Another New Normal

 

By Maureen Bonatch

I’ve recently went into a few places without wearing a mask. It was liberating…and discomforting. Masks have become the normal in our everyday life. Something that most of us would never have anticipated. Now our normal is shifting once again. Most of us hope that things will ‘go back to normal’, but our new normal may be slightly different than the one before 2020. 

Scruff wondering if he needs to wear a mask or not to go outside.

 I often think if we could’ve had a sneak peek into the year 2020 without the backstory and saw most of the world shut down and wearing masks that we would’ve believed it. It seemed way too much like a fiction story. And although I love a good fiction story, I really don’t care to live one. 

 Speaking of Fiction 

I love writing and reading fantasy and paranormal stories. If you’re here, I would assume that you enjoy them too. As a reader I want to become immersed in the world and believe that magic is possible. That somehow, something that is foreign to our world, makes complete sense in the story. That it wouldn’t be unusual to run into a variety of paranormal beings in the course of a normal day. 

 As a writer, I have to make that happen. It can be a challenge to create an imaginary world that is real to the reader. Luckily, it’s a challenge I enjoy. For me, I find that first and foremost, the heroine has to convince me of this new reality. I’ll come back to that world again and again if I’m wondering how that heroine is faring and then I get to learn more about her world. 

The Last Year has been a Mystery 

If you’re looking for a great escape from the worries of your reality, the first story in the Charmed Cocktail Series is available for preorder in the When the Cat’s Away boxset. You’ll get my story, Curses, Cats & Corpses, along with ten more cozy mysteries. 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kindle 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Apple 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Nook 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kobo 

 If you like my story, you can preorder the next books in the series by clicking right here. 

 Some Things Never Change 

 One thing that doesn’t change is that most authors really appreciate their readers, and like to show it with giveaways and sales. Here are a few—may the odds be ever in your favor. 

Win Amazon Gift Cards

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 Searching for Your Next Cozy Mystery?

 

           Check Out these Great Deals by Clicking Right Here

 Get Out and Read Giveaway WIN 1 OF 4 KINDLE FIRES 

 Do you enjoy spending the long, lazy days of summer with a book in your hand? One of the best ways to find new-to-you authors is on BookBub, and LitRing has got you covered. Head over to the Get Out and Read Giveaway now to get 175+ chances to win a Kindle Fire >>  Click Right Here to Enter

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as 

M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 

Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace- she's new in town and can use some friends!

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Instead of Christmas, Who Wants Halloween in July?

 By Maureen Bonatch

It’s started. The Christmas inundation in July. 

Sure, sometimes I might like to indulge and watch a holiday movie, but usually I save that for December to help me find my Christmas spirit.

 But Halloween? Magic? Spooky movies, books and all that paranormal? I could do that all year long, and I do.

It’s not just because I love paranormal and supernatural stuff—well I do, but that’s not the only reason I’d love me some “Halloween in July”. It’s also because I love fall. Summer is nice, but once the humidity starts piling up here in Pennsylvania, or I tire of slathering on the sunscreen to keep the red lobster-like sheen from my skin, then I’m ready for the cooler temperatures to return. 

What’s not to love about brightly colored autumn leaves, sweatpants and less humidity to get outside and bike or walk without melting into the pavement?

No Tricks- Just a Treat

To help you get in the mood for some fall fun, I have a treat for you even though it’s not even Halloween—and you don’t need a costume. NOT A CHANCE is on sale for .99cents for a limited time.

Hope just wants to be normal—too bad that will never happen.

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. 

As a triplet, her resemblance to her beloved dead sister causes her family to grieve even more, and her escalating supernatural skills makes Griffith, her half-human-half-Oppressor boyfriend, wary. He wants to put his unsavory past behind him—this could include Hope—since her abilities remind him of the Underworld. 
In her desperate search to find Berta, she stumbles across a tunnel. Phantom voices within whisper that evil has been waiting for a new leader—and isn't she lucky, they've chosen Hope.

Get Your Copy of NOT A CHANCE for .99 cents today!

