DESTINED by Aprilynne Pike - Chapter One!!!

OMG have you seen this? Have you read it? Aprilynne Pike posted the first chapter of DESTINED yesterday on her blog and here it is! Plus, she will be posting more teasers up until the release, so be sure to check her blog for updates!

I can NOT wait for this book - yet, after this, it's all over :(

 Chapter One

Tamani pressed his forehead against the chilly window-pane, fighting back a wave of exhaustion. Sleep wasn’t an option, not while the only thing between him and an angry Winter faerie was a thin line of table-salt.

Tonight, he was Fear-gleidhidh twice over.

The old word was one he normally wore with pride. It marked him as Laurel’s guardian, her protector. But it had a richer meaning, one that went beyond the more traditional Am-fear-faire. Fear-gleidhidh meant warden and Tamani was charged with not only keeping Laurel safe, but making certain she accomplished the mission Avalon had given her as a child.

Now he played prison warden, too.

He looked over at his captive. Yuki’s chair sat on the scuffed linoleum in the middle of a thick circle of white, granular salt. She slept, her cheek resting on her knees, hands remained cuffed loosely behind her. She looked uncomfortable. Beaten.

Harmless.

“I would have given up everything for you.” Her voice was hushed but clear.

Not sleeping after all. And she could never be harmless, he reminded himself. The small white flower blooming from the middle of her back, marking her a Winter faerie, was proof enough of that. It had been over an hour since David cuffed her to the chair—an hour since Chelsea had exposed the irrefutable proof that she was, in fact a Winter faerie—and Tamani still hadn’t gotten used to the sight. It filled him with an icy fear he had rarely felt before.

“I was ready. That’s why I stopped you before you brought me inside.” Yuki looked up and unfolded her legs, stretching as best she could under the circumstances. “But you knew that, didn’t you?”

Tamani held his tongue. He had known. And for a moment he’d been tempted to let her make her confession. But it wouldn’t have ended well. Yuki would eventually have discovered that his affections were a sham, and then he would be at the mercy of a Winter faerie scorned. Better to cut the charade short.

He hoped he wasn’t deceiving himself about that. She posed a threat; he shouldn’t have felt any guilt about lying to her in the first place, much less now that he knew she’d been lying too. The power Winter faeries had over plants also made it possible for them to sense plant-life at a distance, so from the instant Yuki had met Tamani, she had known him for a faerie. Known Laurel, too. She had played them all.

So why did he still wonder whether he’d done the right thing?

“We could have been so good together, Tam,” Yuki continued, her voice silky as her rumpled silver dress, but with a malicious edge that made Tamani shiver. “Laurel’s not going to leave him for you. She may be a faerie on the outside, but inside she’s all human. David or no David, she belongs here, and you know it.”

Avoiding his captain’s eyes, Tamani turned back to the window and peered out into the darkness, pretending to look at . . . something. Anything. A sentry’s life was full of viciousness and Tamani and Shar had both seen each other take extreme measures to protect their homeland. But always against an obvious threat, a violent attacker, a proven foe. Trolls were their enemy—had always been. Winter faeries were the rulers of Avalon and though Yuki had deceived them, she’d never actually harmed them. Somehow, putting her in chains felt worse than killing a hundred trolls.

“You and me, Tam, we’re the same,” Yuki continued. “We’re being used by people who don’t care what we want or what makes us happy. We don’t belong with them; we belong together.”

Reluctantly, Tamani glanced at her again. He was surprised to see that she wasn’t looking at him as she spoke—she was staring past him, out the window, as if at some bright future she still imagined possible. Tamani knew better.

“There isn’t a door in this world that can be closed to us, Tam. If you vouched for me, we could even go peacefully to Avalon. We could stay there together and live in the palace.”

“How do you know about the palace?” Tamani asked reflexively, knowing even as he did that he was snapping at her bait. A barely audible sigh came from Shar, and Tamani wondered if it was directed at Yuki’s stupidity or his own.

“Or we could stay here,” she continued, calmly, as though Tamani hadn’t said anything. “Anywhere we wanted to go, anything we wanted to do, we could. Between your power over animals and mine over plants, the world would be ours. You know, the pairing of a Spring and Winter would work really well. Our talents complement each other perfectly.”

Tamani wondered if she understood just how right she was—or how little it tempted him.

“I would have loved you forever,” she whispered, bowing her head. Her dark, lustrous hair fell forward, veiling her face, and she sniffled quietly. Was she crying, or stifling a laugh?

