Monday, October 28, 2013

Sanctuary


ISBN-13 - 9781491072066

Title* - Sanctuary

Author(s)* - Pauline Creeden

Pub Date – October 10, 2013 (Paperback)

                   September 30, 2013 (eBook pre-release)

Price – $9.99

Buy Links:



Description –

“Left Behind for the Hunger Games Generation”

In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meets The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?

 

Advance Praise

“Pauline Creeden managed to mix more genres into one book than I could possibly imagine. The overall concept, aliens attacking the earth, is straight out of Science Fiction, but then you throw in a few zombies and post-apocalyptic fiction with how the dead/sick humans are acting. Overall, the entire story was charged with the adrenaline and thrills of a suspense/thriller novel, but the mood was terrifyingly eerie like a Horror story. There was almost too much sensory information for my primitive human brain to handle. Still, all of these genres combined made for one unique and fascinating story. This kind of book is of the same flavor as The Hunger Games with its originality, which I really appreciated.” - Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite

 

“Sanctuary is a fast-paced Christian fantasy thriller that is original and quite entertaining. The story revolves around Jennie and her family, Pastor Billy and his wife, and two brothers who are polar opposites of each other. Each chapter is presented in the point of view of Jennie, Brad or Hugh (the brothers), which gives Pauline Creeden's Sanctuary, a multidimensional feel. The three different story-lines merge into a full-fledged fantasy/horror novel that never sags or lets up on the action. While there are Christian themes present in Sanctuary, and Jennie's faith is an important part of who she is, I, a non-Christian, did not feel I was being preached to or proselytized. I recommend Pauline Creeden's Sanctuary -- it's well-written and a lot of fun to read.” – Jack Magnus for Readers Favorite

 

 

YouTube book Trailers:


 


 

About the Author:

 


In simple language, Pauline Creeden creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

 

Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy.

 

Armored Hearts, her joint effort with author Melissa Turner Lee, has been a #1 Bestseller in Christian Fantasy and been awarded the Crowned Heart for Excellence by InDtale Magazine. Her debut novel, Sanctuary is scheduled for release September 30, 2013, and has already been nominated for two awards in YA Science Fiction.

 

One of Pauline's short stories has won the CCW Short Story contest. Other short stories have been published in Fear & Trembling Magazine, Obsidian River and Avenir Eclectia. An urban fantasy short will appear in The Book of Sylvari: An Anthology of Elves from Port Yonder Press, and a vampire short will appear in Monsters! from Diminished Media Group.

 




 

 

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

 

Why on earth did I write a Christian novel that has both aliens and zombies in it?

 

When I was a teen/young adult and my faith was wavering at best, there were several movies out with the likely design to shake faith even more. End of the world movies were in their hay day. Alien invasion was another big one. And I couldn’t help but wonder. If something like this actually happened, would anyone be able to maintain their faith?

 

And now today, Zombies are on the rise.

 

Could aliens be reconciled with the Bible? Zombies? This is the purpose of Sanctuary.

 

Because of its poetic nature, the book of Revelation lends itself to a plethora of interpretation. I am not saying that my book is the only true possibility, but it could be one. Could not demons be misinterpreted as alien life forms? Might not Satan use this mirage to his advantage to explain the bitter water or the blotting out of the sun, moon, and stars?  And then there’s Revelation 9:6 - "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."

 

Zombies?

 

If anyone reading this book at least opens themselves up to the fact that yes, a biblical interpretation could resolve the problems between faith and an apocalyptic reality, then Sanctuary has completed its purpose.

 

 

EXCERPT:

 

When Jennie reached the back door, she saw them. Four large dog-like creatures with pinched faces like bulldogs and lion-like manes. They snarled, and one of them leapt at the window on the top half of the door when it saw her. Jennie jumped back and fell hard on the cold tile floor. The bottle of painkiller bounced across the kitchen tiles. The creature slammed against the window a second time, cracking it. She blinked hard. Her heart sunk, and the hairs on her arms stood on end. A horrendous gargling howl rent the air, causing a shiver down her spine. She held her breath and waited for the creature to slam into the door again.

“What on earth?” she whispered to herself.

When the third attempt never came, she scrambled toward the door. Blinking hard, she used the door knob to help herself stand. Out the cracked window, her mother was still out of sight, but the last of the dogs headed across the field behind her backyard.

