<>

Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Excerpts and Giveaway: Gifted Trilogy by Erin Manbeck

Description:18+

Feisty, smart mouth Regan thought that breaking up with her boyfriend Sam was going to be the start of her independence. Instead, she is manipulated and dragged into a world where sharp, sarcastic wit isn't going to save her. Turning to her Gram for help, the only remaining relative she has, Regan is upset to find out that her grandmother has been keeping family secrets of her own all these years.

With a vengeful goddess using people to try and bring Regan to the Underworld, Gram brings in three Guardians to protect her. Given the short version of what is expected of her, loaded with a lot of expectations for her future, Regan knows first-hand that life is too short. She isn't letting anyone make life-altering decisions for her despite finding out that the vengeful goddess has placed a price on her head.

This book will make you laugh, feel connected to the characters, and leave you wanting more.

Great read!! I have recommended this book to several family and friends already. Keep up the great writing and I'll continue to keep reading the story. Cheers!!!! - Goodreads

A definite 5 Star book. The depth of the story and characters grabs you, once I started reading I couldn't stop!!! - Goodreads

Power equals responsibility.

Despite declaring to those closest to her that she will take her position as Queen, Regan’s first priority is not to rule, but to find her parents. With Jake at her side, she is determined to learn how to use her new powers and hide from her destiny, as well as the Council, a little while longer.

Unfortunately, someone has been watching and reporting every move Regan makes. She is disheartened to find out the Council is already eagerly awaiting her arrival in Ireland and have apparently started to plan her future…one that does not include Jake.

Regan must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to protect her people from a vengeful goddess, while also weeding out the traitor among them. In the end, will she have the strength to withstand losing any of them?

There is so much that I loved about this entire series. Erin Manbeck managed to write these books with great detail to description and detail. Each book is steady in the telling of the story, yet moved at a pace that kept me entirely hooked. - Goodreads

Regan’s arrival in Ireland may have heightened her powers, but it has also given Agrona and her minions more cause to make sure she never makes it to her coronation. With every attack and the harsh welcome she receives from the council, Regan is more determined than ever to prove why the deities have chosen her to be the Queen.

Although, part of her has accepted that she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice, it isn't until Regan finds herself in the Otherworld being handed over to Agrona that the reality hits her. Will Jake and her family survive without her?

I have really enjoyed this trilogy and am gutted its finished but it was a journey I won't forget in a hurry. 
what I liked was this book wasn't predictable you worked out what was going on just as the characters did it's not like in the end there's a major battle between light and dark, it's more connecting the dots and outwitting the enemy. - Goodreads

I found each book in this trilogy was very hard to put down. The plot, the story, and the characters were very well developed. Glad this wasn't another fantasy story about werewolves and vampires. - Goodreads

EXCERPT



Gift of Sight

Regan could tell he was being sincere, but she didn’t care. “You said most of the time, what about the other times? What did you do?” Regan’s questions were being fired out like a machine gun burst.

Jake was definitely having a hard time finding the right words. He went with the honest approach. “Well, on occasion you would just walk out of the bathroom and I would happen to look up and you would be naked. So yes, I have seen you naked. Over the year quite a few times, you really have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are beautiful.”

With a poker face that would have won her millions at the tables, Regan responded, “Take your clothes off.”

“What? Why do you want me to do that?”

“Seriously, it’s only fair. Take your clothes off, every last stitch.”

Jake couldn’t believe what she was asking. “Regan, I am not taking my clothes off.”

Regan screamed into Jake's face, “GET NAKED NOW!”

Suddenly Gram was at her side. “Honey, why are you screaming? What are you getting so upset about?”

Regan never took her eyes off Jake. “He needs to get naked. It’s only fair.”

“Honey, why would Jake need to be naked to talk to you?” Even Gram had a bit of a laugh mixed in her tone.

“Over the last year there have been moments where he has seen me naked. The only way I am going to be comfortable with that fact is if he gets butt naked right now, an eye for an eye, so to speak.”

Piper jumped in to help. “She’s right, Jake. I mean, if someone saw me naked like that without me knowing and then I had to work with him or her, you bet their hairy ass I would make them strip. Come on, Maggie, we don’t want to see that, so we should go back into the kitchen until he is done.”

"You have a hairy ass?" Regan asked Jake.

"No, of course not, Piper is messing around."

"See, the smart money was on yes because then I might have said to forget this whole thing, but since you said no…get in the birthday suit. You’re wasting precious time."


