Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Cover Reveal for Black City by Elizabeth Richard and some more extras

Have you ever wanted to read a book from the description? Well, I definitely have. Black City comes out from Penguin in November. Here is a summary: 
A dark ande tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war
In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths. 
Want to learn more about the book, well I have chapter one to share with you. Hope you enjoy it: 

1.
ASH
An air raid siren wails in the distance, alerting Black City citizens to lock their doors and turn out the lights. They don’t want to be out in the dark alone. They might meet something dangerous. Something like me.
I head under the canal bridge and wait for the girl, taking a packet of Sentry-regulation smokes from my back pocket and sparking up. The nicotine courses through my veins, making them throb with adrenaline; the sensation is almost like a pulse . . . almost.
Footsteps approach the bridge, and a short girl with straggly black hair appears from the shadows, dressed in men’s work boots, tight black trousers and a tailcoat made from a patchwork of clashing fabrics. Her hazel eyes gaze up into mine. She’s brave. Not many cherry-poppers have the courage to look me in the eyes. She hands me an old playing card with two hearts on it, one red, one black. It’s my calling card. It seemed an appropriate choice; that’s what I’m selling her after all, an illusion of love. I slip it into the pocket of my dark green military jacket.
“You’re late,” I say. “Last thing I need is to be caught out here after curfew by a Tracker. They’re just begging for a reason to throw me in jail.”
“Sorry, they’ve put up extra checkpoints, stopping everyone. There’s tanks everywhere!” she babbles. “I guess they can’t be too careful with the Sentry Emissary back in the city, what with the boundary negotiations with the Legion and—”
“You paid Beetle?” I interrupt.
The girl nods.
“Terms and conditions,” I say. “No refunds. You don’t enjoy it, you puke, you freak—not my problem, okay?”
She nods again.
“You pregnant?” She blushes furiously. “I’ll take that as a no. It may cause drowsiness, so don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery.” She smiles at this, and I grin. They always like that. “And no repeats for at least two weeks, all right? I mean it.”
“That all?”
“No kissing. Strictly business, okay?”
She seems a little disappointed by this, but I don’t like to mix business with pleasure. She shyly unbuttons the collar of her coat, revealing her slim, pale neck. Hunger grips my stomach at the sight.
“What do I do?” she asks.
“Lean back,” I say.
She obeys like a good girl. I place a hand against the wall and slip my other hand between her thighs, gently easing her legs apart. Touching her doesn’t turn me on, but I groan like it does, knowing she’ll enjoy that. They all do, even the guys—it’s why they come to me instead of the Haze dens. I slide my body between her thighs so we’re face-to-face. Her shallow breaths are warm against my cool skin.
“Relax, okay? It’s more enjoyable if you relax.”
“My heart’s pounding a mile a minute.” She gives a nervous laugh.
“Can’t say I know how that feels,” I admit.
She tentatively presses a hand against my chest, and her eyes widen. “So it’s true, then? You don’t have a heart?”
“I have a heart,” I growl, shoving her hard against the wall. It just doesn’t beat.
A small tear snakes down her cheek, her thin lips trembling.
“Sshhh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” I gently wipe her tear away. “Forgive me?”
She nods, then tilts her head to one side, exposing the smooth whiteness of her neck. The poison sacs behind my fangs swell with venom.
Focus, Ash. Don’t blow your load.
I lean toward her, pressing my lips against the soft flesh on her neck, just below her ear. Her pulse flutters under my lips, and I nearly lose it. I begin to nibble on the flesh, tickling the tiny hairs on her neck with my tongue, making them wet with my saliva.
“Do it,” she whispers.
