Blog Tour: Provex City by Michael Pierce (Excerpt & Giveaway)

I am so excited to be on the blog tour for Michael Pierce's latest novel, Provex City! A huge thank you to Candace from Candace's Book Blog for allowing me to be a part of this tour! :) On my stop today, I am showcasing an excerpt from this novel as well as hosting a giveaway both for US and International Readers, so be sure to enter! Good Luck! :D

You can check out the other tour stops HERE!

Title: Provex City (The Lorne Family Vault Series, #1) 

Author: Michael Pierce 

Fifteen-year-old Oliver Grain begins his school year fighting off bullies, learning about the boy who committed suicide in his room, and trying to understand why his history teacher, Mr. Gordon, has taken such a personal interest in him. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe you can make bullies simply disappear? Do you believe you can walk through walls? Mr. Gordon tells Oliver: "When you truly believe anything is possible, you will be able to open doors where there were only walls." And one of those doors leads Oliver to Provex City, which puts him in far greater danger than he can possibly fathom.

Excerpt:

       The bass coming from the living room rattled my stomach every time the beat hit. I slowly lurched forward, growing more apprehensive of entering the living room with each step. I didn’t want to walk out onto the makeshift dance floor. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself with my first attempt at dancing with a girl in front of all these people. Everyone was focused on their own affairs, but as soon as my awkwardness on the dance floor was noticed, all eyes would be on me. The thought was terrifying.

       I turned the corner and looked out at the sea of bodies moving rhythmically to the music bellowing from the stereo. Most of the dancers enjoying the music were girls, but there were a number of guys making their moves on the increased odds. I noticed my girl, Anna, in the middle of the crowd, swaying with all those around her and holding her drink high in the air where it seemed just as likely to spill. She didn’t seem to be dancing with anyone in particular. Girls and guys surrounded her, and she was dancing with all of them, all moving in a trance-like ecstasy.

I stood there, finishing my drink, gathering my courage, and biding my time for the appropriate moment. But what would be the appropriate moment? In between songs? For her to notice me? For a clear path to emerge? There was no path through the sea of bodies. Everyone seemed to be in some way connected, holding the outsiders at bay. Or were they just obstacles, obstacles I was meant to overcome…

I finished my safety drink and no longer had a way to just stand around without looking awkward. I had to do something. Looking back to the kitchen, I thought of refilling my cup. And then I looked toward the dance floor and thought of moving forward. Finally setting my empty cup down on a small table by the stairs, I dove headfirst into the dance floor.

I did my best to move with the music and squeeze past the entranced, oblivious dancers. I kept my eyes on Anna as I maneuvered forward, deeper into the ocean and realized I had no easy exit. I stumbled, bumped, and shoved my way to the center and no one seemed to care. The close proximity was natural here, and we were all connected. I broke through the final barrier and stood dumbfounded in the presence of Anna grooving and grinding to the music. She had one hand in the air and one hand on some guy’s shoulder, moving seductively. She gracefully twirled 180° and rubbed her body fervently against his, lost in the pulsating beat and feral rhythm of the music.

Anna finally looked ahead and released a surprising burst of excitement at the sight of me standing before her. She pounced on me in jubilation and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, unknowingly spraying our surrounding guests with what was left of her drink. Everyone around us took a step back with caution and groans of irritation, leaving us separated, yet trapped in the middle of the sea of undulating bodies.

“There you are!” she yelled in my ear. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Are you having fun? Are you happy? Are you here to see me?” she said and stumbled backward when she let go of me. She steadied herself, extending her cup-holding hand to regain her balance. Then she brought the plastic cup up to her lips and attempted to take a thirst-quenching gulp, but got less than a drip. “Aww—it’s all gone.” She dropped the cup on the floor.

Anna got herself back into the swing of the music and moved into me. She grabbed my hands at my sides and placed them on her gyrating hips. She threw her arms around the back of my neck, and we moved to the music as one person. I had no technique and tried not to think about what I was doing, except to follow Anna’s lead into an uninhibited state of consciousness. Anna had help, and I had Anna.

