Review: ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green
Posted: May 24, 2014 Filed under: Reviews | Tags: reviews, young adult 10 Comments
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
A little while back, one of my Aussie Owned co-bloggers, Emily, reacted with total horror when I told her I hadn’t read The Fault in Our Stars. I told her it was because a) I don’t usually read contemporary, and b) I don’t want to read a book that’s going to break my heart and make me all depressed and mopey.
She promised me this book is just as funny and poignant as it is sad, and bossed me into buying a copy. She has powers like that, you guys. In the meantime, I read The Problem With Crazy by Lauren McKellar, which is both very sad (but also poignant) and also contemporary.
And since I’d already broken my rule and survived Crazy, although it BROKE MY HEART INTO A THOUSAND MILLION PIECES, I figured I would be able to handle Stars.
I was right. Sort of.
Emily was right too. Some of the moments in Stars are hysterically funny. I love the banter between Hazel, Augustus and Isaac. It’s often classic gallows humour, and although some people may find it shocking, if anyone is entitled to it, it’s those three teens, all with cancer that has cost them big time. When it’s not gallows humour, it’s still clever and wry. The scene where the two boys egg the car was sheer, hilarious genius.
The romance between Hazel and Augustus is very full on very early, and although I usually hate love at first sight, this had just enough kinks in it that it felt real, more like the sort of mad crush a teenager is likely to get. At one point Hazel even acknowledges that if they’d had more time maybe they would’ve grown out of that mad love stage.
I didn’t go totally fangirl over the book though. For example, I didn’t love everything about the characters. Augustus’s thing with the cigarette was totally pretentious, but it was clear how much it meant to him, especially by the end. So I can forgive him that. And the sad bits… well, they made me cry, no doubt about that. But Crazy was sadder. I howled like a baby, reading that. (And loved every minute. I think I want to have Lauren’s babies.)
But here’s what made The Fault in Our Stars special to me. I saw some negative reviews of it that criticised Hazel and Augustus for not talking like normal teengers, as though cancer made them somehow special, “more than”. But I think it goes deeper than that. These two kids would be special even if they were 100% healthy; I mean, Hazel is 16 and already doing university courses. Augustus is also extremely bright, although there’s no doubt his illness made him really look at the world. The fact they both read and analysed a literary novel that (from the description) I’d throw against the wall in the first five minutes is a flashing neon sign that these aren’t normal teenagers. They are precocious.
And that’s a good thing. I’m not saying we shouldn’t read about normal teenagers, but, as anyone who’s argued for diversity in fiction would attest, there are already so many books about the normal out there. The white character, the straight character, the gender normal, average, preppy, pretty, whatever character. The character that holds a mirror to a huge proportion of the reading public.
Hazel and Augustus are super-bright nerds. He and Isaac are gamers. It’s not that John Green failed to write teenagers, it’s that he wrote different teenagers, struggling with awful problems and (for the most part — because they are also realistically portrayed) managing to handle them better than some adults would. They aren’t mirrors that reflect me, because I think literary fiction sucks. But they reflect someone, and that someone no doubt appreciates it.
And that is why I’m giving this book five stars.
Guest post: C. J. Burright’s favourite quotes from ‘Wonderfully Wicked’
Posted: May 23, 2014 Filed under: On Books | Tags: fantasy, guest post 2 Comments
Wonderfully Wicked
by CJ Burright
A dreamcaster with the ability to channel creatures from her nightmares, headstrong and cynical Kalila Montgomery longs for a peaceful, picket-fence life…until the man literally of her dreams kidnaps her.
Survival quickly becomes her number one goal, yet a growing attraction to the man in her nightmares is impossible to ignore. While she fears he will kill her, other, more terrifying enemies surround her, and Kalila succumbs to his scheme to escape. She may be his one hope for freedom…
A deadly combination of power, cunning, and cold-hearted charm, Lydon v’al Endrian fears nothing. Feels nothing. Chained to a brotherhood of men with the supernatural ability to invade dreams, he hunts dreamcasters to be harvested for their dreams and killed. His target: Kalila Montgomery. But Kalila awakens an undeniable dark desire and a longing for a freedom long-lost.
