Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Captivate by Vanessa Garden Blog Tour - Book Review & Giveaway




Captivate
By Vanessa Garden
Release date: 1st January 2014
Published by: HarlequinTeen Australia


In a glittering underwater world, nothing is as it seems...

For the past twelve months since her parents’ death, seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has harboured a dark secret — a secret that has strained the close relationship she once shared with her older sister, Lauren. In an effort to repair this broken bond, Miranda’s grandparents whisk the siblings away on a secluded beach holiday. Except before Miranda gets a chance to confess her life-changing secret, she’s dragged underwater by a mysterious stranger while taking a midnight swim.

Awakening days later, Miranda discovers that she’s being held captive in a glittering underwater city by an arrogant young man named Marko...the King of this underwater civilisation.

Nineteen-year-old Marko intends to marry Miranda in order to keep his crown from falling into the sinister clutches of his half-brother, Damir. There’s only one problem. Miranda is desperate to return home to right things with her sister and she wants nothing to do with Marko. Trying to secure her freedom, Miranda quickly forms an alliance with Robbie — Marko’s personal guard. However, she soon discovers that even underwater, people are hiding dangerous secrets...



Buy Links

About Author

Vanessa Garden lives on the coast of Western Australia with her husband, their three chatty children, and three calming goldfish. When she is not writing, Vanessa can be found at the local bookstore where she works part-time. Being a bookseller as well as an author, Vanessa loves nothing more than immersing herself in the exciting world of books. When she is not gushing about her favourite reads to customers, or dreaming up her next novel, she enjoys spending time with the people she loves most.


Links

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My review 

4 Stars 

 I find nothing more appealing when I can read a book, ogle the cover and see that it reflects what’s inside the pages.  This story is filled with an underwater world and a city within but with secrets of their very own. A smooth flowing storyline, that will keep the reader intrigued till the very end.  Initially the story did start a little slow but the pace certainly picks up not long after.

It’s a fairy-tale of some sorts, awakening in a strange world, strange people yet a very handsome yet scary king.  (I won’t go into too many details I don’t want to spoil the story)
Captivate started slowly for me, but I found as the story progressed so did my interest in the story. I found it a very enjoyable ya story, with a wonderful world that the author has created.
The author has put a spin on the normal mermaid traits, which I really liked; this I found made the plot interesting and the characters well balanced and enjoyable.

The characters were very realistic, Miranda being a normal teenage girl, dreams, hopes and insecurities.  The boys loyal and devoted to the ones they care about. 

The romance was mininal , Id liked to have seen a little more , certain parts predictable . However   I liked the characters put forth and Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and the underwater Tale this author has written






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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Release Event - Grimnirs by Ednah Walters & Giveaway




Book Title:  Grimnirs
Series:  A Runes Novel
Author:  Ednah Walters
Release Date:  December 2nd 2013
Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher:  Firetrail Publishing




BLURB

One lost love.

One lost best friend.

One hot soul reaper.

Straight out of the psyche ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The love of her life, the guy she’s loved from a distance for years, has moved away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing. The connection defies logic. It doesn’t help that Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful, and cocky. A general pain-in-the-butt. Being around him makes her feel more alive than she’s ever felt before. But more important, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Echo is perfect for her. Echo might even be her soul-mate. There is only one problem. Echo is a freaking soul reaper. A Grimnir. The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life. You see, once you fall for a Grimnir, your life will never be the same again.







EXCERPT


Excerpt 1

I saw a few souls here and there on our way home. They all stopped and stared at our car. I slid lower in my seat and wondered whether the arrogant reaper would collect them, too. Maybe he was here to clean up our town. I hoped so. I was tired of being a target.

“You’ve been quiet since we left the store,” Mom said as we got closer to home. We were on Orchard Road, the street that split two of the largest vineyards in Kayville. “Are you okay?”
I shrugged. “Yeah.”

“You know, you can talk to me if anything is bothering you.”

Talking to her was out of the question. Dr. Wendell might prescribe more psych meds or insist on having me admitted again. “I heard you and Dad talk about me this morning. I don’t want to be homeschooled, Mom. I’m going back to school on Monday.”

“Sweetie—”

“No, Mom. I’m better, and I want to do this.”

Her lips pinched in annoyance as she turned onto the road leading to our farm. “Let’s discuss it after dinner.”


