Title: Tempus
Author: Holly Lauren
Publisher: Libertine Press
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Release Date: Available NOW!
BLURB from Gooadreads
Chapel Ryan isn't crazy. At least, that's what she's been trying to convince herself of for most of her life. But after being hallucination-free for three years, Chapel finds herself facedown on her English classroom’s gritty linoleum floor. When she looks up, everyone around her is suspended in animation. Mouths hang open mid-yawn, feet hover mid-cross, Ms. Freeman’s arm flexes mid-sentence diagram. It's another hallucination. Or, is it?
Chapel prepares to tear herself back to reality when something happens. Something that has never happened before in any of her hallucinations--someone moves. And not just any someone—it’s the new guy with a scar over his lip and a reputation as black as his perfectly styled hair. And all of the sudden Chapel's white-knuckle grip on her life has slipped, and with it, her assurance that what she's experiencing isn't real.
Chapel prepares to tear herself back to reality when something happens. Something that has never happened before in any of her hallucinations--someone moves. And not just any someone—it’s the new guy with a scar over his lip and a reputation as black as his perfectly styled hair. And all of the sudden Chapel's white-knuckle grip on her life has slipped, and with it, her assurance that what she's experiencing isn't real.
Available
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ONE SENTENCE BOOK DESCRIPTION
After she learns the true nature of her hallucinations, high school
senior Chapel Ryan must decide who she can trust in a world where the rules of
genetics do not apply.
Book Moodboard
CHARACTER INTERVIEWS
Interview carried out & supplied by GMTA Publishing
Interview with Chapel
Interviewer: Hi Chapel, I’m so excited to be here with you today! I’ve been trying
to prepare for this interview for a few days and, let me tell you, it has not
been easy. I could just sit here and gossip about your incredibly attractive
neighbors over there, but I guess I have a job to do, so let’s get right to it!
Interviewer: I know that you enjoy reading, can you tell me who you favorite
character from literature is, and why?
Chapel: Just one? Hmm…
I think Julie from Isaac Marion’s Warm Bodies is
one of the toughest heroines out there. She’s confident and funny, but brave
and thinks for herself. Plus, there was something about her that made R
hesitate long enough to not eat her.
As far as zombie-love goes, that’s tops!
Interviewer: And how about your favorite villain?
Chapel: I don’t know about the best villain, but the
scariest villain of all time has to be Voldemort from the Harry Potter
series. Can you think of a scarier name?
Much less the man with the name. Sheesh! Timmy made me watch every movie with him
in a marathon one weekend. I had nightmares for a month.
Interviewer: Even though you’re a cheerleader, you don’t seem to fall into a
“clique”. Why (and knowing the pressures of high school, ) how is that?
Chapel: While I’m not like, a social outcast, I’m not the
most popular girl in school, either. (Who would want that kind of pressure?) Cliques
always seemed kind of like conforming, and conforming like giving up control …
and I think we all know how I feel about control.
As for cheering in high school, I basically tried
out just to get Erica to shut up about it. It also gave me a chance to keep my
tumbling sharp, and I got to hang out with her, Timmy, and Logan on Friday
nights.
Interviewer: How are you and your ex, Logan, doing as of today?
Chapel: Logan has a new girlfriend who lives a few towns
up. Erica and I bumped in to them at the mall last week, and Erica tried to
trip her. So … (Presses lips together.) Yeah. That’s that.
Interviewer: How about you and Zay?
Chapel: (Giggles.) Gosh, I’m lame, right? We’re really
good. (Giggles again.) Please ignore me and ask the next question.
Interviewer: If you could repeat one moment in your life, what would it be?
Chapel: My first date with Zay.
Interviewer: Can you tell us one of your biggest regrets?
Chapel: Not spending more time with my sisters when we
lived in the same house. Now I don’t think we’ll ever live together again.
Interviewer: You seem like such a brave girl, do you have a phobia?
Chapel: Commitments, closets, dependency, diets, the
future … Sorry. Did you say just one?
Interviewer: What song in your playlist is on repeat?
Chapel: (Blushes.) Um, Zay put a song on my iPod. It’s kind of old. It’s called
‘Green Eyes’ by Coldplay.
Interviewer: Sum up your style in a two words.
Interviewer: Okay, Chapel, my next set of questions are fill in the blank.
