[Blitz & giveaway] The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater

The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater
Publication date: June 12th 2012
Genres: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction

 

Synopsis:

The Bastion was humanity’s last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. A fortified city with a high wall, surrounded by lush land rich with all the resources needed to survive, protected by high mountain summits, and a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, the Bastion became the last stronghold of the living on earth. But one fateful day, the gate failed and the Inferi Scourge destroyed the human settlements outside the walls and trapped the survivors inside the city. Now decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city as resources and hope dwindle.

Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her whole life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of her lover, Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.

Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

 

 

Purchase:

 

***Black Friday Special, The Last Bastion of the Living will be 0.99¢!***

AMAZON | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.  

 

You can find her online at:

Website: rhiannonfrater.com & astheworlddies.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/astheworlddies

Twitter:  twitter.com/rhiannonfrater

Blog:  rhianonfrater.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/

Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com

Excerpt from Prologue

 

A massive shockwave rippled through the perimeter wall, tossing soldiers off their feet and onto the catwalk, or over the wall into the Scourge horde below as one of the mobile units twisted around in one of the deeper craters and wrenched another unit completely about. The torsion between the two units sent another shudder through the perimeter wall and Maria clung to the catwalk as Ryan fell on top of her. Together, they rode the catwalk to the ground, tumbling into the mud. Maria immediately scrambled to her feet and gasped.

The steel mesh had torn free of one of the units and the Scourge were shoving their bodies through the frayed opening. The squads closest to the breach opened fire. The mesh wall shimmered as it wavered under the onslaught of the undead. The mobile units continued on their designated course to their next position, ripping another hole in the mesh wall.

“Fall back!” someone ordered as the Inferi Scourge shoved through the widening openings.

Ryan grabbed Maria’s shoulder and dragged her toward a section where the fallen catwalks formed a barrier along with some of the unpacked supply units. Lindsey scrambled to follow. The squads formed a line, shooting at the Scourge coming through the gap. For several agonizing minutes, they were successful at holding the howling creatures back.

“Tiltrotors are en route!” a voice intoned in her helmet.

Sweat poured down Maria’s face as she reloaded. Ryan lobbed several grenades toward the breach as Lindsey fired over Maria’s head.

“About that date…” Ryan said, grinning despite the fear in his eyes.

Maria slid around him into a better position and aimed at a Scourge trying to scale the fallen edge of the wall. “You’re supposed to give me a reason to live, dumb ass,” she groused.

Another soldier landed in the mud beside her and helped her obliterate the Scourge trying to scramble through another widening tear in the wall.

“This was a stupid plan!” she shouted.

“It seemed like a good one when we planned it,” the soldier answered.

It took her a full second to realize it was Chief Defender Dwayne Reichardt.

“Sorry, sir,” she said quickly.

He shook his head, still firing. “Let’s just live through this!”

The Scourge pushed further into the perimeter. Maria knew now it was only a matter of minutes before they were all dead. She tried not to hear the screams of the soldiers overcome by the Inferi Scourge. The Scourge tore at them, ripping at their body armor, trying to reach flesh so they could bite and infect. One soldier was pulled free of a group of Scourge, his armor still intact as his comrades gunned down the creatures that had attacked him.

Vanguard Stillson lobbed a grenade at a catwalk’s treads and the explosion toppled it over onto the Inferi Scourge.

They were losing ground swiftly and chaos ruled. No one was listening to orders barked over the feed anymore, but were just trying to survive. The perimeter wall attached to the city wall still stood intact with the catwalks still secured to it. Many soldiers clambered onto it, trying to escape the ground. Maria, Ryan, Lindsey and the Chief Defender started to fall back, providing cover to those trying to reach higher ground.

Rappelling ropes started to fall from the high wall. Frantic soldiers gripped the lines and climbed upward, their muddy boots slipping against the steel surface.

Maria tripped, falling on her ass, and the Chief Defender hauled her up swiftly. The Scourge were everywhere now, smashing through the clusters of soldiers, howling. Maria fired point blank into the face of one as it charged her. The Chief Defender knocked another one back with the butt of his rifle. Together they charged through the mud toward the city wall.

