Book Review:After the Summerland by Patricia A. Proctor

After the Summerland (The Witches of Spring Hill, #1) by Patricia A. Proctor
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal)
Date Published:  April 3, 2013
Publisher: Self

Teen triplets are shocked when they discover they are the reincarnation of three witches living on sacred land. The land magnifies their abilities, making them more powerful witches – and targets. They aren’t the only ones aware of the power the land gives . . .

Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan Alexander can’t wait to meet the new triplets that have just arrived in town. They are determined to find out if they are anything alike. The attraction is instant, though they soon discover they share more than just being fraternal triplets – in fact, Brianna, Cian, and Xavier Silvan are also witches with a secret of their own.

They must overcome their distrust of each other and join together to fight a much stronger witch, who wants the sacred land for more than the power it gives.

It’s a paranormal coming of age story where the teens discover the purpose of their existence, explore their new powers, new relationships, and overcome family secrets, all while becoming stronger witches. They must learn quickly so they can protect themselves and the people they love from the force of dark magic bearing down on them.

After the Summerland is the first book in the Witches of Spring Hill series by Patricia A. Proctor. I'll be honest, I'm not a witch fan(This is a girl who still hasn't read the whole Harry Potter series here.), but there was something about this book that made me want to read it, and I'm glad I did, because I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. With two sets of triplets plus their care takers, that makes for a lot of main characters and in the beginning, I was mixing them up a little, but that didn't last long. Once I got to know each character, it was easy to keep everything in perspective. There was a lot of creativity that went into this book. There were some really great ideas. Like how Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan were "born". It reminded me of a Phoenix almost. You know? Minus the fire and all. I enjoyed all the characters so far. I usually have a favorite by the end of a book, but I don't yet. If I had to pick, I'd choose Rowan and Xavier, but I pretty much like them all at this point. This story felt really original to me. I love originality! I'm looking forward to more!

After the Summerland by Patricia A. Proctor was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Patricia Proctor lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and cats. She has a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and has had a love of books and reading her whole life.

To learn more about Patricia A. Proctor and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads. Check out Patricia's interview and guest post!

 

Tour! A Review of Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Branded (Sinners #1) by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian Romance)
Date Published: June 27, 2013
Publisher: Abi and Missy Books

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 

Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 

My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Branded is the first book in the Sinners Series by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki. This story brings all the horrible aspects of human nature front and center. From the start, you see the evil in the people around Lexi. As the story progresses, the good starts to filter out from the bad, but it's still hard to know who you can trust. Lexi is an amazing character. I don't know how she has the drive to survive in this world. I jumped to all kinds of conclusions as to what I thought Lexi's step dad did to her. I'm still not entirely sure.

It seems like everything  that happened had a purpose that lead to something else, like puzzle pieces fitting together to make a larger whole. Branded had violence and hate, but you needed to see it to fully grasp life in the Hole and what Lexi is up against. I enjoyed the romance. It was kind of one of those forbidden romances. I can't get enough of those, and this one gave just enough to keep me wanting more. Branded shows how the goodness of humanity can still surface even in a world as dark and twisted as the Hole. I was completely drawn into this story, and I can't wait for more.

Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki was kindly provided to me by the Publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.

I turn on the faucet for a long while only to discover ice-cold water rushing out. The water never warms and I begin to understand. The commander thinks he can wash away my soul by freezing me to death in the shower. He thinks he can destroy me by stripping away my possessions. But he can’t and I won’t let him take my memories, my ambition, and my pride.

He thinks I’m so easily broken.

The commander doesn’t know anything about me, what I grew up with, what I endured—the father I lost, the mother I hate, the brother who walked out of my life, and the stepfather I was forced to accept. He thinks since I was rich, making me poor will cause me to give up. What he doesn’t understand is that, after my father passed away, I grew up behind walls of hatred. I had nothing, but had everything at the same time. I owned expensive clothes, enjoyed good schooling, and lived in a nice home. But my body was just a shell protecting an empty, desperate heart. My life was a colorful façade.

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

To learn more about Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki and their books, visit their website.You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Tour! A Review of Shunned No More by Christina McKnight, Plus a Guest Post

Shunned No More (A Lady Forsaken #1) by Christina McKnight
Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical Romance)
Date Published: May 21, 2014
Publisher: La Loma Elite Publishing

A Lady Shunned by All…

Lady Viola Oberbrook only wanted to forget the ill-fated early morning duel that took the lives of two young, wealthy, promising men of the ton and sent her fleeing for her father’s country estate. Eight years later, she has her life in order: a fulfilling business, a few trusted friends, and no plans to return to London society. What she doesn’t expect is to come face to face with her past.

