Sasha Hibbs's Blog, page 13

Wicked Warriors Halloween Blog Hop

Going on from 10/23/13-10/30/13. Lots of prizes for giveaway including books, swag, and the GRAND PRIZE will be a new Kindle Paperwhite! 

Halloween is a wonderful time to explore books of the supernatural/paranormal.  

In addition to the all the prizes up for grab during the hop, I'll be giving away a signed copy of my debut YA Fiction novel, Black Amaranth. 

In order to win a copy of Black Amaranth, please sign up on my blog ("join this site" button on the right), fill out the blogger contact form at the bottom with why you like Halloween, and leave a comment on this post why you like Halloween. 

Checklist: 1.) Why do you like Halloween? (Leave a comment and fill out the blogger contact form). 2.) Sign up on my blog, aka. "join this site." 

The winner will be chosen at the end of the hop and notified. 

Have fun and good luck! 

Link to next blog here: http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/2013/08/wicked-warriors-halloween-hop-october.html?zx=8c97c741bd34fb6d

Blurb, Excerpt, and Review of X5 by Diana Stager

 
Being a socially awkward geek with anger management issues has made Travis Armstrong an outcast, but on top of that, he has visions of the future. Not that he can tell anyone, except in an anonymous online forum. When he takes a chance and meets with another group member, he winds up at The Bunker, where everyone is like him, and where, finally, he feels like he belongs. Tara Gage has been at The Bunker since she was thirteen years old. Even among the residents there, she’s unique, and her special talents lead her to discover that The Bunker is not the safe haven it seems to be. She’s determined to escape and get back to her family.  When they each have visions of the other’s death, Travis and Tara know they have to run. With their captors desperate to get them back, they must rely on each other to get away before their visions become reality.
Excerpt: My foot jiggled in time to the song running through my head as I waited for my turn at the polygraphs. Travis was nowhere to be seen, and I was glad of that. Or that's what I told myself whenever I became aware of my disappointment at not seeing him. He drove me crazy, and really didn't seem at all exceptional, but a growing part of me didn't care about that, and just longed to be near him. Disgusted with myself, I tried to think of something else.My thoughts were cut short when Travis and Mike entered the hallway, both looking upset about something. Their friendship puzzled me. I know Mike was trying to prod Travis into being more of a leader than a loner, but as far as I was concerned, it wasn't working. He was too introverted, too willing to follow along with what the rest of us were doing, or else go off by himself. Both of them sent anxious glances my way, setting me on edge, and just as I stood to go talk to them, the attendant called my name. Casting a last look their way, I turned and entered the polygraph room.I tried to get through it as quickly as I could so I could find out why Mike had looked so worried. Of course, because I was in a hurry, things took twice as long as normal, and every second wasted irritated the crap out of me. By the time I returned to the hall, Mike was nowhere to be seen, and Travis was pacing back and forth. It seemed I had no choice but to talk to him.Taking huge strides, I made it to Travis's side quickly and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned, I hesitated for just a moment when my eyes locked with his, my stomach fluttering. Pull it together, Tara! I took a breath and then said, "What's up with Mike?"Travis's eyes darted around and he turned to look over each shoulder before giving me a weird look. "Not much," he said finally, though he seemed to be trying to communicate something with his eyes. I frowned, and watched as his eyes widened, then darted to the side, his eyebrows lifting and then drawing together. What the hell? I shrugged and shook my head. Whatever he was trying to tell me wasn't coming across at all. He sighed and opened his mouth to say something else when something behind me caught his attention.Turning, I saw a couple of armed security guards rushing into the polygraph room Mike had gone in. Remembering Cam, a band tightened around my stomach as my heart began to pound. Security only came to the polygraph rooms for one reason, and my fears were confirmed a moment later when they exited, holding Mike in between them."Mike!" I screamed, leaping forward to try to get to him. They couldn't be taking him away! What had he seen? My efforts to reach his side were blocked when Travis grabbed me from behind and wrapped his long arms around me. "Travis, let me go! Let me go!" I struggled against his grip, but it was like iron and I was getting nowhere. Lifting one foot, I kicked backward and connected with his shin. I heard him swear, but he didn't loosen his hold on me."Tara, stop," he whispered in my ear. "He knew this was going to happen."I ignored him and screamed after Mike again. The security team nearly had him to the entrance to the administrative section of The Bunker. "No!" I yelled. "No, you can't take him! Mike!"His eyes were full of pain when he turned to look at me one last time. I saw his mouth form the words, "I love you." And then the door slammed closed behind him. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart ached, and though my throat was raw and sore, I couldn't stop screaming. Travis wouldn't let me go no matter how hard I pulled against him. My squirming and wiggling wasn't doing any good, but I couldn't stop. The rational part of my brain knew that Mike was gone and nothing I did would help, but at the same time if I didn't try, I'd be giving up.Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my arm and when I turned my head, I saw one of the infirmary staff standing with a syringe in her hand. I tried to say something to her, but the edges of my vision were going fuzzy, and then everything went dark.Author Bio: Diana Stager never met a book she didn’t like. An avid reader from a very early age, she discovered she loved writing her own stories down. She dreamed of being able to write a book, but more sensible ambitions shoved that dream onto the back burner. Over the years, she dabbled with the written word, but always had difficulty finding the right story. Then, one day the light bulb went on, an idea was born, and the rest is history (so cliché but so true).Diana lives in Southwestern Ontario, Canada in a house full of books. In the space that’s left, are her husband of 13 years, two children, a cat, and a fish, all of whom are adorable. Well, maybe not the fish. It’s kind of creepy actually. She’s an elementary school teacher, who loves music and art, and even plays the flute in a community band.Review: Since science fiction is a short leap between reality and fantasy, one can wonder what if reality somehow becomes a fantasy. Diana Stager has written a superb novel making us wonder, "What if this really happens?" Her characters are strong, imaginative, and very intriguing. The author puts the main characters through hardships an adult would find daunting. The villains are a group of people not to be messed with. Who to trust? Where to turn? What comes next? X5 raised a lot of questions to be answered (hopefully in Book 2). I cannot wait for the second installment!

