how they earned that place on your tree. All of the ornaments look fabulous together, yet none stand out more than another.

Bring Your Story Together

The tinsel drapes over the tree and brings all the ornaments, and the lights together in harmony. Then the tree, and the varied decorations, make one beautiful whole.

I Hope Your Holiday Is Beautiful and Fills You With Awe

Just don't choose your Christmas tree from the woods of DESTINY CALLING.

When the woman who raised Hope is murdered by something not human, Hope loses the only family she knows and discovers one she might wish she never met. With a touch that can make the desperate hopeful, Hope is the answer. The only question is if she can deal with sibling rivalry, accept that entities feeding off despair exist, and determine if Griffith is the man of her dreams, or not at all what he seems.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Feast on These Awesome Paranormal Shows With Your Turkey

Posted by: Maureen

By Maureen L. Bonatch

The weather is getting colder and many people are settling in for a little winter hibernation indoors. It’s the time of year when I pull out my favorite Christmas movies and watch A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Scrooged and other holiday classics. But sometimes I’m in the mood for something a little more paranormal and fantasy while I’m sinking into a ‘carb coma’ or an all the ‘turkey fixings overload’.

As the holidays roll in with a touch of the overwhelm, sometimes it’s nice to escape from the onslaught of holiday movies, holiday commercials and holiday—everything— into a world of paranormal and fantasy.

One thing many people enjoy almost as much as binging on holiday treats is binging on their favorite television show. I confess—I don’t usually spend too much time watching television. So when my friends discuss their latest favorite television show I’m often clueless. I’m usually more engrossed in writing or reading. Or I drag out my laptop and multi-task while the hubs watches television.

But there are a few shows I make an extra effort to make time for. (I also discuss a few of these here.)

A Few of My Favorite Paranormal & Fantasy Shows Include

Supernatural- Because who doesn’t love Sam & Dean?
Outcast- This show reminds me of my book, Destiny Calling
Ash vs. Evil Dead- This takes a special (slightly warped) sense of humor like mine
Stranger Things- Oh, to revisit the 1980’s!

If You Want To Go Old School Consider

Charmed- My all-time favorite! It inspired my story, That Magic Moment
The X-Files- Love this! I believe! J
Millennium-We all braced for all the extraordinary the millennium might bring
Ghost Whisperer- Ghosts and a beautiful love story- I still miss this show
Medium –I found this to be such a unique concept for it’s time

Love Feasting Your Eyes on Your Favorite Show? You're Not Alone

It seems many people binge all year long—on television. Since Outcast, one of my favorite shows, is delayed from returning until

next summer, I reached out on a Facebook post to discover some other favorite shows.

Here are a few recommendations on my To-Be-Watched List:

Outlander “Time-travel”
Ozark -I did watch this show and enjoyed it
The Deuce- a drama of New York City in the 1970’s and 1980’s
Orville “Tongue in cheek and humorous.”
Designated Survivor “Fantasy”
Blindspot- A crime drama television series
Longmire- American modern western crime drama

Is Your Favorite Show on the List? Or Can You Add to it?

Not in the mood for television? Or you don't want to wait any longer for Outcast? Escape with my book, Destiny Calling.

The only question is if she can deal with sibling rivalry, accept that entities feeding off despair exist, and determine if Griffith is the man of her dreams, or not at all what he seems.

Friday, June 30, 2017

What Can You Learn About Relationships On A Motorcycle

Posted by: Maureen

by Maureen L. Bonatch

I often refer to myself as a backseat-biker. My hubby controls the over 800 lb. sexy, metal beast while I sit on the back clinging to my hero. Last week my hubby and I made our yearly trek to attend Thunder in the Valley. One of Pennsylvania’s largest biker rallies known to attract over 200,000

One of my photos from Thunder in the Valley

bikers.

There’s a certain peace when you’re riding on the open road outside of the confinement of a vehicle. You see the world from a totally different up-close and personal perspective.

As a writer, it’s always been a great way for me to work through a story. But this ride, while hugging my hero as we passed a multitude of other bikers with many toting their own heroine, I contemplated about how biking compares to the essentials of a relationship.

More Than Skin Deep

You have to look further than skin deep in a relationship. Just like there’s more to the stereotypical bad boy biker than what is on the outside. You know the loud, leather-wearing, tattooed, sexy, confident men that straddle the back of those metal beasts that the heroine loves to ride off into the sunset with?

I’m not judging–lucky for me I have my own ‘bad boy biker’ and it came as no surprise to me to find that

in my book, DESTINY CALLING (on sale for 99 cents for a limited time), my Bad Boy happens to be a biker who despite/because of his bad boy persona, my heroine has a hard time resisting.

The outside appearance might draw you in, but it takes more than that to maintain and grow a relationship. But if you look a little closer at most bikers you’ll find many groups participate in fundraising/charity rides, support military, retirees or simply enjoy motorcycles as a social group.

It Takes Teamwork

As with any relationship, it only works well if it’s not one-sided. Even though you may ride in silence with only the company of your thoughts, there is a non-verbal communication occurring on a motorcycle. No words need to be spoken as you rely upon body language to lean together to take the twists and turns of the road.

There’s a certain comradely that comes from riding a motorcycle, a sense of community and connectedness with other bikers that you don’t share when you’re in a vehicle. Kind of like when you find that special person who you feel an instant, intense connection.

Trust

Don't be fooled- I'm getting on the back

Most bikers have a special bond with their motorcycle. When I didn’t ride, I used to be a tad jealous of my hubby’s love for her–his motorcycle. (I wrote about that here. ) I didn’t ride for many reasons, but one of the big reasons—which is the same with any relationship—was the fear of getting hurt.

When you’re riding a motorcycle you have to be much more alert to the scenery (wildlife, rocks, potholes, water) and other vehicles. Just like a relationship, one of the most important things necessary in order to relax and enjoy the ride, is that you have to trust your partner.

Did You Know About the “Biker Wave”

Biking seems like a solitary endeavor, and it is in many ways, but usually you wave when you pass another motorcycle. Even though the most likely a complete stranger, you feel compelled to greet them like a friend. The wave is a variation of two fingers pointed parallel or down toward the ground, as if a symbol of peace. There are different assumptions behind the reason for the start of the “wave”. Some stating it stems back from when motorcycles weren’t as common, others state it was a “biker necessity” when they saw Arthur Davidson wave to William Harley.