Waiting on Wednesday (#318): In the Woods by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

In the Woods by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: July 16, 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

New York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones teams up with acclaimed cowriter Steven Wedel in this supernatural mystery

It should have been just another quiet night on the farm when Logan witnessed the attack, but it wasn’t.

Something is in the woods. 

Something unexplainable. 

Something deadly.

Hundreds of miles away, Chrystal’s plans for summer in Manhattan are abruptly upended when her dad reads tabloid coverage of some kind of grisly incident in Oklahoma. When they arrive to investigate, they find a witness: a surprisingly good-looking farm boy.

As townsfolk start disappearing and the attacks get ever closer, Logan and Chrystal will have to find out the truth about whatever’s hiding in the woods…before they become targets themselves.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | The Ivy Bookshop

I am not into horror stories, BUT I love Carrie Jones's books! Her Need series was one of my favorites, when I was a young teen. I am so excited about her new book!

Wicked Reads Campaign!

Hello, lovely people! I'm sure most of you have heard of the campaign that Penguin is running, in celebration of Halloween! If you haven't, well, now you have! Catch my review of Slasher Girls and Monster Boys sometimes soon.

Here are the six Penguin novels that you should check out - prepared to be scared pants-less!

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys

Publisher: Dial Books

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

A host of the sharpest young adult authors come together in this collection of terrifying tales and psychological thrillers. Each story draws from a mix of literature, film, television, or even music to offer something new and fresh and unsettling. Even better? After you’ve teased out each tale’s references, satisfy your curiosity at the end, where the inspiration is revealed. There are no superficial scares here. These are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror, to the supernatural, to unnerving, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for anyone looking for an absolute thrill.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 15, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

It’s summertime in New York City, and aspiring filmmaker Wes Auckerman has just arrived to start his summer term at NYU. While shooting a séance at a psychic’s in the East Village, he meets a mysterious, intoxicatingly beautiful girl named Annie.

As they start spending time together, Wes finds himself falling for her, drawn to her rose petal lips and her entrancing glow. But there’s something about her that he can’t put his finger on that makes him wonder about this intriguing hipster girl from the Village. Why does she use such strange slang? Why does she always seem so reserved and distant? And, most importantly, why does he only seem to run into her on one block near the Bowery? Annie’s hiding something, a dark secret from her past that may be the answer to all of Wes’s questions . . . 

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

For fans of We Were Liars and How I Live Now comes a haunting, sexy, magically realistic debut about a famiy caught between a violent history, a taboo romance, and the mysteries lurking in their own backyard.

Every October Cara and her family become inexplicably and unavoidably accident-prone. Some years it's bad, like the season when her father died, and some years it's just a lot of cuts and scrapes. This accident season--when Cara, her ex-stepbrother, Sam, and her best friend, Bea, are 17--is going to be a bad one. But not for the reasons they think.

Cara is about to learn that not all the scars left by the accident season are physical: There's a long-hidden family secret underneath the bumps and bruises. This is the year Cara will finally fall desperately in love, when she'll start discovering the painful truth about the adults in her life, and when she'll uncover the dark origins of the accident season--whether she’s ready or not.

Author Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 22, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

On Marin’s island, sunrise doesn’t come every twenty-four hours—it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold and the shadows are growing long.

Because sunset triggers the tide to roll out hundreds of miles, the islanders are frantically preparing to sail south, where they will wait out the long Night.

Marin and her twin brother, Kana, help their anxious parents ready the house for departure. Locks must be taken off doors. Furniture must be arranged. Tables must be set. The rituals are puzzling—bizarre, even—but none of the adults in town will discuss why it has to be done this way.

Just as the ships are about to sail, a teenage boy goes missing—the twins’ friend Line. Marin and  Kana are the only ones who know the truth about where Line’s gone, and the only way to rescue him is by doing it themselves. But Night is falling. Their island is changing.

And it may already be too late.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Survive the Night by Danielle Vega

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: July 7, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

We're all gonna die down here. . . .

