Book Blitz & Excerpt: Guardians of the Sea, by Eva Pohler

GUARDIANS OF THE SEA POB BANNER

Title: Guardians of the Sea
Author: Eva Pohler
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: May 14th, 2022
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

 

Blurb:

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

After enduring Delphine’s dangerous training regimen, the young gods and demigods embark on a mission to take down the corrupt shipping company once and for all, to liberate victimized communities up and down the Mediterranean and nearby seas. But unforeseen conflicts cause the young gods and demigods to question the nature of their mission, their purpose, and their relationships with one another.

In the face of impossible choices, how important are love, loyalty, and friendship? Moreover, how far should one go to defend those who can’t defend themselves? Should one sacrifice everything?

Read the surprising conclusion of The Vampires and Gods Series. For lovers of Greek mythology, paranormal romance, and action adventure stories.


Here’s what readers are saying about this series:

“Vampires and Greek Mythology combined in one fabulous adventure!”–Brie Strauss, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

“I absolutely cannot wait for more Adventures. I tried not to read so fast but honestly I couldn’t be patient. This book blew me away and I honestly just need more.”–Southernmermaid85, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

“Must read!! Anything this author writes is amazing to read. It’s what got me into loving anything about the greek gods! And her vampire series is so interesting as well! This book combines both and draws you in!!”–Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

“Everything I’ve come to love and expect from Eva’s book, was to be found in this latest episode, constant drama, intrigue and adventure, not forgetting the romance. Can’t wait for more!”–Traceyann, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ 

“I really liked the new characters that were introduced in this book. The story was interesting and had a lot of twists and turns.”–Kathy E, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

If you like enemies-to-lovers romance and heart-breaking love triangles combined with fast-paced, high-stakes action, then this series is for you.

 

Eva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels in multiple genres, including mysteries, thrillers, and young adult paranormal romance based on Greek mythology. Her books have been described as “addictive” and “sure to thrill”–Kirkus Reviews.

Author Links:

 

website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | Amazon

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

Chapter One: Mount
Olympus

Gertie stood in the foyer of the great hall on Mount Olympus, waiting for Hector to finish his tour with Hephaestus. Hector had invited her to join him to see the magical forge, but she’d wanted him to have this chance to be alone with his father. She hadn’t thought about her own comfort—or lack of it as she stood there with the Olympians on their thrones only a few yards away. Although she’d earned their respect in the battle with the old man of the sea and his entourage of monsters and was about to become a goddess herself, she didn’t dare presume that she was free to speak with them.

She pushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear and glanced nervously at the gods before averting her eyes to her boots. Her stomach hurt, and her heart wouldn’t slow down no matter how deeply she breathed. An eternity seemed to pass when Hector finally emerged with his father.

Just seeing Hector’s face again made her less nervous. Although people often mistook them for brother and sister because they both had blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, fortunately for them, they weren’t, even though they were both descended from gods.

“Are you ready for the council meeting?” Hephaestus asked her.

Gertie took a deep breath. “I think so.”

“Of course, she is,” Hector said. “She hasn’t stopped talking about it for days. Have you, Gertie?”

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Hephaestus asked again.

“Yes,” she said, this time without hesitation. “I’m just a little nervous about how it will feel and how I’ll adapt. There isn’t much written about apotheosis. I feel unprepared.”

Hephaestus laughed. “Preparation has its virtues, but surprises make life exciting.”

“I like that.” Hector beamed up at his dad.

Gertie would rather be prepared.

“Good luck,” Hephaestus said as he turned to walk away.

“Thanks again for showing me around, Father,” Hector said.
“I hope I’ll have the chance to see you again soon.”

The god gave Hector a polite, if not distant, nod before taking a few strides to his throne, next to Apollo and across the white marble floor from Aphrodite.

“How did it go?” Gertie whispered to Hector, who hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d emerged from the forge.

“I’ve never felt happier,” he said, his blue eyes bright.
“My father has finally acknowledged me publicly and has given me more than a
moment of his time. It’s a dream come true.”

“Oh, Hector.” Gertie squeezed his hand. “I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks. Being here has made it easy for me to make a decision.”

Gertie tilted her head to one side. “What decision?”

