Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway: The Only Boy by Jordan Locke

Title: The Only Boy 

Author: Jordan Locke 

Publication: December 17th 2013
Genre: Dystopia, Young Adult

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Synopsis:
Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out.

Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed.

Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him.

Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.

Excerpt:

From Mary’s Point of View

I stand on the roof, scanning the city. Many of the buildings are crumbling, from centuries of decay. Below me, trash from the hospital circles the compound, piled into a wall. A fuel tanker sits on one side of our water tower, a broken-down car on the other. In the distance lies the forest. I would love to wander through the trees, to search for whatever wildlife still lives, to see if I can find just one flower.

It isn’t the rules that stop me. It’s the Earthers—the women who live in the woods. I saw two of them, years ago, when I snuck out one day and wandered into the forest. A child’s voice echoed in the distance. I hid behind a bush and peered through the leaves. A woman and her daughter approached, wearing deerskin parkas, their skin darkened by the sun. I wondered, without men and without a genetics lab, how was the daughter created?

The girl heaved a spear at a tree, and it fell short of the trunk.

“You need to follow through,” the woman said. “And turn your hips.” She made a twisting motion. “Like this.”

“Why can’t we just eat vegetables?”

“Snow will come soon.” The woman picked up the spear. “The crops won’t last through winter.”

“I’m not gonna kill the animals,” the girl said.

“When you’re hungry enough, you will.” The woman turned my way, and I ducked. Their footsteps grew closer, their voices louder. They were within feet of the bush. I crouched. Leaves crunched under my knees. When the footsteps stopped, I ran. Before I got more than a few yards, my foot caught on a stick, and I fell. By the time I righted myself, the woman hovered over me, holding the tip of the spear to my chest.

The girl ran to the woman’s side. “Don’t kill her!”

“Get back, Wren!” She moved the spear to my face, inches from my nose, and held a frightening scowl.

The girl pulled on her mother’s skirt. “You’re scaring her.”

The woman’s eyes never left me as she scooped up the girl. With the spear pointed at me, she backed away. Even though my hands were shaking and I could barely stand, I wanted to follow them into the forest. 

Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway: Bending the Rules by L.K. Lewis

Title: Bending the Rules 
Author: L.K. Lewis
Publication: April 1st 2014
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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Synopsis:
“Drake isn’t just someone I love, he’s the one I love the most in this world. He’s my best friend, my breath, my everything. I realize in this moment that the true reason I’m on this journey to find Drake is not just because I miss him and want him back, I’m also missing a huge part of me. Until we’re together again, my life isn’t complete. Without him I’m not whole.”-Morgan

“… I’m so sorry I couldn’t go to you. It was nearly impossible not to but Morgan we wouldn’t be standing here right now if I had. You found me Baby. When you met me on your first day at Baylor what seems like a lifetime ago you found me. Only this time I’m not letting you go.”-Drake

Struggling to get her life back on track after being left suddenly and inexplicably by (secret) boyfriend –not- boyfriend and boss Drake Baylor Jr., Morgan Lane searches the globe to find Drake knowing that the only way to truly live the life she’s worked so hard for is with him by her side.

Banished to Zurich, Switzerland by his father after being caught Breaking the Rules, Drake has nine months to get the European Division of Baylor Industries back on track. Again, he must obey the rules so that he can hopefully return to his life with Morgan and take the helm of Baylor Industries.

Everything is going according to plan as usual for Adrian Thompson who has just gotten Drake banished to Switzerland as part of his plan to get Morgan (his college sweetheart and hopefully future trophy wife) back in his life for good. With a little help from Lana Lane, Morgan’s mother, Adrian is hoping to have Morgan wearing his ring by New Year’s Eve.

After a few months of being wooed by old flame and now boss Adrian, and without so much as a word from Drake, Morgan hesitantly accepts Adrian’s invitation to join him for New Year’s Eve in St.Moritz Switzerland. Foiling Adrian’s plan, a “chance encounter” finds Morgan back in Drake’s arms.

Will Drake and Morgan be able to overcome the distance and time that is now between them along with a few of the hurdles that life has thrown their way? Morgan and Drake are once again faced with figuring out how to start their new future together- this time not Breaking the Rules, only Bending them.

Character Interview: 

I recently sat down with Drake Baylor Jr. and the love of his life, Morgan Lane for a candid interview discussing love, loss, and the risks they’ve taken while bending or sometimes even breaking the rules.

Morgan, after his departure you searched the globe for Drake, hoping to find him and bring him home. What made you so determined that you would find him?