The leading characters, Tara and Travis, go through so much to get to the point of no return. The way they both have visions of each other...to-die-for!

I loved every element about X5: the romance, the suspense, how the story builds and unfolds in layers. 
Ms. Stager has created a world that is original, thought provoking, dynamic...you name it! X5 has everything to offer a reader hungry for something fresh.

Among many other aspects that I loved about X5, I truly enjoyed getting to read it from both POV's. It allows the reader so much more freedom in exploring the thoughts of the main characters rather than had it been solely from one POV.

You can easily empathize and identify with the main characters. They are relatable and well developed. I cheered for Tara and Travis, cried for them...the way Diana Stager weaves her spellbinding story makes the reader feel they are there on the journey with them. X5 is an emotional rollercoaster ride. Buckle up, readers, you'll read X5 in one sitting and want more!

You can buy X5 here: 

Evernight Teen

Amazon (paperback)

Amazon eBook

BookStrand

Kobo

Barnes&Noble

OmniLit

Visit Diana's blog here:

http://dianastager.blogspot.com/

Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in Evernight's Birthday Bash! After reading all the submitted comments, I selected Angela Fitzgerald as the winner to receive a signed copy of my new YA novel, Black Amaranth.

And don't forget, Evernight Teen is currently hosting a Scavenger Hunt where one lucky winner will receive a new Kindle.

Stay tuned for more contests, prizes and giveaways!

Evernight Teen Scavenger Hunt

Evernight Teen will be hosting a fun scavenger hunt for Teen Reading Week. You could win a new Kindle. Stay tuned for details.

Also, don't forget about the current blog hop going on through the 14th for our main publisher, Evernight. Current prizes include: Samsung Galaxy Tab, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Touch, Gift Certificates and more!



Hop along with us and don't forget to join my site!

Evernight Publishing Birthday Bash! That’s right! It’s E...

Evernight Publishing Birthday Bash!


