TITLE: The Disappearance of Sloane Stevens
GENRE: YA Contemporary
After years in witness protection, seventeen-year-old Sloane Stevens’ wish is coming true: she’s getting released. Someone confessed to the murder she witnessed and as soon as she graduates, she’ll be Sloane for good. But when she runs into Jason, her old best friend, she has a choice: inform the Marshals and risk remaining in protection, or stay quiet and risk being found by mobsters who, despite what the Marshals say, might still want her silenced.
Out of all the names she’d had in the last seven years, she liked this one the best: Sloane Stevens. It looked right, printed there at the top of her new class schedule. Good thing too, since it was the last one she was ever going to have.
“There’s just one more thing I have for you and then you’re all set,” the secretary said gently. She was a little hard to hear over the buzz of voices coming from the hall on the other side of the glass wall behind Sloane and the incessant ringing of phones inside the front office.
Sloane glanced up from her schedule to find the secretary smiling kindly. Her short, curly white hair and the deep crow’s feet around her sympathetic eyes screamed helpful grandmother. She actually looked a little like their neighbor eight towns back who was a grandmother of eleven.
“I figured it must be hard to transfer so late in your senior year,” the secretary continued, “so I marked up a map of the school with the location of all of your classes. That way, at least you won’t get lost on your first day.”
Aw, Sloane thought. Out of all the schools she’d attended, no one had ever done that for her before. She peeked at the nameplate sitting on the side of the tall counter separating her from the rest of the office. “Thanks, Mrs. Zalinsky. That’s really thoughtful of you.”
Miss Snark's First Victim
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
#3 THE MARK OF THE CAGAIRÁIN, YA Historical Paranormal
TITLE: The Mark of the Cagairáin
GENRE: YA - Historical Paranormal
When an eighteenth-century Scottish lassie learns she’s the last Cagairáin, an ancient race of enchanters who can tame vampires with their words, she must join forces with the boy who betrayed her heart to defeat a psychopathic bloodsucker bent on usurping her powers.
It wasn’t like me to misbehave.
Usually I strived to be a daughter my parents could be proud of. I applied myself to my lessons with the laird’s daughter and accompanied the village healer on her weekly rounds. I never spoke ill of others or neglected my chores at home or in my father’s smithy.
But ever since he’d come back all sense of propriety had fled me.
For heaven’s sake – I was alone in the woods in the middle of the night with a boy. And contemplating absconding to the high hills with him, no less.
Could I even commit a greater crime against common decency?
In my defence, I’d wager it would be a rare lass indeed who could gaze into those mischievous green eyes of his and still care for the consequences of her actions.
I flicked my gaze over the young highlander standing before me, moonlight trickling through the canopy painting his silhouette silver. Six feet and counting, hair as wild as fire, and a chest so broad I probably could’ve wrapped my arms around him and not been able to touch my fingers together, Aiden MacEachan was a far cry from the lanky lad who enlivened so many of my childhood memories.
No, he was a man. A man who ignited my heart and calmed my soul.
“Don’t you want to?”
I blinked. “Ho ye?”
The lilt of fiddle music drifted on the night air, coiling around the tree trunks and tangling in their leaves.
GENRE: YA - Historical Paranormal
When an eighteenth-century Scottish lassie learns she’s the last Cagairáin, an ancient race of enchanters who can tame vampires with their words, she must join forces with the boy who betrayed her heart to defeat a psychopathic bloodsucker bent on usurping her powers.
It wasn’t like me to misbehave.
Usually I strived to be a daughter my parents could be proud of. I applied myself to my lessons with the laird’s daughter and accompanied the village healer on her weekly rounds. I never spoke ill of others or neglected my chores at home or in my father’s smithy.
But ever since he’d come back all sense of propriety had fled me.
For heaven’s sake – I was alone in the woods in the middle of the night with a boy. And contemplating absconding to the high hills with him, no less.
Could I even commit a greater crime against common decency?