Gift of Power

“Lead the way, Buttercup. No, stop, don’t like that nickname, I have to come up with another one. Lover, no, ill, I sound like the chick from ‘Saturday Night Live’. Caveman, yes, that’s the one that still sticks. Lead the way, Caveman.”

“I rather enjoy Caveman, now move that ass, and stop pussyfooting around.”

“Hey, if I’m supposed to be watching my language, you can’t flaunt it in front of me like that.”

Jake eventually just grabbed her hand and started to pull Regan out the door. “What’s wrong with the word ass?”

Regan decided that being pulled didn’t suit her, so she double-timed her steps in order to walk side by side with Jake. “No, you said the P-word.”

Jake thought about it for a second and finally just started laughing. Regan sighed, “At least we look natural, you laughing at me, me wondering why?”

“Because you can drop the f-bomb, but I can’t say pussyfooting because you flipped it into a dirty word. If I said pussycat, what would that do for you?”

“Will you stop it? It’s the P-word and women don’t like that. Fu, I mean never mind other women, I don’t like it. Don’t use it even if we are standing by a p-willow tree.”

Jake, while still laughing, wrapped her in another big hug. “My mission has been accomplished.”

“What mission would that be you p-word abuser.”

“I got you distracted enough to get you into position. Piper and Maggie will be out soon.”

Regan surveyed the area and then her stomach flopped. “Oh shit. I really hope it’s a friendly cat?”

“I’m sure it will appear to be a friendly pussycat, but don’t let looks deceive you. Damn, why did you just hit me?”

“I’ll give you one guess.”


Gift of Prophecy 

“Stay behind me, all three of you, and that is not a request.” 

When Regan had first seen the council members, an image had flashed in her mind. 

What the hell, why not? 

She didn’t even have to touch the ground to feel the connection. Everything around her, since she arrived in Ireland, seemed to call to her. She raised her hands ever so slightly, and concentrated on the level ground that was between her and the stage. Tapping into nature, she prayed. “I call upon my abilities and I ask for your help.” 

At first there was a small vibration, an effect that had Regan not sure what she was doing, but when the earth before her started to violently tremble all she could think was, “Thank you Danu and Oaky.” 

To make sure the council knew her intentions, she spoke loud and clear. “Keep those that doubt me and are not pure of heart from reaching me.” 

Regan placed her palms together and directed them at the center of the open area. While visualizing what she wanted, she pulled her hands apart and watched as the ground in front of her slowly started to tear apart. A large crack appeared in the center of the open area and the ground began to separate. By the time her arms were spread wide, the fifty feet that had separated her and the stage, was nothing more than a gaping hole that didn’t appear to have a bottom. 

Regan, not satisfied yet, continued creating this bottomless pit around the entire stage, until it stood like a lone island in a vast sea, with all of its occupants now huddled together, except for her one lone wolf. Rewarding him for standing apart from the others, she’d offer him an olive branch, so to speak. 

Regan raised her hands higher this time and drew from what remained around her. Strong roots, embedded in the earthen pit walls, began to come alive. The once nestled roots pulled away from their home in the dirt, entwining together as they reached out across the chasm. They continuously stretched until they met their counterpart, coming from the other side. When connected, what appeared in front of everyone was a small bridge. “Conall, I offer you this opportunity to join me, since you are probably the only one of the nine that wishes to remain a member. If you choose to join me, walk across my bridge before I remove it.” 

Conall let out a laugh and saluted his fellow council members. With no fear, he walked quickly across Regan’s makeshift bridge, and with every step, Regan not only saw his aura become brighter, but her trust in a man she had never met grew. It was unquestionable that he belonged to the light. When Conall came to the end and took his last step off the bridge, he smiled widely. 

Just as she was getting ready to speak, Regan saw the other members starting to make a move for the bridge. She instantly dropped her hands, in turn dropping the bridge, and leaving them to think about their actions. 


About the author:
I’m an author in hiding…I still work full time, but don’t ever look over my shoulder to see what’s on my computer screen. Chances are you will find me secretly writing.

Besides family and friends, I love to laugh. It may be at the expense of those I love, but they get me, so I usually don’t offend too much.

Honesty…I can’t help it. I usually say way I feel, but with a little guidance, I’ve learned to be more tactful.

I’ve worked in plenty of environments (trucking company, correction officer and I was in the military to mention a few) so I guess you can say that’s where my mouth and attitude come from. Either way, as long as I get my morning cup of coffee people are safe.

