A man-god and his army of religious zealots swarmed the South nine years ago. As a child, Malik watched severed heads falling, blood spurting onto concrete, and his dear grandfather run through by a black sword.
But there’s peace…somewhere. At least that’s what Malik tells himself as his body is ripped apart by whips at a religious conversion camp. That’s what his best friend whispers as he frantically creates new force jetpacks to rescue Malik.
Yet when war bursts through the skies, and the sky troopers, assassins, and heroes fall—when the world comes crashing down—Malik Zzoha stands strong amidst the sands, infidel of the state number one.
Golden Skies is the first book in the The New Order trilogy.
~~~~~
Check out the excerpt:
People on either side of us gave wary glances, whispering amongst themselves. Some recognized me as Mujadin’s son. Those that knew me wore sympathetic faces, for they knew I was nothing like the monster on that platform. I stared straight ahead. From our vantage point, it seemed as if we were on the other side of the world, yet my father’s stage towered straight above us in mere seconds. Guards delivered us to a concrete stairwell. Kafed and Eliza were forced to climb up first and were taken off to the side, close to my father. My father’s men pushed me toward the steps.
I turned back fiercely to the soldier behind me but came face to face with five assault rifles. I turned away and stormed up the steps, my body tense as a snake ready to spring, and stepped directly in front of my father.
Mujadin surveyed me keenly, his black eyes narrowed and calculating. He shook his head. “Your insolence never ceases to astound me, boy.”
“Your barbarity likewise.”
Vibrant pain bolted across my face as his fist connected, the force from the blow causing me to swing back and meet the concrete ground. I gritted my teeth, unsurprised. I expected nothing less from such a base man.
“You stupid ass! How dare you insult me? Have the fiends of this desert possessed you? Defiant, blasphemous child!”
My hands clenched. “But I’m no murderer, and I’m no savage, you pious moro—”
Mujadin struck my face again and seized me by the shirt, my eyes blurring with tears. “I do everything for Safad! In his name! Carrying out executions to lawbreakers is sanctified and holy. You will understand this, Malik. You will see his graceful light and be purified!”
~~~~~
About Juan:
I’m a presidential scholar, residential assistant, and senior at Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. I endeavor to become a police officer and join a federal agency in the future.
When I’m not writing I like to play For Honor and pretend I’m a knight, laughing with happiness at my victories and then almost having aneurisms when defeated. Challenge me to a duel anytime 😀
The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.
Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!
My 56 for this week is from:
Air And Ash
Tides #1
by Alex Lidell
Genre: Adventure / YA / Fantasy
From page 56 in paperback.
I make it all of two steps before the mountain that is Domenic plants itself before me. I’m tall for a girl, but next to him I might as well be a housecat staring up at a lion. His sea-blue eyes are ice as he meets mine adn says, very, very quietly, each word rumbling with constrained fury, “At Your. Convenience.”
~~~~~
Synopsis
Born to privilege.
Trained for command.
Destined for danger.
After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission–and fails.
Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battle worthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile’s blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over.
But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future.
Praise for City of Gold, a Matthew Connor Adventure:
“A nonstop, pulse-pounding ride.” –I Read What You Write!
“A must-read for those who love mystery, history, [and] thrilling story lines,
with a touch of Indiana Jones/Ben Gates feel!” –Lynchburg Mama
“Carolyn Arnold has restored my faith in the archaeology/mystery genre with
her Matthew Connor Adventure series.” –Nicki’s Nook
International bestselling author Carolyn Arnold returns to the gripping adventures of archeologist Matthew Connor in The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh as he searches for a mysterious treasure from an ancient Egyptian pharaoh that could destroy the modern world.
Matthew Connor has made a career out of discovering forgotten legends, but one elusive myth has captivated his curiosity for years: the Emerald Tablets. It’s said that the Tablets contain the knowledge of the universe and can grant humans the power to traverse Heaven and Earth, bestowing whoever possesses them with great wealth and wisdom. But should the Tablets ever fall into evil hands, they could cause complete global destruction.