Julie lies dead and disemboweled in a dank, black subway tunnel, red-eyed rats nibbling at her fingers. Her friends think she’s just off with some guy—no one could hear her getting torn apart over the sound of pulsing music.

In a tunnel nearby, Casey regrets coming to Survive the Night, the all-night underground rave in the New York City subway. Her best friend Shana talked her into it, even though Casey just got out of rehab. Alone and lost in the dark, creepy tunnels, Casey doesn’t think Survive the Night could get any worse . . .

               

. . . until she comes across Julie’s body, and the party turns deadly.

Desperate for help, Casey and her friends find themselves running through the putrid subway system, searching for a way out. But every manhole is sealed shut, and every noise echoes eerily in the dark, reminding them they’re not alone.

They’re being hunted.

               

Trapped underground with someone—or something—out to get them, Casey can’t help but listen to her friend’s terrified refrain: “We’re all gonna die down here. . . .” in this bone-chilling sophmore novel by the acclaimed author of The Merciless

Author Goodreads | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 22, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.

“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”

These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.

Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.

As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble


Other Wicked Reads Announcements:

- Share your #TwitterGhostStory on Twitter, from 10/26 to 10/31
- Chat with @mashreads and these authors on FRIDAY, 4 PM EST:

Danielle Vega (twitter.com/dvegabooks) author of The Merciless and Survive the Night
Peter Kujawinski (twitter.com/kujawinski) author of Nightfall
Kim Liggett (twitter.com/kim_liggett) author of Blood and Salt
April Genevieve Tucholke (https://twitter.com/apriltucholke) author of Slasher Girls & Monster Boys
Carol Goodman (https://twitter.com/C_Goodmania) author of Blythewood series
Sally Green (https://twitter.com/Sa11eGreen) author of the Half Bad series

Blog Tour Guest Post with McCormick Templeton, Author in Slasher Girls and Monster Boys

Welcome to the blog tour for Slasher Girls and Monster Boys! Today I'm featuring the lovely McCormick Templeton, who as written a fabulous guest post about underrated horror movies!

Meet McCormick!

I’m so excited to be a part of the anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, which has just come out and features so many incredible authors! It’s my turn on the blog tour, and to celebrate the book’s release I want to share with you some of the scariest movies out there - ones you might not have heard of.  The Shining, The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, Halloween -- hopefully you’ve seen all these. If not, go watch them! But what about some truly awesome horror movies that are a little more off the beaten path? Here are:

MY TOP 10 UNDER-THE-RADAR HORROR MOVIES

1. Häxan (Benjamin Christensen, 1922): Ostensibly a documentary, this silent film is a creepily psychedelic exploration of superstition, witch hunts, and gruesome medieval practices. It was banned and censored at the time, and was wildly expensive to make. It’s still a trip to watch.

2. M (Fritz Lang, 1931): This early classic directed by Fritz Lang and starring Peter Lorre is about a city’s frantic search for a serial killer. It’s a gorgeous, terrifying film, and Lang’s first “talkie.” Although no actual violence is depicted onscreen, the haunting visuals, Peter Lorre’s creeptastic eyes, and the constant whistle of Grieg’s “In The Hall of The Mountain King” that presages the killer’s arrival are enough to give you shivers.

Peter Lorre in M

3. Les Diaboliques (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1955): At a remote French boarding school, a tyrannical headmaster is finally taught a lesson. A wife and mistress conspire to murder him, but things go wrong. They go very very wrong. 

4. Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977): Hopefully this isn’t one you’ve missed, but I’ve included it just in case because if you haven’t seen it yet, you must go watch it immediately! Don’t even finish reading this list. One of the very best horror movies of all time, the soundtrack alone (Goblin!) is enough to reduce a simple lass to a quivering puddle of prog rock twitches. Suzy Bannion is off to ballet school in Germany. Only the ballet school is filled with witches, there are maggots falling from the ceiling, and everything is hysterically, exuberantly, eye-poppingly red. I can’t explain! Just watch it. It’s Suspiria!

