Witch Way To Turn: The Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Witch Way to Turn

By Karen Y. Bynum

Witch Way Series Book #1

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.

Date of ePublication: August 6, 2012

Print: October 1st

ISBN: 9781616503994

Number of pages: epub 237

Word Count: 78,000

Lyrical Press

Blurb/Book Description:

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?

The last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work. But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural underworld.

Myles, Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load of secrets--one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence.

Orin is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though it means risking his own.

Despite a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness within, she could lose her sister…forever.

WARNING: Contains strong language and some graphic content.

“You Breena Cross?” The white guy closed the distance between them.

“Who’s askin’?” she shot back.

“The witch has attitude.” The black guy moved closer.

“Hey, who you calling a witch, ass?” She gripped her car key tight against her palm, ready to go for the eyes first.

It happened so fast, she didn’t even have a chance to use her makeshift weapon. The white guy pinned her against the car door and her keys fell to the ground.

“We got her,” the white guy said. His breath smelled like rotten hamburger.

She tried to push him off her, but he forced her even harder into the door handle.

“He’s gonna be real happy with us, Jay,” the white guy practically sang.

Breena wondered who “he” was, but only for a second, because the guy’s lips pulled back and she saw his teeth. They were flat but, somehow, they looked sharp.

Sharp? What the hell?

His gaze was a roaring fire of hunger. Predatory. It looked like he wanted to rip her throat out.

He made a low growl and pressed his lips to her neck. A sound like crazed bees buzzed in her ears, nearly deafening her. She didn’t know what to do. Her palms began to sweat and, for a moment, she thought the blue light would be her saving grace, but her hands only shook.

“Back away from her.” The man sounded calm enough, but his voice had an edge to it that meant business.

“You lookin’ to lose a fight?” Jay swiveled around.

“I never lose.”

He appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Breena’s attacker by the back of his shirt and threw him a good two or three parking spaces down the lot. The black guy froze in place.

Her savior’s ears sprang up through his hair into two sharp points.

The two guys got one good look at the pointed ears and hauled tail.

Breena didn’t blame them for running. She would’ve joined them if curiosity hadn’t got the better of her. Besides, it was hard to be too scared of someone who’d just saved your life and looked sexy as all get out. So what if he had weird-looking ears?

“What are you?” She fidgeted with the strap on her backpack, swallowing her nerves.

He smiled, revealing beautiful not-at-all-sharp teeth. “You can’t tell?” He sounded surprised.

“No.” She twisted her hair. “Should I be able to?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve had very little experience with halflings.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Halflings?

“No. I didn’t.”

Annoyance chasing away the last remnants of fear, Breena let out a little huff. Was he trying to push her buttons?

He moved closer, his steps as graceful as flowing water. His eyes caught her attention immediately--a ghostly pale-green with a golden circle around each pupil. Standing by her side, he propped himself against the VW.

“Amazing,” he whispered, staring at her. His gaze was intense, and slightly bewildered, as if he were trying to solve a riddle.

“What is?”

“Your soul. It’s strong.”

Weird much? She shifted on her feet, eyeing the keys on the ground.

“Sorry. You must think I’m a crazy superhero-wannabe.” He shook his head and traced his finger along his open palm. “Your kind is so rare.” His eyes lit up as he smiled. He stooped to pick up the keys and handed them to her.

Breena snatched them and started backing away from the car as nonchalantly as possible.

About to run like hell? Me?

“You asked what I am,” he said.

She hesitated. Nodded.

“I’m a preternatural.”

EXCERPT

She ignored his emotional assault as she locked the door. They walked through the shared backyard, down the hill, and to the stony side of the river. She sat on the biggest rock, closest to the water. He trailed along after her at human speed, choosing a spot next to her on the gray surface.

A strong citrus smell hung in the air, like a bucket of lemon-fresh Pinesol had been dumped out nearby.

“I called the president,” he announced.

“Why?”

“You’re not safe here. I don’t know how to protect you anymore.”

“I don’t need protecting.” She pushed off the rock.

Myles grabbed her arm by the elbow. His touch sent little shockwaves through her body. Breena knew he only wanted to look out for her and Jenny but she needed him to help her understand this, not keep her from it.

“Dammit, Myles.” She tried to pull her arm free.

He released her the moment she started to resist. “Lucinda sent a local crew to clean up at Norma’s.”

“Lucinda?” She sat on the edge of the rock.

“The president.”

“What’s she the president of anyway?”

“The company the witches run. It’s their way of blending in. Keeping their power a secret.”

“Why all the secrecy?”

His eyes seemed to twinkle in the sunlight. It was distracting. “We all have our orders.”

Okay, so the witches must not be at the top of the food chain, even though the WC sounded like a very powerful lot. “Who do the witches take orders from?”

“The Djinn.”

She’d heard of them before. But where? Then she remembered a book she’d read in English class in high school. “Like genies?”

“Sort of.” Standing, he offered her his hand but said nothing more.

Guess this conversation is over.

Still there were plenty of things she wasn’t telling him either, so she couldn’t really complain. For starters, should she tell him about the feeding?

Overall:

This book has some snap and it grabbed me from the first page. I liked Breena immediately and was sucked in. We meet her first when she is at work, clock watching and worried about her sister. The voice comes across clear, with emotion blaring right through and that is a read worth pursuing. Breena is placed in the all too common situation of worrying about her sister, only the danger lurks at home with her foster mother's abusive boyfriend. When Breena lets loose, she unleashes a power that will drive every supernatural being within miles to her door. Compelling story line...I liked it a lot.