When a former colleague of Matthew’s unearths ancient hieroglyphics promising the route to the Emerald Tablets within a pharaoh’s tomb, he leaps at the opportunity to seek out the artifacts. With his two most trusted friends and associates by his side, Matthew heads to Egypt’s remote Western Desert to begin his quest.
But they soon learn that they are not the only ones looking for the Tablets, and when it comes to hunting legends, no one can be trusted. Now, what started out as an exciting journey has become a dangerous race to protect the fate of the world.
In an electrifying new take on the adventures of an archaeologist, The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh is a thrill ride that digs into the depths of human nature when one is tempted by power.
I dig books about archaeology. It’s been a dream of mine to visit some of the ancient cities and pyramids that have been uncovered, and I couldn’t wait to join these character’s in their adventure.
The story begins with Alex, an Egyptologist, who discovers a secret in the sand that could be the end of mankind if it falls into the wrong hands.. Mathew Connor instantly comes to mind when she realizes she needs people she can trust to help her uncover and protect it. They have worked together before and she feels she can trust him. Mathew is excited to join her and brings with him two trusted friends, Cal and Robyn, who’ve also been on expeditions with him before. The excitement of the adventure is dimmed by the reality of what they might uncover and what it might mean for mankind. But they can’t help but be thrilled as tunnels are discovered, tombs are opened, and things long lost are now found. History will be changed.
Not having read the first book, City Of Gold, I still didn’t have any trouble reading this, the second book in the Mathew Connor series. The author filled me in at appropriate points about past connections and events without slowing down my reading enjoyment. But I’d still recommend reading the previous book first. You don’t want to miss the fun of discovering these characters and seeing how they came to be where they are now.
I had a good feeling about this book going in. What I didn’t expect was the nail biting suspense. If it’s not tunnels collapsing, it’s flooded chambers and lethal cobras. Not to mention others who might want they uncover. I could picture this on the big screen. The darkness under the desert. The chill of opening hidden chambers. Being trapped with snakes all around you. No idea if help will come in time. Yep, it would be a great movie.
Each character tells their story but you won’t get confused. I quickly came to know them and easily recognized who was narrating. Cal, especially. He’s a wise cracker and made me chuckle in between the dangerous events. And the author did it just right as it helped me to understand each character’s motivations and reactions. Led to a much deeper read for me.
Mysteries, action, adventure, danger, and genuine character’s await you inside this well researched and fun book. You’ll quickly become immersed in it and reach the end feeling satisfied yet wanting more.
~~~~~
Book Discription:
Mystery lovers will need to hold on to their hats for this follow-up to City of Gold, which reviewers described as “a fast-paced action adventure” that is “akin to an Indiana Jones story set in modern times.” Now, the second in the series promises to bring much of the same excitement! Join archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor and his friends as they go after the Emerald Tablets to save the world in The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh.
In Egypt’s Western Desert lies the tomb of an unnamed pharaoh that hides a secret so powerful, it could destroy the world as we know it.
Archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor has made a career of finding legends the world has all but forgotten. Though there’s one in particular that has fascinated him for years—the Emerald Tablets. Myth says that they possess the knowledge of the universe, allowing humankind to traverse Heaven and Earth, and have the power to bestow wealth and wisdom upon whoever possesses them. But if they fall into evil hands, it could cause a global disaster.
So when a former colleague stumbles across an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets, there’s no way he’s turning down her invitation to join the dig. He only has one stipulation: his best friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers come with him.
The road ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, and their shared dream of recovering the Emerald Tablets is being crushed at every turn. And just when they think it’s all over, they learn there are a few clues they have overlooked. But they’re no longer the only ones searching for the Tablets. Now, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and soon they’ll find out that when it comes to hunting legends, they can’t trust anyone.
About the Matthew Connor Adventure series:
Action-adventure books for the mystery lover. Does treasure hunting excite you? What about the thought of traveling the globe and exploring remote regions to uncover legends that the world has all but forgotten? If so, strap yourself in for an adventure with modern-day archaeologist Matthew Connor and his two closest friends. Indiana Jones meets the twenty-first century.
This is the perfect book series for fans of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, National Treasure, and The Relic Hunter.
Carolyn Arnold is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series and has written nearly thirty books. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark, POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.