Jessica Harper in Suspiria

5. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982) The members of an Antarctic expedition discover what appears to be an ancient flying saucer frozen in the ice. Further examination of the ship unleashes a thing of pure nightmare. A nice companion to Ridley Scott’s inimitable Alien, The Thing was a box office disappointment when it was first released, but has since established a cult following. Because it’s awesome.

6. The Vanishing (George Sluizer, 1988): A young couple stops at a crowded rest stop. She goes into the gas station for drinks and never comes out again. The boyfriend refuses to give up his search and eventually after years on the kidnapper’s trail, he finally comes face to face with him. That’s when things get really scary. There was an American remake, but skip it. The Dutch original is where it’s at.

7. The Devil’s Backbone (Guillermo del Toro, 2001) Pan’s Labyrinth is on everyone’s radar for good reason, but del Toro’s earlier film has a special place in my heart. Set at an orphanage during the Spanish Civil war, this film follows new arrival, Carlos as he tries to make sense of his war-ravaged childhood. The backdrop of the dry Spanish landscape, and the political atmosphere make for an unusual and deeply unsettling film. Oh, and obviously the orphanage is haunted. How could it not be?

The Devil’s Backbone

8. The Eye (Pang brothers, 2002): A woman who has been blind since the age of two undergoes surgery that gives her sight. This seems like a good thing until she starts seeing dead people. The cinematography is stylish, the pace is fun and quick, and the ghosts in this one are truly disturbing, especially because the main character lacks the visual vocabulary to know for certain what they are.

9. A Tale of Two Sisters (Kim Jee-woon, 2003): Gorgeous production design, magnificent color, and a sinewy plot make this Korean film a treat for the senses. An adolescent girl recently released from a mental hospital tries to re-adjust to life at home, but something strange is going on. Her dad is distant, her step-mother is terrifying, and her younger sister may or may not be the victim of abuse. After a lot of quiet, the movie descends into blood and gore and bodies in laundry bags. And what’s in the closet? What is in there???

10. The House of the Devil (Ti West, 2009): All of Ti West’s movies are great, but The House of The Devil is my favorite. Shot on 16mm, it’s an homage to the slasher movies of the 70s and early 80s. Lovely coed Samantha takes a job as a babysitter. Everything about the job is creepy, and when she finally gets to the house, she discovers that the person she’ll be babysitting isn’t a child, and also she probably shouldn’t go in that upstairs room. The House of The Devil is an exercise in exquisitely ratcheted tension culminating in a blood-bath denouement that gives Dario Argento (see above) a run for his money. 

There you have it. 10 off-the-beaten-path horror movies I think you might enjoy. Hopefully some of these suggestions will be up your alley. Now go watch something scary!

About the Book:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, edited by April Tucholke

Publisher: Dial Books

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror 

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann

Leigh Bardugo

Kendare Blake

A. G. Howard

Jay Kristoff

Marie Lu

Jonathan Maberry

Danielle Paige

Carrie Ryan

Megan Shepherd

Nova Ren Suma

McCormick Templeman

April Genevieve Tucholke

Cat Winters

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Follow the rest of the tour!

Stefan Bachmann - 8/10 – Winterhaven Books

Leigh Bardugo - 8/11 – The Hiding Spot

Kendare Blake - 8/12 – Reading Teen

A. G. Howard  - 8/13 – Page Turners Blog

Marie Lu - 8/14 – Gone With the Words

Jonathan Maberry - 8/17 – Bookish Antics

April Genevieve Tucholke - 8/18 – Distracted Blogger

Danielle Paige - 8/19 – The Irish Banana

Carrie Ryan - 8/20 – Katie’s Book Blog

Megan Shepherd - 8/21 – Jessabella Reads

Nova Ren Suma - 8/24 - Bookiemoji

McCormick Templeman  - 8/25 – The Eater of Books!