“I want to be a god, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to prove I’m worthy.”

Gertie’s mouth dropped open, and she felt like jumping up and down with joy. “What?”

“I know . . . I was against it before. I wanted a normal life, so I could give my kids a better childhood than the one I had. Now I know things don’t have to be the way they were with my mom—alienated from my father and from the other gods.” He circled his arm around Gertie’s waist. “We can be a part of this life here on Mount Olympus. We can be gods together.”

Gertie thew her arms around him. “Really?”

“Really.” He reached down and kissed her.

As much as Gertie enjoyed the kiss, she soon came to her senses and noticed that some of the Olympians were watching her. “I’ll make my acceptance conditional. If they want me to become the goddess of vampires, they’ll have to make you a god, too.”

Hector furrowed his brows. “What if they refuse?”

“They won’t, especially if your father speaks up for you.”

He kissed her once more, and, together, they made their way to his father’s side, to await the others.

Hermie scratched his head and gave Delphine a once-over on the front deck of the Marcella II beneath the predawn stars. Del had just returned from a night of shopping in Paris with his sister Hestie and best friend Jinsoo, along with most of the vampires. Hermie had just returned to the ship, too, after helping with a blackout at a power plant in Dubai. Before that, he’d helped a group of college students in Kentucky retrieve their lost project from a computer that had crashed. As the god of technology, he made IT runs rather frequently and enjoyed them much more than being out on the sea. But he endured the sea life because he wanted to be close to Del.

Del was wearing a short dress and boots—looking simultaneously sweet and bad-ass. Her long, dark, curly hair fell past her shoulders, blowing in the gentle wind. Her dark eyes and dark skin shone in the waning moonlight.

Hermie was pleased when she greeted him with a kiss as she combed her fingers through his short black hair.

“Welcome back,” he said. “You look great.”

“Thanks. I bought some new threads for you, too.” She handed him one of her bags.

Hermie tried to hide his annoyance as he looked inside the bag. He was particular about his clothes and didn’t like others picking them out. He’d fought his sister Hestie and his mother on that front for most of his life. But when he turned the soft cotton over in his hand, he was pleasantly surprised. She’d bought him a t-shirt? He lifted the light blue shirt from the bag and read the front of it: I paused my game to be here.

“You like it?” she asked. “The color matches your eyes.”

“I do,” he said, and he meant it. “Thanks.”

“Check it out.” Jinsoo walked across the deck in his new clothes—a tight-fitting gray shirt and skinny black jeans and boots. “Do I look good enough for Mount Olympus?”

Alastair laughed. The sandy-haired vampire was wearing a long-sleeved, button-down shirt unbuttoned over a white V-neck and loose-fitting jeans cinched at his hips with a thick leather belt. “If the gods are grading you on sex appeal, you got this, boyfriend.”

Jinsoo smiled as Chidori landed on his shoulder. “Do you agree?”

The yellow canary tweeted her praise.

“Where’s Poros?” Hestie asked as she brushed her red curly hair from her eyes.

Hermie glanced at the upper deck. “Isn’t he on the flybridge with Captain?”

“No one is on the flybridge,” Alastair pointed out.

The swooshing sound of wings overhead made everyone turn their eyes up to the sky. It was Pegasus hovering above the ship with Poros and Prometheus astride him.

“We’re late,” the captain said as he pulled his white captain’s hat more firmly over his black curly hair. “Come on.”

Hestie flew up and mounted the white horse behind Poros. To Hermie, she said, “Sorry. No more room.”

Prometheus turned to the vampires. “I trust you’ll keep an eye on the ship?”

“We will have to do it from below deck.” Del pointed to the hint of dawn just beyond the mountains to the east.

Alastair gave an informal salute that ended with a snap of his fingers. “We will reach out to you if we sense anything wrong.”

“Thanks.” Prometheus tipped his white captain’s hat.

“See ya,” Hermie said to Del just before he kissed her cheek.

“See ya,” she said with a smile.

Jinsoo winked at Alastair and then joined Hermie in the air beside Pegasus.

To Jinsoo, Hermie said, “Mount Olympus, here we come.”

Hestie wrapped her arms around Poros and leaned against his back as Pegasus soared over the Mediterranean Sea.