Today’s book is one from my holiday list. So cute and fun.
~~~~~
The Tannenbaum Tailors and the Secret Snowball
by JB Michaels
Genre: Holiday / Adventure / Children’s Book
My Review
Strap yourself in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride aboard the Icicle ship. Will Captain Brendan and the Tannenbaum Tailors be able to save Christmas from the Spiritless Elves?
Wouldn’t it be super if these wee folks were real? Imagine tiny elves scampering on your Christmas tree, making sure there’s no faulty wiring that will cause a fire and polishing the bulbs to make it merry and bright.
And with any good adventure, there’s usually a bad guy or two. The Spiritless elves try to ruin the festivities and that’s where the action really begins.
This was such a fun, action packed adventure and a whole new look at Christmas. I’d say it’s aimed at middle grade readers but don’t let that stop you mature readers from jumping in. I think you’ll find this joining your holiday reading list.
4 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
They are the Tannenbaum Tailors: elves charged with maintaining Christmas trees in homes around the world. Without the Tailors’ efforts, families might lose their Christmas spirit. And this year, one team of Tailors will be tested like never before.
With the North Pole itself under attack, newly promoted Captain Brendan is assigned a special mission: conceal the source of Santa’s power within a Christmas tree in Chicago. On Christmas Eve, Santa will pick it up.
The job would be simple, but the Tailors find themselves facing a serious threat””the thieving Spiritless elves, already responsible for sabotaging the North Pole Home Tree, will do anything to gain control of the very thing that makes Christmas possible.
Equally bad, Christmas spirit is at an all-time low in the Chicago home where Brendan’s assigned.
The family’s mother even wants to take the tree down before Christmas Eve! To save Christmas, Captain Brendan and his Tailors will have to use every spirit-raising trick they know””and possibly even bend a few rules to pull it off.
Combining holiday cheer with action and thrills,
The Tannenbaum Tailors and the Secret Snowball reads like Raiders of the Lost Ark in a Christmas tree.
I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.
Today I’m sharing some delightful books by Carole P. Roman.
~~~~~
It’s In The Bag
Oh Susannah Series
by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Mateya Arkova
Genre: Children’s Early Reader Chapter Book
My Review
It all starts with unfinished homework, progresses to a rotten banana, and culminates in an invitation to spend the night at a haunted house.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a scary story. It’s a story about a young girl who becomes overwhelmed by all the things she can’t get done.
The quality of the writing is amazing. Carole’s story flows so easily and conveys the anxiety and hopelessness of Susannah’s situation. How she uses the backpack to symbolize the situation is so clever. And it ties in the title with the book too.
I was completely swept away by the story. Adults will be able to connect with Susannah’s story as much as younger readers can. Life gets busy, things get shoved to the side and ignored, until they can’t be ignored anymore. We can all relate to this. And we should all take note of the solution Carole gives Susannah. It makes perfect sense.
A pleasure to read and a fun and satisfying ending. I highly recommend this book.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
From award-winning author Carole P. Roman comes a new chapter book featuring Susannah Logan, a young student having a very bad day.
It all begins with homework trouble and an invitation to a sleepover that she doesn’t want to go to. Would you want to go to a sleepover in a creepy house? Rather than dealing with her problems, Susannah stuffs them into her backpack. But how much can a backpack take? Will she be able to confront her worries before the backpack bursts? Or will she just continue to hide them away?
Join Susannah and her friends in this story sure to charm busy young readers everywhere.
Susannah tackled her homework issues in the first book in this delightful series. Now she’s got to face the dreaded sleepover at her friends house. A house that’s supposed to be haunted and gives her the willies. She doesn’t want to disappoint her friend but how can she dare to stay there?
Once again, Carole pens a story that flows easily, with no bumps except for the ones in the night. How Susannah faces her fears by helping another friend face her own is a wonderfully imaginative idea.
I love how easy it is to identify with Susannah’s problem and how rewarding the solution is. This is where Carole’s talent as a writer shines.
Another special story in the series, sure to delight both mature and young readers.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
Susannah Maya Logan is not having a good day. She doesn’t want to go to her best friend, Lola’s sleepover. Susannah thinks the house is big and spooky, not to mention the ghost that is said to live there. Lola’s big brother, Kai, loves to tease Susannah with scary stories.
