DRYADS AND DOMINOES Cover Reveal!

Posted on May 31, 2023May 27, 2023 by Amy McNulty

Today is the cover reveal for DRYADS AND DOMINOES, Book 7 in the A Spooky Games Club Mystery series, coming out in 2024!

Title: Dryads and Dominoes (A Spooky Games Club Mystery Book 7)

Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing

Publication Date: Fall 2024

Cover Designer: Amy McNulty

Spring returns to Luna Lane, and Dahlia Poplar is ready for the turn of the seasons that may bring her long-distance boyfriend back to her by semester’s end. Until then, she’s doing her best to stay out of the way of the new deputy sheriff after their rocky first impressions of one another. However, a St. Patrick’s Day Spooky Games Club event at the town’s vampire-run tavern may mean it’s time for the town’s consulting witch detective to put her sleuthing skills to the test once more.

Vesper the dryad has been the only schoolteacher Luna Lane has ever known. The usually reclusive wood nymph instructor is lured out to the St. Patrick’s Day party to help her students construct the largest domino toppling setup the town has ever seen. When a couple of dryads from her past make a surprise appearance at the event, the gentle schoolteacher finds herself accused of murder—and the new deputy sheriff is locking her up and tossing away the key.

Dahlia is certain her former teacher couldn’t have committed the crime, but the investigation sets off a chain reaction that seems to build the deputy’s case. Before the facts get lost as it all comes toppling down, Dahlia needs to figure out what really happened—but maybe everything isn’t as black and white as she thinks.

News, Writing

New Audiobook! YA Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Amy McNulty

I’m excited to announce the first book in the Blood, Bloom, & Water series (YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance), Fangs & Fins, is now available on audiobook! Narrator Xoe Zen does a fantastic job of lending personality to all of the many characters in my vampires, mermaids, and fairies suburban adventure. Available on:

Audible – Amazon – iTunes

A dapper vampire. A sullen merman. Two heirs to a great conflict—and each needs to claim a beloved to become his kindred’s champion.

High school senior Ember Goodwin never had a sister, but after her mom’s remarriage, she now has two. The eldest is no stranger to her—Ivy is a witty girl in her grade who’s almost never spoken to the shy bookworm before—but she’s surprised to find the popular girl quite amiable. Their burgeoning friendship is tested, however, when Dean Horne, a pale, besuited charmer, shows interest in them both and plans to reveal his appetite for blood to the one who’ll stand by his side.

Seventeen-year-old Ivy Sheppard is tired of splitting her time between her dad’s and her mom’s, particularly when her dad uproots their lives to move them in with his new wife and step-daughter. Used to rolling with her parents’ whims, she tries to make the best of it and befriend her nerdy new step-sister. Her hectic life grows more unwieldy when she catches the eye of junior Calder Poole, whom she swears she sees swap well-toned legs for a pair of fins during a dip in a lake. Now she’s fending off suitors left and right, all while trying to get to the bottom of the strange happenings in her town.

The first book in the Blood, Bloom, & Water series sets family against family and friend against friend as an epic, ancient war comes to a head in a supposedly sleepy suburb.

Readers are saying this fast-paced YA paranormal romance urban fantasy will “grip you and keep you wanting more.” Fans of Bella Forrest’s A Shade of Vampire and Hotbloods, Amanda Hocking’s Watersong series, and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga will dive right into this modern-day fairy tale about high schoolers swept up in a world of vampires, mermaids, and fairies.

News, Writing

The Baronet Who Thwarted Me: Bedlam Academy Cover Reveal

Posted on November 16, 2022November 7, 2022 by Amy McNulty

The book I’m currently serializing on Kindle Vella has a new title and cover in preparation for its e-book/paperback release next year!

Cover by Ali Lawson Book Design.

Title: The Baronet Who Thwarted Me: Bedlam Academy
Author: Amy McNulty
Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing
Publication Date: TBA Summer 2023

Georgiana Radcliff is her family’s sacrifice. Georgiana Radcliff is Bedlam Academy’s pawn. She should never have been chosen for the Sacrament that keeps the world in balance, and she certainly shouldn’t have retained her memories of her other life when thrust through the portal door. Now she must get the notoriously rakish son of a viscount to agree to marry her or she fails the Academy’s purpose—and endangers the lives of everyone back home. If only the dashing, reclusive baronet would stop diverting her…

First serialized on Kindle Vella (originally under the title Forsworn Consort), The Baronet Who Thwarted Me: Bedlam Academy is a historical portal fantasy genre-bending romance. Part high-stakes fantasy, part Regency England-esque courtship and decorum, this story will appeal to fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton looking for a dash of added enchantment.