What do you prefer? Christmas in July? Or Halloween?

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

Bring it Back(list): Vampires do "it In the Dark"

There are still a few days left to grab In the Dark (Children of Night, book 1) for the sale price of only .99!

When you live forever, you're bound to make a few mistakes....

San Francisco, 1969. Vampire Conrad Quintano has been around for centuries—long enough to know that falling for a human is a terrible idea. Much less falling for adventure-seeking hippie Desert Rose. An even more terrible idea? Agreeing to raise her babies and protect them with his life.

Present day. Marc and Julie Fischer have always known they’re vampires. Raised in virtual isolation, they’ve never known their parentage or their unique status in the world. But once their uncle comes to take them home, the family reunion is nothing like they anticipated and they’re thrust into a world they’re completely unprepared for.

 https://entangledpublishing.com/books/featured/halloween-spooktacular.html?p=1&order=release_date&dir=desc&mode=grid

P.S. As an added bonus, I’m offering Going Back to Find You as a freebie for the next few days. Get your copy here:  https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/mbW0yYYD

Bring it Back(list): Destiny Calling

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?

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.

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.

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 

Bring it Back(list): EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY

Get in the spirit of the season with this limited time 

.99 cent sale for EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY!

Fantasy, Romance, Suspense, Ghosts, Spirits, Demons

Everyone has a story to tell. Even the dead.

They were never supposed to meet. 

Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.

They were never supposed to find love. 

Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead. 

They’ve broken all the rules. 

Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

Purchase your copy of EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY:  here.

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 

Here Be News

New Releases:

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Other News:

Image: Bigstock.com

Winners! We have winners! 

The giveaway associated with the "TALK NERDY TO ME" blog post has come to a close.

Congrats to Bianca N (wins a Star Wars book light), Carra L (wins a Doctor Who makeup bag), and Cassandra D (wins a Star Wars book light).  All 3 winners have been contacted by email.


Many thanks to our readers and fellow nerds who took time to join in the conversation. We loved your comments! Let's all "talk nerdy" again next year on or around May 25 for "Nerd Pride Day".

P. S. - If you didn't get a chance to check out the nerdy secrets of some of our Here Be Magic authors, check it out here:  https://herebemagic.blogspot.com/2018/05/talk-nerdy-to-me-celebrate-nerd-pride.html 

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Image: Bigstock.com

Bring It Back(list):

What if someone who's never even heard of a coffee break suddenly had to take a SUMMER VACATION?  

Check out the conversation between Rhys and Ranyon, characters from Dani Harper's Grim Series!

https://herebemagic.blogspot.com/2018/06/bring-it-backlist-ranyon-and-rhys-talk.html 

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Sales & Promos:

Veronica Scott's AYDARR (Sectors New Allies Series Book 1) is on sale for $.99!

The story:

Jill Garrison, a maintenance tech at the Sectors Amarcae 7 colony, goes to sleep one night as usual only to wake up in her nightgown stranded in the middle of a forest on an unknown world. There’s no time to think as she’s stalked by carnivorous predators and rescued by genetically engineered warriors calling themselves the Badari. Turns out they and she, along with her whole colony, are now prisoners of the Khagrish, a ruthless race of alien scientists. Working for enemies of the Sectors, the Khagrish have created the Badari to be super soldiers.

Aydarr, the Badari alpha, isn’t sure he can trust Jill but his attraction to her is undeniable. He impulsively claims her as his mate to prevent her death at the hands of the Khagrish.

Can he continue to protect her from the experiments already underway?  Will his claiming her put his pack in jeopardy from their alien masters?

As Jill searches for a way to rescue her fellow humans and get them all to safety, she finds herself falling for Aydarr, despite the secrets he’s keeping. She has a few of her own.

The situation becomes dire when Aydarr and his pack are sent offplanet on a mission, leaving Jill unprotected, prey for the senior scientist. Can she escape the experiments he has in mind for her? Will she be able to thwart the Khagrish plans and liberate humans and Badari alike? How will she and Aydarr reunite?

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