Phantom eBook is FREE to Celebrate the Release of the Audiobook!

The Phantom was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses "Phantom" as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card. Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars-Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist. Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn't know who to trust, but she knows she's running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty-first century phantom finally be revealed.

Get your free copy of Phantom on Amazon. Find the audiobook on Amazon or Audible.

Celebrate Summer with Hi Mountain Seasonings' Western Grill Bundle

 

About Hi Mountain Seasonings

Hi Mountain Seasonings is a Wyoming‑based company known for crafting high‑quality rubs, marinades, brines, dip mixes, jerky kits, and specialty blends made for outdoor cooking and backyard grilling. Their products are designed to help home cooks elevate everyday meals with bold, western‑inspired flavor. Whether you’re grilling for a crowd, smoking ribs all afternoon, or experimenting with new recipes, Hi Mountain Seasonings offers blends that make it easy to turn simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

My Unboxing Experience

For the Fourth of July, I unboxed the Western Grill Bundle, and it felt like opening a treasure chest of flavor. The bundle includes six of their customer‑favorite seasonings and rubs: Cajun Campfire Seasoning, Original Burger Seasoning, Garlic Pepper Rub, Rib Rub, Alaskan Salmon Seasoning, and Zesty Western Gourmet Burger Seasoning.

I was excited to try them out at our holiday barbecue. Each blend smelled incredible right out of the bottle, and the variety meant we could season everything from burgers to ribs to fish without repeating a single flavor profile. Check out the video below to watch the full unboxing and see my first impressions.

@authorlauradeluca Hi Mountain Seasonings Unboxing! #seasoning #barbeque #unboxingvideo #4thofJuly ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

My Full Review

We put every seasoning to the test at our Fourth of July cookout, and each one brought something special to the table.

• Cajun Campfire Seasoning — I don't do spicy, but my stepfather used this on chicken and grilled veggies, and it added the perfect bold, smoky kick. Not too spicy, just enough heat to make everything pop.

• Original Burger Seasoning — This one became an instant favorite. It made our burgers juicy, savory, and perfectly seasoned without overpowering the meat.

• Garlic Pepper Rub — We tried this on steaks, and it gave them that classic steakhouse flavor — garlicky, peppery, and delicious.

• Rib Rub — We used this on a rack of ribs, and it delivered exactly what you want: deep, rich, championship‑style flavor that caramelized beautifully on the grill.

• Alaskan Salmon Seasoning — This was perfect on fresh fish. It added brightness and depth without masking the natural flavor.

• Zesty Western Gourmet Burger Seasoning — We used this on a second batch of burgers, and it gave them a tangy, bold twist that everyone loved.

Every seasoning was easy to use, packed with flavor, and versatile enough to work on multiple dishes. The bundle made our Fourth of July spread taste like a full‑blown cookout feast. No guesswork, no complicated recipes, just great seasoning doing its job.

Final Thoughts

Hi Mountain Seasonings made our Fourth of July meal unforgettable, and their Western Grill Bundle is perfect for any summer barbecue. Whether you’re grilling for a crowd or just cooking for your family, these blends make it easy to serve food that tastes amazing. Stock up before Labor Day so you’re ready for every cookout, camping trip, and backyard dinner coming your way.

Connect with High Mountain Seasonings.

Website   Facebook   YouTube 

Potion & Twig Diffusers Review & Giveaway

 

About Potion & Twig

Potion & Twig is a company built by people who care about scent, wellness, and creating a cozy home environment. They specialize in modern, non‑toxic diffusers and thoughtfully crafted fragrances designed to elevate your space without overwhelming it. Their products lean into clean ingredients, sleek design, and smart technology, making them perfect for anyone who wants their home to smell amazing without the hassle of traditional candles or chemical‑heavy sprays.

My Unboxing Experience

I recently unboxed the Sienna Plug‑In Cold Air Diffuser, and I was so excited to try it out. The Sienna came with three scents: Waterfall, Retreat, and Luxe Garden, all beautifully packaged and ready to test. The whole setup felt high‑end and gift‑worthy, and I couldn’t wait to plug it in and see how it performed. Check out the video below to watch the full unboxing and hear my first impressions.

@authorlauradeluca Potion & Twig Diffuser Unboxing! #HomeDecor #essentialoils #unboxingvideo ♬ original sound - Laura Deluca

My Full Review

Once I started using the Sienna diffuser, I was surprised by how simple the whole process was. You just add your fragrance oil to the reservoir, plug it in, and you’re ready to go. There is oil involved, but the design makes it easy to pour and even easier to close securely. Nothing messy or complicated.

I was worried about the app since I’m technologically challenged, but it turned out to be incredibly user‑friendly. It synced right away and let me control the scent strength, set schedules, and adjust how much fragrance is released throughout the day. If you’ve ever been intimidated by smart home gadgets, this one is beginner‑friendly, and the scents are amazing!

