Hyde
Dark Musicals Book #3
By Laura DeLuca
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Blurb:
Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.
She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn't bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.
When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.
Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.
Excerpt:
The act ended with Hyde grabbing hold of a scantily dressed Lucy and pulling her into his arms. Then the lights on the stage were extinguished, and the silent crowd suddenly burst into thunderous applause-even some of the cast was clapping. Rebecca couldn't help but notice Steve was watching the fanfare with a frown, especially when Fernando, dressed for the next scene as the butler, clapped Justyn on the back with undisguised approval and pride. Rebecca had the distinct feeling Steve was plotting something sinister and definitely Hyde-worthy.
From that point on, Justyn scarcely had a moment out of the spotlight. Rebecca didn't even get a chance to tell him how fabulous he was. It felt as though the show had only begun when Rebecca found herself decked out in the splendid Victorian wedding gown signaling the final act was about to begin. The dress came complete with realistic bell sleeves, an excessive bustle, and a long, flowing trail embroidered with delicate lace. The elaborate wardrobes and happy wedding guests gave the audience the illusion that it might be a happy ending after all, but for Dr. Jekyll and Emma, that wasn't meant to be. As soon as the reverend began to recite the vows, Hyde made his final deadly appearance.
At the beginning of the scene, it was sweet and romantic. Justyn started out holding her hand, looking happy, almost ecstatic to be with his true love. Then he suddenly started to sway. Tom, in his role of John, the best man, tried to steady him, but there wasn't anything he could do to stop the transformation. Dr. Jekyll doubles over in agony and tries to run before Emma can see him change into a monster. Justyn was supposed to head toward the back of the stage where Rebecca would pursue him and eventually become Hyde's captive. But they should have known no opening night could ever go exactly as planned, especially when it was obvious at least half the cast was out to get them.
Just as Justyn stumbled across the stage, Steve, who was blending in with the other guests on the sidelines, stuck out his foot. It was doubtful anyone else observed the sabotage, aside from Petya, who was smirking at her husband's side. But Rebecca was at the perfect vantage point to see the intentional attack. Unfortunately, Justyn was so wrapped up in the role he didn't notice the danger, especially since his loose hair was dangling in front of his eyes. Before Rebecca could cry out a warning, Justyn's foot was caught in the snare. With a grunt, he tumbled off the side of the stage. Even over the background music and the gasps from the audience, Rebecca heard the loud thump as he hit the ground. She raised her hands to her mouth and couldn't help but scream.
Phantom
Dark Musicals Book #1
By Laura DeLuca
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Blurb:
The "Phantom" was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses "Phantom" as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.
Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars-Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.
Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn't know who to trust, but she knows she's running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.
Demon
Dark Musicals Book #2
By Laura DeLuca
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Blurb:
When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren't in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.
It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.
Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd-both on and off the stage.
Guest Post:
On The Way to Cape May
In Demon, I had my characters stop by to visit my home town of Wildwood. In Hyde, most of the story is set in another little town in South Jersey that is close to my heart, Victorian Cape May. Today I thought I'd take the time to show you some of the sights of Cape May, many of which helped to set the scene for the final book in the Dark Musicals Trilogy. But before we go sightseeing, enjoy this classic song, On the Way to Cape May.
As soon as you enter the streets of Cape May, it's like stepping back in time. The streets are lined with beautiful homes, painted in pastels and lined with gingerbread trim. These homes have stood the test of time, many standing over a century or more despite being battered by hurricanes and tropical storms including Super Storm Sandy. Here are a few of my favorite houses.
These horse and buggies might be pretty to look out, but as the gang in Hyde discover, it's no fun getting stuck behind one of the road.
This is the parking lot in Cape May where Justyn has to leave his Mustang in Hyde. With limited parking space in the city, most of the local businesses pay for passes for their employees to park here. See that brown building in the background? That's the insurance agency where I worked for ten years. My husband used to park in the city lot next store to my office when he was a chef in Cape May. Our cars were parked nose to nose for years, but with different schedules we never met until we tried internet dating. Behind the parking lot and my old office are some lovely marshes that are a great place to dump bodies.
In Hyde, Justyn and Becca get a job at a dinner theater in Cape May. In the story, the name of the establishment is Tamilio's, named after my step-father Fernando who is their boss. The description of the theater is a combination of these two buildings--a real dinner theater in Cape May called Elaine's and a bed & breakfast called the Sea Mist that Fernando used to own. As mentioned in the story, both these buildings, and many of the Victorian structures in Cape May, are believed to be haunted.
There are lots of other fun stops in Cape May. If you ever visit the Jersey Shore, be sure to stop by and visit, just watch out for the ghosts. To learn more about the town, be sure to pick up your copy of Hyde today.
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 editor 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. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.
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Giveaway:
Laura is giving away a signed copy of Phantom, Geode, Incense, sterling silver pentacle charm, natural stone pendant, crystal point, and Lavender Purification Bath Salts.
This is for US residents only!