Her firm voice said the discussion was closed. I leaned back against my seat and stared out the window. My parents had had me later in life and tended to be overly protective. Most of the time, I listened to them. Not this time. This might be the beginning of a trend. First, homeschooling. Next, not going away to college. The only college in town was a private one, and I planned to go as far away from Kayville as I could. There were way too many bad memories here.




                                              


















AUTHOR BIO



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, will be released April 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. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). 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 four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.


AUTHOR LINKS

BOOK LINKS



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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

How Pirates Really Work by Allan Snow book Review




The must-have book of pirates from the creator of How Santa Really Works and How Dinosaurs Really Work.
A rollicking exploration of all things piratical from the brilliant mind of acclaimed author/illustrator Alan Snow. A jam-packed feast for the eyes. Don't miss it!
Praise for How Dinosaurs Really Work:
"A fabulous fun-filled book that will raise a lot of laughs." Creative Steps
"Everything you've ever wanted to know about these ever-popular prehistoric creatures is explained in a witty accessible style in this readable book full of fascinating facts."
www.booktrust.org.uk
Praise for How Santa Really Works:
"You'll be delighted to find this quirky book at the bottom of your stocking. The drawings are detailed and every page a delight."




Book review

4.5 Stars
How Pirates Really work is a beautifully illustrated childrens book. Glossy and full of colour and explanations into the life of being a pirate.

From Skills to being a pirate , a day in the life of a pirate, parts of the ship, how to fight sea monsters and much more.

The writing is nice and big , easy to read to a child or have a child read for themselves. I would recommend this book for any child who reads fluently, over the age of 10 but this depends on how well the child can read.

The colours are very vibrant on the front of the cover and eye catching. I did find some of the pages a little buzy with print, but otherwise a lot of detail and taken into writing this story.

Overall, A well illustrated and colourful story, very eye catching and even a laugh or two amoung the pages.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for Supplying myself and child this book to review.

** Her comment - she especially loved the front cover and had a giggle or two.**


 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Supernatural Six - Elle Casey & Giveaway

Have Christmas shopping on the brain? (wait!! Did I just say Christmas?) How's $500 shopping spree sound? You're just in luck. The authors of Supernatural Six are offering a deal you don't want to miss.  Help Supernatural Six hit the bestsellers lists and earn a chance to win BIG!

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Secret powers, genies, mermaids, angels, vampires and demons. There’s something for every paranormal enthusiast. Supernatural Six brings you six novels from six authors who know how to raise the stakes and tame the darkness.

Special sale price of only $0.99
Regular price for all these stories is $16.79, you save $15.80

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Title: The Lord of Opium (Matteo Alacran #2)
Author: Nancy Farmer
Release date: September 3, 2013




As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic House of the Scorpion, winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor.

Matt has always been nothing but a clone—grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age fourteen, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster—and hidden in Opium is the cure.

And that isn’t all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron’s sinister system of drug growing—people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human.

Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can’t even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him…and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator?






3/5 Stars

While The House of the Scorpion did leave some loose ends, I found that The Lord of Opium tended to flat line a tad for me.

In book two we see the major characters with a few new ones added in to. I would recommend re-reading the first book before this one, to refresh ones memory if need be. Depending upon how long ago you read it.

This book mainly revolves around Matt adjusting to his role as The Lord of Opium. As much as I wanted to see more of Maria and Matt they were fairly well separated throughout this instalment. I’d like to have seen a little more romance, and interaction between these main characters. I do realize that it is not a romance novel but as a reader would certainly have liked more.

I enjoyed the added twist with Matt to cure one of the secondary characters. But I have to say I didn’t enjoy her much as a character – she didn’t seem to have much depth for me. A minion if anything.

Matt has a character that is believable and flawed. Not perfect what so ever, we see conflict within himself from his emotions to his thoughts about his new position and himself as a person.
The author does a wonderful job of building the world created and I definitely give a gold star for this. It’s one thing I do enjoy seeing in my read. Creativity and Uniqueness’s! lol.

This instalment was not as strong as the previous book, but certainly had some great factors. The complexity alone was intriguing and the authors’ writing was great. Just the storyline fell a little short for me.

For all those readers who enjoyed Divergent by Veronica Roth you may also like this story.


Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for supplying me this copy of the book for my honest review.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Consume by Melissa Darnell book review


Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Pages: 384pgs

The Story

Tristan Coleman has survived the change from Clann magic user to vampire, much to Savannah Colbert's joy—and despair. By changing the Clann's golden boy and newly elected leader, even to save him from death, she has unleashed a fury of hatred and fear that they cannot escape.