Throughout her day, she sees people deal with things that scare them. Her sight-impaired friend, Macy, is terrified of unicorns, of all things. She sees a boy at a party who’s frightened of clowns. Her teacher is afraid of getting a cold. Susannah realizes everybody is scared of something. She wishes she was more like Lola, who is not afraid of anything, or so it seems.
Susannah discovers people have different ideas of what is scary and what is not, and only they can determine the difference.
Join Susannah as she learns to confront her fears and not let her imagination prevent her from having fun.
I had such fun with these books. And Carole was so awesome to also include her Oh Susannah Color With Me book.
It’s filled with fun illustrations from the series and had me itching to get out my pencils and start filling them in. Such a fun contribution to the series.
It was supposed to be an easy job: find the Dark Star Revolution
Starships, destroy them, and go home. But a booby-trapped vessel
decimates the Meridian Alliance fleet, leaving Serengeti—a Valkyrie
class warship with a sentient AI brain—on her own; wrecked and
abandoned in an empty expanse of space.
On the edge of total failure, Serengeti thinks only of her crew. She
herds the survivors into a lifeboat, intending to sling them into
space. But the escape pod sticks in her belly, locking the
cryogenically frozen crew inside.
Then a scavenger ship arrives to pick Serengeti’s bones clean.
Her engines dead, her guns long silenced, Serengeti and her last two
robots must find a way to fight the scavengers off and save the crew
trapped inside her.
Fifty-three years Serengeti drifted, dreaming in the depths of space. Fifty-three
years of patient waiting before her Valkyrie Sisters arrive to
retrieve her from the dark. A bittersweet homecoming follows, the
Fleet Serengeti once knew now in shambles, its admiral, Cerberus,
gone missing, leaving Brutus in charge. Brutus who’s subsumed the
Fleet, ignoring his duty to the Meridian Alliance to pursue a
vendetta against the Dark Star Revolution.
The Valkyries have a plan to stop him—depose Brutus and restore the
Fleet’s purpose—and that plan involves Serengeti. Depends on
Serengeti turning her guns against her own.
Because the Fleet can no longer be trusted. With Brutus in charge, it’s
just Serengeti and her Sisters, and whatever reinforcements they can
find.
A top-to-bottom refit restores Serengeti to service, and after a rushed
reunion with Henricksen and her surviving crew, she takes off for the
stars. For Faraday—a prison station—to stage a jailbreak, and
free the hundreds of Meridian Alliance AIs wrongfully imprisoned in
its Vault. From there to the Pandoran Cloud and a rendezvous with her
Valkyrie Sisters. To retrieve a fleet of rebel ships stashed away
inside.
One last battle, one last showdown with Brutus and his Dreadnoughts and
it all ends. A civil war—one half of the Meridian Alliance Fleet
turned against the other, with the very future of the Meridian
Alliance hanging in the balance.
Black Ops—the intelligence arm of the Meridian Alliance Fleet came
calling with an offer Henricksen couldn’t refuse: a ship—an
entire squadron of ships, actually—and crew to command. A chance to
get back to the stars.
Too bad he didn’t ask more questions before accepting the assignment.
Too bad no one told him just how dangerous this particular skunkworks
project was.
They call the ship the RV-N: Reconnaissance Vessel – Non-combat, Raven for
short. A stealth ship—fast, and maneuverable, and brutal as hell.
On the surface, Henricksen’s assignment seems simple: train his crew,
run the RV-Ns through their paces, get the ships certified for
mission operations and job done. But an accident in training reveals
a fatal design flaw in the Raven, and when an undercover operative
steals classified information from a Black Ops facility, the Fleet
Brass cancels the tests completely, rushing the faulty ships and
their half-trained crew into live operations. On a mission to recover
the Fleet’s lost secrets.
Out of time and out of options, Henricksen has no choice but to launch
his squadron. But a ghost from his past makes him question
everything—the ships, their AI, the entirety of this mission, right
down to the secrets he and his crew are supposed to recover.