From the moment we met, Drake and I have had a connection; as cliché as that sounds. We tried to stay away from each other knowing what would happen if we were caught breaking the stupid rules Drake’s dad set for him. We were careless and we got caught by Adrian in Vegas. Within a matter of days my world had crumbled around me. I no longer had the job and career I had worked so hard for. Drake had dropped out of my life and I felt hopeless. Drake Sr.’s words tore right through me as he said Drake would already be off in the arms of someone else, but even as I heard them, I knew something wasn’t right. Drake Sr. tried to tell me that he had dissolved his son’s position and that Drake wanted nothing to do with me, but I still felt our connection. I knew he had been sent somewhere as a punishment, I just had to figure out where. Having nothing but time on my hands, I set out to find Drake and bring him home. It wasn’t so much that I was determined I’d be able to find him, more like I didn’t know how to move on with my life without him.

But you weren’t able to find him…

Sadly no. And I was able to find a way to continue living my life without him in it but I was devastated. I never gave up on him though, and now that I have Drake back, I never have to.

Drake, you were understandably miserable in Zurich. What kept you going during that time, and how did you manage not to repeat past behavior with women, drugs, and alcohol?

It’s not what kept me going, but who…this beautiful woman sitting right next to me. I made the selfish mistake of flying Morgan out to Vegas for the weekend. I missed her, and wanted her out there with me. If I would have kept my head down, and returned home to her when the weekend was over we wouldn’t have missed that time together. I am a big believer that what happens always happens for a reason though. Perhaps the time we spent apart reaffirmed what we already knew, which was that we wanted to be together forever. Knowing that if I stayed the course and did my job in Zurich I could be together with Morgan again kept me together and focused. Being with Morgan was all I needed to push through every day. As far as past behavior, I don’t need anything or anyone to make me feel complete. Using drugs and women in the past was my way of filling the hole in my heart left by my mother’s death and my father’s absence. Morgan makes me feel whole. She’s the only one I see. The way I dealt with things in the past is no longer on my radar.

Morgan, do you ever worry that the mistakes Drake has made in his past will come back to hurt him?

No, I’ve never worried about that. Drake has been completely open and honest with me about his past. There isn’t anything that could surface about him that I’m not already aware of. We’ve all made mistakes before and I’m so proud of Drake for turning his life around and not repeating that cycle of behavior. He lives his life determined to make each day better than the last. If any part of his past should try hurt his future I’ll be right by his side supporting him.

Drake, how did it feel reading Morgan’s emails, knowing you couldn’t answer them?

Morgan’s emails were heartbreaking. Knowing I was the one causing the pain and with just a quick email or phone call I could explain everything and put us back on the right path was soul crushing. Morgan knows what she means to me, and to see her so heartbroken that she was questioning whether or not I would come back to her was really hard to read. I appreciated her honesty though. Each email she wrote me, however hard it was to read, still renewed my focus to return to her without further breaking any rules because by writing to me, it meant she still cared.

Drake, how hard was it not to turn around when you heard Morgan calling your name in the airport in Paris?

I took that trip to Paris to get away from Zurich for the weekend and clear my head. I was missing my girl and needed to feel close to her without screwing up in any way. That is why I chose to go to Paris. Morgan loves it there and we’ve talked about spending time there together so many times that I thought a weekend in Paris would renew my focus in doing my job so I could go home to her. When I saw Morgan in the airport I felt completely gutted. I was twenty feet away from her as she walked around that mom tying her kid’s shoes. I wanted so badly to call her name, or run up to her and throw my arms around her and just hold on forever but I knew I couldn’t. Morgan knows I trust her completely. I knew she wouldn’t have told a soul that we saw each other, but even so, I couldn’t risk it. My dad was a very connected man, and it would have only taken one person to recognize me with Morgan and report back to him and it would have been over. I think it was even harder for me not to turn around that day when Morgan called my name than it was to leave for Zurich in the first place. I could hear the excitement and the sadness in her voice as she called to me. Watching her collecting her bag then hailing a cab completely defeated and heartbroken is a feeling I never want to have again.

Morgan, how did it feel to learn that Adrian lied to you and really was responsible for Drake being sent to Zurich?

Because of our history, it was a really crappy to learn Adrian had lied to me. I knew in my heart that we would never be together and that Drake has always been the one for me, but knowing that all of Adrian’s motives to get me back weren’t pure was disappointing because he’s always been a better person than that. I could go on and on about how Adrian is responsible for my separation from Drake, and how that makes him such an a-hole, but the truth is, Drake and I broke the rules. We knew the risks and we took them anyway because we love each other so much that any risk is worth it if it means we are together. Drake didn’t have to fly me out there and take such a risk, and I didn’t have to go. If we hadn’t broken the rules, we wouldn’t have been caught and it was our penance to pay. It was the worst time I’ve ever had in my life, but it brought us here today, so it was worth it in the end.