In my defence, I’d wager it would be a rare lass indeed who could gaze into those mischievous green eyes of his and still care for the consequences of her actions.
I flicked my gaze over the young highlander standing before me, moonlight trickling through the canopy painting his silhouette silver. Six feet and counting, hair as wild as fire, and a chest so broad I probably could’ve wrapped my arms around him and not been able to touch my fingers together, Aiden MacEachan was a far cry from the lanky lad who enlivened so many of my childhood memories.
No, he was a man. A man who ignited my heart and calmed my soul.
“Don’t you want to?”
I blinked. “Ho ye?”
The lilt of fiddle music drifted on the night air, coiling around the tree trunks and tangling in their leaves.
#2 THE REAPER PROJECT, Spec Thriller
TITLE: The Reaper Project
GENRE: Adult - Spec Thriller
Self-centered entrepreneur Roth Cooper is finally on the verge of success, until a dark creature derails him. It repeatedly comes in the night and steals his life, one year at a time. To survive, Roth must befriend and save a teen druggie—who just might be planning a mass murder.
The man facing Roth didn’t just look like death—he smelled like it. A rotten-food stench flowed off him, the stink of a garbage can in the alley behind a restaurant. This close to him, the smell overpowered even the rich scent of Sumatra coffee and toasted ham sandwiches in the coffee shop.
Bile rose in Roth’s throat. He gagged, then covered it with a cough.
“Married with a kid. That’s…great, Alex.”
The coffee line inched forward and Roth moved with it, taking the opportunity to put some space between himself and his old college roommate.
“Yeah. My kid’s nine. Pitcher on his baseball team. Loves sports.” Alex grinned. His lips were dry and cracked. Brown spots mottled his teeth.
Roth tore his eyes away from the sight.
“Good for you.”
Something was wrong with Alex. The last time Roth saw his roommate—over a decade ago—he’d had a stocky, muscle-builder physique. That was gone, replaced by a scarecrow figure. Alex was thin-skinned and gaunt. His once thick, blonde hair hung lank and gray.
Roth shoved his hands in his pants pockets, waiting for Alex to say something. After all, the man had ambushed him in the Starbucks. He must want something. But Alex just stood there, smiling and nodding. The pause between them grew like a shadow, casting its awkward silence, forcing Roth to speak.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Alex’s smile faded.
“Yeah, about that. Look, I hate to tell you like this, but I thought you should know.” He hesitated, then said, “I’m dying.”
GENRE: Adult - Spec Thriller
Self-centered entrepreneur Roth Cooper is finally on the verge of success, until a dark creature derails him. It repeatedly comes in the night and steals his life, one year at a time. To survive, Roth must befriend and save a teen druggie—who just might be planning a mass murder.
The man facing Roth didn’t just look like death—he smelled like it. A rotten-food stench flowed off him, the stink of a garbage can in the alley behind a restaurant. This close to him, the smell overpowered even the rich scent of Sumatra coffee and toasted ham sandwiches in the coffee shop.
Bile rose in Roth’s throat. He gagged, then covered it with a cough.
“Married with a kid. That’s…great, Alex.”
The coffee line inched forward and Roth moved with it, taking the opportunity to put some space between himself and his old college roommate.
“Yeah. My kid’s nine. Pitcher on his baseball team. Loves sports.” Alex grinned. His lips were dry and cracked. Brown spots mottled his teeth.
Roth tore his eyes away from the sight.
“Good for you.”
Something was wrong with Alex. The last time Roth saw his roommate—over a decade ago—he’d had a stocky, muscle-builder physique. That was gone, replaced by a scarecrow figure. Alex was thin-skinned and gaunt. His once thick, blonde hair hung lank and gray.
Roth shoved his hands in his pants pockets, waiting for Alex to say something. After all, the man had ambushed him in the Starbucks. He must want something. But Alex just stood there, smiling and nodding. The pause between them grew like a shadow, casting its awkward silence, forcing Roth to speak.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Alex’s smile faded.
