In the third installment of the Collide series, we start off with Sherry, taken prisoner in the enforcement facility. The little bunker family must now decide whether it's worth the risk to try to save her or if it would bring doom to them all. Also, Daniel, the Lighter who shocked Lillian with his human emotions will reappear, but for what purpose? Will Sherry be rescued before it's too late? Will Daniel prove to be a genuine miracle? Will Cain be able to fully get over his love for Sherry? And how much more trouble can the new Taker cause for the rebels? Who will make it and who won't as the story continues.
Excerpt
| “Mmm, you smell so good,” I told L, nuzzling her neck from behind at the training session. “How do you always smell so good?” “Um, soap?” she said teasingly. “No, it’s not soap. It’s something else. You purposely spray on something to drive me crazy. What is it?” I asked, my voice low. “Jasmine.” “Oh, that’s right. I remember Daniel talking about it. When he was sniffing your neck,” I said sourly. Daniel may have saved us, but he had a rotten start with Lillian when we first met him. He’d tried to take Lillian to the Taker to become one of his girls. Then he’d tried to take her for himself, so he said. Then L offered him a proposition to save me and trade herself and he thought about taking it before he got a freak bout of conscience and saved our lives instead, killing two Lighters. “Oh, don’t be jealous of him. He didn’t know what he was doing. He was just curious.” “Uhuh.” “I don’t have that much jasmine perfume left actually. Won’t be long til I’m back to smelling like any normal person. Then what’ll you do?” “You’ll still smell good,” I assured her. She smiled and leaned back to kiss my lips and- “Hey! I swear,” Miguel shouted and glared at us. “I’m gonna post a sign on the door that says no bloody smooching once you cross that threshold.” “Sorry.” I released L and moved beside her. “Continue.” “Now, Sherry is a prime example of why we need to do this and not kid around here. She was defenseless and caught off guard. We can’t have that.” Lily was chomping at the bit to go sit instead of practice but Merrick was firm. I knew he was thinking his girls needed to know how to defend themselves. It was a full house today. The Keepers and Miguel were adamant about everyone training and apparently everyone had listened. Everyone was there except Danny and Celeste. “Ok, so first things first. Partner up and let’s work on some running-through strikes. I’d prefer you partner with a Keeper or someone who knows what they’re doing if you don’t. I’ve made some practice stakes out of old PVC pipe. Get one and start stabbing someone.” I grabbed two ‘stakes’ for L and me and we moved to the back corner to have room. “Ok. You want to be the Lighter first?” I asked. “I guess. It doesn’t really matter does it? I’m gonna die anyway. I’ll never stand a chance against you.” “Aw, don’t get down in the dumps. We’re just getting started.” “Fine.” She raised her hand. “Lighter.” She watched me carefully as I ran her through over and over again in all sorts of positions and scenarios. She was intense about it. I had to say, it was hot. “I totally feel like Buffy right now. All I need is a girly leather jacket,” L said breathlessly. “And some vampires. Don’t forget that.” “Lighters qualify.” “I guess they do. So, your turn. Stab me.” She took a deep breath and got into the cutest ‘staking’ position, trying to look serious and tough. She turned and twisted to come around and get me from behind. I stopped her. I started thinking maybe this wasn’t so fair. I’d been in the military, had lots of hand to hand, she’d had none. Was it better to let her get some hits in? Or make her work for it so she understands how hard it would be in real life? If this had been a man, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. I decided to not cheat her out of the experience. It would be better for her that way, safer for her to not get too excited and cocky. Plus, she’d probably know I let her and be upset with me. She tried again and again with the same results. I tried to assure her that it took time, that she hadn’t been to that many sessions and she’d get better. She got me in the arm once but that was out of sheer hysteria. She was so mad and frustrated she just started swinging just to hit anything. I eventually just grabbed her, turned her and muzzled her neck playfully to tease her and hopefully calm her. She giggled and squirmed. Then I told her the hit didn’t count. She agreed and we started again. "You're whipping me at every turn and thoroughly enjoying it, I think,” L said and poked me in the ribs. “Hey! I’m taking it easy on you. I could be slamming your cute butt to the floor, you know.” “You wouldn’t,” she rebutted. “Oh, I would,” I said and winked at her. She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear making me smile. The day I can’t make her do that anymore would be a sad, sad day. “Ugh! I hope you're enjoying your one sided beat down. I’m not exactly connecting hits here,” Lillian said sullenly. “Baby,” I said sweetly, playing on her good side. “You are doing awesome. It just takes time. I was in the military for four years. You’ve only been at this…oh,” I looked at my non existent watch, “forty three minutes.” “Ok. Ok, I get it. I’m being a baby.” “No, you’re not a baby.