Lured, Spirits of Savannah, Book #2

Savannah has captured a piece of my heart. I hope it captures yours as well.

Arelia LaRue Literary Tour and Update

 Hi guys and I am back. So many of you are asking, what is next? Is there going to be more Arelia? The answer is yes, there are 2 more books planned in the series. I do not intend to leave you guys hanging. 

The truth is, I took a break from writing for many reasons and now I am getting back into the swing of things. I have read your feedback on book 8, the good, bad, etc. I know many people are divided over the book. That is okay. I cannot make everyone happy. What I can do, is stay true to the series, fight for Lucus and Arelia to find their way back to one another. And write a book that means something. 

I also have a new series out. It is called CALLED THE SPIRITS OF SAVANNAH  #1. It is for adults but we have magic, history, and mystery. I am proud to introduce the beautiful city of Savannh to readers with all of its history and legends. 

Another thing

One of my readers is going to NOLA this week because my books pushed her to explore the city that she has always had a desire to know. How cool is that? Very!!!

Anyhow, I have put together a little tourist post based on the books. If you ever decide to go to NOLA

Here it is:

Literary Tour for Arelia LaRue Series New Orleans

What is Darkwood Plantation based on? Oak Alley Plantation. The beautiful plantation was also where Lestat and Louis lived in the movie Interview with the Vampire

https://www.oakalleyplantation.com/

 

What neighborhood did Grand-mere Bea and Arelia live in?

I picture them living in Treme. Why? Because it was a neighborhood in which free people of color could buy property.

“

Treme – as far back as its founding in the 18th Century – served as cultural rendezvous between the worlds of white and black while its back streets birthed a music that conquered the world”

 

https://www.neworleans.com/plan/neighborhoods/treme/

 

Where does Sabrina live?

We all know!!! The Garden District is full of dreamy mansions, the scent of jasmine lingers in the air.

https://www.neworleans.com/plan/neighborhoods/uptown-garden-district/

What is Lola’s based off?

The Famous Café Du Monde which is a legend, “The Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market. The Cafe is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans”.

https://shop.cafedumonde.com/

 

Where did Cecile hang out back in the day?

The French Quarter or the Vieux Carre

https://www.neworleans.com/plan/neighborhoods/french-quarter/

This is where you will find St. Louis Cathedral, ghosts, and the famous Bourbon street.

Talk Soon!

New Series: Called, Spirits of Savannah

 

Sophie seems to have it all, a thriving career at the MET, a handsome soon-to-be fiancé, and an eccentric father who is the toast of the academic world. Yet, fate has other plans for her. After the death of her father, she starts to see visions of a beautiful woman who claims that Sophie needs to return home and take care of some unfinished business.

But where is home? And what business? Unexpectedly, she receives a strange invitation from a mysterious organization in Savannah, Georgia. Determined to find out more about the circumstances surrounding her father’s death and her sudden ability to see the dead, she accepts.

Welcome to Savannah, Georgia, a city so beautiful that was spared from the wrath of Union General William T. Sherman. In this city filled with the spirits of the dead, arching live oaks draped in picturesque Spanish moss, luxurious looming mansions, and men who have impeccable manners and voices as smooth as butter Sophie is an outsider. Yet, she begins to discover that maybe the answers that she has been searching for are closer than she expected… Step into the haunting yet beautiful world of Sophie and Savannah where the dead walk among the living and every nook and cranny has a mystery that demands to be solved.

 Pre-Order Links

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NJFBHMW

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165113406

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781005314293

iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1600326964

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1120621

RISEN AN ARELIA LARUE BOOK #8

Risen is finally out! Yes, finally!

RISEN An Arelia LARue Book #8

Hi Guys,

Finally, I present the cover for RISEN!!!! Pre-orders will start this week. I don't want to give away too much. It is an intense book and I am SUPER EXCITED for you guys to read it.



Here are some music tracks that go along with the book.

The Girl on Prytania Street is Out!

Links

For now, the book is on Amazon only. It will be published on other sites in June. Thank you!

