Today I'm thrilled to be part of my friend and CP Erin Albert's cover reveal for THE PROPHECY.
Erin Albert is an author, editor, and fitness trainer. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police." In her free time, Erin enjoys acting, running, kickboxing, and, of course, reading and writing.
Find me online:
Twitter: @ErinAlbertBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Albert-Books/182769448541270
Website: www.erinalbertbooks.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18160774-the-prophecy
And now for the AWESOME cover!!! (And a sneak peek!)
“Everything
must be taken down.” A rotund man, with beady black eyes, surveyed
the town, disdain in his expression. While he did not appear
distinguishable from the other black and purple clad men, he spoke
with authority. “The First Ones and their great Prophecy must be
honored properly.” He sniffed, his actions indicating the very
existence of Medlin and its occupants offended him.
Layla wondered
what this man considered a “proper honoring” of the First Ones.
The First Ones…they’d been dead for centuries, and, as far as
Layla could tell, hadn’t done much in life except start a
never-ending war. She knew nothing more about them except that she
was to thank them for good things, curse them for bad, and celebrate
them on this day.
“That’s
Elder Werrick, head of the Ecclesiastics,” whispered Samson,
glancing back at Grant. Layla noticed the look that passed between
them.
Grant nodded
his assent. “Get her out of here, brother.”
Samson tried
to steer Layla away, but she held her position to get a closer look
at the man whom her family so feared. She knew they had good reason
to worry—her black hair and purple eyes marked her as a Fulfillment
candidate, one with the potential to bring about the long awaited
peace. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe Elder
Werrick would notice her on the crowded streets, especially with her
eye drops and hood. Could he really be responsible for dragging
candidates from their homes, forcing them to undergo strenuous,
sometimes gruesome, testing for the sake of the Prophecy? To Layla,
he looked like nothing more than a short, fat, unhappy man. The very
notion that he could strike such fear into the hearts of her people
seemed almost laughable…almost. As his gaze swept over the crowd,
she glimpsed a sinister undertone that made her shiver.
Waving his
pudgy arms at the awaiting townspeople, Werrick commanded, “Take it
down.”
Suddenly, his
body stilled and his tiny eyes grew wide. They briefly connected
with Layla’s, narrowing with calculation. The Elder turned to his
nearest black clad companion.
“Do you feel
that?” Layla heard Werrick ask.
The other man
looked skeptical. “Feel what, Elder?”
Werrick leaned
in as the two whispered, stealing furtive glances in her direction.
When the Elder’s companion pointed at Layla, Samson grabbed her
arm. She heard his breathing change from rhythmic to jagged as he
pulled her away from the men.
“We have to
go now.” His urgency spurred her into action.
Grant moved to
block them from the Elder’s view. “Get her away from here,
Samson.”
The Elder
looked up to see everyone staring at him as if frozen. He repeated
his demand, “I said take everything down.”
The
townspeople, joined by the Elder’s minion, scampered to remove
their decorations, anxious to “properly” celebrate the First
Ones. Their flurry of activity concealed Layla as Samson and Grant
escorted her away. Layla scanned the streets, horrified, as the
people of Medlin stripped the town’s center barren. In no time,
everything appeared as it always had, devoid of any celebratory
adornments. She looked up at the sky with its gray clouds lingering
overhead. A bad omen…
On the hill, a
safe distance away, Layla watched a group of Ecclesiastics erect a
monstrous stage where the donkey races should have occurred. She
heard the braying of the angry animals, harnessed and corralled on
the orders of the Elder to avoid interfering with the “true” Day
of Dawning celebration. Her ire rose. Who did they think they were
coming in and changing everything?
An icy,
phantom finger traced a frigid line down her spine. After hearing
warning after warning from the Mantars her whole life, Layla knew
exactly what the Ecclesiastics could do, what they had done to others
in the past. Maybe Samson and Grant had been right. Maybe she
should never have come, especially today. Layla turned her back on
the town, resolved to go home, to safety.
“Layla!”
Samson’s alarmed tone sliced into her, and she swung around toward
him.
To her horror,
two Vanguard soldiers forced Samson to the ground. She knew just how
much strength he possessed, yet he couldn’t free himself. Her hands
balled up into fists, shaking with their desire to unleash the full
force of their fury.
“Run!”
Samson screamed before a soldier’s fist smashed into his face.
His body
stilled. Panic, coupled with indecision, crippled her. She should
run like Samson commanded, but she couldn’t leave him lying there.
To her relief, Grant ambled toward them, his eyes full of rage.
“Run!”
Grant echoed Samson’s warning.
With a final
glance at the two boys who’d been as close to her as brothers,
Layla fled. She flew down the hill, swinging her head from side to
side in alarm. Ecclesiastics swarmed throughout the city, making a
clear escape route difficult to discern.
Terror rose
within Layla. Why hadn’t she listened to her family? She’d been
foolish to believe she could sneak around under the ever-watchful
eyes of the Ecclesiastics, and that hubris put Samson and Grant in
danger as well. She choked back a sob.
“Run,” she
whispered.
Willing her
feet to move forward, Layla darted toward the back of the baker’s
shop, hoping to take a shortcut through the back alleyway. She
swerved to miss a wooden box and stumbled, arms flailing to right
herself. Unfamiliar hands reached out to break her fall. Once
stable, Layla looked up to find Elder Werrick staring down at her.
She screamed but no sound came out of her open mouth.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said, a wicked smile on his face.
Sounds awesome, right? Interested in more? Pre-order today here:
That is a truly great cover. Clean & eye-catching — exactly what I look for in a cover! Who is your artist?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Heather. I'll let Erin tackle the who!
DeleteTHANK YOU, Heather!! The lovely Marion Sipe created this cover!! :)
DeleteOmigawd, how exciting! The Vanguard crest is awesome; I'm so glad it got on the cover. :D Best of luck, Erin!
ReplyDeleteLove that crest, and agree- so glad it made the cover!
DeleteMe too, Jimena!! I like all the crests, but the Vanguard one holds a special place in my heart! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the cover, girlie! :)
DeleteAwesome cover! :) Exciting!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I can't wait for Erin's release date!!
DeleteThank you, Emma!!! It's all kinda surreal. Dreams coming true and all! ;)
DeleteSaweet!!!! Love it! So stoked for you! Dreams coming true is pretty dang awesome!
ReplyDelete