Ryan and Lindsey were just ahead of them and nearing the remaining catwalks when Maria saw a flash of light. A massive force slammed into her and sent her sprawling through the air. Blackness surged up to claim her, and she fought not to drown in it. Pulling herself onto her elbows, her body felt numb and her helmet was gone. Beside her, the Chief Defender struggled to get up. His armor was punctured with shrapnel and blood poured through the tears.

Lifting her weapon, Maria aimed toward the creatures trying to climb over the corpses of Scourge and soldiers the grenade blast had killed. Pulling the trigger, she felt the rifle pulsing as it hurtled bullets into the bodies of the rampaging dead.

“Tiltrotor!” Ryan’s voice screamed near her.

She kept firing, but flicked her gaze to one side to see Ryan carrying a badly-wounded Lindsey over one broad shoulder. The churning wind pulled her gaze up to the aircraft slowly descending over the fray. Beside her, the Chief Defender fell over onto his side, unable to get up. Maria grabbed his arm and shifted her body under it. Rising to her knees, she pulled him upright. He screamed. Together, they managed to get to their feet as Maria fired at the Scourge drawing closer.

Vanguard Stillson’s huge body moved through the crowd of Inferi Scourge like a rampaging elephant, tossing them left and right, shooting a few as he went. His helmet was gone and his armor was smoldering. Maria could see the shrapnel from the grenade had sliced away parts of his face. Yet Stillson kept fighting. The Scourge were so intent on him, Ryan and the others were able to skirt past the mob and head toward the aircraft.

Casting one last look at Stillson, Maria gasped as a Scourge grabbed the man’s thick neck and bit into his cheek, infecting him. Usually the Scourge abandoned a victim successfully infected with the virus and moved on to another, but this one kept tearing at Stillson, chewing and appearing to devour his flesh.

Reichardt stumbled, forcing Maria’s attention away from Stillson’s demise. Pulling her superior up to his feet again, she continued to fire at any Scourge rushing them. Around her, other soldiers continued to fall, fighting the undead to their last breath.

“Keep moving, Chief Defender,” she urged him. “I don’t want to die today.”

“Neither do I, and my name is Dwayne,” he said crisply, his voice filled with pain and determination.

“I’m Maria.”

“Nice to meet you, Maria. Now, let’s not die,” Dwayne said

“Is that an order?” Maria kicked over a Scourge and shot it in the face.

“Without a doubt,” Dwayne answered with a grin.

 

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[Release Day Blitz & Giveaway] Peaceful Genocide by J.A. Reynolds

Peaceful Genocide by J.A. Reynolds
Publication date: November 25th 2013
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Mitzi and Deuce can recall how many drops of water were on a leaf from a rainstorm five years ago and conversations from last week, month, or year. They have the ability to remember every second of everyday—since birth.

This gift has blessed Mitzi with a history of being sexually assaulted by researchers and abused by her own parents. She trusts no one. Likes no one. Deuce, however, is a high school standout. His gift has made him a superstar on the football field and his memory promises him endless opportunities.

When they both end up at an Alzheimer’s research facility under false proviso, they quickly realize this place isn’t what it seems to be. They endure crazy military-style tests, are forcefully drugged, and complete real-life simulations that haunt them.

Mitzi and Deuce have no idea what the researchers want to do with them or their memories. But one thing is clear: the researchers will go to any lengths to get what they want.

 

 

Purchase:

AMAZON 

 

AUTHOR BIO:

JA Reynolds lives in the Midwest with a normal family, raising a normal daughter, with some abnormal pets. It’s extraordinarily ordinary.

Author Links:
Blog:  http://www.jareynoldsbooks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @jaauthor
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/JA-Reynolds/430107783757165?ref=hl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18499632-peaceful-genocide

 

Excerpt:

 

A flock of men, twenty or more, strode out of the abyss of night. Deuce could only see flashes of their movement and he hoped the men weren’t armed. He doubted it. Without even speaking, Mitzi and Deuce locked eyes and set out in a dead run into the blinding snow.

