Giveaway - Hyde by Laura DeLuca

Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.

She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.

In honor of the release of this title, which is the last book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy, we are giving away eBook copies of Laura DeLuca's "Hyde."

If you don't want to wait to see if you win your copy of "Hyde," you can snag an early release copy here. It will only be available at the price of $2.99 until Monday, July 29th.

Want all of the titles in print? Check out our Dark Musicals Trilogy Giveaway!

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Excerpt - Hyde by Laura DeLuca

When they reached the last aria, Justyn pulled her into his arms with an almost desperate longing. The required embrace between Emma and Dr. Jekyll took very little acting for the real-life lovers. In fact, the kiss might have gone on a tad longer than necessary. Rebecca found herself swooning in Justyn’s arms just as much as she had the very first time their lips had met. There was a fire between them time couldn’t quench. That passion spilled over into the music, and it was a force every person watching from the sidelines could feel.

Rebecca was actually sorry the duet ended, despite the fact that she knew they would be singing it again every day for the next three months. She had another brief scene where her father, played by Robert, tries to talk Emma out of marrying Dr. Jekyll. Then Rebecca had a break backstage while Tom led Justyn to a house of ill repute to try to take his mind off his work for the night. On her way to join the background prostitutes who would dance with Victoria, Carmen made sure to stop by and give Rebecca a congratulatory pat on her back.

“I almost forgot how amazing you two are together!” Carmen exclaimed, shuffling out from behind the curtain. “That was awesome! Really! Total eargasm!”

Rebecca laughed. “Thanks, Carmen!”

Carmen winked as she raced past her to take her place on the stage. Her friend did an amazing job of coordinating the simple dance moves given the short notice she’d received. The performers looked provocative and sexy despite the limited space they had to work with. But it was Victoria who stole the show with her amazing voice. The notes of her song resonated off the high ceiling of the theater and her body slithered seductively along the floor. Rebecca had to remind herself not to be jealous when she got to the scene where Lucy kisses Dr. Jekyll, despite the fact she knew it wasn’t real. Victoria was so beautiful and sensual. Rebecca could see how it would be hard for most men to resist her, but as graceful and elegant as she was when she sang, she still portrayed the tough street girl to perfection, and Rebecca had the feeling it was a role she was familiar with.

Rebecca really enjoyed watching the rest of the show come to life for the first time. Everyone was very professional. They all had their lines down pat, and there were no serious blunders, despite it being their first group rehearsal. They ran through the entire show twice before Fernando finally allowed them to call it a night. It was almost one in the morning, and Rebecca was completely exhausted. She couldn’t wait to head home and get some sleep. She dreaded having to wake up for the breakfast shift at seven in the morning. It was definitely going to be a long summer, but hopefully a rewarding one.

“Not bad for the first practice, huh?” Tom asked.

Justyn was still a little grim. “Despite the fact that not everyone wants us here. Did you see the way Steve was glaring at us?”

“You noticed too?” Rebecca asked.

“You two should get used to that,” Carmen advised. “When you’re good, people are always going to be jealous. Don’t let that has-been get you down.”

“Wise words, babe,” Tom agreed. “Seriously, dude, screw him. You guys were awesome. You deserve the leads.”

Justyn tried to shrug it off but still looked annoyed. However, he relaxed a little when Rebecca smiled and looped arms with him on the way to the car. They had almost reached the parking lot when she realized she’d left her handbag behind. Carmen and Justyn both rolled their eyes at her when she told them.

“Seriously, Becca?” Carmen teased. “I don’t know how you manage to memorize your lines when you never remember anything.”

Coming to your favorite book retailer on July 26, 2013.

Join the Hyde Release Party to learn how you can win this title and others.

Excerpt - Psy-V by LM David

It was minutes shy of midnight, but Adams wasn’t certain of that fact. Adjusting his tie, the NSA agent walked briskly past a security check point pacing a man wearing a black suit and mirror shined shoes. His destination? A chat with the CEO of Bio-Genetics Labs—his enigmatic employers. Adams theorized the subject had to be one of two things, both connecting him to this god-forsaken company but the spit and polished escort had given no details, just requested Adams come with him. Since then, the fetch man had not utter a single word.