Tamani startled when a knock sounded at the door. Before he could take a step, Shar moved silently to the peephole. Knife in his fist, Tamani tensed—ready. Was it Klea? That’s what everything was for—the circle, Yuki in cuffs—an elaborate trap to snare the scheming Fall faeriewho might be trying to kill them.

And might not.

If only they could know for sure.

Until they did, Tamani had to assume they were a threat—a lethal one.

But with a shimmer of a grimace Shar pulled the door open and Laurel entered the room, Chelsea close behind her.

“Laurel,” was all Tamani managed to say, his fingers falling from the knife. Even after loving Laurel for as long as he could remember, and lately becoming something . . . something more, he still felt a leap of joy every time he saw her.

She had changed out of her dark-blue formal—the one she’d worn when he held her in his arms over a year ago at the Samhain festival, when he’d kissed her so passionately. It seemed so far away.

Laurel wasn’t looking at him; she only had eyes for Yuki.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Tamani whispered.

Laurel arched one eyebrow in response. “I wanted to see for myself.”

Tamani clenched his teeth. In truth, he did want her there, but his own selfish desires were at odds with his concern for her safety. Would he ever be able to satisfy both?

“I thought you were going after David,” Tamani said to Chelsea, who was still in her deep-red formal. She’d ditched her heels somewhere, so the bottom of the dress pooled at her feet like blood.

“I couldn’t find him,” Chelsea said, her lip quivering almost imperceptibly. She looked at Laurel, who was still studying their silent prisoner.

“Yuki?” Laurel said tentatively. “Are you okay?”

Yuki looked up, glaring at Laurel with steel and fury. “Do I look okay to you? I’ve been abducted! I’m handcuffed to a metal chair! How would you be?”

The Winter faerie’s venomous tone seemed to hit Laurel like a breaking wave and she took a step backward. “I came to check on you.” Laurel glanced at Tamani, but Tamani wasn’t sure what she wanted. Encouragement? Permission? He offered her a pained grimace and a tiny, helpless shrug.

Laurel turned back to Yuki, the Winter faerie’s expression unreadable, her chin held high. “What does Klea want from me?” Laurel asked.

Tamani didn’t expect her to answer, but Yuki met Laurel’s gaze and simply said, “Nothing.”

“Then why did you come?”

Yuki smiled now, a crooked, mischievous smile. “I didn’t say she never wanted anything. But she doesn’t need you anymore.”

Laurel’s eyes darted to Tamani, then to Shar, before returning to Yuki.

“Laurel, listen,” Yuki said, her voice quiet, comforting. “This whole charade is completely unnecessary. I’ll talk to you if you just get me out of here.”

“That’s enough,” Tamani said.

“Step in here and shut me up,” Yuki said, glaring at Tamani before turning back to Laurel. “I’ve never done anything to hurt you and you know I could have. I could have killed you a million times, but I didn’t. Doesn’t that count for anything?”

Tamani opened his mouth, but Laurel laid a hand on his chest, silencing him. “You’re right. But you’re a Winter faerie. You hid that, even though you had to know about us. Why?”

“Why do you think? The moment your soldier friends found out what I was, they chained me to a chair!”

Tamani hated that she was right—that Laurel wouldn’t be able to deny it.

“Okay, well, maybe we just need to start over,” Laurel said. “If we can all figure this out before Klea shows up, even better. If you could just tell us—”

“Tamani has the keys,” Yuki said, looking over at him, malice gleaming in her eyes. “Let me out of here, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

“No deal,” Tamani said, doing his best to sound bored.

Laurel spoke to Yuki again, cutting them off. “It’s probably safest for everyone if—”

“No!” Yuki shouted. “I can’t believe you’re even a part of this! After what they did to you? To your parents?”

Tamani frowned; what did Laurel’s parents have to do with anything?

But Laurel was already shaking her head. “Yuki, I don’t like that they made me forget. But I can’t change the past—”

“Forget? I’m not talking about memory elixirs. What about the poison?”

“Oh, come on—” Tamani blurted.

Laurel shushed him. “Yuki, do you know who poisoned my father?”

Tamani was pretty certain of the answer, and he knew Laurel was too—it had to have been Klea. But if Laurel could convince Yuki to confirm their suspicions . . .

“Your father?” Yuki looked confused. “Why would they poison your father? I’m talking about your mother.”

Again Laurel looked at Tamani, and he shook his head with a tiny shrug. What was Yuki playing at?

