Laura Thalassa's Blog, page 16
February 15, 2014
Coming Soon: The Cursed Cover Reveal
Amongst all of my other projects, I haven’t mentioned much about The Cursed. My lips are still sealed for the most part, but I did want to say this: within the next couple of weeks I will be revealing the cover of The Cursed. And I want you all to get excited because the cover will have a picture of ...
wait for it ...
wait for it ...
drumroll ...
Andre.
wait for it ...
wait for it ...
drumroll ...
Andre.
February 11, 2014
The Vanishing Girl Teaser
The Vanishing Girl
is coming out in exactly three weeks. For those of you who don’t know much about it, here’s the book’s description:
Every night after Ember Pierce falls asleep, she disappears. She can teleport anywhere in the world—London, Paris, her crush’s bedroom—wherever her dreams lead her. Ten minutes is all she gets, and once time’s up, she returns to her bed. It's a secret she’s successfully kept for the last five years. But now someone knows.
A week after her eighteenth birthday, when frustratingly handsome Caden Hawthorne captures her, delivers her to the government, and then disappears before her eyes, Ember realizes two things: One, she is not alone. And two, people like her—teleporters—are being used as weapons.
Dragged off to a remote facility where others like her live, Ember’s forced to pair up with her former captor, Caden, to learn how to survive inside until she can escape. Only Caden’s making escape seem less and less appealing.
But even as Ember falls for the boy who got her into this mess, she knows that she is running out of time. Because the government has plans for those like her, and those plans might just cost her, her life.
In honor of it’s release, I wanted to share with you all a teaser from the book:
“You know, I’m still angry with you,” I said casually as Caden adjusted my grip. The seconds ticked by, and I almost thought Caden had missed what I said. Then he walked around me and leaned into my ear. “Only because you finally met someone who’s your match.” His low voice brought goose bumps to my skin, and the hand that had been positioning my grip now skimmed along my arm. He knew exactly what he did to me.“You prevented me from escaping,” I said.He came around to face me. “No, the government did that the moment they made you. I just caught you a bit sooner than they might. But—” He leaned in conspiratorially. “I considered letting you slip through my fingers.”I scowled at him. “What changed your mind?” He lowered my arms, never taking his eyes off me. “The moment I saw you …” Something flickered behind Caden’s eyes. “You were real. Up until then you were just a phantom.”“You talk about me as though you knew about me even before we met,” I said. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. Caden’s eyes glittered. “That’s because I did. Ember Elizabeth Pierce, born on February twenty-eighth to Lila and Gordon Pierce in Buffalo, New York.”Caught off guard, I stumbled back at his words. My grip on my paint gun tightened. Paintballs weren’t bullets, but at such close range they could do a whole lot of damage.As if sensing where my thoughts were going, Caden twisted my wrist back and disarmed me.“Hey—”“We all have files, Ember,” he said, emptying the paintball gun of its ammunition and setting the colored balls on the table next to us. “I’ve memorized more than just yours, so you can stop feeling special.”But mine meant something to him. That much I could tell.“You were a teleporter who really had disappeared,” he said, getting back on topic. “At least on paper. A trail gone cold.” I shook my head slightly. He’d known about me, thought about me, before he’d met me. And, judging by his voice and his mannerisms, I mattered to him, though I wasn’t sure why.“And then the project found you, and I got to see you in the flesh. And now here we are, princess.”“Can I have my gun back, stalker?”His lips quirked at the name. “Not yet. You still look like you want to shoot me.”“Stop that.”He crossed his arms. “Stop what?” he said, tilting his head. “Reading you?”I said nothing, which was answer enough.He leaned in again. “I’m right, aren’t I?” he said, his voice rough.I pulled away to look at him. “What?”“It pisses you off that I’m your equal.” God he sounded so smug. And he was right. He’d bested me over and over again. That hadn’t happened in awhile, and it infuriated me.I stared back at him. “You have me all figured out, don’t you?”A slow smile spread across his face. “Not even close,” he said, “but I am making headway.”And damn him, he was.
If you enjoyed that excerpt from The Vanishing Girl , make sure to add it on your Goodreads “to read” list—and make sure to sign up for my mailing list!
Happy reading,Laura
Every night after Ember Pierce falls asleep, she disappears. She can teleport anywhere in the world—London, Paris, her crush’s bedroom—wherever her dreams lead her. Ten minutes is all she gets, and once time’s up, she returns to her bed. It's a secret she’s successfully kept for the last five years. But now someone knows.
A week after her eighteenth birthday, when frustratingly handsome Caden Hawthorne captures her, delivers her to the government, and then disappears before her eyes, Ember realizes two things: One, she is not alone. And two, people like her—teleporters—are being used as weapons.