Amazon


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6531WD

The Girl on Prytania Street is out this month!

Hi Guys,

Finally, a new book!!! I am very excited to announce that  my first adult novel, The Girl on Prytania Street will be out this month (exact date to be announced).

So, what is it about?


Here is the blurb:

It isn't a conspiracy if it's true...


Kate Givens used to have it all, a loving husband, a successful career as a journalist at a major New York City newspaper and a teenage daughter who was the center of her world. Three years later, Kate is a shadow of her former self. She spends too much time indulging in bad habits, stalking her ex-husband and obsessing over the endless possibilities as to what really happened to her missing daughter.


 Everything changes the day she is forced to go to New Orleans and cover a story that has shocked the entire country. In this strange and haunting city, she starts to see and hear things that she shouldn't. Her world begins to unravel further and shocking secrets that have been well hidden slowly come to light.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is really responsible for her daughter's disappearance? In this addictively gripping thriller, nothing is what is seems and no one can be trusted.

For those of you waiting for book 8 in the Arelia LaRue series, good news, it is expected to be out in May. I am planning on publishing more adult books this year as well.

Thank you!

The Girl on Prytania Street

Hi Guys,
It's been a while since I have blogged. I've been working on a new book called The Girl on Prytania Street. It is a psychological adult thriller that takes place in New Orleans!!



I have decided to take on new genres and explore different areas of writing. Book number 8 in the Arelia LaRue Series is on the way. I have not abandoned the series, it will be out soon, an exact release date will be posted shortly.


The Girl on Prytania Street will be soon!

REBELLED, An Arelia LaRue Book #7

RELEASE DATE: August 21, 2016

Order now! BN http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rebelled-an-arelia-larue-novel-7-kira-saito/1123741168?type=eBook

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKZMOF8#nav-subnav

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rebelled-arelia-larue-novel/id1109052306?mt=11

REPRESSED RELEASE DATE OCTOBER 31/Midnight Nov 1. Pre-order now!

It's almost time!!!!!!!!

iBooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/repressed-arelia-larue-novel/id1024719775?mt=11


Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/repressed-an-arelia-larue-novel-6-kira-saito/1122431150?ean=2940152068160

Amazon (It will be out on Nov 1st for this site)

http://www.amazon.com/Repressed-Arelia-LaRue-Novel-ebook/dp/B0179YJUVE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446056989&sr=8-1&keywords=repressed+kira+saito



Here a great REPRESSED song!!!!!!

Repressed Release Date October 31, 2015

Anyone who pre-orders will get a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Down in New Orleans, Arelia quickly discovers that  there is no rest for the weary or for the wicked. With Emilie desperate to destroy her at any cost, Arelia must act like a true Queen and find answers to questions that she isn’t ready to ask. From the spirited halls of Darkwood to the lush fields of Haiti circa 1790, Arelia chases after the past only to discover that the ghosts of yesterday never really die.

Filled with an unlikely romance full of danger, betrayal of the worst kind, an obsessive thirst for power, spirits with ways and means, Arelia’s strange and haunting world will spirit you away.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/repressed-arelia-larue-novel/id1024719775?mt=11

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/repressed-an-arelia-larue-novel-6-kira-saito/1122431150?ean=2940152068160

Arelia LaRue Book #6 REPRESSED Teaser

Hi Guys! Book 6 cover, release date and pre-order info will be posted on August 1st.


Here is a little teaser :) Enjoy!

Chapter One

They Would Do Anything to Materialize Their Every Wish

Darkwood Plantation Present Day

The summer wind wasn’t warm enough to dry the fat beads of sweat that dripped off of my grimy forehead. They trickled down my hot cheeks and further stained the once clean yellow lace dress I wore.  I unsuccessfully tried to block out the taunting screams and drunken laughter that seeped through the cemetery gate. As if mocking my plight, the wild swamp animals joined in on the exhilarating hollers that continued to rise at an alarming rate. 

