Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Cover Reveal: Wasteland by Lindsay Leggett




Title: Wasteland (Flight #2)
Author: Lindsay Leggett
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:



Wasteland, the next book in the FLIGHT trilogy, takes place a few months after the ending of book one.

Trapped in a cell and experimented on, Piper Madden’s only hope is remembering Asher. Then, Elder Corp President Rupert Elder gives her new orders: to be a leader in a war against the Harpies. Without a choice, Piper must obey Rupert’s commands or suffer from paralyzing and painful Nanomachines. But the war is just beginning, and Asher has gone missing. The resistance is slowly building, and the upcoming war will be larger and bloodier than anything seen since the Devastation that ruined the earth. Throughout all of this, Piper remembers the time before she ran to Ichton, when David was alive and her hope in Elder Corp was still strong.



AUTHOR BIO:
Nearly every writer struggles to put together information about themselves, perhaps because we’re so used to detailing the lives and ways of others. For the most part I am a writer, editor, photographer, and all-around artist living in the wilds north of Toronto, Ontario. I thrive on the juxtaposition of beauty and grit, enjoy urban crawls, indie everything, and time well-spent in the woods.

Author Links:


Sentinel Tour: Deity Day {Giveaway}







Book summary for Deity

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "


Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden. 


If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 


But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed. 


Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...




Buy Links for Deity:


Buy on Barnes & Noble


Pre-order Sentinel:

This mini interview from JLA for Half-Blood Book:

For JLA – Deity lets the Gods out of the bag.  Who’s your favorite God to write and why?

Apollo.   I just really enjoyed writing his character because of his personality.

For Alex – The vanishing act of Apollo is sorta fun but his timing can be annoying.  If he wasn’t a God and still pulled that trick, what would you do to him?

Oh, I would kick his ass.  I’m tempted to try it, God or not.

For Aiden – What was your reaction to finding out the truth about Leon?

I was surprised, but given the situation in which I found out, I couldn’t even focus on Leon.  I was too focused on Alex at that moment.

For Apollo – Were there ever any times that you wanted to intervene but didn’t to protect your identity?

Yes, that girl needs a full time babysitter.  I tried to be around, especially when I knew Aiden wasn’t with her, and I did intervene a few times without revealing my identity.


Author bio:

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.


Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.


She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.


Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Author Links:


Giveaway:


Spencer Hill Press is giving away a $200 gift card to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository or any indie bookstore of the winner's choice to not only stock up on amazing books, but to perhaps buy a Nook HD or Kindle Fire.



**To see the complete tour schedule just click here**


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

RELEASE DAY: GREED by Fisher Amelie



Fisher Amelie's GREED is being released TODAY and we are so excited to join in the release day launch for it. GREED is a mature young adult/new adult contemporary novel and is the second book in The Seven Deadly Series. Check out what we have for you today and then enter to win in the blog tour giveaway! You could win a signed copy of VAIN, Book 1 in the series, or a Kindle Fire! 

Synopsis:

Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours...because that’s what I do. I want.

My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy.

I’m Spencer Blackwell...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.





Excerpt
Prologue
Greed is a strange, strange sin.
All you want to do is acquire. Acquire money, acquire material, acquire time, acquire energy, acquire attention. The running mantra is “I want, I want, I want” but that quickly turns to “I need, I need, I need.”
Suddenly there just isn’t enough time for friends, for family, for anyone. Your goal is to acquire and to make sure what you acquire stays acquired. Your life depends on it. You don’t see truth because the truth is shadowed by enormous homes, incredibly fast cars, in lavish spending. Your life no longer belongs to you, but you are blind to it all because those around you are seeking the same.
So you shuffle along at an impossible rate, and you pass the real world around you.
But what you’ll come to realize, altogether too late, is that it’s never enough. It’s simply never enough.
Chapter One
“It’s confirmed. Peter Knight of Evergreen won’t approve the acquisition. You know what to do,” my snake of a father told me, not two steps into his front door.
“I just got off a seven-hour flight. You can’t let me settle in? Possibly say hello?”
He stood, watching me, a slight tick in his square jaw. He tucked his hands into his Italian silk pants. His six-foot frame followed the steps up to the foyer and stopped a few inches away from my own. We were face to face. Although I fell an inch shorter, he no longer intimidated me. I knew if I had to, I could kick his ass.
“Hello, Spencer,” he said, a serpent’s smile spread wide across his mouth before falling flat. “Get to work. I don’t pay you to sit around. I don’t care if it is your Christmas break.”