Dragged off to a remote facility where others like her live, Ember’s forced to pair up with her former captor, Caden, to learn how to survive inside until she can escape. Only Caden’s making escape seem less and less appealing.
But even as Ember falls for the boy who got her into this mess, she knows that she is running out of time. Because the government has plans for those like her, and those plans might just cost her, her life.
In honor of it’s release, I wanted to share with you all a teaser from the book:
“You know, I’m still angry with you,” I said casually as Caden adjusted my grip. The seconds ticked by, and I almost thought Caden had missed what I said. Then he walked around me and leaned into my ear. “Only because you finally met someone who’s your match.” His low voice brought goose bumps to my skin, and the hand that had been positioning my grip now skimmed along my arm. He knew exactly what he did to me.“You prevented me from escaping,” I said.He came around to face me. “No, the government did that the moment they made you. I just caught you a bit sooner than they might. But—” He leaned in conspiratorially. “I considered letting you slip through my fingers.”I scowled at him. “What changed your mind?” He lowered my arms, never taking his eyes off me. “The moment I saw you …” Something flickered behind Caden’s eyes. “You were real. Up until then you were just a phantom.”“You talk about me as though you knew about me even before we met,” I said. I shifted my weight uncomfortably. Caden’s eyes glittered. “That’s because I did. Ember Elizabeth Pierce, born on February twenty-eighth to Lila and Gordon Pierce in Buffalo, New York.”Caught off guard, I stumbled back at his words. My grip on my paint gun tightened. Paintballs weren’t bullets, but at such close range they could do a whole lot of damage.As if sensing where my thoughts were going, Caden twisted my wrist back and disarmed me.“Hey—”“We all have files, Ember,” he said, emptying the paintball gun of its ammunition and setting the colored balls on the table next to us. “I’ve memorized more than just yours, so you can stop feeling special.”But mine meant something to him. That much I could tell.“You were a teleporter who really had disappeared,” he said, getting back on topic. “At least on paper. A trail gone cold.” I shook my head slightly. He’d known about me, thought about me, before he’d met me. And, judging by his voice and his mannerisms, I mattered to him, though I wasn’t sure why.“And then the project found you, and I got to see you in the flesh. And now here we are, princess.”“Can I have my gun back, stalker?”His lips quirked at the name. “Not yet. You still look like you want to shoot me.”“Stop that.”He crossed his arms. “Stop what?” he said, tilting his head. “Reading you?”I said nothing, which was answer enough.He leaned in again. “I’m right, aren’t I?” he said, his voice rough.I pulled away to look at him. “What?”“It pisses you off that I’m your equal.” God he sounded so smug. And he was right. He’d bested me over and over again. That hadn’t happened in awhile, and it infuriated me.I stared back at him. “You have me all figured out, don’t you?”A slow smile spread across his face. “Not even close,” he said, “but I am making headway.”And damn him, he was.
If you enjoyed that excerpt from The Vanishing Girl , make sure to add it on your Goodreads “to read” list—and make sure to sign up for my mailing list!
Happy reading,Laura
February 1, 2014
The Moonlight Cravings Anthology Cover Reveal
THE MOONLIGHT CRAVINGS ANTHOLOGYNine Paranormal Tales…One Hot Night.Expected Publication Date: August 1, 2014
Moonlight Dance by Jessica CageMoonlight Thunder by Scarlett DawnSpellbound in Moonlight by S.E. GilchristMoonlight Possessions by Kellee GilmoreHexed by Moonlight by Gena D. LutzMoonlight Master by Morgan Jane MitchellDreaming in Moonlight by M. StrattonMoonlight Rhapsody by Laura ThalassaRapture by Moonlight by Jacquie UnderdownAdd it to your Goodreads TBR list here.Check out the awesome book trailer here.
January 24, 2014
The Moonlight Cravings Anthology: Moonlight Rhapsody
Hi all!
While I’m busy editing away on The Vanishing Girl and The Cursed, I have another awesome project to tell you all about!
Coming soon, I will be releasing a paranormal romance novella in The Moonlight Cravings Anthology. I’m ridiculously excited about this, both because it’s a new genre for me, and because I’m working alongside some other lovely authors! For those of you who are fans of King Hall, Scarlett Dawn is also publishing a novella in the anthology as well—so twice the reason to read it! Make sure to add it on Goodreads if you’re interested!
I wrote up a rough sketch on what it’s about and inserted it below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Here’s the story’s description:
Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last ten years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.
Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.
