by Faith Hunter
Publisher: Ace/Roc
December 5, 2017
Mass Market Paperback $7.99
352 pages
ISBN: 978-0451473332
Nell Ingram has always known she was different. Since she was a child, she’s been able to feel and channel ancient powers from deep within the earth. When she met Jane Yellowrock, her entire life changed, and she was recruited into PsyLED—the Homeland Security division that polices paranormals. But now her newly formed unit is about to take on its toughest case yet.
A powerful senator barely survives an assassination attempt that leaves many others dead—and the house he was visiting burns to the ground. Invisible to security cameras, the assassin literally disappears, and Nell’s team is called in. As they track a killer they know is more—or less—than human, they unravel a web of dark intrigue and malevolent motives that tests them to their limits and beyond.
Excerpt FLAME IN THE DARK - Part One
I spread my blanket out and sat next to the oak. I cupped my hands around the base of the tree, so that the outer pads of my hands touched the ground, my fingers on the bark. Sinking into the tree, I felt along the pathways up and down it, the starchy sugars and oils and organic molecules that spoke of life. The ruined limbs were at the outer edges where the thing had brushed by it, touching it with the death in its body. I could trim them back but it wouldn’t help. The roots were damaged in ways I couldn’t even understand. I tried pushing life into them, tried to heal the small tree. But it was ruined. It was dead. I sat back on my backside.
I understood why people cut down healthy trees. I understood the concept of trees as crops and building materials, of trees as being removed for habitations and business buildings. But killing for the sake of killing—even trees—was an alien concept to me. And this creature—the shooter—was a killer. A killer by nature, perhaps? A killer by his cellular composition. It appeared that he killed just as he it breathed, by body chemistry, or by instinct, by predisposition and reflex. I knew it but I couldn’t prove it. I didn’t know what the shooter was. But the death of the tree made me weep.I wiped my cheeks, feeling the chapped skin. I didn’t question why I cried more over a baby tree than I did over the woman the shooter had killed. Surely the woman with the gray eyes deserved a greater grief. I would have to look at my own biases, but later, when I had time, after this long night was over. I stood, gathered up my blanket, and continued after the killer. I followed the death of plants through the woods, ignoring the scratches of nearby limbs, the vines and shoots and roots set to trip me, reaching down to the roots, trying to support them all, to the end of the cove, where I stopped. The destruction led directly into the water.
I understood why people cut down healthy trees. I understood the concept of trees as crops and building materials, of trees as being removed for habitations and business buildings. But killing for the sake of killing—even trees—was an alien concept to me. And this creature—the shooter—was a killer. A killer by nature, perhaps? A killer by his cellular composition. It appeared that he killed just as he it breathed, by body chemistry, or by instinct, by predisposition and reflex. I knew it but I couldn’t prove it. I didn’t know what the shooter was. But the death of the tree made me weep.I wiped my cheeks, feeling the chapped skin. I didn’t question why I cried more over a baby tree than I did over the woman the shooter had killed. Surely the woman with the gray eyes deserved a greater grief. I would have to look at my own biases, but later, when I had time, after this long night was over. I stood, gathered up my blanket, and continued after the killer. I followed the death of plants through the woods, ignoring the scratches of nearby limbs, the vines and shoots and roots set to trip me, reaching down to the roots, trying to support them all, to the end of the cove, where I stopped. The destruction led directly into the water.
Yellowrock Securities
Gwen Hunter
New York Times and USAToday bestselling fantasy author Faith Hunter was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. Altogether she has 40+ books in print under the names Gary Hunter, Gwen Hunter, and Faith Hunter. As Faith, she writes two contemporary Urban Fantasy series: the Jane Yellowrock series, featuring a Cherokee skinwalker who hunts rogue vampires, and the Soulwood series, featuring earth magic user Nell Ingram. Her Rogue Mage novels are a dark, post-apocalyptic, fantasy series featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. The role playing game based on the series, is ROGUE MAGE, RPG.
Gwen Hunter
New York Times and USAToday bestselling fantasy author Faith Hunter was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. Altogether she has 40+ books in print under the names Gary Hunter, Gwen Hunter, and Faith Hunter. As Faith, she writes two contemporary Urban Fantasy series: the Jane Yellowrock series, featuring a Cherokee skinwalker who hunts rogue vampires, and the Soulwood series, featuring earth magic user Nell Ingram. Her Rogue Mage novels are a dark, post-apocalyptic, fantasy series featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. The role playing game based on the series, is ROGUE MAGE, RPG.
Link with all tour stops:
GIVEAWAY!
The tour giveaway is for 3 sets of the 1st 2 Soulwood books ( BLOOD OF THE EARTH and CURSE ON THE LAND ) and one $50 Amazon gift card (US residents only)!
"What do you like about Nell Ingram? Or, if you're new to the series, what attracted you to it?" I'm attracted to the fantasy element! Ancient powers sound great!
ReplyDeleteI am new to the series. It being a Urban Fantasy series is what attracted me. I love strong female characters in series.
ReplyDeleteI like that she stands up for herself and isn't always likable.
ReplyDeleteI am new to the series and I like the fact that Jane Yelloewrock shows up to introduce us to a new character who is so unique and interesting. I like how the series is more about Nell and her work than anything.
ReplyDeleteNew author for me and that it is fantasy/paranormal is great.
ReplyDeletefantasy
ReplyDeleteI've been reading the Jane Yellowrock series since it started. Nel was a secondary in a Jane story who now has adventures of her own. I've read the first 2 books and really enjoyed them. I'd love to win and own them vs borrowing from the library.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed the Jane series. I just picked up the first book in this series. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLoving these excerpts - thanks for participating in Faith's blog tour! Sharing this link.
ReplyDeleteI like how Faith's characters fit my favorite pattern, but don't fit in a mold of 'just like xxx character'.
ReplyDeleteGreat Series, one of my top favorite authors!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite UF series. Not only is Faith Hunter an excellent story teller but she also produces great work. I appreciate the originality that is Nell in a genrea that is over satuated with the more common "supernatural" species & the fact FH's work is not riddled with spelling or gramatical errors.
ReplyDeleteNell is a fascinating character. I love the depth with which you create her.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the Soulwood books, maybe more than Jane Yellowrock!
ReplyDeleteI wish I tweeted, so I could get the other two entries, but I don't.
Absolutely love this series! I am a huge Jane Yellowrock fan but decided to give this series a try while waiting for the next Jane book and I’m so glad I did!!
ReplyDeleteNew to this series but I love Jane and IF so I'm going to give it a go
ReplyDeleteI have read a number of the Jane Yellowrock books, which are very compelling, and I enjoy paranormal suspense/mystery.
ReplyDeleteThe waiting is getting to be too much. I don't want my days to fly by, life is too short; but I love Nell and want to read this!��
ReplyDeleteI am new to the series but the excerpt caught my attention. Thanks to I Smell Sheep for bringing this series to my attention!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed it! You can find reviews for the first two on the site.
DeleteI like Jane Yellowrock and the cross overs
ReplyDeleteNell's gift is incredibly fascinating. I love how strong Nell is. She's really had to struggle to learn who/what she is.
ReplyDeleteI’m new to the series. Was actually attracted by the cover story
ReplyDeleteI like that Nell Ingram is great in fantasy. I can't wait to read it completely.
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