To gain everything he craves, Lydon must seduce Kalila before his plot is discovered…a hopeless challenge which, if failed, will earn him a death-sentence. Caught up in a dangerous world of secrets and obsession, doubt and betrayal, Kalila and Lydon face the nightmare of their lives, where love will either deliver them—or destroy them both.
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C. J. Burright’s Favourite Quotes
“No man would last the night with me and you know I’m not into meaningless sex, so c’est la vie. I’ll adopt a herd of cats and live abnormally ever after, alone in a cave far, far away.” – Kalila Montgomery
I love this quote because it’s a reflection of who Kalila is. She’s in a rough situation and tries to make the best of it….with her future herd of cats.
“I’ll weave my soul and life with yours so when you realize your affection for me is an illusion your odd compassion for the doomed might compel you to keep me. Maybe you’ll come to enjoy my company enough to warrant my existence. I’ll use everything in my power, Lils. Everything.” – Lydon v’al Endrian
One of Lydon’s rare moments of utter honesty. He’s putting himself out there, no excuses.
“Embracing your monstrous nature is the key to survival. You might deny it, defy it, control it for a time, yet it’s there beneath the surface, waiting. Fighting is a waste of time. It always wins in the end.” – Lydon v’al Endrian
Lydon’s veiled confession to the darkness inside him, while trying to convince Kalila to embrace who she is.
“You have altered me and I don’t see how to get beyond it. I have fallen farther than I imagined possible. My weakness shames me. Yet, I don’t—I can’t—lament you, Lils.” – Lydon v’al Endrian
The V’alkara are taught to seek out their weaknesses and destroy them, so this is a pivotal confession for Lydon, not that it means Kalila can trust him.
“I can’t take it anymore. What drastic measures must I take to have a normal, boring life? I could be a librarian. No one wants to kill librarians.” – Kalila Montgomery
One of Kalila’s stressed out moments. I like her sense of humor.
Giveaway
Enter to win here!
About the Author
CJ blames her love for reading and all things Medieval on her father, who plied her often with fantasy novels ranging from Sir Lloyd Alexander to Piers Anthony. Her love for romance, however, lies completely at the feet of her best friend Michelle, who dared to give her a romance novel for her birthday. She smiled, politely said thank you, and tossed it in the corner, where it gathered dust. In a moment of desperation, when only the revolting romance remained in her almost-always toppling stack of awaiting books, she sucked it up and read the romance. Doomed.
She started writing fantasy and paranormal romance for the cathartic experience, decided she liked it, and after two overlong, horribly written novels joined RWA and the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal special interest chapter. Best classes and critique groups ever. Double doomed. Now, writing is a necessity, not just a hobby.
In her spare time, when she’s not writing or reading or actually working, CJ might be found in the dojang (4th Dan Black Belt, baby), rooting on the Mariners (who will some day win the World Series), working out (P90X, anyone?), gardening (a little dirt never hurt anyone), or playing Music of the Night on the piano (without mask or cape). She lives in Oregon with her fabulous husband and daughter. Not to mention her minions, a herd of cats.
WONDERFULLY WICKED is CJ’s Burright’s first novel.
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Pitcharama: competition announcement
Posted: May 22, 2014 Filed under: On writing | Tags: contests, pitcharama, pitches Leave a commentPitcharama – IT’S BACK!
Here at Aussie Owned and Read, we love giving people opportunities to help them on their publication journey. After all, anything that gets books out to the public sooner rather than later has to be a good thing, right?
That’s why we’re pleased to announce PITCHARAMA, the return of our 2013 contest that helped match up a select few top Young and New Adult writers with some amazing boutique publishers, resulting in some fantastic publication stories.