At the end of a long hall, his escort held up a hand to stop Adams. He rapped twice on a mahogany door before opening it without waiting for the requisite acknowledgement, and then stepped aside. Offering the man a disconcerted look, Adams entered alone.

The room was spacious, furniture typical for a CEO with expensive taste. What stood out most were framed certificates and gold-framed placards covering the majority of wall space. It was enough to impress the NSA agent.

Adams turned his attention to a small gentleman seated behind an oak wood desk. The man was average looking, clean shaven, and except for his strawberry-blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, you’d never give him a second glance. While he spoke on a white cordless phone, he lifted a hand and gestured for Adams to approach. As he did, the agent turned his attention to an individual standing behind the desk. He stood six-foot-one easily. He wore a dark, tailor made suit that made him look like a GQ model. His brownish red hair had a stylish cut, brushing his shoulders. At the moment, the man stood in front of a large, white mini-blind covered window, staring out at the night.

Was he the other CEO of the Project? The partner Adams had yet to meet?

Finishing his call, Lucas Albright, the architect behind Bio-Genetics Labs, gave the agent an easy smile as he rose from his chair.

“Albright,” Adams offered.

“Adams—thanks for coming.” The two shook hands.

“Your tour guide didn’t offer a ‘no’ option.”

“I apologize for that …” his words trailed.

“There’s no need for that.” The agent downplayed the situation. “Can I ask before we begin if this is a sit down happy moment, or are you going to crap shoot an otherwise enjoyable evening?”

The man at the window grunted, looking at the agent without saying a word.

“Dr. Edward Parks, my partner.” Lucas gestured to the man behind him before lowering himself into his chair. Scowling, Parks turned his eyes back to the window. “He handles research and development.”

Adams gave the man a silent look. He knew little about Parks other than the man had an excellent reputation in the scientific community. With the frosty reception he’d given Adams, the agent wasn’t sure it was an auspicious honor to finally be introduced to the man.

“Please, sit,” Lucas offered. The agent sat in a dark-brown leather chair that faced the desk. “Edward—you want to handle this?”

The self-absorbed man seemed not to pay attention to Lucas or his entreaty. Finally, Edward regarded Adams with a flat stare, stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. His expression reflected an internal struggle as if he were trying to formulate his thoughts.

“The Project,” Edward began in a reserved voice, “hit a … snag.”

Adams looked to Lucas for explanation. When none issued, he looked back at Parks. “Snag?”

“The test subjects,” he cleared his throat, “… escaped.”

Giveaway - Demon by Laura DeLuca

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.

It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.

Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.

In honor of the release of the last book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy (Hyde) at the end of the month, we are giving away eBook copies of Laura DeLuca's "Demon."

If you don't want to wait to see if you win your copy of "Demon," you can snag a copy here.

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Giveaway - Dark Musicals Trilogy by Laura DeLuca

Phantom

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Demon

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.

It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.

Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.

Hyde

Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.

She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.

Giveaway

In honor of the release of the last book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy (Hyde) at the end of the month, we are doing a grand prize giveaway that includes a signed print copy of each title in the entire Dark Musicals series.

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Free on Amazon - Jessica by Laura DeLuca

Blurb:

Wilbur was used to going to his college formals alone. He thought the Halloween Ball would be no different. He’s amazed when a beautiful girl in a Victorian costume displays an interest in him and even more amazed to find himself alone with her on one of the campus nature trails.

What Wilbur doesn’t realize is that another woman has her eye on him too. The White Lady returns every Halloween to take revenge on the men of the campus for her brutal murder. She has chosen Wilbur as her next victim.

Excerpt:

As he scanned the room, Wilbur’s eyes fell upon a young girl dressed in a beautiful nineteenth century gown. She was standing alone on the other side of the refreshment table, tapping her foot to the beat of the music. He couldn’t help but admire the detail of her elaborate costume. She wore a long white dress, trimmed with soft blue lace, and topped off with a high ruffled collar. The bell sleeves came down to her elbows, and while the gown was certainly the modest garb of the old world, it still managed to accentuate her perfect curves. Even her hair was done in the style of the times, with the masses of russet curls piled on top on her head in a loose bun and just a few perfect ringlets dangling down on the side. The costume looked so natural on her; she could have stepped right out of a Victorian painting.