We stayed where we were, each waiting on the other to back down. The tension was palpable. In the end, his face relaxed and he began to chuckle, stepping aside and making way for me. I picked up my bags and headed for my room, giving myself plenty of space to pass him without touching him.
When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I changed my mind and threw my bags on the second to last step, intending to pick them up later. I stretched my muscles, loving the feel of my back popping, and started for the kitchen.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he asked, still standing in the foyer, watching my every move.
“If I don’t say hi to Mom and Bridge, they’ll think something’s up,” I told him and continued on.

He didn’t respond, but I felt his stare burning into the back of my head.



About Fisher Amelie:

Fisher Amelie is the author of The Leaving Series, Callum & Harper and Thomas & January. She began her writing career as a copywriter for an internet marketing company wherein one of their client's said, 'Hey! You're funny. You should write books'. Which in turn she said, 'Hey, get out of here! This is the lady's restroom.' While washing her hands and the embarrassment from her face, she thought they may have had a valid point. So, she took the thousands of hours of writing stories growing up, tucked them into her pocket and began writing and writing and writing.







GIVEAWAY TIME!


RL Griffin's Favorites Contest Continues!






This weeks featured book is...






Featured Book: Dirty Red
Featured Author: Tarryn Fisher
Goodreads: Add to TBR
Purchase Link: Buy on Amazon

Summary:

Dear Opportunist,

You thought you could take him from me, but you lost. Now, that he's mine I'll do anything to keep him. Do you doubt me? I have everything that was supposed to be yours. In case you were wondering; he doesn't ever think about you anymore. I won't let him go....ever.

Dirty Red


Leah Smith finally has everything she has ever wanted. Except she doesn't. Her marriage feels more like a loan than a lifelong commitment, and the image she has worked so hard to build is fraying before her eyes. With a new role and a past full of secrets, Leah must decide how far she is willing to go to keep what she has stolen.


RL's Book Series: By A Thread
Goodreads: Add to TBR
Purchase Link: Buy on Amazon

Summary:

Stella's future was set, and it was a bright one. She was engaged to a man she adored, and was headed to law school in the fall. Tragically, her perfectly planned future ends just as it was beginning.

With no ties to family or friends, Stella finds herself alone in a new city, spiraling out of control. Her typical day comes to a close with her passed out on the floor; sometimes clothed.


Luckily, her new roommate, essentially a stranger, is dead set on getting Stella past her grief and back to functioning within society. Putting one foot in front of the other, she climbs up from the bottom of a bottle. Even with all her progress, Stella walks through life unfeeling, numb. Defiant, she sends out warning signals for the world to keep away. But, is that what she really wants?


With the steadfast help of a few tight knit friends, she gradually begins to feel again. She starts to savor the flavor of food again; lets herself notice how the handsome bartender glances at her. Still, after allowing herself a fling, she wonders if she will ever be able to let go of her shattered past, fully enjoy the present, or get over what she thought would be her perfect future and with the man who destroyed her heart.


Giveaway!

Book Blitz: Kiss the Tiger by Raquel Lyon






Kiss the Tiger by Raquel Lyon
Publication date: September 1st 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

Amy’s love life sucks. At college, she thought she’d found the man of her dreams, but then she hadn’t planned on his brother’s sadistic intervention, and after that night, Amy’s life was never the same.
Deciding the only way to forget is to move on, she searches for comfort in the arms of other men, but the satisfaction she craves remains  elusive. No amount of one night stands can replace her lost love.

On a long awaited summer holiday, her sister hopes to change Amy’s luck, planning to find them both plenty of sexy fun on the hot summer nights. Sadly, an unforeseen turn of events threatens to drive a wedge into their sisterly love.




