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Cover & Excerpt

Out of the Broom Closet by Ashlyn Chase
Love Spells Gone Wrong Book Three

Wiccan priestess Michele Erikson won't harm others with spells, even if it's the only way to save herself from a crazed stalker wielding black magic, who has chased her from Portsmouth, NH to Daytona Beach FL.

Ex-NFL player turned bodyguard Vic Matthews didn't believe in magic until late in the game. Once he understands the power at Michele’s fingertips, he must convince her to use everything in her arsenal to save herself.

He'll lose Michele, his part-fey client and lover, if he can't persuade her that self-defense won’t compromise her Wiccan principles. It's time to come out of the broom closet and come out fighting.
Note: This was originally published in July 2010 under the Cyndi Redding pen name. It has been updated with extensive additional material and new characters.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Content/Theme(s): Romantic Comedy, Magic, Witches, Fae, Bodyguard, Humor
Release Date: February 29, 2016
Publisher: Lachesis Publishing

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Excerpt:
Michele jumped at the loud knock. She hid behind the shoji screens and waited for the door to open. When she heard the click and squeak, her whole body tensed.

A low, familiar voice said, “Michele? It’s me, Vic.”

She let out the breath she’d been holding and stepped around the screen.

“You should probably get a lock on this door,” he said.

“Why? It would only keep my friends out while my enemy could easily unlock it with magic and walk right in.”

Light filled the corridor and silhouetted Vic’s leather-clad, strong body. As he stepped inside, the red and black pillar candles flickering on the table revealed his handsome face. A strong sense of relief washed over her.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Did you see him?”

“I saw someone about 6 feet, 160 pounds, shoulder-length brown hair that hasn’t seen shampoo for a few days, gold hoop in one ear and a snake tattoo on his neck.” Vic closed the door and braced a chair under the doorknob.

“That’s him.” She clutched her cramping stomach. “Where is he now?”

“He’s gone.” Vic strolled over to the futon, sat, and leaned forward on his elbows.

“Michele, why don’t you sit down?”

“I can’t. Too jumpy.” She had to pace but didn’t get very far. As she passed Vic he reached out and grabbed her hand. She snapped her head around and they exchanged intense stares.

“Sit. You’re making me nervous.”

Michele blew out a breath and flopped down beside him on the futon. “How am I supposed to feel? This lunatic almost killed me!”

Vic gently swept a long strand of hair that had fallen over her face behind her ear. “You never told me about that third attempt.”

She chewed her lower lip. She could feel cold invading her chest. “I . . . I will. Soon.” She swallowed hard and whispered, “But, it was so scary, not to mention humiliating.”

He slid an arm around her. “I’ve been humiliated a few times. Don’t worry. It’ll never leave this room.”

“This is different. You weren’t . . .” Her lack of words had her wondering how she would ever tell him about this.

“You’re safe,” he said. “I’m here and Grant’s not.”

She reached around his warm, strong body and pulled herself closer. His thumb stroked her collarbone and comforted her. Then her hand bumped up against something hard. “What’s that?”

“Protection,” he said and plucked a gun from behind his back. He laid it on the small table next to them, making sure the safety was on. If he was worried that she might voice an objection, he didn’t need to be. Besides, he needed it for his own protection just as much as hers. You could never be too careful around stalkers.

“I don’t mind telling you, I’m terrified. Having you nearby is nice, but he’s a psychopath. He’s clever and careful and always has to be the only man around me. I’m afraid he’ll hurt you if he sees us together.”

“Don’t worry about me.” He patted the firearm. “I can take care of myself.”

Even if he was a little arrogant, she wished she had his confidence. Of course, Vic didn’t understand what he was getting into.

She couldn’t let herself be lulled into a false sense of security just because this handsome hunk was always hanging around. She bit her lip. She couldn’t let him think he was able to overcome this particular stalker with his usual inner and outer strength.

“What was Donovan doing?” she asked.

“He seemed to be shopping.”

A knot tightened her stomach and told her that she might not like the answer to her next question. “What did he buy?”

Vic leaned back and stretched his arms across the back of the futon. “I saw most of the things, but the assortment means nothing to me. Maybe you can figure out from his shopping list what he’s up to.”

Michele nodded. “I might. Some of what goes on in sorcery is the same as witchcraft, just misused for evil ends.”

Vic listed the items as if they were merely groceries. “He had dragon’s blood ink and a few prepackaged items. Wormwood, sandalwood, chicory and poppy seeds. Oh, and a pile of black candles.” He watched Michele’s eyes grow progressively larger.

“Crap.” She buried her face in her hands.

“What? Tell me what that stuff means. I might be able to predict the guy’s next move.”

She raised her head but her eyes were closed tight and the lids trembled. “Wormwood and sandalwood combined can raise the dead. Even, if he’s not doing that, he can use the wormwood alone to increase his psychic power.”

Vic didn’t react, telling himself not to show a shred of doubt. Obviously, she believed this guy could do those things, and she was scared.

Then, Michele told him something that made sense. “It’s also poisonous in anything but small doses and can be used to make a very addictive liquor that’s now outlawed called Absinthe.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why would you carry something like that?”

“Because it’s also very powerful when used to attract love. The two things that people want most are love and money. They come here to help improve their lives—not end them. Besides, customers in this shop are warned about anything that could be poisonous, and Wiccans stick to the accepted uses. Some things we can’t order at all anymore, like Belladonna.”

“Sounds like the unaccepted uses could be a clue as to what he has in mind. I’m not worried about you drinking anything he tries to give you. You wouldn’t fall for that.”

“Unless he uses mind control. I’d bet money that the black candles are to protect him from me. If he tries some of his spells to get close enough to hurt me with non-magical tactics.” She shuddered.

Vic listened in silence. He didn’t know what the hell to say, anyway.
~~~~~~
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