"Fantastic! I recommend this book to anyone but especially young adults who love fantasy/science fiction. I especially loved the main character Monet. She was so believable" - Amazon, TWD
Published: February 1st, 2016
Serve the community. Obey the laws. Exist on anxiety pills. This is all Monet, a ward of her city, can hope for until she and her friend, Luke, find an old book that shows the history of mankind—a past that’s been hidden from them and all the citizens of Titus. As their curiosity takes them down a dangerous path, extraordinary events begin to occur, showing them God may exist and is reaching out to them through illegal art and a realm of paranormal activity. Monet and Luke find themselves at a crossroads: live within the safe, logical confines of Titus, or embrace the wild truth and risk death.
EXCERPT
They haven’t told us everything.
They.
They, who ripped my heart out. I hate Them, but I need Them. They keep us fed and housed, even those who would be homeless without Their efforts. We are as efficient as ants, marching like clockwork—every tick is service to others, every tock is honor for our good deeds; how much we cling to the work of our hands as if the world spins because of it. Does it?
Luke’s angel governs his clock in a way The Community has not taught me. What is that?
I lift the pages of the book, careful not to damage any more. There are sculptures of ancient gods and historical figures, leaders, musicians, artists. The expressive art, which in this book is categorized with the fine art, is the most fascinating. There are swirls of color, dabs of light at random, except many of the compositions seem more like a flash at the corner of my eye, something not quite defined unlike today’s exact likenesses. The steampunk style is Luke’s favorite and the inspiration for his sculpture, and despite the random key and gear, the tone of it reminds me of how we dress, streamlined though it is.
“Who do you think left the book here? Someone who knows you?”
Luke takes the book and stuffs it into his vest, right over his heart. “I don’t know. There are rumors of people—rebels—living in these woods. Someone could’ve seen me sketching here.”
“I’ve walked these woods nearly every day. I’ve never seen a sign of anyone like that.”
He stands and offers me his hand. “We better get the other sculpture before anyone finds you missing.”
I live in a house designated for cast-offs. It’s The Triad’s solution to homelessness. Children who have lost parents and those that have managed to age past their working years are rounded up like cattle and sorted into deserted homes. The older children take turns caring for the elderly in return for room and board in homes that once belonged to cultists. I still sleep in my childhood room while my warden sleeps in my mom’s. I know nothing about my father—he is neither a memory nor a raw spot in my heart.
About the author:
Sherry wrote children’s books before digging into genres for older audiences. Her short stories have been published in The Relevant Christian Magazine and Wordsmith Journal Magazine. Recently, she became the author of the bestselling YA novel Faith Seekers, and is also the project leader for Roots Writers and Social Media Critique Group. She is bold when she feels there has been too much silence, and quiet when there is too much noise. She lives in Northern Arizona with her husband and children.
Thank you for hosting my book on your website!
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