As the Clann and the vampire council go to war, Tristan and Sav face a new threat—a fracturing of the all-consuming bond they share. To fight for peace, they must forge a new trust and risk everything to take down their deadliest enemy, even as they must run for their lives. Soon they will learn that some bonds are stronger than love—and some battles cannot be won without sacrifice.
My  Review
A big thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!


CONSUME is the final instalment in The Clann trilogy, overall it was not my favourite  book in the series but was glad to see how the characters went and the finale ended. We see everything concluded and what I’d say a good end to a three part series.
The first two books and this one including, the author did a wonderful job of creating the world that she has.
It certainly answered most of the questions us readers ask ourselves as we follow a series. I found that the character development fell a little flat for me in this series, like something more was needed. I felt like the storyline needed more as well. We see Tristan’s dilemma in this series but honestly this instalment fell flat for me, however as a reader we get a conclusion that we certainly were looking forward to which for me was a great bonus.
This is a great series overall, and I do recommend it to all who enjoy a ya storyline with a great world to immerse yourself in.
 
3/5 stars
 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia Book review


Unbreakable (Legion, #1)Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.


When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.
 
 
 

3 Stars

Unbreakable had a lot of great qualities. I really enjoyed the mysterious plot that Garcia put forth and the fact that is was completely different to her previous novel Beautiful Creatures was a bonus.

The only thing that I didnt enjoy in parts was the teenage melodrama and whining and at times the immaturity. But overall its a fast read .



The horror put forth was eery and the plot was good, but I felt that the romance was a little laid back for me. I personally enjoy a little more romance that seems to blend better in my novels but this story certainly has a lot of potential.


Anyone who enjoys a great horror story will certainly enjoy this story it’s defiantly not for the faint at
heart.


Unbreakable is a supernatural - paranormal read, and this author has woven this well throughout the story. Once again this shows the authors ability to tell a story and her unique writing abilities.


At times the story was a tad predictable – but the constant action and scary moments will certainly have the horror fans appeased.


Unbreakable does focus a lot on the characters and their backgrounds. Unique and well defined. Which initially is setting up for the next instalment giving the reader background information. But with the fast paced and on the edge read I’m sure that the horror fans will enjoy.


I look forward to the next instalment.


Thank you to Simon and schuster for supplying me with this book  for my honest review.
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Cover Reveal Post - Grimnirs by Ednah Walters


Book Title: Grimnirs
Series: A Runes Novel
Author: Ednah Walters
Release Date: December 2nd 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Firetrail Publishing
Presented by: Twisted Book Tours and More & As You Wish Tours
Banner Made by: Camelia Miron Skiba

 
BLURB

One lost love.
One lost best friend.
One hot soul reaper.

Straight out of the psyche ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The love of her life, the guy she’s loved from a distance for years, has moved away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing. The connection defies logic. It doesn’t help that Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful, and cocky. A general pain-in-the-butt. Being around him makes her feel more alive than she’s ever felt before. But more important, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Echo is perfect for her. Echo might even be her soul-mate. There is only one problem. Echo is a freaking soul reaper. A Grimnir. The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life. You see, once you fall for a Grimnir, your life will never be the same again.

AUTHOR BIO
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, will be released April 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. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). 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 four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Immortals book Tour - Ednah Walters - Review & Giveaway








 



BOOK 1

Runes by Ednah Walters
Publication date: May 20th 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.


PURCHASE:






 

 

BOOK 2

Immortals by Ednah Walters
Series: Runes #2
Publication date: August 5th 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:
Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…
Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

So Raine comes up with a plan…
She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again.
But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.


Purchase:


 
AUTHOR BIO
 
 
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, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.

Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS.

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 four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com.
Author Links:


 
Book Review Immortals.

FIVE TORIN STARS !! *****

Norse Mythology - Hotty Immortal, kick arse female lead. Great storyline.

Along with page-turning suspense, UNPREDICTABLE plot, mega hotness ** (TEAM TORIN*) and Norse mythology Ednah Walters has given us a fantastic continuous on with this second instalment. .

The storyline is filled with twists and turns, romance and giggles and I fell in love with all the characters a little more with each page turn. The story runs at a great pace, keeping the reader hooked till that very last page has been turned. There is never a dull moment, if we aren’t being swooned by Torin - we certainly are given much to look forward to in
book two.

