Spotlight on Smoked

Title: Smoked

Author: Mari Mancusi

Series: Scorched, #3

Pubdate: September 1^st, 2015

ISBN: 9781402284649

Once upon a time the world burned.

Until a girl and her dragon smothered the flame.

But the spark that ignited the apocalypse never went out.

And the scorch is about to begin…

When Team Dragon rescues Emmy from the government lab, they think the future is finally safe. But they soon discover that Emmy has a secret—a secret so dangerous it could trigger the very apocalypse Connor and Caleb were sent back in time to prevent.

As a dragon hunter, Connor has committed his life to saving the world. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to complete his mission…even if it meant betraying his brother and losing Trinity’s heart. Even if it meant doing the unthinkable.

But a desperate choice meant to prevent The Scorch, may be the spark that sets the world aflame once more.

The epic conclusion to the genre-bending Scorched series, which Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Bloods series, called  "A heart-pounding, twisty, time-travel fantasy.”

I really liked books 1 and 2! I can't wait to read the end of the trilogy!

Character Interview: EMMY

Full Name: Emberlyn

Nickname (if applicable): Emmy

Height: I’m growing bigger every day

Scale Color: Green

Eye Color: blue

Age:  1

Originally from: my egg was unearthed from a melting glacier. 

Describe yourself in 200 words or less:

I’m the world’s last dragon and I’m bonded to my Fire Kissed, Trinity Foxx, who helped me hatch from my egg. I love TV (my favorite show is the BBC’s Merlin) and scratches on my snout and behind my ears. I’m actually very loyal and loving, though many believe I am a monster that should be put down before my kind destroys the world. I also LOVE meat. All meat, but the bloodier/rawer the better. But no, I don’t eat humans so don’t worry!

What matters most to you?

My Fire Kissed, Trinity. Her safety and happiness mean everything to me.

When not trying to save the world, how do you spend your time?

I’m sort of limited in activities, as I have to keep out of sight. I love watching TV and eating though. Simple, satisfying pleasures.

If money was no object and you had 3 weeks of vacation from being on the run what would you do with your time?

I would fly everywhere, stretching my wings and checking out the world. It would be amazing to have that freedom. Unfortunately I don’t think that’s in the cards for me. As I have learned firsthand, the world is not a place for dragons.

An Excerpt
“Okay, Fire Kissed,” he said. “It’s showtime.”Together they jumped out of the truck, slamming the doors behind them. Connor ran around the back, rolling up the door and pulling out a huge box. Trinity helped him heave it onto the loading dock.“Are you okay in there?” she whispered to the box. “Perfect,” Nate assured her from inside. “You guys go on ahead. I should be close enough now to hack into their security cameras and get them offline.” He paused then added, “Good luck. Just don’t forget about me once you have your dragon.”“Never,” Trinity assured him, patting the box. Then she rose to her feet and approached Connor. “Ready?”“As I’ll ever be.”With confident, casual steps, they strode up to the guard, who was propped in a chair by the elevator, his feet up, nose in a book, completely ignoring the chaos around him. Guess deliveries weren’t in his job description. Connor gave him a small smile. “We need the elevator,” he informed him.“Yeah, well, I need my ex-wife to get off my back,” the guard said lazily, snapping his gum. “We’ve all got problems.” Connor’s eyes zeroed in on him. “I don’t think you under- stand,” he said. “We need the elevator. We need to get upstairs. You need to let us in.”Trinity drew in a breath, watching him work. She had to admit, Connor looked particularly hot when he was working to manipulate people’s minds. It was like he got this look in his eyes—those blue, glowing eyes of his—like he was some kind of Jedi Master or something. Truth be told, it kind of made her want to jump his bones. Not that this was the time or the place.Pushing the inappropriate thought down, she turned back to his victim. Sure enough, the man’s face had gone slack, and he was staring up at Connor with vacant eyes. “You need the elevator,” he droned. “You need to get upstairs. You need me to let you in.”Then, to Trinity’s excitement, he slowly rose to his feet, walked over to the elevator in question, and inserted his key. Just like that. A moment later, the doors yawned open. The guard looked at them expectantly.Trin flashed Connor an approving look. You didn’t even need my help for that one, she teased.Yeah, well, it’s all you from here on out, he shot back, but he looked pleased by the compliment all the same.