Drake, what is it that you love so much about Morgan?

You’ve been in this room the past twenty minutes right? (laughing)  First of all, my girl here is a complete knockout. I get lost in her eyes daily. I have to ask her to repeat herself all the time and she thinks I’m not listening to her but the truth is, I’m so mesmorized by her beauty I completely zone out. Besides her undeniable beauty, Morgan is so bright, and determined, and she loves so fiercely. She doesn’t judge me and my faults, she loves me despite them. She has a smart mouth the fires me up like no other too. She’s the total package and I thank my lucky stars every day that she loves me just as much as I love her.

Morgan, now that you and Drake can be together as a couple out in the open, what are you looking forward to?

I’m just ready to start our life together. I’m excited to go on double dates with Amanda and Garrett, and to start crossing things off our bucket list. Drake and I both dream big, and have already started to see some of our dreams coming true and I can’t wait to live the rest of our lives as we want to. The only rules we want to live by are the ones we make for ourselves.

Drake, any final thoughts?

No, I think my girl summed it up pretty well. We have the world at our finger tips, and couldn’t be more excited to go explore. (Turns to Morgan,) By the way Babe, speaking of Amanda and Garrett, we have lunch plans with them…something tells me ours isn’t the only one we’ll be planning in the near future…

Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway: All My Restless Life to Live by Dee DeTarsio

Title: All My Restless Life to Live 
Author: Dee DeTarsio
Publication: April 29th 2013
Genre: Adult, Romance

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Synopsis:
Award-winning author Dee DeTarsio combines life’s darker side with humor and tenderness in a wonderfully charming look at love and the afterlife.

Life is a soap opera, especially for Elle Miller, who is a TV producer. (Ellen dropped the “n” in her name in hopes of finding a better ending for herself.) When her laptop crashes, she borrows her dead dad’s computer and gets way more than she bargained for.

As Elle tries to save her career with a storyline featuring a trip through Atlantis, she takes a trip to the Emmys, and finds herself in the middle of a romance between a real doctor and a hunk who just plays one on TV. Friends, family, and clues from “the other side” all help Elle figure out the difference between living the good life . . . and living a good life.

Excerpt: 

“I can’t believe that I’m really not that nervous,” I kept saying being takes. “Acting is so easy. Way easier than writing. Maybe I should be an actress.”

Liam just smirked at Tanya McGonya, who flipped him off with both middle fingers as her arms were folded across her chest.

“This is good for me to get in character and see what it’s like. I can write better drivel than Liam. Sorry.” I shot a quick look at him and covered my mouth.

“Stop talking,” Liam ordered. “Start kissing.”

“Oh.” I guess I was nervous.

“You are doing great,” Brad whispered. He leaned down as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me and my Bra Vo in close.

“Where do I put my hands?” I asked, both palms against his bare chest. Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.

“Over his coat, around his waist,” Liam said.

Brad’s smooth mouth kissed me, bending my head slightly so the camera could get an angle.

“Hold it,” Liam said. “Christ, move around a little.”

I couldn’t move. I was just enjoying smelling Brad and feeling his breath on my upper lip, and really, really liking his two lips resting on mine.

“Hair,” Liam directed. Brad started softly pushing back my hair. My hair was nothing special shoulder-length, that Tanya McGonya curled into a natural tousled look. In Brad’s fingers, it became an erogenous zone. He cupped his hand and pushed my hair behind my ear. He ran his finger and thumb over my ear, and massaged my lobe ever so gently, before getting back to the business of fondling my curls.

My heart was cartoon loud. I wouldn’t have been surprised to hear a horn ahooga. Liam had us stop and start several more times for different angles.

And then I forgot where I was and started kissing Brad. I wasn’t acting, I didn’t know how. The music got louder, the light seemed to dim, and Brad kissed me back.

“And cut. Cut. Cut. Jesus.”

Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway; Clarity by Loretta Lost

Title: Clarity 
Author: Loretta Lost

Series: Clarity #1
Publication: February 23, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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Synopsis:
Fiercely independent Helen Winters was born completely blind, but she vowed never to let her disability keep her down. She did not expect a traumatic event to devastate her life and force her to drop out of college. Disillusioned by the cruelty of people, Helen retreated from society to live by herself as a reclusive writer in the woods—where no one could ever hurt her again.

When a brilliant young doctor shows up on her doorstep, promising her that his new research can give her the ability to see for the first time, Helen stubbornly refuses. She has learned not to trust anyone, and to rely only on herself. But Dr. Liam Larson will not take no for an answer. He makes it his personal mission to rescue Helen from her loneliness, and bring joy into her world once more—the joy she has denied herself for so long.