• Waterfall is crisp and refreshing, like stepping into a cool breeze.

• Retreat feels calming and spa‑like — perfect for winding down.

• Luxe Garden is lush, floral, and elegant without being overpowering.

A little truly goes a long way. I was shocked that just one diffuser filled my entire 800‑square‑foot house with a fresh, clean scent. It wasn’t too strong, it wasn’t artificial, just a perfect, balanced fragrance that made the whole space feel brighter and more inviting.

Other things I loved:

• The oils last a long time because the diffuser uses them efficiently.

• The unit itself is sleek and modern, blending right into your décor.

• You can switch scents easily depending on your mood.

If you want to try out a diffuser for yourself, be sure to visit there website and see all they have to offer.

Connect with Potion and Twig

Website        TikTok      Facebook    Instagram 

The Giveaway

Potion & Twig is giving one of my readers their very own diffuser! One lucky winner will receive the Spire Cold Air Diffuser Bundle, which includes a full‑size diffuser and three premium scents;  a complete starter set valued at  $225. To enter,  fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on 7/31/26 . The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Open to the US only!

Entry-Form

Dark Musicals Fan Art Spotlight

Every once in a while, a reader connects with a book series in a way that becomes part of its history. For the Dark Musicals Series, that reader is Stephanie Piro, one of the cartoonists behind Six Chicks and the creator of the book review blog The Militant Recommender. Stephanie is a lifelong Phantom of the Opera fan, and years ago she stumbled across Phantom, Book 1 of my series. She’s followed the books ever since, and for each installment she’s drawn a sketch of one of her favorite scenes.

I loved her artwork so much that I ended up writing her into the Dark Musicals world. The fictional Stephanie Piro appears in Haunted, where she plays a soap opera star who joins the cast of the Woman in White movie.

With the release of Phantom on audio, it felt like the perfect time to revisit Stephanie’s beautiful illustrations. Check out the slideshow below to see her interpretations of some of the most iconic moments in the series.

Be sure to visit Stephanie on her blog, The Militant Recommender, and explore more of her stunning artwork on the Six Chicks Facebook page.

Grab a copy of the Phantom audio book on Amazon or Audible! 

@authorlauradeluca Some of my favorite fan art of the Dark Musicals series by Stephanie from Six Chix! #amreading #fanart #cartoons #fyp #booktok ♬ The Incident - Maebi

Unclaimed Mail - Robo Dog & Mystery Cow

 Today my mom Maryann opened the last three boxes from my pallet of unclaimed mail, and she went out with a bang. At this point she has fully entered her main‑character era.

She started off strong with a robot dog. Then she pulled out what we thought were Skittles, only to discover the whole box stuffed with fashion necklaces which we didn't learn under after filming.

But the real star of the show was the cow statue. We were admiring it, trying to figure out if it was décor, a planter, or maybe just a paperweight. It wasn’t until later that we learned it was actually a liquor dispenser.

Between the robot dog, the surprise jewelry haul, and the cow that secretly moonlights as a bartender, this was peak return‑mail fun. If you want to relive more of her greatest hits, you can check out Maryann’s unclaimed‑mail moments or compare her to Fernando’s legendary reactions.

Phantom is Now Available on Audio!

Phantom, Dark Musicals Book 1, is now available on audio! Micaela Edman Harper delivers a performance that breathes new life into the characters more than a decade later. Revisit the series and see where the music and mystery began!

Rebecca has always been enchanted by the musical Phantom, but she never expected her life to turn into a chilling reflection of the story.

When her high school drama club chooses Phantom as their annual production, she lands the coveted lead, but stepping into Christine’s shoes comes with more than just stage lights and romance. She finds herself torn between two co-stars—Tom, the golden-boy athlete playing the dashing hero, and Justyn, the enigmatic Goth who is almost too convincing as the tortured Phantom.

As rehearsals begin, the drama doesn't stay onstage. Curtains fall, mirrors shatter, and chilling messages echo lines from the script. Is Justyn slipping too far into character, or is the real villain hiding behind another mask? With opening night fast approaching, Rebecca must uncover the truth before the final act turns deadly.

The stage is set. The Phantom is real. And he’s closer than she ever imagined.

Grab a copy on Amazon or Audible! 

Jessica is FREE on Amazon

 

Wilbur was used to attending his college formals alone. The Halloween Ball would be no different. He’s amazed when a beautiful girl in a Victorian gown shows an interest in him. What he doesn’t realize is that another woman has her eye on him as well. The White Lady returns every Halloween to take revenge on the men of the campus for her brutal murder. This year, she's chosen Wilbur as her next victim.

Available exclusively on Amazon.