Purchase:




Excerpt

The midday sun had heated the air to an unbearable level, and I understood why the word siesta existed in certain hot countries. In fact, it had turned into one of those days where the only thing you want to do is open the refrigerator door and stand in front of it. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I grabbed a quick bite to eat in the cool of the air-conditioned snack bar and returned to my room, intending to stick a film in the DVD player and chill out until the rays lengthened. The opening credits were rolling when there was a knock on the door. It couldn’t be the maid. When I’d returned, the bed was made and my top had gone to the big dumpster in the sky.
I pressed pause. “Who is it?”
“Manager.”
What? Why? Had someone reported my drunken antics? Had Nessie not cleaned up my mess properly and the maid had complained? Mum would love the excuse that we were forced to go home because I got us thrown out of the hotel.
“Just a minute.” I quickly tied a sarong around my bikini bottoms and opened the door, mentally preparing an apology, and totally unprepared for the sight that met me.
Casually leaning with an elbow against the door jamb and one ankle crossed over the other was a familiar figure. His dark head lifted with a crooked smile.
Our eyes locked, and for one brief moment I was too shocked to speak. A warm tingling radiated out from my chest, down my arms and legs, and my body weakened. What was he doing here?
I managed to find my voice. “Manager, huh?”
“Figured you might not open up if you knew it was me.”
I’ll open anything you ask me to.
Josh’s eyes flicked past my shoulders. “Are you alone?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Can I come in?”
I stepped back on shaky legs, and he squeezed through the gap, brushing my arm with his as he passed. His electric touch gave my nerves another jolt.
He walked over to the balcony access and slid it shut. “Are you going to close the door?”
Hadn’t he just done that? I faltered for a second before realising what I was holding. “Oh. Yeah. Right.” I let go of the handle. The door latch caught, and I leaned back against the fire notice. I needed to sit down before my legs gave way, but the only place to sit was the bed, and as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t go there. He might get the wrong idea. So I went to the dressing table and perched on the edge, hoping it was strong enough to support me. An uncomfortable silence ensued.
Josh stared leisurely through the glass at the view, and I stared at him. The white cotton of his T-shirt was fitted enough to show the contours of his muscular back, and his hands in the pockets of his beige, linen shorts stretched the material tight across his buttocks. My mouth went dry with an overwhelming need to touch him. I couldn’t believe he was here, in my bedroom. If I’d fallen asleep again, and was dreaming it all, I didn’t want to wake up.
Finally he spoke. “You stood me up.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Okay, walked out on me.”
“Yeah.”
“Girls don’t do that.”
I bet they don’t. “Did I dent your pride?”
He swung around, and with two slow, purposeful strides, he was standing in front of me, his nose six inches from my face. “No.” He angled his head. “I understand why you left. It was a shock for me too.”
I struggled to keep my breath even. “It was?”
“You were the last girl I expected to see.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” Why was I smart mouthing him when he’d done nothing to deserve it?
His lips curved into a smile. I’d never noticed his dimples before, but then I’d never been lucky enough to see them this close. “I wasn’t disappointed,” he said.
“Really? You’re not pissed you didn’t get the quick leg-over you were expecting?” Shut up, Amy, before your mouth ruins everything.
His eyes fell to my cleavage. “That’s Jacko, not me.”

The way he was undressing me with his eyes said otherwise.



An Interview with Joshua Jackson Star of ‘Kiss the Tiger’ by Raquel Lyon


Welcome Joshua. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Not much to say, really. *rubs chin* I come from an average working class family: Mum, dad, brother, conventional set-up. Mum’s an admin assistant; Dad’s an accountant. It’s pretty mundane stuff. If you’re looking for drama you won’t find it.

But things with your brother were pretty dramatic, no?
We fought. What brothers don’t?

I believe there was a little more to it than that. Tell us about the events that led you to be in Greece.
My brother’s always been a taker, but when he stole something from me, something very dear to me. It caused a big upset in our family. I was in Greece at the request of my parents. They demanded my brother and me reconcile.

And did you?
Haven’t you read the story? All I’ll say is that, although the conflicts I’ve had with Jacko have made me a stronger person, I’m through trying to make it work.

So Greece wasn’t a holiday for you.
Hell, no. I had to work every damn day. Of course, things looked up after Amy arrived.

You first met Amy at college, correct?
Yep.

What was your initial impression of her?
She had a great rack!

And seriously?
What makes you think I wasn’t being serious? *shrugs* Okay, she intrigued me.

Why did you give up on her so easily, back then?
After what happened, I thought I’d be a constant reminder. I couldn’t put her through any more pain.

Have you ever discussed what happened?
Not in detail. And we never will. Amy dealt with it in her own way, and we’ve moved on. Can we change the subject, please?

Okay. What do you love most about her?
That’s easy. I love the way she stares at me when she thinks I’m not looking. She acts all cool and aloof when, secretly, I know she can’t wait to get into my pants.