That’s right! It’s Evernight’s birthday but YOU get the presents…

Prizes include:

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Kindle Paperwhite

Kobo Touch

$100 Evernight and Amazon Gift Certificates
Mega Evernight Swag Pack
Plus, each author on the hop will offer his/her own special prize!
As an author, I’m thrilled to share my stories with you and Evernight helps make my books shine! Here’s one reason why I love Evernight Publishing:
It's not possible to love only one aspect of Evernight Publishing. But why I instantly fell in love with EP is because they believed in my manuscript enough so that they published, Black Amaranth. Now I love Evernight Publishing for many other reasons. To name a few: their marketing manager is lightning fast, the editors are amazing, my fellow authors are the coolest people to get advice from and network with, and most importantly, EP introduced Black Amaranth into the hands of you wonderful readers. Here's to you, Evernight Publishing! Happy Birthday!  In celebration of the birthday bash, in addition to all the prizes EP is giving away, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of Black Amaranth, Book 1 in The Vulcan Legacies Series. Make sure to use the link below to enter for the Grand Prizes EP is giving away. To enter to win a signed copy of my book, please use the contact form at the bottom. Tell me what you love about reading and at the end of the hop, I will select and announce one winner! Feel free to sign up for email notifications while you're here, and follow my blog. Happy reading!   Blurb:Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s legal guardian and only surviving relative—didn’t even bother showing up.  But instead of berating him for his forgetfulness, Ally finds him in a life-or-death battle with a monster. Argyle manages to kill the creature, and gives Ally a parcel containing a destiny she never knew existed.   Ally, along with her best friends Michael, Jessica, and David, hurry to Georgia to uncover the truth of Uncle Argyle’s secrets, and the meaning of the mysterious marks that Ally bears. Are the marks related to the blacksmith mythology of her ancestors? Who are these heavenly warriors who show up in the oddest of places? And will an ancient gypsy curse destroy the very things Ally fights to save?    Black Amaranth: a simple flower, a symbol with an ancient legacy, a conduit for prophecy…while faith and hope are essential to the journey, Ally soon discovers that love is the most powerful force of all. Extended Excerpt:“LOU’S HOUSE OF BLUES?” Dave read the large neon sign in disbelief. “You’re taking us to a…bar?”  “To the Gypsies, and the one I am seeking out in particular,” Parthenia looked straight ahead, “happens to spend most of her time in this bar.”  “Mom thinks we’re going to church camp.” Dave’s face spread into a big smile. “I wonder what she would say if she knew we were going to a bar.”  “We’re eighteen,” Jessica said, reminding him. “Just once, Dave, please be cool.” Jessica winced.  “Cheer up, Jessica.” Brandi patted her mockingly. “There’s a first time for everything.” “Whatever. I’m sure this beats your lame keg party,” Jessica said.  Nothing surprised Ally anymore, not even the rough-cut lumber bar staring back at her. Motorcycles and beat up trucks lined the gravel parking lot. A wraparound porch with live oaks bordered the outside. Looking determined, Parthenia motioned for them to follow her up there. As Ally ascended onto the creaky porch, her eye caught a slumbering black dog. She sidestepped to miss treading on the dog. Instinctively, Ally bent down and brushed her hand along the thick black coat. “Good Lord, Miss,” a voice said. Ally looked up into an old pair of friendly brown eyes. “You must be somebody special,” he said, swaying back and forth in a dilapidated rocking chair, the ripened wood groaning with each sway, paint chipping up the back spindles. “Miss Elma doesn’t like anybody,” he said. His deep Southern accent drew out each syllable slowly.  “Sorry,” Ally apologized.  “No need to be sorry, Miss.” Ally could see a warm smile through the grey stubble wrapped around his aged features. “That there dog showed up one day and she’s been laying here ever since like she’s been waiting on someone.” He turned his head out to the horizon, pulling out a battered harmonica and bringing it up to his lips, he paused and said, “You have a good day, Miss.”  Ally looked down at the dog. Lids slowly peeled back revealing deep-set hazel eyes. The dog stretched out her tired limbs, stood to her full height, and nudged Ally’s knees, placing her head under one of Ally’s open palms. Her long silky hair fell between Ally’s fingers.  “Looks like you’ve got a friend—a very large black German Shepherd friend,” Michael said, his eyes smiling.  “Ally,” Parthenia interrupted, “please tell her to sit. I’ve got a feeling this one’s going to follow you.” Parthenia met Brandi’s gaze, their intense eyes implying something they weren’t saying. “Eli, perhaps it would be best if Solomon and Jeb waited out here with Lucy.”  