My type of guy is: quick-witted
I’m addicted to: reading – or I was, until Erica made me hide
my books in the basement …
The best way to move past a break up is: Pretend it never happened? Just
kidding. Do as I say, not as I do! The best way to move forward from a break up
is to not to figure out what went wrong, but to celebrate what went right, and
be brave enough to try again the next time around.
My idea of the perfect date is: Did you hear about my first date with Zay?
Hot dogs, dancing in fountains, and a kiss? I’m not sure it gets better than that!
I feel the most confident when I’m wearing: My cowboy boots!
A good friend is: Gosh, I’m afraid if I put them in any
certain order they’ll argue over who got to be mentioned first ... To keep it
fair, I’ll list them in alphabetical order: Erica, Timmy, and Zay. All three of
these people allow me to be me, while also pushing me to be the best
version of me. That’s true friendship
right there, friends.
I'm happiest when: Zay + Snack + Soft Surface + Book = Heaven
Interviewer: Chapel, I've had such an amazing time getting to know you better.
There's just one last thing before I stop the tape, do you have any special
plans tonight?
Chapel: After
we train, Zay is taking me to see the new X-Men movie. He said maybe we can
learn a few things from it … I still can’t figure out if he’s joking or not.
Interview with Isaiah (Zay)
Isaiah: Here they are ladybug!
Interviewer: "Hello Isaiah, or may I call you Zay? I have
to say I'm a bit nervous. The chance to actually get to interview you is a
rarity and I'm sure you never would have agreed had Chapel not persuaded you. I
do hope I do not ask any overly private questions, but if I do feel free to
decline to answer."
Isaiah: Only my closest friends call me Zay … but … I’ll make
an exception. I did that with Chapel, and you see how that worked out … (Winks.)
The interviewer fidgets around with a sheaf of
papers in her hand, her eyes darting from one sheet to the next. It's obvious
she's extremely nervous and can barely keep herself contained. Her hands shake
and she drops an index card on the floor. She leans over quickly, almost too
quickly nearly toppling out of her chair as she snatches it up afraid he'll see
the little stars and hearts she's drawn around his name.
Interviewer: "Ahem... sorry about that." Glancing
back up at him she smiles shakily and begins with her first question.
Interviewer: "So, Zay, how about those Yankee's?"
Isaiah: I don’t do baseball anymore. (Points to scar over
his lip.) Remember?
Interviewer: She can see that her attempt at a joke fails
miserably but quickly bounces back with a small smile. "But seriously,
what your fans would like to know is... how exactly did you feel when you saw
Chapel for the first time?"
Isiaih: The first time I saw Chapel was almost a year
ago. It was mid-March, and I was sitting in the car waiting on Jackson and his
realtor to look at—yet another—house.
There was a break in the trees that divide our
yards, and there was just room enough between two of them for me to see her.
She had her music blaring when she pulled up—that’s what got my attention. She
was playing an angry song--one of my favorite songs.
And I look over expecting to see some angsty
dude, and instead there’s this short blonde girl in heels and a blouse slamming
her car door. Usually I’m not into short girls, but I couldn’t look away from
her. Because while she was small, she took up all the spaces in my vision.
Turn around, turn around, I found myself thinking. I wanted to see her face. When I did, I let my feet slip from the dash into the floorboard as I leaned forward. She was beautiful. Beautiful, and sad.
My first thought was, I want to take that away from her. I want to make
her not sad. My second thought was, Don’t
be such a freaking pansy, Zay. That girl is hot. You have to find a way to make
out with her in between missions. So I
went inside and told Jackson that was
the house for us.
Interviewer: Somewhat heartbroken she moves on. If only
there'd been the slightest chance she could have turned his head. Oh well,
she'll just have to dream on. "What kind of music do you like?"
Isiaih: I’m into hip-hop, mostly. Jay Z, Eminem. Anything
I run or slam a punching bag to. (Leans forward and whispers) I’ve been known
to download the odd Katie Perry song.
But let’s keep that between us, hm?
Interviewer: She's becoming a bit more comfortable now and
finally settles into routine. "If you had to name a hero, someone that's
not related to you or someone you don't really know, that you would like to
hang out with for a week, who would it be and why?"
Isiaih: Superman. He has x-ray vision …
Interviewer: "Where do you shop for clothes and what's
your color preference?"
Isiaih: I actually enjoy shopping—which guys think is
weird until they see the fruits of my labor. Girls love dudes who put a little
thought into what they wear. I travel so much that I don’t have time to go into
malls. I shop online. As for colors … (Looks down at all black outfit.) Do you
gotta ask?
