New Orleans Magic: Urban Fantasy Series (The Voodoo Dolls Book 1)

by J. L. Hendricks

  I needed to figure out what to do about Rico.

  More importantly, we all needed to learn to fight. Not like girls either. I’m talking hand to hand combat type of stuff. Like what they teach those black ops fighters. That’s what’s next up for me.

  Kat would probably say we need to keep practicing and write some new songs. All she can ever think about is getting that elusive record contract. My writer friend equated it to a BookBub deal, whatever that is.

  Heading to the linen closet, all sorts of ideas bombarded my mind.

  Once I pulled out the extra sheets for Jose, Adalaide helped me to make up the sofa for him. It was a pull-out, but the old mattress was so lumpy I doubted he’d be able to sleep. The floor would have been a better place.

  Once I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I laid in bed wondering what would really come next. What would we do if the queen decided to annihilate us? Great. I’m really going to be able to sleep now.

  THE END

  Be sure to grab your copy of the next book in this series Hurricane of Magic!

  Interested in what took place before this book started? Check out the prequels currently available and keep reading for a sneak peek of each!

  The Voodoo That You Do is available inside Midnight Magic for a limited time!

  This is the story of Indie and what happens when her boyfriend cheats on her! Men, be very careful when you date a woman who claims to have mad voodoo power!

  Magic’s Not Real is available on Amazon!

  This is Jenna’s story. Find out what happened when a magic flinging vampire tried to kill her with a death curse!

  I also have a sneak peek of the first bit of book 2, Hurricane of Magic! Keep reading for the special sneak peek!!!

  Other Books by J.L. Hendricks

  The Voodoo Dolls

  Ø Book 0 – The Voodoo That You Do (Inside Midnight Magic boxed set)

  Ø Book 0 – Magic’s Not Real

  Ø Book 1 –New Orleans Magic

  Ø Book 2 – Hurricane of Magic

  Alpha Alien Abduction Tales Series

  Ø Book 0: Worlds Revealed (Prequel about Roswell)

  Ø Book 1: Worlds Away

  Ø Book 2: Worlds Collide

  Ø Book 2.5: Worlds Explode

  Ø Book 3: Worlds Entwined

  A Shifter Christmas Romance Series

  Ø Book 0: Santa Meets Mrs. Claus

  Ø Book 1: Miss Claus and the Secret Santa

  Ø Book 2: Miss Claus under the Mistletoe (Christmas 2017)

  Ø Book 3: Miss Claus and the Christmas Wedding (TBD)

  The Original Eclipse Series

  Ø Book 0 – Eclipse of the Beginning

  Ø Book 1 –Eclipse of the Warrior

  Ø Book 2– Eclipse of Power (coming soon)

  Ø Book 3 –Eclipse of the Heart (coming soon)

  Origins of the Eclipse Series – set in the Eclipse Universe but is freestanding

  Ø Book 1 – The Eclipse of Time

  Anthologies

  Ø The Expanding Universe #2

  Ø Inanna’s Circle Game #1 and #2 (2 stories from the Eclipse Universe)

  Ø Glimpse (An original short story set in the Eclipse Universe)

  See these titles and more at www.jlhendricksauthor.com

  Newsletter Sign-up

  If you want to make sure you hear about the latest and greatest, sign up for my newsletter at: https://jlhendricksauthor.com/newsletter/ I will only send out a few e-mails a month. Also, you will get a free book just for signing up!

  Acknowledgements

  This was such a fun book to write! Even though I wrote half of it while sick with Bronchitis! I have to thank my editor, Rebecca Reddell, who worked quickly and tirelessly to help me make my deadline! Since I was sick for so long, the first draft didn’t get to her in time. She had to work really hard at the last minute to get it edited! Thank you so much Rebecca!

  My cover designer! What do you think of this cover? It’s so gorgeous! It really was worth waiting for Rebecca Frank to make this cover! She’s so popular that she schedules out at least 6 months in advance! LOL Thank you Becky for a fantastic cover that really did get the vibe of my story.

