Grape can’t unlearn what living in Sortilege Falls has taught her. Magic is real. Vampires live among us. And there’s a portal in her back yard that leads to another world.
Description:
Release Date: November 14th, 2017
Grape can’t unlearn what living in Sortilege Falls has taught her. Magic is real. Vampires live among us. And there’s a portal in her back yard that leads to another world.
A few weeks ago, Grape lived a quiet life with her family in Watts Landing. Now, she’s stuck in Sortilege Falls, searching for a way to rescue her brother from the other side of the rift. She’s connected to Brad through dreams and what she sees terrifies her. Brad is being tortured into performing magic and, even worse, he’s being forced to torture others.
Grape hounds the magic folk in town, seeking a way through the rift. Her mother’s memory’s been stolen. Her new vampire friend refuses to help. Grape must do it all alone. What she uncovers is a whole host of secrets about the town and her own family. And she’s not the only one hunting for answers.
Time is running out for Brad, but it might be running out for Grape as well.
EXCERPT
Grape is growing frustrated in her search to find her brother. None of the magical creatures living in Sortilege Falls will help her. Though normally averse to exercise, Grape decides to go for a run to clear her head, and she thinks she spots an old friend/enemy.
Grape rounded the corner and jogged onto her block. Nearly home. Good. Three miles was way farther than she'd intended to run though her legs still felt good and she hadn't gotten too sweaty yet. She hadn't jogged since she'd tried out for a part in Aliens, a student production in Watts Landing. She'd gone for the Sigourney Weaver role but hadn't been cast. It was the only production she'd been left out of in her home town. She hadn't really wanted to run now, but she'd been too antsy after school to just sit in her room. She'd thought about hiking through the woods but she knew she'd just end up by the tree, wishing for Brad to be back.
Her house grew larger as she jogged closer. Good. She wanted a shower and maybe six plates of dinner. Grape compelled her legs to go faster. "Move it!" she commanded and sped up. Her mind flashed to running toward the portal in the woods, surrounded by gnomes. They were leading her to the tree, to the rift, and to Brad. But she'd been seconds too late, only able to jump half way through the portal before the cat man caught her and pulled her back to Sortilege Falls. If it hadn't been for Liam, she'd be dead for sure. The cat man had found the idea of tearing her to shreds quite pleasurable.
Grape broke into a sprint. Thoughts of having to maybe outrun that furry bastard one day pushed her to the breaking point. Her ribs ached and a stitch ran through her side but still she pushed. What if she had to outrun him when she first landed in the Magic Lands? Maybe he would be standing guard on the other side of the rift? Her ribs burned but she didn't stop. She was almost there.
Something small and red caught her eye. Grape glanced at her neighbor's lawn and spotted a gnome sitting at the base of the mailbox.
"Auuuuuuugh!" she screamed as she leapt for the gnome. Clutching him in her arms, she tumbled through the thick grass. She rolled to a halt on her neighbor's driveway, clumps of dirt and grass sticking to her sweaty legs.
"Take me to Brad!" she screamed at the gnome. She held him up to her face so she could look him in the eye. "Take me to…" her voice fell as she took in the painted beard and the unmoving eyes and cap. The gnome was a statue. An inanimate statue. Grape sat up, the gnome resting on her lap. Dammit.
About the author:
I was born during a blizzard. I’m told it was pretty cool but I have no memory of that time. I grew up in two tiny towns in Virginia and spent most of my twenties moving around the US. I’ve lived in Virginia, Florida, Missouri, and Washington. I’ve settled down, for now, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
I’m a writer and improviser. I studied acting in college but spent more time rewriting lines than memorizing them. My first play, Fourth Wall, was produced my junior year. Since then, I’ve written several full length plays, one acts and screenplays. I started writing fiction in my late twenties. Now, I focus mainly on novels but still dabble in theater.
Fun facts about me: There are none. I’m sorry to disappoint you so soon. But, I do love to read, write, and run. My hubby is my favorite person on earth. Dogs are my second favorite. All dogs. I love orange juice, especially when it’s mixed with club soda. Carbonation is better than alcohol. Jaws is my favorite movie. Everything I’ve said so far is true.
Awards:
Puschcart Prize Nomination for “Grow Your Own Dad” – Published by Mixer Publishing
Semi-finalist Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference – “STUFF”
Honorable Mention The Ohio State Newark New Play Contest – “The Last Day”
Author's Giveaway
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