Excerpts, giveaways, parties and more!
I don't know about you, but all of this being stuck inside has me longing for the open road. What better time could there be for a virtual road trip? And in this case, we're zooming ahead to the year 20X5. Welcome to Keystone, a secret school for thieves hidden among the majestic trees in the Sequoia National Forest. In a time where "Influence" is everything and cameras track every move, the Keystone "Disconnects" live here, off the grid.
I hope you'll stay awhile! Keystone has lots of secrets and I'm excited to introduce you to Garrett and Elisha. I had so much fun writing their enemies-with-a-crush banter as they train to steal analog history before dark forces can succeed in rewriting the past, and I think you'll love them too!
Here's an excerpt:
Two twists to the right, one to the left… I trigger the pin, hold it in place with my L rake, and feel for the next one. Deep in the vault, I’m attempting to steal the Pink Star, a fifty-nine-carat pink diamond that sold at auction for Ä83 million. According to the plaque on the glass case, the collector who purchased the diamond is actually the proud owner of a 3-D printed replica. The original stone was stolen by a Keystone Disconnect years earlier, when it was on display at the Smithsonian, and that’s where it lives now—in the Vault’s version of the Smithsonian’s special exhibit hall. The collector never came up with the currency to purchase the stone, anyway, and the replica resides to this day in Sotheby’s inventory.
My full concentration on the lock, beads of sweat form on my forehead. Just one more second—
“I never pegged you for pink.”
The voice startles me, and my hand slips, sending my L rake rattling to the floor and triggering the alarm. Pulsating sirens reach air-raid status, and, whipping around, I clamp my hands over my ears.
Garrett stands behind me, smug. And alone.
“Didn’t anyone teach you not to sneak up on people?” I yell.
He crosses the room and punches a code into a keypad mounted on the wall. “Actually, no. I’ve been trained to always sneak up on people. You should watch your back.” The alarm abruptly goes silent.
“I’m no stranger to that.” I stand frozen in place, every muscle in my body tense.
His footsteps echo against the stone floor. Electricity surges up my spine, a ball of buzzing energy, as he draws closer.
I need you.
The thought pops into my brain, and I instantly dismiss it, annoyed at my body’s physical reaction to him.
“You could’ve fooled me.” He grins. “It’s pretty girly, don’t you think?” He points at the cotton-candy-colored gem. “Of everything in this room, that’s what you choose to steal?”
Ignoring his smile, I try to be the girl Allard wants me to be. I don’t need Garrett to like me.
“Why wouldn’t I want a pink diamond? I am a girl.”
“You just don’t strike me as someone who is easily dazzled.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I meant it as one.” He raises his eyebrows, and my heart skips a beat.
Squelching the quiver in my belly, I shake my head and draw on my Self-Awareness days.
“Uh-uh. I’m not falling for any of this.”
“Any of what?” He cocks his head.
“This.” I wave my hand in front of his face. “You’re cute, but I’m immune to cute. I’m not going to let you get to me.”
“Don’t worry, Ellie,” he murmurs, his eyes snaking the length of my body before matching my stare. “I have no interest in getting to you.”
Giveaway
Head on over to the Entangled Teen Facebook page on Wednesday, March 25th, at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST for the end of the road party! I'll be hanging with all of these awesome authors, talking books and giving away:
A $10 Amazon Gift card
A $20 Ripped Bodice Gift card (my local indie)
Can't wait to see you there! Until then, stay safe, read lots, support local, elbow bump your loved ones, and hightail it to the next stop on our trip to visit T.H. Hernandez! I'm sending you all virtual hugs and wand shots for an extra dose of magic along the way. ✨