Have you got the perfect manuscript with a whole heap of heart? Then you should enter Pitcharama.
Photo: Big Stock Photo
More details will follow, but here’s what you need to know so far if you wish to enter:
1. You must have a completed, pitch-ready manuscript.
2. You must sign up to our list (coming soon)
3. You must post your 250 word pitch on your blog on June 16, 2014.
From there, the…
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This Writer’s Space: Stacey Nash
Posted: May 21, 2014 Filed under: On writing | Tags: inspiration, sci-fi, this writer's space, young adult 2 Comments
Today on This Writer’s Space, we have one of my very favourite sci-fi, young adult and Aussie writers — ALL ROLLED INTO ONE PERSON! It’s Stacey Nash!
Where I Write
When you’re a writer, you need easy and fast access to your writing space and when you’re a mother it means you need to be all-seeing. So… my writing space is at the kitchen table. My laptop is set up on a corner where I can see through the bulk of the house and watch the kids when I’m not playing with them. It’s also nice and accessible for when a burning idea strikes me mid-jigsaw puzzle or Lightening McQueen reenactment.
Where I’m Inspired
I could give any number of photos for places where I find my inspiration, because I draw inspiration from all around me. Plot points and story ideas come to me in shower, when I’m driving, when I’m sleeping / dreaming, and even when I’m pegging the washing out. It seems nowhere is safe from the onslaught of plot bunnies. But I’ve decided to go with a photo of the view from my backyard, because really… it’s the beauty around me that I find most inspiring. There are snippets of scenery in all of my books from places I’ve seen, or lived or visited. This is where I call home, The Hunter Valley.
To Be Read
No one photograph is big enough to contain my to be read pile, so I’ve made you a pretty collage. This year I’ve vowed not to buy books until I’m ready to read them. So my Goodreads ‘to read’ list is the most accurate of the order I intend to read. But then there’s the unread folder on my kindle app, and the one on my iBooks app, oh and lets not forget the physical TBR. Enjoy my collage. 🙂
About Stacey
Stacey Nash writes adventure-filled stories for Young Adults in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. She calls the state of New South Wales in Australia home. Her debut novel, Forget Me Not, re-releases in August 2014 from HarperCollins Impulse and its sequel Remember Me release October 2014.
Top Ten Tuesday: Friendship
Posted: May 20, 2014 Filed under: On Books | Tags: top ten tuesday 9 Comments
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is ten books about friendship. But since I mostly read urban fantasy and fantasy, where friendship isn’t the primary focus, I’ve gone for ten eight books where friendship is an important part of the story. (It should be ten but I’m tired.)
Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkein. Sam and Frodo. Sam and Frodo. In some ways there’s a master/servant vibe here — and some people would claim an unrequited love thing too — but Sam is the ultimate selfless friend. I adore him. (You could also look at Legolas and Gimli as another example from these books.)
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. The friendship between Harry, Hermione and Ron is as beautiful and realistic as you’ll find. Yes, realistic — because even though they are at a wizard school fighting a snakey supervillain, the relationship itself has its ups and downs. And it doesn’t turn into the typical love triangle we often see in young adult fiction.
Arrow’s Flight by Mercedes Lackey. This is the second book in the Arrows of the Queen series; I singled it out specifically because this is when we see Talia and Kris’s friendship at its wonderful, complicated best. They end up sleeping together, but she’s in love with his best friend, and it all gets a little confusing there for a while. And friendships can be like that at times.
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. I love the relaxed friendship between Simon and Clary. As with the previous book, it gets complicated and a little messy, but at the end of the day these guys have a friendship you could take to the bank. (Plus I just love Simon.)
Pivot Point by Kasie West. The friendship between Addie and Laila is one of the strongest I’ve seen in young adult fiction. I can’t explain without mega-spoilers, but Addie basically gives up everything for Laila. It was heartbreaking. And you should read this book.