Interviewer: "Favorite ice cream? Or do you even like ice
cream?"
Isiaih: Jackson would make me run a dozen sprints just
for using the word ice
cream.
Interviewer: "If you could dye your hair any color, what
would it be and why?"
Isiaih: Have you seen my hair? (Points to
perfectly-coifed locks.) Nu uh.
Interviewer: Feeling that her questions are a little more
feminine than he'd like, she finally tosses the papers on the table and goes
for the nitty gritty stuff.
"Alright, so..." Leaning forward she
smiles wickedly. "What do you really think is going on with Chapel's dad
and the fact that he's still alive after all?"
Isiaih: I have a few theories in the works, actually. (Runs
a hand down the side of his jaw.) Let’s just say I’m hoping they all turn out
to be bogus.
Interviewer: "Do you have any jealousy toward Valentine?
I mean let's face it, he's pretty close to Chapel and well... even though he's
'technically' with Erika...?" Leaving the question open ended she
waits for him to answer, hoping she can get some serious dirt here.
Isaiah: I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not really a
jealous guy. I’m happy Chapel had a good friend growing up. He’s a really good
dude, to be honest. Smart and funny. (Pauses.) Okay, now that I think about it,
maybe I am a little
jealous. But have you seen his hair?
(Shakes his head.) I feel good about my chances.
Interviewer: "How did it feel to be able to rough Carter
up a bit? I bet you wanted to get a few more good licks in huh?"
Isaiah: (Smirks.) Now we’re talking. I’ve wanted to
punch Carter in his pretty boy face ever since I saw him standing close to
Chapel in his classroom last fall. If Chapel hadn’t been there to stop me, I’d
be having this interview from a jail cell.
Interviewer: "So tell me about Rush, does he have anyone
he's interested in?" Realizing she's fishing again she leans back and
holds up her hands. "Sorry... never mind you really don't have to answer that."
Even though she hopes he will.
Isaiah: You’re not the first girl to fish for information
about my boy. (Chuckles softly.) I think
Rush has his eye on someone. But you’ll have to stay tuned to figure out who …
Interviewer: "Say you and Chapel didn't work out, and you
had the chance to go out with any girl you wanted, even a celebrity, who would
it be?"
Isaiah: I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m not
really a relationship kind of guy. This thing with Chapel scares the sh—uh
(Catches himself.), it’s outside of my comfort zone, so to speak. I have no
idea how I’ll react if it doesn’t work out, because I’ve never done this
before.
Interviewer: "When you have time to watch television, are
there any shows you really enjoy?"
Isaiah: Television? Is that still a thing?
Interviewer: She's pretty good at this back and forth, light
and intense thing and really feeling at ease now she goes for another serious
question. "Tell us about your mom, Zay, where is she? Who was she
really?"
Isaiah: (Coughs into his fist.) Next question.
Interviewer: "Just one last question and I guess we'll be
done. I'm sure all the fan girls out there will want to know. Is there ever a
chance that you might become... you know... the 'old' Zay again?" There's
a hint of hopefulness in her eyes, even just one night with this handsome rogue
would be enough to last her a lifetime... let's face it she's not had much
action lately.
Isaiah: The old Zay? The old Zay was a lot to handle.
(Lifts up one corner of his mouth.) But he had some good times, too. Wait … are
you okay? You’re breathing kind of funny …
Interviewer: "Alright, well..." she stands and
gathers her papers accidentally leaving the index card behind she'd dropped
earlier. Holding out her free hand she smiles. "Thank you Zay for the
wonderful interview, I really hope we can do it again sometime." Leaning
in a bit just for one moment of closeness she winks. "Anytime... you have
my number... call me." Releasing his hand after a moment she turns to walk
toward the door trying to sashay a bit, though the execution is poor and she
trips on the rug in the foyer. Catching herself against the wall she makes sure
not to look back, sure he's laughing at her and exits the house.
SOUNDTRACK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Holly was born and raised in a small town in North Georgia.
The third of four children, Holly grew up telling stories to get herself out
of—and her siblings into—trouble. When she was eight years old, she penned her
first publication: a newspaper called Sunny Dayz News. While she didn’t sell
any actual copies, her sympathetic grandmother did peruse through the edition
at least once.
