A reluctant knight
A magical descendent
A race against time
A freak accident thrusts Nakeeta Alva into a dangerous world of secrets, ancient spells, and a legacy she never wanted. The last in a magical line, she’s tasked with restoring the balance to a supernatural world poised for ruin.
Tasked with the care of their savior, Crewe’s main focus is survival. Used to giving orders, the knight isn’t prepared for the sassy witch’s mouth or her lure. The powerful woman reminded him of his humanity and challenged his beliefs.
Keeping her safe is his mission, but the real danger may be losing his heart.
Together, they will save the world … or die trying.
Bad Blood
Bad Duology
Book One
Shyla Colt
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: 9/28
ASIN: B07G6TPBZ4
Number of pages: 230
Word Count: 53,317
Cover Artist: Dreams 2 Media
Tagline: He saved her life, and stole her Freedom
Buy Me:
Excerpt
The crack of thunder, proceeded by a bright flash of lighting, drew her attention from the words that swam on the yellowed pages in front of her. Her skin prickled. Hairs begin to rise, and she shifted in her seat. “This storm is wrong.” She whispered. There was power building up behind the weather or perhaps causing it.
She stood and walked from the table, pressing her nose to the cold glass like a child. “Who knows we’re here?” Nervous energy added to her anxiety. Clouds raced over the sky, blocking out the full moon. A slash of lighting exploded, turning the clouds an eerie neon green. Swirling fog crept over the grounds.
“Wrong in what way?” Crewe joined her to watch the abnormal display.
“It’s unnatural? Can’t you feel it?” She opened their link, letting her emotions bleed into his.
He tensed. “Are we under attack?”
“I’m not sure.” The words felt like a lie. People didn’t work this kind of magic for shits and giggles.
“I’m not taking a chance. Let’s get to a more secure location.”
She smiled sadly. “There’s no place you can hide from magic. It’s specific like that. Standing your ground, and hoping you have enough magic to equal or overpower the other person is all you have. Focus. This is no novice.” Lighting struck the ground close to the castle. She twitched. It struck again closer, turning up the ground. A wind tunnel began to form. The base as dark as night.
“They’re calling me out.”
“Who?”
The evil feeling of black magic crawled up her spine. She knew the signature well.
“Genevieve. The Priestess.”
“Can you defeat her?”
“Before? No. Now.” She shrugged. “It’s hard to say. Why are you looking for me?”
“She must know who you truly are.”
“If she did. She never would’ve let me go.” She rubbed her arms to counter the chill setting in.
“How did you escape her the first time?”
She bowed her head. “I found a suitable replacement. I seduced a witch with latent powers, gave her a place to belong, and showed her all the pretty things that came along with the coven. Once, she was hooked, I was freed.” Her throat swelled. “I’m not proud of what I did—.”
“But we all do what we must to survive.”
Saline blurred her vision as she nodded. A boom went off directly above the house. The rumble seemed to shake the ground.
“She won’t stop.”
“You can’t mean to go out there.”
“I have to.” Her gut pulled her toward the front door. She turned, and the hem of her deep pink dress skimmed her toes. Better to remain barefoot, so she could tap into the earth’s energy. Unlike tears before, she felt no fear. Calm descended over her as she made the long trek through the castle at a leisurely pace. Let her wait. She no longer owns you. The voice inside enhanced her confidence and helped snap the lingering chains that held her tight to the way things once were. Once you’d given your submission to a person, it was hard as hell to take it back completely.
Crewe trailed behind her, brooding and apprehensive. It wasn’t in his blood to remain on the sidelines. He wanted to be in the thick of it, defending her. Her heart swelled. They reached the front door, and she turned to face him. Placing her hands on his chest, she looked up. “I know you’ll want to help, but this fight is mine.”
“If you’re hurt—.”
“All I’m asking you to do is be backup. Not the front line.”
His jaw clenched, and he nodded. He brought his hand up to his wrist, sank his fangs in and brought it to her lips. “Drink.”
She latched on to the sweet nectar and sucked it down in greedy mouthfuls. His power charged her like a battery. The wound healed and she pulled back, licking her lips. Centering herself, she used her power to push the heavy door open and stepped into the howling winds, head held high. Her feet padded along the wet stone as she moved toward the grassy knoll where a figure stood in a black dress, shrouded by darkness. She knew all the intimidation tactics, so she dismissed them. Genevie might be using the same old tricks, but she had a new bag of them to unleash.