People rushed them and Deuce kept his arm out, clothes lining and bumping people out of the way. Mitzi ducked and bobbed, sending people over her back.

“There it is!” Mitzi shouted.

Their run broke into a sprint, faster than Deuce had ever run on any field. Ice formed around the condensation on his nose from his heavy breaths. The helicopter door was open and Paisley was frantically waving them forward. Crashing into the side door of the chopper, Deuce lifted Mitzi inside with one arm.

“Who’s supposed to fly this thing?” Paisley called out.

Deuce cast an eye back at the men closing in on them. “I don’t know.”

“Me.” The hard voice came from Mitzi. Deuce almost fell over in shock. She shook her entire body from head to toe and slid into the cockpit.

“Hurry,” Paisley called.

Deuce watched in amazement as Mitzi flipped on a set of switches, her face glowing red from the lights. She turned a key and the rotor blades whirled to life, whipping the snow up around him. He jumped in and went to slam the door shut. Arms like tentacles shot through the door, grasping and clawing at whatever it could. He couldn’t get it closed. The arms failed and tugged, pulling half a man’s body through the partially open door.

“Mitzi! We need to go up! Now!” Deuce batted away the arms. He opened the door a smidge and slammed it back shut on the man’s frame. He didn’t even make a sound, he just kept coming. His hands were joined by two more. Together their arms tried to pry the door open.

“What do I do?” Paisley squeaked. “How can I help?”

“Mitzi!”

“Stop yelling at me! I’m doing this from memory, damn it. I need a freakin’ second.”

“We don’t have a second.” He kept as much pressure against the door as he could but it was starting to inch backward.

Deuce reached for his gun. “Paisley, can you shoot them?”

Her eyes went wide with fear. She backed away.

“Paisley, remember what I said. It’s not real.”

Her little head shook, her arms waving around her in shock. “I can’t.”

Deuce eyed Ralph sprawled out on the floor. He wasn’t moving.

“Mitzi, I need your help back here.”

Her voice was loud and harsh. “I’m trying to fly a God damn helicopter right now!”

“Paisley. Look at me. Good.” Deuce applied more pressure to the door and kicked at the appendages. The things were like robots. “Do you like to fly?”

She nodded quickly.

“Good. Go take Mitzi’s place. She’ll tell you how to fly. Tell her to come back here or we won’t make it out of here.”

Paisley darted to the front. Deuce heard Mitzi let out a long curse before joining him, Paisley’s gun clutched in her hand.

“Shoot them!” Deuce commanded when she only stared at him straining.

She didn’t. She cocked her hip. “If I don’t hit them, or maybe even if I do, the bullet will ricochet and come back inside here. Do you want a bullet in your stomach?”

“It’s not real, Mitzi. Shoot the damn thing.”

“I’m not taking any chances.” She put her weight against the door, helping Deuce keep it shut. “When we get in the air, we’ll open the door and let them fall.”

Deuce nodded, in no mood to argue.

“Paisley,” she called out. “Put your right hand on the control lever. That stick in front of you. Now put your left hand on the horizontal stick to your left.” She grunted as she put more weight on the door.

Damn, these monsters were strong. The door continued to inch open.

“Got it!”

“Good. Lift the collective control stick—the thing in your left hand. It’ll make us go up. The Cyclic, the stick in your right hand will make us go forward when you press it forward. Make sure we’re up in the air a good ways before pressing the cyclic forward. And don’t press it too hard. You need to keep a balance.”

The roar of the rotors grew louder as the chopper lurched up.

“Hold on!” Mitzi shouted.

They were jostled about as Paisley tried to figure out how to steer the metal monster.

“Uh, how easy is it to crash this thing?” Deuce asked.

Mitzi blinked. “Very. Use the rudders, Paisley—those little pedals on the floor to keep us going straight.”

Deuce’s stomach heaved as the chopper dived to the left. The rotating blades crashed against the concrete outside, snapping the chopper back, wrenching the entire compartment in a jumble. Mitzi’s grip slipped off the door. Deuce snatched her hands and pulled her back. Jeez. They weren’t even that far off the ground yet.

“Get the balance of it, Paisley! Just like I explained. You can do it!”

