Novel Magic: New Orleans Voodoo in His Magic Touch
Novel Magic features New Orleans Voodoo this week–and you know how we love Voodoo–in Author Debby Grahl’s fantasy romance–His Magic Touch. Read all about it and get a little excerpt below. Don’t miss the chance to win a FREE copy of His Magic Touch PLUS another great read by none other than–ME!
About His Magic Touch
by Debby Grahl
New Orleans is also known as the Crescent City or the Big Easy. My husband David and I first 
visited the city in 1989 and fell in love with it. I’m a history buff by heart so I found the old Spanish architecture with its wrought iron balconies enchanting. All you have to do is walk the streets of the French Quarter to feel the magic.
There’s a saying, “Only in New Orleans.” And this is so true. As I sat on our hotel balcony sipping a glass of wine and munching on a bag of voodoo chips, I could see a musician setting up on the corner. Soon the clear sounds of his saxophone filled the night. The smell of spicy gumbo from the restaurant across the street wafted through the air. The clip clop of a horse- drawn carriage passed beneath me, its driver thrilling his passengers with tales of the ghosts who haunt the city. A man, painted silver, walked along juggling oranges, while a bicycle cab pedaled by. On Bourbon Street, a second line band marched past. A group of laughing tourists carrying red go cups went into a bar, and the long low whistle of a paddle wheeler on the river could be heard.
As I sat there taking it all in, I thought what a wonderful place to set a story. From its diverse people and cultures to its incredible food, such as hot sugary beignets, po boy sandwiches, and crawfish etouffee; every kind of music from funky blues to jazz, rock ‘n roll to country; and Voodoo shops, haunted houses, and above-ground cemeteries.
People claim witches and ghosts walk the streets,
and I have to admit sometimes I believe it’s true. It was while touring St. Louis #1, the oldest above-ground cemetery in the city, standing in front of the tomb of the Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, that the idea for His Magic Touch began. I swear she zapped me. I started feeling faint and had to leave the tour. Now, my husband will tell you it was because of the heat, but I felt fine until we approached her tomb. I think my version is more interesting. My research began with local witchcraft and hauntings.
I hope His Magic Touch brings a little of New Orleans to life for you, and you’ll get a chance to visit this unique city on the Mississippi.
His Magic Touch
New Orleans. Jared Duper discovers an demonic witch has kidnapped his brother. He must break his engagement to Kendra O’Connell, or they die. With help from an ancestor’s spirit, can Jared defeat the dark magic descending over the Big Easy while winning back the woman he loves?
A Taste of Voodoo from His Magic Touch
In the stifling heat, Angelique Montief flicked her wrist and set the bamboo ceiling fan spinning. Kneeling on a woven mat with sweat coating her body, she lifted a small wooden brass-bound casket from the bottom of a large trunk, inserted a gold key, and opened the lid. Inside two objects lay wrapped in thick cloth. She carefully unwrapped the smaller bundle to reveal a pentagonal mirror, a gift handed down to her by her grandmother, its ancient oak frame carved with tiny pentacles.
She glanced over her shoulder at her locked bedroom door, then stared into the mirror and whispered, “Show him to me.” When the glass remained blank, fear clutched at her chest. Again, she said the words, and the image of a plantation house engulfed in flames appeared. “No, please, he can’t be dead. ”Tears blurred her vision. The fiery image changed to reveal a human form lying beneath flowering bougainvillea. “Show me his face.”
She saw his indigo blue eyes blink open.
“I’m coming, my love.”
She rewrapped the mirror and placed it into the smaller casket among cloth bags of herbs and potion-filled vials. Relocking the lid, she hung the key on a chain around her neck, dropped a jeweled dagger into her pocket, and tucked the casket under her arm.
Augustus had locked her in, placing what he thought would be an impenetrable shield across both doors. Her husband’s biggest mistake was underestimating her.
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Meet Author Debby Grahl
Debby is a romance author who enjoys biking, walking on the beach & a glass of wine at sunset. Favorite places to visit are New Orleans, Captiva Is., England & Michigan. Enjoys mysteries, time travel & romance. Visually impaired, she uses screenreading software to write.
Connect with Debby
Put some Voodoo in your life.
Enter the contest to win TWO e-books.
Contest runs from 12 AM CST August 12 to 12 AM CST August 18.
One winner will receive Two books. To enter, Select the link and follow the instructions–(you’ll need to leave a comment on the post.) Winner will be chose randomly and contacted via the email address entered here. The Winner will also be posted in next weeks’s Novel Magic feature post. It’s up to the winner to provide contact info so I can deliver prizes. If the winner does not provide contact info within one week of notification, no additional winner will be chosen.
Last Week’s winner was Anna L. Congrats Anna!!
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