Tuesday, April 30, 2013

And the winners are . . .

I LOVE Rafflecopter. I love it because you click the button and wait for it to randomly spit out winners' names to you. And you never think you'll actually know the people. I mean, sure, you know some entrants. They're your friends and family members. Some are fans who've personally contacted you. But come on. What are the freaking chances that you spoke via email to the grand prize winner just a few hours ago?? It's true! So happy birthday to you, Miss Isabel! You won it! The whole kit and kaboodle! It's yours!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Isabel G. (5810)
 
 
RUNNERS-UP
(who will receive signed paperback copies of Going Under)
 
Jessica Baker C. (5003)
Carolin V. (4200)
Elise (5204)
 


(Rafflecopter won't display the widget. Click on the link to check if you are, in fact, one of the winners. Winners' names and entry numbers are displayed.) 
 
Congratulations, girls! Now here's what you do: email me at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com with your mailing addresses. I will also shoot you an email unless I hear from you first, but it may take a few days. So if you want your stuff faster, email me immediately. Can't wait to hear from you, and so excited about your win!!
 
Thanks everyone for participating. And don't fret. If you really want to get your hands on this same prize, you always have the option of bidding on it during the month of May. I am participating in author Brenda Novack's annual diabetes research auction. Bidding opens May 1st here
 
 
 
(Rafflecopter hasn't been displaying correctly lately, so I will email you girls tomorrow if the names don't post.)

Monday, April 29, 2013

All Kinds of Good Things

Let me first say that the women I've met so far in the writing and blogging worlds have been AMAZING. Going Under would have gone under had it not been for their tireless promotion and constant support. I'm beyond thankful, and I really want to go all Anne Hathaway on you guys, but then you wouldn't read this post. (And I want you to read the post because it's important.)

1. Don't forget about May 1st. That's the exclusive Video Game scene from Ryan's POV. You don't want to miss it. Check it out at Shh Moms Reading.

2. In other news, Stephanie at Romance Addict Book Blog set up my May tour for me. Now, this deserves a little time because the whole thing is incredible. First off, I thought there was no way anyone could pull off organizing a big tour (this one is running for three weeks) in such a short period of time. Well, the girl did. In fact, she filled it up overnight. Bam! That's all I can say to that. She officially made "rock star" status with her awesomeness. Another awesome bit about this tour? Most stops are review stops! Now for a new author, this is like the gold standard. You want as many reviews as you can get your greedy author fingers on.

Sooo, this is the I *heart* Ryan GOING UNDER Blog Tour. All things Ryan. A big 'ol Ryan giveaway with lots of goodies that are . . . you guessed it . . . related to Ryan. Ryan interviews. Ryan excerpts. Ryan stats. Mmmm, it's delicious and will hopefully placate those fans who wanted more of Ryan in the book. I'll post the tour schedule on my blog closer to May 15 when it starts.

3. I'm participating in author Brenda Novack's annual diabetes auction to raise money for diabetes research. I'm auctioning the GOING UNDER Ultimate Prize Pack that includes lots of fun goodies. Auction opens May 1st and runs the entire month.

4. GOING UNDER Ultimate Prize Pack Giveaway ends in 10 hours! Enter today!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Just a few days away! The video game scene from Ryan's POV!!!

Hey everyone! I'm going to post about this every day until May 1st when Shh Moms Reading will debut the exclusive video game scene from Ryan's POV. I hope you check it out. It's hot and juicy. And, it'll give you some insight into how Ryan thinks when he's, you know . . . excited. :)

Friday, April 26, 2013

I'm not bragging but . . .

. . . I made it! I made it on the USA Today's Best-selling Books list!! Debuting at #122. You know, modest, unassuming, yet letting the world know, hey, I'm here. I wrote this book, and I'd like to share it with you. :)

swekugerhog iuoergioe gu drshaseiaerpi uegawpoaiwe!!!!!!!!! I'm so EXCITED!!!

