Welcome back to another spotlight of a featured author for the 2020 Coastal Magic Convention. The convention is only four weeks away and the author I'm delighted to introduce you to today is the irrepressible and multi-talented Elicia Hyder. I first met Elicia four years ago at a reader-author event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I've been fortunate to attend many events over the years where I have met numerous authors but few - no, let me amend that - none have been quite as memorable as my introduction to Elicia. You see, rather than shaking hands over a table at an author signing, or exchanging conversation over cocktails at a meet and greet, I first met Elicia in the hallway of my hotel, in my pajamas, with bed head and no makeup, somewhere between midnight and dawn, while fire alarms were blaring all around us. Even if I didn't enjoy her books - and I do - and even if she wasn't a woman whose zest for life is inspiring - and it is - she would still be an author I would never forget. A very interesting life path (read more on her website and follow her on social media) has led this wife and mother of five to a full-time career as a writer of paranormal suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction.
Back in the eighties, my late husband and I became avid fans of women's roller derby, watching bouts on TV and supporting our local team so, of course, I was excited when I first heard that Elicia Hyder was planning a contemporary series set within that world. Even more exciting was learning that she created this series after spending time "living the life" as a member of the Nashville Rollergirls. Her first-hand experience comes to life in these stories that are filled with humor, likeable characters, strong female friendships, and women challenging themselves to discover their strengths, and weaknesses, and, ultimately, be their best selves.
The first book in Hyder's Music City Rollers series is Lights Out Lucy.
Lucy Cooper isn't looking for love when she finds it - or slams into it, rather - during rush hour traffic. But her heart, like her car, is a total loss the moment West Adler steps out of his truck to inspect the damage.
West truly is the perfect guy; handsome, funny, rich. The benefactor of not one, but two children's hospitals. And he's the main sponsor of the Music City Rollers, Nashville's championship roller derby team.
When Lucy discovers the Rollers are actively recruiting "Fresh Meat," she puts her life on the line to catch West Adler's attention. But will accident-prone Lucy skate off with the heart of Nashville's Most Eligible Bachelor? Or will she get herself killed in a sport that promises, "It's not a matter of if you'll get hurt - but of how bad and when."
It's a story that had me smiling from beginning to end, immersed in the lives of these characters, and totally hooked on the series by the time I reached the final page.
Best revenge on a cheating man?
A dozen eggs.
A stolen dog.
And a night with his very best friend.
After a two-year struggle to conceive ends with her husband getting another woman pregnant, Grace "Britches Get Stitches" Evans is taking out her frustrations on the roller derby track. Full-contact violence and absolutely no cheating men? Best divorce-support group ever.
With the help of her teammates, Grace is reclaiming one piece of her broken heart at a time--starting with the family dog, which she lost in the divorce. When the dognapping ends with a call to the police, the best revenge shows up at her door in the form of Officer Jason Bradley. He's hot. He loves animals. And he's her ex-husband's best friend.
Then her ex does the unimaginable, threatening everything she has left as well as the new life she's started to build. Only Grace isn't the woman he kicked to the curb anymore. Derby has taught her a priceless lesson...
How to hit back.
I was there for every step of this multi-layered, personal journey as Grace rediscovers her passion for life, and love, along with her confidence, strength, and self-worth. It's a journey filled with laughter, anguish, devious revenge (I may have cheered), more laughter, a few tears, and a sigh-inducing, dog-loving hero who not only captured Grace's heart but mine as well. And then there's the wonderful supporting cast, led by Grace's college intern, a snobby senior customer with surprising depths, Grace's family (loved them but I would never accept an invitation to dinner), and Bodhi, the adorable dog who might turn her into a felon (but it would be so worth it).
I can't wait to find out what Elicia Hyder has in store for the ladies of the Music City Rollers next!
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When Elicia isn't busy writing contemporary roller derby romance she's hard at work creating new additions to her enormously popular The Soul Summoner series and The Soul Summoner Companion Stories. If you enjoy paranormal suspense or urban fantasy thrillers, you won't want to miss these spellbinding stories.
Blessed or cursed with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people...and the worst. With nothing more than a glance at a photograph, she can judge the living from the dead and the good souls from the evil ones. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability a secret, but eleven young woman have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.
She has agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger--who is as alluring as he is terrifying--shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.
Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other one would kill to keep her safe.
With more than 1800 reviews and a 4.5 star average on Amazon, the first book, The Soul Summoner, will have you hooked and eagerly anticipating each subsequent book in the series (many of which are currently on sale or available in reduced-price boxed sets). Hyder brings this beloved series to a conclusion on March 31, 2020 with the release of book nine: The Daughter of Zion.
It all ends where it first began...
Life as Warren Parish knew it fell apart during his short time away from Earth. Now the most vile demon of all time is assembling his army to destroy mankind.
The final showdown has begun.
The Detective, The Mercenary, and The Archangel are companion stories featuring the three leading men of The Soul Summoner series. Elicia would like to know which type of leading man is your favorite: the funny, drool-worthy detective, the badass, sexy Marine, or the seductive Archangel of Death?
One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, January 25, will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and their choice of a signed copy of The Detective, The Mercenary, or The Archangel.
*Must be 18 or older
All of the above would be wonderful, but I'll go with funny for his first quality. It's very rare, but I've read a few books that had me laughing so hard I was crying, and then a few pages later I was crying again, but this time because of something sad. Emotional stories are often remembered. Great conversations between the hero and heroine, though, make me smile - and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAnother new-to-me author. I can't say that I've ever read anything based on Roller Derbies but from what I've seen on TV, they look like fun...if one can understand what's going on. I think I would also opt for the funny, drool-worthy type hero. Sounds like my kind of guy but that's not to say that a bad-ass sexy marine isn't right there as well.
ReplyDeleteI'll take the funny, drool worthy detective please! Never underestimate the power of intelligence combined with a sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteThe funny drool worthy detective is smart and not given credit. He is real and has smarts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe detective sounds like he can deal with anything. This is a great intro to a new author with creative books.
ReplyDeleteYou have introduced me to another new to me author. I love a hero who is funny, smart and kind. And books which have terrific conversations between the heroine and hero make my heart beat faster.
ReplyDeleteI want to read a book which makes me laugh. And characters who enjoy spending time with one another, make me enjoy their company too.
I met Elicia at that same conference. She is definitely a character with a definite zest for life. Please don't enter me in your contest as I already own Elicia's books. I so wish I could attend this conference but I'm visiting Florida only for a few days in the early part of February.
ReplyDeleteI would have to go with the detective. A sense of humor is so important. I have seen the covers of some of her books, but have never read any. I have read some paranormal books and this series sounds interesting. Her roller derby series deals with some tough women. It will be interesting to see how that influences the characters and the stories.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could attend Coastal Magic. We have been in Florida the past 2 weeks and head home tomorrow. I just can't manage to come down again. Several authors I enjoy reading will be there.
ReplyDeleteI met Elicia on the Barbara Vey Cruise, had an awesome time!! Love the funny drool worthy guy! You always need humor in our lives!
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo choosing the Archangel of Death! The books sound really fun :)
ReplyDeleteElicia Hyder is my absolute favorite author. Her books are absolutely AMAZING!! If you haven't read her books yet I highly recommend them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance!!💜💙
I'm #TeamNathan all the way!!
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