JeanzBookReadNReview: BOOK BLITZ - THE RELUCTANT SACRIFICE BY KERR-ANN DEMPSTER

Title: The Reluctant Sacrifice

Author: Kerr-Ann Dempster
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Publication date: August 7th 2015

BLURB supplied by Xpresso Book Tours

Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope…

If a Shaw child, born on the 12th day of the 12th month offers her soul in a public sacrifice, then the exiles will be forgiven and welcomed home to Aramith.

Aubrey Shaw is that child, but dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list. Using her gift as a Jumper, Aubrey leaps between bodies to escape relentless shape-shifting hunters. Only, shedding her skin is not enough. Not when Joshua, her best-friend-turned-hunter, is hell-bent on dragging her to the altar.

Will Aubrey’s love for Joshua change his mind?

Or, will she have to trust the scarred stranger who shows up out of the blue cloaked in lies and secrets? Doing so means giving up on Joshua. But betting on Joshua’s love could do more than break her heart.

It could kill her.

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PURCHASE LINKS

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EXCERPTS

Majestic wings slapped the air. With beaks pointed toward the ground, the hawks plunged into the market. Shrieking, the shoppers covered their heads and ducked. But the hawks did not attack. With a burst of feathers, they transformed into naked, muscular men and women. Wings and tails billowed out like smoke, and then formed hooded, feathered cloaks around their bodies.

The crowd heaved a collective gasp. I did not. I could do nothing but stare at Joshua Kaito. He stood twenty feet in front of me. Hair as black as soot spilled down to his chin, and sunlight bounced off the crystal in the gold medallion at his throat. Shape- shifting had hardened his features, sharpening them in a way that made him beautiful, but also terrifying to look at. A whirlwind of emotions whipped through me.

Did his lips recall mine? “Please remember,” I whispered.

Joshua’s head swung to the left. I followed his gaze. My heart plunged when I saw Mom. She was hard to miss since she was the only one moving. Making no effort at stealth, she shouldered her way toward the gate.

Joshua’s narrowed eyes clouded with doubt, but then blazed with purpose when Mom flipped him off. “Over there,” he hollered, pointing to Mom.

Mom bolted. Joshua dashed after her like a comet. His fellow hunters followed, jabbing elbows and knees into those who blocked their paths. Panic rolled through the crowd. Fear screamed at me to go with the tide of bodies to safety, but instincts—or stupidity—screamed at me to stay.

I planted my feet, but I was no match for the crowd. I crashed to the ground, skinning my palms on the pavement. Using my backpack as leverage, I pushed my body upright.

No sooner had I stood than a leg the size of a tree trunk struck me in the stomach. Pain ripped through my chest, threatening to split my heart in two. The ground tilted up to kiss my cheek. Shades of gold danced beneath my eyelids. Then the world turned to black.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kerr-Ann Dempster lives in Michigan where she is often found with her nose in a book, knee-deep in snow, and online fan-girling over fictional characters and fellow authors. She is a graduate of Loyola University, Chicago where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After working in Visual Communications and as a Flight Attendant, Kerr-Ann decided that life was best spent being happy. With that in mind, she published her first novel, Beneath Scarlett Valley, in August 2014. She then published her second novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice, in August 2015.

To learn more about Kerr-Ann, connect with her on: Instagram (author.kerr), Twitter (@annk3rr), Facebook and Goodreads. If you live in Michigan, you may also find her in line at Moomers purchasing homemade ice cream.

AUTHOR LINKS

https://twitter.com/annk3rr

http://www.kdempster.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kerranndempster

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8427979.Kerr_Ann_Dempster

TEASERS

Q&A
by
Xpresso Book Tours
with
Kerr-Ann Dempster

What is the Reluctant Sacrifice about?

It’s about Aubrey Shaw and her fight to remain alive. Aubrey is an Aramithian exile and according to prophecy, her death will earn forgiveness for all the exiles and reinstate their immortal birthright. However, Aubrey is unwilling to play savior. She wants to live and will do anything to it takes to stay alive.

Why should we read it?

Because you’re hungry for something fresh and enjoyable? If you want the same- old-same, this book isn’t for you. However, if you are looking for a fast-paced story that’s rich with diverse characters, a unique plot, and witty dialogue, then dive in.

So Aubrey is a Jumper. What’s that all about?

Most Aramithians are born with supernatural gifts, given to them by the creators of Aramith. As a Jumper, Aubrey’s soul has the ability to leap between bodies. You’ll get to see it happen a few times throughout the novel.

According to the blurb, she’s in love with her best-friend-turned-hunter, Joshua, but she also meets a mysterious stranger. Will there be an eye-rolling love triangle?

No spoilers! But, for those who hate love triangles, relax. Yes there are two guys in Aubrey’s life, but I can guarantee you there are no eye-rolling tropes in this novel. If you’ve ever fallen in love then you’ll find Aubrey’s love life relatable. 

Can you tell us more about the relationship between Aubrey and Joshua, her best-friend- turned-hunter?

Aubrey and Joshua were childhood best-friends. They were each other’s firsts in many ways and have a deep connection. They know each other inside-out, and have a knack for saying all the things that cut straight to the heart. They know how each other think. This is great, but it also sucks since Joshua is now a hunter and has been assigned to drag Aubrey to the altar.

Tell us about your favorite character (who is not the Main Character).

That would be Coy. Coy Brady made me laugh out loud a dozen times while writing. He’s handsome and sexy, but also roguish and flawed in every possible way. I won’t tell you more. You’ll have to fall in love with him yourself.

What is your favorite moment in the story.

That’s hard. I’d have to go with the entire 1st paragraph of chapter 2 when we first see the Hawk Unit transform. Invoking the right image without being overly descriptive is a difficult task. The paragraph accomplished that beautifully.

When will we get to see more of Landon and the Aramithian community?

The Reluctant Sacrifice takes place largely outside of the Aramithian community, so the reader only gets to see it when Aubrey does. Thankfully, The Reluctant Huntress will follow Aubrey’s sister Morgan. Since Morgan lives in the town of Landon and is a member of the Hawk Unit, I get to show the reader a lot more of Landon and also take them behind the scenes of the hunter’s world.

Throughout the novel, Aubrey and her friend Tessa discuss Supernatural. Aubrey is Team Dean, while Tessa is Team Sam. What team would you say you are on?

I’d like to combine those teams. How about Dean’s voice and face, with Sam’s body and hair? Hmm, excuse me while I daydream.

When can we expect The Reluctant Huntress? 

The Reluctant Huntress is scheduled for a 2016 release. It will be swiftly followed by a novella that ties the duology together and gives closure.

Can you tell us more about The Reluctant Huntress?

I’m currently working on The Reluctant Huntress. It follows Morgan, the sister of the main character in The Reluctant Sacrifice (TRS). She is the most hated and misunderstood character in TRS. Her story will shock those who hate her and force them to see her actions in a different light. The fun thing is that the books can be read in any order the reader chooses, which means you will end up hating the main character from each book because everyone is the hero of their own story.

Since this novel takes place in Landon, fans of the TRS will get to see more world building as I take them deeper into the magical Aramithian community. (A novella will is also planned to tie the series together).