“MOM?” Jennie called out.

The rumbling faded, and the vibrations in her chest receded with the dogs. She pulled open the door and rushed onto their back deck. “Mom, where are you?”

When she reached the banister, she looked over the side. Her mom lay sprawled with one hand on the lattice. Blood gushed from Mom’s leg and her opposite arm. Jennie’s ears rang and flooded with every beat of her heart.

Jennie didn’t know how she got to the second floor of her house, but she found herself shaking her sleeping father. How had he slept through the rumbling? “Outside, it’s Mom…”

Her father leapt from the bed. Mickey, her little brother, lay asleep and undisturbed. Dad ran down the stairs and outside in his flannel pajama bottoms and white t-shirt. He scooped Mom up to his chest and carried her inside. Blood stained his shirt in crimson.

“Jennie, call 911!”  Her father had said it at least three times before it finally registered in her brain.

She pulled the cell phone from her pocket, but it refused to connect. With a groan, she grabbed the cordless from the wall receiver, glad her heart stopped pounding in her head so she could hear.

“All operators are busy at this time,” a mechanical voice deadpanned, “Please stay on the line, and the next available operator will take your call.”

“They have me on hold, Dad. Should I hang up and try again?” She held the phone in both hands away from her face.

“No, just stay on the line.” Her father lifted the shredded jeans from Mom’s leg. “It looks like a shark bite. What on earth happened?”

Jennie took in the damage through tear-filled eyes. A huge chunk was taken from her mother’s calf, exposing the fibrous tendons that covered the bone in her leg. A bloodstain grew on the beige couch. Was she going to die? Panic rose up.

“What happened, Jennie?”

“I...I...They looked like lions, or dogs, or something. The rumbling shook the whole house…I tried to go outside to get Mom, but—” A sob blocked her throat.

Her father grabbed a throw pillow and held it against the leg. Mom’s exposed forearm laid across her chest in much the same condition as her calf.

“Grab me the duct tape.”

Jennie suddenly remembered the phone, put it back to her ear, and headed to the hall closet. She reached for the shelf above the jackets and grabbed the junk basket next to the toolbox.

“Please stay on the line. An operator will be with you shortly.”

She shoved the phone in the crook of her neck and fished through the box.  Half the contents dropped around her feet. Who cares? When her fingers wrapped around the silver duct tape, a short-lived relief sent prickles down her arms. But the urgency gripped her chest in less than a heart beat, and she threw the junk basket on the ground with the rest of the items.

“Hurry, Jennie!” her father called from the living room. “And turn on the TV. Maybe they’ll have something about what’s going on.”

She handed her father the tape and turned toward the TV. The mechanical voice on the phone came through again, followed by more easy listening.

When she clicked on the TV, the shouting and wailing began before the picture warmed up on the screen. A sideways picture of New York City broke through, with the shaky voice of the newscaster voicing over.

“What we are watching now – I can’t believe it – is live footage of Times Square,” the newscaster’s voice paused for a deep breath. “We’ve lost our man on the scene and his camera man to what appears to be some kind of new alien creature. Just a short half-hour ago, the doors to the ship that hovered above Central Park opened and these dog-like creatures flooded out.”

Jennie couldn’t pull her eyes from the screen. She straightened and dropped the phone on the hardwood. The battery popped out and skidded across the floor.

 

 

Sunday, October 27, 2013

I'm With You by Glenna Maynard


Glenna Maynard concocts a storm of emotions for me as her main character Bella, desperately moves through each day plummeting into the depths of despaired and situational depression. I've often found in books that the pain of depression is lightly touched on or over dramatized.  I feel like the author did a fantastic job of bringing the actual anguish someone would experience across to readers.  Bella meets Cutter just at the moment she needs someone the most. Will he help her through the turbulence or add to the confusion of her complicated life? Gahhh! I wish we could all just sit down and talk about this amazing book because I want to spill the beans! On the erotic edge of darkness and love all twisted up in one fantastic read.

 This author isn't afraid to touch several  "taboo" topics which I think is fantastic. I'm With You is dark, edgy, sexy and raw.  I loved this book and will defiantly recommend to readers.  My rating is 5 Stars! Sammie <3 Honesty About Books

Monday, October 21, 2013

Almost Matched


Title: Almost Matched (Almost Bad Boys #1)

Author: A. O. Peart  

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: November 8th 2013

Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours

 


 

TAG LINE:

Would you take another shot at love? Or just settle on a friend with benefits?