About the author: Mari Mancusi is a two-time Emmy award-winning television producer and author of novels for adults and teens. A graduate of Boston University, she now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and young daughter. When not writing or producing she enjoys traveling, snowboarding, reading fantasy novels, and her favorite guilty pleasure: video games.

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Maid of Secrets Blog Tour: Interview with Maid of Stealth

Today at YA Book Nerd we have Jane, one of the five spies we meet in the new YA historical adventure Maid of Secrets. I just started the book and so far, it's fabulous! Jane is usually a woman of few words, but she graciously agreed to speak with us today.

Welcome, Jane! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Jane Morgan, and I work for the Queen.  I see you refer to me as “Maid of Stealth”, and that sounds right enough. As a spy for the Queen, I make short work of anyone the Crown prefers to see dead. So you definitely need stealth for what I do. That, and a sharpened blade.

What's your weapon of choice?
If I were smart, I would say a bow and arrow. It’s silent and you can sight your opponent from a far distance, then kill him quickly and cleanly.  But I do not often have the luxury of distance for my tasks. As a result, I find that I work best with the dagger. Or, in my case, several daggers hidden at various points on my person. A dagger is a quick, effective and silent weapon, and if managed correctly achieves my goals before my prey knows I am even there.

Where in Wales did you live? (This interests me as I'm 25% Welsh and my family was from Northern Wales)
Because you are a countrywoman, I will share the story of my home with you. But I do not talk often of this place; there are now only memories there for me. Memories and pain.
My family lived in a small village near the town of Newborough, on Anglesey Island. It was not an easy life, but it was simple, and it was ours. We were fisherman in the main, though some of us also wove nets out of the long grasses in the area for the fishing trade, and we kept to ourselves. The trouble with living so close to the sea, however, is what it might wash up on your doorstep. Marauders were a constant threat to us. Now there are a few less of them.

How did you train to become stealthy?
It happened quite by accident. I said we were fishermen. I am terrible at fishing. To make myself useful and avoid getting assigned the chores only fit for women to do, I learned to hunt. I found I had an affinity for sneaking up on animals without them being fully aware. This skill helped a great deal in the pursuit of small game (and larger game), when my only concern was helping my family and neighbors put food on the table. It became much more useful when I turned my focus to hunting men. To keep sharp, however, I must constantly hone my wits and my speed. If I am not quick, in body and mind… I’ll no longer be the hunter, but the prey.

What's your favorite part of court?
Leaving it.
In truth, I cannot say that I enjoy the Queen’s court and her endless rounds of entertainment, dancing and feasts. I have no quarrel with the woman—you might say we understand each other. But she is surrounded by so much revelry that it is all I can do not to flee the court outright every day, just for a few hours alone in the forest surrounding the castle. I’ve done it, often enough. I escape more than anyone realizes, and slip back inside just as quietly. And given what Meg and I have found within the walls of Windsor Castle, which you’ll know once you read Maid of Secrets, coming and going is about to get a lot easier.

Can you describe your favorite dress?
If I have to wear a dress at all, my favorite dress involves a split walking skirt.
I would much rather dress like a guard or, better yet, a servant. Someone who has only to wear loose breeches and a tunic, with a belt for carrying a sword and an extra blade, and boots sturdy enough to walk miles in--but soft enough to not leave your fleet a bleeding mess. That’s been the biggest benefit of being at court, I’ll tell you plain: the quality of the footwear. That and you always know where your next meal is coming from. Of course, you also know the price of the food. You just have to be willing to pay it.

Thanks! Excited to be part of the tour.
And good day to you, m’lady.

Author Bio via Goodreads: Jennifer McGowan writes Young Adult romance full of swash and buckle. Her first novel, MAID OF SECRETS, debuts in Spring, 2013 from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Royal Secret: Came from a small town in northern Ohio
Became a Maid of Honor: After bringing her tale of spygirls to the noble city, and winning the favor of the great house of Simon and Schuster
Special Skill: Matrix-like reflexes, superior strength, fabulous wit… okay, ah – we’ll get back to you on that.

Website: http://www.jennifermcgowan.com/
Twitter: @Jenn_McGowan 

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