When Helen’s demons come racing back into her life, threatening to rip her apart and destroy the strength she has carefully rebuilt, Liam is the only one who might be able to save her.

Can he reach the broken girl in time, helping her to heal and see the world in a different light? Or will Helen’s grief send her spiraling out of control, lost to him forever?

Excerpt: 

“Be quiet,” he whispers. “No screaming, or I’ll rip your tongue out. I’m going to release you, but keep your mouth shut, okay?”

I nod. The silence in the room is deafening. My skin is prickled by rising goose bumps, and my heart furiously pumps hot blood through my body. As soon as his hands release me, I swivel and smash my fist into his face. He roars in pain, and I fling my foot outward, letting my heel connect with his knee. Feeling his leg beginning to buckle and crumple, I quickly duck away from him and lunge for the door. Grasping the handle, I pull the door halfway open before I feel it being slammed shut. The boy grabs a fistful of my hair at the back of my head and uses it to smash my face against the door.  I cry out at the sharp pain in my nose, and my lip splits open against my teeth. I taste a bitter, metallic liquid against my tongue. My head spins and I grow dizzy. I feel my body being hauled away from the door and thrown to the ground amid boxes and other debris. I struggle to raise myself onto my elbows to fight against my assailant, but there is suddenly a heavy, crushing weight on top of me.

A large hand clamps around my neck and squeezes. He is suffocating me.

“I can make you feel better, Helen,” he says in a tender voice. “Shhh. Just relax. Relax and let me take care of you.” I feel his hand reaching down to slip under my skirt. “Relax and spread your legs.”

“Are you insane?” I hiss, clawing at the hand he’s holding over my throat. He’s too strong. Tears flood my eyes once again. “I thought you were nice.”

“I guess you missed one too many psychology classes, huh?” he says with a laugh. He leans down and puts his lips very close to my ear. “Just don’t worry, sweet thing. You can’t see me, so I’m not even really here. Out of sight, out of mind.”

“You monster!” I scream hoarsely, struggling against him. “How could you...”

He removes his hand from my neck and hits me across the face. My already bloody lip is swollen and pulsating. I am afraid for my life. Maybe I should stop fighting and let him do whatever he intends to do? My sister and father need me, and I can’t die. It would destroy them. They’ve lost too much already. I can’t seem to stop sobbing. I think of my mother. Maybe I should fight with the two-hundred-pound football player, and hope that he kills me so that I can be with her? My mind is a mess. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know if I’m going to survive this.

“Think about calm ocean breezes,” the man on top of me says in a soothing voice. “Shhh. My sweet Helen. Think about soft waves of the ocean. Shhh. That’s all we are. Soft waves of the ocean.”

His sadistic banter chills me to the bone. Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to me now? Why, at my lowest moment, has the universe found a way to drag me down even further—into an even deeper pit of despair? Is this some kind of sick joke? I must be dreaming. This can’t really be happening.

But his thumb and forefinger continue to press down painfully on either side of my windpipe. I gasp for breath as he steals the life away from me. This is very real.

“Helen,” he coos in a singsong voice as he moves on top of my body. “Helen, Helen, Helen. Such a pretty name, for such a pretty girl. My sweet, sweet Helen. The things I’m going to do to you.”

I am not sure what this man looks like, but I imagine that if I could see him, I would be staring up into the face of pure evil. Perhaps I should be thankful that I will never have to behold something so hideous. If I survive this, I inwardly promise myself, I will have to get stronger, somehow. I can never let something like this happen to me again.

Author Bio: 

Loretta Lost knows how dark the world can be, but chooses to believe in happily-ever-afters despite all evidence to the contrary.

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Interview: 

1. Why did you choose to write about a blind heroine? 

Due to the first person narrative, the whole story is colored by the filter of the main character’s point of view. It can make for an excellent reading experience to have a unique personality who is special or charming in some way—maybe they’re just incredibly witty or perceptive. Maybe they’re a hilarious pessimist or self-deprecating downer. I thought it would be challenging and rewarding to allow the reader to experience the story without vision to really put us inside Helen’s world. I feel that since we get to know other characters based on who they are instead of what they look like, there is a greater potential for deep connections.

 2. The first scene of your story is very heartbreaking and difficult to read. Why did you choose to write about the subject matter of rape?

I posted on one of my Facebook fan pages about rape once, and I had several of my readers message me in private and share their experiences. It was quite shocking and disturbing, and I was simply stunned at the frequency of these horrible events. While I do believe there is little I can do to prevent this type of behavior by simply writing, I hope that I can advocate compassion and caring for the victims of abuse by showing the way it has affected Helen.