 

TEASER LINE:

Their heart-rending past will move you. Their passion will make you blush. Their antics will make you laugh out loud.

 

BLURB:

Twenty-five-year-old Natalie Davenport lugs substantial baggage. One boyfriend after the next has been a total disaster, leaving Natalie distrustful toward the male population in general. So when Colin Hampton crosses her path, she’s cautious. Her heart (and some other body parts!) nudges her to go for it, while her head wants her to run for the hills.

 

Colin is one of those gorgeous guys who attract women, no matter the age or marital status. With a successful career at a popular Seattle radio station, hard body, and charming personality, he is the complete package. But something dark lurks in the corners of his soul; some murky experience that has changed him—maybe for the better, but maybe for the worse.

 

Will he steal her heart and stomp over it like other guys did?

 

Will she let him into her heavily fortified world despite herself?

 

Or will they settle somewhere in the middle—establishing the emotional boundaries to protect them from falling in love?

 


 

********************************************************

 

Disclaimer

 

This contemporary romantic comedy blends humor, sensuality, and angst, with zany characters and witty dialogue. You will laugh out loud while blushing in embarrassment.

**Warning: contains sexual situations (some quite vivid!), profanity, and a high dose of sarcasm. Oh, and there is a lot of appletini and beer drinking.

May not be appropriate for readers under 18 years old. Not intended for prudes and killjoys with no sense of humor**

 


 

Author Bio:

A.O. Peart writes in multiple YA and NA genres, including paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, and short stories. Almost Matched, book one in the Almost Bad Boys series is her first New Adult contemporary novella. The action takes place in Seattle--the city which she came to call her home. She describes herself as European born, American by choice.

 

Author Links:

Website/blog: www.angelapeart.com

Newsletter signup: http://eepurl.com/o6syT






 

Excerpt:

He shrugs a little and takes my hand in his. “I wanted to make this evening special.” Colin’s voice is low. Seductive?

Holy Mother of Sweet Jesus, I’m about to start hyperventilate. Heat stirs in my belly and lazily drenches down all the way to my underwear. These bright-blue eyes half-hooded under his lids tell me exactly what’s on his mind. My own mind eagerly nods her approval. I look at his lips and immediately imagine them on mine, on my neck, along my collarbone. Oh, no, that doesn’t help me keep control.

He’s so close to me, and then he stands up, pulling me to my feet. “Come.”

What’s going on? I obey, keeping my eyes on Colin. He smiles and blows out the candles. We walk to the living room, where upbeat salsa music comes out from the stereo.

“Do you dance salsa?” He stands in front of me, holding my both hands in his.

“Some.” I laugh and follow his lead.

Colin’s movements are fluid and sensual. He has an excellent sense of rhythm. I can’t stop beaming, while my eyes keep darting to his swaying to the beat hips. Wow, he can cook and he can dance.

He presses me to him and spins us around twice. I squeal and beseech my feet not to stumble. I’ve taken salsa lessons a few years ago, but I lack practice.

Colin turns us once again. He leads me to swirl on my own under his arm—once, twice, three times. I laugh and realize that it is not the wine that makes me happy and unconcerned. It is Colin.

The song ends, and he is enticingly close to me. He looks so endearing and sexy with his messy hair and twinkling with mischief eyes. Another song starts, but we are not dancing. Colin’s hand slides up to the back of my head, and then his lips are on mine. At first he kisses me softly, as if testing my reaction. But I’m not pulling away. I lean to him and return the kiss. His lips part, and I feel his tongue slide along my lower lip. It gently teases for a moment, and then my mouth is under his command, inviting and obeying. And I melt into him.

My body, lead by Queen V-Jay-Jay, decides to betray my anti-men tenacity. Treason in full display. I’m officially declared swooned over Colin. Crap, there goes my hope for staying unaffected. Ali’s fuck buddy advice goes out of the window in a jiffy. I knew it was going to be just like this.

“What am I going to do with you,” he sighs, resting his forehead against mine.

“What would you like to do?” I challenge. I know exactly what I’m willing him to do, and so does he.

