Book 2 of the Gateway Trilogy, Chasm is currently with Beta Readers!
I like to get the opinion of readers in between passes by my editor, as they are ultimately who decide whether my book is successful. (Both in sales, and more importantly, in conveying the themes I'm trying to express.) It's in the "polishing" stage, meaning the story line is set, but I'm working on transitions, readability, etc... Once that's done, it goes to the proofreader.
Just thought I'd keep you posted. The book launch party is August 11th, and the novel will be available via Amazon by September 1, 2012.
I'll be posting weekly so check back regularly! On the blog now: Taren's filed notes from his time spend inside Windsor, including when he met Callie and Ember for the first time.
I was drifting, floating on something too silky to be water. It was warm, and it penetrated the deepest parts of me.
The Voice was right. It was always right. Everything finally felt soft. My sharpest edges were being worn away, melting into oblivion. I felt like candle wax before it cooled; nothing to do but let the remaining drops of consciousness slide down—
Pain. Where did that come from? How could I feel pain when I didn't have a body anymore?
My throat. It was my throat, being stabbed, or—
Shh… let it go. Let all the pain go. Rest easy…
For a moment I was comforted, the gentle motion of the not quite water lulling me, pulling me back to safety.
But I was heaving. Huge, uncontrollable spasms. And then I was vomiting, although that word isn’t strong enough. I was erupting. The contents of my stomach spewed from my mouth, my nose. The wetness hit my chest, then my belly, and finally dribbled down my chin. My mouth tasted of charcoal. The warmth receded. The peace went with it. And I knew.
Chapter 1
My throat burned. My stomach ached. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. I tried to remember how good I had felt. The sensation of floating, of being complete, wanting for nothing. For a moment I was back there and felt my lips twitch into the tiniest bit of a smile. But if I were really there I wouldn’t even remember I had a mouth, and the realization brought the pain crashing back.
My eyelids heavy, I fought to open them. The light was too bright and I squeezed my eyes against its harsh intrusion.
“She’s awake! Nurse—she’s awake!”
My mother sprang toward me and clutched my hand, her eyes wild with worry.
“Ember, honey, you’re OK. You’re in the hospital. You had an accident and… "
I stopped hearing her. I didn’t want to process the relief on my mother’s face when I was so disappointed. I receded back, if not into the comfort of oblivion, then at least into an inky blackness.
So, I'm having a party tomorrow night to celebrate the completion of my YA novel, Gateway. It's an Urban Fantasy set in Los Angeles. I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to getting some feedback from friends and bloggers alike. You can scope out the cover, and soon I'll be posting the first two chapters.