The characters, voice, realistic action, dialogue and the interesting love story really piqued my interest. I wasn't sure who to vote for, but that is part of the fun! If you want a fast paced, action packed supernatural adventure, then you will love this book!

4.5/5

The Interview:

Hi Dana! *virtual hand shake* So excited to be here today!

1. What fascinates you about witches?

Being able to do the extraordinary with a mere thought, wand, twitch of the nose or the flick of a wrist.

2. What are some of your witchy favorites in books and movies? 

Even though I write about witches, I really didn't read a ton of witch-related books growing up. I read the entire Harry Potter series for the first time when I was 26. I'm actually glad I didn't read them before that, or I would've gone crazy waiting for the next book to be released! lol I grew up watching Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and re-runs of Bewitched.

3. Harry Potter or Harry Dresden:

To be honest, I had never heard of Harry Dresden... I just Googled him and now I want to watch the show! : I absolutely love Harry Potter though. The books and the movies were both amazing! I can read/watch them again and again.

4. Midnight Margaritas vs Chocolate Martinis?

Yummy question. :) Flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble! Yup, I'm a Midnight Margarita girl.

5. True Blood vs. Walking Dead (or both) 

Definitely Walking Dead! I did love the first season of True Blood, but after that it veered so far away from the books that I just couldn't stay with it. I absolutely loved the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris!!!

6. Do you have a playlist?

Most certainly. I create a playlist for each one of my books. It helps me to focus on a particular book and get into the writing groove. 

7. Tell us about the first steamy scene you ever wrote.

 Ooo, I'd like to share it with you! (This wasn't the very first steamy scene I wrote, but it was the first steamy scene in Witch Way to Turn that wasn't just about kissing.) I like to push the envelope with my steamy... Bwahaha

(Excerpt)
Orin closed the distance between them with one smooth step and drew her into a powerful embrace, latching his arms around her waist and holding her snug against his chest. “I’ve missed you.” He traced her jaw line with a trail of hot kisses. His breath caressed her skin.

“I can tell.” Breena lifted her head off his shoulder, so he could see her playful eye roll.

Even though his ears shot up through his hair, his eyes kept their sunflower ring. “When I’m away from you, all I can think about is being with you again.” He brought her arms to his neck, scooped her legs up and wrapped them around his waist. “Do you want me?”

She hesitated, not because she didn’t want to be with Orin, but because being with him like that meant in her mind she’d sealed her choice. “Yes.”

He smiled, seeming not to notice her hesitation. His lips grazed hers. He playfully nibbled her earlobe as he carried her to the bedroom. Her ears rose, but it wasn’t a soul she wanted to devour. She caught his smile.

“What?” she asked.

“Your ears say you’re happy to see me,” he whispered in her ear.

And she was. She wanted him. But in the brief amount of time it took for them to move from foyer to bedroom, Breena had already thought of a butt-load of questions to ask Orin. Why had he gone to see the queen? Was he in danger of being killed since he hadn’t killed Breena? Did he know anything about her parents?

No, she told herself and locked the questions in a mental filing cabinet for later. Right now she needed to lose herself. Needed Orin.

In the bedroom, he set her down on the bed. He slowly caressed the length of her erect ear with his fingertip. “You’re beautiful,” he said.
She reached for him, drawing him into a kiss, and he yielded to her with a soft sigh. Wherever she wanted this to go, she knew he would take her there. With Orin, doubt wasn’t a word she had to worry about. He wanted her. Would do anything for her. He was the perfect choice.
When her kiss deepened, so did his. She had the overwhelming urge to lean back and surrender her desire to him. God, she needed to get out of these clothes. Needed his skin on hers.

As she began to lift her shirt, he caught her hand in his. “Let me.” Raising her arms, he let his fingers meander down until he reached the hem.

Her breathing went shallow with anticipation. Her body ached with wanting, need. Sweat beaded the nape of her neck. This was it. They were alone. Free to do whatever they liked. And Breena could think of a lot of things she’d like to do with Orin...  

8. What are you working on now? 

Currently I'm writing book #2 in the Witch Way series. Things go from complicated to crazy for Breena. I love torturing my characters. Yes, I know, I'm evil. ;)


Thanks!! Thanks so much for inviting me on your blog!! *waves*

Author Bio:

Karen Y. Bynum is an author of young adult paranormal fantasy.  Her novel Witch Way to Turn is published through Lyrical Press.  She grew up in Hickory, North Carolina where mountains and magic surrounded her.  Even as a child, she wrote her own faery tales and prattled incessantly to her imaginary friends.

After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications, she went on to become certified in culinary arts from The Art Institute of Charlotte.  But it wasn’t until her aerospace engineer husband accepted a job in Virginia and they relocated that she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up.

With the support of family and friends, Karen embarked on a journey with the voices in her head.  They wouldn’t stop talking (yes, she does answer back) and their stories took shape.

Karen currently lives in coastal Virginia and enjoys reading, tweeting, writing and spending time with her husband and their spoiled rotten Vizsla named Rusty.

http://www.karenbynum.com/

http://karenbynum.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/karenybynum

http://www.facebook.com/KarenYBynum

http://pinterest.com/karenybynum/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5781888.Karen_Y_Bynum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ir6uvdq3E

Tour wide giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift card

$15 Starbuck Gift card

2 ebook copies Witch Way to Turn

a Rafflecopter giveaway