He smiles against my lips.

I smile back, leaning away to look into those clear, blue eyes.

Colin takes my hand in his and pulls me toward the staircase. “Let me show you the upstairs then.”

“Is that your pick up line?” I feign suspicion.  

“I think we are past the pick up line stage.” He snorts, and then grins at me.

I can’t help it but laugh. He makes me feel carefree. I want to believe it’s a good thing.

We climb the stairs to his bedroom. The whole place is meticulous. I’ve never seen a guy’s house that would look as neat as Colin’s. Hell on wheels. The score list is growing rapidly: he can cook, dance, kiss, and keeps his place tidy. And I have a feeling he’s amazing in bed. Well, time to find out. 

 

 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Travis Casey

This books been published. Have you purchased your copy??  
In anticipation of the release of his third book, Forbidden Trouble, (due out 1 December 2013) Travis Casey has made his second book, Oceans of Trouble, FREE on Amazon.com. Since the promotion began a few days ago, the ebook has shot to #40 in the free kindle book store.
Here's an excerpt from the humorous suspense novel:
 
"Holy shit," I whispered to Quinn. "They're trying to find me."
"Look, get away from me," he whispered back, "you don't want to be seen with me in the middle of this witch hunt."
I stepped out of line and dropped about ten people further behind Quinn. The line slowly moved forward, and I eventually made my way to stand in front of the Officer Of the Deck.
"Sir, permission to go ashore?"
The Officer of the Deck looked at the Captain.
The Captain shook his head. "You," he said, looking at me. "Front and center."
I walked over and stood in front of him. I swallowed hard. "Yes, sir?"
His bulging eyes stared at me. "I'd like to ask you a few questions." He unfolded his arms and placed them behind his back. "Weren't you looking at a letter pinned to the bulletin board the other day?"
If he wasn't the Captain of the ship I would've kicked him in the balls and ran, but studying his stern demeanor, I froze.
My body had a nervous convulsion. He was on to me. But how? I cleared my throat. "UmmNo, sir. I was looking at the Plan of the Day. I remember you coming up and asking about the letter, but I don't know anything about it. Sir." God, I've been in this man's house, kicked his wife in the face, stole his daughter's panties, and now stood there toe-to-toe telling him lies.

This is all part of the Tyler's Trouble Trilogy Series. The first in the series, Trouble Triangle, is only 99c.
Each book stands alone, but to follow Tyler's journey through love and lust from the eyes of a sailor, the series gives an account of a young man trying to grow up despite his knack for finding trouble.



 
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Happily Ever Afterlife


Happily Ever Afterlife

Anthology

Edited by Untold Press

 

In Support of the Boston Children's Hospital:

Troy Lambert, author the The Angel, will be donating 50% of his Happily Ever Afterlife royalties to the Boston Children's Hospital. Untold press has pledged to match his donation.  J.A. Campbell, author of The Baron and the Firebird, will also be donating 50% of her royalties! Pick up your copy today and support a great cause!


 


Blurb:

 

Revisit your favorite childhood fairy tales…with a paranormal twist. Eight classic stories rewritten by eight talented authors with one common theme, they all feature the undead. From angels to vampires and ghosts to zombies, you'll be sure to fall in love with the classics all over again and quickly learn that even the undead can have a happily ever after.

In the Belly of the Wolf by Amanda Carman

Don't talk to strangers.  Don't stray from the path. If you do, the wolf will eat you. Once swallowed, you will be trapped forever in the dark and musty limbo of the belly of the wolf, a larger and more crowded world than you ever suspected. You can't blame him, though. After all, wolves will be wolves.

The Glass Coffin by Emmalyn Greyson

When Marianna's stepmother betrays her by having her turned into a vampire, she must flee home and the love of her life. Darren, her werewolf lover, believes he's found a cure. Will it lead to heartache or happily ever after?

Hans and the Best Day Ever by G.L. Jackson

After a seven-year apprenticeship with the Boss Lady, Hans decides it’s time to go home. Accompanied by Gabe, the two boys make their way back to the house in the woods where they hope to find Hans’ mother. Gabe is never at a loss for words but Hans is always quick to act on what might either be a fantastic idea…or the worst idea ever.