Cat Winters - 8/26 – Seeing Double in Neverland

Jay Kristoff – 8/27 - Fangirlish

Review: Sweet by Emmy Laybourne

Sweet by Emmy Laybourne

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Rating: 3 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 trilogy, takes readers on a dream vacation that goes first comically, then tragically, then horrifyingly wrong!

The luxurious celebrity cruise launching the trendy new diet sweetener Solu should be the vacation of a lifetime. But Laurel is starting to regret accepting her friend Viv’s invitation. She's already completely embarrassed herself in front of celebrity host Tom Forelli—the hottest guy ever!—and she's too sick to even try the sweetener. And that's before Viv and all the other passengers start acting really strange.

Tom knows that he should be grateful for this job and the chance to shed his former-child-star image. His publicists have even set up a 'romance' with a sexy reality star. But as things on the ship start to get wild, he finds himself drawn to a different girl. And when the hosting gig turns into an expose on the shocking side effects of Solu, it's Laurel that he's determined to save.

What I Liked:

This book was... odd. Really strange. I don't think I've read a book like this. I've read Monument 14 - I think Laybourne is really great at creating worlds that are destroyed by horrifying disasters. In this case, it's a nutritional supplement - a sweetener - that drives people crazy.

Laurel is going on an expensive cruise with her rich friend, who wants to lose wait. Vivika's father is paying for them both. This cruise is sponsored by the makers of Solu, a new nutritional supplement that has not yet been released in the market. The people of the cruise will be the first to try it. Solu is designed to help people lose weight - no matter what you eat. It is put in the dessert. At first, it's totally working! People are losing weight rapidly, and celebrity teen star Tom Fiorelli has interviewed countless people on the cruise who love Solu. But things take a dark turn when people get addicted to Solu, and will do just about anything to get more. Laurel, Tom, and the few others that did not try the sweetener must figure out how to get off the cruise before it's too late.

This book was mad creepy. From the start, it had goosebumps. The funny thing is, this book didn't start on a dark tone. I would say that this book started on a comical, almost awkward tone. Laurel is a size fourteen and most of the people on the cruise are must smaller in size than she is - as well as most of them are minor celebrities. Laurel is totally comfortable in her body, but her friend Viv is not (hence why Viv is there - and she invited Laurel for the mortal support). So this book starts off really funny, but then gets dark and creepy. Laybourne did an excellent job with setting the tone. 

I think I liked Laurel, throughout the entire book. I love that she is comfortable with her size and feels no need to slim down. At first, she doesn't take the Solu or desserts because she was seasick. But then she gets better and still doesn't want to take them - good for her! She sees everyone losing weight and yet, she still does not care about changing her image. You go, girl!

Tom is the other protagonist of the story. This book is written in first person, alternating points-of-view (between Laurel and Tom). Tom was a child celebrity, and wants to be the next Ryan Seacrest. Everyone knows him as "Baby Tom-Tom", but he wants to be known for more. He used to be super chubby, but with careful dieting and an insane amount of exercising, he is muscular and fit and refuses to try Solu. I liked Tom. He develops a lot as a character, from start to finish. At times throughout the book, he was a bit cowardly, but he grows a spine. 

This book is well-written, in my opinion. I have no idea how in the world Laybourne came up with this idea, but good for her. The world-building is solid, with the setting taking place over seven days on the cruise. Seven days! Laybourne takes us through almost every minute of the seven days (it might have been six, actually), so it feels like an eternity passes. And there is a HUGE difference between day one and day six.

The plot is very interesting and very, very creepy. I was creeped out by a certain point, and then it just got even more creepy. I won't say anything specific, but this book gets really weird. The thing is, I could see it being plausible. I could see this happening in our world today, over drugs or marijuana or addictive substances. In this case, it's a nutritional supplement designed to help people lose weight almost instantly. The physiological reaction to this supplement is terrifying. The reasoning behind the creation and marketing of the supplement is equally as terrifying. 