“Miss me?” she whispered into Poros’s ear as his blond hair tickled her lips.

Poros glanced back at her with a grin, his gray eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Cute outfit.”

She wore very short shorts with a white tank. But the tank was no ordinary tank. The straps were embellished with layers of gathered fabric making thick, soft ruffles that she found divine. One of the perks of being a goddess unaffected by changing temperatures was that one could continue to wear summer fashions well into fall.

“Thanks. You should see what I bought for you.”

She felt him chuckle against her. He wouldn’t fight her, like Hermie did, when it came to her fashion choices for him, and she loved him for it.

The sun god Helios appeared in his golden cup on the horizon just as they reached Mount Olympus. The gates parted, and the young gods waited near the fountain while Prometheus took Pegasus to the stables. Then, together, they flew up the rainbow steps and into the temple, where the other gods were waiting.

Hestie followed Poros and Prometheus into the middle of the great hall, where the Olympians were already seated on their thrones. Aphrodite and Artemis gave the young gods a smile and a wave as they walked past, as did the three Charities sitting around Aphrodite. Hestie waved back. One of the Charities—Pasithia—dropped her handkerchief at Poros’s feet. When he picked it up and handed it back to her, she smiled up at him with a flirtatious gleam in her eyes that Hestie found irritating. What was even more irritating was the blush that crossed Poros’s face. Should Hestie be worried?

Across the room, the Muses softly hummed a melody behind Apollo. Between Apollo and Hephaestus stood the demigods Gertie and Hector. Hestie gave them each a smile.

 Hestie’s mom and grandparents—Hades and Persephone—were also there. Her grandparents were seated on the double throne between Artemis and Hestia, where Demeter usually sat. Demeter was probably at her winter cabin with Hecate, since it was late October, the time of year when Persephone lived in the Underworld, and Demeter moped.

Hestie’s mother flew to greet her and her brother. It had only been a few days since they last saw her, but their meetings were usually few and far between.

“You’ve been shopping,” her mother said with a smile and a hug. “You look good.”

 

“Thanks,” Hestie said. “Did you cut your hair again?”

The last time Hestie had seen her mother, whose hair was red and curly like hers, it had reached her shoulders. But today, it was cut in a bob just below her ears.

“It kept getting in my way.”

“It’s cute,” Hestie said, wondering if she should do the same with her hair.

“I wish Dad could be here, too,” Hermie said as he hugged their mom.

“Not while there are mortals,” their mother replied. “You know the drill.”

Hestie sighed. It wasn’t always convenient when your father was the god of death.

Persephone waved at them. “Come stand over here with us.”

As Prometheus followed the young gods to linger near the double throne shared by Hades and Persephone, Hestie noticed Athena watching him. But Prometheus seemed to make a point of not returning her gaze. He was still upset with her for the vampire Taavi’s death and for putting the rest of his crew in danger.

Poros seemed to notice, too. He squeezed Hestie’s hand before leaving her side to say hello to his sister.

“Sit here beside me,” Athena said to him, offering him what was once Hera’s place on their father’s double throne. It was made of gold and was adorned with an eagle and three peacocks.

“I’d rather stand with Hestie,” he said. “If you don’t mind.”

Hestie felt bad for worrying about Pasithia’s flirtations. Poros had never given Hestie any reason to doubt his feelings for her. She needed to snap out of it.

Athena, whose long, straight, black hair set off her striking gray eyes—eyes that looked exactly like Poros’s—frowned at Hestie.
“Not at all.”

Ares scoffed as Poros left Athena. What was his problem? At least Hermes had a smile and a wink for her. That put Hestie at ease again. Poseidon, sitting between Hermes and Apollo, made no attempt at eye contact, and Apollo was busy talking to Hephaestus.

Hestie could tell that Gertie was busting at the seams, anxious to join the ranks of the immortals. She wondered if Gertie would be just as annoying as a goddess, or if she’d settle down, no longer compelled to show off her book knowledge.

Athena stood up and cleared her throat. The muses stopped humming.