Here's the link: http://books.usatoday.com/book/s-walden-going-under/l49767

Thank you everyone for supporting me. You are the greatest fans. <3 <3 (yes, you are totally getting two hearts)




Almost Over! GOING UNDER Ultimate Prize Pack Giveaway!

Enter today. Only a few days left. Grand prize winner and three runners-up will be chosen May 1. Winners will be announced May 2. Good luck, everyone! And hey. There are more GOING UNDER giveaways coming up in May and June. Stay tuned. :)


Thursday, April 25, 2013

GOING UNDER Cast

Hey everyone! I have a friend who's been badgering me about posting my cast for Going Under, and then I was asked in an upcoming interview May 3 at www.shereadsnewadult.com who would play the roles! So, without further ado, here are the people I envisioned for these characters:


Brooke (Katrina Bowden)




Ryan (Asher Book)




Beth (Alexandra Daddario)





Gretchen (Willa Holland)




Cal (Zach Roerig)





Parker (Alex Pettyfer)




Who else from the book do you want to see?? Leave me a message!



We have a request!


Mr. Wright (Kyle Chandler)




Anyone else?


O. M. G. Gretchen would call me a total bitch. I cannot believe I forgot about Lucy!!



Lucy (Gemma Ward)



Okay, who else am I missing?

. . . And we have another request!


Terry (Charlie Hunnam)

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Book Blitz ends tomorrow! GOING UNDER goes back up to $2.99!

Yep. You've got two days left to enjoy the special savings. Going Under will be $.99 today and tomorrow. Get it now before it goes back up to regular price!

 
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Playstation 4. Oh yes. It's coming.

(That was totally not supposed to be a sexual innuendo, but whatever.)

For my diehard fans of the Going Under Video Game Scene (yeah, let's throw some capital letters in there and make it official), you might be interested to know that Playstation 4 is on its way. Now, I've read that the release date is not official. And then I found a website that has a countdown clock. So I don't know. What I do know is this: Ryan and Brooke are going to be getting it on.




(I don't even know if these pictures are the real deal.)

And you don't want to miss this either: Shh Moms Reading is featuring an EXCLUSIVE scene on May 1. It's the Video Game Scene. From Ryan's point of view. And it's pretty sizzling. In fact, I had to rate it NC-17. So don't read it at work or around your children! (I'll remind you all closer to May 1.)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I Have an Agent! A real life actual AGENT!!

Yep. That's what I wanted to tell you. I landed an agent today, and she's amazing. Her name is Marisa Corvisiero, and she owns her own literary agency in NYC. (Yes, people. This is the big time.) Marisa's agency represents many authors including K.A. Tucker and Jay Crownover. Perhaps you've heard of these ladies? :)

(I'm bursting over here. Really. It's almost obscene.)

And she's got some big plans for me, all of which I cannot share at the moment. But I can tell you that I know I'm in capable hands. She's already given me a To-Do list which has both excited and scared the hell out of me. (Promoting is hard work! Why do you think I asked you guys to pimp my book for me? And anyway, you already know I'm a social networking moron. I think I posted that on my FB page recently. Actually, I remember it quite clearly. I couldn't get the post about me being a social networking moron to post!) Anyway, she's working her magic in other ways, too, doing those secret things that literary agents do to gain exposure for their clients. Plus, I think she has really pretty hair. So there you go! Meet Marisa.


Marisa A. Corvisiero
 

+

 
 

=

Dynamo Team!

 
Recognize.

And recognize this: If it weren't for you, fans and readers of my work, I would not have an agent. I would not have any of the success I've seen on Amazon. I would not have the friends on goodreads or the "likes" on Facebook. Your support is overwhelming, and I'll just keep saying it. I don't care if I'm gushing, because it's heartfelt and real. Thank you for all that you've done to support my writing career. <3

GOING UNDER Giveaways Galore!