“Do you want to get another drink?” she asked after a few songs. I nodded, and she grabbed my hand and led me out of the water.

Michael Pierce lives in Southern California with his wife, daughter, and two ultra-protective Chiweenies. Provex City is his debut novel and the first book in the young adult fantasy Lorne Family Vault Series.

Links: Blog/Website/Facebook/GoodReads/Twitter/Book Trailer 

International Giveaway!

• 3 winners will receive a paperback of Provex City and a $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT.)
• 5 additional winners will win a paperback copy of Provex City (INT.)

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Cover Reveal and Excerpt of Perception by Lee Strauss!

I am so excited to be participating in the cover feature of Lee Strauss' latest novel, Perception, the first book in a new Young Adult Science Fiction Series! So, without further ado, behold the gorgeous cover and scintillating synopsis of this new novel! :)

Title: Perception (Perception, #1)
Author: Lee Strauss
Release Date: September 12th, 2012

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her brother Liam is missing. Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically. Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn.  She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.  Perception is a Science Fiction, Mystery, and Romance Young Adult Novel that takes place in the not-too-distant future in a world changed by climate extremes, natural disasters and impending wars, and where scientific breakthroughs cause class divisions - both financially and philosophically. It explores the clash between faith and science and how differences can separate us as enemies or alliance us together. And in some cases, even in the midst of betrayal and personal crisis, there’s room to fall in love. Perception is the first book in a planned three book series. 

Wow! If that cover didn't already catch your eye, then the synopsis surely must have! I love science fiction and while the idea of a genetically altered person isn't anything new, I find that Strauss' political and philosophical take on it through class divisions definitely is. Plus, I love the type of romance that starts out as hatred and progresses into something much deeper. Perception is a novel that I can't wait to see on shelves - especially with that eye-popping cover - and that I am looking forward to reading myself. Want a taste of this novel for yourself? I was lucky enough to receive an excerpt of Chapter 1 of this remarkable story and am allowed to share it with you all, so enjoy! :) 

PART ONE

ZOE

Chapter 1

      I balanced on my surfboard, right thigh burning and salt water stinging my eyes, while the best wave of the early morning carried me like a goddess on a pedestal to shore. My older brother Liam and I shared a friendly competition, and it gave me a certain, blissful satisfaction to catch the same wave and to get to shore first.

      “Beat ya!” I shouted over the noise of the crashing surf.

      Seagulls flocked and circled over us, squawking loudly, adding to the cacophony.

      The sun glistened off Liam’s damp blond curls as he shook them out. His eyes sparkled as his lips tugged up into a grin. “I let you win.”

      “Did not!” I smacked him playfully on the arm. “One more ride?”

      Liam unzipped his wetsuit letting the top half fall down past his waist. He was in fine form, and I understood why all the girls raved about him. He was responsible for a long list of broken hearts.

      “I gotta get going,” he said, lifting his board.

      I fell into stride beside him, my feet sinking into the cold, wet sand. “So soon?”

      He nodded, the glint leaving his eyes. My lips tightened into a frown “You’re taking off with Jackson again?”

      Jackson was my boyfriend but lately he’d been spending more time with my brother than he had with me. It was starting to tick me off.

      Liam stared straight ahead. “Lab stuff.”

      “What are you working on?” I rushed to keep up with my brother’s long, strong strides. He flicked his head, tossing the hair out of his eyes but didn’t answer.

      “Come on,” I knocked into him sideways. “Tell me!”

      “It’s just stuff.”

      “Just stuff? Like what? Top CIA stuff? I know you’re smart but I think the government has been doing a good job without your help.”

      I meant it as a joke, but Liam huffed. “It’s just stuff, okay? So leave it.”

      I stopped short shocked that he’d snapped at me.

      He turned around and exhaled, “Zoe, I’m sorry.”

      “Fine. If you can’t tell me, you can’t tell me.”

      We resumed our trek along the beach, and I pushed back my frustration. Liam used to include me in everything. It was always him and me against everyone else. Him and me against Alison and Paul, aka our mom and dad. Him and me against the surf. We were a team. When did we start keeping secrets from each other? Rather, when did he start keeping secrets from me?