The goddess of wisdom began: “Thank you all for coming to this historic moment on Mount Olympus. The young god Jinsoo will declare his purpose, and the demigod Gertie, who has valiantly proven her mettle, will become one of us. These two events will require the consent of our majority. Once these rituals have ended, we will turn our attention to deciding what to do about Sailfish Trading and Shipping.”

Hestie glanced at Jinsoo and then across the room at Gertie. They were equally pale and jittery.

“Jinsoo Huang, please come forward,” Athena said.

Jinsoo left Prometheus’s side to stand before Athena, in the center of the circle of thrones. To Hestie, he looked small, even as a god, probably because he was only fifteen when he underwent apotheosis.

“Have you found your purpose?” Athena asked him.

“Yes, goddess.”

“And?”

Jinsoo swallowed hard and combed his short black hair from his eyes. “I will be the god of sailors.”

Athena turned to the god of the sea. “And this doesn’t encroach upon your realm?”

“There may be some overlap,” Poseidon grumbled. “But, given my part in recent tragic events, I’m determined to accept it.”

“Poseidon controls the sea, of course,” Jinsoo added. “And all the things living in it. He controls the sailing vessels.”

“He doesn’t control all of the vessels,” Hermes interjected.
“Shipping crafts are my domain, as are pirates.”

“Not entirely,” Poseidon argued.

“Brother, uncle, please,” Athena said. “This argument has plagued us for centuries, and I doubt it will be settled today. Let us agree that Jinsoo will be the primary caretaker of sailors.”

“Hear, hear,” Hades said.

“All in favor, say aye,” Athena said.

The great hall resounded with the gods’ assent.

“All opposed?” Athena asked.

The hall was silent.

Jinsoo bowed to the other gods as applause erupted. Then, smiling, he returned to Prometheus’s side. Hestie couldn’t be happier for him. She only wished Alastair could have been here to see it. Even now, after all the vampires had done to help the gods and humanity, they still weren’t welcome on Mount Olympus.

Once the hall had become silent again, Athena said, “Gertrude Morgan, please step forward.”

Gertie glanced nervously at Hector before she released his hand and moved to the center of the hall. Hestie supposed that the two demigods were back together. She wondered if Gertie still thought about Taavi, or if she had blotted him from her mind.

Athena smiled at Gertie as she said, “We have asked you here today to join us as the goddess of vampires, who have for too long been underserved by this pantheon. I can admit my own contribution to their mistreatment and neglect. But that is to be no longer.”

“I’m so happy to hear you say that,” Gertie said.

“And your father, Dionysus, has no qualms with this decision?” Hermes asked.

Gertie shook her head. “He’s given me his blessing.”

“And you have given this proper thought and reflection?”
Athena asked her. “Once you accept this yolk, it cannot be thrown off, lest you
go insane.”

Hestie noticed Gertie’s lips were trembling. “Insane? Well, I would never walk away from my responsibilities. I want this. I’m sure of it.”

“Well, then,” Athena began.

“But I do have one condition,” Gertie said earnestly as she looked around the room. “I will only serve this pantheon as the goddess of vampires if Hector, a great warrior and the son of Hephaestus, is allowed to undergo apotheosis, too.”

Gasps filled the room, and all eyes turned to Hector, who stood white-faced and gaping. Hestie couldn’t believe Gertie was making conditions. Was she crazy?

“I don’t appreciate demands, Gertrude,” Athena said sharply.

“But Hector would make an amazing god,” Gertie insisted.
“And we’re in love and want to be together.”

Hestie sucked in air, wishing Gertie was better at censoring her words.

“How sweet,” Aphrodite said.

Hector’s face turned red and then quickly faded back to a pasty white.

“Your love-life is not our concern,” Athena said with a scoff. “And I am beginning to doubt your readiness for this transformation.”

Aphrodite flew to her feet. “I don’t appreciate your attitude toward love, Athena. It may not be our priority today, but it isn’t something to scoff at, either.”

“My apologies, sister,” Athena said in a way that didn’t sound sincere.

“What purpose would Hector contribute to the pantheon?” Hades wanted to know.

“Come forward, Hector,” Ares demanded. “Did you put her up to this?”

Hector moved to Gertie’s side. “I didn’t her put her up to anything, no. But I do know how I would like to serve, if given the chance.”

“Do tell us,” Athena said with an impatient frown.

“I want to be the god of demigods.”

“A trainer of warriors?” Ares asked with his brows lifted.
“Like the days of Chiron?”

Hector shook his head. “I can help them to train and to become strong warriors for you, but I also want to act as a mediary between the gods and their children.”

Hestie noticed uneasiness sweep across the room.

“We don’t need a mediary,” Poseidon insisted.

“I was just thinking the same thing,” Apollo admitted.

“Why do you think we need one?” Hermes asked Hector.

“Because, well, I hate to say it, but…”

“Spit it out,” Athena said.

Hector glanced back at his father before returning Athena’s gaze. “The gods, for the most part, ignore their children. And their children grow up feeling unloved and neglected. I’d like to remedy this problem by finding ways to involve demigods with their parents.”

“Oh, boy,” Hades said beneath his breath. “This idea is doomed.”

Hestie turned to her grandfather and whispered, “Why?”

Ares stood up and answered in Hades’s stead. “Because we don’t need to be told what to do by another god—especially a new, inexperienced one. We see our kids on our own terms, thank you very much.”

Hector glanced back at Hephaestus, who’d remained quiet. “Do you have an opinion on this, Father?”

Hestie had never seen Hephaestus angry, but his red face gave him away when he said, “Has it ever occurred to you that gods don’t desire to have relationships with their mortal children?”

“It has,” Hector said, now growing angry, too. “You’ve made it fairly obvious, until recently, that is. You showed me your forge.”

“I regret that already,” Hephaestus growled.

Tears sprang to Hector’s eyes.

Hestie’s stomach clenched, and her heart ached for Hector. She couldn’t stop herself from saying telepathically to Hephaestus, How can you be so cruel?

“Then why have them?” Hector wanted to know. “If you don’t want relationships with them, why have them?”

“Gods aren’t immune to making mistakes,” Artemis pointed out.

“So, I’m a mistake,” Hector said beneath his breath.

The gods began whispering among themselves.

Ares threw up his hands. “Humankind needs great warriors.”

“And great artists,” Apollo added.

“And great athletes,” Hermes said.

Hector wiped his eyes. “How noble.”

Athena shook a fist. “Order. I want order.”

The room became silent again.

Then, Athena said, “Gertrude, it’s clear to me that your request to include Hector in this pantheon has been denied. And because you foolishly made that a condition of your own transformation, you will not be joining us, either. I think it’s time that these mortals left Mount Olympus before they offend us further. We have other business to discuss.”

Hestie looked from Gertie to Poros, shocked and upset. Was this really happening? Gertie might lack common sense, but she didn’t deserve this.

“Wait,” Poros objected. “Shouldn’t we put this to a vote?”

Hermes stood up. “I think we should hold off making this decision. Let’s give it more time. Right now, our priority should be what to do about STS and its smuggling of humans and dangerous weapons.”

“Hear, hear,” Poseidon said.

“All in favor of postponing our decision about Gertrude’s apotheosis, say aye,” Athena said.

The hall resounded with the assent of gods.

“All opposed?” Athena asked.

The hall was silent.

Hestie sighed with relief. Maybe with more time, the minds of the gods could be changed.

“We’ll readjourn in a few months’ time,” Athena said. “Let’s move on to more important matters.”

 

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

 

 

Spotlight & Author Interview: Paranormal Bonds + Excerpt

paranormal bonds banner
paranormal bonds cover
Title: Paranormal Bonds
Series: The High Council Witch Chronicles, book 1
Author: Julie Catherine
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy (witches)
Publisher: GCMW Publications
Cover Artist: Doctor Deranged Designs
Release Date: April 12

Blurb:

When Mae Kingsley is forced to move into her family’s rundown lake house, she discovers small town living is not as simple as it seems. Bursts of violence, silent treatments, archaic rituals and two very cute guys with seriously mysterious motives all appear with the rising of the new moon.

But that’s nothing compared to the family secrets soon to be revealed. A box sealed in a vault, hidden rooms, naked swimming. There’s a trove of family revelations just beneath the floorboards, waiting to be exposed.

As the paranormal bonding season for the High Council Witches begins, Mae must quickly decide who to trust and who to fear before a deadly family tradition repeats itself and her chance to live a normal life completely disappears.

