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Cursed by the Fountain of Youth

1/30/2017

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We're so thrilled to announce that Cursed by the Fountain of Youth is now available!!! This has been a year in the making. With a blend of true history and legends, you'll be shocked and thrilled to see the history behind places we call home.




What if the Fountain of Youth were a woman and that woman’s blood held the key to eternal youth? For Fae Miller, that is her reality and it will likely kill her.

For centuries, countless adventurers have searched for the Fountain of Youth. Those who found it thought they would gain eternal life. Instead, they find themselves murdered by its guardians. There was, however, one, lone survivor—Fae Miller. As an infant, she not only survived the Fountain, she took its power.

Twenty-two years later, Fae is hiding in plain sight at a local college. She’s is determined to leave the past behind her and live a normal life. But for one dying man, the search for the Fountain of Youth continues, and he is leaving a trail of blood and mutilated bodies in his wake. Unfortunately, that trail leads directly to Fae. Her only hope is a young, new college professor, also known as Special Agent Nick Chase of the FBI. Nick is determined to do two things: keep Fae alive, and keep his relationship with his student professional. Both of these jobs prove difficult—especially when love and magic get involved.

You Can Get Your Copy for Only $2.99!!


https://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Fountain-Unnatural-States-America-ebook/dp/B01MU3XQKK/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cursed-by-fountain-youth/id1191498033?mt=11
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cursed-by-the-fountain-of-youth-holly-kelly/1125431357?ean=2940153940410 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/693160

 Excerpt:



Bathed in moonlight stood the most beautiful scene Fae had ever laid eyes on. A fountain sat on top of a hill. Stone steps at her feet led up to the structure. Water flowed over the side of it, as if someone had been filling it and left the water running too long. The water continued its flow down the steps and seeped into the mossy ground at her feet.
Sloshing through the water, Fae made her way up the steps. Even though the air around her felt cold, the water warmed her feet. When she got to the top, she gasped at the breadth of the fountain. It was the size of a swimming pool, brimming with water that spilled over the side.
The singing stopped, and then a voice spoke, filling her with inexplicable joy. Fontaine. You’ve returned to me.
She’d heard this voice before, but couldn’t quite place where.
Come join me in the water.
“I’ll drown,” she said.
There was a warm chuckle. You won’t drown, my child. You are born of my waters.
“Who are you?” Fae asked, uncertain whether she should be terrified or not.
I am the Lady of the Fountain.
“Is that kind of like the Lady of the Lake? The one in King Arthur’s legend?”
You speak of Freya, my sister. My name is Ester.
Fae looked around at the forest of the Between and wondered if this was the place she was born, and not the bayou in Florida. Could her mother be buried around here?
This is not my original home, Ester said, as if she could read Fae’s thoughts. I have been moved twice in my lifetime. My first home is in a place you call Ethiopia. I lived happily there for many centuries. But then I was stolen from my home and brought to the Americas. For many years, I was kept safe by my guardians, but then one betrayed me and wished to exploit my powers. I did not allow him to use me to further his evil designs. But then I was left alone—until a man named Conall found me and brought me here.
“Why didn’t he return you to your home in Africa?”
He told me my home has been corrupted. I would not be safe there.
“I’m really sorry.”
Don’t worry over me, child. This place is wholly adequate.
“That’s good to hear.” Fae paused, the question she’d been dying to ask on the tip of her tongue. Finally, she asked, “Do you remember my mother and father? Do you know where I can find them?”
I’m sorry. Where they are, you cannot go. I am truly sorry.  
"So they truly are dead?"
"Yes."
Fae’s heart sank. She hoped that Brigitte had been lying and her parents were alive somewhere. Fae could feel the remorse emanating from the fountain and felt the need to comfort Ester.
“But, you saved me.”
Yes, I did.”
“Thank you,” Fae said.
You are welcome, my child.
Fae reached out her hand and touched the water. Her spirits immediately lightened. The water took on a green glow as a breathtaking face appeared just below the surface, haloed in long, black hair. The Lady smiled at her but remained beneath the water.
“So, you can grant youthfulness?” Fae asked.
Or take it, from anyone that touches my waters.
 “What happens when they drink?”
They are not meant to drink. That is a theft. Youth stolen without permission. For most, the punishment is immediate—madness.
An errant leaf drifted and landed on the surface of the water. Fae expected it would float, but it didn’t. It dropped like a stone. This water wasn’t like any other she’d seen. Fae wondered what those waters had done to her.
The waters did nothing to you. I gave you my power. I saw what was planned from the beginning. I could not stop him from destroying my guardians, but I could keep him from succeeding in his quest for eternal life. So, I gave you my power—leaving me weak and powerless. That act accomplished two things—it kept the power from falling into evil hands, and it saved your life.
“Are you still powerless?”
No, my dear.  I am now fully restored.
“That’s good to know, but I’m sorry to tell you that he found me. He came after me. He got his youth back.”
That is unfortunate. I only meant to protect. Instead, I cursed you.
“I wouldn’t call eternal youth a curse.”
It can be. There is no fear as universal as the fear of death. Men will kill to stop it. They will do the most heinous and terrible things to avoid it. And giving you the power to grant eternal life will make you forever a target. Now, will you please join me in my waters?