      I re-adjusted my board under my arm. Maybe I could get Jackson to unzip his lips. Especially if I helped him. He could be easily persuaded if I poured on the charm. I hated to go behind my brother’s back for information, but something about all this--this, whatever it was that Liam was doing--made me uneasy. I couldn’t pinpoint why, it just did.

      We reached our home, a massive glass box with two floors of windows facing the Pacific Ocean. It was built after the San Andreas Fault shifted and triggered the Big Quake that, along with the subsequent tsunami, wiped out ten miles of shoreline.

      A nearby white-stucco storage shed housed all our water toys. We stopped there to hang up our wetsuits to dry.

      “Thanks for surfing with me today.” Liam said, smiling at me, back to his jovial self. “I know it was a sacrifice for you to get up so early.”

I smiled in return. “No problem. It was fun.” Surfing with Liam was one of my most favorite things to do.

      “You’re back for dinner?” I asked.

      Liam didn’t know it, but once he left, I’d be spending the rest of the day preparing for his surprise birthday party. He’d turned twenty-one yesterday and had celebrated at a bar with his friends. I couldn’t go because I was underage, and it irked me that Jackson went and that he and Liam had once again shared a significant moment without me. I took consolation in the fact that Alison and Paul gave me free reign to plan this party. My heart beat with excitement, and I couldn’t wait to see his face when he got home and found the house full of his friends.

      “Yeah, I’ll be there,” he answered.

      I bit my cheek to keep my voice even. “Good.We’ll see you, then.”

      Our property tiered twice before connecting with the sandy beach. Three glass doors slid open disappearing into the corner and creating a wall-less view of the stone patio that encased an eternity pool. Its waters slipped over the far edge into a waterfall that was collected again on the second tier.

      Liam strode into the house, through the living room and down the hall to his bedroom at the back, his wet shorts dripping on the glossy white tiles.

      I tightened the towel around my waist and climbed the open-slat staircase to my room.

      As I passed the maid, Saundra something, her brown face blanched. She stumbled slightly before grabbing the rail and catching herself.

      “Excuse me,” she said softly at my astonished look.

      The woman really didn’t look well, and I was thankful for my enhanced immunization. I was glad I didn’t have to worry about diseases brought in from the outside.

      “Are you okay?” I asked.

      She nodded weakly, and proceeded to clean the rails.

      A trill of anticipation reclaimed my thoughts. I couldn’t wait for tonight.

      The door beside my bathroom opened into a second room, a walk-in closet big enough to house another bedroom set. Racks of clothes and shoes lined the walls, a well-lit mirror station was located near the sky light and a cushioned leather bench was placed in the middle for sitting. I stood in my closet and stared at the rows of sundresses, blouses and shorts.

      What to wear?

      I settled on a lace blouse and cotton shorts, then went to take a luxurious shower, rinsing the sea water out of my long, blond hair. I leaned into the built-in seat that was designed specifically for my body height and shape. Laser lights mapped my head and twenty-eight silicon fingers reached out to massage my scalp while shampooing and conditioning my hair.      Most days I had to watch or I’d doze off, but today I was excited. I commanded the water to turn off as soon as the rinse was done.

      When I was dressed and my hair combed out and tied back, I slipped my platinum Communication Ring onto my left middle finger. I tapped it which produced a holographic image of my phone apps on my palm. I touched the clock icon and holographic digital numbers appeared in the air.

      Ten already? Where did the time go? That was the thing with summer holidays; every hour ran languidly into the next.

      I imagined the cook and her crew were busy preparing for the party in the kitchen. I’d requested fresh sea food and simulated roast, fresh fruit and vegetables, an assortment of fancy chocolates and baked items plus a three-tiered, surfer-themed birthday cake.

I skipped down the stairs to check on the progress, but in my hurry to the kitchen, I slammed into a body.

      “Sorry,” a male voice said.