I can see why *blushes* How did you feel when you first saw Amy again?
The old feelings came rushing back. I knew I couldn’t let her go again, but I was nervous about how we would overcome the barrier of my brother.

That’s understandable. So, what would you say is the overall theme of your story?
*Silently contemplates the question* Sometimes life throws you a curveball, but never give up hope.

Tell us about your tattoo.
Oh yeah, you like it? I’ve had it since college. My mate and I got bored, one time, and decided to get inked up. I chose something that represented personal power and the ability to overcome obstacles. *chuckles* My mate put his ex’s name in a heart. He’s still regretting that one.

Yes, I bet. So, tell me. What makes you happy?
Being with my girl.

Naturally. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to do a quick fire five.
Okay.

Where would your dream vacation be?
A secluded beach with only Amy for company.

What do you wear in bed?
Nothing, babycakes. *winks*

Who was your first love?
My motorbike.

Three words that best describe you.
Persistent, loyal, *cocks eyebrow* sexy.

Who would play you in a movie?
Hmm… A young Rob Lowe would be good, or, I know, Colton Haynes. Yeah, he’s a cool guy.

What’s next for Josh and Amy? A beach wedding in Greece?
*laughs* Good one. No. Amy wants to return to Greece for a holiday, but I’ll be taking her to a different island, far away from my brother. At the moment, we’re both busy with our careers and enjoying life. As for marriage, let’s just say you’ll have to watch this space.

Well, thank you for the interview, Josh. I had fun.

No problem, sweetcheeks.


AUTHOR BIO:
Most of Raquel’s childhood was spent taking long walks in the beautiful English countryside with only her imaginary friends for company. She has lived around Pendle Hill, a magical mysterious place, all her life and has always been interested in the folklore surrounding it. Some of her favourite places have been the inspiration for her books’ settings.

She currently lives near Pendle Hill with her partner, two teenage daughters, and bunny rabbit Florence.


Links

Monday, October 28, 2013

{Nerd Blast} Knowing Vera by Rachelle Ayala




Synopsis

Some secrets are best untold.

Vera Custodio has never fallen in love, though she has strong feelings for her friend and sometimes lover, Zach Spencer. Long-forgotten memories resurface when Vera discovers Zach’s mother was the woman her father supposedly murdered many years ago.


After losing his leg, former triathlete Zach Spencer reevaluates his life—and realizes he’s falling in love with Vera. When she ends their relationship, Zach is determined to prove his love and follows her to Australia in search of the killer.


Caught between a web of family secrets and a deranged adversary, Vera and Zach must depend on each other for survival. Love blossoms, but the truth explodes everything Vera knows about herself. Will she close her heart forever or risk it all for a shot at happily-ever-after?





Rachelle Ayala

Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic fiction crossing genres and boundaries featuring strong but flawed characters. She writes emotionally challenging stories and is not afraid of controversial topics. However, she is an optimist and laces her stories with romance and hope.

Rachelle Ayala has written four novels. Michal’s Window is a powerful and emotional journey as lived through the eyes of Princess Michal, King David’s first wife. Broken Build is a story of redemption and healing where a man learns to love and trust the woman who destroyed his life. Hidden Under Her Heart is a heartfelt love story mixed with controversy over difficult decisions.


Her latest is Knowing Vera , a steamy romantic suspense involving family secrets, disability, and an unsolved murder.



Giveaway is open to US Only. | Must be 13+ to Enter


{Nerd Blast + Giveaway}: Pendomus by Carissa Andrews






Synopsis

Humanity has colonized on the tidally locked planet Pendomus. 

Residing between extreme heat and frigid cold is the complex known as the Helix. Within lies a highly sophisticated society functioning solely on humans fulfilling their life’s purpose as determined by their natural aptitudes and daily brain scans. 


Seventeen-year-old Runa Cophem has found her calling studying the ancient trees nearby and anxiously awaits a professional placement which will allow her to continue her work. 


Runa’s life takes an unforeseen turn when she’s brutally attacked and left for dead in those woods. Rescued by a stranger with blue hair, she’s immersed into a surprising way humanity has survived without the Helix. Fueled by a yearning to understand and an attraction she didn’t even know was possible, Runa tries to make a new life for herself. Yet, there’s much she doesn’t know about herself, about the planet, and the forces controlling her from afar. 