So much for foreplay. I sink my fangs into her jugular. Hot blood spills over my tongue, making my taste buds burst with its sticky sweetness. Man, I love the newbies; they always taste the best. She sighs as my venom enters her bloodstream. I wait for the Haze to take effect before I start to drink from her. That’s the bonus of Haze; my clients get high from me, and I get high from them by drinking their drugged blood. It’s win-win.
A sour, bitter flavor suddenly floods my mouth, and I gag, leaping back.
“What the—” I spit up blood.
The girl stares at me with glazed eyes, blood trickling down the two puncture wounds in her neck.
“Everything’s sparkling,” she says dreamily.
“Didn’t Beetle tell you I don’t take clients on meds?”
She lurches toward me, and I grab her before she falls into the water.
“I love you,” she slurs, trying to kiss me.
I shove her, hard. She falls back against the wall and slides to the floor. Her eyes roll back into her head, and she begins to spasm, white foam bubbling out the corners of her mouth.
“No, no, no! Wake up.” I kneel down and shake her, panic rushing through me.
The girl jerks, her boots leaving black scuff marks on the cobblestones. Fragg! This is why I don’t take clients on meds. You can never tell how they’re going to react to the Haze. I shrug off my jacket and place it under her head.
A Sentry tank rolls over the bridge, and I shut my eyes and wait for it to pass. Even though the war is officially over, I still get chills at that sound. Wherever they went, Death followed. I had a few close scrapes during the war. During those days, the fact that I was a legal citizen and half human didn’t mean much to them. If you weren’t 100 percent human, you were the enemy. Every day was a fight for survival. Not much has improved since then; I’m still the enemy in most people’s eyes. All they can see is the Darkling in me. The tank turns down Bleak Street toward the Sentry Emissary’s headquarters.
The girl groans. It’s too dangerous here; I have to go. I could just leave her . . . No, that’s not an option, but I can’t take her to the hospital. I’d get in so much trouble.
Beetle!
I peer down the canal. A yellow barge is moored about one hundred feet away. The lights are off. Where is he? He’s meant to be my wingman; that’s why I came to the bridge in the first place. Can this get any wor—
An explosion of pain bursts inside my chest, and I clutch a hand over my lifeless heart. I sense someone behind me and turn.
A girl stands by the entranceway, lit by the headlamps of a passing truck. In the fleeting light, I catch a glimpse of cornflower-blue eyes flicking between me and the Hazer writhing on the ground.
Her gaze finally fixes on me.
I fall back, struck down, as the pain in my chest blooms again.
Shivers run through my body, rushing toward a single point in my chest. There’s a spark of electricity and then:
A flutter. 
 I can't wait to read this book. It happens that I also have the cover of the book. Want to take a look?
 I think that it is really epic and I am so excited for this book. Penguin Books for Young Reader is kind enough to offer a galley to someone that comments below. Leave what you think of the cover or chapter one in the comments by March 8th, along with your email address. One of the winners of the Galley will win a drawing that is of one the main characters (Similar to the style below). It will be drawn by the author and personalized. Each one will be unique and original. 
Lastly, here is a bit about the author:
Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist and debut author, who spent her early career writing for videogame publications such as CUBE, P2 and GamesTM,and now works as a website editor. Previously, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls. She won the Jane Hayward Young Journalist of the Year award for her feature on girls in the games industry, and was named 'Editor's Choice' in the industry trade magazine, MCV. 
Elizabeth Richards lives in Buckinghamshire, England and can be found online at www.theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com
Remember to leave a comment below and best of luck.