J.B. Rockwell is a New Englander, which is important to note because it
means she’s (a) hard headed, (b) frequently stubborn, and (c) prone
to fits of snarky sarcasticness. As a kid she subsisted on a steady
diet of fairy tales, folklore, mythology augmented by generous
helpings of science fiction and fantasy. As a quasi-adult she dreamed
of being the next Indiana Jones and even pursued (and earned!) a
degree in anthropology. Unfortunately, those dreams of being an
archaeologist didn’t quite work out. Through a series of twists and
turns (involving cats, a marriage, and a SCUBA certification, amongst
other things) she ended up working in IT for the U.S. Coast Guard and
now writes the types of books she used to read. Not a bad ending for
an Indiana Jones wannabe…
If you knew that your curiosity may take you to a place from which you
may never return, would you go?
Tommy and Eevie are trapped in an underground labyrinth filled with deadly
traps and puzzles. They must solve each riddle to survive, but every
solution leads them closer to what is certain to be their demise.
The Deadly Cavern is the first book of Quest Chasers, a fiction-fantasy
series, where characters Tommy and Eevie are taken to a magical
adventure you won’t soon forget.
If you like fantasy, magical lands and puzzles, then you’ll love Grace
and Thomas Lockhaven’s Quest Chasers!
It’s a fantasy book for teens but young adults have been enjoying it as
well.
We’re Grace and Thomas Lockhaven. We pretty much met the same way ALL
writers meet each other, we met at the gym. While other people
discussed their workouts we discussed things like, how to reverse a
“creeping death” spell cast by an evil wizard. We could
have filled a book with pictures of people’s faces that overheard our
conversations. Quest Chasers grew from these conversations and now we
hope to pass on to you the thrilling adventures of Eevie and Tommy as
we bring them to life.
I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.
Today’s book is a thrilling adventure and I happened across this one at a resale store I like to visit.
~~~~~
Feeding Frenzy
Killer Species #2
by Michael P. Spradlin
Grade Level: 3-7 / Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Genre: Adventure / Science Fiction /
My Review
I was in a favorite local thrift shop when I spotted the fabulous cover of this book. Being a huge fan of scary books about creatures from the deep, I quickly snatched it.
Emmet finally gets over his fear of the water and goes snorkeling with his friends. They are quickly attacked by some monstrous creatures and barely make it back to shore alive.
Emmet is convinced that Dr. Catalyst, a crazy invasive species activist, is still alive and back in business. He better prove it soon, as more and more attacks occur.
It was nonstop action in this one. Genetically altered sea creatures released to eat the invasive lion fish. Only problem is they quickly turn to other food, including humans.. What could be scarier. Imagine crossing a barracuda, a shark, and an eel. The better to eat you up.
The characters are engaging and easy to like, or not, depending on whether they’re good guys or bad guys. The action is quick. And even though this is the second book in the series, the author quickly filled me in on past events using only a sentence here and a sentence there. Nothing to slow down my reading.
I scoured the library shelves when I was young, looking for stories just like this. It does get a bit creepy, but there’s no gore, so it’s appropriate for young readers. I’m sure they will eat it up.
Upon finishing this book I had to go see the other ones in the series. I noticed they all had fabulous covers too and all but this one featured Emmet’s courageous dog, Apollo. I guess he hasn’t learned how to scuba dive yet. LOL
This was such a fun book. Kept me on the edge and I’d recommend to anyone of any age that enjoys adventure and using their imagination.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
A brand-new action-packed series from Michael P. Spradlin. Each book covers a genetically engineered super-predator wreaking havoc on the environment.
Time has passed since anyone’s heard from Dr. Catalyst. Emmet and Calvin have even begun to think that the crazed scientist might be gone for good.
But then, on a trip to snorkel off the Florida coast, one of their friends is nearly drowned by an underwater monster, with endless rows of razor-sharp teeth. No one is quite sure what they saw. Was it a moray eel? A giant barracuda?
There’s only one thing Emmet knows for certain. Dr. Catalyst is back. And this time, he’s out for revenge.
~~~~~
Click on the covers at the top of the post to check out all of the books in the series.