Wilbur was so enchanted by her unique beauty that he couldn’t stop staring. Eventually, she turned in his direction, as though she felt him watching her. When their eyes caught, he blushed furiously and instantly lowered his gaze. He expected her to sneer and turn away in disgust, like every other girl who had ever caught him gawking at them. But instead, she smiled and started to glide toward him. Her creamy white skin seemed almost transparent in the glow of the spinning strobe lights, but as she approached, her features became more distinguished. Wilbur could make out a sweet, heart shaped face, a small button nose, and the greenest emerald eyes he had ever seen.

“Hello.” She practically had to yell to be heard over the blaring music. “My name’s Jessica. What’s yours?”

Wilbur felt his knees start to buckle, and his mouth fell open in unrepressed shock. He actually turned his head to see if there was someone standing behind him because he was certain that she couldn’t be talking to him. As he turned, his glasses slipped down his nose, and when he tried to push them black in place, he accidentally slapped himself in the forehead. His cheeks burned, and he waited for the beautiful woman to laugh and walk away. He was amazed when she didn’t.

“You’re cute.” She giggled and placed a perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder. “So, are you going to answer my question? Or don’t you have name?”

 “Wil…Wil…Wilbur,” he finally managed to stutter. He turned an even brighter shade of red when he felt something harden between his legs, and wondered if the protrusion was obvious to Jessica.

“Well, Wil…Wil…Wilbur,” she teased. “Would you like to dance with a lonely co-ed who couldn’t get a date?”


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Free on Amazon - Blood-Moon by Andrew P. Weston

Blurb:

Once every few hundred years, the Blood-Moon rises on an unsuspecting world. When it does—the very stuff of myth and legend comes to life.

He was sixth generation military, his path laid before him by his family. To secure his spot in the elite British Special Forces he found himself up against one of the harshest environments known to man. It is here that he will face an ancient horror.

What do you think might happen when nightmare becomes reality?

Excerpt:

Well this was just great!

Here I was, having successfully completed the mountain and jungle phase for selection into the British Special Forces, and instead of being able to relax and celebrate I was well and truly screwed! I couldn’t believe how quickly things had turned upside down.

I’d been in the Royal Marines for five years, having joined straight from college. I was sixth generation military and even though I’d had to work hard to graduate from the Officer Training Academy, my career had been mapped out for me by my parents from the moment I was born. No time for a normal life, friends, or hobbies. And certainly no time for romance–that would only get in the way of my career. I had been groomed to serve and the military was where I belonged.

It was quickly discovered that I had an aptitude for diving, combat, and navigation. That together with my incredible stamina, meant I’d been recommended for the Special Forces Directorate eighteen months ago by my Commanding Officer.

I’d trained harder than anyone else over that time to ensure I was ready for this, my chance at joining the elite of the elite, as it was something no one else in my family had yet to achieve. Of course, they expected me to pass–even if it killed me!

Sailing through the initial one month pre-selection phase–where they had bested all fifty candidates mercilessly in an effort to test our stamina and mental fortitude. They had ensured the chaff was quickly cut away so the remaining twenty-seven of us could be properly scrutinized for our strengths and weaknesses.

We battled constantly over the next four months to ensure we deserved our place on the course. Four months of relentless mental pressure and stress, where our resolve was tested to the limit under all sorts of conditions. Ensuring they maintained the demands on us, they’d forced us to cover hundreds of miles on foot through all sorts of terrain and environments, carrying outrageous amounts of kit. We’d endured it all, surviving a selection process that had decimated some of the finest soldiers in the world. Then, three short weeks ago at the beginning of October, the remaining twelve of us had arrived here, in Pasto, Bolivia, a brand new training venue in an entirely different world.