A Lord Betrayed by One…

Brock Spencer, Earl of Haversham, only wants vengeance. Recently returned from his military service to the King, his plans include repairing his family estate, finding a bride, and destroying the girl responsible for the untimely death of his twin brothers. What he doesn’t anticipate is falling in love with the only woman who should never be part of his future.

An Impossible Match, Destined to Be…

Shunned No More is the first book in the A Lady Forsaken Series by Christina McKnight. This was one of those books that really makes you feel emotional for its characters, even the supporting characters. Viola has spent the last few years since the death of the twins hiding from London society and at times using an alternate name. Brock has so many regrets plus thoughts of revenge towards Viola. Both of these characters go through such a complete transformation as they move past their past. I enjoyed the friendships within the story. Brock had Harold and Viola had Ruby. Their friends know how to handle them and keep them in line. I was pretty jealous of their friendships. I would love to see Harold and Ruby get together. Maybe in a future book? There were some things that are still left open, but I think that may be on purpose since is only book one, so it leaves opportunity for conflict in upcoming books. I fell for these characters, and I'm really looking forward to future books!

The ARC Shunned No More by Christina McKnight was kindly provided to me by Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

Five books that inspire me to write!

Every writer has that one book or series that influenced and inspired them to write. I’m no different. Books hold a very special place in my heart; they’ve taken me to new worlds, introduced me to new concepts and ideas, and taught me so much about human relationships. 

Today, I’m going to share five books (and series) that pushed me to tell my story. 

5. Little House on the Prairie
Little known fact about me…I couldn’t read until around age eleven. Yep, you read that right, 
ELEVEN! I still grow faint at the idea of reading aloud to anyone but my daughter. Another 
fact about me…I learned to read by first mastering braille with the help of my blind tutor, Chris 
Hansen. From the second I was able to string together words (I know this sounds like such an 
easy concept to some people) I took off! I read everything I could get my hands on. Up until 
that point, I enjoyed watching the television show, Little House on the Prairie starring Michael 
Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Imagine my surprise when I found the box set of books at my local bookstore. I was in absolute heaven! I spent the next year reading the series (including Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter’s story) and telling my mom how they differed from the TV show. 

4. Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I
My next great inspiration was Julia Quinn (and really all Historical Romance writers). Quinn has a way of creating stories that draw a reader in…I become invested in her characters and I truly 
care about their story. You know you’ve read an amazing romance novel when the happily ever after isn’t enough for you. I found myself wanting to continue on with her characters and find 
out what happened next in their lives. After reading, The Duke and I, I was excited to learn that the book was part of a longer series in which her characters returned in each book. What? I don’t have to let them go? I was thrilled! If you enjoy Historical Romance, you’ll LOVE Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton’s series.

3. Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed Series
As an adult my taste in books diversified and matured…and so started my love of vampires and anything Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. Lara Adrian’s unique idea for who and what vampires are captured my attention immediately. I fell in love with her take on the genre and the characters she developed. Her series, The Midnight Breed, fulfills my love for returning characters. Maybe I have a problem letting go? With eleven books currently in the series, and more coming each year, I plan on immersing myself in her characters and their world every few months!

2. JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
I was introduced to JR Ward around the same time as Lara Adrian…and HOLY SMOKES can Ward write a compelling book! Her characters are well rounded and believable (as much as anyone can believe in vampiresJ). Do I dream of meeting a male twice the size of the average man? Hell yea! Do I want a male willing to have my name permanently across his back in the old language? Umm, YES! I’d even sign up for the role of a doggen to be close to these men! LOL. Every time I finish reading one of JR Ward’s books I scurry to open my own project and find ways to captivate readers with my characters and plotlines.

1. The Twilight Saga
Say what you will about Stephanie Meyer’s writing ability and skill level, but I respect the hell 
out of this woman! I’ve read The Twilight Series three times and each time is like the first. I 
find myself falling in love with Edward, hating Edward for leaving Bella, falling in love with 
Jacob, and then back in love with Edward. How does Meyer’s capture this type of emotion in 
her writing? I’m still trying to figure this out (along with thousands of other writers). It was this 
series that ultimately pulled me back into writing after several years off. The Twilight Series 
proves that a book does not need to have hardcore sex scenes and gruesome violence to enthrall readers.

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. Currently, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California..