After several long, bouncing moments, the chopper evened out. The arms still grabbed at the door.

“How high are we Paisley?” Mitzi yelled out. “Check the altimeter.”

“The what?”

“The altimeter. It’s a round gauge that says ALT. There’s a long, white marker on it and numbers one through ten. Where is the marker?

“Two little notches before the one.” Paisley sounded hoarse from all the screaming.

Mitzi nodded. “Good.” She locked eyes with Deuce. “We’re sixty feet up. Open the door.”

Deuce released his hold, allowing the door to whoosh open. The flailing sets of arms kept a firm grip. Deuce tried to pry the hands back, amazed at their strength. The two men were dangling almost six stories up, trying to pulling themselves into the chopper. And they were succeeding.

“Mitzi! Their hands. Help me.”

Mitzi pitched forward, arms out. One of the octopus hands shot out and grabbed her by the ankle. It jerked her off her feet.

“Deuce!”

Deuce didn’t have time to react before the hand ripped her right out of the chopper. “Mitzi!” He flattened himself on the floor and looked over the edge. A piece of the skid had snagged her jacket and she was dangling helplessly.

The two men were still trying to climb into the chopper. Deuce pulled his sidearm out of the holster and fired without thinking, hitting both men in the chest numerous times.  Their hands slipped and they fell into the whiteness of the blizzard below.

“Mitzi! Hold on!” He flipped himself out the door, putting his feet on the skid bar. The wind was turbulent, making his balance shaky. He went down on his stomach and scooted toward the edge of the skid. Mitzi looked up at him. Her eyes were the size of softballs, the whites streaked with red.

“Take my hand!”

She shook her head.

“Take it!” He thrust it toward her again.

Her head fell back, breaking eye contact. He edged closer, but not close enough to snatch her up without her help. She had to trust him.

“Mitzi!”

The chopper rocked right, nearly tossing Deuce off the skid. Even through the roar of the chopper blades, Deuce heard the rip of Mitzi’s coat. He threw his arm just in time. She latched one like it was a lifesaver.

He swung his right arm under the bar, gripping her shoulder with everything he had. The chopper blade whipped air down on him from the left. On his right side, there was a strange uplift.

“Do you trust me?” He asked her ghost-pale eyes.

Her fingers sank into his jacket. “Yes.”

“Let go.”

“What?” Her shriek could no doubt be heard for miles.

“If you let go, I can swing you around on my right. I won’t be able to pull you up on the left, the downdraft is too strong.”

If possible, her face paled even more. Her lips quivered, her nails puncturing the thick fabric of his coat and biting into his skin. He twisted his legs around the skid, giving him more of an anchor.

His eyes caught hers. “Let go.”

She did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1

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#2

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[Cover Reveal] Shattered Veil by Tracy E. Banghart

Shattered Veil by Tracy E. Banghart
(The Diatous Wars #1)
Publication date: February 28th, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction
designed by Mae I Design

 

Synopsis:

When everything that defines you is stripped away, who do you become?

Selection

War has come to Atalanta, infecting its quiet villages and lush woodlands, igniting whispered worries in its glittering capitol.

All across the dominion, young men are being Selected for Military and sent to the front lines…and eighteen-year-old Aris Haan’s childhood sweetheart is one of them.

Secrets

Pyralis Nekkos, Atalanta’s leader, has kept the truth from his people, that their dominion will fall…and much sooner than anyone could guess.

Galena Vadim, his reluctant ally, wishes she could forget their shared past…until her future seems to depend on it.

Sacrifice

And for the boy she loves, Aris, a talented wingjet pilot, will give up everything – her home, her name, even her face…

…only to become the key to her dominion’s survival.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.

 

LINKS:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

[Cover Reveal] The Samantha Project by Stephanie Karpinske

The Samantha Project by Stephanie Karpinske
The Samantha Project #1-3
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
 

 

The Samantha Project (The Samantha Project Series #1)

Seventeen-year-old Samantha has a seemingly perfect life; great parents, early admission to Stanford, and her boyfriend, Colin, quarterback of the football team and the hottest guy in school. But a shocking secret from her past turns her world upside down.

