Dangerous Fascinations by Isabelle

To celebrate the release of the first book of my YA fantasy series, The Guardian’s Mark, I’ve decided to offer an exclusive excerpt as today’s freebie! 🙂

Though the book doesn’t officially release until April 17th (tax day!), early copies are available in print! For those looking to download onto their Nook and Kindle, keep your eyes open for the link which I’ll be sure to post as soon as its live. 😉

Either way, Happy Friday, folks!

IT WAS WRONG to stare. She knew that. She just couldn’t help herself. Some irrational part of her thought if she looked hard enough she’d see something new.

She was wrong. Everything about Kieran remained exactly the same, as closely guarded as the very first day he arrived.

She thought she’d gotten through to him out in the courtyard a few weeks back. She’d felt the little crack, caught the smile he’d tried so hard to suppress. But just as quickly, he’d built his walls back up. Now, it was nearly impossible to get through the thick emotional armor he hid behind.

Kieran shifted uncomfortably. Amaya looked away. He must have felt her prying eyes.

She turned the page of the book in front of her. The words looked foreign. She had no idea what she was reading.

Taking a chance, she peered at him from over the cover. He hadn’t moved. He still sat all alone, his eyes focused on something outside the library window. The longing etched on his face was almost too painful to bear. Amaya bit her lip, anxious to think of something to say.

He sighed. She didn’t have to open her empathic connection to know just how unhappy he was. She could hear it. Her stomach clenched. She hated how helpless she felt. Wasn’t there anything she could do or say to make him feel at home? Or at the very least, to put a more permanent smile on his face?

“Are you done examining me?”

Amaya’s eyes widened. “What?”

“You’re staring at me.”

Thursday Myths & Legends 101: The Moirae (Fates)

All of humanity’s life, represented by a long, endless thread. Clotho, the first of the Fates, spun the thread onto her spindle, beginning that particular life. Lachesis used her measuring rod, allotting each person a certain life span, while Atropos used her ‘abhorred shears’  to cut that life, in any manner she saw fit.

This was how a person’s life course, or fate, was decided, according to Greek mythology. The Moirae, or Fates as they’re commonly referred to, were three spinsters who apportioned life length and death, and as such were given great honor (or perhaps even feared) by the Olympian gods themselves.

According to the tales, the Moirae came to see a child seven nights after its birth to determine its life course. They were often viewed as remorseless and unfeeling. Atropos’ Roman equivalent was Death itself, or Morta. They were often depicted as old crones or hags, which might be why being an old spinster is looked down and feared by young maidens in so many cultures.

Re-evaluating these mythic characters, I couldn’t help but think of Sleeping Beauty and Disney’s rendition involving three faeries who come to bless the child after her birth. Three is a very significant number in many cultures. Also, does anyone notice that touching the spindle is what ‘ends’ her life? Or puts her to sleep in this case? I definitely think they were touching a bit on the Fates mythos.

Anyone know of any good YA stories involving the Fates? The Thief, which I reviewed yesterday, had a nice nod to the Moirae in the form of a woman, Moira. Definitely worth a look.