Hey Everyone! Check out these blogs that are featuring me today. Reviews, guest post, and giveaways! Thank you, ladies, for promoting Going Under. <3

Three Chicks and Their Books

Aestas Book Blog

Much love. xoxo

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

HOODIE 2 Survey

Thought I'd throw this survey up here again in case you forgot about it or you just read Hoodie and you're pissed off. :) Let me know how you feel. Sequel or no? Survey takes literally two seconds








Friday, April 12, 2013

Additional GOING UNDER scene--Ryan Meets Gretchen


Ryan followed Brooke into Chili’s. He wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t nervous to meet Gretchen. He thought that maybe meeting the friends was even harder than meeting the parents. Wait a minute. That’s not right at all. The first time he met Brooke’s dad, Mr. Wright was holding a gun. Still, girlfriends were tricky, and he knew he was in for a thorough scrutinizing. Brooke told him a bit about what to expect from Gretchen, and frankly he was scared of her.

“You two are late,” Gretchen said when they reached the table.

“Traffic, Gretchen,” Brooke replied, then cut her eyes at her friend.

“Well, I just about ate all these chips like a fat ass, so if I do, in fact, get a fat ass, it’s totally on you,” she replied.

Ryan realized his heartbeat sped up. All he could think was, I hope she doesn’t get a fat ass. What will she do to me if she gets a fat ass? He waited for Brooke to slide into the booth before joining her. Gretchen watched him the entire time. He tried to ignore her piercing eyes. He knew she had a trillion thoughts flying through her head as she stared at him, sizing him up, taking mental notes about all the things she was going to say about him to Brooke when they were alone.

“Hi, Gretchen,” he said when he was settled.

“Hello, Ryan. Now, you’ve been dating my best friend for how long now? And I’m only just meeting you today?” she replied.

Ryan shook his head. “It’s shameful but true.”

“I don’t like being left out of things,” Gretchen explained.

“Ease up, Gretchy,” Brooke said.

“Do not call me that,” she snapped, then looked back at Ryan. “We’re gonna be here for awhile. I hope you know that. So get comfortable.”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” Ryan said pleasantly. This chick was a little crazy, but he was starting to see that most of it was for show. And he liked it. He thought it might be like a game. She had her guard up, and it was his job to take it down.

“How old are you?” Gretchen asked.

“Eighteen.”

“Do you think that gives you free license to do whatever you want?”

“I don’t even understand what that means,” Ryan confessed.

“Do you have siblings?”

“A younger sister.”

“Do you watch over her the way an older brother should?”

“Fiercely.”

“That sounds weird. Just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will suffice,” Gretchen replied.

“You got it. And yes.”

“What music do you listen to?”

“Well, I like older stuff. The Smashing Pumpkins. Linkin Park.”

“So what? Are you, like, all up in your head all the time?”

“I try to be.”

Ryan saw the slight grin forming at the corners of Gretchen’s lips.

“Do you play sports?”

“I skateboard.”

“So are you one of those kids who causes trouble in neighborhoods where you’re not allowed to skateboard?”

“I try not to tear anything up,” Ryan said.

“Do you vandalize things? Like with spray paint and stuff?”

Ryan grinned. “I’m not sure I understand what that has to do with skateboarding, but no. I don’t vandalize anything.”

“Are you a good student? Because I can’t have my best friend dating a moron.”

“I always get my homework done first before we make out,” Ryan said.

Gretchen’s eyes went wide. And then she burst out laughing. She looked over at Brooke who was laughing, too.

“Okay okay. He can keep up,” she said to Brooke, then turned to Ryan. “I guess you’re all right.”

“Good to hear,” he replied.

The waitress approached the table and took Ryan’s and Brooke’s drink orders. Actually there was only one order. A Cherry Coke to be shared. The waitress rolled her eyes and left the table.

“That is so disgustingly cute,” Gretchen said, then stuck out her tongue like she was gagging.

“How did you two become friends?” Ryan asked.

“Oh no no. This is so not about us right now. I’m not finished drilling you,” Gretchen said.

“Really? Okay,” Ryan replied.