Sam discovers she’s part of a global corporation’s genetic enhancement project. Just as she’s learning what these enhanced genes can do, the corporation decides they want her, and the technology hidden inside her, back.

During a heart-pounding race to flee from her pursuers, she encounters Erik, another person who was part of the experimental project. From the instant they meet they share an indescribable attraction to each other. Together they’re in even greater danger and a rogue scientist discovers a deadly secret lies inside them.

 

 

 

The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series #2)

In this action-packed second installment of The Samantha Project series, Samantha and Erik go on a search to find a way to save themselves from the genetic time bomb ticking away in their cells. Along the way, they discover a shocking secret that changes everything.

Although Samantha’s boyfriend, Colin, is back now, she can’t deny her feelings for Erik. It isn’t long before she learns the real reason why she can’t resist Erik. But only after she’s gone too far with him. So far that Colin may never forgive her.

GlobalLife Genetics continues to pursue Samantha and they’ll stop at nothing to get her. Sam still doesn’t understand GlobalLife’s plan for her but she knows it’s something big. And she knows it isn’t good.

 

A Chosen Destiny (The Samantha Project Series #3)

Samantha’s destiny was chosen long ago. At least that’s what she’s told by the people who created her. Her enhanced genes and genetic software were meant to do everything from mold her personality to pick who she falls in love with.

But can destiny be changed? Ever since Samantha learned the truth about herself, she’s struggled to figure out who’s really in charge of her life. Can she make her own choices? Or is her future determined by her genes?

Old enemies reappear and new ones emerge as Samantha and Erik use their powers to fight the people who are after them. But it’s getting harder to figure out who’s good and who’s evil. The enemy they’ve been fighting may not be the one who’s truly after them.

Purchase:

Book 1:
AMAZON – B&N –  KOBO

 

Book 2, The Golden Couple

AMAZON– B&N– KOBO

 

Book 3, A Chosen Destiny

AMAZON– B&N– KOBO 

 

—-

 

AUTHOR BIO

After spending years at a publishing company working on other people’s books, Stephanie left the corporate world to write her own books. Although her day job is freelance writing for magazines, she spends the rest of her time writing fiction. The idea for The Samantha Project came from a dream she had of a teen girl being held in a lab. She couldn’t stop thinking about the dream, so she turned that one scene into a much larger story that ended up being a trilogy. Stephanie also writes New Adult romance under a different name. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, cooking, running or watching movies.

Author links:

WEBSITE | GOODREADS AUTHOR | FACEBOOK

 

 

[Book Blitz & Giveaway] I Am Just Junco Omnibus by JA Huss

 

 

I Am Just Junco Omnibus by JA Huss
I Am Just Junco Books 1-3
Publication date: November 4th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult, Science Fiction

~Synopsis~

Clutch~Fledge~Flight (1,152 pages) – the first three books in the epic science fiction fantasy saga that spans five full length novels and one novella.  The final book, RETURN, will be released on December 2, 2013.

Nineteen year old Rural Republic sniper, Junco Coot, has been lied to. Not once or twice, but pretty much everyone she ever trusted is totally full of sh*t. And now her father is dead, she’s on the run, and everyone wants a piece of her—including one winged alien warrior named Tier.

But the truth always catches up and Junco has to choose who she should trust. The people who have lied and trained her to kill since she was a small child? Or the warriors who want to steal her away and use her as the catalyst in a plot to fight the final battle in an ancient war?

It’s a choice that will change her fate forever. And once it’s made—there’s no turning back. Life becomes nothing but brutal killing in the name of vengeance. But everything requires sacrifice—everything has a price. And Junco is about to find out what it means to dedicate herself to saving someone else.

Junco is not young adult. She has a foul mouth and violent tendencies.