But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Calli finds the Bargainer in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.
But as the payment increases, turning both physical and emotional, Calli finds she’s got another problem. She’s already in a relationship with a shapeshifting bounty hunter, one who’s not too keen on sharing. When he discovers the Bargainer’s payment plan, the Bargainer finds himself on a paranormal hit list. Now Calli is faced with a dilemma: allow the Bargainer to die and free herself of her obligations, or save his life and fulfill them all.
Add it on Goodreads If you enjoyed that description, make sure to add the anthology to your “to-read” list on Goodreads and check out some of the other lovely ladies contributing!
Happy reading,Laura
While I’m busy editing away on The Vanishing Girl and The Cursed, I have another awesome project to tell you all about!
Coming soon, I will be releasing a paranormal romance novella in The Moonlight Cravings Anthology. I’m ridiculously excited about this, both because it’s a new genre for me, and because I’m working alongside some other lovely authors! For those of you who are fans of King Hall, Scarlett Dawn is also publishing a novella in the anthology as well—so twice the reason to read it! Make sure to add it on Goodreads if you’re interested!
I wrote up a rough sketch on what it’s about and inserted it below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Here’s the story’s description:Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last ten years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.
Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.
But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Calli finds the Bargainer in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.
But as the payment increases, turning both physical and emotional, Calli finds she’s got another problem. She’s already in a relationship with a shapeshifting bounty hunter, one who’s not too keen on sharing. When he discovers the Bargainer’s payment plan, the Bargainer finds himself on a paranormal hit list. Now Calli is faced with a dilemma: allow the Bargainer to die and free herself of her obligations, or save his life and fulfill them all.
Add it on Goodreads If you enjoyed that description, make sure to add the anthology to your “to-read” list on Goodreads and check out some of the other lovely ladies contributing!
Happy reading,Laura
January 11, 2014
Excerpt from The Vanishing Girl
Hi everyone,
I’ve been busy this new year editing my newest project,
The Vanishing Girl
. It’s the first book in a NA trilogy about a girl who has the ability to teleport. I’ve been super excited to share this book with you, so I felt that I’d share a short excerpt with you:
I joined the loose crowd of people waiting to get on the bus and tried to look inconspicuous. It didn’t work.Just as I reached for my MUNI pass, a hand caught my wrist and dragged it behind me.“I don’t think so, tiger.” The voice was low and sexy, and I could hear the smile in his words. That did nothing but piss me off.“What. The fuck?” I said. Loudly.We San Franciscans are the people’s people, loving, forward thinking, and ready to fight for the underdog. I just hoped those who watched saw me as that.Apparently, some did. Two separate men who’d been waiting to board the bus now stepped towards us.The man detaining me slid my backpack off, grabbed my other arm and tugged it behind me. “Nice try,” he whispered into my ear. I could just tell by the way he spoke that he was good looking. And he knew it too.To the men in front of us my captor said, “I have a warrant for this young lady’s arrest. Get involved and I’ll get a warrant for yours.” That was enough to dismantle my rescue mission. Looking somewhat regretful, both men backed away and eventually boarded the bus.I glanced down at my captor’s shoes. Unlike the other agents, he wore casual tennis shoes and jeans. That’s why I hadn’t noticed him inside the building. I wondered if he’d been watching me the entire time.I tensed my leg, visualizing myself slamming my foot into his. I’d enjoy wiping that cocky tone from his voice.“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that,” he said from behind me, as though reading my mind. “Not only will you get charged for attacking an officer, I’ll have to tackle you to the ground and frisk you.” Again, I could hear the smile in his voice. I turned to give him a nasty look, but once I did so, my throat caught. The first thing I noticed was that I had to look up to meet his eyes. I wasn’t short; this guy was just huge, and every inch of exposed skin was muscular and tan.The next thing I noticed were his dimples, which bordered a self-satisfied smirk. Disheveled, golden hair curled along his hairline. Someone so annoying didn’t deserve to look that good.Hazel eyes watched me, and judging by the laugh lines that creased the corners of them, he found me amusing.“Enjoying the view, princess?”Screw the extra charges. I brought my foot up and slammed it down into his.“I was hoping you’d do that.” He swept my feet out from under me, and I slammed into the ground.A second later my captor’s hard torso pressed into mine. We made eye contact for a moment, just long enough for me to realize that even this up close, he was every bit as beautiful as his voice hinted he’d be, and he couldn’t be much older than me.He flipped my body over, his knee digging into my back, and he restrained me with plastic handcuffs. He recited my Miranda Rights as he frisked me, spending an inordinate amount of time feeling up my back pockets.Around us, people stared, some taking photos and videos with their smartphones.So much for my grand escape.
If you enjoyed that excerpt, make sure to check out The Vanishing Girl on Goodreads. I’m aiming to have this out by March if not sooner, so keep an eye out for more information on it!
Hugs,Laura
I’ve been busy this new year editing my newest project,
The Vanishing Girl
. It’s the first book in a NA trilogy about a girl who has the ability to teleport. I’ve been super excited to share this book with you, so I felt that I’d share a short excerpt with you:I joined the loose crowd of people waiting to get on the bus and tried to look inconspicuous. It didn’t work.Just as I reached for my MUNI pass, a hand caught my wrist and dragged it behind me.“I don’t think so, tiger.” The voice was low and sexy, and I could hear the smile in his words. That did nothing but piss me off.“What. The fuck?” I said. Loudly.We San Franciscans are the people’s people, loving, forward thinking, and ready to fight for the underdog. I just hoped those who watched saw me as that.Apparently, some did. Two separate men who’d been waiting to board the bus now stepped towards us.The man detaining me slid my backpack off, grabbed my other arm and tugged it behind me. “Nice try,” he whispered into my ear. I could just tell by the way he spoke that he was good looking. And he knew it too.To the men in front of us my captor said, “I have a warrant for this young lady’s arrest. Get involved and I’ll get a warrant for yours.” That was enough to dismantle my rescue mission. Looking somewhat regretful, both men backed away and eventually boarded the bus.I glanced down at my captor’s shoes. Unlike the other agents, he wore casual tennis shoes and jeans. That’s why I hadn’t noticed him inside the building. I wondered if he’d been watching me the entire time.I tensed my leg, visualizing myself slamming my foot into his. I’d enjoy wiping that cocky tone from his voice.“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that,” he said from behind me, as though reading my mind. “Not only will you get charged for attacking an officer, I’ll have to tackle you to the ground and frisk you.” Again, I could hear the smile in his voice. I turned to give him a nasty look, but once I did so, my throat caught. The first thing I noticed was that I had to look up to meet his eyes. I wasn’t short; this guy was just huge, and every inch of exposed skin was muscular and tan.The next thing I noticed were his dimples, which bordered a self-satisfied smirk. Disheveled, golden hair curled along his hairline. Someone so annoying didn’t deserve to look that good.Hazel eyes watched me, and judging by the laugh lines that creased the corners of them, he found me amusing.“Enjoying the view, princess?”Screw the extra charges. I brought my foot up and slammed it down into his.“I was hoping you’d do that.” He swept my feet out from under me, and I slammed into the ground.A second later my captor’s hard torso pressed into mine. We made eye contact for a moment, just long enough for me to realize that even this up close, he was every bit as beautiful as his voice hinted he’d be, and he couldn’t be much older than me.He flipped my body over, his knee digging into my back, and he restrained me with plastic handcuffs. He recited my Miranda Rights as he frisked me, spending an inordinate amount of time feeling up my back pockets.Around us, people stared, some taking photos and videos with their smartphones.So much for my grand escape.
If you enjoyed that excerpt, make sure to check out The Vanishing Girl on Goodreads. I’m aiming to have this out by March if not sooner, so keep an eye out for more information on it!
Hugs,Laura
December 20, 2013
Up Next: The Vanishing Girl
Now that The Coveted has hit shelves, it’s time to announce the next book to be released:
The Vanishing Girl
. Some of you have asked about this novel—specifically when it’s coming out and what it’s about. So, I’ll begin with the book’s teaser:
~
I have a secret. A secret I’ve hid for the last five years.
I can teleport.
It happens the moment I fall asleep. I wake up somewhere in the world—London, Paris, my crush’s bedroom. I don’t decide the destination, my dreams do. Ten minutes. That’s all I get before I vanish back into my bed.
I have a secret. A secret I’ve hid for the last five years.
But now someone knows.
~
Click to Add on Goodreads
The Vanishing Girl
is the first book in a three book trilogy I have planned. Unlike The Unearthly series, this book has a science fiction slant, although I will say it straddles the fence between science fiction and fantasy. In addition, it’s a new adult (NA) book, rather than young adult (YA).
I’m working on a more fleshed out description of the story at the moment, so for now, if you want a little more information on the project, click here to be directed to another post I wrote on this book. The Vanishing Girl should be out by late winter/early spring.
And what about The Cursed, the next book in The Unearthly series? It’s in my queue, which means that it’s coming out right after The Vanishing Girl . I’ll post more on that soon, along with the playlist for The Coveted. Until then,
Happy reading,
Laura
~
I have a secret. A secret I’ve hid for the last five years.
I can teleport.
It happens the moment I fall asleep. I wake up somewhere in the world—London, Paris, my crush’s bedroom. I don’t decide the destination, my dreams do. Ten minutes. That’s all I get before I vanish back into my bed.
I have a secret. A secret I’ve hid for the last five years.
But now someone knows.
~
Click to Add on Goodreads
The Vanishing Girl
is the first book in a three book trilogy I have planned. Unlike The Unearthly series, this book has a science fiction slant, although I will say it straddles the fence between science fiction and fantasy. In addition, it’s a new adult (NA) book, rather than young adult (YA). I’m working on a more fleshed out description of the story at the moment, so for now, if you want a little more information on the project, click here to be directed to another post I wrote on this book. The Vanishing Girl should be out by late winter/early spring.
And what about The Cursed, the next book in The Unearthly series? It’s in my queue, which means that it’s coming out right after The Vanishing Girl . I’ll post more on that soon, along with the playlist for The Coveted. Until then,
Happy reading,
Laura
December 13, 2013
The Coveted is Now Out!
For those of you who have been waiting to find out what happens to Gabrielle and Andre next,
The Coveted
is now officially for sale! (Click here to view The Coveted’s Amazon page.) I’ve been so excited to share this sequel with you, so I’m pretty pumped that today I can actually start talking about the book!Now that it’s out, the inevitable question is this: how many more books are in the series? I have plans for at least four more books, but there could be more. Eventually I’ll update my FAQ page so you all will have a better idea about where I’m at with this series and some of the other projects I’m working on.
Lastly, once you’ve finished reading The Coveted , if you enjoyed it please leave a review. Those things are like gold to writers.
Happy reading,
Laura
December 5, 2013
Pre-released Copies of The Coveted out Now!
Hi all,
If you signed up for a pre-released copy of The Coveted, I just sent out the email with your attached book! (Please shoot me a message if the email didn’t go through or if the attachment didn’t work properly.) I am unbelievably excited to share this second book in the series with you all, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
The book officially comes out next Friday, December 13 (yep, it has a Friday the thirteenth release date), but you can still receive a pre-released copy if you’re interested. Click the icon to the left to find out more.
Now that The Coveted is about to be released to the public, you might be curious just how many books will be in the series. My quick answer is: many. I don’t yet have a number, but I will tell you that this will be longer than a trilogy. I’m not ready to leave my characters’ world yet (and I hope you’re not either!).
As I write this, I’m working on the third book in the series, and I’m hoping to have this third installment done and out by spring of 2014.
Happy reading,
Laura
If you signed up for a pre-released copy of The Coveted, I just sent out the email with your attached book! (Please shoot me a message if the email didn’t go through or if the attachment didn’t work properly.) I am unbelievably excited to share this second book in the series with you all, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
The book officially comes out next Friday, December 13 (yep, it has a Friday the thirteenth release date), but you can still receive a pre-released copy if you’re interested. Click the icon to the left to find out more.
Now that The Coveted is about to be released to the public, you might be curious just how many books will be in the series. My quick answer is: many. I don’t yet have a number, but I will tell you that this will be longer than a trilogy. I’m not ready to leave my characters’ world yet (and I hope you’re not either!).
As I write this, I’m working on the third book in the series, and I’m hoping to have this third installment done and out by spring of 2014.
Happy reading,
Laura
November 30, 2013
The Coveted: Out December 13
It’s official—I’ve managed to move up my publication date a month. The Coveted will be available as of Friday, December 13.
