Saturday, May 25, 2013
Sunday Cover Scramble [18]
Friday, May 24, 2013
Sidekick Saturday [24] - Bad Guy Turned Good
• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in this week's type
• Share a picture (if possible) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• Put your link in the Linky thing and comment
WARNING - THERE MAY BE A FEW SPOILERS IN THIS POST. Only read on if you have read The Hollows Series or if you do not mind being spoiled.
This week is Bad Guy Turned Good
My choice is Trent Kalamack
The Hollows by Kim Harrison
OK Please forgive me - I know this isn't the best picture I've done, but I had to do it on my lunch break at work because Zane had a double header Friday night. I promise, Trent is much more handsome than this.
My choice is Trent Kalamack
The Hollows by Kim Harrison
Trent is introduced as a councilman that Rachel wants to take down so that she can get the I.S. death threat off her head. She finds out that he is dealing in brimstone so she sneaks into his office to get proof. On one of her excursions, she is a mink and he locks her in a cage in his office and then puts her in rat fights to teach her a lesson. To the reader, he seems ruthless and cunning and downright vicious at times throughout the series. Later on, he ends up fighting right beside her and is one of her most trusted allies. It takes a lot of books and a lot of pages before this happens, but he ends up being one of my favorite characters in the series. He will do anything for the people that he cares about which are few in number. I think he may also be a very misunderstood character, as we find out thanks to some chapters that Harrison provides us from his point of view. Even Rachel misunderstands him so often and thinks his motives are different than they are.
Quotes:
My breath slipped from me, almost a groan. Trent Kalamack. The obscenely successful, smiling businessman, ruthless bio- and street-drug lord, elf in hiding, and pain-in-my-ass-extraordinaire Trent Kalamack. Right on schedule. "Why is it you show up only when I need money?”
“Rachel knew what she was doing. And when she didn't, she could improvise on the fly, coming up with options that left a lot of collateral damage but usually only hurt herself, not the people around her. It was one of the things he would never admit that he admired about her.”
“Come work for me, and I’ll tell you.”
My eyes went to his. “You are a thief, a cheat, a murderer, and a not-nice man,” I said calmly. “I don’t like you.”
He shrugged, the motion making him look utterly harmless. “I’m not a thief,” he said. “And I don’t mind manipulating you into working for me when I need it.” He smiled, showing me perfect teeth. “I enjoy it, actually.”
“I’m not going to pick her up and carry her screaming to the basement,” Trent said. “It’s a workday. Besides, she has a crutch.”
“Crutch or no, she’s hurt!” Ceri protested.
“I mean,” Trent said intently, “she can hit me with it if I do something she doesn’t like.”
“Memories of ice and Trent surfaced, and I wrapped my arms around my middle. I had saved him, and he had saved me. What was wrong with us?”
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Oklahoma
So I spent some time this past week worried over my own family that lives in Oklahoma although now I know they are all safe and sound, and I know others have too. Not only that, but the devastation that was left and the people's lives that will never be the same is so large of a number.
If you would like to offer aid, I know that here in Texas the schools and churches are taking donations and are having blood drives. You can check your local paper to see what kind of drives your area may be participating in. WARNING: If you are receiving automated phone calls from the Red Cross, they have said this is a scam and that they are not calling anyone asking for donations. You can go to their website to donate.
Please take a look at E.J. Wesley's blog where he goes into more detail about the scope of the loss and offers links that you can go to for donations. -> A Hard Day
If you would like to offer aid, I know that here in Texas the schools and churches are taking donations and are having blood drives. You can check your local paper to see what kind of drives your area may be participating in. WARNING: If you are receiving automated phone calls from the Red Cross, they have said this is a scam and that they are not calling anyone asking for donations. You can go to their website to donate.
Please take a look at E.J. Wesley's blog where he goes into more detail about the scope of the loss and offers links that you can go to for donations. -> A Hard Day
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday [22] - The Twixt
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Indelible (The Twixt #1) by Dawn Metcalf
Publisher: July 30, 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Goodreads Summary
Some things are permanent.
Indelible.
And they cannot be changed back.
Joy Malone learns this the night she sees a stranger with all-black eyes across a crowded room—right before the mystery boy tries to cut out her eye. Instead, the wound accidentally marks her as property of Indelible Ink, and this dangerous mistake thrusts Joy into an incomprehensible world—a world of monsters at the window, glowing girls on the doorstep, and a life that will never be the same.
Now, Joy must pretend to be Ink’s chosen one—his helper, his love, his something for the foreseeable future...and failure to be convincing means a painful death for them both. Swept into a world of monsters, illusion, immortal honor and revenge, Joy discovers that sometimes, there are no mistakes.
Somewhere between reality and myth lies…
THE TWIXT
Some things are permanent.
Indelible.
And they cannot be changed back.
Joy Malone learns this the night she sees a stranger with all-black eyes across a crowded room—right before the mystery boy tries to cut out her eye. Instead, the wound accidentally marks her as property of Indelible Ink, and this dangerous mistake thrusts Joy into an incomprehensible world—a world of monsters at the window, glowing girls on the doorstep, and a life that will never be the same.
Now, Joy must pretend to be Ink’s chosen one—his helper, his love, his something for the foreseeable future...and failure to be convincing means a painful death for them both. Swept into a world of monsters, illusion, immortal honor and revenge, Joy discovers that sometimes, there are no mistakes.
Somewhere between reality and myth lies…
THE TWIXT
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Review: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: February 5, 2013 Feiwel and Friends
Genre: Science Fiction, YA
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
*Please note that it is very hard to review books past the first one in the series without having any spoilers at all. I will try to keep it as spoiler free as I can, but if you haven't read the first book in this series, you may just want to read that review instead of continuing with this one.
Goodreads Summary
The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
What Big Teeth You Have
Cinder was a tale about a cyborg with an awful stepmother, two stepsisters, and a dead father making her story on the bare surface similar to that of Cinderella. Other than that, Cinder is her own person entirely with a completely different man to woo and thankfully more concerns than just him.
Scarlet allows us to meet some new characters that I'm sure you can guess are drawn from the story of Red Riding Hood. Scarlet is a regular teenage girl with crimson hair, a red hoodie, and a gun. Her grand-mere is missing and she receives help from a character named Wolf to search for her. That's where the similarities end for that retelling.
Scarlet allows us to meet some new characters that I'm sure you can guess are drawn from the story of Red Riding Hood. Scarlet is a regular teenage girl with crimson hair, a red hoodie, and a gun. Her grand-mere is missing and she receives help from a character named Wolf to search for her. That's where the similarities end for that retelling.
The Good
In this installment, we go deeper into Cinder's past and really begin to unravel why she is the way she is and who had some parts to play in this. She also begins to unlock some memories of her own on this journey. It was great fun for me to watch the dots connect together and to have Cinder become more of a completed character. I know we will continue to learn more throughout the series because I don't think Meyer is done with revelations, but for where we are now it feels right.
Next, I have to talk about how much I love her characters. When you have a lot of strong female characters, you have to be careful to make them unique. Right now, there are two strong main female characters with more to come. Scarlet and Cinder are both strong, independent female characters and thankfully unique enough to tell them apart. In my opinion, Cinder has more snark and insecurity and Scarlet is rash yet confident and bold. I am shown Scarlet acting first and asking questions later on occasion. After a while, she mentions that this is a trait she should curb. Cinder is strong in a lot of areas. I guess really I would call her resilient, but she is still scared. She is also brave due to all she does even though she is afraid.
Two more male characters in this story are Wolf and Captain Thorne. Where Cinder and Scarlet are similar with small but important characteristics that make them different, all the men so far are vastly their own. Wolf is an enigma. Even by the end with all that happens in the story, I feel like I don't know all that's going on with him. He's very difficult to read whether he's good or bad throughout the story and Scarlet moves from distrust to a resigned collaboration, to trust, and back often due to all that unfolds. I really like his character a lot. He's very good-looking, strong, and incredibly mysterious.
Then, there is Captain Thorne who can be quite frustrating. He's self-assured, a known criminal, girl crazy, and provides good entertainment. He also drives Cinder crazy and there is not much nice said between the two.
The world of Luna is still a mystery, but I learned a lot more about the people from there and also about Queen Levana who is a baddie made of pure evil sauce. I don't see a good side or any pity for this character and I like how horrible she is and the rampant chaos she causes.
The world they are on now is shown through negotiation talks with Emperor Kai and other world leaders. When he finds out Lunars have been moving in and hiding among them, he definitely is not happy, so he seeks to ramp up security. The story is well-told. The way it switched between character's POV was spaced well and kept it entertaining. I am incredibly interested in where it's all going because of how this one ended.
Next, I have to talk about how much I love her characters. When you have a lot of strong female characters, you have to be careful to make them unique. Right now, there are two strong main female characters with more to come. Scarlet and Cinder are both strong, independent female characters and thankfully unique enough to tell them apart. In my opinion, Cinder has more snark and insecurity and Scarlet is rash yet confident and bold. I am shown Scarlet acting first and asking questions later on occasion. After a while, she mentions that this is a trait she should curb. Cinder is strong in a lot of areas. I guess really I would call her resilient, but she is still scared. She is also brave due to all she does even though she is afraid.
Two more male characters in this story are Wolf and Captain Thorne. Where Cinder and Scarlet are similar with small but important characteristics that make them different, all the men so far are vastly their own. Wolf is an enigma. Even by the end with all that happens in the story, I feel like I don't know all that's going on with him. He's very difficult to read whether he's good or bad throughout the story and Scarlet moves from distrust to a resigned collaboration, to trust, and back often due to all that unfolds. I really like his character a lot. He's very good-looking, strong, and incredibly mysterious.
Then, there is Captain Thorne who can be quite frustrating. He's self-assured, a known criminal, girl crazy, and provides good entertainment. He also drives Cinder crazy and there is not much nice said between the two.
The world of Luna is still a mystery, but I learned a lot more about the people from there and also about Queen Levana who is a baddie made of pure evil sauce. I don't see a good side or any pity for this character and I like how horrible she is and the rampant chaos she causes.
The world they are on now is shown through negotiation talks with Emperor Kai and other world leaders. When he finds out Lunars have been moving in and hiding among them, he definitely is not happy, so he seeks to ramp up security. The story is well-told. The way it switched between character's POV was spaced well and kept it entertaining. I am incredibly interested in where it's all going because of how this one ended.
The Bad
Emperor Kai for now was predictable, but there were enough surprises in other areas that it didn't matter.
The Romance
Cinder and Emperor Kai's budding romance was left in tatters at the end of the last book. In this story, Scarlet and Wolf have a pull towards each other and it's definitely fun to watch the chemistry battle the walls that are up between the pair.
Conclusion
I know Cinder was hit-or-miss with some due to world-building, explaining technology better, or missing back-story, but honestly this is a series that I adore and has been added to my list of favorites. I was given more information about Cinder's past, and more insight to what should happen in the future. The characters are easy to become attached to and root for and the relation to the fairy-tales I love is just the icing on the cake. A series that shouldn't be missed if you like YA Science Fiction.
Excerpts
“A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”
“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.”
“She sighed, annoyed at her restlessness. “So,” she said, disrupting Wolf in another backward glance.
“Who would win in a fight—you or a pack of wolves?”
He frowned at her, all seriousness. “Depends,” he said, slowly, like he was trying to figure out her motive for asking. “How big is the pack?”
“I don’t know, what’s normal? Six?”
“I could win against six,” he said. “Any more than that and it could be a close call.”
Scarlet smirked. “You’re not in danger of low self-esteem, at least.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing at all.” She kicked a stone from their path. “How about you and … a lion?”
“A cat? Don’t insult me.”
She laughed, the sound sharp and surprising. “How about a bear?”
“Why, do you see one out there?”
“Not yet, but I want to be prepared in case I have to rescue you.”
The smile she’d been waiting for warmed his face, a glint of white teeth flashing. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had to fight a bear before.”
Monday, May 20, 2013
Teaser Tuesday [16] - Just Junco
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.
Clutch (I Am Just Junco #1) by J.A. Huss
Teaser:
"Is that how ya treat someone who saves yer life? Shoot them?"
I snort. "Saved my life? I must have missed that one while I was sleeping."
"Except ya weren't sleeping, Junco. You were unconscious."
Goodreads Summary:
How long can you lie to yourself before it all comes apart?
In 2152 the avian race is on Earth looking for something stolen from them decades ago – their genetics. At the center of the search lies the Rural Republic; a small backwards farming country with high hopes of military domination and a penchant for illegal bioengineering.
19 year old Junco Coot is the daughter of the Rural Republic’s ranking commander. She’s the most foul-mouthed, wildly unpredictable and ruthless sniper the Rural Republic has ever trained. But when her father’s death sparks a trip into forbidden places, she triggers events that will change everything she knows to be true.
As an elite avian military officer, Tier’s mission is to destroy the bioengineering projects, kill Commander Coot’s daughter, and return home immediately. There’s just one problem. Junco isn’t who she claims to be.
With no one to trust, not even herself, Junco must confront the secrets of her past and accept her place in the future, or risk losing herself completely.
CONTENT WARNING The I Am Just Junco series is NOT YOUNG ADULT. This series contains foul language and graphic violence.
How long can you lie to yourself before it all comes apart?
In 2152 the avian race is on Earth looking for something stolen from them decades ago – their genetics. At the center of the search lies the Rural Republic; a small backwards farming country with high hopes of military domination and a penchant for illegal bioengineering.
19 year old Junco Coot is the daughter of the Rural Republic’s ranking commander. She’s the most foul-mouthed, wildly unpredictable and ruthless sniper the Rural Republic has ever trained. But when her father’s death sparks a trip into forbidden places, she triggers events that will change everything she knows to be true.
As an elite avian military officer, Tier’s mission is to destroy the bioengineering projects, kill Commander Coot’s daughter, and return home immediately. There’s just one problem. Junco isn’t who she claims to be.
With no one to trust, not even herself, Junco must confront the secrets of her past and accept her place in the future, or risk losing herself completely.
CONTENT WARNING The I Am Just Junco series is NOT YOUNG ADULT. This series contains foul language and graphic violence.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Wings of Arian by Devri Walls special .99 price - Today Only
Wings of Arian (Solus #1) is on special for one day only - Today, May 20th - 99 cents for Wings of Arian: The Solus Trilogy
, Nook at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and possibly Itunes.
Wings of Arian (Solus #1)
Publisher: April 24, 2012 Stonehouse Ink
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
“You have, have you?” She grunted, trying to wrench the sword back up.
“Well, Aleric and I decided.”
Emane shrugged, dropping the sword back to his side. “If I do get separated from you and you happen to run out of magic, you need to be able to defend yourself. I have already spoken to the Guardians and they have promised to make you a sword that is your size. But for now, we will practice with these.”
“Emane, I don't even know how to hold one of these things.”
“Lesson number one, it is called a sword.”
“All right, a sword,” she said, placing a hand on her hip. “Problem number two, I can’t lift it.”
“Try,” he said, jerking his head towards her sword.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the hilt, struggling under the weight of it, managing to pull it up a few inches before the weight dragged her back down to the ground. Emane burst out into laughter, taking it out of her hands.
“Well worth it!” he grinned, shouldering her sword. When she looked at him confused, Emane leaned forward as if telling her a secret, “I really just wanted to watch you not be able to do something.”
“Are you serious?” she sputtered. “You gave me that sword just to laugh at me? Did you even talk to Aleric?” Her face flushed.
“Of course I talked to Aleric.” Emane was trying to stifle his laughter but it wasn't working. “And I am going to teach you to fight.” He buried the swords into the ground so that they were standing straight up. “But we normally don't start with those. He pulled out two wooden swords he had stashed behind a tree. “Normally we start training with these,” he said, spinning them around in an arc before presenting her with the much smaller, much lighter wooden sword.
She snatched it out of his hand. “You really are a jerk, you know.”
“Hmmm,” he said smirking, tossing his sword from one hand to the other. “I'm happy with jerk. It’s much nicer than what you used to call me.”
“You're that too.” She half grinned.
“Nope, we have downgraded to jerk and I am keeping it.” He started circling around her. “First things first, you need to protect yourself. I will try to get past your guard. If you block me, you win. If I get past your guard, I win. And,” he drug out. “I will expect to be paid with a kiss.”
“What do I get if I win?” she asked.
Emane took advantage of the question and jabbed in quickly, connecting with her arm. “One kiss for me,” he winked, backing out again.
“That was cheating!” she objected.
Emane swung around the blade, lightly connecting the flat side of the sword between her shoulder blades.
“Two kisses for me.”
“Oohhh,” she growled. “You are an arrogant horse’s ass!” She took a protective stance and blocked the next blow.
“Nice job.” He danced around her and connected with her opposite shoulder. “Three kisses for the horse’s ass,” he gloated. “Come on, Kiora, you have to move your feet.” His eyes glinted mischievously.
She started to move and circle, following his lead. She blocked blow after blow, but missed at least one out of every three. “Come on, Emane,” she complained. “Take it easy on me. It’s my first day.”
“I am taking it easy on you,” he laughed. “You’re terrible!”
“Thanks a lot,” she said, trying to force a glare at him. “You’re not exactly encouraging.” She lifted her sword to block another shot.
Pushing his sword down over hers, he leaned in, “I actually like the fact that you’re terrible, more kisses for me.”
Kiora heard a few snickers from behind her and noticed that the camp was turning up to watch the training session. Pushing back, Emane jabbed in and caught her in the stomach.
“Hey!” she yelled, doubling over.
“That’s at least fifteen kisses, I am losing count.” Spinning in a wide lazy circle, he asked the spectators, “Anyone want to keep track for me?”
“You...are, such a...”
“Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his finger at her, “we have little ears amongst us, watch your language.”
“Jerk” she yelled.
“That’s better.” Emane swung again and she soundly blocked.
It went on like this for longer than she had wanted. The crowd cheered when she blocked a shot and they counted kisses when Emane made it past her guard. And they laughed at every joke he made, which only encouraged him.
“Please,” she gasped. “I am dying, can’t we take a break?”
“Breaks are for girls!” He taunted her, dancing around her with the stupid, albeit gorgeous, grin plastered on his face.
“I am a girl, Emane.” He moved in to take another shot, which she barely blocked. “I mean it, Emane, I am going to cheat if we don't stop.” He raised his sword over his head. With a flick of her wrist she swept his feet out from under him. He reached for his sword, but with another flick of the wrist, the sword slid across the ground out of his reach. She dropped to her knees, putting her sword to his neck, “Do you yield?”
The crowd was in hysterics. Emane stretched his neck looking around. “How many kisses am I owed?” he shouted to the crowd.
“Seventy-two,” the answer came.
“Hmmm, seventy-two kisses,” he put both arms behind his head. “That should be enough. Yes, I yield.”
“Thank heavens!” Kiora collapsed on the ground next to Emane as the crowd cheered and laughed with approval.
Emane rolled over and leaned on his elbow, looking down at her through half-open lids. “I think the Lady should pay up.” He leaned down and kissed her. “One down, seventy-one more to go.” Emane jumped to his feet and offered her a hand up. “All right, folks, that’s it for today.” There were some moans and groans as the crowd dispersed.
“You are shameless, you know that?” she said, brushing off her pants.
“So you tell me.” He threw his arm over her shoulder. “Let's go get something to drink.”
Wings of Arian (Solus #1) is on special for one day only - Today, May 20th - $. 99 cents for Wings of Arian: The Solus Trilogy, Nook at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and possibly Itunes.
, Nook at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and possibly Itunes.Wings of Arian (Solus #1)
Publisher: April 24, 2012 Stonehouse InkGenre: Paranormal Fantasy
Goodreads Summary
Kiora thought she had never heard a lie until she was sixteen. But she was wrong. Her entire existence was based on nothing but. She thought that evil did not exist. Lie. That magic was not real. Lie. And that the land of Meros was all there was. One more lie.
With Aleric telling her that evil is knocking on the door and that she is the only one who can stop them, she has a choice to make. Refuse, or start the wildest most painful ride of her life.
She reluctantly dips her toe into her new existence of magic and threads, dragons and shapeshifters, and the person who wants to take control of it all: the evil Dralazar.
However, this journey was never meant to be hers alone. She will be accompanied by a Protector. To her disbelief, and utter irritation they name the hotheaded, stubborn, non -magical, (albeit gorgeous) Prince Emane. They will have to trust each other with their lives, but right now Kiora would settle for a non hostile conversation.
And now it comes down to this, If you had never heard a lie, would you know when you heard one? Is knowing good from evil innate? Kiora finds herself having to decide who lives and who dies on those very questions.
Kiora thought she had never heard a lie until she was sixteen. But she was wrong. Her entire existence was based on nothing but. She thought that evil did not exist. Lie. That magic was not real. Lie. And that the land of Meros was all there was. One more lie.
With Aleric telling her that evil is knocking on the door and that she is the only one who can stop them, she has a choice to make. Refuse, or start the wildest most painful ride of her life.
She reluctantly dips her toe into her new existence of magic and threads, dragons and shapeshifters, and the person who wants to take control of it all: the evil Dralazar.
However, this journey was never meant to be hers alone. She will be accompanied by a Protector. To her disbelief, and utter irritation they name the hotheaded, stubborn, non -magical, (albeit gorgeous) Prince Emane. They will have to trust each other with their lives, but right now Kiora would settle for a non hostile conversation.
And now it comes down to this, If you had never heard a lie, would you know when you heard one? Is knowing good from evil innate? Kiora finds herself having to decide who lives and who dies on those very questions.
Excerpt:
Emane came to her after dinner with two swords and handed her one.
“What is this for?” she asked, as the weight of the sword jerked her arm to the ground.
“I have decided you need to learn how to fight,” he said, laying his blade across his hand, examining it.
“You have, have you?” She grunted, trying to wrench the sword back up.
“Well, Aleric and I decided.”
Emane shrugged, dropping the sword back to his side. “If I do get separated from you and you happen to run out of magic, you need to be able to defend yourself. I have already spoken to the Guardians and they have promised to make you a sword that is your size. But for now, we will practice with these.”
“Emane, I don't even know how to hold one of these things.”
“Lesson number one, it is called a sword.”
“All right, a sword,” she said, placing a hand on her hip. “Problem number two, I can’t lift it.”
“Try,” he said, jerking his head towards her sword.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the hilt, struggling under the weight of it, managing to pull it up a few inches before the weight dragged her back down to the ground. Emane burst out into laughter, taking it out of her hands.
“Well worth it!” he grinned, shouldering her sword. When she looked at him confused, Emane leaned forward as if telling her a secret, “I really just wanted to watch you not be able to do something.”
“Are you serious?” she sputtered. “You gave me that sword just to laugh at me? Did you even talk to Aleric?” Her face flushed.
“Of course I talked to Aleric.” Emane was trying to stifle his laughter but it wasn't working. “And I am going to teach you to fight.” He buried the swords into the ground so that they were standing straight up. “But we normally don't start with those. He pulled out two wooden swords he had stashed behind a tree. “Normally we start training with these,” he said, spinning them around in an arc before presenting her with the much smaller, much lighter wooden sword.
She snatched it out of his hand. “You really are a jerk, you know.”
“Hmmm,” he said smirking, tossing his sword from one hand to the other. “I'm happy with jerk. It’s much nicer than what you used to call me.”
“You're that too.” She half grinned.
“Nope, we have downgraded to jerk and I am keeping it.” He started circling around her. “First things first, you need to protect yourself. I will try to get past your guard. If you block me, you win. If I get past your guard, I win. And,” he drug out. “I will expect to be paid with a kiss.”
“What do I get if I win?” she asked.
Emane took advantage of the question and jabbed in quickly, connecting with her arm. “One kiss for me,” he winked, backing out again.
“That was cheating!” she objected.
Emane swung around the blade, lightly connecting the flat side of the sword between her shoulder blades.
“Two kisses for me.”
“Oohhh,” she growled. “You are an arrogant horse’s ass!” She took a protective stance and blocked the next blow.
“Nice job.” He danced around her and connected with her opposite shoulder. “Three kisses for the horse’s ass,” he gloated. “Come on, Kiora, you have to move your feet.” His eyes glinted mischievously.
She started to move and circle, following his lead. She blocked blow after blow, but missed at least one out of every three. “Come on, Emane,” she complained. “Take it easy on me. It’s my first day.”
“I am taking it easy on you,” he laughed. “You’re terrible!”
“Thanks a lot,” she said, trying to force a glare at him. “You’re not exactly encouraging.” She lifted her sword to block another shot.
Pushing his sword down over hers, he leaned in, “I actually like the fact that you’re terrible, more kisses for me.”
Kiora heard a few snickers from behind her and noticed that the camp was turning up to watch the training session. Pushing back, Emane jabbed in and caught her in the stomach.
“Hey!” she yelled, doubling over.
“That’s at least fifteen kisses, I am losing count.” Spinning in a wide lazy circle, he asked the spectators, “Anyone want to keep track for me?”
“You...are, such a...”
“Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his finger at her, “we have little ears amongst us, watch your language.”
“Jerk” she yelled.
“That’s better.” Emane swung again and she soundly blocked.
It went on like this for longer than she had wanted. The crowd cheered when she blocked a shot and they counted kisses when Emane made it past her guard. And they laughed at every joke he made, which only encouraged him.
“Please,” she gasped. “I am dying, can’t we take a break?”
“Breaks are for girls!” He taunted her, dancing around her with the stupid, albeit gorgeous, grin plastered on his face.
“I am a girl, Emane.” He moved in to take another shot, which she barely blocked. “I mean it, Emane, I am going to cheat if we don't stop.” He raised his sword over his head. With a flick of her wrist she swept his feet out from under him. He reached for his sword, but with another flick of the wrist, the sword slid across the ground out of his reach. She dropped to her knees, putting her sword to his neck, “Do you yield?”
The crowd was in hysterics. Emane stretched his neck looking around. “How many kisses am I owed?” he shouted to the crowd.
“Seventy-two,” the answer came.
“Hmmm, seventy-two kisses,” he put both arms behind his head. “That should be enough. Yes, I yield.”
“Thank heavens!” Kiora collapsed on the ground next to Emane as the crowd cheered and laughed with approval.
Emane rolled over and leaned on his elbow, looking down at her through half-open lids. “I think the Lady should pay up.” He leaned down and kissed her. “One down, seventy-one more to go.” Emane jumped to his feet and offered her a hand up. “All right, folks, that’s it for today.” There were some moans and groans as the crowd dispersed.
“You are shameless, you know that?” she said, brushing off her pants.
“So you tell me.” He threw his arm over her shoulder. “Let's go get something to drink.”
Wings of Arian (Solus #1) is on special for one day only - Today, May 20th - $. 99 cents for Wings of Arian: The Solus Trilogy
, Nook at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and possibly Itunes.About Devri Walls:
Devri Walls lives in Kuna, ID with her husband, two kids and one very bouncy lab. After suffering from an abundance of creativity with not enough places to put it, she turned to writing. Which in the end, turned out to be exactly where she should have been putting it all along.
www.writingmyfuture.com
www.devriwalls.com
Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Wings of Arian: The Solus Trilogy
www.writingmyfuture.com
www.devriwalls.com
Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Wings of Arian: The Solus Trilogy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)