 

Buy Links:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE 

  

 

 

Trailer:

 

 

 

Top Ten Reasons Why Junco Kicks Ass (video)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Info for J.A. Huss

 

 

 

 

 

 About J.A.:

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Connect with J.A.:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

 

 

 

EXCERPT CLUTCH

I swing the shotgun on the strap so it’s out in front of me, brace it on my thigh to compensate for my injured shoulder, cycle the next round into the chamber, and then point it straight at his chest. I strain to prevent the wince that really wants to spread across my face. “Look, I don’t know who you are, or why you’re here, but as a Farm Family Representative of Council 3, I’m asking you to leave under Regulation V.1.b – Aliens are not permitted in the Rural Republic under any circumstances.I have the authority to shoot and if you doubt me, I apologize ahead of time for taking your life. You are hereby legally warned.”

“Look, sweetheart–”

I squeeze back and the round blasts out of the chamber but he’s high above me in the air as the shot passes into the trees. The leaves rustle and the birds are wild once again. The recoil pain isn’t as bad from the standing position, but I feel the blood leaking out under the skin on my hip, creating a bruise. I push the pain down. “I’ve been shooting since I could walk, sweetheart, and I’ve had a really shitty day. Do not fuck with me.”

He flies off over the trees about a dozen yards away and I can just barely make him out as he lands in the cover of the brush.

“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.”

It isn’t often that I get stunned into silence, but an alien knowing my name in the middle of nowhere can do it. “How the hell do you know my name?”

Silence from him now.

The glimmer of light that was previously there is gone, and so is he.

I take stock of the mountaintop meadow. Where are you, where are you?

Silence.

I pivot on my heel, gun braced one-armed against my stomach to catch the recoil, and do a proper survey of the area. My good arm is tiring quick after all the adrenaline I’ve used up and it begins to shake. I force the bravado. “Guess you decided to take my–”

Then he is behind me, the gun is flying across the field, and he’s twisted my bad shoulder just enough to make me scream out. His lips touch my cheek as he whispers, “Look, I’m not usually the type of person who abuses little girls, but you’ve shot at me two times now and I’m not going to stand for it. I’m here for the moment and yer just gonna to have to deal with it. Ya got it?”

He eases up on my shoulder and pushes me away from him.

I rub the flaming tissue and wince. “Did you just insult me?”

He tilts his head at me. “What? Me? Ya tried ta shoot me – twice!”

“I might be little, but the way you said it implied I’m insignificant. Which I assure you, I am not. And besides, you’re the one who’s trespassing, right? That’s you.” I point my finger up at him. “I have every right to tell you to leave, I’m a fucking representative of Council–”

“3, yeah, I heard ya the first time. Who gives a shit? I’m here. Get over it.”

I stare at him in the dim moonlight and quite frankly, I don’t care for what I see.

 

 

EXCERPT FLEDGE

“You’re not going to win this game, Lucan.”

“Says the one small girl with no power.”

“I’m just warning you. Don’t be disappointed in the end when I take back every drop of satisfaction you extract from my failures.”

He sighs. It hints at exasperation, boredom even, and I sense I may have miscalculated. “One of these days, Junco, we will have an honest conversation. If it’s Fledge fights you want, girl. Be my guest. Go and kill. But it won’t save Tier. He’s been on his way out for a very long time. Long before he refused orders, long before he waged war on the RR for you, and long before he gave away his genetics to a man who helped him kill more than two dozen Earth leaders.”

Shit.

I look up at him, too quickly, having misplaced that little secret Tier told me out on the rock. Lucan reads my face and smiles. “Ah, I see some recognition there. Don’t worry, Junco – when you testify the drugs will get it all out in the open.” He stops and stares into my eyes, burns into them. I look away, feeling a little beaten already.

But he continues, “So, just remember, when we are at the end, when I am standing over you as you break in half, and I am forced to leave you with nothing, Junco – don’t say I never tried to help. Don’t tell me I made your life a living hell, because you will have done that all on your own.

“And if – this is a gigantic if, Junco – but if you can take back everything you’ll lose by choosing this path, then please know that my satisfaction will come from that, and not from watching you fail.”

He walks towards the door, palms it, and then turns. “By the way, has anyone ever mentioned that your language is filthy?” His voice is pleasant, like he’s pondering the meaning of something quizzical, but he wrinkles his lip like he has a bad taste in his mouth. “I don’t care for it. Cheapens you, Junco.”