I want to say I liked this book... I couldn't stop reading, I had to know what would happen. But I'm not sure I enjoyed it. I'm a bit disturbed (which is probably what the author is going for), and I can't see myself reading this one again. But woah. 

What I Did Not Like:

Like I said, this book is creepy. And I'm a bit disturbed. I think that's the effect the author is intending, but I just... some parts of this book made me gasp out loud. Creepy! Weird! Insane! Woah! I feel like this book is totally plausible in real life though! But... it's so hard to see and read. 

I didn't quite like the romance. There IS romance! Laurel and Tom are a thing, even after only six days. Tom sees Laurel and thinks she is quite "real" and not like celebrities or famous girls he has been set up with in the past. Laurel has always had a crush on "Baby Tom-Tom", but it's the type of crush you have on Channing Tatum or Luke Evans. Anyway, I'm not sure if I like the romance - it was very fast and I'm not sure I understand the basis and foundation of the romance. And then, I feel like Laurel falls fast and deep too quickly - calling Tom her "boyfriend" within days. Did they ever discuss this? You can't just call a guy your boyfriend, no matter how you feel about him. Especially if he's a popular celebrity with an important public image or whatever. Everyone probably calls him their boyfriend. Anyway, I wasn't really feeling the romance.

The ending. Um. The ending. First, I would have liked more detail on Viv. I won't spoil anything but I'm not sure what happened to most of the passengers on the ship (maybe it just wasn't clear to me). Also, the ending is very inevitable and predictable - I couldn't see this novel ending any other way (then again, I'm not the author), but that doesn't mean I necessarily liked the ending.

Ugh. This book. I couldn't stop reading, but I don't know if I liked the book. It's a very well-written story! Just... probably not one for me. I'm a bit disturbed by the story. Again, probably the intended effect!

Would I Recommend It:

Um. Read at your own risk? There are a lot of reviews on Goodreads that are pretty furious about this book, and there are reviews on Goodreads that are really intrigued! I'm in the middle because while I recognize that this is a very well-written book, I don't think I enjoyed it. I have no idea, really, so it gets three stars, right in the middle. It's not a must-read book, but it is quite a... gripping novel. I'm glad I read it, I won't be able to stop thinking about it, but gosh, I don't think I could read it again! It's a standalone, and it wraps up well as a standalone. So there's that.

Rating:

3 stars. Laybourne's books are so raw and apocalyptic! Perhaps I'll be prepared for all kinds of disasters and crises, thanks to Laybourne and her strange books. This book is definitely going to stick around in my brain for a while - it's creepy and intriguing and a bit disturbing!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!


USA Residents: win a copy of Sweet!

Waiting on Wednesday (#123): Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, edited by April Tucholke

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, edited by April Tucholke

Publisher: Dial Books

Publication Date: August 18, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror 

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann

Leigh Bardugo

Kendare Blake

A. G. Howard

Jay Kristoff

Marie Lu

Jonathan Maberry

Danielle Paige

Carrie Ryan

Megan Shepherd

Nova Ren Suma

McCormick Templeman

April Genevieve Tucholke

Cat Winters

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

I LOVE April's books, as well as many of the authors in this anthology. I don't read too many anthologies and I read even less horror/scary stories, but I'm excited for this one!

Book Blitz and Giveaway: The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto

Hey hey! Today I have an awesome book blitz to share with you! Check out The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto! I have a description, excerpt, and giveaway! Enjoy!

The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto

Publisher: Dreamscapes, Ink

Publication Date: December 21, 2012

Summary (from Goodreads):

Be careful what you let in…

Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Notoriously haunted, it has remained empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three of her peers gather to take part in a month-long study on the paranormal. Jess, who talks to ghosts, quickly bonds with her fellow test subjects. One is a girl possessed. Another just wants to forget. The third is a guy who really knows how to turn up the August heat, not to mention Jess’s heart rate…when he’s not resurrecting the dead. 

