Baptism by Fire

Have you ever read a book you REALLY wanted to like, but something - a hated trope, content issues, an unlikable character, etc - made you bail before the end? That's actually how my latest book, Baptism by Fire, came about.

I picked up book from the library about a vampire who was employed by the US President and his brand new human partner. Together, they solved paranormal crimes. I guess. I didn't get that far. I'm pretty open-minded about most content issues in my reading, but I have a couple hard nopes. One of which got hit twice in the first couple chapters.

Frustrated and rather disappointed, I decided to write my own story. Dante Brand and Rick McCoy were the result. Dante is a phoenix cursed to be a human, currently employed by the Paranormal Investigations branch of the Secret Service. He's a devout Catholic, a bit of a drama queen, loves expensive suits, and has the power to burn anything he touches. Rick is a Baptist from rural Indiana, stubborn, a crack shot, and an a outstanding investigator. Together they investigate crimes committed by mythics against humans.

I wanted a snarky buddy cop series like the old cop shows I love, but with a fantasy twist. I love stories about two best bros who would not hesitate to put their lives on the line for each other, but also won't hesitate to slap some sense into their buddy if they have to. Rick and Dante are not my first pair of best bros, but I have to say that I think they are going to easily be one of my favorites!

Baptism by Fire is the first book of an indefinite series. I already have five of them planned, and have gotten a good start on the second book already. Baptism by Fire is available in paperback from most retailers and in ebook on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. Here's the blurb if you want more information:

Baptism by Fire

When Secret Service Agent Rick McCoy punches his partner’s murderer in the face after arresting him, he fears his dream of getting promoted to the President’s personal detail is over. His boss has a different transfer in mind and partners him with the agency’s top agent in the super secret Paranormal Investigations Division – an immortal phoenix cursed to human form. The problem is that Rick doesn’t believe in the paranormal, immortals, phoenixes, or curses.

Phoenix Dante Brand was cursed centuries ago to human form for daring to think himself more beautiful than a fae. Finding his purpose in stopping mythic crimes, he has been an agent of the US government since he escaped Revolutionary France. Breaking in a new human partner is always hard, and a rash of murders targeting human sidekicks doesn’t bode well for their already rocky relationship.

When one attack nearly ends their fledgling partnership, and another places Dante himself under suspicion, Dante and Rick find themselves scrambling to figure out who is blaming human murders on mythics before the flames of violence are fanned into full-fledged war. There are factions on both sides who would benefit from a human mythic war, and are more than willing to pour gasoline on the fire of prejudice and suspicion regardless of how many lives it costs.