The final phase of selection is always conducted in mountainous jungle areas, as they are known to be among some of the harshest environments in existence—a place where human beings don’t belong. Not that you would believe that from the air. Our descent had revealed endless miles of high canopied trees–looking like fields of broccoli from a distance–splintered by rugged canyons and rivers. You would be forgiven for thinking of phrases like; tranquil and idyllic, as your first view of the endless forests would make you feel just that, thereby lulling you into a false sense of security. Because even now, after all this effort, we could still fail or be back-coursed by an ecosystem that could chew you up whole and spit you out in pieces.

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Excerpt - The Dance of the Mystai by Tinnekke Bebout

We love Goddess; we long for Her, but in a culture where violence against women is far too common, where many of us have seen from a young age images of angry men hurting women and children, many of us have internalized that though Mother is strong and loves us fiercely She, like many women, cannot protect the children from an angry, vengeful Father. This is why the first real step on a Goddess Path must be embarking on an internal paradigm shift. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if a paradigm is rejected but not replaced with another, that rejected one will remain in a vestigial form under the surface, waiting to come back full force when we are going through times of pain or trauma.

The rest of the stuff you do as a Goddess Path follower is all very good and useful, but it needs to be integrated into the paradigm shift. We must allow ourselves to be aware of the strength of females, of women. We must trust Goddess as much as we love Her. We must leave behind the feeling that we will only be loved if we behave in the accepted manner and embrace the unconditional acceptance and love that Mama that Goddess offers freely. It sounds simple, but it can be the hardest thing you ever do. Just imagine staring boldly, not trembling, not doubtful, into the face of whatever physical manifestation you want to give the FatherGod paradigm, and saying with a calm, even, confident voice, “You have no power over me.” Now imagine doing it not just once, not just that initial time that caused you to leave the FatherGod paradigm and its known environs to go looking for who-knew-what at the time, but to do it all the time for the rest of your life.

That is the beginning of true Goddess Path, for that is the start of claiming yourself as a Daughter of Goddess. It’s something you’ll do every waking minute as you—consciously at first and later more automatically—put aside the choices you would have made in the old paradigm and embrace the sometimes radically different choices that are yours as a Daughter of Goddess. Don’t worry, however, for you are not alone, nor will you ever be as you make these bold statements, these bold choices for there are women out there with you every day who have made the choices and faced the fears and they are your Sisters in Goddess. They are there with a ready hand and a listening ear and many, many cups of hot chocolate to sustain you as you start this journey and toddle with your first baby steps on this new path as a Daughter of Goddess. And as you gain in strength and wisdom, they will also lean on you as another Sister when they know doubt and fear.

This Sisterhood is to me the biggest and the best gift that Goddess gives Her daughters as they make their way home. For this is also part of the paradigm shift; there may be women who teach you, who write books that you learn from, whose words you may drink in like water on a hot day, but these women are not gurus looking for a hold over you or who expect your deference. These women will not be part of some spiritual hierarchy over you and have the power to say that you belong as a Daughter or not. No one can say that. Goddess loves all Her daughters and we are all equal in Her eyes, and that is how we must treat one another as we interact with each other.

From now on, you are free of the spiritual power over reality and are part of a community of spiritual equals where the only power is the power that comes from within. Don’t put on a pedestal your sisters who have been on the Path longer and are there to offer a helping hand or a wise word or expect to sit and learn at their feet. They don’t want the pedestal, and you are just as capable of a new insight as any of your sisters. Give up your submissive place in the FatherGod spiritual hierarchy and embrace yourself as a capable woman and listen for the voice of Goddess in yourself. It is time to dig deep and learn new ways of thinking so you can get rid of that submissive garbage and be strong in who you are.

We will journey to the Mother together. You will be challenged and you will be required to think for yourself and question and seek answers. Just as a Mother first helps her children get their feet under them as they learn to walk, then as they are stronger lets them run and play and discover their own strengths and weaknesses, so our Mother, the one we have been calling to all this time, will expect us, Her Daughters, to run and play in our freedom and explore our new world and create this new paradigm for ourselves.

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Excerpt - Love Request by Tara Chevrestt

Tammy returned and handed Ciara a steaming mug before she sat down once again. “I see you have been drinking a lot of wine.” Her tone was accusing. She must have seen the empty bottles in the kitchen. “That’s not going to solve your problems, you know.” She blew on her coffee while eyeing Ciara over the rim.