  A special thank you to my beta readers, Leo Roars, Sandi Kirnbauer, and Kathy Miller! You ladies rock!!! Thank you so much for helping me find the missing stuff that always seems to get by me when I am making my final pass through!

  Author’s Notes

  If you’ve made it all the way back here, thank you so much! I really hoped you liked this story and my Voodoo Dolls! They are based on four real authors. Me (Jenna), and three other authors who have been a part of Inanna’s Circle since the first boxed set.

  It all started out as a way to encourage and get each other off our laurels so we could finish our stories for the set. Indie and I were teasing each other about torture, Sam stepped in and so did Kat. Before we knew it, Indie had made voodoo dolls of the three of us, (but she didn’t make one of herself)! We received daily pin stabs if we didn’t make our goals for the day, or as on most days, Indie needed a pin cushion, literally. LOL I quickly made a voodoo doll of Indie, because she couldn’t be left out!

  This banter continued through the next Inanna’s Circle boxed set and we named ourselves The Voodoo Dolls Sisters. I started to think about our different personalities and this story came to mind. I wrote a prequel, Magic’s Not Real, and submitted it for a multi-author boxed set. Then wrote another one, The Voodoo That You Do, and submitted that for a boxed set! And finally, I wrote New Orleans Magic!

  I have an idea for the next book, Hurricane of Magic, but won’t start writing it for about 2 weeks. I’m heading off to Austin for a writer’s summit! When this book launches, I will be deep into learning how to be a smarter artist. J

  Upon my return, I will begin the next book. Hopefully, I’ll have picked up some new ideas for the book while in Austin as well!

  I know you’re supposed to have your Heroines be totally kick-butt in book 1, but in this case, it didn’t seem right or natural. These women are strong, but they are totally new to this world of magic and paranormal creatures. They are learning and by the next book they will have taken a huge leap in the right direction. But don’t expect them to be perfect.

  No one’s perfect.

  We all make mistakes.

  Hopefully, we learn from them and grow.

  That’s what’s in store for the Voodoo Dolls!

  Just like in real life, romantic relationships take time, so will it be in my series. Don’t expect insta-love or an HEA in each book. This is Urban Fantasy, where the love burns slowly, but brightly.

  Please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads for this book, or any book you read. Without reviews, authors don’t know what you like or dislike about a book.

  Sharing is caring! So be sure to tell your friends about The Voodoo Dolls!

  If you want to see what I’m up to, my social media addresses are:

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLHendricksAuthor/

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinkFan25

  On Twitter you just might catch Indie and Jenna going back and forth with Voodoo Dolls! Sam even joins in once in a while. But watch out for Indie (aka Aysia Amery)! She can be ruthless!

  Blog: https://jlhendricksauthor.com/blog/

  In fact, on my blog I do a monthly #FreebieFriday on #InstaFreebie post and give out tons of free books! So come and join my blog as well if you like free books.

  Follow me on BookBub if you just want new release notices: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-l-hendricks

  Sneak Peek - Hurricane Of Magic

  More than a hurricane is coming...

  Jenna and the Dolls are preparing for Hurricane Gerttie while the vampires are preparing in a very different way.

  A total of eight freshman girls from the local university go missing and the Dolls team up with Rico and his pack to find them.

  Even the local witch's council is getting involved in a way
no one ever expected! Can their help increase the chances of success for Jenna?

  Come and see why readers are loving this new series set in New Orleans with an indie rock band, reminiscent of The Pussycat Dolls, who teams up with a wolf shifter pack to help rid the town of paranormal creatures who refuse to follow the rules.

  Chapter 1

  Jenna

  “Oomph!” I landed on my butt - hard! This fighting wasn’t getting any easier. In fact, it was getting tougher.

  “Dude, you better not mess up my pants! They’re brand new.” I hated it when vampires attacked for no good reason.

  “Doll, I wouldn’t worry about your pants if I were you.” The vampire who threw me to the ground was coming back to get me again, but I was ready this time.