Eli turned, instructing them to wait and watch over his little sister.  “There are three Ravenscraft women: Denaulda, Griselda, and Irini.” Parthenia looked deeply into Ally’s eyes and then shot a look of caution to Michael and the twins. “Denaulda is the eldest sister, and by right, the acting leader of the Gypsies. She is the most powerful next to their holy woman, Belle Crow. Let me caution you now. Do not cross them. They prove to be useful and good allies, but can also prove to be fearful enemies if you’re not on the same side as them. Remember, the curse of the elder Gypsies coupled with Vulcan crossing them is what caused all of this to ensue in the first place. Their magic runs deep, it’s old, and just as the blaxxmiths have a particular affinity for a single element, Gypsies have a strong affinity for magic.”  “Ooo, this should be fun,” Brandi purred mischievously.  “Try to curb your enthusiasm, will you?” Parthenia glared back at Brandi.  “I’ll not say a word.” Brandi winked and said, “Promise.”  “Are they witches?” Jessica asked, a noticeable trace of anxiety in her voice.  “They’re worse than witches,” Eli barked out.  “What is your problem? Considering how you treated me last night, I doubt that your dislike is exclusive to Gypsies. I’m guessing that you hate everyone and everything.” Jessica’s face flushed with anger. Eli fumed, but said nothing.  “No, they are not witches,” Parthenia said, interrupting the awkward silence. “They are Gypsies, and if you want to get on their bad side quick, call one of them a witch.” She turned and looked down her nose at Dave.  “Gotcha,” Dave said, seeming to understand she worried most about what might come out of his mouth.  “Stay behind me and try not to stare at anyone,” Parthenia said.  “Stay, girl.” Ally pointed her finger down at the porch. Miss Elma was obedient, sliding her long muscled legs down, crossing them over top each other and resting her head on her large paws. “Good girl.”  Ally stepped in behind of Parthenia, leaving the rest to trail in after her. Ally looked around in awe. She had never been in a bar before, and wasn’t too disappointed by the one she was standing in now. Red booths lined the unevenly cut board and batten walls, and a few were occupied by men and women who stared directly at them. Round tables just big enough for two were scattered throughout, leading up to a large empty dance floor. Strings of colored bulbs hung down low from the walls, casting dim shadows that mixed in with smoky air. Bar stools surrounded the long slab bar, while behind it a large, intimidating man eyed them up as he casually wiped his hands off on a white towel.  “Hello, Lou,” Parthenia said. “Denaulda around?”  He jerked his head in the direction of the stage, Parthenia following the line of his gaze, sighed softly and said, “Great.”  “Remember me just saying that Gypsies were gifted with a particular talent? Strong magic?” Parthenia whispered close to Ally’s ear.   “Uh-huh,” Ally said, looking straight ahead to the empty stage.  “Well, you’re about to find out what Denaulda’s is,” Parthenia said, sitting on a barstool and turning to face the stage. “Might as well have a seat and try to stay there.”  Michael and Dave eased down into an empty booth, leaving the opposite side open for the girls. Eli and Brandi opted to sit with Parthenia on barstools.  At the corner of the wooden stage, men were pulling out and tuning guitars and harmonicas. As a slow sultry rhythm played out of their instruments, a petite, dark-haired woman emerged from behind beaded curtains onto the stage. She slinked her way up to the microphone stand like a snake closing in on its prey. She curled her slender fingers around the mic as she cocked her head to the side, looking at her audience with thoughtful, heavy-lidded eyes. Ally’s arms erupted in goose bumps, a surefire warning that something otherworldly was about to happen.  She began to sing, sound floating dreamingly out of her mouth, weaving in and around the crowd like an invisible serpent, creeping up around their heels, sliding up and into their souls. Michael and Dave twisted around, their heads following the direction of the eerie tune as Jessica mechanically stood up from the bench.  “What are you doing?” Ally whispered between her teeth while tugging on Jessica’s sleeve.  “Just one…dance.” Jessica didn’t look down at Ally; she walked slowly onto the dance floor as though the melody willed her to do so. Problem was, Jessica was a wallflower, or at least when they went to the prom Ally couldn’t peel her away from the wall if her life depended on it. Ally looked around wondering if Denaulda’s music was having the same effect on everyone else. Brandi smiled naughtily which told Ally there must have been some part of her that expected this. Beside her, Eli watched Jessica through burning eyes. A few patrons joined Jessica on the dance floor, swaying back and forth to the beat, their bodies sweeping in and out in circular motions.  