Destiny Unveiled Blog Tour

Destiny: Book One
By Laura DeLuca
Genre: YA paranormal

Format: Paperback (278 pages) and ebook
Publisher: Free Focus Publishing (January 10, 2011)

Blurb: Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn’t remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother’s death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother’s spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds another witch--one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabrielle and Darron at odds.

Book trailer:

Guest Post: Witches

There are tons of books out there written about witches, but there is something that makes my books a little different than the other paranormal novels out there. I have been studying witchcraft, in the form of Wicca, for almost ten years. I am, in fact, a witch myself. I practice with a group of women, much like Gabriella’s mother, and I use the knowledge born from experience to add a little realism into the fantasy of my stories.

Now, I’m not saying that everything that happens in Destiny is completely realistic. Far from it. The Destiny series is fiction, after all, and meant to be fun and entertaining. But I do strive to add real elements of Wicca into the mix. The rituals performed often use symbolism that any pagan would recognize. The ritual tools, the way the sacred space is set up, and even the wording of the spells, are all very realistic. Only some of the results are exaggerated. Unfortunately, I haven’t met any real witches that can touch the ground and make a flower grow out of the snow or make a cut vanish with just the touch of their hand. But even the healing aspects of the story are based off of real energy healing. I have been practicing Reiki, which is a form of energy healing, for the last four years. In this practice, we lay our hands on our patrons and allow the energy of the universe to run through us, into the patient. Results aren’t as spectacular as those in Destiny, but it always leaves people feeling more energized and definitely eases pain.

So much of the Destiny books are drawn from my own spiritual experiences with witchcraft, which is indeed a timeless tradition. One of my fellow pagans, radio personality Raven Moonshadow, summed it up best in her review of Destiny. “This is her (Laura’s) first young adult novel and I was really impressed with how closely she kept within the actual concepts of the earth-based religions. I think having a book like this written by someone who follows the religion herself is a huge boost to the published work. The fact that she kept most elements as close to reality without delving into "Hollywood" stereotypes is a testament not only to her as a writer, but also to honoring her own religion, showing the respect that any religion would deserve.”

Raven’s review made me so happy, because this is exactly what I was trying to achieve. Destiny is a book inspired by Wicca, and written out of my respect and love for this most sacred of paths. But don’t worry. I managed to pull all this off without getting preachy, and I definitely maintain the fun elements that any fantasy novel needs to be a success. In the Destiny series, you’ll find love, suspense, and shocking revelations you’ll never see coming. So, if you want to read a book about witches, read a book written BY a witch. Get yourself a copy of Destiny and/or Destiny Unveiled.

Destiny Unveiled
Format: Paperback (282 pages) and ebook
Publisher: Free Focus Publishing (April 10, 2012)

Blurb: There is more to the story than Gabrielle and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabrielle and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.
To read an excerpt of Destiny Unveiled go here

Purchase links: Destiny Unveiled: Amazon | Destiny: Amazon

About the Author: Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. 

She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama.

She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. 

Author links: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Tour wide giveaway:

The author is giving away three prize packs which include a signed print copy of Destiny and Destiny Unveiled, two boxes of incense, a crystal point, and a few dessert rose stones. 

Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway