I have Joya Fields back today and she’s sharing her latest release, Sidelined Afterlife. It’s the 3rd in her Hauntings at Inner Harbor series. Joya first stopped by with the 2nd in the series, Altered Frequency. She’s back today talking about the magic of Thunderstorms and Rain. Plus, she has a excerpt and giveaway too. Enjoy!
Sidelined Afterlife
(Hauntings at Inner Harbor #3)
by: Joya Fields
Published December 24, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Blurb
Psychic medium Veronica Matthews hates being able to communicate with the dead and the nearly departed. What good is it if she can’t lead the police to the victims of violent crimes before they die? But when her neighbor comes to her for help, she’s torn—until she understands that the ghost haunting him is more dangerous than any she’s encountered….
After losing his wife in a tragic accident, ER doctor Hunter Anderson’s only solace is his work and a ghost is jeopardizing that. Turning to his neighbor seems like his only choice, but spending time with the passionate woman, and her sassy attitude, might do more than save his life…
She can’t risk her heart. He’s afraid to love and lose again. Can a ghost help these two souls to live again?
Thunderstorms and Rain
Thanks very much for having me on your blog today, S.J. I’m thrilled to be here and to share my new release, Sidelined Afterlife. It’s the third novel in my Hauntings at InnerHarbor series where each book features a different couple dealing with their haunted apartment building. No worries if you haven’t read the first two books, it is a standalone, too.
Because Sidelined Afterlife begins with a fierce-but-short thunderstorm, I thought I’d touch on the subject. Are you one of those people who love a good summer thunderstorm? I am! So are the characters in the book.
A good storm usually begins with a darkening sky. Then, a warm breeze kicks up, rustling leaves and hinting at what’s to come. Next, there’s a rumble of thunder in the distance that sends everyone running for cover. A flash of lightning. Then, the sky opens up and the rain pours down. There’s something about the energy that fills the atmosphere, makes it almost magical to watch.
Except if you’re caught out in it. But…if you’re like Veronica, the heroine of Sidelined Afterlife, maybe you like being out in the storm. For her, it washes her worries and stress away. Sure, her hair is flattened to her neck and her clothes are soaked. Instead of being bothered by it, though, she finds it liberating and cleansing.
And how about that smell after the storm passes? So clean and fresh. Maybe the end of the storm even brings a rainbow. Mother Nature loves to remind us of her power and creativity, doesn’t she?
That energy is exactly why I think thunderstorms fit so well into ghost stories. Power can go out during a storm, or maybe the air holds the charge of the nearby lightning. Something feels different. Maybe this lightning is exactly what makes a vortex open…or brings a different feeling to the atmosphere that’s welcoming to spirits.
Maybe the reason I really enjoy thunderstorms goes back to childhood. On rainy or stormy summer days (with no air conditioning), my sisters and I would take over the huge covered porch with our toys. The limited space forced us to get creative and we found lots of ways to play old games with new twists while the rain poured beside us, creating a musical background of sorts.
Thanks for stopping by today. I’d love to hear about your favorite thunderstorm memory.
Excerpt:
“I am an idiot. The biggest idiot ever. If you want me to pierce something for you, to prove I’m an idiot, I have some sterilized instruments upstairs in my apartment.”
Her tongue poked against her cheek, signaling a laugh that wanted to erupt. Suddenly, he really wanted to be the one who could make her laugh. “Maybe I could do your lower lip?”
Her short laugh erupted. A sweet, melodic sound that filled the small apartment.
His gaze stayed on that full mouth and he lifted his fingers closer, compelled to touch her. She stared at him with wide eyes as he traced the corner of her mouth lightly with his finger.
“I’m a liar. I could never tarnish something as beautiful as this.”
Christ. What a line. Where had those words come from? But he meant it.
Her breath was hot against his finger as he traced the line of her lower lip. Her gaze held his. His stomach growled again, breaking the spell, and she blinked and leaned against the sofa.
“You know what? We never had dessert,” she said.
He had room for dessert. But not the food kind. He swallowed to quell his appetite for her. “Uh…how about I make an ice cream run? Then we’ll get to work.” Enough of this temptation. He needed to get away from her, from this pull she had on his body and emotions.
Purchase links for SIDELINED AFTERLIFE:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sidelined-Afterlife-Hauntings-Inner-Harbor-ebook/dp/B00HFY2L4M
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sidelined-afterlife-joya-fields/1117790303
Decadent Publishing: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=882&osCsid=drtrl82rt4inig1ns5av11pri6
All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sidelinedafterlife-1382952-149.html
Joya’s Bio:
Joya Fields has had over 100 stories and articles published in local and national magazines. Her debut novel, a romantic suspense, was a NJRW GOLDEN LEAF WINNER FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2012 and was nominated for RT Book Reviews 2012 Indie Press/Self-Published Contemporary Romance award. Since then, she’s published four more books with even more on the way.
Connect with Joya
Twitter: @joyafields
S.J. Maylee 
Thanks so very much for spotlighting Sidelined Afterlife today, SJ! Always fun to stop by your beautiful blog. 🙂
You’re very welcome, Joya. It’s always great to have you here. Congrats on the release. 🙂