“You don’t even know, do you? Big coincidence that the couple who happened to own the land around the gate just happened to be childless—waiting for a little blonde baby to pop into their lives. How . . . convenient. Wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s enough,” Tamani said sharply. He should have guessed; more games. Yuki was just looking for ways to get them doubting themselves—and each other.

“They did that,” Yuki said. “Fifteen years before you even showed up on their doorstep, the faeries made sure your mother was baby-hungry enough to take you without question. They damaged her, Laurel. Made sure she could never have her own children. They ruined her life and you’re siding with them.”

“Don’t listen to her, Laurel. It’s not true,” Tamani said. “She’s just trying to get into your head.”

“Am I? Why don’t we ask him?”

Sooooo?

Waiting On Wednesday/Cover Reveal..With Bonus!

Have you seen it? Yes? Wanna see it again? Haven't seen it? Oh boy!

Gaw-geous? Love it? I think it's great, but here's what I don't like about it; Clary looks about late 20's instead of 16-17, and I think Jace's hair should be longer. Other than that, perfection! 

But that's not all! I saw the cover reveal on USA Today Books, and as part of the article was this exclusive prologue from City of Lost Souls to whet your appetite:

Simon stood and stared numbly at the front door of his house.

He'd never known another home. This was the place his parents had brought him home to when he was born. He had grown up within the walls of the Brooklyn row house. He'd played on the street under the leafy shade of the trees in the summer, and had made improvised sleds out of garbage can lids in the winter. In this house his whole family had sat shivah after his father had died. Here he had kissed Clary for the first time.

He had never imagined a day when the door of the house would be closed to him. The last time he had seen his mother, she had called him a monster and prayed at him that he would go away. He had made her forget that he was a vampire, using glamour, but he had not known how long the glamour would last. As he stood in the cold autumn air, staring in front of him, he knew it had not lasted long enough.

The door was covered with signs—Stars of David splashed on in paint, the incised shape of the symbol for Chai, life. Tefillin were bound to the doorknob and knocker. A hamesh, the Hand of God, covered the peephole.

Numbly he put his hand to the metal mezuzah affixed to the right side of the doorway. He saw the smoke rise from the place where his hand touched the holy object, but he felt nothing. No pain. Only a terrible empty blankness, rising slowly into a cold rage.

He kicked the bottom of the door and heard the echo through the house. "Mom!" he shouted. "Mom, it's me!"

There was no reply—only the sound of the bolts being turned on the door. His sensitized hearing had recognized his mother's footsteps, her breathing, but she said nothing. He could smell acrid fear and panic even through the wood. "Mom!" His voice broke. "Mom, this is ridiculous! Let me in! It's me, Simon!"

The door juddered, as if she had kicked it. "Go away!" Her voice was rough, unrecognizable with terror. "Murderer!"

"I don't kill people." Simon leaned his head against the door. He knew he could probably kick it down, but what would be the point? "I told you. I drink animal blood."

He heard her whisper, softly, several words in Hebrew. "You killed my son," she said. "You killed him and put a monster in his place."

"I am your son—"

"You wear his face and speak with his voice, but you are not him! You're not Simon!" Her voice rose to almost a scream. "Get away from my house before I kill you, monster!"

"Becky," he said. His face was wet; he put his hands up to touch it, and they came away stained: His tears were bloody. "What have you told Becky?"

"Stay away from your sister." Simon heard a clattering from inside the house, as if something had been knocked over.

"Mom," he said again, but this time his voice wouldn't rise. It came out as a hoarse whisper. His hand had begun to throb. "I need to know—is Becky there? Mom, open the door. Please—"

"Stay away from Becky!" She was backing away from the door; he could hear it. Then came the unmistakeable squeal of the kitchen door swinging open, the creak of the linoleum as she walked on it. The sound of a drawer being opened. Suddenly he imagined his mother grabbing for one of the knives.

Before I kill you, monster.

The thought rocked him back on his heels. If she struck out at him, the Mark would rise. It would destroy her as it had destroyed Lilith.

He dropped his hand and backed up slowly, stumbling down the steps and across the sidewalk, fetching up against the trunk of one of the big trees that shaded the block. He stood where he was, staring at the front door of his house, marked and disfigured with the symbols of his mother's hate for him.

No, he reminded himself. She didn't hate him. She thought he was dead. What she hated was something that didn't exist. I am not what she says I am.

He didn't know how long he would have stood there, staring, if his phone hadn't begun to ring, vibrating his coat pocket.

He reached for it reflexively, noticing that the pattern from the front of the mezuzah—interlocked Stars of David—was burned into the palm of his hand. He switched hands and put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Simon?" It was Clary. She sounded breathless. "Where are you?"

