Clean Teen Publishing is proud to present Broken Fate, the much anticipated debut release from Jennifer Derrick.
Zeus gave her one simple job: Kill every human. Atropos-daughter of Zeus and the third goddess of Fate from Greek mythology -spends her eternal life snipping human lifelines when their mortal lives are over. As if being a killer doesn't make life miserable enough, she and her Fate-wielding sisters must live amongst the humans on Earth thanks to a long-running feud between their mother and Zeus. Living on Earth means they must mingle with the mortals, attend the local high school, and attempt to fit in-or at least not stand out too much. Killing and mingling don't mix, which is why Atropos' number-one rule is to avoid all relationships with the humans. Caring for the people she has to kill is a fast track to insanity. However, when Alex Morgan walks into her first-period English class, she knows she's in for trouble. He's the worst kind of human for her to like-one with a rapidly approaching expiration date. And he makes Atropos want to break all the rules.
Excerpt:
“I’ve got to get you home,” I say.
“You go on. I can make it down.”
“Are you nuts? It’s almost dark, and you’re ill. Don’t argue with me,” I say when I see him open his mouth to protest. “I’m not taking chances with you.”
“It’s not like I can kill myself, is it?”
“Well, no, but fate doesn’t cover other things like the broken legs, ribs, or arms you might get from falling down a mountain.
You need your strength, not to be camped out in the hospital in traction. Besides, what would be the point of us dropping out of school if you end up in the hospital? Come on,” I say, extending a hand to him.
He gets up and waits while I retrieve and shrink my sword. I hang the pendant around my neck so that it rests next to his shears. We walk hand in hand out of the church and to the edge of the clearing.
When we get to the head of the trail that leads back to our cars, I look over at Alex. Just walking across the clearing has made him ill. He’s already white and panting.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” I say to him. “I’m going to carry you down the mountain. And you’re going to like it.”
He snorts. “I think I’m a bit heavy for you.”
“Trust me. You’re not.”
Picking him up in my arms, I carry him the way a groom carries a bride over the threshold after the wedding. I would be able to carry him easily even if he was well, but his illness has made him thin and highly portable. I’m dismayed that I can feel almost every bone poking me through his clothes. The long pants and shirts of winter have camouflaged how much weight he’s already lost.
“God, this is embarrassing,” he says.
“Don’t think of it that way,” I say as I pick my way carefully down the trail. “Think of it as a privilege that few have ever had. Being carried by a woman is one thing, but being carried by a goddess is something special. We don’t carry just anyone.”
“You’re not even breathing hard,” he complains.
“Could you at least act like you’re struggling? Make me feel a little manlier?”
“I could, but I’d probably trip and injure us both. Just relax, Alex. Let me do the work and don’t complain.”
He gives up and rests his head against my shoulder.
“That’s better,” I say.
Buy Links:
Please note, mystery boxes are shipped to US addresses only. International winners will be offered their choice of 3 CTP eBooks in lieu of the mystery box.
About the Author
I became a writer at the age of six when my parents bought me a child’s typewriter for Christmas and agreed to pay me a penny per page for any stories I churned out.
When I got older, I realized that I needed to make (much) more money from my writing so I first turned to the corporate world (where I learned that I am spectacularly unsuited to cubicle life) and ultimately to freelancing where I now write everything from technical manuals to articles on personal finance and European-style board games.
My writing career came full circle when Clean Teen Publishing accepted Broken Fate, my first novel. By my calculations, my parents owe me about $3.00 for that book.
I live in North Carolina and, when not writing, can often be found reading anything I can get my hands on, playing board games, watching sports, camping, running marathons, and playing with my dog.
Connect with Jennifer
Thank you so much for hosting a stop on Broken Fate's blog tour! I'll check back periodically and if any of your readers have questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
ReplyDelete