Feature Fiction || Seize by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

 

Lexie Arden has a loving husband, a thriving business, and consults with the New Orleans Police Dept on murder cases. Kalfu has given her everything she desires, but challengers to her authority are closing in.

Her dark secret remains hidden from everyone except Magnus. He sees the evil growing stronger, changing her, and hurting her marriage. If Lexie doesn’t rid herself of Kalfu’s influence soon, the consequences will be irreversible.

When she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the swamp, she uncovers a library of rare books on voodoo. Their spells can reverse the dark lord’s hold and set right the balance between darkness and light. But such magic requires a great sacrifice; one Lexie isn’t willing to make.

With the shadow spirits and raging voodoo gods vying for her attention, Lexie is on the verge of losing everything—her husband, her power, Magnus, and possibly, her life.
The battle for control of the mambo’s soul is about to begin.

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As ya'll know by now, I'm a huge animal advocate. I believe that we need to care for these animals, both domestic and wild,  and give them a voice that they themselves do not have. When I discovered that both authors have the same type of belief, I knew that I wanted to hear from them. Alexandrea Weis graciously agreed to do such a guest post about her experiences as a wildlife rehabber. Luckily, in our area, we have a wildlife center that takes care of these creatures.  There's no denying the hard work that goes into rehabbing these creatures so that they are able to be released back where they belong: the wild. If you are interested in locating a wildlife rehabber near you, check out the Humane Society's list of rehabbers by state. And please, make sure that you first educate yourself on whether an animal truly needs your help before you act. 

Guest Post

Being a Wildlife Rehabber has opened my eyes to a variety of creatures and their habits, and I have come to love every species that has lived under my roof while rehabilitating to return to the wild. The most playful creatures I have ever cared for are foxes. And many people say they would love to have such a pet. But these denizens of destruction can desolate a room faster than a flood, and leave a lingering scent that no amount of Pine-Sol can dissipate. I often warn people to rethink their choice of pet when it comes to any wildlife. I have met many people who tried to keep wild animals as pets, but eventually released them because they became hard to handle. For me this is sad, because any animal you have raised and kept for over a year has grown used to that life and not trained to live in the wild. In meaning to help, many people often hurt an animal’s chances of survival.

As a rehabber, my job is also to educate the public on why wild animals do not make good pets. They are beautiful, fuzzy, and their baby faces are to die for, but as they age, the wild streak created by years of genetic refinement will come through, and that is rarely compatible with living in society. To help any wild baby or injured animal, I encourage people who love animals to get in touch with your local wildlife rehabber or rehab facility. There you can come in close contact with these marvelous creatures and learn to appreciate them more. Rehabbing wildlife is a tough job. There is no pay, a lot of heartache, and even more cleaning up to do, but for those dedicated to seeing to the best for an animal it is a calling beyond compare. So if you ever see a helpless baby squirrel or injured raccoon, get on your phone or computer and contact the closest wildlife rehabber. It will be the animal’s best chance for survival, and ensure they can have a happy return to their woodland home.  

To find a wildlife rehabber, contact your state Wildlife and Fisheries. They have a list of all permitted rehabbers in the state.       

About the Authors

Alexandrea Weis RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

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