The Baron and the Firebird by J.A. Campbell

In the depths of the Russian wilderness, Baron Pyotr Vasilyev does his best to care for his people but his long years weigh heavily and he’s beginning to lose his taste for life. The only things that keep him going are his devotion to duty and his magical cherries. When his cherries go missing the thief turns out to be the Firebird. The desire to hear her sing one last time drives him through the centuries.

Clara and the Coon by M.K. Boise

Clara is born the height of a quarter–an abomination to the village of Fankfret. On the outskirts of town, she's left to die in a hole that's the size of a teapot. She soon learns her story is far from over though. Getting eaten by a raccoon is just the beginning.

Blood Borne Pathogen by Shoshanah Holl

Javier is too young to be waiting for death, but in the hospital battling late-stage AIDs there isn't room for much else in his mind. A mysterious woman begins visiting him and they form a strange friendship. Aurora only comes to visit after the sun goes down, leaving long before dawn. On the Day of the Dead, they both face the choice between life, death...and what comes after.

In Spite of Fire by Tilly Boscott

Alice's husband, Henry, died, leaving her to wander the world alone, searching for a way to bring him back. When she stumbles upon village gossip describing a place where ghosts dwell, she sets off to find her lost love. Instead of her husband, she discovers a ghost with eyes of fire, keen on the contents of a ragged tree. Alice clambers into an adventure of fear, darkness and true love.

The Angel by Troy Lambert

Abel is a poor urchin, trying to survive on the streets with only his wits to protect him and a tiny garden of struggling flowers to bring him pleasure. Zach is a young boy struggling in the fight of his life against the blight of cancer who wants to see the flowers of spring one last time. It seems inevitable that these young souls will soon leave the earth. But what awaits them in the beyond?

 


 

Print: 12.99



 

 


 

Untold Press: www.untoldpress.com

 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at Untold Press! Win a 20$ Amazon gift card or swag!


 

 

Eyrie


Title: Eyrie (Society of Feathers #2)

Author: Emma Michaels    

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours


Synopsis:

Somewhere between falling and flying… you will find the truth.

The truth is being unveiled and Iris’ past is unlike anything she ever could have guessed. For Stryx, finding your missing half doesn’t always mean finding your mate. Iris has been missing a part of herself for so long that no one is sure she will be able to put the pieces back together and her ever reliable dreams may be forcing her astray. Coping with the death of someone she loved, she is forced to face the truth and break free from the lies that have caged her.


Author Bio:

 

Emma Michaels entered the industry as a book blogger but soon found herself working with numerous publishers as an author and cover artist. While her love of blogging has continued to live on (www.EmmaMichaels.com) she enjoys delving into brand new worlds in her short stories and 'Society of Feathers' series.

 

Author links:


@EmmaMichaels 




 


 

Excerpt:

Iris lost herself in Falcon's arms, feeling the world drift away again as her lips melted against his stronger, larger ones. The warmth spreading through her body felt like electricity filling very part of her, pooling at the tips of her fingers where she touched his shoulders then traced along his arms. The tension that had worked its way up her back and through her own shoulders released as his hand brushed lightly down the length of her spine, sending sparks through every nerve.

"Please," she whispered softly, centimeters from his lips as they breathed in each other's warm breath. She felt herself lean towards him, this time not holding back as she moved his arm to her waist, making him wrap both arms around her fully. His secure hold on her was the only thing keeping her upright.

"Anything," he whispered into her ear a few moments later after she had caught her breath.

"Be the one beside me when I enter the masquerade. Be the one by my side when I change it all. I know I can do it on my own or with Nestor but...I don't want to. I want you both there with me,” Iris said.

The look on Falcon's face, the light in his eyes, showed her the joy he found in her invitation. "I was waiting for you to ask. Waiting for you to want to need me, even if you never will. It would be my pleasure, Izzy. I will always be there for you. Nothing could pull me away." He didn't say the words but they still hung silently between them, the knowledge that anyone who tried to pull him away from her would die trying. She knew she should be afraid, but somehow he was the only person she knew she could trust, the only one her heart was perfectly sure about, like a tether tied them together, connecting their lives.

"I do need you. Even if I don't, I still need you." She whispered and kissed him harder, forgetting the world outside their doors, ready to explore the man that the boy she had known had become. The man who felt like such a part of her now that she had accepted him. She didn't know what she’d do if she ever lost him. She had never felt a connection this powerful, this all consuming.

