Blog Tour: Weird and Wonderful by Cece Barlow

Weird and Wonderful
by Cece Barlow
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: February 13th 2017

Blurb:

Gin Autry must finish the last semester of high school in eclectic Austin with her hippie grandmother while Gin’s brother waits for heart surgery in Houston.

Instability reigns, but Gin uses the principles of feng shui to find balance and send positive energy to her brother. She also secretly hopes her voice-over actress dream will advance and true love will show up.

Instead, she falls for the wrong guy and clings to the wrong dream. Nothing in Gin’s life is balanced, but when death threatens her brother, she discovers true balance is about listening, compromise, and the guy in the friend zone.  

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Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt:

"Still mad about what I said about your vlog?" Aaron smiled at me and stroked my cheek. The brilliance of his smile was marred by his grotesque red eye and the swelling on his cheekbone. "Why do you care so much what I think? You have a dream. You shouldn't let my opinion or anyone else's sway you from it."

"But your opinion is important to me," I said.

"But it shouldn't be necessary for you to chase after a dream." He brushed back my hair and tucked it behind my ears. "If you want to be a voice-over actress, do it. Don't wait for me to put a seal of approval on your dream."

About the Author:

Cece Barlow writes books for young adults and the young at heart. She's a dash of fun, mixed in with some smart cookie and a splash of capable. She started her first fan fiction group in junior high and never stopped writing. Today, she writes about girls with lofty dreams and about the absolute craziness of falling in love.

When Cece's not writing, she curls up with a book, heads to a popcorn blockbuster, or kicks back to watch shooting stars. If she sees the moon in the daytime, she thinks she's lucky.

Cece lives in College Station, Texas with her college sweetheart Tim and two cats - one evil and one good.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter

Why I Write about Ordinary Girls (From the Author)

I write fun and heartfelt stories, but I also have a mission. I tell stories about girls whose lives are continual shuffled to the side in today's literature. I love blue collar teens. These girls do not work at trendy cupcake shops or as mystery-solving detectives. They have jobs, that require elbow grease, humiliation, and perseverance. They work construction, fast food, grocery stores, and bowling alleys. Their lives are not focused on high school. They often have tough times at home, usually a function of failing health (mental and physical), drug addiction, and poverty.

The socio-economically privileged girl doesn't interest me. My girl is ordinary, and she plans to fix her own problems. She is trying to figure everything out (love and life) just like everyone else. She hungers for an education, but knows a mountain of debt is coming her way. She's making serious missteps in life because she is innocent and inexperienced, but my girl is also finding the grace of reinvention. Her life is valuable and worthy. I hope that you join me in my celebration of the ordinary girl. I hope you celebrate the everyday life.

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Blog Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour: Keeper of Souls by Casey L. Bond

Title: Keeper of Souls

Author: Casey Bond

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror

Cover Designer: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design & Photography

Editor: Stacy Sanford, The Girl with the Red Pen

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb:

Carmen Kennedy finally feels normal. Enrolled in college, she’s making a few friends and taking life one day at a time. Her days are filled with classes, studying, and attempting to be more social, while her nights are filled with terrifying dreams. All of her nightmares have one thing in common: him. She can’t see his face, but a flash of dark feathers is all it takes to remind her of The Keeper of Crows. He isn’t supposed to be real.

There is a world that exists beneath the fabric of our own, a torturous place filled with despair. The Keeper is there; Carmen just has to find out why and if there is a way to help him leave that place. Her sanity and life will be threatened, but she can’t ignore his screams any longer.

When love exists, it doesn’t matter the distance. It finds a way to remind you.

Will love be enough to save Michael and Carmen when The Keeper of Souls stands in their way?

Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links: 

Website: www.authorcaseybond.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond 

Newsletter: http://authorcaseybond.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e812bbce406a10776c6a28162&id=79850847f2

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorcaseybond Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212486.Casey_L_Bond Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caseyb007 Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PmE0pg Bookbub Author Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/casey-l-bond Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032678336804562/

Buy Link: Keeper of Crows: http://amzn.to/2n1dkFH Keeper of Souls: http://amzn.to/2qwUqdu

Blog Tour: The Wishing Heart by J.C. Welker, Excerpt and Author Interview

The Wishing Heart by J.C. Welker 

Published by Entangled Teen 

To Be Released on May 1st, 2017 

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Heart-J-C-Welker-ebook/dp/B06Y5WFY1C
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Wishing-Heart-J-C-Welker-ebook/dp/B06Y5WFY1C
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/d/Wishing-Heart-J-C-Welker-ebook/B06Y5WFY1C Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wishing-Heart-J-C-Welker-ebook/dp/B06Y5WFY1C B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wishing-heart-jc-welker/1126186821?ean=9781633759398
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-wishing-heart/id1225391034
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-wishing-heart
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32171947-the-wishing-heart

Blurb:

With a book in her bag and a switchblade in her pocket, Rebel’s been thieving her way through life while hoping for a cure to fix her defective heart. But when the bejeweled vase she just tried to hawk turns out to be a jinni’s vessel, Rebel gets lost to her world and dragged within another. Now every magical mobster in the city wants the vase for himself. Thrust into a game of cat and mouse in a world she never knew existed, Rebel must use her uncanny skills to find a way to free Anjeline the Wishmaker. But wishes have consequences. And contracts. Anjeline’s freedom could unravel a love like Rebel has never known, or it could come at the cost of Rebel’s heart…

About the Author: 

J.C. WELKER is a YA Fantasy author who’s been, among other things, a fashion designer, a graphic designer, a filmmaker and a kickboxer (seriously).

She’s best known for writing and producing the documentary short films focusing on homeless Iraq vets and LGBTQ+ issues in the military, which was selected by the North Texas Film Festival and featured on CURRENT TV. Her recent novel placed first in the paranormal category of the 2016 YARWA Rosemary Awards, and she continues to work towards giving a voice to stories that are needed while facing magic and monsters along the way.

Website: http://www.jcwelker.com

Twitter: @jcwelker

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15906616.J_C_Welker

Author Interview:

Q: What gave you the idea for your story?

A: The premise of the story came about quite clearly, of a girl looking for love and healing through stories and magic, and finds herself immersed in a world she never knew existed. In many ways it’s a metaphor of some of my own experiences growing up, at a time where I felt invisible, unloved, was hiding who I was, and like the character, I looked to stories to fill that hole.

Q: What inspired you to become an author?

A: Since I was a child I had always loved drawing characters and creating up stories for them. Not until much later in my life did I begin to see more positive LGBTQ+ stories come into the light, which would have made things more bearable for me growing up, and I wanted to perpetuate those stories for others, to give that hope to someone else.
Q: How long have you been writing officially?

A: A little over six years.


Q: What are you working on now?

A: I’ve been toying with a MG fantasy idea, and hopefully will begin putting words to it soon.

Q: What does a typical writing day look like for you?

A: Though I’m not a morning person, that’s usually when I get in the best writing time. After breakfast, walking the fur baby and checking emails, I sit down before my computer in my little cave and crank up the music. I focus on hitting the writing goal for that day.


Q: What is the hardest thing about writing?

A: Not letting all the doubt and self-judgment screw with you, because it will hurt your writing and it will show.

Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

A: Drafting. Getting to know the characters for the first time. Building the world and creating something you’ve only fabricated in your mind.


Q: Do you write full time or part time?

A: Part time.


Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: One of the best things I’ve read on writing was about Octavia E. Butler. She literally wrote her future into existence with positive thinking. She would write affirmations to herself that she was already a best selling author and that her books would be read by millions. She wrote: “I will find the way to do this. So be it! See to it!”

So even amongst rejection, persist to speak your victory.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?

A: Malinda Lo, Shea Godfrey, Leigh Bardugo, Kelly Barnhill, Laini Taylor


Q: What is your favorite genre to read? 

A: Fantasy in any form whether it’s Adult, YA or MG.

