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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, April 26, 2014

Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Destined to Love (A Destined Novel) by Jourdyn Kelly

Release Date: May 2nd, 2014

Description:

Anala Geil has finally fulfilled her destiny to become the Leader of the Society of Hunters - 600 years AFTER she thought all Cursed Ones were gone. So far; she is a Cursed Hunter, has fallen in love with a fellow Hunter, had another Hunter turned, and lost Thomas - the one she had feelings for so long ago. She's doing great. 

The challenges that Ana and her Hunters must face now will either tear them apart, or bring them closer. 

But what will Ana do when she is forced to make the most difficult decisions of her long life? 

Will she be able to hold on to the humanity she feels is perilously close to shattering? 

Immortality. Humans would sell their soul for it. Immortals would steal souls to keep it. Infinite life is too seductive and powerful to resist. But, immortality is more like a bad drug habit than a gift. Immortals can't give it up because after living for so long, they don't know how to face death. You see, living forever isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you have your pros, but it's the cons that can make an Immortal wish for a death that will never come.

Anala Geil is a Hunter. She is bound by the rules of the Society. The rules are few, but they are strong. What happens when circumstances force her to break them all?

EXCERPT



"Rantings of an angry vampire"

I wonder. If I will myself to change, and attack Jenna for her incessant popping of her gum, it could be ruled as an animal attack. I could totally make it look like an animal attack. I would be quick; she wouldn't feel a thing.

Rantings of an angry vampire. Maybe that's what I should name my blog. Or memoir. Okay, so I'm cranky. Sue me. I have been sitting here for days waiting for Zac to wake up. All of my Hunters are here, except Sam who is working. They don't need to be here, they just insist on it. Much to my dismay. Talking, tapping, singing, popping. Ugh!

"I need blood."

Amanda's eyes snapped up from one of my father's journals she was reading. Her reaction to my thought surprised me, and told me it wasn't a silent thought at all.

"Sorry," I mumbled, lowering my gaze from hers.

"Don't be, Ana. If you need . . . "

"I'm just irritable." I looked pointedly at Jenna who popped her gum at me. "If you keep popping your gum, I will go all Chicago on you."

Jenna's face scrunched in confusion. "Huh?"

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. I know, childish, but come on! She's so annoying! "Stop popping your gum. And get some culture."

"Jenna," Amanda interrupted Jenna's comeback - which was bound to be bitchy, since we're talking about Jenna. "Could you get Ana some blood?"

"Why can't she get it herself?"

"Because I need to stay here with Zac," I shot back. "You don't need to be here."

"He's my friend, too!"

I am over 600 years old, and I'm arguing with what is essentially the ultimate 'mean girl'. Sigh.

"I understand that, Jenna. However, I am technically Zac's true Maker. When he wakes up, I need to be here."

"Wouldn't he want all of his friends here?" Jenna countered.

"Jenna, Ana isn't just Zac's friend. He will be bonded with her now."

My boyfriend, Sam, chose the exact moment Amanda spoke of Zac's bond with me to walk in. I noticed his step falter, and his eyes cloud over with an emotion I couldn't read as he cleared it immediately. Fantastic. As if he wasn't already weary of Zac's feelings for me.

Jenna must have felt the change in the air, because she excused herself, mumbling about getting me blood - and popping her damn gum. The rest of my Hunters didn't move to leave, but had enough decorum to at least look like they were busy doing other things on their smart phones or tablets.

"Any movement, call me back. I'll be right outside," I whispered to Amanda. She gave me a nod before glancing at her brother Sam. A look passed between them, and I wished then that I could read minds. With a sigh, I step outside the room with him.

"Hey." He pulled me to him, kissing me chastely on the lips. It wasn't his normal hello kiss, but he had just heard that Zac - who had confessed to being in love with me before he was turned by Thomas - would be bonded to me. I guess I couldn't blame him.

"Hi. Tough case?"

Sam and I haven't been able to spend much time together since that fateful night we went to kill Thomas and his army of Cursed Ones and Hybrids. He caught a big case, and since we were waiting for Zac to wake up before our search for Thomas started up, he had been spending a lot of time on his own investigation. If I hadn't been so caught up with Zac, I'd probably think something was off between us.

"They're all tough. I'm a homicide detective."

Or, maybe there is something off between us.

"Sam . . . "

"He'll be bonded to you?"

Sam's voice was even, but the look in his eyes belied that calm. Was he worried that this bond with Zac would push us together?

"I cannot change that, Sam. Believe me, I would if I knew how."

"What does this mean for you two?"

"It means . . . " I made a frustrated noise that made Sam's eyebrows quirk. "I do not know what it means. I have never been anyone's Maker. At least, not by choice. If I knew how to be a Maker and use whatever that bond was, I would use it to find Thomas." The idea gave me pause, and I momentarily forgot about what Sam and I were talking about. Could it be that easy? I may not have made Thomas myself, but it was my blood. I am his Maker.

"Ana?"

Sam brought my attention back to him.

"I am sorry. I was just thinking."

Sam's lips pulled into a grin. He stepped closer when I give him a questioning look.

"Your entire vocabulary changes when you're thinking as Anala."

"Does it?"

"Mmhmm." Finally Sam wrapped his arms around me, without any of the stiffness or reluctance I had felt earlier. "It's sexy."

I snorted. Not exactly sexy, but it's what happened.

"You just think my accent is sexy."

He had told me before that along with my long, raven hair, translucent eyes and awesome body (his words, not mine), my English accent turns him on. I accused him of being biased, and insisted I didn't have an accent. What can I say? I don't always take compliments very well. Especially when they come from someone who looks like Sam.

"I think all of you is sexy," he responded, touching my cheek softly. Thank God I can't blush.

My response was to kiss him. And, not just a chaste kiss like he gave me before. I've missed this. I realize that if we had finished the job with Thomas, I wouldn't be here. Or, shouldn't be here. I had given Zac instructions to kill me after Thomas was dead. Things didn't go quite as expected that night.

It's been almost a week since then, and as I pushed my fingers through Sam's wheat colored - and, oh so soft - hair, I couldn't help but think about this being the first time Sam and I have actually had more than just a quick kiss.

"I miss you," he whispered, echoing my thoughts.

"Are you off tonight?"

He sighed, pressing his forehead to mine. "No. I'll be late."

"I don't care. Come to me when you're done."




About the author:
Currently living in the Houston area, Jourdyn spends her time writing, designing websites and caring for what she equates as a zoo with 3 dogs, 2 cats, a bearded dragon, 3 frogs and 3 turtles. In the recent years, she has changed her lifestyle to include working out and eating right. She now competes in triathlons, has run her first half-marathon, and loves Muay Thai kickboxing, boxing and Krav Maga. Jourdyn loves bringing her characters out for everyone to meet. Her goal is to keep writing in many different genres, as she feels there shouldn't be anything limiting writers. Coming up, you will hear more of Blaise Knight's story.


Cover Reveal organized by Book Enthusiast Promotions

3 comments:

ionutzk said...

:O Scaaary cover :D ... nice story :)

Anonymous said...

As zice ca sunt prea multe povesti de genul acesta, dar as minti. Eu, una, nu ma pot abtine sa nu citesc tot felul de povesti cu vampiri:))
O alta istorie care are de gand sa ne faca sa zgarmam in ea mai mult decat vrem.

AliceNeko said...

I love the cover!!!