07th
Jul
Jul
Today
is the cover reveal for After I Break by Mandy Peterson. This cover reveal is
organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The cover MSN Art Studio (Maduranga Sampath): https://www.fiverr.com/mnsartstudionew
is the cover reveal for After I Break by Mandy Peterson. This cover reveal is
organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The cover MSN Art Studio (Maduranga Sampath): https://www.fiverr.com/mnsartstudionew
After
I break is a direct sequel to the first book Before I Shatter.
About the Book:
On
the heels of tragedy, Vita must stay hidden to stay alive.
the heels of tragedy, Vita must stay hidden to stay alive.
Gemini’s
Director has made a deadly move in his attempt to recover Vita as his
second-in-command. Led by her ever-prepared rescuer Evan, Vita jumps headlong
into the inner sanctum of the Undocumented — an organization united in their
mission to save the chaotic purity of mankind. Allying with former enemies
proves difficult, especially when they expect Vita to be the girl the Gemini
propaganda created: a visionary leader, terrifying soldier, and advanced human.
A girl she simply is not anymore.
Director has made a deadly move in his attempt to recover Vita as his
second-in-command. Led by her ever-prepared rescuer Evan, Vita jumps headlong
into the inner sanctum of the Undocumented — an organization united in their
mission to save the chaotic purity of mankind. Allying with former enemies
proves difficult, especially when they expect Vita to be the girl the Gemini
propaganda created: a visionary leader, terrifying soldier, and advanced human.
A girl she simply is not anymore.
When
her mother finally reveals the secret of Vita’s origin to her, Vita wonders
just how much her intended purpose determines her fate. Questioning her value
and humanity, she would just as soon stay a regular person until intelligence
uncovers a new mix of Vita 2.0 candidates under the Director’s harsh command —
all children.
her mother finally reveals the secret of Vita’s origin to her, Vita wonders
just how much her intended purpose determines her fate. Questioning her value
and humanity, she would just as soon stay a regular person until intelligence
uncovers a new mix of Vita 2.0 candidates under the Director’s harsh command —
all children.
There’s
no other option but to stop the Director:
no other option but to stop the Director:
a
madman who has discovered that Vita is broken
madman who has discovered that Vita is broken
and
will go to any lengths to make her whole again.
will go to any lengths to make her whole again.
The Facts:
|
Publication Date:
|
July 28th, 2017
|
|
Genre:
|
Science Fiction
|
|
Pre-Order at:
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And now without further ado the cover of ‘After I Break’:
Excerpt:
CHAPTER
ONE
ONE
Thick fingers coil around my upper
arm, dragging me through the crowd pressing in from all sides. Tall, polished
buildings made of stone and glass create a corridor, guiding us. Pop-up kiosks
crowd the cement walkways, each table displaying specialty wares from food to
fabrics. The rich aroma of coffee teases my nostrils. The happy jostling of
this crowd directly contradicts the misery beginning to fill my heart.
arm, dragging me through the crowd pressing in from all sides. Tall, polished
buildings made of stone and glass create a corridor, guiding us. Pop-up kiosks
crowd the cement walkways, each table displaying specialty wares from food to
fabrics. The rich aroma of coffee teases my nostrils. The happy jostling of
this crowd directly contradicts the misery beginning to fill my heart.
An old man fighting for his life
with an ax.
with an ax.
Losing the fight with a horrifying
shot to the head.
shot to the head.
My stomach cannot handle the
overload. Evan insistently carries me through to the edge of the crowd, but my
feet drag. Bile rises up my throat and spews all over the sidewalk. My rescuer
pauses impatiently and yanks me along as soon as I finish, ignoring the
disgusted cries of a woman now wearing vomit-spotted white pumps.
overload. Evan insistently carries me through to the edge of the crowd, but my
feet drag. Bile rises up my throat and spews all over the sidewalk. My rescuer
pauses impatiently and yanks me along as soon as I finish, ignoring the
disgusted cries of a woman now wearing vomit-spotted white pumps.
“Sorry!”