 3. It was interesting to read about Helen’s retreat deep in the woods. What made you choose this location? 

The concept of a reclusive writer living peacefully tucked away in the woods has always been enchanting to me. I often dream of having a similar little writing haven someday. I think being surrounded by nature and removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, and the annoyances of people would be the ideal situation for any writer. The specific location of New Hampshire was inspired by Walt’s cabin in Breaking Bad. The winter scenery was so gorgeous; and just outside the window, the sky has been dumping heaps of magical snow on us for months. I couldn't resist writing about such a pretty landscape and sanctuary for a girl who likes to call herself Winter. 

4. What about your male lead? Why did you choose to make him a doctor?

I briefly dated an ophthalmologist who shared plenty of interesting surgery stories with me. However, he was boastful and condescending, and simply a horrible person. It was like he used his job and helping people solely as a lure to impress chicks. Sometimes, when people disappoint me in real life, I like to reimagine them as better and more likable people and write them into stories. Liam is a man who wants to help Helen because improving someone’s life will give him joy—not because he gets something in return. (However, I did put some of the negative attributes of my doctor into Owen’s character!) 

5. What’s next for Helen?

You will simply have to read on to see where her story leads. Helen has a difficult struggle ahead of her, coming to terms with her past and trying to move forward into a brighter future. She is a clever and strong girl, and if anyone can do it, I know she can!

Giveaway: This giveaway is for one (1) ebook copy of Clarity and is open internationally. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and/or Xpresso Book Tours. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter. 

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Interview: A Life of Death by Weston Kincade

Title: A Life of Death

Author: Weston Kincade

Publication: 

Publisher: 

Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery

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Synopsis: 
Alex Drummond is a troubled high school senior with a checkered past, a broken home, and a surprising ability. When he touches items that murder victims held in their final moments, Alex relives the events in gruesome detail, seeing what they saw, thinking their thoughts, and even feeling what they felt. But who will believe a troubled teen, especially when the murders are so close to home and might reveal skeletons hidden for hundreds of years?

Join Alex as he struggles to find his destiny, understand love, solve the mysterious murders within his small home town, and speak for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.

Interview: 

1. Tell us something fun about you?

Some things I enjoy in my spare time are roleplaying games like D&D, Shadowrun, and card games like Magic.

2. What about "A Life of Death" makes it stand out?

A Life of Death is more than just a paranormal novel. In addition to writing the book for entertainment, I intended it for adolescents and adults struggling to overcome a multitude of issues, including dealing with the death of loved ones, single-parent families, substance and physical abuse. As much as some people don’t want to admit it, many teenagers have home lives that leave them unsure what to do or even that there is a solution—that they aren’t alone. Using my experiences while teaching and dealing with teens who needed someone to talk to, I hoped to give readers a friend they could come back to within the pages of A Life of Death, one overcoming his own problems and struggling to find himself. So far it’s appealed to readers of all ages and genders.

3. Are there any similarities between you and your characters?

There are always similarities. I don’t think a writer can create a good character without including a few elements of themselves. The characters become real, rattling around in your head and struggling to find an outlet, be it another book, short story, or post. So, in some ways, I guess it goes both ways. A part of me is in them, and they still exist as a part of me.

4.  Are there any new projects in the works?

I’m currently working on book 3 of the A Life of Death series. I also have a few other books in line that I’m excited about. One is a dark post-apocalyptic story with a steampunk feel. Another is a YA fantasy series, and a third is a modern underdog story dealing with disabilities and the twisted tendencies of some people. I started them, but I first need to finish book 3. Then I’ll dedicate more time to the others.

5. What is the question that you wish interviewers would ask, and the answer to that question?

Probably a question that isn’t really asked very often is whether I’d like to be any of my characters. Even as a kid I wished I could fly or do various things, dreaming about them as a kid. In my opinion, even considering the horrifying experiences of reliving people traumatic murders, I think I would like to be Alex Drummond. However, writing his story is about the closest I’ll get to walking in his shoes.

Author Bio:

Creative writing has always been a passion for Weston Kincade. He's helped invest in future writers for years while teaching writing. In his spare time he writes poetry and short stories in addition to his novels. He also edits and operates WAKE Editing (http://www.wakeediting.com). He is currently working on a variety of paranormal and fantasy novels. As the wordsmithing process continues, Weston loves stretching the boundaries of human understanding.

Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway: Of Sea and stone by Kate avery Ellison

Title: Of Sea and Stone

Author: Kate Avery Ellison 

Publication: February 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

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Synopsis:
All her life, clever Aemi has been a slave in the Village of the Rocks, a place where the sea and sky meet. She’s heard the stories about the fabled People of the Sea, a people who possess unimaginable technology who live below the waves in the dark, secret places of the ocean. But she never dreamed those stories were true.

When a ship emerges from the ocean and men burn her village, Aemi is captured, and enslaved below the waves in Itlantis, a world filled with ancient cities of glass and metal, floating gardens, and wondrous devices that seem to work magic. To make matters worse, her village nemesis, the stuck-up mayor’s son Nol, was captured with her, and they are made servants in the same household beneath the sea.

Desperate to be free, Aemi plots her escape, even going so far as to work with Nol. But the sea holds more secrets than she realizes, and escape might not be as simple as leaving…

Excerpt: 

We walked across a bridge enclosed with glass that stretched between the ship and the city of Celestrus. Glass and twisted metal were the only things standing between the sea and us. I looked up and saw a long, sinuous shape curl through the waters above us—some giant, unknown sea creature—and a shiver passed over my skin as I remembered the dark shape that had passed beneath our ship on the journey over.

What other things lurked in the ocean’s depths?

The first guard planted his hand between my shoulder blades and pushed me forward, drawing my thoughts back to the present, back to the rush of warm air from the round opening ahead, the clank of our feet against the metal floor, and Nol telling the guard exactly what he’d like to do to him if he had a sword in hand.

I kept my mouth shut, because I wasn’t stupid.

We stepped through the round doorway, entering a round room with walls and floors of polished metal. The ceiling arched above us, made of rose-colored glass and shot through with metal that I supposed held it aloft. I could see shapes moving above it, churning shadows that stamped and brushed the ceiling and bewildered me until I realized I was seeing people’s feet and garments. The ceiling above must serve as a walkway for an even higher level, I realized. I stared at the strange shadow dance until someone nudged me. The guard.

A bench ran along one wall, and a man sat on it, waiting for us. He stood when we entered.

He must have been old, but his face was astonishingly smooth, almost ageless. His skin was the color of copper. His long hair black hair, streaked with gray at the temples, hung down his back in a mass of braids, and he wore light purple robes that draped off his thin body and engulfed his wrists. He did not look unkind, which was a good sign.

The guards herded me forward.

“What is your name?” he asked me.

“Aemi,” I said.

“Ah, Aemi. Exquisite name. Means sea-born in the old tongue.”

I lifted my gaze, startled. “Yes, it does.”

He smiled, a quick quirk of his lips that transformed his face into something kindly. “And you?” he asked Nol.

Nol turned his head and would not speak. The man looked back at me.

“He’s called Nol,” I said, and I saw a muscle jump in Nol’s jaw when I spoke his name. He gave me a look of pure loathing, and I knew I had betrayed him by giving up his identity to the man when he had clearly wished to make a statement by withholding it.

“Nol, eh? Short for Nolen?”

“Just Nol,” he growled.

“I am called Merelus,” he said, seemingly unruffled by the waves of anger radiating from Nol. “I hope we can learn to respect each other, as unfavorable as this situation may be for you.”

Respect each other? His words confused me, but I bit my lips and said nothing.

“Come,” Merelus said to us, and nodded to the guards. “I’ll take you both.”

“Their wristlocks, sir,” the guard said.

“Ah, yes.” Merelus paused and waited as the guard approached us and snapped a thick band of silver over our right wrists.

“This will set off an alarm if you enter any area forbidden to Indentureds,” he informed us gruffly. “And you will be punished.”

I looked around for Myo, but he was gone. I supposed I would never see him again. He’d never bid me goodbye. Why would he? I was just a slave.

The click of the wristlock around my arm made me flinch. Merelus watched my face, and his eyebrows drew together as if he were seeing more than I intended him to. I turned my head away and met Nol’s eyes. They smoldered with fury as he submitted to having the wristlock placed on him.

“Well,” Merelus said when it was done. “That’s over. Let’s go, shall we?” He indicated the door.

My mouth fell open as we stepped through it.

Arching ceilings soared overhead, joining in a web of patterned glass held in place by golden metal beams that swirled and formed fantastic shapes. The floors were gleaming stone set in curling patterns beneath our feet. Doorways and corridors branched off from the main thoroughfare, opening onto other plazas and rooms filled with fountains and statues.

Far ahead of us, six corridors converged on a round plaza with a sculpture of a dolphin in the center. Blinding light poured over the dolphin from a ceiling that glowed with light like a captured sun.

I glanced at Nol. He stared ahead, his mouth pressed in a rigid line. His hands were white and clenched at his sides. He refused to seem impressed.