For all those of you who have taken me up on a free prerelease copy of The Coveted, I’ll be sending out an email this week with the .MOBI file! I can’t wait to share it with you all. But for now, here’s a teaser to hold you over:
The séance was being held in one of the main library’s back rooms. As Oliver, Leanne, and I passed the rows of cloth-bound, gold-leafed books, I saw Lydia Thyme, Peel’s head librarian. Our eyes met and she winked at me. I smiled and nodded back. Not so long ago she’d helped me when I desperately needed it. I wasn’t sure which side of good and evil she fell on, but I also wasn’t sure I had the luxury of defining my world by such absolutes any longer.At the back of the library there was a series of doors, one which was propped open. The three of us slipped inside.A group of students already sat in seats placed along the edges of the room. Leanne, Oliver, and I grabbed three of the remaining seats and waited for tonight’s activities to begin.I leaned into Leanne. “Remind me again what a séance is?” I asked, studying the round table in the middle of the room. Resting at its center was a crystal ball. “A séance is a gathering of individuals who attempt to communicate with the dead.”That’s what I thought. I was just wondering why this was a good idea. There were plenty of people I knew who were dead, and only a couple I’d be okay communicating with. With the exception of my parents, I seriously hoped none of my deceased acquaintances showed up.“Séances are strongest when done close to Samhain,” Leanne continued, “hence tonight’s event.”I eyed the ground. Under the table someone had drawn a large pentagram within a circle. Five unlit candles rested at each point of the star. Considering my last foray with candles and old buildings didn’t go so well, I desperately hoped these would remain unlit.A few minutes later, after more students trickled in, Madame Woods entered the room, her velvet dress trailing behind her.“Welcome, welcome,” she said, steepling her hands together and bowing to us. She straightened up. “I am Madame Woods, and my work is in the field of mediumship. Tonight I will be conducting a séance, a communion with the dead. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my procedures, I will first step into the protective circle I’ve created and light each of these five candles.”Well, there goes my earlier hope.“That,” she continued, “will activate the circle. Then I’ll seat myself in front of my crystal ball and hypnotize myself. Once under hypnosis, those spirits that want to be heard will communicate with me, and I will pass along their messages.”With that, she stepped inside the chalk circle and began to light each of the five candles.When the fifth and last candle was lit, Leanne inhaled sharply.“What is it?” I whispered to her.“I can actually see the contours of the protective circle—it’s actually a sphere,” she said, her eyes never straying from the middle of the room. “The top half of it is visible; the bottom half must be underground.”I followed her gaze, but I couldn’t see anything. The air was still as invisible as ever. I shivered. There was something in the room that I couldn’t see. The thought made me feel vulnerable. I wondered what other unseen things lurked just beyond my five senses and whether they could peer at me.Madame Woods sat down in her chair. Rather than waving her hands around the crystal ball—which, I’ll be honest, I was kind of hoping for—she folded her hands in front of her and stared into it.For a long time nothing happened. Just as students were beginning to get restless, she spoke. “Does anyone have a deceased relative whose first name starts with a ‘J’?”When no one answered, she continued. “This is a female presence, and she’s telling me she was young when she died. I’m seeing water—either she drowned or … something to do with water.”An audience member cleared her throat. “I think that may be my younger sister, Jacqueline. She drowned in a lake on our property when she was ten.”Something about this moment, this confession, made me profoundly uncomfortable. I shouldn’t know about this stranger’s painful past, and I sure as hell didn’t want to share my own.Madame Woods focused on the girl who spoke. “Your sister wants me to tell you that she knows you carry around a picture of you two in your wallet. And on bad days you sometimes pull it out.” At this the audience member began to cry. “She wants me to tell you that she loves you very much and to not worry about her.” The tearful girl smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered.Madame Woods nodded and turned her attention back to the crystal ball. This time, we all waited patiently for her.“An older woman is coming through. Her name begins with an ‘A,’ and it’s an unusual first name. Adele? Arianna?”Leanne made a noise in the back of her throat. “Adelaide?” she asked. “Yes,” Madame Woods said empathically.“That’s my grandmother.” I looked at Leanne sharply. My impression had always been that her grandmother was still alive. After all, her grandmother was the one who had tipped Leanne off about the persecution tunnel in the basement of the women’s dormitory.“Oh, I like her,” Madame Woods said. “She has a mischievous personality.”I watched the smile spread across Leanne’s face. “She does.”“She’s been gone for awhile now, right?” Madame Woods said.Leanne nodded. “She died when I was eight.”At this, I felt my eyes widen. “Hmm,” Madame Woods said. “She’s making it sound as though you two still chat often.”The skin at the corners of Leanne’s eyes crinkled. “We do. I dream about her often.”“She wants me to tell you that she enjoys those conversations immensely.” The medium’s face darkened. “She also wants you to know that things are changing. You need to trust your abilities now more than ever. Because you can see what others can’t, you are more vulnerable to attack. Protect yourself.”Leanne sucked in her cheeks. “Okay.”Once more Madame Woods focused on the crystal ball in front of her. I studied the way her unblinking eyes watched the ball. Slowly her lids began to droop. Then they slid shut and her body went slack. Somewhere in the room a clock ticked rhythmically. Students glanced at each other, no one sure what to make of the medium’s limp body.The candles in the room flickered, and Madame Woods gasped to life.Only, Madame Woods was no longer Madame Woods.“Where is she?” The voice was unnaturally deep and gravelly. Unfocused eyes searched the room. The students shifted. A couple whimpered. Around the room I saw wide eyes. “Where is the devil’s consort? I smell her.” The eyes roved around the room. Until they locked with my own.“You.” The beast controlling Madame Woods strode towards me. What had the thing called me? The devil’s consort? Ew. I mean seriously—ewww.The chalk line was only two feet in front of me, and that white line was all that separated the medium from me. Right about now I was having trouble believing an invisible wall separated us. But I sure hoped one was.“He’s watching you now, just as he always has.”I stilled. It seemed that even my heart slowed. Whatever lingered behind those eyes was ugly and twisted. And it knew about the man in the suit.