With each instalment Ednah leaves us wanting more. Immortals is
Filled with action, evil, adventure, mystery, and an even a little sparkly flare of romance that all we readers love to enjoy. ((Id enjoy a smooch or two off Torin)) grins!

Now don’t get me started on Torin - Immortal Hotty - rides a motorbike- gets your motor runnin -- phew - me so love his character.

But I did enjoy seeing a little more of Eric in this story. I enjoyed the getting to know each other again stage but it seems that love always finds a way. ((Sigh))

We have a Kick arse female lead - she is no whiney - poor me oh my kind of girl. She has spunk and we certainly see a strong side of her character in this story. This I enjoy much so in a story.

Immortals - is a truly unique story filled with an abundance of goodness and goodies = Ednah brings this fantastic and imaginative story to life at every page. Including all emotions and vivid descriptions




Giveaway:

Grand prize giveaway
Prizes (open internationally):
--25$ Amazon GC
--an eBook of Immortals


 
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Frostbite - Lynn Rush Happy Release Day & Giveaway

Its release day - How Exciting. Frostbite by Lynn Rush is now available !! Cant wait for you to read it all. I loved this book !!


Amanda gives a whole new meaning to cool…

Amanda Smith is sick of getting chased from town-to-town. So when she lands in tiny Trifle, Arizona, she hopes it’s her last move for a long time. Despite hating the smallness of the town, she settles in and finds a best friend, and even a boyfriend. Normality at its finest.

But for a girl who can shoot snow from her hands and lift a two-ton truck over her head like a bag of feathers—normal is not an option.

The scientists who murdered her mother come barreling into Amanda’s quiet life. She must decide if she’ll run again or stay and fight. The price of either choice might be her life or the lives of those she’s come to love…

 

Book Details:

Title: Frostbite (Touch of Frost Trilogy #1)


Word count: 72,000

Release Date: 9/17/13

Publisher: Lynn Rush, LLC
Genre: Paranormal Romance – New Adult/Upper YA



Excerpt from the first chapter:

 “I will not freeze anyone today.” I wiggled my fingers. Not that they ever listened to my command, but I had to try something. I’d made it three months at this school without accidentally freezing someone.

Just needed to keep it that way for one more week until graduation.

I clomped out of my bedroom, backpack in tow, chanting my no-freezing-allowed mantra in my head. A steaming travel mug sitting on top of the breakfast bar caught my attention. A note taped to it read: Morning. I’m in the garage.

Despite his tendency to nag, my big brother had one or two redeeming qualities. I brought the coffee to my nose and flipped the sip-hole open. “Mmm.” Vanilla flavored. My fave.

I hustled to the door and yanked it open, ready to face another day. Dry, desert air greeted my skin with a gentle caress when I stepped onto the porch. The yard littered with cactus and rocks reminded me of the stark contrast between Arizona and Minnesota. Despite my icy tendencies and ability to withstand extreme cold, I’d rather have the sun shining down and warming me.

I started down the flight of stairs to the sidewalk leading toward the garage still repeating my mantra. A daily ritual, crazy by anyone’s standards but mine, considering I had to work pretty hard to not accidentally freeze something.

Clanking metal and a slew of curse words streamed out from the garage. My trot down the stairs morphed into a mad dash.

The Coats found us again!

My quick motion sent dark liquid splashing through the lid and onto my shirt. Coffee soaked the cotton, scorching my skin. I hurled the cup to the gravel yard. Please let Scott be okay. If I had to witness another relative—my last living relative—lying in a pool of blood, dead…I’d crack. Literally crack.

I kicked the side door open, my hand already chilled and ready to freeze anyone who wasn’t my brother. “Scott.” I screamed so loud, razors slicing my throat would have hurt less.

Oh my God. Did they get him?

Scott popped up from behind the car. He lifted his arms in surrender. “Whoa.” His gaze fixed on my hand.

Fanned open and aimed directly at him, my arctic-blue digits shimmered with a layer of frost. Panic squeezed my lungs. Tremors traveled up my legs and vibrated my gut. When I was scared, my power always exploded. Sometimes to the extent that I left a trail of dead people…

The crowbar Scott held clanked to the cement and rang like a tower bell within my skull.

I drew in a stuttered breath and scanned the single-car garage. “Scott? Are you okay? I heard—”

“Pull it back, Mandy. Calm down.” He inched toward me. White puffs of breath leaked from his mouth. “You can do it. Pull it back.”