I manage to choke out as he pulls me away. I yank my arm free of his grip and
keep pace next to my partner who manages to look relatively calm but hurried.
We get some interesting looks as we rush through the streets.
I manage to choke out as he pulls me away. I yank my arm free of his grip and
keep pace next to my partner who manages to look relatively calm but hurried.
We get some interesting looks as we rush through the streets.
Evan
is dressed sensibly in his jeans, t-shirt, flannel, and hiking boots. On the
other hand, I am woefully unprepared for a trek through a bustling morning in a
metropolis. Still clad in pajamas, wool socks, and bed-head, passersby glance
at me as if I might be mentally ill.
is dressed sensibly in his jeans, t-shirt, flannel, and hiking boots. On the
other hand, I am woefully unprepared for a trek through a bustling morning in a
metropolis. Still clad in pajamas, wool socks, and bed-head, passersby glance
at me as if I might be mentally ill.
Who
knows? Maybe I am.
knows? Maybe I am.
Wherever
we are, it is a comfortable temperature out, warmer than the Swedish cabin that
we disappeared from. The people sound different here, too. Their language is
rounder, and the words run together. The English language is recognizable and
gives me some measure of comfort. At least I can speak the language here. I
keep my head down and follow Evan through winding streets to a large brick
building with two large domed windows and a large clock in the center.
we are, it is a comfortable temperature out, warmer than the Swedish cabin that
we disappeared from. The people sound different here, too. Their language is
rounder, and the words run together. The English language is recognizable and
gives me some measure of comfort. At least I can speak the language here. I
keep my head down and follow Evan through winding streets to a large brick
building with two large domed windows and a large clock in the center.
“What is this place?” I wheeze. My
socks slip and slide on this floor, making me work twice as hard to keep up
with his brutal pace.
socks slip and slide on this floor, making me work twice as hard to keep up
with his brutal pace.
Unaffected by my plight, Evan’s
voice is stiff. “King’s Cross. Train station. They’ve got a place where you can
change.”
voice is stiff. “King’s Cross. Train station. They’ve got a place where you can
change.”
My gaze wanders over the modern
surfaces within this massive structure. People flow through the entrance and
exits, living streams. Evan leads us to a row of lockers and pulls a key from
his boot. I raise a questioning eyebrow as he fiddles with the lock.
surfaces within this massive structure. People flow through the entrance and
exits, living streams. Evan leads us to a row of lockers and pulls a key from
his boot. I raise a questioning eyebrow as he fiddles with the lock.
“Grandfather and I prepared for this
possibility. We’ve got tickets, clothing, money. Everything we need to get to
safety.” He flings a gray duffle bag across his body and hands me a matching
overnighter. “The ladies room is over there.” He motions behind me. “I’ll be
waiting outside. Go get changed.”
possibility. We’ve got tickets, clothing, money. Everything we need to get to
safety.” He flings a gray duffle bag across his body and hands me a matching
overnighter. “The ladies room is over there.” He motions behind me. “I’ll be
waiting outside. Go get changed.”
I’m in shock. Slow to think. Even
slower to speak. My brows furrow. “What — ?”
slower to speak. My brows furrow. “What — ?”
“Not now, Vita.” He cuts me off with
a hand in the air. “There will be time for that later. Please, just go get
changed.” His eyes plead with me. Just cooperate.
a hand in the air. “There will be time for that later. Please, just go get
changed.” His eyes plead with me. Just cooperate.
So
I do. Surprisingly. I’m not used to taking orders any more, but now is not the
time for me attempt to regain my dinged pride. Obviously. I have no idea what
is going on, which sadly is a feeling I am starting to become familiar with.
Betrayed by my sort-of boyfriend, deceived by my father, and targeted by an
assassin in a Gemini jacket. Sure. I can acknowledge that I have zero plans,
and doing something is better than the alternative. Even if it’s as simple as
getting dressed.
I do. Surprisingly. I’m not used to taking orders any more, but now is not the
time for me attempt to regain my dinged pride. Obviously. I have no idea what
is going on, which sadly is a feeling I am starting to become familiar with.