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey. Pretty much any relationship between a dragonrider and his or her dragon could be described as a perfect friendship, because that’s how Anne described the bond: as the perfect friendship. But the relationship between Jaxom and his dragon, Ruth, goes beyond the others. From the moment Jaxom defies everyone to save Ruth’s life, they are the sweetest pair ever.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I’m a bit conflicted about this inclusion, but Peeta and Katniss have the kind of friendship forged in the hardest of times. Sure, he may want it to be more from the start, but he respects that she isn’t sure and still cares for her. The best relationships are built on that kind of friendship.
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer by various. I wasn’t sure whether to include this, but I have about a dozen Buffy novels on my shelves (some novelisations of the episodes but others stand-alone books). And the friendship between Buffy, Willow and Xander is a lot like the one between Harry and his closest friends: complicated, loyal and real.
I have two slots free. What books would you add to my list? 🙂
Review: ‘Unclean Spirits’ by Chuck Wendig
Posted: May 19, 2014 Filed under: Reviews | Tags: reviews, urban fantasy Leave a comment
Five years ago, it all went wrong for Cason Cole. He lost his wife and son, lost everything, and was bound into service to a man who chews up human lives and spits them out, a predator who holds nothing dear and respects no law. Now, as the man he both loves and hates lies dying at his feet, the sounds of the explosion still ringing in his ears, Cason is finally free.
The gods and goddesses are real. A polytheistic pantheon—a tangle of divine hierarchies—once kept the world at an arm’s length, warring with one another for mankind’s belief and devotion. It was a grim and bloody balance, but a balance just the same. When one god triumphed, driving all other gods out of Heaven, it was back to the bad old days: cults and sycophants, and the terrible retribution the gods visit on those who spite them.
None of which is going to stop Cason from getting back what’s his…
Anyone who’s read my blog before will know that I’m a fan of Chuck Wendig’s blog, where he dispenses writing advice spiced with profanity and humour. As Chuck’s publishers no doubt hoped I would, I’ve since gone on to read several of his books. Much like his blog, his books — including this one — are peppered with profanity and humour. (I had a genuine laugh at loud moment at one of the lines from Coyote’s perspective in Unclean Spirits.) There’s also violence. Gritty, gory violence, albeit beautifully described. So if that’s not your thing, like the other Wendig books I’ve read, this isn’t the book for you.
However, if it is, and if you like a fast-paced read with a main character you can cheer for as he bulldozes and bashes his way through the obstacles between himself and the path back to his wife and son, you’ll enjoy Unclean Spirits. The premise is somewhat similar to Gaiman’s American Gods (although, as we’ve previously established, I haven’t read it): gods and mythical monsters wander the Earth, exiled from their various heavens and hells 50 years ago. Powers diminished, they are still powerful, manipulative and dangerous.
And, for reasons that become clear as the story progresses, they seem to be distressingly interested in Cason Cole.
The plot is fast-paced, the characters interesting even when they aren’t always sympathetic. The perspective isn’t just limited to Cason’s; we also see bits of the story through the eyes of his wife, Alison, and various gods — from the aforementioned Coyote to Aphrodite, Psyche and other big names I won’t mention here, because spoilers.
The ending was a little abrupt; given Cason’s entire goal was to be reuinited with his wife and son, it might have been nice to see that on the page rather than implied. Maybe there’s going to be a sequel to mess it all up for the poor family, though.
50k words dance
Posted: May 17, 2014 Filed under: On the Isla's Inheritance trilogy | Tags: music 2 CommentsI like round numbers. And 50k is the NaNoWriMo target. So it’s pretty exciting to me when a MS gets to 50k, like Isla#3 just did — even though it will be at least another 20k words before I’m done. And it took me almost six months to get this far, not one.