But I saw no reason to hide my amazement. I gaped at everything.

“You have never been to Celestrus before,” Merelus observed, watching my reaction.

“No.” I remembered Myo’s warnings and said nothing else of my past.

“The Jeweled City,” he said, smiling. “Seat of learning and the arts. The most beautiful place in all of Itlantis. Exquisite, if I may say so.”

I believed it.

Men and women filled the corridors and corresponding plazas that connected them. Most wore flowing tunics or robes over the one-piece jumpsuits, or simply the jumpsuits. A few were dressed in other garments—trousers, dresses. The blend of fashions bewildered me. The people had varying appearances too—some with skin as brown as polished driftwood, others as pale as sand. Most had long, straight black or brown hair, and large eyes that came in vivid blues, greens, and browns. Nol’s pale hair stood out and drew him a few looks of interest and curiosity.

We crossed a bridge of shining metal and glass and into a round-roofed chamber large enough to fit the Village of the Rocks inside in its entirety. A vast floor stretched before us, and the ceiling was ribbed with metal supports and set with colored glass. Through the glass, I caught glimpses of the ocean, vast and dark and rippling with fish.

“The commons,” Merelus said, gesturing to the space before us.

This place was anything but common.

We passed through this glorious space and reached another. They were like a string of bubbles, one after the other. This chamber had dozens of doors set into the walls, and staircases going down into the floor and up toward the roof. I craned my neck to see around us. Balconies spiraled around the domed roof as far as I could see.

Merelus stopped before a door of bronzed metal and touched the handle.

“Welcome home,” he said.

Author Bio:

I live in Georgia with my wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. When I'm not writing, I'm usually catching up on my extensive Netflix queue, reading a book, giggling at something funny online, or trying to convince my husband to give me just ONE bite of whatever he's eating.

Learn more about my writing and books at my blog (http://thesouthernscrawl.blogspot.com/), find teasers for upcoming works on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kateaveryellison), and subscribe to my new releases newsletter to be notified of new novels as soon as they hit stores (https://tinyletter.com/kateaveryellison)!

Interview: 

Describe Of Sea and Stone in six words.

Atlantis, steampunk, sunlight, seawater, secrets, romance.

What books have you read and loved lately?

I am almost finished with Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, and it’s an absolute delight. Witty, immersive, and utterly compelling fantasy that reminds me very much of my beloved Megan Whalen Turner books.

Ice cream or cake?

Ice cream cake, of course! It’s the best of both worlds.

What authors have influenced your writing style the most?

I grew up on a pretty steady diet of mystery, actually, so I feel like classic mystery authors like Agatha Christie had a strong influence on me. When I was a teenager, I started reading fantasy by authors like Robin McKinley, Gail Carson Levine, and Sherwood Smith. The Blue Sword, Ella Enchanted, Crown Duel...I loved those books. I also had a huge love of historical fiction, so Ann Rinaldi, Elizabeth George Speare, and Eloise Jarvis McGraw influenced me a lot as well. As far as more recently-written books that I didn’t grow up reading, I continue to be an awe of fantasy authors Megan Whalen Turner (The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, etc.) and Melina Marchetta (Finnikin of the Rock), dystopian author Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games), and contemporary young adult authors Lucy Christopher (Stolen) and John Green (A Fault in Our Stars).

If you had to pick a shoe that represented your writing style, what would it be?

Have you seen those canvas shoes where an artist has drawn original artwork on the front and sides and is selling them online? I think my books are like that—in some ways they feel familiar, but they have their own surprises and twists that make them unique.

Who has been the most supportive person in your writing career?

My husband. About two years into trying to get published, I was ready to give up on my stories and get a job doing something tremendously ill-suited for me, like being a secretary (I am a very bad secretary. Very disorganized). He convinced me to give it more time, and he is probably the sole reason I am published today. He is my first reader, my strongest encourager, and my most reliable critic.

Are you working on anything else currently?

Yes! I’m currently hard at work on the second book in the Secrets of Itlantis series, and I’m also working on a few secret projects on the side—one is a more traditional fantasy, another is a post-apocalyptic novel. I hope to have more details about them for my readers very soon.

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Excerpt, Giveaway & Interview: Otherborn by Anna Silver

Title: Otherborn

Series: Otherborn, #1

Author: Anna Silver

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Publication: April 4, 2013

Genre: YA

Subgenres: Dystopian, Science Fiction

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Synopsis: 
London and her teenage friends live in a reprocessed world.