Ciara set her own mug on the coffee table and ran a hand through her short, rumpled bed head. “I know. It does help numb things for a while though.” She offered a sheepish grin.

“There, now. There’s that smile I haven’t seen in two weeks.” Tammy winked.
“Now if you just shower and put some makeup on, we can discuss going back to work. You need to start somewhere.”

“I have vacation time saved.” Ciara waved her suggestion off.

“Bullshit,” Tammy declared. “You may have vacation time saved, but I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by and let you use it to wallow in self-pity.”

Ciara choked on a sip of coffee. “Damn, Tammy! Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

“Girl, this is what friends are for.” Tammy sighed and began on one of her favorite topics. “You need a man.”

“Oh, now I need a maid and a man.” Ciara rolled her eyes heavenward.

“You could get a two-in-one deal if you’re real lucky.”

Ciara snorted. “Tammy, where the hell am I going to meet a man? I don’t even have any friends outside of work, and they’re all married or Mormon. I’m not religiously inclined and let’s not forget I’m deaf. That doesn’t normally go over well with the fellows. They usually get tired of repeating themselves.”

Tammy looked thoughtful for a moment and took another sip of coffee. Her gray gaze scanned the room as though searching for ideas. It lit on Ciara’s laptop, lying forgotten on the coffee table, dangerously close to Ciara’s coffee mug. “How about an online dating service?”

Ciara shook her head. “Again, location, location. I’d have to give up coffee, alcohol, and cursing to hook up with anyone nearby. And those are kind of scary. I know one lady who had a guy claim he loved her and wanted to visit her, but fed her some story about his paycheck being late and he needed money—”

“Oh, forget that then,” Tammy interrupted. “But don’t look for someone nearby. Look internationally. Darling, you’re a very attractive woman. There is hope. Look outside the box.” Tammy punctuated her words by miming a box with her hands.

“You’re crazy.” Ciara laughed for the first time in two weeks. Having her friend and coworker here was perking her up considerably. It was nice to know someone cared. As she’d expected, the family had not stuck around long once her mother was put in the ground. They hadn’t been there when her mom was sick, why would they keep in contact now? No, she wasn’t expecting any phone calls, cards, or even invitations to family reunions anytime soon.

Tammy stood and began marching around the living room, picking up discarded papers, wineglasses, and crumpled tissues. “The Internet is an amazing thing,” she chattered as she worked, turning her head in Ciara’s direction when she did so. “You know I’ve said a zillion times, you must get on Facebook. For such a young, hip person, you sure are out of touch with technology.” She pointed the rim of a wineglass in Ciara’s direction. “It would be a good start and you wouldn’t even have to read lips on there.”

“That stuff is stupid,” Ciara scoffed. “And who would I friend on Facebook? The same people I see now!” she answered her own question.

“Anybody you want to. You could even look up old lovers.” Tammy gestured grandly, cringing as a tissue flew out of her hand and across the room.

Ciara thought about that for a moment. “I don’t even remember most of their names,” she shook her head sadly. “I wouldn’t call them lovers, but one-nighters.”

Tammy left the room to discard her findings and came back, grabbing the laptop as she plopped down on the arm of Ciara’s chair. “You’ve never been in love?” she asked as she opened the laptop. “That’s seriously sad.”

Ciara shrugged. “In school, I was the deaf kid. The boys preferred to make fun of me, not date me. And the ones who weren’t making fun of me were afraid to date me cause they would be made fun of too.” She rolled her eyes. “Then there was college and you know how that is.” She shot her friend a knowing look. They giggled together, both remembering the frat boys and beer kegs. “And then Mom got sick,” Ciara finished.

Tammy began typing on the laptop and her demeanor turned serious. “Well, first we are going to get you hooked up to the outside world.” She held up one finger. “Then we are going to clean this place up.” She held up a second finger before finishing with a flourish. “Then you’re getting on with your life.”

Ciara shook her head in disbelief as she watched Tammy open a page on the Internet. “Facebook, though? Do I have to?” she whined.

