Goddess Fish Promotions Presents

The Witch and the Dreamwalker
by Victoria Rogers

A randomly drawn winner will receive a $15 Amazon/BN GC – Enter Below

It’s 1982, and corporate witch Vivian McKinley is determined to climb the ladder of a growing paranormal security firm. With the help of Xavier Prince, President and CEO of Prince Charms, Vivian uncovers a plot to take over the business. The pair navigate office politics and machinations to prove a psychic vampire’s treachery.

4 out of 5

Who said the 80s were dead? Step back a few decades with a smart, enchanting witch and her much too sexy boss. There’s a little steam, but also a little intrigue with a psychic vampire on the loose. I liked Vivian overall, she’s smart, independent, and determined to cut her own way in a corporation that very much is an old boy’s club in some ways. I was intrigued from the first chapter, watching how Vivian handled everything, including her attraction to her boss. Overall, a fun read with just enough steam to make you reach for a cool drink.

β€œHere, you look like you need one of these.” Jenny thrust a shot glass into Vivian’s hand.

Vivian shook her head, β€œNo. Thank you. This is work.” She passed the glass back to Jenny.

Jenny made a face. β€œVivian, dear, this is a party. Work ended the moment you stepped foot into this ballroom.”

β€œNot true. This is work. Everyone here is networking. Besides, I was just talking business with Xavier.”

Jenny’s brows shot upward. β€œFirst name basis, are we? Not Mr. Prince? At any rate,” she said, not giving Vivian the chance to answer the question, β€œlook around. People are here to attend a party. The bar is already on its fourth bottle of whiskey.”

Vivian ignored her. β€œI’ve been promoted, Jenny. I’m now head of R and D!”

β€œWhat? Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Wait! That means you’re my boss? Holy shit, Vivian! I’ve never had a woman boss before. You get it, Viv. Make these men quake in their shoes. You’ve got to do a tequila shot with me, then.”

β€œTequila? You want me to be sick? No, thank you. I’m fine. I should talk to John. Have you seen him?”

β€œOh, yeah. He’s at the bar talking to Drew from sales.”

β€œThank you,” Vivian replied.

β€œI will get you to do a shot before the night is out.”

β€œNo. You won’t,” Vivian called over her shoulder.

* * *

John was exactly where Jenny said he was — at the bar enjoying a glass of cognac with Drew from sales.

β€œVivian!” John bellowed, waving her over. β€œSaw you talking to Mr. Prince. Has he taken my advice?”

Vivian grinned. β€œIf your advice was to have me take up the mantle, then yes. Yes! By the gods, John. I don’t know what to say. I haven’t had time to process this yet.”

John beamed and took her hand and patted it lightly. β€œI’m proud of you, Vivian. You’re going to go far. You’d be wasted in that shop, peddling basic charms.”

β€œI wouldn’t call my grandmother’s charms basic. She taught me all I know. She’d have a few choice words to say to you if she heard that!”

β€œI stand corrected.” He chuckled, belly bouncing with each percussive breath. β€œDrew, have you met Vivian? She’s now the head of R and D.”

The salesman laughed at first, but when John didn’t laugh in response he quickly sobered. β€œWhat? Where are you going, John? Is Simeon finally retiring?”

John shook his head. β€œNo. I’m retiring, Drew. It’s time I spent more time with the grandkids.”

β€œOh, come on. You’ve got a few years yet.”

β€œNo, no. It’s time to go home. I can’t compete with these kids anymore. Vivian’s ward is one hell of a piece of work. I would never have been able to dream that up.”

β€œThe psychic vamp ward? The one I’ve got people lining up to order? That was you?” he asked while looking at her, mouth agape.

John snorted. β€œOf course, it was her, she gave the presentation, didn’t she?”

β€œI thought… I thought she gave the presentation to…”

Vivian arched a brow. β€œTo what, exactly?”

β€œYou know, to, to sell –”

β€œShe’s goading you, Drew. And I’d stop with that thought right now. Vivian here knows her stuff, and she’s going to put Prince Charms on the global map.”

Vivian could hear the clack of Drew’s teeth as he snapped his mouth shut.

β€œI think a drink is in order, don’t you?” John turned toward the bartender. β€œThree bourbon, neat.”

β€œOh, I don’t think that’s –”

β€œNonsense. This is a party, and if you’re going to hang with the old boys you have to play by their rules. Here, have a cigar.”

Vivian stared at the offered stogie.

β€œMight as well join us in smoking them. You’re going to be stuck in smoky rooms and end up smoking them anyway. It’s better firsthand.”

Vivian wasn’t sure she followed John’s logic on that one, but she reached out for the cigar anyway.

β€œThat’s my girl. Now, here, you cut them like this.” He snipped the end of the cigar with a gold-plated cutter he pulled from his pocket. β€œAnd let me get that for you,” he said, flicking open his matching lighter.

She didn’t cough. She knew enough from her father that you didn’t actually inhale a cigar, unlike a cigarette.

John grinned as she exhaled like a professional. β€œNow.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. β€œTime for bourbon.” He passed both her and Drew a glass and then held his aloft. β€œTo Vivian, who’s going to shake the paranormal world so hard it won’t know what happened.”

Vivian expected everyone to sip their drink, but no, down their gullets the amber liquid went. She tried not to gag at the flavor. A whiskey lover she was not.

β€œIt’ll grow on you,” John said with a thump on her back as if reading her mind. β€œBartender! Another round.”

Amazon | Goodreads

Victoria Rogers is an award-winning podcaster, game designer, and storyteller known for their immersive worlds and strong female characters.

Witches, warlocks, gods, and ghosts fill their dreams and stories. Consent and healthy communication are two major aspects of their work – after all, you can’t get what you want unless you ask for it.

Victoria can be found in the garden and in the kitchen making fruit wines, brewing beers, and infusing spirits. When not feeding friends, they attend tabletop gaming conventions and sit on storytelling and world-building panels, teach about online marketing, and produce live events.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub

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