The study soon turns into something far more sinister when they discover that Siler House and the dark forces within are determined to keep them forever. In order to escape, Jess and the others will have to open themselves up to the true horror of Siler House and channel the very evil that has welcomed them all.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

About the Author:

Michelle Muto lives in northeast Georgia with her husband and two dogs. She loves changes of season, dogs, and all things geeky. Currently, she’s hard at work on her next book.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

The Excerpt:

“Allison?” she called out. She checked the bathroom. No Allison there, either. She must have already gone downstairs without her. Jess turned and walked back into their room. 

“You shouldn't be here,” said the little girl standing in front of the dresser. 

Startled, Jess took an involuntary step back. She thought she’d be used to the way ghosts appeared and disappeared by now, but she wasn't  Probably would never get used to it. The girl wore a pretty white dress and black shoes. The dress was tied around the middle with a red bow that matched the one in her curly, dark hair. 

She’s a ghost. She’s the ghost of either Gracie or Emma Siler, Jess thought, aware of her quickening heartbeat. Finally! Her first ghost sighting in months! The girl looked young and sweet, so why did she feel so jumpy? Probably because her roommate would have her believe the small girl sporting dimples and curls was Satan in disguise. 

Damn you, Allison! 

Her face didn't look anything like Jess would have expected of a child who had been murdered. The girl’s complexion was healthy, with a glow like that of a living ten-year-old. Not one who had been dead for well over a hundred years. But, ghosts were like that—appearing how they wanted you to see them, or so she believed. Or, maybe it was how they saw themselves. Jess had never thought to ask. 

She could still see ghosts, which meant there was hope—hope of seeing Grams again and her father, too! Jess’s unease began to fade. 

The girl waited patiently for her to do or say something. 

“Hello,” Jess said softly. 

“Hi,” the girl replied. 

“I’m Jess. Are you Emma or Gracie?” 

The girl smiled. “I know who you are. I’m Gracie.” 

Jess tried to keep the remaining nervousness from her voice. “Thanks for letting me see you, Gracie. I like ghosts.” 

Gracie’s smile faltered. “You’re still a little scared. I can tell. Are you here to hurt us? To make us go away?” 

Ghost or not, Gracie’s words melted Jess. Hurt her? Never. Jess knelt down in front of Gracie. She reached out for Gracie’s arm, realizing she couldn't actually touch the child—the gesture was simply automatic. Gracie stepped back, her arms still at her sides. 

She thinks I’m going to hurt her, Jess thought. “No, Gracie. I’d never hurt you. In fact, I’m here to help you.” 

“You’re very kind,” Gracie said, looking down at her shoes. 

“I try to be,” Jess replied. 

Gracie’s head jerked toward the mirror, then back to Jess, her eyes wide. “I have to go now. You should go, too.” 

“Is someone there, Gracie?” 

She nodded. 

“Who’s there? Is it Emma?” Somehow, she didn't think it was Emma at all. 

Gracie frowned. “It’s Riley. He says I can’t talk anymore right now.” 

Jess stood and looked in the mirror. Once again, she saw nothing but her reflection and oddly, Gracie’s, in the old mirror. Unease seeped back into Jess’s skin. 

“I’ll help you Gracie. You and Emma. I promise,” Jess said, although she had no idea how to do that yet. She turned back to the child, but Gracie was gone. 

Slowly, as if a child were writing it from the other side of the mirror, the word hurry appeared. And underneath, we need you.

The Giveaway:

- The winner chooses the format: ePub, Kindle (.mobi), or PDF

- Winner has 48 hours to respond to my email

- The giveaway begins on May 1st at 12:00 am EST, and ends on May 24th, at 11:59 pm EST

- Void where prohibited; no purchase necessary

- The number of eligible entries received determine the odds of winning

- There will be ONE winner

- Winner will be selected via the Rafflecopter

- The mandatory entry MUST BE COMPLETED.

- Open internationally!

- DO NOT CHEAT.

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