“Gretchen, can you just stop being so intense? I mean, a question here, a question there. That’s okay. But you’re freaking me out,” Brooke said.

“It’s fine,” was Gretchen’s response accompanied by a dismissive wave of her hand.

The waitress returned with one Cherry Coke and two straws. She took their dinner orders and disappeared right before Gretchen’s next statement.

“So Brooke tells me you two play video games together. Particularly Call of Duty.”

Poor Ryan. It really wasn’t fair. He was in the middle of sucking down some Coke when he choked and spit it all over his girlfriend.

“Gretchen!” Brooke cried, patting Ryan’s back as he continued coughing and spluttering all over the table.

“I’m so sorry, Brooke,” he wheezed, catching sight of the spots on her shirt.

“Not your fault,” she replied. “It is, however, my friend’s fault for being totally inappropriate.  What is wrong with you?”

“Oh, whatever Brooke. You couldn’t wait to tell me about the Gamers Embrace.” She directed her next comment to Ryan. “I wanna know how you came up with that.”

“Gamers Embrace?” he asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Gretchen replied.

“Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed,” Brooke mumbled, hanging her head.

“Is this what you girls do? You talk about these intimate things with one another?” Ryan asked. “I mean. I know you talk. But about everything?”

“Ryan, you’ve got a lot to learn,” Gretchen said. The tone in her voice was both patient and condescending.

“Can you move on to something else?” Brooke asked Gretchen. Ryan glanced at his girlfriend and handed her another napkin.

“There’s a few spots you missed.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she said. “And this is Gretchen’s shirt anyway.”

“WHAT?”

Brooke giggled. “You didn’t even recognize your own shirt?”

“No, you bitch. Why haven’t you given it back?” She studied the top. “Wait a hot sec. Is that my White House Black Market top?”

Brooke nodded.

“That’s it. I’m tired of Coke being spilled on my nice shirts because of you, Ryan,” she said.

“This has happened before?” Ryan asked. “Because I’m pretty sure I don’t remember.”

“That time!” Gretchen cried. “In the diner when you were making eyes at Brooke and she was all googley over you. She spilled Coke on me.”

“Two spots, Gretchen. Two spots,” Brooke said.

“Whatever. You two are buying me dinner,” Gretchen said.

I’m buying dinner,” Ryan replied.

Gretchen’s face lit up. “Oh, so he’s a gentleman, too.”

“That’s how I was raised.” He smiled at Gretchen then at Brooke. He let his eyes linger on her face, watching as she popped another salsa-loaded chip in her mouth. She looked content, and it made him warm inside.

He noticed how quiet she was around Gretchen. It was an interesting dynamic between the two. Brooke was so forward with him when they were alone, but she seemed to let Gretchen take the lead when they were together. She became the level-headed one. Gretchen was loud and silly and all over the place. He really had no idea how much he’d learn about Brooke from just listening to Gretchen and the way she and Brooke bantered.

He leaned over and kissed Brooke’s cheek, feeling the smile spread across her face. And then he looked at Gretchen.

“God, you two make me sick,” Gretchen said, but the look on her face told otherwise. She was grinning from ear to ear, and Ryan thought he’d won the game. Her guard was down, and she seemed to really like him. Approval from the best friend was crucial, and he was positive he’d gotten it.

“So who are you dating, Gretchen?” Ryan asked as the waitress placed their meals carefully on the table.

“Oh, anyone and everyone,” Gretchen replied.

“Gretchen likes my friend Terry. Remember I told you about him?” Brooke said.

Ryan nodded.

“I do not. He’s a freaking old man,” Gretchen argued.

“Whatever. You like him.” Brooke turned to Ryan. “And he’s thirty-six!”

“Wow, that’s ancient,” he teased, watching Gretchen’s face.

“I don’t like him! And thirty-six is not ancient! And how did this discussion become about me? We’re supposed to be discussing you!” she cried, pointing at Ryan.