When I tweeted my victory, Wendy made the following suggestion:
So, gentle reader, I would like you to imagine me dancing like this (only with less coordination and more singing along; Jamiroquai is very catchy!):
Book excerpt: ‘Kissed’ by Kimberly Loth
Posted: May 15, 2014 Filed under: On Books | Tags: urban fantasy Leave a comment
Kissed (The Thorn Chronicles #1)
by Kimberly Loth
Release Date: 05/01/14
Trapped in a dark cult, sixteen-year-old Naomi Aren has lived a quiet, albeit unhappy, life nestled deep in the hills of the Ozarks. With uncut hair, denim skirts, and only roses for friends, Naomi seldom questions why her life is different from other kids at school. Until the day her abusive father, who is also the cult’s leader, announces her wedding. Naomi must marry Dwayne Yerdin, a bully who reeks of sweat and manure and is the only one person who scares her worse than her father.
Then she meets Kai, the mysterious boy who brings her exotic new roses and stolen midnight kisses. Kisses that bring her a supernatural strength she never knew she had. As the big day approaches, Naomi unearths more secrets of about her father’s cult. She learns she has power of her own and while Kai may have awakened that power, Naomi must find a way to use it to escape Dwayne and her father—without destroying herself.
Excerpt
Seven roses contain the name of the day of rest. My favorite is Sunday Lemonade. Its pale pink blooms give off a scent of lazy summer nights visiting with friends. Just the opposite of the many Sabbaths I spend with my father. His Sundays smell like famine and pestilence.
Birds sang to announce the new day. Perhaps I could stay in bed a little longer. My eyelids fluttered and I rolled to my side, the crisp sheets scratching my skin. The cheap alarm clock glowed red in the darkness. 8:30. I had an hour until the apocalypse began. For a minute I debated staying in bed, replaying various kisses from my mystery savior, but I still needed to shower and plant myself on the couch before Father was ready to go. My stomach growled and I sighed. No food today. Sundays were days of fasting. My ankle-length nightgown twisted around my knees and I struggled to free my legs. My breath came in rapid bursts, the claustrophobia setting in. Consciously, I slowed my breath and untwisted my nightgown. If I ever escaped, I promised myself the first thing I would do is sleep naked.
I sat up and flicked on the cracked floral lamp that sat on my nightstand. My gaze settled on my dresser. Last night I left deep red Oklahoma Roses. Next to them sat a monster blueberry muffin and a banana. I was grateful, but flabbergasted that today of all days he knew to leave food with the flowers. Today, I wouldn’t be allowed to eat.
I scrambled to the dresser and inhaled the muffin and banana. Only when I was half way through did the thought occur to me that Father might notice the smell on my breath. I would have to take extra care brushing my teeth. Full and feeling that today might not be so awful after all, I set to the task of getting ready for church.
After my shower, I scrubbed my teeth and braided my hair. Guilt swam across my insides. This week, I disobeyed my parents, flipped off Dwayne, ate breakfast on the Sabbath and I was kissing a boy every night. If I confessed before the Master I would have a fingernail ripped out, my middle finger would be burned, I would have to drink a glass of scalding water, and I didn’t know what my punishment would be for kissing the boy. No one had ever committed that sin before or at least confessed to it.
Perhaps it was cowardly, but I didn’t want to bear the punishment. Perhaps given enough time, I’d just forget about it. As long as the Master never asked me, I wouldn’t have to confess. I tried once, to not confess, but one look into those evil red eyes and the words tumbled off my lips. I couldn’t help it.
Giveaway
About the Author
Kimberly Loth can’t decide where she wants to settle down. She’s lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina. She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. Currently, she lives in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and two kids.
She is a high school math teacher by day (please don’t hold that against her) and YA author by night. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures. Kissed is her first novel.
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This Writer’s Space: Dahlia Adler
Posted: May 14, 2014 Filed under: On writing | Tags: inspiration, this writer's space, writing 2 Comments
This week on This Writer’s Space I’m thrilled to have one of my favourite bloggers, Dahlia Adler. If you follow my Blog Post for Writers board on Pinterest, you’ll know that it’s basically pins from either Dahlia or the equally fantastic Chuck Wendig. I dream that one day they will co-write a post and then the awesome will EXPLODE ALL OVER THE INTERNET.
