Fall Into Fantasy Tour: Week Three {Giveaway} The Undead: Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore

Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!

Week 3: The Undead: Playing for Keeps
By Elsie Elmore

When an undead woman with serious de-comp issues stalks sixteen-year-old Lyla Grimm, her hope of rescuing her rock-bottom reputation takes a back seat. Survival definitely trumps the in-crowd.

Her corpse-following scare reeks of a major prank and coincides with the arrival of Eric. He’s the hot new guitarist in her brother’s band. But Eric’s arrival isn’t by chance. He’s a Grim Reaper dispatched to find out why Death’s clients aren’t staying down.

As Eric realizes that Lyla can wake the dead, he jockeys for control of her gift. His uncanny way of appearing when she needs him most earns her reluctant admiration. But the closer he gets to Lyla, the less sure he is of his plan. The dead are easier to deal with than living emotions. 

Gossip explodes, the Grimm family implodes, and desperation sets in. Death wants the gift and a soul. Lyla and Eric face hard choices with hidden consequences. Sometimes life’s choices aren’t really choices at all.

Buy your copy here: Kindle  Barnes & Noble Print  Amazon Print
Or add it to Goodreads

ABOUT ELSIE ELMORE:

Elsie Elmore lives in North Carolina with her husband and two kids.

With a science education degree, she never imagined she would someday write stories that challenge the laws of nature. She loves the color red, has an appreciation for chocolate and coffee that borders on obsession, and wishes fall temperatures would linger year round. 

Elsie is a member of several writing organizations: RWA, SCBWI, and WSW. The Undead : Playing for Keeps is her debut novel. Find her on the web: on twitter at @ElsieWriter, her blog at elsieelmore.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elsieelmorewriter.

Website  Facebook  Twitter

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Cover Reveal for Impulsive Desires by EB Walters

Title: Impulsive Desires

Series: The Fitzgerald Family Series

Author: E.B. Walters

Release Date: October 27th

Genre: Contemporary Romance

He has tradition ingrained in him…

She lives for the moment…

Will they find a common ground?

Billionaire Lex Fitzgerald has a knack of outbidding and outsmarting his opponents and has never met a challenge he can’t win. So when an old-fashioned auto-parts maker threatens to give a coveted contract to his competitor because Lex is still a single man, he comes up with the perfect solution. Find a temporary wife—a top notch actress who can convince his business associates and nosy family he is a happily married man.

Stuntwoman Jillian Finnegan hates Hollywood. Doing stunts is just a temporary gig before she goes back to her family business: performing death-defying acts in front of adoring fans. Then she learns that her father borrowed money from unsavory characters and must sell the company to pay them back. Desperate for cash, Jillian accepts Lex’s offer.

But one evening with Lex and Jillian realizes that the attraction between them is going to be a problem. It could derail all her plans. Little does she know that from the moment they met, Lex knew he’s found what he’s been searching for. Not an opponent to outsmart. Not a challenge to be won. And definitely not a temporary wife. He has found the woman he’s meant to love. But can one adoring fan be enough for Jillian?

AUTHOR BIO

E.B WALTERS (Ednah Walters) grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, was released March 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com.

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series and there are currently three other books published in this series. SOULS (Grimnir book 2 a side story to the RUNES series) and WITCHES book 4 will release 2014.  Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published five more books in this series. She's presently working on book seven. You can visit her online at or http://www.author-e-b-walters.com/

AUTHOR LINKS

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Teasers for Unstoppabl​e by Melody Grace

Coming September 2014

Pre-Order iBooks: http://bit.ly/1ntWCXj

A secret scar…

Tegan Callahan has sworn off bad boys for good. Growing up on tour with her rock star brother, she knows first-hand the damage they can do. She’s looking for a nice, safe, stable guy – until a chance encounter with a devastatingly sexy stranger makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

A troubled soul…

Ryland James arrives in Beachwood Bay on the run from his mistakes. He knows he’s the last thing Tegan needs, but somehow, he can’t stay away. There’s something about her fierce beauty that draws him in – and makes him vow to protect her, whatever the cost.

