Regan Hastings knows evil. As the author of VISIONS OF MAGIC, Book One of the Awakening series, she has immersed herself in the dark side of human nature. Although VISIONS OF MAGIC is the first book this author has written as Regan Hastings, it’s far from her first book. Under another name, she has been nominated for multiple RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America, and she has appeared many times on the USA Today bestsellers list.
For a sneak peek at VISIONS OF MAGIC, send your guess about her true identity to guesswho@reganhastings.com. If you guess right, you’ll be entered in her contest for a Federal Bureau of Witchcraft fleece jacket.
Modern Evil
by
Regan Hastings
by
Regan Hastings
Evil exists. We recognize it when we see it, and a slightly sour feeling settles in our stomachs. Bile rises in our throats. We brace ourselves. Though we didn’t want to enter the battle, fate has left us with no choice.
I’m speaking, of course, about the dreaded arrival of the latest phone book.
Have you noticed that phone books have begun to multiply exponentially, like some alien creature on the Sci-Fi channel, or like those Real Housewives shows that keep popping up? I live in the Los Angeles area. Every week, a five-pound monster shows up on my doorstep. Greater Los Angeles. Los Angeles and Surrounding Counties. The Real Yellow Pages. Hello, Los Angeles! Olé, L.A.
Okay, I made up that last one. But still… WTF?!
Do we need a new phone book every week? Does anyone under the age of 82 even use a phone book anymore? Maybe… mayyyyybe… out in the boondocks, where you can’t get cell service, but here in L.A., all our little coverage maps are fully colored in, thank you very much. I suppose phone books might be used by crafty types who can make cute little party dresses out of the pages.
To use one of these Giganto phone books, you’re pretty much required to make all your calls from the same place. You’re not going to carry one of those buggers around with you. Hello, phone companies! We’re always on the move, our phones move with us, and most of them have wifi.
That’s right – gasp! – what a concept. Nowadays, we go to the internet when we need to find a number. Then we can tap it with our finger, and the phone dials the number. It’s like magic!
Speaking of magic… As VISIONS OF MAGIC starts, Shea Jameson’s powers are awakening. She’s a witch, the last thing she wants to be. Ten years ago, her aunt was the first woman to burn at the stake under the regime of the Federal Bureau of Witchcraft. An old-fashioned witch hunt is on, powered by 21st century technology and weapons. Shea just wants to be a normal woman, a schoolteacher, but she discovers her power of fire in the most horrific way possible: when attacked, she accidentally sets her assailant on fire.
Through the course of the book, she must learn to control her powers with the help of Torin, her Eternal, a warrior guardian who claims that he’s destined to be her mate.
I should have had Shea practice her powers by targeting unwanted phone books. Zap! Phone book flambé.
The real question is, what kind of slick magical powers do the phone company salesmen possess, that they can convince business owners to continue to buy ad space in these antiquated publications?
Do you use phone books, or do you only look up numbers online? What is your first phone book memory? How many phone books did you receive in 2010? If you had the power of fire, what would you flambé? I can think of a few things…
Book Details
VISIONS OF MAGIC by Regan Hastings
Coming February 1st 2011 by Signet Book
Coming February 1st 2011 by Signet Book
Once, witches were thought to be the stuff of legend, but then Shea Jamison’s aunt was discovered to be a true witch and burned at the stake, the first of many modern-day witches to suffer a fiery fate. With paranoia running high throughout the world, Shea has been haunted by the Magic Police and the Federal Bureau of Witchcraft. They’re looking for any sign that she, too, has powers. But she doesn’t! Or at least, she didn’t … until the day a dangerous man got too close. Now, struggling with powers she can’t control, Shea runs for her life with Torin, an Eternal who swears he can keep her safe, if only she’ll give herself to him in a mating ritual older than time itself. But can she trust this would-be rescuer with her heart? And can she believe him when he insists that she is the only person who can save the world?
VISIONS OF MAGIC book trailer
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first, I am not cyberstalking you! I visit this blog everyday (isn't it most fabulous?). Second, kudos on the segue from phonebooks to your book, clever ;)
ReplyDeleteThird, I still use a phonebook to find a plumber/electrician ect...out of habit I guess. We get about 4 phonebooks a year, I keep one and recycle the others. I agree, it is such a wasteful thing. They should ask if you want one.
Fourth, what would I burn...people texting/dialing cells phones while driving!!! (okay, maybe just fry the phone, not the person, maybe...)
Fifth, y'all need to read the first chapters of this book cause it is most awesome :)
Sharon, LOL! I love being cyberstalked by you. You always say such flattering things. I'm thrilled that you loved the first two chapters. Just over a week left before you can get your hands on the whole thing. VISIONS OF MAGIC will be released on February 1.
ReplyDeleteI LOOOOOVE the idea of zapping cell phones when people are texting while driving. I wouldn't flambe the people, but I might give them a little jolt of heat. The phone, on the other hand, would be toast. Problem solved!
Yet another book to add to my wish list. (Not talking about the phone book either.)
ReplyDeleteYes, we still use phone books at our house. Find them very handy as doorstops or when something needs a little more height to it. Abby, our Bagle (Basset Beagle mix), likes to vent her frustrations on them by shredding them. And I would prefer she used the phone book then any of my books.
As far as looking up numbers though, I normally go online.
I don't really have a first phone book memory. Unless you count them being used as booster seat at Grandma's house.
I've lost count of the number of phone books I received in 2010. They just get chucked into the recycle pile.
If I had the power of fire, I would more than likely be a danger to myself not to mention others. I can just see me accidentally setting my waist length hair on fire. I manage to shock myself on a regular basis as it with all the static electricity right now.
But as far as wanting to flambe something, my vote would go to roasting animal abusers.
Daelith, Thank you! I'm glad you're adding VISIONS OF MAGIC to your wish list. I hope you'll love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the Bagle mix. Too cute! I bet Abby is adorable.
I'm with you on punishing animal abusers! I will never understand the compulsion to hurt living beings. That takes a special kind of evil, a heart without joy.
I'm fond of reading VISIONS OF MAGIC too! I do buy books in every releasing of each series and I even have a complete compilation of its movies. It is just like I am one of them living in their fantasy world.
ReplyDelete