No, wait, that sounds wrong. *shuffles feet* Um, over to you, Dahlia!
Where I Write
This is where I write. Originally, I wanted to wait until I’d sufficiently cleaned up before submitting this picture, but you know what? That’s not reality; this is. What you’re looking at is my computer and printer, obviously, but also a mug, from my very necessary Sunday morning coffee; cookies, because snacks are important; my ARCs, bookplates, and postcards, because being a professional author isn’t just about writing; an anthology of The Elder Scrolls, purchased for me by super talented author friend Leah Raeder, because every writer has both absurd distractions and terrible enablers; a menorah for no good reason; Advil for plenty of good reasons, and assorted other delights, like planners, books to give away, and Post-It Notes outlining things like upcoming blog posts.
Where I’m Inspired
These are also where I write, but I’m using them as “Where I get inspired,” because they’re where I write when I get inspired. As in, I’m on the subway and I just cannot wait to write down this scene, versus when I sit down at my desk and it’s an “Okay, I have to write 2K tonight” situation, whether I’m feeling it or not. I use different notebooks for different things, so, for example, the cherry-printed one (which is scented!) is my notebook for my June 2015 release, Under the Lights, while the pink cupcakes (also scented!) was strictly for Last Will and Testament, my NA standalone. The bird notebook is for B&N round-up post ideas, the white one with the cupcakes is going to be for my NaNo ms, and the little one was a gift from my wonderful CP Marieke Nijkamp, and is sort of an all-other-purpose (particularly beta notes).
To Be Read
This is a bit of an old picture because I’ve since rearranged my bookshelves, but I have a pretty intense TBR at all times. Because I do a lot of themed round-up posts for B&N, I tend to organize my reading that way, so books often jump the line, and ARCs very regularly take a backseat since I can’t blog about books until after they’re published anyway. Plus I have a revolving door of ARCs coming in from OneFourKidLit (my debut group). But this is a general idea of the volume at all times, though some are far more “urgent” than others!
About Dahlia
Excerpt and giveaway: ‘Wonderfully Wicked’ by CJ Burright
Posted: May 13, 2014 Filed under: On Books | Tags: book launch, fantasy, romance Leave a comment
Wonderfully Wicked
by CJ Burright
A dreamcaster with the ability to channel creatures from her nightmares, headstrong and cynical Kalila Montgomery longs for a peaceful, picket-fence life…until the man literally of her dreams kidnaps her. Survival quickly becomes her number one goal, yet a growing attraction to the man in her nightmares is impossible to ignore. While she fears he will kill her, other, more terrifying enemies surround her, and Kalila succumbs to his scheme to escape. She may be his one hope for freedom…A deadly combination of power, cunning, and cold-hearted charm, Lydon v’al Endrian fears nothing. Feels nothing.
Chained to a brotherhood of men with the supernatural ability to invade dreams, he hunts dreamcasters to be harvested for their dreams and killed. His target: Kalila Montgomery. But Kalila awakens an undeniable dark desire and a longing for a freedom long-lost. To gain everything he craves, Lydon must seduce Kalila before his plot is discovered…a hopeless challenge which, if failed, will earn him a death-sentence. Caught up in a dangerous world of secrets and obsession, doubt and betrayal, Kalila and Lydon face the nightmare of their lives, where love will either deliver them—or destroy them both.
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Giveaway
Enter to win here!
Excerpt
“I took great effort to see you.” His tone hinted the act made him deserving. “You sleep; I’ll keep watch. And my vow of yesterday stands. I won’t molest you.”
To her annoyance, her pulse danced a country jig. Whatever efforts he took on her behalf were of questionable nature, not romantic. She made a rude noise in case he held any such illusions.