From the wall, a steely gaze followed Jessica. A boy with a shock of blond hair materialized from the shadows and inched his way towards the dance floor. He didn’t look much older than they did but he carried himself like a prowling marauder. His arms encircled Jessica’s waist as he closed the distance between them. To Ally’s surprise, Jessica welcomed him. Denaulda’s lips curled up into a wicked smile. The tune hung in the air, like a poisonous gas. Ally couldn’t ignore the soothing, rich words.  When we were young and full of lifeyou reached in deep, and pierced my heart with a knife.The night cries out, sweet and high,weeping for her children with a gentle sigh. Young nights, young nights, where did you go?I can smell the night air, and how the moonlight glowed. Young nights, young nights, come back to the home we both know. “Where’s Lucy?” Dave kept his eyes fixed on Denaulda. “I think I should…” Dave’s words drifted off into the chorus.  Jessica reached her hands up and tangled her fingers into the thick blond hair of the boy she’d glued herself to. They appeared to only have eyes for each other as though no one else existed in the room. Ally was ready to get up and separate the two when another wave of lyrics poured out from Denaulda, nailing Ally to her seat.  I have loved you tender and loved you long,but you were caught in the crossfire, we got it all wrong.Can we ever go back to the way it used to be?Young nights under the Spanish moss, just you and me.I can smell the night air, and how the moonlight glowed.Young nights, young nights, come back to the home we both know.  Ally couldn’t budge. “Michael?” She looked up, knowing he would fix this, but when she met his eyes, her breath caught in the back of her throat. Heat spread up through her face as his blue eyes bored into hers. The Michael staring at her now wasn’t looking at her as friends look at one another, but as something much different: as a man who looks, really looks, at a woman. Without Denaulda’s enchanting music, Ally wondered if his penetrating gaze would have bothered her or not.  Eli crossed the floor in long strides, catching Ally’s attention. She sat there unable to move, nervous, knowing that the direction Eli was currently going in wasn’t a good one. Eli’d had a chip on his shoulder since they all met, but more so towards Jessica than the rest of them. Ally just didn’t know why, though.  “Enough.” Ally could barely hear what Eli was saying to Jessica over the music. Denaulda looked entertained by what was transpiring on the dance floor. Jessica paid no attention to him, moving in closer to her partner, so close you couldn’t wedge a piece of paper between them.  Eli’s lips twisted into a snarl as he grabbed Jessica’s wrist. The next few moments happened before Ally could fully register what she was seeing. The blond boy swung at Eli, whose hand cupped the boy’s fist, holding him there effortlessly. He jerked Jessica to the side, causing her to rock on her heels, attempting to balance herself. He flung the boy’s fist down in disgust. “You’re done here,” Eli said to the boy through clenched teeth.  “Oh, no we’re not,” Jessica said, seething and stepping away from Eli, going back into the arms of her dance partner. Eli growled as he grabbed her arm. Jessica spun around and slapped Eli across the face, sending an echo throughout the bar.  “Do not ever touch me again!” Jessica’s face reddened, almost matching the color of her hair. “Do you understand me?”  Eli stood there blinking in disbelief, raising a hand up to where hers had just been.  “Okay, boys.” Denaulda motioned for the band behind her to stop. “I think it’s time for a break.”  As soon as Denaulda quit singing, her spell dissolved. All those affected shook their heads, clearing up the lingering fog, all except Eli. He stood still, tracing the outline of where Jessica’s fingers touched him.  “Um…” Jessica looked back and forth between Eli and the blond boy staring at her and said, “Hmm, this is awkward. Excuse me.” Jessica quickly brushed past them and darted back to sit down. “What was I doing?”  “Let’s just say that you gave Brandi a run for her money,” Ally said, sugar-coating the truth as Jessica slouched down further in the booth. “Parthenia,” the words were rich, alluring, “what brings you to my neck of the woods?” Denaulda’s eyes slid past Parthenia and landed directly on Ally.  Denaulda tilted her head, studying Ally through suspicious eyes. “I read the stars last night. Do you know what they told me?” Her eyes, the color of ash, rounded as she studied Ally.  Ally couldn’t speak, her voice was jammed. Looking at this sorceress was unnerving. Ally just shook her head no.  “They told me Death would be coming to visit me today.” Click on the "My Books" tab for buy links! Thanks for reading!
 