Brooke laughed. “Fine. You don’t like him. But you sure as hell like flirting with him.”

“I’ll flirt with anything that’s got two legs,” Gretchen said.

“Isn’t that the truth,” Brooke mumbled.

Gretchen narrowed her eyes at Brooke.

“Okay then. Let’s talk about how much you were in love with Ryan after your first make-out session.”

It could have gone very badly for Ryan since he was in the middle of biting into his burger, but from the short amount of time he’d spent with Gretchen, he’d come to expect another shocking comment. He chewed his burger and swallowed without any incidents.

“Gretchen,” Brooke warned.

“Please do tell, Brooke,” Ryan said. He nudged her, and she pushed back.

“Moving on.”

“No way,” Ryan replied. “Tell me what this is all about.”

“Your first make-out session. And then Brooke couldn’t believe you hadn’t kissed a girl in a year, and you were all embarrassed and stuff,” Gretchen explained.

Ryan scrunched his nose. “Oh yeah. I remember that.”

“Gretchen, shut up,” Brooke said.

Gretchen ignored her. “And she ended up getting drunk at my house and wanted to call you and tell you she loved you.”

“I’m not speaking to you for, like, a century,” Brooke snapped.

Ryan turned to Brooke and grinned. “You could have called me. That would have been okay.”

Brooke’s face blushed crimson. “I didn’t have your number,” she said softly. “And anyway, Gretchen took my phone away.”

“I wish I could have been there to see that,” Ryan said.

“No you don’t,” Brooke replied, hiding her face. She was shy all over again, just like the first night they made love. He had an overwhelming urge to throw some money on the table, grab Brooke, and tell Gretchen he’d catch her later.

“I think I would,” Ryan went on.

“She was adorable,” Gretchen said, and Brooke looked at Ryan, rolling her eyes.

“I’m glad I met you, Gretchen,” Ryan said. “I hope you share more of these stories with me in the future.”

“Oh, I plan to,” Gretchen replied. “You passed the test which means you’re BFF material.”

“Can guys be BFFs?” Ryan asked.

“Sure they can,” Gretchen said.

Ryan nodded and thought for a moment. “Okay. So we’re all BFFs now?”

Brooke and Gretchen giggled in unison. He thought it was funny. He thought girls were funny.

“Totally,” Gretchen said.

“Totally,” Brooke echoed.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Additional GOING UNDER scene--Please do not read if you've not read the book!

If you haven't read GOING UNDER yet, don't read any further.




Quick note: I enjoy writing from first person POV. That hasn't always been the case, but I think GOING UNDER warranted a first person POV, and I loved being in Brooke's crazy head. That being said, first person POV is limiting, and so I understand the frustrations of not being able to hear (or even sometimes see) other characters' reactions. That's why I decided to write this scene. I owe my readers a raw look at Ryan's reaction to Brooke's recount of her attack. I won't say "enjoy" because this is a tough scene. Rather, I'll just say that I hope it answers some questions for you.

Ryan Reacts


Ryan closed Brooke’s front door softly and walked towards the street. He turned in the direction of his house, then changed his mind, walking the opposite way towards a community park. It was dusk, and he knew the park would be empty. He wanted, needed, the solitude to lash out.

He picked up speed, deciding it was wiser to run. He felt the tears welling and wanted to be safely hidden before they poured forth. He was out of breath when he made it to the playground, and crawled under a bridge that made up part of a play castle. And then he lost it, burying his face in his hands, crying shamelessly and angrily.

“Fuck!” he screamed into the purple air. The sun was nearly hidden, casting about the striking shades of a picture he had just painted with Brooke. He didn’t want to see the colors. They looked like her. They felt like her. They screamed at him. Told him he was a charlatan, that he didn’t deserve her and never would.

He threw his head back, staring at the underside of the bridge and shouted, “What the fuck am I supposed to do?!”

No answer.

“What am I supposed to tell her?!”

No answer.

“God, please,” he pleaded, pounding the ground on either side of him.