Read the first three episodes for free right now on Kindle Vella.

Add to your Goodreads to-read list.

News, Writing

IT’S A NERD! WITCH IS SLAIN! Release Day

Posted on October 11, 2022October 5, 2022 by Amy McNulty

Today’s the release day for the second book in the Witchy Expo Services Mysteries series, It’s a Nerd! Witch Is Slain! Case 2: Comic Hero Con.

Witchy Expo Services. We host your convention, expo, or trade show—with a dash of magic!

Nimue Toothaker, recently named co-Head Witch General Manager of Witchy Expo Services, is finally getting a handle on the job—and the dual-personality warlock with whom she shares it. While the fallout from the murder at her first convention as manager certainly led to plenty of publicity, she’s not eager to repeat the dreadful experience for her largest con yet: Comic Hero Con, which brings in comic book fans and comic hero film buffs from around the world.

The highlight of the con? One of the biggest stars in the mega comic hero film franchise of the century. Unfortunately, his real-life persona is nothing like his on-screen one, and it’s up to the Witchy Expo Services staff to make sure the neurotic celebrity shows for his advertised con appearances. To make matters worse, the head of the group that booked the Cauldron Cove Convention Center for the con doesn’t know what she wants—but she knows she isn’t happy with Nimue and her staff’s top-notch efforts.

Juggling two eccentric VIPs is just the start of Nimue’s problems when a Cauldron Cove witch turns up dead on the showroom floor. Because of the town’s magic, the convention must go on—and Nimue and her co-workers will have to table their grief until they can figure out if there’s another murderer in the convention center. It’ll take a heroic feat, but they have to beat the villain on the loose before it’s too late.

Get your copy on Amazon here. (Free on Kindle Unlimited.) Paperbacks available widely (in large print as well) coming soon.

News, Writing

WEREWOLVES AND WARGAMES Cover Reveal!

Posted on April 20, 2022April 19, 2022 by Amy McNulty

Today is the cover reveal for WEREWOLVES AND WARGAMES, Book 6 in the A Spooky Games Club Mystery series, coming out in 2023! Beware: Light spoilers for Book 5 appear in the blurb.

Title: Werewolves and Wargames (A Spooky Games Club Mystery Book 6)

Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing

Publication Date: Spring 2023

Cover Designer: Amy McNulty

Dahlia Poplar, Luna Lane’s homegrown witch, has had enough of mystery and murder. Luckily, the royal witches after her may be preoccupied after the blow Dahlia and her friends dealt them the last time they tried to attack. Ready to spend a snowy February warm and cozy at home, the only thing that could have made her first Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend better would be if they didn’t have to confine their celebration to a video chat.

Thankfully, her best friend has quite the plan for holiday: Faine’s parents and in-laws are visiting Luna Lane to spend time with their grandkids, and the kids aren’t into mush or romance. Instead, the family wants to stage an elaborate paintball wargame, which is something the kids enjoy in the werewolf village in Canada. Of course, the Spooky Games Club was practically made to participate.

Unfortunately, the pretend wargames result in an actual murder—and someone near and dear to Faine is thought to have killed for real. It’s up to Dahlia to gear up for the fight and sleuth out the truth. Otherwise, her loving, supportive, and optimistic Galentine will never be the same.

News, Writing

Darken the Night: FREE YA Novelette

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Amy McNulty

I’m releasing a FREE YA novelette today. It’s a contemporary Greek myth retelling (Nyx and Erebus) with a dash of magic.

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Amazon – iTunes – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – Google Play

Phoenyx “Nyx” Douglas feels like a damsel trapped away. Suffering from a form of light sensitivity, she sleeps during the day, missing out on all the typical things the other teens in her town do. One night when her flighty father is out on a job, she falls for charmer Erebus Jones at first sight but then has a dream about a child she’s supposed to have with him in the future—and the peril that boy is in.

With Ere’s help, she uncovers what it will take to save their future child: blackmailing the powerful town mayor and teaching him to fear her.

The two teens are in over their heads as they uncover shocking secrets and cross the line between what’s right and what’s wrong—all in service of saving a child they can only have if their burgeoning relationship survives the danger they put themselves in.

A contemporary retelling of the Greek myth of Nyx, with a dash of magic.

First published in SING, GODDESS!

News, Writing

Play Your Hand! Potions and Playing Cards Release Day!