"I love you." He whispered, his eyes gazing into hers, their intensity only pulling her further into the joy of just being close to him, just letting herself forget the world she wanted so desperately to help, to change. "I want to do something for you."

"What is it?" Iris almost pulled back, not wanting to lose the moment between them but instead she leaned the side of her face against his chest so that she could hear his heart beating.

"I want to show you what it’s like to run without hesitation, without taking away the one part of running that makes it so magical the freedom. I want to show you that freedom." He bent and traced his fingers along the back of her legs. They buckled but he lifted her, taking it as an invitation.

She smiled and leaned against his chest. This time he wasn't carrying her because something was wrong. It was like when they were kids and he wanted to show her he was strong enough to support her, that he could be that person who would pick her up even if she hadn't fallen. He walked to the door and she turned the doorknob for him. They found Autumn in the hallway.

"Wanna go for a run?" Falcon asked Autumn, his voice a conspiratory whisper.

"Sure!" She said and smiled lightly when she realized what Falcon was planning. "Every girl should get to feel the aves inside of her come alive."

Iris smiled feeling like she had her team. They were the people she needed and wanted by her side. They were the ones who kept her human and kind, protecting her at all costs. Nestor was upstairs with Nathaniel preparing for his duties in their upcoming plans. The rest of her family was downstairs. As they jogged by, they passed Jarem on the way, heading up to meet Diana. "We’re going running, wanna come?" Falcon offered and Iris laughed.

"If you invite everyone we may as well all go." Iris giggled and smiled widely, looking forward to it, not caring who decided to come. Iris knew that no matter how people surrounded her and Falcon, somehow they were always alone. They were the only two people in on the secret. That was their unusual type of love. It would only grow with time and trust as long as it was never betrayed.

"Sure, why not." Jarem said and smiled. He opened the door to Diana's room and hollered, "We’re going running with Falcon, wanna come?"

"Absolutely!" They heard Diana yell back. She joined them even though she was wearing a short dress. Not bothering to change, she threw a pair of high-tops on with it.

As they jogged through the house David joined them, leaving the fort to Neal, Garah and Griffin so as not to disturb Nathaniel and Nestor. When they went out the door, Diana led them to the back of the house, going through the garden to a strange trail beyond it. "Is this the fairy trail?" Jarem asked. When Diana nodded, he smiled and looked at Iris. "It's perfect."

"Wooooo!" Diana shouted, crying out like a hawk soaring through the sky. Jarem and even Autumn joined in and Iris realized it was for her and Falcon, egging them on. Falcon set her on her feet and knelt down the way he once had to offer her a ride on his back. She blushed feeling like that same little girl for one beautiful moment, attaching herself to his back and holding onto him tightly.

The bird calls got louder and louder until Falcon got ready and whispered, "You ready?"

"Yes." She whispered next to his ear and then looked straight ahead realizing, she really did need him. Falcon knew what she needed even before she did. As he started running, she shifted her weight and realized, she fit so well against his back, like they had been molded for just this moment, for him to give her the freedom that her body robbed her of. Suddenly her grudges against her body for being made the way it was disappeared as the wind whipped her hair away from her face. She arched her back ever so slightly to get the full effect and to keep her weight manageable for Falcon as he ran faster and faster. Her heart felt like it was soaring for the very first time. There was nothing like it, the faster he went the more amazing it felt. All she could feel was the earth around her and the link to her aves.

She couldn't help but giggle with glee as she watched Diana pass them, holding her arms out at her sides like wings. The wind was pushing her arms behind her, and her face was lifted toward the sunlight shining through the trees. Jarem sped to catch up with her and they started to race each other, getting competitive each time one of them would pass the other.

Autumn was at Falcon’s side as she called out, "Oh come on, go for it. She'll love it!"

"Faster!" Iris squealed like a little kid, the sheer joy of movement giving her a rush she had never felt before. As she leaned her face against Falcon's, she could feel that he was smiling as he gained speed. He wrapped his arms behind her, entwining his fingers at her back like he was stretching as his position formed a brace for her. She leaned into it and as he went faster and faster. She slowly let go of his shoulders and held her arms out at her sides like Diana. The sun beat down on her face and arms. As she closed her eyes, she felt like she was flying, really and truly flying.