A passionate destiny…

Their bond is undeniable; the stakes, higher than ever. But the past won’t stay gone forever, and soon, Ryland must make the ultimate choice: will he risk everything he treasures in the world, or keep Tegan safe – and sacrifice her love forever?

*This book contains adult situations and explicit content. 17+*

 

Melody Grace is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk. She is author of USA Today & international bestselling Beachwood Bay series.

 

 

Happy Release Day ~ Lasting Summer by Kailin Gow

Summer Jones thought she lost Nat Donovan, the boy she had always had a crush on since she could remember, when he went off on a mission to find his father, the founder and CEO of Donovan Dynamics, the billion dollar security and intelligence corporation who is now protecting her from the stalker who has attempted to kill her twice.

He had always been her rock, had always been there for her, but now Nat has disappeared. According to Donovan Dynamics, it was for good.

Could Summer continue on? Could Nat's playboy one-night stand legend brother Drew Donovan live up to Nat's legacy as the family's perfect son, as the one who could eventually run Donovan Dynamics? With Nat gone, could he finally get Summer to commit to him with all her heart and soul?

All the secrets, all the heartaches, come out in Lasting Summer as the Donovans and Summer learn to deal with the truth about Nat, Drew, and Summer that will test each others' love to each other and to family.

Lasting Summer is part of the Loving Summer Series appropriate for age 18+.

Purchase on Amazon

Amazon Kindle http://bit.ly/Lastingsummer

Purchase on B&N

Purchase on Kobo

Website     Facebook      Twitter

Kailin Gow's life is sometimes more fascinating and stranger than fiction, which is being chronicled in a feature film based on a treatment optioned and in development for a release date of 2018. (IMDB.com - The Colorful Worlds of Kailin Gow 2018). Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 170 books with over 30 series.

She is noted as an indie pioneer, as one of the first to publish in 2001. Breaking stereotypes, her books has crossed traditional and indie lines, gaining recognition in schools and libraries, as well as the indie community. Her action adventure young adult fantasy series, The Frost Series, an ALA YALSA Reader's Choice Nominated book series - had been optioned by an international film company and is currently in development as a game and a film at http://www.facebook.com/thefrostseries. Five of her fantasy/action adventure series have been optioned to be made into worldwide games.

Kailin Gow has been known in The World Journal, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon's top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a major network Television News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to women.

Kailin Gow was an invited speaker and signing author at Book Expo America (BEA)2014.

Having experienced bullying firsthand and slander as a woman, Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written Shy Girls Social Club Handbook Against Bullying and has helped launch Stories for Amanda where all proceeds go towards the Amanda Todd Foundation against bullying. She has written several books with the theme of abuse towards women and children, especially the steamy international bestselling The Protégé Series, which launched a book club initiative in battered women's shelters and won The Indie Excellence Awards at NIEA for Erotica in 2014.

She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.

She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations, is active in church helping build homes for the homeless and visit orphanages. A voracious reader, when she is not writing, she loves reading an entire series in one sitting! She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed to at http://www.facebook.com/kailingowbooks,  but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

She has over 30 Series, written under Kailin Gow, and more under her middle grade, women's fiction, and mystery pen names:

***For 16 and up***

The Frost Series - COMPLETED. Bitter Frost Series Consists of 8 full-length novels.
The Wolf Fey Series - COMPLETED. Consists of 2 full-length novels and one novella.

Fairy Rose Chronicles - age 13 and up.
The PULSE Series - Next Book - Blood Ring (PULSE #9), releasing due to readers' demand to continue the series. Consists of 9 full-length novels and one novella.
FADE Series - COMPLETED. ALL Full-length novels.
DESIRE Series - All Full-length novels. Last Book, FRENZY - 2015.
Fire Wars Series - All Full-length novels.
Alchemists Academy - All Full-length novels.
Wordwick Games - All Full-length novels.
Wicked Woods Series - COMPLETED. Consists of 5 full-length novels.
Steampunk Scarlett - All Full-length novels.
The Phantom Diaries - All Full-length novels. Last Book, DARK VICTORY - 2015.
Stoker Sisters - All Full-length novels. Last Book, SISTER OF THE STRIGOIS - 2015.