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. “But you’re my baby,” I crooned over exaggeratedly. “That’s the sweetest and cheesiest thing I’ve ever had said to me.” “You better get used to it.” “Why? Are you going to continue to strive for cheesiness?” she said and laughed. “No. Because I’m not going anywhere.” She sobered and closed the small gap between us, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Good,” she whispered. “You are so sweet, Cain. I really-” She sighed. “I’m really glad I met you.” “I’m glad you met me, too. I’d miss you, even if I didn’t know you.” She looked at me with her big blue eyes glistening. I started to apologize but she smiled small, then grinned and shook her head, like she couldn’t believe it. Then she pulled me down and kissed me. Her slim fingers on my neck tugged and pulled. She pressed against me and I forgot where I was. What had I said? What did I do that was so great? I thought back but couldn’t think of it. Girls, I’d never understand them. But I didn’t want to understand girls anymore, only one. I pulled her tighter to me and heard her murmur her content. Then, I heard someone talking around us. No yelling. “Bloody h-” He cut his curse off and looked Lily’s way then back to us. “I said no smooching!” Miguel yelled. |
About the author:
Shelly is a YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in everywhere USA as they happily travel all over with her husband's job. She loves to spend time with her family and friends, go out to eat at new restaurants and site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.
Author Interview:
Where/how did you get the idea for Catalyst?
Well, as un-creative as it sounds, this book is a major turning point of the series and therefore, the 'catalyst' for everyone involved. :)
How long did it take you to write Catalyst?
I try to whip them out pretty quick. This particular book took me about 7 weeks.
How long have you been writing?
Not very long. I started writing at the end of 2010 for fun when I ran into a rut of good books to read. It was just a whim one day and I never dreamed of being published.
Do you have other books published or are you working on any other books?
Including Catalyst, whose release date is a surprise but soon, I have 7 books published and at least 3 more scheduled to release in 21012. I'm a busy bee.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Weirdly, strangely, a cop. Try to figure that one out. :)
What was your favorite book when you were younger?
I never, ever read when I was little or teenager. I know! It's shameful! I hated to read when i was a kid and didn't start reading at all until 2009. I had watched a movie and wanted to know what happened next so I picked up the sequel. That was it, I was hooked!
If Catalyst was made into a movie, who do you see as the main characters?
Oooooh, boy. Well, some fans on my Facebook page make an impromptu cast list including Ryan Reynolds for my main guy but who wouldn't want Ryan Reynolds in their movie!
I hate math. LOATHE IT! It disgusts me.
You can find out more about Shelly Crane on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
Giveaway:
Catch up on the series before the release of Catalyst! This giveaway is for Kindle copies of the first 2 books in the series, Collide and Uprising, to two (2) winners.
How to enter:
Be a follower of Krazy Book Lady by at least one method (GFC, Twitter, Facebook or Google+) and fill out the form below. You can also an extra entry if you follow Shelly Crane on Twitter or like her fan page on Facebook.
Giveaway details:
Giveaway will run until midnight on December 19. Open internationally. Must be 13 or above to enter. Winners will be selected on December 20 using Random.org. Winners will be emailed and this post will be updated. Winners will have 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected.
Thank you for entering and good luck!
Sorry! This giveaway is now closed!
Winners:
Christina B. and Desiree D.
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