Title: Witchling Summoned
Author: Maddie James
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance (short story)
Book Blurb:
Jade McIntire is flunking out of WWU—Witches & Warlocks University. While retaking Potions & Lotions 201 for the third time, on the eve of Halloween no less, she meets up with a High Warlock of McScreamy proportions who delivers an urgent quest.
A quest, which for this witcherly-challenged, WWU near-dropout, seems impossible to achieve. Just when she thinks the task has been accomplished, she learns she’s been summoned—a High Warlock somewhere has chosen her for his future, High Witch mate. But if she can’t pass Potions & Lotions, how in the netherworld can she pass High Witch training?
What’s a lowly witchling to do, when the High Warlock of her McNightmares comes knocking with marriage on his mind?
Excerpt:
Jade sucked in a breath and held it. He was very sexy—for an older man. She side-eyed him—and determined he was probably all of thirty-two years old. Maybe thirty-three.
Nevertheless. Too old for her.
The High Warlock locked gazes with her. He strode forward, all his black-haired, black-wardrobed, and black-auraed self. As he moved closer, his gape never wavering from hers, Jade felt her heart trip-hammer in her chest at light-speed.
Oh, motherofallwitches, save me. Save me, now. I. Am. So…
Busted.
“Jade McIntyre?” His voice was smooth as chocolate and bitter as coffee beans. Nice.
And screwed. I am so screwed. “Y—yes?”
He stopped in front of her, narrowed his gaze, and cocked his head a little to the left. “You, are Jade McIntyre?”
She nodded.
Hands on hips—and nice slim hips they were, too—he blew out a breath and glanced off. Simultaneously, Jade finally let her breath go too.
“Pink,” he stated.
Shit. She glanced down at her shirt. “Um.” Back to his face now. “Sorry. Forgot to do laund—”
Leaning forward, he placed two big hands on her desk, on either side of her exam paper—nice hands they were, too—then willed her gaze up to his, just like he’d tucked an imaginary finger under her chin and tilted it there.
Had he?
Didn’t know. Didn’t care. All she knew now was that she was lost in a pool of black eyes that made her quite dizzy. Then he spoke.
“Pick up your magic pencil. Now, Jade. And complete your test.”
“Wha—?”
“Now, finish your test.”
“Bu—”
His voice rose. “Are you always this much of a pain in the ass?”
“Yes!”
The word whooshed out of her mouth with a gust. She picked up the magic pencil and when she did, the pencil took over and before she knew it, the lead was scratching over the exam, answers were pouring out of her head, and then the exam and pencil flew across the still classroom air to land on top of the Professor High Witch’s still-steamy heap.
It all happened in like, 3.2 seconds.
After that, all she remembered was the High Warlock grasping her hand, flipping her over onto his back, and saying, “Hold on.” With her classmate witchlings’ mouths agape, they flew out of the classroom, through the halls of the university building, and exited via an open window at the end of the hall. Straight into the black night. All the while riding on this most magnificent warlock’s back, wind whipping her hair into her face.
Ah, the tangles explained.
That’s all she remembered until a moment ago.
And that’s exactly the thought she was left with as the High Warlock of her McDreams—or was it her McNightmares?—burst through the metal door of her cell.
It was a cell, right?
Groan. This didn’t bode too well for her, did it?
Buy Links (including BookBub):
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
Elvira. Remember her? Slinky black dress, cleavage, long inky black hair. I’m way past the Elvira time of life, but wouldn’t it be fun? (I realize I’m dating myself here!)
In the story, Witchling Summoned, Jadie has a special Elvira dress she was saving for her witchling graduation. Do you think she will get to wear it?
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
This short story is a shift from my normal voice and writing style—but I had a lot of fun writing it! If you are looking for a fast, easy to read, witch story, Witchling Summoned might be for you. It’s a complete short story, but I’m contemplating more to come.
Night Owl Reviews gave Witchling Summoned a 4.5 star review (for the collection) saying, “A great whip smart story of a sassy witch in training. This is my favorite of the bunch!”
Giveaway:
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Open internationally
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Maddie James writes to silence the people in her head—if only they wouldn’t all talk at once!
From flirty contemporary romance to darker erotic titles—often mixed with a dash of suspense or a hint of paranormal—James pens stories that frequently blend a variety of romantic sub-genres. The happily-ever-after, of course, is non-negotiable.
Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense.” Maddie is the award-winning author of over fifty titles of fiction—from short stories to novels—and a Top 100 Amazon Bestselling Author. Learn more at http://www.maddiejames.net.
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