Betrayed by my sort-of boyfriend, deceived by my father, and targeted by an
assassin in a Gemini jacket. Sure. I can acknowledge that I have zero plans,
and doing something is better than the alternative. Even if it’s as simple as
getting dressed.
After
I slip on a pair of black leggings, black tank top, and gray loose knit
sweatshirt, I lace up the pristine running shoes. My feet welcome the soft
interior, the protection of real soles. My toes wiggle in appreciation, and I
sigh. True to his word, Evan is waiting immediately outside the door for me. In
his hands, two large paper cups of coffee, one he hands off to me as we walk.
Wordlessly, he locates and boards our train with no issues. All I have to do is
follow along.
I slip on a pair of black leggings, black tank top, and gray loose knit
sweatshirt, I lace up the pristine running shoes. My feet welcome the soft
interior, the protection of real soles. My toes wiggle in appreciation, and I
sigh. True to his word, Evan is waiting immediately outside the door for me. In
his hands, two large paper cups of coffee, one he hands off to me as we walk.
Wordlessly, he locates and boards our train with no issues. All I have to do is
follow along.
Theexterior of the train reminds me of a very long tram similar to the ones we had
in the Lunar Colonies, but the interior could not be more different than those
bleak boxes. Individual black leather seats pair off on either side of a center
aisle. I run my fingertips along the cold seat backs as we meander toward the
middle of the car. Bags jingle as passengers stow them overhead before sliding
into their chairs. As I hoist mine overhead, Evan taps my forearm. He shakes
his head ever-so-slightly. Do not stow your luggage.
Instead, we settle in with our bags
in our laps. As the train pulls away from the station, I can’t stop myself from
examining the changing scenery out the nearest window. Evan speaks to an
attendant briefly, but my brain is firing rapidly. I can’t seem to find a
single topic to latch onto. Catching my breath from the relentless pace through
all of those crowded streets, I feel the heaviness seep in slowly through my
pores.
in our laps. As the train pulls away from the station, I can’t stop myself from
examining the changing scenery out the nearest window. Evan speaks to an
attendant briefly, but my brain is firing rapidly. I can’t seem to find a
single topic to latch onto. Catching my breath from the relentless pace through
all of those crowded streets, I feel the heaviness seep in slowly through my
pores.
Scrambled eggs with shards of glass
scattered on their fluffy peaks.
scattered on their fluffy peaks.
Being knocked to the floor.
Pinned
underneath Evan’s weight.
underneath Evan’s weight.
Seeing
stars as my head makes contact with the hard wood.
stars as my head makes contact with the hard wood.
Door
crashing in.
crashing in.
Weapons
trained on us.
trained on us.
George
swinging the ax.
swinging the ax.
Gunshot.
Then
suddenly in another town, likely a different country from the way these people
speak. Hurtling through swarms of bodies; now speeding through the landscape.
No idea where I am or where we are going.
suddenly in another town, likely a different country from the way these people
speak. Hurtling through swarms of bodies; now speeding through the landscape.
No idea where I am or where we are going.
Tears
begin pinching the features of my face. My knuckles turn white on the armrests.
I blink as fast as I can. My mind grasps for something — anything — to keep
these tears from spilling down my cheeks and shrink the lump in my throat. Warm
hands peel mine from their strangle hold. They fit so well around mine.
begin pinching the features of my face. My knuckles turn white on the armrests.
I blink as fast as I can. My mind grasps for something — anything — to keep
these tears from spilling down my cheeks and shrink the lump in my throat. Warm
hands peel mine from their strangle hold. They fit so well around mine.
“I
need you to hold it together. Just a little longer, okay?” His low voice
penetrates my grief.
need you to hold it together. Just a little longer, okay?” His low voice
penetrates my grief.
“How
can you be so calm?” My voice doesn’t match his. It wobbles and squeaks.
can you be so calm?” My voice doesn’t match his. It wobbles and squeaks.
“Because
I have to be. We can deal with this later. For now, we need to get to safety.”
His rock solid expression leaves me conflicted. Should I feel glad or horrified
that he’s not falling apart after what happened to his grandfather?