“Yeah, about that. Look, I hate to tell you like this, but I thought you should know.” He hesitated, then said, “I’m dying.”
#1 THE MAGICIAN'S DAUGHTER, Historical Mystery
TITLE: The Magician's Daughter
GENRE: Adult - Historical Mystery
Not many women are magicians in 1870s Europe, but that doesn’t stop Valentina, until her father, the greatest magician in all of Europe, is murdered onstage. Valentina abandons her dreams in order to find his killer and soon becomes entangled in an underground society of performers who are more than they seem, and might be the death of her too.
The custard of the small fruit tart jiggled with the rumbling of the train. I was hypnotized by its slight vibration, if only to distract myself from what I soon faced. The tranquility of my private carriage lulled me into a moment of calm. I lit the small candle poking from the tart’s middle and closed my eyes.
“Happy birthday, Mama.” The flame extinguished before I could blow it out. I didn’t have to turn around to know he stood in the doorway, though he made no sound. Sterling Caindale was, after all, the greatest magician in Europe.
“Are you prepared for tomorrow?” His English accent sounded like home.
“I’ve practiced the acts so many times I could perform them with my eyes closed.”
“Good girl.” He smiled, his wrinkles deepened and that familiar inkling of sadness flashed in his eyes.
“I’ve a gift for you,” he said, producing a small red flower between his fingers. The instant my fingertips brushed against its stem, the flower disappeared, and in its place, hung a gold necklace with a simple red pendant.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Father.” His eyes twinkled with appreciation.
I knew nothing of my real father. Mama died when I was six, and took with her that bit of information. Sterling Caindale was the only father I ever knew. As a child, I rarely left his side. When the Great Sterling Caindale came to town with his show, you could be sure his apprentice, Valentina Gianetti, would be in tow.
GENRE: Adult - Historical Mystery
Not many women are magicians in 1870s Europe, but that doesn’t stop Valentina, until her father, the greatest magician in all of Europe, is murdered onstage. Valentina abandons her dreams in order to find his killer and soon becomes entangled in an underground society of performers who are more than they seem, and might be the death of her too.
The custard of the small fruit tart jiggled with the rumbling of the train. I was hypnotized by its slight vibration, if only to distract myself from what I soon faced. The tranquility of my private carriage lulled me into a moment of calm. I lit the small candle poking from the tart’s middle and closed my eyes.
“Happy birthday, Mama.” The flame extinguished before I could blow it out. I didn’t have to turn around to know he stood in the doorway, though he made no sound. Sterling Caindale was, after all, the greatest magician in Europe.
“Are you prepared for tomorrow?” His English accent sounded like home.
“I’ve practiced the acts so many times I could perform them with my eyes closed.”
“Good girl.” He smiled, his wrinkles deepened and that familiar inkling of sadness flashed in his eyes.
“I’ve a gift for you,” he said, producing a small red flower between his fingers. The instant my fingertips brushed against its stem, the flower disappeared, and in its place, hung a gold necklace with a simple red pendant.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Father.” His eyes twinkled with appreciation.
I knew nothing of my real father. Mama died when I was six, and took with her that bit of information. Sterling Caindale was the only father I ever knew. As a child, I rarely left his side. When the Great Sterling Caindale came to town with his show, you could be sure his apprentice, Valentina Gianetti, would be in tow.
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Here's how it works:
Each of the 24 entries will post at its designated time. Agents will bid during the 10-minute bidding window, and then BIDDING WILL CLOSE and the next entry will open.
To make sure you don't miss the bidding rounds of your favorite entries (or your own entry!), check the time listed in the subject line of each. That's the time the bidding entry will appear on the blog.
Bids WILL NOT be taking place on the existing entries. The existing entries are for critique only. (Critique may continue during the auction, since the auction entries are separate.)
Have fun! Cheer for your favorites on Twitter!
Now let's sit back and watch these agents go for blood.
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