  With a roundhouse kick Rico taught me, I got the guy in the gut. His eyes narrowed, and he actually seemed shocked I was able to get in a good kick. These past six months have done wonders for my fighting ability. Well, to be honest, it was non-existent before Rico and his pack took me and my sisters under their wing.

  The vamp backed up a few steps to get out of the reach of my legs. Next thing I knew, the blood-sucker was behind me and had his arm around my neck. Grabbing his arm, I bent at my waist and tossed him over my shoulder. Again, he seemed stunned I was fighting back.

  “Grrr, I’m done playing with you. You are going to submit to me - tonight!” He licked his lips and focused on the throbbing vein in my neck.

  I’ll be honest; it was tiring fighting him. My skills were improving daily, but fighting an actual vampire, when I knew my life was on the line, was very different from sparring with the wolf-shifters who happened to be my friends.

  It was time for the big guns.

  Pulling out the wooden stake from inside my jacket, I got into my fighting stance. Feet spread shoulder width apart, knees bent, and fists out in front of my chest. One hand gripped the stake and was ready to strike the second this blood-sucker was close enough.

  “Okay, Buffy. You got me. I surrender.” The vampire was very sarcastic. He must have been a newer vamp if he knew that pop-culture reference.

  “Funny, I don’t take you for the Spike kinda guy. You seem like the kinda guy who gets spiked.” I smirked.

  “If I remember correctly, Spike and Buffy got it on more times than anyone can count. I’m up for the same relationship, if you think you can handle me.” His smile disgusted me.

  This guy was nothing like Spike. Real vampires weren’t like what we watched on TV either. They were more evil and more interested in having humans be their daily blood supply than friends.

  “Not in this life creep.” I moved closer to him. The sooner I killed him, the better. He gave me the creeps.

  His wicked smile was enough to gag on. “Hmm, sounds like you’re ready for the next life. Good. Let’s get this going. I’m hungry, and your blood is calling to me.”

  “Shut up and make your move, fangboy. I’m ready to get home and take a nice, long, hot bath. Your stink is all over me.” I blinked, and he was next to me.

  Spinning around, I slammed the steak into his chest but missed his heart. Grunting I said, “This is harder than Buffy made it look.”

  The vampire laughed and pulled the stake out of his chest. Throwing it far away, he moved behind me. Grabbing my hair, he pulled back my head to give him access to my neck. I could hear him smack his lips before he bit down.

  “Ahhh!” I screamed when his fangs broke the skin. As the pain made its way through my head, I realized I needed to do something and fast.

  “You’re right. I do want to jump your bones. The bad guys are always the best lovers. Let go of me, and I’ll be happy to go with you.” It was the only thing I could think of to get his fangs off my neck.

  He was way too strong for me to pull away from. If I didn’t stop him, I’d be too weak to fight him when he did let go.

  He pulled his head back and licked my blood off his lips, like it was ice cream. “Hmmm, your blood is sweeter than it smells. I can’t wait to get you back to my room. You made the right choice.” He licked my neck and lightly nibbled on my ear.

  It sent chills of disgust up and down my spine. How could anyone enjoy this? It hurt!

  “What’s your name?” I wanted to be able to tell Rico who I killed tonight, if I made it out of here alive.

  “You can call me, Spike, if you like.” He continued to kiss my neck and ear. If he didn’t let me go soon, I’d be puking.

  “No, your real name. What do I call you in front of others?” If I kept him talking, maybe he would begin to relax and let go of me, or give me a chance to grab the other stake in my boot.

  “Master. All acolytes call me master. However, when we are alone, you may address me as Derek.” He turned me around and kissed my mouth full on. GROSS!

  His tongue tried to part my lips. I could taste my own coppery blood as he tried to get me to open my mouth for his tongue. This was it. How far do I let him go before I fight back?

  I couldn’t do it.

  Pushing him back I reached down with one arm for the stake in my boot and pulled it out while he was laughing.

  “I knew you were lying, little hunter. Good, this just makes it all the sweeter.” He lunged at me.

  This time I did hit the mark.

  With wide eyes, he looked down at his chest before he slumped to the ground.

  I wish it was like in the movies or TV shows. Stake a vamp and poof. But no. In real life their lifeless body is still there.