Posted on November 24, 2020November 23, 2020 by Amy McNulty

Luna Lane’s witches, werewolves, and vampires welcome you to the Spooky Games Club—in which even the winners could find themselves six feet under. This cozy paranormal mystery is perfect for fans of Adele Abbott, Amanda M. Lee, Nancy Warren, Angie Fox, and Sara Bourgeois. With a witch’s broom that acts like a pet and a focus on games, Spooky Games Club Mysteries also weaves in themes familiar to cozy pet mystery and cozy craft & hobby mystery readers.

https://amymcnulty.com/books/potions-and-playing-cards/

Potions and Playing Cards (A Spooky Games Club Mystery #3)

Fixated on researching ways to break her curse once and for all, jinxed witch and do-gooder Dahlia Poplar doesn’t know how well she’ll do in the upcoming Euchre Tournament, the Luna Lane Spooky Games Club’s first sponsored event. With visiting professor Cable Woodward due to depart to spend more of his sabbatical on the road, Dahlia can’t admit that he may be the reason she’s so determined to finally leave behind the cozy comforts of home.

Unfortunately, her efforts stir up unwanted attention from the one who cursed Dahlia to begin with, the evil witch whose shadow has loomed over all of the dreadful events in Luna Lane. When the tournament ends prematurely, there’s a body charred to ashes, and Dahlia takes it upon herself to figure out if the wicked witch is behind the disaster. Somehow, she needs to brew the right potion to break her curse while solving the paranormal message encoded in the club’s playing cards, all while keeping her loved ones safe.

Her very life may be the ante she risks to get to the bottom of everything that’s been plaguing her since birth—and if she can’t bluff her way to winning, Dahlia Poplar may prove to be the dead card that’s no longer in play.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GPJ9R57/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54178506-potions-and-playing-cards

Paperback available widely

Early reviews say:

“The pace of this story was perfect. I couldn’t put this book down.”

“The ending will bring you to tears. Totally unexpected for me, but so fitting and leaving the door open for many more stories. The characters are one of a kind and their interactions are what I wish I could have with the people in my life.“

“Dahlia finally discovers who her father is and what it means to be a Poplar witch. The truth is shocking, scary and twisted. And now Dahlia has to face the evil witch whose curse has loomed over her since birth. This page-turner ends with a wonderful, action-packed scene that makes you want to start reading Dahlia’s next adventure right away.”

Don’t forget to check out Book 1 in the series if you haven’t yet! FREE THROUGH NOVEMBER 28TH!

News, Writing

Can You Escape? Enchantments and Escape Rooms Release Day!

Posted on October 27, 2020October 26, 2020 by Amy McNulty

https://amymcnulty.com/books/enchantments-and-escape-rooms/

Enchantments and Escape Rooms (A Spooky Games Club Mystery #2)

After the disaster of the month before, Dahlia Poplar, cursed witch and helper extraordinaire, is ready for her serene, supernatural small town life to return to normal. However, her hopes for a more peaceful existence don’t last when a childhood friend moves back to Luna Lane to open up an escape room.

With the Spooky Games Club thriving, Dahlia decides to help her friend by using her magic to quickly get his business up and running. Dahlia’s enchantments accomplish the task, but before the Games Club has a chance to enjoy the new attraction, a test of the escape room results in a freak, fatal accident. Riddled with guilt, Dahlia wonders where her enchantments went wrong—or if there’s something more to the disaster.

The only way to divine whether or not the death was her fault, the result of an accident, or murder is to investigate—and perhaps even play the dangerous game herself. In this one-hour escape room, failure to escape could mean death, not just for Dahlia, but for those she holds most dear.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GNTZZY2/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54178502-enchantments-and-escape-rooms

Paperback available widely

Early reviews say:

“I enjoyed this one even more than the first one. It kept me guessing right up to the big reveal! Now I want to visit an escape room…”

“The second installment of the Luna Lane adventures is even better than the first. The character development is wonderful. A totally unexpected villain, new characters and fast pacing is making this a new favorite series.”

“Things go wonky when the escape room is tested. From there, this author will keep readers entertained with twists and turns as well as a big surprise.”

“This is the second book in this series and it’s just as good as the first. Lots of action and well developed characters plus a unique spin on a curse.”

Don’t forget to check out Book 1 in the series if you haven’t yet!

Writing

Fall 2020 YASH Stop Team Purple

Posted on September 29, 2020October 5, 2020 by Amy McNulty

Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This bi-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one e-book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until October 4th.