"Home," he said, and paused. "My mother's house," he amended. His voice sounded hollow and distant to his own ears. "Why aren't you back at the Institute? Is everyone all right?"

"That's just it," she said. "Just after you left, Maryse came back down from the roof where Jace was supposed to be waiting. There was no one there."

Simon moved. Without quite realizing he was doing it, like a mechanical doll, he began walking up the street, toward the subway station. "What do you mean, there was no one there?"

"Jace was gone," she said, and he could hear the strain in her voice. "And so was Sebastian."

Simon stopped in the shadow of a bare-branched tree. "But he was dead. He's dead, Clary—"

"Then you tell me why he isn't there, because he isn't," she said, her voice finally breaking. "There's nothing up there but a lot of blood and broken glass. They're both gone, Simon. Jace is gone. . . ."

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading in which one grabs her current read, opens to a random page, and gives two "teaser" sentences from that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!! You don't want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The President's Vampire (The President's Vampire #2)
Written by Christopher Farnsworth
Hardcover 335 pgs 

The Setup: On page 52, Zack Barrows is describing to us how Cade (the vampire) views the world, threat and prey. He goes on to say that walking in the sunlight isn't his only handicap Cade faces in moving through the human world. 

The Teaser: "On a fundamental level, people knew he didn't belong. Simple human interaction was often beyond him. He was a predator. He didn't know how to talk to prey." 

That last line is priceless!

Did You Know?

Please tell me I wasn't the only one? Did you know that Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves was been released (according to Goodreads.com) on January 4, 2011. Did you know that it is the SEQUEL to BLEEDING VIOLET?? I, for one, did not. I found Slice of Cherry early, I'm guessing when it was just Reeves' next project. It did not state that it was the sequel to my most favorite book! I figured I'd keep it eye out for her next release but I nearly screamed when I realized, "How could I not know there was a sequel to this?" Enough about my over-dramatics and more about the books!

Now, if you are not familiar with this series, please, allow me to help you get acquainted with a second look at Bleeding Violet and a fresh one at Slice of Cherry!!

Bleeding Violet is based in Portero, Texas, a town that can only be described as otherworldly. Weird is an understatement. Hanna comes to this town to live with her estranged mother under even stranger circumstances! Hanna isn't quite the definition of normal, either. More like manic depressive, or crazy. As she tries to convince her mother she's worth of her love and spend time with her crush Wyatt, she starts discovering things that start to cause a bit of trouble. And when you mix a nut like Hanna with a town like Portero, the outcome is not what you expect!

I remember laughing with this book. Smiling while I read it. I instantly fell in love with Hanna and her antics and her personality, all of them! She interacted with each character with such unique style! I loved every word of it!

Click here to read my review of Bleeding Violet!
 

Slice of Cherry also takes place in Portero, yet if revolves around two sisters, Kit and Fancy Cordelle. They are the daughters of an infamous murderer nicknamed the Bonesaw Killer. Sounds like a great family, right? Makes you want to invite them over for Sunday dinner! Soon the twisted sisters give in to their urge to kill, and it seems they're pretty good at it. The strange are outcasts in most places, but quite at home in Portero! One day Fancy discovers an invisible door. Like, what are the odds of that happening? Then I guess we take it from there! There is no mention of Hanna or Wyatt but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's a pretty small town, if memory serves.


Click here to read the FIRST CHAPTER of Slice of Cherry!

I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this book!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading in which one grabs her current read, opens to a random page, and gives two "teaser" sentences from that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!! You don't want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Tithe (The Modern Faerie Tales #1)

by Holly Black

"Kaye rolled over to get up ad go inside when she noticed that a piece of skin on her hand was loose. When she touched it with a tentative finger, it sloughed off like a sunburn, revealing tender green skin."

 

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading in which one grabs her current read, opens to a random page, and gives two "teaser" sentences from that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!! You don't want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Blood Feud (The Drake Chronicles, #2)

by Alyxandra Harvey

"The third stake went unerringly on its way, straight toward my mother's heart."

"She landed a little to the left and stuck out her arm, safely encased in a leather bracer, and knocked the stake right out of the air."

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading in which one grabs her current read, opens to a random page, and gives two "teaser" sentences from that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!! You don't want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

MY FIRST TEASER TUESDAY COMES FROM

BLOOD OATH by CHRISTOPHER FARNSWORTH

Inside, hanging on hooks, like a cannibal's meat locker, were rows and rows of body parts. Legs. Arms. Torsos. A chain full of hands, another of feet.