Cloud Nine Girl

     Happy Friday, all! To celebrate one of my favorite days in the week, I’m announcing the release of a new book: Released From The Darkness, by Gabrielle Arrowsmith. I must say, the cover looks spectacular. Below, you’ll find a brief description of the book, a small excerpt from the inside pages, and also an author biography. At the very bottom, you’ll also find a way to win some  great free stuff. Thank you for joining me today and taking a peek at this spine tingling hot release. 

…And here it is…

Title:  Released from the Darkness
Series:  Concealed in the Shadows, Book 2
Author:  Gabrielle Arrowsmith
Published: February 14th, 2014 by Clean Teen Publishing
Word Count:  approx. 91,600
Genre:  Dystopian
Content Warning:  Mild Violence and Romance
Recommended Age:  14+

Synopsis: Through bullet or flame, she will fight to be free.

Two young seeksmen are dead, and Sydney blames herself. The only way to get her sister back from the county’s clutches while also preventing more deaths was to offer her own life in exchange for Evvie’s freedom.

She expected a dreadful end, but nothing like the prison in which she wakes. Agonizing county life is redefined in Neo-Necropolis, new city of the dead, which lies beneath the earth. Worse than being allegedly deceased, is the false identity Sydney is forced to assume where Evvie, Sheridan’s captain, and Crewe never existed.

Sydney alone knows the magnitude of the county’s evildoings inside, outside, and now below. At only eighteen, the responsibility to defend freedom falls solely on her tried and tested shoulders – a burden that requires desperate action when a catastrophic revelation upends the world as she knew it.

The people Sydney cares for are more vulnerable than ever. Though she’s buried underground and monitored by county agents, she must escape this new captivity. Maybe it’s time to fight fire with fire. Sydney has proven her courage in facing their weapons, but can she trigger her own?

Check Out An Excerpt From The Book:

“Who is this?” I ask, hoping for an answer other than the one snaking in my heart.

“That was a nasty thing you all just did. I’m afraid you’ve really upset order this time.”

No shadow of doubt remains. It’s him. “Good, you should be afraid,” I say, feigning courage.

He laughs. “Spirited one you are, Sydney, but you’ll learn yet. I am not afraid for me or for my county, I am afraid for you and – more specifically – for your town,” he says, biting into what little hope I still hold.

What am I supposed to say to him? Evvie is in Sheridan. I can’t allow him to do anything to the town that could hurt her or anyone else, but I also won’t cower and beg a belly-ridden snake. “What do you want me to do?” I ask, inviting him to help me find middle ground between our polar worlds.

“I want you to feel the same chaos you’ve sicked upon me,” he says with a spike of heat in his relaxed demeanor. “Drive fast, but I cannot promise you that your town and loved ones therein won’t already be ash.”

Amazon | GoodReads

About the Author:

Gabrielle Arrowsmith was born to her loving mother, father, and older brother on August 16th, 1988. She grew up in the small town of Ham Lake, MN enjoying reading, writing, playing soccer, acting in school plays, playing piano, and adventures with her brother and cousins.

Gabrielle’s high school years were very well-rounded and challenged her time management skills. She studied diligently, enabling her to graduate near the top of her class and earn an AP Scholar with Distinction recognition for her success in college-level courses and exams. She was seen as a leader in both the National Honor Society where she was elected vice president and on her soccer and track teams which each appointed her as captain. Between soccer and track seasons, Gabrielle acted in enough school theater productions to be inducted into the Thespian Society. During her senior year, she earned the Triple A award for performance in academics, athletics, and arts.

From 2006-2009 Gabrielle attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She played collegiate soccer for the Saints, held two work-study positions, acted in three theater productions and volunteered often. She was on the Dean’s List every semester and graduated summa cum laude.

Since 2009, Gabrielle has enjoyed teaching third through sixth graders in various school settings. She has recently transitioned to substitute teaching in order to pursue her passion for storytelling through both writing and acting. She also continues to enjoy playing and coaching soccer.

To find out more, please visit the official event page at Juniper Groves Book Solutions.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads

Clean Teen Publishing Links:

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 Enter The Rafflecopter to Win Some Great Gifts:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• Reader’s Choice of any Clean Teen Publishing eBook and a bookmark swag pack

Giveaway is International. Please click the following  Rafflecopter giveaway link and sign up.

Thank you! Have a blessed and happy day!  Erika 🙂

 My story about a doorknob started out purely sweet. I wrote a nonfiction recount of an adventure I took to Home Depot with my two kiddos a few weeks back. I quickly realized as I wrote the nonfiction version, you all might actually want to see what I  can create on my own, something fictional about this strange inanimate object. I thought, I’ve drawn strange objects way back in school, I can certainly write a creative piece about a doorknob. Hence, my title in how doorknobs can make you think good thoughts and maybe a creepy one, too.

So today, I’m showcasing my brainstorm from Thursday after work while I spun on a bike in the cycle room at the Y. It’s not perfect, but it sure was fun to write. And later this week, I’ll share my adventure with the kids 😉

That Old Brassy Knob

I never shut my bedroom door.

Call me silly. Call me paranoid. Maybe superstitious if you like. There’s something about the way the light creeps in through the dark, just a thin space between the door and the hallway. How the yellow beam touches the worn brassy doorknob on my door, and I imagine my grandma holding it with just her finger tips, opening the door and letting me out.

It’s morning. The sun isn’t up. I’ve been awake for an hour sipping coffee and flipping through the stations on the TV to catch the weather. I rub my eyes and leave the couch. I’d made it past the door already once. I ruffle my dark hair to the side and I walk down the hall thinking about my day. When I slip through my door to the bedroom, I’m careful not to disturb the knob.

My clothes aren’t where they should be in the closet. I rummage around, cursing myself how I hadn’t thought through what to wear last night. I throw my clothes on the bed, they’re wrinkly. I handle them carefully and squeeze through the door, avoiding the knob. I toss the clothes in the dryer and I set the cycle to wrinkle release. The dryer tosses the clothes, rumbling low as I slip back into my bedroom, scared of brushing the knob. When nothing shifts or moves, I take my shower. I dry my hair. The clothes are done and I’m careful to button each button and smooth out my collar when the door creaks. I stop. My heartbeat kicks faster. I swallow down the lump. My hands tremble.  I hear it turn. I hear it click.

The doorknob. I can’t stop staring.

The light flicks out.

THE END. 🙂

If you think I should go on, give me a few suggestions below. I’ll write your story, as long as there’s no blood or guts or gore. *Grimacing at my computer screen* I do wish to sleep at night. 🙂

Happy Monday!

Erika

Copyright © February 2014 · All Rights Reserved · Erika Beebe (Cloud Nine Girl)