For all those of you who have taken me up on a free prerelease copy of The Coveted, I’ll be sending out an email this week with the .MOBI file! I can’t wait to share it with you all. But for now, here’s a teaser to hold you over:
The séance was being held in one of the main library’s back rooms. As Oliver, Leanne, and I passed the rows of cloth-bound, gold-leafed books, I saw Lydia Thyme, Peel’s head librarian. Our eyes met and she winked at me. I smiled and nodded back. Not so long ago she’d helped me when I desperately needed it. I wasn’t sure which side of good and evil she fell on, but I also wasn’t sure I had the luxury of defining my world by such absolutes any longer.At the back of the library there was a series of doors, one which was propped open. The three of us slipped inside.A group of students already sat in seats placed along the edges of the room. Leanne, Oliver, and I grabbed three of the remaining seats and waited for tonight’s activities to begin.I leaned into Leanne. “Remind me again what a séance is?” I asked, studying the round table in the middle of the room. Resting at its center was a crystal ball. “A séance is a gathering of individuals who attempt to communicate with the dead.”That’s what I thought. I was just wondering why this was a good idea. There were plenty of people I knew who were dead, and only a couple I’d be okay communicating with. With the exception of my parents, I seriously hoped none of my deceased acquaintances showed up.“Séances are strongest when done close to Samhain,” Leanne continued, “hence tonight’s event.”I eyed the ground. Under the table someone had drawn a large pentagram within a circle. Five unlit candles rested at each point of the star. Considering my last foray with candles and old buildings didn’t go so well, I desperately hoped these would remain unlit.A few minutes later, after more students trickled in, Madame Woods entered the room, her velvet dress trailing behind her.“Welcome, welcome,” she said, steepling her hands together and bowing to us. She straightened up. “I am Madame Woods, and my work is in the field of mediumship. Tonight I will be conducting a séance, a communion with the dead. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my procedures, I will first step into the protective circle I’ve created and light each of these five candles.”Well, there goes my earlier hope.“That,” she continued, “will activate the circle. Then I’ll seat myself in front of my crystal ball and hypnotize myself. Once under hypnosis, those spirits that want to be heard will communicate with me, and I will pass along their messages.”With that, she stepped inside the chalk circle and began to light each of the five candles.When the fifth and last candle was lit, Leanne inhaled sharply.“What is it?” I whispered to her.“I can actually see the contours of the protective circle—it’s actually a sphere,” she said, her eyes never straying from the middle of the room. “The top half of it is visible; the bottom half must be underground.”I followed her gaze, but I couldn’t see anything. The air was still as invisible as ever. I shivered. There was something in the room that I couldn’t see. The thought made me feel vulnerable. I wondered what other unseen things lurked just beyond my five senses and whether they could peer at me.Madame Woods sat down in her chair. Rather than waving her hands around the crystal ball—which, I’ll be honest, I was kind of hoping for—she folded her hands in front of her and stared into it.For a long time nothing happened. Just as students were beginning to get restless, she spoke. “Does anyone have a deceased relative whose first name starts with a ‘J’?”When no one answered, she continued. “This is a female presence, and she’s telling me she was young when she died. I’m seeing water—either she drowned or … something to do with water.”An audience member cleared her throat. “I think that may be my younger sister, Jacqueline. She drowned in a lake on our property when she was ten.”Something about this moment, this confession, made me profoundly uncomfortable. I shouldn’t know about this stranger’s painful past, and I sure as hell didn’t want to share my own.Madame Woods focused on the girl who spoke. “Your sister wants me to tell you that she knows you carry around a picture of you two in your wallet. And on bad days you sometimes pull it out.” At this the audience member began to cry. “She wants me to tell you that she loves you very much and to not worry about her.” The tearful girl smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered.Madame Woods nodded and turned her attention back to the crystal ball. This time, we all waited patiently for her.“An older woman is coming through. Her name begins with an ‘A,’ and it’s an unusual first name. Adele? Arianna?”Leanne made a noise in the back of her throat. “Adelaide?” she asked. “Yes,” Madame Woods said empathically.“That’s my grandmother.” I looked at Leanne sharply. My impression had always been that her grandmother was still alive. After all, her grandmother was the one who had tipped Leanne off about the persecution tunnel in the basement of the women’s dormitory.“Oh, I like her,” Madame Woods said. “She has a mischievous personality.”I watched the smile spread across Leanne’s face. “She does.”