I have a couple of fun children’s books to share today. I love unicorns and couldn’t resist the lovely cover for The Unicorn That Had No Horn. And I’m always ready to dive back into A. J. Cosmos Monsters A To Z Series. Dax’s River has a cute little monster.
~~~~~
The Little Unicorn That Had No Horn
Written by James McDonald
My Review
This story is so cute. I love unicorns and each page has beautiful, enchanting illustrations of the little unicorn and it’s mother. I loved it and even read it twice.
It’s a charming story about a little unicorn that’s impatient to grow up and get it’s horn. The mother urges her young one to cherish each day and not be in such a hurry.
An adorable, magical picture book to share with your little ones.
5 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
“I promise that you’ll grow up, so treasure each and every day. Never wish one second of your precious time away.”
An impatient little unicorn can’t wait to grow up and get its horn, but wise Mother Unicorn lovingly guides her little one to appreciate time and not wish it away.
This is a heart-warming story of a mother’s love and guidance in helping her child see beyond the uncertainties of childhood and cherish each and every moment.
Another sweet story from the Monsters A To Z series.
Dax is a river monster who comes across Lily, a drowning little girl. Against his parents warnings to avoid humans, he dives in and rescues her. They become unlikely friends and soon it’s Lily’s turn to rescue Dax.
My favorite part of the story is when Dax tries to hide in the river. All you can see is his big round eyes. So cute.
A delightful story for early readers with some cute illustrations and lessons in friendship and knowing when to stand up for yourself.
4 Stars
~~~~~
Synopsis
A little girl nearly drowns in the river but is rescued by a strange monster. Fearful of humans, the monster soon learns that a good friend can be a lifesaver.
The 12th book in the Monsters A to Z series tells a story of friendship in unexpected places, conquering your fears, and standing up for yourself. This short read is easy to understand for most second graders and a great story to discuss friendship with your child.
1,800 words, 7 gorgeous full-color illustrations, comparable with all Kindle models.
Teenage artist Mila Gulick travels to Mexico to get away from warring influences and find herself. But life in the land of tacos is a far cry from her sheltered life back home. Mila must find the courage to step out from behind her sketchbook and get to know the people and culture around her. While her host family and the two boys vying for her interest are nothing but smiles, all may not be as it seems.
Soon Mila is questioning her choices and the beliefs she’s held dear. Her heart, her art, and even her safety are at risk as she struggles to find a balance between cultural differences, old assumptions, and strange romance. Will her trip end in disaster or will she find the strength for which she’s been searching?
Praise for the Book
.
“This modern coming-of-age story has it all – humor, heart, genuine characters, and spiritual depth. I highly recommend it to teen readers.” – Krista McGee, Inspy Award winning author of First Date and Starring Me
“Meg D. Gonzalez gives us a vivid look at life for an American teenager in Mexico and an even clearer picture of what happens when you decide to embrace who God made you to be. No matter what. Great first novel. Great read.” – Nancy Rue, Christy Award winning author of the Real Life series
Excerpt
Cheery bells push at the fog of my sleep. I must still be dreaming. For seventeen years, no bells have chimed outside my window. It faces a cornfield.
With a slow roll to my side, I nuzzle my pillows and will myself to return to the dream world in which such music plays. Light dances across my eyelids and nudges me to wake, but it’s summer. I refuse to get up before Mom makes me. The chimes fade, and my hand searches the cotton covers for Shelby, my supersized puppy, who inhabits one side of my bed. Her lazy kisses usually help me fall right back to—
I bolt upright in bed, adrenaline pounding through my system.
A grin splits my face. The bells. I know why there are bells.
I’m in Mexico.
Author Meg D. Gonzalez
Meg D. Gonzalez is a tea-sipping, adventure-seeking, pug-loving kind of girl. She’s crazy for God and wants to share His love with awesome young women around the globe.
She started her first novel at the age of fourteen (it will never see the light of day and that’s best for everyone), but her writing really came alive two years ago after she moved to Mexico. The crazy, wonderful people and culture she encountered inspired the story of Sketchy Tacos.
When she’s not writing, she’s learning to play video games with her husband (she’s horrible), taking hikes in beautiful parks with her pug Pascal, crocheting, and watching way too much TV.
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Author Meg D. Gonzalez
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