Purchase link: 
Excerpt:
Suddenly, outside, a wash of blue light fell on the windowsill. The moon had come out. The whole day and evening had been sort of gloomy and overcast, so the moon had been hidden and lackluster under the cover of clouds. But now, in the middle of the night, the storm had passed and the sky had cleared. The moon returned to its nighttime glory. It was amazing how bright the reflection was. All the shapes in my room took on a luminous glow.
I loved a full moon. Who didn’t?
I went to the window and peeked out the curtain. The forest glistened with a blue-and-silver color palette coating every twig and branch. The trees were eerily, beautifully visible. I felt a childlike impulse to run my hands on their bark.
Why not? I wasn’t sleeping.
I pulled on my terry cloth robe and headed down to the lake. In the bright, clear night sky, I didn’t need a flashlight to guide the way. I could easily see my route.
What a whirlwind first day, I thought, picking my way down to the lake.
The Peters seemed nice, and Kate was… Kate. My science teacher seemed kind of strict, but that was okay. You wanted a little strictness in the compulsory credits. Maybe this year I’d try out for field hockey, and… oh, who was I kidding? My brain ping-ponged over and over back to two important topics. My missing moon necklace and the cute boy named Spade.
What kind of name was Spade anyway?
Not a last name, that was for sure.
I was surprised to learn the boy from the parking lot had taken up so much real estate in my brain. I barely knew him.
I picked up a smooth rock and skipped it across the lake surface. It bounced one, two, three times before dipping below the water’s edge.
I stared up into the heavens. This was a beautiful place on earth. Here, from the lakeside, the sky was enormous. The clouds had fully dispersed, leaving the atmosphere open, full of starlight. I looked up at the teeny-tiny planets, the stars, and even the distant galaxies reflecting their light back to me. The world was so big, and I was just this tiny speck of existence. In this milky, bright night, my anklet moon charm would have fit in perfectly. Maybe Spade had found it, and all would be right with the world.
As the thought popped into my head, it actually brought a lot of comfort.
If Spade did find my necklace, I felt confident that I would get it back.
I stuck my big toe in the lapping water. The lake was still warm from the heat of summer. The autumn nights had yet to bring their chilly edge. There weren’t too many days of swimming left. I looked around at the other cottages. I was the only person by the water. This was to be expected for a midnight visit, but a lot of the owners’ absences from the lakeshore were more permanent than that. Most of the buildings were already locked down for the winter season, their humans long gone to sturdier homes until next spring’s annual pilgrimage began. Those who were still here were safely sleeping in their beds. Their doors and windows were locked and dark for the night.
It was such a pity to waste such a beautiful evening.
I stepped farther into the bay, up to my feet at first, then to my ankles. The water felt wonderful.
A nighttime dip would help me relax, I realized.
It seemed so inviting.
I could run up to the cabin and change into my swimsuit… but I shouldn’t wake Aunt Abeline. She didn’t know I was out here. I looked back to our house. It was pitch black. I hadn’t turned on a single light when I left. I wouldn’t want to disturb her. Maybe I should call it a night.

Or… a little voice inside me countered. You could go for a skinny dip.


Author Interview:
 

What inspired you to write this book?

I recently moved to a small town and saw this big yellow bus driving around, dropping off all the farmland kids, and I thought, wouldn’t it be fun if some of those kids were witches…

What surprised you the most in writing it?

I wanted to think of witchcraft as more of a hereditary trait, like how the children of basketball stars often grow up to play basketball, and what sort of pressures would be put on generations living outside of the norm, so I guess the most surprising thing would be that for the outside world, magic would of course, be sort of magical, but for the kids involved it could be almost mundane.

If it isn’t a spoiler, what does the title mean?

In the High Council, every teen has to find their parabond, or perfect partner before they can be invited into the coven. If you don’t match, you don’t enter.

What are your immediate future plans?

To release book 2, Predetermined Bonds and book 3, Poisoned Bonds!


Author information: 
Julie Catherine, author, playwright and screenwriter.
Julie Catherine is an author, playwright and screenwriter.