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are multiple contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the purple team–but there are also other teams where you have a chance to win a whole different set of books!

If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.

YASH IS OVER! ~~SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE~~

Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the purple team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally. Anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by October 4th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

SCAVENGER HUNT POST

I’m once again hosting Shannon A. Thompson on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt!

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Buy your copy of BAD BLOODS: JULY LIGHTNING here!

~~~

Shannon’s exclusive content is a Pinterest mood board for Bad Bloods: July Thunder & July Lightning. (Click the image to see the full board!) And a Wattpad prequel to her series! (Click the image to read the full story!)

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And don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of books by me, Shannon A. Thompson, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 3. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the purple team and you’ll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

~~CONTINUE THE HUNT~~

~~To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out VANESSA BARNEVELD, the next author! Tweet #YASH~~

But before you go:

Sales are over!

~~To celebrate YASH, I’ve got two special, limited-time offers on my YA books!~~

~~Get a copy of FANGS & FINS for 99¢ for a LIMITED TIME on Amazon! (US and UK markets only) Always free on Kindle Unlimited.~~

~~Get your copy of NOBODY’S GODDESS FOR FREE for a LIMITED TIME on Amazon! (Available internationally)~~

Want a couple of free novelettes? Everyone is welcome to a free copy of JOSIE’S COAT, my standalone YA romantic sci-fi:

iBooks – Google Play – Amazon – Kobo – Barnes & Noble – Prolific Works

And to TRESSES & ERUBESCENCE, the prequel to my Blood, Bloom, & Water series:

Amazon – ProlificWorks – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – iBooks – Google Play

Giveaway over! ENTER MY INDIE BOOKSTORE GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

Before you go, consider entering my own Rafflecopter giveaway! Because of small businesses struggling with everything going on in 2020, I’m offering a $25 gift card to the indie bookstore of your choice! (Chosen bookstore must offer online purchase of gift cards. No store is sponsoring or affiliated with this giveaway.) If there are no indie bookstores you can think of, I can suggest one.

Enter the giveaway here!

News, Writing

Broomsticks and Board Games Is Out Today! Solve the Mystery

Posted on September 29, 2020September 21, 2020 by Amy McNulty

https://amymcnulty.com/books/broomsticks-and-board-games/

Broomsticks and Board Games (A Spooky Games Club Mystery #1)

Dahlia Poplar is a genuine witch, an unofficial gofer, and Luna Lane’s only cursed resident.

With a werewolf best friend, a vampire ex-boyfriend, and a ghost for a hanger-on, Dahlia is far from the most unusual dweller of her sleepy small town, but she’s the only one unable to leave. Dahlia has to perform at least one good deed per day—or she’s one step closer to turning to stone.

Fortunately, the residents of Luna Lane have plenty of tasks for Dahlia to complete to avert the curse until Cable Woodward, fetching professor and nephew of her elderly neighbor, stops by for the semester on sabbatical. Attempting to help Cable’s uncle work through the trauma of losing his wife, Dahlia uncovers the man’s collection of board games, which leads to him reminiscing about the long-forgotten Luna Lane Games Club.

Dahlia reestablishes Games Club, only to find evidence of a number of horrible demises connected to the original group. While trying to uncover the truth about the deaths, Dahlia has to fight off her curse, protect her elderly neighbor from becoming the next victim, and most vexing of all, keep Cable from figuring out Luna Lane’s supernatural secrets. Only with eerie board games like these, there may not be a loser—or even a winner—who survives.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GPDTTP6/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54178498-broomsticks-and-board-games

Paperback available widely

Early reviews say:

“This book has a very interesting storyline. Plus there’s lots of action. The cast of characters is quite intriguing. I loved Dahlia’s broomstick ‘Broomie,’ who was like a pet who loved to eat cornhusks. Such a different take on magic broomsticks. The mystery is solved but what will happen in the next book is the question. I can’t wait to find out.”

“This one really held my interest. A mystery revolving around a board game club was a fun idea. And I really like Broomie, the author’s unique take on a witch’s broomstick.”

“Dahlia‘s personality is contagious, and her relationship with her vampire ex-boyfriend and ghost-in-resident a source of never-ending entertainment, and Broomie (the broomstick) is a real highlight.”

“My favorite character was ‘Broomie’. Dahlia’s broomstick. Broomie is a character in her own right who acts like a pet and eats cornhusks. It is a fun, light paranormal cozy.”

Broomie says, “Thank you!” for all the warm reviews.