34 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the giveaway! I haven't heard of this before today, but I already want to read this so, so badly! *Crosses fingers*

    I adore this cover. I like the way it's a flower, but it's shattering, which makes it so unique! Plus, I love the addition of a city, which adds the dystopian flare!

    My email is abackwardsstory(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the cover, the books counds amazing as well! :)

    hayley.weller85@hotmail.com

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  3. Love the cover. Although it doesn't have much on it's just so.. Beautiful. And then we have the first chapter that made me decide. I NEED that book

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    Thildeespensen (at) live (dot) dk

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVE the cover espcially the fluttering burst of petals! :)

    tirachii(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The cover is brilliant! The choice of colors and the rose tearing up, you know this is gonna be an awesome book!
    And that first chapter just confirms it, it's so cool!

    gaby_sama@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I already added this to my tbr pile. It sounds amazing based on the blurb, and I really like the writing style and setting based on the first chapter. And of course the cover is gorgeous!

    picyadri at gmail dot com

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  7. Wow, that first chapter was so much darker than I expected... or in other words, I LOVED it. :)

    redheadheroines (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. The cover is simple, but I think it really packs a good punch! As for the excerpt, well I tried not to read all of it, because I like surprises. Haha! I'm excited though - the summary alone sounds great :)

    Thanks for the chance to enter.

    Kristi S.
    quailsrock23(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am officially in love with this cover. I love the contrast between the flower (I'm assuming its a flower) and the city at the bottom. This sounds awesome!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    zaser_jam(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the darker side of fiction. Sounds like I'll love this book.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the cover. The first chapter has me beyond intrigued.

    moviefanatic1911(@)yahoo(.)com

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  12. I love Ash's voice and the cover is absolutely beautiful and even seems representative of the story :).

    christinabejjani@gmail.com

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  13. The start sounds great! Pretty cover!

    readingwishes@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. i am in love with this gorgeous cover and i've been so looking forward to this book! after reading the first chapter, i really need to read the whole book : ) thanks for the giveaway!!

    ame1184 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is one book I'll definitely be eager to get my hands on. Great excerpt + stunning cover=winning combo.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Enter me please! I've been seeing this book all over the place!

    haleymathiot at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Does the shattering rose have meaning in the novel? I'm curious now!

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. The cover looks great and the story sounds fantastic!

    lilcrickit at gmail dot com

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  19. Well, that little bit has me hooked.

    Findjessyhere at gmail dot com

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  20. The first chapter was splendid and i love the writing style!

    treechanie@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is such a great, dynamic cover! Thanks for the giveaway!

    scr15@duke.edu

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm loving the cover more and more as I look at it!

    And that is a powerful way to start the book. I'm happy that the author isn't petrified of her characters having sex.

    I also love the author's drawing!

    yan.pocky(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for the great giveaway and for making it international. I love the cover of the book and I really liked the first chapter.I would definitely love to get a chance to read the whole book.
    bymyself.g(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the exploding rose on the cover! And that first chapter just blew my mind :D
    amarilys(dot)acosta9(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. The cover looks really elegant. I love it. And the first chapter made me crave for more.

    sabina(dot)dezman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you so much for the chance! I love the cover!! And my favorite part of the excerpt is when Ash goes, "I have a heart!" I want to meet him so bad!

    Jena
    Shortie Says
    Jenababy13@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am so excited about the book. It sounds very interesting and the cover is GORGEOUS, I like the bloody crimson rose with glass shattered petals, and I want a drawing...sigh, let's see if I have luck.
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    just.andreeam@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the opportunity! I love the cover! It's so pretty and just makes me want to read it, badly. And the excerpt doesn't help the cause. Must. Read. This!

    Angela
    angela_leeson123@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. The cover is beautiful, for me the shattered rose represents how everything they knew about life was lost, the beauty of the time, and all the wonderfulness of love! My gosh the excerpt leave me wanting more! I need to have a cooopy!! Thanks for the giveaway! Fingers crossed!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the synopsis and cover! The story sounds fantastic (I'm eager to learn more about the setting and the Darklings!), and that cover...is gorgeous! Can't wait to read Black City. :)
    365daysreading(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. I cannot wait for this book! I simply adore the cover. And that first chapter is so so good!

    dontkillkittens8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  32. The book sounds awesome and the cover is beautiful!


    jennifer_yniguez@yahoo.com

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  33. This book sounds amazing and the cover looks it as well.

    rachael.shand@gmail.com

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  34. Love the cover so much! It's beautiful and stylish!

    transportbybooks(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)hk

    ReplyDelete

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