Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're shining the spotlight on a title currently on tour with Rachel's Random Resources and honestly, it sounds pretty exciting! Don't believe me? Well then, check it our for yourself (...and there's even a little sneak between the pages too)! Ready or not, here comes today's title in the spotlight...
When Darkness Begins
by
Tina O'Hailey
About the book...
If you could change time to save your first love—even if it meant turning your back on the universe—would you?
It is time for the Vechey youth to earn their place as time-guardians. The near-immortal Vechey protect the universe from the devastating Manipulators—devourers of souls, mindless seekers of chaos. First, the youth must survive a mysterious and deadly ritual created by the all-powerful clan leader Eterili. Having regenerated thousands of times with the birth of each universe, Eterili is taking this one as hers and bending all in it to her grand designs.
Catha’s time-slipping skills are underdeveloped. She is time-blind—unable to see through time, unable to protect herself from the ritual. The Vechey shun her for being different. Her parents ignore her as if she were already dead.
Aithagg loves Catha unconditionally and will do anything to save her. He tries desperately to unlock the ritual’s mysteries and find a way to help Catha survive with him. Or will saving Catha enable the Manipulators to destroy the universe?
It is time for the Vechey youth to earn their place as time-guardians. The near-immortal Vechey protect the universe from the devastating Manipulators—devourers of souls, mindless seekers of chaos. First, the youth must survive a mysterious and deadly ritual created by the all-powerful clan leader Eterili. Having regenerated thousands of times with the birth of each universe, Eterili is taking this one as hers and bending all in it to her grand designs.
Catha’s time-slipping skills are underdeveloped. She is time-blind—unable to see through time, unable to protect herself from the ritual. The Vechey shun her for being different. Her parents ignore her as if she were already dead.
Aithagg loves Catha unconditionally and will do anything to save her. He tries desperately to unlock the ritual’s mysteries and find a way to help Catha survive with him. Or will saving Catha enable the Manipulators to destroy the universe?
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~~~ EXCERPT ~~~
13
THE PROMISE GIFT
“Where
did you get that?” Her mother’s voice was shrill and needling.
Catha
looked up from her quiet place by the fire where she had been trying
her best to be invisible.
“It
was a gift,” Catha stated quietly.
Her
mother, who had not so much as spoke to her let alone look her way
for over a month stared at her with burning eyes.
“From
who?” She came closer and stood over the girl.
Catha
looked up and leveled a gaze at her mother. She did not answer the
question. She returned the shell to the pouch at her hip and patted
it.
“I
asked you who that came from. You will answer me.” Her mother’s
voice was piercing. She took a step closer and reached to grab
Catha’s arm.
“It
does not matter,” Catha whispered as she stood. “I will leave
soon and you can return to your time.”
“I
made that,” her mother insisted and moved aside as Catha stood. “I
inscribed that. It is not yours to have. I gave it to our firstborn.”
Catha
bit back the comment she wanted to spit, how her beloved son had died
by snakebite because of his Linear smelling blood. How Aithagg had
found the shell and given it to her as a promise gift. How she would
leave and start her own time and live where someone loved her and did
not look at her as if she had already died. How she might for a
moment not be ashamed for her Linear leanings. She might just be
herself and be free.
Catha
said none of these things. Instead, she softened towards her mother
and patted her shoulder. “It must hurt to have lost so many.”
She
walked away and saw her father standing near. His grim stance and
crossed arms said all she needed to know. She approached him. “I
will move my things and be nearer to the next ritual group. You two
need not stay. I absolve myself from you. You can return to your time
and be free of me.” Catha placed her hand on his chest. He did not
react. “You two have no love to give and I have none to return. It
is best to go on our own paths now. I am sorry that I am not be what
you needed.”
She
walked away from the fire and into the darkness. When she returned
that morning, her parent’s room was vacant. They had placed extra
furs from their room onto her bed. She supposed that was as much love
as she had ever seen from them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the author...
Tina O’Hailey is a professor in animation and game programming, caver and occasional mapper of grim, wet, twisty caves (if she owes a friend a favor or loses a bet), whose passion is to be secluded on a mountain and to write whilst surrounded by small, furry dogs and hot coffee. Tina was once struck by lightning.
She has served as an artistic trainer for Walt Disney Feature Animation, Dreamworks and Electronic Arts. Any movie credit she has is minimal and usually found in the special thanks section. The meager credits do not account for the great honor it was to teach talented artists who worked on numerous feature films and games.
She has authored animation textbooks “Rig it Right” and “Hybrid Animation” published by Focal Press and the Darkness Universe novels “Absolute Darkness” and “When Darkness Begins” published by Black Rose Writing.
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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