“Keep watch for what? No one besides you could reach my window and my door’s bolted.”
Lydon laced his hands behind his head, his lips twitching as though fighting a smile. “Then I’ll watch you. Like before.”
Horror prickled over her in a rushing tide. She leapt up. “You watched me sleep? Not skulked around in my bedroom to attack me?” She groaned, imagining him watching her drool, snore, or grind her teeth.
He laughed, low and warm. “You’re so lovely when you dream, Lils. An angel.” He patted the empty spot beside him.
Her traitorous body, defenseless against him, obeyed. The red, silken comforter hissed beneath her knees while she climbed onto the opposite side of the giant bed. The lone lamp by the bed cast a mystical glow over Lydon, catching golden highlights in his light hair, the silver shards in his eyes. “Watching people sleep is creepy.”
He shrugged. “Not people, just you. Besides, I am creepy.”
Definitely not creepy. Kalila settled into a cross-legged position and fixed him with a no-nonsense look. “Since it seems you have nothing better to do than lie there like a sloth, be useful and fess up. Why am I being treated as some freaking porcelain doll in a glass case? How can my nightmares benefit the V’alkara? Can the V’alkara really take my dreams away? None of you seem sick—and no, mental doesn’t count—so what’s wrong? And when will you take us home?”
Lydon jiggled one black boot. What she thought might be disapproval flickered in his eyes. “I won’t waste our alone time answering inquiries. I have other plans.”
She swallowed hard. Maybe she’d misjudged him. Maybe he was so confident in his assassin abilities—and her helplessness—he felt sneakiness was unnecessary.
He sat up in a blink of an eye, moving with inhuman speed. One large hand was planted next to her knee. His breath fanned her chin. The scent of the outdoors and a tinge of smoke drifted from his clothes. His voice whispered spider-soft.
“Do you care to know what other less attractive names some call me?” The world seemed to shrink to Lydon and the force of his gaze. “Angel of Ruin. Living Nightmare. Scourge.” His eyes gleamed, darkened. “As you might guess from such monikers, peace in my life is rare. I’ll relish any fragments of it I happen to stumble across for as long as possible.”
His fingers trailed her cheek to cup her chin. In the span of a heartbeat, his face changed. From beautiful man to skeletal beast then back to beautiful man. A chill coiled around her soul, deep and cold as a winter storm. Who—what—was this guy?
“Do you feel it too?”
Kalila’s heartbeat rumbled in her ears, kicked at her throat. Her fingers jerked with a fierce need to touch him. Instead, she fisted the blanket. Admit nothing to the enemy. Yet the urge to nestle her cheek into his palm and purr grappled with reason. She had to take control before she did something stupid.
About the Author
CJ blames her love for reading and all things Medieval on her father, who plied her often with fantasy novels ranging from Sir Lloyd Alexander to Piers Anthony. Her love for romance, however, lies completely at the feet of her best friend Michelle, who dared to give her a romance novel for her birthday. She smiled, politely said thank you, and tossed it in the corner, where it gathered dust. In a moment of desperation, when only the revolting romance remained in her almost-always toppling stack of awaiting books, she sucked it up and read the romance. Doomed.
She started writing fantasy and paranormal romance for the cathartic experience, decided she liked it, and after two overlong, horribly written novels joined RWA and the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal special interest chapter. Best classes and critique groups ever. Double doomed. Now, writing is a necessity, not just a hobby.
In her spare time, when she’s not writing or reading or actually working, CJ might be found in the dojang (4th Dan Black Belt, baby), rooting on the Mariners (who will some day win the World Series), working out (P90X, anyone?), gardening (a little dirt never hurt anyone), or playing Music of the Night on the piano (without mask or cape). She lives in Oregon with her fabulous husband and daughter. Not to mention her minions, a herd of cats.
WONDERFULLY WICKED is CJ’s Burright’s first novel.
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