Enter to win the Grand Prizes using Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e561a316/
Hop to the next stop here: http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=314265
 
It’s the perfect time to buy the Evernight titles on your TBR list, as well as new gems you find during the event, because Evernight’s entire backlist is on sale at evernightpublishing.com and allromanceebooks.com through October 7th!

A Passion for Romance: Review: Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs

A Passion for Romance: Review: Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs: Black Amaranth by  Sasha Hibbs Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more tha...

Author Interview with Amaris Chapman, Author of YA N...

Author Interview with Amaris Chapman, Author of YA Novel Prevailing Life.


Interview with Amaris Chapman
 When did you start writing:

My first story I started when I was 15 and finished in my early 20’s. Reading it now its pretty terrible grammar wise and I don’t think it will ever see the light of day. Prevailing Life is the second YA I wrote and I’m really pleased with the result.
 What is your typical writing day like:

I don’t really have one. I work full time so can only write at home or in my lunch break. Generally this happens on my fast dieing laptop in front of the TV. I really find watching movies helps with the creative process. And Coke helps too J
 Tell us about the story:

 Prevailing Life is the first in a trilogy about the life of Maggie, a teenager who discovers her soul mate is an angel named Dina. Now that they are reunited Maggie has to walk the line between her world and the information Dinagives her. I remember being a teenager and frankly I wouldn’t want to deal with the things Maggie does! We also have some very alluring young men in the book who add that extra spice. They get a whole lot more interesting in the next book too.

 So there are more to come?

 I’m working on the second one now and have some great ideas. We see a new character and Maggieis moved even further out of her comfort zone.

 
 Can’t wait!

 
If you want to get your copy of Prevailing Life follow the links below, it’s available in print or e-book. There is also a contest to win some collectible custom designed buttons on Amaris’s website all you have to do is read the book and leave a review on Amazon! Easy!
 http://www.amazon.com/Prevailing-Life-Angels-Mercy-ebook/dp/B00FAV5OC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379633413&sr=8-1&keywords=amaris+chapman
www.amarischapman.com
www.Evernightteen.com   Blurb:  Maggie is a teenager with a secret. The strangest part of her life isn’t that she works in a graveyard—it’s the fact that her best friend is an Angel named Dina. They have lived thousands of years together, but as a mortal, Maggie must die, leaving Dina to find her in each new life and start again.

