Wednesday, July 31, 2013

2013 Summer Author Blitz - Interview with Frankie Blooding

For the 2013 Summer Author Blitz, I was lucky enough to interview Frankie Blooding, author of Fall of Sky City.
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 Book 1 of the Devices of War Trilogy

In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time.


Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers.

She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond.

That doesn’t stop him from wanting to be free. She may have broken his mind and claimed his soul, but he will find a way to destroy her.

Experience a world of ships that sail the clouds and cites buried beneath the ocean, and survive the fiery battle brought forth by those who control the forces of nature!


Goodreads                                                                                                                Amazon
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JW: What have you written? Describe your novel(s) in one line.
FB: Fall of Sky City - Synn must find the courage to do what the Great Families never could--strike back at the Hands of Tarot.

JW: What is your favorite genre to write? 
FB: Fantasy. I love to write anything fantasy. I love being able to world-build. I think you can see that in my work. I love how the genre's basically limitless. 

JW: If you had to play favorites with your characters, which one would you choose to be your favorite?
FB: Oh, Synn for sure! Though, there's a new favorite on rise in a new series I'm working on right now. His name is River and I think he's going to give Synn a run for his money. 

JW: Where do you like to write?
FB: My favorite spot is down by the creek. I have to wear bug spray, don't get me wrong, but there's this lovely tree. I love to just sit on the roots, listen to the creek, feel the wind, and say hi to the passing people. I love writing there. 

JW: What are you currently writing?
FB: I'm currently working on my Super Secret Dreamland project before I get back to Knight of Wands (book 2 of Devices of War). I'm calling this new series the Adventures in Dreamland. It's about the children born from Dreamland and the adventures they go through to help shape their changing world. Each novella is going to be an "Episode" and there will be a nugget in each one that directly connects to the full-length novels in romance series, Dreamland Stories. 

While the full-length novels are taking longer for me to produce and publish, I should be able to get these out a bit faster. I still want to do them right, but it's just such a great way to keep everyone in Dreamland, and to give them a behind-the-scenes look almost. This setting is just so massive. It's incredible the kinds of stories that come from it. 

JW: What are you currently reading?
FB:The Clockwork Bluebird by Ravven. It's taken me forever to free up time to read it! But, oh my word, it's a good read.

JW: When not writing or reading, what do you enjoy doing?
FB: There's time like that? *head desk* 

I enjoy creating in other ways--sewing, crocheting, baking, gluing. You name it. I'm also trying to learn to play the guitar, and I'm having a TON of fun taking classes that are well beyond my high school education at Coursera. I'm taking Chemistry, Biology, Physics. OMW. It's awesome fun! 

JW: Have you always wanted to be an author?
FB: No. I wanted to be an astrobiophysicist for the longest time. LOL! 

JW: If you were transported into the world of any novel or book series, which would you want it to be?
FB: Before I became a writer, I would have said Valdemar or the Taledras (Mercedes Lackey). Now, I would have to choose between Illona (Devices of War) or Dreamland. And I just...Ooohhhhh. Could I bounce between the two?

JW: If stranded on a deserted island for an indefinite amount of time, what is the ONE thing you would want with you?
FB: My computer with Internet access so I could write and share my stories. That sounds awful  doesn't it? LOL! I just get so much enjoyment writing and then hearing what other people think, even if they don't like the books. I still love it. 

JW: If you found yourself in a horror movie, do you think you would make it to the end? Why or why not?
FB: Yes. I think if I found myself in a horror movie, I'd dip in Queen Nix's personae and BECOME the villain. *nods* Yeah. It wouldn't be great for everyone, but maybe I could make a hero out of her THAT way. Muahahahahahahha! 