No answer.

He pulled his knees up to his chest and hung his head, crying as hard as he did the night he was fourteen years old and went home instead of to the police station. He cried for Lucy and Brooke and all the other girls who were victims because he was a coward. He didn’t know how to make it right. He didn’t know how to face Brooke tomorrow.

He held it together tonight while she detailed her attack. He wanted to be strong for her. It was nearly impossible when all he wanted was to break down just like her, cry and scream his anger just as she’d done. But he knew he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. Wouldn’t be fair. She needed someone strong, someone to cry on, and so he would be strong for her.

He closed his eyes, seeing Brooke’s face change to Lucy’s. Seeing Lucy’s face change to some girl he didn’t know. And her face change to another girl he didn’t know. They lined themselves up in his brain, standing there staring at him, waiting patiently for him to make the decision. To do the right thing. It would take him a week, but he would go. He would find the strength to go.

 ***

“Hi?” Lucy said, confused.

“I’m Ryan.”

“I know who you are,” she said, her mouth turning up in a sad smile. “You’re dating Brooke.”

He nodded. “May I come in?”

“Uh, sure,” Lucy replied. She moved aside to allow him in, watching him suspiciously as he walked into the living room. “How’s Brooke?”

“Scared. Angry.” Ryan stood in the middle of the room unsure of what to do.

Lucy nodded and made her way to the couch, inviting him to join her. They sat in an awkward silence for a few moments while Ryan tried to formulate his thoughts, his reason for visiting.

“I just . . . I just want you to beat the shit out of me, okay?”

Lucy looked up. “Huh?”

“For what I’m about to tell you. Just hit me as hard as you want.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

Ryan was quiet, rubbing his face. Lucy grew frightened immediately.

“Did something else happen to Brooke?”

Ryan looked at her confused. “Huh? What? No no. She’s okay. I mean, she’s still shaken, but she’s okay. I mean she’s safe. She’s not okay. She’s safe.”

“Then what was that comment all about?” Lucy asked. She felt the inevitable tears, the ones she’d been crying all week for Brooke.

“Lucy . . .” Ryan’s voice trailed off.

“Tell me why you want me to beat the shit out of you!” Lucy demanded.

“I was there that night. I saw you. On that bed. I tried to stop it. I didn’t know what the hell was going on. I thought I was going to a drinking party. That’s what they told me. I tried to stop them, Lucy, but I couldn’t.” And then the tears poured forth anew, running unabashedly down his cheeks. He didn’t wipe them away. He wanted her to see them, to believe them, because they were true.

Lucy sat stunned, staring at him.

“I didn’t know about that sex league, Lucy. I wasn’t part of it. I don’t know if they brought me to that motel room to initiate me or something, but I freaked out. I fought them, but they beat the shit out of me.” He looked up at her, a wild expression on his face. “Hit me, Lucy.”

“Huh?”

“Do it!”

“I don’t—”

“I want you to! Please, just do it!”

Lucy thought he’d gone crazy. She hopped up from the couch and backed away.

“That’s it. I’m a monster. But don’t back away from me. Hit me instead. Don’t be afraid,” he said, standing up.

Lucy took another step back.

“Stop backing away from me!” he shouted. “Fucking stand up for yourself!”

Something snapped in her brain at the sound of those words: “Stand up for yourself.” And then she came at him, her fists flailing. She pounded his chest, slapped his face repeatedly, punched his stomach until he doubled over.

“Why?!” she screamed, smacking the side of his head as he stood, bent over, not resisting or trying to protect himself. “Why did you let them do that to me?!”

She pounded his body. She wouldn’t let up. Her tears seemed to fuel her rage, and she struck him with all the strength her 100-pound body could muster.

“They were too strong,” Ryan gasped, feeling her tiny fists all over him.

And then her fists were gone. Just like that. He turned his face to look at her, unsure if it was safe or possible to stand up again.

“Did you try?”

“I tried,” he replied. “I got a few swings in before I blacked out.”