The Trilogy is complete and I also have a new stand-alone book called “Dreamless”. It’s a Paranormal Suspense that’s a bit lighter on the language, but will keep you guessing who the Nightmare really is.


Author's Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

20 comments:

Linda Romer said...

Hello Erin, the Gifted series sounds great. I would love to read these books. Thank you

Kalliope D. said...

I find this trilogy very intriguing!! I'd love to read it! :) And the covers are so wonderful! ^_^
Thank you for the chance to win in this awesome giveaway! ;)

Unknown said...

Hope you both, Linda and Popi, get a chance to read it. It was fun to write and unlike some paranormal, you'll find some humor. Best of luck in the giveaway.

collenga said...

This sounds like an awesome series and I really love the covers!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you all love the covers as much as I do. They were created by an amazing artist that I was lucky enough to find online. We spoke a few times via email and those amazing covers is what she gave me. She also did my banner for my Facebook page and sent me other images I can use along the way. She goes by the name Y. Nikolova and if there are any other authors interested in getting in touch with her, let me know. She created these for me in no time at all and her prices are amazing.

Piper said...

I've never heard of these before, but they seem right up my alley. The covers are also gorgeous, but different enough they're easy to tell apart. Can't wait to read these.

Unknown said...

Piper, you will love them because your name is a main character throughout the books. Piper is kicka$$ in all of them. That should earn me at least four stars LOL.

Unknown said...

I would just love this series of books, loving all types of legends about Ireland. Gram and Regan remind me of all the stories I heard from relatives as a youngster about the Otherworld and all the legends. This series reminds me of home, but I am over here in Canada now. The covers are beautiful slightly different which shows growth I think? Are they all the same person posing for the pictures? I love the decoration on the faces around the eye, is it symbolic? Cannot wait to read them:)

Unknown said...

Karen, they are the same model and the eyes are what are symbolic. As you read the books you'll understand the significance of them. I wanted to show how the main character grows with each book. Innocent in the beginning, but strong even stronger by the end. I hope I don't disappoint with the mythology that's touched on. Some readers sort of skipped past that part but I love how the Underworld existed, but it's not hell. It's a realm of its own. My Gram talked to us kids the same way growing up. She was from Kilkenny.

kiwi_chick_2882 said...

I really like the covers on this series, I think they are made up really well and makes me think its my kind of book :)

Unknown said...

I had not heard of this series before this post, but I am glad I found it. This sounds like just my kind of read. Where did you get your inspiration for the mythology behind the book? BTW, beautiful covers!

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Awesome! Love to find new series to add to my list

Unknown said...

Kiwi Chick, I'm glad you love the covers. If you read the books just remember the eyes...hint hint.

Lori, I love Celtic Mythology. I'm always looking into the gods and goddess and get a kick out of how they are still to blame for things that happen in the world today. I didn't want my story to be like all the others so I made sure to twist it enough to make it my own and still keep the flow of the story going in the books. If you read the books I will tell you now that you will fall in love with Brion, can't give you anymore on him without giving something away. And you will love the doors in the third book. Again, can't say too much, but they are my fav.

Lisa, I hope you enjoy the books. You will definitely be surprised with all of it by the end. Regan's definitely the type of person who will make her own decisions in life and won't back down when a threat is made on her or anyone she loves. Loyalty goes a long way.

For the three of you, if i could tell you what makes these books different from what you have already read in the past, it's the humor you will find in them. Pretty much every character is sarcastic, Regan butchers common American sayings, and her mini me voice will tell you what she tries to hide inside.
Hope you all get a chance to read them and love them as much as I do.

Unknown said...

O wow!! I just love all these covers!! They are so stunning! And the excerpts are just great, I love series, and these sound great!! My fingers are crossed thank you!

Unknown said...

Cyndi, Now you have me nervous. The pressure is on and I hope you love them. Thank you for the compliment on the covers. I was very lucky to find the artist. If you get a chance to read the books feel free to let me know what you think.

Anonymous said...

I love the cover and the blurb ♡

Unknown said...

Thanks for this opportunity!

justwin4once said...

Liked the review and can't wait to read the trilogy. Do you think you will write any more multi-book series.

Betul E. said...

Sounds really good, looking forward to reading this book!

Unknown said...

Kathrine, I'm working on one now. It will definitely be two books, but if I keep working in more characters...it may be a trilogy.
Thank you all for your amazing comments. They keep a smile on my face