Despite the eerie moonlight that shone on the gnarled oak claws the world was cloaked in a heavy darkness. It took me a split second to realize that this darkness that surrounded me wasn’t literal. It was spiritual. Something within my soul told me that the world I once knew was slowly succumbing to this madness. In the twinkling of an eye everything had changed. Everything I thought was truth had evaporated into the ghostly past. One by one lies were coming out of the antique French armoires. Whatever else was hidden would not remain that way for long. Lies couldn’t be repressed forever. They had a way of catching up with you.

   
The only thing I could think of was running. I had to outrun the stench of toxic herbs and spicy rum that hounded me. I had to outrun the claws that that tugged on my hair. I had to outrun my past. I had to outrun The Past and somehow stop it from manifesting in the present. I wanted to run until my bare feet turned raw and bled viciously.  Alas, as Bade would lovingly say “silly Arelia.”

I felt silly because I knew that I couldn’t run forever, but I was smart enough to admit that I was terrified of the battle that lay ahead.  I had made the mistake of buying into the lie that had been forced down my throat since birth. The lie that insisted that time was linear. Things happened and they forever remained within the confines of crusty old history books. Society forgot the faces, voices struggles and warnings of those who came before them and the world moved on. The past is over, but the present you can seize and all of that jazz. It was such a limited way of looking at life. I had come to realize that Bon Dieu was much bigger than our minuscule perception.

“I’m hungry and my feet hurt.” The irritated voice interrupted my philosophical musings. My sweat turned ice cold and chills inched their way up my back. The tiny hand that was entwined with mine tightened its sweaty grip almost crushing my fingers in the process. I refused to look to my side. I couldn’t face her. “Did you hear me? I’m hungry!!! My feet hurt and I’m tired. Do you even have a plan?” The voice was getting increasingly annoyed with every step we took. “Emilie always had food.”

I let out a small sigh as I brushed away a wisp of Spanish moss that had managed to creep into my ear. “Of course Emilie always had food,” I said under my breath. It was the number one rule of war: food and entertainment. 

I had learned "Panem et Circensus" from the million and one times that Sabrina had forced me to watch Gladiator. She had claimed that it was the only movie in which Russell Crowe would ever be remotely hot.  Distract the masses with food and entertainment while Rome burns.  A flashback from our ninth grade history class hit me.  I remembered nerdishly cute Mr. Jackson with his furrowed brow and floppy hair furiously reading us Juvenal: “The people who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions- everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.”

At that time Sabrina had mockingly stuck out her tongue at his angst. In retrospect it became clear that ever step she had taken had been a carefully placed sign prepping me for this big revelation. I had been so clueless and attached to the material that I had completely neglected the spiritual. I couldn’t think about that though. I didn’t have the option of lamenting over the imaginary Sabrina Richards and beating myself over my shortcomings. I had to take down Emilie and find Him. Who was this mystery man and how did he have so much supernatural power over Emilie and Ghede Massaka?

“I’M HUNGRY!!!” The tiny hand started to dig its sharp claw like nails into my knuckles. “I’M HUNGRY! I’M HUNGRY! I’M HUNGRY! You’re pathetic, do you know that? I’d rather be dancing with Ghede Massaka and his smelly sack! Take me back to Emilie!”

I couldn’t face her. I couldn’t look at her. It was too painful. The product of Cecile and Edmond’s twisted relationship was forever perfectly preserved in the form of a beautiful baby zombie.

“Look at me!” she demanded. “You’re such a coward!”

Darkwood Cook book!

Hi guys! Sorry I have not posted on here in a while. I figured that Facebook is an easier and faster way to keep up with readers.

So, first of all, thank you for your continued support. Book 6 is still underway. I decided to put to gether a Darkwood cook book as so many readers love the food mentioned in the books.

This book is based on my love for history and NOLA food. It contains recipes, history lessons based on the food and character quotes. I hope you guys enjoy it. Out June 10th 2015. 

Update on the Series...