When Holly isn’t dreaming up new plotlines for her next book,
she enjoys breakfasting at Picnic Café in Dahlonega, Georgia with her
(handsome) husband and their two (adorable) daughters.
AUTHOR LINKS
GUEST POST
Subject - 5 YA couple scenes I love by Holly Lauren
My sister and I are always highlighting scenes
and quotes on our Kindles and sharing them with one another. I am going to
share 5 of our favorites “couples” scenes below. So, actually, that title
should say we love instead of I love. (But if my sister were writing
this, she’d probably take all the credit.)
***BE WARNED. WE ARE GIRLY AND SILLY AND
BASICALLY LAME.***
SCENE ONE
Jace and Clary from City of Bones by
Cassandra Clare
"How did you know I had Shadowhunter blood? Was there some
way you could tell?"
The elevator arrived with a final groan. Jace unlatched the gate
and slid it open. The inside reminded Clary of a birdcage, all black metal and
decorative bits of gilt. "I guessed," he said, latching the door
behind them. "It seemed like the most likely explanation."
"You guessed? You must have been pretty sure, considering
you could have killed me."
He pressed a button in the wall, and the elevator lurched into
action with a vibrating groan that she felt all through the bones in her feet.
"I was ninety percent sure."
"I see," Clary said.
There must have been something in her voice, because he turned
to look at her. Her hand cracked across his face, a slap that rocked him back
on his heels. He put a hand to his cheek, more in surprise than pain.
"What the hell was that for?"
The other ten percent," she said, and they rode the rest of
the way down to the street in silence.
SCENE TWO
Tris and Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth
“You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're
small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong."
He leans his face close to mine and wraps his fingers around my
chin. His hand smells like metal. When was the last time he held a gun, or a
knife? My skin tingles at the point of contact, like he's transmitting electricity
through his skin.
"My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to
see how hard I have to press." he says, his fingers squeezing at the word
break. My body tenses at the edge in his voice, so I am coiled as tight as a
spring, and I forget to breathe.”
SCENE THREE
R and Julie in Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
As she dampens my shirt with sadness and snot, I realize I'm
about to do another thing I've never done before. I suck in air and attempt to
sing. “You're . . . sensational . . . ,” I croak, struggling for a trace of
Frank's melody. “Sensational . . . that's all.”
There's a pause, and then something shifts in Julie's demeanor.
I realize she's laughing.
“Oh wow,” she giggles, and looks up at me, her eyes still
glistening above a grin. “That was beautiful, R, really. You and Zombie Sinatra
should record Duets III.”
I cough. “Didn't get . . . warm-up.”
SCENE FOUR
Mara and Noah in The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
“Have you kissed many boys before?" he asked quietly.
His question brought my mind back into focus. I raised an
eyebrow. "Boys? That's an assumption."
Noah laughed, the sound low and husky. "Girls, then?"
"No."
"Not many girls? Or not many boys?"
"Neither," I said. Let him make of that what he would.
"How many?"
"Why—"
"I am taking away that word. You are no longer allowed to
use it. How many?"
My cheeks flushed, but my voice was steady as I answered.
"One."
At this, Noah leaned in impossibly closer, the slender muscles
in his forearm flexing as he bent his elbow to bring himself nearer to me,
almost touching. I was heady with the proximity of him and grew legitimately
concerned that my heart might explode. Maybe Noah wasn't asking. Maybe I didn't
mind. I closed my eyes and felt Noah's five o' clock graze my jaw, and the
faintest whisper of his lips at my ear.
"He was doing it wrong.”
SCENE FIVE
Peeta and Katniss in Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins
“Peeta and I grow back together. There are still moments when he
clutches the back of a chair and hangs on until the flashbacks are over. I wake
screaming from nightmares of mutts and lost children. But his arms are there to
comfort me. And eventually his lips. On the night I feel that thing again, the
hunger that overtook me on the beach, I know this would have happened anyway.
That what I need to survive is not Gale's fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I
have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The
bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life
can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only
Peeta can give me that. So after, when he whispers, "You love me. Real or
not real?" I tell him, "Real.”
And, because I am a shameless writer, here’s one of my favorite
scenes from my debut novel, TEMPUS, out now:
BONUS SCENE I LOVE FROM TEMPUS!
Chapel made a complete
circuit, peeking through the breaks in the stream, but she still didn’t see
him. Had he left her there? The thought burned a hole through her excitement.
The song changed again.
This time it was something more current. A woman singing about going around and
around.
“Tell me now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know.”
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