Sky’s End
by Lesley Young
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BLURB:
A secret she must never share. A secret that two warring species are determined to control. A universe’s future at stake.
Twenty-year-old Cassiel Winters joins Earth’s new space academy in hopes of finding her brother, one of Command’s top pilots and her only family, who’s been reported MIA. But she quickly realizes she may not be cut out for life in space, where female cadets are outnumbered, competition’s fierce, and she’s already failed her hand-to-hand combat test once.
Even the station’s most respected officer, Lt. Damian King, probably can’t help Cassiel pass the second time around – so why is he so interested in her progress? If only one of her freaky déjà vu visions would offer an answer instead of mysterious messages like hide.
When Cassiel’s manipulated into a perilous mission, she encounters a warrior species bred to protect the universe from an even greater threat. And she learns that her secret visions are at the heart of it all.
Now Cassiel must fight to control her own destiny and race to save her brother – even if it means pretending to be the pawn of Prime Or’ic, the cold-as-steel Thell’eon leader. Even if it means risking her life, facing hard truths, and making the ultimate sacrifice.
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT
The sea of black and silver guns and uniforms open up to let through a Thell’eon wearing a long dark gray cloak made of what looks like microscopic chain-mail over a thin gray shirt that contours another chiseled chest and stomach. Honestly, they’re commonplace here.
But . . . our eyes meet, and I swear I have never seen a more handsome or fierce or handsomely fierce man in my life. I forget to conceal my facial expression. He’s the definition of man and . . . and . . . sex. Literally, that is his appeal. Its pull is soft and warm and persuasive. I find myself admiring his intelligent eyes, so dark they seem black. Tattoos or markings, or whatever those things are, accent his strong brow, contour his cheekbones, and one on his chin creates a goatee effect. I can tell by his facial stubble that he would have dark brown hair. I notice he’s breathing a little heavy, like he had to run to catch up with the others. Given how fit he is, he must have come some distance.
He eyes me carefully, first with disbelief and then disgust. He claps his hands together suddenly, and laughs, meanly, causing me to jump a little. The spell is only partly broken.
“So this is what ESE sends?” His voice is deep and melodic. “A female . . . child,” he adds, eyeing my face.
He’s very angry, though not exactly at me. You can tell he’s trained his anger, like you train a dragon. “Step away from the—”
I’m shocked by his attitude, his mention of spying for ESE, but mostly by his arrogance. Plus, I think his assessment of me is a bit unfair, since I did get this far. But I’m too petrified to protest.
“I know your translator is working. Step! Away! From! The!—” he shouts, enunciating every word with a harsh tone, each word progressively snider.
I shrink, and slowly move out from the console, holding the gun pointed down. Why won’t it work for me? I leave the decoder resting there, quietly downloading information. I rub my hand on the side of my pants to get rid of some of the sweat. Despite my incredible fear, I’m still drawn to him. I finally understand why moths are trapped by the bright light.. .
I’m incredibly exposed, as these men take me in. They’ve all done what Green Eyes did, stand prouder, as though I may feel free to inspect their merchandise in turn. Weird. Only the leader remains unfazed and somehow this disappoints me briefly. What is wrong with you?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
Journalist Lesley Young never thought she would delve into the world of writing fiction, but when she sat down for the first time to put pen to paper, ideas for what would become her first novel just poured out naturally. Young’s first book, “Sky’s End,” is a multi-genre tale that showcases her unique style of weaving romance, action and wit into one page-burning story.
Young was born in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. She holds an arts degree from the University of Alberta and a journalism degree from the University of Victoria.
Young now lives in Loretto, Ontario where she works as a journalist, freelance writer and editor for health, décor and business magazines. Since 2008, Young has written more than 300 articles for print and online media including Profit, Toronto Life, MSN Green, and Elle Canada among others. She is a regular contributor to Reader’s Digest, Best Health, Canadian Living and House and Home Magazine.
Soul Mate Publishing releases “Sky’s End” on July 15 in paperback and e-book. The novel is Young’s first installment in a series about Cassiel Winters, a futuristic heroine, and her outer space escapades.
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ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt. also loved the cover.
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt. also loved the cover.
ReplyDeleteSounds good.
ReplyDelete