He leaves me standing there, facing the emptiness of space scowling, and feeling rather cheap and filthy, if I do say so myself.

But not minding one bit.

 

EXCERPT FLIGHT

The bitch leaves me waiting, of course. One second it’s critical for the sake of humanity that I clean up, put on a dress, and rush to her quarters for breakfast. The next I’m left sitting in this completely inappropriate and ridiculous gown, so fucking hungry I’m about to eat my fingers.

“Can I get some fucking food here, please!” My patience is over.

I watch a guard leave and then reappear with a tray of pastries. My stomach experiences a futile peristaltic wave and I begin to salivate. He sets the tray down and I grab a sweet roll and take several bites before surfacing for air. Gideon sits across from me with his eyebrows raised. “I was not kidding. I told you I was hungry. Jasus fuck, quit looking at me.”

He puts his hands up and looks away.

“Junco, you don’t have to be so rude. When did you get so unruly?”

My mother’s voice pulls me back to attention and I stare at her with my mouth open, a wad of food sitting on my tongue. I chew a few more times and swallow before talking. “You left when I was six, so don’t pretend you know me. I went through with this little reunion so I could eat, and I don’t eat much, so you’ve got about ten minutes before I’m done here. Start fucking talking.”

“This is a social call, Junco. I’m not here for your business matters. Your father–”

“He’s not my father and you’re not my mother. What world do you guys all live in?” I look over at Gid for help but his face is blank. I squint my eyes at him. “I won’t forget this, Gideon, and I want my armor back today.” I stuff the rest of my roll in my mouth and grab another, then push back from the table and head for the door. “If someone could just point me in the direction of Moju I’ll be going now.”

The guard stops me with a rifle to the temple.

“Sit down now, Junco.” My mother’s words are stern. “The rifles are on stun, but I’m sure you know firsthand how badly that hurts.”

 

 

 

 

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[Cover Reveal] Wasteland by Lindsay Leggett

Wasteland by Lindsay Leggett
Flight #2
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

~Synopsis~

 

Wasteland, the next book in the FLIGHT trilogy, takes place a few months after the ending of book one.

Trapped in a cell and experimented on, Piper Madden’s only hope is remembering Asher. Then, Elder Corp President Rupert Elder gives her new orders: to be a leader in a war against the Harpies. Without a choice, Piper must obey Rupert’s commands or suffer from paralyzing and painful Nanomachines. But the war is just beginning, and Asher has gone missing. The resistance is slowly building, and the upcoming war will be larger and bloodier than anything seen since the Devastation that ruined the earth. Throughout all of this, Piper remembers the time before she ran to Ichton, when David was alive and her hope in Elder Corp was still strong.

 

 

 

Contact Info for Lindsay Leggett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About Lindsay

 

Nearly every writer struggles to put together information about themselves, perhaps because we’re so used to detailing the lives and ways of others. For the most part I am a writer, editor, photographer, and all-around artist living in the wilds north of Toronto, Ontario. I thrive on the juxtaposition of beauty and grit, enjoy urban crawls, indie everything, and time well-spent in the woods.

 

Connect with Lindsay:

 

GOODREADS | TWITTER | WEBSITE  

 

 

[Cover Reveal] Peaceful Genocide by J.A. Reynolds



Peaceful Genocide         by J.A. Reynolds
Publication date: November 25th 2013
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult


~Synopsis~

Seventeen-year-old Mitzi and Deuce can recall how many drops of water were on a leaf from a rainstorm five years ago and conversations from last week, month, or year. They have the ability to remember every second of everyday—since birth.

This gift has blessed Mitzi with a history of being sexually assaulted by researchers and abused by her own parents. She trusts no one. Likes no one. Deuce, however, is a high school standout. His gift has made him a superstar on the football field and his memory promises him endless opportunities.

When they both end up at an Alzheimer’s research facility under false proviso, they quickly realize this place isn’t what it seems to be. They endure crazy military-style tests, are forcefully drugged, and complete real-life simulations that haunt them.

Mitzi and Deuce have no idea what the researchers want to do with them or their memories. But one thing is clear: the researchers will go to any lengths to get what they want.