Beyond Crystal River - 2015 NEW SERIES.

SHADES - 2015 NEW SERIES. This is a high concept psychological thriller.

***For 18 and up (New Adult/Coming of Age)***

Loving Summer - All full-length novels.
The Donovan Brothers - All full-length novels.
Saving You Saving Me (You & Me Trilogy)- COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Never Knights - COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Rock Hard Love Hard - 1st book, Rock Hard Love Hard is now Available.

Sawyer House Chronicles (Spin-off of You & Me Trilogy) - Coming in 2015
Canvas - Coming in 2015

***For 18 and up (Adult/Steamy Romance)***

The Protege - COMPLETED. 3 Full-length novels.
Master Chefs - COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
The Blue Room (Spin-off of Never Knights Trilogy) - Romantic Suspense.
Barely Legal (Spin-off of The Protégé) - Romantic Suspense.
The Oyster House - Artistic Romantic Thriller set in Hong Kong and England.
- Coming in 2015.

For information on the series, new series and new book releases, contests, appearances, KG-Convergences, and more, sign up at http://www.KailinGowBooks.com.

Blog Tour {Excerpt/Spotlight & $25 Giveaway} Dancing with Raven by S.G. Rogers

 

Dancing with Raven by S.G. Rogers

Tori Moss is no stranger to heartbreak. Raised by a foster mother since the deaths of her parents in a horrific accident, she’s poured herself into ballet. A disappointing audition sends her into an emotional tailspin, but it’s the strangely intriguing new guy in school who catches her as she falls. Although Tori and Raven seem to be nothing alike, they share an uncommon ability to see the sudden flood of demons pouring into Los Angeles. When she discovers a plot to bring about the Apocalypse, Tori must decide whom to trust. One wrong step may cost her everything.

Excerpt

A half-block later, she came across a store —The Mime’s Eye —which was dedicated to new age paraphernalia. In the window display hung several charms, talismans, crystals, and amulets. I’ll wait inside until the demons pass. Her heart was pounding as she darted inside and pressed herself flat against the wall next to the window. When the three demons appeared, Tori held her breath.

“Can I help you?”


Startled, Tori flinched. The African robe-clad shop owner gave her a kindly smile. “Sorry if I frightened you, but you can relax. They won’t come in here.”


“What?”


“A special rune is painted over the doorway. No demons can enter.”


“Y-You see them?”


“Certainly.” He tilted his head as he regarded her. “How long have you had the sight?”


“My whole life.” Tori craned her neck toward the window, but the unholy trio had disappeared. She took a deep breath. “I’ve been seeing more and more demons lately.”


“I’ve noticed an increase as well.” He leaned forward, as if to impart a secret. “Most people don’t realize what’s really happening.”


“Which is?”


“The eternal war between good and evil is heating up.”

AMAZON

Author S.G. Rogers

Currently residing in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, S.G. Rogers writes historical romance, fantasy, and romantic fantasy stories. She’s owned by two hairless cats, Houdini and Nikita, and lives on an island populated by exotic birds, deer and the occasional gator. Tab is her beverage of choice, but when she imbibes, a cranberry vodka martini doesn’t go amiss.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

Blog Tour Schedule

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/24/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Book Trailer {Excerpt & Giveaway} Rewind to You by Laura Johnston

Rewind to You Book Trailer

Trailer Reveal Giveaway Details   $40 Gift Card to River Street Sweets

2 $10 iTunes Gift Cards

Ends 9/31/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an iTunes Gift Code or River Street Sweets Gift Card. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Rewind to You

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

Excerpt

“Well, if you happen to be on River Street again,” Austin says, breaking the silence. “If you’re out walking around late at night and some drunk pervs jump out at you and you need someone to break your fall…”

I smile.

He smiles, too. “Stop by the River Street Sweets.”

Laughter bursts through my lips. “You’ll be there, huh?”

He gives me a smile that sends my stomach flying again. “Most likely.” Reaching through the open window, he presses the button to lock my doors and steps away. “Until next time?”