Shield lifted, she flinched at the lighting strikes raining down on either side of her. The ground shook under the onslaught. She stumbled as the earth rocked, but never fell. Using her newly gained speed, would be giving away her hand. For now, she’d play the role to gather as much information as possible. Genevie threw back her hood and scowled. Her slender oval-shaped face was every bit as flawless as she remembered. No wrinkle dare mare her forehead or around her deepest black eyes. Full lips painted black turned down. Her eyebrows drew together as she looked at her with disgust.
“What do you want Genevie? Our business was concluded long ago.”
“And yet, I hear you of all the beings on this planet are the key to a revolution. I knew I shouldn’t have let you go. Of course, once I have your blood, there’s nowhere you could hide that I wouldn’t find you.”
“Here I stand in plain sight.” Keeta held up her arms.
“Do you think your vampire will help you?”
She smirked. “I don’t need him.”
Genevie blinked. “Bold. Have you forgotten who I am?”
“No. I’ve discovered who I am.”
“This is our chance to rule. The vampires are unstable. Soon the wolves will turn on one another to determine pack hierarchy. It’s the opening we’ve been waiting for. Humans will be the ones to hide in the shadows.”
“And you think witches, who mostly strive to keep the balance will be on board for this? The darkness needs the light to exist. What do you suppose would happen if you removed one?”
The Author
Shyla Colt is the sassy USA Today Bestselling author of the popular series Kings of Chaos and Dueling Devils M.C. This genre-hoppers stories feature three of her favorite things: strong females, pop culture, and alternate routes to happy ever after. Listening to her Romani soul, she pens from the heart, allowing the dynamic characters, eccentric interests, and travels as a former flight attendant to take her down untraveled roads.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, this mid-west girl is proud of her roots. She used her hometown and the surrounding areas as a backdrop for a number of books. So, if you’re a Buckeye, keep an eye out for familiar places.
As a full-time writer, stay at home mother, and wife, there’s never a dull moment in her household.
She weaves her tales in spare moments and the evenings with a cup of coffee or tea at her side and the characters in her head for company.
You can interact with Shyla Colt online
Website: www.shylacolt.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshyla.colt and
Twitter: @shylacolt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shylacolt/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5034494.Shyla_Colt
The Interview
Who are some of your favorite authors?
There are so many, Kiersten White, Holly Black, Rainbow Rowell, and Jim Butcher to name a few.
Who are some authors in your genre that inspire you?
Jim Butcher is a huge inspiration. His world and character building are incredible!
What are some great books you’ve read recently?
I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed These Vicious Masks Kelly Zekas and Taurn Shanker, and Origin by Jessica Khoury.
What types of books do you enjoy in your downtime?
I enjoy reading all kinds of books. I do try to make sure I get in at least one nonfiction title a month.
What are you working on now? Any chance of a sequel?
I am currently working on Bad Moon which is the sequel to Bad Blood. It’ll be the end of the Duology, but there may be more short stories in the series.
What are the upsides and downsides to being an author?
The upsides are setting your own hours, loving what you do for a living, and being able to work from anywhere. The downsides are, constantly putting yourself out there. (even when you’ve been doing it for years, it’s still difficult to put what you’ve created out into the world to be judged.) Also, being in charge of everything can be overwhelming at times. It’s a balancing act.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I get up around six, get my kiddos up, feed, and off to school, and then I sit down and start to write. I take breaks in-between the writing to rest my brain, and repeat until it’s time to pick my littles up from school. There are other days I dedicate more to graphics, or the business side of writing as well.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes. I personally believe it works differently for each person. For me personally, it means that I’m lacking something. It could be lack of downtime, trying to make the story go in a direction that doesn’t feel organic, or not putting anything into the well of creativity. I’m a huge believer that you have to feed the must new experiences to keep it happy.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I always take a step back and figure out what I’m lacking. Am I really tired? Should I step away from working for a few days, take a trip somewhere new, or simply read a book. Once I narrow down the source of my block, it’s usually pretty easy to get the words flowing again.
Out of all the books you’ve written, do you have a favorite?
No. I think book are a bit like children, you love them all equally, and each has their own qualities and quirks.
If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?
Oh wow. Because I’m a genre hopper, I’d ask them what they prefer to read. If it’s contemporary romance, I’d say Left. If it’s paranormal romance, I’d suggest The Purgatory Series.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
For me, every time I take a trip for research it’s a literary pilgrimage, and I do it all the time. My latest trip was to the Ohio State reformatory.
What is the first book that made you cry?
I don’t know that I remember the answer to that. Perhaps Charlotte’s Web, or Where the Red Fern Grows? I remember distinctively crying for both of those.
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon GC
Pine Enshrined Reviews 