Spotlight & Excerpt: Forgotten Scars + Giveaway

forgotten scars tours banner

Welcome to the book tour for Forgotten Scars by Natalie J. Reddy. Today I have an excerpt for you to read and a really amazing giveaway to enter at the end! forgotten scars - final ebook cover (1)

Forgotten Scars (Scars of Days Forgotten #1)

Publication Date: March 2021

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance

Humanity is not alone. Supernatural beings are hiding among us. The Psi have remained secluded from humans for far too long, and there’s a faction that is conspiring to break the veil and use their powers to take their rightful place among humans – as our rulers and conquerors. Wren is a college student who didn’t think her life could get much worse. That is until she’s kidnapped by the Psi and questioned about her closest friend. But the Psi offer her something no one else can – the truth about who she is. But can she trust the Psi? Can she trust her feelings towards her irritatingly charming captor? Or is she just a pawn in a very dangerous game?

Add to Goodreads


Excerpt

Once the door closed, I flung the blanket off. The room looked like it could be someone’s study or office. I hurried to the windows and yanked open the drapes and the room flooded with sunlight. Daylight! I’d been out for hours!

There were no bars on the windows, but a quick glance outside revealed that I was on the second floor of wherever this was. Climbing or jumping down could be an option. A second story jump wouldn’t kill me, but it would likely hurt like hell. 

I groped around the window frame for a lock or way to open it. I found nothing. Hurrying over to the next set of drapes, I yanked them open and found a set of French doors. Behind the glass, I could see a little balcony, and I reached for the door handle.

“Damn it!” The knob moved, but when I shoved against it, it didn’t budge. I shook my head. “People don’t go to the trouble of kidnapping someone, only to leave them in an unlocked room, you idiot,” I muttered to myself. Nothing was ever that easy.

Something heavy—that’s what I needed. If I couldn’t just walk out, I would break out!

I turned, and for the first time, I noticed the fire cracking in the fireplace along the far wall behind the couch I’d woken upon. On a second glance, the room looked more like an old library than someone’s personal office. The walls had deep mahogany wood paneling and were lined with books from floor to ceiling. There was a large matching desk stationed on the far side of the room. The room was almost the size of my entire apartment and was full of plenty of things that looked nice and heavy.

I pushed my mussed hair out of my eyes and walked over to an end table by the couch and picked up a large, very ugly candelabra. I studied it for a moment taking in the fat bronze cherub with its vacant and creepy looking eyes and grimaced. “Who would buy something this ugly?” I muttered as I moved back to the window. I would need to move quickly once the glass broke. 

I moved swiftly across the room to the French doors, lifted the candelabra and swung—

“There’s a deadbolt at the top,” a voice spoke, stopping me mid-swing.

I shrieked, and whirled around to see a guy had entered the room. He held a tray in his arms, his lips quirked up in an amused half-smile.

“Um—what?” My heart hammered in my chest at the sudden appearance of someone in the room. How had I not heard him?

“Up at the top of the door.” The guy jerked his chin in the direction of the French doors. “There’s a deadbolt you can unlock if you need to get some air that badly. No reason to break perfectly good windows.” He crossed the room and set the tray down on the coffee table. “Not that you’d break them anyway. They’re made of unbreakable glass,” he added as he poured himself a cup of what smelled like coffee.

I watched as he added heaping spoonfuls of sugar and a dash of cream before heading to the couch, where he sat down like everything was totally normal and took a sip of his coffee. But normal people didn’t kidnap people or need unbreakable windows.

“You can put that down.” He motioned to the candelabra still held tightly in my grasp. “You won’t be needing it.”

“You going to let me leave if I do?” I dared to ask.

The amused smile that hadn’t left his mouth since he had first spoken grew. “I can’t let you leave, but I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now.” He lifted the cup to his lips and took another sip of his coffee.

I tightened my grip on the candelabra, the hard bronze managing to give me a small measure of comfort as I said, “I’d feel more comfortable holding onto this then.”

“Fair enough.” He nodded.

“Why bother telling me about the lock on the door if you aren’t going to let me go?” I asked.

“Letting you go outside and letting you leave isn’t the same thing.” He set his cup down and strode towards me.