JW: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
FB: Wear Big Girl Panties every day, and don't quit. If you're going to cry about everything, go into another line of work. This is tough and most of the time, it's brutal. It's exhausting. It's a lot of hard work. There are going to be days when you have to drag yourself out of bed because you're just so overwhelmed and tired and overworked, but if this is really your dream, suffer through it and don't quit. 
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SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie and her bird, Jack. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the  guitar. She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

Visit Frankie at http://www.smblooding.com/ and Frankie Blooding's Bookshelf

Also, be sure to check her out on Twitter

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Death Dealer Book Tour - Promo Blast

Death Dealer

by Ashley Robertson Death: a word Mia Baron was all too familiar with since the murder of her parents when she was a young girl. Her drive for vengeance was the reason she became a Death Dealer—a soul guide through the spirit realm—signing her life away in her own blood. Pain forged a concrete wall around her heart and no one or nothing would ever penetrate it…until she got what she desired most—revenge. Deacon Gage craves justice for his own horrific tragedy that forced him into the same life Mia chose, with the same promise of vengeance dangling just out of reach. His expert training makes him an Elite—one of the few Death Dealers to ever achieve such a status—and no one can shift his focus from the blood he seeks. But when the two are partnered for yet another job and a heart-shattering case rips open Mia’s heart, Deacon realizes he’s the only one who can save her…at a price that might be too much to pay: opening his heart to her. The clock is ticking and her life hangs on the balance of whether he can truly let go or will hold onto his desire for blood. Buy on Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads

About the Author:

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, and loves writing about anything paranormal. She also composes poems and songs, though she learned long ago she doesn’t have a singing voice. When she isn’t writing you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, sharing personal training and nutrition advice via ExtremeMakeovers.com, traveling and exploring new places, and drinking fine wines and gourmet coffees from her Nespresso machine. *2013 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS FINALIST in the Fantasy genre for her book UNGUARDED* Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com Follow Ashley: FaceBook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | LinkedIn | Literary Addicts Follow the Book Tour

This linky list is now closed.
Ashley Robertson is giving away One: Signed Books Swag Bag (includes Crimson Groves, Unguarded, and Death Dealer. Plus graphic custom bookmark and custom made swag from The Book Swag Shop) Two: $30 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N (winner can choose). Fill out the form below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Review: Dead Til Death (Ballistic Incantations #2) by Charlie Fey


My Rating: 4

Synopsis: 

...Ballistic Incantations...

Maintaining a 2.0 in Black Magic school is hard, especially when you have a Blood Alcohol Level of .24. "Vegas" is determined to do it though. He only came to Absolution Academy--school for Black Magic--to find the one thing he craves the most...a way to bring his girlfriend Katherine back Book 2: Dead til Death

So Vegas managed to get an "A" for his Crypto-Biology class but it sure wasn't EASY. He's just a few more cut classes away from being kicked out of Absolution Academy and he's down to two options: Allow Seth Bynum to tutor him or get ready for magic school "Special Ed."

Somewhere in his drug induced stupor Vegas manages to get his hands on Kaye's Spell book. Unfortunately, the thing is enchanted, and not in a good way that brings a charming prince and a happy ending. It's cool, Vegas doesn't want a "happy ending" from some dude anyway, but the book is enchanted by EVIL and starts to twist and pervert Vegas' mind...not that anyone can really tell the difference...

Meanwhile in Emo-Ville...

Seth is trying his best to save Vegas, but how can you save someone who wants you DEAD? Vegas is going to have to get in line, because it seems like a lot of people want Seth Bynum dead, including Seth Bynum himself. If only Seth could get suicide right...just ONCE! Just ONCE and all this B.S. will be over. But mistakes Seth made in his past continue to haunt him and it doesn't seem like Seth can die dead enough to be forgiven...

Also a pregnant teen, cyborgs and a budding interracial romance between a perky demon hunter and a suicidal black magic mage. 300+ pages of pure awesome! What are you waiting for? 

My Review:

Fans of Easy "A" will just continue to devour this extremely entertaining series. The idea of magic has always appealed to readers everywhere. Having a series that revolves around kids going to a school for magic where teachers don't mind turning kids into crazy psychopaths? Well, that just goes straight to the heart, now doesn't it? This series is an excellent debut, and if it continues on this track, will just continue to get better and better with each new installment.