I have to be. We can deal with this later. For now, we need to get to safety.”
His rock solid expression leaves me conflicted. Should I feel glad or horrified
that he’s not falling apart after what happened to his grandfather?
My
lower lip trembles. The world has betrayed me. Gemini has betrayed me. “I
thought we were. Safe.”
lower lip trembles. The world has betrayed me. Gemini has betrayed me. “I
thought we were. Safe.”
His
hands squeeze mine. “Only 30 more minutes. Then we get off the train and take a
car the rest of the way.”
hands squeeze mine. “Only 30 more minutes. Then we get off the train and take a
car the rest of the way.”
“Where
are we going?”
are we going?”
He
leans in closely to whisper in my ear. “It’s a small base with the façade of a
storage unit. They’ve agreed to help us if it should ever come to this.”
leans in closely to whisper in my ear. “It’s a small base with the façade of a
storage unit. They’ve agreed to help us if it should ever come to this.”
“They
who?”
who?”
A
sigh heaves his chest. Whatever the answer is, he thinks I won’t want to hear
it. “The Undocumented.”
sigh heaves his chest. Whatever the answer is, he thinks I won’t want to hear
it. “The Undocumented.”
My
eyes grow wide. The last time I saw the Undocumented, we were shooting at each
other. My favorite teammate had been killed. How many times had they made an
attempt on my life and the lives of those I cared for?
eyes grow wide. The last time I saw the Undocumented, we were shooting at each
other. My favorite teammate had been killed. How many times had they made an
attempt on my life and the lives of those I cared for?
Seeing
my wild look, Evan grasps my hands harder. “It’s okay. They aren’t what you
think they are.”
my wild look, Evan grasps my hands harder. “It’s okay. They aren’t what you
think they are.”
“How
do you know?” I rip my hands away and tuck them into my lap. “This is insanity!
We could be walking into a trap!”
do you know?” I rip my hands away and tuck them into my lap. “This is insanity!
We could be walking into a trap!”
He
sighs. “It’s not.”
sighs. “It’s not.”
“They
could kill us on sight!” They would certainly have every right to. The faces of
the three men I shattered nearly two years ago swim in my mind. Someone has to
be unhappy about that.
could kill us on sight!” They would certainly have every right to. The faces of
the three men I shattered nearly two years ago swim in my mind. Someone has to
be unhappy about that.
“They
won’t.”
won’t.”
“But
—”
—”
“Because
I’m Undocumented.” Evan declares, matter-of-factly. “They’re the people who are
helping us. They’re the contacts who’ve been working tirelessly to give us
shelter, identities, security, in case of an emergency. So believe me when I
say this is the safest place we could possibly be.”
I’m Undocumented.” Evan declares, matter-of-factly. “They’re the people who are
helping us. They’re the contacts who’ve been working tirelessly to give us
shelter, identities, security, in case of an emergency. So believe me when I
say this is the safest place we could possibly be.”
I
clamp my mouth shut and recline my seat.
clamp my mouth shut and recline my seat.
About ‘Before I Shatter’ The First Book in the Series:
Vita
must make the choice:
must make the choice:
Continue risking her life for a cause she doesn’t believe in
or make an unprecedented escape?
Available
at Amazon.
at Amazon.
About the Author:
Mandy
Peterson grew up all over Nebraska and eventually settled down there with a
family of her own: husband, daughter, and son.
Peterson grew up all over Nebraska and eventually settled down there with a
family of her own: husband, daughter, and son.
When
she isn’t writing about herself in third person, Mandy the high school
librarian can be found digging through young adult and new adult lit. An avid
reader of all genres (but she secretly told me she loves sci-fi the most), you
will usually see her with her nose in a book or face to her Kindle app, iced or
blended coffee drink in hand. A former roller girl and roller derby referee,
she can also be found watching roller derby online or dragging her family
behind her to cheer on teams in person all over their great state.
For more information about Mandy Peterson please visit her website. Or visit her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
and Amazon.
Or sign up for her newsletter.
and Amazon.
Or sign up for her newsletter.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This cover reveal was organized by Lola’s Blog Tours.
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Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
