~ Some DEADLY CURSES You Want to Catch! ~

We've had a a takeover today! A takeover of a pleasant kind. Donna Shields is our guest today and she is here to tell us about her latest release, DEADLY CURSES, and writing paranormal romantic suspense. Let's listen...




Thank you for having me here today. I’m excited to be on the Deadly Curses blog tour. Deadly Curses, a paranormal romantic suspense is the first book in my Magnolia Valley series.

I had someone ask me how I manage to write different stories. I didn’t know exactly what she meant at first, but then realized she was talking about how the stories aren’t the same cookie cutter style, so to speak. Well, I told her that when I write paranormal romantic suspense (3 different elements), the possibilities are endless. Think about all the different paranormal elements you could pick from to write a story about. To name a few, there are shape shifters (again a few to choose from), vampires, ghosts, ghouls, witches, Voodoo, etc. Then there are the different romantic elements such as secret baby, old flames, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, etc. And finally there is the mass of suspense plots, murder, kidnapping, embezzlement, attempted murder, identity theft, etc. The host of combinations can ensure one story will not be like another, especially when each author puts their own spin on it.

Even the books in the Magnolia Valley series aren’t the same. The first, Deadly Curses, involves a fatal Voodoo curse, grave robbing, murder, and my couple, Ciarra and Trent, who receive a second chance at love. The second book, working title Fatal Intent, involves the mob, betrayal, murder, the ghost of the victim killed and old flames Bianca and Lorenzo. Book three has kidnapping, attempted murder, one who can hypnotize her victims, and a married couple hitting rough patches in their marriage, Book four involves victims being buried alive and a psychic, along with a couple who are complete opposites. Book five and six are still being fleshed out. But as you can see, each is vastly different from the next. But they will all work hand in hand to bring the series arc together.

I love playing the ‘what if’ game. It leads to all kinds of story ideas. This is how I generally start my books. What if there was a magical coin that could transport you to wherever you wanted to go? What if you could never return once you left? What if a witch was chasing you for that very coin?

And that was just a silly start to my what if games. I think there is plenty of choices making lots of diversity in writing so an author couldn’t possibly get bored coming up with some good stories to tell.

Very true! Now let's find out a little bit more about DEADLY CURSES...

Blurb ~

Dr. Trent Moore’s life is complete – a no-strings relationship, financial security, and great health – until he is summoned to his father’s grave and discovers a grave robber stole one of his father’s bones … a finger bone. From there, Trent’s seemly perfect world spirals out of control. Strange occurrences happen, and the sexy lead detective informs him a grief stricken mother has placed a curse upon him. As his near death experiences ramp up, and he finds himself falling in love, he’s beginning to believe there may be some truth to it all. But, will he run out of time before he can tell her he loves her?

When Detective Ciarra Pacelli is assigned to a prominent judge’s suspicious death, she doesn’t know her little world is about to be turned upside down. She discovers other possible victims of a deadly Voodoo curse, one being the gorgeous and stubborn doctor. As she becomes wrapped up in protecting him at all costs, she finds she’s fighting against her developing feelings for him. Once she realizes she can’t, she gives her all in finding a cure against the curse that promises to take him away from her for good.

Excerpt ~

Ciarra straddled the chair close to Trent’s bed resting her head on her hands. His cheeks lacked color. His eyes appeared sunk in. It seemed as if he’d aged within the last two hours.

Gregory came in from the hospital, which was where Trent was attempting to point out through the window just before he passed out, and said Trent probably had a touch of the flu as it was going around, and he was dehydrated.

Flu her ass. More like a damn curse. Ciarra called Tiesha back in. He wasn’t protected. Ciarra looked for the amulet he’d received last night, but never found it.

Trent’s sister in law, Sammy, prepared chicken noodle soup downstairs.

“Oh wow,” Tiesha said upon entering the room. “He doesn’t look very good. About as bad as the other one. I must say your partner’s unbelievable. He’s over there wearing gloves and a mask. I tried to explain to him he couldn’t catch it. But, he won’t listen to a crazy ape like me.”

Ciarra rolled her eyes. High time to give Rick some eye opening life lessons. “What do you think?”

“You should try a shaman or a Vodun priestess. You need to break the curse.” She placed the back of her hand against his cheek. “No fever. If anything, he feels cold and clammy.”

Ciarra eyed her best friend. “So, you know a Vodun priestess I suppose?”

“And a shaman. Which do you prefer? You don’t have a lot of time left.” She pulled out an amulet and handed to Ciarra. “Here is a new one. Place it under his pillow.”

“Thanks for the reminder . . . and the amulet. I guess the best bet would be Voodoo.” Ciarra reached out and ran her hand across the top of his head. She swore she wasn’t going to fall for this man. Yet, she teetered on the edge of a very high cliff with Trent. If only she could just let go and fall.

Jack, oh Jack. What do I do?

Her heart ached, being torn between the dead and the living. How had it happened? Trent lived like a playboy.

But, she could see a side of him he didn’t let out too often. One he wouldn’t really show. But then did a couple of times without knowing, he had.

Ciarra and he were like night and day. They could never last. But, the same could be said for Princess and Brutus. Yet, there the two misfits lay. Brutus the big baby on the rug and precious Princess curled up near his head, as if they had been the best of friends forever. Animals could teach humans a thing or two.

“Hello, Ciarra?” Tiesha waved her hands in front of Ciarra’s face. “Where were you just now?”

Ciarra shook off her thoughts. “Nowhere promising.”

“Oh boy.”

Ciarra raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Oh this isn’t good. You have fallen flat on your face, huh?”

Ciarra turned away and back to Trent.

Then, it hit her. The whole Florence Nightingale syndrome thing. She only cared for him as a human being. “Nope. There will never be another Jack.” Silly little liar.

“Go ahead and lie to yourself. But Ciarra Pacelli, you are not, and I mean not, fooling me. I know you.”

Ciarra crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s only because I have to protect him.” Finally, something to cling to besides love. Maybe, she wouldn’t be tumbling off the cliff after all. She was lying to herself, but it was the only way to protect her from Trent.

“Again, go ahead and twist it any way you want. You have fallen for him.”

Author Bio ~

I’m Donna Shields, author of paranormal romance and romantic suspense – published with Soul Mate Publishing, mom of six, gramma of four precious cuties and wife to an imperfect, yet amazing husband of fifteen years and counting (He’ll say a hundred, roll his eyes, and smile). Psss…I’m imperfect too, but don’t tell him that….

We call the beautiful state of South Carolina our home where there isn’t much hustling and bustling going on, where people are friendly (for the most part-it’s called that Southern Hospitality), strangers wave and say hello with a smile. And it doesn’t hurt being centrally located where the ocean is a mere three hour drive and the mountains no more than an hour and a half away.



I’ve been writing for five years steadily, but have always dabbled with writing short stories here and there. I’m a sucker (no pun intended) for all sorts of paranormal. And when suspense and adventure is thrown in the mix, I’m a truly happy girl. I enjoy writing both genres and at times the lines between the two blur, combining to make paranormal romantic suspense. My heroines are strong, even if quiet. They are independent, yet scarred and in need of a true love. A real hero, one who understands they need their space, but will love them fiercely. The hero may have a hard exterior, but inside he’s a mush ball. And the hero needs that woman who can tame him down a little and love with all her heart and soul.

You can find Donna here:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads | Amazon

You can buy DEADLY CURSES here:

Amazon

Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway