"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday #81: DREAM BOY by Madelynn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett (YA)


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 


This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


What I'm waiting on... 

by Madelyn Rosenberg and Mary Crockett
Expected release date: July 1st, 2014
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult 
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Annabelle Manning feels like she’s doing time at her high school in Chilton, Virginia. She has her friends at her lunchtime table of nobodies. What she doesn’t have are possibilities. Or a date for Homecoming. 
Things get more interesting at night, when she spends time with the boy of her dreams. But the blue-eyed boy with the fairytale smile is just that — a dream. 
Until the Friday afternoon he walks into her chemistry class. 

One of her friends suspects he’s an alien. Another is pretty sure it’s all one big case of deja vu. 
While Annabelle doesn’t know what to think, she’s willing to believe that the charming Martin Zirkle may just be her dream come true. 

But as Annabelle discovers the truth behind dreams — where they come from and what they mean — she is forced to face a dark reality she had not expected. 
More than just Martin has arrived in Chilton. As Annabelle learns, if dreams can come true, so can nightmares.


What I'm waiting for DREAM BOY...

FIRST, did you see the gorgeous cover???

Second, SO mysterious! Who is this Martin boy??? And where did he come from???

And lastly, but certainly not least, DREAMS?!
I have always been fascinated by dreams - where they come from, what they mean, etc.

CAN'T WAIT to read this one!!!


What are you waiting for this week???

Monday, April 28, 2014

Blog Tour (Guest Post/Giveaway): THE BREAK-UP ARTIST by Philip Siegel (YA)


The Break-Up Artist Blog Tour

by Philip Siegel
Expected release date: April 29th, 2014
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary, Humor
Format: Hardback, eBook
Format read: eGalley

SUMMARY

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples.

After watching her sister get left at the alter, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, master of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley's life - not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she's having about Val's new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.


GUEST POST

There are so many "match-makers" nowadays - reality shows, etc. 
What influenced you to go the opposite way of what society seems to want? 
Why the anti-match-maker?

First off, thank you for having me! Yes, breaking up couples is not something smiled upon by society. Match-making is the norm, as it should be, because how sad would the world be if everyone was broken up with? I like matchmakers and break-up artists equally. For me, it’s all about the scheme.

I’ve always been interested in characters who scheme. These people are behind the curtain pulling strings. Something about it fascinates me. I love how these plots and schemes come together. You know those scenes when the puzzles fall into place. I guess I’ve always been a curious person, so I like learning how things work, why they work. Romance is the ultimate illogical plot point. You can’t explain why two people fall for each other; it just happens. With match-making, and anti-match-making, you get a chance to piece together, or take apart, relationships.

Two of my favorite examples are from the movies Hitch and My Best Friend’s Wedding. They represent both ends of the spectrum. In Hitch, Will Smith plays Hitch, a professional matchmaker who takes on nerdy client Albert, played by Kevin James. Albert wants to date beautiful heiress Allegra, someone supposedly out of his league who he’s never spoken two words to. Now we’ve seen that premise tons of times: the schlub who wants to date the super popular guy/girl. In the movie, Hitch shows us his multi-step scheme for getting Albert from stranger to boyfriend of Allegra. Albert defends her in public, asks her to an event that could be construed as a date, gets in good with her best friend Maggie. It makes sense as Albert and Allegra get closer. The movie does a great job of presenting a logical (well, movie-logical), thought-out plot.

My Best Friend’s Wedding is anti-match-making at its best. Julia Roberts’s character Julianne decides she’s in love with her best friend Michael. Now all she has to do is break up him and his fiancée four days before their wedding. Julianne gets chummy with the fiancée Kimmy, and plants an idea in her head that Michael needs to work for her father, a suggestion she knows Michael will hate. She even commandeers Kimmy’s dad’s email account in an attempt to get Michael fired from his job. Michael and Kimmy seem perfect when we first meet them, but through Julianne’s scheming, we notice the cracks in their façade that Julianne merely brought to the surface.


So whether it’s putting couples together or breaking them up, I’m all about the scheme. One of my favorite parts of writing The Break-Up Artist was devising Becca’s main break-up plot for her school’s seemingly perfect couple Huxley and Steve. It’s a slow burn scheme, with lots of little events and moments snowballing into a grand finale. I think it’s more fun to show characters drifting apart than magically falling for each other. But maybe I’m just cynical.


GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a copy of THE BREAK-UP ARTIST.
And, one winner will receive a fantastic grand prize package including the following Harlequin Teen titles: 
2 copies of THE BREAK-UP ARTIST, 
a copy of WHITE HOT KISS, 
THE FOREVER SONG, 
THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS, 
PLAYED (Hooked #2), and 
an ARC of LET'S GET LOST.



Please enter via the Rafflecopter form.
Giveaway is open to US and Canada only. 


TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday April 28 - Bumbles and Fairy Tales - Guest Post 
Wednesday April 30 - Reading Teen - Guest Post 
Friday May 2 - Scott Reads It - Guest Post 

Monday May 5 - Miss Page Turners City of Books - Author Interview 
Wednesday May 7 - Xpresso Reads - Author Interview 
Friday May 9 - Me, My Shelf and I  - Guest Post


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Philip Siegel

Philip Siegel grew up in New Jersey, which he insists is much nicer than certain TV shows would have you believe. He graduated from Northwestern University and promptly moved out to Los Angeles, where he became an NBC page. He likes to think that the character of Kenneth on 30 Rock is loosely based on his life rights. 
Currently, he works in downtown Chicago by day while he writes novels at night and during his commute sandwiched in between colorful characters on the El.



Buy THE BREAK-UP ARTIST: 
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / IndieBound

Kismet Book Touring

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday #80: THE FALCONER by Elizabeth May (YA)


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 


This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


What I'm waiting on... 


THE FALCONER
The Falconer #1
by Elizabeth May
Expected release date: May 6th, 2014
Published by: Chronicle Books
Genre: Young Adult - Historical, Urban Fantasy
Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. 
A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

TRAILER



Why I'm waiting for THE FALCONER...

This 'Lady' kills faeries?!?!
And... historical fantasy...???

That is all I need to know!!!


What are you waiting for???


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Cover Reveal: TEMPTING THE BODYGUARD (A Gamble Brothers Novel, #3) by J. Lynn (NA)


A Gamble Brothers Novel, #3
by J. Lynn
Expected release date: May 12th, 2014
Published by: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)
Genre: New Adult 
Format: eBook


SUMMARY

He can protect her from everyone except himself.

Alana Gore is in danger. A take-no-prisoners publicist, her way with people has made her more than a few enemies over the years, but a creepy stalker is an entirely different matter. She needs a bodyguard, and the only man she can ask is not only ridiculously hot, but reputed to have taste for women that goes beyond adventurous.

Chandler Gamble has one rule: don't protect anyone you want to screw. But with Alana, he's caught between his job and his increasingly hard libido. On one hand, Alana needs his help. On the other, Chandler wants nothing more than to take the hot volcano of a woman in hand. To make her writhe in pleasure, until she's at his complete mercy.

She needs protection. He needs satisfaction. And the moment the line is crossed, all hell will break loose.


MY THOUGHTS

Not much to say... these covers are amazing!!!
And they clearly speak for themselves ;) 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.



Monday, April 21, 2014

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: HE + SHE by Michelle Warren (NA)




by Michelle Warren
Expected release date: June 4th, 2014
Published by: Self-published
Genre: New Adult - Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook


SUMMARY

HE is trying to piece together his broken life.

SHE is running away from her wedding day.

TOGETHER, their world is a beautiful lie.

APART, their world is a perfect mess.

He + She is a free-spirited romance about soul-awakening second chances, heartbreak, and hopeful beginnings.


MY THOUGHTS

A beautiful like and a perfect mess...
definitely my type of a new adult read!

The cover is STUNNING!!!

I am looking forward to this soon!


GIVEAWAY



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Michelle Warren

Michelle Warren didn't travel the road to writer immediately. She spent over a decade as professional Illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel, Wander Dust. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in downtown Chicago.



http://acstoursandmore.com/

Teaser and Contest: GIRL LOST by Nazarea Andrews (NA)



by Nazarea Andrews
Expected release date: May 1st, 2014
Published by: A & A Literary
Genre: New Adult (17+) Contemporary Romance, Retelling (Peter Pan)
Format: Paperback

SUMMARY
Northern was supposed to be a fresh start—a place where people didn’t know who I was or how I had spent years in and out of mental institutes. People didn't know about my parents death or the island no one heard of. But when Peter sits next to me in lit class, I can’t stop the memories, and I don’t want to. He looks too much like the boy from the island, and despite my best intentions, coaxes my secrets from me.

He’s gorgeous, irresistible, a little mad, and completely lost—we are a pair of broken cogs in a world neither of us truly fits into. He is somehow gentle and fierce, heartbreaking in his devotion and savage in his defense. 

When Belle, his best friend, shows up, pale and lovely and sick, Peter pulls away from me, a startling withdrawal. It’s a relationship that scares and confuses me. She is at times warm and friendly, and other times is violent and unpredictable.

Peter says that he wants me, but refuses to let himself get close. And there are secrets, surrounding both of us, that border on nightmares. As the memories close in, as Belle gets sicker and more violent, I’m torn between what is true and what I believe, and what this magical boy knows about my mysterious past.




CONTEST

Retellings are a favorite theme! 
Go over to Nazarea's facebook page and share which fairytale story you most want to see retold!!!  
in order to win a paperback and necklace of GIRL LOST!!!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Nazarea Andrews

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.



http://www.inkslingerpr.com/


Friday, April 18, 2014

Book Blast and Giveaway: BIG FAT DISASTER by Beth Fehlbaum (YA)


Book Nerd Tours

by Beth Fehlbaum 
Release date: April 18th, 2014
Published by: Merit Press
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

Insecure, shy, and way overweight, Colby hates the limelight as much as her pageant-pretty mom and sisters love it. It's her life: Dad's a superstar, running for office on a family values platform. 

Then suddenly, he ditches his marriage for a younger woman and gets caught stealing money from the campaign. Everyone hates Colby for finding out and blowing the whistle on him. 
From a mansion, they end up in a poor relative's trailer, where her mom's contempt swells right along with Colby's supersized jeans. 
Then, a cruel video of Colby half-dressed, made by her cousin Ryan, finds its way onto the internet. 

Colby plans her own death. 

A tragic family accident intervenes, and Colby's role in it seems to paint her as a hero, but she's only a fraud. 

Finally, threatened with exposure, Colby must face facts about her selfish mother and her own shame. 

Harrowing and hopeful, proof that the truth that saves us can come with a fierce and terrible price, Big Fat Disaster is that rare thing, a story that is authentically new.


BOOK TRAILER



ORDER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Beth Fehlbaum


In addition to writing Young Adult Contemporary Fiction, Beth Fehlbaum is an experienced English teacher who frequently draws on her experience as an educator to write her books. She has a B.A. in English, Minor in Secondary Education, and an M.Ed. in Reading. She is currently a Library Science student at Sam Houston State University.
Beth is the author of Big Fat Disaster (Merit Press/F+W Media, March 2014); Courage in Patience (Kunati Books, 2008); and Hope in Patience(WestSide Books, 2010). Hope in Patience was named a 2011 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Truth in Patience, which rounds outThe Patience Trilogy, is as yet unpublished. The Patience Trilogy has been revised and is available for acquisition!
Beth has a following in the young adult literature world and also among survivors of sexual abuse because of her work with victims’ advocacy groups. She has been the keynote speaker at the National Crime Victims’ Week Commemoration Ceremony at the Hall of State in Dallas, Texas and a presenter for Greater Texas Community Partners, where she addressed a group of social workers and foster children on the subject of “Hope”.
Beth is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, like Ashley in The Patience Trilogy, and the day-to-day manager of an eating disorder much like Colby’s in Big Fat Disaster. These life experiences give her a unique perspective, and she writes her characters’ stories in a way meant to inspire hope.
Beth lives with her family in the woods of East Texas.



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday #79: THE STEPSISTER'S TALE by Tracy Barrett (YA)


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 


This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)


What I'm waiting on... 

by Tracy Barrett
Expected release date: June 24th, 2014
Published by: HarlequinTEEN
Genre: Young Adult - Retelling
Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

What really happened after the clock struck midnight?

Jane Montjoy is tired of being a lady. She's tired of pretending to live up to the standards of her mother's noble family-especially now that the family's wealth is gone and their stately mansion has fallen to ruin. It's hard enough that she must tend to the animals and find a way to feed her mother and her little sister each day. Jane's burden only gets worse after her mother returns from a trip to town with a new stepfather and stepsister in tow. Despite the family's struggle to prepare for the long winter ahead, Jane's stepfather remains determined to give his beautiful but spoiled child her every desire. 

When her stepfather suddenly dies, leaving nothing but debts and a bereaved daughter behind, it seems to Jane that her family is destined for eternal unhappiness. But a mysterious boy from the woods and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate...

From the handsome prince to the evil stepsister, nothing is quite as it seems in Tracy Barrett's stunning retelling of the classic Cinderella tale.


Why I'm waiting for THE STEPSISTER'S TALE...

It's a retelling of CINDERELLA!!!

Evil step-sisters!!! Handsome prince!!! Royal ball!!!

I. NEED. THIS. NOW!!!


WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS WEEK?!?!?!


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Attention All Indie Authors!!! Introducing INDIE MONDAYS!!!


ATTENTION Indie Authors!!!

When I first started my book blog I was determined to read, promote all books that I loved no matter how or when they were published. However, I don't have the strength nor time to do so lately...

BUT!!!

I have read many good indie books in the last 2+ years, have made a lot of good indie author friends and have always wished I could do more... these authors work so very hard to promote their amazing books! It is a wonder to me how they get it all done.

I am hoping that I have finally found a way to help too.

Since I am unable to take on any new indie requests, I would still like to give a few shoutouts when I can!
SO, I have decided to create a new meme featuring independent authors and their books ONLY: 
INDIE MONDAYS

If interested, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM and I will take your application into consideration to be featured in my new meme that will start on June 2nd, 2014.

The sole purpose of this meme is to spotlight independent authors and their books only. 
All genres will be considered, EXCEPT:
Erotica, religious/political themes, and thrillers.

Please fill out all the necessary info on the form AND feel free to add ONE of the following:
an excerpt, a few quotes, a character interview, etc.

FIRST COME FIRST SERVED!!!

Thank you all for your consideration!!! 



Cover Reveal and Giveaway: MORTAL ENCHANTMENT by Stacey O'Neale (YA)


(Mortal Enchantment #2)
by Stacey O'Neale
Expected release date: May 20th, 2014
Published by: Phoenix Reign Publishing
Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy
Format: Paperback, eBook


SUMMARY

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past. 

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more.


MY THOUGHTS

An amazing cover! I'm so happy to see Kalin on the cover too!
Don't get me wrong, Rowan is divine! But yay for girl power!!!

I am DYING to read this!!!


Read on for the Mortal Enchantments novella...
which is still FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!!!


(Mortal Enchantment #1)
by Stacey O'Neal
Expected release date: March 25th, 2014
Published by: Phoenix Reign Publishing
Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy
Format: eBook

SUMMARY

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission: 



Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king. 

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Stacey O'Neale

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.



Release Day Excerpt: DON'T LOOK BACK by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)



by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: April 15th, 2014
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Thriller
Format: Hardback, eBook

SUMMARY

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash. 

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

EXCERPT

I didn't recognize the name on the street sign. Nothing about the rural road looked familiar or friendly. Tall, imposing trees and overgrown weeds choked the front of the dilapidated home. Windows were boarded up. There was a gaping hole where the front door had been. I shivered, wanting to be far away from here... wherever here was. 

Walking felt harder than it should be, and I stumbled off the chilly asphalt, wincing as sharp gravel dug into my feet. 
My bare feet? 
I stopped and looked down. Chipped pink nail polish peeked through the dirt... and blood. Mud caked the legs of my pants, leaving the hems stiff. It made sense, seeing as how I wasn't wearing any shoes, but the blood... I didn't understand why there was blood staining the knees of my jeans. 

My vision clouded and dulled, as if a gray film had dropped over my eyes. As I stared at the weathered asphalt under my feet, large and smooth rocks replaced the tiny stones. Something dark and oily seeped over the rocks, slipping through the cracks. 

Sucking in a sharp gasp, I blinked and the image was gone. 

Hands trembling, I raised them. They were also covered with dirt and scratches. My nails were broken, bloodied. A silver ring wrapped, encased in soil, around my thumb. Air froze in my chest as my gaze crawled over my arms. The sleeves of my sweater were torn, revealing pale flesh covered in bruises and gashes. My legs started to shake as I swayed forward. I tried to remember how this had happened, but my head was empty - a black void where nothing existed. 

A car drove by, coasting to a stop a few feet in front of me. Somewhere in the trenches of my subconscious, I recognize the flashing red and blue lights as a source of safety. Elegantly scrawled along the black-and-gray side of the cruiser were the words ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. 

Adams County? A flash of familiarity came and went.

The driver's door opened, and a deputy stepped out. He said something into the radio on his shoulder before he looked at me. 

"Miss?" He started around the cruiser, taking tentative steps. He looked young for a deputy. Barely out of high school and able to carry a gun seemed wrong somehow. Was I in high school? I didn't know. "We've received some calls into dispatch concerning you," he said gently. "Are you okay?"

I tried to respond, but only a hoarse squeak came out. Clearing my throat, I winced as the motion scratched and pulled. "I... I don't know."

"Okay." The deputy held up his hands as he approached me, as if I were a skittish deer about to bolt. "My name is Deputy Rhode. I'm here to help you. Do you know what you're doing out here?"

"No." Knots formed in my belly. I didn't even know where here was. 

His smile strained. "What's your name?"

My name? Everyone knew their name, but as I stared at the deputy, I couldn't answer his question. The knots started twisting more. "I don't... I don't know what my name is."

He blinked, and the smile was completely gone. "You don't remember anything?"

I tried again, concentrating on the empty space between my ears. That was how it felt. And I knew it wasn't good. My eyes started to tear up.

"Miss, it's okay. We'll get you taken care of." He reached out, lightly taking hold of my arm. "We'll get this sorted."

Deputy Rhode led me around the back of his cruiser. I didn't want to sit behind the Plexiglas, because I knew that wasn't good. Only bad people sat behind the glass in police cruisers. I wanted to object, but before I could say anything, he settled me into the seat and wrapped a coarse blanket around my shoulders. 

Before he locked me in the bad part of the car, he knelt and smiled reassuringly. 

"Everything's going to be okay."

But I knew he was lying, trying to make me feel better. It didn't work. How could everything be okay when I didn't know my own name?


PRE-ORDER


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.




 
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