About the Book
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Date Published: 9/5/2013
Jake thought being demon meant a shredded
humanity, stripped of all human emotion. Chaos and self-preservation dominates
a demon’s instincts. But
Jake feels every ounce of pain and despair around him.
And it’s driving him deeper into Hell.
Gabby’s choice to save him last summer left a
fissure in Hell’s gate that released a malevolent evil. When Jake’s given a
mission by the demons to shadow a
human girl who may know the whereabouts of an ethereal weapon, he doesn't expect to see Gabby. But Fate has her own agenda.
When Jake and Gabby are thrown together on a
camping trip with a group of delinquent teens, Jake begins to grapple with the
haunting choices he made in the
past. When the evil finds them, the group begins to battle for their
lives, alliances are made, and truths revealed.
As the evil begins to influence Jake, he
questions his link to the demons, his purpose, and his love for Gabby.
But the answers to those questions are only
found in Hell. And it may cost him his soul.
Prologue
Old, dead things
Gabriela Vega was going to pay. It was all
Tasha could think about after the little freak soaked her in mop water—as if. No one in the cafeteria had
lifted a finger as Tasha pounded on the new girl. They wouldn't dare. Suspended
after she tackled the little swine, Tasha knew she’d be in deep shit when she
got home. Grams was going to have a fit.
Wiping her dripping nose as she stepped onto the bus, she
took a seat near the window in the rear. Tasha hated riding on the bus, but Robin
refused to take her wet ass home. He didn't want to ruin the polyester
upholstery in his car. Asshole.
But Tasha hadn't left the fight empty-handed.
She lifted the chain in front of her eyes and scrutinized
the small silver angel pendant. The pendant made the fight worthwhile, even the
suspension. Wait until Gabby saw Tasha wearing it. Let the little shit try to
take it back. Rubbing the warm pendant with her thumb, she felt tiny vibrations
under her skin. It felt good.
A strong odor caught in her throat from the guy sitting
next to her. The smell of old, dead things. Scooting away from him without
jumping out the window didn't help. His shoulder nudged hers, forcing her to
turn and face the dark, hollow pit that replaced his face. She tried to move, to
pull back, to scream, but her body and her voice wouldn't comply. The fabric of
his dark trench coat fluttered, as if caught by an unfelt wind.
And then he began to lean toward her. The air grew thick,
pressing against her as if she’d fallen into a deep ocean trench and the
pressure threatened to crush her. Implode.
She couldn't breathe.
No one noticed her dying on the bus. No one noticed the
thing beside her, with its hollow face inches from hers, and stench of death.
It whispered words in her ear and a cold wetness draped her in fear. Tears
leaked from her eyes and pain exploded inside her skull. Then she did move. She
pulled away from him, closed her eyes to keep them in her head, and rubbed her
forehead with her palm.
“Are you okay?”
Tasha looked at the woman sitting beside her.
“Huh?” Tasha rubbed her head again. A splitting headache
tightened its nasty clamp around her head.
“No, I feel like crap.” Tasha stood
up as the bus reached her stop, and she got off.
She arrived home with no memory of the bus ride or the
walk. She needed to crash. Cold sweat forced shivers throughout her body. The
buzzing in her head wouldn't stop. Sick. She was getting sick. The flu maybe.
She rubbed her ear and felt a wet sticky substance. Black goop on her
fingertips made her stomach roll. She stepped inside the apartment she shared
with her grandma and sister and a foul smell forced her eyes to water. Her
stomach lurched, and she ran to the bathroom.
“Are you sick?” Grandma’s voice tore into her brain as she
stumbled back to the couch. Moaning, Tasha threw herself on it, her limbs
heavy, her breathing hard. She needed sleep. Rest. Peace.
“I asked you a question!” Grandma hollered.
There is no peace
for the wicked.
About the Author
Elizabeth Arroyo
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Elizabeth spent most of her younger years as an avid reader with a wild imagination which led her to write her first manuscript at the age of fourteen.
But, life got in the way. Elizabeth completed a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Northeastern Illinois University and works in the community strengthening families.
But her love of stories held, and in 2008 she found herself back into her storytelling roots and began writing again. In 2012, Elizabeth signed with Sapphire Star Publishing to release her debut novel, THE SECOND SIGN.
Elizabeth still resides in Chicago’s south west side with her family, a household of kids, and the bliss of chaos. The good kind. She continues to work in the community.
A.L.'s Review
The Second Shadow, by Elizabeth Arroyo, is the sequel to her first book titled The Second Sign. Arroyo has an interesting take on Angels, demons and the apocalypse. The age old story of Good and evil, but in this rendering, the lines are blurry. You don't always know who you can trust.
If you like fast paced, high action, supernatural books, then this one is for you. There is never a dull moment when this band of angel demons are trying to save humankind from the end of the world. There is plenty of action and just enough romance mixed in. There is a whole lot packed into this book. Not only angels and demons, but other beings from the paranormal world find their way into Arroyo's creative story telling.
My only complaint would be that I tend to enjoy a slower paced book. I enjoy getting to know the characters as if I really know them. I do feel more connected after reading this second book and I look forward to a third?
Thanks for participating in the tour. =)
ReplyDeleteHi! AL has been trying to resond. She can't figure it out....that's my sister. She says, You're Welcome and thanks for the opportunity!
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