What she needs are some answers.




Purchase Link:


About Carissa Andrews:

Born and raised in central MN, Carissa Andrews has always loved books. She started her career at 15 in a bookstore, just to be able to afford her book fetish. By 19, she worked for a magazine publisher. At 22, she was working for printers to learn their trade. At 27, she went back to school for graphic design, and became an award winning designer. Little did she know all of her experiences would lead her to becoming a self-publishing power house.



GIVEAWAY
 Giveaway is open to US Only. | Must be 13+ to Enter

Thursday, October 24, 2013

BOOK BLITZ: Zombies, Incorporated



Buy Links


Ebook:

Paperback:




Blurb

“Newcomer Jill Elaine Hughes raises a fresh new voice in the zombie genre with a story filled with plenty of action, well-rounded characters and lots of shocks. Fun, fast-paced and highly entertaining. ZOMBIE, INCORPORATED rocks!” --Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of FIRE & ASH and CODE ZERO

Twilight. With zombies.

Eighteen-year-old Katie Allred is socially awkward and unpopular at school. The only child of parents who had her right out of high school, Katie is herself about to leave the nest, even though she hardly feels ready.

Katie’s new after-school job at the Zimble Box Corporation draws her into the complex social strata of high school cliques and backstabbing friends in ways she never imagined. Katie soon discovers there’s something very strange about the “in” crowd at school---and about her employer, too. Shortly after starting her new job, the Contagion breaks out, plunging her town and the entire nation into chaos as zombie shadow forces come out into the open, ravaging the streets. Katie goes into hiding and her parents disappear, along with almost everyone else she knows.

But Katie soon discovers she has special powers that help her survive. She’s a Beacon, someone with the innate ability to help zombies produce children. It’s a power her employer — and what little remains of the U.S. government — both want to exploit for their own ends. Not only that, it runs in her family---which has a secret past Katie never knew about until now.

Enter Agent Morehouse of the FBI Special Zombie Control Unit. A reformed zombie working undercover, he suppresses his urge to eat human flesh in order to serve and save humanity. But Agent Morehouse can’t help but be attracted to a Beacon like Katie, and she to him. Even as they fight zombies the world over, they must fight their intense attraction to each other, hoping to keep Katie from suffering Agent Morehouse’s terrible zombie fate.





Excerpt


I guess if I really thought hard about it, Mom was right.  The zombie apocalypse was my fault.  Everything was my fault.  I’d ruined her life, and now she wanted me out of it. All the mean underhanded comments over the years, all the passive-aggressive decisions to spend money on herself instead of me, their decision not to plan for my future, all the not-so-subtle hints to get the hell out of her house and become somebody else’s problem----it all made perfect sense now.

                  I could take a hint.  I knew where I wasn’t wanted.  And somehow I figured I’d have a better chance of surviving the coming onslaught of the Undead if I was on my own.  Conventional wisdom says there’s safety in numbers, but I’d watched enough horror movies to know that sometimes it’s best to fly solo.

                  I went to the bookcase and dragged over a milk crate to stand on so I could reach the top shelf. I reached behind the main part of the bookcase to the secret compartment I knew was behind it, the same secret compartment where I’d hidden candy and comic books as part of a treasure hunt game I’d used to play alone as a little girl.  My fingertips felt around until they touched the smooth, cold gunmetal.  I wrapped my fingers around the pistol, pulled it out, inspected it.  It was a lot heavier than I’d expected, yet it still seemed small, too small to be something that could explode and kill someone----or something----in less than a second. The lines of Dad’s semiautomatic Glock were sleek, almost animal-like in their curvature. I didn’t know what I was doing, but on sheer instinct my finger pressed a tiny switch on the spine of the weapon and the chamber popped open, revealing a bullet.  I popped the chamber closed, pressed another switch and the clip fell out into my hand.  I inspected that, studied it, worked out in my head how its various components connected with various components inside the gun which, when the trigger was pulled, would result in a projectile issuing forth, then with a flick of my wrist pushed the clip back inside its slot, heard it click.

                  I knew next to nothing about guns or weaponry or ballistics, other than that I knew my father stored guns in the basement and I had always been forbidden to touch them. But despite that lifetime of ignorance it seemed as if merely holding the weapon in my hand transferred all the knowledge I needed about how or why to use it directly to my brain.  As if I had a natural (maybe even a supernatural) talent for it, or a gift as my grandmother would have said. I could see all the moving parts in my mind’s eye as if they’d been there all along.

