The Mind Behind the Mind
This is the first novel in a trilogy. Leera is a world where the bloody sun is said to be the head of the witch that was killed by the first witch hunter. To prove the good intentions of her people, Tessa pursues a murderer, joining forces with Bastian, a witch hunter, and putting her life and the lives of her fellow witches at risk.

Genre: Dark Romantic Fantasy

Excerpt from Chapter 3:

Bastian attempted to encircle her waist and pull her closer, but Tessa stepped back. She shouldn't have done that, shouldn't have gotten so close. So she turned to the starry sky, hoping she could regain her will. The wave rolling off Bastian jumped, still a surge of desire, but confused hiccups marred the consistency.

"Did you think you'd find a witch here? You didn't answer me."

Bastian's emotions drew in. "They can be anywhere."

Tessa recalled a story her mother had told her as a child--a good distraction. "Well, I think you're right. There's one here."

He moved next to her, hand griping the hilt of his sword. "What?" All his desire vanished, replaced by eagerness and alarm. And something else underneath, darker and more feral.

"There, the constellation." Tessa pointed. "The story of the witch in the sky. She follows you, even in a town like Sierka."

Bastian removed his hand from his sword, the beast inside quieting. "Yes, I know, but that one's already dead. The sun is her head, rolling through the sky by day, soaked in blood."

"So gruesome. My mother told me she'd find her head one day and have her revenge." Tessa laughed. "Fairy-tales." A tale Tessa wished would come true. If it weren't for that first witch hunter, she wouldn't be anguishing over the one standing next to her.