“I thought—” I swallowed hard. My tongue turned as dry as cotton. I lowered my arm, and my bag slid off my shoulder to the floor. Damn those Coats for turning me into a paranoid freak.

More of a freak than I already was.

“Mandy?”

“I heard a crash and you cursing up a storm. I thought the Coats—” My jaw clenched. The mere thought of them triggered my gag reflex. They’d slaughtered my parents four years ago, and I’d been on edge every day since.

The fact that they’d captured me a few times didn’t help with the paranoia either.

I peeked behind me. Our tiny apartment above my brother’s smoothie shop remained dark and quiet. No jerks dressed in white doctor-type outfits or army fatigues stomping around, shooting their pointy little tranquilizer darts.

It’d been a while since we’d seen them, but I wouldn’t ever relax. How could I? They’d been chasing us for so long. And we’d had more close calls with them than I’d like to remember.

Scott grabbed my shoulder. “I’m sorry. They haven’t found us. We’re safe, Mandy. We’re safe.”

Thank God. I couldn’t lose Scott. Couldn’t see him hurt again. “What’s going on? I almost turned you into an ice sculpture.”

“I’d make a totally hot sculpture though, right?” He fingered his chestnut curls. “Can you turn down the cold first? It’s freezing in here.”

“Well, whose fault is that? You can’t go around cussing and clanging metal together, I thought someone was attacking you again.” Besides, I didn’t particularly feel like killing anyone this morning.

I shook out my hands. Back off. I didn’t have a great way of getting this ice-thing under control, so telling it to settle down seemed to work for now. If only I knew how this happened to me.

And why the hell didn’t Scott have any powers if Mom had this, too?

“Good job. I can feel it warming up.” If Scott’s indigo eyes got any bigger, they’d pop out of their sockets. “I’m sorry, Mandy. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

My heart finally slowed to a jog. I felt like I’d sprinted a marathon in record time. The thought of Scott getting hurt by those crazy scientists totally freaked me out. Although he told lame jokes and was kind of a nerd, he was all I had left.

I had to keep him safe. He was in danger because of me. Not to mention he was pretty wimpy.

“What the heck are you doing in here?”

He gestured his blackened thumb to the car. “Flat tire.”

“Again?”

“Must have a slow leak.”

I shuffled to the rear of the car, and the scent of rubber, grease and gasoline sent my nose tingling. “I’ll give you a hand. We have to hurry. Principal Nimrod will be ticked if I’m late again.”

“Don’t call him that.” Scott snatched his crowbar. “He could keep you from graduating.”

Whatever. I curled my fingers around the hitch connection. “Here?”

“That’s good.”

I pulled, and the metal groaned under my grip. The end of the Mustang rose. Scott squatted beside the rear wheel and went to work on whatever he was doing to the tire.

“Much better than that jack. I couldn’t get it to work.” He winked at me. “You’re kind of handy to have around.”

“I’m a great car jack.”

“You’re good at other things, too. Don’t forget the new fridge you carried up to the kitchen last weekend.”

I snickered. If only I could have gotten a picture of that. A tiny chick like me carrying the massive appliance up the flight of stairs would have gotten a few views online for sure.

But there were no pictures allowed in our lives. Couldn’t afford to leave any trails. I so despised this nomadic lifestyle.

I blew the dust off the trunk of the classic car. “At least we’re not on the side of the road for Toni to see this and ruin everything for us.”

“True. I’m thinking we chose the right town this time. That we’ve finally found a place to settle down.”

“Really? No more Coats?” Settling down sure had its appeal, but I didn’t dare get my hopes up. Been there, done that. Totally crushed.

Scott nodded. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Coat. I think we’ve finally lost them.”

I didn’t share his optimism, but I kept that to myself. Skepticism became my middle name four years ago when my parents were slaughtered and all this running-shit started. I wasn’t sure it’d ever change. ~Frostbite, by @LynnRush http://amzn.to/17S3I2X

 

 

Author Bio:

Lynn Rush is a pen name that is a combination of two sources – Lynn, the first name of her mother-in-law, who passed away and Rush – since the author is a former inline speed skater and mountain biker. All of Rush’s books are dedicated to Lynn, her namesake, and a portion of the proceeds benefits cancer research and treatment.

 

Rush holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master's degree from the University of Iowa. Originally from Minneapolis, Rush currently enjoys living in the Arizona desert with her husband of 17 years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training to run her first marathon.

 

Lynn loves connecting with her readers:

Catch the Rush®: www.LynnRush.com



 

 


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