Every muscle in my body tensed as he stopped a foot away. He wasn’t much older than me, and only a few inches taller, but his confidence made it feel like he was towering over my five foot seven inches. The smile had left his mouth as he studied me. His eyes were a light golden brown that could only be described as honey-colored, and they almost glowed against his light brown skin. His hair was a dark wavy mass that reached his collar.

Good looking didn’t even begin to describe this guy. He was the type of subject I’d normally love to sketch or paint, but given my current position, I wasn’t really in the mood. Although my situation didn’t stop me from noticing his strong nose and narrow jaw, or the way his lashes were long enough for a mascara commercial. I couldn’t help it. I saw potential art in most everything, especially beautiful things. And damn it, he was beautiful.

His mouth quirked to the side as if something amused him, but he didn’t say what. He just continued to look at me.

I straightened to my full height, refusing to shrink away. “Why am I here? Or are you not important enough to tell me either?”

He took a step closer, closing the gap between us and leaned in, his face a measly couple inches from mine. “I’m the reason you’re here.” He didn’t move away, and I glared at him.

“You’re in my personal space.”

“Am I?” He smirked as he flicked the end of my nose.

“Don’t touch me!” I smacked his hand away.

His teeth gleamed as he flashed a cocky grin, “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” The grin didn’t leave his face, but he took a step back and moved behind the desk. “Come sit down, Wren, and we’ll talk.” He sat in the deep brown leather chair.

The use of my name caught my attention. “How do you know my name?”

He nodded to the chair in front of the desk.

“I’m not sitting until you tell me how you know my name.” I stormed toward the desk and slammed the stupid ugly candelabra down in front of him with as much force as I could muster.

The jerk didn’t even flinch.

“I’m the one who arranged for you to be brought here,” he said. “It helps to find out the name of the people you’re kidnapping.”

He had me there.

“Now, sit down, please.” His words were calm but firm as he nodded once more towards the chair and crossed his arms, waiting.

I complied. For now.

He was silent as he shuffled through some files on the desk. A wiser person might have stayed silent and waited for their captors to speak, but I’d never been accused of ever being especially wise.

“Who are you?” I asked, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. “And why am I here?”

He glanced up and folded his hands on top of a manila file. He didn’t speak, he just studied me, his gaze dark and intrusive.

I shifted, clenching my fists so tightly, my nails bit into my palms.

“My name is Darshan, and you’re here because I need something and I’m hoping you can help me.”

“What makes you think I can help you?”

I searched my mind to come up with something, anything that these people might think I could do for them. I had little to offer anyone. I knew that. I wasn’t stupid. But, obviously, he didn’t know that, or maybe I’d been mistaken for someone else?

Darshan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I know you can help me, Wren.”

“I swear I have nothing of any value to you.”

“It’s not about what you have, but who you know.”

“What are you talking about?” I shook my head. Who could I know that these people would want?

Darshan flipped open the file and pulled out a photo. He slid it towards me. His face was hard without a hint of humor. “We want to know where this woman is.”

I looked at the photo to see… me. So not a case of mistaken identity, but very creepy. It took me a moment to take in the rest of the picture and notice the person next to me. My eyes widened.

“Her name is Maeve.” His voice pulled me from my thoughts. “But I believe you know her as Wendy, and others know her as a murderer.”

Get it on Amazon


About the Author

1409-2019-083811046472874711683 Natalie J. Reddy is a Canadian Author who spends her days trying to escape reality by making up stories about the characters in her head. Natalie realized at an early age that she had a passion for storytelling and that passion followed her into adulthood. There is nothing she loves more than to be pulled into a fictional world whether it’s in her own writing or the writing of others. Natalie is the author of the Scar of Days Forgotten series, a New Adult Urban Fantasy series with characters who have supernatural abilities and dark and sometimes unknown pasts to overcome. When she’s not writing, Natalie can be found having all sorts of real-life adventures with her husband and daughter or curled up with a good book and a cup of tea. To keep up to date on upcoming books, subscribe to Natalie’s newsletter at nataliejreddy.com

Natalie J. Reddy | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads


Giveaway: Natalie is giving away signed editions of all 4 books in her Scars of Days Forgotten series and artwork inspired by the books! *North America Only Rafflecopter


Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Button

R&R Book Tours

Scroll Up