Author:
Dina Rae
Genre:
Dark, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Thriller,
Young-Adult, (R-Rated although teens would love it)
Publisher:
Amazon
Ebook
Words:
93,000
Purchase:
Amazon
|
Book
Description:
Lucien
Nazaire flees his Haitian homeland and meanders around the United
States for decades. He settles in a Wisconsin trailer park filled
with elderly tenants. He meets Jake, his teenage neighbor, and hires
him for odd household jobs. As their relationship progresses, Lucien
invites the boy into the world of Voodoo.
Jake
LaRue lives in foster care with his abusive uncle. The Voodoo
lessons give him a sense of power within an otherwise helpless
situation. Although the boy is a loner, he feels an instant
connection with his classmate, Henry, and introduces him to Lucien.
Henry
Novak has Asperger’s Syndrome. He fixates on historical events,
most recently the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Like Jake, he becomes
passionate about the dark side of Voodoo. They learn how to cast
spells on those they hate and lust, leading up to dire consequences.
Several
months after the Haitian earthquake, Henry convinces his family to
volunteer with their church in the island's reconstruction. Their
mission turns into a nightmare when he mysteriously walks off of the
campsite.
Bad Juju
is a balance of horror, romance, and literary fiction intended for
ages fifteen and up. Research about the Voodoo religion,
shapeshifting, zombies, and possession and themes of redemption and
loneliness emerge throughout the plot.
Excerpt:
Jake
rolled out of bed and army crawled to the doorway. Looking
through the
opening that separated the door from the carpeting, he saw Leah’s head
bloodied. She lay limp on the floor. Pete stopped hitting her. His whole
demeanor changed. With a wolfish expression, he began to unbuckle his belt.
Rhianna’s screams got closer. She must have darted to the other side of the
living room, putting her smack-dab in front of Jake’s bedroom door. He could
now see her foot. It partially blocked his view. Shit! Can’t get involved! If I open the door…
“Pete, what the hell is a matter with you? Stop it! She’s passed out. You
beat her into a coma, man! And now you’re gonna…Sober up and think of what
you’re doing! Right in front of your daughter!” T.J. yelled.
Is he suicidal? Jake knew his uncle would make T.J. regret his words. Like
Leah, T.J. was small. He was filled with faults, but violence was not one of
them. On perfect cue, Jake could hear his uncle’s bare fists hooking T.J. in
the jawbone. Rhianna’s screams turned into full-blown hysteria. The poor girl
was hyperventilating while desperately grasping Jake’s locked doorknob for
refuge. I don’t want to be involved! Go back to your closet and lay still!
“Jakey, Jakey, pwwweeeze!” Rhianna sobbed.
Jake couldn’t take her suffering any longer. Quickly unlocking the door, he
grabbed the little girl and pulled her inside his room and then relocked the
door.
The living room had grown eerily quiet. Jake had a difficult time hearing while
Rhianna wailed. “It’s okay now. Try to be quiet,” he whispered, straining to
hear. Nothing but silence was on the other side of his door. His heart rate
doubled. Always quiet before the storm. Was it over? Or was I next? He slid
on his gym shoes, took a can of Comet cleaner from his bathroom, and crept up to
the only window in the room. It was small, but Jake knew he could fit through.
Then came the sound he was waiting for. Click, click, click. Pete was
delicately trying to open the door. He now knew it was locked.
opening that separated the door from the carpeting, he saw Leah’s head
bloodied. She lay limp on the floor. Pete stopped hitting her. His whole
demeanor changed. With a wolfish expression, he began to unbuckle his belt.
Rhianna’s screams got closer. She must have darted to the other side of the
living room, putting her smack-dab in front of Jake’s bedroom door. He could
now see her foot. It partially blocked his view. Shit! Can’t get involved! If I open the door…
“Pete, what the hell is a matter with you? Stop it! She’s passed out. You
beat her into a coma, man! And now you’re gonna…Sober up and think of what
you’re doing! Right in front of your daughter!” T.J. yelled.
Is he suicidal? Jake knew his uncle would make T.J. regret his words. Like
Leah, T.J. was small. He was filled with faults, but violence was not one of
them. On perfect cue, Jake could hear his uncle’s bare fists hooking T.J. in
the jawbone. Rhianna’s screams turned into full-blown hysteria. The poor girl
was hyperventilating while desperately grasping Jake’s locked doorknob for
refuge. I don’t want to be involved! Go back to your closet and lay still!
“Jakey, Jakey, pwwweeeze!” Rhianna sobbed.
Jake couldn’t take her suffering any longer. Quickly unlocking the door, he
grabbed the little girl and pulled her inside his room and then relocked the
door.
The living room had grown eerily quiet. Jake had a difficult time hearing while
Rhianna wailed. “It’s okay now. Try to be quiet,” he whispered, straining to
hear. Nothing but silence was on the other side of his door. His heart rate
doubled. Always quiet before the storm. Was it over? Or was I next? He slid
on his gym shoes, took a can of Comet cleaner from his bathroom, and crept up to
the only window in the room. It was small, but Jake knew he could fit through.
Then came the sound he was waiting for. Click, click, click. Pete was
delicately trying to open the door. He now knew it was locked.
About
the Author:
Dina Rae
is a new author here to stay. As a former teacher, she brings an
academic element to her work. Her three novels, Halo of the Damned,
The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense throughout
the plots. Her short story, Be Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of
sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character.
Dina also freelances for various entertainment blogs.
Dina
lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of
Chicago. She is a Christian, an avid tennis player, movie buff, and
self-proclaimed expert on several conspiracy theories. She has been
interviewed numerous times in e-zines, websites, blogs, newspapers,
and radio programs. When she is not writing she is reading novels
from her favorite authors Dan Brown, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Brad
Thor, George R.R. Martin, and Preston & Childs.
Website
| Blog
| Twitter:
@haloofthedamned | The
Last Degree |
Halo
of the Damned |
Book Playlist:
Black Magic Woman: Santana
Wish I could have found a song called
Black Magic Man! A Haitian bokor, also known as a sorcerer, teaches
two teens the dark arts.
I'm in Love with a Stripper: T. Pain
Jake LaRue has a major crush on his
foster mother who works at the local stripclub.
A Question of Lust: Depeche Mode
Jake and his friend, Henry, cast love
spells on those they lust.
Voodoo: Godsmack
Lots of Voodoo research went into the
book.
Put a Spell on You: Credence
Clearwater Revival
Two teens learn how to cast a variety
of Voodoo spells.
Dead: Chemical Romance
Lucien Nazaire, a ninety-seven year old
bokor, keeps on cheating death.
Hypnotized: Fleetwood Mac
Henry Novak disappears while in Haiti
on his church's mission trip. Once found, his parents believe he is
hypnotized.
Zombie: Cranberries
Can't have a Voodoo story without
zombies. The story goes into how the dead are resurrected.
Mockingbird: Eminem
This song is about regret. Lucien's
whole life is plagued with regret.
Redemption Song: Bob Marley
Redemption is the major theme of the
book.
Giveaway:
Thanks for having me as your guest. Dina Rae
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome!
DeleteI love the sound of this book. Great cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you win.
DeleteThank you so much for the giveaway, I'd love to win a copy! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I hope you win.
Delete