                  I reached back into the secret compartment and felt around again until my fingertips touched dusty cardboard.  I grabbed and pulled and came out with a heavy box of magazine clips.  Three magazines, sixteen shells to a clip. I couldn’t do the arithmetic in my head, but I knew it was a lot of bullets.  A lot, but probably not enough.  I reached and grabbed and pulled once again, and retrieved two more boxes of magazines.  Lots and lots of bullets now.  I hoped I’d never have to use them, but just to hold them in my hand felt like a good life insurance policy.

                  I stood and turned my newfound possessions over and over in my hands, studying the switches and gears, memorizing where the safety was and mentally practicing how to disengage and re-engage it. I read the instructions and warnings on the sides of the magazine boxes, noted how they said that semiautomatic-loading weapons were illegal in many states, and the manufacturer had no liability for any physical or legal consequences for any injury or death resulting from improper (or proper? Since guns were for shooting, after all) use of its commercial products. I knew I was holding deadly force within the palm of my hands, and knew that should have scared me at least a little bit.

                  But it didn’t. It did the opposite.

                  Mom watched me do all of this without comment.  I made a point not to meet her eyes for a while, instead keeping my gaze on the gun and the shell magazines. The basement air thickened between us. The ticking sound of the air conditioner as the blower switched on automatically on the other side of the wall seemed way too loud.  We both waited for the other to speak, or at least meet a gaze. But neither of us did, and for far too long a time.

                  Finally, Mom broke the silence. “It’s been way more than ten minutes, and your father isn’t back yet. What do you want to do?”

                  “I don’t know.”

                  “I think you should go up there after him, Katie. Take the gun with you.”

                  I forced myself to meet Mom’s eyes.  I saw a lifetime of disappointment behind her tinted glasses and blue-black mascara.

                  “You’re in a real hurry to get rid of me, aren’t you Mom?” I asked. My tone was cold, deadpan.  I was through with all the bullshit.  I just wanted my mom to tell the truth about me for once.

                  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

                  “Admit it. You’ve been trying to get rid of me for years.  Makes me wonder why you didn’t just get rid of me before I was born and saved yourself the trouble.”

                  All the color drained from Mom’s face.  “How dare you speak like that to me!”

                  “How dare you say straight to my face that you didn’t want me, that you never wanted me, and that I basically ruined your and Dad’s lives!” I shrieked. “Because that’s basically what you just said.”

                  Mom took off her glasses, pressed her palms flat against her eye sockets and choked down a sob.  “Katie, you’re reading way too much into this.  Your father and I----we made a lot of sacrifices for you.  Most people who became parents as young as we did would never have done even a tenth of what we’ve done for you.  You should be grateful.  And I think it’s high time your father and I had some time to ourselves now that we gave up so much to raise you. Except----“

                  “Except now you can’t. Because of the stupid zombies.  Which I suppose are all my fault too, just like everything else is.”

                  Mom slumped down onto a stack of milk crates. “I never said that.”

                  “You didn’t have to.”

                  We stared each other down for a minute or two, Mom always keeping a nervous eye on the gun.  For a split second I actually considered shooting her with it, but dismissed the idea as insane.  Plenty of teens my age think they hate their mothers, but they really don’t. It’s just a phase all young women go through.  The more I thought about it though, I didn’t hate my mother.  I honestly didn’t feel anything for her.  I was as indifferent to her now as I was to a lump of coal.  And that was far worse that hate.  After all, in order to hate someone, you have to love them first.  I wasn’t sure I ever loved Mom, and in that moment I doubted my mom ever loved me either.  Sending me off to face the zombies and my almost-certain death just proved my theory.

                  “So now you want me to save you from the zombies at the risk of my own life, huh?” I said, fingering the barrel of the gun in my hand. “Sort of kills two birds with one stone, doesn’t it?”

Mom’s face crumpled in horror. “I want you to go find your father!”

                  “Find him yourself.”

                  I turned on my heel and dashed up the creaky stairs, skipping the rotten ones at the bottom.  I was still missing one shoe.

                  I headed up to my room and packed a knapsack with one hand. Clothes, shoes, and random toiletries landed in the bag at random as I kept the gun, cocked and ready to fire, out at an angle and sweeping the air, ready for whoever and whatever might appear.