Excerpt:

Whatever natural tendency toward hope Anjeline once possessed had manifested itself into something harder on her face. Her eyes were far away, like she had thoughts on bigger things than just freedom. “This isn’t like your books,” she said as though Rebel were naive. “They’re stories that know nothing about life. People are thornier than what those things tell you. Good doesn’t always win. Light doesn’t always burn away the darkness.” Rebel pressed her lips into a hard line. “Maybe it’s you who knows nothing about people. Darkness exists because light casts a shadow. That’s life...painful and beautiful all at the same time.” Books might have not told her everything about magic, but they taught her how to see it in all things. Anjeline’s lips twitched. “Painful but beautiful. Sounds more like human love.” “Now that, I wouldn’t know,” she said sarcastically, but she meant it. She took a cold breath, feeling for her pendant resting on her chest. There was a black void in her heart, where the love of a parent, the love of anyone, had never occupied. Golden eyes met hers, Anjeline contemplating her with that look. “You’ve always been without kin?” Rebel nodded, turning aside from the fascinated gaze roaming over her. “So, you’ve never been loved?” The question wasn’t just about family. Rebel shrunk from those words, unable to stop from gravitating toward the ones living in the back of her mind. Believing herself, maybe, to not be worthy of it, or anything good. That black void had yawned so wide she used to think gathering stolen treasures could fill it. She used to put rocks under her pillow, wishing for them to turn into diamonds. But she was a book no one wanted to open. A riddle no one dared to answer. A lost girl no one desired to find. Her heart was tired of not being useful to anyone— especially herself. She was tired of being a captive to her own flesh. With a shake of her head, she didn’t reply. But as Anjeline gazed at her with that look, as though something tied them together, her chest hummed with...what, exactly? She tried willing it away but it spread deeper. She rubbed at her bruises, as if calming the ones within. Her numb hands shook, and she rummaged in the satchel for her pills. Anjeline persisted to stare, unbothered by the cold. Lucky her. “Stop staring at me,” she said. Anjeline clicked her tongue. “You could just ask me.” “For what?” “For warmth.” Rebel glanced up in both sheepishness and stubbornness. Taking that for an invitation, Anjeline moved closer. “I’m fine...” “I can hear your teeth rattling.” “I’m...” Anjeline put a finger against Rebel’s lips. “Shh. If you’re frozen, neither of us will get our wish.” The light in her palm danced, and she placed a hand atop Rebel’s. The air throbbed between them. It crackled and purred, and Rebel startled as her blood hummed at the touch. Wisps of sultry light danced across her arms, snaking around her legs and torso in a shroud of warmth.

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour: Shatter by Nikki Trionfo, Author Interview and Review

Title: Shatter

Author: Nikki Trionfo

Genre: YA Mystery

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Blurb:

“We never knew there could be people in the orchard. Dangerous people.”

When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem becomes convinced the death was no accident--it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far are theories and clues. With Carrie's killers still out there, Salem's not sure who she can trust. If she can't she prove she’s right before it’s too late, the conspiracy might take another life—hers.

Author Q&A

Doesn't Shatter sound awesome? I'm here with author Nikki Trionfo, talking about her newly released YA murder mystery.


Q: Thank you for coming onto my blog today. What was your favorite part of writing Shatter?

A: To be honest, learning about my own prejudices was my favorite part. I won’t give away too much to avoid spoilers, but I will say one of the characters was originally supposed to be a villain. About a quarter of the way into the book, I ached for him the way I had ached for my trouble students as a teacher. I felt like I understood why he made so many bad choices. I realized that as author I had written a plot that didn’t allow him to ever make positive changes in his life. I believe in positive change. So I tweaked the premise of the book and rewrote a lot. A lot. But it was worth it. I hope real teens know they have a chance to change if they fight for it.


Q: What gave you the idea for the story?

A: Veronica Mars, the TV show. I love that show with the kind of passion that makes full-grown women look like dorks. After lots of daydreaming about Veronica Mars, I wanted to write a book where, instead of a private-investigator case going along with the main mystery like in VM, it was a mock trial case going along with the main mystery. I languished on plot, though. I couldn't think of a setting! It's a strange thing to get hung up on. I tried several--Chicago, D.C., etc.
A year later, I read a book called There is Power in a Union by Philip Dray. Fascinating history. It concluded with the stories of some of the failed farm strikes in my native California. My grandpa was an orchard owner and I grew up alongside the kids of migrant workers.
I wasn't sure I was brave enough to tackle a tense subject matter that hit close to home, but I couldn't stop researching and writing. Every minute of living inside Shatter's world felt very real to me.