To learn more about Christina McKnight and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Book Review: Gina and Mike by Buffy Andrews

Gina and Mike (Yearbook #1) by Buffy Andrews
Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: August 19, 2013
Publisher: Self

Gina McKenzie is a cheerleader with a super hot boyfriend who kisses like you wouldn't believe...

She's looking forward to the prom, then graduation and senior week at the shore. The only thing she isn't looking forward to is the start of college, because it means she won't be near Mike. They are attending schools on opposite sides of the state. 

But Gina's normal teen life ends the night she is brutally raped by her math teacher and Mike's baseball coach. Coach Smith threatens to destroy Mike's promising baseball career if Gina tells anyone what happened. To protect Mike, Gina keeps quiet and eventually, unable to deal with the effects of the rape, breaks up with Mike. 

They reconnect at their 20th high school reunion where the past catches up with them and Mike learns the truth about what happened 20 years ago.

Gina and Mike by Buffy Andrews was an emotional story. I couldn't imagine how Gina felt all these years. Or Mike for that matter. He didn't have a clue. It was frustrating that she didn't tell him her story earlier, especially once she told her best friend. He deserved to know, but I understand how hard talking about something like that would be. So, I get it. I'm not sure why the yearbook entries were included in the ending. They didn't pertain to the story at all.  The story gave you a look at the past so you know what happened with Gina plus get a little of her background with Mike and high school. I was ready to move on from the past pretty quick, and enjoyed the present view more. I wanted more from the ending. I wanted to know a little about Mike and Gina's future. I'm hoping we'll at least get glimpses of it in the upcoming books.

The bastard was dead.

I stared at the newspaper clipping that Mom had mailed me. I had read his obituary online, but seeing it on paper in front of me made it more real. Kind of like watching the Wicked Witch of the West melt in the “Wizard of Oz” – all the evil you loathe becoming a puddle of nothing.

Richard M. Smith, 61, was ushered into Heaven on Saturday, February 11, 2012, surrounded by his family at his home.

I’m pretty sure he went to Hell.

He was a loving husband, devoted father and dedicated coach.

He was the biggest asshole on this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Maybe on the whole East Coast. Oh, what the hell, let’s just say the entire country. You get the point, he was an A-S-S-H-O-L-E, and I hated him more than I’ve ever hated anyone in my life.

Mostly because he ruined it.

I grabbed my high school yearbook off the shelf in my office. Mom brought it on her last visit. She was cleaning out the basement, and it was among the things she didn’t want to throw away or take to Goodwill.

I opened the book and read the message I’ve read so many times I know it by heart.

Gina,

To the best and sweetest girl any guy could have. You’re super in every way and you mean everything to me, and don’t ever forget that! You know I don’t like to write because I can’t express myself as well as if I would tell you but I’ll try anyways. I love you very much and want our relationship to last! You’re just a super girl, you care about me very much and I appreciate it because it makes me feel great inside, and I feel very lucky to have a girl as great as you. If I had to sum everything up about you in one word it would have to be amazing! It probably sounds dumb but that’s the way it is. I just want to let you know that I do love you and will do anything for you that you want me to.

Love, Mike

I remember his black hair and curls. His five o’clock shadow in the middle of the day. The way his smile took up most of his olive face and the way his dark eyes danced when I walked into the room. I remember the first time he told me he loved me, and the first time we made love. Why is it that you never forget your first love? Maybe it’s because it’s the first person you gave your heart to, completely. The first time you were afraid to breathe for fear the moment would pass and you would miss some of the seconds. Life is seldom what we think it will be. Especially when you’re seventeen and the biggest concern you have is whether someone has the same prom dress.

I ran into Mike once at the pizza shop in town. It was the day after Christmas, and I was home visiting my parents. I saw him as soon as I opened the glass door and the bell jingled. He stood at the counter, holding a baby bundled in blue. The sight washed over me like a damn wave that you never see coming until it’s too late and you’re face down eating sand. And just as you try to spit out the sand and stand up, you get knocked over again by the damn hot pizza smell that transports you back in time. Back to the night that you ate pizza in the corner booth that still has your names carved in the wood. The night you got drunk on the six-pack you took from your dad’s stash in the garage. The night you made out in the woods and fell asleep naked intertwined like pretzels under a crescent moon.

He turned and saw me and then came the smile. His white teeth seemed even whiter, his smile broader. There was small talk and more small talk. About his marriage and baby and move across town.

What happened? What happened to all the plans we had? All the nights we spent lying under the stars sharing our dreams. The kind of house we’d live in, how many kids we’d have. What their names would be. What happened to us?

Life. That’s what happened. One day comes after another and another and pretty soon you realize that yesterday was pretty damn long ago and that everything you had hoped for is never going to happen. You can’t control it any more than you can control that big wave from getting stronger before it nails you. All you can do is prepare and hope that when it hits, you’ll survive.

And hope that the secret you’ve kept all of these years doesn’t drown you.

Buffy Andrews is an author, blogger, journalist and social media maven.

By day she’s a journalist, leading an award-winning staff at the York Daily Record/Sunday News, where she is Assistant Managing Editor of Features and Niche Publications and social media coordinator.

You will find her on a plethora of social networking sites, from Twitter and Facebook to RebelMouse and NewHive. She loves social media and loves to connect with her fans via the various platforms.

In addition to her writing blog, Buffy’s Write Zone, she maintains a social media blog, Buffy's World.

She is also a newspaper and magazine columnist and writes middle-grade, young adult and women's fiction.

She lives in southcentral Pennsylvania with her husband, Tom; two sons, Zach and Micah; and wheaten cairn terrier Kakita. She is grateful for their love and support and for reminding her of what’s most important in life.

To learn more about Buffy Andrews and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Tour! A Review of Finding Haven by T.A. Foster

Finding Haven by T.A. Foster

Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: May 10, 2014
Publisher: Self

Power. Money. Control. Love.

He has all but one.

When movie star, Evan Carlson, discovers his girlfriend’s picture with another man splashed on the cover of gossip magazines, he decides he’s had enough of his fishbowl life and attempts to outrun the media frenzy his relationships have become. Driving until the road stops, he ends up on the remote and quaint Perry Island, where a heartthrob can blend in like the locals and be a beach bum as long as he wants. All that changes when Evan meets Haven Owen, aspiring songwriter and the girl he just can’t get enough of. A summer romance turns into something much deeper and Evan gets tangled in his own web of lies to keep Haven in his life. But when his ex tracks him down, Evan learns there are some things you just can’t outrun.

Is the cost of love, losing all control?

Finding Haven is the third book I've read by T.A. Foster, and I have to say I really enjoy her romances. I enjoyed Haven's dedication to her dream. She was persistent. Evan has already fulfilled his dream, and now he needs a little time out. They find each other when they both need it most. I enjoyed their chemistry. This story was very similar to another story I've read recently, so I kept expecting some of the same things to happen. For the most part, they didn't. The story line went in a different direction, which I was very glad for. This was a quick read with characters that are very likable. As with the previous two books I've read by T.A. Foster, this one gave me that happy little romantic escape. I'm definitely looking forwards to reading more of her work. Finding Haven was like a modern day fairy tale with some steaminess.

The ARC of Finding Haven by T.A. Foster was kindly provided to me by InkSlinger PR for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my reviews of  more books by T.A. Foster!

T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos.

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. Time Spell is T.A.’s debut novel, and the first in a series about a very adventurous, clever, and magical girl named Ivy.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

To learn more about T.A. Foster and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Release Blitz! Whispering Wishes by Jennifer Miller

Whispering Wishes by Jennifer Miller 
Genre: Romance
Date Published: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Self

Be careful what you wish for...

Normally, Aspen Edwards will do anything for her free-spirited best friend, Mischa, but this feels like a bit much. The plan is simple, all Aspen has to do is write down a few affirmations and recite them during the New Moon. But as skeptical as Aspen is, a promise is a promise. So, she whispers each wish to the universe, pondering the possibilities of "what if." Who wouldn't want a promotion at work, a new home, or to become an irresistible sex goddess?

But Aspen’s luck doesn't change with the wishes, or the wind. Each of her whispered prayers produces disaster. She gets fired. Her car breaks down. She gets kicked out of her house. And of course there is the crap icing on the cake of doom, falling for flirtatious and sexy, Wes, who sees her as nothing more than his “little sis”. It might not be so bad if his house weren't the only place she had to go.

Unbeknownst to her, the universe has a few tricks up its sleeve, and Aspen's bad luck streak might just be putting her right where she needs to be!

Oh hell, this is so not cool, this is going to be torture. All I want to do is touch him. I take my glass off the table so I have something to do with my hands. What I want to do is trace his mohawk or the planes of his face with my fingers. All this does is make me even more aware of him. I mean he’s lying right here on me for God sakes. I feel aches in my body that aren’t at all appropriate between friends.

Author Jennifer Miller was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but now calls Arizona home. Jennifer’s love of reading began when she was a small child, and only continued to grow as she entered adulthood. Ever since winning a writing contest at the young age of nine, when she wrote a book about a girl with a pet unicorn, she’s dreamed of writing a book of her own. Quickly learning that dreams don’t just fall into your lap, she knew she had to chase them herself and not be afraid to dream a little bigger. Most importantly, she is a wife and mother, and is very lucky to have a family that loves and supports her in all things. She also has an unhealthy addiction to handbags and chocolate covered strawberries, neither of which she cares to change.

To learn more about Jennifer Miller and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Tour!! A Review of The Only Boy by Jordan Locke with an Excerpt

The Only Boy by Jordan Locke

Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian Romance)
Date Published: December 17, 2013
Publisher: Self

Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out.

Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed.

Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him.

Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.

The Only Boy by Jordan Locke is a story where the human race is almost wiped out. Males of all species contracted the virus and died first, then the women started catching the virus. I'm not entire sure how the virus spreads, but once someone gets it, there is no cure. Mary and Taylor were pretty likable from the beginning. Taylor has had to live as a female his whole life, and now that he's getting older it's a little harder to hide. Mary and Taylor are opposites in many ways, but they also make sense in a lot of ways too. They can complement each other. I enjoyed the parts of the story where they were together the most. However, they spent a good portion of the story apart with the one thinking the other one's moved on and what not. I wasn't  a fan of the drama in the romance department. Not when it came to this particular story at least. I felt like there was enough going on already without that. I'm not sure what to think about some of the supporting characters. There's one in particular that I didn't get at all. One minute she's trying to protect someone and the next she's trying to kill whole groups of people. I'm intrigued by the Earthers. They were a very interesting bunch, but there was the potential for quite a bit of corruption among them. We see it come out in the actions of a few of them at times. I'm not sure if this will turn into a series, but I can definitely see more books with the Earthers as main characters. You know I'm a fan of a happy ending. The Only Boy wasn't exactly happy, but I can't say it was sad either. I can say that I wasn't disappointed with it.

The Only Boy by Jordan Locke was kindly provided to me by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for review. The opinions are my own.

Excerpt: From Mary’s Point of View

I stand on the roof, scanning the city. Many of the buildings are crumbling, from centuries of decay. Below me, trash from the hospital circles the compound, piled into a wall. A fuel tanker sits on one side of our water tower, a broken-down car on the other. In the distance lies the forest. I would love to wander through the trees, to search for whatever wildlife still lives, to see if I can find just one flower.

It isn’t the rules that stop me. It’s the Earthers—the women who live in the woods. I saw two of them, years ago, when I snuck out one day and wandered into the forest. A child’s voice echoed in the distance. I hid behind a bush and peered through the leaves. A woman and her daughter approached, wearing deerskin parkas, their skin darkened by the sun. I wondered, without men and without a genetics lab, how was the daughter created?

The girl heaved a spear at a tree, and it fell short of the trunk.

“You need to follow through,” the woman said. “And turn your hips.” She made a twisting motion. “Like this.”

“Why can’t we just eat vegetables?”

“Snow will come soon.” The woman picked up the spear. “The crops won’t last through winter.”

“I’m not gonna kill the animals,” the girl said.

“When you’re hungry enough, you will.” The woman turned my way, and I ducked. Their footsteps grew closer, their voices louder. They were within feet of the bush. I crouched. Leaves crunched under my knees. When the footsteps stopped, I ran. Before I got more than a few yards, my foot caught on a stick, and I fell. By the time I righted myself, the woman hovered over me, holding the tip of the spear to my chest.

The girl ran to the woman’s side. “Don’t kill her!”\

“Get back, Wren!” She moved the spear to my face, inches from my nose, and held a frightening scowl.

The girl pulled on her mother’s skirt. “You’re scaring her.”

The woman’s eyes never left me as she scooped up the girl. With the spear pointed at me, she backed away. Even though my hands were shaking and I could barely stand, I wanted to follow them into the forest. 

Jordan Locke lives in Connecticut with his wife, two lively daughters and a well-behaved whippet. A graphic designer by trade, his creativity spilled over into the literary world. After years of writing, reading and learning the craft, his fifth novel, The Only Boy, brought him offers of representation from two well-known agents. Now, after the dog is fed and the kids are in bed, you will find him tapping away at the keyboard.

To learn more about Jordan Locke and his books, visit his website.You can also find him on Goodreads and Twitter.

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 6/8/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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