I smile at his hypothetical question. With those three words Austin has glued himself in my brain, kindling hopes for a next time that will never be…

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

Author Laura Johnston

Laura Johnston lives in Utah with her husband and two children. Growing up with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. She fell in love with the young adult genre both through her experience in high school as well as her job later as a high school teacher. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, traveling, writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids. REWIND TO YOU is her debut novel.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Praise for the Book

“Johnston’s debut spotlights romance and familial relationships, including themes like grief and self-sacrifice. It’s an ideal story for readers looking for a deep-rooted YA love story with the emotional ups and downs and poignancy of a Nicholas Sparks contemporary. There’s also a touch of wit and a sigh-worthy hero – a definite on your TBR list.” – RT Book Reviews

“This is contemporary YA fiction at its best! –Kay Lynn Mangum, author of The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

“Rewind to You will steal your hear away.” –Kelly Nelson, author of The Keeper’s Saga

NEW BLAST ~ Houston Book Rave & Chapter by Chapter Book Rave & win a copy of Rowdy by Jay Crownover

There are so many great things happening at these two events!

At

New Rochelle, NY

1. You could be a secondary character in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s NEXT book! Learn how here: Secondary Character Contest

2. You can purchase a signed copy of STAY WITH ME if you cannot attend!

Order Stay With Me Here!

3. The day will be filled with a book signing, parties, giveaways, and more! Time is running out so get your tickets before there is not more!

Get your TICKETS here!

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER BOOKRAVE WEBSITE!

**********************

#HBR14
 

HOUSTON, TX

HOUSTON BOOKRAVE WEBSITE HERE!
 

Things you can do at HBR

1. Get your books signed

2. Mingle with all the authors before the signing

3. Get TATTOOED!

4. Have a Fun Photo Booth Session with Jay Crownover

5. Check out the Muscle cars from the Marked Men and Welcome to the Point Series

6. Meet cover model Pepe Toth at Jennifer L. Armentrout's table.

more to come!!

Get your ticket here!

Visit our webpage to see all of our events!

TrinDee Events (tdevents.net)


GIVEAWAY

Help us spread the word and you could win a copy of #Rowdy by Jay Crownover!

 

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GRAND FINALE BLITZ: Sci-Fi Tour & Giveaway

To post this Grand Finale (we'll send you the HTML code) and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter, 

email us at PrismBookTours(at)gmail.com with "SciFi GF" in the subject line.

A Prism tour though Prism Book Tours.

Are you interested in reading about futuristic societies where there are aliens and space travel, technological advancement, robots and utopias? If so, then check out the books that were featured on this 
Sci-Fi Tour! 

September 2nd - Launch


September 3rd - Halfskin and Clay by Tony Bertauski hosted at Beck Valley Books

We’re often convinced if we just get this, whatever this is, our suffering will end. Yet with all of today’s advancements, why does utopia still seem to be something achievable only after death while dystopia our human inheritance?

Can technology change this?

Suppose that medical bioengineers invent a synthetic stem cell, a biomite, that can replace any cell in your body...

 

Halfskin

(Halfskin #1)

276 Pages

Biomites are artificial stem cells that can replace any cell in your body. No more kidney failure, no severed spines or blood disease. No cancer. Pharmaceuticals become obsolete. With each dose of biomites, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier.

We become better.

At what point are we no longer human?

Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Clay

(Halfskin #2)

278 Pages

This psychological thriller will keep them second-guessing every move while they elude Marcus Anderson and the governing agency that seeks to rid the world of biomites. But in the end, they’ll all discover just how deep the betrayal goes.

Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Tony Bertauski: During the day, I'm a horticulturist. While I've spent much of my career designing landscapes or diagnosing dying plants, I've always been a storyteller. My writing career began with magazine columns, landscape design textbooks, and a gardening column at the Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). However, I've always fancied fiction.

And I'm a big fan of plot twists.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook

September 4th - The Glory by Mister JMI hosted at Nocturnal Predators Reviews

**Excerpt**

Prologue

In need of Glory 

Frustrated and embarrassed by its struggle to defeat the Tikal rebels, the United States Space Force dumped its resources into the development and construction of a new class of warship. After nine years of research and development, trial and error, the final product was beyond impressive. Integrating the bleeding-edge of current technologies and completely inventing new ones, the new warship was an absolute marvel. The ship was a perfect harmony of the highest levels of speed, agility, weaponry and defensive capabilities. The awe-inspiring warship was leaps ahead of everything else in the known universe...