 

 

About the Author:

Holly Kelly is a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation--she hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. She was born in Utah but moved around a bit, living in Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii where she studied marine biology. She's now back in Utah--"happy valley". She's married to a wonderful husband, James, and they are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (or course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.

Visit Holly at AuthorHollyKelly.com

 

The History behind the Mystery:

St. Augustine, Florida is rich in history, murder, intrigue, and ghost stories—making it the perfect setting for this book. You might be interested to know that some of the most outrageous tales in this novel are actually based on true history—including the tale of Captain Abela and Dolores. The tragic end to their love story occurred over two hundred years ago in a secret room located in St. Augustine's Castillo de San Marcos—a castle-like fort built by the Spanish over three hundred years ago. Tourists are able to sign up for the St. Augustine Ghost Tour to learn more about the ill-fated lovers. The image at the right is the actual room in which they died. You'll learn more about their story by reading Cursed by the Fountain of Youth.

Another interesting note: The legend of the Fountain of Youth has long been tied with St. Augustine and there is talk of a society that exists to protect the Fountain of Youth from discovery. No one knows if the society truly exists. If it does, it is cloaked in secrecy.


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Breaker & The Sun

1/10/2017

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COVER REVEAL:

New from Lauren Nicolle Taylor, the best-selling author of Nora and Kettle, comes a fresh take on a classic tale. Clean Teen Publishing is excited to present the official cover reveal for BREAKER AND THE SUN. This isn't your typical sequel. Instead, Lauren Nicolle Taylor takes us on another historical journey with all new characters, storylines, and a new fairy tale retelling. Readers can read either novel in order or as stand alone's. This new PAPER STARS NOVEL will release on May 8, 2017. Take a look at the cover below, read the blurb (no spoilers since it isn't your typical sequel), and leave us a comment or two to let us know your thoughts. Be sure to add BREAKER AND THE SUN to your TBR List and grab your copy of NORA AND KETTLE if you haven't done so already.

BREAKER AND THE SUN

Release: May 8, 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fairy Tale and Folklore Retelling

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR LIST

Breaker Van Winkle is a recently returned Vietnam vet, struggling with PTSD and the difficulties of readjusting to civilian life with his mother. Eighteen-year-old Sunny is a high-achieving Chinese-French immigrant who fled Vietnam during the war. Sunny is usually as cheerful as her name implies, but she has her struggles too. Haunted by violent memories of the bombing that killed her parents, and chafing under the rule of her eccentric grandmother, she finds solace deep in the Catskills, at a place she calls the Ugly Tree.

When Breaker stumbles upon Sunny and the Ugly Tree, things start to change. They are drawn to each other, and feel called to the tree. As they spend more time together and their relationship deepens, they notice that their time at the tree is becoming twisted somehow. Sunny's mind yawns and her ambitions begin to slip away. Breaker feels safe and carefree, his memories finally burying themselves in the distant past. They are being lulled toward a tempting, peaceful sleep—but there is a cost to this magical serenity, and it may be more than either of them can bear…

"You can't skip through your life, Sunny. You have to live it. Every last painful, joyful, frustrating moment of it." ~Breaker

THE PAPER STARS NOVELS

GRAB THE FIRST BEST SELLING NOVEL TODAY:

Nora & Kettle Lauren Nicolle Taylor

A "remarkable" (Booklist) reimagining of Peter Pan. After World War II, orphaned Kettle faces prejudice as a Japanese American but manages to scrape by and care for his makeshift family of homeless children. When he crosses paths with the privileged but traumatized Nora, both of their lives are forever changed.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

ABOUT LAUREN NICOLLE TAYLOR:

Lauren Nicolle Taylor lives in the lush Adelaide Hills. The daughter of a Malaysian nuclear physicist and an Australian scientist, she was expected to follow a science career path, attending Adelaide University and completing a Health Science degree with Honours in obstetrics and gynaecology. She then worked in health research for a short time before having her first child. Due to their extensive health issues, Lauren spent her twenties as a full-time mother/carer to her three children. When her family life settled down, she turned to writing.

She is a 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semi-finalist and a USA Best Book Awards Finalist.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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