“Blacked out?”

“They beat me unconscious,” he replied, standing up.

Lucy’s mouth dropped open.

“It’s no excuse, Lucy. But when I came to, they told me they’d kill me if I talked. I was scared. Young and scared. But it’s no excuse.”

They stared at one another for a while. Ryan was determined to hold her gaze, knowing this was part of the punishment he deserved—staring at the victim he couldn’t help. He felt the same weakness now as he did that night in the motel room.

“I’m sorry they did that to you,” Lucy said, and then she walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his sore waist.

He stood frozen, unable to comprehend the turn of events. She should be crying and screaming at him, not hugging him. He didn’t know where to put his arms. He wanted to engulf her in them, allow himself the illusion of protecting her, but he was afraid.

“It’s not your fault,” she whispered into his chest, and then he wrapped his arms around her, holding her hard to him—perhaps too hard—but she didn’t resist. She just cried. And he cried.

Hours later Lucy had learned everything. Everything Ryan could remember. They sat on the couch while he detailed his depression, the strained relationship that developed between himself and his parents, and his loneliness at school.

“Well, if I would have known you were so lonely, I would have talked to you. We could have been lonely together,” Lucy offered. She grinned and chuckled. Ryan stared at his lap. “Ryan?”

“Hmm?”

“It was supposed to be funny.”

“Oh.”

She sighed.

“I heard the rumors Cal started about you,” Ryan said.

“Yeah? I heard the shit he said about you, too.”

“I should have talked to you.”

“Me too. Nobody should ever feel alone in high school,” Lucy said.

Ryan snorted.

“We can be friends now,” Lucy suggested, and he smiled.

“Lucy?’

“Hmm?”

“I want to go to the police. I want to tell them what I saw.”

“But Ryan, you really didn’t see anything,” Lucy said.

“It doesn’t matter. I know what happened to you. I know what they were planning to do to you. And I want to tell the police.”

Lucy sat silent for a moment. Ryan fidgeted with his fingers.

“They’ll want me to give a statement,” she said.

Ryan nodded.

“I’m afraid.”

“Lucy, you just beat the hell out of me. Are you really afraid anymore?” Ryan asked. He looked at her and smiled. She grinned.

“Well, perhaps not. But you didn’t see much that night. I don’t remember anything, really. What are the chances those boys will be found guilty for anything?”

“It doesn’t matter. It happened to you. And that’s what we say. Because it’s the truth.”

Lucy nodded. She thought better than to bring it up, but she couldn’t keep the secret any longer. “Ryan?”

“Hmm?”

“Did Brooke ever tell you why she was hanging out with Cal?”

Ryan tensed. “No.”

Lucy shifted in her seat. “Cal raped Beth. Her best friend. Did she ever tell you about Beth?”

Ryan looked shocked. “I went to Beth’s funeral, and yes, I knew she was Brooke’s best friend, but I never knew why she committed suicide.”

Lucy took a deep breath. “I have no business telling you this, but I think you should know. And I’m not telling you this to make you feel worse than you already do, but Brooke’s your girlfriend and she should have been honest with you. Honest with someone about her fucked-up plan.”

“What are you talking about?” Ryan felt the warning flutters in his heart. For a split second he thought he didn’t want to learn what Lucy insisted on telling him.

“Brooke cheated with Beth’s boyfriend. She carried around a lot of guilt over it, especially after Beth took her life. She thought the only way to find forgiveness was to set herself up as a rape victim in order to get Cal behind bars. It was crazy and stupid, and she eventually abandoned the plan. I think you had a lot to do with that.”

Ryan stared off into the corner of the room. He couldn’t process the things Lucy was saying.

“It’s like she finally came to her senses. But then—” Lucy took a deep breath. She didn’t want to cry anymore, but she couldn’t stop herself. “—Why did she take that drink?!”

“I don’t know.”

“How can someone be so smart and stupid at the same time?!”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m so angry at her, and it’s not her fault. But I’m angry, Ryan!”