Confined within Capital City’s concrete walls, London has done the impossible and the illegal. She’s created something New- a song. But her mentor, club owner Pauly, is not impressed. Since the historic Energy Crisis forced everyone behind walls generations ago, the Tycoons have ensured there is truly nothing new allowed under the sun. Pauly warns London to keep her song to herself, if she knows what’s good for her.

What he doesn’t know is that London is keeping an even bigger secret: she dreams. And she’s not alone. London’s band-mates and friends have begun dreaming as well, seeing themselves in “night pictures” as beings from another world. As Otherborn, they must piece together the story of their astral avatars, the Others, in order to save their world from a dreamless, hopeless future.

When Pauly is murdered and an Otherborn goes missing, London realizes someone is hunting them down. Escaping along the Outroads, they brave the deserted Houselands with only their dreams to guide them. Can they find their friend before the assassin finds them? Will being Otherborn save their lives, or destroy them?

Interview: 

An Interview with London

1. Your lives have changed drastically since your journey began, what do you hope for the future?

Freedom.  Freedom to create, to dream, to live as we want, to be who we are. And access to all that the Tycoons have been keeping from us. Not just for me, but for everyone. It’s only fair.

2. How do you feel about having to be on the run? 

It sucks, but what can you do? I miss Pauly. I even miss my mom. But this is our life now. No point looking back.

3. If you could travel back through music history, where would you go and why?

I think I’d crash Woodstock. Pauly said it was this epic concert that happened long before the Energy Crisis. He said people traveled from all over the world to be there. But, like everything else worth dreaming about, most people say it’s just a story, it never happened.

4. If you could do one thing over again or differently what would it be? 

I’d be kinder to my mom. I’d hug her more and care less that she was too drunk to hug me back. She may not be the best mom around, but she’s the only one I’ve got.

5. What scares you the most? 

Losing Rye. He’s my whole heart, you know? I can’t imagine life without him.

6. What makes you happiest? 

Music. Writing, playing, anything to carry me away from this place the Tycoons have wrecked for us. When this is all over, I’m going to scrap a new guitar and write more songs. If I make it that far.

Excerpt: 

When she at last finished, London put down the guitar and said breathlessly, “I’m still working out the lyrics on that last part.”

Pauly gave her a quizzical look, but didn’t respond.

“So, what do you think?”

He nodded, “Not bad. But I’ve never heard that one. Who’s it by? They can’t be anyone I introduced you to. You got a disc Scrapper up your sleeve that I don’t know about?”

London laughed. Pauly always shared his discs with her, which allowed her to save anything and everything she could to trade for illegal tech. He should know she wouldn’t turn to a Scrapper for new music material, no matter where they managed to find the discs and sneak them into the city. “No old man. It’s mine.”

Pauly dropped his arms, his face serious now. “What do you mean yours?”

London shrugged, her loose sweater nearly dropping off one shoulder. “I mean I wrote it.”

Pauly shook his head, his remaining wisps of hair dancing in the air above it. “Wrote it? You?”

“Yeah,” London said, nonchalant. “What’s the big deal?” But London knew exactly what the big deal was. Her song was New.

She hopped off the stage and sat her guitar at the end of the bar. “Come on, let’s shine those glasses now.” She pretended not to notice the dumbfounded expression on Pauly’s face.

“London,” he said quietly behind her. “That’s impossible.”

“Can’t be. Just did it, didn’t I?” She turned to give him a teasing smile, but when she saw his face, the smile faded.

He was looking at her with a mixture of awe and fear, as though she’d sprouted another head right before his eyes.

“London, this is serious,” he said in a low voice.

“I thought you’d like it,” she replied, lowering her eyes, her disappointment at his reaction mounting.

“Doesn’t matter if I like it, does it? H-how? When?” His normally open face was balled into a cluster of creases, one for every question.

“I dunno. Last couple of weeks, I guess. Rye helped.”

Pauly put a thick finger beneath London’s chin and lifted her face to the light. “You’re special, kid. You know that, right?”

She rolled her eyes then nodded when his expression went sour.

“I want you to listen to me when I say this, okay? Listen good. Special ain’t tolerated. Not here. Not nowhere. Not anymore.”

Author Bio: 

Anna Silver is an author and artist living in the greater Houston area with her family, pets, and overactive imagination. Her art has been featured in the Houston gallery Las Manos Magicas. She studied English Writing & Rhetoric at St. Edward’s University. She's freelanced for private clients and small publications like the Hill Country Current. OTHERBORN, her first published novel, has been featured on 2 of Amazon's "Bestsellers" lists. She is represented by Rebecca Podos and Nicole LaBombard of Rees Literary Agency.

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Giveaway: This giveaway is for an ebook copy of Otherborn. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter. 

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