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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Excerpt and Giveaway: Five Out of the Pit (Five #2) by Holli Anderson

Published: March 31st, 2014

Description:

The Five find their way to Moab, Utah where, before they’re even settled in, evil finds them.

As Paige fights to keep from succumbing to the pull of an Incubus that has her marked as his next conquest, Johnathan seeks to find a way to rid her of a curse she willingly accepted in order to save him.

A surprising revelation initiates a long-awaited, yet unexpected, reunion for Alec who discovers a new magical talent he possesses.

The FIVE, along with their mentor, Joe, must figure out what was meant by the last words of a Demon as it was sent back to the Netherworld—a promise of Gathering darkness—and stop the evil before it’s unleashed on the small town of Moab. And, the world.

Five teenagers who’ve recently discovered they have magical powers and are living in the Seattle underground feel it’s their responsibility to protect unsuspecting humans from otherworldly foes. Things are going well until Johnathan, their unofficial leader and the boy sixteen year old Paige is in love with, is bitten by a changeling – the venomous saliva causing him to metamorphose into a ravening beast with each full moon. Paige vows that, no matter the cost, she will find a way to cure Johnathan of the evil that has embedded itself in his soul.

Johnathan’s monthly transformation and daily personality roller coaster isn’t the only problem they have to deal with. The Five are also gearing up to face their toughest and most dangerous enemy yet—a powerful and ruthless Warlock who will go to any means, including high school, to build his Dark Army.

EXCERPT 



I was dreaming—some disjointed, nonsensical nightmare—when I felt a heavy pressure on my chest; like someone was sitting on me. I worked to breathe as it became a little harder to push air in and out of my lungs. The feelings of anxiety and doom returned ten-fold and my eyes flew open. Of course all I saw was darkness. An immense black hole where there used to be light.

With a rush of adrenaline I raised my hands to push at whatever was on my chest. I twisted my hips, trying to turn to my side. Something gripped my wrists and forced my hands to the ground beside my head. I felt the weight shift down and legs like a wrestler’s wrap around my knees, pinning me in place with the strength of a bear. A scream froze in my throat. No sound could escape through the icicles of my vocal cords.

A mouth pressed against my ear. The breath unnaturally hot as an unfamiliar man’s voice whispered, “Shhh, Paige. Everything’s fine. You want this. You want me. You’ll never want anything more than what I’m going to give you right now. Just relax and enjoy.” His voice flowed like melted chocolate—smooth, sweet, and addicting.

The most terrifying thing about the words he breathed into my ear was—I believed them. The fear that wrapped around my heart like the tentacles of an octopus just slithered away—replaced by desire as his lips closed over mine, hot and moist. I kissed him back with great intensity. My mind became fuzzy and thoughts were slow to form.

****

He was big. He towered over me by at least a foot. A piece of greasy hair fell over his eyes as he lunged for me at the same time as I grabbed for my summoning necklace—that wasn’t there. I’d left it on the bathroom counter. I wasn’t prepared as he tackled me to the ground. I landed hard, with the grease ball on top of me. My breath came whooshing out and the pressure in my chest incapacitated me. I couldn’t breathe. Panic overtook me for a moment before I realized the breath had just been knocked out of me and my respirations would return shortly. The Big Greasy Giant laying atop me didn’t help the breathing problem.

As I lay there in the dirt, a rock jutting into my back below my backpack, I worked hard to inhale. I turned my head toward Halli. I wasn’t sure what had happened to her, I just saw two of the men crouched over her limp body, blood flowing from a large cut on her forehead. I struggled to push my assailant off me. He held me down while another of the goons grabbed my arms. Grease Ball put his face right up to mine and said, “Stay put little lady . . . or don’t. ‘S always more fun if ya don’t. Don’t even think about usin’ yer voodoo on me. One little spark and yer friend over there gets her throat slit.”







About the author:
Holli Anderson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing—which has nothing to do with writing, except maybe by adding some pretty descriptive injury and vomit scenes to her books. She discovered her joy of writing during a very trying period in her life when escaping into make-believe saved her. She enjoys reading any book she gets her hands on, but has a particular love for anything fantasy.

Along with her husband, Steve, and their four sons, she lives in Grantsville, Utah—the same small town in which she grew up.


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