“Yes, you do.” Tammy stated firmly. “It’s the first step toward getting you a social life. Now, go get dressed and dolled up, ‘cause we’re going to take a profile picture.” She coaxed Ciara of the chair with her free arm and shoved her toward the bedroom. “Wear something sexy!” she hollered.

“Next thing you know, you’ll have me doing that chirping thing,” Ciara grumbled over her shoulder.

“Chirping? You mean Twitter?” Tammy laughed and choked.

“Whatever! Chirp this!” Tammy ducked just in time as Ciara threw a pillow at her head.

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Giveaway - Phantom by Laura DeLuca

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

In honor of the release of the last book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy (Hyde) at the end of the month, we are giving away eBook copies of Laura DeLuca's "Phantom."

If you don't want to wait to see if you win your copy of "Phantom," you can snag a copy here.


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Excerpt - Phantom by Laura DeLuca

“Lord . . . Justyn?”

It sounded more like a question than an audition call. Miss King looked slightly baffled as she scanned her paperwork and read the last name on her list of male candidates. Once she was certain she had read the name correctly, she called it out once more with a little more confidence. When she received no immediate response, she seemed ready to dismiss the whole thing as a joke. But then a strange black clad figure seemed to materialize in the corner of the stage, and with practiced grace, he moved towards the center of the platform and the waiting microphone.

“That’s Justyn Patko.” Carmen informed Rebecca matter-of-factly. Luckily her best friend was the queen of gossip. “He just moved here this year. From Vegas, I think. He’s in my Calculus class.”

“He’s a little creepy if you ask me,” Debbie whispered.

Creepy he might have been to some, with his black clothes trimmed with silver chains, black hair, and black fingernails. He was obviously Gothic to the core, a fashion statement Rebecca had always thought was secretly a cry for attention. But for Justyn, there seemed no other possibility. She couldn’t imagine the darkly mysterious figure dressed in earth tones or preppy, button-down shirts. They would have clashed with his dark eyes and pale skin. She had seen him in the hallway a few times, but they didn’t share any classes, so Rebecca had never really taken the time to study him before. Despite his odd style, there was something strangely appealing about Justyn. In his own way, he was just as handsome as Tom.

The orchestra tuned for its virtuoso, and Justyn stood ready. But no one else was ready for the magical performance he began. Beside her, Carmen was rambling on about something mundane. Rebecca elbowed her to silence so she could listen to the perfectly thrilling tenor. As she listened to the song unfold, the world around her started to slip away. Gone was the high school auditorium. Gone were the rowdy teenagers. The Gothic stranger on the stage had become the embodiment of Erik, and Rebecca watched him in all his dark glory, belting out his tormented love through the words of his song. And she was as breathless with wonder as Christine herself must have been when the masked stranger serenaded her in the candlelit labyrinth of the opera house. In that moment, Justyn wasn’t just portraying the phantom. Justyn was the phantom.

“Let the music touch your soul.
Let the darkness make you whole.
Do not fear what is unknown.
Your true path has now been shown.
Listen to the words I sing.
Embrace the peace that night will bring.”

As he continued to sing in his deep but somehow angelic voice, Rebecca found that she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. With every line, her heart began to beat faster. She truly felt the arms of night wrapping her in a warm embrace. She could almost feel the hands of the phantom glide along her body as the words poured forth. The music caressed her. It possessed her—mind, body, and soul. Each word left her longing, yearning for more.

She was gawking so obviously, it was hardly surprising when Justyn felt her eyes on him and steadily met her gaze. She realized her mouth was hanging open in stunned awe, and she quickly snapped it shut. His lips moved into just a small hint of a smile. He never took his eyes off her while he sang the final verse, making her cheeks flush to the point that she felt almost feverish. It wasn’t embarrassment but excitement, arousal even, which was sending her mind spinning in so many directions.

 When the song was over, and Rebecca had recovered just a hint of her composure, she couldn’t help but burst into a healthy round of applause. A few scattered people joined in, including Debbie and Carmen after she nudged them in the ribs. But only Miss King seemed to truly appreciate the brilliance of his talent as much as Rebecca did.

“That was amazing, Justyn!” The teacher gushed.

“Lord Justyn.” He corrected as he stepped down from the stage.