“She’s been gone for awhile now, right?” Madame Woods said.Leanne nodded. “She died when I was eight.”At this, I felt my eyes widen. “Hmm,” Madame Woods said. “She’s making it sound as though you two still chat often.”The skin at the corners of Leanne’s eyes crinkled. “We do. I dream about her often.”“She wants me to tell you that she enjoys those conversations immensely.” The medium’s face darkened. “She also wants you to know that things are changing. You need to trust your abilities now more than ever. Because you can see what others can’t, you are more vulnerable to attack. Protect yourself.”Leanne sucked in her cheeks. “Okay.”Once more Madame Woods focused on the crystal ball in front of her. I studied the way her unblinking eyes watched the ball. Slowly her lids began to droop. Then they slid shut and her body went slack. Somewhere in the room a clock ticked rhythmically. Students glanced at each other, no one sure what to make of the medium’s limp body.The candles in the room flickered, and Madame Woods gasped to life.Only, Madame Woods was no longer Madame Woods.“Where is she?” The voice was unnaturally deep and gravelly. Unfocused eyes searched the room. The students shifted. A couple whimpered. Around the room I saw wide eyes. “Where is the devil’s consort? I smell her.” The eyes roved around the room. Until they locked with my own.“You.” The beast controlling Madame Woods strode towards me. What had the thing called me? The devil’s consort? Ew. I mean seriously—ewww.The chalk line was only two feet in front of me, and that white line was all that separated the medium from me. Right about now I was having trouble believing an invisible wall separated us. But I sure hoped one was.“He’s watching you now, just as he always has.”I stilled. It seemed that even my heart slowed. Whatever lingered behind those eyes was ugly and twisted. And it knew about the man in the suit.
November 6, 2013
Holiday Giveaway of The Coveted
Hi readers!
So I’ve been thinking long and hard about how I want to celebrate the holidays with you and extend to you my thanks. And I found just the way to do it.
For those of you who are interested in receiving a free, pre-released copy of The Coveted for your e-reader, all you have to do is this:
Read The Unearthly and write a review for it on Amazon. It can be two lines long. It can even—though I cringe while I write this—be a negative review (though why you’d want to put yourself through another one of my books is beyond me!). :)Mosey back over here and click on my contact page, or enter in this address: laurathalassa.author@gmail.com. In the body of the email, paste your review and the username you posted it under so that I can confirm your review for you.Once your review is confirmed, you’ll receive a reply from me with the .MOBI file of The Coveted. If your e-reader is not a Kindle, let me know what it is that you use, and I’ll send you the appropriate version.
Currently The Coveted is still being edited, so I won’t begin sending out pre-released copies of the book until December. But I’m already writing down a list of names and email addresses for those readers who have taken me up on this offer.
For those awesome readers who are just now reading this but who have already posted a review, let me know since this applies to you as well! Some of you have already reached out about The Coveted, and I haven’t forgotten about you, pinky promise.
This is my gift to all of you who have shown so much excitement in The Unearthly and who are excited to find out what happens next with Andre and Gabrielle!
Hugs!
Laura
So I’ve been thinking long and hard about how I want to celebrate the holidays with you and extend to you my thanks. And I found just the way to do it.
For those of you who are interested in receiving a free, pre-released copy of The Coveted for your e-reader, all you have to do is this:
Read The Unearthly and write a review for it on Amazon. It can be two lines long. It can even—though I cringe while I write this—be a negative review (though why you’d want to put yourself through another one of my books is beyond me!). :)Mosey back over here and click on my contact page, or enter in this address: laurathalassa.author@gmail.com. In the body of the email, paste your review and the username you posted it under so that I can confirm your review for you.Once your review is confirmed, you’ll receive a reply from me with the .MOBI file of The Coveted. If your e-reader is not a Kindle, let me know what it is that you use, and I’ll send you the appropriate version.
Currently The Coveted is still being edited, so I won’t begin sending out pre-released copies of the book until December. But I’m already writing down a list of names and email addresses for those readers who have taken me up on this offer.
For those awesome readers who are just now reading this but who have already posted a review, let me know since this applies to you as well! Some of you have already reached out about The Coveted, and I haven’t forgotten about you, pinky promise.
This is my gift to all of you who have shown so much excitement in The Unearthly and who are excited to find out what happens next with Andre and Gabrielle!
Hugs!
Laura