“I know.”

“I hate those boys!” Lucy screamed. “I want to kill them! I’ve never felt it before—the urge to kill someone. But I want to. If they were here, I’d kill them with these hands!” She turned her palms up and showed Ryan. They shook from rage, and he took them in his hands.

“I’d rather you not go to prison, too,” he said, trying for lightness. It worked, and she calmed down. Even smiled. “But we can make them pay. We can go to the police. Tell them the truth.”

Lucy nodded.

“Will you?”

“I want you to go. I do,” Lucy said. “But will you just give me some time?”

“Yes.” Ryan squeezed her hands and let go.

“Ryan?”

“Yes?”

“Should I not have said anything about Brooke’s secrets? They really weren't mine to tell.”

“I think you were trying to do the right thing.”

“Are you angry that she didn’t talk with you about Beth?”

“No. I can’t be angry with her for keeping secrets when I did the same.”

Ryan didn’t voice it aloud, but for the first time he felt like he didn’t know Brooke at all. And he knew that once he admitted his secret to her, he’d never get the chance.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Spring Break! It's On!

Hey Everyone. I'm excited about this week and next because Going Under is on Spring Break, and I've got some fun things planned for you. You'll see information about the book popping up everywhere in the blog world, and I have Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours to thank for that. She put together a promotional blitz for me, and I've included all the blogs and links to their sites below so you can check them out. In addition to providing basic information about Going Under and where to purchase it, most are hosting their own giveaways and featuring excerpts from the book and blog posts written by me. So please stop by. Support the blogs that are supporting me!

Two reviews today! Mollie over at Tough Book Critic Reviews and Trinity over at A Love Affair with Books want to tell you what they think. Check it out.

Also happening today? Going Under is 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords! Yep. And it'll be 99 cents tomorrow (April 9) and Wednesday (April 10). Take advantage of the savings, and go get it!

What's happening tomorrow? I'm posting an additional scene to Going Under. Many reviewers wanted to know more about Ryan, especially his reaction to something that happened to Brooke towards the end of the book. I don't want to say any more for those who haven't read the story, so please please only read the additional scene tomorrow if you've already read Going Under.

And don't forget about the month-long giveaway for the GOING UNDER Ultimate Prize Pack. Open internationally. Grand Prize winner will receive all the goodies listed in the giveaway. Three runners-up will receive signed paperback copies of Going Under.





Promotional Blitz Participating Blogs <3
(You can expect to see these blogs post on the day specified, but that could change. They can post any time between April 8-22.)

April 8

For The Love Of Film And Novels
Lost in Literature
A Dream Within A Dream
Full Moon Bites
The Readers Roundtable by Candlelight
The(Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
Sarah Elizabeth'sBookshelf
Love Between the Sheets
TheSecretBookBrat
T's Bookish Moments of Escape
Piper Caleb
Bookwhirlwind (8th or 9th)

 
April 9

My Library in the Making
Whirlwindbooks
ReadingRenee
Not Just a One Night Stand
A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner (9th, 10th, or 11th)
Nook of Books Reviews (Review!)

 
April 10

Between fantasy and reality
4 the LUV of SANITY
FanGirl Hostess

 

April 11

Pieces of Whimsy

 
April 12

Books and Insomnia

 
April 13

Every Free Chance Book Reviews
Kat's Book Buzz

 
April 15

Fic Talk
Inkk Reviews
A Novel Affair [book blog]
New Adult Addiction

 
April 17

Aestas Book Blog (Book review, guest post, giveaway for signed paperback copy)

 
April 18

Romance Addict Book Blog
Darlene's Book Nook
Girls *Heart* Books
Book Nerds Anonymous

April 19

Anna's Romantic Reads
As the Pages Turn

 
April 20

Shortie Says
Read This~Hear That
Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After
Tiffany Talks Books
Piper Caleb

 
April 21

That Girl Reads
Book Crush

 
Will Post Any Day Between April 8-22