Wednesday, December 12, 2012

#BIR2012 - MIRAGE by Kristi Cook - Exclusive ETERNAL Excerpt


Welcome to day three of Best I've Read 2012!

Be sure to stop by the official BIR blog to see our overall picks for today: TAKE A BOW by Elizabeth Eulberg and GRAVE MERCY by R.L. LaFevers.

Today, I'm featuring one of my favorite authors and sequels of all time: MIRAGE by Kristi Cook. I can't gush enough about how amazing this book is. It doesn't fall into that second-book trap of the couple breaking up and dragging in the middle. This book is unputdownable in every way.

For those of you new to BIR, you may not know that Kristi's debut HAVEN was featured on the official BIR blog last year and we had the honor of revealing the cover for MIRAGE then. You can check that out HERE

Here's a little about MIRAGE:

MIRAGE by Kristi Cook
Released: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Find Kristi Online: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

From GoodreadsSeventeen-year-old Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven, and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But when a violent and disturbing vision begins to haunt her, Violet suddenly feels unsure of everything: who to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.





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Because I love this series so much, and I know if you've read any of the books so far, you're probably dying to know what's going to happen in book three, Kristi has agreed to let me give you an extra special treat today:

An exclusive excerpt from book three, ETERNAL!

Okay, okay, are you done screaming with excitement? Or maybe you've already skipped ahead and aren't even reading this.....so go ahead. Read it!

***ETERNAL Excerpt***



“What is it?” I asked. 
His gaze met mine, and only then did I notice the faintest trace of red creeping in.  The sight should have frightened me, but it didn’t.   “I’m sorry your birthday was ruined,” he said at last.  “I had such plans for after.  Our own, private party.”
“I know.”  My pulse leapt, my mouth suddenly dry. 
“Tell me, Vi,” he said, his brow knitted as he trailed a finger down the side of my face.  “Do you believe in the whole concept of soul mates?”
I shook my head.  “Honestly, I’m not sure.  I mean, you just threw me off there with that whole music thing,” I added with a smile. 
“I think most people misinterpret the concept,” Aidan began hesitantly.  “They expect that their soul mate will be just like them.  You know, that a soft, gentle intellectual will only fit with another soft, gentle intellectual.  Or a fiery personality can only match another fiery personality.  But I think it’s just the opposite, that soul mates are more like two sides of a coin.”
“Oh, really?” I said, intrigued now.  It was clear that he’d put a lot of thought into this.
The corners of his mouth twitched with a smile.  “Yes, really.  And you and I…well, we’re so very different, aren’t we?  And yet…that connection between us was almost instantaneous.  You’re the lightheartedness to my solemnity, the spontaneity to my careful planning, the light to my dark.  If you’re heads, then I’m tails.  Together, we’re a whole.  Maybe that’s what a soul mate truly is.” 
My eyes were damp, I realized, swiping them with the back of my hand. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” I asked. 
He leaned toward me, his forehead against mine.  “I’ve a pretty good idea of it,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.  “Which is why I should probably get you out of here.”
I knew he was right, and yet I couldn’t help but dip my head lower, brushing my lips against his mouth.  I heard his breath catch in his throat, felt him clench his hands into fists by his sides.  Still, I opened my mouth against his, needing to taste him, my soul mate.
I was breathless when I finally pulled away, my skin flushed all over, my lips slightly swollen and bruised.  Lifting one trembling hand, I traced his bottom lip with my index finger, wincing as I made contact with one sharp, elongated canine. 
“I could really use that cure right about now,” Aidan groaned, a hint of desperation in his voice. 


***Giveaway***

Thanks to Kristi, I am giving away one SIGNED copy of HAVEN and an a SIGNED (by both Kristi and the artist) artwork poster for the Winterhaven series.  (Here is a LINK to a photo of both the artist and the poster over at Wicked Awesome Books).

This giveaway is subject to all BIR contest rules and open to U.S. mailing addresses. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 comments:

  1. It seems like a mystery but I really love the covers.

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  2. I haven't read them, but the series sounds really good! I love books about schools where all the students have some sort of amazing power :)

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  3. Sounds mysterious and I'm just going to take your word that it is a great series! Thanks for the introduction and chance to win!

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  4. I have not read them yet but they are my type of books and I would love to <3

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  5. I haven't read them yet but I'm always on the lookout for new books! THANKS!

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  6. I haven't read them yet, but have seen good reviews and I love these types of books (Hex Hall series, Hemlock, Vampire Academy, etc.).

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  7. I really enjoy reading books that the characters are staying in a boarding school. I guess its because they sorta of have a little mom freedom. And I love that the characters each have a different ability. It makes the story more interesting. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!

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