Someone has been setting fires, and the town is ablaze—literally. Someone or something is fueling the flames, and one of the suspects is the devilishly handsome Justin. With the memories of past lives coming back to her and Justin vying for her attention, Maggie may get more than she bargained for. Excerpt:  I felt as weightless as if I were made of light. I gasped and felt us drifting, and then the cool salty smell of ocean air washed over me. I looked down. We were sitting on the rail of a lighthouse overlooking the small dots of light, which marked a town nestled in the hills. Then I looked up and gasped. Stretched out above us was a vast expanse of glowing sky, each star as bright as a lamp sweeping across a great black expanse. My mouth fell open as I gazed in wonder at the universe stretching out above me. How was this possible? The sky felt unlimited.
“Where are we?” I asked still gripping her hand and holding on to the rail as tightly as I could with the other my face turned up to the pale moon above us.
“We used to live here. This is the tower you were talking about.”
I looked back at the twinkling lights, which ran from the water’s edge and up what looked to be, in the dark, a hill surrounded by mountain terrain.
“This is the town from the fire painting you are making.” I could make out the main street, which snaked through the hills. The line of lights at the bottom must mark the dock and jetty, which had doubled in size from the time that Dina remembered it in her painting.
“But this is in another country. We came here, my family and I, when I was little. It took us a day to get here by plane.” I looked at her in awe. Knowing she was an angel was one thing; I had even seen the ghostly shape of her wings. But to be at home one minute then, as fast as I could think it, be in another country almost sitting in a sky that seemed to just envelope us was unbelievable.
“I’m light, remember?” she said, her strong voice hushed by the wind that raced up from the waves. “I travel as light and air.”
“But I’m not, how did…no, I don’t care. This is incredible.” My voice trailed off as I took in the true magic of where I was. No lights obscured the sky, and the stars stretched out in a blanket of white light above us. Dina closed my mouth with a finger under my chin. I laughed but didn’t take my eyes from the sky. In all my life I had never seen anything so beautiful. My blocked head and fever forgotten, I sat surrounded by the sounds of the ocean and air crashing together. It was as I shivered that I remembered I was ill.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” Dina said.
Before I could ask what she was doing she had launched herself from the railing. I rocked forwards to catch her in a reflex and almost fell from the narrow rail. As I watched, the light shape of her body rose, the ghostly outline of her wings bright in the night sky. Her light darted to the town so fast she looked like nothing more than a reflection in the lighthouse’s turning lamp. I watched until the town's lights swallowed hers then gazed out over the sea.
From my seat, I could hardly make out the white of the waves breaking on the rocks at the base of the small island the lighthouse stood on.
A wave of fear swelled in my chest as I looked down. My blood left my face and rushed to my heart. I took a deep breath to calm myself, telling my body that it was being silly and that Dina wouldn’t have brought me here if I could have fallen. My body rebelled; my pulse quickened, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I fought to keep breathing, taking deep breaths to try to calm myself. I knew I should just look up or close my eyes, but I was too scared that if I looked away it might somehow make me fall. My hands tightened on the rail, the cold metal biting into my palms. In my head I called out to Dina to hurry up and get back. I couldn’t bring myself to look up and see where she was. My body was rigid, even the cool wind that had been soothing just moments before now threatened to knock me from my perch. My thoughts scrambled, as I imagined myself falling and smashing like porcelain on the rocks. I could see my body lying broken below, the waves knocking me off into the sea.

Author Bio:

Amaris lives in Canberra, Australia. Since a young age she has written Young adult fiction in order to give her characters a voice and ensure her stories end with a bang.  Currently working as a Librarian she enjoys reading fiction about strong heroines with kickass attitudes who don't laydown and surrender in the face of a fight. Review coming soon!      

Le' BookSquirrel: *BLOG TOUR STOP* Black Amaranth By Sasha Hibbs

Le' BookSquirrel: *BLOG TOUR STOP* Black Amaranth By Sasha Hibbs: Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a l...

Review of Black Amaranth From: Out There Reviews and...

Review of Black Amaranth From: Out There Reviews and Stuff:
This is always exciting to hear!

My Review: Full of intrigue, magic, and mythology from everywhere, Black Amaranth is an enchanting spell itself.

Sasha has managed to create a beautiful story full of interesting characters and a storyline to match. The outcome will leave you breathless and wanting Book 2 in your hands now.

From the start, Black Amaranth pulls you in by jumping right into story. It all starts with Ally's uncle not showing up for graduation and Ally and her bests friends doing something so uncharacteristic that it puts a smile on your face at the defiance. From there, you are catapulted into the incredible world Sasha has created and taken along on the adventure of Ally finding out who she is.

Black Amaranth is definitely a good read and I can not wait for Book 2.

karen Y. bynum: Wherein @SashaHibbs takes over Banshee's blog to s...

karen Y. bynum: Wherein @SashaHibbs takes over Banshee's blog to s...: BLURB: Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s l...