  Joseph, the pack’s Alchemist, told us that the vamp’s bodies have to be set out where the sunlight will hit them in the morning. Then the bodies go poof. However, the body needs to be put in a place where no one will get to it before the sun comes up. If regular humans found it, they would know vampires were real.

  I wished I could just dump it in a trash bin, but then the sun wouldn’t hit it. Hiding it in bushes wouldn’t work either, not enough rays from the sun would get to it. Besides, animals would probably find it before enough sunlight did hit the body.

  Leaving it out in the open was certainly not an option.

  Pulling my phone from my jacket pocket I dialed Rico.

  Not long after I met Rico, we hired him to help us find a friend of ours who had been abducted by a vampire. The cops were no help to Acadia’s sisters when they reported her missing. Rico went down to the police station, and they gave him the CCTV footage showing Acadia leaving a nightclub with a vampire.

  Rico and his pack protected New Orleans and her inhabitants. He was also the CEO of a very successful private investigation firm. Sometimes, he even worked with the local police. They respected him so much, they gave him whatever he asked for.

  “Hey, Jenna! What’s up?” Rico answered on the second ring.

  “Hi, Rico. I could use some help.” Sighing, I told him what happened.

  “YOU WHAT? Of all people, I would think you would know better than to go out at night all alone. What were you thinking?” I could hear his anger, as I’m sure anyone within several blocks of him could.

  I pulled the phone away from my ear and shook my head. That guy had a set of lungs on him.

  “I thought it would be safe to go out for Chinese. There’s this little hole in the wall only a few blocks from my apartment. It was never an issue before. I’m actually surprised no one came running when I screamed.” This was not going well.

  “Where exactly are you? I’ll see who’s the closest and send them to you. Is there a store or restaurant you can wait inside of?”

  “Um, I’m in an alley close to the Chinese restaurant, Uncle Wong’s. I’ll head there. What do I do about the body?” I looked around at my surroundings and noticed a few things I could use to cover up the body temporarily.

  “Never mind, I’ll just put some trash over him. I doubt anyone will look too closely at stinking garbage.” Walking over to the dumpster I eyed earlier, I picked up some mostly empty boxes and dumped the contents on the vamp.

&nb
sp; Great, it was rotting vegetables. At least the stench would keep away any lookie-loos.

  Chapter 2

  Jenna

  I heaved a huge sigh of relief when I walked into Uncle Wong’s. “Hey, Jimmie. Do you have my order ready?”

  “Jenna? What happened to you? Why do you have blood on your neck and shirt?” Jimmie was actually Uncle Wong.

  Who ever heard of a Chinese restaurant called Uncle Jimmie’s? Wong isn’t even his last name, it’s Ang. Not the best name for a restaurant. I liked the name Uncle Wong, it flowed off the tongue.

  “I was attacked in the alley.” I held up my hands when Jimmie started to get upset.

  “I called a friend, and he’s sending someone to help me. I’ll be ok after I get some of your famous wonton soup and a bath.” Sitting down in a chair, I looked to the TV he had in the bar area. It was currently showing the weather report.

  Jimmie rushed into the back and came out within a minute carrying a steaming hot cup of wonton soup. “Here, take this while you wait. It’ll help give you nourishment. Can I get you some tea? I think tea would be good.” He ran to the back again.

  I called out, “Thanks, Jimmie! It looks worse than what it really is.”

  Looking around, I noticed there weren’t any other customers in the place. Normally, Uncle Wong’s was really busy this time of night. It was close to eleven at night, but he always had to make people leave when they closed at one in the morning. Wong’s was a very popular place to hit up after the clubs or the parades.

  Since no one was around, I put the bowl to my lips and slurped it. Jimmie wouldn’t care. “Mmm, this is exactly what I needed! Thanks, Jimmie.”

  He walked out of the kitchen with a cup of piping hot tea. I could see the steam coming off the cup. “Drink this, and don’t slurp my wonton soup! It’s not ladylike.” Jimmie pursed his lips and took the seat next to me.