      I stepped back agitated. I recognized the dark-haired boy wearing the white tunic my mother made the male staff wear. He was the maid’s son.

      He held a wet mop in his hand, and I figured he’d been cleaning up Liam’s spotty water trail.

      He stepped politely out of the way, but the expression on his face was stoic. Even though he was clearly from the outside and the help, I still expected some small sign that what he saw when he viewed me was pleasing. A twinkle in the eye, a slight upturning of the lips. These were the responses I got from all the boys. The straight ones, anyway.

      He wasn't especially attractive but I didn't see people with his appearance very often. He had eyes the color of imported coffee beans and skin like caramel candy. His nose was wide and his jaw-line sharp. I was suddenly intrigued by him and surprised myself by thinking he looked exotic.

      “Excuse me, what was your name again?” I asked.

      “Noah.”

      Right. I remembered now. I waited for him to say something, but he stayed quiet.

      Footsteps echoed from the hall above. My parents spoke together, their muffled voices floating across the high ceilings.

      “Do other maids send their sons to do their work?” Alison's voice had a brassy tone that carried through the cavernous space.

      I felt a flare of red creep up my neck when I realized Alison was talking about Noah. My eyes darted to his, but he kept his averted.

      “He does a good job,” Paul responded. “That's the main thing. Besides you know they need the money.”

      “So we're charity now?”

      “What's wrong with a little charity? Besides, they're not just anybody.”

      “I don't care. I still don't trust him.”

      I was mortified. My feet felt cemented to the floor and I didn’t know what to say. Anything would come off as trite since nothing I could say could undo what Noah had heard.

      “Did you know the Pikes have a household robot now?” Alison, again. “Apparently it’s very efficient, and at least Mary doesn’t have to worry about things going missing.”

      Noah’s jaw tightened and he turned his back to me. He attacked Liam’s dried and dusty water spots aggressively and soon had disappeared around the corner.

      “Zoe?” Alison click-clacked down the wooden stairs. She wore a pale yellow pant suit and high heels even though it was Saturday. She was in-between careers now, having spent the last fifteen years in law. She barely looked thirty years old and with lots of time ahead of her, she could do anything. Probably several things.

      “Mom! You have to keep your voice down. How many times do I have to tell you your voice travels in this glass box?

      “Oh.” She looked mildly shaken. “No matter. Is everything coming together to your satisfaction?”

      “I’m just checking in on things now.”

      “Your father and I are meeting people for lunch. What time is the party again?”

      I blew a frustrated breath. She could at least pretend she cared enough to remember details I’d told her a dozen times already.

      “Seven.”

      “Right. We’ll see you at seven.”

      Things proceeded throughout the day as planned and I was pleased with my ability to pull off an event like this on my own.

      The decorators showed up at 1:00 as promised.

      The band arrived to set up at 3:00.

      I got dressed at 4:30, having bought a thigh-length mini-dress that sparkled with tiny crystals just for the occasion.

      My hair and makeup girl arrived at 5:00.

      I tapped my ring and called Jackson at 5:30.

      “Where are you?” I said to the three-inch holographic image of him that popped up above my palm. “You said you’d help.”

      “Sorry, Zo. Got tied up at home.”

      “Are you okay? You don’t sound so good.”

      It was odd. No one in Sol City ever got really sick, but it wasn’t unheard of to get run down if you pushed yourself too hard. Jackson had been working a lot lately.

      “I didn’t sleep well last night. Uh, spent most of the day in bed.”

      I felt a little panicky. “You’re still coming, aren’t you?”

      “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

      Alison and Paul arrived at 6:30 along with all of mine and Liam’s friends.

      I hushed everyone at 6:55, giving instructions on when to shout “Surprise!”

      It was all a wasted effort.

      Liam never showed.

What do you think? I'm quite intrigued by this story already and think the class differences between Noah and Zoe make for an interesting relationship. Plus, aren't you just dying to know about what Liam is working on and where he went?

If you're interested in this novel, be sure to add it on GoodReads here and check out Lee Strauss' Website, Facebook Page, and GoodReads for more information about her upcoming novel!