The Glory

(The Glory #1)

579 Pages

The Glory and it is a fun, funny, exciting, character-driven sci-fi book that follows Adam Whitlock in his journey to join the United States Space Force in hopes of becoming captain of The Glory, the best ship in the fleet. Meanwhile, brewing tensions between the humans and a group of alien races is on the verge of becoming a full-scale war.

Amazon

Founder of Fictitious Fox Publishing, author of The Glory and owner of a sweet head of hair, Mister JMI is a longtime lover of the art of storytelling.

At the age of 12, Mister JMI knew he wanted to become a writer. Unfortunately, his dream was delayed for over a decade to suffering from a severe case of chronic procrastination. Now fully recovered, Mister JMI is ready to unleash a deluge of exciting, funny and fantastic stories for your entertainment.

So sit back, relax and enjoy.

Facebook - Twitter

Would you like a receive a copy of The Glory? Send an email request to this email.

September 5th - Parched by Georgia Clark hosted at Mythical Books

How to Research A Sci-Fi Novel 

(if You Know Nothing About Robots) 

I did a ridiculous amount of research for my second novel, Parched. So much so that when compiling it all for this guest blog post for the Prism book tour, I found myself wondering 1. I am crazy and 2. If knowing it was going to take as much time as it did, if I’d do it all again. (Answers are ‘yes’ and ‘yes’).

My jumping off point for Parched was this: a girl in love with a robot. What did I know about robots? Well, I’d seen Bladerunner a few dozen times…

Parched

312 Pages

Robots, renewable resources, and romance get tangled together in this thrilling futuristic adventure novel about a utopian city struggling to keep its peace.

"Bold futurist adventure with unusual romance, riveting action and ominous ecological red flags." —Kirkus Reviews

Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Indie Bound

Georgia Clark is an Australian writer and performer based in Brooklyn. She is the author of the young adult novels SHE’S WITH THE BAND (Allen & Unwin) and sci-fi/romance PARCHED (Holiday House). Widely published online and in print. Won some awards/grants/residencies. Has a play on at the NY Fringe festival. Pretty keen on cheese plates. 

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter


Tour-Wide Giveaway

$15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ebooks of Halfskin and Clay (INT)

Signed copy of Parched (US Only)

Ends September 14th

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Book Blitz {Excerpt & Giveaway} Vision by Lisa Amowitz

Vision

by Lisa Amowitz 

Release Date: 09/09/14

Spencer Hill Press

Summary from Goodreads:

The light is darker than you think… 

High school student Bobby Pendell already has his hands full—he works almost every night to support his disabled-vet father and gifted little brother. Then he meets the beautiful new girl in town, who just happens to be his boss’s daughter. Bobby has rules about that kind of thing. Nothing matters more than keeping his job.

When Bobby starts to get blinding migraines that come with scary, violent hallucinations, his livelihood is on the line. Soon, he must face the stunning possibility that the visions of murder are actually real. With his world going dark, Bobby is set on the trail of the serial killer terrorizing his small town. With everyone else convinced he’s the prime suspect, Bobby realizes that he, or the girl he loves, might be killer's next victim.

Excerpt

Bobby stared at the evergreens reflected in the silvery water. He’d offered to bring Dad down here and carry him into the boat. He was certainly big enough to carry him now.

“Nope,” Dad had said flatly. “My fishing days are over. My ass is never getting in a boat again.”

With his work schedule, Bobby had never found time to teach his eleven-year old brother Aaron to swim, so that left him out.

Whatever. Dad drowned his troubles in beer and guitars. Bobby could never tell if people came to the Woods Café to see the wheelchair-bound vet strum his heart out because they enjoyed the music or to honor his sacrifice. Didn’t matter. At least it got Dad out of the house, and drummed up some business for Dad’s best friend, Jerry Woods.