Wow. Long time. I haven't written an actual blog post in forever. Many of you are wondering why Suppressed took so long to be released. Well, it wasn't writer's block or lack of motivation. It wasn't because I got bored of the series or gave up. It was a case of letting the critics get to me. Letting other people tell me that I should end the series or focus more on this part or that part.


Some readers didn't get the point of Oppressed and why it was written. I let that get to me. Others said enough with the history already. I let that get to me too. Being an indie author is not easy. We don't have a huge team behind us to get us through times when we feel like giving up.

I got soooo focused on trying to make every single person happy that I forgot how much I love the series. I forgot how much I loved discovering the spirits, NOLA history, the characters. Finally with the help of some amazing friends, J and Rhonda, as well as my amazing readers who love the series for what it is, I was able to cast away self doubt.

Thank you guys! I love that you love getting spirited away.

I am planning 2-3 more books in the series and hope to have book 6 out before next year.



This advice from Anne Rice is now my new motto



I'm asked every day for pointers on fiction writing. Here goes: the first thing you have to do as a writer is write. You become the writer of your dreams by writing. Write, write, write. You aren't a writer until you write, and all the pondering, considering, asking for career advice doesn't matter until you actually write. Write what interests you, what obsesses you, and not what you think might interest or obsess some one else. Protect your own voice, your own vision, your own characters, your own stories. Go where the pain is; go where the pleasure is. Create the book you want to read, the book you want to live in; the book you love. And then be stubborn. Never cave to rejection or criticism. Just keep going until you find those who "get" what you are doing; and make yourself into the writer you want to be. Ponder the absolute value of individual imagination, individual eccentricity, individual discovery and surprise. And remember: the world needs you. If you don't write the classics of tomorrow, we won't have any.

Suppressed is out JULY 10th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suppressed is out tomorrow.

ITUNES Pre-order: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781311418227

Buy on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/suppressed-arelia-larue-novel/id891304322?mt=11

BN Pre-order:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suppressed-an-arelia-larue-novel-5-kira-saito/1119843730?ean=2940046021431

Kindle it will be posted tomorrow (I don't know the exact time). We’ll post links once it’s live.

Kindle and BN readers if you purchase the book within two weeks of its release you can still enter the contest.

Details here:

https://www.facebook.com/216126158450770/photos/a.656624331067615.1073741825.216126158450770/735239439872770/?type=1&theater

PRE-ORDER Suppressed!

Okay Ladies and Gentleman...the moment you've all been waiting for...

Rules of this contest are: 
1. Preorder Suppressed
2. Send proof of your preordered book to my Facebook page via a message.


It's that easy!
Preorder for Suppressed is up on iTunes as of now, but if kindle owners buy the book the first week it is released, they can still enter!
B&N preordering for Suppressed will be up soon!
Winners will be announced August 1st!
Happy preordering!
Good Luck!


P.s Prizes 1 and 2 come from the French Quarter! NOLA.

More details here

http://www.voodooshop.com/products/ed_pack/T-03.html

http://www.voodooshop.com/products/vevecollection/DSCN4767.JPG

Suppressed can now be pre-ordered on ITUNES

USA:      http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781311418227

United Kingdom:             http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781311418227

Canada:               http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/isbn9781311418227

Australia:            http://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781311418227

France: http://itunes.apple.com/fr/book/isbn9781311418227

Germany:           http://itunes.apple.com/de/book/isbn9781311418227

The Torture is OVER SUPPRESSED

Suppressed Pre-orders start next week!

Links will be posted once they are live. 

Quick Reminder

Once again thank you to ALL my loyal, supportive fans for your patience. I would just like to say that YES Suppressed is coming soon, no the delay is not due to writers block or lack of ideas. I expect it to be up for pre-order by May 10th. I will announce an official release date at the end of this month.

I"m so very excited for this book. Lot's of new spirits and insights and general creepiness. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Kira.

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like the Series on Facebook.

Guys, if you're a fan, please like the series on Facebook. Lots of cool stuff is posted daily.  All updates, teasers and extras are posted there first. Thank you :)


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kira-Saito/216126158450770

Sorry for the Hangtime