Dead Til' Death has all the excitement, fun, and get-funny-looks-from-those-around-you laughter that the first novel of the series has, while continuing to display the well-written works of a great novel. 

The character development in Dead Til' Death is even better than that of Easy "A". All the original characters that were closely followed, like the sexy bad boy, Vegas and Seth, who I can't help but love, make their solid appearances. However, whole new sides of the characters are shown. More of the backstory is revealed, and it will have readers questioning the way that they feel about characters. New characters, or characters that were not shown very much in Easy "A", also proved great development. An example is Bird, a professor who I found absolutely hilarious.

Powerful themes are slightly hidden under the humor and magic, but still manage to brilliantly shine through. Having the differences between the students perceived as good and the students perceived as evil hold connections to real life, and it is interesting to see how they interact. The topics of love, loss, and finding oneself are all greatly addressed, in a deliciously enticing story.

Fey uses a voice that one does not see very often. While the humor can range in levels of maturity (although staying funny as hell throughout) portions of the writing are worded beautifully. Together, the two create a highly entertaining and satisfying story that the readers will drink down faster than Vegas can stomach his alcohol.

If readers did not fall in love with Fey's comedic series with Easy "A", then they will be head over heels after reading Dead Til Death. I am thankful that this is a series, because I am definitely excited to read more.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Review: Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout





Barnes and Noble
Amazon

My Rating: 5

Synopsis:

Blamed for her uncle's death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of eighteenth century London, she disguises herself as a boy. Her life on the streets is cut short when she becomes Captain Hawke’s cabin boy.
Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm’s motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl.
Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when her past catches up with her, can she return to the Realm? More importantly, will she have a choice?


My Review:

 Being a fan of the sea and boats myself - there is no better feeling in the world than being out on the water - I was immediately intrigued with the idea of Secrets of the Realm. Although the plot point of a girl disguising herself as a man seems to be used quite often, it is usually in excellent stories. Also a fan of historical fiction, I had high expectations for this novel. Fortunately, they were all met, if not exceeded.

I believe that Annie is a great voice for the story and an excellent character to connect to. She is spirited, knows what she wants, and is not afraid to speak exactly what is on her mind. Although she may sometimes make decisions that are not agreeable, it just adds to her charm, and makes her a more realistic character. After all, I am sure everyone can say that they have acted without thinking quite the amount of times. One of the things that I look for most in a novel is the characters, and if you read my reviews, I believe I mention them quite often. Stout did an excellent job with her characterization. Captain Hawke is one of my favorites. There are so many different layers to him, and even after the book is finished, I want to know so much more about him. Being intimidating and commanding at times, he is also able to show a softer side of him, without losing his air of authority. He holds a very interesting story that will have readers consumed with his character.

Another thing that I enjoyed with Secrets of the Realm also makes it stand out as a YA novel. Most books in the genre seem to emphasize male characters and a strong central romance, which unfortunately causes for a lack of development within the female lead. Stout strays away from this, and although - given the nature of the story - not too many strong female characters can be around, the female characters that are present, Annie in particular, more than make up for it. Along with that, there are many hints of romance without the subject taking over the entire plot.

Dealing with love, loss, determination, the bond between crewmates, standing up for what you believe in, and many other topics that can hit home, Secrets of the Realm is brilliant, entertaining, and a fantastic read for all ages. Those who enjoy a great sailing story and historical fiction in general will devour the novel. Even for those who normally don't, I would recommend giving the book a try.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor


Rating: 5

Synopsis:

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.


My Review:



If I could erase all of my memories of reading You Are Mine, I would. That way, I could read it for the first time again, and fall just as deeply in love. I was completely blown away by the novel. An absolutely stunning debut, I could not stop reading until I reached the very end.

Written beautifully, the story will captivate readers from the very beginning, in which you are taken directly to the center of a new world. Suspenseful, beautiful and engaging, the novel is sure to give an amazing experience.

You Are Mine brings up many important themes and ideas from history - with topics such as discrimination, sexism, and what we consider to be backward thinking. They are delivered in a way that still allows for a fictitious story that entertains, while also showing the seriousness of these issues and giving the reader a lot to think about. The fact that one can connect a lot of the discriminatory points from the novel to real life is a bit frightening, but adds to the message of the novel.

I absolutely fell in love with the characters in You Are Mine. The distinctions between good and evil, right and wrong that are developed in them are downright brilliant. The characters have so many delicious layers, it is refreshing when not everyone is so predictably as they seem. Serena is an excellent protagonist and voice for the novel. She is a character that the reader can connect with and look up to. And what fun is a YA novel without a swoon-worthy male? Luckily, You Are Mine delivers, because Zade definitely fits the bill.

With enchanting magic, gruesome beliefs, and a plot that will have you antisocial for the day, You Are Mine is no disappointment. While it will appeal to readers of novels like Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Gardens trilogy, You Are Mine still uniquely sets itself apart from other YA novels.

I highly recommend reading Falor's You Are Mine. Readers will surely fall in love with the novel as much as I did.

Review: Shinobi 7: Trials of a Warrior by L. Benitez

Amazon

Rating: 4

Synopsis:

Enter the feudal world of Shaaku Den...

A world that used to be peaceful until the uprising of the evil geisha Black Rose and the ruthless warrior Rengoku. Together the two are the Blackthorn Clan and they have turned Shaaku Den into their battlefield, conquering and killing the innocent for their own gain. Blackthorn has instigated destruction and the only ones left to fight back is the surviving Kitsune Clan.

Follow the adventures of six young individuals who are now soldiers in the legendary Kitsune Clan. Do they have what it takes to be a warrior and fight against Blackthorn? Can they save their world from Black Rose's evil thorns? This is a time of war in Shaaku Den— seen through the eyes of six unlikely youths. Will they overcome the trials of warfare?


My Review:

I feel like there is a fine line between well-written stories and roll-your-eyes-over-the-cliche when it comes to the martial arts. When I first started Shinobi 7, I was worried the novel might be more of the latter. However, it did not take longer than reading a couple of pages for me to realize that Benitez was able to do justice to ninja stories by crafting an awesome novel.

Shinobi 7 has everything that you could possibly want within a novel. It actively engages the reader throughout the story, for one thing. While reading, I have been at the edge of my seat, apprehensive to what would come next. I have been surprised by events, excited by the action. I have been nearly brought to tears as well as having to swallow down large bursts of laughter. I have been begging a certain character to 'just kiss her, already!' It is not hard to become emotionally attached to the story, and in that case, I was a goner from the start.

I am also surprised at how much I liked all of the characters in the novel. Normally, there is always at least one character who annoys me. I'm sure any reader can relate. The one person whose every decision just makes you want to slap them across the face? But in Shinobi 7, none of the characters made me feel that way. The one who had the type of personality that might lead to annoying me was one of the characters that I related to the most. I am not sure if this is a normal point to bring up, but I feel that it is important to have characters that the readers can connect to.

The plot of Shinobi 7 is action-packed, unique, and entertaining. I did not find one part of the story that dragged on, although I did have to prevent myself from skimming certain portions (because I could not wait to see what would happen next.) I cannot remember if this is going to be a series, but I really hope it is, because there is so much more that can be made from these characters and plot lines. And if there is more, I will fight to get to the front of the line to read it.

If you are a fan of the martial arts, then you should immediately read Shinobi 7. If you are not a fan of the martial arts, you should read it anyway. There is a lot more to the novel than just the fighting and who knows? By reading it, you probably will become a fan of the martial arts.

If I have any complaints, it was that the inner romantic in me was left hanging a bit, and I would like to see more of the elemental abilities. However, both of these just leave me wanting more, so...mission accomplished, I guess.

In all honestly, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed Shinobi 7, and I am extremely glad I read the novel. I suggest you do the same, as you will not be disappointed.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Review: Black City by Elizabeth Richards



Synopsis:

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.


My Rating: 5

My Review:

It is not often that, when reading a book, I get chills. Black City gave them to me. Actually shivers, running up and down my arms. And it is July.

And, normally, when I say that I devoured a book, I mean that I stopped a couple of times to sleep, or eat, or be social. With this novel, I literally mean that I sat in the same chair, reading it cover to cover, and only stopping once for a piece of pizza. (And I didn't want to stop. Not even for pizza. But, I would not be able to forge on emotionally with an empty stomach.)

Point is, I thought I knew what an excellent novel is. Then I came across this. Normally, I rate YA fiction on a scale of 1 to 5. Maybe it is just the after book high I am experiencing, but I am ready to rate novels on a scale of 1 to Black City.

Even writing this review, I find myself pausing for a second, just letting the experience of this novel wash over me. I could happily let the words consume me entirely. If there is a book equivalent to a Blood Mate...I think I found it. I would love to forget everything about this novel, just so I can experience it all over again.

Black City has everything that you can ask for in a novel. The romance is sweet, hot, and hits-straight-to-the-heart. The plot is unique, interesting, and will-have-you-at-the-edge-of-your-seat-struggling-to-not-let-your-eyes-drift-a-few-sentences-ahead. The characters are real, relatable, and I-am-a-total-fangirl-of-Ash. The quotes are humorous, brilliant, and I-can-open-up-to-any-random-page-and-pick-a-sentence-and-not-regret-tattooing-it-on-my-back.

The themes that are included in the novel are important to anyone, and connect to real life issues. Just thinking about it makes me want to go out and do something with my life. Although "something" will likely mean talk about Black City, think about Black City, try to convince you to read Black City, and read more books that will maybe, possibly, affect me even somewhat like Black City.

If you haven't gathered this already, Black City is a truly brilliant work, and I highly recommend it. It is stunning, chill-inducing, absolutely remarkable.

Now, I need to go order Phoenix, because I cannot wait to read more.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Blind Sight Blog Tour Stop: Review of Blind Sight by Ermisenda Alvarez

 I am very excited to again be a part of this blog tour. On Friday, you read the excerpt from the novel (or if not, you can read that below). Now, if you have not yet been convinced to read Blind Sight, you can read my review on it below.

  My Rating: 4  

My Review: Blind Sight is unique, interesting, and an all around good read. Although it seems that supernatural abilities are used so commonly within fiction, Blind Sight manages to show the topic in a new light, which makes me fall in love with the idea even more. Using a personification within the setting creates a whole new world that the reader can get lost in. It is the kind of novel that bends the fabric of reality, and those are definitely the best kinds.

Although it did take me a little bit to get into the story, once I did, I could hardly stop. The aspects of mystery and the slow revealing of new plot points lead to Blind Sight being an incredible page turner. It is also refreshing to see the multiculturalism within the novel, without being overbearingly obvious about it. Characters would likely be of different races, and I like when novels use that in a casual way, as it should be, instead of drawing attention to it or white-washing everything.

Not only that, but the characters are also very well-developed. Many of them, like Oddette and Titiana - still hold an air of mystery that is intriguing and keeps the story fresh. Leocardo is an excellent voice for the story to be told in the point of view from, as he acts as both a key player and a voice from the outside - since he is not the one actually having premonitions. If anything, I would say that I would have liked to see more of the natural abilities that the citizens were bestowed with. Many of them were not given enough credit, especially Leocardo.

All in all, Blind Sight is a beautifully written novel that will keep readers at the edge of their seat. It can be dark at times as well as light at others, but always continues to be enjoyable until the end. I definitely would NOT oppose to reading more from this author. Highly recommend. This post is part of the Blind Sight Blog Tour. Blind Sight is an urban fantasy novel written in two volumes, each telling the story through a different character's perspective. preview on Barnes and Noble preview on Amazon

Friday, July 5, 2013

Blind Sight Blog Tour Stop - Excerpt

I am happy to be a host for this amazing book tour! However, I know that nobody wants to hear from me so I am going to get right to the the excerpt.

Blind Sight Through the Eyes of Leocardo Reyes by Ermisenda Alvarez

Blind Sight is an urban fantasy about a blind girl who suddenly develops the ability to draw. Told in two different novels, Ermisenda tells the story through the eyes of the blind girl's brother, Leocardo. He thinks Odette is having premonitions. The other volume written by Eliabeth, tells the story through the eyes of Odette's best friend Aniela, who thinks Odette is a medium channeling voiceless spirits. This is the prologue to Blind Sight Through the Eyes of Leocardo Reyes.

Blind Sight Through the Eyes of Leocardo Reyes

 

by Ermisenda Alvarez

  Something was wrong. Leocardo’s blind, sixteen-year-old sister Odette was drawing. She stood next to the fridge and scribbled feverishly on a piece of paper.   “Odette?” he walked over, certain his eyes deceived him. He quickened his pace when she didn’t respond. “Odette what are you doing?”   Something was wrong with her eyes; her pupils were huge, and they engulfed her usual chestnut color.   “Odette, stop.”   He tried to pull her arm, but like a cat that didn’t want to be picked up, she seemed to become instantly heavier. The pen continued to run across the page as her silence persisted. He frowned, growing angry.   “Odette!” She did not flinch.   He glanced down at the paper and realized her scribble was actually an image. Trees and mountains framed a large lake on the paper and Leocardo was frozen in confusion. How was she drawing? The pen fell onto the paper as Odette collapsed into Leocardo’s arms.   Twisting her around to face him, he demanded, “What were you doing? Answer me!”   Her limp body shook in his arms; her eyes closed and she was barely audible as if on the brink of passing out. “I don’t feel good,” she murmured weakly. Even though she was naturally petite and fragile, now she looked like she was about to shatter. “I want to sleep.”   The warm brown crept back into her unfocused eyes and her pupils normalized.   “Odette,” he started again, but her trembling became more violent so he stopped. “Okay.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her room. As soon as she hit the sheets, the trembling stopped and almost as quickly, snoring followed.   Leocardo wanted to wake her up so he could question her, but he wasn't sure if she would have any answers. He couldn’t help but wonder if this had happened to her before. He stormed back to the kitchen, picked up the paper, and examined the drawing. The sun’s rays tore through the clouds, and Odette had even added glimmer to the lake’s rippled surface. Odette had been blind since birth; so how could she have drawn this so perfectly? If he hadn’t seen her doing it, he never would have believed it.   Leocardo slouched into the leather couch, still holding the paper. He felt a throbbing pain behind his eyes. Staring at the drawing, he tried to glean some divine understanding of what it meant or how she had done it. His black labrador, Cielo, had abandoned him to sit outside Odette’s bedroom. He was stunned; he knew he shouldn't have been angry with her, but he had been scared and confused.   An hour passed; he was no more enlightened. He looked up to find Odette standing in the open doorway to her room. He kept silent, but his gaze followed her. She seemed better, no longer moving with the mechanical gestures she had used when she was drawing. Cielo’s nails clicked on the hardwood floor as she followed Odette’s every move.   With disbelief, he watched as Odette began to prepare some sandwiches. “Odette,” he called softly, not wanting to startle her.   “Yeah?”   Leocardo hesitated; why was she acting like nothing happened? “What happened to you before?”   She shrugged, “I guess I had low blood sugar. It was just a headache.”   “What do you remember?” he pried. How could she not remember?   “I had a headache. I went to the fridge. I got dizzy for a second. You caught me.” She paused. “How’d you get from the couch to the fridge that fast?” she asked, as though he was the one who did something strange.   “What?” Irate, he marched over. “Don’t you remember drawing this?” He flapped the page so she could hear it rustle. “What are you trying to pull? This isn’t a game.” He was losing his already short patience. Something could be seriously wrong and she was being evasive.   Her brow pressed together and her lips thinned as she let out a frustrated huff. She spoke slowly, as if concerned he was losing his mind. “Leo…you know I can’t draw, much less see whatever it is you might be holding.”   “I know you can’t,” he said a little defensively. Why was she questioning him when she should be providing answers? “You got up and went to the fridge before you started to draw this. I’m not making this up. I have the drawing right here in my hand!” He restrained himself, shaking the paper again, as if hearing the sound made his story more believable.   Odette’s calm expression indicated that she was not amused.   “How can you not remember?” he asked angrily.   He sighed and dropped the drawing onto the floor. His fingers ran through his hair as he tried to make sense of everything without flying off the handle.   “I’m sorry,” Odette murmured, “but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”   “It’s okay…sorry,” The moment was awkward and disjointed; he was unsure what to do. Odette went back to making the sandwich, and Leocardo returned to the sofa. He snatched the remote and flipped between channels until he settled on the news.   Tragedies flashed on the screen as Leocardo watched, desperate for a distraction. Something wasn’t adding up, cognitive dissonance, ironic that something he was learning in school was relevant to his life for a change. Maybe he imagined it all. Maybe the lack of sleep was getting to him and he had drawn it. Television bored him, but he didn’t know what else to do. The news changed topics, now featuring Alaska and its trading partners.   “Edaion,” Leocardo repeated one of the countries listed. A sudden and overwhelming desire to visit this island nation overtook him.   Odette came over and sat next to him, her unfocused eyes in the direction of the screen. Leocardo leaned forward as if being pulled into the screen. He was mesmerized. Slowly he felt his eyelids droop.   “Edaion,” Odette whispered. A silence fell over them and a supernatural film began to wrap around them. Invisible to all, it pressed down on them. Cocooned in this new state, he continued to stare in a trance at the screen. Unable to understand why, he had never wanted anything in his life as much as he wanted to travel to Edaion.   When he tried to stand, he felt an immense pressure upon his shoulders, face, and chest. He reached out to Odette, feeling as though he was falling through the sofa itself. Cielo whined and nuzzled his knee. His grip around Odette’s hand tightened. Suddenly the pressure snapped and he felt the painful sensation of being rammed from all sides, as if hit by a train.   In a dreamlike state, he stumbled forward with Odette sandwiched between him and Cielo. They were somewhere else, no longer in the cozy Barcelona apartment. The air was clean and chilly. A stranger’s arm brushed up against him as a group huddled together, all looking lost and confused. Half a dozen dogs circled and sniffed them. While trying to restore his equilibrium, he noticed the dogs wouldn’t leave Odette alone. They sniffed and licked her palms causing her to wipe them on his shirt. Someone asked him if he was okay, but he didn't answer. The speaker herded the group onto a bus, and as soon as he was seated, Leocardo’s head fell against the windowsill. Blackness engulfed his vision.   The bus lurched and Leocardo was propelled into the seat in front of him. His eyes flew open; his throat felt dry and his nose was pink from the cold. Someone held a colored version of Odette’s drawing before his eyes. It was blurry, and as he reached out, his fingers hit glass. With his sleeve, he wiped the window to see the drawing become clear. Something was wrong.   Why was it behind glass? Where was he? Why was he on a bus? His gaze darted back to Odette who had Cielo nuzzling her affectionately. Her eyes were closed. He woke her up with a shake of the shoulders.   “What is this?” Leocardo demanded as if she would know.   “What’s what? You’re the one who can see, remember?” Her voice was soft and timid. He realized she was just as confused. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close and then placed a soft kiss on her forehead.   His gaze returned to the window. It was still there. As the bus meandered through perilous mountains, he never lost sight of the lake. It was glistening, majestic and overwhelming in size, but it was not a drawing. This time he knew it was real. Something was terribly wrong.   -end excerpt- This post is part of the Blind Sight Blog Tour. Blind Sight is an urban fantasy novel written in two volumes, each telling the story through a different character's perspective. preview on Barnes and Noble preview on Amazon If that doesnàt sound awesome, then nothing does. I hope you will join me on the 7th to see my review of this novel, as well as continue with the rest of the sites that are part of this tour.