Dealing with Dad wasn’t easy, but self-pity was a luxury Bobby couldn’t afford. Someone had to work, and bussing tables at the newly reopened Graxton Grill six nights a week left Bobby little time for anything else.

A loud splash from beside the boat jarred him from his drifting thoughts. He peered into the green depths, hoping to spot Mongo, Dad’s name for the legendary bass he had been trying to catch ever since he could hook a worm.

The dark waters stirred, pulling the boat slightly backward. Bobby dipped the oars into the water to paddle away from the disturbance, but the gently insistent pull kept him from making progress. The boat was being slowly dragged into some kind of current and had begun to pick up speed.

In his whole life, Bobby had never seen more than windblown ripples on Scratch Lake. Mongo was rumored to be huge, but he doubted striped bass grew large enough to churn up the waters like that.

Bobby thrust the oars into the water, paddling harder. The back of his head hurt. And the harder he rowed, the more his head throbbed like a dull drumbeat. A whirlpool was forming. No fish could ever disturb Scratch Lake like that.

Unnerved, Bobby yanked at the engine cord, but the motor only coughed, sputtered, and went quiet. The boat was captive to the steadily spinning water and Bobby could only squint helplessly into the depths as the headache hammered behind his eyes.

The lake’s center was rumored to be fifty feet deep. No one really knew, but as the boat sped in dizzying circles, Bobby could see clear down to the lake bottom inside the whirlpool’s tapered funnel. He gasped. Spread-eagled on the slimy rocks, on a bed of pond weeds, lay a pile of bones, a split, unmistakably human skull resting on the top.

Bobby swallowed hard, breathing fast and shallow.

It can’t be real. I’m not seeing this.

He’d been so eager to get on the lake that morning he’d forgotten to eat. And he should have. The headache was creeping to his eyes, and now he was seeing things. Feeling and experiencing things that couldn’t be happening.

The pile of bones at the bottom of the lake was as sharp and clear as a photo.

Nausea clutched his insides. His head felt like it was about to split open. Bobby clamped his eyes shut. Sucking in deep breaths, he tried to slow the rising panic and listened to his heart slam against his chest wall. He had to get a grip and get away before the water dragged him and his boat to the bottom of the lake.

This can’t be happening.

Was it a migraine? His mother had suffered from those.

But did migraines make people hallucinate?

In the distance, Pete’s barking bounced off the opposite shore. The ache at the back of his head now a white-hot knifepoint, Bobby paddled wildly to break free from the water’s pull, but he made no headway.

The boat continued to spin slowly at the edge of the vortex. Bobby tried to peer down into the whirlpool to make sure the horrible thing was gone, but his sight was filmed with a deep red overlay, a black smudge at its center, obliterating details and reducing the world to a featureless bloodstain.

No matter how many times he blinked, he couldn’t see the water that smacked against the metal flank of the boat. He could barely make out the dim outline of the hand he held up in front of his face.

What the—?

Shit.

The pain was too much. Again, he groped for the throttle and tugged at it three times, but still the damned engine wouldn’t catch.

The pain bore down on him, the red film thickening to a dark mass.

He couldn’t see at all. He could only feel the boat slowly spinning, stuck in the water’s strange rotation.

“Pete!” Bobby called out at the top of his lungs, “Pete!”

And then, as abruptly as it had started churning, he felt the water go still.

Pete’s nervous bark reverberated across the lake. Unable to see, Bobby dipped the oars into the water and began to paddle slowly toward the distant sound, praying he was headed in the right direction.

There’d be no fish for dinner this week.

Available from:
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About the Author

Lisa has been a professor of Graphic Design at her beloved Bronx Community College where she has been tormenting and cajoling students for nearly seventeen years. She started writing eight years ago because she wanted something to illustrate, but somehow, instead ended up writing YA. Probably because her mind is too dark and twisted for small children.

BREAKING GLASS which will be released in July, 2013 from Spencer Hill Press, is her first published work. VISION, the first of the Finder series will be released in 2014, along with an unnamed sequel in the following year. LIFE AND BETH will also be released in the near future, along with graphic novel style art. 

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