Q: What inspired you to become a writer?

A: My husband and I weren’t able to have kids for the first four years of our marriage. I was so worried I'd never be a mom that I took a writing class to "find something to do." Proving its sense of humor, life sent me five children over the next eight years. I kept with writing because I’d landed on a writing group that made the best TV show recommendations ever (Veronica Mars, hello?). Plus, the other writers were hilarious and I wanted to be hilarious, so I basically tried to copy their lives.


Q: How long have you been writing officially?

A: Well, I attended that writing group I mentioned for two to three years without actually writing. I finally eked out a manuscript with the sketchiest of endings. The story didn’t even make sense. I finished that ten years ago. But I wanted it to be good. That’s when I got serious. I started going to writing conferences. I applied to and was accepted into a writing group with REAL! LIVE! AUTHORS! I got a big-name agent. I got broken up with by my big-name agent. I wrote three manuscripts. You know, the whole she-bang.


Q: What are you working on now?

A: I am NOT working on a sequel to Shatter because that would be dumb since the ability to release a sequel will depend on sales. Shhhhh.


Q: If you could cast your main character (s) as celebrities who would you choose?

A: Holy cow, that is so much pressure! I would die if I had that much pressure placed on me!

For Salem: If I could have a young Kristen Bell play Salem, I would die. (My life is pretty much hanging by a thread at this point.) In actual reality land, I’d pick Hunter King or Olivia Holt.

For Cordero: Okay, Maluma isn’t even an actor. He’s a Columbian singer. But, again, I’d die. Oh, oh! And I’d have to rewrite half the scenes so that he’s required to sing soulfully in the background with a brooding expression. His latest hit Sin Contrato is on my playlist for Shatter, during the chapter where Cordero really speaks to Salem for the first time. *Warning: I put the lyrics version of that song on the playlist for a reason. Not for sensitive eyes.*


Q: What does a typical writing day look like for you?

A: Drag self from bed at the instance of my eight-year-old. Get kids ready for school. Type. Pick up son from preschool. Lunch. Have a friend over for him. Type while they play. Ferry kids after school to practices. Make dinner, curse chores. Hang with my husband who goes to sleep early to coach CrossFit in the morning. Type until hopefully no later than midnight. These days a lot of my writing is spent creating marketing material. Blog posts, launch party invitations, newsletters, FB announcements, coordinating the LDStorymakers conference, etc. I’m on the committee.


Q: What is the hardest thing about writing?

A: Finding the time for it. I love writing.


Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A: Aside from write, write, write, I’d say to be kind in your thoughts to people who are establishing themselves in the art of writing and in the marketplace of being an author. Rather than seeing them as wannabes, support them. Give them a hand. Love them despite their gaffs. Realize they are humans who hopefully someday will be great at what they do. That way, when you’re lucky enough to start establishing your own name, you have firm practice in how to see yourself. As a human who hopefully someday will be great at what you do


Q. How did you learn so much about peach growers and strikes? Have you lived in California before?

A. Yup. I grew up in central California. My grandpa owned an orchard. We (he) hired migrant laborers. I sometimes hung out with the the kids of migrant laborers. My first date (to Winter Formal) was with a guy named Oscar. He was deported when we were twenty. It's a very sad story. Our orchard is actually an almond orchard, which is more common in central California, but peach orchards rely more on labor than almond orchards. A strike would be more catastrophic for a peach orchard, so for Shatter I choose peaches. Plus, it sort of harkens to Grapes of Wrath, which also helped inspired Shatter.

A lot of Shatter is rooted in my childhood fears. The group of people I feared the most as a kid were Hispanic gang guys. My parents owned a small rental house in town. When an 8-year-old was shot through the wall in a house, we thought it was the son from our rental. Turns out it was the neighbor, but my dad went over there and I was just terrified. I was around 11. I have a lot of memories about Hispanic gang members showing off their guns to impress us girls. But I also was friends with lots of other Hispanics, including my best friend. Humble classmates working from three a.m. to six a.m. under the table to help support their families while still making grades and joining sports teams. I lived for a summer in Puerto Rico and speak Spanish. I love the Hispanic culture. I still am not "part of it" though. I’ll always be an outsider. I think being an outsider is fun and encourages emotional growth, but can cause strong emotions like vulnerability and loneliness and the temptation to judge. I drew on all of that in creating the Shatter world. Shatter represents my hope that even a “gang guy” can make something of his life, especially if someone, even someone hurt by a gang member like Salem, reaches out to help.


Q: Before you go, can you give us an excerpt of Shatter?

A: But of course! And thanks for having me!

Excerpt

The class is dead silent. Mr. White’s lips tighten. He swallows. There’s something dangerous about the new guy. The teacher leans over AddyDay’s desk and spins her packet so he can read the list of partnerships. “Fine. We’ll break up the threesome. You’ll pair with . . . Salem Jefferson.” At the sound of my name, I turn to look at my new partner. The guy near the door is tall. He has the kind of incredible good looks that invite stares, but that’s not the only reason he’s getting them now. The cursive lettering of a tattoo rises from the opening of the guy’s worn flannel shirt. Two gold chains hang from his brown neck. A guy accessorized in gang paraphernalia, not caked with it. His only completely visible marking is an upside down V inked onto his right cheekbone, black and distinct. The tattoo calls my attention for some reason, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen a symbol like that before. An upside down V . . . it seems so familiar. His expressionless, dark eyes dart to meet my gaze from under a stiff, backward-facing ball cap. My classmates watch him stare at me. “Salem Jefferson,” he says slowly, putting a slight emphasis on my last name. He waits for my response. I realize he knows exactly who Salem Jefferson is. Exactly who I am. I’m Carrie’s sister. Terrified, I whirl back around to face forward. Gang members targeted Carrie, made her frightened. Was he one of them? The skin between my shoulder blades tightens. Why were gang guys after Carrie?

Review

This book was intense and fast-paced. The writing was polished and professional but still felt YA. I loved Salem. I liked it that she doubted herself so much in the beginning. I loved watching her determination and her fear. The author created a terrifying blend of circumstances for Salem as she fought to discover the truth behind her sister's tragic death. The plot was expertly woven to keep my attention and the details of the story felt well-researched and all too real. The fight between the union workers and the peach growers felt authentic, and I liked it that both sides had weaknesses. Even some of Salem's high school friends were getting out of hand and crossing lines.

The character development in this book was spot on. Throughout the story, Salem grew from a girl constantly questioning herself to realizing that she really was much stronger than she first believed. It was a message that really spoke to me personally. 

I found it an interesting choice to make the love interest in this book a gang member, and I actually liked it that he didn't really become an obvious love interest until well into the story. That felt genuine to me. So many books have characters swooning over a guy's muscles right off the bat, but this story really allowed the relationship to build organically between the characters. 

Overall, I would recommend this book to others. But clear some time in your schedule, because once it sucks you in, you won't be doing much else for a while. 

**Five Stars**

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To enter, comment below with your answer to "What most makes you want to read the book Shatter or participate in the Inspired by Shatter contest?"

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Before You Go

Nikki has got tons of cool links for Shatter lovers. Check them out!

• Cedar Fort Webpage highlighting the Shatter blog tour.
• Shatter landing page
• Shatter Book Launch and Dance Off in Riverton Utah
• Shatter Playlist, with songs that inspired her writing. One song per chapter.
• Inspired by Shatter contest for $50 and 5 books donated to your local school.
• Shatter World. Books about unions and reformed gang members. Blog posts about Nikki's experiences writing with diversity. Some of the posts are League of Utah Writers award-winning essays.

Blog Tour: To Betray My King by Kayla Lavan

To Betray My King

by Kayla Lavan

Genre: YA Romance/Fantasy

Release Date: May 1st 2017

Blurb:

Would you choose to save your kingdom or follow your heart?

Brave and kindhearted, Arianna is a princess of a kingdom that nobody wants. The magicless. Marrying the charming, flirtatious, and egotistical Prince Roland was the last thing either of them wanted, but for the sake of their people they agreed. War breaks out with the neighboring kingdom, forcing the prince’s hand to join in the fight. He leaves his new wife with the only man he trusts, his childhood friend, a dutiful, strong, and handsome knight.

A sweet romantic tale of forbidden love in a dark fanatical world.

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Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt:

The next morning Conrad went to Roland's room, only to find the prince sitting outside of the door, sleeping. Conrad smirked. With swift kick against his shoulder, the prince fell onto the floor with a thud. Roland groaned, rubbing his face as he sat up.

"I see the princess has been keeping true to her vow to punish you whenever you do something stupid."

"Quite the jester you are this morning." He gave a slow mocking laugh and got to his feet. "Her being so jealous was rather adorable, but last night she wasn't cute at all." He rubbed his sore back. "She kicked me out of my own bed and threw me in the hall!"

"Good." Conrad's smirk grew, enjoying his pain. "Maybe it will teach you a lesson, and remind you that you are a married man."

"I might be married, but it doesn't mean I have to ignore every woman for the rest of my life."

"That's exactly what that means."

"That's absurd--" The door opened, smacking the prince in the face. Roland groaned, bringing his hand up to his nose.

The princess smiled. "Hello Conrad."

He greeted back with a nod. "Princess."

She noticed Roland. With an angry huff, she stuck her nose in the air and went down the hall. Conrad patted Roland on the back. "You are married now, get used to unfair things."

About the Author:

I've been writing half of my life, starting at the ripe old age of 13. Back then my favorite pass time was doodling in class, sleeping in class, and studying tests or homework that was due the next class period. But by night I lead a secret life. I would go home, turn on my computer, and get on my dialup Internet (which makes me sound really old) and I would write. At first it was for fun. I was brave back then and posted everything online. In the 14 years I have been writing, I have posted over 1.5 million words, all of which is still available to read for free. My most well known story being "Fun 'N' Games at Ouran". A year or so ago I posted a one-shot that was 50k-60k in words. Afterwards, I looked at it laughing, and said to myself "I think I would like to get paid for this now" and then 'To Betray My King' was born. It seems so simple as I'm sitting here, typing this for you to read, but it's the truth. 'Betray' is my first book, but it won't be my last. I love writing. I would never give it up for anything in the world.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

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Blog Tour Organized by:

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Blog Tour: Cursed by the Fountain of Youth by Holly Kelly

We're so thrilled to announce that Cursed by the Fountain of Youth is now available!!! This has been a year in the making. With a blend of true history and legends, you'll be shocked and thrilled to see the history behind places we call home.

What if the Fountain of Youth were a woman and that woman’s blood held the key to eternal youth? For Fae Miller, that is her reality and it will likely kill her.

For centuries, countless adventurers have searched for the Fountain of Youth. Those who found it thought they would gain eternal life. Instead, they find themselves murdered by its guardians. There was, however, one, lone survivor—Fae Miller. As an infant, she not only survived the Fountain, she took its power.

Twenty-two years later, Fae is hiding in plain sight at a local college. She’s is determined to leave the past behind her and live a normal life. But for one dying man, the search for the Fountain of Youth continues, and he is leaving a trail of blood and mutilated bodies in his wake. Unfortunately, that trail leads directly to Fae. Her only hope is a young, new college professor, also known as Special Agent Nick Chase of the FBI. Nick is determined to do two things: keep Fae alive, and keep his relationship with his student professional. Both of these jobs prove difficult—especially when love and magic get involved.

You Can Get Your Copy for Only $2.99!!

 

 Excerpt:

Bathed in moonlight stood the most beautiful scene Fae had ever laid eyes on. A fountain sat on top of a hill. Stone steps at her feet led up to the structure. Water flowed over the side of it, as if someone had been filling it and left the water running too long. The water continued its flow down the steps and seeped into the mossy ground at her feet.

Sloshing through the water, Fae made her way up the steps. Even though the air around her felt cold, the water warmed her feet. When she got to the top, she gasped at the breadth of the fountain. It was the size of a swimming pool, brimming with water that spilled over the side.

The singing stopped, and then a voice spoke, filling her with inexplicable joy. Fontaine. You’ve returned to me.

She’d heard this voice before, but couldn’t quite place where.

Come join me in the water.

“I’ll drown,” she said.

There was a warm chuckle. You won’t drown, my child. You are born of my waters.

“Who are you?” Fae asked, uncertain whether she should be terrified or not.

I am the Lady of the Fountain.

“Is that kind of like the Lady of the Lake? The one in King Arthur’s legend?”

You speak of Freya, my sister. My name is Ester.

Fae looked around at the forest of the Between and wondered if this was the place she was born, and not the bayou in Florida. Could her mother be buried around here?

This is not my original home, Ester said, as if she could read Fae’s thoughts. I have been moved twice in my lifetime. My first home is in a place you call Ethiopia. I lived happily there for many centuries. But then I was stolen from my home and brought to the Americas. For many years, I was kept safe by my guardians, but then one betrayed me and wished to exploit my powers. I did not allow him to use me to further his evil designs. But then I was left alone—until a man named Conall found me and brought me here.

“Why didn’t he return you to your home in Africa?”

He told me my home has been corrupted. I would not be safe there.

“I’m really sorry.”

Don’t worry over me, child. This place is wholly adequate.

“That’s good to hear.” Fae paused, the question she’d been dying to ask on the tip of her tongue. Finally, she asked, “Do you remember my mother and father? Do you know where I can find them?”

I’m sorry. Where they are, you cannot go. I am truly sorry.  

"So they truly are dead?"

"Yes."

Fae’s heart sank. She hoped that Brigitte had been lying and her parents were alive somewhere. Fae could feel the remorse emanating from the fountain and felt the need to comfort Ester.

“But, you saved me.”

Yes, I did.”

“Thank you,” Fae said.

You are welcome, my child.

Fae reached out her hand and touched the water. Her spirits immediately lightened. The water took on a green glow as a breathtaking face appeared just below the surface, haloed in long, black hair. The Lady smiled at her but remained beneath the water.

“So, you can grant youthfulness?” Fae asked.

Or take it, from anyone that touches my waters.

 “What happens when they drink?”

They are not meant to drink. That is a theft. Youth stolen without permission. For most, the punishment is immediate—madness.

An errant leaf drifted and landed on the surface of the water. Fae expected it would float, but it didn’t. It dropped like a stone. This water wasn’t like any other she’d seen. Fae wondered what those waters had done to her.

The waters did nothing to you. I gave you my power. I saw what was planned from the beginning. I could not stop him from destroying my guardians, but I could keep him from succeeding in his quest for eternal life. So, I gave you my power—leaving me weak and powerless. That act accomplished two things—it kept the power from falling into evil hands, and it saved your life.

“Are you still powerless?”

No, my dear.  I am now fully restored.

“That’s good to know, but I’m sorry to tell you that he found me. He came after me. He got his youth back.”

That is unfortunate. I only meant to protect. Instead, I cursed you.

“I wouldn’t call eternal youth a curse.”

It can be. There is no fear as universal as the fear of death. Men will kill to stop it. They will do the most heinous and terrible things to avoid it. And giving you the power to grant eternal life will make you forever a target. Now, will you please join me in my waters?

 

 

About the Author:

Holly Kelly is a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation--she hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. She was born in Utah but moved around a bit, living in Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii where she studied marine biology. She's now back in Utah--"happy valley". She's married to a wonderful husband, James, and they are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (or course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.

Visit Holly at AuthorHollyKelly.com

 

The History behind the Mystery:

St. Augustine, Florida is rich in history, murder, intrigue, and ghost stories—making it the perfect setting for this book. You might be interested to know that some of the most outrageous tales in this novel are actually based on true history—including the tale of Captain Abela and Dolores. The tragic end to their love story occurred over two hundred years ago in a secret room located in St. Augustine's Castillo de San Marcos—a castle-like fort built by the Spanish over three hundred years ago. Tourists are able to sign up for the St. Augustine Ghost Tour to learn more about the ill-fated lovers. The image at the right is the actual room in which they died. You'll learn more about their story by reading Cursed by the Fountain of Youth.

Another interesting note: The legend of the Fountain of Youth has long been tied with St. Augustine and there is talk of a society that exists to protect the Fountain of Youth from discovery. No one knows if the society truly exists. If it does, it is cloaked in secrecy.

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